When life gives you bitter herbs
Bitter herbs are a culinary misfit One can fulfill the ob with many different sour and spicy vegetables, includin what is very strange about Maror is that we eat these Nishtanahexclaims,onanyothernight,noonewouldeat Maror wasmisunderstoodfromtheverybeginning.Ther isincludedintheSeder.TheTorahinParashatBosayst with unleavened bread, and with bitter herbs…. ” While t night of the Exodus, and Matzah is connected to the ha imaginewhatpurposeMarormighthave
Several commentaries see Maror as a way to enhance th saysthat“itisthewayofthosewhoeatroastedmeatto g p, , andenticespeopletoeatmore.”IbnEzraandIbnKaspioffersimilarinterpretations.Thisperspectiveisfound in the Talmud (Chullin 132b) as well. It asserts that certain offerings of meat must be eaten in “the manner of royalty”;anditexplainsthatthemannerofroyaltyistoeatmeat“roastedandservedwithmustard.”
This interpretation is closest to the simple reading of the text. The Torah wants the Passover sacrifice to represent the joy of freedom, and be eaten in a royal fashion; to do so requires that it be served with an appropriatecondiment.
But the Mishnah and Passover Haggadah offer a very different perspective on Maror; Rabban Gamliel says: “The reason for bitter herbs is because the Egyptians embittered our forefathers’ lives in Egypt… ” Maror is interpretedasasymbolofslavery,notroyalty.
DavidHenshkearguesthatRabbanGamliel’sexplanationreflectsashiftthattookplaceafterthedestruction oftheTemple.TherewasnolongeraPassoversacrifice;oneneededanewrationaletoincludethebitterherbs at the Seder Rabban Gamliel found a different symbolism in the Maror, one that related to the actual sufferingduringslavery.
But this new understanding of Maror seems strange. An evening of redemption should be filled with joy and sweetness. The point of Passover is to escape the horrors of slavery; to place bitterness at the center of the SederplateseemstounderminePassover’ smessage.
Most often, answers given to this question embrace the positive side of bitterness; or to put it a bit more cynically, that “suffering is good for us. ” Maror is a reminder that slavery has shaped the Jewish soul just as muchasfreedom
Undoubtedly, suffering can improve us as people. Professors Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun coined the term “post-traumatic growth” after observing that many of their trauma patients had reinvented themselves in the aftermath of a major tragedy. They had grown in terms of their strength of character, relationshipswithothers,perspectiveonlife,appreciationforlife,andspirituality.Theirsufferinghadchanged themforthebetter.
Even before post-traumatic growth was discovered by psychologists, it was evident to philosophers and theologians Nietzsche wrote that “to those human beings who are of any concern to me I wish suffering, desolation,sickness,ill-treatment,indignities…, ”becauseNietzscherecognizedthatcharacterisforgedinthe crucible of adversity. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that the Hebrew word for a “test of suffering,” “nisayon, ”isthesameastheHebrewwordfor“raisingup,”“nissa, ”becauseatestraisesoneup;thebitterness ofsufferingisitselfthesilverliningthatcarriesotherblessings.➤
The Sefat Emet makes a direct connection between this idea and Maror. He says that “the bitterness of slavery was a preparation for redemption, and this (bitterness) remains with us during the times of redemption.”Marorremindsusthatbitternessbegetscharacter,andisitselfagatewaytoredemption.
As I get older, I get more uncomfortable with these types of explanations I don’t contest their truth Yes, sufferingcanspurspiritualgrowth.Andonewhosufferswillfindthepursuitofmeaningtobethebestway tolivewithsuffering;asRabbiJosephB Soloveitchikwrote,“Judaismteachesusthatthesufferercommits agravesinifheallowshistroublestogotowasteandremainwithoutmeaningorpurpose.”Spiritualquests arehowthesoulcopeswithtragedy
But what I find deeply disturbing are articles and sermons that use this difficult truth to romanticize suffering They depict the personal growth achieved in the face of suffering as some sort of Hollywood endingthatmakesitallworthwhile.Butitdoesn’t.
TheTalmuddiscussesanideacalled“afflictionsoflove,”whichclaimsthattherighteoussufferunnecessarily in order to receive a greater reward in the future. After a discussion of the great reward involved, it tells real-lifestoriesaboutsuffering.Inone,RabbiYochanansuffersfromanillness.HiscolleagueRabbiChanina visits, and asks:“Is your suffering dear to you?”; perhaps Rabbi Yochanan appreciated the spiritual glory of suffering, and wanted to continue with his afflictions Rabbi Yochanan offered a terse response:“Neither thesufferingsnortheirreward.”
After a lengthy discussion of theory, the Talmud shares the real-life verdict on suffering: all the growth in theworldisnotworththesuffering.Marorisalwaysbitter,andmayitstayfarfarawayfromus,always.
So how else can one see Maror? The past few months have given me a new reflection on the passage of Rabban Gamliel. I now believe that Maror reminds us that even when we can proudly sing “this year in Jerusalem,” there will still be Maror on the Seder plate. Despite returning to our homeland and building a remarkablestate,wecannotbanishthebitterherbs.LifewillalwayshaveasideportionofMaror.
But the Maror at the Seder is not there to sober us up and offer us cynical realism. Instead, it reminds us that Maror is never the final chapter. Bitter herbs may be ever-present, but so is redemption. We simply have to get through this portion of Maror and start over again. We have overcome, we can overcome, and wewillovercome.
In the worst of times, Jews never gave up on redemption; and now that we have experienced a taste of redemption,wecertainlycannotgiveuponredemption,nomatterhowbitterthingsare.
This message was powerfully articulated in a heroic eulogy that a bereaved mother, Sarit Zussman, gave for herson,Ben,asoldierwhofellshortlyafterOctober7th.Afterspeakingaboutherremarkablesonandthe profoundlovehesharedwithhisfamily,sheendedbyspeakingtothepeopleofIsrael:
Andnowtoyou,toallofyou,toallofus,totheJewishpeopleintheLandofIsrael.Asastoryteller,Itellyouthat our story has a happy ending. We are going to win. We have no other choice. We are a people who want to live, unlike our enemies, lowly and miserable, cowards, Nazis and their accomplices, who sanctify death. We will live, and thrive, and build…..Do you hear, people of Israel? World, do you hear? Do you hear, lowly enemies who desire death and evil? Am Yisrael chai – the Jewish people live, forever and ever and for all eternity, standing tall and withourheadsheldhigh… ”
These moving words remind us that the true lesson of Maror is that we must hold on to hope, even when it seemsimpossible.TheSederendswithjoy,despitetheMaror.Nomatterhowdifficultitgets,wemusthold ourheadshighandproudlydeclare:AmYisraelChai!✦
From Aramaic to The Seder's Tra
WhatisthemostmemorablemomentfromyourchildhoodSeder?Forme,itisMahNishtanah.Ilovedsinging it loudly, but what really made it special was how our extended family at the Seder table approached it. We recited it in every language anyone at the table knew. I chanted it in Hebrew, my mother sang it in Ladino, someonejumpedinwithYiddish,whileothersaddedSpanishorGerman.OnecousinevenreciteditinLatin.
