The Chabad Of Roosevelt Island invite you to Rosh Hashanah services Wednesday October 2 - Thursday October 5 and Yom Kippur services Friday October 11- Saturday October 12 at the Roosevelt Island Cultural Center Large Studio (548 Main Street).
Celebrate High Holidays 5785
Inspiring High Holiday Services with Meaning and Melody!
No Affiliation Necessary
Traditional and Inspirational Services
Warm and Friendly Atmosphere
Special Children's Program
For more info and to RSVP for Rosh Hashanah Dinner
As we begin the New Year, 5785, the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation wishes you a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year.
We are the oldest, longest-serving community congregation on the island, with over 40 years of service to more than one generation of Islanders.
We are excited to welcome our Guest Rabbi, Marna Sapsowitz, from Olympia, WA, a very long-time friend of RIJC members Angela Santamaria & Howard Schwartz. Rabbi Sapsowitz will be joined by returning Cantor, Sandra Goodman. Long-time RIJC members Amber Levanon Seligson & Michal Melamed have been instrumental in assisting Rabbi S with the Order of Services, recruiting Torah readers and other key service participants and more.
All Services will be conducted in the Small Studio/RIJC Sanctuary or in the Howe Theatre, both located in the RI Cultural Center, 548 Main Street. Additional details, Special video & print directions & more information can be found at RIJC.org as well as our RIJC Zoom link.
OUR SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2nd
6:00 pm — First Night Services / Rosh Hashanah
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3rd
9:30 am — First Day Services / Rosh Hashanah
11:00 am — Children’s Service
2:00 pm (approx) — Tashlich at the Meditation Steps
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4th
9:30 am — Second Day Services / Rosh Hashanah
COMING SOON —
RIJC’s updated schedule for Yom Kippur, Friday October 11th & Saturday October 12.
invites you to a bilingual Holy Eucharist Service celebrating
Hispanic Heritage Month with soloist Reina Muñiz at 9:30 A.M. on Sunday
September 8 followed by refreshments after the service.
RIDA invites you to a Dawali event at church plaza this Saturday, October 21.
Come by and learn about the Indian culture and enjoy this Festival of Lights.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
RIOC and the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association will be hosting a special Diwali celebration on Saturday, October 21st from 5PM to 9PM at Good Shepherd Plaza featuring special dance performances, meditation, music, food and more!
Let's celebrate the Festival of Lights with a symphony of events under the night sky!
Inside Edition has this 2021 report on the Indian Festival of Lights Diwali holiday.
L’Shanah Tovah !! The RIJC is the oldest, longest-serving Jewish Community here on Roosevelt Island. Our High Holiday services continue with Yom Kippur, led by Rabbi Gold and Cantor Sandra Goodman, this Sunday & Monday, September 24th & 25th. Please join us in the Cultural Center (548 Main Street). We will be in our Sanctuary in the Small Studio, &/or in the Theatre; please note the RIJC signage for each activity posted as you enter.
Yom Kippur begins this Sunday evening, September 24th, at 6:30 pm, with the Kol Nidrei
Cantor Sandra Goodman will return to the RIJC and join Rabbi Gold to start our beautiful evening service.
Yom Kippur Day services start Monday morning, September 25th, at 10:00 am
A full day of worship for our Holiest day, led by Rabbi Gold & Cantor Goodman,
Children’s Service at 11:00 am,
Yiskor, at approximately 12 noon
Neilah and concluding services around 5:30 pm.
There will be a very light Break-the-Fast
And, a special note regarding Covid:
As Covid cases continue to increase in NYC,this fall, and here on Roosevelt Island, please note that while masks are not not required, they are recommended when indoors and social distancing is not possible.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Church of the Good Shepherd is conducting a bilingual Holy Eucharist Service on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 9:30am. Come one come all to recognized the Hispanic heritage of our friends and neighbors. Fellowship right after the service with delicious hispanic treats!!
The
Chabad Of Roosevelt Island
invite you to
Rosh Hashanah
services Friday September 15 - Sunday September 17 and Yom Kippur services
Sunday September 24 - Monday September 25 at the Roosevelt Island Cultural
Center (548 Main Street).
Welcome to the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation !
We are thrilled to welcome our new Rabbi, Laurie Gold who, as of August 1st, is “up and running” and already preparing for her new year, and the New Year, with us.
