Fall Newsletter 2011 jc.pdf - The Jewish Center

FALL 2011/5772 

Literate Minds and an Age of Aspiration 

The Jewish Center 

F A L L N E W S L E T T E R 

Rabbi Yosie Levine 

One of my best professors in college was a 

world-renowned scholar and public intellectual. 

He was also a perfectionist and had 

neither tolerance nor patience for anyone who came to 

class unprepared. During a seminar he taught on Irish 

literature, he once read a passage from Beckett or 

Joyce that contained the word, “fen.” He turned to the 

class and asked for someone to provide a brief definition 

of the word. Silence. “Doesn’t anyone know?” he 

asked incredulously. More silence. By this point, even 

if someone did know, they were surely too intimidated 

to speak up. The professor shook his head and walked 

over to the window. He pointed to a building across the 

campus. “You see that?” he said in a tone teetering 

between sarcastic and sardonic. “That building is 

called Butler Library. Maybe you’ve heard of it. In it 

there are books. You should read them. If you ever do, 

you’ll learn that a fen is a bog or a swamp – which is 

where, at this moment, I’d care to send most of you.” 

This story comes to mind for two reasons. First, I reflect 

on it because it represents a deeply humbling moment. 

In our adult lives, how often are we called to task 

for not reading what is readable and not knowing what 

is knowable? In the month of Elul, when our thoughts 

are consumed with modes and modalities of selfimprovement, 

it behooves us to pause and consider the 

chasm between who we are and who we could be. 

Second, I bring it up because the deeper sentiment underpinning 

my professor’s ironic reprimand is one that 

should resonate deeply with all of us. In particular, I 

have in mind the texts that constitute what one might 

call the Jewish canon: From the Torah and the Talmud 

to Maimonides and Rashi; from Sala Baron and Gershom 

Scholem to Shalom Aleichem and Debra Lipstadt. 

Of course we have read them. Maybe we have 

even studied them. But would we profess mastery over 

them to the extent that we would call them our own? 

Our theme this year at The Jewish Center is Jewish literacy. 

Our goal is not simply to bring to our membership a 

program calendar rife with exceptional thinkers and 

speakers. Our hope is that over the course of the year we 

can weave together a patchwork of our canon’s most 

Inside this issue: 

Rabbi’s Message 1 Dining Out 15 

JC Committees 3 

Tochnit Elul 4-6 

President’s Message, The JC Welcomes 7 

Youth and Young Leadership Updates 8 

Sisterhood and Young Couples Updates 9 

Get Involved 10-11 

Upcoming Events and Programs 12-13 

Dvar Torah, Fall Lecture Series 14 

salient features. The idea is not limited to Talmud Torah 

or textual literacy, but literacy in every facet of Jewish 

living: Chessed, Tefillah and community-building to 

name a few. 

Keep an eye out for expanded opportunities for lay-led 

learning, experiential education that bridges the gap 

between theory and practice, and a more holistic approach 

to the ways in which we conceive of community. 

With our exceptional staff and JCU faculty, and by partnering 

with outstanding institutions like Yeshivat Har 

Etzion and Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate 

School, our goal is to engage and empower every 

one of our members. 

...it really is possible to have a shared vocabulary 

and a common grammar that can bring 

together the most variegated and disparate 

strands of our community. 

The Mishnah in Avot (2:21) teaches that it is not our 

personal responsibility to complete the task; but neither 

are we free to be disengaged from it. Whether we as 

individuals shall become masters of the Jewish canon is 

an open question. As a community, though, there is 

virtually no limit to what we can accomplish. 

Yet the Mishnah is hinting to something even deeper. 

For by encouraging us to be part of the process of 

strengthening the whole, it reminds us that the means 

too are ends in and of themselves. The process of attempting 

to master a discipline – even for who one who 

does not become a master – can be profoundly enriching. 

Beginning in Elul, I invite you to join us on this 

journey throughout the coming year. 

The shofar evokes many images and its symbolism is 

manifold. But on one level, the shofar signifies the notion 

of conversation. By definition, almost, it embodies 

a duality. One who blows the shofar but hears no sound 

has not fulfilled his obligation. It is likewise insufficient 

for one to merely hear a recording of the shofar or the 

echo of its sound – divorced entirely from the sound 

producer. The mitzvah requires both the blower and the 

listener. 

Continued on page 20 

Calendar 16 

Giving Opportunities 17 

Donations 18-20 

Announcements 21-22 

Executive Director’s Message 22 

Lulav and Etrog Order Form 23 

JCU Highlights 24

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Paid Advertisement 

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Clergy & Staff 

Yosie Levine 

Rabbi 

Ariel Rackovsky 

Assistant Rabbi 

Chaim David Berson 

Cantor 

Daniel Fridman 

Resident Scholar 

Noah Leavitt 

William Fischman 

Rabbinic Intern 

Aaron Strum 

Executive Director 

Shira Rose 

Director of 

Programming & 

Communications 

Officers 

Virginia Bayer Hirt 

President 

Joseph Gottlieb 

First Vice President 

Marvin Fortgang 

Vice President 

Rachel Ringler 


Avi Schwartz 


Andrew Kaplan 

Assistant Vice President 

Adina Spiro Wagman 

Treasurer 

Mark Segall 

Assistant Treasurer 

Andrew Borodach 

Secretary 

Advanced Leadership 

Jewish Center Committees 

Rose Lynn Sherr & 

Jesse Salsberg 

al@jewishcenter.org 

Archives Seth Jonas archives@jewishcenter.org 

Bikkur Cholim 

Births 

Shira Silton, Leah Albek, Ariel 

Jerushalmi, and Andrew Wigod 

Emily Scharfman & 

Ellen Rosenberg 

bikkurcholim@jewishcenter.org 

jcbabymeals@gmail.com 

Book Club Dinah Mendes bookclub@jewishcenter.org 

Chevra Kadisha Andrew Kaplan 212-724-2700 

Education Bernard Falk education@jewishcenter.org 

Facilities Avi Schwartz aviconsultant@yahoo.com 

Hospitality Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky hospitality@jewishcenter.org 

Israel Activism Susan Canter israelcommittee@jewishcenter.org 

JC Connections Tehillah Blech Harris jcconnectionsinfo@jewishcenter.org 

Membership 

Aliza Herzberg Brodie & 

Grant Silverstein 

Oneg Shabbat Sherry & Mark Fessel fess6@aol.com 

membership@jewishcenter.org 

Safety Eddie Lowenthal nicorp@mindspring.com 

Sisterhood 

Gilda Chodosh, Rachel Lurie, 

Angela Sacks 

sisterhood@jewishcenter.org 

Social Action Rachel Jonas socialaction@jewishcenter.org 

Shivah Meals Paulette Papilsky saba@jewishcenter.org 

Young Couples & 

Families 

Miri Lipsky and Josh Schainker 

ycf@jewishcenter.org 

Young Leadership Judith Lupatkin, Grant Silverstein yl@jewishcenter.org 

Ushers Penina Blazer, Rona Kellman ushers@jewishcenter.org 

Fundraising, Technology Aaron Strum astrum@jewishcenter.org 

Welcoming Committee Rachel Ringler welcoming@jewishcenter.org 

Women’s Tehillim 

Miriam Gutwein, Rose Lynn Sherr, 

Joyce Weitz 

saba@jewishcenter.org 

Youth 

Hod Klein (Beth Schwartz, Judy 

Federbush) 

hod@jewishcenter.org 

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Tochnit Elul 

A Teshuvah and Tefillah Education Series for the High Holy Days in memory of Moshe Green, z’l 

Moshe Green was a prominent leader and long time member of our community. He was an officer of the Center and served as our 

Chairman of the Board for decades. As a Jewish leader and philanthropist, he had a major impact on advancing Jewish Education, 

both in Israel and in the Diaspora. Involved in a number of different Religious Zionist institutions and Torah U'Mada projects, Moshe 

Green was and continues to be a role model for our entire community. This annual series is sponsored by the Green family, and we 

are honored to perpetuate his name and legacy in the Center that was graced by his presence and leadership throughout his life. 

Elul Classes at The JC: 

MONDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 19 

High Holidays Sing Along 

Cantor Chaim David Berson 

The Jewish Center is renowned for its participatory services and 

congregational singing, particularly on the High Holidays. Join 

Cantor Chaim David Berson for this special evening as he introduces 

beautiful new melodies and harmonies to be used this year 

on the High Holidays at The Jewish Center. 

MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 12 & SEPTEMBER 26, 8:00PM 

The Long Road Home 

Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky 

Does Judaism give second chances? How did Jews react historically 

to those who wished to return to the fold? It is axiomatic 

during Elul and year round that everyone has the ability to do 

teshuva, and repent wholeheartedly, but the road back is not always 

so smooth.Join Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky in this two part 

series, which will discuss groups and individuals who left Judaism, 

from Elisha ben Abuya to the Marranos, and the spiritual, 

halachic and sociological obstacles they faced on the long road 

back. 

TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 13-27, 7:00PM 

The Perils of Penitence 

The Sadye & Henry Bayer Chumash Class 


This special three-part Elul series will examine three Biblical 

personalities: Cain, David and Jonah. What do they teach us 

about good and evil, sin and repentance, indifference and responsibility? 

Using the text and classical commentaries as our guides, 

we will explore these important issues with an eye toward sharpening 

our own focus on the themes of the day. 

WEDNESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 7-21, 11:00AM 

Women of the Bible 


Through close textual readings and an exploration of classic Biblical 

commentaries, this class for women will attempt to gain a 

deeper understanding of the characters we know so well. In the 

process, we will examine paradigms for ethical living in a context 

relevant to the 21st century. We will be analyzing the Biblical 

personalities of Cain, David and Jonah. 

WEDNESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 7-21, 8:00PM 

From the Edge of the Abyss: Readings in the Book of 

Jonah 

Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Resident Scholar 

The Book of Jonah introduces us to a series of stories about individuals 

and communities who face imminent destruction, and are 

spared at the eleventh hour. From earnest sailors caught in a 

deadly tempest, to the protagonist consumed in the bowels of a 

giant fish, and finally, to the convicted citizens of the doomed 

city of Nineveh, storm clouds loom large over this story. Join us 

for a four-week seminar that will analyze the meaning of rescue 

from the edge of the abyss, and the centrality of this them to our 

own observance of the yamim noraim. The goal of this seminar 

is to utilize the text of Yonah as a springboard for enhancing our 

experience of repentance during the Elul season. 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 at 10:15AM 

The Yamim Noraim and the Path of Teshuvah 

Nosh and Drosh with Adena Berkowitz 

For women only. Co-sponsored with Kol HaNeshamah. 

On Rosh Hashanah the Torah and Haftarah portions we read 

focus on barreness, exile, birth and sacrifice. As we reflect on the 

past year and take spiritual stock of our lives, we will explore 

what these portions teach us about forgiveness, return and repentance. 

Selichot at The JC MOTZEI SHABBAT, SEPTEMBER 24 

10:00PM Pre-Selichot Lecture (in Hebrew) 

Repentance and Forgiveness: Tension and Harmony in our Daily Lives 

Rabbi Meir Goldwicht 

Rabbi Goldwicht, a prominent Israeli scholar and educator, is a Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University's Mazer School of Talmudic Studies and head 

of the Stone Beit Medrash Program. 

11:00PM 

Selichot with Cantor Chaim David Berson 

Daily: Selichot preceding Shacharit 

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Tochnit Elul 


September 11th Private Tour 

with Artist Tobi Kahn 

Embodied Light: 9-11 in 2011 

Book Launch 

Contending with Catastrophe: 

Jewish Perspectives on 

September 11th 

September 11th, at 8:00 P.M. 

At 11:30am on 9/11/11, the community of The Jewish Center 

is invited to the Ernest Rubenstein Gallery at the Educational 

Alliance (197 East Broadway, NYC 10002) to view an exhibition- 

special installation by Tobi Kahn, who will join us for a 

dialogue and personal tour of Embodied Light: 9-11 in 2011. 

In this commemorative exhibit, the gallery will be transformed 

into a meditative room for visitors to reflect on remembrance, 

loss and the indomitable human spirit. Sculptural shrines, memorial 

candleholders and a floor relief will reference the specific 

tragedy of 9-11, serving as a universal reflection on loss, 

remembrance and renewal. In Tobi’s own words: “Anyone 

who lives in the aftermath of unnatural suffering is incessantly 

aware of time’s passing, of the possibility of loss, an abrupt 

reversal of safety. And yet here we are, bound to each other in 

remembrance, pledged to transmuting darkness, to creating a 

sanctuary in a struggling world.” 

The gallery presents critically acclaimed art exhibitions along 

the lines of Embodied Light: 9-11 in 2011,and we are thrilled 

to share this exciting opportunity with you. Tobi Kahn is a 

painter and sculptor whose work has been shown in over 40 

solo exhibitions and over 60 museum and groups shows since 

he was selected as one of nine artists to be included in the 1985 

Guggenheim Museum exhibition, New Horizons in American 

Art. Works by Tobi Kahn are in major museum, corporate and 

private collections. 

Questions? Contact S h ira Rose at 2 1 2 -72 4 - 

2700x110 or shira@jewishcenter.org. 

Event Chairs: Hanno Mott and Avie Schreiber 

Space is limited: Registration required at www.jewishcenter.org. 

The JC may coordinate transportation depending on interest. 

As part of its communal remembrance of the 10th anniversary 

of the horrific events of 9/11, the Jewish Center is honored to 

partner with the Beth Din of America in hosting the launch of a 

new commemorative volume, “Contending with Catastrophe: 

Jewish Perspectives on September 11th,” an authoritative collection 

of Jewish reflections on 9/11, including those by Rabbi 

J. David Bleich, Rabbi Michael J. Broyde, Rabbi Norman 

Lamm, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rabbi Yona Reiss, Rabbi 

Gedalia Dov Schwartz and Professor David Shatz. In addition 

to halachic and philosophical reflections, the volume includes a 

special memorial prayer for the victims of September 11th, and 

a prayer for the full recovery and heroic recognition of the first 

responders and emergency workers who bravely entered the 

burning towers of the World Trade Center, and for the safety of 

the United States Armed Forces who are stationed around the 

world. 

The keynote speaker this evening will be Rabbi Yona Reiss, 

Dean of RIETS and former director, Beth Din of America. 

Seating is limited, registration required at 

www.jewishcenter.org. 

9/11 Day of Service 

The JCC in Manhattan will be hosting a 9/11 Day of 

Service and Remembrance event on Sunday, September 

11th in conjunction with local synagogues 

and organizations. Organized community service 

activities will take place in and outside of their 

building on the Upper West Side and include serving 

lunch at a senior citizens’ center, cleaning up areas of Riverside 

Park, sending messages to men and women in the service, creating 

welcome kits for children in hospitals, preparing meals for the 

homeless, reorganizing a public school library, and painting a notfor-profit 

thrift shop. All ages welcome. 

Sign up for this special event in advance and then choose your project 

on the morning of the event. Groups depart for service sites at 

11:00a.m. 

For more information or to register, please contact Judy Gross 

at 646.505.4450 or jgross@jccmanhattan.org 

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Tochnit Elul 


Armchair Conversation 

A Vision for the Future: 

Is Orthodox Judaism Still Relevant? 

Scholar in Residence 

Rav Yosef Carmel 

Shabbat, September 17-18 

Shabbat Morning Public Lecture 

Why Israel Needs an Alternative 

Rabbinical Court System 

Rabbi Steven Weil 

Executive Vice President, 

Orthodox Union 

Leon Wieseltier 

Editor, The New Republic 

Rabbi Meir Soloveichik 

Director, Straus Center for 

Torah and Western Thought 

Afternoon Shiur 

(In Hebrew. One hour before minchah) 

Is Compromise an Appropriate 

Form of Jewish Justice? 

Wednesday, September 14th at 8:00PM 

Free of charge. Registration required at www.jewishcenter.org 

Yom Iyun in Conjunction with KJ and 

Yeshivat Har Etzion 

Ve-Taher Libeinu – Purify Our Hearts: The Teachings of Ha-Rav Yehuda 

Amital zt”l on the Days of Awe 

Rav Baruch Gigi 

Rosh Yeshiva, 


Sunday, September 18th at 9:30AM 

Featuring 

Rav Baruch Gigi, Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein and 

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag 

Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein 

Rosh Yeshiva, 


Rabbi Menachem Leibtag 

Ram, Yeshivat Har Etzion 

Shabbat Shuvah Drashah by Rabbi Yosie Levine 

Shabbat, October 1 Following 9:00AM Services 

Mourning our Past Selves and the Relevance of 

Repentance Today 

Seudah Shlishit 

Are We Really Being Judged on 

Rosh Hashanah? 

Rav Yosef Carmel was born in 

Jerusalem in 1953. He is currently 

the Av Beit Din of the Beit 

Din, Mishpat VeHalacha BeYisrael, 

as well as the Rabbinical 

Dean of the Eretz Hemdah, Institute 

for Advanced Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. 

Rav Yosef Carmel is a graduate of the 

Nir Kiryat Arba Hesder Yeshiva and was 

Rosh Metivta there for more than ten years. 

He was a combat soldier in the IDF during 

the Yom Kippur War as well as the first 

Lebanon War. Rav Carmel was Rosh Yeshiva 

at "Machon Meir" during 1985 - 1986 

and is a senior lecturer at Jerusalem College 

for Tanach since 1985. Rav Carmel heads 

the 'Ask the Rabbi' program which provides 

Halachic answers in English to questioners 

from around the world. To date, more than 

10,000 replies have been sent out. He is the 

author of many articles on Tanach and Halacha 

and of the book Tsofenat Eliyahu, a 

commentary on the Vilna Gaon’s commentary 

on the Shulkhan Arukh Hoshen Mishpat, 

and seven volumes of "Reponsa B'mareh Habazk". 

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Virginia Bayer Hirt 

I hope you had an enjoyable summer that it was an opportunity 

for outdoor activities and pleasant experiences. 

As I look forward to the month of Elul I am reminded of the 

connection between its name and the passage from Shir 

Hashirim – Ani l’dodi v’ dodi li. I am my beloveds and my 

beloved is mine. (Song of Songs 6:3) The letters of the month 

of Elul are those of the first letter of each word in the passage. 

This connection between letters and message highlights an intrinsic 

meaning in the role of Elul and the coming Yamim Noraim 

in our lives. Elul is all about relationships - to God, to our 

community and indeed to ourselves. 

President’s Message 

JC Sukkot Meals 

Catered by Darna 

Looking ahead to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur from the 

vantage point of the first of Elul, we see an open opportunity to 

bring these three types of relationships into sharper focus. And 

that is what the programs and classes in this brochure are all 

about. They are gateways to new ideas and experiences to enhance 

and deepen, to reconcile and rebuild and to explore and 

find new insights. 

A variety of rubrics as well as settings – lectures, small classes, 

conversations, food and learning and family activities enable 

each of us to find a subject or a forum suited to us. For the 

learning is not meant to be for cerebral exercise alone – it is 

meant to be a catalyst for internalization of the ideas and ideals 

being discussed. When engaged fully they allow each of us to 

regenerate ourselves in relation to all that is beloved to us. 

As we will soon read in the closing sections of Parashat Nitzvim, 

Moshe instructs us to choose life. Participating in the 

many offerings included here is making just such a choice. 

