November/December 2015 Bulletin

Temple Beth El Bulletin
An Egalitarian Conservative Synagogue
www.tbe.org
Volume 41 Issue 7 (bi-monthly)
November-December 2015
High Holiday Bimah Builders
Cheshvan/Kislev/Tevet 5776
Sukkah Builders
Beth El Cares - High Holiday Food Drive for Person-to-Person
First grade students celebrate Sukkot, our
harvest festival, by harvesting more than Religious School Students Decorate our Sukkah
20 lbs. of vegetables for Person-to-Person.
Sukkah Hop at the Hammermans’ sukkah and Blessing for the Animals
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
TEMPLE BETH EL - BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mia M. Weinstein, President
Sylvan D. Pomerantz, Immediate Past President
Carl Weinberg, First Vice President
Stan Friedman, Vice President
Steven Sosnick, Vice President
Daniel Young, Vice President
Robert Cohen, Treasurer
Susan Frieden, Assistant Treasurer
Lisa Manheim, Secretary
203-595-0528
203-968-0605
203-322-8675
203-322-0416
203-972-6993
203-975-1990
203-329-9622
203-869-4282
917-690-2712
ADVISORS
Gary P. Lessen
Peter K. Kempner
Eileen H. Rosner
203-322-7616
203-968-8079
203-461-0506
TRUSTEES
Edward M. Berman
Kenneth Broder
Aron Davidson
Stacey Essenfeld
Richard Heimler
Dana Horowitz
Devra Jaffe-Berkowitz
Carol Krim
Arthur Laichtman
Joshua Levine
Judy Schneiderman
Lael Shapiro
Barry Strom
Ken Temple
Adam Tronick
Beth Weinberg
Michael Wiederlight
David Wolff
203-329-7750
203-968-8080
203-274-6363
203-595-0368
203-998-7118
203-321-0018
203-978-1113
203-968-1075
203-461-8223
203-276-1395
203-569-4969
203-517-4835
203-329-2580
203-968-9550
203-569-9570
203-329-7573
203-322-4256
203-968-6361
SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT
Beth Silver
MEN’S CLUB
Matthew Miller, President
PAST PRESIDENTS
Gordon Brown
Rosalea Fisher
Fred S. Golove
Ronald Gross
Herbert Kahan
Alan Kalter
Peter K. Kempner
Mark Lapine
Gary P. Lessen
Brian Rogol
Eileen H. Rosner
203-249-7046
585-313-7562
203-276-8688
203-323-1449
203-322-0295
203-325-3114
203-595-9981
203-322-8220
203-968-8079
203-329-9879
203-322-7616
212-531-8203
203-461-0506
Beth El Cares
Ken Temple
203-968-9550
Beth El Families
Dana Horowitz
Josh Levine
Lisa Manheim
203-321-0018
203-276-1395
203-724-9196
B’nai Mitzvah Chairperson
Suzanne Olin
203-761-9213
Board of Education
Naomi Marks
203-323-8512
Empty Nesters
Sue and Carl Shapiro
203-353-0657
Facilities
Peter K. Kempner
203-968-8079
Finance
Robert Cohen
Susan Frieden
203-329-9622
203-869-4282
Fund Raising
Sylvan D. Pomerantz
Steven Sosnick
203-968-0605
203-972-6993
High Holy Days
Seymour Weinstein
203-353-8873
Human Resources
Scott Krowitz
Carl Weinberg
Nicole Zussman
203-348-8680
203-322-8675
203-324-5383
Israel Action Committee
Peter Kempner
203-968-8079
LGBTQ Committee
Richard Heimler
203-998-7118
Marketing and Communications
Stan Friedman
203-322-0416
Membership Committee
Elissa Hyman
Beth Boyer
203-316-8228
203-422-0870
Mitzvah Garden
Harriet Weinstein
203-353-8873
Project Ezra
Joy Katz
203-329-3359
Ritual Committee
Denise Greenman
Eileen H. Rosner
203-329-8594
203-461-0506
2020 Planning Committee
Peter Kempner
203-968-8079
OUR STAFF IS MOST EAGER TO ASSIST YOU
Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5:00 pm | Friday, 9am - 2:00pm
Phone: 203-322-6901 Fax: 203-322-0532
WHERE TO FIND IT
Joshua Hammerman, Rabbi ([email protected])
ext. 307
Magda Fishman, Cantor ([email protected])
ext. 315
Sidney G. Rabinowitz, Hazzan Emeritus ([email protected])
ext. 309
Steven Lander, Executive Director ([email protected])
ext. 304
Lisa Gittelman Udi, Education & Youth Director ([email protected]) ext. 305
Lana Rappaport, Education Office ([email protected])
ext. 306
Linda Rezak, Bookkeeper ([email protected])
ext. 302
Mindy Rogoff, Temple Secretary ([email protected])
ext. 301
Ellen Gottfried, Secretary ([email protected])
ext. 308
Alberto Eyzaguirre, Facilities Manager ([email protected])
ext. 314
Sisterhood Gift Shop ([email protected])
ext. 310
Joshua Hammerman, Rabbi ....................................................... Page 3
Magda Fishman, Cantor ............................................................ Page 3
November/December Service Schedule .................................... Page 4
B’nai Mitzvah ............................................................................. Page 6
Beth El Cares .............................................................................. Page 9
Men’s Club ................................................................................. Page 9
Sisterhood ........................................................................... Page 8 & 9
2
ON ONE FOOT
CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN
A False Choice
I hope you had a meaningful High Holiday
experience. We are looking forward to sharing
more meaningful experiences together, and to
growing our Shabbat community more and more
starting with a Ladino Shabbat service.
On November 6, Rabbi Hammerman and I, along with multi
-talented Jon Hanser and his band, will lead a special Latino
Shabbat, focusing on musical flavors of Latin American Jewry:
Increasingly over the past few years, we
have been told that being a supporter of Israel
now requires tough choices for American Jews. Many felt they
were forced to choose between supporting Israel’s wishes or
the US government, or between a Jewish vs. a democratic
state, or between human rights and security, religious
pluralism or unity, women’s rights vs. traditional values. And
so on.
I’m here to say, loud and clear, that those are false
choices. One need not leave deeply felt values at the door –
fundamental Jewish values, like equality, justice and human
rights – in order to express an unabashed love for Israel. One
need not support any particular American party either,
because Israel retains rock-solid bipartisan support.
And despite our continued concern for Israel’s security,
highlighted by the heartbreaking terror wave of recent weeks,
we can and must still work to ensure Israel’s internal wellbeing
and the ability of all its citizens to thrive. There are so many
people over there working toward those goals. We need to
support their efforts.
That’s why we are bringing Anat Hoffman here as our
Hyacinthe and Harold E. Hoffman lecturer (no relation) on
Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 pm.
Not long ago, Hoffman, Executive Director of the Israel
Religious Action Center, also known as IRAC, and the director
and a founding member of the Women of the Wall, challenged
American Jews not to abandon Israel, even if Israel’s politics
seem at times perplexing and problematic.
