VCJC News & Notes 2/13/2026

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Lots of things this week, including our Finding Your Haven class, Purim greetings, belated Tu b’Shevat kiddush, and the MLK park cleanup.  Read all the way through!

Reminders

1. Shabbos schedule
   
   
   Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
   Here are the times you need:  
   Shabbos Candles Friday 2/13/26 @ 5:10 pm
   
   
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 2/14/26 @ 6:14 pm

   If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.

   
   

   This week’s kiddush is sponsored by BenZ Panush in honor of his father’s yahrzeit. We will also, finally, have our planned special kiddush for Tu b’Shevat. Come join us for services and stay to enjoy the kiddush and the company.
   

2. About our new kiddushim
   For the past several weeks, the VCJC has upgraded its kiddush after Shabbos services. Kiddush now takes place in the ballroom. There is a greater variety of food, which can be enjoyed while seated at covered tables. Our aim is to offer a more enjoyable and meaningful experience, and to encourage conversation and interaction among attendees. This is an evolving effort. It has received very positive reviews so far; we’d love to have your opinion as well. Please join us for services and kiddush, and let us know what you think!

3. Interested in learning torah with a group of fellow members of your community?

   Want more details?

   Contact the VCJC office at 718-884-6105 or info@vcjewishcenter.org

   Or you can speak to Stuart Harris or Matthew Hartstein after davening on Shabbat morning.
   
   

4. Shabbos parsha

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Parashat Mishpatim 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת מִשְׁפָּטִים

   14 February 2026 / 27 Sh’vat 5786

   Parashat Mishpatim is the 18th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

   Torah Portion: Exodus 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16

   Mishpatim (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days. [1]
   

5. You can do it! Give VCJC a boost!  Leave a (positive) review for us on Google
   You can do this!  We know you can!

   The VCJC is working to build and grow for its next century in Van Cortlandt Village.  If you have had a good experience with us or recognize our value to the community, please consider telling the world about it.  Go to our Google Business Profile and leave a review.  Thanks!
   

6. Save your place now for Feb 22 for a Master Class "Finding a Haven Within"
   Sunday February 22, 12PM

   RSVP By 2/18/26: call the office (718) 884-6105 or email info@vcjewishcenter.org

   
   
   Suggested fee is $15.00. If you have a mat, bring it. If not, we have a few.
   
   
   In the swiftly moving, ever-changing world we live in today, you can find a quiet, safe, and secure haven in which there is peace, deep relaxation, and inner joy. This is what we offer you in an easy yoga-based stretching, soft meditation, and guided, systematic deep relaxation class. The results can be more effective and dramatic than you might expect. Students have had a profound effect on the increased level of their grades.  

   It is based on Prof. Barbara Kitai's 37 years of teaching this system to college academics, corporate executives, athletes, students, children, and adults of all backgrounds.

   The class consists of an introduction explaining the purpose and theory, 15 minutes of easy yoga-based stretching, and a cool down, 15 minutes of breathing techniques, meditation, 20 minutes of excellent guided relaxation throughout the body & mind, and 10-15 minutes  (time allowing) for a creative writing of self-reflection and awareness.

   See our blog post.

Participate in the VCJC Purim Greetings Program!

For a donation of $21.00 we can include your name (only) along with others who are wishing our VCJC and your family, friends, and neighbors Chag Sameach – may this Purim mark the beginning of great happiness, health and prosperity to all!!

PURIM is TUESDAY, MARCH 3

The deadline for subscribing to the greetings program is February 25.

To enroll online, go to our Donations Page and use the second drop-down option. Enter your name and Purim Greeting as the Directive. Submit the form and be sure to complete the payment as well, donating at least $21.  

You can also come into the office with your donation and fill out a form there, or mail a check.

Please help with information about buildings

As part of rebuilding the membership and congregation, the Board of Trustees would like your help. There are a lot of either new or renovated buildings being put up in our catchment area. We would like to seek the cooperation of the owners / developers of those properties in publicizing these opportunities to live near an orthodox synagogue.  If you are aware of any of these buildings, please provide what information you can about them.  This could include the address, any contact information that might be posted, and any information about the building itself (size, type, etc.). Additionally, if you are aware of vacancies in existing buildings or of houses for sale, please let us know about that as well.

3rd annual Community Cleanup Day for MLK Day

This event, for which the VCJC is an acknowledged collaborator, has now been scheduled for March 29.  See the poster below. Registration link

Our mailing address is:
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
3880 Sedgwick Ave
Bronx, NY 10463