Purim Party Sponsored by RIJC on March 20th

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On Thursday, March 20th, the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation will sponsor a Purim celebration to be held at a local CommunityRoom. For information call 212-753-0237.

What's Purim You Ask? Think of it as Jewish Halloween but in this story the bad guy wanted to exterminate the Jews and a beautiful Jewish Maiden (the King's wife) tricked the bad guy (named Haman) preventing the slaughter and afterwards we all ate. Just your standard story. To learn why we dress in costumes and how she tricked him come by and stay for the whole megillah.

Come in Costume – Come as You Are – Come to have fun - Hear the Megilla read – hear some music – Bring some food (kosher, dairy) – bring something for our Shaloch Manos packages for those in Goldwater-Color who cannot attend* – Bring your attitude – Bring your appetite- Bring your musical instruments - Bring some groggers and make some noise - Have Fun – Have a drink –Have a Hamantaschen - Be in the costume parade - Win a prize !

A Day for Family Chanukkah Gatherings on Roosevelt Island

Yesterday evening, Saturday, December 8, 2007, a family / community menorah lighting was held on Roosevelt Island in front of Blackwell House. The event was well attended and children young and old were all treated to complimentary Chanukkah gelt, dreidels, as well as latkes courtesy of Rabbi Zalman Duchman (Chabad of Roosevelt Island) and his family. You have got to love the hurricane lanterns used to shield the flames for each of the candles. The evening was perfect weather wise and the views of Manhattan and the River from Blackwell House as always spectacular. Some of the smaller kids found themselves running around the menorah and the neighboring Christmas tree.

The Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation earlier in the afternoon also held a fun filled Chanukkah party following their morning Shabbat service, lead by Rabbi Leana Moritt, where the children acted out a play explaining the meaning of the various symbols of the holiday and who the main players are in the Chanukkah story.

Chanukkah Events This Saturday Dec. 8th on Roosevelt Island

Today is the first day of Chanukkah. The menorah at Roosevelt Island’s Blackwell House was lit last night in honor of the first night. This coming Saturday evening there will be a special community candle lighting ceremony at Blackwell House hosted, I believe, by Rabbi Zalman Duchman. The below image is a partial image of the announcement from the December 1, 2007 issue of the Main Street WIRE.

The full announcement included the blessings for each night of Chanukkah which can also be found HERE. As noted in the announcement Chanukkah candles should be lit before Shabbat candles this coming Friday evening.



Earlier in the day on December 8th, following regular 11:30 am Shabbat morning services the Roosevelt Island Jewish Center will be hosting for its members and anyone attending services a Chanukkah party at the Shul located in the Cultural Center at 548 Main Street.



The Roosevelt Islander in the spirit of the holiday embedded HERE in his blog Adam Sandler’s always hilarious Chanukkah Song.

A Flea Market, a Book & Sock Sale, and a Celebration of Community Activism and Representation (December 1-2, 2007)

The following are three posters advertising events taking place this weekend December 1st and 2nd on Roosevelt Island. On Saturday afternoon Island Kids is hosting its First Flea Market fundraising event from 12pm to 5pm. At 5pm the Roosevelt Island Residents Association will be celebrating 30 years of community service at RIVAA.





On Sunday December 2nd the Roosevelt Island Jewish Center is hosting it annual sock and book sale from 10am to 4pm.