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Ansche Chesed Monthly Bulletin |
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Earlier this month we were treated to a fascinating Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat with Dr. Marcia Falk. We now look forward with excitement to our Silver Anniversary Hanukkah Arts Festival on December 10 and 11. Also in anticipation of Hanukkah, Professor Seth Schwartz will give a talk about the history of this holiday on Monday, December 12. Families will enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner on December 16, and on December 17 will join together for the monthly family Kiddush lunch. This month we are also participating in the annual Room to Grow Toy Drive. On January 20, Professor Marshall Berman will be the featured speaker at a Friday night potluck dinner and lecture. Professor Nancy Sinkoff will offer a course on European Jewry in the modern period beginning January 3. And we continue with the third in our series of Israeli films on January 8. Our member-led study groups are thriving, with many members participating in discussions of the history and literature of Israel, as well as of the relationship between science and religion.
CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES
12/2 Light candles 4:10 Shabbat ends 5:14 12/9 Light candles 4:10 Shabbat ends 5:14 12/16 Light candles 4:11 Shabbat ends 5:17 12/23 Light candles 4:15 Shabbat ends 5:19 12/30 Light candles 4:19 Shabbat ends 5:24 SERVICE TIMES Shabbat Services SHABBAT STUDY Family and Children's Services 11 a.m. WEEK OF DECEMBER 6 WEEK OF DECEMBER 11 WEEK OF DECEMBER 18 WEEK OF DECEMBER 25
KEEP FAR FROM FALSEHOOD, KEEP CLOSE TO PEOPLE
“The commandments were given only to refine human beings,” says the Midrash. Of course, a good Jewish life should build community; should express devotion to God; should help you understand the world. It should also make you a better person – one who lives in holy ways in all the small moments in life, as well as the big ones. Jewish practice should help you manifest the divine image within you. A Jew should aspire to be honest, brave, generous, self-sacrificing, humble, empathetic. In short, Judaism should help you acquire virtues. Virtue ethics approaches morality by asking what makes an excellent life? instead of what is the right action to take? Maimonides is a prime exemplar of this approach, listing as a positive commandment “to imitate the Exalted God as much as possible, as it is said: And you shall walk in God’s ways. . . meaning that you should imitate the good deeds and noble virtues through which God is understood.” [Sefer HaMitzvot,#8]. We all know – but all need reminding – that many commandments are oriented toward sanctifying small moments through virtuous living. Judaism is not only Shabbat and holidays, weddings and funerals, and major acts of tikkun olam. The Torah also commands private moral goodness. In that vein, let me share a few words about the commandment to be honest. “Keep far from falsehood,” says the Torah [Exodus 23.7] or Mid’var sheker tirchak. While this mitzvah is applied legally to having fair judicial proceedings – for instance, forbidding rich lawyers to dress more impressively than their poorer adversaries – it also sets a paradigm for truthfulness throughout life. “Said R. Yirmiyah bar Abba: Four kinds of people can never greet God’s presence: Scoffers, flatterers, liars and slanderers.” [Talmud Sotah 42a]. Liars try to deceive others, try to alienate them from the world as it is. In rabbinic parlance, this is called genevat da’at, literally stealing someone’s mind. If a liar is a good enough “mind thief,” others will lose the ability to trust their own perceptions. How will they be able to behave properly if they see the world through a false set of data? Maimonides summed up the virtue of honesty by saying: “It is forbidden to be a seductive, smooth talker. Do not have one thing in your mouth but a different thing in your heart. Let your outside match your inside, and let the matters in your mouth match the matters in your heart” [Laws of Character Dispositions 2.6]. This seems straightforward: no lying, never. But let’s ask another question: what about white lies, the inconsequential deceptions that make life more bearable? Mmmm, what yummy okra. My printer jammed. I didn’t get that email. Have you lost weight? I will be home in 15 minutes. Rabbinic tradition is fairly clear that white lies can be appropriate. Even God told a white lie to help smooth things over between Abraham and Sarah, when she suspected that he was too old to impregnate her [Talmud Bava Metzia 87a]. The Talmud [Sanhedrin 97a] tells a rich parable to illustrate this: A man who absolutely never, ever lies, and who is named ‘the Good,’ complains that “there is no truth in the world.” One day, he happens upon a place called ‘Truth,’ where no one lies. He likes it there so much that he decides to stay, and he marries. One day, his wife is bathing when someone comes to visit her. Thinking it would be impolite to reveal that she is in the bathroom, this Good person lies, and says she is not at home. But in the place called ‘Truth’ [a synonym for death, by the way] there is no room for gentle white lies – no room for empathy – and the poor woman dies. In a world of brutal honesty, we would all die of embarrassment. To be Good, to help protect people’s feelings, sometimes demands small lies. Hillel taught, in explaining why to praise every bride as beautiful, no matter how she really looks, “let people always set their minds on concern for other people” [Talmud Ketubot 16b-17a]. One should care more about another’s feelings that is, than for the abstraction of absolute truth. Empathy must temper honesty. But which situations call for a white lie? I think the vast majority of our white lies are unwarranted. Instead of routine fibbing, we should subject ourselves to three evaluative questions. Ask yourself whom the white lie is expected to benefit. To qualify as acceptable, it seems to me that the lie must a) spare the person being lied to any needless pain, instead of b) spare the one telling the lie from awkward embarrassment. Also, you should ask yourself if the white lie c) is likely to cause any unwanted collateral damage. A ready example: it seems appropriate to help people feel good about their appearance. Nothing is gained by anyone through a harsh comment on how someone looks, regardless of what you really think. That is just mean. On the other hand, it seems inappropriate to tell someone they have done a good job when their work actually was weak. This white lie violates two of the three tests I proposed: its primary purpose is to spare the teller the bitter pill of giving negative feedback, and it has the unwanted consequence of reinforcing poor work. Franz Rosenzweig proposed that for God, Truth is a noun. For people, truth is an adverb. May we all do our best to behave truthfully and empathetically, fulfilling the commandments of keeping far from falsehood and setting our minds on concern for others.
