VCJC News & Notes 6/19/2026

 

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!

Things to see below

Treat yourself to some VCJC Merch and support VCJC (#3)

The survey of your preferences for our events - please fill in (#4)

The links to our new social media accounts - please follow us (#7)

Our request for a Google review (#8)

Other happenings in the area (#10)

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 6/19/26 @ 8:12 pm
   Shabbos/Shavuos Ends Saturday 6/20/26 @ 9:15 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 Sasson Akbashev in honor of his father’s yahrzeit. Come join us for services and stay to enjoy the kiddush and the company.
   
   

2. About our new kiddushim
   Reminder that 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. VCJC Merch!

   We now have merchandise available with the VCJC logo and, in some cases, sayings.  We have shirts, hats, mugs, refrigerator magnets, and tote bags. These are provided through a Print On Demand (POD) model - so you pick what you like and order it.  It is then made to order and shipped directly to you.
   You can see an overview and some additional information on our VCJC Shop page.  You can go directly to the store itself to see all the things available, select sizes and colors, and get ready to flaunt your association with VCJC.

   
   

4. What works for you?
   Please Help Us Plan for Events
   We have created a survey, Van Cortlandt Jewish Center Community Event Planning Survey, to help us set the direction for our activities.  We’d really appreciate your taking a few minutes to fill it in. Here’s the link: SURVEY
   
   

5. The VCJC Chavurah
   The VCJC Chavurah meets every Tuesday Night at 7:30PM.  All are welcome to join us as we continue to learn together.

   No cost to attend and no prior experience is needed.

   If you are interested in learning torah with a group of fellow members of your community, but want more details, contact the VCJC office at 718-884-6105 or info@vcjewishcenter.org, or speak to Stuart Harris or Matthew Hartstein after davening on Shabbat morning.
   
   

6. Shabbos parsha

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Parashat Korach · Diaspora

   This week’s Torah portion (20 June 2026) is Korach in the Diaspora · Chukat in Israel 

   Parashat Korach recounts the rebellion of Korach (a cousin of Moses and Aaron), Dathan, Abiram, and 250 of their followers. Some rebels are swallowed by the ground, while others are consumed by a fire from God and others die in a plague. The portion ends by describing gifts given to priests and Levites. [1]

   • Torah reading: Numbers 16:1-18:32

7. VCJC is now active on social media - follow us!
   We have launched both a Facebook page and an Instagram page.  Both have a nice amount of content already and we are planning both regular posts and a greater variety going forward.  Please take a look and follow us!

   
   

8. You can do it! Give VCJC a boost!  Leave a (positive) review for us on Google
   -->You can do this!  We know you can! YES, YOU!
   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!  
   
   

9. VCJC Annual General Membership Meeting
   The meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, June 28 at 10AM in Boyarsky Hall.  A light breakfast will be available at 9:30.  You must be a current member to attend. Elections for the Board of Trustees will be held. Proxies are not permitted for the election.

10. The Leffell School is considering a Sunday basketball program
    They would like your input regarding your level of interest. They are located in White Plains. Here’s their blurb:

    We’re excited to introduce a brand-new opportunity this fall for fourth- and fifth-grade boys: Leffell Lion Cubs Sunday Basketball. This program is open to both Leffell School students and students who attend other schools. This six-session program is a new Sunday basketball clinic designed to build skills, confidence, and a love for the game in a fun and supportive Jewish environment. The Leffell School is currently gauging interest as we finalize details. Please complete the short survey <https://www.leffellschool.org/basketball-clinic> to indicate your children’s interest in participating this fall.

    Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We appreciate your help in sharing this exciting program with your members as we look to create something special for the larger Westchester/Rockland/Fairfield community.

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.

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