“First, you have to make a decision,” she said. “Are you
going to wring your hand about Israel or are you going roll up
your sleeves and get to work (because you can’t do both at
the same time)? Let’s roll up our sleeves. Visit Israel, and
make your visits count. Less Roman ruins and more freedom
rides. Read - at least once a week read something about Israel
which is not about security. Use your financial support to
create an Israel that reflects your values.”
Hoffman, who has been called a “modern day Deborah,”
was voted Ha’aretz’ “Person of the Year” in 2013. In Israel she
has moved mountains, never giving up on her principles, and
through the courts and the court of public opinion she has
achieved unimaginable success. People from near and far will
be coming to hear her. Make sure you are here too.
Yes, we can express our love for Israel in many different
ways, and Anat will show us how. Our first-ever Interfaith
Council trip next May will also show us how. Take a look at
the information in this bulletin and online. The itinerary is
very exciting.
There is no choice but to engage.
Shabbat La Vida Loca
The Jewish community of Latin America goes back to the 15 th
century. The music of the synagogue of Latin America has its
roots in Spain, Europe and Africa. During the late 1950s,
Rabbi Marshall Meyer became the assistant rabbi in a
synagogue in Buenos Aires and thus began a journey of
transforming the Latin American Jewish experience. The
challenging theology espoused by Rabbi Meyer, the spiritually
uplifting religious services, an agenda that emphasized social
action as a central part of the synagogue's principles became a
model for others to follow. Under Rabbi Meyer’s influence, the
music of the progressive Argentinean synagogue adapted the
secular dance forms into its ritual. It was a slow evolutionary
process, similar to the process that has been occurring in
progressive synagogues in the United States since the mid-20th
Century.
Today the rhythms of tango, rumba, bolero,
camavalito, cha-cha, etc., are used in many of the prayers sung
in the synagogues of Latin America.
Dozens of Argentinean cantors, who have come to this country
to practice their art, grew up with this legacy and have brought
this music to the United States. In a program presented at the
annual Cantors Assembly convention in 2010, I heard a group
of these cantors sing many of the prayers that I will use in our
upcoming service. The music is a mixture of Latin dance forms
and traditional European style ballads. The music is uplifting
and exciting and the worship experience will be as well.
- Cantor Mark Biddelman
On Shabbat, November 20-21, Rabbi Hammerman, Katie
Kaplan, Pamela Tinkham, and I will lead a renewal style
weekend; a spiritual journey to your soul through davening,
Continued on page 14...
THE PHANTOM UNMASKED
THE SONGS OF BROADWAY
Franc D’Ambrosio in Concert at TBE
October 18, 2015
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A GABBAI?
Training available!
Thank you, Cantor Fishman, for
joining Franc on stage!
Please contact Rabbi Hammerman
at [email protected].
3
MIA M. WEINSTEIN, PRESIDENT
SHABBAT AND FESTIVAL SERVICES
NOVEMBER
Temple Beth El greeted the Jewish New Year
with beautiful and inspirational services filled with
the harmonious music of Cantor Fishman and her
choir. I was honored to be able to address our
congregation on Yom Kippur and convey to you why
I believe in the mission and vision of Temple Beth El. Although
the flurry of holiday activities is over (until Hanukkah), our
Temple is still buzzing with social programs, religious services
and educational opportunities for the whole family.
I
encourage you to become engaged with your TBE family and
feel the benefits of the warm embrace of our community.
Recognizing that TBE is part of your family is the way our
congregation will continue to grow and thrive together.
In my appeal, I retold a story about a wealthy Jewish man
who had never contributed a dime to his local federation’s
annual appeal. A delegation was sent to solicit him. In his
response, he gives them a list of the hardships his family faces
and their financial burdens. The punch line is that the man
doesn’t offer his family a penny so why would he give
tzedakah? I was able to read between the lines of this tale and
understand what this man was really saying: He wants a
community who cares about his family. Temple Beth El is just
such a community. We care. We are a family.
Think about the Temple facility. Just like your own home,
there are rooms for quiet reflection, for learning, for celebration,
for preparing and sharing meals and for tackling day-to-day
business. It even has a large outdoor space for play, for a garden,
for picnics with sing-a-longs and BBQ’s. Now, let’s look inside the
family dynamics. Rabbi Hammerman has been the spiritual head
of our family for the last 28 years. Last year we were blessed to
welcome Cantor Fishman, Zarin and Yair to join us.
When new members join, the revitalized Membership
Committee with its energized team of Ambassadors is called into
action. Welcome calls are made, Shabbat bags delivered and
invitations extended to join each other at services and events.
We now have a secure online membership directory so that we
can all stay in touch. AND our membership is growing! Since July
1st alone, we have added nearly 35 family units, including young
married couples, families with children and empty nesters. We
also have returning members. We are thrilled to welcome those
of you who have found your way back to our mishpachah. We
will continue a vigorous effort to grow our congregation.
Clearly, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur was our largest
family reunion of the year, but we have an opportunity each
week to connect with each other. Attendance at Friday night
services has grown by 20-30%, in large part to Cantor Fishman
and her talented musical friends who continue to create a
beautiful avenue for welcoming the Shabbat each week. We
plan to enhance this experience with Friday night dinners and
hopefully carry this energy into Shabbat morning.
I offered a new ending to the story. As a member of TBE,
the man would thank the soliciting delegation for caring about
his family. He appreciates the hard work that goes in to
offering an array of programming which engages everyone in
the congregation. He recounts how the clergy, staff and
volunteers comforted his family members and how impressed
he is with the array of tikkun olam programming that TBE
offers, including the Reyut committee and the High Holiday
Friday, November 6
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Latino Shabbat
Shabbat, November 7
Services 9:30 a.m.
Friday, November 13
Tot Shabbat 6:00 p.m.
at the home of Erica and Ben Pomerantz
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat, November 14
Services 9:30 a.m.
DANIEL and ELENA SALM, B’NAI MITZVAH
Friday, November 20
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Judaism, Mind, Body & Soul - Meditative Shabbat
with Katie Kaplan, Pamela Tinkham and Special Guests
Shabbat, November 21
Services 9:30 a.m.
Judaism, Mind, Body & Soul - Meditative Shabbat
with Katie Kaplan, Pamela Tinkham and Special Guests
Religious School - Shabbat School
Mincha/Ma’ariv 4:00 p.m.
CARLY FEIN, BAT MITZVAH
Friday, November 27
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat, November 28
Services 9:30 a.m.
DECEMBER
Friday, December 4
Tot Shabbat - Hanukkah 5:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat, December 5
Services 9:30 a.m.
Friday, December 11 - Fifth Day of Hanukkah
Family Shabbat Hanukkah Dinner 5:45 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat Hanukkah 7:00 p.m.
with Cantor Fishman, Katie Kaplan, and Live Music
Shabbat, December 12 - Sixth Day of Hanukkah
Services 9:30 a.m.
Friday, December 18
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat, December 19
Services 9:30 a.m.
MICHAEL ROSE, BAR MITZVAH
Friday, December 25
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Shabbat, December 26
Services 9:30 a.m.
