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D E C E M B E R 22 00 11 33 Kislev - Tevet 5774

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CCEENNTTEERR LLIIGGHHTT

VVAANN CCOORRTTLLAANNDDTT

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www.vcjewishcenter.org

RABBI’S TRIBUTE MESSAGE

This month’s column is dedicated in loving memory of my father,

Mr. Seymour Borenstein, whose 7th yahrzeit is the 24th of Tevet,

as well as my late sister, “Chommie” Naomi Gail Borenstein

Mark, Yehudis Nechama bas Reb Sonna Chaim, ob”m whose

19th yahrzeit is the 15th of Tevet, both from Far Rockaway, NY.

My tatty/father, Reb Sonna Chaim ben Reb Raphael Dovid

Eliezer, a”h, Mr. Seymour Borenstein ob”m, passed away on

Saturday night, the 24th day of Teves, 5767, (Jan. 14, 2007). The

Chayei Adam writes that a person is obligated to think of his

parent as a special and distinguished person. Therefore, as we

mark his 7th yahrzeit, I’d like to share some thoughts about him.

When my father was growing up, some seven to eight decades

ago, keeping or observing the commandments was not the norm

and observing Shabbos was more the exception than the rule.

What gave my father the strength and fortitude to follow the

proper path in life? I believe that my father made a decision

early on in his life to associate with great people, as we learn in

Ethics of the Fathers 1:4 “and drink in their words thirstily.”

Accordingly, after school my father attended Chaim Berlin,

learning with Rabbi Shurkin, a disciple of the Chofetz Chaim.

When WWII broke out and my father had to go into the army

overseas, he received a special blessing from Rabbi Yitzchak

Hutner, ob”m, to return home safely and Baruch Hashem he did.

My father and mother chose to daven at the Young Israel of New

Lots, whose members included Rabbi Avraham Pam, ob”m and

Lieutenant Meyer Birnbaum and the rest of the “chevra” with

Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld, ob”m as the Rabbi.

Ever since my father, ob”m as well as my mother, moved to Far

Rockaway over 50 years ago, they attached themselves to the

Shuls and Torah Academies. They helped build and full-

heartedly supported these institutions, and attended them along

with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,

My father was our family’s role model by the attention to detail

and delight he showed in mitzvah performance, continually

implementing praiseworthy habits as he’d learn them. He would

go to the mikvah regularly. After he retired, on eve of Rosh

Chodesh or “Yom Kippur kattan” (continued page 5)

VCJC 9th ANNUAL BAZAAR & CARNIVAL

The VCJC’s ninth annual Bazaar & Carnival was once again

successful, thanks in part to many of our Center Light

recipients. A hearty thanks to those who participated in

whatever way they could. This year we had quite a few raffle

winners from out-of-state, including Florida and California!

This tells me that even though you have moved away, you still

belong to the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center and we appreciate

your continued support.

Everyone who came seemed to enjoy themselves – having a

cup of coffee and a bagel or some hot food, picking out the

door prize they just won, playing games and saving tickets to

get a really nice carnival prize, perusing the huge number of

auction items and the vendor and bric-a-brac tables, getting

information and giveaways from Montefiore Hospital, the Credit

Union, CSA and the FDNY, mingling with our many clowns and

perhaps walking away with a balloon animal, or just hanging

out with family, neighbors and friends.

None of this would be possible without our loyal volunteers, so

I would like to shout out a heartfelt thank you to each and

every one. There are too many to name here and I don’t want

to risk leaving anyone out, but you all know who you are and I

will be sending out individual letters of thanks shortly. Many

thanks as well to our office staff, Roberta and Claire, and to

our caretaker Ismael, and to all of you who supported this

event and thereby the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center.

Although the online and live auctions were successful

(approximately $10,000 raised from this alone), there were

many items left unclaimed and the total income fell short of our

goal. We will be running a second auction containing these

items plus any donations we can get between now and when it

starts. It will run from December 1st through the 15th so as to

catch the (non-Chanukah) Holiday shoppers. Please visit

www.biddingforgood.com/vcjc and see if there’s anything

you would like to bid on and please pass this on to friends,,

family and co-workers.

