The Jewish Center - The Modern Orthodox Center for Jewish Life and Learning www.jewishcenter.org • 212-724-2700

Erev Shabbat 5:26PM Candle Lighting 5:35PM Minchah 6:30PM Pre-Purim Community Dinner and Comedy Competition (Pre-Registration required)

Shabbat 7:45AM Hashkama Minyan 8:30AM Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine 9:00AM Shacharit 9:15AM Hashkama Shiur with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Zachor 9:30AM Young Leadership Minyan (The Max Stern Auditorium) 9:20AM Sof Zman Kriat Shema 10:00AM Youth Groups, 2-year-olds, 3-4-year-olds and 5-6-year-olds: Geller Youth Center; 2nd-3rd graders, 4th-6th graders: 7th floor, Junior Congre-gation: 5th floor dance studio 10:15 Reading of Parshat Zachor 11:15AM Youth Department Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Se-der Kodshim Community Hot Kiddush (5th floor) 12:40PM Early Minchah (The Max and Marion Grill Beit Midrash)

With Thanks to Our Kiddush Sponsors: Hashkama Kiddush, Joyce & Aaron Weitz in commemoration of Joyce's father, Jack M Cohen Kathy & Milton Parnass in commemoration of the yahrzeit of Kathy's father, Samuel Berggrun, Shmuel Zvi ben Shlomo HaLevi and Milton's brother, Sol Parnass Jessica & Noam Zeffren & Harriet & George Blank in memory of the yahr-zeit of Edith Tersch, Harriet's mother and Jessica's great grandmother Susan Kensky & Sam Goldman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam's mother, Sara Goldman Miri Lipsky, Josh Schainker and Zeke Lipsky Schainker in honor of the birth of a girl Marion Lauber in memory of her father, Naftali Zvi Ben Yaakov

3:45PM Bikkur Cholim/Bikkur in the Home (meet at 730 Columbus Ave.) 4:30PM Parent-Child Learning with Rabbi Daniel Fridman (Grades 1-4), Bikdei Kehunah 4:30PM 39 Melachot with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, Beware of Dog: Hilchot Shab-bat for Pet Owners 4:30PM Israel Friedman Daf Yomi 5:20PM Minchah, Shabbat afternoon groups Seudah Shlishit Speaker: Shlomo Wadler, Ezekiel's Temple Vision: Architectural Plan or Grand Theological Vision? Shlomo Wadler is a PhD candidate at The University of Notre Dame's depart-ment of Theology. His research focuses on early biblical interpretation and the development of Halakha. He received his BA and MA in Bible from Yeshiva University and his Rabbincal ordination from RIETS. Sponsored by the Tokayer family in memory of Ilan Tokayer z"l

With Thanks to Our Seudah Shlishit Sponsors: Tokayer family in memory of Ilan Tokayer z"l Erwin & Veronica Muth in memory of Veronica's mother, Elizabeth Ungar 6:27PM Shabbat concludes

The Jewish Center S H A B B A T B U L L E T I N

February 28, 2015 • PARSHAT TETZAVEH/ZACHOR • 9 Adar 5775

Women's Tehillim Group - Mon., March 9 at 7:15PM. Contact Joyce Weitz for more info at 212-877-1176.

Purim is around the corner!

SEE PAGE 2 AND 3 FOR A COMPLETE PURIM GUIDE

INCLUDING DAVENING TIMES, PROGRAMS, AND HOW TO PREPARE FOR PURIM.

To learn more about Purim halachot see the Shabbat Bulletin insert.

B'CHOL DOR V'DOR: THE CHALLENGE OF ANTI-SEMITISM FROM THE HAGGADAH TO 2015

SHIUR AND Q&A WITH RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS

This program is sponsored by Debbie & Elliot Gibber. This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration required. Please visit our website to register.

