Said R. Meir: When Israel stood before Sinai to receive the Torah, God said to them: “I vow not to give you this Torah until you bring me guarantors that you will keep it! Only then will I grant you Torah.”
They replied, Master of the Cosmos, let our ancestors be our guarantors.
God replied: your ancestors need their own guarantors. . .
Then let our prophets be our guarantors.
God replied: I already have grievances against them.
Then let our children be our guarantors.
God replied: These are certainly good guarantors. For their sake I will trust you with the Torah.
      —Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1.1.3

This famous Midrash inspires my hope and faith: We are worthy of God’s Torah because of our descendents’ capacity to carry out its commandments. We have to believe in them.

This is why we at Ansche Chesed entrust every Bar and Bat Mitzvah student with $180 in Tzedaka money. We make them our Tzedaka agents because we know they are growing into people of wisdom and judgment, whose responsible choices will ease suffering in the world, make it safer, healthier and more beautiful.

I wanted to report to the community on some of the choices the kids make with this Tzedaka gift certificate.

Some are engaged in progressive politics and social justice advocacy, like one young woman who contributed to the American Civil Liberties Union Reproductive Freedom Project or another young man who supported housing justice through Habitat for Humanity. Another young man directed his $180 to the PeaceWeavers, a community that runs retreats and healing gatherings around North America, hoping to create a more loving world.

Some aid their brothers and sisters in Israel, like one young man who donated to rebuilding Northern Israel after last summer’s war, or another who invested his Tzedaka with the Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center (which happens to bear the name of his late aunt), which runs a 24-hour hotline, supports victims, encourages witnesses and assists in therapy for survivors.

Several helped fulfill the Mitzvah of easing tza’ar ba’alei hayim (the pain of our fellow living creatures) by donating to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the Humane Society.

African suffering drew the attention of several of our B’nai Mitzvah. Some supported the American Jewish World Service work in Darfur, Sudan. Another young man’s love of basketball led him to read in Sports Illustrated – you can find Tzedaka ideas everywhere! – about an anti-malaria program called “Nothing But Nets.” Last year, this group distributed 20 million bed nets across Africa, shielding millions from mosquitoes carrying a plague that infects 500 million people and kills 1 million people each year, and kills 3,000 children every single day.

Several B’nai Mitzvah directed their gifts to education, such as the young women who supported Advocates for Children, which seeks educational equity for New York families, or the Settlement College Readiness Program, which helps the teens of East Harlem prepare for higher education. One music lover supported the Riverside Symphony, which not only plays beautifully, but also brings classical music education to more than 10,000 third- through sixth-grade students in 65 New York public schools through its Music Memory program.

Girls and boys of Ansche Chesed, you rock. Your parents, your friends and your synagogue community should all be proud of the contributions you have made to improving God’s world.

--Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky

SCHEDULE OF PURIM SERVICES
Saturday Night, March 3
Families will gather in the Sanctuary at 6:00pm for songs led by Hazzan Natasha Hirschhorn and a retelling of the Purim story, followed by the Megillah reading in the Sanctuary and a costume parade.

Sanctuary Minyan
We will begin at 6:30pm with ma’ariv in the chapel, and move into the Sanctuary for havdalah at 6:45pm. The reading of Megillat Esther will begin at approximately 7:00pm. Festivities in the Sanctuary will include songs by the children of the Ansche Chesed Hebrew School and a presentation by the Havurah School.

Minyan M’at
Festivities in Hirsch Hall, including a kids costume parade, begin at 6:40pm.

West Side Minyan and Minyan Rimonim together
Ma’ariv will begin at 6:45pm, followed by the reading of Megillat Esther. On the 5th floor.

Purim Day, Sunday, March 4
Morning minyan at 8:30, including the reading of Megillat Esther.

ANSCHE CHESED PURIM CARNIVAL
Sunday, March 4 from 11:00am-1:00pm
The program begins with “The King's Ball,” a play starring the children of Ansche Chesed, followed by arts, crafts, and games: Mordechai’s Maze, Throw-a-Pie-at-the-Rabbi, Face Painting, Karaoke, and more! Admission to the play and the carnival is $10 per child over age 2, and includes 36 carnival tickets. Additional tickets are 25¢ each. The carnival benefits the Ansche Chesed Hebrew School.

BOOKS FOR A BUCK AT THE PURIM CARNIVAL
Kitah Hey will be running a USED BOOK SALE and raffle at the Carnival. We have a great selection of books for both kids and adults. A portion of the proceeds will be given to tzedakah.

SPEAKER: MIKEY WEINSTEIN
Thursday, March 8 at 8:00 p.m.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN AMERICA
The separation of church and state is one of the hallmarks of our society, but the contours of this border are certainly shifting. Come learn about this from Mikey Weinstein, a former Air Force officer, Reagan Administration official and the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. He is the author of a new and well regarded book, With God on Our Side: One Man's War Against an Evangelical Coup in Our Military, which reports on aggressive evangelizing in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. Weinstein has appeared on CNN, NPR and other national programs, and was named as one of the Forward Fifty top Jewish leaders.

