November 2015 - Temple Hesed
Transcription
November 2015 - Temple Hesed
Temple Hesed “ T h e Te m p l e of L o v in g K in d n e s s ” S c r a n t on , P e n n s y l v a n i a Return to Standard Time Edition Messenger Cheshvan –Kislev 2015 Cheshvan5776 –Kislev/ November 5776 / November 2015 Volume Volume157, 157,Issue Issue 33 2015 PROGRESSIVES MEET Newark Site for WUPJ Confab Also In the Messenger: Also In the Messenger: Reports from the annual meeting Interfaith events Zionists meet Jane Oppenheim honored (The following was written by Temple Hesed life director Jane Oppenheim.) In addition to the dues Temple Hesed pays each year to the Union for Reform Judaism, our National body – it behooves us also to support the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the arm of the URJ that helps keep Reform aliveand-well throughout the World. The North American Board of World Union met recently at Newark Airport. We heard updates on WUPJ activities as fol- mentary ever made available in that language. In China, we supported a High Holiday rabbi for a new congregation in Shanghai, and facilitated the donation of a Torah scroll to them from the ARI congregation in Rio. In Moscow, WUPJ opened the first rabbinical school in Russia in over 100 years, and enrolled nine Russian-speaking future Reform rabbis. In France and Belgium, we supported lows: In Israel, we provided for recently ordained Israeli Reform rabbis to serve new congregations throughout the country, from the border with Gaza to the suburbs of Tel Aviv. In Latin America, we released the first parasha of a Portuguese translation of the Plaut Torah commentary, the first nonorthodox Torah com- (Continued on page 10) Inside this issue: Donations 2 Rabbi’s Page 3 President’s Page 4 Calendar & Torah Portions 7 Yahrzeits & Personal Notes 8 URJ & RAC News 9 5 Temple Information Back Page Nov. 1: Change Your Clocks and Then Shop Daylight Savings Time ends early Nov. 1, so you’d better reset your clocks before you go to bed Saturday. You want to be on time for the start of the last Annual Sisterhood Rummage Sale Sunday. Starting at 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, gently used clothing, jewelry, handbags, toys, appliances and other items will go on sale in the Pell Audi- to sell and present disposal costs.) torium to benefit Sisterhood programs. For the rummage, we are still looking for gently used clothing and small housewares. (Larger items tend not Sisterhood needs people for the setup (tables), rummage sorting, baking, and the sale itself. (Even if you cannot make it on the dates of the sale, we could use your help for setup and sorting before.) If you are willing and (Continued on page 5) PAGE 2 ME ME S S ESNG S E NG ER ER V O LU M E 1 5 7 , I S S U E 3 Donations BUILDING FUND In Honor of the Marriage of Nancy and Bill Johnson’s Daughter, Jessica Ken and Dale Miller Thank you for all of your well wishes Roberta Feinman In Memory of Joyce Douglass’s Father Ken and Dale Miller In Honor of Jane Oppenheim receiving the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania Award Esther Friedmann Judie and Larry Golden In Memory of Gilbert Weinberger Ken and Dale Miller In Loving Memory of Bernhardt Lehman, Grandfather Paula Wasser In Honor of the Birth of Sha- MARK HAHN MEMORIAL ron and Saul Levy’s GrandFUND son, Levi Thank you Temple Hesed Ken and Dale Miller outstanding bakers, you are In Memory of all our Dearly the best and thank you Departed purse bingo team, it was deReta Jayne Gold lightful. Audrey Harrell Thank you “BBQ” team. It was outstandingly delicious TORAH RESTORATION and fun from start to finish. FUND Audrey Harrell In memory of Bernice DinRABBI’S DISCRETIONARY ner’s beloved Earl FUND Esther Adelman In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Wishing Esther Adelman all Manny Gelb the best on her special birthNatalie Gelb day RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Annette and Alfred Rice, Jr. In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Beloved Brother, Isidore Lerner Janet Slawitsky In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Beloved Mother, Sadie Lerner Janet Slawitsky MILTON AND MIRIAM FRIEDMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Miriam Friedman Paula and Jim Kane