MAZAL TOV Nancy & Yossie Sklarin on the birth

of a grandson, Moshe Maier, to their children Lesley and Josh

Herbert

CONDOLENCES Brauna Fortgang on the passing of

her sister Deborah Eisenberg

THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS Barbara Paris and Scott Fisher

Thank you to our CSS

members whose efforts help maintain a safe shul for our

community.

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

JUNE 15, 2019 • 12 SIVAN 5779 • PARSHAT NASSO

The Jewish Center SHABBAT BULLETIN

SANCTUARY RENOVATION UPDATE Renovations have begun.

Please see schedule for exact locations of minyanim and classes. Thank you for your cooperation!

Sunday June 16 7:45AM Daf Yomi 8:30AM Shacharit 8:15PM Minchah

Mon. June 17– Thur. June 20 7/8AM Shacharit 7:45AM Daf Yomi 8:15PM Minchah

Friday June 21 7/8AM Shacharit 7:45AM Daf Yomi 7/8PM Minchah 8:12PM Candle-lighting

DAILY SERVICE TIMES

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS SHABBAT & SHAVUOT SCHEDULE

Congratulations to the people listed below upon their election to the Board of Trustees and Administrative Committee at this week’s annual meeting. Trustees: Andrew Borodach, Arthur Degen, Steve Graber, Ira Kellman, Barbara Messer, Avi Schwartz and Adina Spiro Wagman. Administrative Committee: Tehillah Blech, Michelle Chrein, Becca Herman, David Pfeffermann, Barbara Reiss, Rose Lynn Sherr, Grant Silverstein, Daniel Solomons and Ari Stein.

EREV SHABBAT 7:00/8:00PM Minchah (1st floor) 7:15PM Young Leadership Kabbalat Shabbat (4th floor) 8:10PM Candle-lighting

SHABBAT 7:45AM Hashkama (1st floor) 8:30AM Rabbi Israel Silverstein Morning Midrash 9:00AM Shacharit (5th floor) 9:15AM Hashkama Shiur with Ora Weinbach, The Enigmatic Verse of the Emanating Voice (lower level) 9:13AM Sof Zman Kriat Shema 9:30AM Young Leadership (1st floor) 9:30AM Teen Minyan (4th floor) 10:00AM Youth Groups 10:30AM Sermon with William Fischman Rabbinic Intern Rabbi Elie Buechler, The Complexity of Destiny: Shimshon's Adversity Score 11:45AM Graduation Kiddush (5th floor) 4:00PM Bikkur Cholim/Bikkur in the Home (meet at 730 Columbus Ave.) 7:15PM Afternoon Shiur with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, Israel, Diaspora and The Daily Debate: Birkat Kohanim Part 2 (1st floor) 7:15PM Daf Yomi 8:00PM Minchah (1st floor) Seudah Shlishit with Avigdor Kahalani, Planting Our Flag: Zionism Against All Odds (5th floor) 9:10PM Shabbat Ends THANK YOU TO OUR KIDDUSH SPONSORS: Community Kiddush: Sarah Finegold & Drew Newton in commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Sarah's brother, Jonathan Finegold Hedda Rudoff in commemoration of the 13th Yahrzeit of her daughter, Shaindy Rudoff (see page 2 for Graduation Kiddush Sponsors) Teen Kiddush Sponsors: Elisheva Rothstein & Ira Kalfus Paulette & David Meyer Rachel & Daniel Solomons Seudah Shlishit: Carrie Stieglitz, Ariel and Joseph Grun in memory of Moshe Grun Veronica & Erwin Muth in Commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Veronica's father Zoltan Ungar.

