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From the President’s Desk:
DEDICATION AND RETURN
Volume 45, Number 4
Inside: March/April Calendars • Rabbi’s Message • Laws of Purim • Wine Sale • Updated Class Schedule • Erev Pesach on Shabbos
YESHIVAT CHOVEVEI TORAH ON TOUR
Presents RABBI YAMIN LEVY
Rabbi Yamin Levy is the Vice President of Yeshiva Affairs of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School. He is also the Founder and Dean of the Maimonides Heritage Center. Formerly the Academic Director of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University, he spent 18 years in the rabbinate in New Jersey, Seattle, and Long Island. Rabbi Levy is the author of the internationally acclaimed Confronting the Loss of a Baby: A Personal and Jewish Perspective. He also wrote Journey Through Grief: A Sephardic Manual for the Bereaved and Their Community as well as numerous scholarly articles published in English and Hebrew on a range of topics including Jewish Law, Biblical Studies, and Maimonidean Studies.
THOUGHTS ON SHABBOS ZACHOR Drasha, Shabbos Morning
WEAVING METAPHOR AND HISTORY: A UNIQUE READING OF ESTHER
Pre-Mincha Class, 5:00 PM
WHO’S AFRAID OF OPEN ORTHODOXY? Shalosh Seudos Lecture and Discussion, 6:20 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION/MELAVE MALKA
Following Shabbos, the community is invited to attend a panel discussion,
featuring the visiting YCT scholars, entitled:
INNOVATION AND OPENNESS IN ORTHODOXY The Community Synagogue, 8:30-9:30 PM
Following the discussion there will be a festive and musical Melave Malka led by Rabbis Pollak and Bellino.
The time to show our commitment is coming … and we will all be counted “according to their numbers, every man shall give Hashem an atonement for his soul when counting them, so that there will not be a plague among them when counting them…a half shekel…as a portion to Hashem (Exodus: 30: 12-13).” When the doors of our shul re-open, what will be the accounting of your half shekel? In the last bulletin I celebrated our months of blessings, recounting the courageous and generous gifts and loans of a handful of individuals to keep us afloat in these desperate times. All of these considerable funds are being spent to complete the construction at 3 West 16th Street. Last year many of you made multiple contributions towards a Matching Grant that retired our old debt and helped begin the renovation of our home. To those of you who wrote checks, I commend you. To those of you who held back and now understand that the need is still great, now is your chance to make your contribution.
(Continued on page 10)
SHABBOS SCHOLAR: MARCH 14–15 SHABBOS ZACHOR
Adar I / Adar II / Nisan 5768 March / April 2008
THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE BULLETIN
Nothing pleases like a basket of Purim cheer from the Sisterhood!
$54 Contributor $118 Sponsor $180 Benefactor
You will receive a basket of holiday goodies
and a scroll listing the participants.
For an additional $25 you can have a Purim package sent to an Israeli soldier in your name.
Bring Simchas Purim by supporting this
important fundraising initiative!
Email [email protected] or call the office (212) 255-4826 to order!
Executive Committee
Honorary Chairman - Arnold Hordish Steve Ancona Saul F. Baily Alan Forman
Rabbi Sheldon Goldsmith Peter Greenspan Miriam Kaplan Vivian Klaus Cathy Koren
Joan Nachmani Dr. Elazar Rabbani Dr. Theobald Reich Dr. Bennett Strudler
George Tice
Board of Trustees
Synagogue Officers Richard McBee Victor Bellino Arthur Klaus Barnet Liberman Garry Roemer Zelda Goldsmith Jeff Katz Amir Koren Jonathan Nachmani Morris Shoretz Don Weiss
THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE 3 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
Tel: (212) 255-4826 Fax: (212) 206-3678
Mailing Address: 421 Hudson Street,
New York, NY 10014
On the Web: http://www.SixteenthStreetSynagogue.org
Israel Wohlgelernter, Rabbi Emeritus
Gavriel Z. Bellino, Interim Rabbi Cell: (917) 626-4573 Fax: (718) 504-7992
Gerty Engh, Office Administrator Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday to Friday
BEAUFORT: THE FILM
Norma Bellino Marvin Bienenfeld
Reuben Blumenthal William Feinerman
Gerald Feldhamer Mitchel Herstic
Dr. Morton Leibowitz Ruth Leibowitz
Phyllis Liberman
Susan Mehr Dr. Leon Pachter Dr. Robert Podell Howard Rich Dr. James Schmeidler Dr. William Silver Susanna Smulowitz Max Wagner Jay Zucker
President Vice President Vice President Vice President
Treasurer Assistant Treasurer
Secretary Gabbai Gabbai Gabbai
Shammes
THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE BULLETIN
Page 2 THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE
Beaufort is the recent film success to come out of Israel this year. The film's director and co-writer is Joseph Cedar, born in New York and raised in Israel by parents who made aliyah from our shul. For a number of years Joseph studied filmmaking and would daven with us regularly at 3 West Sixteenth Street while completing his Master's Degree at NYU. After several successful films and much international acclaim, Beaufort has been a smash hit in Israel, receiving favorable reviews worldwide, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film. The film is about a 22-year-old commander and his unit stationed at the Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon during the first Lebanon war that ended with the Israeli withdrawal in 2000. The movie depicts the feelings, fears, and moral dilemmas of a group of soldiers in the days preceding the withdrawal at the end of the 18-year conflict. Ironically, filming was completed in June at Nimrod Fortress in northern Israel, just a month before the second Lebanon war broke out. Cedar himself is an IDF veteran who was stationed in Lebanon during the first war. We wish Cedar a mazal tov and continued hatzlacha.
