The difference between God and people, says  Midrash Leviticus Rabbah 7.2, is that people are embarrassed if they use broken tools, or drink from cracked cups, or wear torn clothes. People think that only what looks perfect, unblemished, can be beautiful.

In contrast, God uses  only broken vessels -- mortal human beings --to build and sanctify the world. Unlike humans, God knows the imperfections of every last creature, even the apparently flawless ones, and loves them for themselves. But if God knows this truth already, we usually need to be reminded.

This month, through the leadership of the UJA Federation, congregations across the New York area will mark a "Shabbat of Inclusion," to focus communal  attention on the ways synagogues can welcome those with physical and cognitive disabilities. On the other side of the coin, these communities will challenge themselves to think about ways they inadvertently marginalize those who are different, who are challenged by their disabilities.

Most congregations will mark this on Shabbat on February 1-2. For some practical reasons, we at Ansche Chesed will mark the theme on Shabbat of February 8-9. We will begin that Shabbat with a text study on themes of inclusion and marginalization, during Friday night services. Then on Shabbat morning, Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses (one of the planners of the weekend, in her professional role at the UJA) will give the D'var Torah in the sanctuary on this theme.  We also
will obtain a number of large-print prayer books, easing inclusion for those with trouble seeing.

All in all, I think our track record on inclusion at Ansche Chesed is not too bad. Our 80-year old building was erected long before anyone thought about wheelchair access. But the staff and board are continually exploring ways to ease passage to the sanctuary and through the West End Avenue lobby. And from Matan, our Hebrew School's special needs class, to our almost Bima-free services in the Sanctuary, we do our best to help everyone feel that
AC can be their home.

But we do not doubt we can improve further! What are your suggestions? Please contact me, or our executive director Josh Hanft in the office, with ideas large and small. And together, we broken vessels can make this a community where everyone is treated with dignity and care.

WORKSHOP:
THE CHALLENGES OF CARING FOR YOUR AGING PARENTS

Come to discuss, ask, and learn.

Workshops will be led by Ansche Chesed members Claudia Fine, LCSW, MPH; Debra Greenberg, MSW, PhD; Abigail Miller, PsyD; Barrie Raik, MD; Arleen Stern, LCSW, and other geriatrics professionals.

SPEAKER: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE IN THE HOLY LAND

Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Debbie Weissman

In addition to military,political and economic struggles, the Arab-Israeli conflict is sometimes framed in terms of religious issues. Is this a helpful way of confronting the problems? What role can religious thinkers and actors play in fanning the flames of conflict or in working for peace and reconciliation?

Dr. Weissman has lived in Jerusalem since 1972, where she has been involved in Jewish education, religious feminism, interfaith dialogue and the religious peace movement. The talk will reflect her experiences and insights into the role that religions can play in that volatile region.

PRISONERS, TERRORISTS, AND THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Please join Jeffrey Goldberg, one of America's leading journalists, to examine Israel's relationship with its neighbors, today and in the coming years.

Friday night: "The Fight for the Palestinian Soul." Hamas and Fatah represent different visions for the future of the Palestinian people. What does their battle with each other mean for the prospects of peace with Israel, and within the wider Muslim world?

Shabbat Lunch: "Israel's Existential Threats." Living in a nuclear neighborhood, even 60 years after its founding, Israel continues to face threats to its Jewish identity and its very existence. What challenges lie ahead?

Jeffrey Goldberg is a national correspondent for The Atlantic, and former Washington Correspondent for The New Yorker.  His bestselling book, Prisoners: A Muslim and a Jew Across the Middle East Divide, was praised by numerous reviewers and is coming out in paperback.  He has previously written for The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and The Forward.

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REGISTRATION

Friday Night Dinner and Program: Adults $30, Children under 13 years $10.  Lecture and desert only $10. Dinner reservations MUST be made by noon on Tuesday, February 26.

Saturday Lunch and Program: Potluck or contribute $10 per person toward the purchase of food.  Main dishes and salads are particularly requested.  Food brought to AC must conform to our kashrut policy.  See http://anschechesed.org/misc/kashrut.htm

The gym will be open for supervised play during the Friday night and Saturday lunch programs.  A contribution of $10 per family is requested to help cover the cost of the gym supervisor.

PAYMENT:
Checks should be made payable to Ansche Chesed and sent to 251 West 100th Street, NY NY 10025.  To pay by credit card, call 212.865.0600 ext. 205.  You may also pay online by going to www.anschechesed.org.  Click on the "Donate Now" button, and in the special instructions box note what your payment is for.

