December - Temple Beth Tzedek

TEMPLE
BETH
TZEDEK
621 Getzville Road • Buffalo, NY 14226 • (716) 838-3232
Kislev ~ Tevet 5774
December 2013
Raise your glasses and toast 2014!
Dance your way into the New Year!
“NEW YEAR’
Enjoy a world of delectable dining before you
resolve to go to the gym!
HE WORLD”
DT
VE AROUN
SE
Temple Beth Tzedek is celebrating
New Year’s Eve 2014 Around the
World with a ball not to be missed.
The evening begins at 8 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres,
featuring pierogi, crudités and a mushroom specialty as well
as a selection of wines, beer and soft drinks.
Then, enjoy dinner at your choice of several well-stocked
food stations. Scrumptious dishes from Spain (brisket,
Spanish rice and salad), Israel (pita and hummus, chicken
schnitzel, Israeli couscous) and Italy (Italian chicken, pasta
primavera, Italian vegetables) will be featured. Temple Beth
Tzedek Catering Director Alicia Bykowicz is at work adding
even more to this array of culinary delights.
Don’t miss the midnight Champagne toast!
There will be music all evening from the live band
Penelope. This Niagara Falls quintet will keep the rhythm
going with upbeat tunes and music for dancing. The band's
music will evoke fond memories and ensure a great time for
all. We'll usher in 2014 with noisemakers and champagne and
a chorus of Auld Lang Syne.
Tickets for the ball may be purchased at three levels: $125
(platinum), $100 (gold) or ($75) silver. "We are furthering
the Synagogue's mission by raising needed funds to continue
the programs and high level of continuing education that we
have fostered for the last five years.” said Lisa Davidson,
chairperson of the event.
In keeping with Temple Beth Tzedek’s charge of social
action, all attendees are asked to bring a donation of gloves,
mittens, hats, scarves, etc., to be donated to Buffalo Public
School #54.
The evening will also be the debut of the 2014 Temple
Beth Tzedek highlight calendar. “This will highlight the
events in congregants’ lives, such as birthdays, anniversaries
and B’nai Mitzvot” notes Lisa Davidson, adding that “We are
raising funds by having donations of $5.00 per listing.”
The committee will be working throughout the rest of
December organizing, decorating and putting elegant touches
on the auditorium for the ball. Working along with Lisa are
Irv Sellers, Chris Stromberg, Linda Boxer, Judy Davis, Marcia
Goldstein, Rusty Zackheim, Myra Werbow and Jan Presser.
To make your reservation, please contact Irv Sellers or
Lisa Davidson ([email protected]).
Join the fun!
December 25th
TBT Brotherhood
and Membership Committee
cordially invite you
to partake of our special
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Wednesday, December 25th, 2013
at 10 a.m.
With pancakes, waffles, fruit, eggs, bagels
and smears, soy ‘meat’, drinks and more...
Sit and shmooze, relax and enjoy
We’ll have crafts & a movie for the children
$10 for adults, $5 for children under 12,
and free for those under 5.
RSVP to the TBT office: 838-3232 or
[email protected]
From the . . .
Cholent POT
We have come a long way
from the hunter-gatherer societies
that populated the earth more
than ten thousand years ago.
There was a time when small
groups of our prehistoric ancestors
walked 25 miles a day in search of
food.
Now we drive to
Wegman’s, or Tops, or Dash’s
markets
to
discover
an
overabundance of food ripe for our taking.
The methods of production and distribution of food
are radically different today than they were, say, in the
time of Christopher Columbus. The purpose of the
Columbian adventure was to find a shorter route to
India and China in order to import the spices used to
preserve food. Now we make preservatives, in a
laboratory, that are derivatives from a number of
sources, some vegetable, some meat, some dairy, some
synthetic.
Much of our food supply is processed between the
time of harvest and the time the food hits our tables.
Many different types of chemicals are added to our food
in the process - such as preservatives, additives, colorings
and flavorings - so that everything we buy, unless it is
fresh (e.g., fruits and vegetables), needs to be certified by
a qualified halakhic authority in order to be fit for
consumption. Someone who understands the intricacies
of kashrut laws and chemistry must be present to certify
the status of processed foods.
There are many national organizations, some
not-for-profit, some for-profit, that provide kosher
certification. We know them and the products they
supervise by the copyrighted corporate symbols. There
are differences in interpretation of Jewish law between
some of these groups, which means that kosher
consumers have to be vigilant in deciding which kosher
symbols they rely on. The largest kashrut organizations
have these symbols and are accepted as trustworthy by
everybody:
is the symbol of the Orthodox Union, or the OU.
is the symbol of Organized Kashrus
Laboratories.
i s t h e sy mb o l o f S t a r K K o s h e r
Certification Agency.
is the symbol of
2 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
the Kof-K Kosher Supervision.
is the symbol of the
Kashrut Council of Canada.
is the symbol of the
Chicago Rabbinical Council.
is the symbol of the
Vaad Hakashrus of Buffalo, under the supervision of
Rabbi Moshe Taub. There are many others that are
extremely reliable – at last count, about 400 - but too
numerous to place here. Feel free to consult with me if
you have any questions about symbols that you do not
recognize.
There are three symbols that are common, yet the
reliability of the supervision is questionable. The first is
the Tablet-K, whose symbol is
and is found on many
products in our local stores. It is generally recognized as
not reliable because they do not require a mashgiach on
premises when their products are being made. The
Tablet-K is not accepted in our shul. The most
controversial certification is the Triangle-K, whose
symbol is
. The founder of the agency was known to
certify a company and then return to inspect it only
about once a year. That is the reason many do not accept
the Triangle-K. However, my sources assure me that his
son has taken over the business and knows what he is
doing and the factories under the Triangle-K are being
supervised properly.
