Welcome Back from Hawaii, the Lower 48, Europe, Israel, Australia, Bali, Singapore, Niseko, Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Yuzawa, Okinawa and other areas outside the 23 Wards. For those who stayed closer to home, in a way you are the smart ones for not braving the crowds. If you can vacation at less busy times of the year where you have your chosen destinations all to yourself, gezunte hei (Yiddish class will explain). But for the rest of us, I hope your Shinkansens, Skymarks, Peaches, Air Dos, Southwests, (insert other LCC’s) got you plus your luggage there and back home safely. Please enlighten us at Kiddush with your ‘you won’t believe what happened’ stories which are inevitably followed by ‘well maybe you just had to be there’.
In the interregnum, the Jewish people commemorated the Fast Day of Asara b’(10th of)Tevet recalling Babylonia’s Siege of Jerusalem in 587 BCE. Didn’t fast? That’s ok! A prominent rabbi, which is to say not your rabbi, once said that the best time to tell people about a fast day is before it starts or after it ends lest you make someone feel bad by mentioning the fast while they drink their mo(u)rning cup of coffee.
Yet even more prominent rabbis nowadays are attempting to abolish the minor fasts altogether in light of the establishment of the modern State of Israel. The minor fasts were established to mourn (hence the caffeinated pun above) the destruction of the Temples and while the Temple is not yet rebuilt, Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel represents a modern-day miracle. The joy we feel living in such a unique time in Jewish history ought to transform our fasts into feasts in the words of the prophet Zechariah. So if you didn’t fast on Asara b’Tevet, your decision may have been subconsciously influenced by strong Zionist leanings and appreciation for Israel. Even if we are a bit agnostic about the four minor fasts, the JCC’s support for Israel could not be clearer as evidenced by Israeli Ambassador Gilad Cohen joining us for a conversation on the evening of Thursday, February 16th. See below for details and registration link.
Services
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, January 13th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Shemot
Kiddush of Japanese delicacies sponsored by the Sitbon Family in commemoration of the 9th yahrzeit of Raphael’s grandfather, Jacques Lazarus, member of the French Resistance and founder of the monthly Information Juive in Alger.
Saturday, January 14th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Family Shabbat
Friday, January 20th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, January 27th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Bo
Kiddush Open for Sponsorship
Saturday, January 28th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, February 3rd
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Shirah/Parshat Beshalach
Kiddush Open for Sponsorship
Saturday, February 4th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, February 10th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Events
JCC Bowling Day
Sunday, January 29th
EST Shibuya Higashiguchi Kaikan
Time: 2:00pm
Fee: ¥2,500
Registration Details
Deadline to sign up is January 20th so don’t delay. Register today!
An Evening with Ambassador Gilad Cohen of the Israeli Embassy
Thursday, February 16th
JCC Sanctuary
Time: 7:30pm
Registration Details
Lots more in the works for 2023. Stay tuned!
If you have an idea for an event or a topic you would like to share with others, please visit our website.
Announcements
Condolences to the Druckman Family and Klal Yisrael on the loss of HaRav Chaim Druckman zt”l. Rabbi Druckman hid as a child during the Shoah before clandestinely immigrating to Israel in 1944. As both a Member of the Knesset and civil servant, Rabbi Druckman stressed national unity working to liberalize the State Conversion Authority in the face of tremendous opposition. May his memory be for a blessing and his unfinished work completed speedily in our days.
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.
Shabbat Parshat Shemot
Candle Lighting: 4:30pm
Havdala: 5:31pm