An upcoming program at the Yorktown Jewish Center….
“COURAGE IN ADVERSITY”: TOPIC OF YORKTOWN JEWISH CENTER TORAH INSTITUTE
An examination of “Courage in Adversity” is the subject of this year’s Yorktown Jewish Center Torah Institute April 12 and 13. The scholar-in-residence who will present two sides of the subject is Rabbi Hirshel Jaffe.
At the 8 p.m. Friday service on the 12th, Rabbi Jaffe will speak on “Why Me? Why Anyone?” He will explore his own struggle with illness and both the legitimacy of doubt and anger and the healing power of love and faith.
Rabbi Jaffe’s topic at services the next morning is “The Face of Extremism” in which he will describe his experiences as a member of the clergy delegation that visited American hostages in Iran in 1980. He will recount his confrontation with zealots over the treatment of Jews in Iran and how he almost became the fifty-third hostage—narrowly escaping captivity.
The Saturday service starts at 9:15 a.m. At a luncheon after the service, he will answer questions. The synagogue’s office at (914) 245-2324 is handling reservations for the luncheon.
Rabbi Jaffe is co-author of the book “Why Me? Why Anyone?” that describes his rescue from a life-threatening illness and his spiritual triumph over despair. He is also co-author of
“Gates of Healing,” a book used by rabbis and patients for inspiration and personal prayer in times of illness.
The scholar-in-residence was ordained at the Hebrew Union College. Among Rabbi Jaffe’s honors is the Award of Courage President Ronald Reagan presented to him in a Rose Garden Ceremony. He is rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh.
The synagogue’s annual Torah Institute is one of several adult education programs that include weekly classes in Talmud, Hebrew prayer, synagogue skills and Maimonides.
The Yorktown Jewish Center is located at 2966 Crompond Road (Route 202) – a half mile east of the Taconic Parkway.
