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The Brotherhood Synagogue h’’bZ 28 Gramercy Park South New York, NY 10003 Phone (212) 674-5750 Fax (212) 505-6707 www.brotherhoodsynagogue.org Volume XXXIII Number II Cheshvan/Kisleve 5775 November 2014 Blessings and Lingering Tears by Rabbi Daniel Alder T o sit at a Thanksgiving meal, in the company of friends and family, brings into focus the great gifts of what it means to be an American and a Jew. It is a moment that reminds us about the things that really matter, the great freedoms and blessings granted to us today. We live in an era when the State of Israel, Jewish autonomy, and the power and freedoms that come with it are taken as givens, where we cannot imagine what it means to live otherwise. It is without doubt an incredible blessing. But with that blessing, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove warns us that we should be aware of the risk of losing a sense of historical awareness. The Shabbat of Thanksgiving weekend this year is November 29th, a day that all Jews interested in our history should know well. It is the date on which, sixty-seven years ago, the United Nations approved the partition plan—a resolution to terminate the British Mandate and create two states, one Arab and one Jewish. Amos Oz, in his novel and self-portrait, A Tale of Love and Darkness, describes his experience as a child in Jerusalem during the vote. He writes of standing with his bookish father along with thousands of others on the streets of Jerusalem that night, silently, listening to the American presenter on the radio. Oz tells of the shouts of joy and roar of jubilation and hugs and the unabashed crying and dancing and revelry that took over Jerusalem that night when the U.N. General Assembly voted the right of Israel to be established. Oz writes what happened when they returned home that night. After all the revelry, he and his father climbed into the same bed, and under the sheets his father told him in a whisper: “‘What some hooligans did to him and his brother David in Odessa and what some Gentile boys did to him at his Polish school in Vilna, and the girls joined in too, and the next day, when his father, Grandpa Alexander, came to the school to register a complaint, the bullies refused to return the torn trousers but attacked his father, Grandpa, in front of his eyes, forced him down onto the paving stones in the middle of the playground and removed his trousers too, and the girls laughed and made dirty jokes, saying that Jews are all so-and-sos, while the teachers watched and said nothing, or maybe they were laughing too. And still in a voice of darkness with his hand still losing its way in my hair, my father told me in the early hours of November 30, 1947, ‘Bullies may well bother you in the street or school someday. They may do it precisely because you are a bit like me. But from now on, from the moment we have our own state, you will never be bullied just because you are a Jew and because Jews are so-and-so. Not that. Never again. From tonight that’s finished here.’ I reached out sleepily to touch his face, just below his high forehead, and all of a sudden instead of his glasses my fingers met tears. Never in my life, before or after that night, not even when my mother died, did I see my father cry. And in fact, I didn’t see him cry that night either; it was too dark. Only my left hand saw.” Even with a state of Israel, tears of sorrow remain on Jewish faces. The cry of a Jew being murdered simply because he or she is a Jew, can still be heard. “Never again.” How we wish it to be the case. The world’s most ancient hatred of anti-Semitism exists in new forms today. We must be vigilant, we must know our history, we must pray and work for peace even as we protect that which is dearest to us, our lives, our freedoms, our Jewishness and the gift of what it is to be born into this time. l Shabbat Services FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 6:30 pm SATURDAY, november 1, 9:30 am Bat Mitzvah of Josie Ingall FRIDAY, november 7, 6:30 pm SATURDAY, november 8, 9:30 am Bar Mitzvah of Michael Prizant FRIDAY, november 14, 6:30 pm Veterans’ Shabbat SATURDAY, november 15, 9:30 am Bat Mitzvah of Gabrielle Miles SATURDAY, november 15, 4:15 pm Bat Mitzvah of Hanna Lipkis FRIDAY, november 21, 6:30 pm Congregational Dinner Following Speaker: Gerard Edery SATURDAY, november 22, 9:30 am B’nai Mitzvah of Anna and Leo Greenleaf FRIDAY, november 28, 6:30 pm SATURDAY, november 29, 9:30 am Rabbi Irving J. Blockz’’l Memorial Lecture