WEEKLY NEWS
Shabbat Vaera
January 1, 2022 / 28 Tevet 5782
THIS SHABBAT
Kabbalat Shabbat: Friday, 5:30pm Via Zoom
Sanctuary Services: Saturday, 9:45am In Person, Live Streamed or Via Zoom
TeleTefila Services: P'sukei D'zimra 9:40am, Shacharit, 10am Via Zoom
TeleTefila Havdallah: Saturday, 5:25pm Via Zoom
Candle Lighting: 4:20pm
Torah Reading: Parshat Vaera Shemot 6:2 - 9:35
Haftara: Ezekiel 28:25 - 29:21
Shabbat Ends: 5:25pm
THIS WEEK
Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavua Class: Saturday, 8:45am Via Zoom
Meditation Mondays: Monday, 4pm Via Zoom
Shirei Chesed Community Chorus: Tuesday, 7:30pm Via Zoom
Weekly Talmud Masechet Pesachim: Wednesday, 7pm Via Zoom
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Updated COVID Protocols
As per Rabbi Kalmanofsky's email, we have strengthened our Covid protocols:

Preregistration: We are requiring preregistration to attend Shabbat morning services on January 1. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so please submit your requests early. (Submitting the request is not itself confirmation that you have a spot. The office will send separate confirmation.) All attendees must upload proof of vaccination. We will not admit walk-ins without pre-registration, even if you bring your vaccine card. If you did not register, please do not come. Click here to register to attend services.

Vaccines: All in-person attendees aged 12+ should be fully vaccinated. With the boosters now available, please consider yourself fully vaccinated if your most recent Pfizer or Moderna shot was within the last six months, or your most recent Johnson and Johnson shot was within the last two months. Children 5-15, not yet eligible for boosters, can attend with proof of receiving all vaccines for which they are eligible, meaning two shots at least two weeks ago. Kids in that age bracket should maintain extra distance from other attendees. Children under 5 should please not attend. If your most recent shots were longer ago than those dates, please consider yourself in need of an additional vaccine to attend in person. 

Masks: Please remain masked while in the synagogue building. Until the rates decline again, we will ask everyone - including those leading prayers, reading Torah or taking speaking roles - to remain masked throughout.

Seating: Sanctuary services are now limited to 50 attendees, who must preregister here. Seating will be in designated places maintaining social distancing. M'at services have a capacity limit of 58 people, and are maintaining a 3-foot social distance between people not in the same pod. Please respect the rules of whichever minyan you attend services with, and be conscious of the fact that some people are warier than others.

Ventilation: Windows will be open in the davvening spaces. Please bring coats since it may get cold.
EVERY MEMBER MATTERS
EVERY GIFT MATTERS
Readying our 100-year old building for the next century of vibrant Jewish life will cost $8 million. Nearly half of the members of our community have already pledged and/or donated $7.71 million to the Rav Chesed Campaign.

Now we need your help to push us across the finish line and make sure we have the funds to bring this work to completion. Every member matters, every gift matters.

Click the thermometer to pledge or donate to the Rav Chesed campaign, and to check out the new campaign video and FAQs, and the exciting renderings and floor plans for this summer’s renovation of Hirsch Hall.  
The 100th Street lobby is well on the way to becoming an airy welcoming space where members can greet one another, sit and talk. Check out this week's progress on the new coatroom/stroller parking area, lower-level lounge and new limited use/limited access (LULA) elevator that will allow easy access between the Hirsch Hall level, 100th Street lobby and Sanctuary.

If you already have donated, thank you for getting us this far. If you have not yet contributed, please make your pledge today. And remember, year-end donations of appreciated stock are a tax-smart way to fulfill your pledge.
PRAYER
Weekday Morning Minyan
Monday-Friday at 7:30am 
Sunday at 8:30am
or call: 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 933 006 171
Passcode: minyan

We hold our Sunday morning minyan in person at 8:30am in the Ansche Chesed sanctuary.
Please join us!

Please note, this service will continue to be available via Zoom as well
Meditative Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, 5:30pm Service Via Zoom (Note: Virtual Only)
Please join us December 31 for a meditative Friday night Shabbat service, along with healing notes for a healthier New Year, with more hope and light. Led by members and master meditation teachers, Sheila and Sheldon Lewis.
 
