November 2013 - Temple Ner Tamid

Temple
Topics
T H E
M O N T H L Y
N O V E M B E R
2 0 1 3
C H E S H V A N
/
N E W S L E T T E R
O F
K I S L E V
T E M P L E
N E R
T A M I D
TEMPLE NER TAMID
936 Broad Street
Bloomfield, New Jersey 07003
Tel: 973.338.1500
Fax: 973.338.4486
www.nertamid.org
a Reform synagogue serving
Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair
and surrounding communities
Member URJ
RABBI
Steven Kushner
RABBI EMERITUS
Stanley Skolnik
CANTOR
Meredith Greenberg
SYNAGOGUE SOCIAL WORKER
Missy Jacobs
CANTORIAL ASSISTANT
Ronni Pressman
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Iris Schwartz
PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
Arlene Sherman
YOUTH GROUP ADVISORS
Jeff & Amy Kagan
CONGREGATIONAL NURSE
Karen Frank
RABINICAL INTERN
Anne Laurent
ACCOMPANIST / CHOIR DIRECTOR
Edward Alstrom
PRESIDENT
Jordan Solomon
FIRST VP
Phyllis Berman
VP PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Nina Tucker
VP FINANCE
Andrea Robik
VP MEMBERSHIP
Lisa Korn
VP RELIGIOUS LIVING
Fred Pressman
VP HOUSE & ADMINISTRATION
Ken Schapiro
VP EARLY CHILDHOOD
Sarah Larson
TREASURER
Kenneth Cohen
SECRETARY / DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION
Mary Lee
BROTHERHOOD PRESIDENT
Stephen Rosen
YOUTH GROUP PRESIDENT
Audrey Hertzberg
TEMPLE TOPICS EDITOR
Laurie Schifano
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 2
IRIS SCHWARTZ
Director of Education
Does your child attend summer camp? Is it a Jewish summer camp? Does it
matter? Of course you know that I am going to say yes. But why? What
difference does it make if a child attends a Jewish camp instead of a secular
one? If you are reading this that means that you are probably sending your
child to our religious school. You are probably hoping that we are helping to
strengthen his/her Jewish identity. And we are. We are doing all we can to help
achieve this goal. But there are so many things that we can’t do. There are so
many experiences that don’t happen in a classroom but do take place at a
Jewish summer camp.
Like every summer camp program, Jewish camps are immersive experiences.
But unlike at a secular camp, Judaism and Jewish values are seamlessly woven
into the fabric of almost every camp experience. Does that really make a
difference? You bet. Jewish camps promise parents that their child will return
home with an increased sense of Jewish identity, perhaps Jewish friends for life
and maybe even a deeper understanding of, and commitment to, Jewish
tradition. How do they accomplish these goals? The Reform movement offers an
explanation:
1. Experiences first, explanations later. Kids are able to ultimately and
immediately contribute to their Jewish community at camp. In other realms of
Jewish life, they are taught about Jewish communal life and then experience it.
At camp, they experience it (at meals, during Shabbat, on the ropes course, in
the cabin - everywhere), and the explanations come later. This is a uniquely
powerful experience they find nowhere else. Learn more from eJewish
Philanthropy.
2. Camp friendships last beyond the summer.
summer After the dirty laundry has
been washed and the camp trunk put away, the friendships endure. Camp is
one easy entry point into a lifelong Jewish community. As kids grow,
opportunities increase to connect with Jewish peers through congregational and
national youth group (including NFTY), Israel travel, social justice programs,
and much, much more. Many alumni of Jewish camp have found that the
friends they make during the summer stick with them through college, young
adulthood, and beyond.
3. Immersive Jewish community, 24/7.
24/7 Campers are exposed to adult
Jewish role models, Jewish peers, and Jewish friends from different places.
These Jewish connections in every direction are extremely powerful. Campers
experience joy in a Jewish community, develop self-confidence as Jews, and
forge Jewish connections that stay with them into their lives beyond camp.
Nowhere else do campers have the opportunity to experience Judaism infused
into daily life and reinforced by a community of exclusively Reform Jewish
peers.
4. Camp ends, but the Jewish community continues.
continues Extensive research in
recent years has proven that children who attend Jewish summer camp are
more likely to identify as Jewish adults and actively engage in the Jewish
community. The experience of living in a Jewish community (such as a bunk
with their Jewish peers, at camp) has a deep and profound impact on Jewish
children, who are more likely to practice Jewish behaviors as adults as a result
of attending camp. Read the Foundation for Jewish Camp's summary of their
groundbreaking research study, "Camp Works," for a brief overview of the
numbers.
5. Jewish camp addresses the whole camper. Children learn confidence,
skill-building and socialization by living in a community. They learn how to
manage in a diverse group of peers, and they face new situations and overcome
challenges on a daily basis. At Jewish camp, adult role models and mentors
(Iris Schwartz continued on page 5)
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 3
News From the Food Pantry
The Human Needs Food Pantry,
located at 9 Label Street in Montclair,
provides food and services to people
and families in need from Bloomfield,
Montclair, and neighboring Essex
County communities. Currently the
Food Pantry provides over 2,000 bags
of groceries each month. The number
of families in need continues to grow.
The Food Pantry is very appreciative of
the partnership with Ner Tamid. Over
300 bags of groceries were delivered
to the pantry from our food drive in
September!
As Thanksgiving approaches please
add a holiday food item to your
grocery bag to share with the those in
need. Some ideas include cranberry
sauce, canned vegetables, pie fillings
and stuffing. Watch for “turkey-giveaways” at your local grocery store and
consider donating a frozen turkey to
the food bank. Please remember to
check dates and use non-glass
containers.
The Human Needs Pantry is also in
need of new, clean or gently used
towels, blankets and sheets. If you
have any items you can spare please
bag or box them neatly and place
next to the mazon box. The Food
Pantry is always appreciative of the
support of the Ner Tamid community.
Important Dates for Holiday
Donations:
Frozen Turkey Donation drop off:
November 22, 23, 24
Any specific holiday foods drop
off by November 21st!
Anyone interested in helping to
deliver food please contact Deb Miller
at [email protected].
