Newsletter-201401 - Temple Beth Shalom Mahopac

Temple Times
January / February 2014
2009
Gold
winner
Tevet / Adar 5774
Temple Beth Shalom
Established 1953
Member United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
What’s Inside…
Message from Rabbi Hammerman 2
President’s Message
4
Profile on Jack & Frances Tesler 6
Spotlight on New Member
8
Rabbi’s St. John Address
10
Obama Happy Chanukah
11
Programming
12
PJ Library
13
Yasher Koach Phyllis Nadelhaft 13
Ein Yael
14-15
Hebrew School
16-17
MLB Trip
Book Club
Movies
Blooming Seed
Movies
Lower East Side Trip
Ritual Committee
Men’s Club
Seal Team Six
On-line Scrip
On Prayer
18
19
20-21
22-23
23
24
25
25
26-28
30-31
32
Contributions
Calendar
Yahrzeits
Our Advertisers
33
34-35
36
37
PAGE 2
January / February 2014
TEMPLE TIMES
From Rabbi Hammerman’s Desk
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM
760 Route 6
Mahopac, NY 10541
(845) 628-6133
http://TBSMahopac.org
Eytan Hammerman
Rabbi
Carol Zager
Director of Education
Steven Bettman
President
Gail Freundlich
1st Vice President
Melody Weisman
2nd Vice President
David Michaels
Treasurer
Steven Jaffey
Financial Secretary
Mark Kandel
Recording Secretary
Ron Arsham
Past President
Joel Greenberg
Men’s Club President
Ellen Gershman
Sisterhood President
[email protected]
TRUSTEES
Abigail Avelino
Alan Belsky
Gabrielle Duke
Wendy Greenberg
Jeff Guest
Allan Gunzburg
Dana Gutt
Elaine Jacobs
Michael Kushner
Kjersten Lazar
Jennifer Lomas
Barry Plaut
Alicia Raskob
Rachel Singh
David Volkman
OFFICE STAFF
Ro Belsky
Jean Follit
BUILDING SUPERVISOR
William Hughes
My fourth winter here
in Mahopac is
beginning. Each year, I
remember how our
winter weather differs
substantially from the
weather patterns of my
hometown, barely one hundred miles to our
south. I was certainly accustomed to snow,
growing up in southern New Jersey - but it
melted, usually within a day. By contrast,
my first Mahopac winter saw a December
snowstorm melt away, finally, in March -what a difference! Our relatively harsh
winters, of course, are part of the natural
cycle and give way to beautiful – and muchappreciated – springs, summers and
autumns. We pay a several-month price, I
suppose, for living in such glorious
surroundings. And, I’ve never met a more
eager group of Jewish skiers.
Several weeks ago, our Hebrew School
students spent the afternoon with Shimon
Darwick, our Jewish environmental
educator. Shimon visits our congregation
on a bi-weekly basis; his time with the
students is funded by an “Express
Innovation” grant from the Jewish
Education Project. That afternoon, Shimon
discussed the purpose of winter with our
students; he described it as nature’s
“Shabbat,” a time of rest and relaxation for
the earth, before the wild growth of
springtime. With Shimon’s help, our
students put our community garden beds “to
Friday Evening
8:00 pm
Saturday Morning 10:00am
Shabbat Hebrew School
Saturday, November 9
Saturday, December 7
Friday, December 13
Saturday, January 4
The Talmud tells us that “half of Kislev,
Tevet and half of Shvat are winter.” Our
winters, of course, last longer than the eight
-week winters of our Middle Eastern
ancestors. A psalm describes God as
“Spreading snow like fleece, scattering frost
like ashes.” Who knows if the author of the
Psalms even experienced a true winter
snowstorm in his lifetime? But the idea is
there, winter, giving us a feeling of
emptiness and sadness, as the day empties
of its light and lakes and bicycle paths
empty of their wanderers, of everything
being bare, naked and yearning for a long
ray of warmth. Indeed, winter is a burden.
What role does winter have in our human
experience? An Israeli friend of mine,
Rabbi Tamar Elad-Applebaum, suggests
that winter is the time for withdrawing into
ourselves. We cover ourselves with layers,
moving our weight from the outside to an
inner state of contemplation. Indeed,
quietness descends on everything – there is
nothing quite like the hush of snow, most
notably for me on Route 6, just beside our
synagogue. I have rarely experienced the
peaceful calm that I experienced on the day
when Glenn Sapir took me ice fishing, in
the middle of Bryant Pond – we caught a
pickerel and went home to thaw our feet,
but experience memorable minutes of
absolute stillness on the thick, frozen pond.
Candle-lighting
SHABBAT Service Times
Regular Shabbat Services
sleep” for the winter and planted mushroom
spores inside logs for their winter
hibernation.
01/03/14
01/10/14
01/17/14
01/24/14
01/31/14
02/07/14
02/14/14
02/21/14
4:19 PM
4:26 PM
4:34 PM
4:42 PM
4:51 PM
5:00 PM
5:09 PM
5:17 PM
02/28/14 5:26 PM
03/07/14 5:34 PM
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
From Rabbi Hammerman’s Desk
PAGE 3
(continued)
The silence of winter allows for inner thoughts to be
heard most clearly, for us to be more aware, even, of
our own breath, steaming out from within us on the
coldest of days.
here. I wait until our first snow (today, in fact) to
wear my winter coat and put it away on March 1st crazy, I know. I wish us all a fulfilling and healthy
winter. May it bring good rain – and snow – to our
world, replenishing the reservoirs and lakes that
Micah Joseph Berdichevsky, a great Hebrew thinker surround us, allowing so many to live and prosper,
who lived from 1865 – 1921, saw winter as a time in New York and beyond. May we have time this
of introversion, a time to strengthen the inner core of winter to sit under a warm blanket, reading a book,
all living things, in the same way that our students’ drinking tea, listening to the snow and listening to
mushroom spores are waiting, now, for the warmth our inner thoughts.
of Spring to sprout. Winter forces us to focus
toward the inside and gives us a chance to recharge. Choref tov, a good winter to all.
A midrash, a commentary on the Torah, teaches that
“G-d created winter so that there be winter, and
summer so that there be summer.” The winter is
Snow in Jerusalem, Winter 2012
Lake Mahopac, frozen in the winter
Buy A Brass Memorial Plaque
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Put them near where you or your friends usually sit
Each 2" x 4" Brass Seat Plaque costs $180.00
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PAGE 4
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
A Message from our President
I have taken on the periodic
practice of visualizing the entirety
of Temple Beth Shalom as a living
human being, non-gender specific
and representative of all cultures,
ethnic backgrounds, religious
leanings and idiosyncratic
personalities. I have affectionately named my
creation, Chutzpah.
I have been contemplating the condition of
Chutzpah’s Third Chakra. As is described in the
practice of Yoga, the Third Chakra, Manipura, is
identified with an individual’s core and is located on
the body in the navel region. The Third Chakra is
often referred to as the place where dynamism,
energy and will power reside. This chakra is also
associated with the sense of sight and the action of
movement.
It is the Third Chakra that encapsulates ones selfesteem and is depicted by the symbol of fire.
As I have meditated on this chakra I have worked to
find a connection between my core and the core of
Temple Beth Shalom. While upon the yoga mat, the
essential postures of the Third Chakra focus on twists
and stretches stemming out from the core with one’s
ribs and the heart turning upward; arms and hands
reaching upward. Any movement in a forward
progression relies on a strong core, which without,
the feet and hands and head will falter, stumble and
fail. The twisting and shifting and contracting of the
core, stimulates an internal heat, which eventually
ignites into fire.
The reference to one’s core is also described as the
center of etheric psychic - intuition. The concept here
is that within our core, our gut, we hold a vague or
non- specific sensual sense of knowing. We each
have within ourselves a vague sense of size, shape
and intent of being.
consisting of over two dozen shuls across
Westchester and Putnam Counties.
Around the room, there were Synagogues
representing 75 member units. There were Temples
whose membership was in the vicinity of a thousand
members. There were congregations that owned
buildings built to accommodate 500 member units,
but only had 350 member units to turn to for financial
support. In the middle of the mix, proudly and solidly
stood Temple Beth Shalom.
