congregation shearith israel the spanish and portuguese ... · congregation shearith israel the...

co

ng

re

ga

tio

n s

he

ar

ith

isr

ae

l

TH

e b

ul

le

Tin

Ja

nu

ar

y–F

eb

ru

ar

y 2

013

te

be

t–a

da

r 5

77

3

Congregation Shearith israel The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue8 West 70th Street

New York, NY 10023

Nonprofit Org

U.S. POStage Paid

Norwich, Ct

Permit No. 51

general inquiries

212-873-0300 tel

212-724-6165 Fax

[email protected]

www.shearithisrael.org

For funeral arrangements contact

Zachary edinger, 917-584-3787,

212-873-0300 (x 216)

board oF trusteesdavid J. nathan Parnas

Michael Katz Segan

louis M. solomon Segan

Peter neustadter Honorary Parnas

harriet ainetchi

dr. Victoria r. bengualid

norman s. benzaquen

esmé e. berg

Karen daar

seth haberman

Michael P. lustig

avery e. neumark

l. gilles sion

oliver stanton

ralph J. sutton

elliot FreilichClerk

Joshua de sola Mendes Treasurer

honorary trusteesedgar J. nathan, 3rd Honorary Parnas

dr. dennis b. Freilich Honorary Parnas

alvin deutsch Honorary Parnas

dr. edgar altchek

Paul J. beispel

henri bengualid

arthur a. goldberg

eva g. haberman

saul laniado

stuart Marks

Jonathan de sola Mendes

edward Misrahi

Jack rudin

ronald P. stanton

roy J. Zuckerberg

ProFessional staFFrabbi hayyim J. angel(on sabbatical) [email protected]

rabbi Marc d. angelRabbi Emeritus [email protected], (x205)

barbara reissExecutive Director [email protected], (x215)

rabbi shalom MorrisEducational Director [email protected], (x208)

rabbi ira l. rohdeHazan [email protected], (x217)

Zachary [email protected], (x216)

alana shultzProgram Director [email protected], (x209)

Philip l. shermanAssociate Hazan [email protected]

Mrs. lisa rohdeCoordinator of Women’s Services [email protected], (212-787-3161)

rafi blumenthalJunior Congregational Leader [email protected]

leon hymanChoirmaster

adam hymanAssociate Choirmaster

arnie t. goldfarbHonorary Sexton

arthur tenenholtzHonorary Shamash

oFFice staFFMaria caputoOffice Manager [email protected], (x230)

Maia KaneCommunications Associate [email protected], (x225)

diana landauCommunications Associate [email protected], (x221)

John quinonesFacilities Manager [email protected], (x223)

ruth yaskyFinancial Associate [email protected], (x228)

the bulletinFirst published in 1922 by

the Shearith israel League.

Design: aaron design, inc.

the bulletin January – February 2013 32

Washington’s letter to the JeWs, PuriM and shearith israelBarbara Reiss, Executive Director

diasPora JeWs and ciVic engageMent in early aMerican historyFirst, let me start with a confession. The reference to Washington’s letter in the title to this piece is somewhat of a bait and switch. I really want to focus on Moses Seixas’ letter to President Washington to which the famous letter by Washington was penned in response. Many of us who were in attendance at the Symposium that we held in early Decem-ber witnessed a lively and illuminating conversation between Dr. Louise Mirrer, Professor Jonathan Sarna and Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, three leading schol-ars of American and American Jewish History. Among the many nuggets that was shared that evening, we learned that Seixas’ letter, which he wrote on behalf of the Jews of Newport, Rhode Island, and by extension, the entire Jewish com-munity in America (which numbered only around 3,000 at the time) was one of many letters that was sent to Washington by leaders of various religious com-munities. However, Seixas’ letter, which elicited the most famous of Washington’s messages to any religious group, was actually one of three letters that were sent by the Jewish communities alone (one was sent by the Jews of Savannah and the other, a joint message from the commu-nities of Philadelphia, Charleston, Rich-mond and Shearith Israel in New York). As Professor Sarna suggested, aside from appealing for full acceptance and not just toleration, the very fact of these letters demonstrates something extraordinary about Jewish political engagement from the very outset. Even back then, when Jewish numbers in America were so small, while we identified ourselves as a

people (‘the stock of Abraham’ was the term used in the letter), we were not centralized, organized under one govern-ing umbrella or beholden to one religious authority. Yet, somehow we shared a notion of connectedness to each other and at the same time, of allegiance to our new president and all fellow American citizens.