4
ADULT LEARNING
Food Drive for which over 600 bags of food were collected.
Furthermore, our Temple operates totally on solar power,
even selling some back to the grid.
He would comment that we really care about the health
and well being of our congregants. After all, look at the
parking lot. We can now safely drive, park and walk into the
building. Just like a house, our home requires maintenance,
not only to ensure the longevity of the structure and systems,
but to make sure that each of our members can safely enjoy
spending time in our building and more so, that generations to
come will continue to be welcomed to daven in a beautiful
sanctuary, to learn in clean and bright classrooms and to
celebrate in an attractive social hall.
Finally, he would praise the Religious School and
children’s programming which laid the foundation for the
Jewish lives of his children. From the Tot Shabbats, to the
wonderful Religious School, to volunteering at the Purim
Carnival, each year there is new creative programming. Last
year, in an effort to engage the post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah teens, a
Rosh Chodesh program for boys and girls was introduced. The
feedback was overwhelmingly positive and this year the
program will be extended to include 8th, 9th and 10th graders.
When I introduced myself to the congregation in the JulyAugust Bulletin, I opened with the famous words of Hillel: “If I
am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for
myself, who am I? If not now, when?” True, our first
responsibility is to take care of the needs of our immediate
family. However, Hillel invites us to look beyond our own
homes and outward to our community.
Join me in celebrating my chai year in Stamford by
recommitting yourself to volunteering at TBE. Volunteering
your time provides the chance to offer your skills, energy and
enthusiasm in a way that benefits our shul, builds community
and is also self-fulfilling. Consider joining one of our 20
committees or helping with children’s programming. Of
course, I encourage new ideas but I need your active
participation to make our programming successful. Temple
Beth El gives you the opportunity to be a model of
volunteerism and to show your children the importance of
giving back to your synagogue.
Your investment in Temple Beth El is just that, an
investment. How long will it take to pay off this investment?
Come to Shabbat services and you will feel it is all worthwhile.
Listen to your child chant a prayer and sing a Hebrew song and
you will feel it is all worthwhile. Feel the reverence when
standing on the Bima and you will believe it is all worthwhile. See
the building remain strong and know it is all worthwhile. It is up
to you to make this investment pay off. The compensation does
not come in dollars. The reward is the feeling you get in your
heart, the pride, the tears in your eyes, the lump in your throat;
the joy being part of this synagogue brings to you. Understand
that it is not a “pay for services” but a promise to the Jewish
people for continuity and permanence. Your dues only cover a
portion of what it costs to run this Temple. As a building it needs
maintenance and as a place for gathering it needs people.
Now, as we move forward in this new year of 5776, may
generosity in spirit guide you to make the commitment to
participate as a member of the Temple Beth El family:
Actively, spiritually, financially but most importantly - joyfully.
Mia Weinstein
Focus in Israel in Film
Praying in Her Own Voice: The Struggle of the
Women of the Wall For Religious Freedom in Israel
Film Screening & Discussion
Tuesday, November 3, 7:30pm (No Fee)
This powerful film documents the courageous struggle of a
religious women’s movement called, “Women of the Wall,”
and their fight for equality next to the Kotel (Western Wall)
in Jerusalem, perhaps the holiest place on earth for Jews.
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
Film Screening & Discussion
Tuesday, November 17, 7:30pm (No Fee)
In Israel there is neither civil marriage nor civil divorce. Only
rabbis can legitimate a marriage or its dissolution. But this
dissolution is only possible with full consent from the husband,
who in the end has more power than the judges. Viviane
Amsalem has been applying for divorce for three years, but
her husband, Elisha, will not agree. Join us as we view this film
and discuss laws of divorce in Israel.
Hot Topics in December!
Two Sessions on the Subject of Gender and Judaism
Free to Be - He or She: Transgender and Judaism
Tuesday, December 1, 7:30pm
What do the teachings of Jewish tradition tell us about
gender? Is everyone always either male or female? In Judaism,
are we always expected to conform to the biological gender
to which we are born? Is gender necessarily a fixed state or
can it be transitory? Can one become Bar/t Mitzvah?
Transgender Respect and Jewish Ethics
Tuesday, December 15, 7:30pm
With Rabbi Joshua Hammerman & Lisa Gittelman Udi (No Fee)
Jewish culture has long been traditionally binary. We are male
or female and there are specific expectations for each. What
does Judaism teach us about how we can best respect
individuals in our community who are transgender and those
who do not conform specifically to the traditional male or
female classification?
Regular, Ongoing Learning Sessions
Lunch and Learn: Untangling the Psalms
With Rabbi Joshua Hammerman (No Fee)
Wednesdays 12:00-12:45pm October 14 - December 16
The 150 religious poems that make up the Book of Psalms are
both strange and familiar, forming the backbone of the liturgy.
The metaphors are tangled, but the emotional states they
express are as immediate now as when they were written.
We will read, discuss and savor these texts as they have come
down through the centuries.
Bring your own lunch. We’ll provide the lively discussion!
Modern Ethics meet Traditional Jewish Teachings
With Rabbi Joshua Hammerman (No Fee)
Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm October 15 - December 10
In his book, A Code of Jewish Ethics, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
offers many examples from the Torah, the Talmud, rabbinic
commentaries, and contemporary stories to illustrate how
traditional, Jewish ethical teachings can affect our daily
behavior. Participants will explore this text and determine
how the scholars of our tradition can inform our daily lives.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact the TBE Education
Office at 203-322-6901 x306 or email [email protected].
5
B’NAI MITZVAH
MAZAL TOV TO…
November 14 (morning)
ELANA SALM
Daughter of Dora and David
Sister of Nathan and Daniel
Attends Scofield Magnet Middle School
Mitzvah Project: Ferguson Library Volunteer
and Prison Book Program
Helen and Marty Donner on the birth of a grandson,
Jackson Will, born to Josh and Jen Donner.
Peggy and Alan Kalter on their granddaughter, Samantha
Haas, becoming a Bat Mitzvah.
Carol and Allen Krim on their granddaughter, Samantha
Haas, becoming a Bat Mitzvah.
Hazzan Sidney Rabinowitz on the birth of greatgranddaughter #2, Sara Feige Yitah, born to Michal and
Eitan Gold, and to the proud grandparents, Tamar and
Morris Gold.
November 14 (morning)
DANIEL SALM
Daughter of Dora and David
Brother of Nathan and Elena
Attends Scofield Magnet Middle School
Mitzvah Project: Ferguson Library Volunteer
and Prison Book Program
Lewis Chimes for being named CT Super Lawyer in the
November 2015 issue of Connecticut Magazine.
