This month I take on the role of Executive Director of this hyper-busy institution. The challenge is daunting -- with so many areas to focus on that even knowing where to begin is hard. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees. Alan Divack, formerly Treasurer, will be a wonderful President, as I know from having worked with him over the last few years. Roberta Shapiro, the incoming Treasurer, knows Ansche Chesed inside and out, and I look forward to working closely with her as well.

My vision includes improving efficiency and finally getting our building on a preventive maintenance program, so that we don't lurch from crisis to crisis. Also, we must do everything possible to make our shul as welcoming and attractive as it can be. My past few positions have been in the editorial department within the publishing world; I have managed large staffs and extensive publishing programs. In those positions, I never heard about what went right, only about what went wrong: which title was late, which cover didn't print well, which book had typos. Similarly the shul staff tends to hear about problems, not successes. Successes should be assumed. I know that Ansche Chesed will not be perfect, but I want to help bring us much closer to that goal. I know this community is not shy about letting me know about things that should be different and better. I want to hear from you. I plan to be in the building early and to be present on Shabbatot and major community events. I promise you hard work, real care, honest communication, a focus on getting things right, and quick corrections of whatever goes wrong.

-- Josh Hanft

As Jordan informed you in his recent email, at its October 11 meeting, the Board elected me as President of Ansche Chesed to succeed Josh Hanft, who resigned from that position in order to become Executive Director. I am humbled by the confidence that the Board has placed in me, and look forward to serving our shul in a new capacity.

I have worked and prayed and celebrated with many of you over the past several years, and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the entire community. My wife, Amy Zarrow, our children Maya and Harry, and I have been members of Ansche Chesed since 1998. We came to the community through the Havurah School, which both of our children attended. I have served as a coordinator of the Sanctuary Minyan and worked on the Capital Campaign Committee. Along with Carolyn Greene, I am co-chairing the benefit committee for the Itzhak Perlman concert. I have been a member of the Board since June 2003, and have been Treasurer since June 2004.

I am fortunate to be able to share my new responsibilities with an active and engaged board and executive committee. In particular, I am delighted that Roberta Shapiro will be taking my place as Treasurer. In the past, Roberta has served as Vice President with great distinction, and I am looking forward to working with her in this new capacity. I am also really excited about the prospect of working more closely with Rabbi Kalmanofsky, Rabbi Kurland, and Hazzan Hirschhorn, who have provided outstanding leadership to our shul. Finally, I think that the community is very fortunate to have hired Josh Hanft as our new Executive Director.

I look forward to getting to know more of you, and to working together to make Ansche Chesed an even more vibrant and exciting center of progressive and traditional Judaism.

Best wishes,

Alan Divack

BACK TO THE BOARD

A little more than three years ago I decided that I had been on the Board of AC for long enough. I had been active in the shul since I moved into the community in 1989 and had been on the Board for at least 11 years. I wanted a break and I wanted to be active at my daughter’s school. Well -- this fall, I wasn’t active anywhere and I fully intended to read books and go to sleep at a reasonable hour. Maybe I would take a class and maybe I would go folk dancing. But within a month I missed the meetings (can you believe it?) and the energy that comes from working with a group of members who are dedicated to making an organization the best that it can be. I was co-chair of the Executive Director Search Committee, and I realized, as we ended the search, how rewarding the process as a whole had been. So when the nominating committee asked me if I was interested in coming back to take on the role of Treasurer and join the Finance Committee, I said I would consider it. The Finance Committee is actually one of the few committees at AC that I haven’t been on! So here I am going from zero meetings a month to at least three meetings a month. But it’s worth it. Giving to a community is a value that has been modeled for me by my parents and grandparents and I hope it is a value that my child will hold dear. May it be a value that you embrace as well.

-- Roberta Kupietz Shapiro

ISRAEL'S WAR WITH HIZBOLLAH: ITS IMPACT ON THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

Sunday, November 5, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
Join us for morning minyan at 8:30 a.m. followed by bagels and coffee, and stay to hear a fascinating talk by Khaled Abu Toameh in his second visit to Ansche Chesed.

Khaled Abu Toameh is an Israeli Arab journalist, documentary filmmaker and the West Bank and Gaza correspondent for The Jerusalem Post and U.S. News and World Report. He has also been the Palestinian affairs producer for NBC News since 1988. His articles are published in numerous publications, including The Sunday Times, Daily Express, and The new Republic.

THE QUEST FOR HOLINESS: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYNAGOGUE IN ANTIQUITY AND TODAY

Friday, November 17, 7:45 p.m.

Dr. Schorsch's talk will examine the concept of a quorum (minyan) as the defining characteristic of the institution that makes Judaism accessible, universal, and democratic.

Dr. Ismar Schorsch is the Rabbi Herman Abramovitz Professor of Jewish History at The Jewish Theological Seminary, where he was Chancellor for 20 years.

