Celebrating Tradition, Embracing the Future!
Transcription
Celebrating Tradition, Embracing the Future!
Shomrei Torah - Wayne Conservative Congregation 30 Hinchman Ave. Wayne, NJ 07470 Shabbat & Holiday Candle Lighting Times June 6/3………...8:06 pm 6/10……….8:10 pm 6/17……….8:13 pm 6/24……….8:14 pm July 7/1………...8:14 pm 7/8………...8:12 pm 7/15……….8:09 pm 7/22……….8:03 pm 7/29……….7:57 pm Contents From the Bima……...2 Words from Our President………...…..3 Religious School.…...4 Golden Cards……....20 Calendar..…………..22 1 973-696-2500 June/July 2016 Iyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5776 www.ShomreiTorahWCC.org Celebrating Tradition, Embracing the Future! Executive Board Roberta Ort President Barry Blecherman Executive Vice President/ President Elect Stacey Maines Vice President of Education, & Youth VP Randy Reiser Membership & Programming VP Howard Hook Finance VP Ivan Gerstein Treasurer Tova Friede Financial Secretary Bruce Seidman Recording Secretary Cindy Merker Immediate Past President ————————- Clergy Randall Mark Rabbi —————————- Staff Jay Hirschhorn Administrator Judy Jaffe Director of Congregation Learning Suzanne Zofi Administrative Assistant Gloria Millan Shabbat Staff Mark Crisostomo Custodian FROM THE BIMA Summer is a great time to read Jewish books and to enjoy a relaxed Shabbat service. Save the date, August 5th, for our annual Shabbat Under the Stars, where we will enjoy a picnic Shabbat dinner and services outside (weather permitting). But any Friday night we will be gathering at 5:30 pm for some wine and cheese at our Oneg Shabbat. At 6 pm we will have our service which is done by 7 pm so that you can go home and enjoy a leisurely Shabbat dinner. To guide you in your summer Jewish reading, these are the award winners from the National Jewish Book Council: Young Adult Literature – The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz Poetry – Gabriel: A Poem by Edward Hirsch Modern Jewish Thought – Not in God’s Name by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Holocaust – Confronting the Massacre of Jews in Wartime Jedwanbne by Anna Bikont History – Doomed to Succeed: The U.S.-Israel Relationship by Dennis Ross Fiction – The Last Flight of Poxl West: A Novel by Daniel Tornday Debut Fiction – The Boatmaker by John Benditt Contemporary Jewish Life and Practice – All Who Go Do Not Return: A Memoir by Shulem Deen Children’s Lit – Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya Simon and Richard Simon Biography – After the Holocaust the Bells Still Ring by Joseph Potak Literary Achievement Award – The Complete Works of Primo Levi by Ann Goldstein Jewish Book of the Year – Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel by Bruce Hoffman Happy reading and I hope to see you at services. Kayitz Na’im – Have a Nice Summer! 2 Words From Our President I composed this article during my six-hour drive home from The University at Buffalo after attending the graduation ceremony for my second son, Justin. Foremost on my mind was the overwhelming joy that my husband and I shared watching our son graduate from college, magnified by two other graduations in our family this year. Our oldest son, Jason, who took a less traditional route through college also graduated with his Bachelor’s degree and our youngest son, Jonathan, is graduating high school this month. All three of our boys are about to embark on new adventures and neither they nor we know where their future paths will lead. What we do know is that they have their whole lives ahead of them filled with choices, successes and failures and we hope that we have equipped them with a good foundation to make good choices to help them reach their goals. In an effort to impart my words of wisdom onto my son I referred back to two of the