TODAH RABAH FOR SPONSORING A KIDDUSH
Devra Jaffe-Berkowitz and Parry Berkowitz
Ed Fener
Jacqueline and David Herman
Lisa Tannebaum-Brownstein and Donald Brownstein
Dayna and David Patashnik
Evie Shapiro
November 21 (afternoon)
CARLY FEIN
Daughter of Lauren and Steven
Sister of Rachel
Attends Bi-Cultural Day School
Mitzvah Project: Food Bank of Lower
Fairfield County
TODAH RABAH FOR SPONSORING
THE SHABBAT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Beth & Raymond Baer
Devra Jaffe-Berkowitz and Parry Berkowitz
Lisa Tannebaum-Brownstein & Donald Brownstein
Jacqueline and David Herman
Dayna and David Patashnik
Inga and Luciano Tuluca
December 19 (morning)
MICHAEL ROSE
Son of Julie and Solomon
Brother of Sean
Attends Eastern Middle School
Mitzvah Project: Turn 2 Foundation
WE THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS THIS MONTH
CELEBRATING A SPECIAL EVENT?
COMMEMORATING A YAHRTZEIT?
Sam Kravitz, Jerry Rose, Carol Sander, Barbara Taksel
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush, following
Shabbat Services, or an Oneg Shabbat, following
our Friday evening services.
Todah Rabah to our Torah readers!
HONORABLE MENSCHEN
Georgia Baer
Chase Brownstein
Robert Cohen
Steve Danzer
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
Douglas Herman
Nathaniel Herman
Contact Steven Lander for all of the new,
reasonably priced Kiddush options at 322-6901,
ext. 304 or [email protected].
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL TOT SHABBAT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 at 5:30 pm
Sari Jaffe
Devra Jaffe-Berkowitz
Zoë Jaffe-Berkowitz
Bert Madwed
Joy Katz
Josh Olin
Susan Schneiderman
Leah Tuluca
LATINO SHABBAT
At the home of the Pomerantz Family!
11 Saddle Hill Lane, Stamford | 203-428-6223
A Shabbat service featuring the sights, sounds
and flavors of Latin American Jewry
With Matty Roxx!
Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
A fun and festive celebration with songs, prayer, and stories
followed by a light dinner. Geared toward families with
children age 5 and younger accompanied by an adult (with
older siblings welcome!)
Led by Cantor Fishman and Rabbi Hammerman
with Jonathan Hanser and his band
Kick-back and relax at Latino Shabbat. The Latin-themed
service will be dressed down. Get into the laid back feeling of
our neighbors to the South. Wear something casual in a Latin
or Island Theme. The more colors the better. Flowers, Prints,
etc. Enjoy spirited music as we worship together, followed by
a special Latin-themed Oneg!
RSVP to [email protected]. This way we will know how many
chairs we need.
To sponsor a Tot Shabbat or for more information, contact
Lisa Gittelman Udi [email protected] or call 203-322-6901 x305.
6
THANK YOU, THANKS, TODAH RABAH
The 2015 High Holiday Food Drive
BREAK-THE-FAST
TBE Sisterhood provided a wonderful Yom Kippur
Break-the-Fast. Everyone enjoyed the food and
socializing with new and old friends.
Thank you, Beth El, for making the High Holiday Food
Drive a success! Thank you to the congregants who
donated food. Thanks to the volunteers who passed
out bags, helped load the bags onto the truck,
unload/sort the bags and stock the shelves at the food
pantry at Person To Person in Darien. Todah rabah to
Polly Geller, the Person-To-Person liaison to Beth El,
and to Alberto and Antonio.
Special thanks to the many helpful afternoon
volunteers who did the heavy lifting, putting away
the chairs and prayer books and setting up the
tables.
Thank you to Rachel Plotzky, Suzanne Cohen, Beth
Silver, Hannah Nekritz, Stacye Nekritz, Francie
Leader, Joan Fryd, Mollie Steinmetz, and Karen
Resnick who set up all the food and drinks. Most
of all, thanks to the amazing Steve Lander, our own
energizer bunny!
It was great to see the pantry filled with food for those
less fortunate in our community!
Ken Temple
Susan Plotzky & Barbara Jacobs, Co-Chairs
Special thank you to…
TODAH RABAH FOR BUILDING
THE HIGH HOLIDAY BIMAH AND SUKKAH
Rich Agatstein
Bill Baer
Alan Barnett
Jim Benjamin
Ben Berman
Jeff Cohen
Gordon Cooper
Eliot Essenfeld
Phil Farin
Beth Finchler
Bud Freund
Keith Friedman
Stan Friedman
Fred Greenbaum
Jeff Klearman
Matthew Klein
Robert Klein
Josh Levine
Matt Miller
Alan Moskowitz
Ethan Moskowitz
Stayce Nekritz
Stuart Nekritz
Merritt Nesin
Richard Heimler
Guy Sasson
Carl Weinberg
Mark Plotzky
Sylvan Pomerantz
Jerry Rose
Michael Rose
Sean Rose
Sol Rose
Lael Shapiro
Ben Susman
Marc Teichman
Adam Tronick
Jeff Turshen
Ron Zussman
for their assistance during
High Holiday crunch-time.
WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS...
WELCOME BACK TO...
Keri & Lavi Ben-Zvi
Aviva & Greg Lederman
David Amsellem
Madge & Michael Kellick
Natasha & Benjamin Berman
Sally & Martin Levene
Carri & Alan Barnett
Ilene & Michael Koester
Maria Levin & Greg Busch
Barbara Muller
Sandra & Joseph Barocas
Nancy & Martin Nirschel
Kahla & Gordon Cooper
Leslie & David Napach
Lisa and Morris Barocas
Rebecca & Liran Raz
Karen & Daniel Davis
Cynthia & Adam Parker
Ellen Bromley
Nancy & Lindsay Rosenberg
Sarah Darer & Henry Eskin
Patti & Daniel Ramras
Amy & Aron Davidson
Marjorie & Lewis Schwartz
Alison Flaum
Paul Reid & Karen Alter-Reid Deborah & Jonathan Eisenstein
Lisa & Daron Shepard
Daniel Fredland
Melanie & David Riker
Joan & Robert Fields
Rosalie & Joseph Wise
Lori & Ralph Gilbert
Irma Ross
Adele & Leslie Gordon
Sheila & Daniel Wolfson
Catherine & Craig Giventer
Esther Sadeh
Carol & Burton Hoffman
Sabrina & Evan Haskell
Rachel & Mark Sherman
Richard Heimler & Christopher Maroc
Lauren & Jonathan Simblist
Emily & Robert Klein
Cecile Meunier & Brian Skornicki
Jamie & Scott Krug
Marge Pavlov & Andrew Sverdlove
7
SISTERHOOD
Sisterhood of TBE Judaica Gift Shop
Happy Autumn! Welcome to Sisterhood of TBE!!
Congratulations and welcome to our newest Sisterhood board
members Maureen Leffand and Karen Resnick. We are excited
to have you join and look forward to working with you! ♥
Sisterhood organizations all over the country are
expanding their programming to include women of ALL ages
just as we are doing at TBE. While maintaining traditional
programming, Sisterhoods are branching out with new
programs focused on healthy lifestyles, special interest
speakers and financial planning, just to name a few. Please
enjoy the article, “Sister Act” by Laurie Kamens, http://
www.cjvoices.org/article/sister-act/ discussing the rise of
contemporary Sisterhood programming.