(continued page 6)

VVAANN CCOORRTTLLAANNDDTT VVIILLLLAAGGEE

NNOOTTEESS -- -- DDEECCEEMMBBEERR

RREEFFUUAAHH SSHHLLEEMMAAHH >>

. . . Rose Borenstein, Gary Buchhalter, Richard Buchhalter, Sherry

Feifer, Arnold Geismar, Mia Lande, Jules Rubinstein, Sidney Sass,

,Mayer Sodden, Sigmund Spira, Helen Wegsman.

SSIINNCCEERREE SSYYMMPPAATTHHYY >

. . . Carole Chase on the loss of her husband, Joe Chase.

. . . The Dubin family on the loss their aunt, Beatrice Schorr.

. . . George Tillis on the passing of his wife, Myrna, daughter

Claudia and grandchildren Emily & Benjamin. George has been a

member of the VCJC for over 40 years.

TTHHAANNKK YYOOUU > for being here for Halloween watch:

Marc Friedman, Phil Friedman, Bonnie Garfinkel, Joel Garfinkel,

Stu Harris, Neil Harrow, Sabrina Heit, Benji Shapiro & Sarah Silber

.

SSCCHHEEDDUULLEE OOFF SSEERRVVIICCEESS PPlleeaassee AAtttteenndd && GGuuaarraanntteeee

oouurr MMiinnyyaanniimm

MMoorrnniinngg SSeerrvviicceess: Saturday 8:45

Sunday 8:30

Monday & Thursday 6:50

Tues., Wed. & Fri. 7:00

Tues. & Wed. Dec. 3 & 4

Rosh Chodesh – Tevet 6:30

Fri. Dec. 13 – Fast of Tevet 6:45

EEvveenniinngg SSeerrvviicceess::

Sunday thru Thursday Friday

Dec. 1 - 5 4:20 4:15 Dec. 8 - 12 4:20 3:50 Dec. 15 – 19 4:25 4:20 Dec. 22 - 26 4:30 4:20 Dec. 29 – 31 4:35

BBlleessssiinngg oovveerr tthhee CCaannddlleess

First light the candles, then spread your hands out

around the candles, drawing your hands inward in a circular

motion three times to indicate the acceptance of the sanctity of

Shabbat. Then cover your eyes and recite the following

blessing:

“Boruch A-toh Ado-noi, E-lo-hei-nu Melech Ho-olom A-sher

Ki-de-sha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel

Shabbos”

KKiinnddllee tthhee SSaabbbbaatthh LLiigghhttss

Candle Lighting Schedule Shabbos Ends

Fri. Dec. 6 4:10 5:14

Fri. Dec. 13 4:11 5:15

Fri. Dec. 20 4:13 5:17

Fri. Dec. 27 4:17 5:21

TTHHEE CCEENNTTEERR LLIIGGHHTT

VVAANN CCOORRTTLLAANNDDTT JJEEWWIISSHH CCEENNTTEERR

33888800 SSeeddggwwiicckk AAvvee..

BBrroonnxx,, NNYY 1100446633

PPhhoonnee ((771188)) 888844--66110055 FFaaxx ((771188)) 888844--66110066

www.vcjewishcenter.org

Affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Jewish

Congregations of America

Rabbi David Borenstein

Rabbi Jacob Sodden President Robert Gillman

Vice Presidents Phillip Friedman

Howard Leventhal

Treasurer Stuart Harris

Secretary Marc Friedman

Sisterhood President Helen Wegsman

Office Manager Roberta Seidner

Office Assistant Claire Haime

The VCJC will be running another

online auction from

December 1st thru December 15th

Visit www.biddingforgood.com/vcjc

for another chance to get that

something special for yourself or

someone else at a fraction of it’s

retail cost!

IINN CCAASSEE OOFF AA MMEEDDIICCAALL EEMMEERRGGEENNCCYY

AANNDD NNEEEEDD AANN AAMMBBUULLAANNCCEE

CCAALLLL HHAATTZZOOLLOOHH::

771188 223300--11000000

5

Rabbi’s Tribute Message continued he’d attend services and fast when his health would allow it.