The RIJC has been a significant part of the greater Roosevelt Island community for over 45 years. We have had many “homes” and several Rabbis in that time, as well as served a wide variety of families, friends, neighbors and members, donors and supporters. People of all ages and backgrounds worship with us, celebrate holidays and special events together, volunteer to help our organization and engage the community in practical and meaningful ways.
We are an active, liberal, egalitarian congregation, conservative yet open to new ideas and to better involving our Island’s residents....
I interviewed Rabbi Gold last week.
Rabbi Gold told me:
My whole life I wanted to become a rabbi but I got sidetracked. I was a lawyer for 25
years which wasn't a terrible life. I didn't mind it but being a rabbi is so much more wonderful. I got a second chance so I'm very grateful that I got to be a rabbi. I wanted to be able to pass on my love of Judaism, my love of Torah, my love of Talmud, my love of Jewish ideas and Jewish
values to other people.
Being a rabbi for this particular community of sweet, welcoming and down to earth people is a dream come true. It's a real honor to work with
RIJC President Nina Lublin and to work with other people at the temple and I'm looking forward to
to getting to know more people and having them get to know me
so it's really thrilling to be here.
I asked Rabbi Gold of future plans for RIJC:
I want to bring new ideas.
I love to teach. I want to teach courses on the prophets and
happiness and Talmud and maybe some comparative religion and anything that people are interested in. One of the things that I've done, I've taught at Queensborough Community
College and other places, and very often I ask the students what they want to learn about and then
a couple of weeks later I present a lesson on that. I love to learn and I'm open to whatever people want to learn about.
One thing that I've been doing successfully at my prior
positions was a walk and talk where we take walks in nature. There's certainly beautiful places
here to walk and talk to each other and make connections. Even
before Covid, very often we just lack connections. Relatives are
scattered all over the country, friends all over the country so this is
a good opportunity to make new friends. I always talk about my temple
family and RIJC is already feeling like my temple family.
I'd
also like to work with some yoga teachers and do Jewish yoga which I've
done in the past and it's a lot of fun. We do some prayers and
meditation. I've been practicing yoga for about 30 years and I think it
makes me the calm person I am. I'm not calm all the time. I was in
Midtown traffic
the other day and I was not very calm but 95% of the time I'm calm and I
think it's because of my yoga and
meditation practice so I'd like to pass that on to other people.
I'm very excited to come here and I'm just delighted so far.
According to Rabbi Gold's biography:
Rabbi Gold received her rabbinic ordination from The Academy for Jewish Religion. Before becoming a rabbi, she worked as a trial attorney. Rabbi Gold earned a JD from Hofstra Law School and a BA in Anthropology from the University of Michigan. She has been the rabbi of congregations in Brewster, NY and Danbury, CT. She also served as rabbi at several nursing homes and cruise-lines.
Rabbi Gold and her wife Nancy like travelling and spending time at their local Jewish Community Center, where they swim and attend lectures. They also enjoy reading and practicing meditation and yoga.
Rabbi Gold is non-judgmental and meets people where they are. She is flexible, approachable and down-to-earth. Rabbi Gold looks forward to getting to know the members of her new Temple Family, Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation, as well as other people on the Island.
Please join us this coming Monday, September 4th, Labor Day, at 5:00 pm, at the Benches & Picnic Tables by Good Shepherd Chapel. Snacks, Beverages, Light refreshments will provided as we extend our Roosevelt Island hospitality to our new Rabbi.
More information about RIJC, including plans for the upcoming High Holidays and Hebrew school, available at the RIJC website.
Members of The Islamic Society of Roosevelt Island were meeting and greeting community residents at the May 12 Roosevelt Island Seniors Association outdoor market next to the Farmers Market. I spoke with our Roosevelt Island neighbor Fouad Bennani who said they set up a table for the Islamic community to:
open up to the community and get to know each other better.... We're here to converse and talk to each other....
The Rev. Timothy J. Keller, a best-selling author and theorist of
Christianity who performed a modern miracle of his own — establishing a
theologically orthodox church
in Manhattan that attracted thousands of young professional followers — died
on Friday at his home in Manhattan. He was 72.
His death was announced by Redeemer City to City, an organization affiliated
with Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Mr. Keller
announced
on Twitter in December 2021 that he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer....
