As you may recall, in January, I traveled to Israel for one week with the Leadership Institute for Congregational School Principals, a program jointly run by the Jewish Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College, and funded by the UJA. Visiting Israel with other educators allowed me to view the country with new eyes. My time in the land was experienced as a series of “teachable moments,” which I could repack and bring back to the Ansche Chesed community.

On one bright morning in Haifa, we visited a secular Jewish school, where students speak Hebrew and learn Tanakh (Bible) as literature, but do not otherwise necessarily relate to nor practice Judaism. [A brief note about Israeli schools: the Israeli school system consists of many separate but equal schools - there are Arab schools and Jewish schools, and then within government-funded Jewish schools, there are dati, religious schools, and hiloni, secular schools.] At the hiloni school we visited, a special outside organization had been contracted to teach Jewish studies for 45 minutes every week in order to provide more meaning to students about Judaism than they might otherwise be exposed to simply by living in the state of Israel. In the 2nd grade classroom we observed, the teacher presented a lesson on Tefila, prayer. She wrote Tefila on the board in Hebrew, and then asked the children to free associate words that relate to Tefila. The children, having a command of the Hebrew language, offered all sorts of impressive words and ideas, among them: Beit Knesset (synagogue), Beit HaMikdash (the holy Temple), siddur (prayerbook), tefillin (phylacteries), and haKotel (the Western Wall). I sat there with my mouth open; would that American Jewish children so easily make such complex associations! However, the teacher later shared with us that just because her students knew these words as part of their vocabulary did not mean that they resonated with the concepts behind them. Knowing the word Beit Knesset and recognizing that it relates to Tefila does not mean that a child appreciates the meaning of a Beit Knesset or considers it a place to go in times of need or for silent contemplation.

This distinction, we learned, is one between safah (language) and lashon (tongue). When one learns safah, or language, one literally obtains the tools to communicate. When one learns lashon, however, one finds meaning and connection through the words and concepts. Teaching safah, as the Israeli classroom observation showed, is relatively easy; teaching lashon is difficult. Acquiring lashon requires taking each concept a step further to understand how words and concepts shape and form our Jewish identities. Lashon, indeed, is what we wish our children to learn, and it requires much more than a good education – be it through day school or afterschool – to learn lashon, our children must be steeped in the concepts and cycles of Jewish life. May we as a community find ways together to provide transformational opportunities so that we and our children develop a lashon that affects the very essence of ourselves.

-- Reprinted from the Hebrew School Shavuon

Wednesday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

THE UPCOMING ISRAELI ELECTIONS: EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION?
Speaker: Professor Asher Arian
Please join us for the second in a series of programs exploring Israel’s momentous decisions in next month’s elections.

Professor Arian has written and taught extensively about democracy in Israel and about trends in Israeli politics. He is Distinguished Professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center and Professor of Political Science at the University of Haifa.

Beginning Wednesday, March 1
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Ansche Chesed is pleased to inaugurate its Senior Adult Program. Join your peers for a new series of lunchtime sessions with secular, religious, and senior-related themes, as well as films, discussions, and more. Come on the first Wednesday of the month, beginning in March. This month Rabbi Lauren Kurland will join the group to discuss topics relating to Purim. The group will meet in the chapel. Bring your own dairy or parve lunch, and we will provide tea, seltzer, and cookies.

We welcome Dr. Leonard Fein as Scholar-in- Residence on Shabbat, March 10 and 11. Dr. Fein, a prolific writer, a well-known educator and the founder of the magazine Moment as well as of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, will speak on three diverse topics.

FRIDAY EVENING LECTURE
Services 5:30 p.m., Potluck Dinner 6:30 p.m., Lecture 7:45 p.m.
The Very First Question That Was Ever Asked: Judaism as an Ongoing Response
The grand theme of Judaism takes us from Avraham’s “hineini” – here I am – to Isaiah’s. The question is always the same: “Where are you?” What does “here I am” mean in our time?

SHABBAT LUNCH LECTURE
Potluck lunch follows services.
B’reshit 8:21 vs. Anne Frank
“The designs of man are evil from his youth.” That’s God, just after the flood. “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are good at heart.” That’s Anne Frank, a child. Whom shall we trust on so basic a disagreement?

SEUDAH SHLISHIT STUDY SESSION, 5:15 p.m.
Dreams and Disappointments: Reflections on Israel
Can one be simultaneously a critic of Zion and a lover of Zion? How can one set aside the disapointments – there have been many – and restore the dream? Does dreaming make any sense in light of the harsh realities of the Middle East?