That is why I allow this
certification in our shul.
The third problem is with the letter K. It is not
permitted to copyright a letter of the alphabet; a K is not
protected like the other symbols. Usually a K on the
label signifies that some rabbi has certified that the
product is kosher. There will be a letter from the rabbi
on file that the company can send to you. But some
companies put a K on the label just to fool kosher
consumers. Every K has to be checked.
Finally, no national kashrut certification company
supervises the slaughter of meat. All slaughterhouses are
independent, and have individual rabbis on premises
who do the supervision. That includes OU, and OK,
and Kof-K, and Triangle-K. Those symbols that appear
on packaged meat are secondary certifications, attesting
that the shohet who slaughtered the animal and the
mashgiach who supervised the kosher slaughter are
reliable.
Happy eating!!
See you in shul.
Perry Netter, Rabbi
A
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Engaging Every Member in our Sacred Mission
In July, Rabbi Perry Netter,
Sharla Bleichfeld and I attended the
New
Road
to
Engagement
conference in Boston, a joint
project of the Federation of Jewish
Men’s Clubs (FJMC) and the
Brandeis Cohen Center for
Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis
University. It was not surprising to
learn that there is a direct
correlation between active member participation in
synagogue life, and strong feelings of living a life
governed by Jewish values, being warmly embraced by
community and finding prayer to be meaningful.
Both Engagement and the USCJ Sacred Strategies
conference we attended in April, underscored that we are
flourishing in no small part because we are
mission-driven. Our sacred mission guides us daily.
Every program is designed to advance our mission, which
begins: Together we serve God. All the rest is commentary.
We know we have a remarkable mission and an
extraordinary membership. We know that being firmly
rooted in the synagogue yields a rich and full life. How
do we then connect every member to our mission and
thereby our synagogue community?
Our board of trustees is now devoting a portion of
our board meetings to this question. We are delighted
that Rabbi Charles Simon, FJMC executive director, and
head of the Engagement project, will be leading a board
session on this topic, when he visits our congregation in
December.
In a recent board discussion, we noted the wide range
of substantive opportunities to engage in our mission
that also create powerful bonds of community.
Davening in the supportive embrace of daily minyan,
grappling with issues of ethics and justice in Talmud,
comforting the mourner by delivering shiva meals or
through the work of our hevra kadisha, receiving and
offering compassionate support in our new monthly
Refa’enu healing service or through our Kesher bikur
cholim program, and gathering with friends for informal
education in Tot Shabbat, Mahar, USY and our
Shabbaton, to name a few.
Perhaps most striking was the realization that
many of our most amazing programs have their genesis
in our committees. Committees, at their best, are the
fertile breeding grounds for creative approaches to
advance our mission, exemplified by Kesher and our
burgeoning Social Action committee. Therefore, please
participate in services, classes and programs. But also
please review the accompanying list of committees and
bring forward your wisdom, talents and passions to help
us advance our mission with innovative approaches, in
the area that resonates with you. You are important to
our community. Your engagement adds to our vibrancy
and strengthens and enriches us immeasurably. I can tell
you personally, that engaging in our community will also
be life transforming. Please join us. Thank you.
Janet Gunner
President
ANNOUNCING:
THE JEWISH HEALING CENTER
OF TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
The Board of Trustees has established a critical new
division of our synagogue programming life. Called the
Jewish Healing Center of Temple Beth Tzedek, the
JHC will be devoted to meeting the needs of members
of the community who are facing loss, catastrophic or
chronic illness, substance abuse and other compulsive
behaviors. Providing a safe environment for people in
pain to cry, share their fears and anguish, and receive
support from others who have experienced similar crises
is a core value of synagogue life, and part of the mission
of Temple Beth Tzedek.
The first night of our monthly healing service,
called Refa’enu (heal us), took place on November 7.
The program began with the silent recitation of the
entire book of Psalms, read simultaneously by everyone
in the room. This past month’s Tehillim reading was
dedicated to the refuah shelaymah of Linda Brodsky
Greenfield. This was followed by the Refa’enu healing
service, a powerful liturgy created to be a prayerful
sanctuary for those facing crisis, or for those who know
others in crisis. The November service was attended by
nearly forty people who were moved and comforted by
the presence of others who had similar prayers in their
hearts. The Refa’enu service will take place on the first
Thursday night of each month, so please mark your
calendars accordingly. The next two services will be on
December 5, 2013, and January 2, 2014.
In the future we hope to expand the JHC to include
support groups for people facing catastrophic illness,
divorce, loss of loved ones, and the like, and also hope to
host the meetings of twelve step groups. Our prayer is
that Temple Beth Tzedek will be a source of strength,
comfort and wholeness to those who are broken.
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 3
BOYZ’ IN THE HOOD RUMMAGE SALE
(BROTHERHOOD)
TBT Brotherhood has a couple of exciting programs
coming up this month that we’d like to share with you.
First, please join us for a rare opportunity to hear from
one of the most significant leaders in the Conservative
movement, nationally and even internationally.
Rabbi Charles Simon, executive director of the
International Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, is coming to
TBT for a personal visit on Dec. 10. Rabbi Simon’s vision
and leadership have not only led the FJMC to great heights,
but have also inspired major changes and new thinking
within Conservative Judaism. He and the FJMC are the
driving force behind the Keruv movement and the New
Roads to Engagement initiative – two significant efforts in
which Temple Beth Tzedek is participating.
He’ll be speaking to our Temple’s Board of Trustees and
leadership at 8 p.m., but first he’ll sit down at 6:30 p.m. for a
fabulous pasta bar dinner with our
Brotherhood members. It’s a
wonderful opportunity to meet him
and hear from one of Conservative
Judaism’s most engaging speakers.