Many thanks to all who will be teaching and guiding us 

throughout this month and to the Green family and the other 

sponsors for their steadfast support and generosity in making 

this possible for all of us. 

Wishing you a good and sweet year. 

A trip to the Mediterranean this Sukkot? Join The Jewish Center family at this year's Sukkot meals and enjoy 

Mediterranean cuisine with friends and family. 

Six catered meals, October 12-15. 

Reserve online at www.jewishcenter.org 

or call The JC office at 

212-724-2700. 

The Jewish Center Welcomes 

The Jewish Center Welcomes 

Noah Leavitt 

Rabbinic Intern 

Noah Leavitt was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Columbia University with a BA in history 

and recently competed an MA in Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University. He has also studied in Israel at 

Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell's and Yeshivat Torat Yosef Hamivtar. Noah is currently a third year student at 

Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School. 

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Youth Update 

Dear Parents, 

The JC Youth Department has an exciting slate of programming lined up 

for your kids this fall! Our Kickoff Shabbat is September 10 and we look 

forward to seeing your child join us at morning groups. With new toys and 

games, a weekly education component, Shabbat raffles, and awesome group 

leaders (including our own JC teens), we’re committed to making your 

child’s Shabbat morning experience fun, memorable and meaningful. 

Raffle Shabbat 

Shabbat, September 17 and 

October 22 

We also look forward to seeing everyone at our Rooftop Family BBQ on 

Sunday, September 18, complete with great food, friends and crafts for the 

kids. Additional programs coming up this fall include Sukkah Decorating, 

Pizza in the Hut, Movie Nights, Saturday Nights @ the JC Gym, Teen vs. 

Clergy Basketball Rematch, and more! 

We can’t wait for the launch of our new class: Shabbat4Tots. This class is 

a wonderful way for you and your child to enjoy a pre-Shabbat experience 

with instruments, puppets, storytelling, tzedakah, challah, and grape juice. 

To learn more about Shabbat4Tots, visit ww.jewishcenter.org. Last but 

certainly not least, JC’s own Chazzan Chaim David Berson is one of the 

class instructors! 

At the JC, we believe that every child should feel welcome in their own 

shul, including the sanctuary. Together with Chazzan Berson, the JC Youth 

Department plans on introducing kids into the Shabbat morning service. 

Whether as an usher or singing Adon Olam, your child will feel like s/he is 

part of the Shabbat morning service. 

It’s going to an exciting year at The Jewish Center Youth Department and 

we’re excited for you to be part of it! 

Sincerely, 

Hod Klein 

Youth Director 

After a successful spring and summer of programming, Young 

Leadership is ready for an eventful calendar of programs for the 

fall. 

In addition to the weekly shabbat minyan and bi-weekly Living 

Room Learning Shiurs, YL participants (both new and returning) 

will enjoy a wide variety of events and programs over the fall. To 

name just a few... Sunday of Apple Picking, Mexican themed 

Shemini Azeret lunch, and a night of bowling. 

We will also be partnering with the JC Young Couples Committee 

for a Sunday morning run on October 30th to benefit the Gift of 

Life Foundation. 

For more information on YL ,the YL Minyan or to become involved 

please email YL@JewishCenter.org. Also, follow us on 

Facebook, yl at the jc. 

Young Leadership Update 

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Committee Updates 

JC Sisterhood 

As the Jewish Center Sisterhood finalizes its plans for various cultural and social events for 

the autumn, all of which bring together a wide cross-section of the Jewish Center community, 

we reflect back on this past year’s programs. 

Last autumn, the Sisterhood purchased and co-sponsored the Sukkah decorating event with the 

Youth Committee, which was not only fun for the parents and children who participated but 

also enhanced the Sukkah enormously. In conjunction with the youth of the synagogue, we 

will again help with the Sukkah decorating. On March 26th, Sisterhood sponsored the Kiddush 

for Rebecca Feldman’s talk, “Reflections of a Bat Mitzvah.” This year’s very successful 

annual brunch on May 15th featured Jewish Center member Maurizio Molinari, U.S. correspondent 

for the Italian daily newspaper La Stampa, and was hosted by Eve Karstaedt. 

Coming up, we look forward to a private tour of the Jewish Museum’s current exhibit, Collecting 

Matisse and Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore on September 22nd. In 

addition, next year’s theater event on February 4th promises to be exciting, featuring Harry 

Connick Jr. in On a Clear Day You can See Forever. 

Sisterhood dues, as well as participation in our events, enable us to provide shivah meals for 

mourners, and to sponsor a wide variety of other projects that benefit the entire shul, from 

safety to aesthetic concerns. Please continue to support the Jewish Center Sisterhood! 

Sisterhood Private Tour 

of the Jewish Museum’s current exhibit, 

Collecting Matisse and Modern 

Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore. 

Led by docent Rachel Ringler. 

Open to men and women. 

Thursday, September 22 

at 6:30PM 

RSVP Sisterhood@jewishcenter.org. 

JC Young Couples and Families 

We hope you had a fantastic summer- whether you spent it here at home in NYC or traveled 

elsewhere, we want to welcome you back to what will undoubtedly be a fantastic 

year ahead for Jewish Center Young Couples and Families! We are excited to bring you 

some old favorite events as well as some new initiatives, and we hope you will join the 

very special YCF community for a great year ahead. Here are some highlights for this 

coming semester: 

Join your friends and meet new ones at YCF's kickoff event on Motzai Shabbat, September 

17. Our exciting year begins with a Melavah Malka at the home of our beloved Rabbi 

Yosie and Dr. Rachel Levine! 

On Sunday, October 30, YCF and Jewish Center Young Professionals partner with The 

Gift of Life Foundation at the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5-M Run in Central Park. 

Gather your friends and family for a healthy and meaningful head-start to the new year. 

Don't forget to save Shabbat, November 12 for another exciting Young Couples and 

Families Minyan and Luncheon! This event has become a cherished favorite of many 

YCF members. 

Finally, we are thrilled to introduce the BRAND NEW Jewish Center Young Couples and 

Families blog and online bulletin board! Keep informed of all the latest happenings in the 

Jewish Center family, and communicate with your community friends about everything 

from vacation ideas to local deals and specials, childcare, networking, recipes and more. 

You can access these websites via the Jewish Center YCF page on the Jewish Center 

website. 

Stay tuned for further details about other upcoming programs this semester! We are looking 

forward to a meaningful and fun year! 

Wishing you a Shana Tova, 

Miri Lipsky and Josh Schainker 

Chairs, Young Couples and Families 

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Advanced Leadership 

The Advanced Leadership committee creates a wide variety of 

programming for our 50+ member base at The Jewish Center. 

Contacts: Rose Lynn Sherr and Jesse Salsberg, 

al@jewishcenter.org. 

Get Involved at The JC 

House 

The House committee oversees the ongoing maintenance of The 

Jewish Center building's operating systems and ensures the general 

appearance and cleanliness of the entire facility. Contact: 

astrum@jewishcenter.org. 

Annual Fundraising Campaign 

The Annual Fundraising Campaign committee coordinates fundraising 

efforts to maintain The Jewish Center’s annual budget. 

Contact:astrum@jewishcenter.org. 

Archives 

The Archives committee works to preserve and make accessible 

the rich and storied history upon which The Jewish Center prides 

itself. Contact: Seth Jonas, archives@jewishcenter.org. 

Bikkur Cholim 

The Bikkur Cholim committee has Shabbat visits to Mt. Sinai 

Hospital twice a month, programming at the Atria Senior Residents 

Facility on West 86th Street once a month and Bikkur 

Cholim By Phone where we connect with homebound JC members 

once a week. Contacts: Shira Silton, Leah Albek, Ariel Jerushalmi, 

and Andrew Wigod, bikkurcholim@jewishcenter.org. 

Births 

The Births committee provides crucial support in the form of 

meals for new mothers and their families as they adjust to the 

new arrival. Contact: Emily Menchel and Judy Zlotnick, jcbabymeals@gmail.com. 

Book Club 

The Book Club provides an opportunity for Jewish Center members 

of any age, to socialize and discuss books with Jewish 

themes or of Jewish interest in JC members’ homes. Contact: 

Dinah Mendes, bookclub@jewishcenter.org. 

Community Events 

The Community Events committee schedules programs intended 

to bring The JC community and the larger metropolitan Jewish 

community together to experience religiously and spiritually 

enlightening and inspiring events. Contact: communityevents@jewishcenter.org. 

Israel Activism 

The Israel Activism committee organizes events and projects 

to advance our members’ participation in local and national 

civic life to promote consciousness and awareness about Jewish 

issues by communicating with our elected officials and 

disseminating information to the community. Contact: Susan 

Canter, israelcommittee@jewishcenter.org. 

JC Business Forum 

The Jewish Center Business Forum is committed to helping 

Jewish Center members during times of career transition. It 

was established as a resource to the community in areas of 

professional development, networking and career search 

needs. The forum strives to connect Jewish Center and community 

members with one another and offer networking 

events on relevant topics as well as facilitate individual career 

management and career search opportunities. Contact: businessforum@jewishcenter.org. 

JC Connections 

Initiated to support the meeting of singles from The Jewish Center 

and the broader New York City community, JC Connections 

hosts creative programs to facilitate introductions and to maximize 

interaction of participants with one another. Committee 

members follow up with participants soon after events and assist 

in further relationship building between individuals who express 

interest in each other. Contact: Tehilllah Blech Harris, 

jcconnectionsinfo@jewishcenter.org. 

Kiddush/Seudah Shlishit 

The Kiddush/ Seudah Shlishit committee works with The Jewish 

Center office to solicit and coordinate sponsorship for The JC’s 

weekly kiddush and seudah shlishit. Contact: Aaron Strum, 


Education 

The Education committee works to make the study of Torah and 

the pursuit of wisdom accessible to our members and the broader 

Jewish community. The committee strives to challenge, empower 

and inspire our members through engaging and relevant courses 

on a wide variety of Jewish topics. Contact: Bernard Falk, 

education@jewishcenter.org. 