* * * SERVICES RELOCATED * * *
Weekday Morning Shacharis & Mid-day Mincha The Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, 2nd floor.
Weekday Mincha/Maariv NYU Kosher Cafeteria, Weinstein Hall, 11 University Place.
All Shabbos Services Podell Auditorium, Bernstein Pavilion of Beth Israel Hospital, between 15th and 16th Streets, between 1st and 2nd Avenues.
March / April 2008 Page 3
Wireless C Get more from life.
101 University Place (Bet. 12th and 13th Streets).
Tel. (212) 228-0701
שומר שבת
From the Rabbi’s Study:
PREPARATION FOR PESACH– ON PURIM?!
שומר שבת
The Gemara in Maseches Pesachim (6a) quotes a Beraisa, “shoalin v'dorshin b'hilchos Pesach kodem haPesach sheloshim yom,” instructing us to inquire about and expound on the laws of Pesach thirty days before the holiday. This injunction is based upon Moshe’s instruction to observe Pesach Sheni (the makeup Pesach on 14 Iyar). Since Moshe detailed these laws at the time of the regular Pesach (14 Nisan), the Gemara concludes that there should be a thirty day period allotted for learning the laws of Pesach. Despite a contradictory report from Maseches Megillah (32a), not to mention the dissenting position of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel within the same Beraisa, the Tur and other scholars accept this halacha and codify it as law. This association should surprise us, for these two holidays seem especially different. From a historical perspective, Pesach was the first holiday to be established; and Purim one of the last. From a chronological perspective, Pesach is celebrated in the first month and Purim in the last. Such opposition extends to more theoretical areas as well. Purim’s very name reflects its source in the exile. The name is not Hebrew and was apparently so foreign (hipil pur) that the Megillah provides its Hebrew translation (hu hagoral) throughout. Furthermore, Purim celebrates a temporary relief from political oppression. As the Gemara in Maseches Megillah (14a) explains, there is no Hallel on Purim because we remained the subjects of Achashveirosh even after the deliverance from Haman. Pesach, on the other hand, celebrates our liberation from the sovereignty of an earthly king to become forever servants of Hashem and so we recite Hallel for the entire holiday. The name of the holiday reflects an act of Hashem as He Himself passed over to save. And yet, our Rabbis urge us to connect these two holidays; that as we celebrate the former we begin to prepare for the latter. Surely they are aware of an influential irony of this association.
I would suggest that the Rabbis sought to highlight a thematic connection between these two very different holidays. In their view, even though the events of the Megillah occurred centuries after the Exodus, they serve as an introduction to Pesach. Haman represents an atheistic and crude approach to life, one that sees events as random. Events befall him; they are described with the root KaRaH, the same word used to describe the attack of his ancestors, Amalek, on the Israelites. For all his scheming, he remains devoted to his lots. For him there is no Judge nor Justice; life is random. There are only oblique references to God in the Megillah. We are not privileged to witness His direct intervention in human history. Even to us, life can seem chaotic and random. But this was not always so. There was an event in which God directly intervened in human history: the Exodus. It is the continuous proof of the non-random order of human history, forever endowing our lives with meaning. God’s promise to the children of Avraham was indeed fulfilled and will one day be fulfilled again. There is, then, great significance for us that we begin the study of Pesach directly following our celebration of Purim. We assert through our preparation that the seemingly random events of Purim are in fact not random at all, that revach vhatzala (relief and deliverance) will arise for the Jews from Makom Achair (Another Place). May we merit to see God’s Hand in our continued redemption, and may we all experience a Freilichen Purim and a Chag Kasher v’Sameach.