Best of all, it’s FREE – but it’s open only to Brotherhood
members, so join up now! Please make your reservations for
the dinner through the Temple office, either in person or by
calling 838-3232.
Then, on Dec. 25, we’ll join with our Temple’s
Membership Committee for our annual Pancake-and-Waffle
Breakfast, including activities for kids. It’s a great way to
spend an otherwise quiet day.
Remember that we’re always open to ideas and input
from you, our members and guests. As always, I’m available
anytime.
Until then, we are….
Rummage ---The saying goes that it takes a village to
educate a child ........I would like to change the expression
that it takes an Army of Sisterhood Women and
Dedicated Men to Organize and Run Rummage .
I would like to extend a TODAH RABAH to everyone,
especially
our
dedicated
Chairman,
Carolyn
Kershanbaum; ably assisted by Linda Steinhorn, Shirley
Magil and Elaine Brothman,
The large group of dedicated Sisterhood women include:
Ruth Norman, Adrienne Kencik, Judy Alessi, Bobbie
Mednick, Jane Leve, Randi P., Edith Fine, Marilyn
Rosen, Myra Werbow, Nancy Bloom, Gert Schwab,
Charlotte Gendler, Illene Cooper, Rusty Zackheim, Ilene
Scheib, Sheila Weisman, Esther Trachtman, Rena Rose,
Roz Podolsky, Rachel Anderson, Ilene Levine, Sandy
Meyers, Bea Wohlfeld, Rachel Cohen, Karen Wexler,
Colette Zappia , Rosalie Rosenband, Janice Gelfand, Bea
Saffer and the dedicated men : Bob Mink, Larry Magil,
Alan Gendler, Allan Werbow, William Fenston, Joe
Zackheim, Harvey Podolsky, Marshall Lipman and
David Essrow.
Thank you very much to the Synagogue Staff: Alicia
Bykowicz, Kim Jones, Michele Lynch, Pat Farrell, Joe
Farrell, Jason Chudzinski and Jack Robson.
David Burstein, O.D.
• Comprehensive eye exams
• Specially trained in treating eye disease
• Contact lens specialist
• Fashion eyewear
QUALITY CARE AT A PERSONAL LEVEL
Amherst
Together in Brotherhood,
224 Plaza Drive
Hopkins near Klein
668-8127
Jonathan D. Epstein
President
COMING TO BUFFALO
DECEMBER 10, 2013
Rabbi Charles Simon
Executive Director
International Federation
of Jewish Men’s Clubs
Free Pasta Dinner
for Members Only
6:30 p.m. @ Temple Beth Tzedek
4 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Kenmore
924 Kenmore Avenue
876-2020
Allentown Award Winning Artist
David Manny
Professional Graphic Design
& Fine Art
Commercial & Residential placement
OVER 30 Years Experience
By Appt: 716.471.1764
www.BUFFALOTREASURES.com
I want to thank everyone again, especially our Chairman,
Carolyn Kershanbaum and her able assistants, Shirley
Magil, Elaine Brothman, Linda Steinhorn and all of the
workers, both women and men.
Shalom From the Ladies of Sisterhood
I hope that everyone had a joyous Chanukah filled
with the glow of the candles and the warmth of being
with your loved ones.
There is much going on in Women's League having
to do with our many connections with Israel. I would
like to share with you one of the many projects. While
girls in our congregation become B'not Mitzvah with a
religious ceremony, most girls in
Israel do not mark their coming
of age in the same way. To insure
that this generation of Israeli girls is comfortable with its
religious heritage, Women's League is supporting a pilot
program for girls and their mothers to study together
prior to becoming B'not Mitzvah. Next month I will
highlight another program.
I am now asking all the women in our synagogue to
join our Sisterhood to support our programs, our
community and Israel. Please contact Eileen Markowitz
for more information. She can be reached at
[email protected].
Our November fund raiser was rummage which has
been a huge success --but it takes over 75 women working
hundreds of hours to organize and run rummage.
Mark your Calendars:
"The Lady with All the Answers"
Sun. Jan. 26 - 2:30 PM - $20.00
At the O'Connell Theater at Park School
Reservations: Bobbie Vishner - 836-3213 or Myra
Werbow - 839-0962
Tuesday Feb.18
Lunch -12 Noon
The Women and Gardens of Forest Lawn
Helen Bergman - 832-1616 or Rachel Anderson – 6391011
Sunday , March 9 - 10:00 AM
Joint Brunch with Brotherhood - Bullying
Chris Stromberg - 835-6320
More information to come
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our programs
and at services on Shabbat.
If you would like to talk, call me at 631-5950 or
[email protected].
Happy and Healthy Holiday to all. Ina Scheer --Sisterhood president
Thanks from Cantor DeBruin
My dear friends and colleagues,
I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your strong words of encouragement and concern regarding the physical challenges I have faced since D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2 . W i t h o u t q u e s t i o n , i t
h a s b e e n traumatic not only for members of my family and extended family, but, most directly, for my
beloved wife, Belle. Fortunately, during these difficult times we have had many friends, congregants and members of the community who have reached out and offered their selfless support to my
wife during my recuperation period and extended stay at Weinberg Campus -- and for this outpouring
I am most grateful. I am overjoyed to say that with the blessing of Almighty G-d I am recuperating and
gaining more of my strength back each day.
Thank you again for all the prayers, compassion, love and concern you have expressed to Belle and
myself.
May the Almighty bless you all, each and every day.
Cantor Emeritus Gerald DeBruin
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 5
A Message from the Executive Director
It is with a tremendous sense
of excitement that I begin what I
hope will be a long and successful
career as Executive Director of
Temple Beth Tzedek. To be given
the privilege of helping to lead a
central institution of the Western
New York Jewish community is
profoundly humbling, and I look
forward to collaborating with
Rabbi Netter, the Board, and the
membership to sustain and strengthen this sacred
congregation.
