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March 10, 2006 WWW.KANESTREET.ORG Shabbat Zachor
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Issue 10
Purim
In this issue …
On Shabbat Zachor, in addition to the Torah Portion, T'tza'veh, we add a short reading from the book of Deuteronomy about the need to remember what the murderous nation of Amalek did. The first word of the reading is ZACHOR, which is an imperative that means "Remember!" The Rabbis later understood this as a Mitzvah to always be wary of and combat radical evil. This is a Shabbat of remembering.
Articles this week touch on different facets of the congregation’s Purim celebration: the struggle against radical evil, the providing of charity to those in need, the giving of shalach-manot, the masquerading in costumes, and the uninhibited celebration. Jonathan Ginsberg’s message in 1987 said, “Purim is an opportunity to focus on these issues, to rededicate ourselves to defying the Hamans of the world, to ‘feast and be glad.” It is an annual reminder that with God’s help, the Jewish people survive adversity.”
Carol Levin, Editor
historicaljournal@kanestreet.org
Contents ...
Baith Israel Sunday School celebrated with “an original Sacred play.” The current exhibit at the synagogue, “Keeping the Faith In Brooklyn,” displays a copy of the handbill to “Queen Esther.”
“Purim Ball. Annual Festivities of the Eastern District Hebrew Benevolent Society. The Feast as an Occasion for Enjoyment for the Rich and Relief for the Poor.”
Credit: Brooklyn Eagle, March 11, 1884, Page1
The remarks of the toastmaster connect this gala benefit to Purim.
“Hebrew Benevolent Societies. A Joint Civic and Masquerade Ball Given Last Night”
Credit: Brooklyn Eagle, March 20, 1889, Page 1
The Hebrews partied in those days. The last dance ended near daybreak on Wednesday morning.
“Reopening of a Synagogue”
Credit: Brooklyn Eagle, March 22, 1889, Page 6
A notable article as it states there were two celebrations held during the day.
“A Purim Entertainment By the Scholars of Baith Israel Sunday School”
Credit: Brooklyn Eagle, April 3, 1889, Page 6
This financially successful event benefited the synagogue’s new decorations and alterations.
“The Royal Jewess – Successfully Performed by the Pupils of Baith Israel Sunday School”
Credit: Brooklyn Eagle, March 27, 1891, Page 4
The musical play was revised, arranged and directed by Baith Israel’s rabbi, Rev. M. Friedlander.
Purim Messages to the Congregation
Past articles from the Brooklyn Eagle, The Scroll and e-mails from Ba8aLou, comment on Purim themes as related to anti-Semitism teachings, the rescue of Ethiopian Jews, and the current atrocities in Darfur.
(scroll to article)
“Don’t Come As You Are”
Credit: The Scroll, 1987; artist: Carol Levin
Purim cartoon announcing the 1987 festivities
(scroll to flyer)
“Purims Past” Credit: The Scroll, February 1986
Kane Street Synagogue’s Purim Raffle began in 1979. This page from the 1986 Scroll includes articles on winning the raffle written by two winners, Fred Cohen and Rena Schklowsky.
(scroll to article)
“Purim Letter” Alan Rubenstein has organized twenty-seven Israel Raffles for the synagogue. Here is his letter for year 2006.
(download letter)
Purim Messages to the Congregation
In the 1987 Scroll, Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg wrote of the plight of Ethiopia Jews, “Rarely in history have we had the opportunity to feel as intimately connected to these themes as we do this year. Thousands of our fellow Jews have been rescued from poverty and almost certain death in Ethiopia and been brought to our people’s homeland. At the same time 10,000 Jews remain behind. In addition we are standing by, hoping against hope that the 3 million Jews in the Soviet are not doomed to forced assimilation. We draw courage from their strength and will continue to work for their freedom.
In 2006, the Congregation continues to fight evil. The following message appeared in this week’s issue of the Kane Yirbu:
Help Save Darfur! Today, the Sudanese government and its allied militias are committing genocide against the people of Darfur. 400,000 have been murdered. Gunmen on camel and horses shoot and pillage. Militiamen rape and torture. Thousands die of malnutrition, while two and a half million people have been forcibly displaced. Jews must respond, because of the mitzvah to intervene to save life (Leviticus 16:19), because of our history, and because for the first time most Jews now live as empowered citizens in free countries with the resources to make a difference. We invite you to join other Kane Street members and friends in three specific actions:
(1) Attend a Symposium and Action Fair on Darfur in the Edmund Safra Hall at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park, Sunday, March 12, 1 - 5:30 p.m. There will also be photographs of Darfur by photographer Richard Levine, and the screening of the MTV documentary, Translating Genocide: Three Students Journey to Sudan. (2) Join in a national demonstration in Washington, DC on Sunday, April 30. The demonstration is sponsored by the Save Darfur Coalition, and is widely supported by the organized Jewish community. (3) Support the “Million Voices for Darfur” initiative of the Save Darfur Coalition, which sends postcards, e-mails, and petitions to U.S. political leaders Go to www.savedarfur.org and click on “Take Action Now”. We would like to have Kane Street members and friends join together to attend the March 12th Symposium and Action Fair, and the April 30th demonstration. We hope to organize three minyans (30 people) for the March event, and 10 minyans (100 people) to travel to Washington on April 30th. Please RSVP to David Sherrin at sherrind@yahoo.com if you plan to attend either or both events. Todah Rabah.
Purims Past
Kane Street Synagogue’s Purim Raffle began in 1979. This page from the 1986 Scroll includes two articles written by past raffle winners Fred Cohen and Rena Schklowsky.
About the Journal …
The Synagogue Journal” is a one-year online publication at www.kanestreet.org/historical_journal.html, designed to highlight the three periods of the Kane Street Synagogue congregation: the first fifty years as Congregation Baith Israel at both the Atlantic Street and the Boerum Place sites; the middle years (1905-1956) with Rabbi Israel Goldfarb as spiritual leader of the consolidated Congregation Baith Israel Anshei Emes at the present location that was known as Harrison Street, and the last fifty years, as the synagogue evolved to be the Congregation that we know today.
We welcome submissions of reminiscences, letters and photographs to help shape the BIAE story. For a list of upcoming Journal themes or to read past issues, see “Archives,” located under the Journal banner.
Special thanks to: Rabbi Samuel Weintraub; webmaster Dugans Martinez; Paul at www.PaulBernsteinPhotography.com; the Brooklyn Daily Eagle Online™, Brooklyn Public Library; www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/eagle
For further information, please contact us at: historicaljournal@kanestreet.org.
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