May News.indd - Larchmont Temple

Larchmont Temple News
MAY 2013
Please join us for a service of tribute to honor
Cantor Fredda Mendelson
Shabbat services followed by a festive oneg
Friday, May 3 at 8PM
“Make music to the Lord...in a
voice filled with song.”
Psalm 98:5
SPRING OUTREACH BOOK GROUP
Please join us for lunch, wine and spirited conversation!
Friday, May 10 at 12:30PM, Grant Conference Center
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok is the fascinating story
of a Hasidic Jew in postwar Brooklyn who struggles with his
commitment to his faith and his artistic talents. Please RSVP
to Ann Gittelman at [email protected].
In this issue:
From the Rabbi ........................ 2
From the President.................. 3
Announcements ...................... 4
From the Cantor ...................... 5
Sisterhood ...........................5
Social Action .......................5
Events...................................5
Congregational Family .......6
Thank You ....................................... 6
Ads................................................... 7
Temple Youth.................................. 8
Monthly Worship Schedule .......... 8
For updated information on Temple happenings, visit us at www.LarchmontTemple.org
LARCHMONT TEMPLE
75 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538
914-834-6120; FAX: 914-834-6503
www.LarchmontTemple.org
a member of the Union for Reform Judaism
JEFFREY J. SIRKMAN
Rabbi
MARA S. NATHAN
Associate Rabbi/
Director of Congregational Learning
FREDDA R. MENDELSON
Cantor
RENA FRAADE
Director of Religious School
DEBRA FRANKEL
Director of Early Childhood
ZE’EV AVIEZER
Executive Director
H. LEONARD POLLER ‫ז“ל‬
Rabbi Emeritus
EDWARD GRAHAM ‫ז“ל‬
Cantor Emeritus
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Ron Hauben
President
Meg Fienberg
Honorary President
Harri Taranto
Executive Vice President
Robert Goodman
1st Vice President
Stacey Chervin-Sigda
2nd Vice President
Robert Rothman
Financial Vice President
Lisa Samson
Administrative Secretary
David Szabo
Treasurer
David Becker
Ellen Blumstein
Sheila Chervin
Yvette Goorevitch
Barbara Lewis Kaplan
Michael Nathan
Mark Oster
Richard Shapiro
Toby Sklarew
Martha Steinman
Steven Tanenbaum
Kent Yalowitz
Trustees
Scott RiEmer
Brotherhood President
Michele Metsch
Sisterhood Representative
Brian Cousin
Karen Zimmerman
Youth Education Committee Chairs
Jennifer Kislin
Tami Moskowitz
LTNS Steering Committee Chair
Julia Rothman
LarFTY President
Thank you for submitting
by the 10th of each month to
[email protected]
Andrea Fagon, Editor/Designer
Carol Scharff, Proofreader
Printed on recycled paper
2
FROM THE RABBI
The MENSCH Principle
Hypothetically speaking,
IF you had to choose a single verse of Torah that could carry you through life,
which one would it be?
[I understand; it’s tough! There are so many classic teachings from which to select!]
Yet even above and beyond the “Big 10 C’s,”
I would concur with Rabbi Akiva who suggested,
The singlemost sacred guiding principle we need, today & every day is,
“V’AHAVTA L’REY-ACHA KAMOCHA—YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” [Lev 19:18]
This may seem obvious, but it is far from a no-brainer, for it is not at all easy to do.
There are 3 Key Steps, framed by the rabbis of old but meant for our world today.
1. LOVE YOUR-SELF…If you are so self-critical that you lose sight of the core good
ness inside, If you cannot acknowledge the special contribution you bring to others,
HOW can you say you love your neighbor? [RAMBAN, 13th century]
2. KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR…If you see the suffering of so many souls—from Boston,
Mass. to West, Texas—or here in our own backyard…and the pain does not spur
you to compassion,
HOW can you say you love your neighbor? [Rabbi S.R. HIRSCH, 19th century]
3. DON’T FALL FOR YOURSELF…The ultimate danger is self-infatuation, for it is virtual idolatry. If you cannot see beyond yourself; if your image in the mirror leaves no
place for anyone else looking back,
HOW can you say you love your neighbor? [The Kotzker Rebbe, 19th century]
Successfully balanced in a single human being, this 3-step sacred life-perspective
is what I’d call The Mensch Principle. We all have those moments when we encounter unsolicited care, unmerited kindness, that unconditional love from people
whose motivation must only be: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It renews our
spirits—it brings us hope, and so too—it sustains our congregational family.