I grew up in Williamsville, graduating first from
Kadimah School and then from Williamsville East, and
TBT’s predecessor synagogues were a big part of my
childhood and adolescence. Although I was never a
member at either shul – attending Kehillat Shalom as a
child and later serving as Torah reader at Jewish Federation Housing on Essjay -- I had numerous friends who
were members of Temple Shaarey Zedek and Temple
Beth El, and fondly remember attending many services
at each. I was an active member of USY in high school,
and spent many evenings and weekends at the events
that took place in both temple buildings. As a senior in
high school, I was actually hired by Allan Werbow to
teach bar and bat mitzvah students at Temple Shaarey
Zedek – and I was delighted when the mother and
brother of one of my former students stopped in to
welcome me within my first weeks on the job here.
I have giant shoes to fill. Allan gave his heart and soul
to the kehilla for 27 years as executive director, and he
continues to do so as a congregant – along with Myra
and the entire Werbow family. I’m indebted to Allan for
the support he has offered me as I transition into my new
role, and I know I’ll be drawing on his experience and
wisdom in the weeks and months ahead. I hope to live
up to the towering standard of devotion and service that
he set in shepherding this congregation for so many
years.
That this shul is so passionate about its mission is
what has convinced me that we can do great things
together. The very first time that I met with Rabbi
Netter to discuss my candidacy, he explained to me the
centrality of the mission and its role in guiding the
programming and operation of the synagogue. This
institution is guided not by the interests of the Rabbi, or
the Board, or the congregants – though all of these
perspectives are vitally important, of course – but by the
set of principles embodied in the statement displayed
prominently in front of our main offices and read at the
beginning of every Board meeting. As a student of
philosophy, it is inspiring to me that a set of ideals and
6 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
lofty aspirations, and not the interests or opinions of any
individual or set of individuals, serves as the blueprint for
our congregation’s programming.
My wife Nancy and I, along with our dear children,
Ozzy and Talula, have been welcomed with incredible
warmth by everyone, and we look forward to being fullfledged members of the kehilla. May we all grow from
strength to strength, and continue to thrive in 5774 and
beyond.
Joseph Enis
Executive Director
From the Gesher School:
As students are in the swing of learning, I am
often reminded about the power of repetition
and perseverance. Last year, Rabbi Netter
instituted the Mincha service at the beginning of
school. It takes place from 4:15-4:30. Some
students were familiar with a few of the prayers,
others were not. A year later, it is a pleasure to
walk into the minyan room at this time. Often
the students start the service, even before the
Rabbi arrives. They are familiar with the
melodies, order of prayers and the language of
the T’fillot. It was my pleasure seeing Rabbi
Netter beam with pride. Thank you Rabbi and
thank you parents for enabling your children to
arrive to this point.
Have you all seen the ‘Scribe of the Day’
posted in the hallway? This allows students to
review their learning that day and share it with
parents and guests to our synagogue.
I want to remind our families that we strive
to provide the best experience for your children.
We will have greater success if we had the
parents’ support in bringing the students to
school on a regular basis, as well as sharing with
the teachers any concerns and issues that arise.
See you at Gesher!
Einav Symons
TBT Directories Have
Arrived!
It’s hard to miss the striking red cover of the all-new
2013-14 TBT Directory. If you haven’t already received
your copy, stop by the Temple office any time between 9
and 5 Tuesday through Thursday, 9 to 3 on Friday. To
request that your directory be delivered (members of the
Directory Committee are making limited deliveries in the
metro Buffalo area), contact the Temple office. Directories
are also being distributed at committee meetings and TBT
events.
Each TBT household is entitled to one free copy. A
limited number of additional copies will be available for
purchase at a cost of $5 each.
We are happy to announce that ad revenues for the
directory topped $6,500 this year. We encourage all
congregants to patronize businesses and professionals who
chose to advertise in the directory.
We hope you find this newest edition of the directory
handy and useful (and mostly error-free).
The 2013-14 TBT Directory Committee: Lynne Birnholz,
Linda Boxer, Lisa Davidson, Marcia Goldstein, Beth Kassirer,
Ilene Levine, Jan Presser, Marcia Saran, and Barbara Sitrin,
Committee Chair
Mazel tov
Catering Corner
On behalf of the catering committee, Jason, and
myself, we would like to say thank you to everyone that
helped make our Soup Take-Out Night a success! We
enjoy getting to speak with each of you and are excited
to get to know the congregants better. There are still a
few quarts of soup for sale and we definitely plan on
doing another soup night during the coming winter
season!! Thank you all again!
Alicia
Voices and Visibility Series Continued
Temple Beth Tzedek's Program and Inclusion Committees
are pleased to present a showing of the award winning film,
"Trembling before G-d". The Bureau of Jewish Education,
Temple Beth Zion and Congregation Shir Shalom have
joined us in co-sponsoring this important film which portrays
the struggles of Orthodox gay and lesbian individuals. The
movie will be shown on Saturday, December 7 at 7pm at the
JCC. There is no charge and refreshments will be served
following the film. We look forward to seeing you there.
Contact the temple office or the Bureau of Jewish Education
for further information.
Mazel Tov
“on the occasion of the Bat Mitzvah of”
Hannah Danziger
Roberta & David Essrow on the birth of their
great-grandson, Avery Latham Shrauger
Daughter of
Iris Danizger & Kirsten Moysich
Ivy & Howard Lipman on the birth of their
granddaughter, Madeline Ann Sengthavy
Sondra & Marshall Lipman on the birth of their
great-granddaughter, Madeline Ann Sengthavy
Hear the Shofar!
