April, 2015 - Temple Sinai

Temple Sinai
Bulletin
Serving the Stamford, New Canaan, Darien and Pound Ridge Communities
www.templesinaistamford.org shabbat Schedule
April 2015
Friday, April 3
1st Seder night there will be NO Shabbat
Service at Temple Sinai
Friday, April 10
7:30pm: 3rd Grade Shabbat Service and
Yom Hasiddur with RUJU
Friday, April 17
7:30pm: Shabbat RUACH Service
Friday, April 24
7:30pm: T he Shabbat Experience Service
with Beth Styles
Don’t miss out on Temple
Sinai’s Annual Gala,
honoring Amy & Henry
Bubel, on Saturday, April 18
at 6:30pm. RSVP today!
Don’t forget to buy your
raffle tickets for a chance
to win $5,000!
To RSVP or for additional
information contact Shelly at
[email protected]
or (203) 322-1649.
Get ready! GET SET!
MITZVAH DAY
IS COMING
SUNDAY,
MAY 3
See details on page 9
Volume 54, Issue 7
April 2015 / Nisan/Iyar 5775
Notes from Rabbi TelRav
Shalom L’Kulam – Peace Everyone,
We are quickly coming up to one of the most important festivals of
our Jewish annual cycle, Passover. As the holiday approaches, I have
a favor to ask of you, but I’ll get back to that in a few minutes. First,
a quick story: In October of 1990, an unexpected invitation was
extended to the leaders of the Jewish community. The Dalai Lama
wished to speak with leaders and thinkers representing a cross section
of our denominations at his capital-in-exile, Dharamsala, India. A
delegation of eight prominent rabbis and other individuals took the
opportunity to have a series of conversations with him about a topic
which was not at all academic, but thoroughly pragmatic: how does
a people survive and preserve its identity when it faces an extended
exile from its homeland? The Tibetan religious and political leader went into exile in 1959 as the
communist takeover of Tibet became overwhelming. The Dalai Lama understood that it could
be a very long time before his people would return to their homeland and, as they dispersed into
the world, the degradation of their identity was a real threat. Who better to ask advice than of the
Jews?!? After all, we experienced exile from our homeland in the year 70 c.e. and we’re still here to
tell about it. So what was their answer?
Well, it should not surprise you that a delegation of Jews was unable to agree upon a single
response but one of the most important responses they provided was the telling of the people’s
story. For us, this takes shape in our Passover ritual. In fact, the book we use at our tables every
, means “to tell.” The rituals and the steps, the questions and the cups
year is called the
of wine all lead us to the central section, Magid, which is when we tell that story of our people’s
exodus from slavery and our emergence into freedom. When speaking to and advising the Dalai
Lama about how to stay intact as a people, the seder was the single most important part of our
secret to survival.
And that is why I am concerned. I was already troubled a few years ago when I saw a haggadah
with the title “The 30 Minute Seder.” I know that some of you have recurring nightmares of a
grandfather reading through hours of incomprehensible Hebrew at your tortuous seders. And I
know that this haggadah tried to convince its purchasers that something of meaning could happen
in less time and that it was within their grasp to fulfill the experience. But, what it meant for many
was something like, “great, now I only need to spend 30 minutes and I can get to dinner.” I know
this because a few years later, another haggadah emerged called, “The 10 minute Haggadah” and
then, last year, “The Two Minute Seder.” Each one, like the latest 7-minute workout, promises
rewards for less and less investment. This is not good for the Jews.
If you have gotten this far in my article, it means that you are someone who values your
connection to the Jewish people and our history. It means that you take identity seriously and you
understand that it doesn’t just happen automatically or by paying your synagogue dues. The favor I
have to ask you is to take the seder seriously this
year. You know me well enough to know that I
don’t want you to read long and boring passages,
Our President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
nor to torture your guests with uninteresting
Our Cantor & Educator. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5
concepts. If there are kids, I want you to make
Our Brotherhood & Sisterhood . . . . . 6, 7
them perform the rituals and to ensure there is
Contributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
laughing and fun as you move through them. If
In this issue:
Continued on page 2
Our Yahrzeits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Temple Sinai Bulletin
Published monthly by:
Temple Sinai
458 Lakeside Drive
Stamford, CT 06903
Phone: (203) 322-1649
Fax: (203) 329-7741
www.templesinaistamford.org
General Information
torah portions
for April
Saturday, April 4: Passover 1st Day
Educator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Cohavi
President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arlene Rosen
First Vice President . . . . . . . . Gloria Skigen
Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Barr
Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Betsy Blumberg
Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Cohen
Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharyn Sarner
Vice President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula Simon
Immediate Past
President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David S. Cohen
Counsel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David M. Cohen
Brotherhood President. . . . Stuart Madison
Sisterhood Presidents. . . . . Wynd Harris
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Irma Paull
SoSTY President. . . . . . . . . . . Talia Cohavi
Rabbi Emeritus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel M. Silver, D.D. z”l
(1912 - 2008)
Rabbi Jay TelRav. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 12
[email protected]
Cantor Micah Morgovsky. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 13
[email protected]
Melissa Cohavi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 14
[email protected]
Jayne Vasco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 10
[email protected]
Shelly Welfeld. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 11
[email protected]
Erica Santiago
[email protected]
Design by Lynda Falcone at Falcone Creative
Design, www.falconecreativedesign.com
May/June BULLETIN DEADLINE
Friday, April 3
Member since 1954
2∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Rosalind & Gabriel Carlin
Julie & Alan Halpern
Saturday, April 18: Shemimi
Judith & Grant Kallen
Saturday, April 25: Tazria-Metzora
Sharyn & Richard Sarner
 Mazel Tov
Rabbi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay TelRav
Youth Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . Erica Santiago
Barbara & Gary Bloom
Saturday, April 11: Passover 7th Day
[email protected]
Cantor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Micah Morgovsky
 Happy Anniversary 25+
Can’t Get to the
Temple Because of
Transportation Issues?