Finding a Model oF JeWish ciVic engageMent in Megillat estherWhere do these attitudes come from and what does this have to do with Purim? As we know, Megillat Esther is the one book in the Bible which does not reference God’s name. Is God the concealed hero of the story as Esther’s name suggests (shar-ing the same root as the Hebrew word, nistar, meaning, hidden and related to the English word, star and mystery)? Or is Man or rather, Woman, as the case may be, the hero? And who were these people? Esther and her uncle, Mordecai, were quintessential Diaspora Jews, by no means marginal members of society. They lived comfortably as fully inte-grated and successful Jews in the Persian empire… until things changed and the flames of anti-semitism were fanned by the villainous but politically powerful Haman. I will not recount the story as you will have heard it twice, beautifully read by our Hazan, on Purim eve and morning. But I do want to point out that Mordecai and Esther’s scheme to save the Jews was predicated on their political acumen and status as citizens who could work within the system. They used their political insight and access to save their Jewish brethren. I’d like to believe that until that was necessary, they were actively involved

in their broader community out of their inherent sense of civic responsibility, if not at least, enlightened self-interest.

JeWish ciVic engageMent enduresWhile Seixas was a pioneer in Ameri-can Jewish activism, perhaps Mordecai and Esther were his inspiration. These ancient and later models of civic engage-ment have persisted throughout our history in America and nowhere are there better examples than at Shearith Israel. While we are known for maintaining the Spanish Portuguese tradition for over 350 years, our congregants also have a long-standing tradition of leadership and par-ticipation in a wider range of communal affairs. The breadth of causes to which our congregation and members have been involved is staggering: From educational institutions such as Columbia University and Barnard College to civic institutions such as Mt. Sinai Hospital and the Jewish Guild for the Blind. Even neighbor-ing religious institutions have benefited from our members’ generosity – many of whom contributed to the building of Trinity Church in 1711. Our congrega-tion and its members have helped raise awareness for political causes of Jewish concern, such the Damascus Blood Libel in 1840 and the Mortora affair in 1858, as well as for more universal politi-cal issues such as the women’s suffrage movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Our members have served in distinguished roles of civil service, from local politics to the United States Supreme Court. Our members were influential in the Settlement House movement in the early twentieth century and much more recently, the parsonage

EXPERIENCE SERVICES

Central Park West at 70th Street, New York City • www.shearithisrael.org

WOMENS’ SHABBAT SERVICESHeld in the Little Synagogue, these services are an opportunity for women to lead prayer, read from the Torah and perform the mitzvot associated with our services.

SHABBAT MINHAH/ARBIT SERVICE:January 5 at 4:15 pm

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE:April 13 at 9:15 am

HAKAFOTOn the evening of Simhat Torah, a parallel hakafot ceremony for women is held in the Little Synagogue, accompanied by a choir of women congregants.

READING OF MEGILLAT ESTHER ON PURIMOn the morning of Purim, the women of the synagogue conduct a women’s Megillah reading in the Little Synagogue.

GIRLS’ SHIR HASHIRIMAfter Musaf on the the eigth day of Pesah, the girls of the synagogue read The Song of Songs in the Main Sanctuary for the congregation.

GIRLS’ BOOK OF RUTHOn Shabuot, at the conclusion of Musaf, the girls of the synagogue recite Megillat Ruth for the congregation in the Main Sanctuary.

By and For Women

Original artwork by Tamar Messer: www.tamarmesser.com

For more information, please contact Alana Shultz at [email protected] participate in women’s services, please contact Mrs. Lisa Rohde at [email protected].

WOMEN’S ACTION COMMITTEEExploring the needs of women at Shearith Israel.

4 the bulletin January – February 2013 5

announceMents

congratulationsWe wish mazal tob to the following:

Birth of a baby girl Olga Rachel to Dahlia and Joe Cohen.

