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Dear Kehilah Members and Friends,
After a series of shiurim, and based upon overwhelming communal interest, our Kehilah has now expanded the roles for women during Kriyat haTorah.
Women and men are called to the Torah for aliyot and participate in reading from the Torah.
If you would like to read from the Torah on any given Shabbat, please click here to sign up to lein on our google sheets.
Now more than ever we need your support, and we encourage you to renew your membership with the Kehilah for 2020 today.
In addition to our basic membership of $500, we are introducing a new Chai Membership of $1,800.
If you believe in the mission of the Kehilah, if you are excited about the dynamic programming changes, we encourage you to support us.
Finally, we also ask that you to consider renewing your membership for 2020 soon.
Now more than ever we need your support.
In addition to our basic membership of $500, we are introducing a new
Chai Membership of $1800.
If you believe in the mission of the Kehilah, if you are excited about the dynamic programming changes, we encourage you to support us.
https://www.thekehilah.org/donate
Thank you for your generous past support and we look forward to seeing you THIS SHABBAT, February 22nd.
Rosh Kehilah Dina Najman
President Jonathan Konovitch
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A Short Vort for Shabbos:
Parshat Tzav
The beginning of Parashat Tzav discusses the mitzva known as terumat ha-deshen. This mitzvah requires the kohen to remove the previous days ashes from the altar each morning.
Chazal, in the Mishna, Masekhet Yoma, 22a, describes the proper procedure taken to assist in the decision of which Kohen would do this ritual each day. The Mishna describes that the Kohanim who wanted to be involved in the Terumat Hadeshen ritual, could be involved. Yet, the overwhelming interest to perform the Terumat HaDeshen, would give way to a great deal of competition. Chazal explain that races would ensue. Kohanim would race up the ramp all the way to the top of the Mizbaiach (the altar). Whomever reached the top first, would have the honor of performing the Terumat haDeshen.
However, the Mishna explains that at a certain point, this competition to the top of the altar resulted in kohanim knocking off each other where some kohanim fell to the ground, suffering broken legs and more severe injuries. Rather than risking injury, the decision was made to take a daily lottery, each morning, in order to designate one kohen to the task of performing Terumat haDeshen.
While one may see the beauty in z'rizim makdimim l'mitzvah - being zealous in the performance of mitzvot, the lack of concern for others truly reflects a failure in ethical behavior.
There are great dangers in designating a disproportionate emphasis to ritual at the expense of others' well being.
While the case in the Mishna highlights the commitment and dedication of the Kohen for service in the Mishkan, unfortunately, it simultaneously highlighted the failure of the kehuna, as leaders of Klal Yisrael, to see beyond their own spiritual needs or even tasks in favor of the more basic common decency and concern for those around them. Focusing on ritual over ethics has the potential to cause harm to others - even while in the service of Hashem.
The importance of service to HaKadosh Baruch Hu needs to be of the highest standard. But, this episode in the Mishna should serve as a serious warning about those individuals who see service to Hashem merely in the ritual. They serve Hashem with an enormous zeal. A necessary message from this incident is that one should serve Hashem with excitement and joy, however, one's religious zeal can never take precedence over the safety of others. One must always exercise careful thought and sound decision-making. It is possible, however, that in the case in the Mishna, Chazal is dealing with a Kohen who did not actively desire to shove his fellow kohen off the ramp in order to be first to the top of the altar. However, impulsive actions have the potential to turn off the intellect. When that happens, religious zeal runs the risk of becoming irreligious behavior.
As this shabbat is also Shabbat haGadol, we take the time to ready ourselves for the moment that we became a people. The celebration of the birth of our nation requires a re-dedication to the commitment that being a part of people necessitates valuing and respecting all of our people. This is a critical piece of the service to Hashem.
As the Kohen represents the collective, respecting the other should be of utmost importance. That is why, when involved in ritual, we must continuously reflect on our behavior and tasks and ensure that we serve Hashem with a great deal of energy, devotion and love for Hashem and all that HaKadosh Baruch Hu has created.
Shabbat Shalom.
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THE KEHILAH SUNSHINE COMMITTEE WISHES A HAPPY UPCOMING BIRTHDAY TO....
NAOMI NAJMAN
SHERRELL NAJMAN
NAHUM PALEFSKI
May they all have good health and may they continue to find fulfillment and joy in all they do for so many. Ad me'ah v'esrim shana in great health.
