WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Although we have been reading about the plagues and other miracles, the splitting of the Red Sea was different. The other phenomena were essentially natural occurrences but happening at the right place and time. The Red Sea splitting represented a complete upheaval of the laws of nature to a degree that never happened before or since. Indeed, our sages explain that it was so momentous that it went beyond just being part of the struggle between the Egyptians and the Israelites. After centuries of humanity descending into idolatry it was time for the Almighty to send them a reminder as to who was really in control of the universe.

This Sunday night/Monday is the festive occasion of Tu B’Shvat celebrating the grandeur and bounty of the land of Israel. It marks the transition between the intense part of winter (kor) and the lesser intense (choref) and in an indirect sense a small harbinger of the eventual renewal of spring. And considering that morning the temperature will be in the single digits it can’t come too soon!

Additionally, that night will feature an amazing celestial phenomenon: the super blood wolf moon and here are some important facts*:

A super blood wolf moon is: a) the first full moon in January; b) a full moon occurring when the distance between the Earth and Moon is as short as possible; c) a lunar eclipse--all happening at once!

The total lunar eclipse will begin on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 11:41 p.m. EST and last until 12:44 a.m. on Monday, Jan 21, according to Space.com, which pinpoints the peak viewing at 12:16 a.m. EST on Jan. 21.

*taken from Yahoo News

In general, the Talmud says a total lunar eclipse is not a good sign for the Jewish nation, but considering it is happening on the joyous occasion of Tu B’Shvat it can only mean good things to come!

Congratulations to our board member Jeff Dagowitz and Liubasha Rose for their wedding this past Sunday at Miami Beach! May they merit to build a faithful household in Israel.

This Shabbat morning we remember an incredibly special young man, Isaac Goldberg Volkmar upon the occasion of his yahrtzeit. Isaac, who passed away at the young age of 23, lived a  life guided by the spirit of love, non-judgement and respect for all people. Isaac’s mother and stepfather, our Board members, Eve Goldberg and Neil Wallin, have created BIGVISION, in his memory. BIGVISION is a non profit dedicated to saving lives by helping those suffering with the disease of addiction. They work to erase the stigma and help young adults in recovery learn to live fun, meaningful substance free lives. Adhering to their commitment to host only sober events, Eve and Neil are generously sponsoring the kiddush in his memory, and no alcohol will be served. 

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After the plague of wild beasts Pharaoh offers Moses the opportunity for the people to worship but that they would have to remain in the country. Moses refuses saying: It is not proper to do so because…it is repulsive to Egypt and wouldn’t they stone us? But a close look at the Aramaic translation shows that Moses wasn’t afraid of an actual stoning but rather the desire for stoning on the part of the Egyptians (הלא יימרון למרגמנא). So amazingly, while leading a revolution against Egyptian beliefs and values, Moses still wanted to avoid acting in an offensive manner to those with whom the Israelites were living for the last few hundred years! Moses was able to carry on this struggle but still be respectful to his adversaries.

Now this could easily be a Rorschach test for anyone who wants to apply this to their own political debates but that would be missing the point. Rather, this should be a powerful message for US regarding how we choose to deal with those with whom we disagree.

We are also working hard to build our profile on social media. Please take the opportunity to get a richer view of the fabric of our synagogue life!

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The beautiful tradition we have to bless our children Friday night and on Yom Kippur derives from Jacob placing his hands on his grandchildren from Joseph, Ephraim and Menashe. Indeed those are the names we invoke when we bless boys, while for girls we recite Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.

The question is asked as to why these children were chosen over all the other grandchildren? One suggestion is that these were the only grandchildren raised completely outside of the holy land and as such needed the special blessing. Indeed, they were emblematic of much of our future history which would unfortunately be in the diaspora. So we need to draw on this blessing to the present day!

The TriBeCa Synagogue congratulates our past president Toby Turkel along with Howie and Belinda Kern for the upcoming wedding of Miranda Kern to Avram Turkel this weekend. We wish them tremendous mazal tov and bracha for a wonderful life together!