Facilities 

The Facilities committee oversees the entire physical facility and 

has direct responsibility for any renovation, construction, or refurbishment 

of The Jewish Center building. Contact: Avi 

Schwartz, aviconsultant@yahoo.com. 

Hospitality 

The Hospitality committee works to foster a warm and welcoming 

environment at The Jewish Center through offering members 

and visitors Shabbat meal hospitality. Contact: hospitality@jewishcenter.org. 

Our new members enjoying The JC Yom Ha’atzmaut BBQ 

this spring on The JC rooftop. 

10

11 

Membership 

The Membership committee attracts new members and facilitates 

their integration into The Jewish Center community. 

Contact: Aliza Herzberg Brodie and Grant Silverstein, membership@jewishcenter.org. 

Oneg Shabbat 

Oneg Shabbat distributes Shabbat food to those within our 

community who are unable to provide for themselves. Meals 

are prepared and delivered in a manner which preserves the 

dignity and privacy of those served. Volunteers for distributions 

or donations are greatly appreciated. Contact: Sherry 

Fessel, fess5@aol.com. 

Safety 

The Safety committee ensures compliance with all governmental 

safety regulations. It outlines safety procedures and 

educates both staff and membership about these procedures. It 

provides training in appropriate life saving techniques to staff, 

officers and JC members. Contact: Eddie Lowenthal, nicorp@mindspring.com. 

Shivah Meals 

The Shivah Meals committee provides support and comfort to 

recently bereaved members by providing home cooked meals 

for them during the week of shivah. Contact: Paulette Papilsky, 

support@jewishcenter.org. 

Get Involved at The JC 

Welcoming Committee 

The Jewish Center Welcoming Committee will infuse a sense 

of warmth and community in all aspects of life at the Center. 

The Committee will generate ideas -- programmatic, procedural 

and structural -- to facilitate connections throughout 

our whole community. Contact: Rachel Ringler, Rachel@jewishcenter.org. 

Young Couples & Families 

Young Couples & Families (YCF) schedules a wide range of 

exciting programs to facilitate Jewish Center young couples 

and families meeting one another and to develop relationships 

with other members and with the clergy. Be a part of this 

wonderful network of couples and families. Contact: Miri 

Lipsky & Josh Schainker, ycf@jewishcenter.org. 

Young Leadership 

The Young Leadership Committee is a dynamic group that 

services the young adult population of our community 

through an ambitious calendar of social and religious events. 

The nucleus of YL's programming is the weekly Shabbat 

minyan, a spiritual service in a warm atmosphere, including a 

sermon by JC clergy. The YL minyan sponsors a monthly hot 

Kiddush and Friday night dinners to please the palate as well 

as the soul, and Friday night onegs in casual venues to meet 

other members as well as the rabbis. Contact: Judith Lupatkin 

and Grant Silverstein, yl@jewishcenter.org. 

Sisterhood 

The Jewish Center Sisterhood's programs support and enrich 

the lives of The Jewish Center members while promoting the 

ongoing interests of women. The Sisterhood provides high 

quality social, educational and cultural activities for all members. 

Contacts: Gilda Chodosh, Rachel Lurie and Angela 

Sacks, sisterhood@jewishcenter.org. 

Social Action 

Social Action aims to put the Jewish value of tikkun olam into 

action. The committee coordinates annual food drives with 

the kosher division of City Harvest, clothing drives for various 

charities, and blood drives in conjunction and cooperation 

with other community synagogues, schools and Jewish institutions. 

Social action participates in public demonstrations 

against social injustice. Contact : Rachel Jonas, 

:socialaction@jewishcenter.org. 

Technology 

The Technology committee liaises with The Jewish Center 

office on issues of technology and data management including 

web development and constituent tracking software. Contact: 


Youth Department 

The Jewish Center Youth Department is one of the most successfully-run 

youth programs on the Upper West Side and 

remains a wonderful draw for young families in our community. 

With professionally-run Shabbat programs in our beautifully 

renovated Youth Center and Beit Midrash and a plethora 

of exciting and educational year-round events, parents of children 

in preschool through 6th grade can participate fully in 

Synagogue and Holiday services while their children are exposed 

to introductory tefillah education, Parsha study, and 

some wonderful peer fun as well. The Jewish Center is the 

center for the entire family, including your tots and teens. 

Contact: Hod Klein, hod@jewishcenter.org. 

Join us. 

Plan upcoming activities, programs and social events. 

For more information, visit our website at 

www.jewishcenter.org or contact our program director, 

Shira Rose at shira@jewishcenter.org or 212-724-2700 

x110. 

Ushers 

Ushers create a warm and welcoming environment for Jewish 

Center members and guests by greeting them and welcoming 

them to our services on Shabbat and on holidays. Contact:Rona 

Kellman & Penina Blazer, ushers@jewishcenter.org. 

11

12 

Welcome Back Kiddush 

Shabbat, September 10 

Youth Groups For All Ages 

Begins Shabbat, September 10 

Private Tour with Artist Tobi Kahn 

Embodied Light: 9-11 in 2011 

Sunday, September 11 at 11:30AM 

Upcoming Events and Programs 

9-11 Day of Service 

Sunday, September 11 

Book Launch 

Contending with Catastrophe: Jewish 

Perspectives on September 11th 

Sunday, September 11 at 8:00PM 

Armchair Conversation 

A Vision for the Future: Is Orthodox 

Judaism Still Relevant? 

Wednesday, September 14 at 8:00PM 


Rav Yosef Carmel 

Shabbat, September 17-18 

Young Couples Melave Malka 

Motzei Shabbat, September 17 

Join your fellow young couples at a melave malka 

with food and music at the home of Rabbi Yosie 

and Rachel Levine. Questions? Contact Miri Lipsky 

and Josh Schainker at ycf@jewishcenter.org. 

Yom Iyun 


Purify Our Hearts: The Teachings of 

Ha-Rav Yehuda Amital zt”l on the Days 

of Awe 

Youth Family BBQ 

Sunday, September 18 at 5:00PM 

Join the Youth Department for food, fun and crafts! 

Sisterhood Private Tour 

Thursday, September 22 at 6:30PM 

Join Sisterhood for a private tour of the Jewish Museum’s 

current exhibit, Collecting Matisse and 

Modern Masters: The Cone Sisters of Baltimore. 

Led by docent Rachel Ringler. Open to men and 

women. RSVP to Sisterhood@jewishcenter.org. 

Cost: Members: $36 per Person , Members: $72 

per Couple. Non-Members: $40 per Person, Non- 

Members: $80 per Couple. Sisterhood Dues: $50 

annual. Tickets to the event include general admission 

to the Museum. 

Selichot at The JC with Cantor Chaim 

David Berson 

Saturday night, September 24 at 11:00PM 

Special lecture by Rabbi Meir Goldwicht preceding 

Selichot. 

Mitzvah Day 


Bring your Tefillin and Mezuzot that need to be 

checked. Shatnez checking will also be available. 

Questions? Please contact Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky at 

arackovsky@jewishcenter.org. 

12

13 

Upcoming Events and Programs 

Shabbat Shuvah Drashah by 


Shabbat, October 1 Following 9:00AM 

Services 

Mourning our Past Selves and the 

Relevance of Repentance Today 

JC Sukkah Decorating 

Sunday, October 9 at 10:00AM 

The Sisterhood of The Jewish Center, in conjunction 

with the Youth Department, invites you to a Sukkah 

decorating party. We’ll provide the supplies, you 

supply the creativity, enthusiasm and energy! Everyone 

is welcome! Questions? Contact 

hod@jewishcenter.org. 

Sukkot Meals 

Wed., October 12-Shabbat, October 15 

A trip to the Mediterranean this Sukkot? Join The 

Jewish Center family at this year's Sukkot meals and 

enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with friends and family. 

Join us for any or all of six Sukkot meals catered 

by Darna. 

Women’s Tehillim 

Annual Sukkah Dinner 

Monday, October 17 at 7:00PM 

Join the Women’s Tehillim group for recitation of 

Tehillim followed by dinner in The JC Sukkah. 

Pizza in the Hut 

Tuesday, October 18 

Join the Youth Department for a special evening in 

the sukkah with pizza and games! 

Young Leadership Shemini Atzeret 

Luncheon 

Thursday, October 20 

Join young leadership for their annual Shemini Atzeret 

Luncheon on The JC roof. Register at 


Simchat Torah Lecture for Women 

Thursday, October 20 

JCU Fall Semester 

Begins Monday, October 24 

Course listing and descriptions available at 


Advanced Leadership Trip to the Museum 

of American Jewish History in 

Philadelphia 

Sunday, October 30 

Join Advanced Leadership for a special trip to 

this brand new museum. Transportation and catered 

lunch will be provided. For more info, 

please contact shira@jewishcenter.org. 

YL and YCF Gift of Life Marathon 

Sunday, October 30 

Young Couples and Young Leadership partner with 

The Gift of Life Foundation at the Poland Spring 

Marathon Kickoff 5-M Run in Central Park. Gather 

your friends and family for a healthy and meaningful 

head-start to the new year. 

Pre-Hakafot for Pre-Schoolers 

Thursday, October 20 at 4:30PM 

Join us for a light dinner and Hakafot for preschoolers 

ages five and under and their parents. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available, please contact 

hod@jewishcenter.org. 