YOUTH GROUP
CHESED
Think Summer! Summer Opportunities Fair Comes to
Ner Tamid on Sunday, November 10
The leaves are falling off of the
trees, and the term “wind chill factor” is about to make its return to
our everyday language. Is there a
better time to start thinking about
Summer 2014 and the many opportunities available to your kids? To
help you make sense of it all, we’re
creating a “Summer Opportunities
Fair” on Sunday, November 10,
starting at 11:15 am. The event
brings together a broad collection
of camp and program representatives to describe opportunities for kids ranging from 1st grade through high school. You’ll find an impressive array of programs, including some focused on campers with special needs. Please join us
if you’re new to the summer camp/program world, or if you’re a veteran looking for additional options.
Programs represented include:
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Camp Harlam
6 Points Sci-Tech Academy
NJY Camps (Nah-Jee-Wah, Cedar Lake Camp, Round Lake Camp)
Camp Galil
Eden Village Camp
Camp Zeke (new)
URJ Mitzvah Corps
NFTY in Israel
Additional program materials available from URJ Kutz Camp, URJ
Camp Eisner’s Camp Chazak, 6 Points Sports Academy, and others.
During this event, we’ll
also welcome Tracy Levine
from One Happy Camper
to the chapel podium to
discuss “How to Select the
Right Summer Program for
Your Kid(s),” as well as to
answer questions about
grants available in the
community. Armed with a
better understanding of
how to evaluate the different options, we’ll then adjourn to the meeting room to visit with the individual camp/program representatives.
We’re also coordinating this program with the Religious School, including
camp activities (an indoor campfire!), song session, a camp-themed service
and other fun surprises. To set the mood, please send your kid(s) to Religious
School that morning in t-shirt and shorts, (and a camp shirt if they have one).
For more information, please contact Jeffrey Kagan at [email protected].
We hope to see you on Sunday, November 10!
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 4
Welcome to all our new members to
Temple Ner Tamid! The Chesed
Committee is a group of people who
reach out to those in our community
who are in need. Some of the
activities we are involved with are
visitations, driving to the Temple for
services, delivering meals due to
surgery or illness, making shiva visits
and platters and sending cards to
people who lost a loved one, or have
been ill, or are going through difficult
times. We try to be there for you, or
for someone you know, whenever
there is a need. If you need to get in
touch with the Chesed Committee or
would like to become active on the
committee you can email Susan
Goldstein at [email protected].
Thanks to everyone who helped make
our used book sale a great success!
Thanks to the donors and everyone
who helped set-up, run the sale, and
pack it up.
Lisa Berlin
Marty Bernstein
Leslie Block
Ron Epstein
Steve Feldberg
Beni Fishbein
Ben Herman
Cindy Herman
Paula Kaufmann
Claire Keyles
Mim Klein
Debbie Miller
Leslie Nobler
Rachel & Matt Poggie
Crystal Van Horn
And of course, Danny, Dave, and
Patrick! (Hope I didn’t leave anyone
out!)
-Marge Grayson
(Iris Schwartz continued from page 3)
create safe spaces for campers to grapple with complex ideas based in Jewish
values, texts, and traditions - topics that secular schools and camps might not
be able to address. Jewish camp is thus able to provide balance by creating
space for spiritual, emotional and physical growth for campers.
6. Camp helps kids succeed beyond childhood.
childhood Camp is all about
fun and can be an environment for "real-world" learning. Campers who return
to camp as staff members can create opportunities to advance themselves
professionally. Many staff from Reform Jewish summer camps have found
that their experiences as camp counselors have helped them jumpstart their
careers, establish their network on their college campuses and meet new
people as they move away from home to settle in new cities after college. We
are hosting a Jewish Summer Camp Fair and Camp Day on Sunday
November 10th. Children should come to religious school wearing a (Jewish)
camp t-shirt if they have one. In addition to their regular Jewish Studies the
children will be enjoying some special camp activities. There will be a
workshop for parents and an information expo with representatives from a
variety of overnight and day camps as well as scholarship information. Jewish
summer camp does make a difference, an enormous one. Come find out how.
Wait! Before You Start Your
Online Shopping for Hanukkah,
Read This!
Temple Ner Tamid is an Amazon
Associate which means that every
time anyone makes a purchase on
Amazon.com from www.nertamid.org,
Ner Tamid gets a percentage of the
purchase back. Here’s how it works –
Go to www.nertamid.org and start
your Amazon shopping by clicking on
the Amazon link at the top of the
page. Now everything you purchase
on Amazon is part of this program and
helps our bottom line. You must go
through this link for it to be beneficial
to Temple Ner Tamid. Hanukah is
only a few weeks away, so time to
start shopping… and helping TNT’s
bottom line.
We still want each of our members to
be a part of the "Path of Peace"
walkway leading to the Temple's
main entrance. You can order 4X8
bricks at $180 or 8X8 bricks at $360.
Questions? Contact Nina Tucker
973-783-1176 or
[email protected]
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 5
MISSY JACOBS
Social Worker
Raising Resilient Girls
I do is important. I am needed.” Girls want to be giving
as part of their nature.
Last month I attended a lecture given by Simone Marean,
Executive Director and Co-Founder of Girls Leadership
Institute . She spoke to parents about the challenges girls
face today, and the reasons why we see girls struggling. Ms.
Marean gave audience members concrete steps to awaken
girls to the power of their authentic selves by teaching the
practices of assertive self-expression, emotional
intelligence, healthy communication, and conflict
management skills.
Discover what your daughter’s passions are, and
encourage her to pursue them.
After the lecture I feel motivated, encouraged and equipped
with the necessary language to engage my own daughter in
these important conversations. I felt so inspired that I went
to the Girls Leadership Institute website to find that they
have a GLI in New Jersey. They happen to be having
several upcoming programs in several school districts
across the state. Fortunately for me, there is a program
The lecture was titled, Raising Resilient Girls. Ms. Simone specifically for mothers and their 4th and 5th graders in my
delivered practical, simple-to-execute steps for parents. Her elementary school. The program is titled, “Say What You
coaching felt like a chat over coffee with a wise friend who Feel, Ask For What You Need”. I signed up!
has already been through it with her kids. The main theme
If you are interested in learning more about Girls
of the night was giving control back to your daughter.
