WELCOME TORAH ACADEMY OF BERGEN COUNTY MAY & SAMUEL RUDIN LECTURE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 AT 8:00PM MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF

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1 The Jewish Center S H A B B A T B U L L E T I N November 22, 2014 PARSHAT TOLDOT 29 Cheshvan 5775 Erev Shabbat 4:16PM Candle Lighting 4:20PM Minchah Family Minyan (This minyan is designed for children ages 3-9, with all siblings welcome. Minchah in the sanctuary, Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma ariv on the 5 th floor) Young Leadership Oneg Crawl Shabbat Hashkama Minyan 8:30AM Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine 9:00AM Shacharit and Public Lecture by Rabbi Yosie Levine, A Revolutionary Prayer: The Story Behind the First Hebrew Prayer for a Democratic Government 9:15AM Young Leadership (5 th floor) 9:15AM Hashkama Shiur with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Rambam on Divine Providence, Part II 9:16AM Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:30AM Teen Minyan and Hot Kiddush (in partnership with Torah Academy of Bergen County) 10:00AM Youth Groups, 2-year-olds: lower level; 3-4-year-olds: lower level; 5-6-year-olds: lower level; 2 nd -3 rd graders: 7 th floor, 4 th -6 th graders: 7 th floor 11:15AM Youth Department Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Sanhedrin Shabbat Mevarchim Hot Kiddush With thanks to our Kiddush Sponsors: Please see page two for a complete list of sponsors Teen Minyan Sponsors, Anonymous 12:15PM Early Minchah 3:00PM Bikkur Cholim and Bikkur in the Home. Meet at the Westmont, 730 Columbus Avenue 4:10PM Minchah, Shabbat afternoon groups Israel Friedman 39 Melachot with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind Seudah Shlishit Speaker: Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Silent Warrior: Appreciating Yitzchak's Inwardness in the Age of Celebrity Seudah Shlishit Youth Speakers: Emma Jonas, in commemoration of the 20 th yahrzeit of Seth s father, Eric Jonas and Hannah Vorchheimer With Thanks to our Seudah Shlishit Sponsors: Rochelle Tarlowe & Seth Jonas in commemoration of the 20 th yahrzeit of Seth s father, Eric Jonas 5:16PM Shabbat concludes Parent-Child Learning (middle school students are welcome) with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Rivkah: Derishat Hashem Sun., Nov. 23 Rosh Chodesh Shacharit 8:30AM DAILY SERVICES Mon., Nov Wed., Nov. 26 Shacharit 7/8AM Thur., Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Shacharit 8:30AM Fri., Nov. 21 Shacharit 7/8AM Candle Lighting 4:13PM WELCOME TORAH ACADEMY OF BERGEN COUNTY We are pleased to welcome TABC students to The Jewish Center this Shabbat! PUBLIC LECTURE SHABBAT, NOVEMBER 22 ND AT 11:00AM RABBI YOSIE LEVINE A Revolutionary Prayer: The Story Behind the First Hebrew Prayer for a Democratic Government PUBLIC LECTURE SHABBAT, DECEMBER 6 TH AT 11:00AM YOSSI SIEGEL Israel s Water Story: Lessons for a Water-Stressed World TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 ND AT 8:00PM SCREENING OF THE GREEN PRINCE This real-life thriller tells the story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of a founding leader in the Palestinian organization, Hamas, who becomes a spy for Israel. The film focuses on the complex relationship with his handler. Please visit our website or see page 3 for more information. MAY & SAMUEL RUDIN LECTURE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 AT 8:00PM MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF See page 2 or visit our website for more information and his complete bio. COMMUNITY SCHOLAR SHABBAT, DECEMBER DR. ERICA BROWN Save the Date: Community Shabbat Dinner with Dr. Erica Brown Shabbat Morning Public Lecture: Chanukah and Heroism: Who Are Today's Jewish Heroes? NOVEMBER IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH AT THE JC THE JEWISH CENTER IT S WHERE YOU BELONG Become a member by November 30 th and save 20% on the annual membership fee. Apply for membership online at or pick up an application in the lobby. Women's Tehillim Group - Mon., November 24 at 7:15PM. (1 st floor) Contact Joyce Weitz for more info at The Jewish Center - The Modern Orthodox Center for Jewish Life and Learning SOLD OUT