We are pioneers in our own right at TBE. Recently, we
conducted a wonderful program, “Exercise with Sisterhood,”
facilitated by our own Temple member and yoga expert,
Pamela Tinkham. Women of all ages attended and not only
were calories burned, we made new friends and talked with
each other about our families, careers, TBE, and Israel. For
those who missed it, we are planning another session in the
spring. If there is enough interest we may continue it on a
regular basis in 2016-17. My grandmother would be 109 today
but I know if she had the opportunity during the 1960’s, when
she was Sisterhood president, to try yoga, she would have!
Thanks Pamela Tinkham for your graciousness and generosity
in donating your services to helping Sisterhood get healthy! ♥
If you have an idea for a program or fundraiser, please
share it with us. Help Sisterhood of TBE become a leading and
modern organization of the 21st century.
We have wonderful programs scheduled for this year.
Please join us and try something. If you have a minute, stop
by our beautiful and newly stocked Gift Shop to shop and/or
say “hello” when the shop is open during Religious School on
Thursdays and Sundays. Here are the events coming up. Look
in the weekly Shabbat announcements for the details.

Sunday, November 1 at 9:45 am at TBE, our very own
Temple and Sisterhood member, Malerie Yolen-Cohen,
will discuss her exciting career as a travel writer from
around the world! All Welcome. No Charge!

BIG FUNDRAISER on Sunday, November 1 and Monday,
November 2 - “Clean out your Closets” – clothes,
household items - donate to Sisterhood who will turn
items into cash! Drop off items at TBE on those dates.

Rosh Chodesh Kislev on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 6 – Paid-up Sisterhood Brunch; our very
own Temple and Sisterhood member, Dr. Susan Freydberg,
will be speaking about Women’s Friendships, 9:30 am in
the lobby. For Sisterhood members; can join that day!

Lord & Taylor Super Coupons on sale now to be used at
the Stamford store from November 7-14. Coupons are $5
which goes to Sisterhood. After selling 50 tickets, L & T
doubles our money!
Beautiful new merchandise at the Gift Shop
Open Sundays 9 am - 12 noon
Open Thursdays 4 - 6 pm
(when Religious School is in session)
Shop by Appointment at Your Convenience We will gladly meet you!!!
●Barbara Berman: 203.329.7750, [email protected]
●Bar/Bat Mitzvah needs, Nancy Mayer: 203.561.6157,
[email protected]
Gift Shop managed by Sisterhood
Proceeds Support Religious School, Teen,and Adult Programs;
Annual Gift to TBE
Items are reasonably priced and discounted at least 15%.
“Exercise with Sisterhood”
led by Pamela Tinkham
the conclusion of Yom Kippur attended by 500 people. We
appreciate your love and efforts that you give year after year
to this event! ♥ Yasher Koach and many thanks to Betty Baer
for organizing the holiday kosher food sales for many years.
Your love and efforts single-handedly earned $1,000 for
Sisterhood, plus more over the years! ♥ On a continuous
basis, thank you to Suzanne Stone for organizing our beautiful
and enriching monthly Rosh Chodesh meetings that we all
enjoy so much. ♥ Love and thanks to the Gift Shop mavens. ♥
With love, friendship and appreciation on behalf of Sisterhood,
Beth Silver
Yasher Koach and many thanks to Susan Plotzky and
Barbara Jacobs for organizing the delicious Break-the-Fast at
8
MEN’S CLUB
BETH EL CARES
September saw our Men’s Club in full swing.
On the 6th we had over 20 people come and help
set up the High Holiday bimah, as well as the
sukkah outside in the courtyard. Not long after
the last bagel at the break-fast, we were at it
again to take the bimah down on the 24th. Having a delicious
deli dinner served as great motivation as we quickly and safely
got everything stored for next year! A big thank you to
everyone who volunteered their time, skill and strength as it
was all accomplished very efficiently!
We wrapped-up the month with an end-of-summer party
at the Essenfeld residence. We enjoyed drinks out on the
patio before heading in for a pizza and salad dinner, games,
and great company. It was a bit too chilly to go into the pool,
but maybe next year! Special thank you to Stacey and Eliot
Essenfeld for graciously opening their home to host us.
It is looking to be an exciting year for the Men’s Club. We
have several events and speakers being planned, and we are
always looking for new ideas on how we may serve the Temple
and enhance our membership and community. Please be in
touch if there is anything in which you would like to see the
Men’s Club more involved.
This organization focuses on Tikkun Olam (“Repair of the
World”) through mitzvot, both in the synagogue and in the
community. We welcome volunteers! The following is a list of
the work we are engaged in:
Reyut (Friendship): Committed to serving the needs of those
in our TBE community, including friendly visits, assistance with
errands, and transportation. Contact Melanie Massell at
[email protected] or 203-324-7190.
Project Ezra: Providing pre-shiva meals to the bereaved in the
congregation. Call Joy Katz at 203-329-3359 or [email protected].
Manna Meals: Providing meals to families in our community with
a new baby. Call Deidre Goldberg at [email protected].
Helping to serve lunches once-a-month at a local soup kitchen.
Call Norman Stone at 203-866-2273 or [email protected].
High Holiday and Passover food drives: Call Ken Temple at
203-962-1491 or [email protected].
Preparing and serving Christmas dinners at local homeless
shelters. Contacts: Amy Temple at 203-496-1309 or
[email protected].
If you have your own idea for a project or a group contact Ken
Temple at [email protected] or 203-962-1491.
Matt Miller
TBE Men’s Club President
Torah Fund
Celebrate Hanukkah at Temple Beth El!
Friday, December 11, 2015
Sisterhood is committed to supporting Torah Fund sponsored
by Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. Proceeds are
raised by selling lovely cards and pins to support the Jewish
Theological Seminary and other seminaries in LA, Jerusalem
and Buenos Aires. The Torah Fund Campaign has raised
more than $90 million since its inception.
5:45pm Chinese food Shabbat Dinner!
A fun-filled, and family friendly holiday dinner, including
lots of LATKES, a song session for children, games &
prizes!
Card messages include Mazel Tov, New Baby, Get Well,
Sympathy, Friendship and Thank you. Cost is $3 per card or
$20 for seven cards. A new pin is created each year for a
donation of $180. Purchase from the TBE gift shop or
directly from Suzanne Stone, [email protected],
203-866-2273.
7:00pm Shabbat Hanukkah Service and Celebration!
LIVE MUSIC! CANTOR FISHMAN! KATIE KAPLAN!
Continue the evening with a joyful service and
celebration with the amazing music of Cantor Magda
Fishman with a performance from our Religious School
students and the brand new TBE Children’s Choir!
