The Jewish Center S H A B B A T B U L L E T I N. Become a member by November 30 th and save 20% on the annual membership fee.

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1 The Jewish Center S H A B B A T B U L L E T I N November 8, 2014 PARSHAT VAYERA 15 Cheshvan 5775 Erev Shabbat 4:29PM Candle Lighting 4:35PM Minchah 5:45PM Community Dinner with Dr. David Berger (prior registration required) 7:45PM Community Dessert and Special Talk with Dr. David Berger (this event is free and open to the community) Shabbat 7:45AM Hashkama Minyan 8:30AM Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine 9:00AM Shacharit and Public Lecture by Dr. David Berger 9:07AM Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:15AM Hashkama Shiur with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Nachamanides and Divine Providence 9:15AM Young Leadership (1 st floor) 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 10:30AM UWS Young Women s Learning with Chaya Fridman (4 th floor) 11:00AM Youth Department Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Daniel Fridman 12:10PM Early Minchah Hot Community Kiddush With thanks to our Kiddush Sponsors: Community Kiddush, Esther & Steve Graber in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Esther's sister, Yehudis Jakubowicz and in honor of Evelyn Graber s 80 th birthday Community Kiddush, Drs. Abbey & Eric Wolf in memory of Mr. Isidore Zweig z"l and Mr. David Wolf, z"l 3:00PM Bikkur Cholim and Bikkur in the Home. Meet at the Westmont, 730 Columbus Avenue 3:00PM Youth Department Bikkur Cholim Orientation and Visit (5 th -8 th graders welcome, 5 th floor dance studio) 4:20PM Minchah, Shabbat afternoon groups Israel Friedman Daf Yomi 39 Melachot with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind will resume next Shabbat Seudah Shlishit Speaker: Dr. David Berger, From Debate to Dialogue: The Challenges and Transformations of Jewish-Christian Interaction 5:28PM Shabbat concludes Musical Havdalah with Cantor Chaim David Berson Parent-Child Learning with Rabbi Daniel Fridman (those in middle school and junior high are welcome), Angels and Men Sun., November 9 Shacharit 8:30AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 4:30PM DAILY SERVICES Mon., Nov Thur., Nov. 13 Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 4:30PM Fri., November 14 Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Candle Lighting 4:22PM Minchah 4:30PM Women's Tehillim Group - Mon., November 10 at 7:00PM. (7 th floor) Contact Joyce Weitz for more info at SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE SHABBAT, NOVEMBER 7-8 TH DR. DAVID BERGER SHABBAT DINNER WITH DR. DAVID BERGER AT 5:45PM We look forward to spending Shabbat dinner with our community. Prior reservation required. DESSERT AND SPECIAL TALK WITH DR. DAVID BERGER AT 7:45PM How and When Will the Messiah Come? Messianic Ideas, Calculations, and Movements in Jewish History Following dinner everyone is invited to a dessert and special talk by Dr. Berger. This program is free and open to the community. SHABBAT MORNING PUBLIC LECTURE Halacha Confronts a Dynamic Society: Texts, Values, and Historical Change SEUDAH SHLISHIT From Debate to Dialogue: The Challenges and Transformations of Jewish-Christian Interaction Ruth and I. Lewis Gordon professor of Jewish History and the Dean of the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies YU. Sponsored by Drs. Abbey and Eric Wolf in memory of Mr. Isidore Zweig z"l and Mr. David Wolf, z"l MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 TH AT 8:00PM A CONVERSATION WITH RABBI MORDECHAI WILLIG, DR. JOSHUA KLEIN AND RACHEL TUCHMAN Contemporary Perspectives on Fertility: Freezing Eggs and the Future of the Jewish Family Please register online. See page 2 for more information. 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 November is Membership Month at The JC 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. The Jewish Center - The Modern Orthodox Center for Jewish Life and Learning