That is why every year we share in a special Congregational Volunteer Recognition by naming our LT MINYAN of MENSCHES: 10 wonderfully devoted members
whose deeds of kindness and caring contribution helps us create/sustain this sacred
community. IF you would like to nominate an LT Mensch for consideration in this
year’s minyan—someone whose commitment to Temple is truly from the heart, and
whose dedication makes a difference, send me an
e-mail at [email protected]
We recognize our LT Minyan of Mensches during our Annual Congregational Meeting/Installation, Monday, June 10 at 7:30 PM.
In the meantime, consider what you might do to make the Mensch Principle your
own! It’s the kind of Torah teaching that could easily transform our world….
With Thanks,
Jeffrey Sirkman
Rabbi
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Building Community Through Volunteerism
One of my privileges and responsibilities as President of Larchmont Temple is to engage with a broad cross-section of
our congregation. Whether it is at educational programs, social events, religious services, Board or committee meetings, I get to talk to a lot of our members.
No surprise, but everyone’s got an opinion – not infrequently, many opinions! Collecting those perspectives, separating
the “wheat from the chaff,” and determining we have a consensus at Larchmont Temple is often an immense challenge;
other times the messages are amazingly consistent.
One message that has come through loud and clear is on the subject of volunteerism. We are of course a community
of volunteers, and many of our members remain committed to doing the great work that keeps Larchmont Temple vital
and functioning. But there is a growing drumbeat of concern: the number of our volunteers is too small – and we are
increasingly challenged to get our congregants to commit to do the volunteer work that is at the heart of our Jewish
community. The manifestations are myriad – committee meetings that are poorly attended, Shabbat services with too
few greeters, events that are postponed due to lack of commitment, and more.
The problem is of course not unique to Larchmont Temple; it is an issue that has been discussed at length in many Jewish
forums. The results of a recent study, “Volunteering + Values”, by a Jewish organization called “Repair the World” are
telling. While the study was focused on Jewish young adults, the findings seem equally applicable to our broader Jewish population: Jews do believe they can make the world a better place and continue to volunteer to work toward that
common goal – but they are far less likely than in the past to do their volunteering within Jewish organizations. Indeed,
most of the respondents shy away from volunteering with Jewish organizations because they view them as parochial
and only serving the needs of the Jewish community; only 1 percent of respondents said that Israel was the primary
focus of their volunteer work.
While we ignore these warning signs at our peril, the Repair the World survey also describes some of the concrete steps
that can be taken to attempt to reverse these trends:
• start early to build the habit of volunteering
• develop programming that demonstrates the Jewish perspective on volunteering
• expand volunteer options that relate to core Jewish concerns
• create flexible, local options for volunteering
• frame volunteering as a Jewish act, regardless who it serves
Does all this sound familiar? It should - these concepts are already embedded in Larchmont Temple’s own core programming.
Does it work? Come see for yourself - get involved in our own Tikkun Olam, to repair our world. Check out the Social
Action page on our website or our weekly emails.
Don’t know where to start? How about on Sunday, May 19, at 11:30 AM. That’s our very own third annual mitzvah
day – “LT Gives Back”. It is a day of volunteerism, with something for just about every age group: book, food and clothing
drives; cooking for the Hope Soup Kitchen; the Nursery School Mitzvah Market; and so many other activities. Check out
our weekly emails and our website for details.
Want to do even more? Join a committee, attend a class, come to services, watch a movie, or get involved in social
action opportunities.
Jewish volunteerism is our collective responsibility. Trust me - all it takes is the first step; the rest is habit-forming!
With best wishes,
Ron Hauben, President
3
The Officers & Trustees of Larchmont Temple
joined by the parents of the Confirmands invite you to
SHAVUOT MORNING KABBALAT TORAH/
CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 5773/2013
Wednesday, May 15, 10:30 AM
Jack Belisle
Zoe Berg
Joshua Brooker
Sarah Dunford
Mikaela Durben
Elena Fineberg
4
Max Kaufman
Carly Kleinman
Matthew Lehman
Gabriel Lesser
Matthew Meyerson
Zachary Nagin
Noah Putnam
Max Schechter
Gideon Taaffe
Emily Taub
Caroleen Teboul
FROM THE CANTOR
Need A Ride?
Let the Shul Shuttle transport you to Temple.
Contact Rhoda Sumberg at 834-2713
EVENTS
Shir Ami
May rehearsals: May 1, 8, 22, 29
Friday, May 3, Service for the Soul at 8:00 PM
honoring Cantor Mendelson
Tuesday, May 14, Erev Shauot, 7:30 PM
LT SINGS!