Thursday, November 13 7:00 pm Guest Speaker: Dr. Georgette Bennett, President of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding Dr. Bennett will deliver a talk entitled The New Landscape for Jews, Christians, Muslims: Landmines and Ploughshares. In addition to being founder of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, most recently Dr. Bennett founded the Multifaith Coalition for Syrian Refugees in Jordan. This will be a most timely, pertinent program and it is not to be missed. Community Notes by Myra Hushansky M y first memory of Jewish music was of the many cantors my mother used to play on her LP record player when I was growing up in Brooklyn. Richard Tucker, Jan Peerce, Josef Rosenblatt, Moishe Oysher and others were her rock stars. She played them often. Many years later, I was thrilled to find them on CD, which I showed her how to play on her new CD player. “Mom, think of them as very, very, small LP records.” I didn’t think of them as ‘music’ or ‘prayers’ or even only Jewish; they just filled my home and I knew they made my mother happy. Music, I realize, also makes me happy. It fills me with a sensation that allows me to stop thinking, solving, planning, worrying and just be. At my current age, and as a gift to myself after I retired from the Board of Education, I began studying cello. Admittedly, I am terrible at it, but I love it. Despite how difficult it is, once in a while I hit the note just right…and I am happy. I come to Friday night services as often as I can. At the end of the week, especially before I retired, I knew the music would relax and energize me. To this day, I find myself looking forward to the conclusion of the Amidah, when our cantor’s soft humming of Oseh Shalom fills the Sanctuary. I never fail to be awed by this moment. And after the humming, when all the voices join in…I am happy. Recently I have been visiting a very ill friend who is not Jewish. One day as I sat by her hospital bed and she dozed quietly, Tov L’Hodot la-do-Shem just came out. I don’t know why, but it just felt right. My friend relaxed, and every once in a while, I even hit a proper note or two. * * * * Twenty years ago, Brotherhood started the Tikvah Program, our Hebrew school program for children with special needs. It felt like a natural fit to have music as part of our curriculum. Not music as part of prayers, but music for its own sake. We’ve had wonderful music teachers who brought in special instruments and taught exciting rhythms. When our new music teacher started this year, he asked the students what 2 This year the theme at Brotherhood is “MUSIC” and we invite one and all to share here in our “Community Notes” their thoughts and feelings relative to any aspect of music in Jewish life. Please send all submissions to [email protected]. (Word limit: 750 words!) Shabbat Club Life Goes On Life Goes On is a group for those of us who have lost a spouse or life partner and want to experience the beauty, joy, and opportunity that New York life offers surrounded by supportive friends who understand and share in the loss. Thank you very much to Luise for once again taking such good care of us at our event last month. It’s always fascinating to see your insider’s perspective of the Chelsea galleries. We all enjoyed a warm and delicious dinner at the Park Restaurant after our long walk. Our next event on Wednesday, November 12, at 6 pm, will take place at the Rubin Museum of Art located at 150 West 17th Street. This small and very beautiful museum presents the art of the Himalayas. We will enjoy a private tour designed specifically for our group, followed by a “Himalayan Happy Hour” with music and dinner in the Rubin Museum’s restaurant, Café Serai. The tour, which is $15 per person, is limited to 20, so if you would like to take part please contact Agnes ASAP. The cost of the dinner is additional, and those who plan to attend will receive details about that later. songs and prayers they remember and want to sing. The list filled up the entire music session. HaTikvah is a favorite, as well as Bim Bam. The students have mastered many prayers, and last week, our class’ rendition of Avinu Malkeinu would had made Jan Peerce proud. Our students learn prayers, history and languages through music. During a music class last year, our new assistant teacher was so impressed with the singing, she suggested we have a concert. There were solos, duets, and trios, plus a performance by the whole group of more than 20 students. We practiced and practiced, and it was a great success, the students were so