Motzaei or the conclusion of Shabbos he’d wait for 72 minutes

before beginning to daven Maariv. Then he’d sing “G-d Of

Abraham” before havdalah, and he always tried to eat Melaveh

Malkah. When seeing a physician or taking medicine or even

vitamins, he would first say the special “yehi ratzon.” prayer,

thereby acknowledging health & healing is exclusively from G-d.

As a youngster growing up, I recall how much my father enjoyed

taking me and my brothers to the White Shul sukkah. When we

eventually acquired our own sukkah, my father would insist that

our neighbors, who did not have one, use it first, even though it

meant eating in three shifts. He viewed his sacrifice more as a

cause for rejoicing for being able to perform a chesed, or loving-

kindness than an inconvenience. To the family, it was a lesson in

chinuch or education and oneg or enjoying Yom Tov.

Zaidy, as the grandchildren would affectionately refer to him,

genuinely took great pleasure in celebrating Shabbos and Yom

Tov. He had dozens of favorite Shabbos zemiros and songs.

Our many guests over the years were truly made to feel at home

with the genuine warmth and hospitality my parents extended to

one and all. My mother’s brother, Boruch, or Uncle Benny ob”m,

lived with us and enhanced our lives for over 30 years. In his last

years of declining health, when he could no longer navigate the

stairs, my father allowed him to live in the living room, in a

hospital bed, and when necessary even helped see to his

personal needs.

My father had a special love for people. He would excel in being

the first to offer a greeting, always with a genuine smile. Taking a

real interest in people, he’d listen to their concerns and try to

direct each of them to Rabbis, physicians, or others that might be

able to help them with their various issues. My father would also

often escort people, particularly elderly home from shul. When

there was no one to say Kaddish for a departed Yid, my father

would do so, until it could be formally arranged.

My father also had tremendous love for the Torah,

struggling mightily after a long and exhausting day of work in the

city, to stay awake at an evening Talmud or Chumash class. He

would often call people in advance to invite them to sermons,

particularly those of Rabbi Pelcovitz, and would frequently record

Torah lectures. Though fluent in davening, my father made

certain he understood the translation of whatever he davened, by

having the Metzudah siddur and machzorim as his constant

companions. The words “Baruch Hashem” or “Thank G-d” and

“b’li neder” (without promise) were forever on his lips.

My father helped my mother with many of her chesed

projects including polishing the silver ornaments of the shul’s

sifrei Torah. Also, many years ago, they delivered their own

Tomchei Shabbos packages to those in need, the predecessor to

the present Yad Yeshaya Shabbos packages in the Far

Rockaway/5 Towns area.

My father would often deeply touch mourners when paying a

condolence call by bringing them a recording of the funeral

eulogies that he would tape. This was something bereaved family

members deeply cherished and appreciated and could find a

measure of comfort in for years to come. Later, he approached

funeral homes locally and in Brooklyn and convinced them to

follow his example.

Finally, my father had tremendous Gratitude. Often, years after

receiving a favor from someone, he’d continue to thank them. It

is only fitting that we give thanks to Hashem for having allowed

us to benefit from my father’s presence with us for all of these

decades. By his friends, children and all their descendants

following in his footsteps, his legacy lives on.

May my Father’s and my Sister’s memories be for a blessing.

Shalom

Rabbi David Borenstein

(reprinted and modified with permission from 5 Towns

Jewish Times – January 22, 2010)

EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN && YYOOUUTTHH CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE

I am continuing some of the observations made by the Pew

Research Center on the state of American Jewry. I ended last

month by saying that the Orthodox have the biggest retention rate

especially due to the younger Orthodox Jews. The middle is

shrinking as the Conservatives show the lowest retention rate.

Many have strayed from traditional age-old Judaism. A majority

feel they can still be Jewish if they work on Shabbat, but only

19% say observing Jewish law is essential to keep them Jewish.

Some other statistics that are positive are that 73% feel that the

Holocaust plays a major role in their Judaism. This is a real

positive since many of the Holocaust survivors has passed away.

Other factors that make people positive about their Judaism are:

leading an ethical life, 69% work for justice and equality 56% and

a one real negative only 40% feel that Israel plays a major role in

their Judaism.