It’s true! After 25 fabulous, fun-filled years, the Ansche
Chesed Hanukkah Arts Festival is going on Sabbatical! This
coming weekend, at the glittering celebration that will mark the
festival’s Silver Anniversary, will be your last chance to see
(and purchase!) the exquisite Judaic handiwork of more than 40
talented American and Israeli artists.
The festivities begin at the dramatic “Champagne and Chocolate” opening Gala on Saturday night, December 10th from 8 until 11pm. In addition to marvelous desserts and sparkling champagne, there will be music by the talented Mike Cohen and a guest appearance by Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn and the chorus. For chocolate lovers there’s a special surprise in store – don’t miss it! The dazzling work of this year’s group of artisans, both old friends and new faces, will be the focus of the evening as always. On Sunday, December 11th the doors will open at 11am. Throughout Hirsch Hall and the Hirsch Hall lobby, the artisans will again be on hand with one-of- a-kind arts and crafts you won’t be able to resist, while upstairs Yaldaynu Preschool Director Elaine Bloom and Education Director Rabbi Lauren Kurland have planned an action-packed day of children’s activities including a puppet show with Jenn Levine & Princess Moxie in the Sanctuary. Sam Kornhauser and Sabina Ellentuck will help kids construct remarkable hand-made menorahs and Jerry Raik will have some tales to tell. The Maccabee Café will again be serving kosher delicacies including latkes, soup, sandwiches, bagels and of course homemade dessers. . . just the thing to keep you shoppin’ til you drop. At 4:30 pm the winning ticket in the 50/50 Raffle will be drawn and at 5:00 pm the Ansche Chesed Hanukkah Arts Festival will come to a close. So please join us, and bring your friends and neighbors, for shopping, family fun and food at the 25th Annual Hanukkah Arts Festival this Saturday and Sunday, December 10th and 11th. Help support Ansche Chesed and be a part of this singular community event. Admission to the Saturday night champagne gala is $25, and includes admission to the festival on Sunday. Admission on Sunday is $6 for adults and children.
Monday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. A HISTORIAN ON THE PERIOD
CONSIDERS HANUKKAH THEN AND NOW
Seth Schwartz, an AC member, is Professor of Rabbinic Culture and Professor of History at The Jewish Theological Seminary. He is the author of Imperialism and Jewish Society, which won the National Jewish Book Award.
Wednesday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Please come for a dessert reception honoring our member, teacher and friend Rabbi Yochanan Muffs on the publication of his new book, The Personhood of God: Biblical Theology, Human Faith and the Divine Image. Books will be available for purchase.
As the weather gets colder outside, bring your family to Ansche
Chesed to celebrate the season’s warmth with us! We hope you
will join us with your friends and neighbors at the following
upcoming events.
