Shomrei Torah Annual Gala

Shomrei Torah - Wayne Conservative Congregation
30 Hinchman Ave. Wayne, NJ 07470
Candle
Lighting Times
January
2 - 4:22 PM
9 - 4:29 PM
973-696-2500
January 2015
Celebrating Tradition, Embracing the Future!
Make your reservations NOW!
See page 16!
16 - 4:37 PM
23 - 4:45 PM
30 - 4:54 PM
Contents
From the Bima……..2
Words from Our
President………...….3
Vol. of the Month…..5
Religious School.…...7
Sisterhood
News….....................14
Men’s Club………...19
One Book, One
Community……...…24
Israel Tour with Rabbi
Mark………………..28
Golden Cards……....37
Calendar..…………..39
SAVE THE DATE!!!
Shomrei Torah Annual Gala
March 7, 2015
(Details on page 4)
1 January 2015
Tevet/Sh’vat 5775
www.ShomreiTorahWCC.org
FROM THE BIMA
Israel is what’s on my mind. Israel is often on my
mind, but this year more than most, as there are many
things we have done as a congregation, but going to
Israel is not one of them. I’m hoping that this changes
in 2015! If out of all of our families we can find 15
souls who wish to travel together to the Holy Land,
then we will have our first (of many?) Congregational
Israel Trips. There are many in the business of
running trips to Israel, but only a few that specialize in
congregational trips. ITC – Israel Tour Connection - is
one and they are located right here in NJ! They are currently organizing 36
congregational trips, just in 2015. Going to Israel is always special, but going
together as a part of the Shomrei Torah family would be something extra
special! We are going May 12-22, 2015 at a cost of $3995/person. It’s not
inexpensive, but it is worth it!
For those who will not be joining us on the trip, but want to be supportive of
our Israel programming, we are joining together with the other Conservative
congregations of NJ to sponsor an Israeli from our movement to come speak
here. We are currently raising funds towards a $10,000 matching grant from
Nefesh B’Nefesh to help pay for this event. Shomrei Torah will be a
sponsoring congregation, but we did not budget for this program. So if you
would like to help out, please send in a donation of any amount, we will
gladly accept $18, $180 or $1800; just note on the check it is for the USCJ
Israel Speaker.
Finally, our new Director of Congregational Learning, Judy Jaffe, has
arranged for us to have Federation’s GIANT Israel map beginning on Jan.
29th. So do try to stop by while it is here to see what an impressive item it is;
our students are going to have a blast learning from it.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Cindy Merker
President
Roberta Ort
Executive Vice President/
President Elect
Beth Julie
Vice President of
Education, Ritual & Youth
Karen Weiss & Sheryl Sarin
Co-Vice Presidents of
Membership, Program &
Social Action
Mark Kass
Vice President of
Finance & Fundraising
Howard Hook
Treasurer
Tova Friede
Financial Secretary
Carla Rudow
Communications Secretary
Gary Lesser
Recording Secretary
Karen Weiss
Immediate Past President
————————-
Clergy
Randall Mark
Rabbi
—————————-
Staff
Melody Sandor
Synagogue Administrator
Rabbi Randy Mark
Holding Hands
Providing Support After the Death of a Child
A support group which offers friendship and understanding to families who are grieving the death of a child.
Meetings:
3rd Wednesday of the month beginning January 21st, 2015
Doors open at 7, meeting begins 7:15 pm
Place:
Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson
1485 Teaneck Road, Teaneck
For additional information please contact [email protected]
or call 201-837-9090
2 January 2015
Executive Board
Judy Jaffe
Director of Congregational
Learning
Donna Davis
Synagogue Secretary
Suzanne Zofi
Administrative Assistant
Gloria Millan
Shabbat Staff
Manny Vargas
Custodian
Words from Our President...
Adult Ed., Sisterhood or Men’s Club event.
There are many choices for all of us to consider.
So, come in from the cold to a place that is bright
and warm and welcoming.
I hope to see you all at our COMEDY NIGHT on
Saturday, January 17! It is a time to just sit back
and enjoy the entertainment and socialize with
your fellow congregants. Please invite your
friends and family too. Successful fundraisers
like Comedy Night are vital to the financial wellbeing of Shomrei Torah.
Stay Warm,
Cindy
No way around it. January is a tough month. It
comes right after we have been busy celebrating
the Holidays of Thanksgiving and Chanukah.
The days are short, dark and cold. Many times
we do not feel like leaving the warm comforts of
our homes.
But, you should leave your homes and spend
some time at Shomrei Torah! It is always bright
and warm in our building.
The brightness is due to the new lighting that
was recently installed throughout the synagogue.
We participated in the NJ Direct Install Program
which provided new energy efficient light fixtures
and bulbs to replace our antiquated ones. The
State of NJ incurred 70% of the cost and
Shomrei Torah was responsible for the remaining
30%. Overall, it is a win-win for the synagogue.
The warmth is provided by the Rabbi, office staff
and the numerous volunteers that work so hard
to make everyone feel welcome in our
synagogue community.
You may want to rest up a bit during these dark
days of winter, but after you do, realize that there
are new challenges waiting for all of us in the
months ahead.