Dear Ansche Chesed Community,

            At ACHS, each class picks a Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) project for the year.  Taking this concept to heart, Jody's Kitah Dalet class went global in our chosen project: stopping global warming.  Practically speaking, it's not a task that our class can complete on our own, but one way to help combat global warming our class knew of was replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs.  In learning about Tu Bishvat, the new year of the trees, we discussed the concept of bal tashchit, not wasting.  CFLs help reduce waste in several ways.  CFLs use ¼ the power normal light bulbs do, meaning that less coal is burned and less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.  Lasting much longer than the average light bulb, CFLs also require fewer changes, reducing the number of CFLs needed in a household, and therefore saving resources.  CFLs give off less heat than normal light bulbs, reducing the need to keep air conditioners on lower, saving money and electricity.   Many of us discussed already how in our own homes CFLs were replacing regular light bulbs.  We thought to help the synagogue reduce its waste by raising funds to buy additional CFLs for the synagogue, sustaining the synagogue's efforts to maximize their use of green electricity. At the end of January we held a Hot Chocolate sale before Hebrew School to raise funds.

            In addition to raising funds for CFLs at Ansche Chesed, we also wanted to let the community know of our efforts and how they too can reduce waste in other ways.  Ideas for reducing waste we came up with were:

• Reusing plastic containers from food we buy
• Turning the faucet off when brushing teeth
• Bringing reusable grocery bags to the store instead of plastic ones
• Turning off lights when not using a room

We hope that you will join us in helping to reduce our waste.  Every little action counts.

Thank you,

Jody's Kitah Dalet Class
Stephen, Stefan, Adam, Jeremy, Mara, Samantha, Leo, and Kayla

GENERAL DONATIONS  
Marita, Michael and Daniel Altman in memory of Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen
Dov Y. Bard and Shelly Bazes-Bard in memory of Mindy Seidlin's mother, Sophie Seidlin
Allen and Irene Brill
Michael Brochstein in memory of Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen
Deborah Brodie in honor of Suzanne and Mayer Cavalier's anniversary, in memory of Mindy Seidlin's mother, Sophie Seidlin and Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen
Lenore Nemeth and Alfred Buff in honor of Julian Michaels' Bar Mitzvah
Feygele Jacobs and Michael Cholden-Brown
Rabbi Lauren Kurland and Scott Cohen in memory of Adam Teitelbaum's mother, Stefania Teitelbaum, and Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen
B.J. and Leonard Diamond in memory of their beloved nephew, Seth Palmer
Michelle Dingoor in honor of the engagement of Michael B. Trencher to Jamie A. Kamp
Shari Doloboff
Rosalyn Efron in honor of Sheryl Reich; in appreciation for her many contributions and dedication to her Jewish Community
Ralph and Jean Falkenstein in honor of Suzanne and Mayer Cavalier's anniversary
Mildred Feldman with thanks to Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn
Rivkah Feldman
Enid Flax in memory of Seth Palmer
Linda Engel and Mike Goldstein in memory of Mindy Seidlin's mother, Sophie Seidlin
Lita and Stuart Gottfried in honor of Suzanne and Mayer Cavalier's 42nd Anniversary
Yocheved Cohen and Joshua Halberstam
George Kaplan and Miriam Harris-Kaplan in memory of Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen
Renee Barocas Hausman in honor of the anniversary of Suzanne and Mayer Cavalier
Barry Holtz and Bethamie Horowitz in memory of Mindy Seidlin's mother, Sophie Seidlin
Marjorie Hort in honor of Suzanne and Mayer Cavalier's anniversary, and in memory of Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen
Carol Ingall in honor of Anna Peterman's Bat Mitzvah
Michael and Rebecca Kaufman in honor of their grandson Aaron Frey Kaufman's Bar Mitzvah
Rabbi Jan Caryl Kaufman in memory of her grandmother, Alice Deutch
Anne Koenig
Marilyn and Larry Levi
Michael Massing
Judith Edelstein and Jim Meir in memory of Jules Kurzweil and Ida Kronfeld, and a Refuah Shleymah to Marion Shulevitz
Deon Nossel in honor of Ilana Nossel and Jordan Kolar
Brooke and Alan Phillips
Adolfo Profumo in memory of Richard Posen
Eric Peterman and Ellen Resnick in honor of Anna Peterman's Bat Mitzvah
Arthur and Renee Ritz in memory of Carol Rabolt Harris's mother, Hilda Rabolt Simousen
Barbara Rothenberg in memory of Adam Teitelbaum's mother, Stefania Teitelbaum
Lori Cohen and Christopher Rothko
William Meyers and Nahma Sandrow in memory of Richard Posen
Tim Sargen
Shuly Rubin Schwartz in honor of Anna Peterman's Bat Mitzvah, in memory of Richard Posen, and in memory of Ida Kronfeld
David and Linda Shriner-Cahn in memory of Richard Posen, Sophie Seidlen, Stefania Teitelbaum, Jacob Oberman and Ida Kronfeld
Marion and William Shulevitz in memory of Sharri Posen's husband, Richard Posen, in honor of Mayer and Suzanne Cavalier's wedding anniversary, and in honor of the engagement of Josie Glausiusz to Larry Kluger
Michele Siegel in memory of Richard Posen
Martin Sinkoff in memory of Richard Posen
Laurie Dien and Alan Yaillen in honor of Shoshi Shapiro's Bat Mitzvah and in memory of Roberta's uncle, Henry