Evening Services 5:30 p.m.
Catered Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Cost for Dinner and Lecture:
AC members $25 / Non-members $30 / Children under 10 $10
Lecture and dessert only $10

To register, send a check with names of all attending to Congregation Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th Street, NY, NY 10025. To pay with a credit card (Visa/MasterCard), call 212.865.0600 ext. 205. Indicate if a vegetarian option is desired.

RELIGION IN THESE TIMES OF CONFLICT: A REPORTER'S VIEW

Saturday, November 18 at 4:30 p.m.
Seudah Shlishit / Talk / Havdalah

Paul Cowan imprinted Ansche Chesed with his lasting legacy. We have been honored to study together in his memory each year. Please join us to reflect on the filed that was Paul's life work: journalism.

Yossi Klein Halevi is the author of At The Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for God with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land, which describes his encounters as a religious Jew with Islam and Christianity. He is a contributing editor and Israel correspondent of The New Republic, and was a senior writer for The Jerusalem Report from 1990 untl 2002. Halevi is a regular commentator on Israeli affairs for The Los Angeles Times, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, Time, and other publications.

WHO LIVES? WHO DIES? WHO DECIDES?

Save the Date: December 1 & 2

Join several distinguished ethicists and rabbis from within Ansche Chesed and beyond to explore ethical questions about treatment decisions, disabilities, and life's beginnings and ends.

PARTICIPANTS:
Rabbi Saul Berman
Dr. Nancy Dubler
Navah Harlow
Rabbi Dr. Leonard Sharzer
Dr. Adrienne Asch

The Shabbaton will include Friday night dinner and presentations, Shabbat potluck lunch and presentations, and Shabbat afternoon discussion.

THE WAY OF TRUTH: NAHMANIDES' TORAH COMMENTARY
Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky
The Torah commentary of Rabbi Moses ben Nahman (1194-1270, Spain and Eretz Yisrael), is a classic of medieval interpretation. Clashing fearlessly with the midrash-based views of Rashi as well as the grammatical rigor of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra, Ramban brings literary taste, linguistic precision, halakhic breadth, and mystical depth to his Bible interpretations. Through his comments, every week we will tackle textual and spiritual problems in the Torah portion.
Shabbat mornings, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
First session: October 28-December 2

PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR DAVENING SHAHARIT
Back by Popular Demand!
Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn
Have you ever wondered what happens in shul before the Torah Service? Would you like to become more comfortable with davening this first part of Shabbat morning service and even explore a possibility of leading all or part of it? Then you should check out this music-filled workshop open to all the members of the shul. Each student receives a CD with a simple version of the service and is invited to record additional melodies in class. Active participation is expected and encouraged, and each person is urged to pick a date with the davening coordinators of his or her minyan with the goal of trying out newly acquired skills. Individual follow-up sessions will be offered.
Wednesdays, 8:00-9:30 p.m.
November 1, 8, and 15

SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM
This month's program will feature AC member Herta Shriner, who will recount the captivating story of her journey from Germany to China during the Second World War.
Wednesday, November 1, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

ADULT B’NAI MITZVAH MEETING
If you never had a bar or bat mitzvah and would like to explore doing this at AC, come to a planning meeting with Rabbi Kalmanofsky.
Wednesday, November 1 at 8:00 p.m.

EVERYTHING YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT JUDAISM, BUT WERE AFRAID TO . . . ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky
Here is your opportunity to ask questions in a casual, open-ended session. If you prefer, you may email questions in advance to rjk@anschechesed.org.
Tuesday, December 5, 7:30 p.m.

FAMILY KIDDUSH LUNCH
We welcome new families at our first kiddush lunch of the year. Come to children's services and then eat and meet at our festive kiddush at 12:00 on Saturday, November 4. If you would like to sponsor a monthly kiddush, either alone or with other families, contact Lisa Adler, lisa@anschechesed.org. This month's kiddush is sponsored by the following families whose children attend the Beit Rabban Day School: Iris Engelson and Hy Rosen, Yael Cycowicz and Mathew Kaplan, Dianne and Larry Cohler-Esses, Sue Dickman, Dawn Kellman and David Lock, Marco Veissid and Phyllis Bieri.
 