It’s unfortunate that these people especially the younger ones

don’t remember the struggle to get Israel in 1948, or when the

Arabs were ready for the second Holocaust in 1967. Maybe

these people are too comfortable with Anti-Semitism at a low in

the USA, but growing in leaps and bounds worldwide. A

challenge for them, if anything ever happens to Israel you’ll see

Anti-Semitism grow to proportions you never even imagined.

Back to the Pew report, 70% said they went to a

Passover Seder, down from 78% in 2000. Only 53% said they

fasted on Yom Kippur, down from 60% in 2000, and only 25%

said they went to shul once or twice a week or month.

The editor of the Jewish Week, Gary Rosenblatt said, he

sees a shift from Jewish religion to ancestry and culture. How

long can Judaism survive in America without religious belief and

practice at its core he asks. It’s up to us to ensure the future.

We can’t change the world, but we can change our shul. Bring

people to all of our activities and programs and of course, to our

shul.

Neil Harrow, Chairman

p

VCJC BAZAAR – continued

We were also very happy to see our elected officials en force,

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, newly elected Councilman

Andrew Cohen, State Senator, Jeff Klein and Councilmember G.

Oliver Koppell and his wife, Lorraine Coyle, all came to show

their support. The Koppell’s were the proud winners of a $100

MasterCard Gift Card in our raffle – Congratulations! We thank

them all for their past, present and future support!

We will also be having a Murder Mystery Show/Lunch and Chinese Raffle on Sunday, January 26, 2014. This will be held at the Amalgamated Housing’s Vladeck Hall. More information will be provided as we work out the details, but if you live nearby, please save the date as this promises to be a big event and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! We already have quite a few great raffle prizes, including giant Empire City Casino and Avon baskets!

The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center is an icon of our community.

We provide twice-daily and holiday prayer services and a home

for the JASA Senior Center. We provide meeting space for

community groups, as well as rental space for events such as

the Park Reservoir annual meeting, special event parties and our

popular Sisterhood events. We also provide hot meals for

Passover and Succos, Holiday parties and much more! And

most recently we provide space for our new tenant and friend

Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s Early Childhood

Development/Head Start Program.

Can anyone imagine NOT having the Van Cortlandt Jewish

Center in our community? I hope not and I hope you continue to

support our future events and fundraising efforts so that we can

remain a viable institution for years to come. Because where

you live may often change, but where you come from and belong

never does. Thank you.

Marcy Gillman-Harris

Fundraising Committee Chair

COMING SOON. . . THE MASTERCARD GIVING SOLUTION!

Over the next few weeks, look for information in the mail about a

new way to plan and make your donations to the Van Cortlandt

Jewish Center… the MasterCard Online Giving Solution. This is a

convenient and secure way to make your donations without the

hassle of making out and mailing in a check. Best of all for the

Synagogue, for the first year of the program, VCJC will not be

charged any fee by MasterCard for this service!

On our website home page, www.vcjewishcenter.org

There will be a “Donate Now” button with a link to our MasterCard

website. From there you can either set up your own account,

which simplifies the process for future donations, or just sign in as

a “Guest” and make your donation online using either your

MasterCard credit or debit card. Note that you must have your

own MasterCard account to use this method of giving. You can

either make a one-time donation, the same as you would with a

check, or set up a plan of monthly donations over the year, which

will be automatically charged to your MasterCard account each

month. By spreading out the payment of a large pledge, this

makes it easier to meet your financial obligation with much less

strain on your cash flow and hopefully may encourage you to give

a larger amount than you might otherwise have given in one

payment.

This service will only be available for donations, including Yizkor,

yahrzeits, aliyahs and general pledges. It will not be available for

purchase of your High Holiday seats or payment of your annual

dues. Of course, you will still have the option of making your

contributions by check, as you have done in the past.

We look forward to this new innovation and hope that many of you

will support this enthusiastically and enhance your financial

support of VCJC.

The Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

thanks all those who make

donations to our synagogue

throughout the year AND

We hope that you continue to

support our future events and

fundraising efforts so that we

can remain a viable institution

for many years to come.