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THE KEHILAH BOOK CLUB
THE NEXT KEHILAH BOOK CLUB WILL MEET ON...
Sunday, June 7, 2020
at the home of Joyce Marcus
629 Kappock St.
Riverdale , NY 1046
Presenter: To be announced
We will discuss “The Jews of Harlem”
By: Jeffrey S. Gurock
“The Jews of Harlem” follows Jews into, out of and back into the renowned metropolitan neighborhood of Harlem over the course of a century and a half. It analyzes the complex set of forces that brought several generations of central European, East European and Sephardic Jews to settle in Harlem, and it explains the dynamics that led Jews to exit this part of New York.
Gurock has populated his book with fascinating tales of Jewish Harlem’s development with all people, Jews and African Americans who gave the community life and vitality.
We look forward to seeing you on June 7th.
R.S.V.P.
Ruth Licht-
ruth.licht@outlook.com
or
Sherry Najman
Sherrell.najman@gmail.com
If you would like to share an important part of the book, we’d love to hear your opinion.
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Upcoming Communal Events:
Hebrew Free Burial Association’s Riverdale Community Breakfast
This year, HFBA will be honoring Joel E. Simon, Lauren and David Lieberman, and Bella Hochberg.
The original scheduled date for March 29, has been postponed to June 14.
We are looking forward to coming together as a community for the event on June 14.
HFBA will keep you updated as we get closer to June.
For more information, email us at info@hebrewfreeburial.org
Riverdale Run 2020
The Riverdale Y will be hosting its annual community-run on May 17, 2020. This year the proceeds will go towards funding our Inclusion Program. Save $10 by registering with our Early Bird Special! Bring your entire family, your neighbors, and building residents for a fun-filled day. Alongside the run, there will be an assortment of local vendors and activities available. To register, please visit www.RiverdaleRun.com.
All In: Inclusion Program
All In is an inclusion program open to participants of all abilities for ages 6 - 16. This allows participants to engage with other peers as they learn to improve their social and communication skills through activities. The programming can include Sports, STEAM, Dance, Music, Arts, and Social Skills. This 10-session program runs from February 23 - May 3. To register, please visit www.RiverdaleY.org/allin.
Maccabi Games
The Riverdale Y is happy to announce our plans for two great JCC Maccabi experiences this Spring and Summer. We're excited to be a co-sponsor of these games right in our backyard! We are planning to send a delegation that includes boys, basketball, and ideally girls basketball as well. For more information, please check out our website at www.RiverdaleY.org/maccabi.
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PESACH IS COMING...
Looking for a Haggadah to bring to your seder or give someone as a gift?
The Kehilah's very own Sharon Marson has authored a wonderful Haggadah:
More Than Four Questions:
Inviting Children's Voices To The Seder
" . . . at the other extreme is the clean, accessible and progressive More Than Four Questions by Sharon Marson. Wittgenstein once imagined a religion comprising nothing but jokes. Well, More Than Four Questions is a Haggadah (or Haggadah supplement) comprising only questions. More Than Four Questions is an ingeniously contrived book with 50-odd pages of questions for children and adults, blank spaces for kids and grownups to write their answers and, on the reverse side of each page, actual answers by actual kids, as well as reflections from classical and contemporary sources. More Than Four Questions met an unwritten standard of mine: I gave it to my sister for use at the “kids’ Seder” with my nephew and his friends. It’s a useful companion to the Seder, and the adults’ reflections are, like the in-jokes on “Sesame Street,” enough to keep your own mind churning while you fulfill the Seder’s injunction to teach the story to your children."
- Jay Michaelson, The Forward
"I loved reading through Sharon Marson's new guide to our hagaddah. I rethought basic questions that had lost their meaning to me and I did this because she pushed me to open my heart and mind with an extreme gentleness, through her enormous humility and disarming manner, to re-experience a connection to goodness, holiness, kindness, purposefulness, and be helped through the process with the voices of our children. What a beautiful enhancement to any Seder and really for year-round."
- Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, Principal SAR Academy
The Haggadah is available on:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com
and
in Riverdale's local Riverdale Judaica book store.
Pick up your copy today!
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An Environmental Message
An Environmental Message for Pesach
Cleaning:
Remember that many everyday cleaners contain harsh chemicals that are destructive to the environment, and toxic to us. Some chemicals cause only temporary irritation, while others have long lasting affects on the nervous system, and are especially dangerous for young children.
For sources of safer, easier, and cheaper alternatives made from everyday household items, go to: http://www.coejl.org/
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