1. New Shi'urim in KAYJ, now available via email
KAYJ's Rov, Harav Gans shlita, has established a new parshas hashovu'a shi'ur, every Friday night at 21:00, and a Halocho and musar shi'ur after mincho on Shabbos. To receive the shi'urim via email in Hebrew, please reply to this email stating "email request for KAYJ shiurim". The shi'ur of Parshas Beshalach is attached to this newsletter (Click on this link).
ניתן לקבל בדוא"ל את שיעורי הרב על פרשת השבוע. מצו"ב השיעור לפרשת בשלח.

2. KAYJ's nusach project moving ahead
In the nusach project (www.kayj.org/nusachproject.html) [www.kayj.net/nusach] there are many new features. You can now differentiate between the new and old files by their color. While the older files are in a blue color, the files that were recently put up are in a purple color. Among the new files you can find Megillas Ester (with the special melodies for Balayloh Hahoo, Gam Hineh Ho'etz, Vayislu es Homon, Umordochai Yotzo etc.) recorded live in KAYJ last year, several different melodies for Kedusha, and many other new tunes.

Lots of thanks to Menasheh Steiglitz for all the many hours he put into this project.

3. Mazal tov
To celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Reuven Schneller, son of R' Yeshayahu Schneller's, KAYJ's choir will be singing in the chuppah. In appreciation of the special contributions R' Yeshayahu has made to the shul, we have opened a new category in the nusach project called "choson", featuring the different melodies sung on Shabbos for a choson.
Mazal tov to the Bloch's on the birth of their daughter, Chaya Brocho. The Chaulkrash took place last Shabbos in their home.

4. Tseischem Lesholom
After many years R' Yosef Prager has taken an active role in KAYJ, he will be leaving Yerushalayim and moving to Kiryat Sefer. We wish him a lot of hatzlocho, tzeischem lechayim ulesholom.

1. 8 Year anniversary of K'hal Adas Yeshurun Jerusalem

Shabbos Vayishlach marked the 8th year anniversary of KAYJ. On Friday night, the shul was packed with many shul members and our choir sung Tov Lehodos LaHashem, and Yigdal. Between Kabbolos Shabbos and Arvis.  Moreinu Harav Gans, shlit'a spoke about the importance of the yearly cycle in Chazal and the Midrashim (to explain the importance of the anniversary), and then emphasized the importance of having a shul with Kedushas Beis Kneses (not "Al Tnai") and dealt with the status of a temporary makom tefilla according to halocho. The summary of the drosho can be sent upon request.

2. On-air interview in "Mamash Radio" available for download

KAYJ's chazzan R. Michael Friedman was interviewed two weeks ago by New York Jewish radio host Dovid Gertel.  The conversation touched on the history of choirs, innovation in yekkish music (!?!) and the exciting growth and building project of KAYJ.  Several tracks from the recently released cd M'dor l'dor: Even Moasu including "Tzaddik KaTamar" and "Zacharti Lach" by Lewandowski were played on the show as well as "Yigdal Elokim Chai."  Even Moasu, which features favorites of the Ashkenaz beis knesses,  is the second offering in the  M'dor l'dor series after the KAYJ choir's first cd Mazal Tov, that presented the classic melodies of chuppas in Ashkenaz.  The show can be downloaded in MP3 format from this link.

3. KAYJ Digital Nusach Frankfurt project-Chanukah

We are happy to inform our newsgroup that the Chanukah files (including the melody for Shnei Zeisim, Brochos of candle lighting etc.) are already up on the site and can be accessed at (www.kayj.org/nusachproject.html) [www.kayj.net/nusach].

4. Mazal Tov

Mazal Tov to R' Yeshayhu Schneller on the engagement of his son Re'uven Gedalyah. The wedding will take place IY'H on Sunday 11 Adar Alef (17th of February). Our tzibbur thanks R' Yeshayhu for his special devotion to the shul. Vechol Ho'oskim Betzorchei Tzibur Be'emunoh.

1. KAYJ's Chazzan R. Michael Friedman to be interviewed on NY radio; listeners can tune in worldwide

R. Michael Friedman will be interviewed by Dovid Gertler of Mamash Radio talk show, affiliated with the Talkline Communications Network of Manhattan.  The content will revolve around the history of yekkish choirs, KAYJ's choir as well as the importance of singing in tefila.

The show will air at 3AM in New York (12AM in California; 8AM in England; 10AM in Israel) Sunday, November 11th.  In the New York Metro area it will air on AM 570, WMCA and around the world on the internet by clicking on the "listen live" button at talklinecommunications.com.

1.  HaGaon Rav Yehuda Gans Inaugurated as Rov of KAYJ
K'hal Adas Yeshurun of Jerusalem, has appointed HaRov Yehuda Gans, shlit'a to the status of Rabbi and Spiritual Leader of the Kehilla, with the blessings of Maran HaGaon R. Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, shlit'a.