It was encouraging and validating that on every front,
whether the topic was Shabbat service attendance;
Board of Trustee involvement; Religious School
curriculum or programming diversity for the greater
congregation, our “Chutzpah” placed us squarely out
front on the spectrum of a healthy, robust and full of
vitality Temple.
Please bear with me for a moment to quickly review
what just one month, the December 2013 calendar,
looked like at Temple Beth Shalom:
B’nai Mitzvah; Community Dinner; The Blooming
Seed Coffee House; Yoga; Movie Night; Post
Chanukah Dinner with Cantor Jake at Friday Night
Services; Chai Mitzvah Class; Shabbat School;
Koach USY Carnival For Others; J Baby for Tots and
Toddlers; Sulam for Emerging Leaders; USY
International Convention; Religious School
Maccabean Games at New York Sports Club; Teen
Lounge Night; Three separate Community Menorah
lighting nights; Trip to Major League Baseball NYC
Head Quarters; Board Meeting. Congregational
Meeting.
I do believe that our core is engaged and that there is
a fire in Chutzpah’s belly.
It is clear to me that we, as a congregation, have a
strong core. Our vision is 20/20 and we are
consistently looking to the future. Our natural
progression is forward and we are constantly in the
The key is whether we are willing to listen and pay
act of movement, Over all, we exhibit a tremendous
attention to our core.
will power to stay together as a cohesive
I recently had the opportunity, together with our 1st
congregation and to overcome any problem that
Vice President Gail Fruendlich, to attend a
comes up no matter how insignificant or catastrophic
President’s round table symposium, sponsored by the it may be.
UJA Federation Westchester Jewish Council,
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 5
A Message from our President (continued)
However, one component of the Third Chakra appears
to have eluded our Chutzpah. According to Wikipedia,
Self- Esteem is the overall emotional equivalent of a
person’s own self worth…a judgment of oneself, as
well as an attitude toward the self. Self- Esteem
encompasses ‘ beliefs’. For example “ I am
competent.” “I am worthy”.
It is my humble thought that we as a Temple
community, despite our strong core, hold ourselves as
a congregation with low self -esteem. It is as if our
Chutzpah does not evidence a high personal value of
itself. If “Chutzpah “ had a greater sense of self worth
then perhaps the wealth deposited back into Temple
Beth Shalom would be greater.
Semitism. The gene coding for faith and conviction
and hope has been passed on from generation to
generation. However, so to, has the DNA been
encoded for each of us when it comes to the concept of
valuable possessions and monetary wealth. As each
century has passed, Jews have been required and
forced to give up and relinquish their ownership of
their bank accounts, real property and personal
possessions.
The last few generations of Jews have realized a
modicum of success and stability in American society.
Jews have been able to secure homes and jobs and
businesses and attain positions of power and influence.
More importantly, Jews have been able to accumulate
monetary wealth. Besides the IRS the only competitor
The national financial climate has certainly been a
for our money has been American industry and its
major factor over the past six years in setting the tone never -ending advertising campaign. We may have
for our financial mindset. Yet, in the microcosm we
DNA that tells us to hold on to our money and to
call TBS, “The Dollar” has historically been an
shelter it and keep it safe for that day or night when we
impediment to our viewing ourselves as worthy of self will once again be forced to flee. Yet, the call of
esteem and to be esteemed by others. As separate and Madison Avenue has been yanking at our wallets and
distinct member units we each find our comfort zone purses in greater numbers for decades. In order to keep
to feel valuable and worthy with our family and
up and fit in with our neighbors and communities we
friends and neighbors. However, as a cohesive group push back on our DNA and throw our financial
characterized by empty nesters, families with Bar and support to Walmart and Samsung and BMW and Sony
Bat Mitzvah graduates; member units requiring
and Gap and a host of companies offering goods and
financial arrangements; families with children preservices which we are told we can not live without.
religious school age; senior and seasoned members;
etc, we may have a strong core but we lack a cohesive This is where Synagogues have missed the boat. What
and permeating feeling of real congregational value,
Temples need are Madmen: a great ad campaign with
wealth and esteem
sexy models, a musical hook and some music video
quality media.
Interestingly enough, researchers at Emory University
School of Medicine have recently released a study
The reality is that during all the years of wandering
arguing that memories can be passed on through DNA. and shifting from one land to another without a house
It is the latest piece in a growing body of evidence for to call one’s own there was always a home for each
trans-generational epigenetic inheritance. David
and every Jewish generation - The Temple. This is
Shenk, author of “The Genius In All Of Us” explains also in our DNA. We cannot exist with a strong core
how environment and life experiences can impact our without this home. We cannot sustain the fire in our
genetic makeup and how these traits may be passed
belly that gives us the strength to fight the battles that
on.
may come or right the wrongs that presently exist
without this home. We cannot find ourselves worthy of
Historically, Jews, have had a strong physical core and this home without becoming a part of it with our
an even more fortified mental and emotional core
sweat, tears and money. Let this be the day that you
which has served them extremely well as a People
change the code on your DNA and that of your
from the days of wandering in the desert, to the times children and identify yourself as an extension of your
of the Romans, to the Spanish Inquisition, to Hitler
Synagogue balanced by the strong physical, emotional
and Stalin, to the ghettos of NYC, to present day anti- and financial core that you bring with you.
PAGE 6
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Profile on Jack and Frances Tesler by Deb Seaman
To know them is to love
them…both. Jack’s
smile is as wide as a mile
and Frances’ twinkling
eyes reflect a warmth and
kindness not encountered
enough in today’s cynical
world.
Just two years ago, new
to the Temple Beth
Shalom family, I felt
enveloped by that
warmth and kindness.
Not having my family
nearby (in NY) any
longer, they gave me a
sense of belonging …
both in and out of the
Shul. On (their
preferred) Friday nights,
there was usually some
room on the pew near
them, and even if there
weren’t, they always
squeezed me in. Little
do they know, I took the
liberty of making them
my ‘adopted’ parents – this might, however, be
somewhat of a shock to them, their sons and their
grandchildren! And by the way, I have heard that I
am not the first to adopt them … definitely won’t be
the last either!
But, I digress …. as I usually do. Let’s go back to
the beginning…when Frances and Jack were starting
out on the Internet … oops, meant the InterBoro.
This is where their quaint and touching love story of
50 years plus begins … the borough of Brooklyn –
home of the brownstone, the Bridge and the Belt.
Jack was the delivery boy from Academy Pharmacy
and on his first day of work was headed to Mrs.
Freeman’s, the JDate extraordinaire of her day. Mrs.
Freeman said that he really should meet Mrs.
Cohen’s lovely daughter, Frances, and you know, the
rest is history. So two kids, one from Bushwick and
the other from Williamsburg, happily entwined their
Hungarian (Frances) and Polish and Russian roots
(Jack) into a marriage that took place on New Year’s
Eve, 1961.
When he was 23 years old, Jack tried teaching a
challenging bunch of kids in the High Horizons
program in high school (today, these same kids
would be diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.)
I guess this is why the Ratner’s Thursday night ritual
with Frances was so important – the one where Carl
the waiter and onion rolls took care of all one’s
daytime stresses.
Jack was given a fellowship opportunity from the
Columbia Pharmacy School, where he ran the
Chemistry Lab and recitation course. Frances,
meanwhile at home with her own fulltime job, kept a
Kosher home and raised their three boys. He stuck
with the pharmacy gig, in lieu of teaching, went on
to own a pharmacy in Lake Mahopac and Frances
later went on to work as a dental hygienist. Their
sons and their own families have since spread out, up
and down the Eastern seaboard - residing nearby in
Mahopac, Maryland and stretching as far south as
Georgia and all toll, with NINE grandchildren!
Want to know their vices? A little tile action. A
little soldering. This translates into Frances as Mah
Jong maven and Jack as stained glass artisan, who
began his beautiful craft thirty-two years ago. He
“always had a desire to be creative” and a stroll
around their home attests to that fact. There are
colorful and pretty stained glass lamps, wall
hangings, book ends, other artifacts, and Frances’
various attention-grabbing paintings.