Allow her to fail or make a mistake. If we allow our girls to Leadership Institute (GLI) and want to find out how to
bring its programs to your schools, the website is
build resiliency and agency, they will grow intrinsic selfwww.girlsleadershipinstitute.org.
confidence and a sense of worth.
Here are my highlights from the informative evening:
Body Image:
Just a reminder, I am here at Temple Ner Tamid on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you need short term
counseling, referrals for services, help for aging parents, or
just someone to talk to, please call me at 973-338-1500 x8
to make an appointment.
Involve your daughter in activities/sports that focus on
strong, healthy bodies and a diversity of body types.
Make sure coaches hold ideas of body image that align
with healthy messages for our girls.
Missy’s Recommendations
Parents create their daughter’s inward script for body
image: be mindful of our own feedback (verbal ‘Fat
Talk’, non-verbal ‘Elevator Look’) daughter observes.
Fat Talk is a habit that becomes scripture and passes
from one generation to the next. Kill it.
Friendships:
The presence of ‘Hot and Cold Friendships’ is a staple in
girl culture and is the stuff for crazy-making. Validate what
she is experiencing without mirroring her emotions.
Allow your daughter to make mistakes when navigating
friendships. Don’t swoop in and rescue her. Allow her
to l-e-a-r-n.
Ask your daughter, “What were your highs and lows
with your friends today?” Channel opener for
discussion and teaches her to value good friendships
where she is set up to succeed.
Self Esteem:
Girls build self-esteem when they participate in
activities in which they give of themselves – the focus
is on what they do, not how they look.
Sense of Agency: Girl thinks “What I do matters. What
DIR/Floortime - Emotional Development in
Children with Learning & Autism Spectrum
Disorders (The Developmental, Individual
Difference, RelationshipRelationship- based (DIR) Model)
7:00 p.m., Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center,
200 South Orange Ave, Livingston, Conference Center
– Rooms A & B. Learn more about this transformative
approach to treating Autism Spectrum Disorders with
guest speaker, Dr. Serena Wieder, Ph.D., Clinical
Director, Profectum.
Learning to Babysit for Children with Special Needs
During this 6 week course, teens will be trained by a
special needs professional, through workshops, videos,
and meetings. Students will be certified in CPR and
First Aid, with additional topics including rights and
responsibilities, child development and behavioral
problems, caring the for special needs child, nutrition,
handling emergencies, caring for a sick child, and
more. A list of teens that have completed the course
can then be shared with families in the community
seeking a babysitter. For more information please
contact Rebecca Wanatick at (973) 929-3129 or
[email protected]
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 6
SENIORS
Sponsored by Temple Ner Tamid and the JCC MetroWest, and founded by the
late Dorothy Druian. Meetings are held at Temple Ner Tamid, 936 Broad
Street, Bloomfield, on most Tuesdays from 11 am to 2 pm. Bring a dairy lunch
and we’ll supply the drinks and dessert. Feature presentation at 12:30 p.m.
Monday, November 4—
4— Trip
Trip to JCC MetroWest for a concert featuring “Who Loves You,” a tribute to
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Concert is $5 members; $10 guests.
Limited bus transportation available for $5. Box lunch for an additional $3.
Bus leaves promptly at 11:00 a.m. Call Susan to register at 973-530-3447.
Tuesday, November 5—
5— Meeting
Nurse Karen Frank will come to check blood pressures at 11:15 a.m. After
lunch, “A Service of Healing and Remembrance,” led by Karen Frank.
Tuesday, November 12—
12— Meeting
Jews of Shanghai (documentary, 1 1/2 hours)
Tuesday, November 19—
19— Meeting
Come early for the talented children of Hillside School’s Traveling Troupe, who will
present the musical, “You Can’t Take It With You.” Pizza lunch follows, sponsored
by the Druian Fellowship Circle. After lunch, Laurie Loughney of Jewish
Community Housing Corporation presents “The History of Coffee.”
Tuesday, November 26—
26— Meeting
Rabbi Steven Kushner will offer his insights on this special time of year.
If you have any questions about membership or events, call Susan Galatz
at the JCC MetroWest at 973973-530530-3447.
KAREN FRANK
don’t know if anything can remedy this. What are
some sources of prepared meals that deliver?
Let me reintroduce myself to you. I am your congregational
You are in need some medical equipment - a walker,
nurse. I am not the nurse for only the nursery school or only
commode, wheelchair, or shower chair.
the older adults. I am the nurse for the entire congregation.
You have chronic pain and wish you could deal with it
Why might you need a nurse? Here are some examples:
without heavy medications.
You, or a family member, has a challenging diagnosis
You have an aging parent and are unsure if he is able
and would like a compassionate medical person with
to continue to live on his own. And if not, where
whom to talk things over in a confidential setting.
should he live? What is the difference between a
While friends and family are sympathetic, you
nursing home and senior residence?
sometimes feel a need to protect them from some of
Someone in the family needs some assistance in the
your darkest times. You need spiritual guidance.
home but you are unsure of whether to go privately or
The reasons for calling the nurse are as varied as the
through an agency. You are unsure how much time
situations congregants find themselves in. Some calls
you need or even what to ask for. You don’t know if
merely require practical problem-solving and knowledge of
insurance can help cover the costs.
community resources, an understanding of insurance, or
You are taking care of a spouse and need to be able to
knowledge of the medical system. Other calls require the
talk about some of the problems you are facing and of
experience and intuition of spiritual counseling. Whatever
your fears of the future.
your need, please feel free to call my cell, 862-485-9062.
You are able to take care of yourself but meal
or email me at [email protected]. I am on staff
preparation has gotten to be too much for you and you
at the synagogue to help.
Reasons to Call Your Congregational Nurse
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 7
Ner Tamid is About People
Meet some of Ner Tamid’s Newest Members and Help Us
Welcome Them to Our Community
Jaime Bedrin and Scott Dodd already feel
like long time Temple members. Their son,
Henry, has been in Shoresh for 3 years. He
says his favorite time is nap time. The family
moved to Montclair three years ago, but Jaime
is no stranger to the area, having grown up in
Clifton and graduated from MKA in Montclair.