Gavriel Z. Bellino
THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE Page 4
On Shabbos Mishpatim, February 2, we were fortunate to have Orly Liberman as our Shabbos Scholar. A graduate of Princeton University and Drisha's Scholar Circle, today Orly teaches at the Joshua Heschel Middle School in Manhattan and is the Congregational Intern of the Hebrew Institute of White Plains. When we reached out to JOFA, they immediately referred us to Orly. After her eloquent drasha about the institution of slavery in the Torah and our voluntary “enslavement” to the Torah and Hashem, the congregation was invited back for Mincha and Shalosh Seudos. Orly led a constructive roundtable discussion about expanding the role of women - within the confines of Halacha - by taking on more leadership roles, spiritually, educationally and administratively. Many returned for Mincha that Shabbos afternoon and enjoyed a Shalosh Seudos sponsored by Vivian Klaus in honor of Arthur Klaus' birthday. Orly distributed a chart listing a number of New York City shuls and their responses to issues surrounding women assuming leadership positions, speaking from the amud for invited talks, ritual participation, saying kaddish, life-cycle events, holiday participation, the women's section of the synagogue, and children’s programming and care. You can gain a copy of this chart by calling the shul’s office. The discussion was lively and thought provoking, and based on your feedback, we would gladly invite Orly back for more sessions in the coming months. We thank Orly for joining us and for bringing these exciting ideas to our attention.
ORLY LIBERMAN - EXPANDING THE ROLE OF WOMEN
WINTER 2008 CLASS SCHEDULE TSAVA’AS HARIVASH—Tsava’as HaRivash, the so-called ethical will of the Baal Shem Tov, is an anthology of Hasidic teachings in his name. Rabbi Bellino will focus on the often wide-ranging innovations of this formative period of Hasidism and on its theological predicates. He will explore themes such as Hasidism as mysticism, God's imminence, mystical cleaving, abnegation of the self, and Hasidic prayer from critical and devotional perspectives. Sunday mornings, 9:15 – 10:00 AM at the Center for Jewish History. INTRODUCTION TO THE ZOHAR—The Zohar is a mystical commentary on the Torah and is widely considered to be the most important work of the Kabbalah. Using a critical eye, while maintaining a deep respect for tradition, Rabbi Bellino will make sense of this difficult text and contextualize it within earlier Aggadic literature, 13th Century mystical literature, and Medieval Philosophy. Rabbi Bellino will devote the first 15 minutes of each class to discuss more general topics in Jewish Mysticism. Tuesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00 PM at the Bellino home (10 West 15th Street). RABBI WOHLGELERNTER’S CHUMASH WITH RASHI—An in-depth look at the Torah with the renowned commentary of Rashi. Rabbi Wohlgelernter began this class some 45 years ago, and continues to discover nuanced insights to this essential commentary. Wednesday evenings, 8:00 – 9:30 PM at the his home (101 West 12th Street). Resumes April 2. TOPICS IN NACHMANIDES—A second year devoted to the thought and methodology of Moses Nachmanides, the Ramban. Rabbi Bellino presents themes of the Ramban, allowing for more discussion and a more global perspective. He presents topics that will utilize the very many writings of Nachmanides. Shabbos afternoons, between Mincha and Maariv, at Podell Auditorium (Beth Israel Hospital). THE GAVRIEL BELLINO BOOK CLUB—An opportunity to read and discuss books on theology, sociology, and fiction from a Modern-Orthodox perspective. Thus far we have focused on spirituality and have discussed the writings of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. We will soon read Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, Chögyam Trungpa, and Robert Wuthnow. PIRKEI AVOS—Pirkei Avos is an anthology of maxims of the Rabbis of the Mishnaic period. These aphorisms concern proper ethical and social conduct, as well as the importance of Torah study. In fulfillment of the custom to learn these Mishnayos between Pesach and Shavuos, Rabbi Bellino will summarize six chapters over six weeks paying attention to their themes and structure. He will devote the summer to learning Pirkei Avos with Maimonides’ Commentary. Shabbos afternoons, between Mincha and Maariv. Begins May 3.
All classes (with the exception of the Book Club) use primarily Hebrew texts with English translations provided. These classes are accessible to all levels of Jewish learning and beginners are always welcome. For more information e-mail:
March / April 2008 Page 5
W OMEN’ S SHALOSH SEUDOS
Shabbos Pekudei (Shekalim) March 8 at 5:00 PM The Bellino home,
10 West 15th Street. &
Shabbos Tazriah (HaChodesh) April 5 at 6:30 PM
Location to be determined.