Cheryl Grashow on the birth of her grandson,
Carter Murray Grashow
Temple Beth Tzedek is pleased to make available audio
recordings of our monthly newsletter, the Shofar, for
any member upon request.
Please contact the TBT office (838-3232) or Sharla
Bleichfeld (688-5296) to request an audio recording of
the Shofar for yourself and/or for someone you know
who would want one. Also, please let us know if you
would like to participate in the making of the audio
recordings--your participation would be appreciated!
8630 Transit Road, East Amherst
Jay L Mesnekoff, President/Owner
639-8890
“In the Family Tradition”
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 7
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
YAHRZEITS
Contributions are gratefully acknowledged for the following:
Louis Ablove
Fannie Abramson
Samuel Alter
Charles Amsterdam
Rae Ash
Rabbi Abraham Babb
Sarah Babb
Lena Bell
Sidney Birzon
Hilda Bleichfeld
Jennie Bookbinder
Helen Boxer
Leonard Brizdle
Meyer Cantor
Faija Coller
Israel Sander Davis
Vladimir Dmitriev
Dr. Louis Doren
Ruth Dubin
Shloma Dula
Vera Ellis
Sara Feiner
Jacob Fineberg
Edward Fogan
Frieda Friedes
Simon Friedland
Frank Gallin
Sandra Glickstein
Morris Goldman
Abraham Goldstein
George Goldstein
Lenore Godin
Leah Goldstein
Minnie Goun
Mildred Grelick
Robert Grelick
Rose Gross
Minnie Hesch
Daniel Holmlund
Alvin E. Jacobson
Morris Jacobson
Fannie Katz
Rose Klein
Max Kornmehl
Emily Kurland
Morris Ladis
Sol Laventhal
Alexander Leavy
Samuel Leff
Kenneth Levine
Irwin Levine
Sidney Levine
Bella Levy
Nathan Levy
Gertrude Lewis
Anna Lippa
Harriet MacDougall
George Mann
Jack Mastman
Harry Mednick
Isaac Mehana
Louis Mendelsohn
Morton Mendelsohn
Shulum Miesik
Max Mingal
Henry Mintz
Sheldon B. Mintz
Ida Narotsky
Henry Nemirov
Max Newman
Randy Oshlag
Jack Platt
Max Podolsky
Mary Polakoff
Edith Potosky
Dr. A. Harry Ravins
Jennie Rekoon
Irene Ribakove
Lillian Mardell Rohlman
Erna Rose
Harry Sanders
Herman Schwab
Walter Semerau
Philip Silverberg
Sarah Singer
Rheda Sirkin
Isadore Sniderman
Selma Speier
Myron Sperer
Anne Swenken
Sara Thier
Gilda Tunis
Esther Weinberg
Stanley Wohlfeld
Sarah Wolffe
Benjamin Yost
Ida Zeplowitz
8 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Torah
Fund
A Letter to EVERYONE at TBT
Dear Sisterhood Members, Friends of Sisterhood and all TBT
Members,
As we all know, education is the
foundation upon which a better society is
built. As Conservative Jews, we can certainly
appreciate the power and significance of a
higher Jewish education that is kept within
reach of our future rabbis, cantors, scholars,
and lay leaders like school and synagogue administrators, camp
counselors, and Hillel directors. How do we ensure that such an
education continues to exist and, with it, the influence of
Conservative Judaism in our children’s, grandchildren’s and
great-grandchildren’s lives? Through participation in the Torah
Fund Campaign, our most powerful tool for guaranteeing
Jewish continuity.
Through this giving ----which is also a form of
tzedakah----we help provide for the education of these leaders at
JTS, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, and the Schechter
Institute of Jewish Studies. Each year, graduates from these
schools bring their education to bear on how Judaism is lived
now. How can we ignore the powerful implications of this fact?
We wish to thank the following participants in Temple Beth
Tzedek who had the vision to come forward for this cause. We
have not achieved our goal of 100% participation of every
member of TBT but it is not too late to add your name to this
list below.
Associate Patron – Judy Brownstein
Guardians – Marica Goldstein, Ellen Jadd, Tinka Lendner and
Linda Steinhorn
Benefactors – Helen Ablove, Judy Alessi, Carol Amsterdam,
Linda Boxer, Nancy Bloom, Elaine Brothman, Belle DeBruin,
Gloria Fenston, Janice Gelfand, Janet Gunner, Carolyn
Kershanbaum, Edna Kielar, Ilene Levine, Mona Lewis, Ellen
Lippa, Marian Lustig, Shirley Magil, Eileen Markzon, Safi
Netter, Rosalie Rosenband, Ina Sanders, Ilene Scheib, Ina
Scheer, Maxine Seller, Tracy Sherman, Barbara Sitrin, Sheila
Trossman, Bobbie Vishner, Lisa Wallenfels, Sheila Weisman,
Roz Weiss, and Rusty Zackheim.
Supporters – Elaine Baren, Helen Bergman, Marcia Burstein,
Linda Clement, Rachel Cohen, Dorothy Golden, Muriel
Goodman, Deanna Kardaman, Bernice Katz, Cynthia Komm,
Myrna Levine, Gertrude Schwab, Bea Wohlfeld, Piera
Zeplowitz.
We thank you for your support of Torah Fund and for your
partnership in the sacred mission of ensuring a vital and vibant
Jewish future. Please join us in this mitzvah at any amount you
wish to contribute.
Todah Rabah,
Sheila, Edna, Elaine, Gloria, Bobbie, Marcia, and Nancy
The Torah Fund Committee
MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE HONORS
The following members have made membership pledges that put them into an honor category.
We thank them for their generosity. We also thank the 47 additional members in the honors categories who have chosen not to have
their names published.