Receiving a Masters in Journalism from
Columbia University, she met Scott when they
were both reporters in North Carolina. With a
new baby, Owen, in the house, Jaime teaches
a writing class at Montclair State University
while Scott is an editor for an environmental
magazine in New Jersey. Causes being close
to their hearts, Jaime has become very
involved in gun reform in New Jersey since
Sandy Hook.
When not working or caucusing, you can
find the family outdoors, biking, hiking at Mills Reservation, roaming through the Farmer’s Market every Saturday,
exploring the Zoo, Central Park, reading, painting, and when that’s all exhausted, just watching sports. Hockey is
Henry’s favorite. He is a New Jersey Devils fan. Scott says that’s ok, even though dad is Pittsburgh all the way.
As an interfaith couple, they chose Ner Tamid for its openness. Ultimately, they just felt comfortable here. Scott feels
very welcome and can participate to the extent he feels comfortable. Deciding to raise their children Jewish, they were
looking for a thriving Jewish community with a modern take on Jewish history and culture and wanted a musical and
joyous religious experience for their family. Having made a lot of friends already through Shoresh, they hope to nurture
and grow in the Ner Tamid community. As Jaime said, Ner Tamid is just our speed.
There’s always music playing in the home of Jen and
Howard Freund.
Freund A guitar, a saxophone… Howard, a former
music teacher and the Assistant Principal at the Verona
Middle School, was convinced that Ner Tamid was the place
for him and his family after speaking with Cantor Meredith and
hearing how music was seemingly tied into everything spiritual
at Ner Tamid. The very outdoorsy family likes taking bike rides
and nature walks at Mills Reservation with their two children,
Noa, 5 and Ella, 8. Before moving to Montclair, 10 years ago,
Jen, currently a social worker at Roselle Park Alternative High
School for children with emotional behavioral issues, spent
time driving around Harlem in their own “Mitzvah Mobile”,
handing out hot chocolate and donuts to people in need. They
were looking for a Jewish home where values, customs,
services and spirituality were all tied into one community. And
let’s not forget the music! I’m guessing you can look for
Howard in any one of our bands sometime in the future.
Jen says that Ner Tamid is creative, warm, full of joy and
has a spiritual energy. It’s the place they now call their Jewish
home. So if you see them roaming the halls, say hello. They’re
very warm and full of energy.
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 8
Laurie Kessler and Martin McGowan moved to
Bloomfield from New York City in 2006. Laurie keeps
very busy at Gloss Advertising where she is in marketing
and advertising while Martin recently started a new job
as a media technology architect at NBC.
It was geographic convenience that brought Laurie to
Temple Ner Tamid. While she was leaning toward a
Reconstructionist synagogue, she felt embraced by TNT.
Starting at Mommy & Me when son, Reese, 5, was little
they segued right into Shoresh. Now in Kindergarten’s
Jewish Family Journeys program, Laurie says Cantor
Meri is unbelievable. “She makes you so interested and
it’s all so relevant.” She feels it’s a safe environment to
ask any question about Jewish life and traditions that
maybe you think you should have known by now. She’s
learning how to integrate all the traditions in a way that
works for the family. As an interfaith family, they wanted
the children (little sister Jessie is 2) identified as all
Jewish. It was important that TNT be a fun and interesting place to go.
Big planners, they love keeping busy with soccer, going to the library, visiting with friends and family and travel.
They all piled into the car this past summer and headed to the mid-west on a road trip. According to Martin, the kids
were great. When they got back, Reese said he wants to see the world.
Appreciating the cultural and educational offerings at TNT, the new family finds a similarity with the down to earth
people in the community. So if you see them around, say hello.
Joel and Carolyn Cooperman,
Cooperman soon to be married 50 years,
have recently transitioned into retirement. Although their
previous careers were extremely fulfilling, (radiology and
clinical social work), they find that retirement has opened up
opportunities for travel, bike riding, reading, social experiences,
tennis and writing. They feel very lucky that their two
daughters and sons-in-law, along with their four grandchildren
(ages 11-14) live within driving distance. Joel and Carolyn
joined Temple Ner Tamid to enhance their spiritual
connection. They look forward to becoming involved with the
social action committee.
Richard and Carole Friedman were members of Temple
Emanuel in Westfield, New Jersey for 40 years. Their children
attended Hebrew school and were part of the temple’s
confirmation classes. Richard practiced law in the District
Attorney’s office in Manhattan, the U. S. Attorney’s office in
Newark and a private law firm. Carole grew up in Bloomfield
where she attended services at the actual site of Ner Tamid. She
taught history at the Solomon Schechter School in West Orange
for 30 years. As part of her spiritual journey, Carole became an
adult Bat Mitzvah learning basic Hebrew prayers and studying
Torah. Carole and Richard recently moved to the active adult
community at Great Notch Four Seasons from Scotch Plains,
New Jersey. They look forward to this new chapter in their life as
retired seniors.
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 9
ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
OPPORTUNITIES
Lifelong Learning by Joel Dorow
For the past two days, I attended a corporate training
seminar on the changing landscape of health care. I heard
independent experts discuss how the industry is being
disrupted and transformed by changes such as the Health
Care Reform Act, economic pressures, and the increasing
influences of technology, etc. In addition to learning about
the disruptions I also learned new methods and tools to
provide valuable and cost-effective treatment for patients.
By the end of the sessions, while we didn’t have
answers, we had dispelled some misunderstandings, had a
shared knowledge and a new common language for
thinking about and addressing these issues.
I’ve been through school and other training programs to
get to where I am, but this session and many others are
necessary for me so I can continue to do my job well, and
keep up with the changing workplace and world.
You may already know where I’m going with this.
The world has changed enormously in our lives. And it
continues to do so. We are faced with many of the same
issues as in healthcare, and more: Obamacare, economic
pressures, children, aging, death, technology, human
rights, and international conundrums across the globe.
And the list continues.
As adult Jews, we’ve been through Religious School, bar/
bat mitzvah, and maybe even confirmation. The world
keeps changing, but for many of us, we are informed by
the religious upbringing of our youth. But religious
thinking hasn’t stopped changing. Like at work, there is
more to learn or re-learn about myself as a Jew; how to live
in and respond to the ever-changing world.