13

14 

Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky 

In the middle of the Tochachah, the Torah’s description 

of the horrendous fate that will befall us if we 

fail to observe the commandments, Moshe describes 

what it is that ultimately causes us to succumb to 

these unspeakable tragedies (Deuteronomy 28:47), asserting 

that they happen because we didn’t serve God in happiness 

and joy, when we had an abundance of good. It seems immensely 

unfair. All these catastrophic events described in the 

Tochachah- crushing poverty, capture by enemy forces who 

will come from great distances, horrible illnesses and failed 

crops- all of these will happen just because we didn’t smile 

every time we prayed? How is that fair, and what kind of an 

impossible religious standard is that, anyway? 

A characteristically incisive explanation of the Kotzker 

Rebbe, R’ Menachem Mendel Morgenstern, may shed some 

light on this btroubling verse. The correct interpretation of the 

verse is not that we failed to worship God in happiness; it is 

that our failure to worship God was itself a source of happiness. 

It is to be hoped that we don’t rebel against God and sin 

with impunity, relish and glee. If we are honest with ourselves, 

though, this explanation may be more relevant to us 

than we would like to admit. We don’t like feeling discomfort 

with who we are; acknowledging our manifold shortcomings 

in our religious or personal lives is unpleasant, and is 

difficult to change anyway. Rather than admit that we need 

improvement and embark on that painful journey, we embrace 

our shortcomings as part of our identity and are happy 

with them, reducing our expectations of ourselves, and our 

definition of what is good and right, to fit who we currently 

are. This is what the Kotzker Rebbe was saying- you were 

happy with your life of shortcomings and imperfections. 

Tanach Series 

Yael Leibowitz 

14 

Inconvenient Truths 

Mrs. Yael Leibowitz serves on the Judaic studies faculty at 

Stern College. Prior to joining the faculty at Yeshiva University, 

she taught Tanakh for six years at the Upper School 

of Ramaz. A graduate of Stern College, Mrs. Leibowitz has 

her masters degree in Judaic Studies from Columbia University. 

She has lectured extensively throughout the tri-state area and around the country. 

Deception: Tanach's Most Pervasive Trend 

(Tuesday, November 8) 

Fall Lecture Series 

Violence Against Women: Tanach's Deafening Silence 


The Tower of Babel: Is the Bible Partial to Homogeneity? 


It is normal to fall short, on occasion, of the high standards 

we should be setting for ourselves. There will be times that 

we fail in our task of serving God, but falling short of our 

high standards does not mean that we should lower them to fit 

where we are, and it certainly does not mean we should embrace 

or be satisfied with our shortcomings. 

How fitting it is that our sages ordained that we read the 

Tochachah every year before Rosh Hashanah. As we enter the 

Rosh Hashanah season, we are concerned with so many 

things. Who will we be joining or hosting for meals? What 

will we serve? And, the all-important concern in The Jewish 

Center- where will I sit, and with whom? So much thought is 

given to logistics and externals, and we have so little time to 

reflect on the bigger issues. The Kotzker Rebbe’s interpretation 

challenges us to ask some uncomfortable questions 

amidst all the pre- Holiday planning. Which is more important 

to us on the High Holidays- the seat we will be occupying, 

or the person we are when we occupy the seat? This year, 

have we embraced our shortcomings to avoid the work that 

comes with self improvement? Are we willing to acknowledge 

and live with the discomfort of our own imperfection, so 

that our deficiencies in the service of G-d spur us toward improvement, 

and not toward complacency? We are entering a 

remarkable year at The Jewish Center, a year in which there 

will be numerous opportunities to engage in personal and 

institutional growth, and a year in which our intellectual and 

spiritual selves can be awakened, if we allow ourselves to 

participate. Let us take advantage, not being satisfied with 

who we are, so we can truly embrace the manifold opportunities 

to serve God in joy and happiness when they return the 

feeling. 

Save the Date 


Rabbi Ari Berman 

Shabbat, May 12, 2012

15 

By Alan Zwiebel 

The “Three Weeks” are not my favorite culinary 

time of the year (not supposed to be) and the “Nine 

Days” even less so, but my birthday happened to 

come out at that time and I took my family out for a 

non-meat dinner to celebrate. Since most of my 

reviews have been mostly pro-carnivore, this would 

be a welcome time to balance the coverage while 

being halachically correct. So 

we went to a new, neighborhood 

dairy restaurant called 

“NOIDUE”, at 143 West 

69 th Street, near Broadway. 

They don’t take reservations and 

plan to wait for a while outside 

the restaurant or on the steps 

that lead down to it. The waiting 

group has become something 

of a Jewish singles social 

scene but this was summer and 

pleasant outside, might not be so much fun in the 

winter. Here’s the food! 

We had an order of carciofi ripieni, stuffed artichoke, 

$13, with fresh vegetables served in a lemon 

caper sauce. Not enough for all but a nice taste to 

start with. 

My son had the salmon steak teriyaki, $25, which 

had been cooked correctly as ordered, and was 

deemed flavorful and succulent with a perfect combination 

of savory and slightly sweet spices. The 

side dish was okra that he said was cooked to a perfect 

consistency and “practically melted in the 

mouth.” 

My daughter, one week before her due date, started 

with an arugula salad, $13, tossed in honey, balsamic 

vinaigrette, roasted sweet potato, feta and 

Dining Out 

walnuts and even my grandson, three and a half, 

liked it. Her main course was the special–a rolled 

lasagna, $25, that was served in a skillet and extremely 

delicious. My grandson had the ziti with 

cheese, $16, and he picked at it until my pizza arrived. 

His appetite returned and he enjoyed sharing 

my pizza Margherita, $22, with great zest. He insisted 

on folding it and eating it correctly after resisting 

my attempts to cut it and feed him. 

My son-in-law had the Blackened 

Tilapia, $24, which was 

simply grilled and served with 

rice and seasonal vegetables. 

Again, he too enjoyed his fish 

that was moist and wellseasoned. 

All of our mains were 

quite good if slightly pricey. 

The restaurant was crowded and 

pretty noisy and the tables are 

quite close together. 

Fortunately, the table next to ours was populated 

by Yeshiva University’s great leader, Rabbi Norman 

Lamm and his family. I usually ask others 

near me what they had but this time I didn’t even 

though I graduated from the high school. 

My kids ordered two desserts for my birthday, the 

chocolate whiskey cake and the caramel/vanilla 

mousse cake. The unanimous opinion was “Really 

something special!” with the combination of textures 

and flavors a huge hit, including the layer of 

meringue which was a sweet surprise. We had a 

few espressos, $3, and Israeli beers, $8. Our total 

for dinner for four and a half persons was about 

$230. All in all a nice evening except for the wait 

outside, the noise level and languid service. I give 

“NOIDUE” 2.75 yarmulkes. And I’m glad the 

Nine Days are history. 

Save the Date 

Sunday, October 30th 

Advanced Leadership Trip to the new Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, PA 

For more info, please contact shira@jewishcenter.org. 

15

16 

September 2011 

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 

1 2 Elul 

Shach 7 & 8 AM 

Israel Friedman Daf 

Yomi 7:45 AM 

Minchah 7:40 PM 

2 3 Elul 



Yomi 8:00 AM 


◊ 7:08PM 

3 4 Elul 

Parshat Shoftim 

Hashkama 7:45 AM 

Shacharit 9:00 AM 

Beginner’s Service 

9:30 AM 


9:30 AM 

Shiur 6 PM 


Yomi 6:15 PM 


§ 8:06 PM 

4 5 Elul 

Israel Friedman 

Daf Yomi 8:00 AM 

Shach 8:30 AM 


5 6 Elul 



Shach 8:30 AM 


6 7 Elul 





7 8 Elul 





8 9 Elul 





9 10 Elul 




◊ 6:56 PM 


10 11 Elul 

Parshat Ki Teitzei 




9:30 AM 


9:30 AM 

Shiur 6:00PM 


Yomi 6:00 PM 


§ 7:55 PM 

Labor Day 

11 12 Elul 



Shach 8:30 AM 

9/11 Day of Service 

Private Tour 

with Artist Tobi 

Kahn 11:30AM 


Book Launch 

8:00PM 

12 13 Elul 





13 14 Elul 





14 15 Elul 





Armchair 

Conversation 

8:00PM 

15 16 Elul 





16 17 Elul 




◊ 6:45 PM 


17 18 Elul 

Parshat Ki Tavo 




9:15 AM 


9:30 AM 

Scholar in 

Residence Rav 

Yosef Carmel 


Yomi 5:45 PM 

Minchah 6:30PM 

§ 7:43 PM 

YCF Melave Malka 

18 19 Elul 



Shach 8:30 AM 

Yom Iyun 

9:30AM 

Youth BBQ 

5:00PM 


19 20 Elul 





20 21 Elul 





21 22 Elul 





22 23 Elul 




Sisterhood 

Museum Tour 

6:30PM 


23 24 Elul 




◊ 6:33 PM 


24 25 Elul 

Parshat Nitzavim- 

Vayelech 




9:30 AM 


9:30 AM 


Yomi 5:35PM 


§ 7:31 PM 

Shiur by Rabbi Meir 

Goldwicht 10:00PM 

Selichot 11:00PM 

25 26 Elul 



Shach 8:30 AM 

Mitzvah Day 


26 27 Elul 

Shach 6:40/7:40 AM 




27 28 Elul 

Shach 6:40/7:40 AM 




28 29 Elul 

Shach 6:00/7:00 AM 




Eruv Tavshillin 

◊ 6:40 PM 

29 1 Tishrei 

Shach 8:00 AM 

Shofar 10:30AM 

Tashlich 


Daf Yomi 5:45 PM 

◊ 6:29 PM 


30 2 Tishrei 

Shach 8:00 AM 

Shofar 10:30AM 


Daf Yomi 5:45 PM 

◊ 6:24PM 


16 

Erev Rosh Hashanah 

Rosh Hashanah I Rosh Hashanah II 

◊ Candlelighting § Shabbat Ends 

Page 17

17 

There are many creative ways for our members and friends to 

make gifts to The Jewish Center. 