2 WITH THANKS TO OUR SHABBAT MEVARCHIM KIDDUSH SPONSORS BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM Motzei Shabbat, December 6, 13, 20, January 3, 10, 24, and February 7 at 6:30PM (4th floor) A six-week course for Bnot Mitzvah, and those about to become Bnot Mitzvah, on the Torah values of Jewish womanhood. Topics covered, through the lens of Biblical Jewish heroines, will include familial leadership, prayer, kindness, personal modesty, loyalty, courage and fearlessness. The course will conclude with presentations by all the student participants at a family gathering at the shul. Co-taught by Rabbi Daniel & Chaya Fridman. Joseph Gottlieb in celebration of Ruby's birthday and in observance of the yarzheit of Florence Gottlieb Fran & Jonah Kupietzky on the occasion of Jonah s 80th birthday, bo bayom Rachel Lurie, in memory of her mother, Klara Markovitz Marleen & Kenneth Wolf in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Marleen s father, Isidore Zweig YOUTH DEPARTMENT & BIKKUR CHOLIM VISITS BY JESSIE BRENNER, 6TH GRADE Bikkur Cholim is a great experience for people of all ages. It brings you to the home of someone who might not get out so much, and you get to learn all about their life. It is very meaningful and fun. Sometimes kids put on shows for them! It is such a nice thing to do, and it brightens the elderly's day! They enjoy the visits so much. When everyone gets back to shul, we discuss what has happened and the negative/ positives about our visits. It is a great opportunity and such a beautiful mitzvah. I hope everyone will come and appreciate as much as I do because we will not always have this opportunity and we have the job to pass down their stories! MAY & SAMUEL RUDIN LECTURE FEATURING MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 AT 8:00PM SON OF HAMAS: FROM A TERRORIST HOME TO ISRAELI SPY Mosab Hassan Yousef was born in Ramallah, son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, the founder and leader of the terrorist organization Hamas. As his father's eldest son, he was seen as his heir apparent and became an important part of the Hamas organization. Yousef was held by Shin Bet agents in During that interrogation he accepted the offer to become an Israeli informant. From that point forward he was regarded as Israel s most reliable source on Hamas activities; credited with the saving countless lives and assisting in the arrest of the region s most dangerous terror- ists. In 2008, Yousef left the Middle East for California. He has since written an autobiography entitled Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices. His story was brought to life in the recent documentary, The Green Prince. The event is free and open to the public. We have sold out but have opened up a wait list. Please visit our website for more information. OUT SOLD ur wait list. Join o JEWISH CENTER UNIVERSITY FALL SEMESTER FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CONTACT RABBI DOVID ZIRKIND AT DZIRKIND@JEWISHCENTER.ORG. DAILY (except Shabbat) Israel Friedman, MONDAY A Talmudic Study of the Shema with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, 8:00PM WEDNESDAY Advanced Talmud Chabura with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Women of the Bible with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 11:00AM TUESDAY Advanced Talmud Chabura with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Words from the Wise - The Book of Proverbs with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 8:00PM Nosh and Drash with Dr. Adena Berkowitz will resume after Thanksgiving The Next Level with Rabbi Mark Wildes, 8:00PM Heroines Sadye and Henry Bayer Chumash Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 7:00PM THURSDAY Innovation & Conservation: Ancient Judaism & Christianity with Rabbi Ari Lamm will resume after Thanksgiving SHABBAT Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 8:30AM Ramban on the Weekly Parsha with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 9:15AM Youth Department Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Daniel Fridman Israel Friedman with rotating JCU Faculty, 1 hour before Minchah Parent-Child Learning with Rabbi Daniel Fridman 39 Melachot (through December 27) with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind JC Online - Become a fan for the latest news and events. Facebook.com/TheJewishCenterNY

3 UPCOMING EVENTS YOUNG COUPLES & FAMILIES TOY DRIVE Through December 8 The JC is collecting new toys to be donated to children at Ohel. Stop by The JC lobby to drop off a toy. SCREENING OF THE GREEN PRINCE Tuesday, December 2 at 8:00PM This real-life thriller tells the story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of a founding leader in the Palestinian organization, Hamas, who becomes a spy for Israel. The film focuses on the complex relationship with his handler. The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries. Cost in advance: $10 members, $15 non-members; Sponsor: $200, includes 2 tickets, sponsorship listing and 1 VIP pass to a private reception with Mosab Hassan Yousef on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00PM; Patron: $360, includes 2 tickets, sponsorship listing and 2 VIP passes to a private reception with Mosab Hassan Yousef on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00PM. Seating is limited. Please register on our website before seats are sold out. YOUNG LEADERSHIP BOOK CLUB Sunday, December 7 at 8:30PM at 175 W. 87th Street, Apt. 21B Join us for the first meeting of the Young Leadership Book Club, featuring The Children Act by Ian McEwan. Questions? Please contact AriellaGoldstein@gmail.com or yl@jewishcenter.org. PRIVATE TOUR OF LETTERS TO AFAR: BY PÉTER FORGÁCS, MUSIC BY THE KLEZMATICS AT THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Wednesday, December 10 at 11:00AM Join Rabbi Levine for a private tour of this exhibit, which is an immersive video art installation based on home movies made by New York City s Jewish immigrants who traveled back to visit Poland during the 1920s and 30s. The films document poignant family reunions and everyday life in small towns in the years before the Second World War, capturing a culture on the brink. Tickets cost $20 members; $22 non-members. For more information and to register, contact Batsheva at batsheva@jewishcenter.org. SAVE THE DATE: SHABBAT DINNER WITH DR. ERICA BROWN Friday, December 12 For more information and to join the planning committee, eliane@jewishcenter.org. FAMILY MINYAN Friday, November 21 TEEN MINYAN Shabbat, November 22 THANKGIVING FIREHOUSE VISIT Thursday, November 27 at 11:00AM at 120 West 83 rd Street Families and children are welcome to take a tour of our local firehouse. Bring a thank-you card and treats for our brave firefighters. Meet at the firehouse on 83 rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue. For more information, contact yitz@jewishcenter.org. PRE-CHANUKAH FAMILY DINNER Shabbat, December 5 Enjoy dinner and spend time with old friends while making new ones. Plus: Tot Shabbat, relay races and games with Roll Joel and Super Soccer Stars! Registration is now closed. SOLD OUT YOUTH DEPARTMENT PARSHA PALOOZA IN YOUTH GROUPS Shabbat, December 6 at 10:00AM Think you ve got the answers? Show off your knowledge and walk away with amazing prizes! Interested in a co-sponsorhip? Contact yitz@jeiwshcenter.org for more information POST-BAT MITZVAH SHABBAT MORNING LEARNING Shabbat, December 6 All Jewish Center post-bat Mitzvah teens and their friends are welcome to join for some fun learning with Chaya Fridman. Start davening in the main shul. After haftorah reading, head up to the 4 th floor Beit Midrash for learning on subjects of interest to teens. Snacks are sponsored by Beth & Josh Schwartz. SAVE THE DATE: 5 TH ANNUAL TEEN VS. CLERGY BASKETBALL GAME Saturday night, December 13 More information to follow. With thanks to our growing list of sponsors: Rachel & Jonathan Sopher in memory of Judith Levine and Rabbi Yosie & Rachel Levine. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS MAZAL TOV Chana & Eddie Lowenthal on Yehudah's Bar Mitzvah. Mazel Tov to Yehudah's grandmother, Randie Lowenthal Shira Silton & David Wildman on their forthcoming wedding THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS Thank you to Steve Hirsch and Virginia Bayer Hirt who are our ushers this Shabbat. THANK YOU TO CSS We would like to once again thank CSS and our dedicated CSS members for providing the security for our synagogue this week. IMPORTANT COMMUNITY MITZVAH OPPORTUNITY The Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA) has called on our community for support to help Cynthia Ohana receive a Get from Ephraim Ohana after more than a decade of separation. ORA, along with the Rabbinical Council of Baltimore, have pursued Mr. Ohana from city to city and he has recently moved to the Upper West Side. ORA has organized a rally against Ephraim Ohana. The rally will take place on Sunday, November 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at 75 West End Avenue (West 63 Street between West End and Riverside) with participants gathering outside the entrance of the building. Community support is crucial in these situations, and we encourage those who can attend to be a part of this important Mitzvah of helping to free an agunah and receive a Get forthwith. To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at aaron@jewishcenter.org

4 Who has had a moment s restful sleep this week? Who is not still haunted by the image of a talit, cruelly ripped from its wearer, lying in a pool of blood? Whose heart does not ache for the families of those pious Jews slain at prayer, R. Moshe Twerksy, R. Aryeh Kupinsky, R. Kalman Ze ev Levine, and R. Avraham Goldberg? For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears, for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my soul; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed. (Lamentations 1:16) Just prior to this writing, another victim succumbed to his injuries: Zidan Saif, a thirty-year-old policeman who was first on the scene at the synagogue in Har Nof. Officer Saif s family is no stranger to heroism on behalf of the State of Israel; his uncle gave his life as a soldier in the IDF during the Lebanon War. Officer Saif s death struck a particular chord in me, in light of a homily on this week s sidra featured in Genesis Rabbah: And the first [Esau] came forth ruddy (Gen. 25:25) When Samuel saw that David was ruddy he was afraid. He said, perhaps even this one shall be a murderer [like Esau]. God replied Esau kills indiscriminately, but this one [David] will only kill in accordance with the will of the Sanhedrin. (Genesis Rabbah 63:25) Amid its exegetical logic contrasting two emblematic