And don't miss our special Shabbat Shirah in Harmony service on Jan. 14!


or call
929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 875 1782 0145
Passcode: Shabbat
Shabbat Morning Services
Saturday, 9:45am IN PERSON in the Sanctuary, Live Streamed, or Via Zoom

Join the Ansche Chesed community for a traditional Conservative Shabbat morning prayer service.

Given the rise in Covid, we are limiting the service to 50 attendees and requiring preregistration for services on December 25 and January 1. Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so please submit your requests early. (Submitting the request is not itself confirmation that you have a spot. The office will send separate confirmation.) All attendees must upload proof of vaccination, meaning they have received a booster shot at least two weeks ago. We will not admit walk-ins without pre-registration, even if you bring your vaccine card. If you did not register, please attend virtually. Click here to register.

Please note that we have returned to our normal 9:45am start time. Please continue to enter the building via our West End Avenue entrance (unless mobility issues make it necessary for you to use the lift.)

We are grateful to the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) for making Siddur Lev Shalem and the Torah reading from the Etz Hayim Chumash available to us as PDFs for those who join us virtually.

JOIN US IN PERSON WITH PREREGISTRATION
or
or
or call
929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 875 1782 0145
Passcode: Shabbat
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Rabbi Jules Harlow Parshat HaShavuah Class
Saturday, 8:45am Via Zoom (Note: Virtual Only)
Join Rabbi Kalmanofsky for his weekly Parashat HaShavua class before the start of Shabbat morning services via Zoom.

With the recent uptick in Covid cases, the class will be held entirely virtually. As usual, the weekly source sheet will be available here.

This weekly class is dedicated to Rabbi Jules Harlow, a great teacher of Torah and especially of Jewish liturgy.


JOIN US ELECTRONICALLY
Meeting ID: 875 1782 0145
Passcode: Shabbat
Meditation Mondays
Mondays 4-5pm Via Zoom
Led by Ansche Chesed members and Meditation Teachers Sheila Lewis, Sheldon Lewis and Peter Silverman
Get your week off to a great start!

Join us for a break from stress, anxiety, news cycles, and uncertainty—with calming and enlivening practices like mindful breathing, imagery, and introspection. Discussion and Q&A to follow. Beginners and advanced meditators are welcome.

Meeting ID: 871 3692 1161
Passcode: Breathe
Shirei Chesed Community Chorus Led by Hazzan Hirschhorn
Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm Via Zoom (Note: Virtual Only)
Spring Semester begins on January 4, 2022
Raise your hand if you are feeling Zoomed out, and/or tired of hearing the word "pivot"! And yet, the ever-changing Covid landscape demands that we hold off our in-person rehearsals for a while. So, our Shirei Chesed Community Chorus will switch to Zoom rehearsals, at least for the next few weeks, and continue building community through music, and seeking new ways to bring harmony into the world that needs it more than ever. 

Meeting ID: 972 7239 5819
Passcode: 488234
Talmud Study With Rabbi Kalmanofsky
Wednesdays, 7pm Via Zoom
This year in Wednesday night Talmud we will study the tenth chapter of Tractate Pesachim.

Once Sukkot ends... it's almost Passover! This year let's begin getting ready early by studying the Talmudic chapter devoted to the night of the Seder. This chapter has a wonderful blend of law and lore, will make you think about history and will deepen your Passover celebration.

Meeting ID: 889 9369 5753
Passcode: Pesachim
SOCIAL ACTION & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Ansche Chesed Refugee Assistance
A group of AC volunteers recently took furniture and household goods to an apartment in the Bronx - soon after, an Afghan family of five arrived at their new home. The family includes boys aged 8 and 3 and a 6-week-old baby girl. They had been on the move since August, spent about two months on a military base, and the last weeks in an extended stay hotel. Our volunteers have been back since the move to help the family explore the neighborhood and get settled.

Another small volunteer group helped a single Afghan woman move into her new home here in Manhattan. Our AC group, along with friends from Brotherhood Synagogue, will be providing her with companionship, an introduction to the city, assistance with English lessons and help in her job search. 

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the AC community. We know that with more than 30,000 Afghan refugees still housed on US military bases we will be busy for quite a while. Thanks to all our donors and volunteers we will be able to help more families build new homes.
Community Fridges Need Our Support
Looking for a way to ease hunger in our community this holiday season and beyond? Consider supporting one of the friendly fridges in our neighborhood. At community refrigerators anyone may take what they need or leave food for others. 