Birth of baby boy Ari Shemuel to Bob Tam and Susan Pinke-Tam

Birth of a baby boy Skyler Phoenix to Danielle and Andrew Goodman. Danielle is the daughter of members Sofia and Chaim Katzap.

Birth of a baby boy Aryeh Zeev to Dinah Herlands and Joshua Safran Foer. Dinah is the daughter of members Rachel and Jonathan Herlands and the granddaugh-ter of Debbie and Mel Neumark.

Jonathan Katz on his recent marriage to Zena Herman. Jonathan is the son of our members Michael I. Katz and the late Barbara Katz.

Elisabeth Shamoon on her recent marriage to Jeffrey Wessler. Elisabeth is the daughter of our members Kathleen and Alan Shamoon.

Saul Laniado on his 90th birthday

Sam Cohen on his 85th birthday

Philip Stanton on becoming a bar mitzvah. Philip is the son of Ronald P. Stanton and Mei Wu Stanton and brother of Hedi and Oliver Stanton.

Shoshana Yael Goldfarb on becoming a bat mitzvah. Shoshana is the daughter of Heidi and David Goldfarb and the niece of Rabbi Ira and Lisa Rohde.

in aPPreciationWe have recently received bequests from the following friends and members for which we are deeply grateful:

Phyllis Nissim

Louise Defez

David O. Habib

Karla Homburger

Hanna de Leon

Robert M. Geskin

Thank you to the sponsors of our 2012-2013 Scholars-in-Residence Program:

The Solomon Family

Barbara & Guy Reiss

Karen & Jack Daar

Ronen Korin

Joshua de Sola Mendes

Joy and Bruce Roberts

neW MeMbersWe welcome the following individuals to the Shearith Israel family:

David and Sara Berman

Samuel Flaks

Lauren Schneider

in MeMoriaMWe mourn the loss of our members:

Raquel Benaim. Condolences to her children Carlos Benaim, Helene Benaim-Hachuel, and, Gladys Bunan.

Abraham “Barry” Cohen. Condolences to his wife Mrs. Yvonne Cohen and children Yvette Cohen Pomerantz, Denise Cohen Toperich, and, Daniel Cohen.

Phyllis Nissim

condolences We extend our sincere condolences to:

Bentsi Cohen on the loss of his brother Mark Cohen

classes, lectures, and PrograMs

scholars in residence

rabbi Jonathan rosenblattsaturday, January 5

Rabbi Rosenblatt has been the Senior Rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center since 1985. Rabbi Rosenblatt holds a BA and an MA from the Johns Hopkins University in Comparative Literature and a Ph.D. from Columbia University in the field of Modern British Literature.

rabbi haiM oVadiashabbat, January 12

The Rabbi of the Mikdash Eliyahu syna-gogue in Brooklyn, Rabbi Haim Ovadia was born in Israel and received his ordi-nation from the then Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Moderkhai Eliyahu. Rabbi Ovadia holds an MA in Hebrew Literature from UCLA.

rabbi daniel bousKilashabbat, January 19

Rabbi Bouskila is the Director of the Sephardic Educational Center with headquarters in the Old City of Jerusalem. He was the Senior Rabbi of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel in West Los Ange-les for 17 years.

rabbi richard hidaryshabbat, January 26

Rabbi Richard Hidary is an assistant professor of Judaic Studies at Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women and an assistant Rabbi at Sephardic Syna-gogue in Brooklyn. He holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University.

shabbat dinner* With dr. Jon greenberg, biblical ethnobotanistFriday night, February 1

In celebration of Tu b’Shebat, experi-ence Jewish history through food and drink with Biblical Ethnobotanist Dr. Jon Greenberg. Through the hand-picked menu items and Dr. Greenberg’s fascinating elucidations, learn how food and agriculture is entwined with Jewish philosophy and history.

