Shabbat Shalom ~ Noah 2025

Shalom WJC Family,

First of all, Tami and I want to thank the WJC community for helping to make Isaac’s bar mitzvah such a special event for us. For those of you who were able to share the morning with us, thank you so much – we hope you enjoyed Isaac’s unique sense of humor and love of Judaism. We also deeply appreciated the well-wishes from those who weren’t able to make it. We feel honored to be part of such a wonderful, warm, and supportive community.

As we turn the page from the fall holidays there’s a bevy of wonderful programming ramping up once again. There is so much going on at WJC that it can sometimes be hard to sort through what might be just what you are looking for. Of course, you can peruse our website, calendar, or the Review, but I’d like to make another offer – if you are looking for ways to connect and enjoy all that WJC has to offer, or if you have an idea of something new we could or should be offering, come and see me to talk about it. 

For this week I want to highlight a couple of things: First, Saturday morning Torah Talk is back this week before services at 8:30am in the library. We have a wonderful group of folks who learn all kinds of different Jewish topics with me over coffee and cake (the breakfast of champions). We are always looking for more people interested in thought-provoking discussions and friendly debates. 

Second, if you are an art lover or just have enjoyed the exhibit that has been up since the holidays, join us on Thursday October 30th for the Koslowe Gallery Art Exhibition Tour “A Cut Above: Papercuts and Jewish Expression.” The Koslowe Gallery tours are always enlightening, interesting, and a lot of fun. I’ll see you there.

Last but not least, the annual Westchester Night of Jewish Learning is fast approaching on Saturday night November 8th. It is an inspiring evening with rabbis from across the community coming together to share their wisdom and insights and fun on a wide range of topics in 30 classes taught by 30 rabbis. This year rabbis are sharing their passions and interests and connecting them to Torah: everything from baseball to literature to food to travel to technology. Our own Rabbi Dalton will be one of the presenters. The early-bird registration deadline is today, so don’t wait – learn more and register by clicking here.

This Shabbat, join us Friday night for the service without instruments at 5:30 or Rhythm & Ruach 7:30 with instruments (Community Dinner in between with registration). Then, following Rhythm & Ruach at 8:30, we’ll have dessert and a presentation from author Steven Capsuto, translator of “When Einstein Met Kafka,” which delves into the extraordinary contributions of Jewish thinkers, artists, and innovators who helped shape the modern world.

Then Saturday morning, in addition to Saturday morning Torah, we also welcome back by popular demand Rabbi Jaymee Alpert doing “Neshama Body and Soul.” Her class, which will meet 10-11:30, combines exercise movements with Jewish concepts and prayers – comfortable clothes and sneakers are a must and participants will get up and down off the floor several times throughout the session.

Like I said, lots going on this Shabbat and always at WJC.

One more thing, a HUGE thanks to the WJC staff and lay leaders who make all the “magic” happen, both during our high holidays and all year round.

See you in shul,

RJA