LOOK FOR EMAILS AND FLYERS WITH DINNER
SIGN-UP INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Please contact us at [email protected] or feel free to call/email a
Sisterhood board member:
Beth Silver, President
203-249-7046, [email protected]
Judy Schneiderman, Treasurer
203-569-4969, [email protected]
Cathy Satz, Recording Secretary
203-968-9191, [email protected]
Barbara Berman, Gift Shop
203-329-7750, [email protected]
Stacey Essenfeld, Advisor & Immediate Past President
203-595-0368, [email protected]
Maureen Leffand, Board Member
203-817-0084, [email protected]
Karen Resnick, Board Member
203-968-8708, [email protected]
TEMPLE BETH EL DISCUSSION GROUP
Interactive Jewish Education
with Lisa Gittelman-Udi
Sunday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at TBE
PAY YOUR TEMPLE DUES ONLINE
Temple Beth El is now accepting ACH
payments ONLINE at http://www.tbe.org/donate/
9
10
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN MITZVAH FUND
In memory of…
Sally Kurs, z’l, by Ellin & Elliot Isban
IN HONOR OF:
SUSAN GREENWALD ON HER BIRTHDAY
Judy Block
IN APPRECIATION
The Jewish Sportsman League of Stamford
AMY & KEN TEMPLE ON RECEIVING THE FRED WEISMAN TIKKUN
OLAM AWARD
Heidi & Harrison Ganz
STEPHNE & KERRIN BEHREND
Barbara Brafman & Larry Stein
THE BIRTH OF JACKSON WILL DONNER
Marsha Colten & Rob Cohen, Shelley Taylor & David Swerdloff, Liz &
Bill Gilbert
RICHARD HEIMLER & CHRIS MAROC ON THEIR ENGAGEMENT
Audrey Heimler, Barbara & Bruce Godt, Alison & Peter von Halle, Julie
Persily & David Lefkowitz
THE MARRIAGE OF DANA SCHUSTER TO ADAM KOPOLD
Susan & Richard Blomberg
THE MARRIAGE OF OUR SON, ANDREW JULIUS STAINES AND
MARISA BROOKE LEVI
Marcia and Mark Staines
SAMANTHA HAAS BECOMING A BAT MITZVAH
Marcy & Stan Gershman, Barbara & Philip Finn
ZOË JAFFE-BERKOWITZ BECOMING A BAT MITZVAH
Barbara & Philip Finn, Ellie Mirne
BAILEY POLLAK BECOMING A BAT MITZVAH
Vivian & Don Wishingrad
MARC PEYSER FOR HIS COMPASSION AND EXCELLENT MEDICAL
ADVICE
Peggy Hooker
In honor of…
In appreciation of Rabbi Joshua Hammerman for the beautiful and
very meaningful wedding ceremony which he performed at the
marriage of our son Andrew Julius Staines and Marisa Brooke Levi by
Marcia & Mark Staines
The naming of Adina Shanen Barrett by Barbara Shanen
Jed Sackin reading Torah on Yom Kippur by Herbert Sackin
In appreciation by Helen & Marty Donner, Esther & Irving Natter
CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN MITZVAH FUND
In memory of…
Sally Kurs, z’l, by Ellin & Elliot Isban
In honor of…
In appreciation by Helen & Marty Donner, Marian Bauer, Barbara
Shanen
Michele (Schorr) Taylor’s graduation from the University of Phoenix
with a Master’s Degree in nursing with honors, inducted in Sigma
Theta Tao - National Honor Society and for our aliyah on Rosh
Hashanah by Darlene & Larry Hornstein
DEBRA WALD GOLDBERG SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In memory of…
Debra Wald Goldberg, z’l, by Ken Goldberg & Family, Connie Sanders
Joanne Wald, z’l, by Ken Goldberg & Family
In honor of…
The birth of Jack Ford Weisel by Alissa Joy Wool & Peter Weisel
IN MEMORY OF:
YOUTH PROGRAMS
In memory of...
Max Bufferd, z’l, by Ilene & Jim Locker & Family
JANE KASS, z’l
Fran & Gerry Ginsburg, Loralee & Phil Granowitz
HAROLD JUDD, z’l
Loralee & Phil Granowitz, Heidi & Harrison Ganz
STANLEY KOEHLER, z’l
Liz & Scott Krowitz
NANCY STONE, z’l
Heidi & Harrison Ganz
ALLEN SHANEN, z’l
Melanie Massell & Frank D’Andrea, Barbara & Larry Newman
ANNABELLE POMERANCE, z’l
Liz & Scott Krowitz
FRANK AND ROSE ROSNER MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of…
William Berman, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Sarah Rosner, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Morris Rosner, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Allen Shanen, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Cynthia Koppelman, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Benjamin Sosnowitz, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Evelyn & Arthur Schutzman, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Annabelle Pomerance, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
Robert Frackman, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF…
In honor of…
In appreciation by Phyllis & Harvey Walzer
ALLEN SHANEN, husband of Barbara Shanen
ANNABELLE POMERANCE, mother of Mitch Pomerance
HENRY MELTZER, father of Deidre Goldberg
ROBERT FRACKMAN, husband of Risa Frackman
NATALIE SKALKA, mother of Susan Shapiro
IRMA RASKIN
ADELE SHULMAN
MEN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In memory of…
Rachel Kaplin, z’l, by Elaine Kaplin
Barbara Feldman, z’l, by Elaine Kaplin
Lucille Resnick, z’l, by Elaine Kaplin
Samuel Zager, z’l, by Elaine Kaplin
THANK YOU FOR DEDICATING…
SISTERHOOD
In memory of…
Sondra Rosenberg, z’l, by Judy, Susan, David & Sheri Schneiderman
SIDDUR SIM SHALOM
In memory of…
Malvina Rothman, z’l, by Linda & Joe Rothman
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REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES
CONTRIBUTING SHARES OF STOCK
TO TEMPLE BETH EL
Binnie & Gerard Ditesheim .................................. RUTH ATKINS
Seymour Baum................................................... GLORIA BAUM
Seymour Baum................................................ MORTON BAUM
Barbara Shanen.................................................. ANN BENNETT
Susan & Richard Blomberg ..........................PHILIP BLOMBERG
Susan & Richard Blomberg ........................... ROSE BLOMBERG
Beverly Ferber .......................... BEATRICE & HERMAN BREVDA
Stewart Casper ............................................. DOROTHY CASPER
Marsha & Rob Cohen ..................... CECILIA & STANLEY COHEN
Marsha & Rob Cohen ........................................... EDNA COHEN
Irving Levow ................................................... ANNA EACKLOFF
Barbara & Philip Finn, & Rachael Levitt ............. HERMAN FINN
Elicia & Jay Lang ............................................. DAVID FISHMAN
Rita & Morton Johnson .................................... BETTY FORSCHT
Susan & Robert Friedman ......................... HAROLD FRIEDMAN
Fran & Gerry Ginsburg ......................... NATHANIEL GINSBURG
Barbara & Howard Malloy ............................ BENNETT GLAZER
Lois & Dick Martin ................................... NORMA GRANOWITZ
Grecia & Ronald Gross ........................................ PEARL GROSS
Susan & Larry Holzman ................................ SYLVIA HOLZMAN
Bobbe & Ben Evans .................................... NATHAN IWIANSKY
Ann & Julius Lasnick .................................... FLORENCE KAPLAN
Roni & Allan Lang ....................................................RUTH LANG
Phyllis & Seymour Lapin..................................... DAVID LAPINE
Irving Lebow......................................................... LIBBY LEBOW
Libby Libo & Jean Libo........................................ ANDREW LIBO
Nancy London ............................ MARION & MILTON LONDON
Melanie Massell ......................................... LEONARD MASSELL
