Our Purim extravaganza on March 16th is shaping up to be a night for the ages. Following the Megillah reading, we will dance to the musical stylings of an incredible, world-renowned Japanese Klezmer band. We would love to see you there so please RSVP by replying to this e-mail if you plan on joining. There is no cost to attend but we would greatly appreciate sponsors of music and nosh.
Next week, we will host a Family Shabbat Friday night service with dinner to follow in the social hall. Please see reservation details below.
Services
Family Shabbat/Friday Night Dinner in-person at the JCC
Friday, February 25th
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Please visit https://jccjapan.jp/shabbat-dinner-sign-up/ to book your dinner reservations by Tuesday, February 22nd at 3pm.
Shabbat Parshat Pekudei
Saturday, March 5th
Services: 10:00am – 12:00pm
We are monitoring case numbers. If the trend moves in the right direction, we will (b’ezrat Hashem) have Kiddush.
Events
Lehrhaus Lecture Series presented by Jack Halpern
The Adventures of a 12-Language Polyglot — the joys and pains of learning a new language —
Jack Halpern serves as the Founder of the CJK Dictionary Institute and Director of the Japan Yiddish Club
Date: TBD
Purim Bash – Live Klezmer music and more!
Save the date: March 16, 2022 at the JCJ
If you have an idea for an event or a topic you would like to share with others, please reach out to Events Chair Sherry Greenfield at sherry@greenfield.net
Announcements
Yiddish Club with Jack Halpern: Meetings have started monthly in-person at the JCJ. Please contact Jack at jack@cjki.org if you are interested to join. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Much more than just language, the club enjoys exploring Yiddish culture as well.
We’re PJ Library famous! The JCJ’s own PJ Library coordinator Yoko Cisinski was recently featured here. Kudos to Yoko for all her hard work in bringing the gift of Jewish books all the way to Japan.
Another week. Another Japanese holiday (天皇誕生日) most people don’t seem to be particularly aware of. I am no expert in the Japanese pension system but in America Naruhito-san would be able to start taking his social security early, albeit at a reduced rate. The only mention of birthdays in the Torah relates to Pharaoh throwing a party. While we hope for our sake that Naruhito-san does not become Pharaonic (SAT word), nevertheless we wish him a 誕生日おめでと.
Quarantine hotels are a horrendous experience. Let’s make them a little less horrible by setting up a Gemach. The term, short for Gemilut Chasadim, can best be translated as a Mutual Aid Society. If you are flying into Tokyo and a quarantine hotel is (unfortunately) in your future, please let me know and I will see about helping you get through it with whatever might help. For instance, if you have a baby and you need a pack and play we can drop one off. Looking forward to helping each other out!
Shabbat Parshat Ki Tisa
Candle Lighting: 5:07pm
Havdala: 6:05pm