Remember, I mentioned their disposition ‘in or out
of the Shul?’ Well, I ran into them one summer
morning on the North County Trailway while they
were walking (another frequent vice!) and I was
biking. They are really two people still in love (in
today’s parlance, they are BFF’s!) I know because
they were walking and sweetly, holding hands.
They asked where I would be going to ‘break fast’
on Yom Kippur, which was still very far off. I don’t
know what I’m having for dinner tonight, let alone
where I will be snarfing down bagels and lox on YK
eve, still at least six weeks away! They told me that
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
they wanted to be sure I wasn’t going to be alone on
YK eve, and were adamant that I come to their
house after services - that’s what I mean by their
warmth and kindness. I rode off wondering if the
thick humid air was making my eyes tear or was it
their thoughtfulness? From two kindhearted people
whom I didn’t know very long? I saw how many
people were at their house and how many people
are crazy about them. I knew the answer to my
question.
PAGE 7
many varied reasons why we come to synagogue –
but the family you may find there may give you the
nourishment that you need in this fast-paced and
sometimes indifferent world.
I have dubbed, Jack Tesler, TBS’ stand-in rabbi,
our Rabbi Emeritus. As a congregation, we are so
fortunate to have him. He is Rabbi Hammerman’s
designated hitter - always willing to come off the
bench and give it his best shot (see, all those years
at Yeshiva were very helpful!) And so, it made
perfect sense for Jack, Rabbi Emeritus, Brooklyn’s
Of course, there are many biographical details I
best pinch hitter, to come give the blessing and
have overlooked (we would need many more
dinners together which I hope for in the future as I share some mezuzah knowledge (where to hang it,
its origins, scroll, etc.) in my apartment doorway
enjoy their company!) but there are also some
one Sunday afternoon with some friends. The
broader themes that I was curious about – such as
mezuzah, which had long been laying on my
the Jewish experience from their earliest days of
both being reared in Orthodox homes and attending kitchen counter for over a year – just needed the
Yeshiva (Jack only) to Judaism in its present state. Tesler touch.
Jack, being the open-minded and educated man that
I want to thank Jack, for his mezuzah research and
he is, does not castigate those who are High
for leading us through the benediction. Every time
Holiday Jews but says that they should be more
“flexible.” While he “respects his heritage, he does my hand goes up to the arty mezuzah on the right
not believe in every word.” This is a complex and side of the doorframe as I am walking in, I am
lengthy question with complex and lengthy answers reminded of how Jack and Frances, plus the many
(and one not meant for this piece) but his response other faces in my doorway that day, made my place
is that “they too would find a place where you love feel a little bit homier.
the people and they love you back.” We all have
January 25
March 1
April 12
May 10
PAGE 8
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Spotlight on New Members
The Markmans: An Active Family
By Glenn Sapir
If you want to
meet an active
family, get to
know the
Markmans.
Hiking, biking,
theater, movies,
getting together
with family and
friends—that’s how Scott and Eileen Markman
describe the activities that they, along with Robert,
12, and Allie, 10, enjoy as a family. Both kids enjoy
music, sports and reading. Robert plays for the
Shrub Oak Athletic Club’s Sophomore basketball
team. Allie plays Sophomore basketball, too, and
Scott is her coach. Allie is active in Junior Girl
Scouts and cake designing. Robert plays the bass
clarinet. Allie started playing the violin this year.
Both children play the piano.
Those are all fit in around jobs and school.
been their house of worship.
“We wanted to be part of a thriving and active
temple,” they said, and although they first took a
look at TBS four years ago, it wasn’t until this
summer that they made the commitment of
membership. The clincher?
“The Rabbi, his family, the school and the people we
met.”
If those were the deciding factors, their commitment
has been reinforced by what they describe as “the
vibrant energy at TBS.”
“People seem sincere, friendly and thoughtful,” they
said. “The way kids are involved in religious
services and other activities is quite impressive.”
The Markmans look forward to becoming part of the
temple community because they believe that will
enhance their lives and enable them to continue
learning.
The two children are enrolled in Lakeland schools as
“One of our major priorities is for our children to be
well as Temple Beth Shalom’s religious school.
confident and proud of their religion,” the elder
Scott works for O’Blaney Rinker Associates in New Markmans said. “We hope that TBS will play a
major part in their educational and spiritual
York City, where he assists architectural and
development.”
lighting design firms with LED lighting
technologies. Eileen, armed with a degree in
The family has already taken an active involvement
Accounting, left the corporate world when the
in temple affairs, helping to build the Sukkah. Scott
children came along and began a home-based
would like to explore organizing a trip for both kids
bookkeeping business about eight years ago.
and adults to the Jewish Museum and the Museum
of Jewish Heritage, both in New York City. His
Scott and Eileen have lived in Greater New York
company at Shabbat services is already enjoyed and
most of their lives, but in different parts of the
metropolitan area. He grew up in lower Manhattan, appreciated.
she, as Eileen Haller, in Canarsie. Scott later lived in
A busy family with ideas for more activities, the
White Plains, Long Island and Stamford, while
Markmans are a foursome on the go, and Temple
Eileen moved on to Staten Island.
Beth Shalom promises to be a fortunate recipient of
For the last 12 ½ years, however, Yorktown Heights much of their energy.
has been their home, and since July 2013, TBS has
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 9
The 60th Anniversary Continues—Rabbi Tanenbaum Lives On By Ron Arsham
First of all, I want to wish everyone a Happy and
Healthy New Year! I am definitely looking forward
to 2014, our 61st year as congregation along the
beautiful shores of Lake Mahopac.
Even though our 60th anniversary year, 2013, is
officially behind us (but stay tuned, we have one
more big project in the works for the spring), the
memories of the events that took place during the
year will last those of us who attended them a
lifetime. It started in April with the big celebration
weekend featuring Rabbi Wernick, our Scholar in
Residence, on Shabbat, and the Gala dinner Sunday
night. It was a weekend full of learning,
camaraderie, nostalgia, and fun. If anyone wants to
relive the night of the Gala dinner ( or see what you
missed), I urge you to go onto the TBS website and
click on the photo gallery of the evening. A big
thank you to Al Silbert for being our main
photographer and spending hours afterwards
creating the beautiful montage on our website.
force behind the Vatican officially changing its
attitudes and behavior towards Jews worldwide.
The Nostra Aetate, a document prepared by the
Second Vatican Council 50 years ago, was the
crowning achievement of Tanenbaum’s vision, and
still represents the Catholic views on its relationship
with the Jewish people
The evening program was truly inspiring and
informative. Close to 130 people, including many
people from St. John's and the local Mahopac
community, heard talks from Dr.Georgette Bennett,
the widow of Rabbi Tanenbaum and Founder of the
Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious
Understanding, Dr. Judy Banki, Director of Special
Programs for the Center, and Father Brian
McWeeney, Director of Interreligious Affairs of the
Archdiocese of NY. Each of the three speakers
spoke on topics that were most personal to them
and answered several questions from the audience
both during the program and afterwards at the
Oneg. It was truly a great night for our synagogue
Six months after the Gala (after several smaller
in so many ways, and I want to thank Rabbi
programs and events took place during the year) our Hammerman for coming up with the idea and
official celebration ended with a Friday night
seeing it through to the end.
program honoring Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum, the first
rabbi of TBS. Rabbi Tanenbaum, who came to us I am looking forward to another exciting year at
after graduating the Jewish Theological Seminary in TBS. The programs and events just keep on
coming. Hopefully, we will all take advantage of
1953, left us less than a year later to follow his
what this wonderful synagogue has to offer in the
passion for social justice and interreligious
cooperation, especially with the Catholic Church.
months and years ahead.
He was one of the major Jewish figures during the
th
Civil Rights movement, and he was the motivating Ron Arsham, 60 Anniversary Committee Chair
A great new way to donate
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To Register go to
http://tbsmahopac.org/
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It’s the same Amazon you use all the time!
PAGE 10
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Rabbi Hammerman addresses St. John
the Evangelist Church 8th Grade Faith
Formation students on the night before
Chanukah. Rabbi Hammerman provided the
students with a general introduction to Judaism
and focused specifically on the once-in-alifetime Thanksgivikkah
phenomenon.