national symbols Esau and a young man who would one day be King David this midrash constructs an argument regarding the ideal constitution of a Jewish polity, to wit: While in order to JC TRIP: PESACH 2015 IN ISRAEL The Jewish Center is organizing an extraordinary journey to Israel this Spring. We will be staying at the beautiful Inbal Hotel in the heart of Jerusalem, where we have a block of rooms at a very good rate. The trip will be 10 days/nights and will include daily breakfast and six Shabbat/Yom Tov meals. There is no better way to express your solidarity with Israel than to be there. Eliane at eliane@jewishcenter.org if you are interested in joining the trip. If you have questions, you can contact our tour operator: Joey Freudmann, or joey@netvision.net.il. In Memoriam Rabbi Ari Lamm, Resident Scholar protect against the threat of anarchy, the Jewish state must arrogate to itself the prerogative to employ force even deadly force the state s power in this respect must be subordinated to the rule of law to the Sanhedrin. If it is not so subordinated, the state s monopoly on violence is no better than the power that a bully like Esau possesses to torment those weaker and more vulnerable than himself. Officer Saif s tragic death throws this contrast between Esau and David into sharp relief. The terrorists who assaulted the synagogue in Har Nof wielded the axes and guns of Esau. In sowing indiscriminate death among the innocent, they represent humanity at its most base. But Officer Saif stood for the very opposite. While he, too, wielded weaponry capable of inflicting death, he did so in the service of a police force constituted by a liberal democracy that is governed by the rule of law. And when duty called, he heroically gave his life to defend the helpless irrespective of their being of a different ethnicity and faith. He embodied the values of King David in his acquiescence to the da at Sanhedrin, the rule of law. Many words have been and will be said about the precious Jewish souls among them a veritable colossus in the realm of Torah study, R. Moshe Twersky ripped from our midst by this unspeakably horrific act of terrorism. But let our community also shed tears for the death of Officer Zidan Saif, a loyal citizen true to the legacy of King David and surely one of the chasidei umot ha- olam. JC DELEGATION AT THE AIPAC POLICY CONFERENCE MARCH 1-3, 2015 The AIPAC Policy Conference is the pro-israel community's preeminent annual gathering. The event attracts more than 14,000 community and student activists from all 50 states, and more than half of the Senate, a third of the House of Representatives and countless Israeli and American policymakers and thought leaders. Over three jam-packed days, Policy Conference participants choose from hundreds of informative sessions and participate in the pro-israel community's largest and most important advocacy day. The JC is proud to be sending a delegation to this conference. Tickets cost $399 per person. Register before December 31st to lock into this deal. Questions? Please visit our website to purchase your tickets TICKETS REMAINING Clergy & Staff Yosie Levine Rabbi Dovid Zirkind Assistant Rabbi Chaim David Berson Cantor Daniel Fridman Resident Scholar Rabbi Ari Lamm William Fischman Resident Scholar Aaron Strum Executive Director Eliane Glassman Director of Programming and Communications Yitzchak Sprung Youth Director OFFICERS Avi Schwartz President Andrew Borodach First Andrew Kaplan Mark Segall Rose Lynn Sherr Michael Jacobs Assistant Yaron Kinar Treasurer Len Berman Assistant Treasurer Miri Lipsky Secretary Phone Numbers Lisa Septimus Yoetzet Halacha Chevra Kadisha UWS Mikvah Hatzalah Eruv Status

5 SCREENING OF THE GREEN PRINCE Tuesday, December 2 at 8:00PM ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY This real-life thriller tells the story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of a founding leader in the Palestinian organization, Hamas, who becomes a spy for Israel. The film focuses on the complex relationship with his handler. The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries. This film is rated PG-13. REGISTRATION: Please purchase your tickets on our website COST IN ADVANCE: $10 members, $15 non-members; Sponsor: $200, includes 2 tickets, sponsorship listing and 1 VIP pass to a private reception with Mosab Hassan Yousef on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00PM; Patron: $360, includes 2 tickets, sponsorship listing and 2 VIP passes to a private reception with Mosab Hassan Yousef on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00PM. QUESTIONS? If you have questions, please eliane@jewishcenter.org. MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE JEWISH CENTER The Jewish Center is proud to host Mosab Hassan Yousef on Tuesday, December 9. For more information about the lecture and to register, please visit our website. THE JEWISH CENTER 131 West 86th Street New York, NY

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