*ありがとうございます/おおきに/תודה רבה/מירסי מונג׳ו/א גרויסן יישר כח* and a deep, heartfelt thank you to Sherry Greenfield for keeping the newsletter going during Rabbi Andrew’s parental leave. An additional debt of gratitude is owed to the JCC’s resident artist Peter Nadler and Sunday School instructor Adam Brownstein for their write-ups as well as Carmel Rosenthal for leading services and Jerry Rosenberg for his excellent lecture. The Scheers cannot wait to return to Japan and reconnect with the community.
*Anyone who can identify and reply with ALL the languages/dialects written above will receive the beverage of their choice at the next Kiddush. No Googling. No asking Jack Halpern.*
Services
In-person services will resume after Rabbi Andrew returns and depending on the state of the pandemic.
Events
UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day January 27
Tokyo Holocaust Education Center presents “Holocaust Denial: European and American Responses”
Speaker: Dr. Ayaka Takei, Professor at the Gakushuin Women’s College. Dr. Takei is one of the leading scholars of Holocaust and Jewish history and modern German history in Japan.
Opening messages:
H.E. Mr. Gilad Cohen, Ambassador of Israel
H.E. Dr. Clemens von Goetze, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany H.E. Mr. Paweł Milewski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland
Lecture by Professor Ayaka Takei
Discussion with Q&A in Japanese and English (simultaneous translation)
Prior registration required: Registration link
Date: January 27, 2022
Time: 7:30 – 9:30pm JST
Venue: Zoom (link provided after registration)
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 (depending on the state of the pandemic)
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.
Mazal Tov to the Emanuel Family on their arrival to Japan. Wishing Ambassador Rahm, Amy and their children a pleasant sojourn in Tokyo.
Japan is AJC Famous! Please see the article entitled ‘5 Things You Should Know About the Israel-Japan Relationship’
As predicted, membership increased greatly during (read: due to) Rabbi Andrew’s absence. Kudos to the community and the board for fostering such a warm, welcoming environment.
Rabbi Andrew, Tali and Asher will be back soon. Fingers crossed for a smooth reentry and quarantine
Shabbat Parshat Mishpatim
Candle Lighting: 4:46 pm
Havdala: 5:45pm