Wednesday, March 11 at 8:00PM

SHABBAT WITH DR. ERICA BROWN, JC COMMUNITY SCHOLAR

Shabbat, March 6-7

— DAILY SERVICES —

Sun., March 1 Daf Yomi 7:45AM Shacharit 8:30AM Minchah 5:35PM

Mon., March 2 - Tue., March 3 Shacharit 7/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 5:35PM

Fri., March 6 Shacharit 7AM/8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Candle Lighting: 5:34PM Minchah 5:40PM

Wed., March 4 Ta’anat Esther, Erev Purim Fast Begins 5:04AM Shacharit 6:45 & 8AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Minchah 5:20PM Maariv followed by Megillah reading 6:10PM Fast ends 6:19PM Late Megillah reading 9:00PM

Thurs., March 5 Shacharit 6:30/7:30AM Daf Yomi 7:45AM Late Megillah Reading 10:00AM Minchah 5:40PM

DAILY (except Shabbat) Israel Friedman Daf Yomi, 7:45AM

MONDAY Building a Jewish Marriage, 8:00PM

Innovation & Conservation: Ancient Judaism & Christianity will resume next week with Rabbi Ari Lamm, 8:00PM

TUESDAY Advanced Talmud Chabura with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 7:45AM

Nosh & Drash, Absolute Monarch or Absolute Buffoon - Will the Real Achashveirosh Please Stand Up! with Dr. Adena Berkowitz, 10:15AM

Reading Esther in New York City The Sadye and Henry Bayer Tanach Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 7:00PM

Layning, Learning and Leading: Tracing the History of Torah Reading with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind, 8:00PM

WEDNESDAY Advanced Talmud Chabura with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 7:45AM

Women of the Bible with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 11:00AM

Words from the Wise - The Book of Proverbs will resume next week with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 8:00PM

The Next Level with Rabbi Mark Wildes, 8:00PM

SHABBAT Rabbi Israel Silverstein Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine, 8:30AM

Ramban on the Weekly Parsha with Rabbi Daniel Fridman, 9:15AM

Parent-Child Learning with Rabbi Daniel Frid-man

Youth Department Mishnayot Class with Rabbi Daniel Fridman

Israel Friedman Daf Yomi with JCU Faculty

39 Melachot with Rabbi Dovid Zirkind

JEWISH CENTER UNIVERSITY WINTER SEMESTER

PURIM PROGRAMS AT THE JC

Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00PM READING ESTHER IN NEW YORK CITY The Sadye and Henry Bayer Tanach Class with Rabbi Yosie Levine

Wednesdays at 8:00PM MEGILLAT ESTHER with Rabbi Daniel Fridman

Saturday, February 28 YOUNG LEADERSHIP: PURIM MAGIC WITH ALEX VOZ Prepare to be captivated and dazzled with a special performance that combines the best of illusionism, sleight of hand, men-talism, and more. The show will be fol-lowed by a special after-party. Please visit our website to register.

Sunday, March 1 from 10:00AM-11:30PM at 315 West 61st (at West End Avenue) PRE-PURIM CHESED PROJECT This event is at capacity. To find out more about future chesed events please contact Yitz.

Monday, March 2 at 8:00PM PURIM AMONG PERSIA, ROME AND RABBIS with Rabbi Ari Lamm, William Fischman Resident Scholar

Wednesday, March 4 at 6:10PM COMMUNITY MEGILLAH READING, FAMILY MEGILLAH READING/ICE CREAM PARTY

Wednesday, March 4 at 9:00PM

LATE MEGILLAH READING

Wednesday, March 4 following Megillah

PURIM BREAK-FAST Join us to break your fast after Ta’anit Esther. Sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact Aaron to sponsor or for more information.

Thursday, March 5 following 9AM Megillah Reading YOUTH DEPARTMENT PURIM CARNIVAL

March 1 and March 5 MISHLOACH MANOT PACKING AND DELIVERING Here's an opportunity to participate in a simple and meaningful mitzvah! Every Pu-rim, families of The JC deliver mishloach manot to elderly and homebound members of our community. Join us and assemble mishloach manot on Sunday, March 1 from 10AM-12PM and deliver them on Purim morning: March 5. For those who wish to deliver the packages, they can be picked up from Wednesday, March 4 through Purim morning. If you are interested in vol-unteering to deliver a package, please email Jeannie Fisher at jeannierosenfeld@hotmail.com by Sunday, March 1 and include your address so that we can try to arrange convenient matches in a timely fashion.