proud. And of course, I was so happy. l Our next book club meeting will be on Monday, November 3. Please read The World to Come by Dara Horn. The prizewinning author interweaves mystery, romance, folklore, theology, history, scripture, and a stolen Marc Chagall painting into a spellbinding modern tale. The book won the National Jewish Book Award for 2006. NYU professor Margaret Boe Birns will expertly guide our discussion as usual, accompanied by wine and desserts. The cost of participating is $20 per person; please call or e-mail Agnes ASAP if you are planning to join. The book and the date for the following book club meeting will be selected during the meeting, and details will be sent as soon as available. If you or someone you know would like to be a part of Life Goes On, please come to our meetings—we would be happy to see you! If you have any questions, please call Agnes Marton at 917.519.4427 or email her at [email protected] or call Roberta in the Synagogue office at 212.674.5750. l The Brotherhood Synagogue Saturdays November 15 & December 13 Congregation members and guests are welcome each month on a Saturday, at 1 pm, in the second floor reception room, opposite the entrance to the sanctuary. This “club” doesn’t ask for dues or mandatory attendance. Come and enjoy about an hour with old friends and new on a relaxed Shabbat afternoon. Hear about and discuss various Jewish-related subjects, a different one each month. Refreshments are served. Deborah Newman organizes this group and please contact her if you have ideas for topics (newmanddale@ aol.com) On November 15, Alan Fell, a member of our congregation, will share his insights and lead a discussion on Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shamai, who led opposing schools of Jewish thought in the early first century, BCE. Rabbi Daniel Alder will lead the December 13 meeting. Cheshvan/Kislev 5775 November 2014 Shabbaton @ Brotherhood Friday-Saturday, November 21-22 Please join us for services on Friday evening led by Rabbi Alder, Cantor Weis, and Musical Scholar-inResidence, Gerard Edery. After services we’ll share a delicious congregational dinner followed by a talk from Gerard Edery on The Golden Age of Spanish Jewry. The Sephardim of Spain come from a long history of wanderings and empires—from Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome to Spain, North Africa and the Ottoman lands. Cosmopolitan and deeply involved in all social, political and artistic explorations of their time and place, their real spiritual homes were found in their Judaism, often ex- pressed through sacred stories and songs. Edery will enlighten us about this intercultural mix that was central to the Sephardic experience. On Saturday morning, join Phil Rothman for a Torah Talk entitled “Does God Really Hear You?” at 9:30 am. Following kiddush lunch Rebecca Kryspin Alder will hold a session of Spiritual Yoga at 1:30 pm and Terrific Toddler Time with Daphna Mor for children up to age 3 will be held at 4:30 pm. Saturday evening at 6:00 pm we’ll have a Havdallah ceremony immediately followed by a very special concert given by Gerard Edery. For further information, please visit www. gerardedery.com. Please see the enclosed flyer for further details about Shabbaton November 21-22 and for the Dinner RSVP form. Social Action News Sunday, November 9, 10 am – 4 pm The Brotherhood Synagogue’s 12th Annual Chuck Ginsburg Memorial Blood Drive Chuck Ginsburg was a cool, generous and loving guy. His family and friends remember him with love each and every day. Blood plasma helped give him energy and some feeling of normalcy during his battle with cancer. In the loving spirit of Chuck’s life, the Brotherhood Synagogue, the Social Action Committee and Chuck’s family are proud to sponsor the twelfth annual Chuck Ginsburg Memorial Blood Drive. Please call the office immediately to schedule an appointment and remember to eat protein rich meals the week before. Sunday, November 9, 9:30 am – 3 pm Annual Conference on Healing the Sick @ UJAFederation of New York When the Healer Needs Healing: Illness and the Bikur Cholim Response A full day conference with inspirational keynotes, skill building workshops and exciting plenary presentations that will offer insight and practical skills including: Essential Visiting Skills • Preparing an Ethical Will • Caring for the Caregiver • Using the Telephone to Visit • Practical Jewish Spirituality: Tools for Coping and Healing • Focus on Visiting People with Dementia and the Cognitively Cheshvan/Kisleve 5775 November 2014 Impaired * Visiting With Someone at the End of Life. Light breakfast and lunch included. If you wish to attend the Conference on behalf of the Synagogue please contact Roberta by Thursday November 6. Thank you to the Chesed Committee which has generously offered to sponsor registration costs. information to the Brotherhood Office marked Attention: Veterans Shabbat: • Name • Branch of Service • Dates of Service • Rank at Discharge Friday, November 14 DOROT Thanksgiving Food Delivery Celebrate Veterans’ Shabbat Calling All U.S. and IDF Veterans On Friday, November 14 the Jewish Welfare Board, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, the communal agency responsible for providing Jewish chaplains to the military and for servicing the needs of Jewish military personnel, their families, and Jewish patients in Veterans Affairs hospitals will join with the Social Action Committee in observing a Veterans’ Shabbat at Friday night services beginning at 6:30. Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, Deputy Director for Programming of the JWB Chaplains Council will speak about the services that are being provided to Jewish military personnel and their current program of outreach to Jewish veterans. As part of the evening, all Brotherhood members who are veterans, men and women who served in the U.S. military or the IDF will be honored by the congregation. We would love to include all veterans and ask that if you served to send the following The Brotherhood Synagogue Sunday, November 23, 10 am – 1 pm Generations Helping Generations… Join members of our Social Action Committee for our annual DOROT Thanksgiving Food Delivery and Visit on Sunday, November 23. DOROT is a wonderful organization focused on helping the elderly maintain independent lives in their own homes. The Thanksgiving Food Delivery and Visit is a meaningful way for generations to help generations celebrate Thanksgiving. We will meet at Rodeph Shalom (7 West 83rd Street) at 10 am, for a brief orientation. After the orientation, we will pick up a Thanksgiving meal, deliver the meal to a senior, and spend about an hour visiting with the senior. For those of you who have participated before, the visit tends to be the most important part of the day. We will be done before 1 pm. DOROT asked for participants 18 years old and older, but if you have “mature” teens we will see if we can work something out. Space is limited, so please contact Roberta at [email protected] if you wish to volunteer. l 3 Happenings in Our Kehilah B’nai Mitzvah, Mazal Tov to: Jonathan Steuer and Marjorie Ingall on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Josie Ingall. Josie, a student at the Institute for Collaborative Education, will celebrate her simcha with her younger sister, Maxine. Igor and Tammy Prizant on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Michael Prizant. Michael, a student at NEST+m, will celebrate his simcha with his younger siblings, Daniel and Rachel. Bradley and Rachel Miles on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Gabrielle. Gabrielle, a student at Friends Seminary, will celebrate her simcha with her younger brother, Zachary; and to grandparents, Ina and Edward Miles. Harvey Lipkis and Ruth Shragowitz on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Hanna Lipkis. Hanna is a student at the Summit School. Eric Greenleaf and Vicki Morwitz on the B’nai Mitzvah of their children, Anna and Leo Greenleaf. Anna and Leo are students at Salk School of Science. Births, Mazal Tov to: Marcy and Scott Debson on the birth of their daughter, Sophie Hope Debson; and to older brother, Charlie. Hayley Eber and Jonathan Mark on the birth of their daughter, Noa Mark; and to older sister, Sienna. Melissa and David Fox on the birth of their son, Henry Fox. Condolences to: Lenny Gold on the passing of his father, Nathan Gold. Robert Bauchner on the passing of his wife, Renee Bauchner. Billie Elias on the passing of her father, Ralph Tekel. Susan Enzer on the passing of her son, Joshua Enzer. Welcome to Jonathan Right and Jess Cosmus of Chelsea. Jonathan works in private equity at Goldman Sachs and Jess is a private wealth advisor with Northern Trust. Jonathan and Jess are recently engaged and are looking forward to getting married next summer. Welcome to Nir Hod and Stefanie Raben of Chelsea. Nir, originally from Israel, is an artist at the Paul Kasmin Gallery and Stefanie, originally from the Netherlands, is a fashion model. They have a 3-month-old son named Shawn. Welcome to Bella Sekons of Chelsea. Bella is in real estate