September/October 2015 Bulletin
Transcription
September/October 2015 Bulletin
Temple Beth El Bulletin An Egalitarian Conservative Synagogue www.tbe.org Volume 41 Issue 4 (bi-monthly) September-October 2015 BETH SILVER, Sisterhood President, presents a check to MIA WEINSTEIN, TBE President for $10,000 as their donation towards the Music Fund at TBE at the Annual Meeting Elul 5775 Tishrei/Cheshvan 5776 HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2015/TBE GRADUATES June 26, 2015 Mazal tov! May 27, 2015 YOUNG FAMILIES BACKYARD SHABBAT Friday, July 31, 2015 BBQ and BARACHU Friday, August 14, 2015 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 203-249-7046 MEN’S CLUB Matthew Miller, President 203-504-8664 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 203-276-8688 203-323-1449 203-322-0295 203-325-3114 203-322-3249 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 James Benjamin 203-329-0369 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 Sidney G. Rabinowitz, Hazzan Emeritus .....................................Page 4 September/October Service Schedule .......................................Page 5 B’nai Mitzvah..............................................................................Page 6 Beth El Cares ..............................................................................Page 8 Men’s Club .................................................................................Page 8 Sisterhood ..................................................................................Page 9 2 ON ONE FOOT CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN The Spirit of ’76 – Just Do It! Dear Beth El Family, The new year offers us a chance to foster our own “Spirit of ’76” here at TBE, 5776, that is, or, in Hebrew, תשעוIf you reverse two of the letters you get the word תעשוTa’asu, which is the command in second person plural, “Do!” It’s reminiscent of the Nike slogan, circa Michael Jordan, “Just do it!” So the new year, this year of “Do!” reminds us that Judaism is a religion of “Do!” Yes, we talk. Quite a bit, in fact. And we think. Often we overthink. But what matters most is not the talking or the thinking. It’s the doing that counts. It’s not about “To be or not to be” - Hamlet, after all, is not kosher. Jewish weddings end not in a pronouncement but in an action, the breaking of a glass. We are people of the book, true, but also people of shuk. We are a people of action (and in the case of the shuk, transaction). So let’s ask ourselves what we need to simply do over the coming year. What have we been ruminating about? What have we been putting off? Maybe it’s been that chance to reconcile with someone, or to become more involved in Jewish learning or prayer. Maybe it’s about volunteering to help someone who is shut-in with weekly shopping, or reading to a child. Maybe it’s about taking a more active interest in Israel, or planning to going there. Whatever it is, let’s make this coming year the year to “Just Do it!” We’re going to be doing LOTS of things here this year. You’ll see more about them over the coming weeks and in the pages of this bulletin. We in the Hammerman family will be celebrating a real simcha, if all goes well. This summer our dog Crosby turned 13, and at our annual Sukkah Open House this year, on Sunday, October 4 from noon to 1:30 pm, we’re going to be celebrating his Bark Mitzvah along with all his friends, the pets of TBE. We’ll be doing a blessing of the animals – fittingly, on a day when our Christian neighbors are celebrating the feast of St. Francis and their own animal blessing. Sukkot is a perfect time to reflect upon our companions who share the fragile flimsy home known as earth, and who share the precarious predicament known as mortality. After the fun is over at my house, at 3:00 pm, the Interfaith Council is putting together something never done before, to take place at the Stamford Arboretum: An Interfaith Interspecies Blessing – so that all creatures, great and small, Jewish, Christian, Tabby or Great Dane, might celebrate our common good fortune, and together we shall bark “AMEN.” So bring your pets over to the Hammerman Sukkah on October 4 at noon. Have them “sit” and “stay” a while. For if there is one thing our pets teach us, at least if they are not cows, it’s that rumination is for ruminants. For dogs, cats, rabbits, iguanas, humans and tropical fish, it’s all about those Nikes. Warm wishes for a sweet and healthy new year from Mara, Ethan, Dan and myself. Let’s join together to usher in the Spirit of ‘76... 5776! My family and I wish you a Happy, Healthy New Year, filled with many sounds of music, community and love. As we enter the High Holidays, I invite you to take time to reflect on your life, personal time and community time and join us here at Beth El. We are very fortunate that Uri Sharlin will be joining us as the main musician for the High Holidays. Uri spent many years directing music at B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan. He is an established performer who recently performed with Natalie Merchant on her tour. I am looking forward to praying with our choir members, more guest musicians and all of you. Please feel free to raise your voices in song and prayer whenever your heart desires. It’s been a wonderful year of transition and I would love to thank you for your help and support. It is truly appreciated. I am entering my second year with lots of excitement and I am looking forward to many wonderful times together. Please let me know if you or a member of your family sings or plays an instrument. I am always in search of musicians and singers. Please let me know if you would like to support music (in services and non-service occasions). There is a music fund set for those purposes and I would like to see our music program grow and become a center of Jewish music/versatile music in our area. Special services last year were exciting and I would love to see them continue. Another exciting journey will be the Cantors Assembly mission to Spain. In July 2016, my colleagues around the country, joined by congregants, will be taking a trip to Spain to attend our annual convention learning, concertizing and traveling together as a big community. It will be an unbelievable experience and I would love to take a group from Beth El with me. For more information, please contact me. Looking forward to a wonderful year! Shanah Tova u’Metuka! Cantor Magda Fishman, Zarin, Yair and Pilpil (the dog) WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A GABBAI? Training available! Please contact Rabbi Hammerman at [email protected]. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU CLERGY HOSPITAL VISITS Stamford Hospital has announced now intensified privacy policies, whereby our clergy will not have access to any patient information at the front desk. If a loved one is hospitalized, please make sure that our office or clergy are aware so that we can provide pastoral care. Rabbi Joshua Hammerman 3 31st ANNUAL HYACINTHE AND HAROLD E. HOFFMAN MEMORIAL LECTURE THE HAZZAN’S VOICE We are in the month of Elul, a time of preparation for the High Holy Days. It is a time to focus our thoughts on how we will approach the prayers and music of the services. Rabbi Abraham Kook, the first Ashkenazic chief rabbi of the Land of Israel gives us guidelines as how we individually may deal with the beautiful music. ANAT HOFFMAN Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, and Director and founding member of the “Women of the Wall” “What We Don’t Talk About When We Focus on Israel’s Security” There is one who sings the songs of one’s own life, and within finds everything, full spiritual satisfaction. There is another who sings the song of his people. He leaves the inner circle of his individual self, because he finds it without sufficient breadth, without an idealistic basis. He aspires toward the heights, and he attaches himself with a gentle love to the community of Israel. Together with her, the community of Israel, he sings her songs. He feels grieved in her afflictions and delights in her hopes. There is another who reaches toward more distant realms, going beyond the boundary of Israel to sing the song of humanity. Her spirit extends to the wider vistas of the majority of humanity in general, and its noble essence, aspiring toward humanity’s general goal, and looking forward toward its higher perfection. From this source of life she draws the subjects of meditation and study, aspirations and visions. Then there is one who rises toward wider horizons, until he links himself with all existence, with all G-d’s creatures, with all worlds, and he sings with all of them. It is of one such as this that tradition has said that whoever sings a portion of song each day is assured of having a share in the world to come. And then there is one who rises with all these songs together in one ensemble, and then they all join their voices. Together they sing their songs of joy and gladness, sounds of jubilation and celebration, sounds of ecstasy and holiness. The song of the self, the song of the people, the song of humanity, the song of the world - all merge within, at all times, every hour. And this comprehensiveness rises to become the song of holiness, the song of G-d, the song of Israel, in its full strength and beauty, in its full authenticity and greatness. The name “Israel” stands for “Shir El,” the song of G-d. It is a simple song, a double song, a triple song, a fourfold song. 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 a sabra born on a kibbutz near Jerusalem. Her mother, Varda Blechman, was the first child born at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel (Rachel’s Heights). Her American-born father, Charles Weiss, served as a Voice of America correspondent in Israel. She attended the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. She also excelled as a competitive athlete, becoming a champion swimmer. She competed in the Maccabiah Games, winning titles in nine events. In 1974, after she completed her service in the Israel Defense Forces, she left for the United States to study. She graduated from UCLA in 1980 with a B.A. in Psychology. While at UCLA she was connected to Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and started the Israeli Student Organization. She was exposed to Reform Judaism and realized for the first time that Judaism was not limited to Orthodoxy. She later pursued graduate study at Bar Ilan University. Returning to Israel, she became an activist for religious pluralism, becoming involved in the founding of Kol Haneshema, a Reform or progressive synagogue in Jerusalem. She served on the Jerusalem City Council from 1988 to 2002, representing the Civil Rights and Peace Movement. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 at 7:30 p.m. My best wishes to you of Temple Beth El for a Shana Tova, a good year. And may you all sing the songs of the Holy Days as a community of one, in whatever key you are comfortable in singing. It all rises together in harmony as a chorus of one. All are welcome. There is no charge. Reception to follow. SHOFAR Hazzan Sidney G. Rabinowitz Do you (or know someone who) can sound the shofar? We need shofar blowers for weekday morning services during the month of Elul! Please contact Matt Miller (585313-7562) or Cantor Fishman ([email protected]) for more details. Shanah Tova from Even if you do not know how but want to learn, we can teach you! Temple Beth El 4 SHABBAT AND FESTIVAL SERVICES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER Friday, September 4 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 2 Tot Shabbat 5:30 p.m. Pot Luck Shabbat Dinner 6:00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat, September 5 Services 9:30 a.m. Selichot Service 9:00 p.m. at Conservative Synagogue Shabbat, October 3 Services 9:30 a.m. CHASE BROWNSTEIN, BAR MITZVAH Friday, September 11 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat, September 12 Services 9:30 a.m. “Forgiving the Unforgivable” Sermon-ar Monday, October 5 - Shemini Atzeret Services 9:30 a.m. Yizkor Simchat Torah Services 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13 - Erev Rosh Hashanah Services 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 14 - Rosh Hashanah 8:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Children/Family Programming Early drop-off 10:00 a.m. by reservation only 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Musaf: 10:30 a.m. Sermon: 11:15 a.m. Musaf continues... Tashlich: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 6 - Simchat Torah Services 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 9 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat, October 10 Services 9:30 a.m. ANDREW PATASHNIK, BAR MITZVAH Tuesday, September 15 - Rosh Hashanah 8:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Children/Family Programming