Lookingback,thatmomentmeantsomethingsignificant.Themanylanguagesof Mah Nishtanah werenotjust a fun performance; they served as a reminder of Jewish history itself. We are a people who have wandered across continents, lived in numerous lands, and learned to speak in the voices of every place we passed through.
The Haggadah does something similar. At the start of the Maggid section, we notice a strange and striking shift. The declaration Ha Lachma Anya (“This is the bread of affliction”) is written in Aramaic instead of Hebrew.LaterintheHaggadah,whenwerefertomatzahagain, Matzah zo she’ anu ochlim (“ThisMatzahwhich weeat”),thelanguageswitchesbacktoHebrew.Whyisthat?
Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook offered an insightful explanation. He explained Aramaic is not the original language of Torah, but it is close to it. It is the language of Targum Onkelos, the translation that goes along with Torah. Aramaic has a special status because it is tied to Jewish learning and sacred texts. Still, it is decidedly not LashonHaKodesh,theholytongue.
Hebrewisdifferent.HebrewisnotjustaJewishlanguage;itisthelanguageofrevelation.Itisthelanguagein whichTorahwasgiven,thelanguagethatspeaksourdestinyintoexistence.Hebrew,forRavTzviYehudaKook, represents clarity In contrast, Aramaic feels more blurred He describes it as a language of concealment It belongstotheJewishworld,butitdoesn’tfullybelongthere.Itreflectsexperiencesofexileanddisplacement. Itisclosetoholinessbutremainsdistinctfromit
ThishelpsexplainwhytheSederbeginsinAramaic.Atthestartofthenight,wearestilltellingthestoryfrom within the experience of exile. We are still in the mindset of slavery, trying to find our way out of the fog. Ha LachmaAnyaisourstanceatthebeginningoftheSeder:thisiswhatitfeelslikewhenlifeisnarrow,pressured, andconstricted.Whenwedonotyetseethewholepicture.
But as the Seder goes on, through retelling, questions, wine, leaning, singing, and more, something changes So the language changes too. By the time we lift the matzah later in the seder and say “Matzah zo… ” , we are speakingHebrew Wearenolongerspeakingfrominsidethetrauma,butwearespeakingfrombeyondit
ThatshiftisreflectednotonlyintheHaggadah’slanguagebutalsointhematzahitself.TheTorahcallsmatzah, “lechemoni, ”“breadofaffliction.”Itwasthefoodofslaves.Yes,becauseitwassimpleandflat,butalsobecause it represents the experience of living without control over one ' s life. The Avudraham notes that matzah was cheap, fitting for a slave society that wanted to spend as little as possible on its workforce. The Sforno adds anotherpoint:thedoughdidnotrisebecausetheEgyptianswouldnotgivetheJewishpeopletime.Theywere rushed,pressured,andforcedtomovebeforetheywereready.Matzahreflectswhathappenswhenyoudonot controlyourownschedule.Whenyourtimebelongstosomeoneelse.
What is remarkable is that the same matzah becomes the symbol of redemption. The Torah describes how, whentheJewishpeoplefinallyleftEgypt,theredemptionhappenedsoquicklythattherewasnotimeforthe dough to rise. The Sefer HaChinuch writes that we eat matzah to remember that we left Egypt suddenly and miraculously with a speed no human could have orchestrated. The same bread that once represented oppressionnowsymbolizesdivinesalvation.➤
What's My Hebrew Name? Rabbi meyer laniado
In 2007, I traveled to Leipzig, Germany, to help lead community Pesah seders as part of a Yeshiva University program. Most of the participants were teenagers from the former Soviet Union with little Jewisheducation Formanyofthem,itwastheirfirstSeder
Whenwearrivedinthecity,thelocalrabbibroughtourgrouptotheTorahCenter,wherewewouldrunthe three-dayseminarandseders.
Before entering the building, the rabbi led us past iron gates, through a small garden, and down into a concrete,sunkencanalwithastreamflowingthroughitscenter.Aswestoodthere,hetoldusthatin1938, on the night of Kristallnacht, Jews from Leipzig had been rounded up in that trench before many were arrestedanddeportedtoconcentrationcamps.
The place where we were about to introduce Judaism to these young Jews stood only steps away from that trench. I remember thinking: What a response to Hitler! In the very place where he had tried to destroy Jewishlife,wewereworkingtorebuildit.
The moment that really stayed with me, though, was a question from one of the participants. She was maybe sixteen years old, with bright red dyed hair. For most of the seminars and workshops, she remained on the sidelines, watching our programs with a distant curiosity. Every so often, I would hear her offer a quietexpressionof“cool”beforeretreatingagainintothebackground.
Then we ran the Seders, the culmination of our three days together. We performed plays and even an interactive rap battle of one of the sections of the Haggadah. At two in the morning, as the rest of the groupwassinging Chad Gadya atthecloseoftheSeder,thisgirlpulledmeasideforaconversation.Icould notimaginewhatshewouldaskmeafterthreedaysofbarelyspeaking. ShelookedupatmeandaskedaquestionIhaveneverforgotten.
“What’smyHebrewname?”
WhileIdon'trememberthenameIgaveher,whathasstayedwithmeiswhatthequestionreallywas:adesireto beacharacterinthestoryoftheJewishpeople.
Moshe, one of the most central figures of the Exodus story, also begins on the sidelines. His name, which today sounds unmistakably Jewish, was originally an Egyptian name, given to him by Pharaoh’ s daughter, the woman who raised him in the Egyptian palace. He flees to Midian and builds a life there as a shepherd, far from the centeroftheJewishstory.There,inthemiddleofthedesert,GodapproachesMosheandinviteshimtoassume the role of leader of the Jewish people. Moshe is not eager, to say the least. In fact, he is reluctant and says, “Who am I that I should go?” Moshe goes even further, asking God to send someone else. And yet, Moshe, the man who was recognizably Egyptian in dress and name, is the one who becomes the figure through whom our entirepeoplefindsitsfreedom.Hisnamewasneverchangedtoa‘Jewishname.’Whatchangedwashischoice:to stepintothestoryandtakeownershipofhisrole.
Many people encounter Judaism from the sidelines and don’t see themselves as participants in the story of the Jewish people. They are satisfied with Jewish identity inherited from birth but disinterested in taking an active role.ThesearetheonestheHaggadahaddresseswiththe rasha,the‘wickedson.’Therabbisportrayedthe rasha notasrebelliousbutassomeonewhotakesnoownershipofhisJudaism.Hepostureshimselfasdistantandaloof. HemakesclearthatthisJewishpracticehasnothingtodowithhim,andsohecommentsfromafarandjudgesat adistance,butneverengagesintakingresponsibility.
ElieWieselarticulatedthisideawellwhenhesaid,“Theoppositeoffaithisnotheresy,itisindifference.”Heresy still takes faith seriously enough to wrestle and argue with it. Indifference is what happens when a person no longerfeelsresponsibleforthestoryoftheirpeople,whenitbecomessomethingtheyobservefromtheoutside rather than something that calls them to respond. That is the rasha. He is not a rebel. He is someone who watchestherituals,hearsthewords,andexperiencesthemasbelongingtosomeoneelse,somethingthatplaces nodemandorresponsibilityonhim.