Friday Night Dinner: Dinner is a dairy meal. Please bring enough to serve 8 people generously. Last names A-H bring salads, vegetables or other side dishes; I-S bring entrees; T- Z bring desserts. Everyone is also encouraged to bring a bottle of kosher wine or other beverage.

Shabbat Lunch: You may bring an item for a potluck lunch OR contribute $10 toward the purchase of food.

For AC’s kashrut policy, refer to http://www.anschechesed.org/misc/kashrut.htm.

RSVP to ext. 205 or email sposen@anschechesed.org

Purim Learning: In Praise of Parody
with Prof. David Roskies
Monday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.
Purim is more than mere child’s play or a once-a-year license for shtick and folic. Come learn from a long- time Purim-shpieler and scholar of Jewish culture how parody is part and parcel of the Jewish religious, historical, and artistic imagination.

Family Celebration
Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Purim crafts, hamantaschen making, storytelling, magic show, presentation of the new Megillah, and more! See the family programs article for details.

Community Mishloach Manot Packaging
Sunday, March 12, 1 – 4 p.m.
Get to know other members while having fun by packaging mishloach manot, Purim gift packages, for the Ansche Chesed community fundraiser. Email lindam663@aol.com if you can help, or just stop by the chapel.

Reading of Megillat Esther
Monday evening, March 13
The reading of the Purim Megillah and the attendant festivities take place on Monday evening, March 13. The Sanctuary Minyan and Minyan M’at begin at 6:30. West Side Minyan and Minyan Rimonim will join together for the reading of the Megillah at 6:45.

Kids are invited to come in costume at 6:30 for a retelling of the Purim story and for spirited Purim songs. A costume parade in the Sanctuary and sweet treats will follow.

Morning Minyan Megillah Reading
Come to morning minyan at 7 a.m. for a rereading of the whole Megillah!

Purim, this year falling on March 13th in the secular calendar, is a marvelous holiday for children. Purim encourages children to really be children – to run around the synagogue, to wear funny costumes, and to make noise during the reading of the Megillah in order to viscerally respond to the heroes and enemies in our lives. We adults can learn a lot from children during Purim: to let down our guard once in a while and show our silly sides, and to embrace the tactile and amusing aspects of Judaism as fully as we do its intellectual and serious side. Our children need our release as much as we do; if they only observe us approaching Judaism in a serious fashion, they are unlikely to associate positively long- term with synagogue life. On the other hand, if they see adults enjoying – truly enjoying – holidays, and sharing joy together and with the community-at- large, they are more likely to view Judaism as a religion that offers, in the theme of Ecclesiastes, a time to celebrate and time to be serious. While Ansche Chesed, to its credit, is hardly the type of synagogue where people act unreasonably formally, we too are reminded by Purim that the beauty of Judaism is its ability to embrace old and young, clown and scholar. May your Adar be full of joy and happiness. Hag Sameah!

-- Rabbi Lauren Kurland

Upcoming Events!
PURIM CELEBRATION – Sunday, March 12, 10:30 am- 2:00 pm
The community is invited to the Ansche Chesed Purim Celebration on Sunday, March 12th. The celebration is sponsored by the Ansche Chesed Hebrew School and co-sponsored by Yaldaynu Preschool and the Ansche Chesed Family Social Action Committee. Doors open at 10:30 am for Purim crafts & hamentaschen making (co-sponsored with Yaldaynu Preschool) and a child-friendly, participatory retelling of the Purim story. Soferet (scribe) Jen Taylor Friedman will then present a new Megillat Esther (scroll of Esther) dedicated to the children of Ansche Chesed – a rare and special opportunity for your family to learn about the process of creating such a scroll. At 12:30 pm, magician Elliot Zimet will perform Purim magic, and at 1:00 pm, families are invited to make gift packages for residents of the Jewish Home & Hospital, the Ansche Chesed Shelter, and other causes. The gift packages are sponsored by the AC Family Social Action Committee. Cost for the day: $10 per child/Maximum $25 per family. There will be food for purchase. All are invited to come in costume!