KOL NIDRE APPEAL
Miriam Lieberman and Jack Tuchman in memory of Dorothy Cohen

YAHRZEIT  
Margaret Adlerman in memory of her husband,  Edwin J. Adlerman
Oscar Awner in memory of his mother, Regina Awner
Aline Benzakan in memory of her husband, Maurice Benzaken
Howard Berkowitz in memory of his father, Fred Berkowitz
Theodore Braude in memory of his mother, Ada Braude and son, Matthew Braude
Deborah Brodie in memory of Ida Kronfeld, Claudia Setzer's sister-in-law, Sally and Nathan Schleifer's father, Abraham Schleifer
Stephan F. Brumberg in memory of his parents, Harry and Ruth Brumberg and grandfather, Max Yager
Richard Cantor in memory of his mother, Elaine Cantor
Evelyn Dichek in memory of her son, Arthur M Dichek
Morris and Lore Dickstein in memory of Morris parents, Anne and Abraham Dickstein
Friedl Dienstag in memory of her mother-in-law, Helene Dienstag
Beatrice Epstein in memory of her husband, Nathan Epstein
Louise Gabel in memory of her mother, Cora Kohn
Harold and Adelaide Gabel in memory of Harold's father, Morris Gabel
Eric Gertner in memory of his loving wife, Nina Yahr
Marilyn Goldberg in memory of her father, Nathan Goldberg
Tamara Green in memory of her father, Rabbi Robert S. Marcus
Debra and Martin Greenberg in memory of Debra's father, Martin Feldman and Martin's father, Solomon Greenberg
Walter and Esther Hautzig in memory of Walter's sister, Gertrude Schorr and Esther's grandfather Solomon ben Shimon Rudomin
Carol Ingall in memory of her mother Elisheva and father-in-law, Moshe Ze'ev
Rabbi Jan Caryl Kaufman in memory of her grandmother, Sara Deutch
Andrew Braiterman and Ronne Mandelker in memory of Andrew's father, Sheldon M. Braiterman
Fred Mansbach in memory of his father, Aron Mansbach
Abraham Melezin in memory of his wife, Rachela Melezin
Ronald and Elaine Morris in memory of Ronald's father, Philip B. Morris and Elaine's mother, Edna Hoffman
Bettyrose Nelson in memory of her son, Henry Frankel and her husband, Milton Nelson
Ernie Polstein in memory of his father, Joseph Polstein
Ted Portez in memory of his mother, Inez Poretz
Sol Rosenkranz in memory of his mother-in-law, Zippa Chava Cooper, father-in-law, Felix Cooper and his loved one Shimon Cooper
Sol Rosenkranz in memory of his brother, Harry Rosenkranz
Nan Salamon in memory of her father, Elias Salamon
William Meyers and Nahma Sandrow in memory of Nahma's grandmothers, Ella Slavin and Molly Sandrow
Leah Schaefer in memory of her father, Rabbi Boaz Cahan, and brother Sidney Cahan
Hugh Segal in memory of his father, Sammy Segal
Deborah Shapira in memory of her mother, Karen Shapira
Herta Shriner in memory of her husband, Lacy Shriner
Joel Siegel in memory of his mother, Ruth Siegel
Ellen Summer in memory of her father-in-law, Harold Summer