OR Willing to Drive a Fellow
Congregant to Temple Sinai?
Some of our members wish they could
join us more at Temple Sinai, but for
various reasons, cannot get there. We
want to do our best to ensure that no
one is excluded from an event, program
or service because of transportation
barriers.
Just let the temple office know if you
have difficulty with transportation and
would welcome a fellow congregant
picking you up, and bringing you home.
Please let the temple office know if you
are willing to occasionally drive a fellow
congregant to/from Temple Sinai.
We want to hear from you!
Continued from page 3, Notes from Rabbi TelRav
you have a more mature gathering, I want you
to perform the rituals but to send your guests
an article to read ahead of time which will be
interesting conversation over dinner. YOU
take the responsibility to initiate a discussion
about any one of the hundreds of examples in
the news today about slavery and oppression.
Or, ask everyone to come to the table ready to
tell their own family’s story about leaving the
Old World and the pursuit of freedom in this
new land of opportunity. Make the evening
mean something and make it relevant. And, if
you have copies of the two minute haggadah,
please, please, throw them out – the title alone
sends a terrible message about what it takes to
be a member of the Jewish people.
Nancy & Brad Spaulding on the
engagement of their daughter,
Rachel, to Keino Carty
 Oneg Sponsors
April 3: No Service
April 10: 3rd Grade Families
April 17: Sponsor Needed
April 24: Sponsor Needed
*Please volunteer to
sponsor an Oneg
Recognize an anniversary, yahrzeit, or
important milestone – or just give back to
our community at a date that is convenient
for you. Your sponsorship (or whom
you wish to honor) will be recognized
in both the temple bulletin and in the
announcements on Friday night. Levels of
support are $36; $72; $144 (pays for half
of an Oneg); and $225 (pays for an entire
Oneg).
We would welcome a sponsor for April 17,
24; May 8, 22; June 26. Contact Jayne (203)
322-1649, indicating whether you wish to
be the sole sponsor or whether you would
like to contribute to an Oneg, and the date
you prefer.
Are you receiving the weekly
Temple Sinai emails?
If not … please call the temple office
at (203) 322-1649 with your current
email address or email assistant@
templesinaistamford.org
L’Shalom, In Peace,
Jay TelRav
Have you been to the Temple Sinai
website? If not … check it out, visit
templesinaistamford.org.
President’s Perspective
Traditions of the Diaspora
For many years I have been interested
in the Jewish Diaspora. Wherever Carl
and I travel, we make a point to find the
local synagogue and to explore the Jewish
traditions of these outposts. I find these
visits offer a hands-on way to gain an
understanding of Jewish culture, practice
and history. We have visited synagogues
in Rome, Florence, Venice, Prague,
Stockholm, Rhodes, Istanbul, Tallinn,
Melbourne, and Jerusalem. In the U.S.
we have checked out temples in Philadelphia, Charleston, Savannah,
San Francisco, and many in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and
Massachusetts. Some of these temples are fully operational; others are
only landmarks of where there was once a vibrant Jewish community.
Some are Reform; others are Conservative or Orthodox. Some sit
proudly on busy boulevards in full view; others are so hidden that they
are nearly impossible to find. All have some things in common, but each
has provided us a different view on Jewish practice and tradition.
In the next few weeks we have another chance to continue our
research. We are heading to Basel, Switzerland, the city where Theodore
Herzl founded Zionism in 1897. While there, we will partake in a
Shabbat dinner and service at an Orthodox shul. Carl has visited this
shul before with business colleagues. He says their security procedure is
to ask visitors for the name of the current week’s Parashat. It would not
be so easy for most of us to get in!
From Basel we will move on to Barcelona, Spain, where we will visit
the Sinagoga Mayor, the so-called great synagogue, which was once a
symbol of the glory days of Jewish Spain before the expulsion of the
Jews. Now the synagogue serves as a tourist destination but sits idle on
Shabbat — more history, tradition and culture to consider.
Much closer to home, I recently attended a baby-naming at another
Temple Sinai — the one in Roslyn, New York. It is only an hour away,
but just as I have felt during visits to distant synagogues, I experienced
both the recognizable and the unfamiliar. I was pleased with what I
recognized and a little put off by what felt different, but clearly the
traditions of the Jewish Diaspora have morphed over time and over both
long and short distances. What we consider to be the “right” way to do
things seems totally “wrong” in other places.
My biggest take-away from these many visits is to acknowledge
that Judaism has many faces and that its practice is not always rooted
in ancient ritual. What I would have thought was an age-old melody or
prayer turns out to be a creation of the 20th or even 21st century. People
often reflect back on the elements of worship and Jewish practice of
their childhoods. These are the customs which people invariably wish
to repeat again in their new homes. They long for the familiar — that
which generates a sense of nostalgia; and when there is a change of
liturgy or melody, they are disappointed. Some are even angry.
I would rather give new approaches a try. What is new at first
Continued on page 7,
Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 3
Cantor’s Concert
Dear Temple Sinai Family,
I have always had a great appreciation for the
graphic arts. I love looking for the beauty in
everything around me and, when I have the
time, I like to try to capture that beauty in a
drawing or painting. So, about six months ago,
when Rabbi TelRav mentioned in a staff meeting
that he’d like someone to create a mural for the
religious school of Temple Sinai, I was the first
to volunteer. Together, Rabbi TelRav, Melissa
and I brainstormed and, eventually, the concept emerged – we would
create an interactive, ever-changing mural based on the religious school’s
curriculum. This would be a painting that the children of the religious
school could help create and that would develop over the course of many
years. So how do we plan to execute this ambitious endeavor?
I went into the basement of the temple and stared at the blank 45
foot wall opposite Kids’ Zone where we had decided to paint the mural.