PREPARING FOR PURIM MATANOT L’EVYONIM

Please remember to send Matanot L'evyonim, gifts to the poor, before Purim. The amount given should be sufficient to assist at least two different people with their Purim meal. Checks made out to the Rabbi Leo Jung Memo-rial Fund earmarked "Matanot L'evyonim" that are received be-fore Purim (March 4) will be dis-tributed to the poor on Purim day to fulfill your obligation.

MEGILLAH READING We would like to provide every-one with the opportunity to hear the Megillah on Purim. If someone you know will not be able to leave home on Purim, or if you

would like to volunteer to read Megillah for the homebound, please contact Rabbi Zirkind at 212-724-2700 or dzirkind@jewishcenter.org.

ONEG SHABBAT Make the holiday of Purim a fes-tive time for the needy or home-bound in our community. Help provide mishloach manot packag-es in addition to their regular Shabbat meals. Colorful Purim cards are also available. Please send your donation to Oneg Shabbat, 650 West End Ave., New York, NY 10025 or at www.onegshabbatny.org.

MISHLOACH MANOT TO IDF SOLDIERS

Send baskets filled with Israeli products and bakery goods to IDF soldiers in Israel. Packages will bear a card noting your name with a Purim greeting. Please place your order by Mon-day, March 2. The cost is $10 per package, $300 for a unit and $500 for a platoon. Make your check payable to The Jewish Cen-ter and earmark it "Mishloach Manot to IDF" or donate online at www.jewishcenter.org.

WED., MARCH 4 TA’ANAT ESTHER,

EREV PURIM Fast Begins 5:04AM Shacharit 6:45& 8AM Minchah 5:20PM Maariv followed by Megillah reading 6:10PM Fast ends 6:19PM Late Megillah reading 10:00PM

THURS., MARCH 5 PURIM

Shacharit 6:30/7:30AM Late Megillah Reading 9:00AM Minchah 5:40PM

PURIM SCHEDULE

MAZAL TOV Miri Lipsky & Josh Shainker on the birth of a baby girl

Jeanne Abramson on the recent marriage of her grandson, Michael Abramson to Talia Thurm COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Congratulations to Rabbi Benjamin Blech whose article, Bibi’s Breach of Protocol, was published in Aish HaTorah

THANK YOU TO OUR USHERS Thank you to Jeffrey Smith and Brauna Fortgang who are our ushers this Shabbat. THANK YOU TO CSS We would like to once again thank CSS and our dedicated CSS members for providing the security for our synagogue this week.

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY THE SEFORIM SALE Through March 1 at 2495 Amsterdam Ave. World's largest Jewish book sale, completely run by Yeshiva Univer-sity students for just 4 weeks a year. For more information visit theseforimsale.com

DEFIANT REQUIEM: VERDI AT TEREZÍN - A CONCERT TO BENEFIT THE COM-MUNITY INITIATIVE FOR HOLOCAUST Monday, March 9, 2015 at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, 7:30PM For more information, please contact Michael Vilarello at vilarellom@ujafedny.org.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS YOUNG LEADERSHIP SHABBAT LUNCH WITH DR. ERICA BROWN Shabbat, March 7 at 12:45PM No time to make Shabbat lunch plans during the hectic Purim week? No problem! Join The Jewish Center Young Leadership for a special Post-Purim Shabbat Lunch with Dr. Erica Brown, Jewish Center Community Scholar. Cost: $23-members and $28-non-members. Thank you to Jennifer & Mark Becker for sponsoring the meal. Questions? Please email yl@jewishcenter.org.

