2016–2017: 5777 The KJ Difference Dear Friend, In the pages that follow you will see what KJ stands for: meaningful prayer serious Torah study service to the support for Israel community and engagement with the entire Jewish community and broader society KJ has long been a leader in the Jewish world. We brought the largest synagogue delegation to the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, and we host both the largest High Holiday Beginners Service and the largest Shabbat Across America dinner in North America. We take pride in being a dynamic synagogue — a leader in outreach that welcomes Jews from all backgrounds and offers a wide range of programming geared to all segments of our community. KJ is a Jewish Community Center for the Upper East Side and beyond! Our Beginners Program offers meaningful experiences for Jews of all backgrounds. Prominent guest scholars visit on a regular basis, and we offer a wide array of challenging classes in Bible, Talmud, Halakhah, Jewish Philosophy, Ethics, Jewish History, and Hebrew Language. There are multiple arts and culture programs, including film screenings and book reviews. Our Youth Department boasts a wide range of activities for children of all ages, including sports, movie and gym nights, arts and crafts classes, and Torah study, to name just a few. Seniors participate in a weekly “Lunch and Learn” program, while young Jewish professionals and their families connect through our “Kesher” program. The Sisterhood, Men’s Club, UJA at KJ, and other chesed-focused societies all offer numerous volunteer opportunities to help make the world a better place. All of this helps create the “KJ Difference,” a unique, dynamic and caring congregation that is a leader in the Jewish community. We invite you to discover the “KJ Difference,” and join us in our shared Jewish journey. Chaim Steinmetz Elie Weinstock Haskel Lookstein Senior Rabbi Rabbi Rabbi Emeritus 2 Welcome 2016–2017 : 5777 1 Contents Congregation WELCOME YOUTH .............................................................. 27 Rabbis Letter ......................................................1 Engaging Our Youth .................................... 28 Kehilath Jeshurun Daily Services ....................................................3 Sports ................................................................29 PJ Library .........................................................30 Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun KJ BEGINNERS (KJB) .................................. 4 MaTan Bat Mitzvah........................................30 was founded in 1872, and is DAILY SERVICES JYC ....................................................................... 31 situated on Manhattan’s Upper YOUTH DEPARTMENT ..................................5 East Side. It is a Modern Orthodox SHACHARIT COMMUNITY .................................................. 32 (Morning Service) SEPHARDIC MINYAN .................................... 6 Serving Others ............................................... 33 congregation that seeks to foster KJ Sisterhood .................................................34 KESHER ...............................................................7 an abiding commitment to halakhah 7:15 AM Cultural Events ............................................... 35 and mitzvot. The synagogue takes Monday, Thursday UJA @ KJ..........................................................36 CHESED ...............................................................8 Save these Date .............................................36 pride in being part of the larger 7:30 AM SHABBAT ........................................................... 9 AIPAC ............................................................... 37 community: a community not Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Services. .............................................................10 Doing Good & Creating Community ......38 only of the Jewish People and the Learning .............................................................. 11 Judaica Shop ................................................. 38 8:30 AM State of Israel, but also of our Sunday, Legal Holidays Youth Groups .................................................... 11 Mikvahs ............................................................ 39 Special Shabbat Events ............................... 12 Eruv ....................................................................39 fellow New Yorkers, Americans, 7:00 AM Programming ...................................................14 and humankind. It is precisely this CONTACT US ................................................39 Rosh Chodesh weekdays type of communal dedication and HOLIDAYS ......................................................... 15 WHO’S WHO AT KJ .................................. 40 involvement that defines KJ. MINCHA & MA’ARIV Holiday Calendar ............................................16 (Evening Service) Community Holiday Highlights ................. 17 KJYD Holiday Highlights .............................18 STANDARD TIME: 5–10 minutes before sunset STUDY ................................................................19 JLI ......................................................................20 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: Chai Mitzvah ..................................................... 21 6:45 pm Weekly Classes................................................ 21 Holiday Workshops ...................................... 22 SEPHARDIC MINYAN History at Home .............................................24 Women and Judaism ...................................26 6:50 AM Monday, Thursday 7:00 AM Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM Sunday, Legal Holidays See ckj.org/cal p e w CONNECT 212.774.5600 [email protected] www.ckj.org WITH US! fb.com/CongregationKehilathJeshurun @congregationkj 2 Contents 2016–2017 : 5777 3 KJ Beginners (KJB) Youth Department The KJ Beginners Program offers individuals and families an open door to (KJYD) a broad range of learning, knowledge, and experiences. WE WELCOME participants of all levels of observance and aim to explain the “hows” and “whys” of our heritage. WE PROVIDE the tools for religious and spiritual The KJ Youth Department is the place growth, creating a community and a family. your children WANT to be! WE ARE ALL BEGINNERS at different stages of the same journey. By creating a warm and inspiring environment, our children discover the joys of Jewish values PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHTS: and traditions through our Shabbat and Holiday programs. Join us on this exciting adventure, where Torah and fun are one. Learners Service Friday Night Live “ My experience at the KJ Beginners Program is a gift from Hashem. It’s a special community. The KJ Shabbat Across America Beginners Program provides us with education and clarity in many aspects. People are friendly, “ All of my children love going to the and we are davening for the KJ youth programming. The group Holiday same reason — because we love leaders are always a familiar face Judaism.” Programming and it has been wonderful watching their friendships develop with the “ The KJ Beginners Program afforded other children.” us the opportunity to reconnect to our Jewish traditions. This enabled Intermediate Service “ Aryana’s attentiveness and us to achieve a level of spirituality eagerness for feedback shows and community, strengthening in the success of KJ youth us to meet life’s challenges and programming.” Largest High Holiday partner with God to make this world a better place.” Beginners Service! “ The sports programming that KJ Youth offers is a highlight of the weekend for my kids.” p 212.774.5678 e [email protected] w www.ckj.org For more KJ Youth Programming CONNECT see page 27. WITH US! fb.com/kjbeginners @kjbeginners 4 KJ Beginners 2015–20162016–2017 : 57765777 5 Sephardic Minyan Kesher The KJ Sephardic Minyan was established six years Kesher offers an array of programs ago to serve the growing need for Sephardic and events to bring together young services in the neighborhood. The minyan, KJ professionals, couples, as well as known for its exceptional warmth, spirit families with young children. Kesher, and inclusiveness, has grown significantly which means “connection” in Hebrew, THE KESHER MINYAN since then. We offer services on Shabbat, provides a warm and welcoming entry A weekly Shabbat service for young holidays, and weekday mornings. Members also into the larger KJ community. Contact couples, singles, and families with young participate robustly in the broader KJ community. [email protected] for more information. children. The Kiddush following services is a great opportunity to meet and greet other young people of the community. See website for schedule. KJ Rabbinic Scholar Rabbi Hayyim Angel and Chazan Benny Zalta KESHER WELCOMING lead the minyan. COMMITTEE New to the community? Want to get Contact [email protected] for more information. “ Kesher was a great community for involved, or just meet some of the KJ our family when we first joined KJ. Family? Email [email protected] Meeting other families with young to be hosted for a Shabbat Meal to get children is invaluable.” in the know! “ My kids LOVE going to the Kesher Minyan.” PROGRAMMING: “ Kibbe and Cholent go very well “ The dynamic Kesher Community together. The Sephardic Minyan at KJ offers a strong spiritual has added to the overall feeling of foundation and provides exciting Shemini Atzeret Lunch community in our synagogue.” opportunities to nurture new friendships, while at the same “ Warm congregants, a talented time developing a meaningful chazan,