As I stood there, I began to see it all. Ten large leaves, one for each grade
of the school, kindergarten through tenth grade, will serve as the border
along the bottom of the painting. Every year, on the last day of religious
school, all the students will go downstairs, dip a thumb in paint and
put their fingerprint on the leaf designated for their grade. So, as each
child progresses through the school, they’ll eventually have a fingerprint
on each one of the ten leaves. And, similarly, over the years, the leaves
that represent each grade will fill with more and more fingerprints – the
fingerprints of all the children of Temple Sinai.
Hovering above each leaf is an image representing the main focus of
that grade’s curriculum. For kindergarten and first grade, it’s the Alef
Bet. Second grade, Noah’s Ark to represent Bible Stories. Third grade,
a siddur – a prayerbook, marking the beginning of their study of the
liturgy. Fourth grade is a Tree of Life, for the study of life cycle events.
Fifth grade is represented as Shabbat candles and a Kiddush cup as the
students learn about the significance and importance of the Sabbath.
A chamsa, or hand, floats above the six grade leaf, depicting the Yad
Program, when students make their own Torah pointer in preparation
for B’nei Mitzvah. Seventh grade, the B’nei Mitzvah year, is shown as a
Torah scroll with a Jerusalem landscape in the background. Eighth and
ninth grade focus on Tikkun Olam, repair of the world, and so the earth
is encircled with dancing figures, linked arm in arm. And finally, tenth
grade culminates with Confirmation and Shavuot, shown as the Ten
Commandments atop Mount Sinai, as our young adults re-affirm their
commitment to Judaism.
Though the mural is far from complete, the project is well underway.
Max Cordero and the members of Brotherhood spent a couple of Sunday
mornings preparing the wall and painting the base coat. I have begun
sketching the images on the wall, and the basic outline is starting to take
shape. I hope to have the leaves ready for the end of school, so that this
year’s students can place their fingerprints on the wall when we finish
classes in May. I am so excited and honored to be able to work on this
project and I invite you to venture downstairs and take a look. It is my
hope that this mural will be beautiful, and that it will bring joy and pride
to our students and their families for many years to come.
Social Action/Tikkun Olam
Social Action engagement by Temple Sinai
members extends beyond the programs
organized directly by the temple and into the
greater Stamford community. Our congregants
serve as board members of United Jewish
Federation (UJF), Jewish Community Center
(JCC), Jewish Family Service (JFS), and the
Jewish Historical Society (JHS), to name only a
few. Members have assumed leadership roles in a
wide array of programs which operate under the
umbrella of these Jewish community organizations. Our congregants
have made significant contributions to initiatives such as Reading
Partners, a UJF-sponsored literacy program to encourage young
children to value reading and to become competent readers; 3 Square,
a UJF Women’s Philanthropy program which provides supplemental
weekend nutrition to students in need; and the Home Companion
Program, one of several JFS Senior Service assistance efforts established
to enable seniors to remain safe, healthy and independent. The list could
go on and on.
One of the newest initiatives is a program called Back to School
Shop which is run under the auspices of United Jewish Federation of
Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien. It is co-chaired by our
own Meryl Japha with Jane Levene and with active participation by
many local volunteers including Temple Sinai members Ron Japha,
Myrna Sessa, George Sessa, Charlesanna Ecker, and Nan Gordon.
The program provides economically disadvantaged elementary school
children with new clothes and school supplies for the first day of school.
This may be the first time these children have something brand new
to call their own. While the children “shop” for their new clothes,
parents will visit the Japha Family Resource Center where they can
receive health screenings and information on important community
resources. A key goal of the effort is to help build positive self-esteem
and enthusiasm in the children so that they can focus on learning. The
inaugural Back to School Shop will be held on Sunday, August 9,
2015 at Davenport Ridge Elementary School in Stamford. We want to
congratulate Meryl on launching this effort and thank her entire team
for their efforts. Additional volunteers and donations are needed. For
more information, visit www.ujf.org/backtoschoolshop.
The joy of participating and making a difference for others lasts all
year long. Please join us — either through out Temple Sinai programs or
through the many opportunities available in the greater Stamford and
Fairfield County community.
Paula Simon
education Dates to Remember
Wednesday, April 1:
No Hebrew School
Friday, April 3:
First Passover seder
May we all open our eyes to the beauty that is all around us today,
and everyday.
Saturday, April 4:
Second Passover seder at Temple Sinai
Sunday, April 5:
No Religious School
B’Shira,
Friday, April 10:
Third Grade Shabbat & Yom HaSiddur
Saturday, April 18:
Shabbat Family Program
Sunday, April 19:
Fourth Grade Model Wedding
Sunday, April 26:
Tzahal soldiers visit Temple Sinai
Cantor Micah Morgovsky
4∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Sosty
Education
Do you know what major event in the Jewish
world, and in Jewish history, happened on
May 14, 1948? Well, Israel was declared
an independent Jewish State by David Ben
Gurion, of course!
This year we will celebrate Israel’s 67th year
of independence on April 23. The reason we
will not celebrate it on May 14 is because we
follow the Jewish calendar, not the Gregorian
calendar, so we take the Gregorian date that
corresponds to the Jewish date, which is the 5th of the month of Iyar.
The possibility of a Jewish homeland in Palestine had been the
goal of Zionist organizations since the late 19th century. Israel’s
independence became a reality based on United Nations Resolution
181, which was a plan to divide Palestine between its Arab and
Jewish residents upon the completion of the British Mandate on
May 14, 1948.
Israel is the home of our earliest ancestors and the home of our
wise men and prophets. Today, Israel is our modern homeland.
It is a modern country and an ancient country at the same time.
Israeli companies have developed some of the technology we use in
our everyday lives, such as cell phones, instant messaging, the flash
drive, Intel’s duel-core Core Duo processor, the WAZE app, and
solar energy, among many others. Teva Pharmaceutical Company is
the world’s largest generic drug company, and it is located in PetachTikva, Israel.