management and development at CB Developers. Her daughter, Maya, also works in real estate development. Her son, Etan, is a musican and recording engineer with his own studio and her daughter, Talia, is married to Tym Bryce, an acupuncturist and they have a daughter named Ceila. Talia has her own country blue grass band (The Lost Pines) and plays rhythm guitar and writes songs. Welcome to Dr. Alvin Gelb and Ronda Gelb of Peter Cooper Village. The Gelbs have two sons, Daniel and Michael, and five grandchildren. Daniel is an orthopedist in Baltimore, Maryland and Michael practices psychiatry in Portland, Oregon. The Gelbs enjoyed High Holiday services at the Brotherhood this year and look forward to becoming part of the Brotherhood community. Welcome to David and Romy Cohen. The Cohen’s moved back to Manhattan last year from Park City, Utah, where they had lived for the past three years and are now living in Tribeca. David is the founder and CEO of The I Grace Company and Romy is a stay at home mom. They have four children, Oliver (14), Sylvie (13), Nathaniel (11) and Ezra (8), who all attend the Avenues School. Welcome to Sheila Eisenberg of the Upper East Side. Sheila is an attorney. Welcome to Adam Shlachter and Zimra Panitz of the Lower East Side. Adam is the chief investment officer at DigitasLBi and Zimra is the head of cataloging at the School of Visual Arts library. They have two children— Ruby who is in kindergarten at Grace Church School and Maddox who attends MKC II. Ruby attends Brotherhood Hebrew School. Welcome to Dr. Adam Dershowitz and Hanna Dershowitz of Tudor City. Adam is an aeronautical engineer who does expert consulting on aircraft accidents and other engineering matters. Hanna is a civil rights lawyer. They have two children. Zara, 11, plays cello and is always reading. She is a sixth grader at East Side Middle School. Mars, 9, is a gymnast and a fourth grader at PS 116. Both children attend Brotherhood Hebrew School. Welcome to Joseph and Stephanie Cogan of Gramercy Park. Joe is a real estate salesperson at Town Residential and Stephanie is Vice President, Corporate Relations at The National Kidney Foundation. They have a rescue shih tzu named Studley McGoo. Welcome to Tiffany Tirado and Steve Martinek of Kips Bay. Steve is in hospitality while Tiffany is a media coordinator for a PR firm. They are new to the area and have enjoyed the charming neighborhood so far. Welcome to Alex and Lindsay Shapses of NoMad. Alex is a partner and insurance specialist at Heritage Strategies and Lindsay is an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. They have a one year old son, Jackson. Welcome to Jennifer Langnas and Joseph Snodgrass of the West Village. Jennifer is a children’s wear designer with Fox + Sparrow and Joseph is a managing director at Joelle Frank. They have three children—Eloise, who attends Avenues and Hanna and Violet who attend the Preschool of the Arts. Welcome to Joseph Weintraub and Jill Linker of Flatiron. Joseph, who goes by Jay, is the founder of marketing events companies Grow. co and LeadsCon. Jill is a corporate attorney who doubles as a full-time mom. They have two children, twins Ryan and Madeline. Welcome New Members: Welcome to Jeffrey and Gabby Cohen of Gramercy Park. Jeffrey is a sales executive with Telogis and Gabby is a PR executive at SoulCycle. They have two children, Cece who attends the Preschool of the Arts, and Max. Welcome to Daniel Ruch and Neha Leela Ruch of NoMad. Daniel is the founder and CEO of Rocketrip, an enterprise software startup, and Neha runs brand strategy at Zola, a wedding registry startup. Daniel and Neha recently got married in Napa Valley, California. Welcome to Brian Sampson and Jillian Straus of Chelsea. Brian is an attorney and partner at D’Agostino, Levine, Landesman & Lederman LLP and Jillian is a media consultant with Straus Strategic Communications LLC. Their daughter, Summer, attends Friends Seminary. Welcome to David Simon and Lisa Goodman of Chelsea. David and Lisa both work at New London Associates, LLC. David is a managing director and Lisa is a controller. They have two children—Lily and Zoe who both attend Trevor Day School. l The Brotherhood Synagogue Cheshvan/Kislev 5775 November 2014 Suzanne Gold on the passing of her husband, and our member, Jerry Gold. 4 Welcome to Derek Giddon and Carmen Elortegui of Tribeca. Derek is a dentist and Carmen is an accountant. President’s Posting H appy 5775 to all! I hope you enjoyed the holidays and had a chance to spend some time in our Sukkah or any Sukkah! November