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
From the White House
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Programming Previews By Wendy Greenberg
Winter has arrived and with
it has come the cold, wind,
snow, early darkness, and
layers of warm clothing,
hats, earmuffs, and
gloves. While the weather
outside is frightful, things
continue to be warm, cozy, exciting, and
delightful at TBS!!
Pollack know if you’ll be joining her to see this
exciting and interesting movie.
Ein Yael, an interactive museum in Jerusalem that
presents life in ancient Israel, will be visiting TBS
in February. Ye-ela and Sveta, two Ein Yael
educators, will come for a full Shabbat of
programming on February 14 and 15 and will then
present two days of “vacation camp,” February 17
and 18th for our kids. The camp will be run for
our school-aged children with lunch
Our new program, Guess Who’s Coming to
Shabbas? (GWCTS), got off to a wonderful start provided. Teenagers are needed to assist as
with over 30 congregants and congregant families well. Lunch both days is included as well. See
participating!!! Our next GWCTS will take place pages 14 & 15 to meet Ye-Ela and Sveta!
on Friday, January 17th, followed by another one
on Friday, February 7th. Many congregants have Another group of guests from Israel - the Tsedek
choir will perform a community concert at 5 PM
already indicated their willingness to host other
families in the congregation. So don’t be shy. Let on Wednesday, March 26th. Later that evening,
they will have a dinner and meet with our
Patti Bettman or me know if you are willing to
teenagers as well. Save the date!
host. We want everyone to get to know one
another, outside the walls of the Temple!
Please check for information on all of these
activities in the weekly Shabbat Announcements
Our next TBS Book Club is scheduled for
and in Constant Contacts. Come! Enjoy! Join us!
Tuesday, January 7th at 7pm. Nancy Sapir, our
We love having for participate!
Book Club Moderator, will be sending out a
constant contact very shortly with the title of the
January book selection.
A reminder - We are planning a trip to the lower
east side on Sunday, March 30th. Marge Pollack
has made arrangements with Upper Class
The January movie for TBS Goes to the
Movies will be THE MASTER. Please join us on Tours. The cost is $99 including transportation, a
Saturday, January 11th at 7pm. Refreshments will tour guide, and lunch. Let us know if you are
able to come. It will be a wonderful day!
be served. Let our resident movie critic Marge
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 13
PJ Library By Jeff Guest
While I am sure that most of our Temple Times readers are familiar with PJ Library, I would like to invite
our new and prospective members to consider this wonderful FREE program. PJ Library provides
families with children 6 months to 8 years old to receive a Jewish book or CD each month. There is no
charge for this program, it is underwritten by several local donors and the Grinspoon foundation. There is
a catch – you have to sign your child(ren) up. This can be accomplished in several ways. There is a link
on the TBS website to PJ Library, there are sign up forms in the Temple lobby, and a phone call or e-mail
will be returned if you want more information or help.
I look forward to 2014 as the year that our PJ Programming should expand to something a little more
regular than our old “hit or miss” system. We will also be launching a monthly e-newsletter for PJ
families. I ask all of our PJ families to refer friends who live in the area to “sign up” or at least to look at
what we do in depth.
As I have reviewed membership over this past year, I believe that some of you may have been dropped
from the program in error. If you feel that this has happened, please get in touch with me so I can reenroll you. You can call me at (914) 584-7111 or e-mail be at [email protected].
Yasher Koach Phyllis Nadelhaft
Throughout the year there are countless ways to show your support for
Temple Beth Shalom. Saturday evening, November 23 was a night that
Phyllis Nadelhaft decided would be
her opportunity to give back to her
synagogue family.
That particular evening there was a
performance at The Blooming Seed
Coffee House. Phyllis arrived an hour
before the show and quickly set up
her table and laid out a variety of
hand made jewelry pieces, each one
created with care and design.
There was, during the course of the
night, a constant flurry of activity around Phyllis’s table. Toward the end of the evening, Phyllis
proudly approached me and said that she was donating $100 from her evening sales directly to the
General Fund.
A huge Yasher Koach to Phyllis for her efforts and to her husband Steve for being there all night
to support her.
PAGE 14
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January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
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PAGE 15
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January / February 2014
Hebrew School News By Carol Zager
experience with the cycles of nature in the context of
Express Innovations
the cycle of the Jewish calendar. As the children
Grant takes Hebrew
School Down New Roads. considered the question “What were the Maccabees
fighting for” and “What would you fight for today? “
we used food as a symbol for the Jewish people in a
totally fun, engaging, and creative way. By giving
This Fall we welcomed
the children an interactive learning experience that
Simeon Darwick as our
environmental educator or called on the preservation of foods they also
our “Green Moreh”. With considered what the Maccabees were trying to
preserve and what they think is important to preserve
funding from the Jewish Education Project, and
today. Simeon, the teachers, and students took on
Express Innovations we are without a doubt an
the ancient art of pickling, and lo and behold, we
“Innovating Congregation”. We are opening a
whole new world to our learners. Using part of our shared our preserved cabbage (sauerkraut) at Shabbat
school lunch…YUM. Just as fermentation is a
core curriculum of Jewish values like Emunah
(faith), Bal Tashchit (do not waste) and Tikun Olam miracle that preserves food and life, so too Chanukah
speaks of the strength of the Maccabees. As the year
(repairing the earth), our students are seeing the
goes on Simeon will continue to teach us about the
world around us in a whole new light. We are on a
importance of not wasting in Judaism, and use
journey of living and learning in Jewish time and
space, recognizing that Judaism takes place in Nature opportunities in the calendar, like Chanukah, to
remind us of how important it is to preserve our
and Nature takes place in Judaism. The students
world and the things we love!
worked in the garden, preparing it to lie fallow for
winter, making veggie juice to prepare for Sabbatical Come join us on the journey we recognize the
year and saving seeds for next year. The children
connection between nature and the practices we
readily saw the connection of menucha (rest) of
involve ourselves in as Jews.
Shabbat to the rest the ground now takes in order to
gain strength to feed us next year. Another way of
Carol
building on this concept is by having direct
TBS Hebrew School
Students enjoy their
evening of Macabbee
Games
Chanukah
Celebration at
New York
Sports Club
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
Hebrew School Jewish Environmental Studies
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
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January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
TBS
PRESENTS
Our Children
Movie
ParaNorman
There will be
lunch and
movie.
The program
starts at Noon
Please RSVP to
Marge Pollack at
845-628-1010
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 21
TBS Presents Movie
Night
January 11
at 7PM
Refreshments will be
served
RSVP to Marge Pollack
At 845-628-1010
TBS Presents
Movie Night
February 18th
at 7PM
Refreshments will be
served
RSVP to
Marge Pollack
845-628-1010
PAGE 22
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 23
PAGE 24
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
For Information call:
Marge Pollack 845-628-1010
Checks to be made out to:
Temple Beth Shalom—Mahopac
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 25
From the Ritual Committee
This year was a particularly fun and
exciting Hanukkah. The same time
as Thanksgiving, it was a once in a
lifetime event for us. No place else
in the world had this happen, not
even Israel. Remember, they do not
celebrate our Thanksgiving. Did you see the
Menorkey? It was a menorah in the shape of a turkey,
a hot seller.
Of course TBS did many things to celebrate this
unique happening. Our members lit candles all over
Putnam county as well as Westchester county. We
participated in candle lightings in malls and by lakes,
in the towns where we live. And we had a special post
Hanukkah musical Shabbat service and dinner with
Cantor Jake for one more great celebration of this
special holiday.
And what is next? Ready for Tu B'shevat?
Did you stuff your turkey with latkes, or just serve
them separately? We had them as a special
Thanksgivikkah hors d'oeuvre. We got to be very
creative this year with our Thanksgivikkah meal.
So we can see how this year called for lots of
celebrating in a fun way. Many of us who heard Rabbi
Hammerman's explanations of the calendar and how
this came about were in the know way ahead of the
general population. This created many exciting
discussions when people realized how rare
Thanksgivikkah is. What? 70,000 years? Pretty
amazing!
From the Men’s Club
First I hope that all of you had a very Happy Thanksgivikkah . Our last function was highly
successful. It was a CPR Course given by the Town of Somers Fire Department. The
program was set up by Eva Gutt as her Mitzvah Project. About 35 people took the course and
will be certified. Many thanks to Eva and her family.