FAMILY SHABBAT GYM PROGRAM
Come in out of the cold to meet, shmooze, and enjoy the company of other Ansche Chesed families on Shabbat afternoons while your children romp around a fully-equipped gym. For children 1-7 years.
Pre-paid registration is required. Fee per family: AC Members $50 / Not-yet-members $75 Each registered family will receive a season pass and two free guest passes. Please mail your check to the AC office, marked "Shabbat Family Gym Program."
First session: November 4

FAMILY HAVDALAH PROGRAM WITH TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG
For families with children ages 7 and up
Tami Lehman-Wilzig will be joining us for a family Havdalah program revolving around her award-winning book, Keeping The Promise. Keeping The Promise is a touching, true story of a tiny Torah scroll smuggled into the Bergen Belsen concentration camp by a Dutch rabbi, who gives it to a boy during his secret Bar Mitzvah. The tale of the Torah scroll was eventually revealed to the world when the late astronaut Ilan Ramon took it into outer space. Tami’s appearance at our synagogue will include a reading of the book followed by an interactive discussion through the use of a Power Point presentation. This engaging family event will point out how the story ties in with three aspects of our heritage: the world of Torah, the world of Mitzvot, and the rich history of the Jewish nation.

About the Author:
Tami Lehman-Wilzig is an award-winning children’s book author, a cookbook author and one of Israel’s leading English language advertising copywriters. Her children’s books include Hlik Lak, Tasty Bible Stories and Keeping The Promise, which received a 2005 International Reading Association (IRA) Teachers' Choice Award. Married to a university professor and the mother of two grown boys, Tami lives in Petach Tikva, a suburb of Tel Aviv. Tami is also the daughter of long-time past AC president Dr. Emil Lehman.
Saturday, November 11 at 5:30 p.m.

DECEMBER 9, 2006 AT 7:30 PM

Be sure to reserve now for a very special benefit performance by the world's reigning violin virtuoso.

Mr. Perlman and his family are members of Ansche Chesed, and we are thrilled that his music will fill our sanctuary. Audiences all over the world respond not only to his flawless technique, but also to how he communicates the irrepressible joy of making music.

Tickets are available at $125 and up. Sponsorships beginning at $3600 will include tickets to the concert and an invitation to a meet-the-artist reception. You can join with friends or family to take out a sponsorship. Ticket buyers at the $1000 level will also have the opportunity to meet Mr. Perlman.

For reservations and detailed information about tickets and sponsorships, go to benefitoffice.org/fiddler or call 800.954.9694.

MAZAL TOV TO:
September and October's b'nai mitzvah and their families:
Maxine Berman
Adam Brodheim
Caroline Broomfield
Aaron Cholden-Brown
Emma Goldberg
Alexander Grant
Daelin Hillman
Eleonora Little

Judith Turner and David Gedzelman on the birth of their daughter, Nomi Hana-Leah Gedzelman.
Rachel Dinerstein and Benjamin Geballe on the birth of their son.

CONDOLENCES TO:
Bonnie Beck on the death of her mother.
Nathaniel Polish on the death of his mother, Muriel Wallick Polish.
Rick Schaffer on the death of his father, Irving Schaffer.
Allen Schoer on the death of his father, Louis Schoer.
 

TODAH RABBAH:
To the many members who volunteered on the high holidays, and whose dedication and energy contributed to making the services run smoothly. And many, many thanks to our maintenance staff for their hard work during the holidays.

Lori Cohen for helping with the planning and preparation of the Cirque du Sukkah. The 33 people who donated blood at the Fall Blood Drive on September 17; Blood Drive Committee chairs Linda Messing, Gail Mota, and Karen Sawitz; and volunteers Daniel Noy, Abigail Noy, and Steven Bloom. Thanks also to Sylvia Ortiz for taking appointments.

To the volunteers at Rosh HaShanah children’s services: Gideon Hanft, Louis and Aaron Cholden-Brown, Maxine Berman, Effie Kline-Salamon, Hallie Marx, Sabrina Rosenthal, Shosh Shapiro, Sasha Gayle-Schneider, Daniel Fischer, David and Gabriel Fisher, Avital Morris.

TODAH RABBAH TO SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER SHELTER VOLUNTEERS:
(Names in bold indicate AC members)
Shira Atkinson, Trudy Balch, Andrew Blank, Steven Bloom, Geoffrey Claussen, Max Davis, Iris Fass, Matthew Feigin, John Frazer, Woody Freiman, Benjamin Geballe, Andrea Gilbert, Avi Green, Shannon Green, Marilyn Gunner, Kareen Halper, Yair Harel, Esther Hautzig, Erez Hoffman, Marjorie Hort, JTS Students, Rosie Kahn, Gary Kallman, Ken Karan, Shlomy Katan, Kehillat Hadar, Kathy Kendall, Joy Kinaragu, KOE Minyan, Jeremy Lawrence, Joyce Mann, Naomi Marcus, Naomi Martin, Jocelyn Maskow, Andy Menkis, Michael Meric, Aaron Messing, Linda Messing, Bill Meyers, Michael Mortenson, Rachel Obenshain, Mike & Susan Patterson, Jennifer Raider, Ariel Rosen, Anne Rudder, Tani Schwartz, Dan Schwarzbaum, Kate Sharp, Orah Sherman, Shira Silton, Becca Stern, Phyllis Towney, Bonnie Zaben.