Donations of fresh produce, frozen meals, packaged and pantry items, etc., are all welcome. 
Ujamaa Community Fridge
Columbus Ave @ 101st Street
(West Side of Columbus)
The West End Community Fridge
77th St between Broadway and WEA
open M-F, 9am-5pm
FAMILY AND TEEN PROGRAMMING
Seeking B'nai Mitzvah Greeters

A wonderful opportunity for B'nai Mitzvah youth to get involved in Shabbat services. The role is to be a friendly greeter to those entering the sanctuary. There are two 30-minute shifts, two youths per shift, to be part of the Shabbat Greeters team in the WEA Lobby, from 10:45-11:45am. 

Guidelines provided, to those who sign up via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0844ABA623A3FF2-shabbat

Register by Tuesday at noon for the upcoming Shabbat or plan ahead!
The Ansche Chesed Teen Class
Bi-Weekly Next Session Tuesday, January 11, 5:15-6:15pm Register Here
AC high school students are invited to join Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky in the fall and Rabbi Yael Hammerman and Youth Director Adina Beiner in the spring for a bi-weekly class. Throughout the year we will be choosing meaningful and relevant topics to discuss and unpack as a group (with some time left for schmoozing and pizza as well!). In order to cover the costs of this program, we are asking for a suggested donation of $54 per participant for the year. 

Scheduled Dates: January 11, January 25, February 8, March 1, March 15, March 29, April 12, April 26, May 10, May 24.
Moving Traditions
Rosh Hodesh for Girls
11th-12th grades led by Avital Moss
Rosh Hodesh groups focus on what it means to be a young Jewish woman in our world today. Through discussion, arts & crafts, creative rituals, games, and drama, the girls and their leaders draw on Jewish values and a gender lens to explore issues the girls care about - such as body image, friendship, relationships, family, competition, and stress.
Avital's group will meet in person from 5:30-7 PM on the following Sundays: 1/23, 2/13, 3/13, 4/3, 5/1, 6/12
REACH OUT
What Matters
Ansche Chesed is pleased to announce it has joined with other New York synagogues and communal organizations in an initiative called What Matters: Caring Conversations About End of Life. This effort aims to heighten awareness around the importance of completing advance care directives, and enable individuals to thoughtfully consider and document their end of life preferences, with opportunities to engage Jewish values as part of the process. Confidential conversations are conducted by trained and certified Ansche Chesed facilitators, who are available to answer important questions and help walk you through the process, clarifying your goals and wishes for future healthcare and related choices in case you are unable to speak for yourself.
 
We look forward to working with you on this important initiative. Should you wish to schedule a conversation, please eMail, whatmatters@anschechesed.org, or leave a message at (212)865.0600 x201, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
Chesed Chevra
 The Chesed Chevra is the arm of our congregation that fulfills the great mitzvah of helping those in our community who are in need by performing acts of loving-kindness.
 
Our aim is to make shul members who are experiencing a life event such as the birth of a child, a serious illness, or a loss feel supported by the Ansche Chesed community.
 
How it works:
COMMUNITY
Chef's Table
Our long-time friend and kitchen tenant Chef's Table and its principal Bruce Soffer offer you catering menus for Shabbat and Jewish and secular holidays. If you like, please take a look at his work. 

Chef's Table Kosher Catering has prepared gourmet foods, delivered to customers in New York City. These are pre-cooked, delicious kosher meals delivered right to your door.

Bruce is still actively working in the kitchen during the construction. Please contact him directly for your catering needs.

Visit their website to view their special menu.

Contact Bruce at (917)-868-7964 or his website for more information.
SHUK
If you are a member, you may send "shuk" postings to shuk@anschechesed.org. All postings must have a member's contact info, and received by Tuesday at 3pm.
Postings run for only two weeks.
DECEMBER DONATIONS
GENERAL DONATIONS 
Marilyn Bakun, in memory of Rob Rubenstein 
Carol Ingall & Stephan Brumberg, in memory of Ronald Morris 
Zachary Datikash 
Vivian Mamelak & Alain Demers, in memory of Kara Tav's father, Manley Walters; and in honor of Daria Weissman's bat mitzvah 
Rebecca Reitz & Sidney Gribetz, in memory of Manley Walters 
Helene Price & Charles Gropper 
Yocheved Cohen & Joshua Halberstam 
Anne & Leon Hoffman, in memory of Ronald Morris 
David Kahen, in memory of Ronald Morris 
Anne Koenig 
Sharry & David Pollock, in honor of Daria Weissman's bat mitzvah - Mazel Tov! 
Ruth & Ira Salzman, in memory of Ron Morris and Manley Walters 
Lori Skopp & Michael Schmidt, in honor of Naomi and Marc Paul with gratitude for their service to the community, Nancy Dubler's special birthday, and Ayelet Schwartz on becoming a bat mitzvah; and in memory of Manley Walters 
Minna & Harvey Tarshis 
Bonnie Zaben, in honor of the birth of Ella Keren, and in memory of Ron Morris 
Terry Zisowitz, in memory of Avery Katz's mother, Sally Katz 
 