is a busy month at Brotherhood. We are holding our Twelfth Annual Chuck Ginsburg Memorial Blood Drive on November 9 from 10 am–3:30 pm. Anyone between the ages of 17 -75 is eligible. I don’t think I have to mention how important this program is to all of us. Please call the office 212.674.5750 to schedule your appointment to donate. On Thursday, November 13, the Brotherhood will hold its Annual Rabbi Irving J. Block z”l Memorial Lecture. This year we are very privileged to have Dr. Georgette Bennett as our guest speaker. Dr. Bennett is President of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. Please join us for her talk. Calling all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and the IDF. We want to honor you and thank you for your service. We are holding a special Veterans’ Shabbat service on Friday, November 14. If you have served please call the office to let us know so we can properly honor you. The theme for this year at Brotherhood is music. With that in mind, our first Shabbaton (formerly “Synaplex”) dinner will take place Friday, November 21. Our Musical Scholar-in-Residence will be Gerard Edery. Mr. Edery’s music is derived from many cultures. He is known as a musical “folklorist” and master singer. Please be sure to make your reservations to have Shabbat dinner with us using the flyer enclosed with this bulletin and join us on Saturday evening at 6 pm for his amazing concert. All of the wonderful programs at Brotherhood are introduced or recommended by YOU, members of our Brotherhood Kehila. We always want to hear from you, but even better, we would like you to get involved with one of our many committees. We know you have very busy schedules but there is always a little room to do a mitzvah and meet new people at the same time. Call or email me if there is a particular activity you would like to join or would like to suggest. L’Shalom, Judy Shapiro Cheshvan/Kisleve 5775 November 2014 Yahrzeits ^Garden of Remembrance *Book of Remembrance November 1 – 7 ^Jack Bardack, ^George Birnbach, Richard Bogen, Lillian Borkow, Murray Bossowich, Louis (Lipa) Brill, Leon Brumberg, ^Jack Burdack, Saul Cantor, *Lizzie Cassell, Eleanor Louise Cone, Max Cooper, *William B. Cooper, ^Herman Douglass, Abraham Ellenzweig, *Abraham Franklin, ^Sylvia Friedberg, Rose Friedman, Jerome Gillman, *Bertha Goldstein, ^Louis Green, ^Harry Greenfield, ^Harry Gross, Harold Guttman, Yisaschar Hirsch Meier, ^Max Josselson, ^Caleb Lahana, Jerome Landsman, Stanley Lefkowitch, Betty Levy, Max Lippman, Peter Loy, ^Louis Magram, Harold Margolis, Harry Mayers, Abraham Miller, ^Alice Novom, Sol Pearlstein, ^Samuel Perlman, *Jules H. Press, ^Robert M. Richman, Jessie Rosen-Axell, Ellen Rubin, *Lea Schlager, *Pauline Schnapp, ^Gertrude Schwartz, Anna Shalek, ^Diane Silberling, Robert Silver, ^Henry A. Silver, Rose Singer, *Jeannette D. Solomon, *Mary Spiegel, ^Dr. Julian Stern, ^Lee Strauss Topolski, Leonard Tuft, George Vassil, *Sophie Versh, David Wilf, Miriam Wosk, ^*Abraham Zacks, ^Herman Zeitlin November 8 – 14 Clara Aaron, Libbie Bezief, *Louis A. Capaldo, Irving Cohen, William Cypel, Prof. Taamrat Emmanuel, Rose Entus, *Samuel Fassler, *Fred H. Feldman, ^Malcolm H. Flash, Ernest Foltin, Ruth Kempner Fuss, ^Harry Gold, ^Betty Goldin, Ethel Block Gordon, Louis Green, Norman Halper, ^Abraham M. Hoffman, ^Samuel Kaplow, ^*Harry Katzman, Hyman Kaufman, Irving Korman, ^Sylvia Krentzman, ^Arnold Lesser, Benjamin Levine, *Samuel Levine, ^Brenda Alice Levy, Sol Lichenstein, *Issay Lourie, ^Jack Low, John Malino, Sylvia Margolis, ^*Emanuel Morgenstern, Douglas Norwick, ^Fred Phillips, ^*Freida Novom Posner, ^Myer Press, Theodore Rauch, ^Betty Ress, Gerald Rockower, Samuel Schechter, ^Abraham Schonhaut, Berta Shiller, ^Shiphrah Silver, *Emma Stertzer, Eric Wagman, Milton Warren, Ellen Wechsler, Norman Weinshel Sasha Kughelman, George Levy, Ann Rechtschaeffer Levy, ^Stephen Lewin , Elias Lieberman, *Louis Lipshie, ^Gussie Low, *Harris Mahler, Anna Marie Ross Maikish, *Harry Meyer, *Sarah Meyer, Jonathan Moore, Caroline Nachman, *Richard Naftalis, Michael Nappi, Phillip Padva, Joseph Rogoff, *Herman L. Rosenberg, Dr. Meyer Rosenblum, *Samuel Rossman, Sylvia Rothenberg, Rabbi Jeshaia Schnitzer, Sophie Schwartz, *Molly Seidman, ^Pearl Sekular, Myrna Sharenow, ^Anne Silberling, Mollie Silverstein, *Jonas Spiegel, ^*Rev. Jesse W. Stitt, Ned Sussman, Louis Sussman, ^Lillian Teitelbaum, Arthur Turkel, Golden Wasser, *Flora Weinstein, Esther Wertzer, Florence Yeats November 29 – December 5 Mark Adelsberg, Ralph Adler, Myer Agin, Nellie