*Shabbat dinners always include childcare. Advance registration required. Please visit www.shearithisrael.org to reserve tickets.

aryeh greenshabbat, February 2

Aryeh Green is the director of MediaCen-tral, a Jerusalem-based project of Honest Reporting providing support services to foreign journalists based in or visiting Israel.

a sPecial series: JudaisM and the origins oF aMericashabbat, February 9

Morning Seminar delivered by Rabbi Meir Soloveichik on “From the Talmud to Thomas Paine: The Rabbinic Influence on American Independence.”

PrograMs and eVents

WoMen’s serViceJanuary 5Shabbat Minhah/arbit 4:15 pm

By and for women, these services are an opportunity for women to lead prayer, read from the Torah and perform the mitzvot associated with our services. In addition to Shabbat services, we also have women’s hakafot on Simhat Torah and a women’s Megillah reading on Purim morning. For more information about Women’s Services at Shearith Israel, con-tact Mrs. Lisa Rohde.

assigned Junior congregationshabbat, January 12shabbat, February 910:30 am in the Little Synagogue

Junior Congregation is a lively, participa-tory service for children ages 5-12. While prayer is always a part of youth groups, this more formal youth services takes place on select weeks. Children learn Shearith Israel’s melodies and have opportunities to lead prayers, read Torah and perform mitzvot. Regular Shabbat groups still begin at 10:00 am and con-tinue at the conclusion of Junior Con-gregation. For more information and to have your child lead a part of the service contact Rafi Blumenthal.

literary lunchthursday, January 17thursday, February 1412:15-1:45 pm

Join our monthly gathering where we read and discuss a variety of works (fic-tion, nonfiction, memoir, personal essay, poetry) from across the ages and around the world. Led by Shearith Israel’s own

building on Central Park West was used as a homeless shelter during the 1990’s. When specific needs arise our members have answered the call, raising money for victims of the Irish Pototo famine in 1847 and much more recently lending a help-ing hand in the aftermath of this years devastating hurricane Sandy.

It is gratifying to see members of our community continue in our tradition of strong civic engagement and so many who simply get involved when help is needed. My Purim wish is that we continue to have the strength and wherewithal to make our country and the world around us a better place while we dedicate ourselves to tak-ing care of our own Jewish sprits and our spiritual home in Shearith Israel.

This article was prepared with the assistance of our Shamash and institutional historian, Zachary Edinger.

Washington’s letter to the JeWs, PuriM and shearith israel continued


poet and member, Janet R. Kirchheimer, each session is an independent class and is accompanied by a delicious lunch and stimulating conversation. Meets in the Elias Room. $10/session. RSVP to Alana Shultz.

discussion With dr. Mordechai Kedar:

“terror unMasKed: Why is the Middle east such a Violent area?”thursday, January 177:00 pm

Join us for an exclusive event with Dr. Mordechai Kedar, the Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and Islam. Wine and refreshments will be served.

$20 until January 10th . $25 after or at the door. Co-sponsored by One Heart, American Friends of Likud, and Alge-meiner.

carnegie hall at shearith israel With the gerard edery enseMbleWednesday, February 137:00 pm

In collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concert Series, Con-gregation Shearith Israel presents the Gerard Edery Ensemble. Gerard is one of the world’s foremost experts in the wide-ranging music of the Sephardic Diaspora, including repertoire from the Judeo-Arab, Judeo-Spanish, Argentinian, Middle-Eastern, Northern European and Eastern European musical worlds.

Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concert Series is a program of the Weill Music Institute. The concert is free and open to the public although registration is encouraged. Please visit shearithisrael.org/carnegiehall2013 to register and for more information.

Pre-PuriM Partysunday, February 1712:30 pm

Start Purim festivities early by bring-ing your smile and creativity to a Purim Shpiel-watching, costume-making, arts and crafts-creating, Mishloah Manot packaging and merry-making event. All ages welcome. RSVP to Alana Shultz.

tuesday Morning runBefore Morning Services

Join our Hazan, Rabbi Ira Rohde and other serious runners in the congrega-tion on a weekly run through Central Park prior to Tuesday morning minyan and breakfast. Contact Rabbi Ira Rohde for details.

tuesday Morning Minyan and breaKFastMinyan, 7:15 am, Breakfast 7:50 am

Our morning minyan crew has been meeting for a weekly breakfast on Tuesdays, an idea pioneered through the generosity of our member Chaim Katzap, who has subsidized it in the past, although he and the minyan have welcomed other sponsors. All morning minyan attendees are welcomed. Con-tact Rabbi Ira Rohde if you would like to sponsor the minyan breakfast in honor of a special occasion.