In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Jerome M. Friedman Paula and Jim Kane Temple Hesed accepts these credit/debit cards for most payments or V O L UME 1 57, IS S UE 3 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 3 Rabbinical Reflections — Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz Rabbi Goes to Parliament R to evolve beyond triumphalistic competition. The next stage in that evolution was what might be called golden rule abbi Marjorie and I spent a interfaith relations. Its credo was that, week this past October in Utah, along at their heart, all religions’ traditions with 10,000 other participants belong- shared the same basic values, such as ing to over 80 different religions tradi- the golden rule. Many proclaimed tions, joining together in the Parliathat despite our different prayers, we ment of the World’s Religions. What is all believed in the same God. Everyone this Parliament? A bit of history is could join hands and sing Kumbayah. instructive. This was of immense comfort to many in times of hatred and conflict, such as In 1893, in conjunction with the World War II. World’s Fair, Chicago hosted the firstever Parliament of the World’s ReliCELEBRATE DIFFERENCES gions. It was the very first time the But the truth is that religions have United States ever heard about the differences as well as commonalities. Baha’i faith and the first introduction Furthermore, every religious tradition for many to a number of Eastern relihas its problematic aspects. As the gions. For its time, it was amazingly interfaith movement matured, people progressive. Proclamations of nonwere able to celebrate these differences violence abounded, religions that had denounced each other or even declared and to look with a more critical eye at their own religious history and tradiwar on each other stood arm in arm tion, particularly in regards to how it and spoke of universalism. has historically related to others. TRIUMPHALISM Thankfully, at the 2015 Parliament, the largest, most diverse ever, much of On the other hand, reading some of the programming and many of the parthose statements about universalism ticipants were at this higher, deeper today also shows how far the idea of lever of dialogue. “interfaith” had to go. Most of the speeches went something like this. “As Many, but not all. Unfortunately, a practitioner of religion X, I’m so glad there was a small minority of triumphto be here, standing with so many dialists, proclaiming that God had spoverse faith traditions and celebrating ken once again, and they had this new, universalism. Indeed, religion X has better revelation and were willing to always celebrated universalism. A share it with the rest of us if we only look at our history clearly shows that followed them. Some groups, such as in fact religion X is the most universal many Muslims, have been so maligned of all religions.” Clearly, it is better to and subjected to so much prejudice and compete about being the most univermisinformation, that they were still at sal than to start a crusade, and yet the “golden rule” stage, trying desperinterfaith relations still hadn’t moved ately to be heard for who they are and beyond triumphalism. accepted as being the same as others, a position Jews were in not too long ago. The next Parliament wasn’t held until 100 years later, despite efforts in the ACCEPTANCE WORKS interval to revive it. The interfaith In places where Muslim communities movement it launched, however, not were more secure and less reviled, they only survived, but somehow managed too had progressed to a greater degree of self-awareness and criticism, and some of our favorite moments happened in discussion with such people about not only the Middle East, but also climate change, the role of women, gay and lesbian rights and so on. JOINING HANDS Others, who had been excluded from mainstream interfaith gatherings for too long, were just trying to be accepted as being religions. There was more participation by Native Americans and various indigenous peoples and religions than at any previous interfaith gathering of any kind – and it was amazing to be part of that conversation. And there was widespread recognition, across all these various forms and stages of interfaith relations, that we needed to do more than merely get along with each other. Faiths