Maybe you will volunteer to read from the Torah
one Saturday; maybe you will commit to
attending minyan one morning a week or
alternatively one evening a week; maybe you will
attend services one Friday night or one Saturday
morning every month; maybe you will attend an
3 January 2015
Kosher Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed
Jewish Family Service of Noreth Jersey is looking
for volunteers to deliver kosher meals to homebound, isolated seniors in Wayne. For many seniors, this may be the only contact they have beyond
the JFSNJ social worker. If you are available one
day a week to deliver meals, please call Melanie
Lester at 973-595-0111 or email
[email protected].
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price
of your eligible AmazonSmile
purchases to
Wayne Conservative Jewish
Congregation
whenever you shop on
AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know.
Same products, same prices, same service.
Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at:
smile.amazon.com
4 January 2015
Todah Rabah to…
Phil Nuccetelli
Shomrei Torah’s
January
Volunteer of the Month!
Torah in his continuing quest for knowledge. A Melton
alumnus, he will be continuing this path by participating in
Rabbi Mark’s “Chai Mitzvah” class held on the 4th Monday
of each month and would like one day to be proficient in
reading Hebrew.
Phil credits his grandmother as the one who has most influenced his life. He explains “she raised me, as my mother
was a single parent for the most part. My grandmother
imparted to me the most important life lessons and was an
inspiration.”
He loves to travel and has participated in the “March of the
Living,” along with other members of Shomrei and was in
Israel for the first time at the conclusion of the March. He
was most impressed by the “mix of different cultures, the
cosmopolitan nature and the magnetic atmosphere of Israeli society.”
Always an active participant in the fabric of Shomrei Torah,
he has been involved in many different spheres of synagogue life i.e., ritual committee, executive board and the
board of trustees. He is a “hands-on” volunteer, cooking
meals (his eggplant parm is delicious!), running morning
minyans (and lottery ticket collection!). Little known fact:
Phil is also well-versed in the repair of tzizit (prayer shawl)
strings which require a special technique for knotting.
(These fringes are coiled and knotted to remind us of the
613 mitzvot. The numerical values of the letters that comprise the Hebrew word tzizit add up to 600. Add the eight
strings and five knots of each tzizit total 613).
Phil came to Judaism (and Shomrei Torah) 27 years ago
and always felt drawn to Judaism. Perhaps it is his
“Yiddishe Neshama” (Jewish soul). Phil shared a conversation he had with Rabbi Segelman when he first approached the idea of conversion.
Rabbi: “Are you crazy?”
Phil: “Perhaps, a little.”
Rabbi: “Well, then you will fit right in!”
And on that auspicious note, the history of Shomrei Torah
and Philip Nuccetelli began.
Phil was raised in Passaic and received a BA in Education
and a Master’s in Ecology from William Paterson University. A chemistry teacher at Clifton High School for 23 years,
he switched to the business sector, where he is
currently employed by Equitable Insurance. He gives credit to William Paterson University as the place where he met
his wife, Maria. Married since 1963, the Nuccetelli family
settled in Wayne, raised two children, and now enjoys the
pleasures of being grandparents to three grandchildren.
Phil is an avid bridge player and instructor and has been
instrumental in bringing the enjoyment of this game to
Shomrei Torah, where an informal group plays on Wednesday at different host locations.
A voracious reader, his favorite books are on religion and
spirituality and he takes classes on Hebrew literacy and
5 January 2015
When asked to define what being Jewish means to him,
Phil explains that for him it means “Seeing God in every
human being.”
Thank you, Phil, for being a valued and integral part of
Shomrei Torah!
A HAPPY THANKSGIVING WAS HAD....
Thirty four Wayne families were offered a cornucopia of food for Thanksgiving this year, thanks to
the generosity of numerous congregations, organizations and businesses who are supporters of the
Wayne Interfaith Network.
Shomrei Torah once again answered the call for cookies with a total of 44 boxes, including those
purchased with the $31.00 from the Sisterhood Cookie Jar. Each participating house of worship
was asked to contribute at least two turkeys and we were able to provide five. A special treat
included Thanksgiving greeting cards which were handmade by Shomrei Torah Religious School
students and included in the Thanksgiving Baskets. The volunteers who packed were thrilled with
the cards and shared their own memories about making such cards as children. After all was
packed for our clients, miscellaneous leftover items were donated to Oasis, A Haven for Women
and Children in Paterson. The items were delivered to Oasis in a truck (with drivers) provided by
The Market Basket in Wyckoff.
Many thanks. From Thanksgiving past to Thanksgiving future, wishing you a healthy and prosperous year!
— Betty
Singer and Lee Ann Beck
W.I.N. PANTRY LADDER OF TZEDAKAH
1. The Wayne Interfaith Network Pantry is made up entirely of volunteers. Our most
basic need is for non-perishable food and other basic necessities. Anyone who can
set aside a little time to go shopping in a supermarket would fulfill this primary
goal. From time to time our rabbi sends out e-mails to the congregation with a list
of needed items. Your collection may be deposited in the WIN Barrel which sits in
the lobby at Shomrei Torah. If you buy major amounts of items, you can call me and
arrange to meet me (or a Pantry worker) directly at the Pantry or synagogue at a
time of mutual convenience. Paper bags with handles, or paper in plastic are the
most useful for transport.