WeeKly classes

shabbat

learners’ service9:45-10:45 aMthrough June 15

Join Rabbi Shalom Morris in the Little Synagogue to experience meaning-ful prayer. Prayers are accompanied by explanations with an eye towards applica-tion to our daily lives. This is an oppor-tunity to learn about prayer and become familiar with Shearith Israel’s services. The service concludes in the adjoining Elias Room with a light Kiddush and Torah study session. No knowledge of Hebrew is necessary. For more informa-tion please contact Rabbi Shalom Morris.

shabbat afternoon class Modern responsaClass begins one and quarter hours

before Minhah

Rabbi Marc Angel*

This class will analyze modern responsa beginning with those of Rabbi Haim David Halevy (d.1998), who served for many years as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv. The class will analyze the inner workings of the Halakhic process on issues of contemporary interest.

*Guest lecturers will occasionally present. Check the Scholars-in-Residence page and/or the Shabbat handout for updates.

sunday

Maimonidesthrough May 12 (excePt January 27, February 24)8:40 – 9:40 am

Rabbi Marc Angel

Study texts from the Mishneh Torah, the classic code of Jewish law written by Rabbi Moses Maimonides, with the goal of understanding the laws and their ethi-cal underpinnings. Breakfast is served.

the book of beliefs and opinionsthrough May 129:40 – 10:40 am

Sjimon den Hollander

The Book of Beliefs and Opinions (Emunot V’Deot), was the first serious attempt to synthesize the Jewish tradition with philosophical teachings since Philo (about 900 years earlier). It was written by Sa’adiah Ga’on (882 – 942), the head of the Academy of Sura in Baghdad.

adult hebrew classesWinter: January 13 – March 1710:00 – 11:00 am

Hebrew courses are $70 and include a light breakfast. To register, contact Rabbi Shalom Morris.

level i

Learn the Hebrew Alphabet and the basics of Hebrew reading.

level ii

Improve the reading fluency and begin to focus on comprehension.

level iii

Develop Hebrew vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.

Monday

bet Midrash (house of study: study hall and Partnered study)Winter: January 14 – March 11 (excePt February 18) 7:00-9:00 pm

Explore Talmud, Bible, Jewish Law or Jewish Thought with a student of advanced Judaic Studies. Engage in the study of Jewish texts in small groups and gain a personal connection to the tradition of Jewish learning. Light dinner served.

teFillah b’shanahthrough May 207:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Rabbi Shalom Morris

This 20 part course looks at the historical development of the siddur, the meaning of Jewish prayers, differences in Sep-hardic and Ashkenazik traditions, ritual guidelines and the philosophy of prayer.

This course is free, though registration is required. Visit our website to register.

thursday

thai chi11:00 am

Lewis Paleias

This ancient practice helps balance, strength, circulation, mindfulness and more. Tai Chi is a wonderful form of exercise for all ages, especially seniors. Our teacher offers individual attention and adapts the class based on the group. $10 per class or $50 for 6 classes. Walk-ins and beginners welcome.

classes, lectures, and PrograMs, continued building

bridges

shearith Israel is delighted to wel-come JICNY – Jewish International Connection of NY – as part of our

programming team and young leadership outreach initiative. Over the years we have worked closely with JICNY, host-ing Shabbat meals and cultural events with its community of international Jews in their 20s and 30s. Shearith Israel is a perfect synagogue to host this orga-nization because of our long history of welcoming immigrants from around the globe and our warm inviting character. While we seek to extend a hand to the community, we are also ever conscious of our future sustainability. Our hope is that as more young Jews share in our syna-gogue life, they will come to feel a close connection to the congregation.

at the JiCNY annual gala, June 2012:

alana Shultz (JiCNY Honoree and

‘dedication to Jewish Life award’

recipient) with JiCNY Founders Jodi and

gavin Samuels and Steve eisenberg, and

the other honorees for the evening.