needed to join hands to help address some of the pressing problems facing our world – poverty, war, and the destruction of so much of the environment. I’ve spoken a bit about the Parliament at Shabbat services already, and I plan to teach more in the next few months. My deepest hope, however, is to try to replicate in our area some of the lifechanging interfaith programs we heard about. We have so many problems in our area that are far larger than any single faith community – which, if we work together, we just might help solve. If you’d like to join me in this work, just let me know. Rabbi Daniel Swartz Related story on Page 6 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 4 V O LU M E 1 5 7 , I S S U E 3 President’s Report — By Barbara Parker-Bell Thank You to Volunteers and Farewell to Sisterhood Dear Temple Members: We have had a busy season at Temple Hesed. The numerous High Holiday celebrations are behind us, as well as some wonderful events. In October we experienced an inspiring Oppenheim Institute which featured the Religious Action Center Director Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner. The congregation extends its gratitude to Jane Oppenheim, Richard Goldenziel, and the Social Action Committee for providing us the opportunity to connect with a guiding voice in social justice for Reform Judaism. talented team of Temple Hesed bakers. As we ease into the month of November, November 1st and 2nd, the Sisterhood will be hosting its final Rummage Sale to benefit our Temple and broader community. Over the many years, the Temple Hesed Sisterhood, through its numerous programs and fundraisers such as Hesed, Hallah, and Honey, has made many things possible at Temple Hesed. Please let me know if you have a new idea, or want to contribute in some way. With all this said, November will be a much quieter month than September or October. However, quieter does not mean still or empty. Every Friday, we always have an opportunity to celebrate Shabbat! Friday night services are dependable opportunities to enjoy the gifts of our Jewish heritage the Temple Hesed community, and Thank you to all of the the spiritual guidance of sisterhood members, past our enthusiastic leader, and present, that have Rabbi Daniel Swartz. generously devoted their time to volunteerism, I look forward to seeing Also in October, we expe- fundraising, participation you and your family at a rienced the creative and in, and support of offered future Shabbat celebrasocial fundraising event, programs. tion. Purse Bingo, thanks to We’re sad to see the SisJen Novak, the event coterhood dissolve. Yet, we ordinator. Sincerely, welcome all members, During both events, attendees had delicious dessert choices thanks to Audrey Harrell and the male and female, to step up to tasks of becoming involved in programs that can support our temple. Barbara Parker-Bell V O L UME 1 57, IS S UE 3 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 5 RUMMAGE SALE CONTD. (Continued from page 1) able to help or bake for the bake sale, call the office. Rummage can be brought to the temple whenever it is open. The sale runs until 1 p.m Sunday and until noon Monday. It starts at 9 a.m. both days. The Sisterhood is disbanding, so this will be the last rummage sale it will conduct. IF YOU GO: Rummage and Bake Sale Sunday—9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday—9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Stories, Photos Welcome Gently used clothing, accessories, appliances and toys, plus freshly-baked goods in Temple Hesed Auditorium. Benefits Temple Sisterhood and its programs. Your news and photos are welcome for submission to the Messenger. Anyone with Temple-related articles or pictures may send them to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future issue. RAC Critical of New Ozone Guidelines Washington, D.C., October 2, 2015 – In does not reflect the urgency of the climate response to a new standard on ozone crisis our planet faces. pollution announced yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: “Smog from ozone emissions affects the air we breathe, causing health issues and disproportionally impacting children, the elderly and the sick. As we prepare to celebrate Simchat Torah and begin again our Torah readings with the story