2 INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND A GROWING JEWISH WORLD FALL SEMESTER AT THE JC INNOVATIONS IN JEWISH LAW Scholar in Residence Dr. David Berger Shabbat, November 8 th at 11:00AM Halacha Confronts a Dynamic Society: Texts, Values, and Historical Change INNOVATIONS IN ISRAEL Public Lecture by Yossi Siegel Shabbat, December 6 th at 11:00AM Israel's Water Story: Lessons For a Water-Stressed World JC member Yossi Siegel is a founder of Beanstalk, a brand-licensing agency, and of Sixpoint Partners, an investment bank. He is currently at work on a book on Israel s water resources. INNOVATIONS IN MEDICINE A Conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Dr. Joshua Klein, and Rachel Tuchman Contemporary Perspectives on Fertility: Freezing Eggs and the Future of the Jewish Family Monday, November 10 th at 8:00PM Please visit our website to register. RABBI WILLIG is the Rosh Yeshiva at the Mazer School of Talmudic Studies and a Rosh Kollel at RIETS. DR. JOSHUA KLEIN is a Reproductive Endocrinologist and fertility specialist. RACHEL TUCHMAN is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). INNOVATIONS IN PRAYER Public Lecture by Rabbi Yosie Levine Shabbat, November 22 nd at 11:00AM A Revolutionary Prayer: The Story Behind the First Hebrew Prayer for a Democratic Government INNOVATIONS IN HISTORY Innovation & Conservation: Ancient Judaism & Christianity with Rabbi Ari Lamm Thursdays at 8:15PM The destruction of the Second Temple was a formative event not just for Jews, but for Romans and early Christians as well. Insofar as much of what we take for granted as part of our modern existence took shape during the following few centuries - from rabbinic Judaism, to the Roman foundations of modern law, to the Catholic Church - this course will ask two crucial questions: 1) How much of what developed during this period represents innovation? 2) In what ways can we speak of 'continuity' during this era of religious and political ferment? 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 and 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 terrorists. 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. It's story was brought to life in the recent documentary, The Green Prince. Registration: The event is free and open to the public. Advanced reservations required. Please visit for more information. 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 Daf Yomi, 7:45AM MONDAY A Talmudic Study of the Shema will resume on November 17 th with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, 8:00PM TUESDAY Advanced Talmud Chabura with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 7:45AM Nosh and Drash with Dr. Adena Berkowitz, 10:15-11:30AM Heroines Sadye and Henry Bayer Chumash Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 7:00PM WEDNESDAY Advanced Talmud Chabura with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 7:45AM Women of the Bible with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 11:00AM Words from the Wise - The Book of Proverbs with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 8:00PM The Next Level with Rabbi Mark Wildes, 8:00PM THURSDAY Innovation & Conservation: Ancient Judaism & Christianity with Rabbi Ari Lamm, 8:15PM 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 Daf Yomi 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 AN EVENING OF CONVERSATION WITH RABBI MORDECHAI WILLIG, DR. JOSHUA KLEIN, AND RACHEL TUCHMAN, CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON FERTILITY: FREEZING EGGS AND THE FUTURE OF THE JEWISH FAMILY Monday, November 10 at 8:00PM Please see page 2 or visit our website for more information. Please visit our website to register. CARLEBACH DAVENING & SHABBAT ACROSS THE JC Friday, November 14 The evening will begin with Carlebach-style davening led by Cantor Chaim David Berson, followed by a hot kiddush. Afterwards, we will host a Hospitality Shabbat throughout The JC community. This is a great opportunity to meet our diverse community over an intimate Friday night dinner and network with like-minded members and professionals. If you would like to host, be hosted, or be on the planning committee, please Eliane at eliane@jewishcenter.org. ANNUAL CLOTHING DRIVE Sunday, November 16 from 10:30AM - 1:30PM Even if you have worn them already, or don t want to, your clothes can still perform good deeds by being donated to our clothing drive. Clothes will be donated to Good Will and the UWS Gemach. The Gemach is requesting that people donate: women s plus size clothing, children's casual and Shabbat clothing, and children's shoes that are new or gently used. For more information and to get involved as a