If you would like to host or sponsor a Sisterhood event, or for more information,
please call the office or e-mail:
UPCOMING SISTERHOOD EVENTS
VILLAGE SHOE REPAIR, INC. שומר שבת 473-7802 (212)
52 University Place
(Between 9th & 10th Streets)
Any kind of leather work and rubber repair.
21 East 12th Street (between University Place
and 5th Avenue).
(212) 924-4333 Tu b’Shevat 5768
David Sasson
בתוך שאר חולי ישראל
רפואה שלמהCOMPLETE HEALING
Page 6 THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE
BO Morriz Nazira
in memory of his sister, Esther Rog
& Pnina and Dr. William Silver
in memory of his father, Sol Silver.
• YISRO
Cori Ann Robinson and Rabbi Gavriel Bellino
& Fanny and Alan Forman
in celebration of the marriage of Emily and Jason Lieberman.
• MISHPATIM
Leah and Peter Greenspan in celebration of their daughter
Etti Tsipora's first birthday.
TERUMAH Ida and Dr. Ted Reich
in honor of their grandchildren.
•
TETZAVEH Norma and Victor Bellino
in memory of Norma's mother, Gertrude Smith.
•
KI TISAH Carol and Arnold Hordish
in memory of Carol's mother, Anita Wiener.
•
VAYAKHEL Cori Ann Robinson
and Rabbi Gavriel Bellino in celebration of their son
Choni's third birthday.
תומכי קדושKIDDUSH SPONSORS
מזל טובCONGRATULATIONS
ברכות תנחומיםBLESSINGS OF CONSOLATION
To our beloved Rabbi Israel Wohlgelernter, and to the whole Wohlgelernter family,
upon the birth of his granddaughter, Shira, to Miriam and Yaakov
Wohlgelernter of Lakewood, New Jersey.
•
To Ida and Dr. Ted Reich upon the birth and bris
of their grandson, Eliezer Naftali, born to
Jonathan and Judith Reich of Passaic, New Jersey.
•
To Emily and Jason Lieberman on their marriage.
The Liberman family for hosting the beautiful and delicious Tu b’Shevat Seder.
• Vivian Klaus for sponsoring and organizing the festive
Shalosh Seudos for our JOFA Shabbos Scholar.
Care to sponsor a Kiddush? Please contact the office!
To our longtime member, Mel Greenland,
upon the passing of his wife, Gertrude Greenland.
הכרת הטובMUCH APPRECIATION
March / April 2008 Page 7
SOME LAWS OF PURIM RABBI GAVRIEL BELLINO
Shabbos Zachor: All men are required to hear the reading of Parshas Zachor (the Torah's injunction to both remember and blot out the memory of Amalek). If for some reason he cannot hear Parshas Zachor on this Shabbos, he should be careful to fulfill his obligation when the portion is read this summer. Taanis Esther: The Fast of Esther is a minor fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim. This fast was accepted by the Jews for all future generations. Since the Fast of Esther is not one of the four public fasts ordained by the Prophets, the laws are more lenient; pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those who are weak are not required to observe it. Normally we go straight from the fast to the Megillah reading - only eating after we have fulfilled that mitzvah. The “half-shekel” is donated at the afternoon service (in commemoration of the half-shekel census, cf. Exodus 25:11-16, we use the half currency of the realm, e.g. three half-dollars.) The money raised will be applied to our Building Fund. Purim Night: One recites the Shemoneh Esrei with the insertion of Al Hanisim. If he/she forgot to say Al Hanisim, and first recalled this omission only after having completed the Beracha that follows it, he/she does not begin again, rather completes the Al Hanisim. (The same holds true for Al Hanisim in the Blessing after Meals). Hearing the reading of the Megillah is an obligation incumbent upon all men and women. If anyone misses hearing even one word, he/she does not fulfill this obligation and must repeat the entire Megillah from that point on. Purim Day: According to most authorities, the morning reading is the primary Megillah experience and is incumbent upon all men and women. In addition to the reading of the Megillah, there are three special Mitzvos for Purim day: Seudah (Festive Meal): Men and women are required to eat a festive meal. There are varying traditions as to when this meal should be eaten. Many are stringent to eat before midday. Still others are careful to begin the meal sometime before sunset. The meal should consist of bread, and whatever food brings you (and your guests) the most joy. It should also include approximately 4 fluid ounces of wine. At no point may we become so intoxicated that we would harm ourselves or others. This year, as Purim is on a Friday, a festive breakfast after davening is an ideal way to fulfill this obligation. One recites Al Hanissim in the Blessing after Meals. Mishloach Manos (Sending of Portions): All men and women are obligated to give two ready-to-eat foods to one person. (They do not have to be foods that require two different blessings). One does not fulfill the obligation by
simply giving snacks and/or candy, since Mishloach Manos must be worthy of consumption at the Seudah. (Rabbi Moshe Feinstein used to give a Salami and a bottle of wine!) Thus, it is recommended that each person selects one other person to whom he/she will give real Mishloach Manos. It is a big mitzvah to give Mishloach Manos to someone/people with whom you do not feel particularly close. Additionally, one should not give Mishloach Manos to someone in mourning, however a mourner is himself required to give. Matanos L'evyonim (Gifts to the Poor): All men and women are obligated to give two poor people presents of money or of food. The food and/or money should be sufficient for a minimal seudah (approximately 10 dollars). It is better to emphasize giving gifts to the poor in a generous and magnanimous fashion, rather than to emphasize Mishloach Manos or his own lavish seudah. Rabbi Bellino is in touch with an organization that gives out the Matanos L'evyonim on Purim and can accept contributions on their behalf until 9:00 AM on Purim day. Looking Forward: We begin to inquire about and expound upon the laws of Pesach beginning on Purim itself.