speakers at the commencement ceremony. The first one spoke about the importance of taking risks in our lives and venturing out of our comfort zones and I was easily able to parallel this thought with my own new undertaking, as President of Shomrei Torah. I do not know the path Conservative Judaism will take, although it is clear that change must take place in order to engage current and future generations. I am willing and eager to try new things at Shomrei Torah and ready to step out of my comfort zone to help guide us down a path of community building and spirituality based on the strong foundation of Jewish values we all share. The second speaker talked about the value of time. He pointed out how time is equal for everyone and that it is a finite commodity. How we choose to spend it is up to us, but once it is spent, it cannot be regained. I left Buffalo a bit earlier than I might have because I needed to get home to visit two shiva houses from our congregation. How true it is that time is a gift and that we should treasure every moment whenever we can. We don’t know what tomorrow holds which is why it’s so important to think about how we spend our time today. Having shared my motherly advice with my son, I plan to heed my own advice and take some more time to enjoy everything life presents me with each day. I look forward to sharing your celebrations and sad times too, to be there for each other as part of our shared Shomrei Torah family. As the school year draws to an end, I wish everyone a relaxing, enjoyable summer, with a little extra time to smell the roses! 3 CONGREGATION LEARNING Judith Kuper Jaffe Director of Congregational Learning Religious School is over and junior congregation doesn’t start up again until September but how to we make our Jewishness not take a 3-month summer break too? Even when public school is not in session, most of us still encourage our children to read books for leisure, practice musical instruments, sports and more. We dispense money for ice cream and recreation and expect correct change, suggesting our children use those math skills taught months earlier. With the Olympics and the Presidential conventions this summer, many of us will question and discuss the news headlines, preparing our youngsters for days, months and life ahead. How do we make our summer Jewish? Why should we? Being Jewish should not only happen when our children get dropped at Religious School, on the High Holy Days, Passover, or Chanukah. Certainly those are important times but we should not overlook the moments when learning takes place. Being Jewish should become our identity, who we are, part of our DNA. It should never be as burdensome as homework, and need not be. Encouraging our children to read books about Jewish heroes or stories is important. There are so many fantastic child friendly films telling beautiful Jewish stories and teaching Jewish history in an engaging way to be viewed on a rainy day. Music? Modern Jewish music, available on CDs, iTunes, or Jewish Rock Radio (an app) is a fantastic way to share contemporary Judaism. Even though New York City is no more than an hour’s drive, life’s often too busy to visit during the academic year. Take advantage of the various Jewish Museums in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as Ellis Island that has a smart exhibit about the kosher commissary back in the day. Going away when my kids were children, my family discovered the Moses Myers House, near Virginia Beach, the Gomez House in the Hudson Valley, and the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island where they learned as much about the underground railroad as the early Jewish settlers. OK, we also visited synagogues on all our family trips (look who their Ema was!) and