A TASTE OF MEAH
Tuesday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Run from Hebrew College in Boston, Meah is a two-year, or four-semester commitment, to engage in 100 (or Me'ah) hours of Jewish learning with leading scholars, including some AC members, on the major periods of Jewish thought and history (biblical, rabbinic, medieval and modern). Classes meet weekly for four semesters. If you are interested in engaging in a sustained and challenging course of study, please come learn about this exciting program. Please pre-register for the information session with Sharri Posen, sposen@anschechesed.org or 212.865.0600 ext. 205.

FILM: TURN TO ME
Sponsored by the AC Bikkur Holim Committee
Sunday, March 18 Time TBA
Join us to watch this moving documentary featuring commentary by Elie Wiesel, Rabbi Tzvi Blanchard, and members of the Jewish community. Witness how the human condition is fundamentally improved through the small acts of kindness which unfold before us. View a tapestry of human stories of loss, suffering and pain interwoven with threads of compassion, wisdom, connection and hope. We will also honor those in our community who have given of themselves to help members in need.

SHABBAT LEARNING

SHABBAT MORNING PARSHA STUDY
Exploring Hasidic Texts
Rabbi David Gedzelman looks at the weekly Torah portion through the writings and thought of a number of Hasidic masters, particularly the Sefat Emet (Rav Yehudah Aryeh Leib of Ger). The group meets from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Newcomers are always welcome, as are drop-ins to any session.

SEUDAH SHLISHIT: SHABBAT’S THIRD MEAL
Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky to end Shabbat with song and study, food and drink. If you would like to sponsor this month’s seudah in honor of a happy occasion or in memory of a loved one, please contact Sharri Posen in the AC office.
March 17 at 6:15pm

STUDY AND READING GROUPS

SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM
Wednesday, March 14, 12pm-1:30pm
Dr. Leah Schaefer will speak on “Psychology and Transsexualism: Understanding It and Its Impact on Contemporary Society." Dr. Schaefer has been a professional psychotherapist for over 45 years and has specialized in the field of transgenderism for 35 of those years. Join her for what is sure to be an eye-opening education as she discusses the many aspects of her work. You may bring a dairy or parve lunch. We will provide coffee, tea, seltzer, and cookies.

Lunchtime Learning:
MONARCHY, MAYHEM, AND PROPHETIC MASTERS: THE BOOKS OF KINGS
Rabbi Shmuel Sandberg
Learn about the religious and political life of Jews in Judah and Israel, from King Solomon to Gedaliah by reading selections from Kings I and II.
Thursdays, 12:30pm, beginning March 8.

ISRAEL-ZIONIST READING GROUP
The group will discuss the final three chapters of Gershom Gorenberg’s The Accidental Empire.
Monday, March 5, 7:45 p.m.

ISRAELI LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION READING GROUP
The group will discuss several short stories by women writers: "Aphia's Plight" by Nehama Pukhachevsky, "Votes for Women" by Hannah Trager, and "N'ima Sassoon Writes Poems" by Amalia Kahana-Carmon. Stories are available from the office; call 212.865.0600 ext. 205.
Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 p.m.

AMERICAN JEWISH LITERATURE READING GROUP
This group discusses novels, short stories, and autobiographies that explore the American Jewish experience. This month the group, led by Rabbi Shmuel Sandberg, will discuss three stories by Philip Roth: "Eli the Fanatic," " Defender of the Faith," and "The Conversion of the Jew." All are in Roth's Goodbye, Columbus and Other Stories.
Tuesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.

Pesah Learning:
How Is This Book Different from All Other Books?
With Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky
Monday, March 19, 7:30-9:00pm
The Passover Haggadah may be the most creatively edited and rewritten of all Jewish texts. There have been geographical varieties throughout history, plus those amplified by different commentators and illustrated in unique ways. And modern communities and even families have produced their own versions. Together, we will examine various Haggadot, from the traditional to the not-so-traditional, and reflect on how each envisions the tale of servitude and liberation.

Seder Home Hospitality
At Ansche Chesed, we have always tried to ensure that no one has to spend the holiday alone. This year, we will match those who need a place with those who have extra room at their tables for both the first seder, on Monday, April 2, and the second seder, on Tuesday, April 3. Please return the form that you will shortly receive in the mail. You may also email sposen@anschechesed.org. For those who would like to be a host, please include how many guests you can accommodate, whether you have children and what their ages are, and your standard of kashrut, whether flexible or strict. For those wishing to be guests, include the names of all guests, ages of children, if any, and level of kashrut.