volunteer, please eliane@jewishcenter.org. BOOK CLUB MEETING Sunday, November 16 at 7:30PM at the home of Dinah & Andy Mendes (262 CPW) Our theme for The JC Book Club this year is Holy Land: Spotlight on Israel. Each meeting is led by a discussant and is followed by refreshments and socializing. We begin with My Promised Land, Ari Shavit s complex and lyrical narrative history of Zionism and the state of Israel. Professor Jerome Chanes will be the discussant. All are welcome to join the book club. If you have any questions, please Dinah at bookclub@jewishcenter.org. ADVANCED LEADERSHIP PRIVATE TOUR AT THE JEWISH MUSEUM: HELENA RUBINSTEIN: BEAUTY IS POWER Monday, November 24 at 11:15AM This is the first museum exhibition to focus on the cosmetics entrepreneur Helena Rubinstein ( ). Rubinstein as businesswoman and arts patron helped break down the status quo of taste by blurring the boundaries among commerce, art, fashion, beauty, and design. Join us for a private tour. The tour will cost $20. Please register on our website. YOUTH BIKKUR CHOLIM ORIENTATION AND VISIT Shabbat, November 8 at 3:00PM (5 th floor dance studio) Please join us for another wonderful year of our popular Bikkur in the Home program for 5 th to 8 th graders. We will be meeting at 3:00PM for an orientation and to divide up for visits to homebound seniors. UPPER WEST SIDE YOUNG WOMEN S LEARNING Shabbat, November 8 at 10:30AM (4 th floor) All JC post-bat Mitzvah teens and their friends are welcome to join for some fun learning with Chaya Fridman. Come to the Beit Midrash after haftorah reading (around 10:30AM). Desserts from My Most Favorite Dessert and beverages will be provided. BOUNCE! Saturday Night, November 15 Join the Youth Department for a trip to Bounce!, the exciting indoor sports complex where kids of all ages can jump and flip YOUTH DEPARTMENT around on their interconnected trampoline floors, play trampoline dodgeball, and dunk on their slam dunk lanes! Cost for children: $30 and cost for adults: $10. Volunteer drivers are needed. Visit our website to register. Save the Date: FAMILY MINYAN Friday, November 21 TEEN MINYAN & HOT KIDDUSH (in partnership with Torah Academy of Bergen County) Shabbat, November 22 There will be an oneg Friday night, and a lunch after the Minyan. More details to follow. Please contact Rabbi Fridman at dfridman@jewishcenter.org with questions. 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 open on our website. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCE- MAZAL TOV Nechi Shudofsky on the marriage of her granddaughter, Sarah BEREAVEMENT We regret to inform you of the passing of Myron Smith, father of our member Jeffrey Smith. Shivah will be observed through Sunday morning, November 9 th at 115 Central Park West, Apt 12B. Shacharit: Friday 7:00AM; Sunday 8:30AM. Visiting hours: 9:00AM-12:00PM, 1:30PM- 4:30PM, 6:30PM - 9:00PM and Saturday night: 6:30PM - 9:00PM. THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS Thank you to Darrin Litsky and Carrie Stieglitz 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. JC TRIP: PESACH 2015 IN ISRAEL The Jewish Center is organizing an extraordinary journey to Israel this Spring. There is no better way to express your solidarity with Israel than to be there. at Eliane@jewishcenter.org if you are interested in joining the trip. YOUTH SPEAKERS AT SEUDAH SHLISHIT We love having our youth speak during Seudah Shlishit. If your child would like to share a Dvar Torah, please contact Rabbi Fridman at dfridman@jewishcenter.org. MANHATTAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE BLOOD DRIVE AND MITZVAH FAIR Sunday, November 16 from 10:00AM-12:00PM at MJE on the 11 th floor. 8:45AM - Minyan Madness, 9:30AM - Class with Rabbi Mark Wildes. You will have the opportunity to donate blood, have your tefillin and mezuzot checked, and do shatnez testing. For more information visit their website: To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at aaron@jewishcenter.org