PURIM SCHEDULE THURSDAY MARCH 20 — TAANIS ESTHER
Fast Begins: 5:46 AM Shacharis: 6:30 AM (Center for Jewish History)
Mincha: 6:45 PM (Podell Auditorium)
Following Mincha Rabbi Bellino will present some introductory remarks on Megillas Esther.
Maariv and Megillah: 7:40 PM Following services we will enjoy
a Gala Costume Party. The food has been sponsored
and will be arranged by the Sisterhood.
FRIDAY MARCH 21 — PURIM Shacharis: 6:30 AM (Center for Jewish History)
Megillah: 7:10 AM Following services we will fulfill our obligation
with a lively and festive Purim Seudah.
Please email [email protected] or call the office (212) 255-4826 to RSVP.
Page 8 THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE
SOME LAWS OF EREV PESACH THAT FALLS ON SHABBOS RABBI GAVRIEL BELLINO
There are several differences in procedure when Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos as it does this year. This concurrence gives rise to numerous complications with regard to the eating of chametz and its disposal, the proper mode of fulfilling Shabbos, and preparations for the seder. The following is intended for general guidance. Taanis Bechorim: The Fast of the First Born is observed on Thursday, 12 Nisan (April 17). The Siyum (conclusion of a Tractate) or redemption by tzedakah must also take place on Thursday. Bedikas Chametz: The search for chametz takes place Thursday night, 13 Nisan (April 17) after the appearance of stars (8:21 PM). The usual blessing (al bi'ur chametz) is pronounced before the search. Although we fulfill the custom of the Arizal to search for 10 specific pieces of chametz, we focus our attention on searching for any viable and edible chametz that we may have neglected in our pre-Pesach preparation. We treat this ritual with great seriousness. After the search, one says the declaration Kol Chamira, preferably in a language that he/she understands, nullifying all chametz which may not have been found during this search. One should take care to place the chametz which will be eaten on Friday night and Shabbos morning, and the crumbs from the search, in a secured place. Mechiras Chametz: Rabbi Bellino will sell the chametz on Thursday night. Chametz which is to be eaten on Friday afternoon and Shabbos should be excluded from the sale. Biur Chametz: The burning of the chametz takes place Friday, 13 Nisan (April 18). Although chametz may be eaten until the end of the fourth hour on Shabbos morning, the custom is to do the burning by the end of the fifth hour on Friday, before 11:46 AM. Kol Chamiro, however, is not to be recited at this time since chametz may be eaten all day Friday and Shabbos morning. In the event that chametz was not burned prior to the time indicated, it may be burned at any time prior to the onset of Shabbos. Final Preparations: We clean, wash, and kasher all utensils and ovens that require such care, and finish all of our preparations for Shabbos and Pesach on Friday, Erev Shabbos. We also take haircuts, and bathe in honor of Shabbos and the approaching holiday. Many immerse themselves in a Mikveh. We leave out only enough chametz food as will be necessary for the meals of Friday night and Shabbos morning as will be explained below. Shabbos Meals: Matzah should not be eaten either Friday evening or Shabbos. There are many authorities who believe
that Matzah is mukzeh on this Shabbos. Challah should be eaten as part of the Shabbos meal on Friday evening and preferably Shabbos morning as well. Other than challah, no food containing dough or flour should be prepared for this Shabbos. Since chametz is eaten at these meals, the dishes, cutlery and drinking utensils cannot be ones which will be used during Pesach. The usual chametz dishes, cutlery and drinking utensils may be used; but to simplify matters, disposable paper plates and plastic cutlery are recommended, provided that they are high quality and adequately festive in honor of Shabbos. If for any reason it is feared that the use of chametz this Shabbos will in any way lead to inadvertent transgression of the laws of Pesach, egg matzah should be substituted for challah. Even if egg matzah is used, the meal should be completed before the period during which chametz may be eaten has elapsed. Shabbos Morning: We begin shul services at a much earlier time so