Seudah Shlishit with IDF Brigadier General (res.) Avigdor Kahalani

Planting Our Flag: Zionism Against All Odds Shabbat, June 15th Mincha at 8:00PM

Seudah Shlishit at 8:30PM Brigadier General (res.) Avigdor Kahalani is the chairman of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, a recipient of the Medal of Valor for extraordinary heroism in the Yom Kippur War as well as the President’s Medal of Distinction for his many years of service to the people of Israel since that time. Mr. Kahalani joins us this Shabbat as an ambassador for The El Ami Organization, which assists wounded IDF veterans by integrating them into the Israeli education system as lecturers and counselors for youths. While the wounded veterans inspire youth to love Israel and want to give of themselves for the country, the youths in turn give the soldiers strength to progress in their recovery.

The Greatest Controversies in Jewish History Explained

Rabbi Elchanan Poupko Wednesdays June 12-26 at 7:00PM

(followed by Mincha/Maariv) Week 1: Hillel and Shammai

Week 2: Pharisees Vs. Sadducees Week 3: Talmud Bavli and Talmud Yerushalmi

WOMEN’S TEHILLIM GROUP: Monday, June 17th, 2019 at 7:15PM

Contact Joyce Weitz for more info. at 212-877-1176

Teen Minyan: Europe/Semisonic Edition This Shabbat at 9:30AM on the 4th Floor

That's right, folks. It's the Final Countdown. As we wind our way towards Closing Time, we at the Teen Minyan are going out the only way we know how. With lots and lots of food. Featuring a spectacularly sublime feast fit for the top-hatted maestros that we are, our FINAL Teen Minyan of the year boasts unfathomable quantities of sushi and NY Brat Factory splendor (did someone say chicken tenders and churros? Chasdei Hashem). Come for the davening and Torah, stay for the friends, food, and fun. CAN'T WAIT! Also, bring Tupperware. #TeenMinyanForeverrrr

WITH THANKS TO OUR 2019 GRADUATION KIDDUSH SPONSORS

The Bernstein Family in honor of Zoe Bernstein and all the graduates.

Judith & Robert Grauman in honor of their daughter-in-law Rebecca Gerr's graduating with high honors from Georgetown University with an MBA and MPP; and grandson Judah Alexander Safier's graduating from Kol Chaverim Preschool.

Paul Kaufmann, Patricia and Mark Kaufmann in honor of Olivia Kaufmann.

Yael Federbush & Robert Lebowitz in honor of Julia Lebowitz graduation from The

Abraham J. Heschel School.

Batsheva Leibtag in honor of her daughter Abby's graduation from Yaldaynu Preschool.

David Menchel in honor of his son Eli Menchel's graduation from Pre-Kindergarten

from MDS.

Ruth & Joseph Schwarz in honor of their daughter Shoshana Schwarz upon her graduation from the Ramaz Middle School. She will be attending Frisch next year.

Rona & Andrew Steinerman in honor of Gabriella Steinerman graduating from The

Frisch School. To our superstar! Love, Abba, Imma, Noam and Michaela

Esther & Garth Symonds in honor of the graduation of their son Jonathan from The Ramaz Lower School

Rachel & Dr. David Vorchheimer, Emma, Joshua and Ethan in honor of Hannah’s graduation from SAR High School. After spending her gap year at Migdal Oz,

Hannah will attend Barnard College.

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR GRADUATES!

Daniel Ben-David on receiving his JD+LLM from Washington University School of Law, husband of Regina and son-in-law of Gilda & Irving Chodosh

Jonah Berman from Ramaz Upper School , son of

Len Berman & Lori Zeltser

Zoe Bernstein from SAR High School , daughter of Rachel Stone & Robert Bernstein

Joshua Broome, from Manhattan Day School , son of

Bernard Broome

Annaelle Berson on graduating Pre-Nursery, daughter of Batya & Chaim David Berson

Rabbi Elie Buechler on receiving his M.A. in

Medieval Jewish History from YU

Arianne Thaler on receiving her MBA from NYU , wife of David Cinamon

Betzalel Fruchter from Chabad ELC, son of

Evelyn and Moshe Fruchter

Yehuda Goldman from Ramaz Upper School , son of Shera & Martin Goldman

Rebecca Gerr with high honors from Georgetown University with an MBA and MPP , daughter-in-law

of Judith & Robert Grauman

Judah Alexander Safier from Kol Chaverim Preschool and will be attending Yeshivat Noam in the fall , grandson of Judith & Robert Grauman

