Temple of Universal Judaism
A URJ: Union for Reform Judaism Congregation
1010 Park Avenue
@ E 85th 10028
Rabbi Ari Fridkis
יְהִי בֵיתְךָ פַּתוּחַ לִרְוָחָה...
May your house be open
so that all may come in . . .
- The Talmud
open Reform Judaism for an open world
december 2019
כסלו
5780
Click for the full: 5780 TUJ Calendar Click for Fri Dec 20: Judaism & Christianity: Sisters-in-Faith
Click for Fri Dec 20: Family Pizza 'n Pray Program Info
1st friday
85Shabbat
Shabbat & Memorial
for KristalnachT:
Jews of France
At TUJ, the 1st Friday of each month is
85shabbat:
A Celebration of Song and Spirit. Rabbi Fridkis and Cantor Anesi are joined by our folk piano accompanist - as well as another voice or instrument.
In November, 85shabbat remembers the Shoah (Holocaust) by commemorating
Kristalnacht in poetry and song.
Throughout 5780 (this year), 85shabbat honors Jewish communities around the world. For Kristalnacht, we'll focus on the Jews of France during the Shoah, their bravery and involvement in the French resistance.
We'll also celebrate today's French Jewish community - which unknown to most is the 3rd largest in the world
(following Israel and the US). The Reform-Liberal-Progressive Jewish Movement (WUPJ) alone flourishes with fourteen French liberal synagogues!
Antisemitism has grown in France in recent years, often reflecting the tentacles of hatred throughout the continent - and magnified by very large numbers of French Muslim immigrants. Still, antisemitism is only a small part of the community's story. Jewish life in France is dynamic, diverse and thriving.
Click for MORE info on
Click "Pizza 'n Pray" @615p for Families
This Friday incl . . .
2nd
Shabbat
Fri Nov 8 630p
Out & About:
VISIT THE MET BREUR*
MEET @ The Met Breuer Building
NOT @ The Met Museum of Art
5th Ave @84th St
TUJ's 2nd Shabbat is a special program outside of the synagogue - usually on Friday evenings - bringing members and friends together for the Sabbath.
On Fri Nov 8 @630pm we will meet at The Met Breuer for a unique "Podcast Architecture Tour" of the modernistic Met Breuer building itself - and its inventive architect: Marcel Breuer.
The Podcast is available for listening now via computer, Smartphone or Tablet - as well as at the exhibit by bringing your Smartphone, iPod, iPad or any Tablet (eg Amazon Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab) along with Headphones (Headphone example here). Pretty cool!
For New York residents, the admission cost to The Met Breuer (and The Met itself) is by one's choice according to The Met's Suggested Admission Policy.
With your RSVP we'll meet you at The Met Breuer entrance - or dispatch a search party if you're running late.
Around 815pm (The Met Breuer closes @9pm) we'll head East toward 3rd Ave for Pizza, Salad, Dessert and Coffee.
3rd
SHABBaT
fri Nov 15 730p
SHABBAT SERVICE with
Torah & MIDRASH ON
THE BINDING OF ISAAC
On the 3rd Friday of the month we follow the traditional Shabbat evening liturgy with joyous prayers and melodies celebrating creation, the Jewish concern for the oppressed as well as other universalistic hopes.
We will usually take the ancient, hand-written Torah scroll from the ark and read a short excerpt from the weekly Torah portion (in Hebrew with English translation).
If we're lucky and it's a special Shabbat, part of the service and Torah reading will be led by one of TUJ's individually-trained Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah.
On Fri Nov 15 we are honored to have one of TUJ's own, psychologist Dr. Neal Aponte, reading from his new work of
Midrash: In the Shadows of Genesis.
Neal will discuss his own understanding and commentary of the week's Torah portion, Vayera, which includes Abraham and Sarah blessed with a son, Isaac - and later, the Binding of Isaac atop Mount Moriah.
Weekly Torah Portion: Vayera
Fri Nov 1 730p
Our temporary URL is:
TUJ-TorahNYC.org
Pizza 'n Pray
for families
3rd Shabbat-of-the-Month
Next on Fri Dec 20 @615p
615p Shabbat Kids' Carbs: Challah & Pizza
630p Brief Family Service
(led by Rabbi, Cantor, Students)
650p Torah Class
720p More Shabbat Carbs: Dessert
730p Regular Shabbat Service
Parents Blessing of Children
Friday November 15 @730P
Guest Speaker: TUJ Member Neal Aponte, PhD Psychology
Click to View / Order
Book @Amazon.com
from the book . . .
"At last they reached the mountain. The father arranged the wood, refusing to acknowledge the one he loves more than himself, because he dare not waver from honoring God’s demand. . . He beckoned the boy with a tentative wave and led him to the altar, pressing him to lie flat on the cool surface . . . The son desperately yearned to reach the father,
who remained imprisoned by unflagging guilt and sorrow. The father hesitated, as if expecting to be released by a new instruction from his Creator. But there was no merciful, comforting or reassuring words, only an intractable silence.”
- Neal Aponte, In the Shadow of Genesis, 96-97
Click to View / Order
Book @Amazon.com
1st FRIDAY OF the month is...