Arayot (Lions)
Pledge is $2880 or more over Sustaining Level
Tova & Robert Ablove*
Elaine & Mel Brothman*
Amudim (Pillars)
Pledge is $1440 or more over Sustaining Level
Marlene & Neil Dashkoff*
Donna & Fred Hirsh*
Fern & Stephen Bernstein
Leah & Jeffrey Blum
Joe Buch
Tamara Castro
Clara Chalmer
Robert Convissar
Lisa & David Davidson
Carol Davis
Judy & Eric Davis
Koach (Strength)
Pledge is $720 or more over Sustaining Level
Ursula & Gerhard Falk*
Michele & Lance Pozarny*
Lisa & Stuart Rubin*
Beverly & David Schiller*
Joe Sterman*
Chai (Life)
Pledge is $360 or more over Sustaining Level
Sheila & Joel Bernstein*
Lynne & Alan Birnholz
Carin & Ed Case*
Illene Cooper
Lori & Michael Davis*
Lisa Benson & Lee Guterman
Susan & Harold Halpern*
Judy & Mel Hurwitz
Leslie & Jim Kramer*
Jeanette & Frank Levin*
Linda & Alan Linsky
Sondra & Marshall Lipman*
Linda & Norman Moser
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Rosalind & Harvey Podolsky
Bette Lou Robins
Alan Rosenfeld*
Margie & Hy Scheff
Tracy & Jacob Sherman*
Marilyn Shuman
Barbara & Michael Sitrin*
Ma’aser (Tithers)
Pledge is 10 percent above last year’s dues
Helen Ablove
Robin & Marc Adel
Lorraine Anthone
Gert Bacol
Judy & Barry Baron
Helen Bergman
Arlene & Steve Bernstein
Evelyn & Ed Drozen
Svetlana Erman
Clara Grellick
Holly Hutchinson
Jean Kaiser
Shelly & Marty Kerker
Cindy & Leon Komm
Ilene Levine
Rose Lichtblau
Harvey Lichtblau
Ellen & Steven Loffredo
Lenore Marx
Marion & Harold Ressel
Rena Rose
Rosalie Rosenband
Jamie Rosenberg
Pauline Rosokoff
Beatrice & Robert Saffer
Ina Sanders
Sandy & Joe Scheff
Dana Serure
Uriel Shore
Sara Starr
Chris & Jeff Stromberg
Evelyn Taublieb
Sheila Trossman
Julie & Steve Van Vliet
Jack Weinstein
Heather & Michael Weisman
Collette & Stephen Zappia
Bianca & Arie Weinstock
Tomchim (Sustainers)
Pledge is at, or exceeds, the Sustaining Level
Carol & Dan Amsterdam
David Burstein
Judy & Jerry Carrel
Amy & Jed Carrol
Marcy & Jonathan Dandes
Iris Danziger & Kristin Moysich*
Stan Dickson
Gloria & William Fenston*
Jane & Stuart Fischman*
Mara & Irwin Gelman
Charlotte & Alan Gendler
Sheila & Shep Goldberg
Kimberly & Jonathan Graff*
Linda Brodsky & Saul Greenfield*
Murray Gunner
Susan & Jeffery Katz
Rise` & Kevin Kulick
Catherine Laughlan
Eileen & Larry Levin
Mona & Fred Lewis
Marian & Steve Lustig
Shirley & Larry Magil
Eileen & Jerry Markzon*
Jim Mccabe
Rina & Joe Merrick
Sandy & Jack Meyers
Sanford Perlmuter
Rolene & Lou Pozarny
Elinda & Ed Reich
Lisa Bloch Rodwin
Helaine & Harvey Sanders
Maxine & Robert Seller
Amy & Ken Shuman
Rebecca & Mike Silverman
Roberta Levine & Alan Sisselman
Mildred Sokoloff
Harry Sperer
Robin & Richard Steinacher
Ellen & Ed Steinfeld
Marilyn & Irv Sultz
Amy Beth Taublieb
Susan & Mark Wallach
Lisa & George Wallenfels
Sheila & Don Weisman
Paul Weiss
Karen & Alan Wexler
Gil Wolfe
Charlotte & Ed Ziff
Laurie & Marc Bernstein
Sharla & Bruce Bleichfeld
Linda & Laurence Boxer
*Member’s pledge qualifies for
multiple honors categories
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 9
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS THE FOLLOWING
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK CONTRIBUTORS
Joseph Bengart Library Endowment Fund
In Honor of:
Tracy & Jacob Sherman for Making the Holidays so
Special
Leah & Sholem Steinhart
Anne Bernstein Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Lee J. Etelson
Norman & Hannah Weinberg
Building Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Irwin Yalowich
Rachel Yalowich
Jerry Frank Memorial Garden Fund
In Memory of:
Lee Leff
Shirley & Larry Magil
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Honor of:
Retirement of Harold Halpern
with Wishes of a Long & Happy Life
Sylvia Greenman
In Appreciation of Outstretched Arm
Hanukkah Program
Daniel & Ida Serure
In Appreciation
Herman & Mary Lee Glaser
Edith & Joel Cohen Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Marriage of Michael & Jill Komm
Rhonda & Mike Wise
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Memory of:
Lillian Benson
Rachel Anderson
Edith & Joel Cohen Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Morris Laufer
Len & Rita Weiss
Roslyn Clement
Ida & Daniel Serure
Lee Leff
Alan & Lynne Birnholz
Eileen & Arnold Markowitz
Education Fund
In Honor of:
80th Birthday of Melvin Kadish
Rosalie Rosenband
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Diana Samson & Leo Samson
Barbara & Michael Sitrin
Special Birthday of Irwin Kotlove
Sandra & Bernie Weinstein
Rafaeli Shamai
Bruce & Sharla Bleichfeld
In Appreciation of Linda Steinhorn
Rosalie Rosenband
Education Fund
In Memory of:
Jacalyn Anthone
Al & Roz Kershanbaum
Jackie Anthone
Heather & Michael Weisman and Family
Leslie Brothman
Illene Cooper
Lee Leff
Illene Cooper
Rosalie Rosenband
Stuart Maisel
Heather & Michael Weisman and Family
Paul Weaver
Heather & Michael Weisman and Family
Floral Fund
In Honor of:
David Hirsch
Gert Schwab
Floral Fund
|In Memory of:
Lee Leff
Gert Schwab
10 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Cantor Charles Gudovitz Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Roz Clement
Marilyn Rosen
Lee Leff
Rusty & Joe Zackheim
Jane Leve
Carolyn Kershanbaum's
Tuesday Mah Jongg Group
Lee Leff
Albert & Roz Kershanbaum
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Samuel Marks
Muriel Segal
Raffaeli Shamai
Muriel Segal
Jacalyn Anthone
Al & Roz Kershanbaum