of Crea- “The Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of tion, we are reminded of God’s commandment to tend and new ozone limits simply does not go far enough. These till the Earth (Genesis 2:15). That imperative is more new standards are insufficient to protect our planet, our pressing now than it has ever been. health and our well-being. Last year, EPA scientists recommended setting the new standard to 60 to 70 parts per billion of smog-causing pollution. The new EPA standard, at a disappointing 70 parts per billion, is only a small decrease from the 75 parts per billion standard set in 2008. It “We call on both the Obama administration and Congress to take bolder steps to combat climate change and protect our environment, including through stronger ozone standards, helping to ensure the health and welfare of our generation and generations to come.” PAGE 6 ME S S E NG E R V O LU M E 1 5 7 , I S S U E 3 Interfaith Services and Community Dinner Set One way Temple Hesed has traditionally joined in interfaith work in our community is through two Thanksgiving events – the community interfaith service and the Friends of the Poor Thanksgiving Dinner. This year, our interfaith service will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral on Monday, November 23rd at 12:15 p.m. Rabbi Swartz will be participating in this service, and we hope to have a large Temple Hesed contingent there. times you can help out: in the morning with potato peeling, beginning at 8:30 a.m., and in the evening with setting up and serving the food. The Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be the next day, Tuesday November 24th at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. There are two different Jennifer Goldenziel will once again be our “team captain” for the evening. Please let the office know if you plan to help in the evening, and Jennifer will contact you with details. As has been our custom, there will be no Friday night service on November 27th — the Friday following Thanksgiving. Family Shabbat Morning Service and Brunch On Saturday, November 14th, beginning at 9 a.m., we will be holding our first Family Shabbat Morning Service and Brunch of 5776. Everyone is invited and welcome. Our Shabbat School students will help lead the service, which features a story and lively music by Dan Nichols, Debbie Friedman, and other contemporary singers. The service, which lasts about an hour and is very child-friendly, is followed by a pot-luck brunch. RSVP to the office and we can let you know what sort of dish to bring. Enjoy a fun Shabbat morning together! Jane Oppenheim honored by Gov. Tom Wolf Jane Oppenheim, life director of Temple Hesed, was one of nine women named a 2015 Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania by Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 14 at the Governor’s Residence. Mrs. Oppenheim was lauded for her leadership skills and her deep concern and commitment to human rights, social services, the arts, education and humanities. Gov. James H. Duff established the Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania award in 1949. Since then, nearly 500 women have been recognized by Pennsylvania governors for their service to the people of the Commonwealth. (Source: The Times-Tribune.) ME S S E NG E R PAGE 7 V O L UME 1 57, IS S UE 3 November 2015 Sun 1 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri SERVICES 6 p.m. Sat Rummage 9-1 2 Rummage 9-12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14Family Svc. 13SERVICES 8 p.m. & Brunch 9 a.m. 15 16 Board 17 Meeting at 6 p.m. 22 22 29 20 8 p.m. Bd. at 5:15 p.m. Board @ 6 p.m. 23 Interfaith 24 Thanksgiv’ 25 23 Interfaith 24 Thanksgiv’ Service at g Dinner @ Ma- 25 Service St.Petersat12:15 St.Peters 12:15 SERVICES 18 Executive 19 21 NO 26 27 28 26 SERVICES 28 27 Thanksgiving Day gsonic Dinner @ MaTemple sonic Temple Thanksgiving Day 30 Holidays 5776 Rosh Hashanah— Sept.14, 2015 Yom Kippur — Sept.23, 2015 Y iddish Saying Of the Month “Shrouds are made without pockets.” Yom HaShoah— May. 5 Yom HaZikaron Sukkot— Sept.28- & Yom HaAtzmaut — Oct.4, 2015 May. 11-12 Simchat Torah — Lag BaOmer — Oct.6, 2015 May 26, 2016 Hanukkah — Shavuot— June Dec.7-14, 2015 12 Tu B’Shvat — Tisha B’Av— Jan.25, 2016 Aug.14 Purim—Mar.24 Selichot —Sept.24 