The Rasha asks, “What is this ritual that you are doing?” – emphasizing to you, and not to me, drawing a line between himself and everyone else. The problem is not rebellion or disbelief. It is his standing at a distance, outside the story, watching others perform rituals he no longer feels are his own. And the Haggadah’ s response: hadhebeenthere[inEgypt],hewouldnothavebeenredeemed.
The misvot of the Haggadah and the Seder are meant to move us from observer to active participant. We are asked to see ourselves as if we personally left Egypt. We eat the matzah of affliction, taste the bitterness of Egyptian slavery with the maror, and recline like free people while drinking the wine of redemption. In fact, that is literally the misva: lirot et ‘ asmo, to see ourselves as the actors, not merely the acted-upon. This is not about rememberingwhathappenedtoothers,butaboutactivelylivinginthepresentstoryoftheJewishpeople.Thatis the message of Pesah. It is not only about what God did for his people. It is also about how Benei Yisrael responded.
The first Pesah demanded the same decision and, in fact, became the prerequisite for redemption. Bringing the qorban Pesah wasanactofidentification,adeliberatechoicetoalignoneselfwiththepeoplewhowerepreparing to leave Egypt. The midrash even suggests that only twenty percent of the Israelites made that choice and left Egypt, emphasizing that the Exodus was not something that simply happened to the Jewish people. It was somethingtheyhadtochoosetobepartof.
Because,intheend,theonlyoneswhotrulyleaveEgyptarethosewhodecidethestorybelongstothem. Whenthatgirlaskedme,“What’smyHebrewname?”shewasaskingformorethananame.Shewasaskingthe questioneveryJewmusteventuallyask:WhatrolewillIplayinthestoryoftheJewishpeople?✦
AnnualSynagogueShabbaton
Friday,March27•125East85 Streetth
6:45PM EveningServicesfollowedbyForemost-cateredFridaynightdinner.RSVP:ckj.org/annualshabbaton 9:00PM—PostDinnerPanelFeaturingRabbiChaimSteinmetz,KJMembersRebeccaFeitandJulieKopel(KJIsrael Committee)speakingon“TheOctober8SurgeandtheRelationshipbetweenIsraeli&AmericanJews”ModeratedbyRabbi RoyFeldman.(Allarewelcometoattend.)
Shabbathagadoldrasha
Shabbat,March28•9AMServices•125East85 Streetth DrashadeliveredbyRabbiChaimSteinmetzspeakingon“BloodLibels,thePesachSeder,andOctober7 . ”SponsoredbySuzy& LarryPresent th
Scholarinresidence
ShabbatAfternoon,April11•125East85 Streetth
WearepleasedtowelcomeRabbiGabeSilverman,afellowintheBellaandHarryWexnerKollelElyonatRIETS(Yeshiva University),aspartoftheKollel’sShabbat-in-the-Communityprogram.ARamazgraduatewhogrewupatKJ,RabbiSilverman studiedatYeshivatNetivAryeh,HarvardUniversity,andNerIsraelRabbinicalCollege.Heisnowcontinuinghisadvanced learningintheKollelElyon.RabbiSilvermanwilldeliveraShabbatafternoonclassbeforeMincha,followedbySeudahShelishit. Allarewelcome
yomhashoahmemorialprogram
Monday,April13•7:30PM•125East85 Streetth FeaturingHolocaustsurvivorFranMalkinasshetellsherstory Co-sponsoredbyRamazandIAC
Scholarinresidence
Shabbat,April18•125East85 Streetth RavYoniRosensweigisisanexpertintheintersectionofmentalhealthandhalakha.TheRabbioftheNetzachMenashe communityinBeitShemesh,heisarespectedhalachicscholarandauthor.HeteachesHalacha,Gemara,andMachshavaat MidreshetLindenbaumandinotherpost–highschoolinstitutions Previously,heservedasRoshKollelinMelbourneandasRosh YeshivaofYeshivatShevutYisraelinEfrat.OrdainedbyRavNachumEliezerRabinovitchandtheIsraeliChiefRabbinate,he holdsdegreesineducation,philosophy,andhistory.In2021,hefoundedMaagaleiNefesh,anorganizationaddressingthe intersectionofmentalhealthandhalakha RavRosensweiglivesinBeitShemeshwithhiswifeandfivechildren
TekesMa’avar:frommemorialtocelebration
Wednesday,April21•7PM•92ndStreetY–1395LexingtonAvenue
CometogetherforIsraelandmeaningfullymarkthetransitionfromthesomberandreflectiveYomHaZikaron(MemorialDay) tothecelebratoryandjoyfulYomHa’atzmaut(IsraeliIndependenceDay),inthiscommunity-wideservice.
154thAnnualSynagogueMeeting
Wednesday,April29•7PM•125East85 Streetth
JoinusinpersonforourAnnualSynagogueMeeting,atwhichwewilladhereto154yearsofKJtraditionbyinductingnew members,electingnewOfficersandTrustees,celebratingthemilestoneanniversariesofourmembers,andmemorializingthose whohavepassedaway.Followedbysushi,hotdogs,knishes,andicecoldbeer!
men’sclubkiddushdiscussionschedule–Allarewelcometojoin
Shabbat•12PM•125East85 Streetth
March21–CongressmanRandyFine(R-FL),oneofonlyfourJewishmembersofCongress andtheonlyonetoeverweara kippahontheHousefloor willshareinsightsonIsrael,antisemitism,andtheUS–Israelrelationship March28–Thelegendary“Unit669”IsraeliSearchandRescueTeamwillvisitKJ.
April18–VladKhaykinfromtheSimonWiesenthalCenterwillspeakonForeignAntisemiticInfluencesinAmerica.
OnSaturdaynight,morethan300peoplegatheredforascreeningof“TheRescueoftheJewsofSyria(1970–94), ” hostedbyRabbiMeyerLaniadoandtheKJSephardiccommunitytogetherwiththeSephardicHeritageMuseumand theKJMen’sClub.
Openingtheevening,RabbiLaniadoreflectedonthetimingoftheprogramduringParashatZakhor,whentheJewish peoplerememberAmalek’sattempttodestroythemastheyleftEgypttoestablishtheirnationallifeandsovereignty intheLandofIsrael.
“WechosetoshowthisfilmtonightonParashatZakhor,”RabbiLaniadosaid,“becauseAmaleksoughttodestroythe hopesanddreamsoftheJewishpeopleastheyleftEgypttoestablishtheirnationalhomelandandsovereigntyinthe LandofIsrael.Inourmoremodernhistory,theAssadregimesoughttosquashthedreamsofSyrianJewryandtheir connection to the State of Israel Tonight we remember the rescue of Syrian Jewry from that oppression and the perseveranceofthosewhorefusedtogiveup”
Thefilmwasfollowedbyapaneldiscussionfeaturingthefilm’sco-producerMarlyneMamiye,aswellasindividualswho playedkeyrolesinthehistoricrescueeffort:HazzanDr BennyZalta,JackMannandpastpresidentsoftheCouncil fortheRescueofSyrianJews:MarcosZaltaandAliceSardell.AlsopresentweretheCouncil’sexecutivedirectorGil KahnandcouncilmemberBenjaminZalta.
