DIGITAL LUNCH & LEARN: PESACH ADDITION Thursday March 30 at 12:30PM

Join Dr. Erica Brown and Rabbi Dovid Zirkind for an interactive webinar on themes of the Pesach season. This 30 minute webinar pow-ered by zoom.com is a quick and exciting

way to break for some Torah and inspiration from the comfort of your home or office.

Webinar login information will be available on our website on Thursday morning.

SHABBAT HAGADOL (OBSERVED) WITH RABBI YOSIE LEVINE

Shabbat April 1 at 11:00AM When the Cup of Wrath Doth Overflow:

Violence, Vengeance, Vitriol and the New Anti-Semitism

The Jewish Center - The Modern Orthodox Center for Jewish Life and Learning 131 W. 86th Street, New York, NY 10024 • www.jewishcenter.org • 212-724-2700

MARCH 25, 2017 • PARSHIOT VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI • SHABBAT HA-CHODESH • 27 ADAR 5777

The Jewish Center S H A B B A T B U L L E T I N

EREV SHABBAT 6:54PM Candle lighting 7:00PM Minchah SHABBAT 7:45AM Hashkama Minyan (The Max and Marion Grill Beit Midrash) 8:30AM Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind 9:00AM Shacharit (3rd floor) 9:15AM Hashkama Shiur by Rabbi Yosie Levine 9:30AM Young Leadership Minyan (1stFloor) 9:56AM Sof Zman Kriat Shema 10:00AM Youth Groups: Under age 3 (drop off optional, babies must be able to independently sit upright), 3-6-year-olds: Geller Youth Center, 2nd-6th graders: 7th floor Public Lecture with Rabbi Ari Lamm, Heretics and Subversives: From An-cient Israel to Eastern Europe to the Upper West Side Hot Kiddush (1st & 5th floor) WITH THANKS TO OUR KIDDUSH SPONSORS: Hashkama Kiddush, Harmetz-Rovati family in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Sheldon Harmetz Community Kiddush, Jeff Bogursky and Marly Herscovici in honor of the upcoming marriage of their daughter Tanna to Tzvi Wiesel Community Kiddush, Brauna & Marvin Fortgang in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Marvin's Mother, Dora Alster Fortgang Community Kiddush, Esther & Steve Graber in commemoration of the 13th yahrzeit, during Pesach, of Esther's mother, Ruth Jacobowitz, (Rochel Leah Bat Rav Leib Halevi Community Kiddush, Barbara & Guy Reiss in memory of Barbara's fa-ther, Michael Tepler on the occasion of his 40th yahrzeit Community Kiddush, all those who sponsored in honor of Rabbi Ari Lamm (please see page 2 for complete list of sponsors) 4:00PM Bikkur Cholim/Bikkur in the Home (meet at 730 Columbus Ave.) 5:45PM Parent Child Learning with Rabbi Ari Lamm 5:50PM Daf Yomi 6:35PM Minchah 6:3PM Afternoon Groups WITH THANKS TO OUR SEUDAH SHLISHIT SPONSORS: Bella Goldwater in memory of her husband, Raymond Goldwater Kathy & Milton Parnass in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Milton's brother, Sol Parnass, and in honor of our guest speaker, Daniel Levin Seudah Shlishit Speaker: Daniel Levin, LION: Making Holly-wood's Heartwarming, Oscar-nominated Story of Exodus and Return 7:55PM Shabbat Concludes Monday, March 27

at 7:15PM Contact Joyce Weitz for more info. at 212-877-1176

WOMEN’S TEHILLIM GROUP

DAILY SERVICES

Sun. March 26 Daf Yomi 7:45AM Shacharit 8:30AM Minchah 7:00PM

Mon, March 27 Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 7:00PM

Tues. March 28 Rosh Chodesh Shacharit 6:45/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 7:00PM

Wed. March 29– Thur. March 30 Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 7:00PM

Friday, March 31 Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 7:00PM Candle Lighting 7:01PM

BOOK LAUNCH WITH RABBI AND AUTHOR RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH

Wednesday March 29 at 8:00PM Join The Jewish Center in celebrating the publication of Rabbi Blech’s new

Haggadah! The evening will feature a presentation full of Haggadah insights

as well as a book signing with Rabbi Blech.

Registration required. Please visit www.jewishcenter.org to register.