When my children, Shaina and Sam, attended Sunday
morning Religious School, I realized I was the beneficiary
of their learning. That has continued through the High
School years. My daughter is now away at college, but I
still glean a little through the numerous and lengthy multisyllabic conversations with my 10th grade son.
There are more than vicarious opportunities for learning
at TNT, however.
We have a few offerings this year to discuss Judaism
and learn about relevant issues in today’s world.
Rabbi Kushner has teamed up with Iris Schwartz to
develop a class for all adults, called ‘JUDAISM FOR
GROWN-UPS’. The course provides a contemporary
overview of Judaism. As of this writing, the first two
sessions have been very engaging. We walked away with
insights and new ways to think of God and Judaism. The
classes are open to all and will extend through March,
2014 on Sunday mornings at 11:15 am. I encourage you to
participate and hope to see you there.
In addition, we have lined up a series of Friday night
Shabbat speakers, thanks to the generosity of Shirley
Cobert. Here’s a brief list for your calendar:
December 20 – Melanie Gorelick, Director of
Community Relations at the Jewish Federation of
Metrowest NJ will speak about human trafficking. This is
a huge issue in the world, and has some additional
relevance with the Super Bowl coming up, and in our own
backyard. The Super Bowl causes a spike of human
trafficking.
January 17 – Ellis Jacob, local author and businessman,
will speak about his experiences growing up Jewish in
Shanghai as a Jew around the time of WWII. Ellis will
provide a historic perspective of what it was like to live
under 4 different governments in less than a decade.
February 21 – Judy Petsonk, author of The Intermarriage
Handbook and more recently, The Queen of the Jews, will
speak about this historic novel, and how Queen Salome
Alexandra, the forgotten queen of the Jews, saved her
people.
March 21 – Soheila Vossough-Mottahed, born in
Tehran, is currently a medical doctor in the Montclair
area. She is a member of the Baha’I faith, and will speak
about the persecution of Baha’I in Iran today and the
government restrictions on any education for people of the
Baha’I faith.
May 16 – Michael Sugerman, Senior lecturer in the
Anthropology Department at UMass Amherst, will speak
about his archaeological dig in Akko, Israel, the political
landscape of archaeology digs in Israel, and his
perspectives of life in historic Israel.
I hope that you can join us on these Friday nights for
services and the discussions.
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 10
Update on TNT2020
The TNT 2020 focus
groups have gained
momentum and over 100
people have now
participated, so we
wanted to take this
opportunity to give you an update on this effort.
Generally, our community is found to be welcoming and
inclusive. People feel Ner Tamid is a comfortable place to
worship and learn. They like being part of a community
that is diverse and that has so much talent, artistically and
intellectually. Our energetic, creative and spiritual clergy
and senior staff are appreciated by so many, and in many
ways. All these things contribute toward a sense of
belonging for many. However, there are two recurring
“themes” that continue to be voiced at these groups which
will require our attention – engagement and
communication.
The suggestions related to engagement focus primarily on
outreach to those who feel disconnected or disregarded.
These include:
Establish and communicate the expectations of being a
member
Provide information about the Board, committees, how
they work and how they can get involved
Enhance efforts to let members know about all the
varied opportunities for engagement (including
musical, performance, athletic and other social
activities). Use more frequent and more consistent
communication.
Keep people informed of the financial state of the
Temple
Process
A subcommittee of the TNT 2020 taskforce is hard at work
sifting and sorting the data to facilitate action on it. A few
of these suggestions have just begun to be shared with the
appropriate committees, chairpersons or staff, to
implement specific actionable items. Many initiatives will
involve more thought and planning for implementation.
While the focus groups themselves will continue, sharing
of these gleanings will be the main focus of this planning
and visioning process as we go into 2014.
We have a long way to go to meet our goal of 200
participants in the focus groups. Additional groups have
Establish a means for people to make suggestions and
been scheduled for November, and we ask that anyone
volunteer their skills and a system for following up
who has not participated in a focus group yet, if at all
with people on their suggestions and offers.
possible, to please attend one of the following at Temple
Make committees and projects more accessible and do
Ner Tamid:
more outreach to members
Engage adults on various levels e.g. establishing
Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.
chavurot groups
Sunday, November 10 at 11:15 am
Have “Ambassadors” for new and unengaged members
Sunday, November 17 at 11:15 am
Take away the feeling that the Bar or Bat Mitzvah is
Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 pm
the “goal” of being a member
Please contact me by email [email protected] or by
Establish a process for welcoming a new family
phone 973-783-1176 to sign-up. I look forward to hearing
Use onegs for members to learn more about TNT
from you.
Suggestions made regarding communications ultimately
Nina Tucker
help to achieve greater engagement include:
VP Planning & Development
Collect information about members’ interests and
utilize the information to reach out to members based
on their interests
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 11
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 12
now, this requires a lot of work and good deeds for my
family and others. I have to help my mother prepare my
grandfather’s food and clean up after him. It’s one extra
person in the house so there is a lot to do. I also give money
Noah Gamza, son of Ellen & Alan Gamza; October 5
to homeless people whenever I can or tell my father to. As
My tikkum olam project was about the helping the less
far as school is concerned, I made a promise to myself that I
fortunate and feeding the hungry. I worked for an
would not gossip about anyone or get involved with mean &
organization called FACT (Friends Acting and Caring
Together) in Orange, NJ. On Saturdays we cooked and served ugly gossip circles.
meals to the needy. We also made bags with sandwiches and
Kaya Adleman, daughter of Astrid and David Adleman;
chips and gave them books to take with them. I am
November 16
also collecting canned foods from the people coming to my
For my tikkun olam project I did art projects with the kids at
Bar Mitzvah to give to FACT. It felt good to me to do this
the Montclair Child Development Center. I volunteered in the
because I realized how important the meal was to these
'Early Head Start' program, which means that parents who
people. I realized how fortunate I am and how important it
don't have enough money to pay for their kids to go to
is to help others. Doing this made an impact on me—it felt
a regular Pre-K send their kids there. Since most of these
good to help people. My family plans to continue doing this
kids’ parents work long hours, they are there from around
monthly.