Our next function will be a trip to Indian Point on Friday, January 10, 2014 from 10:00 am to
2:00 pm, lunch will be served. We will meet at 9:00 am at the Temple. Please contact the
Temple office if you wish to attend.
On Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 9:00 am, we will have our Fourteenth Millennium Breakfast. Our guest
speakers will be from both the religious and political arena.
On behalf of the Men’s Club and my family, I want to wish all of you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous
New Year.
PAGE 26
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Robert O’Neil Elite SEAL Team Six and Osama Bin Laden by David Volkman
Recently I attended a conference in Nashville, and the
keynote speaker was a gentleman named Robert
O’Neil. Before you attempt to Google him, he is a
very special person in the United States Armed
Forces. Mr. O’Neil was directly involved in the raid
that accomplished one of the most infamous missions
in military history. In fact, an Academy Award
winning movie was made about it called Zero Dark
Thirty. Mr. O’Neil was a senior team leader in the
raid that ultimately killed Osama Bin Laden. He was
also one of the two shooters involved in the Somali
pirate rescue of a ship captain off of the coast of
Africa. That event has become the subject of the
latest Tom Hanks movie Captain Phillips.
He began his speech with a professionally prepared
video which can easily be found on YouTube. He
explained that when he grew up in Montana he
developed a particularly sharp talent with his rifle
hunting deer and moose. He practiced his craft and
had a great teacher to guide him. He always had a
goal of joining the military and wanted to be a sniper.
Once he was old enough to enlist, he went to the local
recruiter’s office with the intent of joining the Marine
Sniper Unit. As luck would have it, the day he went
to enlist, the Marine recruiter was out of the office for
some reason, but the Navy recruiter was there. Mr.
O’Neil said that he wanted to be a sniper and the Navy
recruiter said “we have a unit in which we need
snipers with your talents, and that unit is called
SEAL”. When the Marine recruiter arrived back at
the office, that person told Mr. O’Neil that if he
wanted to “join the men’s section he should have
joined the Marines”. That kind of razzing goes on all
the time, but when in the heat of battle, all of the
armed forces work together as one.
important. He said “being able to think critically in
times of high stress and do it calmly was the key to
staying alive”. Part of being a SEAL is not being an
expert in one thing; it is being an expert in everything.
They are trained relentlessly on weapons firing,
weapons cleaning and repair in the field, tactics, and a
whole host of other important skills that would be
used in battle. They actively engage in war games,
and language training sometimes being fluent in as
many as twelve including attention to detail on certain
local dialects. They are trained to deal with stresses
unlike anything we could imagine.
The purpose of Mr. O’Neil’s speech was to talk about
perspective and commitment to a mission as well as
the importance of focus and training in regards to
operating a successful business. One could easily say
that there are no more highly trained and committed
professionals anywhere on the surface of the globe
than our Seal Team Six.
Among the numerous stories he shared, there was one
that I think explained how committed they are to
becoming a SEAL. One of his teammates was
engaged in an underwater test in which he almost died
in the process. Each SEAL would dive into the deep
end of an Olympic swimming pool, and at the bottom
of the pool he had to tie a series of ropes in specific
types of knots. No swimming aids were allowed and
the pool water was intentionally cold to match the
average sea temperatures they might need to swim in
on a mission. He was supposed to tie the knot around
a submerged hook, then an instructor would slowly
swim down to inspect it, and if it was tied correctly,
the SEAL would rise to the surface for another breath
of air before heading back down immediately to do it
again, and again and again. Mr. O’Neil shared that
SEAL stands for Sea Air Land, and Mr. O’Neil’s
this particular SEAL actually drowned on the fourth
ultimate goal was to join NSWDG which is otherwise knot and had to be revived. After a few minutes of
known as The United States Naval Special Warfare
CPR, the SEAL regained consciousness and the first
Development Group or DEVGRU. This is a very
thing he said was “did I pass?” The instructor said “of
special and covert component of the Joint Special
course you passed, you killed yourself!” The purpose
Operations Command. Mr. O’Neil shared what the
of the training was not to kill them, but to push them
training regimen was at various points in his career,
to do something very difficult but not impossible
not only to work towards being a SEAL, but to get to every day. Finding your ultimate limits would make
the most elite levels eventually getting to the best of
the best SEAL Team Six. It was not just the physical
(Continued on page 27)
regimen, but the mental toughness that was even more
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
(Continued from page 26)
you all the more confident that you can handle
anything in the heat of battle.
Mr. O’Neil went on to explain about his preparation to
hunt down OBL. The mission was called Operation
Neptune Spear under the CIA’s authority. The attack
would last 38 minutes, and no casualties to the team
would be acquired. It was at that point that he
referenced the movie Zero Dark Thirty as he was
involved along with others from his team in the
development to make sure it was authentic, but not
divulging top secret tactics and equipment in the
process. He said that there were many items that only
the trained eye would see that were clearly done for
movie development purposes but would never be done
in the real world. He said that the interrogation scene
was toned down substantially as it was much more
“intense”. The CIA components in the movie were
also changed substantially from the actual history as it
did not play out as smoothly as depicted. He shared
that in the movie as they were struggling to identify
who was in the compound in Abbottabad known
locally as the Waziristan Haveli, the compound was
less than a mile from the Pakistani version of our West
Point. That detail was added into the movie. To
suggest that the Pakistani government did not know
about OBL’s location and maybe was supporting his
hiding would be disrespectful to those in our military
who were in harm’s way. In the movie it was stated
that they were limited to identifying heat signatures of
those that were in the buildings. That is not true as our
satellite technology is far beyond what most could
even imagine. Mr. O’Neil said “if we can see light
years into space, imagine what we can see from 200
miles above you”. He said “let’s say we were very
sure as to who was in the compound, what weapons
they had available, and could identify who had
weapons training as well as who didn’t by the way
they handled them inside the rooms of the building.
Mind you the walls were about a foot thick and they
were able to capture this type of intelligence. In fact
an exact model of the compound was built for training
purposes so the SEALs could get a feel for what it
would be like when they arrived under the cloak of
darkness and silence.
PAGE 27
their footsteps sounded while in complete darkness and
no night vision. They developed a series of hand
gestures, and verbal noises that could easily be
misconstrued as non-human by the enemy. Something
called “situational awareness” was something they felt
so strongly about that they felt it was burned into their
DNA. They knew that they would need to access all
of their training including CQC (Close Quarters
Combat) and CQB (Close Quarters Battle) when
hunting down OBL. They were experts in Martial Arts
including Krav Maga and Muay Thai which would be
very helpful when breaching a secured room. All of
their movements were carefully choreographed so as to
enter a room, scan for targets, engage with two or
more shots, and make sure to not hit any of his team
with friendly fire and then safety the weapons
signaling “all clear”. All of this would be
accomplished from “flash bang to all clear in less than
4 seconds”. It is in the speed he explained that is part
of the effectiveness in taking out their targets and still
being safe for his team. Redundancy of process was
another thing he talked about. Whether entering a
room in close combat, or approaching a hostile area on
a mountainside, there was always someone “watching
your six” either on the ground, in the air and or by
satellite. He gave example after example about this
redundancy process and how effective it was time and
time again.
He explained that when he was going upstairs in the
compound to find OBL, instructions were to identify
him as the target and shoot him at least once at the hair
line only so that OBL could be identified once on the
ground. I thought about what he said at the time while
sitting in the audience and put my hand on my head to
see how big a target that would be. At the time I
thought that would be an unbelievably small target to
hit in the dark, with a fraction of a second to identify
him and then react with one or two shots and no room
for error on a moving target. Mr. O’Neil explained
that the movie was very accurate about that part of the
mission. It was in that moment that Mr. O’Neil said
that he thought that what he just did was either the best
thing he ever did for his country, or the worst thing he
ever did personally. He realized that he and his
family would be a target for the rest of his life from
that day forward.