A CONVERSATION WITH RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS Wednesday, March 11 at 8:00PM Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is a global religious leader, philosopher, the author of more than 25 books, and moral voice for our time. Until September 2013 he served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congrega-tions of the Commonwealth, having held the position for 22 years. Details to follow. This program is spon-sored by Debbie & Elliot Gibber. This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration required. Please visit our website to register.

TOUCH BEIS: GET TO KNOW YOUR SHUL NEIGHBORS, AT HOME Shabbat, March 21 This year on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Nissan meet your fellow congregants for Shabbat lunch, by hosting or being hosted. This program is the perfect way to connect with new people, network with like-minded profes-sionals and experience the warmth of a Jewish Center Shabbat with davening at 9:00AM followed by meals around the neighborhood. If you would like to be part of the planning committee for this wonderful community Shabbat, please contact eliane@jewishcenter.org. Details to follow.

SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE JUSTICE ELYAKIM RUBINSTEIN Shabbat, April 18 Justice Elyakim Rubinstein is the Vice President of the Supreme Court of Israel. Beforehand, he served as the Attorney General of Israel from 1997 to 2004. Rubinstein, a former Israeli diplomat and long-time civil servant, has had an influential role in that country's internal and external affairs, most notably in helping to shape its peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. He will speak on Shabbat morning: From Yom Hashoah to Yom HaAtzmaut: Israel's Role in Combating Global Anti-Semitism and on Shabbat afternoon, The Jordanian Peace Process: A Negotiator's Reflections, Past and Present. For more information email dzirkind@jewishcenter.org.

A CONVERSATION FEATURING PROFESSOR ROBERT GEORGE, PROFESSOR MICHAEL HELFAND AND ISRAELI SUPREME COURT, HOW SHOULD OUR FAITH INFORM THE LAWS OF A LIBERAL DEMOCRACY? Monday, April 20 The Annual Mott Lecture on Jewish Ethics is dedicated to exploring the intersection of Jewish Law and secular ethics Previous lectures have addressed the End of Life debate and the religious and social implication of cloning. This years lecture will highlight Supreme Court decisions both in America and Israel that directly con-front religious values in Liberal Democracies and what the relationship between these two modalities should be. This event is free and open to the public. Please visit our website to register.

CHILDREN, JOIN US FOR ADON OLAM Children ages 3-6 are encouraged to come up dur-ing the Cantor’s recitation of Kiddush and then sing Adon Olam together.

PRE-PURIM CHESED PROJECT Sunday, March 1 10:00AM-11:30PM To find out more about more contact Yitz.

FAMILY MEGILLAH READING/ICE CREAM PARTY Wednesday, March 4 at 6:10PM

YOUTH DEPARTMENT PURIM CARNIVAL Thursday, March 5, following 9AM Megillah reading This carnival is the perfect way to celebrate Purim! Join us for face painting, balloons, crafts and break-fast treats! $10 per person or $30 per family. Please visit our website to register or to sponsor. If you have questions, please contact Yitz.

MISHLOACH MANOT PACKING AND DELIVERING March 1 and March 5 See page 2 for more information.

YOUTH SHABBAT Shabbat, March 7 at 9:00AM This annual event enables our children to lead davening and layning in the main sanctuary. We invite girls to deliver divrei Torah and boys to help lead services. We hope that you will encourage your child to participate in this important Shabbat. To participate, please email Yitz@jewishcenter.org

JC YOUTH KIDDUSH & DIALOGUE WITH ERICA BROWN Shabbat, March 7 Following Youth Shabbat services, youth are invited to a hot kiddush where our teens (8th-12th graders) will have a dialogue with our Community Scholar, Erica Brown. Please email me at yitz@jewishcenter.org to co-sponsor, volunteer, get involved, or discuss a sponsorship.