American Jewish congregations which use such “Romantic” music and also value dignity and decorum in the conduct of services and poetic language of a high style as we do have long styled them-selves by the term “Classical Reform.” The perfection of form in classical music, drama, poetry, and dance, as well as in classical sports and martial arts, is always achieved through much practice in fol-lowing the strictures of the fixed form. These are rehearsed arts, practiced again and again in the same way until perfec-tion is achieved, like the fixed form of our synagogue service. Gradually the partici-pant becomes an authentic interpreter of the fixed form, and the fixed form in turn becomes imprinted upon the participant.

a classical ethosOur congregation’s Sephardic Jewish as well as its Western European Jewish heritage also contribute greatly to its classical ethos. It has been said that there were no “Dark Ages” in Spain; that under the rule of the Arabs the Classical culture of Greece and Rome continued to survive and was passed on to Christian Spain, from which that culture was transmit-ted to Northern Europe. And Sephardic Jews were at the forefront of that classical culture in Spain and even in the lands of their dispersion. They cultivated poetry, music, grammar and the study of multiple classical languages, psychology, hygiene and medicine, physics and other natural and worldly and social sciences, medita-tion, and, crowning them all, philosophy. They tempered and balanced the religious bent of the Middle Ages with this classical knowledge. Our Western European heri-tage transmitted to us the neo-classical culture of the Renaissance,

the Baroque culture of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, and the ratio-nalist culture of the eighteenth century, all of which were key to the culture of our “mother congregations” in the Nether-lands and Western Germany, in England, and in Italy.

a classical JudiasMUltimately, though, the emphasis upon classical form and formalism at Shearith Israel goes far deeper. That is because Judaism itself, in particular any form of Judaism which lays claim to authentic Orthodoxy, is ultimately about structur-ing life by following classical forms and ideals. That is what the complex rules of Jewish Law are ultimately about. Already two thousand years ago, Philo Judaeus of Alexandria noted how well Jewish Law and lore accorded with the ideal forms of the Platonists and the Pythagoreans. Plato’s ultimate conception of God is of the Demiurge, who gives the universe form and structure. By “structuring” the universe, by “participating” in formal structure, the world gains in solidity and substance, “defining” its self, becoming an ordered cosmos. Training in follow-ing classical forms is not just about the perfection of what we are; that striving after ideal form is ultimately constitu-tive of who and what we are. Participa-tion in classical Jewish forms does not merely mold or perfect Jewish character, it actually constitutes that character out of undifferentiated chaos. Structure gives coherent, intelligible meaning, and meaning gives life substance, by a process of alchemy and “transformation” which is semi-mystical. It can be challenging and difficult to stick with the structure of

Jewish life, and may feel like playing an unfamiliar role, creating discomfort with its falseness and phoniness, along with the difficulty of the role itself. But like the classical roles of fatherhood and mother-hood into which new parents are thrust, when we resolve to play those and other roles which Jewish life thrusts upon us to the best of our ability, those roles come to constitute, define and solidify a major part of our very essence and substance.

i’ve often said that the best description I can give of Congregation Shearith Israel is to call it “America’s Classic

Synagogue.” Shearith Israel is “classic” or “classical” in a number of ways. The most apparent sense in which we are “classic” is that we are historic, America’s oldest Jewish congregation. But not everything old is worth preserving. Only some historical relics have the value of “antiques.” Only when history presents us with models and forms which are or become “classic” are those artifacts worth preserving.

Earlier generations instinctively under-stood what was worth preserving as a corollary to the belief that “history teaches values,” and selectively chose to preserve and venerate that history which elaborated instructive models. But over the last half-century our generations have been taught to study history while suspending interpretive value judgments. Since a religious institution, on the other hand, is all about values and making value judgments as to what is an ideal model or what has reached some degree of bal-ance and perfection, in aesthetics as well as in ethics, I’ve consistently preferred to describe Shearith Israel as “classic” rather than use the term “historic” which was in vogue a few generations ago. My former experience in the Conservative Movement of Judaism, a movement which rooted itself in the “Historical School” and taught that faithfulness to Judaism could be maintained by inculcating a kind of allegiance to Jewish History, dur-ing a period when the interpretation of values from history was subject to intense debate and little consensus, had left me disappointed. History can indeed provide us with classic realizations of perfected

ideals, but the value system we must use to decide what those ideals are we must derive from elsewhere.