7:00 am. - 6:00 pm. I was there during the time the kids had
Ruthie Laurence, daughter of Emily DePhoure and Josh after-care, so after sitting through long hours in school, they
had all of this wound-up energy that they just wanted to
Laurence; October 12
let out. For me, being there taught me initially, how my
My tikkum olam project is participating on the teen
teachers feel when no one is paying attention in class, and
committee at the JCC to help organize and run a dance-ait's very frustrating trying to hold the attention of a four year
thon in February. The purpose is to raise money for their
old for more than five seconds, so I'm definitely becoming a
programs for disabled teens.
better student. Secondly, engaging the kids in activities that
Ari Westreich, son of Lisa & Larry Westreich; October 19
they enjoyed was very fun, and I got to know more about
For my tikkum olam project I was the organizer for a group
them as well as establish relationships with them. I gave the
called the Challengers, a group of intellectually
older kids who were graduating to elementary school some
challenged children who play baseball every Saturday
advice, which I hope they take with them. I also hope that I
morning in the spring.
inspired them to one day do community service as well, so
not only did I hang out with a super cool group of kids, I
Olivia Pinilis, daughter of Stacey & Russell Pinilis;
hopefully helped form the next generation of volunteers.
October 26
For my tikkun olam project my goal is to make our Temple
Zan Rabney, son of Randy Rabney and Fran Lichtman;
nut free. I also sold bracelets that I made to raise money for
November 23
nut allergy research. I am going to donate some of my Bat
My Tikkun Olam project is writing a story and making a video
Mitzvah gifts to research a cure for nut allergies. My
for the Family Equality Council. It will be about having
youngest brother is allergic to nuts, and I’m sure many other
Lesbian parents and how marriage equality applies to my life.
kids who go to Temple Ner Tamid are too. I think that
The goal is to inspire people to join the fight for marriage
everyone with a nut allergy should have a safe place to pray
equality and equal rights for all families.
and learn.
Max Haberman, son of Elizabeth and Lee Haberman;
Chloe Rosenberg, daughter of Kathy Rosenberg and
December 7
Rob Rosenberg; November 1
For my Bar Mitzvah project I will be helping very sick children
For my tikkun olam project I did a fundraiser for PAWS
in the hospital by raising money for the ArtWorks Foundation
Animal Shelter. I sold baked goods, t-shirts, and dog
through the sale of art created by children and young adults.
biscuits in Brookdale Park (right in front of the dog park) and
ArtWorks provides children and young adults suffering from
in front of Kings Supermarket. After about ten hours of
chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings access
baking and selling throughout two days, I made a total of
to creative and performing arts programs that encourage the
$231.25. I was so proud of myself—I think that I made
use of the creative process as a vehicle for healing,
a huge impact on all of the animals at PAWS. I chose to do
communication, self-expression and personal development.
this because I love all animals and I constantly want to
They have a program called Surprise!Supplies,
nurture them in any way I can. After this experience, I know
which distributes art supplies to the patients in the hospital in
that I want to continue doing tikkun olam not only for
custom designed mobile art carts, which help keep them and
PAWS, but for many other organizations too.
their siblings busy creating while anticipating a long day in
Sarah Wiener, daughter of Susan and Jonathan Wiener; treatment. I chose this project because I really love to draw
and it makes me feel good when I can express
November 9
Let me describe my tikkun olam project/experience. When my myself through my drawings. It’s also very relaxing and I
grandmother passed away, we moved my grandfather in. So think it will really help these children. The art exhibit will be
held at The Art Garage in Montclair, NJ on November 10th.
B’nai Mitzvah Tikkun Olam Projects
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 13
Contributions to the Synagogue
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR MEMBERS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
Judith Abraham-Tausk
in memory of Miklos Ander
Elaine Alpern
in memory of Ida Alpern
Jonathan Asher
in memory of Evelyn Asher
Martin Baum
in memory of Leah Baum
Bernice Behar
in memory of Samuel Goldstein
Phyllis Berman
in honor of Jonathan Alter; in memory of
Sarah Katowitz, Doulas Spencer, Fanny
Berman, Rose Schlyen, William Meehan,
and Cecilia Giacalone; Ner Tamid PACT
team for their support
Rosanne Bornstein
in memory of Bernard Fritz
Michael Brand
in memory of Emily Brand
Marilyn Brenner
in memory of Anna Alpart; the birth of
Thomas Schifano; the recovery of Ruth
Josephson; mazal tov on the engagement of
Elaine Borowsky’s grandson and good luck
in your new home to Elaine Borowsky
Leonard Brownstein
in memory of Lillian Brownstein
Janet Campeas
prayerbook dedication in honor of the 25th
Wedding Anniversary of Rochelle Sandler &
Joseph Campeas.
Beth Chevat
in memory of Marvin Savodnik
Shirley Cobert
in memory of Bessie Margolius, Tillie
Chrobersky, and Peggy Orloff.
Judy Davis
in memory of Marvin Davis; prayerbook
dedication in memory of Herb Bilus
Peter Della Bella
in memory of Carmen Della Bella
Harold & Constance Duchin
Happy New Year from the parents of Mindy
Propper & Fred Duchin
Diana Friedland
in memory of Emily Brand
Barbara Friedman
in memory of Ruth Howar
Hazel Gable
in memory of Emily Brand
Susan Garbo
in memory of Lillian Taradash and Genia
Chavkin
Adriane & Steven Geiger
in memory of Herb Bilus
Lauren Glassman
in memory of Sidney Koch
Blanche Goldstein
in memory of Lilly Krischer
Florence Goldstein
in memory of William Goldstein
Pamela Good
in memory of Ida Kozlow
Pamela Goodman
in honor of Leila Goodman
Amy Graydon
in memory of Adelyn Graydon
Marge & Paul Grayson
in honor of Ari Westreich’s Bar Mitzvah, the
marriage of Larry & Jane Degenshein’s
daughter, and the marriage of Ken Cohen’s
daughter. Also for the recovery of Phyllis
Berman and Sharon & Stephen Rosen.