Israel has come a long way in only 67 years. To many, Israeli
independence was as miraculous as the splitting of the Sea of Reeds in
the Passover story. Six hundred thousand Jews lived in Israel in 1948,
and today close to seven million people populate the State of Israel. As
American Jews, celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut, or Israel Independence
Day, we show our solidarity with Israel. All Jewish denominations and
Jews all over the world can come together and celebrate Israel together.
Let’s celebrate Israel together!
Spring is really in the air – finally!
Spring at Temple Sinai means Mitzvah Day is
coming; this year SoSTY will be creating “sock
bombs” to be donated to a local shelter. We will
be collecting men’s and women’s socks, travel
sized toiletries and granola bars. We will then
stuff each pair of socks with the donated items
and deliver them around Stamford.
Plans are underway for the 2015-2016 school
year for Tichon Sinai and for our youth programs. Keep watch for
information about children’s and teen programming for next year. We
will be closing out the year with a large SoSTY trip and family based
programming for families for 4th - 5th graders and 6th - 7th graders.
What is your child doing this summer? Are they attending a URJ or
other Jewish summer program? Are they attending a local day camp? I
want to know about your child’s plans. Jewish camping was a huge part
of my childhood and I cannot wait to hear about the experiences your
children have this summer. Don’t have plans yet; I can help, feel free to
e-mail or call me for some suggestions.
L’Shalom,
Erica B. Santiago
Youth Director
Save the Date
Temple Sinai Women’s Retreat
November 13-15, 2015
There is still space available.
B’Shalom,
Melissa Cohavi
What are you doing for the
Second Night of Passover?
No plans? Well then, come join us!
Temple Sinai will host a Second Night Seder and
we’d love for you to be there. We’ll revisit the story
of our people’s formation with songs, activities and
traditions for kids of all ages. Rabbi TelRav and Cantor
Morgovsky will lead the Seder but with a lot of help.
It’s going to be a participatory evening with support
from the RuJu singers. But it will only work if you
come. Please call the temple office now and reserve
a space for yourself and your loved ones. The price is
$45/adult and $18/child. Temple Sinai is subsidizing
a large portion of the cost of the meal but if this is
still too expensive, call Rabbi TelRav and we’ll figure
something out.
Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 5
brotherhood
By the time you read this,
Passover will be underway, so
Happy Passover everyone!
The Brotherhood is winding down its winter
activities and preparing for Mitzvah Day on May
3. Our challenge this year is to paint the temple
office with two coats of paint on this day. Jeff
Pardo is leading the charge and if you can handle
a paint brush, mix paint, lift a tarp, move paint
cans, or just kibitz, then you are qualified to help us out. Please contact
Jeff at [email protected] to offer your assistance. You’ll have a great
time and you’ll be helping to beautify and brighten up the temple office.
Our second project for Mitzvah Day is our famous BBQ that starts
at 5:30pm (for the diners) that rewards and recognizes all those who have
participated in the day’s events. There will be lots of good food; most
items are prepared and donated by Temple Sinai members just like you.
The Brotherhood wishes to offer its condolences to the family of
Ron Cohen. For countless years, Ron was either in charge of the BBQ
event or in more recent years acquired the food. We’ll definitely miss
Ron, but in the true spirit of brotherhood, we will pick up the torch
and carry it forward. So, we’ll need several volunteers to help us out
this year. As the BBQ coordinator, please contact me at StuMadison@
optonline.net if you would like to volunteer. If you can light a fire, flip a
burger, cut tomatoes or an onion, lift trays for serving, throw stuff into a
trash can, or just kibitz, then again, you are certified to help out. It’s fun
and rewarding, and our fellow congregants will appreciate being fed!!
Next, I’d like to discuss Gift Cards. There is no other way to say
this, but participation in our ongoing Gift Card program is poor
and undersubscribed. Brotherhood Treasurer, George Sessa, has
recently given me a report showing the number of temple members
who purchase our gift cards each month for Grade A Shoprite, Stew
Leonard’s, BevMax and Fairway. The number of purchases by our own
community members is low – I mean less than 10 per month. While we
regularly pitch the Gift Cards in this monthly Bulletin, Marty’s and my
articles, and other places, it sounds like the message is falling on deaf
ears, or our marketing is off target and not generating the interest to
encourage more members to make these purchases.
To refresh: The Gift Cards are purchased from the stores listed
above who provide us with a cash contribution of 5-10% which
represents income to Temple Sinai Brotherhood and eventually
to the temple itself through the various projects and donations the
Brotherhood makes to the synagogue. When you buy these cards
through the temple office, you use the cards as cash to make your normal
everyday purchases (at the stores where you already shop) the same way
you would pay for them with cash or a credit card. The advantage is that
Temple Sinai reaps the difference (the 5-10%) and collects the money
to build and maintain our important projects. So there is a moral and
financial incentive for temple members to buy Gift Cards.
I know we can do better, but I am perplexed. What are we doing
wrong? What are we missing? Does the selection of stores not cover the
places where you shop? Is it too difficult to get the cards? What’s the real
reason members do not purchase the Gift Cards? Please let us know!
The Temple Sinai community is composed of approximately 330
families. I would like the 300 of you who do not buy Gift Cards to send
me an email at [email protected] telling me why you don’t
buy them and what it would take for you to start. I want your honest
feedback. There are no bad ideas. Any suggestions will be taken very
seriously.
Thank you for your patience in reading this and I look forward to a
response by email or call me at (203) 323-8033.
In the meantime, the Brotherhood looks forward to seeing everyone
at some point on Mitzvah Day. Have a burger on us!
Stu Madison, President
Congratulations and thank you to all those who have fulfilled their
responsibility to vote in the ongoing World Zionist Congress elections.