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND  
Corinne Boren in memory of Richard Posen
Deborah Brodie in memory of David Kronfeld's mother, Ida Kronfeld, Claudia Setzer's sister-in-law, Sally, Nathan Schleifers's father, Abraham Schleifer
Lee and Jessica Genick
Hanoo Azer George
Eric Gertner
Samantha and Jonathan Gordon
David Kronfeld and Sarah Jacobs
Ernest Kahn
Michael and Barbara Kaplan in memory of Karen Palmer's son, Seth Palmer
Marvin Abraham Konopko in honor of the anniversary of Suzanne and Mayer Cavalier
Deborah Nadler-Broomfield
Dina Rosenfeld in memory of her mother, Rosa Rosenfeld
Robert Ernst and Sara Shudofsky in memory of Richard Posen
Janet Heettner and Peter Silverman
Barry Stern
Sylvia and Andrew Weber in memory of Sylvia's mother and Andrew's grandmother, Jennie Lang; in memory of Sylvia's husband and Andrew's father, Alvin H. Weber

CHILDREN'S KIDDUSH  
Michael Wise

SHELTER FUND  
Benyamin Cirlin
The Morris and Helen Messing Foundation
Frede Richard Jelinek
Rabbi Jan Caryl Kaufman in memory of Mindy Seidlin's mother, Sophie Seidlin
Anne Koenig
B. A. Lieberman

SANCTUARY MINYAN KIDDUSH FUND  
Sheila and Sheldon Lewis in honor of our two favorite groundhogs, Zach Lewis on his 24th Birthday and Jerry Raik's birthday
Bettyrose Nelson in honor of the Bar Mitzvah parsha of both her sons, David and Daniel
Daniel and Sallilyn Schwartz

MINYAN RIMONIM KIDDUSH FUND  
Anne Koenig

PRAYERBOOK FUND  
Ernest Kahn in memory of his beloved nephew, Roger Justin Weiss
Ruth Kaufman in honor of Marion Shulevitz's 75th birthday
Bernice Boltax in memory of Seth Palmer; with admiration and love for Karen Palmer; in memory of her father, Frank Boltax; in memory of Fay Steuer-Luskin; in memory of her aunt and uncle, Celia and Harry Boltax; in memory of her grandparents, Saray and Harry Unger and Hudel and Mordechai Boltax; in honor of cousins she recently met on a trip to St. Petersburg and in memory of relatives buried there.
Esther and Walter Hautzig in loving memory of Ezra Jack Keats
Rosanne and Guy Lander and Family in memory of Sophie Seidlin
Anne Mintz in loving memory of her father, Kalman Mintz
Fred Rosenberg-Wilmoth in honor of his mother, Zelda "Zee" Shapiro Wilmoth

MUSIC FUND  
Ella Gregory
Shuly Rubin Schwartz in memory of her husband, Rabbi Gershon Schwartz

Condolences to:
Mindell Seidlin on the death of her mother, Sophie Seidlin.
Adam Teitelbaum on the death of his mother, Stefania Teitelbaum.
Karen Palmer on the death of her son, Seth Palmer.
Sharri Posen on the death of her husband, Richard Posen.
Helayne Gordon on the death of her husband, Arthur Gordon.
The family of our member, Irving Katz.

Mazal Tov to:
January's B'nai Mitzvah and their families:
Zoe Goldstein
Kelsey Manning
Julian Michaels

Nora Miller

Anna Peterman

Eitan Yarmush

Michael B. Trencher on his engagement to Jamie Kamp.
Judith Miller and Alan Tulchin on the birth of their son.
Josie Glausiusz on her engagement to Larry Kluger.
Rabbi Marion Shulevitz on her 75th birthday. 
Shannon and Isaac Green on the birth of their daughter, Rosemary Clara.

Todah Rabbah to January's Shelter Volunteers:
(Names in bold indicate AC members)
Irwin Abraham, Marla Alhadeff, Roy Aloni, Gayle Adler, Judith Atkinson, Rob Blum, Elizabeth Cate, Pat Corrigan, Carol Cutler, Elysa Dauerman, Matthew Feigin, Woody Freiman, Joel Friedman, Elliot Fruchter, Uri Goldberg, Marilyn Gunner, Ilana Kahn, Rebecca Kaufman, Kehilat Hadar, Gary Kallman, Joy Karagu, Ken Karan, Dawn Kellman, Kathy Kendall, Becky Klein, KOE Minyan, Tatyana Leifman, Naomi Marcus, Jocelyn Maskow, Andy Menkis, Michael Meric, Aaron Messing, Danny Messing, Rachel Obenshain, Jennifer Raider, Fred Rosenberg, Yair Rozmaryn, Dan Schwarzbaum, David Tabatsky, Eric Woodward, Deborah Zucker.

 And many thanks to Charlie Davidson, Shelter Coordinator, Michael Bloome, Assistant Coordinator, and Josh Abrams, Volunteer Coordinator.