Panelistsdescribedhowasmallgroupofdeterminedactivists manyofthemyoungmembersoftheSyrianJewish community worked tirelessly for years to bring international attention to the plight of Jews living under severe restrictionsinSyria.
Through fundraising, political advocacy and public rallies, they mobilized support across the Jewish community and amongAmericanpoliticalleaders.
As Alice Sardell recalled during the discussion, “After the door closed on the Jews of Syria, we doubled down. We workedharder,faster,smarter.Weleteveryoneknowweweren’tgoingtostopuntilalltheJewswerefree.”
Marcos Zalta reflected on the origins of the movement, recalling how the effort began when members of the community refused to remain passive. “My father read the story in the newspaper and said, ‘We live in the United States.Wecandosomethingaboutthis.’”
The evening also highlighted the unity that sustained the rescue effort. One panelist recalled the moment early supportersbegancontributingfunds:“I’llneverforgetwhenthefirstpersonstoodupandsaid,‘Iwanttogivethefirst $1,800’Thenothersfollowed Itwasapowerfulmomentofunity”
Speakers also noted that leaders across the broader Jewish community joined the cause including Rabbi Haskel
KJ Visit to View the Rothschild Vienna Mahzor at Sotheby’s
In advance of a live auction where this important medieval illustrated mahzor sold for $6.4 million, KJ members were privileged to learn about the history of this rare treasure from Sharon Mintz, Curator of Jewish Art at The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary and the Senior International Specialist of Judaica and Hebraica at Sotheby’ s Ms Mintz took participants back to the 15th century, when the book was created and followed its historical journey through the time it became the property of the famed Rothschild family.
KJ community enjoys fourth annual cantorial shabbat
Our community gathered for the Fourth Annual Cantorial Shabbat at KJ, an inspiring weekend of music and tefillah. Joined by the returning Hampton Synagogue Choir, services took us on a powerful musical journey, from the beloved masterpieces of the Golden Age of Chazzanut to contemporary settings. Together, we experienced the beauty, depth, and emotional power of Jewish prayer through song, continuing a cherished musical tradition at KJ. Shabbat Chazzanut was dedicated in loving memory of Morris J. & Elsie Goldberg.
The KJ Youth Department took 35 Middle Schoolers to Met Council, where they used their day off school to pack Passover kits for families in need. Despite the fact that their goal was 100 kits, our middle schoolers blew them away and packed 300 total kits about a third of the kits they distribute annually!
ramaz & KJ middle schoolers do chesed at met council
Kj celebrates purim 5786
Purim is the holiday of אוה ךופהנו “and it was reversed,” the moment in Megillat Esther when fear gives way to courage and darkness turns toward joy This year that message felt especially meaningful Purim 5786 arrived during a time of uncertainty for the Jewish world, yet KJ chose to celebrate with strength, unity, and faith in the Jewish future. More than 1,500 people joined together on Purim night alone, but this story is about more than numbers it is about community, continuity, and bringing the joy of Purim to every generation.
Step
B’dikat Chametz
One of the most beautiful and meaningful ceremonies associated with Passover is b’dikat chametz — the search for chametz. The ceremonyiscomposedoffiveparts:
1.Reciting a special blessing over the mitzvah oftheremovalof chametz.
2.The search of the house by the light of a candletofindvestigesof chametz.
3.The reciting of the formula of nullification of chametz.
4.The burning or disposal of any chametz foundduringthesearch.
5.The reciting of a final, more inclusive formulaofnullification.
The first three parts of this ceremony will be observed this year on Tuesday evening, March 31, after nightfall, 7:53 PM. The disposal should be on Wednesday morning, April 1. Children are especially impressed by the ceremony. It should, therefore, be performed with enthusiasm and dedication
The children should be asked to place pieces of chametz in the various rooms — a practice which ensures that the search will not be in vain. They can hold the candle and the feather and they should examine their own possessions, dressers and desks, for long forgotten relics of chametz.
Passover is a beautiful festival. It is a serious one, too. Both these aspects can be captured in advance of the festival by a careful observance of b’dikat chametz.
Disposalof Chametz
No chametz may be eaten on Wednesday morning,April1,after10:53AM.
Step #4: The Sale of Chametz
The ritual sale of chametz must be completed by early Wednesday morning, April 1. There are those who prefer to perform the ritual in person. For those who cannot attend to the matter in person, there is a form provided on page 14 of this Bulletin which authorizes Rabbi Roy Feldman to sell your chametz. THIS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SYNAGOGUE BY WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL 1, NOT LATER THAN 8:30 AM.
Step #5: The Burning of Chametz
On Wednesday morning, April 1, it is customary to burn chametz. Chametz should be removed from one ’ s possession and burned by 11:56 AM. The synagogue partners with a sister congregation in the neighborhood to burn our community chametz. To participate, place your chametz in our lobby collection receptacle by 9 AM No bracha should be said, since the one said before the search applies to the burning as well.
Step #6: After Pesach
According to Jewish Law, chametz that was owned by a Jew during Pesach may never be eaten by a Jew. Therefore, it is preferable that after Pesach one buys food from establishments owned by non-Jews, establishments owned by Jews who properly sold their chametz before Pesach, or after a month (time that a store’ s stock has been used up) from any establishment. Any chametz sold through KJ may be reopened and used after 9 PM on Thursday, April 9.
Sell Your Chametz
Rabbi Feldman may be appointed in person to act as your agent for selling Chametz on Saturday night following Ma'ariv and morning services Sunday to Friday, or by appointment (email rrf@ckj.org). If you cannot appoint him in person, you may use an online form (ckj.org/form/sellchametz) or send in a card or the form below.
Kasher In
Items that may not be kashered are: glassware that is used for cooking, earthenware, pottery, porcelain, pyrex, and chinaware. The easiest way to kasher utensils is to bring them to the KJ Kasher In on Sunday, March 22, from 9 AM - 12 PM, and on Monday, March 23, from 6 - 9 PM, where a member of our rabbinic team will supervise the immersion of metal utensils in a large sink of rapidly boiling water.
Purchase Shmurah Matzah
Shmurah Matzah pickup will be Sunday, March 22 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the KJ Lobby. To purchase matzah visit ckj.org/form/matzah.
FORM FOR SALE OF CHAMETZ
I, , do hereby authorize RABBI ROY FELDMAN (or an agent of his appointing), of 125 East 85th Street, City, State and County of New York, to sell, transfer and assign all Chametz of whatever kinds and nature which I possess, or in which I may have interest, wherever situated, in my residence at: or in my place of business at: or any other place, without reservation and limitation. I further authorize him to lease all places in which chametz might be found.
If you plan to spend Passover in Israel or Europe, please check this box:
If you plan to spend Passover in another US time zone, please circle: Central Rocky Mountain Pacific
Signature:
Date:
Please return to the Synagogue office by Wednesday, April 1, by 8:30 AM.
Passover Relief Appeal
KJ’sSandyEisenstatBenevolentFundPassoverReliefAppeal
Turning our attention to preparing for Passover, the first item on our agenda, as set forth by the Shulchan Aruch—the code of Jewish law—is to distribute food for the poor: Maot Chitim. This will ensurethatwhenwesitdowntooursederandsay“Letallwhoarehungrycomeandeatwithus,”wewill show that we mean it and are not speaking in vain We worry first about the needy; and, then, we celebrate.
It is to fulfill that mitzvah of ensuring that everyone who is needy has enough to eat, that the Sandy EisenstatBenevolentFundofKJconductsitsPassoverReliefAppeal Wehavetwogoalsinmind:
1 We must take care of the needs of this community, especially the food insecurity needs, around Passover time and throughout the year For example, we want to lead the synagogue community with a contribution of $35,000, once again, to Met Council for its massive distribution of food to theJewishpooratPassovertime.
2.We need to raise funds now for needy people and worthy institutions that rely upon us for support throughouttheyear.Theydonotreachoutdirectlytoyou,butyourcontributiontotheBenevolent Fund reaches them through us. This includes people in our community who used to be very generouscontributorstothisAppealbutwhonow,unfortunately,areamongtheneedyrecipients. Pleaserespondgenerouslybydonatingonlineatckj.org/maotchitim,orbymailingacheck.
May God see our response and may He respond in turn by bringing Shalom Al Yisrael, peace upon Israel,healingforallofitswoundedandaChagKasherv’Sameachforusall.
Chaim Steinmetz
Haskel Lookstein Roy Feldman Meyer Laniado
Daniel Kraus Rachel Kraus
Chametz that was sold through KJ will be repurchased and permitted for use after 9:00 PM on Thursday night. After Pesach, restrictions apply only to the purchase of chametz from Jewish-owned stores that did not sell their chametz before the holiday. Food may be purchased from Jewish-owned stores that sold only Kosher for Passover products during the holiday. One may purchase nonchametz items, including kitniyot, from any establishment.
Tuesday,March31
MorningServices
EveningServices
SearchforChametz
FastoftheFirstBorn
Wednesday,April1
PassoverEve
MorningServicesand SiyumforBechorim
Chametzmaynotbeeaten
BurnChametz
CandleLighting
EveningServices
BeginSeder
FIRSTDAYS
Thursday,April2
PassoverI
MorningServices
Eveningservices
CandleLightingandSeder
Friday,April3
PassoverII
MorningServices
EveningServices
CandleLighting
(StartcountingtheOmer)
CHOL HAMOED
Shabbat,April4
PassoverIII
MorningServices
After7:53PM 7:00AM After10:53AM 11:56AM 7:02PM 7:15PM After7:54PM 9:00AM 7:10PM After7:59PM 9:00AM 6:45PM Before7:04PM 9:00AM 6:55PM 8:01PM 8:30AM 6:45PM 7:00AM 6:45PM 7:00AM 6:45PM 7:08PM 9:00AM 7:15PM After8:05PM 9:00AM 7:20PM 8:06PM After9:00PM
Wethankourreadersof MegillatShirHashirim!
EveningServices
Havdallah
Feldmanmaybeused 7:30AM 6:45PM
Sunday,April5
PassoverIV
MorningServices
EveningServices
Monday,April6
PassoverV
MorningServices
EveningServices
CONCLUDING DAYS
Tuesday,April7
PassoverVI
MorningServices
EveningServices
CandleLighting
Wednesday,April8
PassoverVII
MorningServices
EveningServices
CandleLighting
Thursday,April9
PassoverVIII
MorningServices
EveningServices
Havdallah
ChametzsoldthroughRabbi
Tuesday,March31
Shaharit
Minha
BediqatHames
7:15AM 6:45PM
FastoftheFirstBorn
Wednesday,April1
ErebPesah
Ta’anitBekhorot
Shaharit
Siyum
StopEatingHames BiurHames
Minha
CandleLighting StartSeder
FIRSTDAYS
Thursday,April2
PesahI
Shaharit
ShifttoMoridHaTalinMusaf
Minha&Arbit
CandleLighting
Frompre-existingflame StartSeder Count1stDayoftheOmer
Friday,April3
PesahII&ErebShabbat
Shaharit
Minha
CandleLighting
Frompre-existingflame Count2ndDayoftheOmer
After7:40PM 7:00AM
FollowingShaharit
By10:00AM By11:00AM 6:45PM 7:02PM
HOL HAMOED pesah
Shabbat,April4
HolHaMoedPesahIII
Shaharit
Minha
ShifttoBarekhenuinArbit
Habdalah
Count3rdDayoftheOmer
Sunday,April5
HolHaMoedPesahIV
Shaharit
NoTefillin;addYa’alehveYabo Minha Count4thDayoftheOmer
Monday,April6
HolHaMoedPesahV
Shaharit
NoTefillin;addYa’alehveYabo Minha Count5thDayoftheOmer
CONCLUDING DAYS
Tuesday,April7
HolHaMoedPesahVI
Shaharit
NoTefillin;addYa’alehveYabo Minha
CandleLighting Count6thDayoftheOmer
Wednesday,April8
PesahVII
Shaharit
Minha
Count7thDayoftheOmer
Thursday,April9
PesahVIII
Shaharit
Minha
After7:40PM 9:15AM 6:45PM After7:41PM 7:41PM 9:15AM 6:45PM 7:42PM After7:42PM 9:00AM 6:45PM 7:58PM 8:30AM 6:45PM 7:44PM 7:00AM 6:45PM 7:45PM 7:00AM 6:45PM 7:09PM 7:46PM 9:00AM 6:45PM 7:47PM 9:00AM 7:15PM 8:03PM
Habdalah Count8thDayoftheOmer
AfterHabdalah
TheSederExperience APre-PesachLearningEveningwithRabbiDaniel&RachelKraus
PrepareforPesachwithgreatermeaning,clarity,andconfidence. JoinusonWednesdayMarch25at7:00PMforTheSederExperience,anengagingandinteractive eveningdesignedtohelpyouenterPesachreadytolead,participatein,andfullyappreciatetheSeder. TogetherwewillwalkthroughthekeymomentsoftheSeder.FromtheFourCupsofWinetomatzahand maror,andthestructureandmeaningoftheHaggadah,wewillexploreboththepracticalhow-toandthe deeperthemesoffreedom,memory,gratitude,andJewishidentitythatmakethisnightthecenterpieceof theJewishcalendar
Whether you are leading a Seder for the first time, hosting guests, or simply looking to deepen your understandingofthetraditions,thiseveningwillleaveyouwithinsights,perspective,andpracticaltoolsto enrichyourPesachtable Couplesandindividualswarmlywelcome
Location:125E 85thStreet|RSVP:rdk@ckjorg
SUNDAY
7:30AM/RabbiLaniado JewishMysticismThrough theEyesofMaimonides
9:15AM/RabbiWieder Dr WilliamMajorMemorial AdvancedShiurinTalmud
MONDAY
9:00AM/RabbiSteinmetz JudaismandEthics: StudiesinPirkeiAvot
7:00PM/SaraRosen ConversationalHebrew
TUESDAY
9:00AM/RabbiFeldman TheBookofSamuel
10:00AM/LindaBernell& RabbiFeldman Women'sParshaClass
5:30PM/Beginners
6:30PM/Intermediate
7:30PM/Advanced
8:00PM/MorrisMassel SeferHaChinuch
WEDNESDAY
For more information and up-to-date schedules, visit ckj.org/weeklyclasses. W E E K L Y C L A S S S C H E D U L E
9:00AM/RabbiLaniado UnderstandingtheAmida
9:00AM/RabbiLookstein TheWeeklyParsha
12:00PM/GuestSpeakers Lunch&LearnforSeniors
7:00PM/KJClergy MeaningfulJewishLiving
9:00PM/RabbiSteinmetz SocialIssuesinJewish Law&Thought
THURSDAY
8:30AM/Dr.SheraTuchman *ResumesMay7* AStudyofthePurpose oftheCreationofEve
7:30PM/Dr.SamBavli ExploringtheZohar
Within Our Family
MAZAL TOV TO –BIRTHS
Nicole & Raanan Agus upon the birth of a grandson, Dov, born to theirchildrenTemmyandElanAgusofRamatBeitShemesh
KJ Administrator Riva Alper, and Joe Bierman z ”l, upon the birth of a granddaughter, Emmanuella Adina, born to their children SarahBierman(Ramaz’09)andDanielWallis.
