Shanah Tovah 2010

We received many videos in our inbox this week wishing us a Happy New Year but this one is our absolute favorite. Thank you Mark Philips for the forward! Shanah Tovah and lots of love....

High Art and Razzle Dazzle in Times Square

Join new member Cindy Ruskin (pictured above) and the members of the Lower East Side Girls Club as they enhance Times Square with an eye-popping art show based on the nature poems of Emily Dickinson! You can witness this world of wonder -- and visit the artist who won't stop creating new works till the show comes down on Wednesday, January 6!

With the support of chashama (one of NYC's most generous and creative arts organizations), Cindy is displaying her colorful and fantastical oil paintings with the poems that inspired them. The show also includes the birdhouses, accordion cards, paper flowers, paper dolls, and paper chandeliers that were created by members of the Lower East Side Girls Club in workshops that Cindy ran as part of an Emily Dickinson celebration. Until January 6, Cindy will be in the space most days. She'll be creating an intricate white paper cut-out dress, modeled after the dress that Dickinson wore. It's exactly the meeting of high art and razzle dazzle that Times Square needs.

THE PLACE: chashama 112 Times Square Art Space, 112 West 44th Street (street level, near Sixth Avenue)

THE HOURS: The artist will be on the spot 3 PM-ish to 7 PM-ish on most days.

ABOUT CHASHAMA
chashama is a NYC arts organization whose mission is to support artists of all genres. chashama adopts vacant properties that are donated by their owners and converts them into theatres, galleries, studios, and window performance sites; chashama then re-grants this space to artists. Since 1995, chashama has transformed more than 50 vacant properties and has given more than 7,500 artists access to space. Our programs are made possible by the generous support of: the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council, Carnegie Corporation, Dramatist Guild Fund, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Tides Foundation and through private donations from individuals.

Join The New Shul at Limmud 2010!

If you love The New Shul, you’ll feel right at home at Limmud NY taking place January 15-18, 2010 at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, NY.

Like The New Shul, Limmud NY is a place for exploring your own connections to Judaism in interesting and creative ways. It’s for people of all ages and backgrounds. There’s a camp for kids with great Jewish content and counselors.

Limmud NY features over 300+ sessions includes these from New Shulers:

Crafting a Personal Theology - Dan Ain and Alana Joblin Ain

Faith, Technology, and Shabbat "Is Google a Golem?" and Other Scary Stories - Dan Ain

Can Aliens Be Jewish? - Dan Ain

From Generation to Generation: Understanding How Families Transmit Trauma - Susan Berger

Mapping: Kabbalah and the Body - An In-Depth Art Workshop - Rachel Katz

The 2010 Limmud NY International Film Festival – curated by Erica Sigmon

Where Do You Limmud? – Panel of Limmud participants/volunteers from the UK, Atlanta, Australia, Colorado and New York - Sissy Block (co-chair of Limmud NY 2010)

Browse full program online.

Register today. There are less than 60 places left.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

P.S. If you’re going to be there, let us know. We’d love to you sit at the New Shul table at the organizational “shuk” on Sunday and spread the word about our creative, inclusive community.

Free Class - Empowering Ruth

Have you recently converted to Judaism? Continue your Jewish education while sharing your experiences, challenges, and sacred moments.

EMPOWERING RUTH: A PROGRAM OF THE JEWISH OUTREACH INSTITUTE

Town and Village Synagogue, in partnership with the JBFCS, will be offering a course designed for people who have converted to Judaism. This 8-week class will offer a range of experiential learning opportunities. There is no cost for this program.

Register Now - classes begin the middle of January. Meetings to be held at Town and Village Synagogue.

For more information, and if you are interested in joining please contact:
Amy Berenson at JBFCS
E-mail: aberenson@jbfcs.org

Happy Whatever You Wanakah

"Shabbat on Blue Tap"

From Battle of the Briskets to New Year window painting to hosting Shabbat on Tap, we went home for the holidays to Cowgirl Hall of Fame. There was lots discussed, including three references to how so many Jews wrote Christmas carols. Rabbi Dan read the following excerpt from Michael Feinstein's NY Times Op-Ed piece, Whose Christmas Is It?

If you look at a list of the most popular Christmas songs, you’ll find that the writers are disproportionately Jewish: Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” “The Christmas Song” (yes, Mel Tormé was Jewish), “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” "Silver Bells,” “Santa Baby,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Winter Wonderland” — perennial, beloved and, mostly, written for the sheet music publishers of Tin Pan Alley, not for a show or film.