SEUDAH SHLISHIT WITH RABBI DAVID SILBER Shabbat April 1 at 7:15PM

Themes from Exodus Narrative Rabbi Silber is the Founder and Dean of Drisha Institute for Jewish Education. He received the Covenant Award in 2000, and is the author of A Passover Hagga-dah: Go Forth and Learn, published by

JPS in 2011.

To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at astrum@jewishcenter.org

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

MAZAL TOV Serena Wieder & Jonathan Blank on the bat mitzvah of their

granddaughter, Leah Wiederblank Aviva Wolf and Matthew Schneider on the Bat Mitzvah on their

daughter, Fay

THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS Rimma Bitman and Joseph Gottlieb

THANK YOU TO CSS

We would like to once again thank CSS and our dedicated CSS members for providing the security for our synagogue this week.

CONDOLENCES

The family of Esther Bronner Mindy Lamm & Gloria Mehler on the passing of their sister, Jean

Kelman

COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Congratulations to Chaim Dovid Berson on re-leasing his new single, Echod Hashem! The song is

available to download on MostlyMusic and Nigun Music, itunes and all streaming platforms! We hope you will enjoy it, and share it with

your friends.

Congratulations to our members who ran the NYC Half Marathon

Ron Shapiro Genna singer Rachel Levine

Thinking of running the New York City Marathon?

Join The Jewish Center Centennial Team! Space is limited.

For more information, please email batsheva@jewishcenter.org If you would like to support the Jewish Center Centennial Team please visit the JC website.

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO SPONSORED KIDDUSH IN HONOR OF RABBI ARI LAMM

Lori Zeltser & Leonard Berman*, Marnie & Scott Black*, Harriet & George Blank*, Serena Weider & Jonathan Blank*, Rachel Wolf & Andrew Borodach*, Vivian & Daniel Chill*, Sherry & Mark Fessel*, Tammy & Johnny Glaser, Susan Kensky & Samuel Goldman*, Ruby & Joseph Gottlieb*, Janine Behrman & Alan Gover*, Esther & Steve Gra-ber*, Eleanor Merczynski & Davit Hait*, Alvin Hellerstein*, Aliza Her-zberg*, Virginia Bayer & Rabbi Robert Hirt*, Esther & Michael Ja-cobs*, Rona & Ira Kellman, Fran & Jonah Kupietzky*, Amanda Nuss-baum & Daniel Laifer*, Rachelle & Alan Laytner*, Dr. Rachel & Rabbi Yosie Levine, Rachel Lurie*, Tiki & Simcha Lyons*, Barbara & David Messer*, Hanno Mott*, Sarah Finegold & Andrew Newton*, Barbara & Guy Reiss, Avi Schwartz*, Chani & Mark Segall*, Rachel Ringler & Yossi Siegal*, Grant Silverstein, Jennifer & Mark Smith*, Radine & William Spier*, Malka Strasberg, Sally Sultan, Harriet Wagman, Adina & Philip Wagman*, Cindy & Jay Worenklein*

* One Gift

BOOK LAUNCH WITH RABBI AND AUTHOR RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 AT 8:00PM Join The Jewish Center in celebrating the publication of Rabbi Blech’s new Haggadah! The evening will feature a presentation full of Haggadah insights as well as a book signing with Rabbi Blech. Please visit www.jewishcenter.org to register. DIGITAL LUNCH & LEARN: PESACH ADDITION Thursday March 30 at 12:30PM Join Dr. Erica Brown and Rabbi Dovid Zirkind for an inter-active webinar on themes of the Pesach season. This 30 minute webinar powered by zoom.com is a quick and exciting way to break for some Torah and inspiration from the comfort of your home or office. Webinar login information will be available on our website on Thursday morning. READING OF THE NAMES SUNDAY EVENING, APRIL 23 UWS Yom Hashoah Commemoration Location: West End Synagogue JC Time Slot: 4:20AM Once again we come together to commemorate Yom HaShoah in The Reading and Hearing of the Names of those killed during the Shoah. For more information, please visit our website.