2. We also have financial needs. If you are unable or unwilling to shop, but would
still like to help, there are two alternatives available:
a) Make out a check, payable to Shomrei Torah Sisterhood, for an amount with a
zero as the end number ($10, $20, etc.) and send it with a note to the office requesting that it be turned into Scrip for WIN. Temple Donna will take care of the
rest. This makes money for Sisterhood, gives you a check as a receipt for a donation [see your accountant...] and eases the strain on WIN's budget for the Gift Cards
which are given in small amounts to each client for the purchase of fresh foods. At
our discretion, small amounts of Scrip are also set aside for emergency purchases
on behalf of Shomrei Torah which are donated to the Pantry.
b) You can make out a check in any amount whatsoever (no need for a zeroending), payable to the Wayne Interfaith Network, and send it to WIN, PO Box 3341,
Wayne, NJ 07474-3341. Be sure you include your name and address. You will be
sent an acknowledgement for your donation. WIN does not send solicitations, so
you will not be bothered by further requests.
3. Other kinds of solicitations may also be planned throughout the year. We hope
that the congregation will continue to respond generously.
All donations are deeply appreciated! As of this writing we are currently servicing
approximately 85 families.
Betty Singer, Shomrei Torah Representative to the Wayne Interfaith Network
6 January 2015
And you shall love the Lord your God
With all the heart inside you
With every breath that you may breathe
And all you have beside you.
Take these words I teach you now
And keep them close to heart
each them intently to your kids
That they may grow up smart
Talk about them with your friends
As a longtime Jewish educator, I regularly hear how
When you sit at home
late children go to sleep and how challenging that
And speak them proudly on the road
time can be for the often too tired parents and caregiv- Wherever you may roam
ers. Dads cannot resist a little one's effective negotia- Lie down with them, so that you may
tion for "just 10 more minutes" while Mom is trying
Wake with them on your lips
to clean up dinner - and now bedtime has come and
Bind them fast upon your hand
gone. The child breaks out the PJs and is whisked to
And 'tween your eyes affix
bed. No time to read or wind down.
These words that they may be a sign
To you for evermore-- Inscribe these words upon your
Sleep specialists remind us that everyone needs a se- gates
ries of predictable steps that they take every night to
And write them on your doors!
help everyone nod off seamlessly. In other words,
whisking a child from playtime to bedtime might actu- Following the same routine nightly actually makes it
ally be depriving your child of the very cues he needs physically easier for anyone to fall asleep by giving a
to make it smoothly into slumber. The good news: a
body cues to secrete hormones that induce sleep. And
solid routine can make evenings less stressful and far if your child knows you're a stickler for the rules, the
more fun for everyone.
child is less likely to stall, delay and negotiate, making bedtime smoother and more pleasant all around.
Reading stories together is a favorite pastime for
While there's no one-size-fits-all bedtime routine.
many children. Have a small selection of bedtime
Bedtime can be transformed from a witching hour into
books and include a few Jewish titles for your child to something magical and Jewish too!
choose from. Be sure to have pre agreed upon number
of stories your child will hear before lights out. Music Looking ahead, there’s a lot of magic going on in our
can gently lull a child off to dreamland too. I suggest building!
adding the Shema (Deuteronomy, 6:4 - 9) to any bedtime routine! Since the custom was introduced in Tal- On January 25th, Shomrei Torah is the place to be.
mudic times, it has worked. From stories and songs, to Starting with Religious School Drop off, Families of
prayers and cuddles, these routines can include anychildren in Kindergarten/ Gan- 1st/Alef - 2nd/Bet are
thing you wish so long as the activities are calm and
encouraged to join the Rabbi and Judy Jaffe for a sperelaxing for your child.
cial Tu B’Shevat Seder, held on a 40” x 20” map of
Israel. Later that morning at 10:30 AM, families of
If you have a child in Grade 2 or under, or know
4th/Daled and 5th/Hey students are encouraged to come
someone who does, please invite them to join us for
to a workshop facilitated by both Rabbi and Judy disHavdallah, Dinner a Read Aloud and a craft on Satur- cussing Israel, using the same map.
day night, January 10 at 6 PM. Shomrei Members $18
a family, $25 for Non Members. Please be sure to
Youth activities will follow for all grades from K –
RSVP to Judy at LearningDirec8th!
[email protected]. PJs is the attire!
In the meantime, I recently saw this Dr. Seuss version
of the Shema and wanted to share it!
7 January 2015
(Continued on next page)
Dates to Circle:
Tuesday, January 6th
Religious School and TAST-e classes resume.
Saturday, January 10th
Junior Congregation lead by Morah Etty from 10:30 –
Noon
Mini Minyan for children ages 3 – 2nd Grade, lead by
our amazing teens from 11:15 – 11:45 AM.
Havdallah, Dairy Dinner, PJ Read Aloud, and creating a Shema Pillowcase, from 6 – 8 PM. $18 per
family for Shomrei Torah Members, $25 for nonShomrei Torah Members. RSVP by January 6th. PJ
Attire for all!
Sunday, January 18th
No Religious School. Remember MLK
Saturday, January 24th
Junior Congregation lead by Morah Etty from 10:30 –
Noon
Mini Minyan for children ages 3 – 2nd Grade, lead by
our amazing teens from 11:15 – 11:45 AM.