4 There was definitely a time, and it might still be true today, when people chose to purchase Snapple over other soft drinks simply for the interesting, often amusing facts printed on the inside of the cap. Snapple facts, much like fortune cookies, are the perfect conversation starter, a good source of laughter, and on some rare occasions, an opportunity for selfreflection. In the later category, I recall a specific fact, number 831, which claims: Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day. Its hard to say whether this fact is scientifically proven or not, but a simple observation of children supports the basic premise. Even while children may have a less sophisticated sense of humor, their propensity for laughter is much greater than the adults in their lives. It would seem, the more we get to know our world, the less likely we are to find it amusing. Rashi observes that the visitors to Avraham s home are described differently at different points in Parshat Vayera. At the outset of our Parsha, when they first approach Avraham the Torah says He saw three men standing before him. Yet, in the next chapter, as they continue on to save Lot it states: The two angels arrived in Sodom at evening Initially, these choice descriptions seem counterintuitive; that Avraham would see them as mere men and the wicked people of Sodom would seem them as angels, yet that is precisely how Rashi understands the phenomenon. In Avraham s world, the appearance of Angels was a frequent occurrence. He saw men, he saw angels, and he welcomed them both with regularity. INNOVATIVE CREATIVE NURTURING COMMUNITY YESHIVA KETANA OF MANHATTAN PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Monday, November 10th, 7:45PM At Yeshiva Ketana of Manhattan Conveniently located at 346 West 89 th Street at Riverside Drive For boys & girls ages 2-6 For more information, please call Mrs. Rochel Gruen x205 or morahrochel@ykom.net This is a paid advertisement. An Ordinary Day in the Life of Avraham Avinu Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, Assistant Rabbi Such was the greatness of Avraham Avinu. Sodom was a wicked town, a place devoid of any spiritual presence. When the angels arrived, their unique presence was readily apparent to all they encountered. At first glance it seems unlikely that anyone, even as great as Avraham Avinu, could habituate to such an extent that angels would seem like mere mortals. Yet, our ability to underappreciate is more powerful than we choose to believe. Whether it be our families, our wealth, or our good health, we are surrounded by constant blessings that we so often overlook. We are predisposed to adjust to our surroundings and like many of our traits it is both a blessing and a curse. The people we are closest to are the ones we should love the most, but taking them for granted is a trap we all fall into at one point or another. In telling us the frequency with which angels appeared to Avraham, the Torah tells us what made him unique. Notice in our parsha how energetic Avraham is, how he runs back and forth to serve his guests, not because it was one unique day in his year, but because this is exactly how Avraham lived every day of his life. We are constantly challenged to find excitement in the ordinary, interest in the routine and passion in our daily schedule. As kids become teens, teens become adults, there is a chance they may start to laugh less than they once did, but that destiny is far from determined. The zerizut of Avraham Avinu is a challenge to us to seek purpose, to uncover happiness and create laughter in the lives we are blessed to lead. 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 A CONVERSATION WITH RABBI MORDECHAI WILLIG, DR. JOSHUA KLEIN AND RACHEL TUCHMAN Contemporary Perspectives On Fertility: Freezing Eggs and the Future of the Jewish Family MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 8:00PM This event is free and open to the public. Please visit our website to register. Rabbi Willig, is the Rabbi Dr. Sol Roth Professor of Talmud and Contemporary Halacha at YU's RIETS program. He has been a Rosh Yeshiva at the Mazer School of Talmudic Studies since 1973 and a Rosh Kollel at RIETS. Dr. Joshua Klein is a Reproductive Endocrinologist and fertility specialist. Dr. Klein specializes in treating infertile couples using both basic and advanced technologies. Rachel Tuchman is a licensed mental health counselor. She received her MA in mental health counseling from Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and is trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). THE JEWISH CENTER 131 WEST 86TH STREET NEW YORK, NY

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