a classic sPaceArchitecture and design contribute greatly and obviously to Shearith Israel’s “Classical” aesthetic, since our building was consciously built in a “neo-classical” style. And by this I do not simply mean that the architects copied ancient pat-terns from the “Classical” period of Greco-Roman civilization, but that the perfected proportions that were used reflected the ideals of balance, symmetry, and proper ratio which were the ideals of Greek civilization. Inside our sanctu-ary, the tablets of the Ten Command-ments are at the top of our “Hekhal,” our “Temple,” but directly underneath them is an isosceles “Golden Triangle” of 108, 36 and 36 degrees. The inscription above the columns reads “Know before whom you stand,” which, I believe is a tran-scendental monotheistic analogue to the inscription upon the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, “Know thyself.” The other inscription from Delphi, “Everything in measure,” the ideal of the Golden Mean,” doesn’t have to be inscribed to be clearly in evidence. Knowledge, especially “rational” knowledge, is, after all, epito-mized in classical philosophical thought by the knowledge of the proper geometric “ratios.” The stone steps and the columns echo the Golden Age of Greece, the era of the Greek philosophers, as well as pay tribute to the Neoclassicism of our American democratic republic, since, according to Aristotle, the proportional equality of a true democracy constitutes justice.

classic Music and liturgyMusic and poetry also contribute to the classical feel. The importance given to music, the care given to conducting services in the most harmonious way, the attention given to finely structured poetic expression and the best grammar in both Hebrew and English – these are hallmarks of the classical appreciation of simple, direct, but well-structured poetry and music. Much of the liturgy is simple chant in praise of and thanks-giving to the Divine and beseeching His Favor, although the classic notes of penitence and the need for sacrifice are also sounded. There are parts which are alternately led and responded to, mostly in unison, by the assembled congrega-tion, demonstrating the value of follow-ing leadership, along with coordinated communal active response. Harmony in music, as demonstrated by the Pythago-reans who were one of the main influ-ences upon Plato, also is created by following proper mathematical ratios, as has been borne out by the ancient and modern physics of sound. And harmony in group musical or dramatic perfor-mance means learning how to play one’s part proportionally and coordinate the ratios and rules of proper timing. Of course, a good part of our choir’s music and other composed pieces come from later eras and aesthetics. But Baroque music was the elaboration and ornamen-tation of the classical Renaissance, and the Romantic era began as an elaboration of the “classical” style. Ancient Classi-cism, too, had its place for the lyrical and the Dionysian, in its proper place and proportion. “Romantic Era”-styled music such as we use is still called “classical music” for good reason, and Liberal

aMerica’s classic synagogueRabbi Ira Rohde, Hazan


serVices

WeeKday serVices

Mornings (shahrit):Sunday, 8:00 am

Monday–Friday, 7:15 am

eVenings (Minhah & arbit):January 1–February 20, arbit (only),

6:30 pm

February 24–28, Minhah & arbit,

5:30 pm

shabbat serVices

January 4–5Candle Lighting, 4:24 pm

Friday evening, 4:30 pm

Shabbat Morning, 8:15 am

Zemirot, Sjimon den Hollander

torah Reading, Shemot

Haftarah, david Braunschvig

Class, 3:15 pm

Minhah & arbit 4:15 pm

Habdalah, 5:10 pm

January 11–12

shabbat rosh hodeshCandle Lighting, 4:31 pm



Zemirot, adam Jackson

torah Reading, Vaera–Rosh Hodesh

Haftarah, Mark B. Vieyra

Class, 3:15 pm

Minhah & arbit, 4:30 pm

Habdalah, 5:17 pm

January 18–19Candle Lighting, 4:39 pm




torah Reading, Bo

Haftarah, Jared Lang

Class, 3:30 pm


Habdalah, 5:26 pm

January 25–26

shabbat shirah–tu bishbatCandle Lighting, 4:47 pm


Sabbath Morning, 8:15 am

Zemirot, avery e. Neumark

torah Reading, Beshallah

(Reading of the “Shirah” Song of the

Red Sea)