Wilma & Kenneth Aschendorf upon the birth of a grandson, CharlesHaim,borntotheirchildrenAnnaandAdamAmsalem
Ally&AviBaronuponthebirthoftheirfirstchildandson
Sheridan & Nadav Besner upon the birth of their first child and son,ElanAriel.
Roza & Dr. Norman Chideckel upon the birth of a granddaughter, TzofiaEsther,borntotheirchildrenRachelandJoeyLiberman.
Marylène & Alan Friedman upon the birth of a baby girl, Ayelet Hashachar, born to their children Moshe and Shalvie Friedman in RamatBeitShemesh
Deeni & Rabbi Manu Hass upon the birth of a son and first sabra, DavidNaftali.
Sara & Jeremy Hoffman upon the birth of a daughter, Gabriella Rose (Gavriella Rachel). Mazal Tov as well to the all-KJ slate: Grandparents Bettina & Spencer Waxman and Rena & Scott Hoffman, KJ great-grandparents Wendy & Sidney Ingber, and KJ great-grandmotherAnnSterman
KJ Youth Director Ruthie & Max Hollander upon the birth of a daughter,Rose(RaisaAvigayil)
Dina & Marshall Huebner on the birth of a grandson, Jack Abraham (Yaakov Avraham), born to their children Leora and Abe SuttoninSilverSpring,Maryland.
Michele & Ronald Jaspan upon the birth of a grandson, Yaakov Simcha,borntotheirchildrenNavaandDannyJaspan
Katerina & Moshe Klein upon the birth of a daughter, Ariella YachatEsther
Sarit & Jeffrey Kleinhaus upon the birth of a daughter, Flora Parker (Ora Perel) sister to Sammy. Mazal Tov to the KJ grandparentsRosalieandHarryKleinhaus.
Debbie & Yair Klyman upon on the birth of a daughter, Celine Ilana(Ilana)
Rachel & Andrew Lobel upon the birth of a son Mazal Tov as well toJudyandpastKJPresidentDavidLobel
Diane & Russell Miller upon the birth of a grandson, Charles Hercel (Hercel), born to their children Jessica & Isaac Schwartzberg.
Myra & Dr Alon Mogilner upon the birth of a granddaughter, Ora Yocheved, born on Purim to their children, Shoshana and YehudaFein,ofRamatBeitShemesh
Gail & Berndt Perl, upon the birth of a grandson born to their children SandyandIsaacOhebshalomofMiami.
Pamela & George Rohr upon the birth of a grandson, Gavriel Chaim(GabrielHenry),borntotheirchildrenNinaRohr&Yoni Cooper.
Sharon Cohen & Dr Ryan Schwab upon the birth of a son, Benjamin Logan (Binyamin Ephraim) Mazal Tov as well to the proudKJgrandparents,Ronit&Dr LarrySchwab
Drs Lu Steinberg & Michael Schulder upon the birth of a granddaughter, Mia Isabella Ross (Miya Tzivia), born to their childrenIlanaandDanielRoss.
Janie and Dr. Robert Schwalbe upon the birth of a great granddaughter, Grace Aerin (Gila Moriah) born to their grandchildren Lily and Jack Schwalbe Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparentsDasiandJeremySchwalbe
Anne & Sam Schwartz upon the birth of a granddaughter, Ava Leora,borntotheirchildrenRebecca&ZevBen-Ami MazalTov as well to the proud KJ great grandparents Rae & Stanley Gurewitsch.
Debbie & Daniel Schwartz and Nicole & Raanan Agus upon the birth of a granddaughter, Yvette Meira (Yvie), born to their children,Elianna&AlexAgus MazalTovaswelltotheKJgreat grandmotherGabriellaMajor
Debbie & Daniel Schwartz upon the birth of a grandson, Nathaniel Oliver (Netanel Eliezer), born to their children Tamar andBenjySchwartz MazalTovaswelltothegreat-grandmother GabriellaMajor.
Shterni & Rabbi Motti Seligson upon the birth of their second childandson.
Susan & Scott Shay upon the birth of a grandson, Lewis Gabriel (LeibGavriel),borntotheirchildrenAlyssaandBenShay
Drs Deborah&EzraShoenuponthebirthoftheirfirstchildand son,Caleb(Chaim)
Erica&AronSilvermanuponthebirthoftheirfirstchildandson.
Barbara Sandberg & Steven Springer upon the birth of a grandson, Jason Evan (Yichiel Shai), born to their children SamanthaSpringerandJeremyFrisch
Rebecca&EricTaubuponthebirthofadaughter,ElianaRina
Liana & Jeremy Zborowski upon the birth of their first child and son,MilesJojo(ChaimMenasheMendel).
May these children grow up in the finest tradition of Torah, chupah, andma’asimtovim.
KJ Director of Member Services Yael Haller & husband, Josh, upon the Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem of their son, Mikey.
Aviya & Alexander Halpern upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Jessica. Mazal Tov as well to the grandmothers, Cheryl F Halpern, Gladys Halpern and MalkaYarimi
Bernice & Gilbert Kahn upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Micah Archibald, son of Abigail and Ben Archibald
Deborah & Ivan Moskowitz upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Julian Moskowitz,inWashington,DC
Janie & Dr. Robert Schwalbe upon the Bar Mitzvah of their youngest grandson, David Jack Schwalbe, son of Joshua&AlizaSchwalbeofEnglewood.
Engagements
Noemi & Danny Messing upon the engagement of their son, Jonathan, to Sara Marder, daughter of Shirley and Marder of Toronto, Canada.