RABBI'S FUND DONATIONS 
Amichaim Abramson 
Marcia Eisenberg & Robert Alpert 
Goldie & Eric Arrow 
Rachel Theilheimer & Jonathan Beard 
Diane Finger & Steven Bellovin 
Ellen Bender 
Dina Rosenfeld & Howard Berkowitz 
Claudia Machaver & Michael Bloome 
Meg Karalis & Zak Braiterman 
Mara & Daniel Braunfeld 
Myriam Braunschvig 
Prudence Brown 
Aliya Cheskis-Cotel 
Linda Charet & Mark Cohen 
Jane Head & Charles Davidson 
Anne & Zachary Dennett 
Eva & Emanuel Derman 
Sue Dickman 
Amy Zarrow & Alan Divack 
Nancy Sinkoff & Gary Dreiblatt 
Helane Rosenberg & Yakov Epstein 
Rita Falbel 
Lynn Feinman 
Allison & David Feit 
Shuly Rubin Schwartz & Eric Fishman, in memory of Marc Gary's wife, Michelle Gary, and Avery Katz's mother, Sally Katz; and in honor of the bat mitzvah of Ayelet Schwartz 
Leslie & Tom Freudenheim, in honor the yahrzeits of my parents, Margot and Ernst Freudenheim, z'l 
Ruth & Ken Frommer 
Jane & Michael Gavronsky 
Gail Glickman 
Barbara Friedland & Josiah Gluck 
Eileen Gordon, in honor of Nos Sher 
Martha & Charles Graybow 
Sheryl Reich & David Greenberg 
Carolyn Greene 
Ronnie & Richard Grosbard 
Nicole & Aaron Grunfeld 
Susan Gurman 
Marlene Gursey 
Stacey Gordon & Neil Guterman 
Susan Cohen & Peter Hellman 
Nancy Hirschtritt 
Anne & Leon Hoffman 
Marsha Hurst 
Jennifer Cowan & Dan Jacob 
Marla & Marc Kaplowitz 
Alana Stevens & Asaf Kastner 
Diane Katzin 
Elizabeth & Harold Koenigsberg 
Stephanie Wank Kofman & Ilya Kofman 
Susan Antenen & Sam Kornhauser 
Mary & Stefan Krieger 
Julian Lander 
Patricia & Stuart Laurence 
Lois Leatherman 
Joni Greenspan & Dan Lenchner 
Noa Levine 
Gila Lipton 
Natalie Lukas 
Maura Harway & Richard Mark 
Lenore & Ken Michaels 
Russell Miller 
Ellen Rockmuller & Joel Minsky 
Lisa & Yaron Minsky-Primus 
Anne Mintz 
Bonnie Moses 
Leslie Nelson 
Erica Fishbein & Jeff Newelt 
Naomi & Mark Paul 
Leah Peskin 
Amy Traub & Clifton Poole 
Carol Ann Rabolt 
Susan & Mark Radler 
Carol & Jesse Reisner 
Daniella Risman 
Lois Roman 
Joyce Silberstang & Richard Rosen 
Ellen Tucker & Alan Rosenstein 
Michael Rozensher 
Talia Rozensher 
Constance & Harvey Rubin 
Nicholas Salamone 
Ruth & Ira Salzman 
Karen Sander 
Barbara Schatz & Frederick Schaffer 
Jane Spinak & Warren Scharf 
Jules Scher 
Beverly Schneider 
Marcia Talmage Schneider & Fred Schneider 
Michelle Ores & Charles Schorin 
Donna Tapper & Raymond Schwartz 
Deborah Shulevitz & Ori Schwartzburg, in memory of Rabbi Marion Shulevitz 
Ellen Braitman & David Shapiro 
Roberta & Paul Shapiro 
Susan Chira & Michael Shapiro 
Diane Sharon 
Shira Lee Silver & Daniel Silver 
Susan & Larry Silverman 
Marjorie Singer 
Joyce Slochower 
Ann Wimpfheimer & Eddie Snyder 
Shalom Stavsky 
Rachel Steinman 
Linda & Michael Stellman 
Norah McVeigh & Peter Szabo 
Susan Heuman & Michael Trencher 
Ruth Wang 
Debra & Randy Weinstein 
Lori Skopp & Michael Schmidt 
Rosalie Siegel 
Melinda Gros & Ronald Werter 
Lynn & Elisha Wiesel 
Michael Wise 
Anonymous, in memory of Richard Rosen's mother, Ruth Rosen 
 