Rob explained that they spent so much time together
training that they could identify each other by how
(Continued on page 28)
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(Continued from page 27)
An obvious question was asked by a member of the
audience which was why it is ok for you to openly
share that you were the shooter of OBL? He stated
that someone from our own government “outed”
him, and disclosed his identity. He said, “It was
clearly a political move and that story will be told at
some point in the future, but for now I am sharing
the positive components of my experiences until I
am unable to continue my new mission to tell the
truth about what happened”. He gave up his
retirement benefits after 17 years as he departed
from the Navy. He has very strong positive feelings
for his team and the military on the whole, but based
on his identity being compromised by someone else,
he has equally strong feelings of disgust. Read into
that statement as you wish, but now he has his own
security detail and his family is now in danger too.
That is an unintended consequence of the mission.
Mr. O’Neil also described how his team worked in
conjunction with the Air Force, and Army
intelligence to take on a mission that was on the
Afghanistan-Pakistan border in which he and his
team were attempting to rescue Afghani friendlies
who were being attacked by Pakistani supported
Taliban. The Afghani friendlies were out gunned
and out of position in the open taking heavy
casualties as they were fighting from a low position
shooting up at the mountain ridges. Seal Team Six
was in the area having just completed another top
secret mission and were asked to assist in this
developing battle. It was a fully coordinated effort
with his team, several F-15 fighters that approached
the scene at less than 1,000 feet in altitude over the
theater, and inverted so they could see the battle
field in plain view. One little detail, the jets were
flying in-bound to the scene at more than Mach 1 for
intimidation purposes. Mr. O’Neil was in charge of
the entire engagement in real time while he was
receiving live fire from the enemy, taking out many
of them personally from more than 1,500 meters
away, as well as directing where ordinance should
be placed on the ridge above from a B-1 Bomber
that was flying above at 60,000 feet. He and his
team continued to return fire, taking out dozens of
enemy combatants, while pulling the wounded
Afghani friendlies to relative safety and provide life
January / February 2014
saving first aid. To say that there was massive
multitasking going on here was an understatement.
One unique experience was that I ended up behind
him in the security line at the airport as the
conference ended immediately after his speech. He
and I spoke for more than an hour and I had a
chance to hear more of his stories. I thought it was
funny that a true war hero had to take off his shoes
and belt just like the rest of us to go through
security. One thing I admired was that you could
not miss just how fit he is, even though he was
wearing a suit. I never felt safer than at that
moment, just standing near him. He talked about his
daughter and his now ex-wife. The personal
sacrifice he has made seems unfair in a way. I
would expect the Texas A&M marching band to
welcome him and his team home. He said that he
rarely received more than a nod from civilians when
he flew home in uniform. Although they never
traveled together for security reasons, the
commitment he and others within the military make
is deserving of our purposeful respect on a daily
basis.
My parting thought is this: whether you are for or
against our country’s involvement in Afghanistan
and Iraq, it is ok to feel the way you do. If you are
not in support of the war, it does not mean that you
are for the other side. We should always support our
troops without question. That support is not just for
the active members in harm’s way, or taking care of
them when they come home, but also for their
families as they are left to pick up the pieces. If you
see anyone from the military at any point in time,
stop and thank them for their service and sacrifice
because if it were not for them, we would not be
here living the lives we do.
His official biography can be found at the following
website: http://www.leadingauthorities.com/
speaker/robert-oneill.aspx
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
‫ ~רפואה שלמה‬Mi’sheberach
Yom Huledet Sameakh
Wishing a return to good health to those
who are ill in our community
•Reuven ben Beryl Richard Charkow
•Mimma Bartholdi
•Selma Chavis
•Barry Cohen
•Basha Bat Netanya
•Joy Degal
•Wilma Fantin
•Josh Goldenberg
•Evan Heller
•Yvonne Horowitz
•Billy Hughes
•Tony Iannucci
•Mitchell Kaphan
•Sandra Klein
•Martin Goldmark
•Darren Pinsker
•Mario Rosenthal
•Keva bat Sheindal
•Christine Paravaty
•Rachel Samuel
•Christopher Starace
•Rosalie Steiner
•Christina Stroud
•Larry Ticker
•Maria Urman
•Doris Vecca
•Mark Yekutiel
•Moshe ben Menachem
Mendel and Vela
‫יום הולדת שמח‬
January
February
January 2
January 17
February 2
February 19
Anthony Branca
Samantha Sydney
Lubinsky
Taylor Erika Lubinsky
Tess Bartman
Elias Duke
Aaron Feldman
Marge Pollack
Robert Lazar
January 18
February 3
Cynthia Hertz
February 23
January 5
Rebecca Hammerman
Gerald Raskob
Ellen FleischmanLitsky
January 19
February 6
January 3
Rebekah Lazar
Harriet Rosenberg
January 4
Eva Gutt
January 6
Raimy Shectman
January 7
Jared Shectman
Shane SolarDoherty
January 8
Mark Litsky
January 10
If you see a name on the
Mi’Sheberach list who,
thank G-d, has returned to good
health, please notify the office at
[email protected]
Please notify the office if you
or a family member is ill or in
the hospital, so that Rabbi
Hammerman can schedule a
visit. Your phone call is greatly
appreciated.
Did we miss your birth-
day? Please let us know!
PAGE 29
Matthew Adam
Kushner
January 12
Melissa Bellenchia
Adrienne Tavelinsky
January 13
Marietta Helene
Branca
Abraham Koswener
Michelle Swift
Paige Chavis
Howard Fuchs
January 20
Christopher Scanlan
January 21
Michael Kushner
January 23
Eleanor Small
February 24
Lisa Branca
February 8
Brittany Klein
Jack Posniak
February 10
Cameron Asher
Blake
January 24
Bernard Jacobs
Julie Martin
Arthur Rebell
Max Lichtman
Jared Rubin
January 29
Deborah Levitt
Hertz
January 15
January 30
Kelly Bowden
Carol Zager
Maxine Berlin
January 31
January 16
Jess Berkwits
Ali Stern
Robin Belsky
Michelle
Houslanger
February 12
January 28
Diane Gorelick
Daniel Tavelinsky
February 5
Kyra Bates
Steve Davydov
Austin Harf
Brianne Petrone
Josef Pomeranz
Brian Swift
February 22
Elizabeth Davydov
Michael Loewenberg
February 26
Scott Hammer
Adam Nadelhaft
February 27
Gabriel Lomas
Stephanie Raefski
Daniel Jaffee
February 28
February 13
Iris Gorodess
Matthew Klee
Jordan Pomeranz
February 14
Ira Weisman
February 15
Mark Liff
Katherine Posniak
February 16
Allen Hochberg
Suzanne Ranani
Alvin Silbert
February 17
Cara Bowden
Bria Gunzburg
Benjamin Raskob
Danit Simon
PAGE 30
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
On Line SCRIP is here!!! By Lynn Michaels
What is ShopWithScrip?
ShopWithScrip.com is a free online scrip management tool from Great Lakes Scrip Center (GLSC). It allows
families to place their own scrip orders online. ShopWithScrip® makes ordering a breeze for families. See the
list of vendors on the next page.
Why Should I use ShopWithScrip?
ShopWithScrip is so convenient to use! It’s more accurate than traditional order forms, because discounts,
products, and denominations are updated immediately by GLSC as changes occur. You can view images of
each product, and find information about where and how gift cards can be used. With participating retailers,
you can Reload funds onto gift cards you already own, and print your own ScripNow!™ eGiftCards in
minutes when you pay for your order online with PrestoPay™. You won’t have to wait for a physical card to
ship - perfect for last-minute purchases! Plus, you can place your orders literally any time of day or night, 365
days a year, from any internet-connected computer or device!
How Do I Get Started?
The first step is to create your free account by visiting ShopWithScrip.com and clicking on the green ‘Sign
Up’ box.
Fill in the form and follow the simple registration instructions. This includes entering our temple’s enrollment
code— 47AELAD51LL75
That’s all it takes to begin taking advantage of the easiest and most convenient fundraising program you’ll
ever use. Start using ShopWithScrip.com today!
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 31
PAGE 32
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ON PRAYER Service—Praying In God’s Corner
When approaching the Divine, it is best
to turn down your mental computer and
switch over to your feelings, even if this
makes you self-conscious or appear
foolish in your own eyes. For talking to
God, the intellect is not the best tool;
God is not interested in your I.Q., nor is
God impressed by your learning. The
heartfelt prayers of an unlearned person
are worth more than the perfunctory
recitations of the scholar.