Ruth Kwartin ..................................................MILDRED MILLER
Violet Tehrani & Family ............................... VICTORIA NEMAN
Ann & Julius Lasnick .............................................. ROSE ORGEL
Lynn & Alan Pearce .............................................. SAUL PEARCE
Elsie Ralph .......................................................... JOSEPH RALPH
Lynn & Alan Pearce ............................................ TRUDY RESLER
Rhonna & Brian Rogol ................................. THEODORE ROGOL
Fran & Gerry Ginsburg ...................................... ESTELLE ROSEN
Judy Schneiderman .................................... BESSIE ROSENBERG
Howard & Amy Rosenberg & Family ..... STANLEY ROSENBERG
Rosenblum Family ................................. HARRIET ROSENBLUM
Herb Sackin & Family .......................................... LOUIS SACKIN
Herb Sackin & Family ..................................... MARSHA SACKIN
Carol Schwartz & Family ............................... HARRY SCHECTER
Roslyn & Merritt Nesin .................................... PEARL SHAPIRO
Marsha Shendell & Family .......................... HYMAN SHENDELL
Mary C. & Alan Silberman .......................... BOBBY SILBERMAN
Andrea & Eric Bass ..................................... BEATRICE SUSMAN
Herbert Kahan................................................BEATRICE TANNY
Bruce Dennis & Barbara Shapiro .................... ISIDORE TEPPER
Lori & Bruce Tobin ............................................ JOSHUA TOBIN
Ronnie & Edward Fein ........................................WILLIAM VAIL
Phyllis & Harvey Walzer ...................................... FRED WALZER
Rhonna & Brian Rogol ........................................ CAROL WEBER
Harriet & Seymour Weinstein .................... GOLDIE WEINSTEIN
Joan & Larry Wexler ............................................ FRED WEXLER
Nancy Wolfson & Family ............................ GEORGE WOLFSON
Jerry Jacobs & Family ........................................... SAUL ZAHLER
One way to boost your charitable contributions to
Temple Beth El is to give shares of appreciated
stock instead of cash. You do not pay any tax on
your capital gain, and your charitable deduction is
the shares’ entire fair market value.
Several Beth El members contribute shares of stock
to satisfy their dues pledge, their annual fund
pledge, and other contributions to the Temple.
After consulting your tax advisor, please contact
the TBE office at 203-322-6901.
MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Inscribe the names of your loved ones on a
plaque for our Chapel wall along with a light
to commemorate their yahrtzeit and yizkor
observances throughout the year.
TREE OF LIFE
A beautiful way to commemorate a
special occasion is to purchase a “leaf” on
our beautiful “Tree of Life” sculpture
adorning our Temple lobby. There are many more
leaves available for your own personal inscriptions.
The following categories are still available:
Triple Chai
Guardians of the Temple
Silver Leaves - Gold Border
Silver Leaves
$5,400
$1,000
$750
$250
INFORMATION FOR YOU…
When making a donation in honor of or in memory
of someone, an acknowledgement will be mailed to
the designee for donations of $10 or more.
Donations of less than $10 will be acknowledged
only in the Bulletin.
All donations will be published in the Bulletin
unless you state that you wish to be anonymous.
LEARNING IN RETIREMENT & TEMPLE BETH EL
Present
“They Were Expendable”
Starring Robert Montgomery and John Wayne
Thursday, November 5 at 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at TBE
More than 60 years ago, Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor.
During the months which followed, the United States struggled
to recover as Japanese military victories continued throughout
the Pacific. This film is based on William Lindsay White’s
interviews of four members of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron
Three, published as They Were Expendable in 1942.
FREE ADMISSION | COFFEE | Q&A
12
DONATE ONLINE or DEDICATE A PRAYER BOOK ON-LINE
Go to: www.tbe.org/donate/
DEDICATE A PRAYER BOOK
HIGH HOLIDAY mahzor
CHUMASH (BIBLE)
People love our Mahzors, but many of
them remain undedicated. Why not
consider dedicating one or more of
these beautiful prayer books? What
better way to memorialize or honor loved ones
than through this very intimate act of having a
personal tribute inscribed right into our prayer
books in their name.
The Etz Hayim Chumashim (Bibles) are available
for dedication. Having a simcha or observing a
yahrtzeit? Why not dedicate a Chumash to honor
the occasion? This dedication costs $72.
SIM SHALOM SIDDUR for SHABBAT
Our Sim Shalom siddurim for Shabbat are available
for dedication for $36.
See below for details…
OR HADASH
“May you be inscribed in the Book of Life…”
This very special book was intended to educate and
enlighten; indeed, Or Hadash translates as A New
Light. This dedication costs $54.
Temple Beth El proudly introduced the newly
published High Holiday Prayer Book, “Mahzor Lev
Shalem,” that we now use on the High Holidays.
SHIVA MINYAN BOOKS AVAILABLE
FOR DEDICATION
Dedications in honor of a special simcha or in
memory of a loved one or a special friend are
available! Each book will be inscribed with your
dedication on a colorful bookplate on the inside
front cover.
Prayer Books for Shiva Minyans are available for
dedication for $36.
A lovely, personalized book plate will be placed
inside the front cover.
For $50:
One prayer book for your personal use or
donate one to the Temple
For $250:
Six prayer books will be donated to the Temple
For $500:
Twelve prayer books will be donated to the Temple
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
For $1,000:
Twenty-one prayer books will be donated to the
Temple. Four books will be given to your family
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For $2,500:
Sixty prayer books will be donated to the Temple
Four prayer books will be given to your family
For $5,000:
One hundred twenty-five prayers books will be
donated to the Temple
Six prayer books will be given to your family
For amounts over $5,000, please contact Steven
Lander at 203-322-6901, ext. 304 or by e-mail
[email protected] for details.
All prayer books donated to the Temple will be
inscribed with “In Memory of” or “In Honor Of” (at
the donor’s selection) inside the front cover.
Donors will also be gratefully acknowledged by the
Temple.
Adult Education Fund
Beth El Cares
Beth Elders
Debra Wald Goldberg Kindergarten Scholarship Fund
Frank & Rose Rosner Memorial Fund (maintenance)
General Fund
Kiddush Fund
Mitzvah Garden Fund
Music Fund
Prayer Book Fund
Religious School Fund
Solar Fund in memory of Norma Mann, z’l
Youth Fund
DISCRETIONARY FUNDS
 Rabbi Joshua Hammerman’s Mitzvah Fund
 Cantor Magda Fishman’s Mitzvah Fund
 Hazzan Sidney Rabinowitz’ Mitzvah Fund
13
Special Occasion?
CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN continued from page 3...
chanting, poetry, and Yoga techniques.
Sponsor The Shabbat E-nnouncements
What is Jewish Renewal? Jewish Renewal...