According to his one time neighbors Sherie Helstien:
Tim and Kathy and their 3 sons were our neighbors in 30RR when tenants were
moving in just as the complex was opening. We watched their lovely boys grow
up and had many cordial and funny conversations with all of them.
and Matt Katz:
We lived across the hall from the Keller's at 30RR for some years and then
we moved to another building. Some years later we met Tim on the Red Bus and
asked after the family.
I mentioned that we had just gotten a new cat and were looking for an
appropriate name. She was to keep our old cat, Zeke, company and warm his
bones.
Tim thought for a moment and said, "Kings, 1-4." That's all he said.
When we got home I looked up the Old Testament reference and there it was...
Abishag, a virgin who would keep old King David's bones warm although "he
knew her not." Abishag kept Zeke's (and our) bones warm for many years.
We moved to New York 10 years ago with the intent of starting new ministries
across the city.
We didn't know what to expect; moving a family of seven at that point in
time from the Midwest. However, I quickly realized a few different things.
First, I needed mentors who could help me understand the landscape of New
York. Second, I needed someone who would cheer me on and believed in what we
were attempting to do. Third, we needed financial resources that could help
us get our different ministries off the ground.
Tim was one of the first to step in as a mentor.
Redeemer City to City
(which Tim founded) invited me into a regular mentoring process where I was
able to sit with and learn from Tim regularly. They would also become one of
our biggest financial supporters to date. Tim always modeled generosity. So
many times pastors and priests become weirdly territorial, and yet Tim
continued to give away his time, his ministries' resources, and his prayer
so that we could see new churches, new community development programming,
and new ministries come to fruition across the city.
There were multiple times where we traveled back to Roosevelt Island
together from his offices in Manhattan and we would laugh at the fact that
as we walked down Main Street, more of our neighbors knew the younger guy
from the Midwest than the New York Times best selling author who had quietly
made his home on Roosevelt island as he continued his work all over the city
and world. Tim loved it.
Roosevelt island was his place of rest. He loved living on Roosevelt Island.
He loved raising his family on Roosevelt Island, and he loved that we were
starting
Mosaic Church (once Hope
Church) in his very own neighborhood. Tim held to a deep belief that if you
are to truly follow the way of Jesus, you invest your life for the sake of
the whole neighborhood. (Not just Christians, but all people).
You seek religious freedom, not just for Christians, but for all people.
Mosaic continues to aim to be a church for the neighborhood, one that
blesses all of our neighbors regardless of whether or not they ever step
into our space. In a polarized time, where the Evangelical Church does not
often look much like the Jesus they preach, Tim continued to talk about and
model the way of Christ that deeply loves all and refused to play partisan
politics. I’m grateful to have had him as a mentor, and Mosaic Church will
continue to be a place of peace, mercy, and grace because of servant leaders
like him.
He will be missed
Watch Carpool Karaoke with Tim Keller and his family as they drive around
Roosevelt Island and sing Broadway show tunes.
Molly Worthen on the legacy of pastor Timothy Keller, who died on Friday at
72: "two fundamental ideas propelled him: Biblical Christianity is not a
political position, and secular liberalism deserves theological critique."
https://t.co/JjJNo9VbIJ
Here’s my postscript of @timkellernyc. He might have been the most effective communicator of historic Christian
teachings in America. Hard to think of any pastor w/ a resume like his. I
try to explain his legacy and the void he leaves behind.
https://t.co/ZlSvno9OcU
@timkellernyc would be the first to say that all glory goes to God. It’s his work that he graciously invites us into and allows us to participate. God is at work always and everywhere.
This week marks major holidays for three different faiths: Passover, Easter
and Ramadan, and joining Morning Joe to discuss the holidays are Rabbi Matthew
Gewirtz, Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef and Bishop Robert Barron.
Purim, a joyous and comedic holiday celebration, filled with fun and parody based on the Biblical story of Esther, was celebrated by the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation (RIJC) on Monday night, March 6, with more than 30 people participating in a full evening of worship and Purim celebration, both in person and online.
Rabbi Joel Shaiman, dressed as a Jewish spy balloon,
led the worship service and the reading of the megillah or traditional scroll. The holiday marks the survival of the Jewish people at a time of a threatened massacre. The other readers were Keren Bachi, Uri Shusterman and Michal Melamed.
The reading was interrupted by children and adults wielding noise-making groggers to blot out the recitation of the name of the man, Haman, who purportedly attempted to destroy the Jews.