Patty Nasey, Consumer Insights Director for Lucky, the magazine about shopping and style, shared many personal anecdotes. Patty spoke about how the commercialization of Christmas is nothing new for our generation. She reminded us of Charlie Brown Christmas special that first aired in 1965 where Charlie laments the commercialization of the holiday and ponders the true meaning of Christmas. She said that we reached a fever pitch this decade.

There were so many questions asked by all, including a few below, which we hope will continue to be discussed in the comment section.

1. What is our role in preventing the Christmastification of Chanukah?
2. How do we as Jews enjoy the secular celebration of Christmas without compromising our Jewish identity? Where do we drawn the line?
3. How do we teach young children that they are not being punished for being Jewish because Santa doesn't come to our house?
4. Is Christmakah an issue for people without children?

As one member said at the end of the night, maybe The New Shul needs to rebrand Chanukah... next year!

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Thank you to all those that brought in new PJs and books to be donated to the Pajama Program. We filled four bags with goodies! We know that these donations will mean so much to the children that receive them. A special todah rabbah to Sue Gomes (pictured) who helped organize the drive and delivered the donations directly to the Pajama Program.

Rebbe's Table: Creation, the Big Bang and the Search for Truth Series

Cosmologist David Hogg and Rabbi Dan will discuss the Big Bang, creation and the search for truth at the next Rebbe’s Table Klezmer brunch series on Sunday, January 24 at 10 am at City Winery (155 Varick Street).

"While the idea of creation is central to Jewish thought, the Big Bang theory provides the framework for our understanding of the cosmos,” said Rabbi Dan. "Together with cosmologist David Hogg, we'll explore how the search for truth intersects with faith, and whether the scientific endeavor comes into conflict with the religious framework."

David W. Hogg has been on the faculty of the New York University Department of Physics since 2001. His interests are in observational cosmology, galaxies, and the making of fundamental measurements with enormous astrophysical data sets. He is a member of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Collaboration and works with data from the GALEX, Hubble, and Spitzer Space Telescopes.

New Shul Members $12/Non-Members $15
(includes a seat at The Rebbe's Table, music cover charge, coffee/tea and juice; brunch is a la carte)

Shabbat on Tap is Time Out's Critics' Pick

Join us Friday, December 18th for the last night of Chanukah and Shabbat on Tap at 7pm. This event will be taking place at Cowgirl Hall of Fame (519 Hudson Street - find us in the back at Bar-K).

Check out our Shabbat on Tap's event in Time Out's critics' pick here.

Our free beer of the night is Pabst "Blue" in da can, though they will also be selling He'brew to help us stay in the holiday spirit.

Check out Pabst Blue Ribbon's first commercial, which aired in the 1950s below.

Gelt-A-Thon

Last night a group of us gathered together, ate pizza, drank wine, and lit the Chanukah candles before calling every member for our annual Gelt-A-Thon. Our goal is to have 100% participation and raise $9,000.

The New Shul would not be possible without you. Creating and keeping community such as The New Shul up and running is not an easy or inexpensive task. Our operating costs exceed our membership income.

Whether you are a member or a friend, please consider giving a contribution before the end of the year and get credit for the tax deduction in 2009. You can even give directly online here.

The money we raise through the Gelt-A-Thon will allow us to continue to function as a community that offers great services and special programs, and also provides a wonderful religious school for our 110 children!

Happy 6th Night of Chanukah

Rishonimers show off their gelt Chanukah bags that they made right before our party.

The picture below comes to us from a member. Even nature is celebrating this holiday of lights.

Wishing you all a year filled with miracles.

Getting Ready for Shabbat on Tap, 12/18

Click to enlarge.

The above is written by Marjorie Ingall for Tablet and is a great read. We will be discussing statistics like the ones above and much more at our Shabbat on Tap this Friday, December 18th, the last night of Chanukah.

Where: Cowgirl's Bar K, 255 W. 10th St, off of Hudson St (new location for this one only!)
When: Friday, December 18 at 7 pm at
Cost: FREE! Beer on us!

Sh"map" it here.

Is it Shammes or Shamash?

Earlier we wrote about the different between a menorah and a chanukiah.

Now we have been debating what the correct name is of the leader candle that lights all the other Chanukiah candles. Is it Shammes or Shamash? It is both! The Yiddish word is Shammes (shä'məs) and the Hebrew word is Shamash (shä'mäsh').

Shammes or Shamash is also another name for a salaried sexton in a synagogue, whose duties now generally include secretarial work and assistance to the cantor.

Also, Shamash, according to mythology, is the sun god of Assyro-Babylonian religion, worshiped as the author of justice and compassion.