We meet God in time and space. In one
sense, we enter the Divine’s spatial
aspect when we place ourselves in God’s
presence.
Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote: “We
cannot make God visible to us, but we
can make ourselves visible to God.”
A specific setting or atmosphere is not
required when you want to place
yourself in God’s presence, but
obviously some settings are more
conducive to prayer than others.
Watching a sunrise on a mountaintop is
usually a helpful place; a crowded
subway car at rush hour is more difficult.
It is a fact, though, that sometimes we
fail to make contact in the most
appropriate settings and succeed in those
that would seem to be the most dismal....
Most of us set aside special places at
home for specific activities—a reading
chair, a sewing corner, a hobby table.
The reason is clear; a space intentionally
planned for a specific activity will
enhance the performance of that activity.
Similarly, it helps to set aside a place to
pray, a place to talk with God.
God’s corner does not have to be
elaborate; probably, the simpler it is, the
better. It should, however, be a place in
which you can totally relax and feel
comfortable. God is already there: create
an atmosphere to help you talk with God.
Light candles; candlelight is richer than
electric light. Set your senses free of
their ordinary, everyday fare. In this
way, they will respond freshly rather
than by habit. Some incense or other
aromatic substance may help lead your
senses away from the mundane and
toward the spiritual. You also might
want to have a pad of paper and a pencil
handy, in the event that you want to jot
down an insight.
The above excerpt, “Praying in God’s
Corner,” by Rabbi Zalman SchachterShalomi with Donald Gropman, is from
First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit: Reb
Zalman’s Guide to Recapturing the
Intimacy & Ecstasy in Your Relationship
with God © 2003 by Zalman M.
Schachter-Shalomi and Donald
Gropman. Permission granted by Jewish
Lights Publishing, P.O. Box 237,
Woodstock, VT 05091;
www.jewishlights.com.
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi is
co-author of Davening: A Guide to
Meaningful Jewish Prayer, Jewish with
Feeling: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish
Practice and First Steps to a New Jewish
Spirit: Reb Zalman’s Guide to
Recapturing the Intimacy & Ecstasy in
Your Relationship with God (all Jewish
Lights). The inspiration of the Jewish
Renewal movement, he is widely
recognized as one of the most important
Jewish spiritual teachers of our time. He
is also professor emeritus at Temple
University.
Donald Gropman has published several
books and numerous articles and short
stories.
To download a Scrip Order Form,
go to http://tinyurl.com/tbsscrip
January / February 2014
Temple Times
Co-Editors
Bernice Guest
Lynn Michaels
Advertising Editor
David Michaels
Contributors
Steve Bettman
Joel Greenberg
Wendy Greenberg
Jeff Guest
Rabbi Eytan Hammerman
Phyllis Nadelhaft
Alicia Raskob
Glenn Sapir
Deb Seaman
David Volkman
Carol Zager
The Temple Beth Shalom
newsletter is published five times
per year and is provided by and for
the membership of the synagogue.
Neither Temple Beth Shalom, nor
its members, assumes liability for
any of the information, opinions or
suggestions contained herein.
Articles submitted are subject to
editing. Contents may not be
reproduced
without
written
permission from the Temple office.
We apologize in advance for any
errors or omissions. Submissions
can be sent via email in Word or
Publisher format to:
[email protected].
NEXT
DEADLINE
IS
February 10,
2014
Newsletter Errors
Occasionally errors & omissions
are found in the pages of Temple
Times. We appreciate being
notified of any corrections by
calling the TBS office (845)6286133. A newsletter staff member
will return your call ASAP. The
temple office is not responsible for
newsletter content. Many thanks to
our readers, Temple Times Staff
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 33
Contributions (October 1—November 30, 2013)
Deficit Reduction Fund
For the Yahrzeit of Dr. Steven Kantor
by The Belsky Family
General Fund
For the Yahrzeit of Mike Rosner
by Agnes Rosner
For the Yahrzeit of Father, Samuel Berlin
by Arnold Berlin
In Honor of Ben Scavone's Conversion by
David & Lynn Michaels
In Honor of The birth of Samantha Wohl
by David & Lynn Michaels
For the Yahrzeits of Father, David Lubin;
mother Marioan Lubin Garson and stepfather, Murray Garson
by Dennis & Nancy Bochichio
For the Yahrzeit of Joseph Lipins, grandfather of Aileen, Ira & Douglas and
Diane's father by Diane Goldstein
For the Yahrzeit of Morris Goldstein,
grandfather of Aileen, Ira & Douglas and
Diane's father-in-law by Diane Goldstein
For the Yahrzeit of Father, Harry Langer
by Edna Sterling
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
by Elaine & Bernie Jacobs
For the Yahrzeits of Mother, Lillian Garrell and aunt, Minnie Brody
by Howard Garrell
For the Yahrzeits of Mother, Yetta Uffer
and brother, Seymour Uffer by Ira Uffer
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
by Jean & Ro
For the Yahrzeit of Treitek Steinlauf
by Jeanne Toovell
In Honor of Joel Greenberg
by Jeff & Sharon Feldman
For the Speedy Recovery of
Mark Goldberg by Jeff Roberts
For the Yahrzeit of Uncle, David Korn
by Joyce Lasker
For the Yahrzeits of Father, William &
brother, Kenneth Feibus by Joyce Lasker
For the Yahrzeit of Harry Rettig
by Lisa Falcone
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
by Marge Pollack
For the Yahrzeit of Father, Bernard
Hendler by Marlene Hochberg
For the Yahrzeit of Mother, Ruth Kaiser
by Melinda Kaiser
For the Yahrzeit of Husband, Carl Streit
by Mona Streit
In Honor of Wedding of Aliya Bettman by
For the Yahrzeit of Husband, Ralph
Elaine & Bernie Jacobs
Peterson by Nancy Peterson
For the Yahrzeit of Sister,
For the Yahrzeit of Father, Elias Feldman
Phyllis Freedland by Elaine Bessen
by Patti Liff
For the Yahrzeit of Father, Mel Mitzner
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
by Elaine Peikes
by Phyllis & Stephen Nadelhaft
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
Just Because -Donating profits from sale
by Eleanor & Ralph Small
of Jewelry at Blooming Seed
For the Yahrzeit of Father,
by Phyllis Nadelhaft
Sidney Grossman by Ellen Reing
For the Yahrzeit of Mother, Lillian Solar
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes by Phyllis Solar
by Gary & Susan Loewenberg
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes by Rachel Jurisz Singh
by Gerald & Alicia Raskob
In appreciation of Jules Gidal for his help
For the Yahrzeit of Father,
with lights and newsletter mailing
Abraham Leibman by Gerald Leibman
by Ro & Jean
For the Yahrzeit of Father, Irving Hurwitz
by Ruth Rosenthal
For the Yahrzeits of Stephen's grandfather,
Hyman Baskin; Phyllis' mother, Adele
Goldberg, Phyllis' father, Harry Goldberg
by Stephen & Phyllis Nadelhaft
In Memory of Son of Phyllis & Alan
Gangel by Susan & Gary Loewenberg
For the Speedy Recovery of Billy Hughes
by The Michaels Family
For the Speedy Recovery of David
Michaels by Wendy & Joel Greenberg
For the Yahrzeit of Joel's father, Samuel
Greenberg by Wendy & Joel Greenberg
In Honor of Eva Gutt's Bat Mitzvah
by Wendy & Joel Greenberg
Kiddush Fund
Just Because by Anita & Paul Bellenchia
Prayer Book Fund
In Honor of Chatan Torah 5774
by Jeff Roberts
Rabbi's Fund
For the Speedy Recovery of Judy
Occhiograssi & coming back to Maj Jong
soon! by Yvonne & Ralph Horowitz
Religious School Fund
In appreciation of Running the CPR/AED