Passover— (Holidays begin at sundown, the Apr.23-30, 2016 night before the listed date.) Yiddish Proverb from a book by Fred Kogos Torah Portions Name Civil Date Hebrew Date Chayei Sarah Nov. 7, 2015 25.Cheshvan.5776 Tol’dot Nov. 14, 2015 2.Kislev.5776 Vayetzei Nov. 21, 2015 9.Kislev.5776 Vayishlah Nov. 28, 2015 16.Kislev.5776 More Torah resources at www.urj.org V O L UME 1 57, IS S UE 3 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 8 Yahrzeits and Personal Notes Yahrzeits and Personal Notes Week Ending November 7 (Service November 6) Hyman Mates, *Phillip Salsburg, *Hilda Landau, *Sadie Cohen, *Max A. Folk, *Nathan Weinberg, *Hannah Driesen, *Aaron Gelfand, *Irving Sarlin, *Regina R. Rosenthal, *Mary B. Sadow, *Rena Yanover Get Well Wishes Week Ending November 14 (Service November 13) Jim Ellenbogen Bob Ballot Emily Trunzo Jim Weinschenk *Nathan B. Epstein, *Helen Friedman Giles, *Harry Ecker, *Albert Lenchner, *Stella Rose Mayfield, *Ralph Needle, *Bruce Schoenberg, *Isador Gevanthor, *Ann Brandwene, Simon Levine, *Ruth B. Marmelstein, *Beulah Davidow Block, *Emilie Midas, Helen Levenson, *Betty Wand, *Katherine Swartz, Hilde Gardner, *Lena Endfield, Edith Gardner Week Ending November 21 (Service November 20) *Alton Golden, *Helen W. Vogel, *Atty. Louis A. Fine, *Murray A. Cohen, Harry Lebowitz, *Ralph Mendel, *Rose Wormser Strauss, Jack Newman, *Leopold Brodrick, *Herbert M. Ball, *Rose Bud Leventhal, *Louis Slawitsky, *Ida Needle, *Ida Gutman, Nettie Slawitsky, *Lillian Ziman Week Ending November 28 (Service December 4) *Lena Kurlancheek Silverstein, *Hyman Weiss, *Brian David Schneider, *Steven Rex Tepper, *Hannah Klein Smith, *Albert Pace, *Frank Cohan, *Richard Oppenheim, Leo Moskovitz, *Sophie Stone, *Philip Ungar, *Jack Goldman, *Selma Berger, *Susan Lonstein, *Anne J. Lipsins, *Jacob Ackerman, Kate Cooperman Week Ending December 5 (Service December 4) *John Ross Lauer, *Dr. Jonas Selverstone, *Albert Jacobs, *Miriam Parker Gelb, *John J. Gaffney, Arthur Selznick, *Harry Lonstein, *Esther Oppenheim, *Jean Stein Sutton, Dr. Newton Freund, *Rudolph M. Goldsmith, *Etta C. Levey, Marilyn Perfilio V O LU M E 1 5 7 , I S S U E 3 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 9 Reform Jews in Israel for Zionist Meeting NEW YORK, October 14, 2015 – When the 37th World Zionist Congress (WZC) convenes in Jerusalem next week, the Reform Movement will be represented by the largest American delegation. The Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) slate won the WZC election this summer by a wide margin—more than the amount of the next two slates combined—and is in a strong position to advocate for progressive policies in Israel at this critical time. Known as the Parliament of the Jewish people, the World Zionist Congress is the democratic body of the Jewish people worldwide, debating significant political, religious, and educational issues. The body allocates hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the work of the Jewish Agency and other organizations within Israel and around the world. “Especially now, as Israel experiences a round of terror of new and frightening dimensions, the URJ is honored to be part of this formidable delegation at the WZC, a global gathering of the Jewish people,” said Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs. “Our deep commitment to the people and the State of Israel is matched only by our desire to play a role in helping create a more religiously pluralistic, just, and peaceful society.” WZC resolutions will be presented, debated, and voted upon on such vital issues as the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, settlement growth, the status of democracy and religious pluralism in Israel, egalitarian prayer at the Kotel, the religious rights of Israel’s nonOrthodox Jews, the rights of Israel’s LGBT community, and current Israeli policy concerning asylum seekers from Africa and Syria. This year’s American ARZA delegation includes 56 seats out of a possible 145, the largest delegation from North America. The diverse group includes a cohort of young leaders, and representatives from several streams of progressive Judaism. Among the delegates are senior members of Reform Movement leadership including URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs; URJ Chair Nominee Daryl Messinger; NFTY (Reform Jewish Youth Movement) President Jeremy Cronig; Central Conference of American Rabbis Chief Executive Rabbi Steven Fox; Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Rabbi Jonah Pesner; and ARZA President Rabbi Joshua Weinberg. Reconstructionist Movement leadership delegates include Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities President Rabbi Dr. Deborah Waxman; and Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Board of Governors Chair David Roberts. The ARZA delegation is part of the larger ARZENU delegation, which includes an additional 22 delegates from Canada, South America, Europe, Australia, and other locales. “As we begin our joint work as a Congress, the success of the campaign platform we advanced, together with the Reconstructionist Movement, gives us great confidence that our delegation will influence the resulting policies and help strengthen the fundamental democratic principles of the State of Israel,” said ARZA President Rabbi Joshua Weinberg. “We look forward to the strong debates on these important issues as we advocate for a more progressive, egalitarian, and democratic Israel.” TEMPLE HESED “SCRANTON’S FIRST SYNAGOGUE” 1 Knox Road Scranton, PA 18505 Email for Temple: TempleHesed@comcast .net Phone: 570-344-7201 Fax: 570-344-4514 Published 11 times a year Like us on Facebook; Follow us on Twitter Web Pages: www,TempleHesed.org Submit articles, letters, etc. to: [email protected] SPIRITUAL LEADER Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz 570-877-3454 (cell) 570-344-7201 (office) ([email protected]) ———————OFFICERS President - Barbara ParkerBell 1st Vice Pres. -Larry Milliken 2nd Vice. Pres. - Richard Goldenziel Treasurer—Steven Seitchik Asst. Treasurer - Harry Adelman Secretary - Judith Golden Asst. Secretary— Jennifer Rosen Novak __________________ BOARD Joan Davis, Paula Kane, Michael Karnoff, Joel Vener, Ted Birnkrant, Cheryl Friedman, Michael Krakow and Frances Olick Life Directors Myer A l p e r i n and Jane Oppenheim ABOUT TEMPLE HESED: Temple Hesed, a Reform Synagogue founded Aug. 20, 1860, is Scranton’s first and oldest Jewish congregation. It is one of the earliest congregations to join the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now the Union for Reform Judaism. It has been a member since Dec. 12, 1874. The synagogue serves the needs of individuals and families in Lackawanna County and surrounding areas. Situated on Knox Road, off Lake Scranton Road in the East Mountain section of Scranton, the current building opened in 1973. Temple Hesed operates a cemetery on West Warren Street in Dunmore. The office is open Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.. to 4 p.m.; and Friday 9 a.m.. to 2 p.m. Rabbi Swartz is happy to set appointments at any convenient time. Contact him to set a time. The rabbi also has "drop-in" hours every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Rabbi holds these times open for visits or calls for which an appointment was not or could not be made. The Temple Hesed Cemetery is open for visitation six days a week. Visitation hours are: MondayFriday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. till dusk and it is closed for Shabbat on Saturday. For more information, call the office. STAFF Marlene Gianzanti—Office Manager ([email protected]) Edward Snitko-Director of Music Rich Mates-Messenger Editor ([email protected]) Jennifer Rosen Novak Social Media Maven Jeffrey Heilbrunn Webmaster ( [email protected]) Progressives Meet Contd. (Continued from page 1) our local congregations during recent outbreaks of Anti-Semitism. The presence and strength of Progressive Judaism is increasing around the globe, and the re-emergence of Judaism in Eastern Europe is breathtaking. Thank you for your ongoing friendship and support. Jane Oppenheim Eco-Tip: Energy: The average US home has enough air leaks to equal an open window. Sealing and insulating your home can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs, and upwards of 10% on your total energy bill (Energy Star). Find an experienced certified contractor, or follow Energy Star’s do-it-yourself guide to sealing and insulating: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy.diy_index Eco-tip provided by GreenFaith: www.greenfaith.org