There is still time to register for our Scholar in Residence Dinner featuring Dr. Aaron Demsky this Friday at 6pm right here.

We are also working hard to build our profile on social media. Please take the opportunity to get a richer view of the fabric of our synagogue life!

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The story of Chanukah actually involves two miracles. We all understand the miracle of the oil but there was also the miracle of the military victory which defied logic as well. Indeed, in our prayers, the miracle of the oil isn’t even mentioned.

One approach has it that while the miracle of the military victory was preeminent, the miracle of the oil was added to emphasize what the struggle was truly about, namely the concept of purity and impurity (tumah and taharah). Without ritual purity as a foundation of observance there is no distinction between Sabbath and weekday, kosher and unkosher etc. and thus there could be no edifice of the Torah lifestyle.

The miracle of the military victory allowed us to regain sovereignty of the land and the temple and preserved us to fight another day. The miracle of the oil, on the other hand, preserved our integrity as a holy nation, with God’s help. in perpetuity.

Congratulations to Nicole Camet who completed her conversion process this past Sunday and is now a daughter of Israel, Mazal Tov!

Congratulations to Susan Silverstein and Pamela Gross for the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Lea in our sanctuary this weekend!

Welcome to renowned comedian Ashley Blaker to the synagogue for the Chanukah weekend.

There is still time to join us so please register ASAP here

The many scenes of Chanukah at TriBeCa Synagogue:

Children’s Party sponsored by TriBeCa Torah Hebrew School

TriBeCa Synagogue brings Chanukah to the Brookdale residence

Bringing the holiness of Chanukah to Warren 77

Thank you Matt Abramcyk!

We are also working hard to build our profile on social media. Please take the opportunity to get a richer view of the fabric of our synagogue life!

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Jacob crosses back over the river alone, which provides the opportunity for the “man” (or angel) to struggle with him. The midrash explains that he was retrieving items left behind after the first crossing. And even though they weren't that valuable, the righteous value all of their property because they assiduously avoid theft of any degree.

The sages clarify that actually this idea should be inverted. What Jacob was demonstrating is that since even minor items were worth the effort to retrieve, even theft of minor items was a serious offense. Unfortunately, in modern times we have become very lax in respecting the property of others but that doesn't mitigate its seriousness.

Congratulations to Ben Daniels and Amanda Boris who will be married today in our sanctuary. His parents, Cheryl Lambert and Jim Daniels, have been devoted members to the synagogue for many years and Ben was Bar Mitzvah here as well. Dr. Adam and Mrs. Shirley Boris will be sponsoring this week’s Kiddush during which the couple will celebrate their Shabbat Sheva Brachot. Mazal Tov!

Rabbi Glass and his family take this opportunity to express their deepest appreciation to the entire TriBeCa Synagogue community for their outpouring of support and other help during his time of loss.

Please reserve for Shabbat Chanukah with Ashley Blaker!

Young Professionals Friday night Shabbat dinner with Ashley Blaker December 7th at 6pm.

Comedy performance by Ashley Blaker Saturday night December 8th at 8pm.

We are also working hard to build our profile on social media. Please take the opportunity to get a richer view of the fabric of our synagogue life!

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When he is being asked to deceive his father, Jacob expresses his fear of his father’s curse to his mother. Rebecca responds “upon me will be your father’s curse, my son”. This seems to satisfy Jacob and he goes on to pretend to be his brother Esau. The problem is that curses are not transferable and thus Rebecca’s offer was also of no practical import.

The sages explain that Jacob was not interested in however the curse would be manifested. What he needed to know was whether his mother was convinced that her plan was the right course of action. By stating she was willing to take his curse he recognized that she was doing more than trying to manipulate him.

We too should be careful to not blurt out commitments that we haven’t thought through. Our words are precious and we should speak accordingly.

We acknowledge the 80^th anniversary of Kristallnacht with prayers for the security of the entire Jewish nation

Registration for Shabbat Chanukah with Ashley Blaker is now active!

We are also working hard to build our profile on social media. Please take the opportunity to get a richer view of the fabric of our synagogue life!

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