Sunday, January 25th
The 40’ x 20’ Map of Israel is here! Activities are
planned for the whole school, through February
3rd.
Gan/Kindergarten,1st/Alef, 2nd/Bet Tu B’Shevat Seder.
9:30 – 10:30 AM
4th/Daled – 5th/Hey Israel Family Education, 11:30 12:30 PM
KADIMA – 12:30 – 2 pm. Map Mania activities
CHAVERIM – Family Bingo– 12:30 – 2 PM. RSVP is
a must!
Tuesday, January 27th
TAST-e Map activities continue with guest speaker,
our Israeli Emissary/shlicha for TAST-e
Friday, January 30th
4th/Daled-5th/Hey help lead services. 5:30 Oneg, 6 PM
Services
Sunday, February 1
World Wide Wrap – Families of 6th /Vav and 7th /
Zayin, please plan to join us at 8:45 AM. Following
services, everyone is invited to breakfast. Regular
class will continue at after breakfast.
Tuesday, February 3rd
6th/Vav-7th/Zayin lead the Tu B’Shevat Seder for 3rd/
Gimmel – 5th/Hey
Saturday, February 7th
Junior Congregation lead by Morah Etty from 10:30 –
Noon
Mini Minyan for children ages 3 – 2nd Grade, lead by
our amazing teens from 11:15 – 11:45 AM – with
a mock eufrufJ
8 January 2015
Sunday, February 8th
5th/Hey help get married. Details (invitations) will follow for our Mock Wedding
Sunday, February 15th
No Religious School classes. Remember our Presidents.
Saturday February 21st
Junior Congregation lead by Morah Etty from 10:30 –
Noon
Mini Minyan for children ages 3 – 2nd Grade, lead by
our amazing teens from 11:15 – 11:45 AM.
Sunday, February 22nd
Youth Activity TBA
- Judy
Shomrei Torah is thrilled to be selected as one of
three area synagogues to participate in the
ATID program, an initiative of Federation of Northern New Jersey's Synagogue Leadership Initiative.
(To learn more about it, please log on to http://
ejewishphilanthropy.com/synagogue-based-religiousschools-a-community-responsibility/)
Through ATID, which literately means future, we will
have the opportunity to study best national Religious
School practices alongside other caring, reflective and
thoughtful synagogues, as well as collaborating with
our own team, which includes the Rabbi, Director of
Congregational Learning, Judy Jaffe; Education
Chair, Carla Rudow; Beth Julie, both a current teacher and a member of the executive committee, teacher
Etty Vaknin, and current parent, Smadar Kleinstein.
Although we feel our current Religious School is
strong, we know we can always strive do improve.
Change for change's sake is not necessarily productive, but listening and discussing Best Practices with
our synagogue team to develop a positive systemic
change project can be.
Overwhelmingly, the consensus was to strengthen
Family Engagement. During the month of January,
you will receive a 5 minute survey and an opportunity
to participate in a focus group. We all want to thank
you in advance for participating in this.
Thank you and Todah Rabbah.
Book Fair
Our first Barnes and Noble Book Fair was a huge success. We exceeded our anticipated goal. Thank
you to Marnie Toback, PTO Chair, and all the parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers,
and children who participated
Please mark Sunday, November 22, 2015 for our next Book Fair!
Our Religious
School entertained
shoppers at Barnes
and Noble with
Chanukah music.
Shomrei Torah Religious School students bagged
toiletries to donate to the Wayne Chapter of Your
Grandma's Cupboard.
Did you know that: More than 850,000 New Jersey
residents are currently living in poverty? More than
25,000 of our state’s poverty stricken people are
children? Almost 44% of the homeless are employed but do not make enough to keep a roof over
their head?
Your Grandmother’s Cupboard is America’s only
mobile outreach program serving people lacking
transportation to access traditional food pantries
and clothing depots.
They are a non-profit 501(C)3 organization founded
with the mission to provide food, clothing and other
“necessities of life” to the hungry, the homeless,
seniors and the other invisible people in our midst
with specials needs.
Melanie Lester of Jewish
Family Service of North
Jersey discusses why and
how to talk to Holocaust
survivors with our 6th
and 7th grade in preparation for a visit from two
survivors.
9 January 2015
10 January 2015
PASSOVER CHOCOLATE SALE
Our annual chocolate fundraiser will
begin in mid January.
Order forms will be sent to you.
11 January 2015
12 January 2015
Shomrei Torah is delighted to be a proud PJ Library site and we invite you to events throughout the year.
For those of you who may not have heard of PJ LIBRARY yet, it is a Jewish Family engagement program
implemented on a local level throughout North America. We mail free, high-quality Jewish children's literature and music to families with children 6 months – 8 years across the continent on a monthly basis.
PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, made possible through partnerships with
philanthropists and local Jewish organizations, like Shomrei Torah. Today, families in hundreds
of communities across the United States and Canada are able to explore the timeless core values of Judaism through books and music and expose their children to it. We encourage you, your family, your neighbors, and friends to go to http://www.pjlibrary.org/ to sign up! Non members of Shomrei Torah are encouraged to register!
To complement our PJ Library program, please mark Saturday night, January 10th at 6 PM for a our own
Shomrei Torah PJ Havadallah, light dinner, read out loud, and craft. More information will follow – or
contact Judy Jaffe at [email protected] or Stacy Gerstein at
[email protected] for details.