YOM HAATZMAUT FAMILY BBQ May 2 on the JC roof. Details and registration to follow. SAVE THE DATE END OF THE YEAR SEUDAH SHLISHIT May 20th

UPCOMING EVENTS

YOUTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES

To sponsor Kiddush or Seudah Shlishit or a JC event, please contact Aaron at astrum@jewishcenter.org

DAILY (except Shabbat) Israel Friedman Daf Yomi with rotating JCU Faculty, 7:45AM TUESDAY Advanced Gemara Chaburah with Rabbi Noach Goldstein 7:45-8:30AM

Nosh and Drash with Dr. Adena Berkowitz, 10:15-11:30AM WEDNESDAY Women of the Bible with Rabbi Yosie Levine, at 11:00AM

SHABBAT Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Lev-ine,8:30AM Hashkama Shiur with rotating JCU Faculty, 9:15AM Israel Friedman Daf Yomi with rotating JCU Faculty, 1 hour before Minchah

Hilchot Shabbat With Rabbi Dovid Zirkind (will resume next week)

COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES For more information visit our website or contact Rabbi Dovid Zirkind at dzirkind@jewishcenter.org

Pesach Food Drive March 6 – March 31 Drop off sealed Kosher-for-Passover or chametz items in The JC lobby. Collected food benefits the Kosher Division of City Harvest. For more information contact saba@jewishcenter.org Nosh and Drash Pre-Pesach Spiritual Prep Tuesday March 28th at 12:00PM My Most Favorite Food 247 West 72nd Street (Between Broadway and West End Ave) This annual event will be an opportunity to learn new ways to enhance your Seder and Pesach holiday. Please think about your own unique family customs that you would like to share with us! RSVP Adenaberkowitz@gmail.com Seudah Shlishit with Rabbi David Silber Shabbat April 1 at 7:15PM Themes from Exodus Narrative Rabbi Silber is the Founder and Dean of Drisha Institute for Jewish Education. He received the Covenant Award in 2000, and is the author of A Passover Haggadah: Go Forth and Learn, published by JPS in 2011. Pesach Kashering at The JC Sunday, April 2 from 9:30AM - 12:30PM

Clergy Pearls for Your Pesach Seder Tuesday April 4 at 7:45PM Join our Clergy for a night of insights and inspirations for your Seder con-versation. A full array of Torah thoughts to spark conversation from our clergy and music from our Chazzan all in one hour or less. A night of learn-ing not to be missed. Special Shabbat HaGadol Afternoon Shiur with Dr. Erica Brown Shabbat April 8 at 5:45PM The Moral Dilemma of Rechush Gadol: Wealth, Nation Building and Today’s Consumer Culture Pre-Peseach Meals Shabbat April 7-8 Don’t want to prepare meals the Shabbat before Pesach? Let The JC help you! Sign up for Shabbat dinner and lunch with the JC community. Pricing and registration available soon. Visit our website for more information. Community Seder with Rabbi Dovid and Ariella Zirkind Tuesday April 11 at 8:30PM Rabbi Dovid and Ariella Zirkind invite the community to join them for a family-friendly Seder on the 2nd night of Pesach. Volunteers are welcome to help in planning and personalizing the Seder as well as participating in Divrei Torah throughout the night. Pricing and details available on our web-site soon. Questions or ideas please contact Rabbi Zirkind at dzirkind@jewishcenter.org

PESACH AT THE JEWISH CENTER

MAOT CHITTIM Help us help others enjoy and find meaning in the Passover holiday. Help our needy Jewish brothers and sisters observe Passover with dignity in their homes by fulfilling the mitzvah of Ma’ot Chittim, “money for wheat,” by sending a generous donation. Make your check payable to the Rabbi Leo Jung Memorial Fund and mail it to The Jewish Center office or make a donation online. ONEG SHABBAT Please help provide Pesach meals for the less fortunate families in our community by sending your donation to Oneg Shabbat at 650 West End Ave., New York, NY 10025 or visit www.onegshabbatny.org. Cards are always available for donations to remember loved ones or to honor special occasions. HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE If you are available to host guests for Pesach meals or if you would like to be hosted, please contact Rabbi Zirkind at dzirkind@jewishcenter.org. SALE OF CHAMETZ One way to avoid the prohibition of owning chametz on Pesach is to sell it to a non-Jew. It is customary to appoint the Rabbi as one’s agent to transact this sale. You may collect a Sale of Chametz form online or in the lobby of The JC in order to appoint Rabbi Levine as your agent.