Haftarah, Barukh B. Rohde

Class, 3:30 pm


Habdalah, 5:35 pm

February 1–2

shabbat yithroCandle Lighting, 4:56 pm



Zemirot, adam Jackson

torah Reading, Yithro

(Reading of the ten Commandments)

Haftarah, dr. Yossef C. Blum

Class, 3:45 pm


Habdalah, 5:44 pm

February 8–9

shabbat shekalimCandle Lighting, 5:05 pm



Zemirot, Jack daar

torah Reading, Mishpatim–Shekalim

Haftarah, Steven a. Okin

Class, 4:00 pm


Habdalah, 5:54 pm

February 15–16Candle Lighting, 5:13 pm



Zemirot, Zachary edinger

torah Reading, terumah

Haftarah

Class, 4:00 pm


Habdalah, 6:03 pm

February 22–23

shabbat Zakhor–Mi KhamokhaCandle Lighting, 5:22 pm




torah Reading, tetsavveh–Zakhor

Haftarah

Class, 4:15 pm


Habdalah, 6:12 pm

notes about the “special shabbatot”

shabbat shekalim: During Temple times the call for the payment of the poll tax of half a shekel by every adult Jew was announced on the first day of the twelfth month (Adar). As a reminder of this duty, the passage from Exodus 30:11–16 was read on the Sabbath preceding.

shabbat Zakhor/Mi Khamokha, is the Sabbath preceding Purim. We read Deut. 25:17–19, which begins with the word “Zakhor”–”Remember [Amalek].” Haman, because of his wicked designs to exterminate the Jewish people, was thought to be a spiritual descendant of Amalek, the first presumed “annihilators” of the Israelites. Sephardic congregations everywhere mark the occasion with the reading of Yehuda HaLevi’s poem,

“Mi Khamokha,” which will take place at the beginning of the Shahrit Service at 9:00 am.

holidays & obserVances

neW year’s day Federal holidaytuesday, January 1

Morning Service, 8:00 am

shabbat rosh hodesh shebatFriday–Saturday, January 11–12

Hamisha asar Bishebat

tu bishbat & shabbat shirahFriday–Saturday, January 25–26

rosh hodesh adarSunday & Monday

February 10 & 11

Presidents’ day legal holidayMonday, February 18


PuriM serVices

Fast of estherthursday, February 21

Fast Begins, 5:29 am


Fast day Minhah & arbit Service (men

wear tefillin), 5:00 pm

Fast ends, 5:58 pm

eve of PurimSaturday evening, February 23

Saturday afternoon Minhah & arbit,

5:30 pm

end of Shabbat, 6:12 pm

evening Reading of Megillah, 6:30 pm

Late evening Reading of Megillah,

8:00 pm

Purim daySunday, February 24


Reading of Megillah, 8:30 am

Women’s Megillah Reading (concurrent),

8:30 am

Late Morning Reading of Megillah,

11:00 am

Purim afternoon Minhah & arbit,

5:30 pm

Purim shushanMonday, February 25

notes about Purim

The Fast of Esther commemorates the day when the Jews of Persia donned sackcloth and ashes, went without food, and prayed that they be spared the massacre planned for them by Haman. Men don tefillin at the Minhah service on Thursday Evening at 5:00.

Purim commemorates the day when, through the intervention of Mordecai and Queen Esther, the Jews of Persia narrowly escaped being victims of Haman’s evil plot to exterminate them. Instead, “The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor.”

Purim Shushan, the day following Purim, was the actual day of celebration observed in Shushan, the capital of ancient Persia, and is the day Purim is observed in Jerusalem.

This year the usual date upon which Purim is celebrated falls on Shabbat. Consequently, that Shabbat becomes Shabbat Zakhor, Purim and Shushan Purim celebrations are postponed to Sunday and Monday, and the Fast of Esther is moved back by one day to Thursday.

congregation shearith israel the spanish and portuguese ... · congregation shearith israel the...

Documents