May rehearsals: May 1 & May 8
LT Sings Party - May 8
Sarah Neuman Performance - May 2
Sisterhood
BOOK DISCUSSION: Join the Sisterhood and our
WJC friends for a book discussion, dessert and
wine on Monday May 13 at 8:00 PM to discuss
the book This is Where I leave You by Jonathan
Tropper at the home of Randi Klaber, 723 Seney
Avenue, Mamaroneck. RSVP to Kyle Greenberg
[email protected]
Sisterhood Planning! Join us to discuss our
role in the Larchmont Temple community and
planning events for next year. May 6 and June
3 at 8 PM at Larchmont Temple. Please contact
Michele Metsch, [email protected] with
any questions or to get involved.
SOCIAL ACTION
Social Action Committee Meeting:
Sunday, May 5 at 10 AM in the Blum Building
SUSAN’S PLACE SPA DAY: Sunday, May 5. Help
give manicures, make overs and create arts and
crafts with residents in a local women’s shelter.
Contact [email protected] if you want
more information. Teens are welcome to join us
in this activity. We will meet at Temple at 1PM.
MIDNIGHT RUN: Saturday June 1. Please email
[email protected] if you can drive, be a
passenger, or help sort that afternoon. Children
12 and over may go on the run with parent.
Drop In Lunch
Please join us on Tuesday, May 7
As Cantor Mendelson serenades us
with the history of music at
Larchmont Temple. Please come and
enjoy the music and the history….
12:30 - 2:00pm
Grant Conference Center
You bring your lunch; we will provide
dessert and coffee.
Any questions? Call Wendy Sandler
381-0681 or Juli Karson 381-3007.
LT’s Inaugural Oral History
Project Presentation
Monday, May 13, 11:00 AM
Grant Conference Center
We have been busy getting wonderful stories
from our own temple members about their
memories of growing up Jewish in America.
Please join us for a staged reading from our LT
interview team. Our interviewees will participate
in an informal discussion after the performance.
This dramatic reading speaks powerfully to
who we are as a temple community and to our
individual American, Jewish journeys.
This special presentation will be followed by a
brunch. All are welcome! Rides are available.
RSVP: Karen Zimmerman [email protected]
or 914-698-1431
5
OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY
Deepest Sympathies to the family of
Norma Haber, mother of Rick Haber
Jerome Applebome, father of Edward Applebome
Walter Hess, father of Peter Hess
Celia Chalfy, mother of Amy Keltz
Irving Kaplan, father-in-law of Barbara Lewis Kaplan
Morris Motzkin, father of Bud Motzkin
Judith Spiegel, sister of Lisa Schuman
Michael Fayer, father of Andrew Fayer
Julius Jermanok, father of Fawn Schechter
THANK YOU
RABBI SIRKMAN’S MITZVAH FUND
In memory of Judith’s mother, Sylvia Lowe,
by Judith & Harvey Rubin
With thanks from Rick Haber and his family for a meaningful and
comforting funeral service for his mother, Norma Haber,
by Rick Haber & Elisabeth Klufer
In memory of my wife, Barbara,
by Martin Rubenstein
In memory of Leona Sirkman and wishes for a speedy
recovery for Susan Sirkman by Carol and Matthew Scharff
In memory of John’s mother Virginia Delehanty and
Judy’s father, Leon Prince by John & Judy Delehanty
In memory of Sylvia Frankel and Moe Frankel by Bob & Karen Frankel
Rabbi Nathan’s Mitzvah Fund
In Celebration of Sarah becoming Bat Mitzvah by Melissa & Ben Nagin
Cantor Mendelson’s Mitzvah Fund
In Celebration of Sarah becoming Bat Mitzvah
by Melissa & Ben Nagin
By Florence Rothstein
MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of the yahrzeit of Harry Glass
By Robert & Nancy Kalter
In memory of Barbara Lewis Kaplan’s father-in-law and Peter Hess’s father
By Robert & Amy Stavis
GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
In honor of Mr.& Mrs. Matthew Karp’s daughter, Beatrice, who celebrated
her Bat Mitzvah on March 23, 2013
By Rosalyn Tauber Scheidlinger
LOIS & JULIAN BRAUN/CANTOR GRAHAM
ADULT EDUCATION FUND
In memory of Peter Hess’s father
By Gary & Jamie Gordon
6
ELI ISRAEL FUND
In honor of Cantor Fredda Mendelson on her upcoming retirement
By Congregation Emanu-El
GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS
In honor of the birth of Zachary Lucas Ploff
By Harry & Eve First
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL PROGRAMS
In memory of Miles A. Godin
By Craig & Amy Rosuck
In honor of Laurie Shapiro’s 40th birthday
By Warren & Cheryl Sweberg
SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS
In memory of Eugene Meyers a loving father of Vicki Stein
By Ronald & Hillary Volper
The Downstairs Minyan
Saturdays, 10:30 - 11:30AM
Please join us for a casual, intimate,
and musical Shabbat observance.
