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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   

t:  212 658 0810

e:  info@tuj.org

Cantor Dana Anesi

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        

H-1 > This Month

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 . . .

Click for MORE DETAILS ON

NEAL APONTE'S Book

2nd

Shabbat

Fri Nov 8   630p

Out & About:

VISIT THE MET BREUR*

MEET @  The Met Breuer Building

                   945 Madison Ave @75th St

                   (Google Maps)

   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

                  Genesis 18:1 - 22:24

Fri Nov 1   730p

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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

H-3 (2nd or 3rd Shabbat)

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

H-4 > 85shabbat

1st FRIDAY OF the month is...

85shabbaT

TUJ's Monthly Celebration of Song & Spirit

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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."

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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

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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

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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

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Your requests, comments and questions are always welcome 

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  

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