Frances & Nathan Kornmehl Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Nate Kornmehl
Leah & Sholem Steinhart
Annette Levenson
Edna Kielar
Klein-Amdur Library Fund
In Honor of:
Dr. Harry Sperer's 104th Birthday
Sandy Perlmuter
Klein Amdur Library Fund
In Memory of:
Roslyn Clement
Sandy Perlmuter
Mark Greenberg
Judy & Eric Davis
Lee Leff
Ilene Scheib
Annette Levenson
Ilene Scheib
Lippa Family Auditorium Maintenance Fund
In Honor of:
50th Wedding Anniversary of Judi & Murray Urowitz
Barbara & Jack Yellen
Mark L. Josephson Torah Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Iris Statland
Arlene Josephson
Lippa Family Auditorium Maintenance Fund
In Memory of:
Dr. Stuart Maisel
Barbara & Jack Yellen
Kassirer Family Minyan Room Fund
In Honor of:
Wedding of Evan Pozarny and Laura Lugash
Sue & Mark Wallach
Sally and William Malkinson Scholarship Fund
In Memory of:
Mark Greenberg
Barbara & Irwin Ginsberg
Kassirer Family Minyan Room Fund
In Memory of:
Ita Kaiser
Judy & Bob Alessi
Henrietta Steinberg Music Fund
In Honor of:
Penny Myers Being Ordained
as Cantor of Temple Beth Zion
Ed & Elinda Reich
Rabbi Isaac Klein Scholar
in Residence Endowment Fund
In Memory of:
Lillian Benson
Muriel Segal
Appreciation of Cantor Spindler for
a Wonderfully Inspiring Marriage Ceremony
Fred & Mona Lewis
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS THE FOLLOWING
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK CONTRIBUTORS
In Appreciation of Cantor Spindler
Family of Lee Leff
Henrietta Steinberg Music Fund
In Memory of:
Bonita Linden
Jack Robins & Elaine Cheiffetz
Lee Leff
Jack Robins & Elaine Cheiffetz
Ritual Fund
In Memory of:
Lee Leff
Jeanette & Frank Levin
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of Irwin Levine
Ellen Levine Loffredo
Pulpit Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Roslyn Clement
Linda & George Clement
David Hirsch's Birthday
Mark Solarz
Lenore Marx
Appreciation of Rabbi Netter for
a Wonderfully Inspiring Marriage Ceremony
Fred & Mona Lewis
In Appreciation of Rabbi Netter
Family of Lee Leff
Joe Sterman's 85th Birthday
Drs. Jody & Tomas Holmlund
Pulpit Fund
In Memory of:
Lillian Benson
Fred & Donna Hirsh
Lee Leff
Sandy & Jack Meyers
Stuart Maisel
Marilyn Shuman
Honey Snitzer
Diana Becker
Alan Raines Library Fund
In Memory of:
Lee Leff
Donald & Sheila Weisman
Ruth Weinberg
Mannette & Bruce Raines
Nicole, Alan, Max and Ari Raines
Amanda, Pablo & Lily Cohen
Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
In Memory of:
Lillian Benson
Helen Ablove
Bruce S. Rein Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Lee Leff
Rae Cohen
Meyer Gilbert
Evanne Thayer
Martin (Buddy) Rein
George & Marilyn Margulis
Synagogue Renovation Fund
In Honor of:
Ruth Cohen's 85th Birthday
Mendy & Edith Fine
Joe Sterman's 85th Birthday
Mendy & Edith Fine
Allan Robins Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Sheri & Alan Behrman's Wedding
Jerry & Janice Robins
Joe Sterman's 85th Birthday
Jerry & Janice Robins
Martin Sanders Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Annette Levenson
Ina Sanders
Marlene J. Simms Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Mark Greenberg
Marilyn Shuman
Don & Dvorah Joseph
Pearl and Nathan Sterman Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Joe Sterman's 85th Birthday
Rusty & Joe Zackheim
Marilyn Shuman
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
June & Aaron Feuerstein
Steve & Sharon Pollack
Norman & Hannah Weinberg
Cantor Mark & Leona Spindler
Irving Freedman
Pearl and Nathan Sterman Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Roslyn Clement
Rusty & Joe Zackheim
Temple Fund
In Honor of:
Scott Cohen receiving the
Chesler Prelaw Scholarship at NYU
Pam & Steve Cohen
Birth of Avery Latham Shrauger
Rusty & Joe Zackheim
Harold Halpern's Retirment
Jane Leve
The Kindness Bestowed on the Rogers Family
& Kind Words Shared About Our Father
Warren Rogers
Receiving Aliyot
Fred & Mona Lewis
In Appreciation
Louis Karchefsky
Wedding of Michael Komm & Jill Ginsberg
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Wedding of Jenny Lewis & Matt Delehanty
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Birth of Madeline Ann Sengthavy,
Granddaughter of Howard & Ivy Lipman
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Mendy & Edith Fine
Birth of Madeline Ann Sengthavy,
Great Granddaughter of
Marshall & Sondra Lipman
Mendy & Edith Fine
Temple Fund
In Memory of:
Lillian Benson
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Ita Kaiser
Marci Rothman
Tillie Lazerson
Lee Leff
Stephen & Colette Zappia
Ruth Norman
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Lenore Marx
Michael & Nancy Bloom
Stuart Maisel
Sol Messinger
Rafaeli Shamai
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Shirley & Cyrus Trossman Museum Fund
In Honor of:
Lily Trossman Becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Tinka Lendner
Shirley & Cyrus Trossman Museum Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of Rose Gabin
Tinka Lendner
The Werbow Family Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Allan Werbow
Lynne & Alan Birnolz
Laurence & Linda Boxer
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Rachel Anderson
Janet Presser
Mason Botwin Becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Jerry & Eileen Markzon
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 11
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
Buffalo, N. Y.