OUTRIGHT GIFTS 

• Gifts of Cash—entitles you to the most generous federal 

income tax charitable deduction, up to 50 percent of your 

adjusted gross income. 

• Gifts of Appreciated Securities—allows you to take a 

deduction for the full market value of the gift and also 

avoid paying capital gains tax on any growth that your 

stocks may have accumulated, and is deductible up to 30 

percent of your adjusted gross income. 

GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE 

• Gifts of Real Estate such as your principal home, vacation 

home or investment property, can be made outright or 

retaining a life interest, and can be made in whole or a 

fractional interest, or can be gifted to fund a charitable 

remainder trust, thereby converting your home into an income 

producing asset. 

TESTAMENTARY GIFTS 

• Testamentary gifts, whether made by bequest in a Will or 

Trust, or by designating part or all of life insurance policy 

or retirement asset (IRA, 401(k), 403(b)) not only provide 

long-lasting support to The Jewish Center, but also provide 

tax savings to your estate. 

• Given how heavily retirement plans are taxed when given 

to a child, friend, or relative after the owner’s death (in 

some instances, heirs receive as little as 30% of the retirement 

plan after taxes), designating a portion of your retirement 

assets to The Jewish Center can be particularly attractive 

way to create your legacy. 

Giving Opportunities 

MAX GRILL LIBRARY FUND 

Donate to the library fund and increase our community’s capacity 

to study Torah. The Jewish Center will send a card 

notifying the person you designate that a sefer has been donated 

in his or her honor or in memory of a loved one. 

RABBI DR. LEO JUNG MEMORIAL FUND 

Throughout the year, hundreds of people turn to The Jewish 

Center for financial assistance: orphanages, hospitals, poor 

people, yeshivot and others. They come to The Jewish Center 

from our local community, from across the United States and 

from Israel because The Jewish Center is known as an institution 

that embodies the values of chessed and tzedakah. Our 

charity fund, named after and created by Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung, 

zt”l, was established to help Jews in need throughout the 

world. Monies from this account are distributed at the discretion 

of the Rabbi. (Make checks payable to the Rabbi Dr. Leo 

Jung Memorial Fund). 

KIDDUSH AND SEUDAH SHLISHIT SPONSORSHIPS 

Kiddush 

Shabbat Mevarchim Kiddush 

Seudah Shlishit 

To sponsor kiddush or seudah shlishit, contact 

saba@jewishcenter.org or call 

212-724-2700 x100 

Sponsorship listings will appear in Jewish Center publications 

and acknowledgements will be sent to honored 

parties. 

For more information about these options, please contact the 

Planned Giving Committee at 212-724-2700 x120 or 

plannedgiving@jewishcenter.org 

Donate online at www.jewishcenter.org or call the office at 

212-724-2700. 

RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL CHAPEL 

180 West 76 th Street, New York, NY 10023 

212-362-6600 

The Source of Support 

for our Jewish Community Since 1897 

www.riversidememorialchapel.com 

Joel E. Simon 

17

18 

Donations 2011 

With thanks to our generous donors throughout the year. 

General Fund 


Shelley Rivkin & Glenn Bullard 

Geoffrey Cutler 

Rami Dennis 

in honor of Rabbi Daniel Fridman for his 

patience and knowledge in kashering a 

kitchen 

Thomas Eisenberg 

in honor of Jonathan Blank 

Tova & Josh Epstein 

Dr. Charles Fogelman 

Avram Freedberg 

in honor of Robert Grauman 

Jill Friedman 

Matthew Friend 

Levi Ginsburg 

Mr. & Mrs. Israel Leo Glasser 

Alex Grange 

Jonathan Grauman 

Irving Grauman 

Rabbi William Herkowitz 

Gilbert Kahn 

Paul Kaufmann 

in honor of Israel Friedman’s special 

birthday 

Joanne & Ken Kauvar & Family 

in honor of Rabbi Robert & Virginia Bayer 

Hirt 

Rina Kinor 

Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Lande 

Shana Lev 

Rachel Oliker 

Philip Pockriss 

Yehudit Robinson 

in honor of Morris and Debbie Robinson 

Joshua Rosman 

Jeremy Ruberg 

David Rumschitzki 

Melissa & Mark Schwartz 

Nava Silton 

in honor of Rabbi Yosie & Rachel Levine, 

Rabbi Ariel & Jessica Rackovsky, Grant 

Silverstein, Shira Rose and The Jewish 

Center 

Rona & Andrew Steinerman 

Bernard Sunshine 

In Memoriam 

Shayne Hoffman & David Askin 

in memory of Richard Grossman. 

Roslyn Besdine 

in memory of her sister, Esther bas Chaim 

Zev 

Harriet & George Blank 

in memory of Jean Chodosh 



in memory of Moses Nussbaum 

18 

Seren and Craig Cepler 

in memory of Dr. Moses Nussbaum 

Naomi Cohen 

in memory of Bess Winter 

Stephen & Hope Freilich 


Judith Hellerstein 

in memory of Dr. Moe Nussbaum who 

gave so much of himself to the shul. 

Rina Karon 

in memory of Paul Okon 

Miriam Gutwein & Alex Klein 

in memory of Abe & Rochelle Tennenbaum, 

Lifelong dedicated members of 

The Jewish Center & supporters of the 

Jewish Community and Israel 

in memory of Alex's mother, Rochel 

Bash's first yahrzeit 

Edith Koevary 

in memory of her father, Alfred Bauer 

Mr. & Mrs. Henry Lieberman 

in memory of Zvi Axelrad. 

Darrin Litsky 


Rachel Lurie 


Sara Marko 

in memory of Dr. Paul Okon, father of 

Jonathan Okon 

Debby & Melvin Neumark 


Barbara & Peter Paris 

in memory of Rochelle Cohen's mother, 

Toby Abramowitz. 

Gail Propp 

in memory of her father, Oscar Dane 

Gladys & Robert Richter 

in memory of Gladys’s mother, Rose 

Liberman 

Shira Sand 

in memory of Paul Okon 

Adele & Leonard Schwartz 

in memory of Wendy Schnipper Clayton; 

Leonard's mother, Lillian Schwartz 

Greennzeig; Leonard's father, Morton 

Schwartz. 

Hazel Stix 

in memory of Fran Frankel's brother, Elias 

Pinsker 

Annie & Naftali Trauring 

in memory of Annie's parents, Bella & 

Shlomo Kecan and Naftali's mother, Sarah 

Trauring 

Deborah Unger 

in memory of Leo F. Unger 

Miriam Wolf 

in memory of her beloved husband, Henry 

Wolf 

Kiddush/Seudah Shlishit Sponsorships 


Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush; in commemoration 

of the yahrzeit of his grandmother, 

Edith Kabalkin 

Aliza & Howard Brodie 

in honor of their daughter, Shainie's Hebrew 

Birthday 

Lisa & Jacob Buksbaum 

in honor of the graduation of their son, 

Joshua Rory, from Ramaz Middle School 

Vivian & Daniel Chill 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of 

Daniel's mother, Mrs. Libbie Chill; 

in commemoration of the yahrzeits of their 

respective fathers, Harald Jacobs and 

Rabbi Abraham Chill 

Gilda & Irving Chodosh 

in commemoration of the first Yahrzeit of 

Rochelle Tennenbaum; in commemoration 

of the first Yahrzeit of Abe Tennenbaum- 

David Cohen 

in memory of his father, Abraham Cohen 

Liliane Cohen 

in commemoration of the yahrzeits of her 

parents, Erna & Charles Steindecker 

Chanah Cohen 

Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush in memory of 

Rabbi Shragai 

Shoshana & Ted Comet 

on the graduation , cum laude, of their 

grandson, Michael Daniel Richler, who 

received a DMD from the Boston University 

School of Dental Medicine 

Susan & Arthur Degen 

in honor of the graduations of their grandchildren, 

Joshua, from the Joseph Kushner 

Hebrew Academy Middle School and 

Emma from Lauren Elise Bier Nursery 

School of Congregation Ahawas Achim 

Bnai Jacob and David 

Beth Elstein 

Nancy & Mark Elzweig 

in memory of Esther bat Yaakov and Ritza 

Dora & Emanuel Federbush 

in honor of their grandaughter, Ariel 

Greenwald 

Judy Golzman, Cecile & Irving Skydell 

& Sherry & Mark Fessel 

in honor of Julie's marriage to Alex Fenigstein 

Sherry & Mark Fessel 

in honor of the graduation of their children, 

Julie (Fessel) Fenigstein from the 

New York University Graduate School of 

Social Work and Nate Fessel from Ramaz 

Middle School 

(Continued on next page)

19 

Brauna & Marvin Fortgang 


Brauna's father, Joseph Eisenberg z'l; in commemoration 

of the yahrzeit of Marvin's 

mother, Dora Fortgang. 

Jaclyn & Scott Garber 

in honor of the bris of their son. 

Susan Kensky & Samuel Goldman 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of their 

mother, Sara Goldman. 

Janine Behrman & Alan Gover 

Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush in honor of Zachary's 

10th birthday . 

Esther & Steve Graber 

in memory of Esther's father, Rev. Abraham 

Jacobowitz;in commemoration of the yahrzeit 

of Esther's mother, Ruth Jacobowitz; in 

honor of the graduation of their daughter, 

Laura Graber, from the Recanati School of 

Business of Tel Aviv University this summer. 

Judith & Robert Grauman 

Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush; in observance of 

the 10th yahrzeit of Robert's mother, Ida 

Grauman, Chaya bat Yosef Yitzchak. 

Sharon & Gary Greengrass 

in memory of Gary's beloved mother, Shirley 

Greengrass. 

Evelyn & Manny Gross 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Evelyn's 

parents, Bertha & William Bernstein. 