The service alternated with scenes from a Purimschpiel, or play, based on this narrative, written by Mickey Rindler and directed by Janet Falk: Knives Out: The Glass Octagon.
The murder mystery cast featured King Bidensuerus (Charles Schwartz), Haman (Mickey Rindler), Mordechai (Michal Melamed), Queen Vashti (Janet Falk), Queen Esther (Tamar) and Zeresh (Lucia). The detectives investigating the murder were Sherlock Shaloms (Mickey Rindler) and Yonatan Ben Mah/John Watson (Gabriela).
The Purimschpiel's broad humor and political-themed puns, plus sharp references to Roosevelt Island affairs, drew laughter, groans and cheers from the audience, who used their groggers and applauded enthusiastically.
The evening concluded with delicious Hamantaschen,
a triangular holiday fruit pastry treat, donated, as in the past several years, by the Seligson-Levanon family.
For more information about the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation, which is the oldest, active and egalitarian congregation on the Island, please visit www.rijc.org or send an email to information@rijc.org.
The next in-person Shabbat service is Friday, March 24th, at 7:00 pm, in the Cultural Center, and also available on Zoom.
The Zoom link is at RIJC.org on the Coming Up page, listed as Friday Night Programs.
Stay tuned for specific details for the Spring Learning Series, led by Rabbi Joel Shaiman, as well as April, May and June Shabbat services, Passover plans and Shavuot celebration. Be sure to check our website at RIJC.org or email us at information@rijc.org.
The Chabad of Roosevelt Island invite you to Celebrate International Hakhel Purim later today, March 7. According to the Chabad Of Roosevelt Island, the celebration will include:
As we welcome 5783, and start our 2022 - 23 year, you are invited to join Rabbi Joel and the RIJC to celebrate, rejoice, and reflect on the New Year with friends, family, and neighbors, long-timers and newcomers alike.
We’ve been welcoming the New Year here on Roosevelt Island for over 40 years.
We will celebrate Rosh Hashanah a little differently this year, as we will not be in our usual space in the Cultural Center, but rather in the Rivercross Community Room, 531 Main Street, where we have met many times before, as well as outdoors too.
We appreciate your RSVP to us in advance if possible, so we can plan appropriately for both in-person and remote participation. With regard to up-to-the-minute Covid requirements and guidance, the Honor System will prevail for indoors — if you are vaccinated & boosted, masks/face coverings are optional; if you are not, they are required.
Our Yom Kippur information for October 4 & 5 will be available early next week.
We look forward to seeing you in just a few days. Suggestions & Questions are always welcome.
ROSH HASHANAH
*** FIRST NIGHT: Sunday, September 25th, 6:30 pm -
Outdoors, By the Picnic Tables & Benches by Good Shepherd Chapel
Welcoming Meet & Greet
Opening Evening Services / Evening Prayers with Rabbi Joel
Kiddush
Apples and Honey
(In case of rain, we will be in the Rivercross Community Room, 531 Main Street,
just south of the Chapel & Tables)
*** FIRST DAY: Monday, September 26th, Rivercross Community Room / 531 Main
9:30 am — Morning Services, led by Rabbi Joel
11:00 am — Children’s Service, led by Amber Levanon Seligson, 531 Main Street
1:00 pm — Families’ Meet-up, Discussion & Conversation with Rabbi Joel
2:00 pm — Tashlich, outdoors, at the Meditation Steps
(Just south of Rivercross, facing west)
The Chabad Of Roosevelt Island invite you to Rosh Hashanah services Sunday September 25 - Tuesday September 27 and Yom Kippur services Tuesday October 4-5 at the Roosevelt Island Cultural Center (548 Main Street).
All programs will be held at the Cultural Center. The Small Studio, 548 Main Street unless otherwise noted). For more info: Chabad of Roosevelt Island.
Nechama Duchman adds:
We are having a round Challah Bake for women and girls - traditional Rosh Hashanah foods
Shana Tova, have a happy and sweet New Year - 5783.
One of the great things about Roosevelt Island is the diversity of
nationalities, cultures and religions of residents living in our
community.
The Islamic Society of Roosevelt Island (ISRI) shares these photos and
reports:
Here are some pictures of ISRI's celebration of Eid Al-Fitr at PS217 on
5/2/22.