ARZA represents the views of the Reform Movement and progressive Judaism in Israel
and needs your vote. If your name is not listed below, you are 18 years old and Jewish, then
please take a moment and visit www.myvoteourisrael.com to make a difference today. This
is the single most important action you can take to ensure a strong, healthy and pluralistic
Jewish Homeland. Don’t wait, the election closes April 30!
Jeri Appel
Mark Appel
Suellyn Bache
Alan Barr
Betsy Blumberg
Henry Bubel
Amy Bubel
Melissa Cohavi
David Cohen
Alan Cohen
Keeva Crelan
Connie Elkinson
Richard Fine
Marc Friedman
Gary Gepner
Carole Gladstone
Orna Gusinski
Julie Halpern
Alan Halpern
Julie Hollenberg
Jonathan Hollenberg
Rebecca Isenstein
Mike Kaddish
Sadae Kaddish
Sara Kass
Randie Katz
6∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Barbara Klipper
David Daniel Klipper
Susan Kostin
Andrew Kostin
Judy Liebeskind
Micah Morgovsky
Frank Raddock
Dan Roberts
Betty Roberts
Arlene Rosen
Carl Rosen
Myrna Sessa
Steven Silver
Paula Simon
Randy Skigen
Alan Stockman
Mike Stone
Betsy Stone
Jay TelRav
Julie TelRav
Barry Wallach
Doug Watson
Emily Watson
Caroline Watson
Rachel Watson
Shelly Welfeld
Steve Zales
Happy Birthday
to
rAbbi borowitz
Rabbi Borowitz celebrates
his 91st birthday!
sisterhood
Shabbat on Arthur Avenue
Saturday, June 6 at 10:00am
Sisterhood members are invited
on a special tour of Arthur
Avenue with Laney Sachs
(Sally Kelman’s daughter),
aficionado of all things Italian!
We will meet up at 10:00am at
the retail market where we will
have an opportunity to explore
the heavenly food stalls. We will
lunch at the famous Dominic’s (cash only) and also have time
to visit Laney’s favorite bakery, butcher, pasta shop, and place
that makes homemade mozzarella. Plan on bringing a cooler to
keep in your car! This day promises to be a lot of fun!
Laney writes about Italy (places, food, etc.) on her blog
Ortensiablu.com. Please check it out when you have a few
minutes. In addition she sells food items and beautiful Italian
pottery on her website of the same name. She also runs small
group tours to Italy.
Minimum donations to the Sally Kelman Fund ($18, $36 or
$54 or more) are expected for participation.
More detailed information to follow.
To sign up, please notify the temple office (203) 322-1649
or email [email protected].
Bagel Breakfast
Sponsored by The Membership Committee
New and Current Temple Sinai Members
Sunday, April 26, 9:00am in the Social Hall
Can you resist the lure of hot coffee and
fresh bagels on a Sunday morning?
Whether you are a new member or have been at Temple Sinai for
a while, come for early morning socializing and learn about the
many exciting programs taking place at Temple Sinai including:
educational, music, social action, worship, special events and
activities.
We hope you will attend! If you have any questions contact
Connie Elkinson ([email protected] ) or Sharyn Sarner
([email protected]).
Additional Christmas Dinner
Thank-You’s
A few names were inadvertently left off the list in the last bulletin
where people were thanked for graciously helping out at the Temple
Sinai-sponsored annual Christmas Dinner at the New Covenant
House of Hospitality Soup Kitchen:
THANK YOU to Carol and Ronald Cowen for your
tremendous help on December 25!
Get ready! GET SET!
MITZVAH DAY IS COMING
SUNDAY, MAY 3
Temple Sinai’s 19 th
Annual Mitzvah
Day will take place
on Sunday, May 3.
We will have our
traditional projects,
like beautifying the
temple, making
sandwiches for
shelters, visiting the
children at Kids in Crisis and serenading the
seniors at Sunrise Assisted Living. As in years
past, each religious school class will work as a
community on a local project to help those in
need. Families are encouraged to work together
on projects. Nothing can bring you closer to
your testy middle schooler than fixing up a local
group home or cleaning up the grounds at our
temple.
Please respond to the Mitzvah Day brochure
that will arrive in your mailbox at home soon!
Remember to sign up for one or more activities.
By participating in Temple Sinai’s 19 th Annual
Mitzvah Day, you really can bring about a change
for the better in someone’s life. And at the end
of your tiring, but rewarding, day of labor, you
will be treated to some tasty home cooking a
la the chefs from our very own Brotherhood!
Bring a dish to share and impress your fellow
congregants! For questions about Mitzvah Day,
contact Monica Schlessinger ([email protected]).
Continued from page 3, President’s Perspective
becomes familiar after only two or three repetitions. Rabbi TelRav and
Cantor Morgovsky have brought us many new and unexpected ways to
express our Judaism, including the recent Friday evening celebration
of Shabbat — “Shabbat Your Way.” Who would have thought that a
yoga session or beer and darts would fit into Sabbath worship? Yet these
activities are fully in the spirit of what the Sabbath is about — separating
from your normal weekly activities and taking time out to reflect, relax,
and regenerate.
I want to wish you all a happy Passover. Perhaps at your seders you
will repeat the traditions of your families and also step out to try a few
new practices. In short order, these could become your most cherished
new customs — the ever-evolving traditions of the Diaspora.
Arlene Rosen
Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 7
From our Scroll of Living
Special Shabbat
Service Programs
Program Offerings
COME PLAY MAH JONGG
Monday evenings, 6:45pm to 9:00pm
Mah Jongg is a game that originated in China, commonly played by four
players, with some three-player versions as well. It is a game of tiles where
players work towards getting the tiles needed to complete a set hand on
the individual Mah Jongg card. If you are new to Mah Jongg, contact the
temple office for more information.