Early drop-off 10:00 a.m. by reservation only 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Musaf: 10:30 a.m. Sermon: 11:15 a.m. Musaf continues... Friday, October 16 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat, October 17 Services 9:30 a.m. ZOË JAFFE-BERKOWITZ, BAT MITZVAH Mincha/Ma’ariv Service 5:30 p.m. GEORGIA BAER, BAT MITZVAH Friday, September 18 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Yitzhak Brudny, Guest Speaker Shabbat, September 19 Services 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 23 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 22 - Kol Nidrei Services 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 - Yom Kippur Services 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. Children/Family Programming Early drop-off 10:00 a.m. by reservation only 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sermon: 11:00 a.m. followed by Musaf Mincha: 4:30 p.m. Yizkor: 5:45 p.m. Neilah: 6:15 p.m. Shofar: 7:35 p.m. Shabbat, October 24 Services 9:30 a.m. Mincha/Ma’ariv Service 5:30 p.m. LEAH TULUCA, BAT MITZVAH Friday, September 25 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat, October 31 Services 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 30 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat, September 26 Services 9:30 a.m. DOUGLAS & NATHANIEL HERMAN, B’NAI MITZVAH Monday, September 28 - Sukkot Services 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 29 - Sukkot Services 9:30 a.m. 5 B’NAI MITZVAH MAZAL TOV TO… Dorothy and Steven Zeide on the birth of a granddaughter, Elora Mabel, born to Leah and Nolan Zeide. September 26 (morning) DOUGLAS HERMAN Son of Jacqueline and David Brother of Nathaniel, Benjamin and Olivia Attends Bi-Cultural Day School Mitzvah Project: Friendship Circle Nancy and Linsday Rosenberg on the birth of a granddaughter, Eliza Rose, born to Becky and Andrew Benenson. TODAH RABAH FOR SPONSORING AN ONEG SHABBAT September 26 (morning) NATHANIEL HERMAN Son of Jacqueline and David Brother of Douglas, Benjamin and Olivia Attends Bi-Cultural Day School Mitzvah Project: Friendship Circle Michael and Leslie Moskowitz and Family in memory of Harriet Weiss, z’l, beloved mother of Michael, mother-in-law of Leslie and grandmother of Roni, Russell, Marc, and Brett WE THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS THIS MONTH Kenneth Jay Cohen, Beth Finchler, Roz Finchler, Marsha Greenberg, Richard Heimler, Sam Kravitz, Carol Krim, Jerry Rose, Carol Sander, Judy Schneiderman, Harold Schwartz, Millie Sobel, Barry Strom, Emma-Rose Strom, Barbara Taksel October 10 (morning) ANDREW PATASHNIK Son of Dayna and David Brother of Aaron Attends Dolan Middle School Mitzvah Project: Neighborhood Studios HONORABLE MENSCHEN Todah Rabah to our Torah readers! October 17 (morning) ZOË BERKOWITZ Daughter of Devra and Parry Sister of Andrew Attends Bi-Cultural Day School Mitzvah Project: Friendship Circle Robert Cohen Steve Danzer Phil Granowitz Denise Greenman Michelle Greenman October 17 (afternoon) GEORGIA BAER Daughter of Beth and Raymond Sister of Celia and Richard Attends Bi-Cultural Day School Mitzvah Project: 3 SQUARE Rabbi Joshua Hammerman Bert Madwed Matt Miller Carol Krim Bert Madwed Susan Schneiderman BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE IS ONCE AGAIN A BOOK OF LIFE This Yom Kippur, like last year, our Book of Remembrance will include descriptive reminiscences. You are invited to submit, via email, a brief paragraph or two about your loved ones. You might describe what people most remember about them, a poignant vignette, a story about their involvement in their Jewish community (including TBE), or just a simple tribute. October 24 (morning) LEAH TULUCA Daughter of Inga and Luciano Sister of Danielle Attends Fox Lane Middle School Mitzvah Project: Kids Serving Kids Send your blurbs to [email protected] with the subject line “Book of Remembrance,” and make sure to include the full name of each loved one. Submissions may be edited for space for inclusion in the printed journal. We are happy to use again those blurbs submitted last year, but we will need your permission to reprint it. All submissions must be received by September 1. Check out the new website for our event space at Temple Beth El www.thebigeventspace.com Be sure to mail in your list of names for this year’s Book of Remembrance. If you did not receive a notice in the mail, please contact Mindy at [email protected]. Please pass this exciting website on to your friends and business associates! 6 FIRST MID-WEEK DAY TBE ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE Sunday, September 13, 2015 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 4-6pm - Grades 3 - 7 At the Beth El Cemetery TBE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL OPENING DAYS! FIRST SUNDAY & PARENT OPEN HOUSE! Sunday, September 20, 9am-12pm - Grades K - 7 BIMAH AND SUKKAH CONSTRUCTION TEAM REQUEST 9:00am - Welcome assembly for all. Temple Beth is looking for volunteers to assemble and take down the High Holiday bimah and our beautiful sukkah on the following dates and times: 9:30am, K-2nd students to class with teachers 3rd-7th Students song session/tefillah K-2nd Parents meet with educator 3rd-7th Parents meet with teachers Bimah and Sukkah set-up: Sunday, September 6 at 8:30 am Refreshments will be served, complements of TBE’s Men’s Club. 10:00am, K-2nd students - song session/tefillah 3rd-7th Students to class with teachers K-2nd Parents meet with teachers 3rd-7th Parents meet with educator All participants are asked to bring work gloves and, for those helping with the bimah construction and take down, please bring 3/4” wrenches or socket wrenches. For the bimah, some heavy lifting is required! 