Permit No. 2434
Amherst, New York
TEMPLE OFFICE
SCHOOL OFFICE
838-3232
836-2660
Perry Netter
Mark Spindler
Gerald DeBruin
Joseph Enis
Allan Werbow
Einav Symons
Judith Davis
Janet Gunner
Lynne Birnholz
Lisa Davidson
Leon Komm
Janet Presser
Edward Case
Alan Goldstein
Rabbi
Cantor
Cantor Emeritus
Executive Director
Executive Director Emeritus
Education Director
Chairman of the Board
President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Mailing Address
621 Getzville Road
Buffalo, NY 14226
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
SERVICE SCHEDULE
PUBLICATION NOTE: The Shofar is published monthly by Temple Beth Tzedek
in Amherst, N.Y. All articles and other materials submitted to the Shofar are the
property of the Shofar and the Temple Beth Tzedek Publicity Committee, which
acts as the Editorial Board responsible for and overseeing the publication. The
Publicity Committee reserves the full right to edit all materials submitted to the
Committee for publication in the Shofar, in accordance with the highest standards
of professional publications as determined by the Publicity Committee alone. All
decisions about inclusion and layout of materials submitted to the Publicity
Committee for publication in the Shofar shall be made by the Publicity Committee
alone. The Publicity Committee’s Editorial Board consists of: Lisa Davidson,
Barbara Sitrin, Joe and Rusty Zackheim and David Manny.
Sunday Shaharit Service 8:30 a.m.
Weekday Shaharit Service 7:30 a.m.
Friday Evening Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 6 p.m.
Saturday Shabbat Service 9 a.m.
Daily Ma'ariv Sunday through Friday 6 p.m.
Saturday Minha followed by S’eudah Shlisheet, Ma’ariv & Havdalah
December 7 – 4:00 p.m.
December 14 – 4:00 p.m.
December 21 – 4:00 p.m.
December 28 – 4:15 p.m.
DECEMBER 2013
SUNDAY
1
28 Cheshvan
MONDAY
2
Chanukah
8
5 Tevet
29 Cheshvan
Chanukah
9
6 Tevet
12 Tevet
16
13 Tevet
19 Tevet
23
20 Tevet
26 Tevet
30 Cheshvan
Sisterhood Lunch Noon
Gesher in Session
Family Chanukah Dinner
Chanukah
10
7 Tevet
17
14 Tevet
24
21 Tevet
Red Cross
Bloodmobile
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Rabbi’s Class
10:00 am
No Gesher School
No Gesher School
Talmud Class
9:30 am
Weinberg Mincha
4:00 pm
29
3
Sisterhood Board
10:00 am
Gesher in Session
Officers Meeting
7:30 pm
Gesher in Session
Mishpacha
22
TUESDAY
Rabbi’s Class 10:00 am
Gesher in Session
Brotherhood
Spaghetti Dinner &
meeting with
Chuck Simon 6:30 pm
Board Meeting 8:00 pm
Gesher in Session
Talmud Class
9:30 am
15
KISLEV ~ TEVET 5774
30
27 Tevet
No Gesher School
12 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
31
28 Tevet
Rabbi’s Class
10:00 am
No Gesher School
New Year’s Eve Ball
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
4
5
1 Tevet
Talmud Class
1:30 pm
Chanukah
11
8 Tevet
Weinberg class
1:30 pm
Social Action Committee
3:00 pm
18
15 Tevet
Lunch & Learn
Noon
Talmud Class
1:30 pm
25
22 Tevet
OFFICE CLOSED
Brotherhood
& Membership
Pancake Breakfast
2 Tevet
Healing Service
7:30 pm
Chanukah
12
9 Tevet
Ball Committee
7:30 pm
19
16 Tevet
Adult
Education Committee
7:30 pm
Finance Committee
7:30 pm
26
23 Tevet
Youth Education
Meeting 7:30 pm
FRIDAY
6
3 Tevet
Candle Lighting 4:22 p.m.
13
10 Tevet
SATURDAY
7
4 Tevet
Simcha Shabbat
End of Shabbat 5:28 p.m.
1411 Tevet
Fast Day
Candle Lighting 4:22 p.m.
Bat Mitzvah of
Hannah Danziger
Daughter of
Iris Danizger
& Kirsten Moysich
End of Shabbat 5:29 p.m.
20
2117 Tevet
17 Tevet
Candle Lighting 4:25 p.m.
27
24 Tevet
End of Shabbat 5:32 p.m.
28
25 Tevet
Candle Lighting 4:29 p.m.
End of Shabbat 5:36 p.m.
NOVEMBER 2013
M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 8 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
JANUARY 2014
S M T W T F
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20 21 22 23 24
26 27 28 29 30 31
S
S
4
11
18
25