Limor & Doron Gutkind 

in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, 

Danieli. 

Rabbi Robert & Virginia Bayer Hirt 

in memory of Virginia's beloved parents, 

Molly and Merwin Bayer; Shabbat of song 

Kiddush; in memory of Virginia's grandmother, 

Sadye Bayer and her great grandfather, 

Samuel Bayer, third president of The 

Jewish Center - both life long members of 

The Jewish Center. 

Dov Hoschander 

in recognition and thanks to the UWS community. 

Rochelle Tarlowe & Seth Jonas 

Special Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush 

Joan Kagan 

in honor of the graduation of her son, David, 

from the Abraham Joshua Heschel High 

School. 

Shira Orenstein & Daniel Kahn & Margie 

Kahn 

in honor of Yael’s receiving an M.S.Ed. in 

Early Childhood General and Special Education 

from Bank Street and Tony’s receiving 

an M.A. in Biotechnology from Columbia 

University. 

Phyllis Roth & Red Katz 

in honor of the graduations of Ariel Katz 

from Ramaz High School, Daniella Roth 

from Ramaz High School and Gabriel Roth 

19 


from Ramaz Middle School. 

Paul Kaufmann 

in honor of the graduation of his granddaughter, 

Alexandra Kaufmann, from Ramaz High 

School. 

Rona & Ira Kellman 

Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush 

Miriam Gutwein Klein & Alex Klein 

Shabbat of Song kiddush; in commemoration 

of the 13th yahrzeit of Miriam's father, Yehoshua 

ben Yitzchak. 

Jessica Gross and Larry Klein 

Youth Rooftop Kiddush 

Ronnie Gross and Sara Kosowsky 


Rebecca & Emilio Krausz 

in honor of the graduation of their daughter, 

Daniela, from SAR Academy middle school. 

Fran & Jonah Kupietzky 

in honor of their 55th wedding anniversary. 

Eileen & Herb Lauer 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of their 

parents, Martha & Sidney Scheier and Rosalind 

and Charles Lauer. 

Rachelle & Alan Laytner 

Shabbat of song Kiddush, in memory of 

Alan's mother, Helen Laytner. 

Rachel & Yosie Levine 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Rabbi 

Levine's beloved mother, Judith Levine 

Darrin Litsky 

in memory of his father, Bill Litsky 

Chana & Eddie Lowenthal 

in honor of the graduation of Ahuva from 

Yeshiva University High School for Girls 

Paulette & David Meyer 

in memory of David's mother, Eva Meyer; in 

commemoration of the yahrzeit of Manfred 

H. Meyer 

Micol, Maurizio, Eli and Chana Molinari 

Youth Rooftop Kiddush 

Hanno Mott 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of his 

mother, Yulla Lipchitz. 

Veronica & Erwin Muth 

in memory of Veronica's mother, Elizabeth 

Ungar. 

Friends of the Nussbaum Family 

in memory of Ruth & Max Nussbaum 

Alan Nussbaum 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of his beloved 

mother, Sarah Rivkah Bas Moshe. 

Esther & Elmer Offenbacher 

in memory of Elmer's mother, Beatrice 

Bondi Offenbacher and Esther's father, Yaakov 

ben Moshe Mochael Hakohen. 

Nicole & David Pfeffermann 

in honor of their daughter, Emma Stephanie 

Pfeffermann. 

Marlene Pressner 

Stanley & Jonah Raskas 

in memory of their wife and mother, Sheri 

Grauer Raskas 

Sharon Rosenfeld 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of her 

father, Shmarya Reuven ben Aryeh. 

Frankie & Jesse Salsberg 

in honor of the graduation of their grandchildren, 

Carly Schreiber, from the HAFTR middle 

school and Zachary Green, Westchester 

Day Middle School. 

Judith & Steven Sambol 

in honor of their grandparent's yahrzheits:Rachel 

& Joel Sambol and Rabbi Reuben 

Bodek. 

Mara Schecter 

in honor of her return to Israel, with deep 

appreciation for The Jewish Center community. 

Cheryl & Doron Scher ; Liora Scher in 

observance if the Shloshim of Doron and 

Liora's father, Charles Scher. 

Renee & Avram Schreiber 

in honor of the graduation of their grandson, 

Alex, from Ramaz Middle School; Special 

Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush; Hashkama Kiddush. 

Chani & Mark Segall 

in honor of Max’s graduation from Ramaz 

High School; in commemoration of the yahrzeit 

of Mark's mother, Joyce Segall. 

Harriet Seiler 

in honor of the forthcoming marriage of 

Stanley Silverstein to Ann Dyer. 

Roberta & Michael Sigall 

in commemoration of her beloved father's 

yahrzeit, Rabbi Milton Kramer. 

Stanley Silverstein 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of his 

mother, Esther Silverstein . 

Nancy & Joseph Sklarin 

in commemoration of the first Yahrzeit of 

Rochelle Tennenbaum. 

Ceil & Irving Skydell 

Shabbat of song Kiddush 

Sandra & Jeffrey Smith 

in honor of the graduation of their son, Ethan 

C. Smith, from middle school. 

Irving Sonnenschein 

Yom Ha'atzmaut Kiddush in memory of 

Martha Sonnenschein 

Elli Strauss 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of her 

mother, Hedy Lowinger. 

Cindy Trop and Stuart Ellman 

in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Cindy's 

Father, Melvin Sires; in commemoration of 

the yahrzeit of Stuart's mother, Miriam Ellman; 

in celebration of Cindy and Stuart's 

engagement; in honor of the graduation of 

their daughter, Arielle, from the NYU 

Gallatin school. 

Continued on next page

20 


Kiddush/ Seudah Shlishit Sponsorships 

Continued 

Sivya & Nahum Twersky 

in memory Nahum's father, Aaron Twersky 

Ilana Sperling & Boaz Vega 

Rachel & David Vorchheimer 

in honor of Hannah and Emma's performance 

at Carnegie Hall at the School for 

Strings Festival Concert , Hannah's graduation 

from Ramaz Lower School. 

Scott Weiner 

in memory of his grandparents, Jacob and 

Ida Berkowitz and his aunt, Gladys Willensky. 

Joyce & Aaron Weitz 

in memory of Joyce's father, Jack Cohen; in 

honor of Aaron's 67th Bar Mitzvah anniversary, 


Aaron's mother, Sarah Weitz; in commemoration 

of the yahrzeit of Aaron's sister, Rebecca 

Schuman. 

Cindy & Jacob Worenklein 

Shabbat of Song Kiddush, in honor of the 

birthday of Jack Sternklar. 

Sylvia & Raphael Zeevi 

Shabbat of song Kiddush 

Community Event Sponsorships 

Jennifer & Mark Becker 

Our Way Shabbaton 


Shabbat of Song; Our Way Shabbaton; Bikkur 

Cholim Luncheon 

Sharon Schneier & Clifford Brandeis 

Environmental Shabbat Luncheon 

Ariel & Nava Brandwein 

Bikkur Cholim Luncheon 

Nancy Brenner 


Susan Canter 


Michelle Chrein 


Susan & Arthur Degen 

Shabbat of Song 

Aliza Deschamps 


Sherry & Mark Fessel 

Family Purim Festival 

Brauna & Marvin Fortgang 


Samson Frankel 


Johnny Glaser 


Shifra & Samuel Goldberg 


Jennifer Goldstein 


Ruby & Joseph Gottlieb 


Esther & Steve Graber 


Sharon & Sinclair Haberman 


Millie & Alvin Hellerstein 

Advanced Leadership Luncheon 

Rabbi Robert & Virginia Bayer Hirt 


Ariel Jerushalmy 


Rochelle Tarlowe & Seth Jonas 

Our Way Shabbaton 

Margaret Kahn 


Rona & Ira Kellman 

Environmental Shabbat Luncheon; Our 

Way Shabbaton 

Rachel Lurie 


Tiki & Simcha Lyons 


Richard Morris 


Veronica & Erwin Muth 


Clara & Jack Nyman 


Paulette & Samuel Papilsky 


Tzachie Puder 


Gene Salamon 


Miri Lipsky & Joshua Schainker 

Young Couples Oneg 

Avi Schwartz 


Rose Lynn Sherr 


Alan Stern 


Rachel & Dr. David Vorchheimer 


Elza Weinman 


Cindy & Jacob Worenklein 


Youth Sponsorships 

Dana & Adam Fine 

Youth Birthday Kiddush 

Lori Zeltser & Len Berman 

Youth Shabbat 

Sharon & Sinclair Haberman 

Clergy vs. Teen Basketball 

Amy & Jed Latkin 

Youth Shabbat 

Rachel & David Vorchheimer 

Youth Shabbat 

In honor of their children 

* Information as of August 15, 2011. We 

apologize for any omissions and ask that you 

please notify us if you were 

not acknowledged in the above categories by 

emailing saba@jewishcenter.org. 

Rabbi’s Message Continued from page 1 

What is more, in the context of that conversation, the shofar 

speaks a universal language: Its simple and penetrating notes 

speak to women and men; children and adults; beginners and 

veterans. It is the great reminder that it really is possible to 

have a shared vocabulary and a common grammar that can 

bring together the most variegated and disparate strands of 

our community. 

But the shofar is only one such example. In truth, our Torah, 

our Tefillah and our acts of chessed share that very same capacity 

– an ability to serve as unifying forces within our lives. 

Become a member of the Jewish literati in the very best sense 

of the term. In the process, I hope each of us will find avenues 

for newfound relationships with one another and with 

Hashem. 

May the coming year be one filled with great texts and great 

teachings, inspiring connections and inspired conversations. 

And may Hashem grant good health and good tidings to our 

community, our Center and the entire Jewish people. 