Gift Package Delivery at the Purim Celebration, March 12
The Ansche Chesed Family Social Action Committee is a new, parent-run committee that grew out of Ansche Chesed’s ReImagine work over the past two years. On Hanukkah, the Family Social Action Committee sponsored a trip to the Jewish Home & Hospital Day Center to teach the participants dreidel and to sing Hanukkah songs. Over the course of the year, the Family Social Action Committee will sponsor additional programs for families to engage in social action and tikkun olam (repairing the world). Our next program will take place on March 12th at the AC Purim Celebration, at which the Family Social Action Committee will proudly co- sponsor a gift package program to benefit the Jewish Home & Hospital, the Ansche Chesed Homeless Shelter, and other causes. Package making will begin at 1 pm. At 1:45 pm, 3rd-6th graders and their families are invited to learn more about the Purim mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim (gifts for the poor), and then deliver these packages to the Jewish Home on 106th Street. 7th graders are also invited to make packages and deliver them to an elderly residence home on the Upper West Side. Space is limited for package delivery, so please call Mara at 212-865- 0600 x 207 to reserve your place! Contact Rabbi Kurland at 212-865-0600 x 208 for more information on how your family can get involved with future family social action programs.

Purim Celebration Volunteers Needed
Teens and adult volunteers are needed to staff food tables, assist with arts & crafts projects, and face paint at the Purim Celebration on March 12. Teen volunteers can get community service hours for this work. Contact Rabbi Kurland to sign up.

FAMILY KIDDUSH, March 11 – Sponsors Still Needed
We look forward to another Family Kiddush after family services on March 11. We are still looking for sponsors; email LKurland@AnscheChesed.org if you would like to co-sponsor the kiddush.

B’NAI MITZVAH RETREAT
The First Annual Ansche Chesed B’nai Mitzvah retreat for children whose bar or bat mitzvah falls in 5767 (school year 2006-2007) will take place on Sunday, May 21. Letters will be going out shortly to all families in our database.

THE ANSCHE CHESED HEBREW SCHOOL
The Ansche Chesed Hebrew School is going strong in its second semester as our students continue to work hard learning Torah, Hebrew and Jewish values. Check for Purim Madlibs written by ACHS students in your Mishloach Manot packages this month! Some highlights from our classes this month: The Hey (5th grade) class performed a student-written play about the Kedushah at Tefilah two weeks ago; the Vav (6th grade) class will be entertaining the other classes in a festive Adar fashion this week; and the Dalet (4th grade) class invites our senior friends to come bake with us on April 4th. Contact Lauren at x.208 for more information about baking with the Dalet class.

Megillah Fundraiser
There’s still time to contribute to the Megillah fundraiser sponsored by the Hebrew School. The Megillah, which is dedicated to all the children of Ansche Chesed, is being written by soferet (scribe) Jen Taylor Friedman and is sure to be a delight to all who hear and see it. We thank all those who have contributed so far. If you need another form, or more information about the Megillah, call x 208 or email LKurland@AnscheChesed.org.

Soferet Visit
A highlight of Adar at the Hebrew School is having the soferet come in to demonstrate her work on the Megillah completed thus far. She will be visiting on Thursday, March 2 from 3:45-4:15 pm and then again from 4:20-4:45 pm. All community members are also invited to observe the hands-on, experiential presentation; contact LKurland@AnscheChesed.org if you would like to attend.

The Hebrew School ReImagine Task Force
The Hebrew School ReImagine Task Force has met three times since December and after much discussion and sharing about the nature and future of our School, is in the process of drafting a vision statement for the Hebrew School. Stay tuned for more updates about this vision statement and the initiatives that it inspires.

Hebrew School Applications for Next Year
Do you know a family interested in Hebrew School for next year? The Ansche Chesed Hebrew School will shortly be printing applications for its 2006-2007 school year. If you know of anyone who would like an application, contact Rabbi Kurland at x 208.

YOUTH AT ANSCHE CHESED
7th/8th Grade Ansche Chesed “Survivor” – Sunday, March 5 Postponed because of snow, Ansche Chesed “Survivor” for kids in 7th and 8th grades will be held on Sunday, March 5 from 2:00-3:30 pm. RSVP to Sarah Chandler, youth educator, at youth@AnscheChesed.org.

8th and 9th graders – Shabbat Lunch – March 25, 1 pm
8th and 9th graders are invited to meet with 8th and 9th graders from Congregation Beth Israel from Andover, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 25. Lunch will be served! Contact LKurland@AnscheChesed.org to RSVP!

Panim el Panim
Escorted by Rabbi Kalmanofsky, six students attended the Panim el Panim program over Presidents’ Weekend in Washington, DC, to learn more about the intersection of Jewish values and governmental advocacy. Next time you see them, ask students Daniel Giovanelli, Katy Joseph, Rebeka Racz, Eliana Fishman, Lily Schwarzbaum and Sara Mishra about their adventures in DC!