We are committed to harnessing the
peaceful energy of Shabbat through
highly participatory worship.
The Downstairs Minyan is also great for
anyone wishing to...
• Observe a yahrtzeit and say kaddish
• Offer a prayer for healing
• Connect with fellow congregants
Contact Dave Cohn, Music and T’filah Coordinator
[email protected] or 914-834-6120, ext. 16
VIEW THE monthly calendar AT
www.LarchmontTemple.org/calendar
7
MAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Friday, May 3
BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI
(Lev. 25:1-27:34)
8:00 pm Service for the Soul
in Celebration of Cantor Fredda
Mendelson
Saturday, May 4
9:00 am Chevrah Torah
10:30 am Congregational Worship
Bar Mitzvah of Henry Brody
10:30 am Downstairs Minyan
Friday, May 10
BEMIDBAR (Num. 1:1-4:20)
6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
3rd Grade Moving Up Ceremony
8:00 pm Shabbat Worship
Saturday, May 11
9:00 am Chevrah Torah
10:30 am Congregational Worship
Bat Mitzvah of Abigail Boot
Bat Mitzvah of Julia Eisberg
10:30 am Downstairs Minyan
EREV SHAVUOT
Tuesday, May 14
7:30 pm Erev Shavuot/Yizkor
Consecration Service
9:15 pm Tikun Layl
Late Night Study Session
SHAVUOT
Wednesday, May 15
10:30 am Confirmation Service/
Kabbalat Torah
Friday, May 17
NASO I (Num. 4:21-7:89)
8:00 pm LarFTY Service
12th Grade Blessing
Saturday, May 18
9:00 am Chevrah Torah
9:00 am Family Shabbat
10:30 am Congregational Worship
Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Etkin
Bat Mitzvah of Callie Zola
10:30 am Downstairs Minyan
Larchmont Temple
75 Larchmont Avenue
Larchmont, NY 10538
914-834-6120
www.LarchmontTemple.org
WHITE PLAINS, NY
PERMIT NO. 1123
LarFTY Events for May!
LarFTY Service and 12th Grade Blessing
Friday, May 17, 8:00 PM
All congregants are invited to join in youthful Shabbat
worship and song, led by our 9th – 12th graders.
We will also honor our graduating seniors,
commemorating their time at Larchmont Temple.
LarFTYites who want to participate in the service,
including musically, should contact Andrew at
[email protected].
LarFTY Elections
Tuesday, May 28, 6:30 PM
Want to be a leader in LarFTY?
Consider running for LarFTY
Board! This is a great way to get
involved and help run LarFTY!
Information will be available
online starting May 7. For more information, contact
Andrew Paull at [email protected]
LarFTY End-of-Year BBQ
Sunday, June 2, 12:30 PM
Don’t miss the last LarFTY event of the year!
Friday, May 24
BEHA’ALOTECHA (Num. 8:1-12:16)
6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
End-of-Year JYGLT Events
Saturday, May 25
9:00 am Chevrah Torah
10:30 am Congregational Worship
Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Karow
Bat Mitzvah of Hannah Siegel
10:30 am Downstairs Minyan
JYGLT – Thursday, May 8, 4:30 – 5:30 PM.
This will take place during Religious School, so don’t
miss the last day of 6th and 7th grade Religious School!
Friday, May 31
SHELACH LECHA (Num. 13:1-15:41)
8:00 pm Shir Chadash Shabbat
NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
JYGLT Junior – Monday, May 13, 4:30 – 5:30 PM
This will take place during Religious School, so don’t
miss the last day of 4th and 5th grade Religious School!
Larchmont Temple
First Friday
Shabbat Dinner
May 10
3rd Graders graduate from
Religious School
and move up to Hebrew School!
June 7
Celebrate our Nursery School 4’s
“moving up” to Religious School and
Kindergarten!
Services at 6:30 PM
Optional Dinner in the Garden Room
at 7:15 PM
Supervised Crafts table
Dinner Cost: $22 per adult
$14 per child, 4 years and over
Free for kids 3 & under!
Dinner is nut free with wheat free &
vegetarian options Catered by PLATES
Includes buffet dinner, challah, wine,
dessert, and crafts
RSVP
[email protected]