Whatever you call it, enjoy and Happy fifth night of Chanukah!

A Special Invitation from No Longer Empty

Hello guys,

I want to invite you to come Wednesday, December 16 to this event I have organized as part of No Longer Empty, the art foundation I co-created earlier this year. Cartoons in Conflict is an exhibition by world famous cartoonist about the conflict in the Mid East. This will be followed by cocktails in my apartment with Metropolis Ensemble, Manhattan hippest music band, classical music incorporating new electronic and experimental sounds.

It will be great to see you. RSVP is advised and a minimum donation of $50 is required. For more information please go to our website here.

Asher Remy Toledo, New Shul member

Pics from Friday Night

City Council Member Alan Gerson helps us kick-off the festivities.

Our light sculpture brightens up the cold night.

It's Officially Chanukah*

*and not the Yankees World Series. Happy second night!

Our Favorite New Versus of I Have a Little Dreidel

I Have a Little Dreidel is one of our favorite Chanukah songs and we can't get the diddy out of our head for all eight days. To keep it fresh, we make our little dreidel not just out of clay....

I have a little drediel, I made it out of glass. My mom said when I spin it, to spin it on the grass.

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of brass. I bought it in to Hebrew School and showed it to my class.

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of mud, and when I tried to spin it, it fell down with a thud.

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of bread. It looked so very yummy, I ate it up instead.

I have a little dreidel, I made it from a broom. I think I'll try to talk it into cleaning up my room.

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of a road. And whn I tried to spin it, it smashed a little toad.

I have a little dreidel, I made it from a rock, but when I tried to spin it, it turned into a block.

Have a dreidel of your own you want to add to our list? Please do! Leave it in our comment section :)

Edible Dreidels

Picture taken at member's Chanukah party last year.

We have seen lots of latke recipes floating around, including one of our favorites here, but if you are hosting a party this year don't forget dessert! Try making this Chanukah treat, which is sure to win everyone over.

Step 1: For the top, or handle, of your dreidel use thin pretzel sticks.
Step 2: Make a hole in the center of the marshmallow and poke the pretzel through, making sure that a little bit sticks through the other side.
Step 3: Unwrap a Hershey's Kiss and bore a small hole in the center of the flat side so it will fit the pretzel. Hershey's Hugs or other varieties can also be used.
Step 4: Fit the top of the dreidel to the kiss. If the pretzel doesn't stick in there by itself, add a thin layer of peanut butter or icing in between the two layers to help them adhere.
Step 5 (optional): Decorate the marshmallow dreidel. Coating it in frosting and sprinkles or peanut butter and chocolate shavings are tasty ways to make the dreidel look festive.

Send in pictures from your Chanukah party and candle lighting and we will post them on the blog and New Shul facebook page!

For fun dreidel games, including our favorite, Prophetic Dreidel, click here.

How to Light Your Chanukiah

The Jacob family shows us how it is down.

One candle is added to the menorah each night. The first night, you light only the shammus (the one at a different height) and one Chanukkah candle. By the eighth night, you light all of the candles.

Candles should be added to the menorah from right to left (like Hebrew writing). The shammus candle is lit first. While holding the shammus candle, recite the blessings.

Blessing over Candles:
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amen)

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has sanctified us with Gods commandments and commanded us to light the lights of Chanukkah.

Blessing for Chanukkah:
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam she'asah nisim la'avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amen)

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time.

Shehecheyanu (first night only):
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam shehecheyanu v'kiyimanu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh. (Amen)

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.

-------

After reciting the blessings, use the shammus to light the Chanukkah candles from left to right (newest to oldest). Candles should be left burning until they go out on their own. They must burn for more than half an hour.

Please note: Since the first night of Chanukah falls on Friday night, we light the Chanukah candles and then the Shabbat Candles.

Bringing in Chanukah (and Shabbat) Together this Friday!

Join us as we mark the first night of the Festival of Lights. Help construct a light sculpture, our creative menorah: a monument to creation itself. This interactive outdoor ritual will kindle the tribal, elemental sparks of the holiday through prayer, dance, poetry, and song led by Rabbi Dan Ain and music by The Shuk.


Come to sing, create, pray, listen, learn and celebrate our past and our future!

Where: Near the Washington Square Park Fountain
Rain Location: 272 W 10th St (b/w Greenwich and Washington Sts)
When: Friday, December 11 @ 6pm

Come Hear The Shuk Live

This amazing band will be playing at our Chaunkah event this Friday, December 11th - the first night of Chanukah starting at 6:45pm. Join us as we dance in Washington Square Park, sing, celebrate, and kindle our very own light sculpture with flashlights.

