Brooklyn Jewish Center

Where were your parents and grandparents Election Night 1926? We are sharing with you a flyer, inviting the members of the Center to gather for an evening of Movies, Dancing and Dining, as they awaited the ballots to be counted.

My Dear Friends, Many have reached out to me, asking my opinion and my thoughts on these current daily matters, where we find our country in so much turmoil and unknown. Far be it from me to voice my opinion, I am not as outspoken as the great Center leader Rabbi Israel H. Levinthal, or as Rabbi Benjamin Z. Kreitman were. Nevertheless, when I am asked a question, I strive to do my best to find an answer.... As a student of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn, I have often looked up to him for guidance and I came across this most fascinating video, which was prepared for these election days. The video opens with a meeting of the Rebbe and Mayor Beame, who was a prominent member of the Jewish Center. I hope you find inspiration and guidance from the video and the Rebbe’s words. - Video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8x8nTUrDUU&feature=emb_logo My prayers, perhaps now more then ever, G-d bless America. Rabbi Nosson Blumes Coordinator Brooklyn Jewish Center

Looking for the LUXENBERG FAMILY Various times people have contacted our office looking for family or old friends. If anyone knows any members of the Luxeberg Family - Please call us at please call us at 718-778-0734. Thank you

Rabbi's Letter- Rosh Hashana 5781 My Dear Friends, As we are at the eve of Rosh Hashona, I am pleased to share with you another Newsletter email, filled with much thought, nostalgia and good memories of the past.... The High Holidays were definitely a highlight of the year at the Brooklyn Jewish Center. It was a time when families gathered, prayed and were inspired as they ushered in the New Year, full of anticipation and hope. And who can forget the rooftop dances after the Yom Kippur fast, where many everlasting matches were made! So much has changed from those times, and yet our ideals and the meaning of the holidays have not. These have remained the same throughout the years, and with the foresight of the Trustee members of the Center, our great building on Eastern Parkway continues to be filled with prayer and hope, this year as well. And let’s not forget that this year marks exactly 100 years since the building’s cornerstone was laid. The spirit of community and of commitment that was then will continue to carry us through these times, as well. The Center has weathered many changes, many good and many difficult times, yet we can be proud that its foundation is strong and it carries forth a light that is a beacon to Jewish communities around the world. And to those of my many dear friends, who will not be attending services this year, let me share with you this thought. Prayer is known as a "service from the heart". Prayer comes from one’s innermost being and penetrates to the highest worlds above as we beseech the A-lmighty with our needs and wishes. Our hearts are with us, close to us. This year, more then ever, pray from your heart, and wherever you are, may your prayers be answered. I want to wish all of you a blessed year of good health, much happiness and that the upcoming year should be a much calmer and more content one for us all. Sincerely, Rabbi Nosson Blumes Coordinator Brooklyn Jewish Center Circle

Historical Audio - Rabbi Benjamin Z. Kreitman Rosh Hashona 1965 A most outstanding sermon given that will definitely bring back memories of celebrating the High Holidays at the Center.... In the audio, following Rabbi Kreitman’s sermon, there is a short introduction by Rabbi Levinthal and then comments made by Mr. Emanuel Cohen, the President of the Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW4KDSKL85U&feature=youtu.be

Boruch Dayan Emes. With my deepest sympathies and a broken heart I wish to inform our circle of friends the passing of Helen Freedman, (nee Aronow). Helen was a champion for Jewish causes, and a fighter for the land of Israel. Raised and educated in the Center Academy, Helen often told me her passion for the Jewish People came from her years at the Center.... Helen, with her family were staunch supporters of our activities, and attended many of our events and Gala Dinners. our condolences to her husband, Charlie Bernhaut, her brother Joe Aronow, and the entire family. I will miss a dear friend. Rabbi Nosson Blumes