10:30am Students are in class. Parents are welcome to have bagels and coffee in the Lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Stuart Nekritz at 203-322-0872 or [email protected]. Many thanks to the TBE Sisterhood for providing our bagels! Wishing everyone and their families a Happy and Healthy New Year! Register your child for Religious School! Please go to this link: www.tinyurl.com/tbeschoolreg2015 WANNA MAKE A LULAV SHAKE? SUKKAH HOP Sukkot 5776/September 28-29 And Blessing of the Animals (Bring your pets.) Order your lulav and etrog here! At The Hammermans’ Sukkah NAME 356 Roxbury Road PHONE Sunday, October 4 | 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm E-MAIL ADDRESS All are welcome. No RSVP required. Please print neatly. SELICHOT Saturday, September 5 at 9:00 p.m. at The Conservative Synagogue, 30 Hillspoint Road, Westport NUMBER OF REGULAR SETS at $56/set NUMBER OF CHILDREN’S SETS at $46/set TOTAL = $ ____ An evening of prayer, poetry and musical inspiration as we spiritually prepare for the High Holidays Please order by Monday, September 21 Send this form with your check payable to: HOSTED BY THE CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUES OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY TEMPLE BETH EL 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902 CONGREGATION BETH EL, NORWALK TEMPLE BETH EL, STAMFORD TEMPLE SHOLOM, GREENWICH THE CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE, WESTPORT Pick-up will be Sunday, September 27. from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. For information call 203-322-6901, ext. 301. 7 MEN’S CLUB BETH EL CARES HIGH HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE THIS YEAR KIDS CAN HELP SORT THE FOOD AND STOCK THE SHELVES! MEN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS The Men’s Club of Temple Beth El is proud to award the Edward J. Kaplin Memorial Scholarship to two very deserving recipients. This year we had a great group of applications, and our task of selecting one or two recipients was not easy. The applicants came from schools throughout Fairfield County, although the two winners are from families strongly connected to Temple Beth El. Each year your generous contributions to TBE’s High Holiday Food Drive make a difference in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors. Bags will be handed out during Rosh Hashanah Services. PLEASE BRING FILLED BAGS (with unexpired food) BACK TO THE TEMPLE ON YOM KIPPUR. Volunteers are needed to sort bags and stock shelves at the food pantry at Person to Person (1864 Post Road, Darien, CT) on Sunday, September 27, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. This is a great and fun opportunity for individuals and families to perform the mitzvah of tzedakah. Our first winner, Jenna Plotzky, is a graduate of Westhill High School, and was named one of the top teens to watch by Stamford Magazine. She is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish and Business National Honor Societies. She has also been a madricha in our Religious School, a board member of Kulanu, and has been on the March of the Living. Not one to be content with dozens of activities, she has also been on the indoor and outdoor track teams for four years, and captain of the Westhill math team. She is the daughter of Susan and Mark Plotzky. Jenna will be attending college next year at Bentley University. To sign up to volunteer and for more information contact Ken Temple at 203-962-1491 or [email protected]. BETH EL CARES 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: Our second award winner, Rachel Steinmetz, is no stranger to Temple Beth El. She is a graduate of Stamford High School, where she has been involved backstage in the school’s theatrical offerings in technical production, for which she won the Connecticut Drama Association Stage Manager Award. She has been in the Kuriansky Teen Tzedakah Corp and Speak Up for Israel, in addition to Kulanu, Stamford’s supplemental Hebrew high school program, and The March of the Living. She’s also been a volunteer at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, The Friendship Circle and the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council. She is the daughter of Karen Steinmetz and Marty Steinmetz. She will be attending Ithaca College in the fall. 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]. Congratulations to Jenna and Rachel! Special thanks to Gerry Ginsburg for his work in chairing the scholarship committee. Matt Miller Preparing and serving Christmas dinners at local homeless shelters. Contacts: Amy Temple at 203-496-1309 or [email protected]. Matthew Miller, President - [email protected] Matthew Klein, Vice President - [email protected] Eliot Essenfeld, Treasurer - [email protected] Stuart Nekritz, Secretary - [email protected] If you have your own idea for a project or a group contact Ken Temple at [email protected] or 203-962-1491. TEMPLE BETH EL DISCUSSION GROUP First Meeting of the Season Sunday, September 20 at 7:30 pm at the Home of Judy & Gerry Fishman 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! 128 Rolling Wood Drive, Stamford Marc Chagall Retrospective “The Quintessential Jewish Artist of the 20th Century” Discussion Leader: Harriet Lacker PAY YOUR TEMPLE DUES ONLINE RSVP to Judy and Gerry Fishman at 203-322-3523 or [email protected]. Temple Beth El is now accepting ACH payments ONLINE at http://www.tbe.org/donate/ Looking forward to seeing you and beginning the New Year with this interesting program. 8 SISTERHOOD TBE Judaica Gift Shop L’Shanah Tova! We wish you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy and sweet new year! Sisterhood of TBE is starting its 94th year and we are looking forward to carrying on our tradition of supporting the Temple with enrichment and financial resources. Our wonderful Sisterhood is 200 members strong and with all of us working together, we will be successful! We have been busy during the summer planning great events for this year! We have some new ideas and surprises too! We will be working with the Men’s Club to bring interesting speakers to the Temple. Look for more information in the Bulletins and weekly Shabbat announcements for great events. Please mark your calendars for these special dates: Congregational Break-the-Fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur on Wednesday, September 23; Sisterhood Paid-Up Membership Brunch on Sunday, December 6; and Sisterhood Shabbat on Saturday, May 7, 2016. All women are welcome to share our beautiful monthly Rosh Chodesh meetings when we welcome the new Jewish month together through discussion and learning. We are transforming the Gift Shop into a more customerfriendly place. We listened to your suggestions and are filling the shelves with beautiful Judaica, Shabbat and holiday items. Our invitation selection includes charming wedding and party invitations in addition to the lovely B’nai Mitzvah invitations that we sell. There is now a bigger selection of tallit and tefillin for our B’nai Mitzvah. Please give the Gift Shop a try – the pricing is better than the internet, the customer service is outstanding and