YOUTH DEPARTMENT

Yosie Levine Rabbi

Dovid Zirkind Assistant Rabbi

Chaim David Berson Cantor

Daniel Fridman Resident Scholar

Erica Brown Community Scholar

Rabbi Ari Lamm William Fischman Resident Scholar

Aaron Strum Executive Director

Eliane Glassman Director of

Programming and Communications

Yitzchak Sprung Youth Director

OFFICERS Avi Schwartz President

Andrew Borodach First Vice President

Andrew Kaplan Vice President

Mark Segall Vice President

Rose Lynn Sherr Vice President

Michael Jacobs Assistant

Vice President

Yaron Kinar Treasurer

Len Berman Assistant Treasurer

Miri Lipsky Secretary

Lisa Septimus Yoetzet Halacha 917-382-9008

Chevra Kadisha 212-724-2700

UWS Mikvah 212-579-2011

Hatzalah 212-230-1000

Eruv Status 212-724-2700

Clergy & Staff

Phone Numbers

Our History Rabbi Ari Lamm, William Fischman Resident Scholar

“I have sat in many gatherings, moved in the world of scholars, read by lamplight those who preceded me, sought patiently for truth. My favorites, my midnight companions, have been consulted. DeQuincey, the little five-foot elf, did not find the ultimate secret in his night wanderings, or if he did was silent; Coleridge not in opium nor in the spilled sheets and books upon the floor; nor Sir Thomas Browne in burial urns; nor I in science. We round back, we return.” -- Loren Eiseley, All the Strange Hours Shabbos Zachor has returned to us, and with it the duty to recall Amalek’s depravity. But memory is a fragile thing, and I admit I would be hard pressed to recall exactly what happened to me yesterday, let alone an eon ago in the days of our ancestors. If this Shabbos is to be a Shabbos of historical excavation, we are all of us poorly equipped for the job. It is perhaps for this reason, then, that on occa-sions like this we are not called into the academic’s ivory tower, but into the synagogue, to daven together, read the most ancient account of our encounter with Amalek, and eventually hear Megillat Esther. As Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi quipped in his masterful study, Zakhor, “Israel is told only that it must be a kingdom of priests and a holy people; nowhere is it suggested that it become a nation of historians.” We are not, this Shabbos, engaged in the study of history – whether out of curiosity, commitment to some vague cliché about how history repeats itself, or worst of all, some anodyne, post-Enlightenment worship of facts for facts’ sake. We are instead resolving, this Shabbos,

to imbue history – not just Israel’s history, but world histo-ry – with a sense of meaning that authenticates, and gives purpose to our relationship with God. The proof, as the saying goes, is in the pudding. Had the Torah been a human work composed by Thu-cydides, we can well imagine that Amalek’s brutal as-sault upon the Israelites would merit at most a brief foot-note. After all, in a Late Bronze Age world of Egyptian political intrigue, the implosion of the Hittite kingdom, the fallout from the collapse of Mycenaean society in the Aegean, et al., who could spare any attention for a mi-nor skirmish between two small, Semitic peoples? But in the Torah, Amalek’s opportunistic assault upon a people who, despite their vulnerability (or perhaps because of it) were called upon by the Almighty to model justice – to turn from evil and do good – becomes a central event in world history. And the Jewish People are commanded to remember. So too, Megillat Esther. The reign of Achashverosh – Xerxes, in Greek – was fraught with Persian political intrigue, war with the Greek states, and major construc-tion projects at Susa and Persepolis. But the Megillah is not impressed by tall buildings, nor by chariots and hors-es, but by the pluck and daring of an orphaned girl turned Jewish queen, who never lost faith in her people’s ultimate salvation. When we read of Amalek’s brutality and Es-ther’s courage, we are, in a certain sense, reading a portion of world history. But if history is defined purely as the sterile concatenation of facts, then it is fundamen-tally uninteresting to us this Shabbos. Our task, instead, is to see meaning in history – to take part in its continuous unfolding – and thereby to affirm nothing less than that existence in this world is not a value-neutral proposition, but rather a constant quest to serve the Almighty and see His Will accomplished.

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Tuesday, March 17, 10AM- 4PM

Join OU Advocacy-Teach NYS in Albany for an important Day of Advocacy for Jewish Day School Affordability. Help us promote the Education In-vestment Tax Credit (EITC) bill as well as the Ener-gy Parity Bill, CAP/MSR and NY State's Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.