Virtual Celebration Watch now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ytZ2CRalo&feature=youtu.be

https://conta.cc/2BXuKOK

Audio of Rabbi Levinthal - 1969 As we are about to celebrate the holiday of Shavuos this weekend, I am sharing with you this most unique and rare audio of a sermon of Rabbi Dr. Israel H. Levinthal, from 1969. (click the link below)... Rabbi Levinthal's message from 50 years ago - is as pertinent today, as it was then. Rabbi Levinthal also speaks of the role of the Brooklyn Jewish Center, and the message it is meant to carry to be a beacon of light and hope to American Jewry, and beyond. It is most befitting for the Holiday of Shavuos, when our people became a nation with that exact goal and purpose - that we, as the people of the book - be a light upon the nations. I particularly take that message to heart, being we, the school that now resides in the great BJC edifice, carries on the message and hopes that Rabbi Levinthal speaks about so passionately. My very best to you. Rabbi Nosson Blumes

A Cornerstone that Witnessed 100 Years of Growth Sunday, June 13th, 1920, was a milestone event. Three thousand people lined the streets at Eastern Parkway and Brooklyn Avenue as the newly appointed Rabbi Dr. Israel H. Levinthal, together with the prominent leaders of the Jewish community, laid the cornerstone for the Brooklyn Jewish Center Building. Reverend Cantor Joseph (Yossele) Rosenblatt led the prayers and the Founding President, Mr. Samuel Rottenberg, presided over t...he ceremonies. Flags were raised and a luncheon was held at the BJC temporary offices at 881 Eastern Parkway. What the leaders and attendees did not know at that time was that this edifice would bear witness to the story and saga of the Jewish nation. The Brooklyn Jewish Center reached the greatest heights, spiritual growth, mass exodus, destruction, and re-birth. The placing of the cornerstone of the Jewish Center edifice also became a cornerstone for many of us personally, as well, whether in Jewish education, memories of milestone events, or as a sense of community that lasts with us years after we left Brooklyn. This cornerstone, placed 100 years ago, is prominently noticeable until today, as thousands of guests, visitors and students enter the building day in and day out. On Sunday, June 14th, plans are being made for a virtual celebration commemorating this historic day. We will contact you via email with more information or feel free to call our office at 718-778-0734 for more information.

Click on the link here - to see our latest email newsletter https://conta.cc/2X91POR

https://conta.cc/2X91POR

Something to Look Forward to - Sunday, June 14th We are organizing a special on-line event that documents one of the most important chapters of the Brooklyn Jewish Center. Stay tuned for more details

Here is the letter that went out together with the April 1945 newsletter (see previous post) My Dear Friend, These are most definitely times of uncertainty, times of worry and doubt. Yet in the midst of all this tumult we have one certainty, one rock that we know will happen, and will be celebrated and that is the holiday of Passover.... With all the restrictions, all the Social Distancing we, as part of the Jewish nation will sit down to a Seder, will raise our cup of wine, and declare the famous prayer -V’hi Sheomdo; This is what has stood by our fathers and us! For not just one alone has risen against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise against us to destroy us; and the Holy One, blessed be He, saves us from their hand! Every generation of the Jewish people has been challenged sought out one way or another and broken, spiritually and also physically. But yet if you are reading this letter, you are here! we are here and despite all we have been through Passover is a testimony that the A-lmighty has kept us, sustained us and brought us to this day. As we do understand, this year many of us will be alone, away from family who we so desire to celebrate with, ourselves included. As we make our final preparations for the holiday, I am sharing with you this March edition of the Brooklyn Jewish Center Review. I selected the year 1945, which marks 75 years of the liberation from the Concentration Camps of Auschwitz. We must never forget what our people, and the world suffered only 75 years ago! Let us resolve, in this year milestone year, to strengthen what truly unites us as a people, and gives us true meaning and certainty The traditions and the mitzvahs which are our connection with the past and it is also our legacy we leave for the future. Today, more than ever, I write to you with encouragement don’t fall into despair stay strong as we raise our cup of wine at the Seder with great pride so will Jews all around the world. You are part of a great nation, with a great history. May we raise our cups in the future in good health as we gather for simchas, happy occasions with our dearest family and friends.

We mailed out this April 1945 edition of the Brooklyn Center Review just before the Passover Holiday. If you wish to receive a copy - you can call our office at 718-778-0734 or email us at [email protected]. It would be our pleasure to share this fascinating and historical edition with you.

A few of our recent visitors to the Center building, Mark Levy, Arthur Sidorsky, Hank Arkin and Jonathan Rothstein - All left inspired of the many educational, recreational and communal activities together with re-living a great past and good memories! -If you wish to visit - please call 718-778-0734