YAHRZEIT DONATIONS 
Carol Ingall & Stephan Brumberg, in memory of Stephan's father, Harry Brumberg, Carol's mother, Olla Krepon, and her father-in-law, Morris Ingall 
Harriet Cosenza, in memory of my beloved father, Hyman Gelfand 
Helane Rosenberg & Yakov Epstein, in memory of Yakov's grandmother, Bubbe Chava Epstein, and his cousin, Arlene Makowsky 
Mary Feinberg, in memory of Mary's husband, Paul Feinberg 
Julie Siegmund & Steve Friedman, in memory of Steve's mother, Roslyn Friedman 
Debra & Martin Greenberg, in memory of Debra's father, Martin Feldman 
Judith & David Kohn, in memory of Judith's parents, Jeanette and Edward Berman, and David's mother, Karoline Kohn 
Amy & Tom Marx, in memory of Chaija Marx, beloved mother of Tom and Amy Marx 
Anne Mintz, in memory of my father's fifteenth yahrzeit, Kalman ben Moshe v'Henye 
Karen Palmer, in memory of Karen's son, Seth Palmer, and her mother, Mildred Druckman 
Fran Schiff, in memory of Henry Schiff 
Michele Siegel, in memory of Michele's grandfather, Aaron Polisar 
Patty Lipshutz & Lorin Silverman, in memory of Lorin's father, Marty Silverman 
Audrey Sussman & Mitchell Smilowitz, in memory of Lillian Smilowitz from your children, children-in-law and grandchildren 
Maron Waxman, in memory of Maron's father, Samuel Loeb 
Sylvia Weber, in memory of my beloved husband, Alvin Henry Weber, and my cherished son, Andrew Isaac Klee Weber 
 
SHELTER DONATIONS 
Lynn Levy 
Arthur Wasserstrom 
 
MUSIC FUND DONATIONS 
Sylvia Friedmann, in honor of Cantor Natasha Hirschhorn 
Anna West Ott 
 
KIDDUSH DONATIONS 
Erica & Noah Cohen, in honor of the Simchat Bat of Eva May 
Jocelyn Maskow, in memory of my grandmothers, Freyda Rosenblatt, Claire Schoenberg, and Fannie Cohen 
Naomi & Mark Paul, to Kara, Kobi and Ella in memory of Kara's father and Ella's grandfather, Manley; to Avery & Wendy Katz and family, in memory of Avery's mother, Sally Rita Kornwise Katz; and in honor of Daria Weissman & family for a beautiful and meaningful Bat Mitzvah and lovely Kiddush - Mazel Tov! 
 
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM DONATIONS 
Fran Gordon & William Zukof 
 
SOCIAL ACTION DONATIONS 
Amy Winarsky & Michael Takiff, in loving memory of Abe Schumer 
 
TORAH REPAIR FUND 
Marcia Talmage Schneider & Fred Schneider, in honor of Anne & Leon Hoffman, Mayer Cavalier, Lori Skopp and Ma'ayan Schmidt - wishing them recoveries from illness; Shana and David Roskies - Mazel Tov on their special anniversary; Yael Hammerman and family on the birth of a new baby; and in memory of Jonathan Rosen's mother, Norma Rosen; Lisa Maller's father, Barnett Maller; Ron Morris; Bill Plevan's mother, Betsy Plevan; Jeremy Goldman's mother, Marcia Goldman; and Anny Dobrejcer's mother, Sonia Dobrejcer 
Despite our best efforts and extensive proofreading, we apologize for any errors or omissions. Please note: If you wish to be included in the Community or Shuk sections of the Weekly Newsletter (which is sent out on Thursday), please email druskay@anschechesed.org with a Word or plain text version of your title, date/time, brief blurb, and relevant link/contact info by end of business on Tuesday.