as to be able to return home and eat challah while we are still permitted to do so. Chametz may be eaten on Shabbos morning only prior to the expiration of the first four hours of the day. According to the opinion of R. Elijah of Vilna (whose view in this matter is regarded as normative by Mishnah Berurah and other preeminent halachic authorities) the time beyond which chametz may not be eaten this year is 10:40 AM. Early Shalosh Seudos: It is proper to eat two meals on Shabbos morning before the time during which chametz may be eaten has elapsed. In this way the mitzvah of shalosh seudos may be fulfilled as on every Shabbos. One may not, however, simply recite the Grace after Meals and then wash a second time. There must be an interruption devoted to Torah study or to a Shabbos stroll. Chametz Clean-Up: After the meal we clean the tablecloth and its surrounding area and we throw the remaining crumbs into the toilet. We lightly cleanse whatever chametzdik utensils are left over, and we hide them away until after Pesach (it is preferable to use paper or plastic utensils and to place them in a garbage bag after the meal). After all chametz has been cleared away Kol Chamira is recited as on every Erev Pesach. Shalosh Seudos: If the second meal cannot be completed within the prescribed time, shalosh seudos should be eaten after noon in the form of meat or fish (preferably) or fruit. Since many authorities maintain that shalosh seudos must be eaten after mid-day, a meal in the form of meat, fish or fruit should be eaten in the afternoon even if two meals were previously eaten during the morning hours. According to some
(Continued on page 9)
Page 9 March / April 2008
authorities, those who do not have a custom to the contrary may use cake made of matzah meal and a generous amount of sugar and oil, for shalosh seudos. Since matzah must be eaten at night with appetite (le-teavon) care must be taken not to eat too much food at shalosh seudos. Other Preparations for Pesach: Yom Tov candles may, of course, not be kindled until after the termination of Shabbos. The seder table should not be set on Shabbos. Any other preparations not completed before Shabbos should not be made until after the termination of Shabbos.
(Continued from page 8)
PRE-PESACH WINE SALE
YOM TOV SCHEDULE THURSDAY APRIL 17 — TAANIS BECHORIM
Shacharis: 6:45 AM Siyum: 7:30 AM
Bedikas (Search for) Chametz (with a beracha) after: 8:21 PM
FRIDAY APRIL 18 — EREV SHABBOS Shacharis: 6:55 AM
Customary Biur (burning of) Chametz (without Kol Chamira) before: 11:46 AM
Light Shabbos Candles: 7:21 PM
Mincha/Kabbalas Shabbos: 7:25 PM
SATURDAY APRIL 19 — EREV PESACH Shacharis: 7:00 AM
No Chametz after: 10:40 AM
Verbal Biur Chametz and Disposal (Declaration of Kol Chamira) before: 11:47 AM
Mincha: 7:10 PM
Light Candles (from an existing flame) and Begin Seder after 8:24 PM
SUNDAY APRIL 20 — PESACH I
Shacharis: 9:00 AM
Mincha: 7:25 PM
Light Candles (from an existing flame) and Begin Seder after 8:25 PM
MONDAY APRIL 21 — PESACH II
Shacharis: 9:00 AM
Mincha: 7:25 PM
Havdallah after 8:26 PM
FRIDAY APRIL 25 — EREV SHABBOS/YOM TOV Light Shabbos Candles: 7:28 PM
Mincha: 7:30 PM
SATURDAY APRIL 26 — SHEVII SHEL PESACH Shacharis: 9:00 AM
Mincha: 7:15 PM
Light Candles (from an existing flame) and Begin Seder after 8:32 PM
SUNDAY APRIL 27 — ACHARON SHEL PESACH
Shacharis: 9:00 AM Yizkor: 10:45 AM
Mincha: 7:30 PM
Havdallah: 8:33 PM
The Sixteenth Street Synagogue will be holding a wine sale for Pesach. Skyview Wine and Liquors will pro-vide us with an excellent choice of quality wines and will contribute 20% of the total sales to our synagogue. We are grateful to Skyview for helping us in this fund-raising venture and to Zelda Goldsmith for coordinat-ing the effort. In mid-March, you will receive a comprehensive wine list and order form. A minimum of six bottles must be ordered in order to participate. The absolute deadline for all orders is Tuesday, April 8. Delivery will be made the week of April 14 to a central location. If your order is large enough, Skyview will graciously deliver directly to your home. We look forward to 100% participation in the hope of making this a most successful fundraiser and an an-nual event! Any questions, please feel free to call Zelda at (212) 929-7426. Chag kasher v’sameach!