SAVE THE DATE!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

MURDER/MYSTERY

SHOW/LUNCH

AND CHINESE RAFFLE

Amalgamated Housing’s

Vladeck Hall

1

8

2

0

a

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DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 22001133

DDEECC.. KKiisslleevv 1 Sylvia Rosenblatt 28

2 Moses Gordon 29

2 Jerry Braun 29

2 Pauline Duberstein 29

2 Jacob Auerbach 29

2 Ida Zemsky 29

2 Shirley Greenberg 29

3 Chaim Sandomierski 30

3 Louis Kaminsky 30

3 Rachel Algazi Azar 30

3 Beckie Bratman 30

TTeevveett

44 Rose Shaevitz 1

4 Faigie Golub Greenhouse 1

5 Joseph Green 2

5 Bernard Kaplan 2

6 Louis Schnur 3

6 Elsie Feigin 3

6 Harry Portnoy 3

6 Anna Kapernick 3

7 Jerrold Windman 4

7 Murray Rosen 4

7 Joseph Lutnick 4

7 Phillip Milgrom 4

7 Anna Satosky 4

8 Jacob Jack Chast 5

8 Gussie Bernstein 5

8 Chaim Hyman 5

8 Sarah Alterowitz 5

9 Richard Farrago 6

11 Matthew Schoeck 8

11 William Roswick 8

11 Henry Barnett 8

11 Joseph Ronai 8

11 Ida Ethel Miller 8

11 Manny Rothman 8

12 Morris Gritz 9

14 Marvin Glenn Schnur 11

14 Bertha Linn 11

14 Morris Schwell 11

15 Joseph Tillman 12

15 Clara Voyticki 12

15 Oscar Sugin 12

16 Arlene J. Casabianca 13

16 Rhea R. Windman 13

16 Louis Cohen 13

16 David Kuperblum 13

17 Mary Spivack 14

17 Wolf Rosenblatt 14

YYaahhrrzzeeiittss

DDEECCEEMMBBEERR 22001133

DDeecc.. TTeevveett 17 Anna Grossman 14

17 Esther Korn 14

17 Lillian Ross 14

18 Bernard Gassman 15

18 Jack Buchhalter 15

18 Irving I. Goldstein 15

18 Rivka Cooper 15

18 Ida Osovsky 15

19 Mollie Fader 16

19 Anna Barnett 16

19 Minnie Schuster 16

20 Philip Margolin 17

20 Rose Kleiner 17

21 Deborah Weinstein 18

22 Yetta Salkind 19

22 Ben Sherman 19

22 Rose Bander 19

23 Nathan Seif 20

23 Harry Lieman 20

23 Morris Klein 20

23 Lillian Sturmak 20

23 Milton Prince 20

24 Murray Blaiwas 21

24 Peter Blaiwas 21

24 David Goodman 21

24 Rose Arenson 21

25 Isidor Gerson 22

25 Joseph Lieber 22

25 Sam Weinstein 22

26 Beatrice A. Kreppel 23

26 Samuel Neiditch 23

26 Izi Sstrongwater 23

27 Mollie Kleinman 24

27 Joseph Cooper 24

28 Bernard Gollop 25

28 Joel Rothbart 25

28 Bertha Zemlowitz 25

29 Robert Belsky 26

29 Dora Rosberg 26

29 Dora Solomon 26

30 Harry Garber 27

31 Jacob Najman 28

RReemmeemmbbeerr ttoo

lliigghhtt aa YYaahhrrzzeeiitt

ccaannddllee tthhee nniigghhtt

bbeeffoorree

SSIISSTTEERRHHOOOODD NNEEWWSS

The Sisterhood is planning a

Chanukah lunch for Sunday, December 15th at 12 noon.

We invite all our members and friends

to celebrate Chanukah with us. A

delicious dairy luncheon hosted by

Sara Silber in memory of her beloved

parents, Lola & Salo Silber will

be served. Latkes, jelly donuts and

raffles will add to the festivities. Live

musical entertainment will cap off a

lovely afternoon of celebration. Men

are definitely welcome.

The cost per person is $18

Check payable to: Sisterhood VCJC

See flyer enclosed in this Center

Light

If you have not paid your Sisterhood

dues, please do so, as we need your

support.

We wish all our members and friends

a very Happy Chanukah

Best Wishes,

Ceil Hartstein, Vice President

IIMMPPOORRTTAANNTT!!

Please turn off all cell phones before entering the Daily Chapel for morning

and evening services.

Cell phones should

not be carried on Shabbos.

Thank you