13 January 2015
Just got back from the Sisterhood meeting tonight and I figured I’d jot down all the info I just got so I don’t forget…as has
become my habit.
Howie and I just returned from a trip to Minneapolis for a long-overdue visit to see his beloved Vikings play outdoors. We
had a great weekend (I got to see the Mary Tyler Moore house, so I was happy) and I also wound up enjoying watching
a football game (probably my first since high school)—albeit, outdoors. Albeit again, outdoors in Minnesota.
So here are some terms I’ve just picked up.
Thanks to Tova Friede and Sarah Blecherman, you betcha, for making our Second Annual SocieTea tons of fun.
For our starting lineup this month, we will be hosting Sisterhood Shabbat. Maxine Berger, our Event Chair, will be quarterbacking this service and calling all the plays. She’s making calls to Sisterhood members and asking for their participation — davening and noshing in English or Hebrew — in this heartwarming service. Everyone is invited to attend and
partake on Saturday, January 24. Next to Neila, it is the best service of the year! No tryouts necessary. Everyone makes
the team!
Next, Sisterhood members and non-members alike are all invited to the Big Dance. Ballroom Dance lessons, that is.
Well, ballroom dance for about an hour and then you can dance the night away however you’d like. Drinks, eats, music
and friends! If you RSVP by the early deadline, February 1, tickets are only $20/per person, $25/per person, if you respond February 2 through February 19 (we do need time to get the food and stuff). Look for the flyer in this L’Chaim.
Judy Krantz is the captain of the Purim Baskets and she is looking for everyone to score big with this year’s crop. Flyer
on next page.
We are planning another joint Chocolate Seder with the Women of Chain from Temple Beth Tikvah on Tuesday, March
24.
We are also looking to do a charity event and are open to suggestions for charities and chairs. If you see a Sisterhood
member, just grab her and suggest a non-profit or take the lead for your own event. In the past, we’ve walked for the
American Cancer Society and are looking to do something involving community outreach.
And, finally, we are still selling Scrip, dontcha know.
IT IS DEFINITELY THE EASIEST FUNDRAISER WE HAVE!!!!! YOU PAY NOTHING MORE than the price of a gift card
than you would already pay. You buy gift cards at their face value and, for the same price you’d pay anywhere, Shomrei
Torah benefits with a percentage of each purchase. Check out our vendor list, including Fairway, ShopRite, Stop and
Shop, Bloomingdales, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Macy’s and a host of others to see how and where you can shop and
support Shomrei. Please look for Renee Lesser in the synagogue lobby on Sundays, January 11 and 25. Or contact the
temple office for your purchase.
- Carol
14 January 2015
15 January 2015
16 January 2015
17 January 2015
18 January 2015
Men’s club news
January 2015
We hope you are having a happy secular/Gregorian New Year. Chanukah is now behind us, so can Tu
b’Shevat be far away?
Men’s Club continues to be busy with its program year. In November, we installed a screening room and multi-media center in the library. Our Jewish film series kicked off, with an Israeli TV documentary about the rise
of Zionism at the turn of the century. It was an interesting film, and announcements will be made soon about
the next installment in the series.
The second annual “There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute” Super Bowl Raffle got off to a good start, under the
guidance of George Hirschberg. For the first time, Shomrei Torah is partnering with the Fair Lawn Jewish
Center Men’s Club. Boxes were filling up fast in December.
At press time, the Men’s Club was getting ready for the annual Blood Drive, held on Tuesday December 23rd.
In past years, even with bad weather, we have always had a good turnout. This year, Mike Greenblatt made
sure to bring in Sloppy Joe sandwiches for the drive volunteers and for the Men’s Club general meeting held
at the same time. We thank those who helped staff the drive and, of course, those who donated blood or
made a double red cell donation.
The World Wide Wrap XV is set for Sunday, February 1st. We welcome those who are tefillin-savvy and can
give instructions, as well as those who are rusty and wish to join in this great mitzvah. In addition to the good
feeling of davening and laying tefillin locally, Men’s Clubs all over the world are doing the same thing on February 1st. It is truly a global phenomenon.
On the same date, two football teams will vie for the Vince Lombardi trophy. That night, we will know the results of the Super Bowl pool. There are still some boxes open for the pool, on the display in the shul lobby.
You don’t have to be a football fan to place your pick, as numbers are assigned randomly. Each box costs
$18, with the grand winner will be awarded $400.
For the first time, Shomrei Torah Men’s Club will host a Super Bowl viewing party. The game will be telecast
in our new screening room with the appropriate snacks provided. Get your football jersey ready, and join in
the fun.
The Purim Carnival will be held on Sunday, March 1st. One week later, on Sunday March 8th, the Club will
join with the rest of our FJMC region at the annual NJ Devils Hockey Night Out. Watch this column in future
issues for more details of upcoming March events.
Men’s Club holds a general meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Our next date is January 27th. All
synagogue men are welcome to attend. Our meetings start at 8pm, but those who can make it at 7pm get to
have dinner and l’chayims (the spiritual kind) with their friends.