No Fee, Just Bring Your Own Mah Jongg Card
TOT SHABBAT
Friday evenings, 5:00pm: April 10, June 19, July 17
Saturday mornings, 9:00am: May 9
Please join us for dancing, singing, praying and playing at our monthly Tot
Shabbat celebration. Age appropriate (birth to 7) worship services are led
by Rabbi TelRav and Cantor Morgovsky. Come, taste the challah and sip
sweet grape juice as we learn about Shabbat! Together we will enjoy the
Festivals and Holy Days through music, crafts and movement. Open to
the community.
2015 Adult Learning Offerings*
BIBLE STUDY
MEDITATION AS A PATH TO MINDFUL LIVING
With Rabbi Eugene Borowitz
Every Saturday Morning, 9:00am
Come join a very special group of people who meet to share in Shabbat
and study Torah.
No Fee
Taught by Dr. Wynd Harris
Sunday mornings, 10:00am
April 19 & 26
The class will discuss and practice meditation as a way to connect to the
life force within and around us. Some people talk about meditation as a
pathway to the heart. We will use mindfulness meditation, concentration
meditation, and walking meditation among others to help us find ways to
center ourselves in the midst of our active 21st century lives. Having a daily
practice of meditation can lower anxiety, reduce stress, and improve one’s
quality of life. Join in this celebration of life through meditative practice. No
previous experience required, just an openness of heart and mind.
No Fee
THE TEMPLE SINAI BOOK CLUB
Temple Sinai Book Club, led by Michelle Ebstein, will meet four to five
times during the year to discuss books with Jewish themes. Contact the
temple office for more information.
No Fee
BEGINNERS’ TORAH STUDY
In order to save paper (along with our
environment), Temple Sinai has elected
once again to reduce the number of Scrolls
of Living that are being printed this year. The
Scroll of Living includes all of the programs
that Temple Sinai will be offering in the coming year. Please
check the Temple Sinai website for the full Scroll or feel free to
pick up a copy at the temple (in the atrium or the office).
Taught by Melissa Cohavi
Every Friday, 12:00noon to 1:00pm, bring your lunch
Have you always wanted to learn about Torah but don’t have the time?
Or maybe you think it might be too difficult? Every Friday at noon a
Beginners’ Torah study group meets to have basic discussions about the
Torah, its laws, its stories, and the ancient people. Bring your lunch, make
some new friends, and learn a little Torah!
No Fee
*Classes are subject to change.
Nominations Requested
The Nominating Committee is
preparing its recommendations for new
officers and trustees for 2015. Please
send your suggestions to
Tracy Benz at [email protected].
8∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Let’s Shop!
Temple Sinai has recently
registered to be part of a program
run by Amazon.com called AmazonSmile. Through participation in
this program, you can elect to have 0.5% of your eligible Amazon
purchases donated to Temple Sinai (at no additional cost to you).
All you need to do is make all your Amazon purchases through
http://smile.amazon.com and elect Temple Sinai of Stamford as
your designated charity.
Thank you in advance.
celebrating PURIM at Temple
Passover 2nd Night Seder
Saturday, April 4, 2015
at 5:00pm
Bring your family and friends
to celebrate Passover at a
joyous second-night Seder
led by Rabbi Jay TelRav &
Cantor Micah Morgovsky
Four course Passover meal
Photo credit: Crane
Song Photography, LLC
Reservation and payment
are required no later than
March 25
Please Rsvp to Shelly Sodaro at
Temple Sinai
458 Lakeside Drive
Stamford, Ct 06903
For more information, call (203) 322-1649, ext. 11
or email [email protected]
Name(s) ______________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Phone # _____________________________________
____# of Adults @ $45 = ____# of Children (5-12) @ $18
____# of Children Under 5 Free
$__________ Total Amount Enclosed
Photo credit: Melissa Cohavi
Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 9
Don’t forget to stop by the
Mitzvah Mocha Café.
The café is open every Sunday during Religious
School and is run by our 7th grade families. The
Café has donuts, hot cocoa, coffee and snacks for
sale. All proceeds support Temple Sinai’s recycling program.
10∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Like “the Temple
Sinai” on Facebook
to keep up-to-date on
the latest temple news.
HAPPY april
Sophie Aflalo
Ari Gendason
Jeremy Matloub
Melanie Sessa
Benjamin Alper
Peyton Gendason
Michael Meister
Steven Shaby
Jerome Alper
Skyler Gendason
Andrew Morris
Brett Shaulson
Zachary Alper
Hillary Goldsmith
Cami Murace
Eliana Shaulson
Guido Benz
Scott Grabine
Nicole Murace
Lucas Shaw
Eileen Besser
Richard Greenburg
Ryan Murace
Natalie Skigen
William Bick
Amy Lilien-Harper
Allan Paull
Nancy Spaulding
Stephanie Blasnik
Lee Ann Heller
Kayla Richman
Andrew Spezzano
Gary Bologna
John Isaacs
Betty Roberts
Jena Spezzano
Jennifer Buhler
Joshua Kahn
Carl Rosen
Alec Stark
Stuart Danoff
Gail Karlitz
Martin Roth
Michael Stone
Benjamin Ferri
Randie Katz
Tara Rozen
Roberta Sultzer
Nicole Frederick
Andrew Kostin
Amitan Rubin
Hildi Todrin
Sallie Kuh
Mitchell Rubin
Jarrod Trief
Shelley Leibowitz
Rosalind Rubin
Jacob Vellozzi
Eli Leslie
Alexander Russell
Joseph Wallen
Rachel Leslie
Paul Sachs
Barbara White
Brad Levin
Sharyn Sarner
Bernard Yamron
Sharon Libman
Anna Schlessinger
Emily Yamron
Keira Lubliner
Megan Schoenholtz
Jennifer Yamron
B
I
R
T
H
D
A
Y
S
Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 11
12∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Contributions
We gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful gifts:
CAPITAL FUND
Susan Rosen in memory of Murray Rosen
ONEG FUND
Ted & Lottie Wolff in memory of Ernie Wolff
FRIENDS OF RUACH
Carol & Ron Cowen in memory of Linda Stark
and Bernard Todrin
Carol & Ron Cowen for the speedy recovery of
Judy Cohen
SALLY KELMAN SOCIAL ACTION FUND
Eugene Schwartz
CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Lorraine Cohen in appreciation and in memory of
Ronald Cohen
Andrea & David M. Cohen in honor of the first
Birthday of Samuel Block
Helene & David Neigler
Sylvia & Herbert Gladstone in memory of
Linda Stark
Connie Elkinson
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Suellyn Bache & Bob Gray in memory of
Linda Stark
Manya & Rabbi Eric Phillips in honor of
Judy Katz’s Birthday
Andrea & David M. Cohen in memory of
Linda Stark
Beverly & Ira Peterman for the speedy recovery of
Michael Sherman
Amy & Henry Bubel in honor of our Israel trip
fellow travelers
Lorraine Cohen in appreciation and in memory of
Ronald Cohen
Genevieve & Murph Weingrad — Our sincerest
a ppreciation to all of our family and friends. Many
thanks for the contributions to Temple Sinai in
memory of our daughter, Linda Stark. We are very
fortunate to have your support.