Children’s Activities at the Hanukkah Arts Festival, Sunday, December 11th An entry cost of $6 per person covers all children’s activities as well as Festival admission. From 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, join us for a Hanukkah Workshop co-sponsored by Yaldaynu & Ansche Chesed. Art projects, music, and baking galore! Please bring an unwrapped gift to donate to needy children. From 12:30-1:15 PM, meet Princess Moxie in Princess Moxie Rules! , a fun, funky, and feminist hand-puppet musical written and performed by Jennifer Levine. 11:30-1:00 and 2:00 to 3:00 kids 7 years and older are invited to make their very own wooden hanukkiyot. At 1:45, 3:30, or 4:15 come hear stories told by Jerry Raik. Family Kabbalat Shabbat Services & Dinner, Friday, December 16, 5:30 PM. Lively family services followed by Shabbat dinner and supervised play in the gym. Our last dinner was a great success; get your reservations in early! Members: $16 per adult/ $8 per child 3 years & older. Non-Members: $20 per adult/ $12 per child 3 years & older. RSVP to MaraAC@gmail.com. Children’s Services and Shabbat Kiddush for Families, Saturday December 17th, Noon, 6th Floor West. After children’s services, join other families for a delicious lunch at a kiddush sponsored by AC families Michael Schmidt & Lori Skopp, Henry Kronengold & Jill Putterman, Bali Miller & Stuart Klawans, and Ellen Braitman & David Shapiro. Hanukkah Cooking for Kids Ages 7-11 Years, Sunday, December 18, 1-3 PM. Bake and decorate Hanukkah cookies in the Ansche Chesed kitchen under the supervision of adults. Stay afterward for a showing of “Duck Soup” (see below). Members: no charge. Non-members: $5/child. RSVPs requested. Family Film, “Duck Soup,” Sunday, December 18, 3PM. A classic Marx brothers film, fun for adults and children alike. ANSCHE CHESED TZEDAKAH FOUNDATION UPDATE ATTENTION FAMILIES WITH B’NAI MITZVAH IN 5767 TEENS AT ANSCHE CHESED Panim el Panim Trip for Ansche Chesed 10/11th graders: All 10th and 11th graders are invited to a join other teens at the Panim Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values on February 19th- February 22nd, 2006. On this trip, teens will travel to Washington, DC to interact with peers and with experts from across the nation on a wide range of cutting-edge issues, including capital punishment, abortion, bioethics and gun control. Due to special subsidies, the cost for the trip (including hotel accommodations, kosher meals and snacks, and transportation during the seminar) is only $250 (additional travel costs might be incurred depending on the number of students who register). Come to an informational meeting at Ansche Chesed on Thursday, December 15th at 6:30 pm. Bring a friend! HOLIDAY GIVING COMMUNAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS: The International March of the Living: Since 1988, teen participants on the March of the Living have visited Poland and Israel to learn about the Holocaust on a two-week educational program. This year’s March will be held from April 23-May 7, 2006. For more information about this program, please contact the International March of the Living at 212- 252-0900 or see www.MOTL.org. I went on this trip in 1994 and found it a profoundly moving experience. Please feel free to contact me at LKurland@AnscheChesed.org with any questions about the experience. Wrap It Up at the JCC: Wednesday, December 21st from 5:30-9 pm. Come be a part of the biggest teen holiday community service program in the city. Join hundreds of other teens to gift wrap donated presents and create holiday cards for children in need. Call 646-505-5708 to register.
TORAH DISCUSSION
Each Shabbat we read and discuss the parshat hashavua (weekly Torah portion). Everyone is welcome to participate. The discussion is led in rotation by Rabbi Kalmanofsky, Rabbi Lauren Kurland, rabbinic intern Ethan Linden, and Ansche Chesed members. Every Shabbat, 9-10 a.m. BEGINNER'S SERVICE EXPLORING HASIDIC TEXTS RELIGION AND SCIENCE READING GROUP SEUDAH SHLISHIT
JEWISH MODERNITY AND ITS DISCONTENTS
Professor Nancy Sinkoff This four-part course will examine several key issues challenging European Jewry in the modern period, 1750-1900 (the economy, the State, religious authority, politics) and their implications for American Jewish communal life. 4 Tuesdays, 7;30-8:45 p.m. January 3, 10 ,17, 24 AC members $60,
non-members $80 Nancy Sinkoff, an AC member, is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and History at Rutgers Unviersity. THE GOOD CITY AND THE BAD CITY Services 5:30 p.m. Marshall Berman is Distinguished Professor of Political Science at CCNY/CUNY ISRAELI FILM: LATE MARRIAGE (HATUNA ME’UHERET) OUTINGS GROUP DANCE SUNDAYS
MAZAL TOV TO:
November's b'nai mitzvah: Margalit Cirlin Hannah Gribetz Hallie Marx Jamie Rappaport Casey Simring Linda Banes on her conversion to Judaism. Paola Tartakoff and Daniel Backenroth on their
marriage. CONDOLENCES TO: TODA RABBA TO: TODA RABBA TO NOVEMBER'S SHELTER VOLUNTEERS:
November 1 - November 30
GENERAL DONATIONS Ronne Mandelker and Andrew Braiterman Amy Zarrow and Alan Divack in honor of Larry Levi's 70th Birthday Susan & Michael Gerson in memory Tamara Green's brother, Steven Marcus Grace & Israel Leo Glasser Joni Greenspan and Dan Lenchner in memory of Rabbi David C. Kogen Elana Rosenberg & Gregory Litt Dawn Kellman & David Lock in memory of Ariella Heilman's father; in memory of Tamy Green's brother Judith Edelstein and James Meier Susannah Silvey and Adrinanne Navon in memory of Janet Burstein's husband Robert Penny Peters Adolfo Profumo in memory of Tamara Green's brother, Steven Marcus Dr. Leah Schaefer in memory of Tamara Green's brother, Steven Marcus Shuly Rubin Schwartz in memory of Elie Schwartz; in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Margalit Cirlin Marion Shulevitz in memory of Steven Marcus, Tamara Green's brother Shalom Stavsky in memory of Elliott and Ruth Stavsky Lewis Warshauer in honor of Shannon Frank Carole A. Weber Stuart Weiss Eillene Leistner and Barry M. Winiker In honor of Debra and Martin Greenberg YAHRZEIT DONATIONS RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND SHELTER FUND SANCTUARY KIDDUSH FUND CHILDREN'S T'FILLAH FUND PRAYER BOOK FUND KOL NIDRE FUND
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