Rain location: 272 W. 10th St (b/w Greenwich and Washington Sts).

Free! Everyone invited. Chag Chanukah Sameach!

Torah Teen Bloggers #3 - What is Kindness?

Kindness Poem, by Julian Gerson, delivered at his Bar Mitzvah 11/14/09

Today’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, is when Eliezar is at the well preparing to find Isaac a new wife. In the events that followed, Rebecca, a local woman, stopped and offered not only Eliezar water, but his camels as well. That, I felt, was a perfect example of kindness if there ever was one.

Imagine this: Your mother tells you to go to the grocery store to buy some milk. At the entrance to the store, you see an old man in the freezing cold wearing nothing but rags. Next to him, lies a shivering dog. Your heart melts with sadness and pity, despite the near frigid temperature.You feel your spare change, pennies and nickels rattling in your pocket, not even enough to buy a soda.

What is the logical thing to do? You give the man and his pet the little change you have, and go on your way. This brief interaction is similar to what happened to Rebecca, except hers had a greater reward than self-satisfaction.

When Rebecca saw Eliezar and his camels lying parched next to the well, she acted righteously by giving them water. Once Eliezar noticed this kind woman had done what his experiment asked for, he immediately bestowed upon her fine jewels, and asked her to become Isaac’s wife. Everyone knows the story from there. They got married, and lived happily ever after.

However, the question is: Did Rebecca do something truly amazing by giving water to Eliezar and the camels? Did you do something truly amazing by giving your change to the homeless man and his dogs? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because you and Rebecca decided to be charitable, you decided to give something that belonged to you, to someone else. But no, it is not amazing because isn’t that what a human being is supposed to do? Give to someone who is in need? The golden rule: Do unto others as you would want done to you. They were simply doing the right thing.

The old saying is: What goes around comes around. If everyone lives his or her life according to those five words, then there would be an abundance of goodwill and love. Even though I’m not always as kind as I’d like to be, I try to help others as much as I can - be it a hug, a talk, or even just a smile. It might make someone feel better. While I do not go out of my way for everyone, I sometimes leave them alone; but when I help someone else feel better, then I have done something to improve someone’s day.

Even though the milk might go un-bought,

The water might go un-drunk.

The kindness will not be unforgotten.

Christmaka: How do Jews Feel during Christmas Time?

Join Lucky magazine's Patty Nasey and Rabbi Dan Ain for a discussion about why Jews feel compelled to turn Chanukah into Christmas, and how to handle the season with communal joy and religious integrity.

"The December Dilemma is a fact of life for many modern Jews," said Rabbi Ain. "Together with consumer expert Patty Nasey, we'll explore what it means for Jews to celebrate Christmas as cultural holiday, whether you can do both, or whether Chinese food and a movie is good enough.

Patty Nasey is consumer insights director for Lucky, the magazine about shopping and style. She is a convert to Judaism and a recovering Christmas addict.

Where: Cowgirl's Bar K, 255 W. 10th St, off of Hudson St (new location for this one only!)
When: Friday, December 18 at 7 pm at
Cost: FREE! Beer on us!

Do Your Holiday Shopping Here...

and support New Shul artists!
You are invited to a Unique Holiday Experience and Private AROMAWEAR Sale by member/artist Cathy Gins on Tuesday, December 8th and Wednesday, December 9 from 5-9pm at the Aromawear Studio (call the office for address or check member directory under Cathy Gins).


Then on Saturday, December 12th, Noon-6pm and Sunday, December 13th, Noon-4pm check out the BANGLES, EARRING FRAMES, MOBILES AND BLOWN GLASS at the home of member/artist Andrea Osnow (call office for address or check member directory under Andrea Osnow).

Submit Your Questions Anonymously to Dr. Ruth

Is it just us or does Dr. Ruth keep getting younger and younger looking?
Come see her in person on 12/9 and find out!

This Wednesday, December 9th, The New Shul scored free tickets to hear the legendary Dr. Ruth in person. For more details on the event, click here. To receive the free discount code, call or email our office.

Whether you can attend or not, you can submit your questions to Dr. Ruth in advance directly from The Museum, of Jewish Heritage's home page here. Go on, don't be shy...ask away.

Join us for the First Night of Chanukah!

It is even more beautiful in person!

For more info on Do the Light Thing: A Chanukah Celebration in Washington Square Park, click here.

See you this Friday, December 11 at 6pm.

Rain location: VCS (272 W. 10th St. b/w Greenwich and Washington Sts)