Have you ever baked your own Matzah?
Why not participate in this very important Mitzvah?!
Matzah Baking with McBee
Please email/call the office for more information.
There is a simple phrase to describe exactly what we will be returning to at 3 West 16th Street: bare bones. And so, a glorious opportunity awaits us. The new Sanctuary will be bare with temporary seats and a temporary mechitzah. The amud and the bimah are but designs on paper waiting to be fleshed out, fabricated and paid for. Bookcases have been custom ordered and will be installed, but we still need a benefactor. The freestanding coat closet is designed, but lacks a donor. The empty space allocated for a succah on the first and second floor is there, but we still must design and build the succah before the holiday arrives in eight months. The memorial boards will be placed on the eastern wall where they used to be, but they are not assembled. I am working hard on a design for the entrance lobby and doors, but cannot yet afford the stonework to make it truly impressive. The hand-washing station is to be placed just inside the entrance, but it is still just a cold water and waste plumbing line. The sink needs to be purchased and dedicated. Upstairs on the second floor the situation is similar; Joan Nachmani and Cathy Koren are designing the kitchen, Ellen Cherrick is working on the design of the shul office and the rabbis’ study (to be shared with the Sephardic congregation), but we have no funding to outfit them beyond the very basic four walls and a few outlets. Walls, did I mention walls? Well, don’t worry, we do have walls but the floor is another matter. We will need to put down some kind of carpet downstairs and perhaps a wood floor upstairs. Unfortunately the poured concrete and plywood will not tolerate for long the traffic of two congregations. Like all things, it must be paid for sooner than later.
So here is your chance to make a difference in the life of our shul. Haven’t you always dreamed of a hand washing sink in memory of your favorite aunt or uncle. Perhaps our new kitchen is a suitable way of honoring a mother or grandmother? What better way to remember loved ones than to dedicate the mechitzah, the bimah, the shulchan or amud? Now it is all possible. The exact costs for each item are still being worked out as I calculate the projected expenses of each project. But soon the numbers will be in and then the rest is up to you. Of course some of you may not necessarily have substantial sums of money on hand right now to invest in your shul. Therefore we are re-establishing our “Building Fund.” All contributions of any amount are accepted towards a general fund to pay for the myriad expenses necessary for us to move back in and begin functioning in 3 W 16th Street. Beyond financial contributions we need your efforts as volunteers. Already a core of dedicated individuals is furiously planning our return. Jeff Katz has taken charge of organizing everything in storage and preparing the move. Dr. Ted Reich, Josh Siderowitz and Garry Roemer will be working with him on this task. Garry, Zelda and Rabbi Shelly Goldsmith, Ellen Cherrick and Phyllis Liberman are meeting with Jeff Katz on a frequent basis to map out a strategic plan for our re-entry. As you can see, a good number of community members are lining up, meeting, planning and working on our return. All I ask is that each and every one of you do something to help bring us back home. Everything you do; whether dedicating a library, a bookcase, a mechitzah, an office, contributing to the Building Fund or volunteering your time to help move, will give you a synagogue to be proud of. A very real affirmation of a simple fact; the Sixteenth Street Synagogue is yours because you came and gave your half shekel to Hashem.