Judy & Dr. Robert Podell upon the engagement of their grandson, Marc, son of Dr. Debbie and Ari Fishkind, to Aliza Beer, daughter of Dr Gila and Rabbi Jeffrey Beer of White Plains
Gena Buchwald & David Stern upon the engagement of their daughter, Talia, to Aidan Menell, son of Jeff & Lisa Menell of LA Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandfather Elias Buchwald and KJ aunt and uncle Monita Buchwald and Charles Edelsburg
MARRIAGES
Vera Bernstein upon the marriage of her granddaughter, Zoe Bernstein, daughter of Rachel Stone (Ramaz ’91) and Robert Bernstein (Ramaz ’88) toElliottOttensoser,sonofWendyandUriOttensoser.
Elana & Aryeh Bourkoff upon the marriage of their daughter, Olivia, to YoniKaynan,sonofRiva&AyalKaynanofWestOrange
Nicole & Jeff Fisher upon the marriage of their son, Jack, to Carolyn Yaacoby,daughterofLiwenandEliYaacobyofJerusalem.MazalTovtoKJ grandmotherShirleyBoyarsky.
Karen & Steven Gurewitsch upon the marriage of their son, Andrew, to Manuela Gutierrez Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Rae and Stanley Gurewitsch.
Dina & Marshall Huebner upon the marriage of their daughter, Shira, to Elie Lowenstein, son of Mandi & David Lowenstein of Silver Spring, Maryland
Drs Jody & Elie Levine upon the marriage of their daughter, Caitlin, to MaxOrbach,sonofDara&DavidOrbachofLivingston,NJ.
Ruth Lewittes and the late Hon. Joel Lewittes upon the marriage of their granddaughter, Sara, daughter of Suzanne and Ron Lewittes of Boca Raton, FL, to Bradley Lowy, son of Michelle and Dr Arthur Lowy of Plainview,NY.
Lisa & Nathan Low upon the marriage of their son, Sam, to Leora Rothschild,daughterofLisa&ElliotRothschildofTeaneck,NJ.
Debbie & Kenny Rochlin (Head of Ramaz Institutional Advancement) upon the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Daniella Rose, to Shmully HyamsofElizabeth,NJ,sonofBasyaandYossiHyams.
Phylise & Richard Sands upon the marriage of their daughter, Ginger, to MylesMiller,sonofKaren&EricMillerofHewlettHarbor,NY.MazalTov aswelltoKJgrandmotherAnitaSands.
KJMemberOliverSchwalbe,sonofKJMembersJeremy&DasiSchwalbe of Englewood, upon his marriage to Yael Carmi, daughter of Rachel & Itamar Carmi of Teaneck Mazal Tov as well to KJ grandparents Janie and Dr.RobertSchwalbe.
Sirena Silber upon the marriage of her daughter Rebecca to Joe Rosen of Lawrence,sonofMalki&PhilRosen.
Lisa & our beloved Senior Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz upon the marriage of their son, Hillel, to Emily Knopf, daughter of Dr Lisa Shulman and Jay KnopfofTeaneck.
May their weddings take place in happiness and blessing. Maythenewlywedcouplesbeblessedtobuildhomesfaithfultothetraditionsof theJewishpeople.
Dahlia Rebecca Zaremski-Rimon
Mazal Tov to Maureen and Jack Zaremski-Rimon upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Dahlia, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Purim, at which time Dahlia read Megillat Esther. Dahlia is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.
Sarah Leah Chava Litzenblatt
Mazal Tov to Amy and Seth Litzenblatt upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Sarah Leah Chava, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Shabbat HaChodesh, March 14 Sarah led a Women’ s Mincha Service and read the following week’ s Parasha, Vayikra She also delivered a D’ var Torah. Sarah is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.
Ella Kaufthal
Alex Niditch
Mazal Tov to Abby and Joshua Kaufthal upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Ella, on Thursday, March 19, at which time she will deliver a Dvar Torah about Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Ella is a sixth-grade student in the Ramaz Middle School.
Mazal Tov to Daniela and Steven Niditch upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Alex, which will take place at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on March 21 She will recite Havdalah as well as a Dvar Torah on the ritual of Havdalah Alex is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School
Jackson Xander Grant
Mazal Tov to Elana and Chaim Grant upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jackson, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Shabbat morning, March 28, Shabbat Hagadol, at which time he will read Parashat Tzav and deliver a D’ var Torah Jackson is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.
Annie Rubenstein
Mazal Tov to Samantha and Jonathan Rubenstein upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Annie on March 29th at the Tribeca Rooftop 360, where she will present a D’ var Torah on Shemirat Halashon by the Chofetz Chaim Annie is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School
Moshe Landerer
Mazal Tov to David and Suri Landerer upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Moshe, on Shabbat morning, May 2nd, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun where he will layn Parashat Emor. He will, as well, make a siyum on Masechet Makkot and deliver a p ’shetel at a seudah on a later date. Moshe is a seventh-grade student at Yeshiva Ketana of Manhattan.
Annabelle Kamali
Mazal Tov to Michele and Steven Kamali upon the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Annabelle, at the Ramaz Upper School on May 10. Annabelle is a sixth-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.
Robert Auerbach
Mazal Tov to Danielle and Jonathan Auerbach upon the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Robby, on Sunday, May 17th, at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, at which time he will lead Tefillah and leyn for Rosh Chodesh Sivan. Robbie is a seventh-grade student at the Ramaz Middle School.
MazalTovto—
YarivBen-AriuponhisrecentappointmentasthenewChairmanofIACNewYork. JimmyHaberandRachieShnay'08uponbeinghonoredatthe89thAnnualRamaz DinneronSunday,February22.
new members
Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun warmly welcomes the following new members who joined the congregation between the printing of the last Bulletin on November 25 and this Bulletin, which went to press on March 13:
Nina and Eliav Assouline
Danielle and Josh Blank
Gabrielle and Jonathan Blum
Miriam and Ariel Broome
Hannah Liss and Eitan Chemerinski
Jasmine and Dan Cohen Lax
Daneh and Eliot Elihu
Dr. Paul Ferbank
Anna and Elisha Galler
Nicole and Andrew Goletka
Yael Tzur Happ
Condolences to
Barbara Klippert
Karen and Alan Landau
Heather and Gregory Moss
Ayelet and Michael Sabbah
Nadine and Stephan Sakhai
Rohan Singh
Hannah and Jordan Socol
Rachel and Joshua Teitler
Freda Rosenfeld and Howard Wallick
Liana and Jeremy Zborowski
Leah and Eli Zicherman
Mati Adler upon the passing of his father, Bernard Adler
Mark Benson upon the passing of his mother, Janet Benson
Hon David Cohen upon the passing of his mother, Sally Diamond Cohen
Gad Demry upon the passing of his father, Moshe Demry
Dr Melanie Englese upon the passing of her mother, Marilyn Englese
Fran Gerber upon the passing of her sister, Miriam “Mimi” Appel
Melissa Goldstein Davis upon the passing of her mother, Jill Goldstein
Ronnie Dagan Haber upon the passing of her father, Moshe Dagan
Gladys Kartin upon the passing of her mother, Irene Herskovitz.