Last, but not least, Men’s Club is responsible for Wednesday evening minyans. Especially in these hard winter months, with “snowbirds” out of town, our daveners need YOU. Please take the time to attend one “Three
-M” minyan each month. If you don’t know what the three Ms stand for, please call us and we will be glad to
explain.
Michael Greenblatt and Eric Weis
Co-Presidents
19 January 2015
Continued on next page—->
20 January 2015
Continued from previous page
SHOMREI TORAH BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
It's time to read and discuss our next book!
Welcome to the new readers who have attended our discussions this year we hope that you will join us at this next one!!!
Monday, January 26th we will be discussing
The Marrying of Chani Kaufman by Eve Harris.
Discussion leader will be Sandy Kanter ([email protected]).
For more information, contact Sandy or Sue Feldman ([email protected])
21 January 2015
22 January 2015
CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
AT
SHOMREI TORAH!
Rabbi Mark
leads the
singing
Gloria plates
latkes and donuts
Suzanne at the crafts table
DREIDEL COMPETITION!!!!
23 January 2015
On Sunday, January 11th, 10 am, Shomrei Torah, in partnership
with the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, will be
hosting a One Book, One Community event. This event will
feature a book discussion of The Golem and the Jinni by Helene
Wecker followed by a nominally-priced lunch reminiscent of
what was served on the Lower East Side at the turn of the century – pickles, knishes and Syrian delights!
The Golem and the Jinni is a magical tale of two mythical creatures – a golem from a Polish shtetl and a jinni from the Syrian
desert – seeking to unlock their own true natures and fit in
among 19th century New York City’s immigrant cultures. This
book has been included on many “Best Book of 2013” lists and
the reviews are glowing. We hope all of you can join us for this
event! And, bring a friend or two or three! This event is open
to the entire community.
Copies of the book are available in the office for $9.00
each. Stop by the office or reserve a copy by emailing
[email protected]
or call 973-696-2500.
VOLUNTEERS needed: We are looking for people to help us
decorate and set up the social hall, set out food, serve food, and
clean up after the event. This is a wonderful way to meet people and contribute to a fun, warm happening on a cold, wintery
morning in January. If you can volunteer, please contact Melody at [email protected] or call 973-696-2500 ext. 12.
We look forward to hearing from you!!
24 January 2015
25 January 2015
On November 16th, Rabbi Mark and Henry Ramer visited our school neighbor, Vivekananda
Vidyapith. The following report of the visit, prepared by the school, ran in their quarterly
newsletter:
Honorable Rabbi Randall Mark’s talk at Vidyapith (Sunday, November 16, 2014, 11:30 a.m. to
1:00 p.m.): Rabbi Randall Mark, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah, a synagogue located in Wayne, NJ, visited Vivekananda Vidyapith at the invitation of Mahendra uncle on November
16, 2014, accompanied by a member of the Congregation, Mr. Henry Ramer. It was the first such
visit by a Rabbi to Vidyapith, so there was a lot of excitement among students many of whom welcomed him in the traditional Hindu way of greeting a guest with lighted lamps. Some students and
teachers from the Saturday school also joined the assembled audience in the prayer hall to hear the
Rabbi speak.
Uncle expressed great delight to have this opportunity to listen to Rabbi Randy Mark and
shared that he is a recipient of the Keter Torah Rabbinical Leadership Award, a most prestigious
rabbinical award of the New Jersey region. Uncle also thanked Rabbi for taking time out from his
busy schedule to visit Vidyapith and give a talk on “Everything you wanted to know about Judaism,
but didn't have anyone to ask.” Rabbi Mark also expressed great pleasure to be at Vidyapith. His talk
was very informative, and included both facts and humor, engaging all age groups of students.
The Rabbi explained that Judaism can best be defined as a way of life for Jewish people.
Covering a wide variety of beliefs and practices of Judaism, carried over thousands of years, the
Rabbi (Master in Hebrew) explained that there are more than 70 names of God in Judaism, some
known and some mystical and secret, but out of respect God is generally referred to as Adonai
which means Lord. Torah, their holy text, written in Hebrew, their language of prayer is read from
right to left, decrees 613 Mitzvot [commandments) for Jewish people to live by.
The Rabbi, keeping the young students in mind, played “Show and Tell” and passed around
many artifacts used in Judaism, including kipot [head coverings worn out of respect for God], Talit
[prayer shawl], a Torah scroll [holy text], a Hanukkah Menorah [9 branched-lamp stand], Seder Plate
for the Passover Ritual, Dreidels [four-sided top with Hebrew letters] and a Shofar [a ram’s horn].
The Rabbi demonstrated Tefillin - wearing verses of Torah on arm and head - symbolizing unification within ourselves and with God. He briefly described the significance of many holidays and special days, such as, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, and Purim, and the observance
of Shabbat. The requirements of keeping kosher, which literally means fit or proper in Hebrew, were
explained and the Rabbi also touched upon various rituals observed by Jews. He mentioned that
Jewish hymns are traditionally sung A cappella style [no aid of musical instruments].
Summarizing Judaism emphasis in “Everything in Moderation”, the Rabbi then invited questions from the audience and delightfully addressed all of them. Uncle thanked the Rabbi for a wonderful and informative talk. The day ended with the closing prayers, following which the Rabbi joined
Mahendra Uncle, Vandana Aunty and others for a kosher Indian luncheon which was thoughtfully
prepared by a group of Vidyapith teachers and enjoyed by all!