As you may know, Eid Al-Fitr is a Holy day in the Islamic LUNAR Calendar,
which marks the end of the Holy month of RAMADAN! Ramadan is the ninth month
of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting,
prayer, reflection and community.
Ramadan begins 10 to 12 days earlier each year. This is because the Islamic
calendar is based on the lunar Hijri calendar with months that are 29 to 30
days long. Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year by 11 days,
this means that Ramadan will also be observed twice in the year 2030 – first
on January 6 and then again on December 27 – depending on the sighting of
the moon. The next time Ramadan will start after April 2 will be about 33
years from now, or the year 2055.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The
month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to
sunset. According to Islam, the Holly Quran was sent down to the lowest
heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by
angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to Muhammad (the LAST Prophet to MANKIND).
Therefore, Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be
open for the entire month and the gates of Hell (Jahannam) would be closed.
The first three days of the next month, Shawwal, are spent in celebration
and are observed as the "Festival of Breaking Fast" or Eid al-Fitr.
President Joe Biden and Mrs Biden celebrated Eid al-Fitr in the White House
too.
Whether you are a Seder veteran with answers to all four questions or a
curious explorer with 40 questions of your own, Chabad's Seder offers a
stimulating & satisfying experience.
More information available on the Chabad of Roosevelt Island Passover Seder at
their
website or
contact nechama@rijewish.org.
Passover's Four Questions are presented by the Maccabeats
and here's 20 things you can enjoy doing with Matzah after Passover.
Best wishes for a Happy Roosevelt Island Passover.
Purim, a joyous and comedic holiday celebration, filled with fun and parody
based on the Biblical story of Esther, was celebrated by the Roosevelt
Island Jewish Congregation (RIJC) on Wednesday night, March 16, with more
than 40 people participating in a full evening of worship and Purim
celebration both in person and online.
Image Of Haman And Queen Eggster by Ken & Peggy Organes
Rabbi Joel Shaiman,
Photo By Harriet Shaiman
dressed in a green plaid kilt and tam o’ shanter in anticipation of St.
Patrick’s Day, led the worship service and the reading of the megillah or
traditional scroll. The holiday marks the survival of the Jewish people at
a time of a threatened massacre. The other readers were Keren Bachi, Uri
Shusterman, Rachel Rekhter, Michal Melamed and Ben Fhala. The reading was
interrupted by children and adults wielding noise-making groggers to blot
out the recitation of the name of the man who purportedly attempted to
destroy the Jews. The congregation joined in singing prayers to the
melodies of familiar Irish songs.
The service alternated with scenes from a Purimschpiel, or play, based
on this narrative. Written by Mickey Rindler and directed by Janet Falk,
The Marvelous Mrs. Esther Maisel transported the characters from the
television show (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) to the Shushkills (formerly
known as the Catskills) where there is a lively comedy club scene. The
cast featured King Adamsuerus (Tamar), Haman (Mickey Rindler), Mordechai
(Charles Schwartz), Queen Vashti (Beth Asher), Esther Maisel (Emily
Kalb) and Aunt Rose (Michal Melamed).
Other cast members included sisters Lucia and Gabriella, children of our
RIJC community.
The Purimschpiel's broad humor and political-themed puns, plus
references to Roosevelt Island affairs, drew laughter, groans and cheers
from the audience, who used their groggers and applauded
enthusiastically.
The evening concluded with delicious Hamantaschen, a triangular holiday
fruit pastry treat, baked by Tamar, which has become an annual
tradition.
For more information about the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation,
which is the oldest, active and egalitarian congregation on the Island,
please visit www.rijc.org or send an
email to
information@rijc.org.
The next Shabbat worship services are on Friday, March 25 at 6:30 pm in
the Sanctuary at the Cultural Center, 548 Main Street. Attendees should
RSVP to ninalublin1@gmail.com and must be fully vaccinated. Masks are
optional. The services will be broadcast on Zoom; the Zoom link is at
RIJC.org on the Coming Up page, listed as Friday Night Programs.
Our Spring Learning series, led by Rabbi Joel, will focus on various
aspects of Social Justice, will start up the week of Tuesday April 5,
with
dates, times and Zoom link to be announced.
Shabbat services, holidays and other activities in April, May and June
will be posted and sent out soon.
More info on the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation
at their web site.
The Maccabeats singing group celebrate and explain the Purim Holiday too.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
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