Richard McBee
(Continued from page 1)
Rabbi Z. Eisenbach סופר מירושלים
47 Essex Street New York, NY 10002 212-674-8840
Importer, Dealer, and Repairing of:
• Sefer Torahs • Tefillin • Megillohs • Skull Caps • Mezuzos • Religious Articles
Checking Mezuzos & Tefillin WHILE
YOU WAIT
From the President’s Desk:
DEDICATION AND RETURN
THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE Page 10
Page 7 March / April 2008 March / April 2008
YAHRZEITS PERMANENT TABLETS ON OUR MEMORIAL BOARDS IN ITALICS
Page 11 March / April 2008
Mar. 2 3 5 6
Mar. 8 9 10 9 11
12 11
16 17
18 20 21 22
23 22 22 24 24
Adar I 25
26
28
29
Adar II 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 9 10 0 11 13 14 15
16 16 16 17 18
Theodore Blum Lena Garber Rose Goldsmith Anna Blutter Samuel Licht Chaya Liba Cherrick Nettie Cohen Harris Goldberg Aaron Hilborne Leah Stamm Sidney Berman Rachel Kanrek Samuel Lepolstat Sarah Esther Pitlick Rae Hames Julius Wolf Beckie Ostrov Dr. Julius Small Gertrude Smith Max Rapaport Cynthia Hermann Sam Schulman Mark Gilbert Berta Sommer Morris Alter Davis Cohen Eliyahu Turgeman Anita Wiener Dora Berman Rose Deift Emanuel Kamen Isaac Hantman
Mar.25
26
27 28 29 30
31
April 1 2 4 5
April 6 7 8 9 10 12
14
Adar II 18
19
20 21 22 23
24
Adar II 25 26
28 29
Nisan 1 2 3 4 5 7 9
Frimit Kalb Jacob Nagler Joseph Rogers Ida Berger Herman Rosten Jacob Colodner Leah Stern Stanley Cohen Pearl Rubinfeld Jacob Hurwitz Sarah Machbitz Theodore Blum Anna Blutter Samuel Licht Nettie Cohen Harris Goldberg Dr. Samuel Abraham Fanny Roll-Ashkenasy Hanna Kastenbaum Samuel Altman Donald Dinerman Harry Gabay Rabbi Ben Ezra Schussheim Sarah Wallach Doreen Ellison Bridgman Gertrude Friedman Stephen Tobin Isaac Ryba David Wallach Chava Hameiri
April 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24
25 26 29 30
May 1 1 2 3
Nisan 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19
20 21 24 25
Nisan 26
27 28 27 24
Philip Berkman Sol Cohn Federick Krause Abraham Garber Isaac Kastenbaum Isidore Silverberg Martin N. Silverberg Robin Lambert Lisa Idelson Charles Goldsten Louis Licht Dora Weintraub Jacob Weintraub Rose Schulman Shlomo Gefen Gail Blumenthal Hannah Kastner Kalman Moshe Schlussel Celia Weinberg Dr. Samuel Becker Murray Finkelstein Sima Goldberg Cornelius King Joshua Petrushansky Seymour Shyman Max Spitz William Greenberg Charles Herzog
ה“ ת נ צ ב
UPCOMING PESACH SHIURIM PESACH PREPARATION MADE SIMPLE
Is Pesach cleaning considered “spring cleaning?” Do counters need to be lined? How do I kasher?
Which products do not require supervision? Sunday April 6, 7:00 PM– Location to be determined.
THE FOUR SONS:
A LESSON IN RABBINIC PEDAGOGY Reflections on the method and meaning of
this famous and often misunderstood Midrash. Shabbos Hagadol Drasha (one week early)
Shabbos Metzora, April 12, 7:00 PM
THE GAVRIEL BELLINO BOOK CLUB
will discuss After Heaven: Spirituality in America Since the 1950s by Robert Wuthnow
The evolution of American spirituality over the past fifty years is the subject of Robert Wuthnow’s engrossing book. Wuthnow uses in-depth interviews and a broad range of resource materials to show how Americans, from teenagers to senior citizens, define their spiritual journeys. His findings are a telling reflection of the changes in beliefs and lifestyles that have occurred throughout the United States in recent decades.
Sunday evening May 4. Location to be determined. [email protected]
First Class Mail
D o n a t i o n s , C o n t r i b u t i o n s & S p o n s o r s h i p s
Annual Dues: Single/$450 Family/$800 Student/$100 Non-Resident/$200 First Year Free (Any Category)
Building Fund: $ Aliyah: $ Mishebeirach: $ Kiddush: $ Amud Candles: $ Book Fund: $ Yahrzeit: $ Other: $
Total Payment $ Credit Card: MasterCard Visa AMEX
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WINTER 2008 EDUCATIONAL CALENDAR Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Tsava’as HaRivash
9:15 AM, after Shacharis, at
The Center for Jewish History.
Introduction to the Zohar
7:30 PM at the Bellino home, 10 West 15 Street.
Chumash with Rashi
8:00 PM at Rabbi Wohlgelernter’s home, 101 West
12 Street. Resumes April 2
Topics in Nachmanides
Podell Auditorium, Beth Israel Hospital,
following Mincha.
THE SIXTEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE BULLETIN
Inside: March/April Calendars • Rabbi’s Message • Shabbos Scholar • • Dedication and Return • Purim Laws • Pesach Schedule •