Thus the event was educational for all and particularly aligned with “Harmony of Religions”
and “World Religions”, the courses which are a part of the Vidyapith curriculum!
26 January 2015
27 January 2015
28 January 2015
29 January 2015
30 January 2015
31 January 2015
32 January 2015
33 January 2015
Your ad can be here!
All you have to do is call
Carol Ramer
201 396-5466
or
[email protected]
34 January 2015
35 January 2015
36 January 2015
SHOMREI TORAH GRATEFULLY
ACKNOWLEDGES THE
FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR CARING.
SISTERHOOD
GOLDEN CARDS
IN HONOR OF
BETH & ED JULIE
CORY’S ENGAGEMENT Rhita & Steve Gastwirth
Mike & Eric Greenblatt
Annette & Andy Lieb
Marcy & Dave Marcus
Marlene & Bruce Seidman
Diane & Rich Seltzer
Edith & Ivan Voyticki
Carol & Harold Willner
RINA & BURT LERNER
BIRTH OF GRANDDAUGHTER Mike & Eric Greenblatt
Karen & Rich Weiss
MADY & LARRY FECHNER
BIRTH OF GRANDDAUGHTER Marcy & Dave Marcus
Karen & Rich Weiss
BOB & MARLENE KORNGOLD
MAZEL TOV ON YOUR
MARRIAGE Sue & Barry Mirsky
Elaine & Sy Schlossberg
MICHAEL GREEN
“MAN OF THE YEAR” Elaine & Sy Schlossberg
EMILY MARKS
“YOUTH OF THE YEAR” Elaine & Sy Schlossberg
ANN & HERB LEFKOWITZ
TWIN GRANDCHILDREN Laura & Marty Siegel
LAURIE NAHUM &
RICK KRIEGER DAUGHTER’S ENGAGEMENT Karen & Rich Weiss
TERRI & OSCAR REICHER
BIRTH OF GRANDSON Karen & Rich Weiss
CAROL & HENRY RAMER
BIRTH OF GRANDDAUGHTER Karen & Rich Weiss
37 January 2015
GET WELL SOON!
MARK TERRY Iris & Gene Fisher
Rhita & Steve Gastwirth
FLORENCE AGISIM Sue & Barry Mirsky
MATTYE GANDEL Sue & Barry Mirsky
LINDA GABA Karen & Rich Weiss
IN MEMORY OF
SIDNEY GLUCKSMAN
FATHER OF CINDY BURNS Susan & Bob Gordon & Family
Marsha & Paul Greenberg
Jill & Steve Landau
Marcy & Dave Marcus
Cindy & Alan Merker
Marlene & Bruce Seidman
Roz & Ed Seradzky
BARBARA MILLSTEIN
MOTHER OF STUART Mike & Eric Greenblatt
Marcy & Dave Marcus
Sue & Barry Mirsky
Stephanie & Richard Whitman
ANDREW LESHAW
SON OF GAIL & STAN Terri & Oscar Reicher
DAVID YOUNG
FATHER OF MARK Terri & Oscar Reicher
MOTHER OF RICH SLAMOWITZ Marlene & Bruce Seidman
FATHER OF
PAULA SLAMOWITZ Marlene & Bruce Seidman
SARA COHEN
MOTHER OF STEVE Stephanie & Howard Serber
GERTRUDE NEWMAN
MOTHER OF JAY & BRUCE Stephanie & Howard Serber
GRANDMOTHER OF
ROBERT FEIG Edith & Ivan Voyticki
GLORIA NAHUM
MOTHER OF LAURIE Karen & Rich Weiss
FRANCES WALNICK
MOTHER OF LENA KAMO Karen & Rich Weiss
ROBERTA COHEN
SISTER OF MARSHA ROLNIK Karen & Rich Weiss
SISTERHOOD CERTIFICATE
IN HONOR OF
ROBYN & RICHARD WEISS
DAVID & TRACY’S MARRIAGE Laura & Marty Siegel
SISTERHOOD GIFT FUND
IN MEMORY OF
SIDNEY GLUCKSMAN
FATHER OF CINDY BURNS Roby & Bruce Weiner
MOTHER OF NANCI BRICKMAN
Roby & Bruce Weiner
LANDSCAPING FUND
IN HONOR OF
STEVE & RUTH LANGFELDER
50th ANNIVERSARY Diane & Rich Seltzer
LUCY & CHARLES COHN
LISA’S ENGAGEMENT Harvey & Naomi Miller
YAHRZEIT FUND
DAVID SHAPIROBernice Weis
Eric Weis
JOSEPH MORRIS Sue & Harvey Nagler
WENDY BRAZER Cindy & Bob Brazer
CLARA ROZNER Edith & Ivan Voyticki
SOL BELLNER Dot Brodkowitz
RUTH LEVANDOV Sonia Seidman
SAMUEL RATNER Marilyn & Marvin Rogers
ALLAN BERGER Barry & Maxine Berger
YAHRZEIT FUND CONT.