Beck, Ann Bledstein, Samuel Bolotin, Murray Borden, ^Orene Moskow Fisher, Roger Flather, *Honey F. Golby, Alexander Gordon, ^Pauline Gordon, Pauline Gorman, Hugo Hamburger, Benjamin Hauptman, Sheila Heller, Benjamin Hushansky, Barbara Joslyn, Shango Kakawanna, *David Katz, George Landon, Rose Levow, Harry Liebowitz, *Samuel L. Magerfield, ^Isabelle Mersky, ^Maurice Musiker, Abraham Novom, Gertrude Novom, Herman Nussbaum, Isaac Oberman, Gerard G. Orbach, ^Sidney Palew, ^Sidney Paley, Ellen Paster, ^*Rose G. Rechtschaeffer, Louis Richkin, ^Joseph Ripinsky, ^Joseph Rothenberg, *Reuben Rothman, ^Annie Schindel, *Matthew Solomon, ^Miriam Statsinger, Herbert Vogel, Ida Weinstein, ^Edward Weisman, Ida Wigdor, *Esther Wittenstein GRAMERCY PARK MEMORIAL CHAPEL 353 Second Avenue New York, NY 10010 (212) 477-6334 November 15 – 21 ^Freida Abraham, *Goldie Appel, ^Harry Blumenthal, Sarah Brown, Julius C. Edelstein, ^Lily Ente, Henry Entus, Stanley K. Fass, ^Belle Feuerstein, ^Samuel A. Fineman, ^Jack Fink, ^Samuel Friedman, Lina Frommer, Leo Glazer, Jacob Goldberg, Sadie Goldberg, ^Rabbi William Goldberg, Edith Goldman, ^*Dora Grossman, ^Robert Victor Hoffman, *Henry L. Hudes, Harry Jacobs, *Dr. Herman Jacobs, ^Minnie Jedwick, ^Rose Kaminsky, Ida Kaplan, Aaron Kars, *Minnie Katz, ^Geza Kesternbaum, ^Ruth Rose Klonsky, Milton Kutsher, Bernard Levy, Rose Lewis, *Helene Lind, *Abraham Mald, *Anna Meyer, *Louis T. Meyer, Robert N. Strauss, Louis Newman, ^Morton Raskin, Walter Rosenthal, Rose Rottenbach, Sophia Sainer, Philip Salant, ^Louis Schneier, ^Kate Schonhaut, ^Joseph Simon, ^Jean Gordon Sperling, Sarah Spiegel, ^Herman Steinberg, Kay R. Strauss, Semyon Vaidman, ^Max Joseph Wasserman, Belle Weiswasser, ^Dr. Maurice Yarkow November 22 – 28 Maurice Abraham, Lillian Blumberg, Allan Campbell, ^*Ida Cohen, ^Minnie Cohn, *Martin S. Drucker, *Julius Duberstein, *Barnett Finebaum, Gary Fisher, ^Doris C. Freedman, Shirley Friedes, *A. Herman Friedman, ^Gerald J. Friedman, Arthur Frommer, *Sylvia Gewirtz, Abraham Glazer, ^Rose Gottlieb, Sadie Grobow, Robert H. Harris, ^Hilda Harris, Emma Hayeem, *Naomi Holcomb, *Solomon Hudes, Henry Iskowitz, Florence Jacobs, ^Hannah Kaplan, Dorothy Klein, Jack Kleinman, ^Kate Knopf, ^Edith Kowal, David Kreloff, The Brotherhood Synagogue The Brotherhood Synagogue 28 Gramercy Park South New York, N.Y. 10003 Phone: (212) 674-5750 Fax: (212) 505-6707 www.brotherhoodsynagogue.org RABBI DANIEL ALDER, CANTOR MIKE WEIS, RABBI IRVING J. BLOCKZ’’L D.D.: Founding Rabbi HERMAN DIAMOND: Cantor Emeritus SHIYA RIBOWSKY: Cantor Emeritus JUDY SHAPIRO: President PHILLIP ROTHMAN: Executive and Education Director Congregation founded in 1954 Historic Landmark Building erected in 1859 5 Seeking Donations for Hand-Knit Hats for Israeli Soldiers Last year our member, Fay Mesibov, spearheaded “Operation Hats for Soldiers” at Brotherhood. Members and friends knitted hats or made donations toward the materials needed to knit our hats and these were sent to Israel and donated to soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces through the organization “Operation Hats for Soldiers”. We succeeded in knitting and shipping 50 hats to Israel and 25 more are almost ready to be shipped out. We’d like, however, to reach our goal of sending 100 hats by year’s end and we need your help! Here’s how you can help: 1. Please send a donation in any amount made payable to Brotherhood Synagogue with “Hats for Israeli Soldiers” in the memo line so our knitters can purchase yarn and postage to mail the hats. 2. Donate yarn yourself (MUST BE 100% Black WOOLWORSTED WEIGHT). Please bring to the synagogue office. 3. If you’d like to be a knitter, please contact Fay at 212.533.2744 or at [email protected]. Hebrew School News: Mishpacha, the building block of Jewish life… by Barbara Simon R abbi Mordecai Kaplan, whose ideas paved the way for 21st century Jewish life in America, articulated the importance of family education and family involvement in a child’s Jewish education. He said: “To educate the child without educating and involving the parents and the entire family can be compared to heating the house while leaving the window open.” Consistent with the wisdom of Rabbi Kaplan, our on-going Mishpacha programming, brings the entire family into the learning process. This month, November (Cheshvan/Kislev) 5775, the Hebrew School calendar is filled with Mishpacha (Family) programming. This program was an initiative of longtime Brotherhood Synagogue member, Annette Rosner, who made a generous contribution to fund the Mishpacha