20

21 

Mazal Tov 

Ellen Bayer on the birth of a grandson, 

Dov Nachshon Bayer, born to her children, 

Shimon and Tani Bayer of Modiin. 

Sarah Rindner & Robert Blum on the 

birth of a boy. 

Elana Sinensky Blumenthal & Adam 

Blumenthal on the birth of a boy. 

Brent & Adriana Bodner on the birth of a 

girl. 

Ariel & Nava Silton Brandwein on the 

birth of a boy. 

Vivian & Daniel Chill on the occasion of 

their grandson, Jonah Chill, a 6th grader at 

SAR, winning the National Chidon 

HaTanach Contest, and representing the 

U.S. in the international Chidon to take 

place next Yom Ha'Atzmaut in Jerusalem. 

Shoshanah & Ted Comet on the birth of a 

great grandson, Azriel Meir Warum, son of 

Jodi & Aaron Warum of Monsey, NY, 

grandchild of Michelle & Dr. Joel Comet 

of Jerusalem. 

Rose & Henry Edinger on the bar mitzvah 

of their grandson, Daniel, son of Benjamin 

and Shlomit Edinger. 

Rena Englander on her graduation from 

the Philips Beth Israel School of Nursing. 

Judy & Allen Fagin on being honored at 

the Yeshivat Sha’alvim Dinner on June 

20th. 

Sherry & Mark Fessel on the marriage of 

their daughter, Julie, to Alex Fenigstein. 

Mazal tov to Julie's grandparents, Judy 

Golzman and Ceil & Irving Skydell. 

Ellen & Ari Fischel on the birth of a boy. 

R' Israel Friedman on celebrating his 

90th birthday. 

Jaclyn & Scott Garber on the birth of a 

son. 

Shlomo Gewirtz on the birth of a granddaughter, 

Nechama, born to his children, 

Esther & Avi Weisblatt of Israel. 

Hadassah Gold on the birth of a great 

granddaughter, Ayelet Chana Gold, to 

Yoni & Alise Gold of Chicago. 

Announcements 

Lisa Gordon on her engagement to Darren 

Halpern. 

Limor & Doron Gutkind on the Bar 

Mitzvah of their son, Danielli. 

Laura & Adam Hanina on the birth of a 

girl. 

Shelley & Jonathan Helfand on the bar 

mitzvah of their grandson, Shmuel son of 

Dina & Yehoshua Blank of Beit Shemesh. 

Rachel Jonas on being listed among The 

Jewish Week’s 36 under 36. 

Chaviva, Andrew, Vered & Einav Kaplan 

and to Lily Kaplan on the Bar Mitzvah 

this past week in Jerusalem of their 

son, brother and grandson, Barak Chanina. 

Lily Kaplan on the birth of a greatgranddaughter, 

Ruth Green, born to her 

grandchildren, Michali & Daniel 

Green. Mazal Tov to the great-aunt and 

great-uncle Chaviva & Andrew Kaplan. 

Ruth Kentor on her marriage to Elli 

Himmelstein. 

Edith Klein on the bar mitzvah of her 

grandson, William Klein. 

Miriam Gutwein Klein & Alex Klein on 

the birth of a granddaughter. 

Ruth & Larry Kobrin on the birth of a 

grandson born to their children, Rebecca 

Kobrin & Kevin Feinblum; and on the 

selection of their daughter, Rebecca, as a 

finalist in the National Jewish Book Award 

for her book, Jewish Bialystok and Its Diaspora. 

Rabbi Dr. Norman & Mindy Lamm on 

the marriage of their granddaughter, Tamar 

Warburg, to Yigal Gross. 

Ronnie Lee on his marriage to Sarah Lamport. 

Rebecca & Bennett Lindenbaum on the 

Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jonathan. 

This year’s Chattan Maftir, Rabbi Joshua 

Lookstein and Georgie Kleiman on their 

marriage. 

Tiki & Simcha Lyons on the birth of a 

granddaughter, born to Jenny & Moshe 

Buchman of Los Angeles. 

Maureen & Laszlo Marcus on the marriage 

of their son, Michael, to Shoshana 

Neuberger, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Naftali 

Neuburger of Brooklyn, NY. 

Barbara & David Messer on the bar 

mitzvah of their son, Ezra. 

Naomi & Noah Moss on the birth of a 

boy. 

Melanie Notkin on the release of her first 

book, SAVVY AUNTIE: The Ultimate 

Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers 

and All Women Who Love Kids. 

Clara & Jack Nyman on the birth of 

granddaughter Meirav Penina to Jeff and 

Melissa Amster of Silver Spring, MD. 

David & Nicole Pfeffermann on the birth 

of a girl. Mazal tov to grandparents 

Paulette & Sammy Papilsky. 

Lisa & Richard Rabinowitz on the birth 

of twins, a boy and a girl. 

Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky on being honored 

with the Rabbinic Alumnus Award at the 

KBY Annual Dinner on May 23, 2011. 

Eva Romer on the engagement of her 

grandson, Aryeh Greenfield, to Rafaella 

Lightman. 

Shira Rose on being honored by Kehilas 

Ishei Yisrael at its annual dinner and on 

her marriage to Jeremie Lederer. 

Sharon Rosenfeld on her marriage to 

Jonathan Mann. 

Emily & Michael Rudich on the birth of a 

boy. Mazal tov to the grandparents, Lois & 

Michael Burak and uncle, Elliot Burak. 

Hank & Debbie Sheinkopf on being 

Guests of Honor at the American Friends 

of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva Dinner; Hank 

Sheinkopf on receiving rabbinic ordination. 

Michael Shiner on his engagement to 

Dinah Davatgar of Chicago. 

Yehudit Dyer and Stanley Silverstein on 

their engagement. 

Nancy & Yossi Sklarin on the marriage of 

their daughter, Michelle, to Dovid Simon. 

21

22 

Radine & Bill Spier on the engagement of 

their son, David, to Daniella Neiman of 

Teaneck, NJ. Mazal Tov to David’s grandmother, 

Jeanne Abramson. 

Elli Strauss on the birth of a granddaughter, 

Shira Rachel, daughter of Daniela and 

Dani Fabian, Berlin. 

Cynthia Trop on her marriage to Stuart 

Ellman. 

Ben Turin on the marriage of his son, 

Binyamin, to Shoshana Shine. 

Naomi Korb Weiss on earning her MA 

from NYU's Robert F. Wagner School of 

Public Service. 

Joseph Zimbalist on his engagement to 

Aliza Machefsky. 

Announcements 

Condolences 

Irving Chodosh on the loss of his 

mother, Jean Chodosh. 

Rochelle Cohen on the loss of her 

mother, Toby Abramowitz. 

Naomi Colton on the loss of her husband, 

Abraham Colton. 

Dafna Davidovitch on the loss of her 

mother, Phyllis Pollack. 

Judy Falk on the loss of her mother, 

Myrna Falk. 

Raymond Goldwater on the loss of his 

brother, Stanley Goldwater. 

David Messer on the loss of his mother, 

Evelyn Messer. 

Susan Adler Neumark on the loss of 

her father, Sidney Adler. 

Avi Okon on the loss of his father, Paul 

Okon. 

Ari Wainberg on the loss of his father, 

Pinchas Wainberg. 

* Information as of August 15, 2011. We 

apologize for any omissions and ask that 

you please notify us if you were not acknowledged 

in the above listings by 

emailing shira@jewishcenter.org. 

Message from the Executive Director 

Over the last several months, The Jewish Center has purchased 

and installed a new database system. The system is 

crucial to the management of the shul in its daily operations 

and the reports generated through the database provide necessary 

information for the leadership of the Center to make 

data-driven and informed decisions. 

Please be sure to click on the "How Can I Help" to find the 

many ways you can become involved at The Jewish Center. 

On this page you can also tell us your specific interests as 

well as those of your children. This will help us provide the 

programming that will be of most interest to you. 

This new and secure system will not only help The Jewish 

Center maintain its member information database, but also 

provides an interactive system so that members can personally 

ensure the accuracy of lifecycle information including 

yahrtzeit information and contact information. For your convenience, 

donations can be made and bills can be paid. 

If you have any questions about our new system please do not 

hesitate to call me at 212-724-2700 ext. 107. 

Aaron 

22

23 

The Jewish Center is now taking 

orders for 

Lulavim & Etrogim 

Place your order by returning the bottom portion 

of this Purchase Form to The JC 

office by Sunday, October 2 nd , 2011. 

Cost: Complete Set 

Category 1 $65 

Category 2 $85 

SETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP AT THE JEWISH CENTER: 

AT THESE TIMES ONLY 

Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 10th, Oct. 11th) 

Wednesday (October 12th) 

7:45AM - 6:00 PM 

7:45AM - 2:30 PM 

NO DELIVERIES 

******************************************************************************** 

PURCHASE FORM 

NAME __________________________ 

TELEPHONE _____________ 

I would like to order _______ Sets 

Set for $65 _____ 

Set for $85 _____ 

Enclose please find my check for $__________ 

Please note that orders will not be processed unless accompanied by payment. 

Purchase(s) cannot be billed to your account. 

23

24 

Jewish Center University Fall Semester Highlights 

Scholar in Residence Lord Jonathan Sacks 

Shabbat, October 29 

Scholar in Residence Professor Deborah Lipstadt 

Shabbat, November 19 

Scholar in Residence Rabbi Chaim Rapoport 

Shabbat, December 3 

Fall Semester begins Monday, October 24 

Coming soon in our fall brochure– complete JCU course listings and descriptions. 

Pre-register online at www.jewishcenter.org 

THE JEWISH C ENTER 

131 West 86th Street 

New York, NY 10024 

Phone: 212.724.2700 

Fax: 212.724.5629 

The Modern Orthodox Center for 

Jewish Life and Learning 

Visit us online 

www.jewishcenter.org 

24

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