News from VCJC

Committee Memberships and Other Opportunities

Committee Memberships and Other Opportunities

The business of the VCJC gets done, as per the by-laws, through the actions of the Board of Trustees. However, the real work, the planning and consideration, the day-to-day governance, and the idea generation responsibilities lie with the committees that report to the Board.  Committee membership is open to all interested VCJC members whether they are Board members or not.  Even the chairmanship of the committees is open to all.  With the start of a new Board term, it is…

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Replacing Birchas Hatorah With Ahava Rabah

Replacing Birchas Hatorah With Ahava Rabah

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 5/21/2023 One can replace his Birchas HaTatorah with Ahava Rabah, but he must learn on the spot right after Davening. Asks the Beis Yoseif, what about Shema, He’s learning when he says Shema? Why is Ahava Rabah different than regular Birchas HaTorah that you have to learn on the spot right after you say it?

The old practice of reading the Torah

The old practice of reading the Torah

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 5/14/2023 In the times of the Mishnah by Kriyas HaTorah, one person made a bracha in the beginning and one person made a bracha at the end. Was someone who was called up in the middle, allowed to make a bracha if he wanted to? What about somebody who came late? Does he not get a blessing on the Torah?

Listening to 2 voices at once

Listening to 2 voices at once

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 5/7/2023 A person cannot hear two voices at once. How does this apply to listening to two people blowing Shofar, two people reading the Torah, two people reading Megillah, or many Kohanim that are blessing the people at one time?

Paying Workers on Time

Paying Workers on Time

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 4/30/2023 Paying one’s worker on time. When does one pay a day worker? When does one pay a night worker? When does one pay someone who only works for a few hours or someone who you just pay for completing a job? Understanding the concept of U’mon koneh b’shvach kli.

Sending a Metzora out of the camp

Sending a Metzora out of the camp

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 4/23/2023 Sending the Mitzorah out of the camp. Sending all kinds of Tameyim out of the different camps. How is Mitzorah different than the other Tameyim? Understanding the words of Rav Chaim who explains regarding Mitzorah, there are two Halachos. One, a law of Tumma, and a second law of having to be by himself.

“How the 10 Commandments Impact our Lives in Modern-day Society” Lecture by Rabbi Viders

“How the 10 Commandments Impact our Lives in Modern-day Society” Lecture by Rabbi Viders

We are excited to announce the resumption of our lecture series at the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center beginning on Sunday May 21st. This first lecture will explore the topic of “How the 10 Commandments impact our lives in modern day society.” As we approach the holiday of Shavuos, it is important for us to examine the meaning and teachings behind this significant event in the  Jewish calendar. Our esteemed speaker, Rabbi Viders, will guide us in a deep dive into…

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COVID-19, VCJC procedures

COVID-19, VCJC procedures

This information was initially posted March 15, 2020 at 11:53AM. Multiple updates have since been made. On 7/19/21 a major update was made and the dated indications of intermediate updates generally removed. On 8/12/21 an update regarding vaccination status and COVID testing was made, in accordance with the Board of Trustees action. On 8/18/21 the methods to provide status and testing results was clarified. This post was moved to News from the Home page on 2/27/22. At a Board of…

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Shiur – The Mitzva of Smicha

Shiur – The Mitzva of Smicha

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 3/19/2023  The mitzvah of smicha, which is leaning on the animal before sacrificing it. Is this a Mitzvah that is part of the Hakrova (sacrificing) of the Korbon? Or is it a mitzvah incumbent on the person, similar to other mitzvahs that a person has to do, like putting on tefillin? How does this apply to a non-Jew doing smicha, or women doing smicha with a Korbon, where the Talmud tells us…

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Shiur – Bugs that are Born within Fruit

Shiur – Bugs that are Born within Fruit

A shiur led by Rabbi Nosson Lowenthal on 4/17/2023. Bugs that are born from fruit are allowed to be eaten. Understanding, Bittel in the form of taste, Bittel B’rov, and Berya. Are these bugs born in the fruit considered Berya when they leave the fruit and then come back in, to not have the halacha of Bittel?