When:
Saturday, March 1, 2025,
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Location:
East Midwood Jewish Center
Friends, we’re excited to invite everyone to our all-day program, ShabbatTogether, this Saturday. We’ll start the day with a choice of services. Opt to attend our regular traditional egalitarian Main Sanctuary services; it’s Torah Reader’s Shabbat and EMJC members are chanting the Torah and haftarah readings. Or come to the Beit HaMidrash for a traditional, non-egalitarian service that will blend Sephardic and Ashkenazi prayers and melodies. Dr. Samuel Torjman Thomas, a longtime friend of EMJC, will lead that service. We’re also offering a Russian language morning service overseen by Natasha Shiryayeva. Got a younger kid no older than eight or so? Then come to Shabbat Katan! Congregants Murray Lantner and Jocelyn Gross will be happy to welcome you.
Following a dairy lunch, we’ve scheduled a full afternoon of presentations and a range of Shabbat-friendly playful activities. Nourish your soul with Torah learning. Join several guest speakers who will discuss a range of Jewish-based topics. There will be a spotlight on Israel. Head to the gym for basketball, pickleball, or gaga. Not your thing? Stay upstairs for table tennis, foosball, board games, and puzzles. Or attend our Kids Storytime/Singalong, which will include the chance for kids to ask Rabbi Sam Levine all their burning questions about Judaism. Stump Rabbi Sam with a good question and get a prize.
As we approach the end of Shabbat, those who wish can attend our Mincha service, followed by seudah shlishit (the “third meal”), with guest clergy Rabbi Rebecca Epstein leading a teaching and Cantor Zachary Konigsberg conducting a zmirot/singing session. We’ll end our evening with Ma’ariv and gather for havdalah.
Here are some previews:
Writer Ruth Franklin, an EMJC member, will discuss her most recent book, The Many Lives of Anne Frank. Published in January to great acclaim, Ruth explores both Anne Frank’s life and the impact of her diary. The Many Lives of Anne Frank has already been called a “tour de force that sets the standard for anyone thinking about Anne Frank for years to come” (Dara Horn, author of People Love Dead Jews).
Barak Epstein, a thought leader in the intersection of technical and social issues related to AI (artificial intelligence), will lead a discussion about “Building New Contexts: The Construction of the Mishkan (tabernacle) and Lessons for Encountering Artificial Intelligence.” Barak will address how we can balance reverence, awe, skepticism, and growth when we’re confronted with new challenges, and the particular challenges of our times.
Dr. Sam Torjman Thomas, in addition to leading “Ashke-fardic” morning services, will present “Piyyut: Shabbat in Song.” Participants will explore the context of several well-known piyyutim (poems), and experience vocal settings for singing Shabbat repertoire. The Piyyut is an important vehicle for visiting Jewish tradition(s) and for making connections with Jewish life.
The afternoon spotlight on Israel will be led by Lior Lekner, Phyllis Sussman, and Yael Yechieli. Lior is a senior Shlicha (emissary) in Brooklyn for the Jewish Agency. Phyllis is the Judaic Studies Department Chair at the Senesh School in Brooklyn. Yael is an Israeli activist, feminist, and advocate for equality and social justice; she’ll discuss the struggle for gender equality in Israel.
Interested in yoga? Moran Ben Shaul Lantner welcomes all to join her. She offers two tips: wear comfy clothes and eat a light lunch—Shabbat yoga is soon after our kiddush-lunch that ends at 1:30. Moran will also lead a meditation later in the afternoon.
And that’s just some of what we’ve got planned! We hope you’ll bring your friends and come for all or part. We embrace the full tapestry of Judaism and look forward to welcoming you.
And if you’d like to be a sponsor of this exciting day, please reach out through the link below.
Rabbi Sam Levine and Audrey Korelstein
| CLICK HERE for RSVP or more information |
| CLICK HERE to help sponsor the event |