-- Rabbi Lauren Kurland

TRIBUTE 2006, APRIL 1
On Saturday night, April 1, we honor members of our community for their dedication and service to Ansche Chesed with a celebratory evening, including tributes, performances, food and drink. This year's honorees are Martin and Tamara Green, Dovid and Shana Roskies, and Rabbi Marion Shulevitz. This is the year's major fundraiser, so make your reservations and send in your journal ads soon!

MY ISRAEL: PHOTOS FROM MY ALBUM
Celebrate Yom HaAtzma’ut by sharing your personal photos of Israel with the Ansche Chesed community.

Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel Independence Day, will be celebrated at Ansche Chesed on Tuesday evening, May 2. The event will feature a display of photographs taken in Israel by synagogue members. Go through your albums, pick your favorites, and share your memories with the community. The committee will decide which photos will be displayed.

Pictures must be personal or family photos taken in Israel either by or of the participant, or by or of someone in the participant’s family. You may submit up to five photographs. Maximum size is 8 ½ by 11 inches, and we wish accept only prints. You may submit a color photocopy. Please do not submit your only copy, as we cannot by responsible for its safe return.

Each photo must be accompanied by the following information: Who took the picture, where and when it was taken, the subject, and optionally, what the photo means to you.

Photos can be left at AC starting immediately, or can be mailed to the AC office. Deadline is April 7.

ALSO IN APRIL:
Pesach will soon be here, and on Sunday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. we will show the animated film Prince of Egypt. Rabbi Burton Visotzky will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterward. Not just for children, adults will enjoy this film too.

COMMUNITY SECOND NIGHT SEDER
Thursday, April 13
This year Ansche Chesed will again host a community seder led by Rabbi Kalmanofsky.

SHIREI CHESED CONCERT
Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 14 at 4:00 PM when we will be treated to a performance by Ansche Chesed's community chorus, Shirei Chesed, under the direction of Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn. Shirei Chesed will be joined by Shiru Shiru, the Brooklyn Jewish Community Chorus, also directed by Hazzan Hirschhorn. The sanctuary will be filled with the sound of 80 voices accompanied by piano, cello, flute, violin and percussion.

TUV HA'ARETZ THIRD SEASON
Spring is just around the corner, and the Garden of Eve farm will once again join with Hazon's Tuv Ha'aretz program to offer the community shares of fresh vegetables, fruit, and flowers. Pickup is from AC on Wednesday evenings. Registration forms will be available shortly.

 

March 12, 7-10 p.m. Ballroom Bash!
The blizzard canceled the February dance, but here's another chance to learn and dance the classics. Empire Dance will teach the waltz and foxtrot, and provide swing, disco and Latin breaks. No partners are necessary, and all are welcome.
AC and MOMC members $15, non-members $20

 

MAZAL TOV TO:
February's b'nai mitzvah:
Avital Morris
Scott Etkin
 

CONDOLENCES TO:
Elinor Hoffman on the death of her mother, Clara Hoffman.
Joseph Allerhand on the death of his father, Irving Allerhand.
Caren Raphael on the death of her father, Harvey Raphael.
Jesus Fernandez, member of the Ansche Chesed maintenance staff, on the death of his mother.
 

TODAH RABBAH TO:
January and February Shelter Volunteers:
(Names in bold are AC members)
Maurice Appelbaum
Trudy Balch
Barbara Bernstein
Andrew Blank
Steven Bloom
Richard Cantor
Yehuda Charm
Benyamin Cirlin
Columbia-Barnard Hillel
Ailee Cooper
Patrick Corrigan
Charlie Davidson
Alan Divack
Jeffrey Dorfman
Howard Eisenberg
Matthew Feigin
John Fraser
Woody Freiman
Joel Friedman
Sarah Galena
Avi Green
Shannon Green
Marilyn Gunner
Nicole Guzik
Kehillat Hadar
Yair Harel
Marjorie Hort
Dan Jacob
JTS Students
Gary Kallman
Ken Karan
Jan Kaufman
Becky Klein
KOE Minyan
Jeremy Lawrence
Rivkie Layman
Becky Lurie
Joyce Mann
Martin Mann
Naomi Marcus
Naomi Martin
Jocelyn Maskow
Patric McMahon
Andy Menkis
Michael Meric
Linda Messing
Rachel Obershain
Mike Patterson
Jennifer Raider
Molly Raik
Elie Rand
Anne Rudder
Dan Schwarzbaum
Kate Sharp
Shira Silton
Donald Stumps
Betsy Uhrman
Dan Victor
Michael Weiss
Bonnie Zaben