Zachary Jacobs from MDS , son of

Estie & Michael Jacobs

Emma Jonas from Heschel Middle School, daughter of Rochelle Tarlowe & Seth Jonas

Olivia Kaufmann from University of Maryland Summa Cum Laude, granddaughter of Paul Kaufmann and daughter of Patricia & Mark

Kaufmann

Maayan Kellman from Hillel Torah Skokie , granddaughter of Rona and Ira Kellman

Shelby Landry from Class of 2020 Accelerated Nursing A4 Bellarmine University

Julia Lebowitz from The Abraham J. Heschel School daughter of Yael Federbush and Robert Lebowitz

Abby from Yaldaynu Preschool , daughter of

Batsheva Leibtag

Alexander Lyons from DRS High School , Grandson of Tiki & Simcha Lyons

Samuel Lyons from HALB Junior High School,

grandson of Tiki & Simcha Lyons

Eli Menchel from Pre-Kindergarten MDS , son of David Menchel

Gavriel Metzger on receiving his MBA, from

Columbia Business School

AJ Raiken from Ohavei Torah High School, son of Leah Pluchenik

Lila Rabinowitz & Caleb Rabinowitz from MDS Nursery 4, children of Shuli & Avi Rabinowitz

Shoshana Schwarz from Ramaz Middle School and will be continuing at Frisch next year daughter, of

Ruth & Joseph Schwarz

Tova Solomons from Manhattan Day School, daughter of Rachel & Daniel Solomons

Gabriella Steinerman from Frisch, daughter of

Rona and Andrew Steinerman

Netanel David Vinar from TABC with honors grandson of Ellie Strauss

Michal Strum on receiving her Master's Degree from

Baruch , daughter of Aaron Strum

Hannah Vorchheimer on her graduation from SAR High School , Hannah will attend Barnard College after her gap year in Israel, daughter of Rachel &

Dr. David Vorchheimer

Zahava Wapner from Hebrew University MA English Literature

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

I am pleased to announce that a new CSS class will begin Tuesday, June 25. The course will be approximately 8 consecutive Tuesday nights at an upper west side location and will incorporate both theory and physical training. No experience is necessary, and men and women are invited to join. The course is encouraged whether you have taken the preliminary (L1) course or not. Given recent events, we need trained and dedicated individuals to augment our security team at The Jewish Center. This comprehensive course is also available for those who took the course years ago and want a refresher. We have skilled paid security but this is not a substitute for each of us having the knowledge and expertise that this training will provide. Community Security Service (CSS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Jewish security organization run by dedicated, professional members of the Jewish community. CSS members are highly trained professionals who volunteer to help protect Jewish life and the Jewish way of life in the United States. CSS is apolitical and non-denominational in focus and works hand-in-hand with law enforcement and the organized Jewish community to provide a qualitatively better approach to community security. Please contact steve.graber@gmail.com with any questions and/or to sign up for this important training. Rabbi Dovid Zirkind Andrew Borodach Len Berman Steve Graber