actively compared the customs, decorum and spoke to the people. It was impactful for our children to learn to be comfortable in any synagogue, anywhere, and know they could be at home away from home. Spending time outside is a great opportunity to talk about God. Feeling the hot breeze on the beach and watching the waves dance onto the shore, as well as taking a nature walk and marveling at God’s creations are more opportunities to bring being Jewish into your summer plans with little, albeit intentional, effort. Did you know there were blessings for all those things? This could be an ideal conversation starter! I am all about a Jewish camp experience, for sure. Nothing is better than spending relaxed fun days with Jewish friends and counselors who embody Jewish values - except a trip to Israel. I spent my entire childhood at Jewish summer camps and wanted no less for my daughters. However, there is so much more than that. Know it’s small steps and all steps are part of something bigger. No one can turn down a Friday’s challah (there’s gluten free too!) or playing the Jewish edition of Taboo, or any game. To get you started, I’ve included some fun activities for home. Turn one in and I’ll give you more. Have a relaxing Jewish summer. I really want to hear all about it so encourage your child to drop in this summer and see me, send me a postcard, or shoot me an email. I will respond! 4 5 MA T O ME B R O I E T S HO D G R G R A MA H A F I Z A HK R O T O ML U L S MT N F A R I A P E D G G E R N T A E K O MA A R MS A V R A O S R H A T S I N A Find the hidden Jewish symbols or names How many did you find? _______ 10-11 Super Star 8 - 10 Amazing Sleuth 6 – 8 Solid Detective 4 – 6 Keep trying 2 – 4 Still trying Below 2 Try Harder ק ח ג ה ג ס ו כ ו ת Clues: ______Latkes, dreidels ______ Hashannah ______Matzah Holiday ______Purim, Chanukah and ShHavuot to name a few ______613 of them ______Fall harvet holiday ______Shabbat 6 ש פ ת ו ו א ש ב נ צ ר ל ש ח מ P H C I L H S A T Shomrei Torah religious school students decorate tote bags to donate to Leket Israel. http://www.leket.org/english/and discuss hunger and food insecurity both here and in Israel. Two Shomrei Torah Religious School students showing their decorated frames made to donate. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 FOR SALE BY SHOMREI TORAH TWO INDOOR BURIAL CRYPTS AT "ABRAHAM & SARAH" Adjacent units, level two on the first floor of building #1 Contact Alan Feldman 973-248-0990 [email protected] 19 Husband of Gloria Millan SHOMREI TORAH GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS. THANK YOU FOR CARING! SISTERHOOD GOLDEN CARDS IN HONOR OF MAXINE & BARRY BERGER ON THE MARRIAGE OF THEIR DAUGHTER, SHARON Harryet & Stuart Ehrlich ELLEN & STANLEY BERNSTEIN ON THE MARRIAGE OF THEIR DAUGHTER, SARAH Lena & Maurice Kamo SUE & BOB GORDON ON THE BIRTH OF GRANDSON Harryet & Stuart Ehrlich Iris & Gene Fisher Terri & Oscar Reicher Diane & Rich Seltzer JUDY KRANTZ ON BIRTH OF GRANDSON Diane & Richard Seltzer Noal & Jayne Solomon Barbara & Kevin Scott GABRIELLE FISCHGRUND MICHAEL & LESLIE FISCHGRUND ON HER BAT MITZVAH Synagogue Board & Affiliates Barry & Sue Mirsky JUDY WEIL MAZEL TOV ON NEW POSITION Terri & Oscar Reicher PAULA & LEE SHAIMAN MAZEL TOV ON DAVID’S ENGAGEMENT Terri & Oscar Reicher Laura & Marty Siegel Noal & Jayne Solomon 20 JUDY & JAY WEIL ON SON’S ENGAGEMENT Elaine & Sy Schlossberg Sue & Harvey Nagler Terri & Oscar Reicher Laura & Marty Siegel MARLA MOSS CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE Terri & Oscar Reicher MR. & MRS. STAN MESNICK MAZEL TOV ON GRANDSON’S BAR MITZVAH Stephanie & Richard Whitman MARCY & STUART EMONT MAZEL TOV ON SON’S MARRIAGE Stephanie & Richard Whitman FRAN FEIT MAZEL TOV ON HER ENGAGEMENT Terri & Oscar