the proceeds are donated back to the Temple! Looking forward to seeing you in 2015-2016 for Sisterhood’s 94th year of success! Please consider joining, volunteering and/or attending a program! Sisterhood is a wonderful way to meet new friends and build relationships in addition to supporting the Temple. We also need a few new board members to help us with planning so please consider joining the team. It would be a mitzvah! We just came back from the New York Gift Show! Gorgeous New Items!! We can’t wait for you to see them!!! Beautiful Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, B’nai Mitzvah items and Judaica Art (new!!!) We will be open on September 13 during High Holiday Food Pick-up from 9 am-12 noon Open Sundays 9 am - 12 noon (when Religious School is in session) Shop by Appointment at Your Convenience We will gladly meet you!!! ●Barbara Berman: 203.329.7750, [email protected] ●Steve Lander (in TBE office): 203.322.6901, x 304 ●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%. Torah Fund 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. 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. With love, friendship and appreciation on behalf of Sisterhood, Beth Silver Gift Shop Help Needed 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] (And would be much appreciated!) Do you have a little time on Sunday mornings? Interested in finding out more about Sisterhood? We could use your help in the Gift Shop on three Sunday mornings (that’s all!) during the Religious School year. Please contact Barbara Berman at [email protected]. 9 ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THIS FALL AT TEMPLE BETH EL Forgiving the Unforgivable Shabbat, September 9 Join us for services starting at 9:30am Regularly Scheduled Programs Introduction to Judaism Fee: $180 and includes all materials With Rabbi Joshua Hammerman & Rabbi Jay TelRav Wednesdays 7:00pm to 8:30pm Following the despicable murders at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the world was stunned that the victims’ families offered forgiveness to the killer. As exemplary as this gesture may have been, especially from a Christian perspective, was it consistent with Jewish ethics? Should we automatically forgive the unforgivable? This program is designed to give students (both Jews and non-Jews) an opportunity to learn about the history, culture and religious practices of Judaism. Topics include an overview of the history of the Jewish people, how and why Jews pray, a review of life-cycle events and holidays, an explanation of the written and oral law, basic Jewish beliefs, Holocaust and Israel. Classes meet for 21 weeks. AT TEMPLE SINAI AT TEMPLE BETH EL 10-14 What is Judaism - Introduction 1-6 Ethics 10-21 The Written Law 1-13 Ethics II 10-28 Oral Law: Midrash & Talmud 1-20 Lifecycles I 11-4 Comparative Liturgy 1-27 Lifecycles II 11-18 Jewish History Part I 2-3 History of Non Orthodox Judaism 12-2 Jewish History Part 2 2-10 Branches of Judaism 12-9 Shabbat 2- 7 Kashrut - Animals & the Environment 12-16 Calendar 2-24 Anti Semitism & the Holocaust 3-2 Zionism/State of Israel 3-9 Prayer 3-16 Spirituality 3-30 Session with the Rabbis - Wrap Up Hot Topics With Rabbi Joshua Hammerman (No Fee) Selected Tuesdays 7:30-8:30pm During this pre-Rosh Hashanah sermon-ar, Rabbi Hammerman will discuss this question in light of the themes of the High Holidays, using as a resource the classic book by Simon Wiesenthal: “The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness.” Participants are encouraged to read this book in advance; order on Amazon at http:// www.amazon.com/The-SunflowerPossibilities-ForgivenessPaperback/dp/0805210601 Join us on the following dates as we explore how Jewish tradition can guide and inform us as we evaluate major issues in today’s society. TUE. 12-1 Gender and Judaism TUE. 12-15 Transgender Respect and Jewish Ethics TUE. 1-12 Civil Rights & the Jews in the United States TUE. 1-26 Jewish Values & Election Campaigns TUE. 2-23 Israel on College Campuses TUE. 3-8 Joseph Telushkin’s book, “The Rebbe: The Life and Teaching of Menachem M. Schneerson,” - 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 for any of the above programs, please contact the TBE Education Office at 203-322-6901 x306 or email [email protected]. 10 MORE ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THIS FALL AT TEMPLE BETH EL Regularly Scheduled Programs Shal-Ohm Yoga With Pamela Tinkham (Fee: $20 per session) Lunch and Learn: Untangling the Psalms Wednesdays 6:00-7:15pm beginning September 9 With Rabbi Joshua Hammerman (No Fee) Wednesdays 12:00-12:45pm 10-14 - 12-16 Shal-Om Yoga is a gentle Vinyassa (flow) of Yoga that encompasses all aspects of the mind, body and spirit. The goal of Yoga is to calm down your nervous system so that you can experience Shalom (peace) in your every day lives. We hope to see you there! For more information please contact Pamela Tinkham at [email protected]. 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! For more information or to RSVP, please contact the TBE Education Office at 203-322-6901 x306 or email [email protected]. Focus on Israel: Two Special Films Praying in Her Own Voice: The Struggle of the Women of the Wall for Religious Freedom in Israel Introduction to Hebrew Reading & Prayer With Sue Shapiro (No Fee) Film Screening & Discussion Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 Tuesday 10-27 7:30pm (No Fee) Learn to read Hebrew - for beginners. Participants will learn the letters and sounds of the Israeli alef-bet and begin to learn to read and chant the prayers of the worship service. For more information or to RSVP, please contact the TBE Education Office at 203-322-6901 x306 or email [email protected]. 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. Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem Film Screening & Discussion Tuesday 11-17 7:30pm (No Fee) TBE Discussion Group 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. (No Fee) The TBE Discussion Group meets once a month. For dates and program information please contact 203-3226901. Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group (No Fee) Our Rosh Chodesh group meets at the beginning of every Hebrew month. Join us as we study together and enjoy good company and excellent snacks! For more details and to receive regular notification about Rosh Chodesh programs, contact Beth Silver at [email protected]. For more information or to RSVP for the above programs, please contact the TBE Education Office at 203-322-6901 x306 or email [email protected]. Tradition in the Kitchen The TBE Sisterhood presents a series of Sunday mornings in the kitchen with a primo chef or baker! Participants will have the opportunity to recreate an ageless recipe and produce a masterpiece that you can share with your family! For dates and times and to receive regular notification about this program, please contact Beth Silver at [email protected]. Coming this Spring . . . Save the Date: Women’s Passover Seder! Wednesday Evening, April 13, 2016 11 REYUT REYUT This is our first formal communication since the Hope in Motion Walk this past June, which was extremely successful thanks to your participation and generous contributions. Our Reyut volunteers remained active throughout the summer providing our usual support to those ongoing established recipients, as well as to a handful of new people who reached out to us. One individual, who is legally blind, has been befriended by several on our committee and is extremely grateful for the sunshine we have brought into her life. In addition, our hospital Shabbat bag team delights in continuing to bring joy into the lives of our Jewish hospitalized patients. We also wish to acknowledge the generosity of our Mitzvah Garden ladies, Meryl Silverstein and Harriet Weinstein, who offer their beautiful flowers, which we create into lovely arrangements for our appreciative friends. HOW TO LIVE TO BE 100 Edward Schuster, M.D., a prominent Stamford cardiologist and fellow member of TBE, will be our guest speaker on Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 pm in the Temple Beth El lobby. All TBE members and friends are welcome to attend at no charge. Please join us for this special event. For further information, please feel free to contact Melanie Massell, committee chair at [email protected]. U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONS AT A CROSSROADS Featuring Dr. Yitzhak Brudny Dr. Yitzhak Brudny, a TBE member and Religious School parent, is a senior lecturer in the faculty of social sciences at Hebrew University. His specialty is nationalism and ethnic conflict in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He received his PhD from Princeton and is author of, among other publications, “Reinventing Russia.” On Wednesday, October 14, we look forward to an exciting educational agenda this coming year beginning with a presentation from Edward Schuster, MD, a highly popular Stamford cardiologist and fellow member of Temple Beth El. His address is “How To Live To Be 100.” For more information, please see the announcement box on this page and be certain to invite your friends to this special event. During a week when Congress is set to vote on the Iran Deal, we are fortunate to gain the insights of this renowned scholar before he returns to Jerusalem for the fall semester. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer and look forward to seeing you in the fall. Join us... Friday, September 18, 2015 Services begin at 7:30 p.m. As always, please feel free to contact me at any time. Melanie Massell 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. OUR NEW PARKING LOT! BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER Interested? Contact [email protected]. Steven Lander at Thanks for helping make Temple Beth El a warm and welcoming place to be. VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE! www.tbe.org Read Rabbi Hammerman’s Shabbat-O-Grams… View our photo albums…Learn about our upcoming events… Find contact information...And much, much more! NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!! MAKE RESERVATIONS AND DONATIONS ONLINE! Go to www.tbe.org/donate/ 12 WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN MITZVAH FUND In memory of… Jeanette Fishkow, z’l, by Amy Fishkow & Jim Benjamin IN HONOR OF: SYLVAN POMERANTZ FOR HIS SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF TBE Meg & Yoav Haron THE BIRTH OF OUR GRANDSON, JACK BENJAMIN ROSEN Sabrina & Dan Benjamin LUKE PRICE ON HIS GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ADMISSION TO COLLEGE Jeff Turshen SALLY KLAPPER ON HER GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ADMISSION TO COLLEGE Jeff Turshen THE BIRTH OF MY GREAT-GRANDSON, SIDNEY LEWIS BROMLEY Paula Epstein RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN ON HIS 28th YEAR AT TBE Richard Heimler & Chris Maroc CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN FOR HER INCREDIBLY OUTSTANDING CONCERT Jacqueline Kligerman JUSTIN KAPLAN BECOMING A BAR MITZVAH The Kriftcher Family RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN & EILEEN H. ROSNER AND ALL OF THE KIND FRIENDS AT TBE WHO WERE UNDERSTANDING AND HELPFUL TO ME DURING A HARD TIME Esther Sadeh CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN MITZVAH FUND In memory of… Hesh Romanowitz, z’l, by Esther Romer-Weinberg ADULT EDUCATION In memory of… George Goldberg, z’l, by Richard Schwartz DEBRA WALD GOLDBERG SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of… Debra Wald Goldberg, z’l, by Warren Wald FRANK AND ROSE ROSNER MEMORIAL FUND In memory of… Florence Retsky, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Helen Rynar, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Vera Chozhik, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Tillie Stark, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Susan Miller, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Stephanie Taibi, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner HOSPITAL PACKAGE FUND In honor of… Refuah Sheleima for Hank Silverstein by Meryl Silverstein WE MOURN THE PASSING OF… In memory of… Philip Novick, z’l, by Meryl & Hank Silverstein Adele Silverstein, z’l, by Meryl & Hank Silverstein SUSAN MILLER, sister of Barbara Klipper TILLIE STARK, mother of Lois Stark VERA CHOZHIK, mother of Sophia Lumelsky JANE KASS, mother of Kathy Mandel HAROLD JUDD, father of Samuel Judd CHARLES RAMRAS, brother of Daniel Ramras HARRIET WEISS, mother of Michael Moskowitz SALLY KURS, mother of Ellin Isban IN MEMORY OF: BERNARD TAUB, z’l Family of Charles Judd, Trudy & Merrill Cohen, Dianne & Jack Evans TILLIE ROSE STARK, z’l Liz & Scott Krowitz, Carol & Allen Krim DOV SADEH, z’l Esther Sadeh FRANK ROSNER, z’l Kathy & Elliott Tuckel FRED WEISMAN, z’l Kathy & Elliott Tuckel NANCY STONE, z’l Sharon & Steven Katz HAROLD JUDD, z’l Maxine & Jay Freilich CONTRIBUTING