A month ago, the members of K'hal Adas Yeshurun overwhelmingly and enthusiastically approved the rabbinical search committee's recommendation that HaGaon Rav Yehuda Gans, shlit'a, be appointed as Rov.  On Mozto'ei Shabbos Breishis, 25 Tishrei 5768, the Hachtoroh ceremony took place with the participation of eminent rabbis and roshei yeshiva, the Kehillah members, friends and Ramot residents .

With the KAYJ choir performing "Baruch Haba b'shem Hashem," the new Rov entered accompanied by his father HaGaon R' Yisro'el Gans (a Rosh Yeshiva in Kol Torah) and HaRav Don Ison (a representative of the kehilla).  HaRav Binyomin Shlomo Hamburger, shlit'a, founder of Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz and founder of Ashkenaz kehillas in Eretz Yisrael, opened the evening followed by HaRav Don Ison, Ram at Yeshivas Heichal HaTorah, who praised the choice of the Rov and described the uniqueness of KAYJ.  After that HaRav HaGaon R. Shlomo Neiman, shlit'a, Rav of the Ramot neighborhood spoke.

HaGaon R. Asher Weiss, shlit'a, emphasized the importance of guarding the mesorah of our fathers and expressed his excitement that the traditions of Bnei Ashkenaz—"Yekkishkeit"—was not lost and is still being preserved in our generation . The Rosh Yeshiva of Kiryas Melech, HaGaon R. Binyomin Rimmer, shlit'a, son-in-law of Maran R. Elyashiv, shlit'a, who has accompanied the Kehilla since its inception, lauded the members of KAYJ and its newly appointed Rov.

The father of the new Rov, HaGaon R. Yisroel Gans, shlit'a, one of Jerusalem's leading poskim and a Rosh Yeshiva in Kol Torah, told of the diligence and special midos of his son.  From the time R. Yehuda Gans reached the age of mitzvos, he was zoche to receive the bracha of the Steipler, ztvk'l, that he should grow to be "a talmid chochom and Gadol b'Torah."  The Steipler zt'l, instructed that one should sleep 8 hours a day, daven 2 hours, set aside 2 hours for earthly needs and learn Torah with the remaining 12 hours—"From the time Yehuda turned bar mitzvah, including erev Shabbos and Shabbos, Yom Tov and Bein HaZmanim, my son insisted on learning 12 or so hours each and every day" testified the elder R. Gans. Then he read the writ of hachtoroh that was skillfully composed by several Kehilla members. At the end of this reading, he mentioned that on Erev Shabbos he had gone to R. Elyashiv to get the latter's bracha and he signed on the writ of hachtoroh.   The assembled rabbonim and eminent guests added their signature to the document.  Preceding the speech of Rav Yehuda Gans, shlit'a, the choir sang "Tzaddik Katomor Yifroch," a widely celebrated tune of Ashkenaz kehillas.  

The Rov, HaGaon R. Yehuda Gans, shlit'a, delivered the main speech of the evening. His words, delivered with open excitement, dwelled on one of the defining characteristics of Bnei Ashkenaz—yashrus—uncompromising straightness. He mentioned that this is why the Kehilla gets its name "Adas Yeshurun" and quoted the words of R. Hirsch on this point.  R. Gans praised the kavod beis knesses preserved "b'hiddur" by the bnei Kehilla and on the singing of tefilla heard between its walls.

The Rosh HaYeshiva of Kol Torah,  HaGaon R. Moshe Yehuda Schlessinger, shlit'a, son of R. Yechiel Michel Schlessinger, Dayan of K'hal Adas Yeshurun in Frankfurt and Rosh Yeshiva and founder of Kol Torah, pointed out that half a year ago the congregation laid the cornerstone of its new Beis Knesses—the physical groundwork—he was happy that now they are laying the spiritual foundation, the choice of R. Yehuda Gans, alumnus of Yeshivas Kol Torah, to the rabbinate of this special kehilla which zealously guards its Frankfurt heritage.  After him, HaGaon R. Shmuel Deutsch, shlit'a, a Rosh Yeshiva in Kol Torah, spoke and expounded on the incredible hasmodo of R. Yehuda Gans, as well as his elevated midos, and continued to talk about the importance of KAYJ.

The evening closed with HaRav Asher Gans, shlit'a, describing the unique personality of his brother, the new Rov.  Another chapter has begun in the establishment of K'hal Adas Yeshurun-Jerusalem.

2.  "Even Mo'asu" CD released
The choir of KAYJ has released its first full length audio cd, entitled "Even Mo'asu" containing 10 songs and a special video presentation of the recent Cornerstone laying for our Jerusalem campus.  We appreciate your patience and will be sending out cd's  shortly to all those who submitted requests.  Special thanks to our anonymous sponsors who backed the project.  You can still request your copy by sending  an email to (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ].  We are looking for local distributors worldwide to get the cd out to all those who are unconnected.  If you are able to distribute a larger quantity of cd's in your community or you just know someone else who appreciates the traditions of Ashkenaz, please contact us at (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) [This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ].

As always, your generosity is very much appreciated.  The important work of restoring Minhag Ashkenaz in Eretz HaKodesh and creating a focal point for all Bnei Ashkenaz can only be accomplished with the generous support of our friends.