...is a spiritual movement for progressive Jews that fosters a
personal connection to the Divine by infusing ancient Jewish
wisdom with a modern, egalitarian and socially progressive
consciousness. ...draws significant spiritual inspiration from
the legacy of Jewish mystical and Hassidic traditions, which is
expressed in the cultivation of traditional practices such as
meditation, chanting, davening, and storytelling. ...is a
phenomenon, not a denomination with a formal hierarchy or
structure. - from “Jewish Renewal” by Rabbi Marcia Prager
(sent every week via e-mail)
The Shabbat Announcements
(distributed each Shabbat at the Temple)
and the Shabbat-O-Gram
(e-mailed every Thursday night)
All three publications for $72
All sponsors will be acknowledged at the
beginning of each of these announcements
and also listed in our bi-monthly Bulletin.
Please come and join us. It may be something that can
truly touch your heart and open new channels in your body
and soul.
On Friday, December 11 join us for a big Hanukkah
Kabbalat Shabbat service and celebration, and take special
delight in our children who will participate by singing in that
service! There will be live music and Katie Kaplan and I will
lead and conduct the TBE Children’s Choir. I am looking
forward to this big community event, please invite your
friends from all over the state and let’s celebrate the holiday
of lights.
The TBE Adult Choir rehearsals are about to start as are
the Children’s Choir (and potential teen choir). If you are
interested, or if you know a teen or a child who is interested,
please contact me. For the children, we are aiming for
rehearsals at 11:45am - 12:15pm on Sundays (Dates will be
decided soon). The Children’s Choir will be co-directed by
Katie Kaplan and me. The Adult Choir will meet every other
Wednesday from 7:00pm – 8.30pm.
If you are interested in supporting any special Shabbat
event or the music program, please let me know.
May your new year be filled with light, happiness and joy, lots
of prayers, sounds of music and great community.
Many Blessings.
Cantor Magda Fishman
Call Mindy in the office at 322-6901 ext. 301.
NOW YOU MAY PURCHASE SCRIP ONLINE!
Go to www.tbe.org and click on “donations”
in the upper right-hand corner.
ATTENTION PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS
Rabbi Hammerman would like to stay in touch with
your child while he/she is away at college. Please
send his/her e-mail address to Ellen in the Temple
office at [email protected]. Thank you!
SEEKING SHABBAT GREETERS
Do you like getting a warm “Shabbat Shalom” as
you enter shul on Saturday morning?
Our greeting program has been extremely well
received. To keep this program going, we need
volunteer greeters like you.
Interested?
Contact
[email protected].
Steven
Lander
PLACE YOUR AD HERE
at
CALL MINDY at 203-322-6901,
ext. 301 or [email protected]
Thanks for helping make Temple Beth El a warm
and welcoming place to be.
14
ATTENTION TEMPLE BETH EL CONGREGANT and CL&P CUSTOMER:
How would you like to donate $75.00 to TBE and be part of Connecticut’s best value: The Home Energy Solutions
(HES) Program?
Did you know that through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, because you are a CL&P customer, you can receive
all the following services?
A HES assessment is a complete energy service performed by HE-Energy Solutions LLC, certified professionals. It
includes the following:
·The installation of up to 25 compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs - specialty and standard.
·Sealing of wasteful drafts and air leaks.
·Windows and Doors will be assessed - v-seal and weather stripping provided where necessary.
·Water saving strategies - replacement to low flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
·Pipe Insulation - provided if necessary.
·Inspection of attic, floor and wall insulation.
·Hundreds of dollars of additional rebates that you may qualify for.
This service is valued at over $700 and is available to you as a CL&P customer for the low cost of $75, which we will
donate, in your name, to Temple Beth El.
The Home Energy Solutions is one of the innovative programs supported by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund
and administered by CL&P and UI.
Please call Renee at 203.307.5395 and use reference code Tzedakah to start saving today.
HE-Energy Solutions LLC
144 Barnum Avenue, Stratford, CT 06614
203.307.5395
15
The deadline
for the January/February 2016
issue of the Temple Bulletin will be
We Capture Your
Precious Memories
on Video…
Weddings  Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Proud to be the official TBE videographer
Tom was able to capture the spirit and joy of
our B’nai Mitzvah service and party in a video
we will always treasure. He was also a
pleasure to work with from start to finish.
Jared Finkelstein
If you are looking for a videographer, look no
further! Tom was a delight to work with and
the finished product was incredible. He
created separate videos of my daughter’s Bat
Mitzvah service and celebration and captured
all aspects of the joy of the day.
Jill Teich
Thomas Pace, Jr.  203.335.0168
T & J Video Service
We also transfer home movies/video to DVD.
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STUDIO A
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
203-661-3393
cell: 914-629-2204
[email protected]
wwwstudioadigital.com
Experience working with TBE for over 20 years.
Ask your friends!
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ART GREENWALD
President
INTEGRATED PROTECTION SERVICES, LLC
76 PROGRESS DRIVE
STAMFORD, CT 06902
Tel: 203.322.0772
WWW.INTEGRATEDPROTECTIONSERVICES.COM
SYSTEMS AND SERVICES FOR SECURITY
AND FIRE PROTECTION
SERVING CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL
BETH TORAH KOSHER CATERERS
Glatt Kosher Custom Catering
Catering for all occasions, on-premises
or off-premises at location of your choice.
American, Middle Eastern & International foods.
China, Silver, Linens, Waiters & Bartenders
106-06 Queens Blvd.
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: (718) 261-4775
Fax: (718) 261-4607
Check out the new website
for our event space
at Temple Beth El
www.thebigeventspace.com
Please pass this exciting
website on to your friends
and business associates!
(FORMERLY SUPERSOL)
FRESH GLATT KOSHER MEAT & POULTRY
DELICIOUS PREPARED FOODS,
KOSHER GROCERIES, DAIRY & FROZEN
AND OF COURSE OUR EXQUISITE CATERING
SEASONS MARKET
1066 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583
TEL: 914-472-2240 FAX: 914-472-2215
UNDER THE KASHRUTH SUPERVISION OF THE
VAAD HARABONIM OF QUEENS
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Non-Profit
TEMPLE BETH EL
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
350 Roxbury Road
Stamford, CT 06902
STAMFORD, CT
PERMIT NO. 42
CHECK US OUT ON
November-December 2015
THE 31ST ANNUAL
HYACINTHE AND HAROLD HOFFMAN
MEMORIAL LECTURE
PROUDLY PRESENTS
ANAT HOFFMAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015
7:30 PM
What We Don’t Talk About When We Focus on Israel’s security
Officials representing the State of Israel often focus on security needs, and for good reason. But focusing exclusively on
the conflict with Israel’s neighbors distracts people from exploring some of the conflicts that rock Israeli society from
within, such as women’s rights, religious pluralism, racism against minorities and struggles for freedom of conscience.
Anat Hoffman is an Israeli activist and serves as Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, also known
as IRAC, and is the director and a founding member of Neshot HaKotel, also known asWomen of the Wall.
Reception to follow the lecture. All are welcome. There is no charge.
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