PREPARING FOR PESACH

PESACH “HOUSE CLEANING” NOTES

To help The Jewish Center prepare for Pesach, members are asked to clean out any personal items from drawers in the Main Sanctuary and personal lockers in the lobby level kitchen.

Absolutely no chametz should be brought into The JC building from Sunday, April 9 through the conclusion of Pesach.

HOSPITALITY AT THE JC

The Hospitality Committee promotes the value of hachna-sat orchim, welcoming guests, and creates an environment of warmth in the shul by welcoming newcomers and mem-bers each week. To host guests in your home for Shabbat or Yom Tov meals, to be hosted or to join the committee, contact hospitality@jewishcenter.org.

The Rabbis are available for authorizing the sale of Chametz: • During office hours and after regular minyanim from

Sunday, April 2 - Friday morning, April 7.

• Sunday, April 2 from 9:30AM - 12:30PM

• Sunday, April 2 - Thursday, April 6 from 7:45PM-8:30PM.

Hametz as Metaphor Dr. Erica Brown, Community Scholar

Mystical writers often regarded hametz as a visual symbol of arrogance. Leavened bread is made with yeast, a chemical agent that causes dough to rise, puffing up that which would ordi-narily remain flat. Since arrogance is at the root of so much wrongdoing, many equate hametz with the yetzer ha-ra, the drive to do evil and behave in a self-centered, self-absorbed way, rather than with the humility of matza, our be-loved flat bread. BT Sukka [52a-b] offers us much insight into the nature of the yetzer ha-ra that, when processed, helps us understand Passover in a different way. “Rabbi Ashi said: Initially, the evil inclination is like a strand of a spider’s web and ultimately it is like the thick ropes of a wagon.” What starts off as a small temptation that remains un-checked quickly becomes an immense seduction. “Rava said: ‘Initially the evil inclination is like a traveler coming from afar. It is called a guest...Ultimately, it becomes the homeowner.’” Through complex word plays, Rava tells us something very profound about the evil inclina-tion. When it first enters our minds, it is like a stranger. We don’t recognize it. It is like a trav-eler about to walk away. But when we invite it in, it soon becomes the owner of our house, if we let it, taking over the way we think and act.

“The evil inclination has seven names: evil, uncir-cumcised, impure, an enemy, a stumbling block, a stone, a hidden one.” Our drive for wrongdo-ing comes in many forms and not in one-size-fits-all. It is called the hidden one because, accord-ing to the Talmud, “It is always hidden in the heart of man.” Ironically, the word for hidden used her is tzafun, another word we use at the Seder, referring to the Afikoman, the matza that we hide and then have as the last taste in our mouths when we end the meal at our Seder. “You shall not eat anything leavened for seven days…” (Devarim 16:3). It is not enough to eat matza. We must refrain from hametz for seven days. Not one day. One day is not enough to rid us of excessive self-love and self-absorption. Understood mystically, we might regard Passo-ver as a personal humility retreat, a chance to break away from our overly sensitive egos and our puffed-up sense of self to tell a majestic sto-ry that demands self-sacrifice and humility. We don’t only throw away our hametz, we burn it. We know just how divisive the ego is so we give ourselves a better chance to fight our daily struggles when we try to eradicate the obstacles completely. This Pessach can become the healthy humility retreat it is meant to be. When we are too full of ourselves, it is hard to make room for others, for community and for God.

Yosie Levine Rabbi

Dovid Zirkind

Associate Rabbi

Chaim David Berson Cantor

Ari Lamm

Resident Scholar

Erica Brown Community Scholar

Noach Goldstein Resident Scholar

Avi Feder

William Fischman Rabbinic Intern

Aaron Strum

Executive Director

Jenn & Gaby Minsky Youth Directors

OFFICERS Avi Schwartz

President

Andrew Borodach First Vice President

Michael Jacobs Vice President

Deena Blanchard Vice President

Mark Segall Assistant Vice President

Yaron Kinar Treasurer

Len Berman Assistant Treasurer

Andrew Kaplan Assistant Treasurer

Miri Lipsky Secretary

PHONE NUMBERS

Yoetzet Halacha Ilana Gadish

nycyoezet@gmail.com 646-598-1080

Jewish Center Chevra Kadisha

212-724-2700 x555

UWS Mikvah 212-579-2011

Hatzoloh 212-230-1000

Eruv Status 212-724-2700 x4