It's time to head to the Capitol and make a differ-ence for New York’s Yeshivas and Jewish Day Schools.

Just one day in March can have an effect. We will show the NY State Legislature that Jewish educa-tion is our top priority and that our community sup-ports critical legislative items. For more information and to register, email Eliane at eliane@jewishcenter.org.

LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PURIM SEASON A BRIEF OVERVIEW

BY RABBI DOVID ZIRKIND, THE JEWISH CENTER The following is an overview of the practices, customs and halachot unique to the Purim season. I look forward to sharing a joyous and festive Purim with

all of you!

------

Parshat Zachor- On the Shabbat before Purim, there is a biblical obligation for everyone to hear the special maftir that gives the Shab-bat its name, that of Parshat Zachor (Devarim 25:17-19). It describes both the commandment to remember the evil the Amalekite nation perpetrated against the Jews on their way out of Egypt, and to obliterate their name in future generations. In order to fulfill the obliga-tion, one must hear every single word read in public, so make sure to arrive at shul in time! Parshat Zachor will be read at about 10:15 A.M., and there will be a reading immediately following davening as well.

Taanit Esther- Taanit Esther is the fast that commemorates the three-day fast observed by the Jews in the Book of Esther. Rabbinic tradi-tion indicates that this fast took place on the first three days of Pesach, but since fasting on Pesach is virtually never permitted, the fast was linked to Purim instead. This year, Taanit Esther is observed on Wednesday, March 4th. The fast begins at 5:04 AM and ends at 6:19PM. When Taanit Esther immediately precedes Purim, as it does this year, we do not eat before Megillah. One may not begin eating until the conclusion of Megillah reading.

Machatzit HaShekel- Machatzit HaShekel refers to the biblically ordained annual giving of a silver half shekel by Jews. This money was collected during the month of Adar and used for upkeep in the Temple, specifically for communal sacrifices. It was collected from all peo-ple, but was obligatory on all males above 20 years of age. Today, this mitzvah is commemorated on the afternoon of Taanit Esther, at or before Minchah, or at the latest, on Purim morning.

The Mitzvah is performed by contributing at least $1.50 in exchange for three silver coins in the basket, though many people give more than that amount. The three silver coins are then lifted to acquire ownership, and then contributed by placing them back in the basket. In this manner, everyone can perform the mitzvah with the same coins.

Matanot L’Evyonim- The most important mitzvah of Purim, giving gifts to the poor, is the way the Jews celebrated their victory over Ham-an. Note that this obligation is independent of the Machatzit haShekel, and it must be performed on Purim day itself. The amount given should be sufficient to assist at least two different poor people with their Purim meal. Checks made out to the Rabbi Leo Jung Memorial Fund earmarked "Matanot L'evyonim" that are received before or on Purim itself will be distributed to the poor on Purim day.

Reading the Megillah- It is incumbent on every man and woman to hear the Book of Esther read in the evening and the morning. Please check the Purim schedule for times of minyanim and Megillah readings. One must hear every word of the Megillah both times, so if a word is missed, one should quickly read it quietly to oneself, even if following along in a Chumash or printed Megillah, and then catch up to where the Megillah is being read.

Al Hanissim- A special Purim text for Al Hanissim is included in all prayers, as well as Birkat Hamazon. If it is forgotten, one is not re-quired to repeat the prayer in question.

Torah Reading- On Purim morning, we read of the attack on the Jewish people by the Amalekites, and how Moshe led the Jewish people to victory (Exodus 17:8-16).

Mishloach Manot- One must send a minimum of two different prepared/cooked foods, in generous portions, to at least one other Jewish person. If one’s funds are limited, it is better to fulfill the minimum requirement for Mishloach Manot and donate more to Matanot Le’Evyonim.