Leonard Grossman
in memory of Ida and Benjamin Grossman,
Charlotte Braer
Barbara Hasson
in memory of Gerald Feather, Connie Drew,
and Ruth Hasson
Harriet Heinig
in memory of Ann Haber
Susan Helman
in memory of Gordon and Florence Helman
Francine Hirsch
in memory of Mary Spitzer
Cecile Hollander
in memory of Gustave Hollander
Diane Horowitz
in memory of Matilda Horowitz,
in
honor of the wedding of Cantor Meredith
Greenberg & Leora Perlman
Rose Jackson
in memory of James Patrician
Susan Jones
in memory of Frank Bloom
Ken Kanoff
in memory of Louis Kanoff
Sylvia Kaplan
in memory of Meyer Dunn
Alan Kass
in memory of Miriam Kass
Esther Kettler
in memory of Neil Kettler, Sarah Vogel, and
Deborah Weinstein
Stan and Claire Keyles
in memory Edward Gutterman, Anne Glass,
Harold Fixel, Sarah Katowitz, and Frank
Denny; in honor of Ari Westreich's Bar
Mitzvah; for the marriage of Cantor
Meredith and Leora Perlman
David Klein
in memory of Harry Klein
Cindy Kramer
in memory of Bonnie Friedman
Elise Lainof
in memory of Irene Braunstein
Mildred Leader-Parker
in memory of Arnold Glantzberg
Steven Lee
in memory of Esther and Rose Levin
Marc Levinson
in honor of the holidays
Caroline Kane Levy
in memory of Paul Kane
Anita Linn
in memory of Benjamin Linn
Karen Mandelbaum
in memory of Max Mandelbaum and Philip
Grundfest
Mimi Mansky
in memory of Samuel Pfeffer
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 14
Helen Marantz
for the recovery of Phyllis Berman; in
memory of Jerry Miller
Ruth Messineo
in memory of Martin Maltenfort and James
Messineo
Kim Meyerson-Adler
in memory of Marie Meyerson
Edythe Mintz
in memory of Philip Mintz
Donald Neckers
in memory of Ruth Neckers
Sherri Neuwirth
in memory of Fannie & Benny Ptaszek, , and
Bessie Neuwirth
Brian O'Reilly
in memory of June Anderson O'Reilly
Dorothy Pollack
in memory of Felix Kalmeyer
Lois Ring
in memory of Jack and Shirley Sterman
Cynthia Kaplan Rooney
in memory of Leah Kaplan
Arthur & Carol Roth
in memory of Herb Bilus
Minda Shein & Kent Roth
in memory of Sarah Katowitz; in honor of
the wedding of Cantor Meredith Greenberg
& Leora Perlman
Vera Samama
in memory of Edward Samama and
Fortunee Moreno
Rochelle Sandler
in memory of Mary Benson
Marilyn Savodnik
prayerbook dedication in memory of Marvin
Savodnik
Fran Sax
in memory of Herb Bilus and Sander Sax
Lenore Schaffel
in memory of Sarah Nepo
Fred Schnitzer
in memory of Henry Schnitzer
Sarah & Roger Segal
in memory of Sarah Katowitz and Douglas
Spencer
Guy Segal
in memory of Sylvia Segal
Richard Segal
in memory of Sylvia Segal
Neil Shyman
in memory of Joseph Derschowitz
Elinor Smilow
in honor of the service led by Peri Smilow
Alan Sokolow
in memory of Sylvia Sokolow
Nancy Soschin
in memory of Herb Bilus
George Spiegel
in memory of Helene Spiegel
Karen Spindel
in memory of Edith Spindel
Barbara and Robert Spiro
in memory of Edna Spiro and William and
(Donations continued on page 15)
(Donations continued from page 14)
Margaret Marks; prayerbook dedication in
memory of Herb & Harriet Bilus
Cindy Stagoff
in memory of Joan Stagoff
Evelyn Stier
in memory of Samuel Weinstein
Joan Sutton
in memory of Rose Sherman
Rimma Tarlavsky
in memory of Michael Tarlavsky
Peter Tilkin
in memory of Hal Potters
Cathy Tucker
in memory of Michael Tucker
Joseph Tycon
in memory of Paulina and Henry Tycon
Crystal Van Horn
in memory of Lorena Wellington
Felice Wanger
in memory of Harold Wanger and Philip
Frankel
Lisa Wasser-Berlin
in honor of the marriage of Louis Perwein;
in memory of Sarah Katowitz and Sidney
Wasser
Tamar Weiss
in memory of Emil Weiss and Morris Ellis
Harvey Weiss
in memory of Philip and Claire Weiss
Judy Weston
in memory of Beatrice Hirsch
Asya Yugina
in memory of Solomon & Sofya Leyzerova
Celia Zeisel
in memory of Jaime Zeisel
TREE OF LIFE
Leaves on the Tree of Life
can be purchased to
celebrate any simcha.
Commemorate any
life-affirming event such as
Birth, B'nai Mitzvah,
Confirmation, Marriage
or Anniversary.
Leaves cost $180
Remember Temple Ner Tamid in
Your Will
Would you like to make a gift to
the Temple that provides you or
your loved ones with income for
life while giving you an immediate
tax deduction?
Temple Ner Tamid has established
a Planned Giving subcommittee.
For information on planned giving,
or to help with this important
effort, please call Nina Tucker at
(973) 783-1176.
Prayerbook Fund
Dedicate one of our new prayer books in honor of a simcha
or in memory of a loved one.
The cost per
dedication is $36.
