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Dear Chaveirim:
What a busy week at the RCA!
I. RCA Updates
Convention 2024 (May 20-22, 2024 in Stamford, CT) is coming together very nicely, and co-chairs Rabbis Binyamin Marwick and Dovid Zirkind are putting together a terrific program. Highlights already include:
- Scholar in Residence, HaRav Yosef Tzvi Rimon visiting with us from Israel.
- A Tribute dinner honoring Rabbi Mark Dratch for more than a decade of service to our organization.
- Leading through Crisis: Shiurim, group discussions and workshops on lessons in leadership since October 7th.
- Shiurim, presentations, and opportunities for one-on-one sessions with our Roshei Yeshiva.
- Mapping out the Future of the RCA with our new Executive VP, Rabbi Menachem Penner.
- A tribute to some Historic Rabbis of the Bronx, including Reb. Peshi Neuberger (Rav Charlop) and Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter (Rabbi Hershel Schacter).
- Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of new technology in 2024.
- Political Updates from Israel including Herb Keinan of the Jerusalem Post.
- Chaverschaft, health, wellness, financial planning and more!
The Nominating Committee, consisting of our immediate past president Rabbi Binyamin Blau, and Rabbis Roy Feldman, Shaanan Gelman, Ira Kronenberg, and Daniel Yalkut, has begun to meet to propose a slate for our June elections. They can be reached at nominations@rabbis.org.
II. Taanis Esther, Shabbos Zachor and Purim
In last week’s post, I shared guidance from our Poskim as to how to celebrate Purim this year, along with chomer lidrush on antisemitism and Purim. There are also links for donating to Israel for Purim. To view that information, click here.
A fascinating piece was composed this week by Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg of Migdal Oz – “Al Daat HaMakom” asking for “permission” to celebrate Purim in this difficult time. It was circulated on the YHE listserv. You can find that here. (I haven’t yet seen a good English translation -outside of ChatGPT).
One of the points I made related to the fact that antisemitism morphs in its appearance from generation to generation. In today’s world the change can occur within weeks of months. For more information on this subject, I point you to a piece from R. Jonathan Sacks in Future Tense, and a transcript from a recent podcast discussion between Dan Senor and Dr. Einat Wilf. She comments on the absurdity of antisemites today who overlay the Israeli-Palestinian conflict onto whatever issues they are passionate about. In my opinion, it is worth a look, or a listen.
Final instructions for a Motzei Shabbos Purim
It is likely too late to communicate best practices regarding the schedule for Motzai Shabbos. However, there are a number of halachic considerations that can still be related to kehillos:
Click here for a summary of the halachos by R. Yosef Zvi Rimon (prepared for Purim 5781). Points discussed and some additions:
- Machatzis HaShekel – given on Thursday / Taanis Esther
- Care not to be meichin on Shabbos for Motzai Shabbos. Costumes (if worn this year) should not be donned until Motzai Shabbos, items should not be brought to shul for Shabbos Mincha for Motzai Shabbos.
- Handling a Megillah on Shabbos and using a Megillah to prepare the layning for Motzai Shabbos.
- Birchas HaMazon at Shalosh Seudos – Retzei and Al HaNissim.
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Baruch HaMavdil and Havdallah – Those coming from home should say Baruch HaMavdil before making any preparations, If they will be driving to shul, they should ideally make make havdallah as well, before coming to shul on Motzai Shabbos. Havdallah is also recited in Shul after megillah reading. Sephardim may have different customs.
III. For Pesach
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Pesach Seminar with the OU – scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 at 2:30 PM EDT. See below for information.
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I hope to be able to provide a Pesach Guide right after Purim that you can personalize and use for your kehillah. Please look out for that.
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Matzah from Southern Israel (From R. Dani Cohen and R. Moshe Kurtz of Stamford) - Offering the opportunity to order matzah from a factory in Netivot. The owner, Yedidya Harush, has served in Gaza and helping his business would be critically helpful during this time. Click on this Google Form:
Deadline to submit is Monday, April 1st. Shuls will be able to pick up from the JCC of Stamford (1035 Newfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06905) in April. Each shul is responsible for its own pick up. Cost: 1 pound = $22
IV. Israel
This is a good time to thank R. Jeffrey Saks for the wonderful work he does on Tradition. This piece from the online posts of Tradition is particularly poignant. It was sent earlier in the week, but I draw your attention to it again.
If Your Brothers Go To War
While the Jewish People in Israel and worldwide have benefitted from a high level of unity since the despicable events of October 7th and throughout the ongoing traumas of the war, after nearly half a year, regrettable, unnecessary, and painful cracks are emerging. Among the most divisive issues perennially facing the State is the question of the blanket exemption of Haredim from military or national service. The recent remarks by Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef concerning this issue generated much angry response in the country. “If they force us to join the army, we will all move abroad,” said the Rishon LeZion. In response, Rabbi Tamir Granot, father of Amitai z”l, who was killed in defense of the country in the early days of the war, issued a heartfelt message in which he addresses both R. Yosef and the Haredi world on the right, as well as liberal secularists on his left.
And … Senator Schumer
Rabbi Engel and I participated in a packed zoom meeting with American Jewish leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations with Senator Schumer. Admittedly, the off-the-record meeting was quite frustrating at times, but it was important to be there, nonetheless. The Conference of Presidents released this statement later in the day representing the group.
A meaningful tzom, a good Shabbos and a freilichen Purim to all.
RMP
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