Purim Seudah- It is a requirement to have a festive meal for Purim. One should eat bread, and the meal should ideally contain meat products. The Purim Seudah can take place at any point on the day of Purim, but ideally following Mincha in the afternoon. The majority of the Purim Seudah should be consumed prior to night fall (this year 5:50PM). Even if the meal extends into the night, Al HaNissim is still recited.

Drinking on Purim- Because wine played an important role in the miracle of Purim, it plays a role in our celebration of it as well. To fulfill this requirement, one should drink slightly more wine at the Purim Seudah than one normally does at a meal, and then, if possible, take a short nap. In our observance of Purim, we must consider the unfortunate reality that alcohol abuse has become a serious problem in the contemporary Orthodox community, and conduct ourselves accordingly. Moreover, drinking other hard beverages does not fulfill the re-quirement to drink wine. Indeed, the Chafetz Chaim writes (Biur Halacha, OC 695:2): “We are not commanded to reduce ourselves to levels of drunkenness, but rather to rejoice in a manner that will lead us to the love of God.” In our community, which is blessed with so many wonderful children, safety and responsibility must be given extra and paramount concern. As a matter of Torah and secular law, alcohol must not be given to minors, and adults should take special care on Purim to consume alcohol minimally and responsibly.

Torah Study and Prayer- Purim is a day of joy that is celebrated through merrymaking and laughter. However, in some significant ways, Purim is no joke. The Talmud tells us that the Jewish people re-accepted the Torah on Purim, and therefore, even with all the other mitzvot one must perform on Purim, it is a most auspicious and effective day for Torah study. Moreover, many classic sources tell us that Purim represents a special opportunity for one’s prayers to be answered.

PURIM SAMEACH TO ONE AND ALL!

03.11 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, B'chol Dor V'Dor: The Challenge of Anti-Semitism from The Haggadah to 2015 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is a global religious leader, philosopher, the author of more than 25 books, and moral voice for our time. Until September 2013 he served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, having held the position for 22 years. This event is free and open to the public. Please visit our website to register. Co-sponsored by Yeshiva Universi-ty and Debbie & Elliot Gibber.

04.18 Scholar in Residence Justice Elyakim Rubinstein Justice Elyakim Rubinstein is the Vice President of the Supreme Court of Israel.

He will speak on Shabbat morning: From Yom Hashoah to Yom HaAtzmaut: Israel's Role in Com-bating Global Anti-Semitism and on Shabbat afternoon, The Jordanian Peace Process: A Negotia-tor's Reflections, Past and Present. For more information email dzirkind@jewishcenter.org.

04.20 A Conversation featuring Professor Robert George, Professor Michael Helfand and Israeli Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, How Should Our Faith Inform The Laws of A Liberal Democracy? The Annual Mott Lecture on Jewish Ethics is dedicated to exploring the intersection of Jewish Law and secular ethics. Previous lectures have addressed the End of Life debate and the religious and social implication of cloning. This years lecture will highlight Supreme Court decisions both in America and Israel that directly confront religious values in Liberal Democracies and what the relationship between these two modalities should be. This event is free and open to the public. Please visit our website to register.

05.06 May & Samuel Rudin Lecture featuring Daniel Libeskind An international figure in architecture and urban design, the architect Daniel Libeskind is renowned for his ability to evoke cultural memory in buildings of equilibrium-defying contemporaneity. During this lecture Daniel Libeskind will discuss his experiences design-ing the Jewish Museum in Berlin as the World Trade Center redevelopment. Registration will open shortly.

THE JEWISH CENTER • 131 West 86th Street, New York, NY 10024 • www.jewishcenter.org

UPCOMING SPEAKERS AT THE JC

For more information please visit www.jewishcenter.org

05.02 Martha Sonnenschein Memorial Lecture by Arna Poupko Fisher, Wholeness and Holiness: Transmitting Faith in Family Arna Poupko Fisher, an internationally noted lecturer, educator and author, currently teaching at the University of Cincinnati, has dedicated her life to Jewish issues, including the challenges and opportunities of Jewish leadership and the capacity for the Hebrew Bible and Jewish philosophy to inform contemporary communal life.