IN MEMORY OF
BERNARD FRIEDMAN Rich & Robyn Weiss
HYMAN BORSACK Linda & Mark Dumoff
BETTY COHEN Ed & Beth Julie
MILTON KAPLAN Alvin & Mimi Lakind
MURRAY MARKS Michael & Arlene Marks
IRVING FINK Elaine & Sy Schlossberg
EUGENE DUNN Marilyn Hirschhorn
ANN BORSACK Linda & Mark Dumoff
ANNE SEIDMAN Sonia & Larry Seidman
JOSEPH BANK Aleen Klein
GREGORY MARKHASIN Rimma Markhasin
JACOB GELIMSON Rimma Markhasin
HYMAN JAFFE Steve & Ruth Langfelder
FLORENCE SCHULMAN Barry & Sheryl Sarin
ROBERT ROBBINS Maria Robbins
CECIL GORDON Sue & Bob Gordon
MICHAEL KOHN Harvey Kohn
RENEE RESNICK Gene Resnick
FRANCES WALNICK
MOTHER OF LENA KAMOS Linda & Mark Dumoff
ROBERTA COHEN
SISTER OF MARSHA ROLNIK Linda & Mark Dumoff
SIDNEY GLUCKSMAN
FATHER OF CINDY BURNS Beth & Ed Julie
Diane & Marty Albalah
SHOMREI TORAH FUND
IN HONOR OF
ELYCE & EVAN BERENZWEIG
ADDISON’S MARRIAGE Linda & Mark Dumoff
ED & BETH JULIE
CORY’S ENGAGEMENT Diane & Marty Albalah
Milt & Dot Brodkowitz
Rimma Markhasin
Anita & Stuart Skolnick
38 January 2015
SPEEDY RECOVERY
SALLY WAXMAN Diane & Marty Albalah
Thank You
to all
who made
Contributions
39 January 2015
David Mirsky
15 Tevet
5 Sh’vat
Religious School 9:30 am
K-2 Tu B’Shvat Seder
4th&5th : Israel Program
Chaverim Event
Kadima Event
25
27 Tevet
6 Sh’vat
28 Tevet
Book Group 7:30 pm
Chai Mitzvah
26
MLK Day
Office Closed
19
7 Sh’vat
Religious School 4:00 pm
TASTe 6:00 pm
Men’s Club
27
Religious School 4:00 pm
TASTe 6:00 pm
29 Tevet
20
22 Tevet
18
21 Tevet
Religious School 4:00 pm
TASTe 6:00 pm
Education Committee
12
Purim Schpiel Rehearsal
7:00
20 Tevet
Religious School 9:30 am
One Book, One Community
Program 10:30
13
6
11
14 Tevet
Tue
Religious School 4:00 pm
TASTe 6:00 pm
5
Mon
Purim Schpiel Rehearsal
7:00
13 Tevet
Hosting Family Promise
4
12
Birthdays:
Sun
8 Sh’vat
Baby & Me 9:15 am
Parent Toddler 10:15 am
28
Women's Rosh Chodesh
Gathering 7:00 pm
1 Sh’vat
Rosh Chodesh
Baby & Me 9:15 am
Parent Toddler 10:15 am
21
23 Tevet
Baby & Me 9:15 am
Parent Toddler 10:15 am
14
Finance Committee
16 Tevet
Baby & Me 9:15 am
Parent Toddler 10:15 am
7
Wed
17 Tevet
2 Sh’vat
24 Tevet
9 Sh’vat
Cholent Cook-Off
Preparation 6:00 pm
29
Gentle Chair Yoga 5:00 pm
Ritual Committee
22
Board of Trustees
15
Gentle Chair Yoga 6:30
Executive Board
8
10 Tevet
New Year’s Day
Asara B'Tevet
Office Closed
Hosting Family Promise
1
Thu
Daily Minyan: 7:00 AM • Sat 9:30 AM • Sun 9:00 AM • M-Th 7:45 PM
All weekday evening meetings begin following Minyan unless otherwise indicated.
Fri
25 Tevet
4:29
18 Tevet
3 Sh’vat
10 Sh’vat
Oneg Shabbat 5:30 pm
Kitah Dalet & Hey
Kabbalat Shabbat 6pm
Dinner to follow
4:54
30
Oneg Shabbat 5:30 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
6:00 pm
4:45
23
Oneg Shabbat 5:30 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
6:00 pm
4:37
16
Kabbalat Shabbat
8:00 pm
9
Oneg Shabbat 5:30 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
6:00 pm
4:22
Office Closed
11 Tevet
Hosting Family Promise
2
January 2015 / Tevet - Sh’vat 5775
26 Tevet
Beshalach
11 Sh’vat
Cholent Cook-Off Tasting
Kiddish
31
Bo
4 Sh’vat
Sisterhood Shabbat
Junior Congregation 10:30am
Mini Minyan 11:15 am
24
Minha/Mariv/Havdalah
4:30 pm
Comedy Night 7:30 pm
17
Havdalah Program
For Young
Families
Shemot
19 Tevet
Junior Congregation 10:30am
Mini Minyan 11:15 am
10
Vayechi
12 Tevet
Hosting Family Promise
3
Sat
Shomrei Torah
Wayne Conservative Congregation
30 Hinchman Ave.
Wayne, NJ 07470
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PATERSON, NJ
PERMIT NO. 1169
Celebrating tradition, embracing the future!
40 January 2015