Young Professionals. The Junior League. NextGen. UJA-Generosity. Nearly every urban environment contains a cohort of folks in their 20s and 30s who will change the Jewish world. But before they do that, or maybe in order to do that, they like to get together and enjoy themselves. These are the stock of Abraham and Sarah not yet shackled down by the tyranny of early morning wake ups and trips to the Kuyakusho to fill out the dozens of pages necessary to register children for hoikuen. These brave, and frankly fun to be around, souls I speak of have not been given their due in our humble conurbation…until this Shabbat.
The inaugural Young Professionals Kiddush, sponsored by our very own up and comers Steven and Lauren Rose in honor of their 5th wedding anniversary, will take place at the JCC this Shabbat. Carlos and Jenny Andreu, very much the young professionals at heart, have generously shared their bonanza of kosher hot dogs, vegan Beyond Sausages (this event is for Millennials and Gen Z after all) and spiked seltzer. Non-spiked seltzer in bougie* glass bottles will also be available. Sorry not sorry to say there will be no avocado toast. Those of you who attended our last (and ironically first) meat kiddush recall the tragedy of placing hot dogs into hamburger buns. No more! Izaki-san is firing up the oven to bake her famous challah rolls as well as koppe-pan to supplement the packages of pareve/non-dairy hot dog buns the Roses shlepped back from Florida.
Here at the JCC, we define the words young and professional very broadly so please do not let age or duty station inhibit your joining us for what promises to be a memorable event. All are welcome.
*Translation for Boomers: Bougie (pronounced boujee and short for bourgeois) is a send-up of the culture of conspicuous consumption not often seen in Hiroo.
Services
Zoom Thursday Night Mishmar will begin at 6:00pm TONIGHT (10/21). What is mishmar you ask? Well, if you have ever strolled through a Jewish neighborhood late on a Thursday and heard singing for no apparent reason, that was mishmar. Literally translated to standing guard or watch, the Thursday night session acts as a wake-up call prior to the onset of Shabbat on Friday night. It almost always comes with cholent/chamin/ちゃんこ which is something we as a community should strive towards. We will sing many of the songs we normally reserve for Kabbalat Shabbat followed by the Thursday night Ma’ariv service.
Events
Shabbat Parshat Vayera in-person services
Saturday, October 23rd
Oktoberfest Young Professionals Kiddush sponsored by Lauren and Steven Rose in honor of their 5th Wedding Anniversary. Hot Dogs and Spiked Seltzer sponsored by the Andreu Family.
Services: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Kiddush: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Thank you to David Tropp and Shari Berman for leyning and giving the drash.
Shabbat Parshat Toldot in-person services/B’nai Mitzvah Family Shabbat
Saturday, November 6th
Kiddush Sponsored by the Seme and Semaya Families in honor of the first celebration of the Ethiopian-Jewish holiday of Sigd in Japan.
Services: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Kiddush: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Thank you to Todd Walzer for leyning the full Torah reading and Lea and Micah Epstein for leading services and the Haftarah. Mazal Tov to Todd, Lea and Micah on the anniversary of their B’nai Mitzvot.
Lehrhaus Lecture Series presented by Professor Adam Komisarof, PhD
Intercultural Communication in Japan: An Opportunity to Be Challenged, An Opportunity to Grow
Thursday, November 11th
Time: 7:30 – 8:30pm
Venue: Zoom
Family Shabbat in-person at the JCC
Friday, November 12th
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dinner: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (Reservations necessary)
Oneg Shabbat in-person at the JCC
Friday, November 19th
Sponsored by the Sheldon Family in honor of Eli’s Bar Mitzvah
Services: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Nosh and Refreshments: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Vayishlach
Bar Mitzvah of Eli Sheldon
Saturday, November 20th
Services: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Announcements
Mazal Tov to Rachel and Todd Walzer on the marriage of their daughter Toriya.
Mazal Tov to Dr. Kathy Pike on the marriage of her son Brendan. Please see here for a heartwarming and fascinating insight into the wedding day.
Thank you to Professor Adam Komisarof, PhD for volunteering to lead the first of our ‘Lehrhaus Lectures’ on Intercultural Communication. An additional thank you to Jerry Rosenberg who will follow with a lesson on the History of the Jews in Japan. There will be a larger feature about this exciting new series in a future newsletter.
Rabbi Andrew, Tali and Asher will be away 11/22-1/20. Absence makes the heart grow fonder?
In the following weeks and months, we will roll out several new features in the newsletter including a message from the board, featured members, a Japanese column and member recipes. If you would like to volunteer for any of the above, please reply to this e-mail.
Shabbat Parshat Vayera
Candle Lighting: 4:39pm
Havdala: 5:35pm