In the early 1960’s, a mother of six named Florence Rapoport was entertaining her children on a snowy February morning. Her kids were complaining that it was too cold to do anything, so she declared that it was Ice Cream For Breakfast Day. The next year, the children reminded her of the tradition, which became an annual celebration that they took with them to college. It was then that ICFBD went “viral.” Celebrations have been recorded all over the world, including in such diverse locations as China, Namibia and Israel. It is celebrated on the first Saturday in February; I recall as a child that our shul would throw an ice cream kiddush on this day, because Florence Rapoport lived in Rochester, and her daughter, Debby Kornfeld, was a member of our shul and continues to perpetuate her mother’s sweet memory through this lovely tradition. According toHebrew Calendar Facts, Shabbat Shira and ICFBD coincide on average 25% of the time in a 100 year period (the triple combo of Shabbat Shira/Tu Bishvat/IFCBD coincides 7 times). The last time they coincided was 11 years ago, and the next time will be in 11 years from today. No promises on what our intrepid kitchen crew are putting together for kiddush, especially since, given the inclement weather over the past few days, anything at all served for kiddush this week should be viewed as a bonus. But on your own, enjoy a special Rochesterian tradition! Obviously, breakfast on Shabbat morning should be preceded by Tefillah at shul, and kiddush (in that order). If the ice cream is served alongside a fleishig kiddush, it should, of course, be pareve.
Hakarat HaTov/Rabbi’s Recommendation
I am grateful to the clergy and leadership of Montreal’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim (Mystery Shul Of The Week, Parshat Nitzvaim- 9/22/22) for having invited me to serve as Scholar In Residence this Shabbat. Unfortunately, Hashem had other plans and the weather prevented me from actualizing the invitation. I won’t deny that I am disappointed, as Shabbat Shirah at The Shaar is a special weekend, when Cantor Gideon Zelermyer and the Choir always plan a special musical Shabbat celebration.
To get a taste of the music of Shaar Hashomayim, click here to listen to the CDs they’ve issued so far (the link is for their Shabbat CD, but there is also a CD with general selections and two for the High Holidays).
MSOTW
This is the Aron Kodesh of a shul named after the legendary Rabbi of an American city, whose Yahrtzeit was observed this past week and who was heavily involved in rescue efforts during WWII. It is in the city where this Rabbi served. Name the shul, the Rabbi, and the city.
Last Week’s Mystery Shul Of The Week
Last week’s shul was the Agoudas HaKehillos shul, on Rue Pavee in the fourth Arrondissement of Paris, also known as The Pletzl. Built in the Art Nouveau style, This landmark shul was built by Polish and Russian Jews, who wanted a place to feel comfortable in contrast to the formal and stodgy shuls that already existed there. On Erev Yom Kippur in 1941,the building was dynamited along with six other Parisian synagogues by collaborators of the Nazis occupants; the building was only preserved because the dynamite didn’t go off.
On the night between 2 and 3 October of the same year, the synagogue was damaged following an attack organized by far-right association Mouvement Social Révolutionnaire. Since 1964, it has been under the spiritual leadership of the Rottenberg family - first, Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Rottenberg (known reverently as “Le Rouv”) and, since 1990, his son Rabbi Mordechai Rottenberg.
Shabbat Shirah Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