Class by Shelly & Howard Hammer
USY (Youth) Fund
In Memory of Esther Futterman
by Erwin & Lenore Kaplan
In Memory of Esther Futterman
by Melody & Ira Weisman & Family
In Honor of Spencer Rubin National Merit
Scholarship Commendation by The Belsky
Family
PAGE 34
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Yahrzeits
May Their Memory be a Blessing
Jan 3 / Shevat 2
Jan 20 / Shevat 19
Feb 4 / Adar I 4
Feb 15 / Adar I 15
Elias Feldman
Abraham Mendelsohn
Florence Michelson
Meyer Berliner
Marilyn Shankewitz
Genya Zac
Sylvia Fader
Ralph Lippman
Feb 6 / Adar I 6
Feb 16 / Adar I 16
Jan 6 / Shevat 5
Jan 21 / Shevat 20
Zeller Jacowitz
George Toovell
Deborah Bowden
Helen Cohen
Philip Schlossberg
Harold Michaels
Feb 7 / Adar I 7
Feb 17 / Adar I 17
Jan 22 / Shevat 21
Richard Diana
Mary Hertz
Edna Sapakie
Jan 7 / Shevat 6
Jan 23 / Shevat 22
Ruha Gold
Jan 12 / Shevat 11
Jack Fader
Bernard Teplitsky
Jan 13 / Shevat 12
Matthew Hertz
Jan 15 / Shevat 14
Isidor Ditkowski
Jan 16 / Shevat 15
Sylvia Rebell
Jan 17 / Shevat 16
Feivish Zac
Marilyn Black
Fred Happ
Feb 8 / Adar I 8
Melvin Schechter
Feb 19 / Adar I 19
Feb 9 / Adar I 9
Frieda Horowitz
Jan 26 / Shevat 25
Edyth Lefferman
Celia Mendelsohn
Eli Yekutiel
Feb 10 / Adar I 10
Jan 27 / Shevat 26
Joseph Carrillo
Jack Green
David Guest
Samuel Zager
Ben Roberts
Feb 27 / Adar I 27
Feb 11 / Adar I 11
Josephine Gershon
Donald Michelson
Jan 28 / Shevat 27
Stuart Feldman
Ronald Pollack
Jacob Gutt
Feb 12 / Adar I 12
Jan 30 / Shevat 29
Feb 21 / Adar I 21
Jacob Jurisz
David Bashkow
Morris Posniak
Feb 2 / Adar I 2
Feb 14 / Adar I 14
Lawrence Lasker
Charles Michlowitz
Seymour Weinberger
Arthur Weisman
Feb 28 / Adar I 28
Charles Bornfriend
Max Hammer
Harry Schwartz
Morris Tesler
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 37
PAGE 38
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 39
Dave Goldberg
Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
WELL PUMPS
FREE
ESTIMATES
•Water Heaters
•Boilers
GOULDS
•Storage Tanks
Water
Systems
•Water Softeners
•Sales
•Service
•Installation
Weekend Service No Extra Charge
Insured - Bonded
(845) 628-1288
or
(914) 962-3498
PAGE 40
TEMPLE TIMES
VÉÄÉÇ|tÄ
gxÜÜtvx
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 41
Sisterhood Gift Shop!
Visit the gift shop or contact Ellen
Special Orders are welcome…
Any special occasion need can be filled
E-mail Ellen at
[email protected]
When you’re planning your next Life
Event, whether it’s a Wedding, Bar/
Bat Mitzvah or Buying/Selling a
home…
REMEMBER TO LOOK HERE FIRST!
PAGE 42
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
www.oddac.com
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
2 Graves with vault For Sale
King David Memorial Garden
Putnam Valley, NY
Contact: Linda Millman,
for more information
[email protected]
PAGE 43
PAGE 44
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 45
Relocation specialist in the Tampa Florida area
My name is Mark Newman, a young Jewish professional in the
greater Tampa area. I pride myself on going the extra mile. Tampa is
on the west coast of Florida, an up and coming area with several great
synagogues, pristine beaches, and George Steinbrenner Stadium
( Yankee feeder league) Plus all the comforts of the NY area:
Professional Ice Hockey, Baseball & Football Teams, Theatre, comedy
clubs Busch Gardens, and the Tampa Zoo are all within the Tampa
metro area. It is perfect the perfect place for singles, families of any
size and retirees. In addition to finding your new home I will also
help you find one of the wonderful congregations sprinkled throughout
the Tampa area and help you get situated with all your Kosher needs.
Now is the right time to buy or invest in the Tampa area. Even if
you are years away from a move, I can find you an awesome property
that can be rented seasonally or year round until you are ready to
relocate.
Mark Newman
Email: [email protected]
Rentals / Sales: Apartment, House, Condominium, Multi family or Office
Voice: 813-667-MARK (6275) cell 914-523-3025
436 Route 6
Mahopac, NY 10541
(845) 621-4600
Ben Gruber, Inc.
PUBLIC ADJUSTERS
Ben Gruber
Eric Gruber
FAX (845) 621-4613
CELL (917) 295-1407
PAGE 46
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 47
Freight Liquidators
● Furniture ● Carpeting ● Ceramic Tile
● Laminate Floors ● Wood Floors
● Window Treatments
Bill - Sales Manager
Route 6, Mahopac, NY
845-628-7930
PAGE 48
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Hosting An Oneg?
If you would like to host an
Oneg or Kiddush, contact
Ro or Jean in the office for
assistance.
845/628-6133
566 NORTH STATE ROAD
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY 10510
T (914) 698-4300
F (914) 698-0364
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 49
PAGE 50
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 51
PAGE 52
Did You Know?
You can now get your
Kosher Meats at our
local Stop & Shop!
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
GoodSearch.com
Double or
Search online or
shop through
Triple (!!!)
GoodShop.com
Type Temple Beth Shalom -
Mahopac
in "My Cause"
(or link from
TBSMahopac.org)
And then link to your
favorite online store.
TBS gets paid every time
you search or purchase.
For added benefit, some
stores will also accept
SCRIP gift cards.
your Donation FREE!
EMPLOYER’S
MATCHING FUNDS
PROGRAM
Your donation could double or
triple without any expense to
you. Call your Human Resources Department or Community Relations office and ask
about your company’s
MATCHING FUNDS program.
Some companies do not match
donations to religious organizations, but some do. Inquire with
your HR Representative.
Tevet / Adar 5774
TEMPLE TIMES
Fresh Meats Fresh Produce
Bakery Department with a
Selection of Kosher/Pareve Cookies
Full Service Deli Catering
Cheese’s from Around The World
Full Line of Health & Organic Foods
Fresh Seafood & Sushi Departments
A full Selection of Gourmet Items
(914)
245-1262
3651 Lee Road
Jefferson Valley, NY 10535
(across from the Jefferson Valley mall)
PAGE 53
PAGE 54
TEMPLE TIMES
January / February 2014
Tevet / Adar 5774
GERALD V. RASKOB, D.D.S.
GENTLE DENTAL CARE
GENERAL DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
COSMETIC BONDING • ROOT CANAL • DENTURES
NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION • CROWNS & BRIDGES
845-278-9080
530 North Main Street, Brewster, New York
TEMPLE TIMES
PAGE 55
CRYSTAL HALL at SOMERS COMMUNITY CENTER
Reserve for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate meetings,
community activities, showers, any kind of party.
Zumba, yoga, dance classes available in the evenings.
[email protected]
www.somerscc.com
914-523-2893
34 Hillandale Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Lawn Crypt for Sale
King David Memorial Garden
Putnam Valley, NY
Contact: Judy Nathan,
for more information
[email protected]
I will travel to your home for
Weddings, B’nai Mitzvot,
All Occasions
Also for the injured,
the ill, Senior Citizens
or who just can’t get out
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM
760 ROUTE 6
MAHOPAC, NY 10541
(845) 628-6133
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WHITE PLAINS, NY 10610
PERMIT NO. 4123
www.tbsmahopac.org
Current Resident or
The Best of Old World Elegance, Rural Beauty and Modern Amenities
Located in a country setting, the newly renovated clubhouse features a stunning
ballroom windowed throughout, with panoramic views of a spectacular
golf course and surrounding hills.
Parties of all sizes welcome
One affair per day
Kosher catering available
18 Bloomer Road, North Salem NY 10560 914*669-5485 www.salemgolfclub.org