CSS ANNOUNCEMENT

Yosie Levine Rabbi

Dovid Zirkind Associate Rabbi

Noach Goldstein Assistant Rabbi

Chaim David Berson

Cantor

Ora Weinbach Community Educator

Eliezer Buechler William Fischman Rabbinic Intern

Aaron Strum

Executive Director

Batsheva Leibtag Director of

Programming and Communications

Sarah Cromwell Youth Director

OFFICERS Andrew Borodach

President

Mark Segall First Vice President

Len Berman Vice President

Aliza Herzberg Vice President

Michael Jacobs Vice President

Scott Black Treasurer

Daniel Solomons Assistant Treasurer

Naomi Goldman Secretary

LOCAL RESOURCES Yoetzet Halacha Shiffy Friedman

nycyoetzet@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

The Nazir: The Leader We Need But Don’t Deserve Parshat Nasso 5779

Rabbi Noach Goldstein, Assistant Rabbi

Rashi famously notes that the Chumash juxtaposes the Nazir to the Sotah because witnessing the Sotah ritual can spur the nazir to take his vow. If, however, we consider the appearance of the nazir elsewhere in Tanach, we can appreciate that Rashi touches on a deeper insight. In this week’s haftorah we read about the angelic visit to the wife of Manoach, and the angel’s message that she will soon bear a son, who shall be consecrated as a nazir from birth, and who shall begin to redeem Israel from the Philistine yoke. The next great—and far greater—Jewish leader is Shmuel, whose mother similarly promises that her future son will be a nazir (see Nazir 66a). It is noteworthy that after a series of a dozen judges come and go over the deflating, deteriorating course of Sefer Shoftim, two successive nazirite leaders suddenly appear on the scene. By the end of Shoftim, Leviim serve in idolatrous temples while the people treat their guests like the people of Sodom. In Shmuel’s day, even the kohanim have become corrupted. Apparently, the nazir is a response not just to the adultery of the sotah and her paramour, but to a general religio-moral collapse in Jewish society. It is a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency institution, elevating a dynamic individual whose striking long-haired appearance grabs the attention of even the most indifferent populace, and who then inspires them with his/her intensified observance and piety. We can take this one step farther. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 10:11) points out that the nazir is closely related to the kohen gadol. Highlighting just a few examples, both may not become ritually impure even after losing their closest relatives, and both have features described as a sacred “nezer” (crown): the nazir’s hair (that gives the “nazir” his name) and the both the kohen gadol’s annointing oil and tzitz frontlet. What is the relationship between these two individuals? Ideally, the religious consciousness of the people is consistently turned inwards to the Mishkan/Mikdash that lies at the center of the nation. That is certainly the reality envisioned by the description last week of the various tribes camped in their own respective locations around the central

Mishkan. We make sure to physically appear there frequently—at least three times per year—and generally speaking it is the spiritual heart of the people. The halakha mandating that we face the direction of the Temple Mount whenever we pray is the clearest consequence active nowadays. And the kohen gadol is the man entrusted with representing and leading the entire system revolving around Mikdash: “He shall not leave the Mikdash” (Vayikra 21:22). What happens, however, when the religious consciousness lapses? When Bnei Yisrael grow distant from God, and no longer connect to the Mishkan on a daily basis? The world of the Mishkan must somehow reach out to them. And this is the role for the nazir. The kohen gadol has all the strengths and weaknesses of leadership from the ivory tower. His purity and sanctity are unparalleled; “He is a malach of Hashem Master of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). That allows him to reach incredibly inspiring heights, even entering the Holy of Holies, but also limits his ability to expand his reach to the outskirts of the camp. That is the job for the nazir. The nazir cannot offer sacrifices or appear before the Aron Kodesh, but on the other hand he enjoys far more flexibility than the kohen gadol does: members of all tribes, both men and women, can take a nazirite vows, they can take it for any duration of time. They dwell among the people rather than with the Mishkan. So, when the people have ceased drawing upon the Mishkan for spiritual sustenance, the nazir must emerge and come to them. Thus the pesukim emphasize that Shmuel would annually travel around the entire country rather than remain next to the altar he had built in his home town. The conclusion of our sedra’s passage about the nazir highlights the bridge between these two institutions. For while the nazir reaches out directly to the people; his ultimate goal is to turn their attention back to the Mikdash. It is there that he himself returns to offer korbanot upon concluding his nazirite term. Immediately after this, the Torah legislates the mitzvah of Birkat Kohanim, which requires the kohanim to bestow blessing upon the people, and applies both in the Mikdash and across the Diaspora, wherever Jews are found.