85shabbaT
TUJ's Monthly Celebration of Song & Spirit
Next on:
FriDAY December 6
TUJ's not yet*
hanukah Celebration
* The 1st Night of Hanukah is Sun Dec 22 when NYC disappears. Instead, we'll celebrate together at TUJ's pre-Hanukah - Fri Dec 6. It's the "ante-Hanukah" without Antiochus! Dreidels not yet dry and ready. Latkes before the heartburn.
Join us for the Festival of Lights while it's still in previews and the Maccabees are in practice season! Plus it's not really Hanukah, it's
"Chinese Chanukah."
TUJ Pre-Hanukah RSVP Friday December 6
Click Here
6 PM
Asian-style Hors D'œuvres
Latkes with Apple or TUJ-aki Sauce
Hanukah Signature Cocktails and Wine
Blue & White Hasmonean* Bubbly for the Kids
Spotify™ Hanukah Music on the TUJ Bluetooth
* Hanukah Gift for Kids who can explain the Hasmoneans
Spotify™ Player will play a repeat loop of Indigo Girls "Happy Joyous Hanukah"
The Spotify popup link allows you to install Spotify Player + free partial Subscription. Close box with link to view the Playlist.
Spotify™ Player will play excerpt of 50+ songs from its "Hanukah Playlist"
The Spotify popup link allows you to install Spotify Player + free partial Subscription. Close box with link to view the Playlist.
6:30 PM
Musical 85shabbat Hanukah Service
"Pre-Hanukah" Candle Lighting led by TUJ Kids
Old + New Favorites in Hebrew-Ladino-Yiddish-English
Cantor Anesi on Guitar, Barbara on Piano,
and . . . Special Guest Percussionist!
Coming soon:
• Download a Home Hanukah Service (printable PDF)
• Download a Musical Clip of the Hanukah Blessings
7:30 PM
Chinese Chanukah Dinner
incl . . . Ice Cream & Sufganiyot Desert!
See our Chinese Dine-In Menu Below and RSVP with your favorites so we can order right amounts of each!
We really do need your RSVP!
Suggested Donation: $25 over 25yo $18 ages 18-24
$13 ages 13-17 $ n/c under 13
Shabbat Shalom & Hag Sameah
שבת שלום וחג שמח!
Members
Temple of Universal Judaism members includes multi-generational families, same-sex couples and individuals, interfaith families and couples, those descended from matrilineal or patrilineal Jewish parents, Jews-by-choice, and people of all ages. Though we are a mainstream Reform congregation with strong, traditional Jewish values and practices, we feel privileged to welcome both Jews and non-Jews.
TUJ is far more than a synagogue or simply a "religious" group: we are a true “community” – a warm, devoted congregation of caring and supportive individuals and families who share a culture of Jewish living.
As we continue to grow, our members come from all the great population centers of world Jewry: North America, South America, France, Israel, and many more. And with our very low cost Membership, TUJ is the most financially egalitarian Reform congregation in New York! Regardless of one's footing, we make it possible for all to join us.
Pay Dues
about us
At TUJ, The Temple of Universal Judaism we take pride in being a “house for all people” (Isaiah 56). For nearly fifty years we’ve been a Reform congregation where both Jews and non-Jews can find a welcoming Jewish home.
As a URJ: Union for Reform Judaism congregation, we embrace the two-millennia old premise of Rabbinic Judaism which saw the unfolding Jewish future as a shifting mirror of Judaism’s ancient past. At TUJ you will find a combination of beautiful Jewish traditions and modern creative adaptations.
Throughout history, Jews have been a people of diverse origins united by the Torah’s message of compassion and justice for all. We honor that tradition as we embrace individuals of all races, backgrounds and orientations and strive to bestow dignity on every human soul.
TUJ is historically blessed to have great longevity with clergy. Our founding rabbi, Roy Rosenberg, was with the congregation for over twenty years.
Rabbi Ari Fridkis, one of the most ideologically progressive ordained Reform rabbis in North America came to us back in 2012 and has no plans of tiring out.
Cantor, Dana Anesi, an HUC-JIR ordained Reform cantor joined us in 2014. She too is here to stay.
Both Rabbi Fridkis and Cantor Anesi are supportive and open to both intrafaith and interfaith couples and families and both officiate at interfaith weddings.
VISIT US
If you haven't visited us - or haven't recently - we hope you will soon: all are always welcome. Consider joining us for the Holy Days, for any 1st, 2nd or 3rd Shabbat evening, or a holiday service and celebration. We promise you will receive a very warm and personal welcome.
DONATE
Whether you are a member, visitor or guest, we need and welcome your financial support.
We are New York City's - and North America's! - most theologically progressive, mainstream URJ: Union for Reform Judaism congregation. TUJ's open-door and open-minded presence is an example to Jews all around the world: that every Jewish community can maintain and build a full Jewish life, inclusive of every human being, each with his or her differing spiritual needs.
Support us @TUJ
contact us
212 658 0810 Temple Office
917 617 3615 In case of Family Emergency,
please TEXT Rabbi Fridkis
P
Ave
R
K
------- 1010 Park Ave
East 85 NY NY 10028
LOCATION Snail Mail
YOU VISITED US HERE, NOW VISIT US THERE*
* Our Space: 1010 Park Ave @E 85 * Our Email: TUJcongregation@gmail.com
* Our Mail: (+) New York, NY 10028 * Our Phone: 212 658 0810
& please return again to our temporary URL: www.TUJ-TorahNYC.org for our updated Calendar