Reicher FELICIA FARBER CONGRATULATIONS ON BECOMING DRS CHAIR Terri & Oscar Reicher IN MEMORY OF STEVE BRASS HUSBAND OF RONNIE BRASS Synagogue Board & Affiliates Sue & Bob Gordon Harryet & Stuart Ehrlich Tova & Zev Friede Iris & Gene Fisher Sue & Harvey Nagler Carol & Jack Pomeranc Terri & Oscar Reicher Barbara & Kevin Scott Roz & Ed Seradzky Stephanie & Howard Serber Stephanie & Richard Whitman Roby & Bruce Wiener PETER HANS FATHER OF MARNIE TOBACK Synagogue Board & Affiliates Tova & Zev Friede CLAIRE MARKOWITZ MOTHER OF CHERYL HAYET Robyn & Peter Tenner JAY MEISELMAN HUSBAND OF STEPHANIE MEISELMAN Roz & George Hirschberg Margie & Harold Schechter MERYL DELMAN MOTHER OF SCOTT DELMAN Synagogue Board & Affiliates Doris Gordon Sue & Barry Mirsky BROTHER OF RUTH KRIEGER Elaine & Sy Schlossberg BROTHER OF ARLENE TEITEL Robyn & Peter Tenner MOTHER OF STEVEN MILEWICZ Judy & Alan Feldman BROTHER OF SHEILA GITKIN Maxine & Barry Berger MOTHER OF BARBARA RAPP Roz & George Hirschberg ROBERT NATHAN SON OF JERRY NATHAN Sue & Barry Mirsky Elaine & Sy Schlossberg MOTHER OF JUDY EISENBERG Sue & Barry Mirsky Terri & Oscar Reicher Elaine & Sy Schlossberg HUSBAND OF LOREN SHRAGGER PAEGLES Terri & Oscar Reicher ERNIE KATZ Terri & Oscar Reicher ROB & AMY ALTSHULER IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER, BILL Robyn & Peter Tenner JOE JACOBS Stephanie & Howard Serber SPEEDY RECOVERY RENEE LESSER Iris & Gene Fisher Laura & Marty Siegel SISTERHOOD CERTIFICATE RONNIE BRASS & FAMILY IN MEMORY OF HUSBAND & FATHER STEVE BRASS Laura & Marty Siegel CHERYL HANS IN MEMORY OF HUSBAND PETER YOUTH FUND IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF IRVING KWIAT Father of Steven Kwiat CLAIRE MARKOWITZ MOTHER OF CHERYL HAYET Patrice & Lee Goldberg LEON ZEROLUCK Father of Elaine Schlossberg PINCHAS SCHRANK Grandfather of Peter Whitmore LAZARE BALDERMAN Grandfather of Monique Wasserstrum PETER HANS FATHER OF MARNIE TOBACK Elissa Palevsky DORA RADLER Great Aunt of Eric Weis RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LILLIE WEIS Grandmother of Eric Weis IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF LILLIAN CANTOR Mother of Barbara Zitcer CLAIRE MARKOWITZ MOTHER OF CHERYL HAYET Mike & Mara Hirschfeld STEVEN BRASS HUSBAND OF RONNIE BRASS Ed & Beth Julie PETER HANS FATHER OF MARNIE TOBACK Ed & Beth Julie IN HONOR OF SIGMUND FISHLER Father of Raymond Fishler LAURENCE WEIS Brother of Eric Weis ROSE RADLER Great-Greandmother of Eric Weis FRED LANDAU Brother of Iris Fisher NATHAN ELLIAS FATHER OF PERCY ELLIAS LANDSCAPING FUND IN MEMORY OF GABRIELLE FISCHGRUND & FAMILY IN HONOR OF BAT MTIZVAH Ed & Beth Julie MILDRED SHECHTMAN Mother of Susan Gordon STEVEN BRASS HUSBAND OF RONNIE BRASS Harvey & Naomi Miller RUTH SIEGEL Mother of Marty Siegel SHOMREI TORAH FUND LAUREN REISER & FAMILY IN HONOR OF BAT MITZVAH Ed & Beth Julie MARTIN BRESLAU Father of Carol Fertig IN MEMORY OF SYLVIA SEIDMAN Mother of Bruce Seidman LIL, MOTHER OF STEVE & DEBBIE COHEN Lee & Sy Rothenberg SHOMREI TORAH FUND IN MEMORY OF LIL, MOTHER OF STEVE & DEBBIE COHEN Lee & Sy Rothenberg FRANK TOBIN MITZVAH FUND IN MEMORY OF STEVEN BRASS HUSBAND OF RONNIE BRASS Elaine & Ken Tobin Betty Singer 21 YAHRZEIT FUND MAX HIRSCHHORN Husband of Marilyn Hirschhorn DORIS SELTZER Mother of Richard Seltzer ROSE NEWMAN Mother of Suzanne Freedberg BENJAMIN CARROLL Father of Cindy Brazer IN HONOR OF SUSAN & ROBERT GORDON BIRTH OF GRANDSON Bella & Alan Mendel Ray & Rhoda Fishler MAURICE & LENA KAMO BIRTH OF GRANDCHILD Ray & Rhoda Fishler 22 23 Shomrei Torah Wayne Conservative Congregation 30 Hinchman Ave. Wayne, NJ 07470 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PATERSON, NJ PERMIT NO. 1169 Address Service Requested Celebrating tradition, embracing the future! 24