Sale of Hametz
If you would like to authorize Rabbi Kalmanofsky to sell your hametz, please return the form to the office or stop by the synagogue during business hours up until 11:30am on Monday, April 2. (Please note that the date in the Passover mailing is incorrect). Also, remember the Haggadah’s call: Kol dikhfeen yetey v’yekhol – All who are hungry, come and eat. Please remember to make a contribution to the Ansche Chesed Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund to help feed those in need this Pesah.

Book of Remembrance
At the conclusion of all of our festivals (Sukkot, Pesah, and Shavuot), we set aside some time to remember those who are not with us this year. At Ansche Chesed, many of us tangibly and publicly remember our loved ones by inscribing their names in our Book of Remembrance, which is distributed during the Yizkor service. It is also customary to give tzedakah in their memory. The Yizkor memorial service is part of the morning service on the last day of Pesah, which this year is on Tuesday, April 10. To be included please return the Book of Remembrance form no later than Friday, March 23.

PRE-PESAH ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES
Passover Family Workshop
Co-Sponsored by Yaldaynu Preschool and AC
Sunday, March 25, 10:30am-12:00pm,
Passover food tasting stations, arts and crafts, and music. $5 per family at the door.

AC's First Annual Chocolate Seder
Bring your sweet tooth! All are invited, so bring your friends. $10 per child at the door includes pizza dinner.
Wednesday, March 28, 6pm-7:30pm for kids in grades 6 to 8
Thursday, March 29, 6pm-7:30pm for kids in grades 3 to 5.
RSVP to Lisa Adler, Director of Family and Youth Programs: Lisa@anschechesed.org or 212.865.0600 ext. 243.
 

FOOD AND SHELTER

On Sunday, February 11, over 30 kids and their families participated in “Food and Shelter,” a program about homelessness organized by the Family Social Action Committee. There were opportunities for improvisational acting with Jerry Raik, cooking banana muffins for the men who stay in the Ansche Chesed shelter, learning about volunteer opportunites at the AC shelter from Charlie Davidson, collecting toiletries and creating art work for the men who stay in the shelter, and hearing the story of Dennis Barton (a previously homeless man who spent 14 years on the street).

The program gave families the opportunity to learn about homelessness, explore their feelings about this basic human need, and find out about ways to help the homeless. Thank you to the Family Social Action Committee members (David Witzel, Rachel Miller, Deborah Pastor, and Susan Greenfield) who organized the event with the help of Rabbi Lauren Kurland and Lisa Adler. Also, thanks to John Dobbin for his calligraphy talents, to everyone who led the different sessions (Jerry Raik, Charlie Davidson, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky, and Dennis Barton), and to all the families who came out on a Sunday to participate in the program.

Sunday, March 18:
Square Dance!
Swing your partner and do-si-do with expert square dance caller Allan Brozek. Fun for all ages. No partners or reservations necessary. Everyone is welcome.
 

Doors open at 7 p.m. Instruction throughout the evening starting at 7:15pm.
Cost: AC and MOMC members $15, others $20

Save the Date!

Join us for a special Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat with Letty Cottin Pogrebin and Abigail Pogrebin, who will discuss issues of contemporary Jewish identity. Letty will speak on Friday evening, and Abigail on Shabbat. We will conclude with Letty and Abigail together for discussion, havdalah, and a book signing.

MAZAL TOV TO:
February's b’nai mitzvah and their families:
Zoe Rubin
Rebeca Fall Riff

CONDOLENCES TO:
The following members and their families:
Eric Gertner on the death of his wife, Nina Yahr.
Anne Mintz on the death of her father, Kalman Mintz.
Lois Leatherman on the death of her father, Arthur Leatherman.

TODAH RABBAH TO:
Sheryl Reich and David Greenberg for sponsoring the February Family Kiddush.
Esther Hautzig for sharing her story with the 8th grade Halutzim class.
Rachel Shalmon for co-sponsoring February’s seudah shlishit.
 

TODAH RABBAH TO FEBRUARY'S SHELTER VOLUNTEERS
(Names in bold indicate AC members)
Irwin Abraham, Trudy Balch, Arnold Blank, Rivka Bukowsky, Eliav Bock, Elizabeth Cavorti, Geoffrey Claussen, Yonina Creditor, Gary Dreiblatt, Howard Eisenberg, Rafi Farber, Iris Fass, Matthew Feigin, Shannon Green, Marilyn Gunner, Kareen Halper, Yair Harel, Marjorie Hort, JTS Students, Gary Kallman, Joy Karagu, Ken Karan, Shlomy Kattan, Kehillat Hadar, Kathy Kendall, KOE Minyan, Joyce Mann, Martin Mann, Naomi Marcus, Jocelyn Maskow, Linda Messing, Bill Meyers, Michael Mortenson, Rachel Obenshain, Mike Patterson, Jennifer Raider, Anne Rudder, Dan Schwarzbaum, Kate Sharp, Becca Stern, David Tabatsky, Amanda Wolf, Betsy Uhrman. And special thanks to Shelter Coordinator Charlie Davidson and Assistant Coordinator Michael Bloome.