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 15
hcrcl Mnurcz
THEIR MEMORIES ARE A BLESSING
In Loving Memory
Frank Denny, uncle of Mitch Dinnerstein
Mark Genser, husband of Pat Genser; father of Naomi, Shari & Emily
Dorothy Glazer, mother of Yvette Healey
Shabbat – November 2
Samuel Abramowitz
Evelyn Asher
Milton Beck
Hyman Beckerman
Stephen Berman
Charlotte Braer
Shirley Cooper
Leon Feather
Arnold Glantzberg
Herman Glucoft
Della Goldsmith
Albert Koppel
Hannah Lessure
Dora Liebling
Joseph Marshak
Bessie Neuwirth
Albert Nolin
Clare McAllen Nolin
Barnett Olinger
David Pimes
Joshua Plaut
Sarah Price
Samuel Prince
Benny Ptaszek
Fannie Ptaszek
Meyer Rosansky
Sanders Rosenblum
Frederick Samson
Yetta Shakin
Miriam Shankman
William Sherman
Frances Singman
Sidney Singman
Mischa Slatkin
Harry Spirt
Joseph Stromfeld
Sidney Waldman
Esther Waton
Jack Weinstock
Gerald Zeff
Shabbat – November 9
Rose Alexander
Irving Aronson
Arthur Asher
Mildred Frank
Charles Glantz
Rosalind Gohr
Helen Goldstein
Juanita Goldstein
Samuel Goodman
Rose Gould
Mary Gruber
Rhoda Haberman
Lisa Halpern
Leo Handelman
Rachel Harris
Matilda Horowitz
Irving Kaplan
Laura Moritt Katz
Morris Katz
Dennis Kauff
Isidore Klein
Maurice Krieger
David Leff
Jacob Levine
Bernard Macy
Abraham Mankes
Isadore Meinhard
Irma Meyer
Jerry Miller
Melvin Peck
William Russ
Marilyn Schwartz
Elizabeth Sconzo
Alex Shafer
Julius Skolnik
Belle Sweetwood
Shabbat – November 16
Morris Appel
Arnold Bloom
Lilyan Buckbinder
David Deitch
Abraham Ehrlich
Sam Forim
Therese Garik
Meyer Glantzberg
Harriet Glassman
Bertha Gordon
Elsa Haller
Herman High
Oscar Hilfman
Blanche Hochberg
Joan Hollfelder, mother of Kurt Hollfelder
Stuart Maisel, uncle of Sarah Larson
Bertha Rumas, aunt of Amy Karas Plaut
Beatrice Indek
John Janulis
Oscar Katz
Gabriel Klein
Jerome Kramer
Aid Kushner
Linda Rooney Markstein
John Mizialko
Cantor Samuel Morginstin
Rachel Nalebuff
Nathan Newman
Dorothy November
Allen Plutz
Rhoda Pressman
Sidney Protas
Florence Rosansky
Dan Rosenberg
Philip Sapir
Ben Spitz
Inge Strauss
Emil Ungerleider
Abraham Weintraub
Helen Wolkoff
Norman Zukoff
Shabbat – November 23
Joseph Alexander
David Alpern
Solomon Beck
Barbara Bird
Milton Chapman
Neal Chilton
Celia Fish
Fannie Goldsticker
Tillie Goodwillig
Ruth Hendler
Rose Kaplan
Frances Katz
William Keyles
Stuart Kolinski
Dorothy Levey
Ruth Maltenfort
Esther Marcus
Sophie Menkes
Vernon Menkes
James Messineo
Seth Mishel
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 16
Carol Rosenberg
Milton Sapir
Elsa Schmeyer
Lena Schuberg
Benjamin Shapiro
Gladys Shukur
Harry Shyman
Rose Small
Salim Sofer
Nathan Toonkel
Benjamin Wiener
Leroy Zeger
Sophie Zubatkin
Shabbat – November 30
Rebecca Bloom
Herbert Brodsky
Seymour Dolobowsky
Frances Garber
Miriam Goodman
Harold Hirsch
Dora Idelson
Hilary Kirschenbaum
Florence Klein
Julius Krakauer
Audrey Lasday
Charles Lazar
Mary Litman
Louis Malick
Samuel Marger
Doris Marlon
Lillian Morginstin
James Messineo
Buddy Meth
Hyman Nathan
Elinor Neifeld
Laura Newman
Stanley Pesner
Harry Rose
Marc Rosenberg
Julius Slifkin
Jacob Spiro
Nathan Strumph
Harry Ulanet
Sarah Vogel
Elias Waldman
Isaac Wohl
PROJECT WALKWAY
Hospital Work—December 24 & 25
The Temple membership has the
opportunity to volunteer to help out in
a variety of tasks at Clara Maass
Hospital in Belleville and at St. Joseph’s
Hospital in Paterson. As in previous
years, the hospital staff needs your
help for about two hours. This will
allow staff and other volunteers to
have time off to enjoy their holidays.
The tasks include activities at the front
desk, telephone inquiries, and
whatever is else is requested such as
operating the gift shop or errands for
a staff member. This is time well spent
and a good mitzvah as well. There is
still plenty of time left for a movie and
Chinese food. If you would like to
participate, contact Harvey Morginstin
for your scheduled date and time at
973-338-6408 or
[email protected].
Wanted
If you are comfortable with figures,
organized, and detail-oriented, would
you be willing to volunteer a few
hours a month to serve our local
Hadassah chapter as treasurer? It
involves depositing contribution
checks, paying a few bills and
occasional reports. If you would be
happy to add this mitzvah to your life,
let’s talk. Call Judy David, coPresident, Bloomfield-Belleville-Nutley
chapter at 973-857-0250.
A shining new
brick walkway
alongside the Temple driveway greeted attendees of
High Holy Day services this year. The
construction of this
walkway was a labor of love by Harvey Morginstin and
a troupe of volunteers of all ages
who spent their Sunday afternoons digging lugging, leveling, measuring, tamping, sealing and washing to create a walkway that any
professional mason would envy.
The project was conceived a year ago, when a Shoresh parent noted
that it was unsafe to walk up and down our driveway with a toddler
in tow. The Temple did not have an extra $20,000 necessary to construct a walkway, so Harvey came to the rescue and started "project
walkway." Harvey single-handedly organized volunteers, ordered
materials and pushed the Board for funding to get the work started. The project ended up costing under $2000, and created such
camaraderie that some volunteers asked when they can help with
the next project.
The Temple owes a debt of gratitude to Harvey and Debby Morginstin, Ken Schapiro, and his children Jake, Daniel, and Melissa, Morty
Bernstein, David Fishbein, Alan Sokolow, Steven Penney, Lev
Snyder, Bob Hertzberg, Michael Reitman, Arlene Kraus, Naomi Serlen, Aaron Segal, Jordan Feig, Scott Claman, and Richard Segal.
Both Temple custodians, Dave and Dan, were a great help throughout the project as well.
When you see Harvey and his volunteers, be sure to thank them—
they may have saved a life.
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 17
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 18
TEMPLE TOPICS / PAGE 19
Candle Lighting
TEMPLE NER TAMID
936 Broad Street
Bloomfield, New Jersey 07003
November 8
4:27
November 15
4:21
November 22
4:16
November 29
4:13