Joan & Stuart Madison in memory of Linda Stark
Judith & Sheldon Katz
Sallie Kuh in memory of Carole Joseph
Lori & James Marcus in memory of
Melvin Spiesman
Pearl Rosenbaum in memory of Harry Rosenbaum
Lisa & Jeffrey Popper in memory of Bernard Todrin
OPERATING FUND
Carol Ruth Shepherd in memory of Lowell Ackiron
Andrea & David M. Cohen in memory of Fanny Linder
Rosalind & Mitchel Rubin in memory of Ernest Gains
Maggie & Bernie Levy in memory of Linda Stark, Bernard Todrin,
Pearl Leferson, Ronald Cohen and Rose Levy
Marion & Milton Drexler in memory of Steven Pressel
Beth & Michael Dorfsman in memory of David Dorfsman
Judy Liebeskind in memory of Freda Seibel
Janet Morris in memory of Morris Steinberg
Robert Gray in memory of Lawrence Gray
Barbara & Ken White in memory of Sadie White & Sylvia Sackman
Sadae & Michael Kadish in memory of Masato Koga
Sheila Brody in memory of Ronald Cohen
Lila Lubov in memory of Morris Steinberg
Beth & Ken Peters in memory of Herman Shepherd & Laura Surks
Carol Ruth Shepherd in memory of Herman Shepherd & Laura Surks
Susan & Robert Weiss in memory of Ronald Cohen
Claire Friedlander in memory of Ronald Cohen & Linda Stark
Larry Barron in memory of Ronald Cohen
LARRY COHEN FUND
Andrea & David M. Cohen in memory of
Paul Oster
Andrea & David M. Cohen in memory of
Larry Cohen
JOAN & STUART DANOFF YOUTH ACTIVITIES
CENTER FUND
Andrea & David M. Cohen for the speedy recovery
of Judy Cohen
Enid Randall in memory of Linda Stark
BROTHERHOOD
Arlene & Carl Rosen in memory of Ronald Cohen
ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FUND
Rosalind & Mitch Rubin
Anita & Conrad Sabin for the privilege of calling
Jay TelRav our Rabbi
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND
Andrea & David M. Cohen in memory of
Ronald Cohen
BACHE/KAPLAN ARTS & AESTHETICS FUND
Suellyn Bache in memory of Sophie Kaplan
Arlene & Carl Rosen in memory of Morris Karlin
Meryl & Hank Silverstein in memory of Steven Silverstein
Susan & Jed Isaacs in memory of Thomas Isaacs
Judith & Sheldon Katz in memory of Minnie Katz
Sondra & Leo Gold in memory of Linda Stark
Margery Salzman in memory of Ronald Cohen
Estelle Fruchtman in memory of Benny Fruchtman
Susan & Ed Greenberg in memory of Sylvia Mathes & Stella Rabiner
Gloria Mehlman in memory of Linda Stark
Robert Gray in memory of Ruth Zeldin
Unity Communications, Inc. in memory of Pearl Leferson
Connie Elkinson in memory of Bernard Todrin
Betsy & Mike Stone in memory of Linda Stark, Bernard Todrin and
Bonnie Palker. Nesiya Tora to the Israel Trip
Blossom Katz in memory of Leon Katz, Sarah Katz and Linda Stark
Shelley Taylor & David Swerdloff in memory of Dr. Leonard Taylor
Anita & Conrad Sabin in memory of Benjamin Sabsevitz
Roberta Sultzer in memory of Harry Kaman
Philip & Betsy Bauer in memory of Rose Weintraub, Mina Mill,
B
enjamin Bauer, Ceil Weintraub, Eugenia Portnoy, Harvey Beller,
Irving Brenner and Israel Moss
Sustaining Members of the Legacy Society:
We gratefully recognize the following, who have made sustaining gifts to our temple (through estate planning or otherwise):
Anonymous (2), Amy & Henry Bubel, Andrea & David M. Cohen, Judy & David S. Cohen, Fran & Bob Dorf, Lesley & Dennis Gehr, Sylvia & Herb
Gladstone, Nan & Paul Gordon, Meryl & Ron Japha, Judy & Sheldon Katz, Helen & Ed Kweskin, Enid Randall, Arlene & Carl Rosen, Sharyn &
Richard Sarner, Jayne & Bud Schiff, Carol Ruth & Herman R. Shepherd, Betsy & Mike Stone and Lonnie Weisburgh.
If you have made provisions for Temple Sinai in your long-term gift planning, please let us know so we may recognize you as well!
Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 13
Condolences •
May their memory be a blessing
Ronald Cohen
Fanny Linder
Husband of Lorraine Cohen

Mother of Albert Linder
Yahrzeits Recalled for April

April 3
April 17
Irving Appel, Father of Mark Appel
Joan Grant, Friend of Sheldon Green
Celia Bernstein, Mother of Helen LeVine
Nathalie Dorf, Mother of Robert Dorf
Sarah Gold, Grandmother of Geoffrey Gold
Dorothy Quallen, Mother of Sheila Klein
Daniel Ross, Father of Joan Ross
Mary Wynn, Mother of Jennifer Lapine
Benjamin Bauer, Father of Philip J. Bauer
Edith Einziger, Grandmother of Melissa Cohavi
Miriam Griswold, Mother of Betsy Bauer
Cy Leighton, Father of Barbara Levine
Fanny Klein, Mother of Leslie Klein
Leonard Gordon, Father of Paul Gordon
Joseph Greenberg, Father of Edward Greenberg
Arlene Morris, Mother of Keith Morris
Stanley Bloomfield, Husband of Bette Bloomfield and
Father of Joan Klanfer
Bobbi Lewis, Mother of Marne Spingola
Morris Pardo, Father of Jeffrey Pardo
Joseph Gladstone, Father of Herbert Gladstone
Berman Weintraub, Grandfather of Philip J. Bauer
Lucia Besser, Mother of Gary Besser
Helen Blumberg Holland, Grandmother of Betsy Blumberg
Anne Passes, Mother of Phyllis Kapiloff
Sol Bernard Bass, Brother of Bette Bloomfield
Cathy Jan Cowen, Niece of Ronald Cowen
Max Welfeld, Father of Shelly Welfeld
Barbara Forman, Mother of Deena Ebright
April 10
Helen Boyarsky, Sister of Genevieve Weingrad
Joseph Danoff, Father of Stuart Danoff
Alex Madison, Father of Stuart Madison
Barnett Goldberg, Father of Amiel Goldberg
David Sackman, Father of Barbara White
Harry Thomson, Father of Francine Schechter
Minnette Deutsch, Mother of Claire D. Friedlander
Robert Kirsch, Husband of Abigail Kirsch
Nathan Negrin, Grandfather of Nancy Schiffman
April 24
Dorothy Cohen Fleischer, Wife of Barry Fleisher
Karl Schultz, Grandfather of Eric Morson
Lillian Berni, Mother of Stephen Berni
Molly Cohn, Grandmother of Cynthia Morris
Gary Pardo, Brother of Jeffrey Pardo
Maxwell Raddock, Father of Franklin Raddock
Eppie Sperling, Sister of Sam Anfang
Aaron Marvin Gillman, Brother of Gloria Mehlman
Howard Nussbaum, Father of Ilyse Lyman
Dorothy Sarner, Mother of George Sarner
Molly Borowitz, Mother of Rabbi Eugene B. Borowitz
Norman Sapiro, Uncle of Susan Kostin
Dorothy Wallach, Mother of Paula Eppinger
Arthur Brody, Husband of Sheila Brody
Zelma Mintz, Mother of Caroline Summit
Helen Marcus, Grandmother of Allan M. Paull
Melvin Morris, Father of Keith Morris
Louis Kuh, Husband of Sallie Kuh
Remember Temple Sinai in Your Will!
For more information, please call the temple office at
(203) 322-1649 or email [email protected]
14∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin
Temple Sinai
SUNDAY
Nisan/Iyar 5775
April 2015
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
2
3
 Passover 1st
Night Seder
NO HEBREW SCHOOL
5
6
7
8
 Passover 1st Day
n 12:00p Torah Study
9
4
n 9:00a Bible Study
✡ 5:00p Passover 2nd
Night Seder
10
11
 Passover 7th Day
n 12:00p Torah Study
✡ 5:00p Tot Shabbat
✡ 6:00p 3rd Grade Family
Shabbat Dinner
✡ 7:00p 3rd Grade
Shabbat Service and
Yom Hasiddur with
RUJU
n 9:00a Bible Study
NO RELIGIOUS
SCHOOL
4-6p Hebrew School
9:45a Adult Ed: Jewish
Values: Where the • 5:00p Sandwich
Making
Rubber Hits the
Road
• 6:45p Mah Jongg
12
4-6p H
ebrew School
13
14
9:00a Brotherhood Mtg.
9:00a Amidah
Leadership Initiative Mtg. 4-6p Hebrew School
9:30a Sisterhood Mtg.
✹ 7:00p Sisterhood
11:00a Tichon Sinai
Game Night
19
21
9:30a Religious School
9:30a 4th Grade
Chavurah –
Wedding
10:00a A
dult Ed:
Meditation as a
Path to Mindful
Living
4-6p Hebrew School
11:00a Tichon Sinai
11:00a R
eligious School • 6:45p Mah Jongg
Comm. Meeting • 7:30p Board Meeting
9:30a Religious School
9:30a Membership Bagel
Breakfast
9:30a 3rd Grade Chavurah
– Planting off-site
10:00a Adult Ed:
Meditation as a
Path to Mindful
Living
11:00a Tichon Sinai
11:30a RUJU rehearsal
27
4-6p Hebrew School
• 6:45p Mah Jongg
16
22
23
29
4-6p H
ebrew School
18
24
n 12:00p Torah Study
✡ 7:30p The Shabbat
Experience Service
with Beth Styles
4-6p H
ebrew School
28
17
 Shemimi
n 9:00a Bible Study
✡ 9:30a 4th/5th & 6th/7th
Family Shabbat
Program
✪ 6:30p Temple Sinai
n 12:00p Torah Study
Annual Gala: We Are
✡ 7:30p Shabbat RUACH
Family, honoring Amy
Service
& Henry Bubel
4-6p H
ebrew School
20
26
15
30
25
 Tazria-Metzora
n 9:00a Bible Study
Temple Sinai
458 Lakeside Drive
Stamford, CT 06903-5098
To Advertise in the
Temple Sinai Bulletin:
Call (203) 322-1649 for details!
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 290
STAMFORD, CT