SHARES OF STOCK TO TEMPLE BETH EL 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. THANK YOU FOR DEDICATING… After consulting your tax advisor, please contact the TBE office at 203-322-6901. ETZ HAYIM CHUMASH In memory of… Rosalind & Simon Alexander, z’l, by Barbara & Warren Brandt Penny Horowitz, z’l, by The Kriftcher Family CELEBRATING A SPECIAL EVENT? COMMEMORATING A YAHRTZEIT? SIDDUR SIM SHALOM In honor of… Ellen & Chuck Donen by Debbie & Bernie Baer Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush, following Shabbat Services, or an Oneg Shabbat, following our Friday evening services. In memory of… Manfred Rosenthal, z’l, by Linda and Joseph Rothman Contact Steven Lander for all of the new, reasonably priced Kiddush options at 322-6901, ext. 304 or [email protected]. MAHZOR LEV SHALEM In memory of… Eva & Max Tuckel, z’l, by Kathy & Elliott Tuckel 13 REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES Stuart Abrams ........................................................... ELAINE ABRAMS Andrea & Eric Bass ......................................................... EVELYN BASS Bobbe & Ben Evans .............................................................. OLA BECK Nancy Greene ...........................................ADELE & AUGUST BERMAN Susan & Richard Blomberg ..................................... HYLDE BLOMBERG Sari & Alan Jaffe ....................................................... SELMA BLONDER Rita & Michael Butterman ........................... EDITH & HY BUTTERMAN Carol & Allen Krim ........................................................ FRANK CEPLER Francine & Robert Plansky .............................................JACK COOPER Susan & Mark Plotzky ................................................. SELMA COOPER Lori & Stuart Ratner & Family................................. IRVING EDELSTEIN Robin & Joel Evans & Family ....................................... SHIRLEY EVANS Samuil Fayman ............................................................. ALLA FAYMAN Beverly Ferber .......................................................... STANLEY FERBER Rita & Mort Johnson ............................................ ABRAHAM FORCHT Josephine Grushkin .................................................. MAXINE FRAADE Barbara & Joe Field ...................................................... SYDNEY FREED Elsie Ralph ............................................ SINA & MAURICE FREEDMAN Fran & Gerry Ginsburg........................................ BARBARA GINSBURG Fran & Gerry Ginsburg......................................... MARION GINSBURG Phyllis Gofstein ......................................................... RALPH GOFSTEIN Barbara & Marvin Gold .................................................. IRVING GOLD Sondra & Leo Gold ............................................................. JEAN GOLD Sondra & Leo Gold ......................................................... SOPHIE GOLD Joanne & Marshall Goldberg ....................................... FAY GOLDBERG Loralee & Phil Granowitz .................................. MARIAN GRANOWITZ Myra & John Graubard .................................... FLORENCE GRAUBARD Carol & Willy Sander .......................................... SAMUEL GROSSMAN Steven Grushkin & Family ..................................... ARLENE GRUSHKIN Gail Solomon Hecht & Harvey Hecht ............................ FRIEDA HECHT Harriet & Fred Dulaney ...................................................... ROSE HELD Phyllis & Harvey Walzer ........................................HENRIETTA HIRSCH Stanley Novack ......................................................... LOUIS JACOBSON Sari & Alan Jaffe ............................................................ ROBERT JAFFE Hebert Kahan ............................................................. MARCIA KAHAN Evelyn & Bruce Kahn ................................................. FLORENCE KAHN Suzanne & Bob Kahn .......................................................CAROL KAHN Esfir Klass ......................................................................... BORIS KLASS Susan & Larry Holzman ....................................... DOLORES KLECKNER Helen & Martin Donner ........................................... ISADORE KLEINER Ruth Kwartin ............................................................. GENIA KWARTIN Harriet & Seymour Weinstein .................................... JOSEPH LERNER Myra & John Graubard ................................................ MINNIE LUBITZ Magida Family .........................................................NATHAN MAGIDA Barbara & Howard Malloy ........................................ BARNEY MALLOY Lois & Dick Martin .................................................. ELEANOR MARTIN Sandra & David Oberhand ...................................... MARGARET MARX Melanie Massell ........................................................ CLAIRE MASSELL Herb Kahan ........................................................... EDWARD MATZNER Ellen & Joel Mellis ....................................... YETTA & SAMUEL MELLIS Stan Miller ............................................................... BARBARA MILLER Sandy & David Moreinis ........................................SAMUEL MOREINIS Roset Hendizadeh and Family .................................VICTORIA NEMAN Roslyn & Merritt Nesin ................................................ PAULINE NESIN Evelyn & Bruce Kahn ............................................................. ERIC NEU Stanley Novack ......................................................... MURIEL NOVACK Stanley Novack ............................................................ SADIE NOVACK Eleanor Mirne ........................................................ ESTHER NUSSDORF Ann Pearce ..................................................................... SAUL PEARCE Susan & Marc Peyser ......................................................LOUIS PINSKY Francine & Robert Plansky ....................................BEATRICE PLANSKY Debra & Stephen Pollack ................................................ ABE POLLACK Lisa & Mitch Pomerance ................................. WILLIAM POMERANCE Robin & Rick Redniss ...................................... CLAIRE & BOB REDNISS Lynn & Alan Pearce ....................................................... ALLAN RESLER Lori & Stuart Ratner .....................................................RUTH ROBBINS Evelyn & Bruce Kahn ............................................ TRUDE ROSENBERG Rosenblum Family .................................. IDA & SAMUEL ROSENBLUM Sally & Jim Rothkopf ............................................... DORIS ROTHKOPF Ruth & Nelson Alpert ....................................................JOSEPH SACHS Carol & Willy Sander ............................... NELLY & SIEGFRIED SANDER Esta Berman-Price & Jeff Price ................................. PAUL SCHULMAN Lori & Stuart Ratner ................................................ YETTA SCHWARTZ Barbara & Marvin Gold ............................................... GEORGE SEIGEL Danielle & Lael Shapiro ......................................... HOWARD SHAPIRO Roberta Shapiro ...................................................... MARTIN SHAPIRO Marsha, Derek & Craig Shendell ............................ JEFFREY SHENDELL Mary C. & Alan Silberman ................................... ROBERT SILBERMAN Linda Simon.................................................................. GOLDIE SIMON Joyce & Lewis Slayton ............................................... SARAH SLAYTON Phyllis & Harvey Walzer ................................................. RALPH SMALL Marsha Colten & Rob Cohen........................................ JULIA SOKALER Gail Solomon Hecht & Harvey Hecht ............. YETTA & HARRY SUFFIN Violet Tehrani & Family ............................................ NASSER TEHRANI Dana & Carl Weinberg ...................................... STANTON TEITELMAN Sharon & Steven Katz ................. MARILYN & WILLIAM WEINKRANTZ Fran & Gerry Ginsburg ............................................. RUTH WERTHEIM Sondra & Leo Gold ...................................... HENRIETTA WITTENBERG Jerry Jacobs and Family .................................................. ROSE ZAHLER 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. 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 14 $5,400 $1,000 $750 $250 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 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 15 The JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest are coming to Stamford! August 7 – 12, 2016 What are the JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest? The JCC Maccabi Games are an Olympic-style sporting and cultural event for Jewish teens from all over the world. JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is a weeklong arts experience for creative Jewish teens featuring workshops in a variety of specialties with some of the leading artists in each field. Athletes and artists participate in competition and workshops while also incorporating community service, social activities and themes of Jewish heritage, community and Israel. Participants It takes the entire greater Jewish community to pull off an event of this magnitude! The 2016 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest in Stamford will involve more than: 1,000 athletes and artists, and 250 coaches from more than 30 North American cities, Israel and other international locations (Local Athletes must be between the ages of 12-16 and ArtsFest participants must be between the ages of 12-17 by July 31, 2016.) 1,100 Local Volunteers - 400 Host Families - 500 Visiting Families - 8,000 Spectators Athletic Events Baseball – Basketball – Golf – Inline Hockey – Lacrosse – Soccer – Swimming – Table - Tennis – Tennis – Volleyball ArtsFest Events Star Reporters- Dance – Acting/Improv – Culinary – Musical Theater – Rock Band Visual Arts – Vocal Music/Glee Cultural and Social Events Opening Ceremonies – Parade of Athletes – Evening Social Events – JCC Cares – Host Family Night – Trading Pins & Gear – ArtsFest Final Showcase – Closing Party There are countless ways to get involved in this exciting venture: Be an athlete . . . Be a coach . . . Be a host family to visiting athletes . . . Be a volunteer . . . To find out how to become part of the 2016 Stamford JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest, you can . . . Join us at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 20 at the Stamford JCC as we KICK-OFF the countdown to JCC Maccabi or call Rachel Rothman, Director, JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest at 203-487-0949 or email [email protected]. 16 NOW YOU MAY PURCHASE SCRIP ONLINE! Special Occasion? Go to www.tbe.org and click on “donations” in the upper right-hand corner. Sponsor The Shabbat E-nnouncements (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. Call Mindy in the office at 322-6901 ext. 301. PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL MINDY at 203-322-6901, ext. 301 or [email protected] 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 17 The deadline for the November/December 2015 issue of the Temple Bulletin will be We Capture Your Precious Memories on Video… Weddings Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Thursday, October 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. 18 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! 19 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 (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 20 21 22 23 Non-Profit TEMPLE BETH EL U.S. POSTAGE PAID 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, CT 06902 STAMFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 42 CHECK US OUT ON September-October 2015 TBE Proudly Presents The Songs of Broadway 10 years of standing ovations as the “Phantom” - 2,300 performances With a special guest appearance by Cantor Magda Fishman Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Franc D’Ambrosio is best known for his impressive portrayal of the “Phantom” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning musical, “The Phantom of the Opera.” Affectionately known as Phantom’s “The Iron Man of the Mask,” Franc D’Ambrosio was awarded the distinction as the “World’s Longest Running Phantom.” This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony and Franc retained this title for over a decade. D’Ambrosio’s resume also includes an Academy Award nominated film, an Emmy Award nominated television show, a four-time Tony nominated Broadway show, two Grammy considerations, and a National Theatre Award nomination. RESERVED SEATING $100 GENERAL ADMISSION $50 STUDENTS $36 We expect a SELL-OUT so tickets will be sold only to TBE members and their guests up until September 18, and then ticket sales will be open to the public. 24