KJ Past President Joel Katz upon the passing of his father, Sidney Katz.
Jerry Kestenbaum upon the passing of his mother, Aliza Kestenbaum.
Daniella Niditch upon the passing of her father, Fred Gross.
Paula Menche upon the passing of her mother, Helen Pilchik.
PENINEI HALAKHA: LAWS OF PRAYER
Make Torah a part of every day. We are studying one short halakha section daily from Peninei Halakha: The Laws of Prayer Peninei Halakha is a revolutionary series of books by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, making Jewish law clear and reasonable, and easy to study The blurbs will be provided on WhatsApp each day, plus a weekly video recap by Rabbi Feldman, and communal siyum when we conclude the laws of prayer. For individuals and families, all levels welcome.
Lynne Price Frenkel and Robyn Price Stonehill upon the passing of their uncle, Eugene Price.
Dr. Steven Ritholtz upon the passing of his mother, Robin Ritholtz.
Esther Sholes upon the passing of her mother, Miriam Treitel.
Rori Srulowitz upon the passing of her mother, Rose Kaszirer.
Adam Tantleff upon the passing of his father, David Tantleff.
Community Fridge Meal Preparation
In loving memory of Nili Chaya Dunst z”l
Wednesday mornings following Tehillim 125 E. 85 Street / Riklis Social Hall th
Learn to read Hebrew for free with Eyal. Whether you have no reading experience or can read the basics and are searching for fluency, Eyal is the app for you Eyal was created by KJ Hebrew teacher Sara Rosen and is available on iPad and Mac All work can be self-checked so no teacher is required. Suitable for all ages. Search for Eyal in the iPad or Mac App Store to get started.
taught by Rabbi Roy Feldman Register by scanning the QR code above.
FriedaandDr.SashaEnglard
Frieda and Dr Sasha Englard were members of our congregation for many years, and they retained their membership when they went on aliyah several years ago. They passed away within a few days of each other in the Holy Land which they loved so much.
Theywereawonderfulsourceofsupportfor KJ in so many ways: intellectual, friendship, pious inspiration and just as wonderful people whom it was a privilege and pleasure toknow.
KJembracedthem,andtheyconsideredita greatprivilegetobepartofourcommunity. Weremembertheminloveandreverence
HelenNash
Helen Nash and her late husband, Jack, were leaders in KJ and Ramaz for close to half a century. She reveled in the commitments of her children and grandchildren to synagogue and day-school educationandintheirleadershiprolesinthe Jewish community. She was a woman of tiferret – glory, beauty and impressiveness. Everything that she did, from personal grooming, to homemaking, to culinary expertise, was done with an eye for excellence and beauty. She maintained the higheststandardsinallareasoflife.
She passionately carried on the charitable traditionofherlatehusband,withparticular attentiontoallformsofchesed.Shehelped many Jewish institutions serve our people comprehensively, but her specialty was helpingtheneedy.
The Talmud identifies three qualities as the hallmarks of the Jew: merciful, humble and kind.ThesearefittingdescriptionsofHelen, a remarkable Jewish woman who graced our community.
NiliDunst
Shediedquitesuddenlyattheageofayear-and-a-half, leaving deeply bereaved parents: Camille and Adam and deeplydeprivedsiblings:SashaandAsher.
Nili was a very playful child, full of light, who loved her family dearly. The entire community joined the shocked andsaddenedfamilyinadeeplymovingfuneralservicein the Main Synagogue, and then in shiva, and now as the familygathersdailytosayKaddishinNili’smemory.We allhavetoworktogethertohelpthebereavedfamilyand ourselvesaswemournforadeaththatisasinexplicable andunfathomableasitissaddening.
EvelynRochlin
EvelynwasagrandedameintheKJ/Ramazcommunity foroverfiftyyears.EducatedandraisedintheCrown HeightsJewishcommunity,shemarriedthelateMartin Rochlin and together with him impacted our community and the lives of hundreds in a most profoundway.
Herhomewasagatheringplacefornewandoldfacesin shul. So many began their active spiritual lives at her exquisitetable,whichwaslegendaryforitshospitality andbeauty
Her children, Joshua and Kenny learned from their home to be, themselves, promoters of Modern Orthodoxy in their respective communities, Kenny, right here in KJ and Ramaz, where he is a leading neshama.
Evelyn taught two generations of students for over thirty-fiveyearsatYeshivaUniversityHighSchoolfor Girls where she was a legend as an intellectual and educationalforce.Manyofherstudentspursuedlivesof intellectual work and education, inspired by her. She wasunforgettableasateacher.
Her children, children-in-law, grandchildren and, now great grandchildren, are all committed to Torah, to mitzvot, to the Jewish community, and to Medinat Yisrael,asaresultofhermodelingsuchalifeforthem. ShewasthelivingembodimentofKingSolomon’swords about his own mother:“Many daughters have done worthily,butyouexcelledthemall!”
Shabbat zmanim
Date
Date Weekly Parasha
March 20-21
March 27-28
April 3-4
April 10-11
April 17-18
April 24- 25
May 1-2
May 8-9
May 15-16
May 29-30
June 5-6
June 12-13
June 19-20
June 26-27
Vayikra
Shabbat HaGadol / Tzav
Shabbat Chol Hamoed
Shabbat Mevarchim / Shmini
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar / Tazria-Metzora
Achrei Mot- Kedoshim
Emor
Behar- Bechukotai
Bamidbar
Nasso
Beha'alotcha
Shabbat Mevarchim / Sh'lach
Korach
Chukat-Balak
DAtes to remember
Thursday, March 19
Rosh Chodesh Nisan
Morning Services 7:00 AM
Wednesday, April 1
Ta’anit Bechorot Morning Services 7:00 AM
Wednesday night, April 1 -
Thursday, April 9
Pesach
(See schedule on p. 16)
Tuesday, April 14
Yom haShoah
Friday, April 17 -
Shabbat, April 18
Rosh Chodesh Iyar
Friday Services 7:00 AM
Tuesday, April 21
Yom haZikaron
Thursday, April 22
Yom ha’Atzmaut
Tuesday, May 5
Lag ba’Omer
Sunday, May 10
Mother’ s Day
Friday, May 15
Yom Yerushalayim Morning Services 7:15 AM
Sunday, May 17
Rosh Chodesh Sivan Morning Services 8:30 AM
Shabbat, May 22Sunday, May 23
Shavuot
Monday, May 25 Memorial Day Morning Services 8:30 AM
Friday, June 19 Juneteenth Morning Services 8:30 AM Sephardic Services 7:15 AM
to Thursday, March 22 - June 19
kj synagogue membership Sunday to Thursday, June 21 - June 25
6:50 PM
GreatsynagogueslikeKJaregreatinpart becauseofthesupportthattheyreceivefrom thecommunitiestheyserve,andwehopeyou willjoinotherdedicatedpeopleinour communitybyconsideringKJMembership.
Visitckj.org/membershipor scantheQRcodeformore information.
The kriyat yam suf scene on this bulletin’scoverisinspiredbyKatsushika Hokusai’ s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”woodblockprint,originally createdin1831.