Program. The idea behind the program is that family learning and family participation in synagogue life builds strong families and a strong Jewish community. So, each year, we invite parents and grandparents, to learn alongside their children/grandchildren. Each grade has its own topic. This month the 1st, 2nd 3rd, and 4th Grades are having Mishpacha Programming. Kitah Aleph (1st Grade) and their families will be 6 learning about the Sanctuary (11/25). Kitah Bet (2nd Graders) and their families will be learning about Shabbat (11/18). Kitah Gimmel (3rd Grade) and their families will be learning about the Ten Commandments (11/12). Kitah Dalet (the 4th grade) and their families will be learning about Kashrut (11/5). This past month Kitah Hey (the 5th Grade) and their families studied about Tzedakah (10/29). Kitah Vav and their families learned about the Havdalah ceremony (10/22). How is the Mishpacha Program set up? We (Phil Rothman and Barbara Simon) begin our Mishpacha programs with a brief discussion of the topic or a story which illustrates the central issues to be explored. That discussion often leads to questions that our researchers (all of the Mishpacha participants) will explore. The children and their parents are then divided into three or four groups and are assigned a question related to the Mishpacha topic to be explored. Parents and children are provided with study packets to help them in their guided learning. For example, during the Tzedakah mishpacha, groups are provided with Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) hierarchy of tzedakah—without knowing how Maimonides The Brotherhood Synagogue ranked the levels of Tzedakah. The task of that group would be to analyze the eight levels of giving and decide for itself—based upon discussion and debate—to figure out the “correct order” (according to Maimonides) of the types of tzedakah— from best to worst—although it can be argued that even the “worst level” or “lowest ranking” of Tzedakah is better than no participation in the mitzvah of tzedakah at all. After lively discussion, debate and analysis, each group reports its findings to all of the Mishpacha participants. In this way parents and children learn together— making the Mishpacha Program true intergenerational learning. Mishpacha participants are assigned “follow-up” activities. For example: Participants in the havdalah session are given travel havdalah kits and asked to perform the havdalah ceremony over the coming weeks—and then to write about their experiences. We hope to share some of these pieces with you in future articles. Thanks to the vision and generosity of Annette Rosner, the Mishpacha program is alive and well! Thank you Mrs. Rosner! Kol tuv (Best), Barbara l Cheshvan/Kislev 5775 November 2014 Nursery School Thoughts by Danielle Vadai I recently attended my youngest child’s blue room curriculum night. It was my third time listening to the goings on in the class which is, typically, the last or graduating class for students in the Nursery School. I was amazed how different and individualized the classroom was. This year for Nathaniel sounds, looks, and feels different from the other two years that my daughters spent in the blue room, reminding me how talented the teachers are in crafting a curriculum that meets the specific needs of their students. I am keenly aware of how quickly time is passing and how very soon, after being a Brotherhood Synagogue Nursery School parent for so long, all of my children will be graduates. I have vowed to make a deeper connection with the Synagogue as I want my children to always continue to see Brotherhood as their second home. This has included attending Junior Congregation services with my older daughter and, of course, seeing them begin their Hebrew School education. Hebrew School has been so joyous for my children, a complete juxtaposition to my own experience. I dreaded Hebrew School each week whereas the children coming into Hebrew School at Brotherhood always seem happy and inspired to be there. They are excited to see their friends, many of whom they have known since Nursery School. Hebrew School is a continuation of the traditions they learned as toddlers. My daughters return to Brotherhood, see familiar faces, and learn about our beautiful traditions. The seeds for all of this were planted in the Nursery School. My daughters were so excited to not only hear about my son’s meal in the Sukkah during Sukkot but to also have a chance to go themselves and reflect on how they used to do this in Nursery School. There is so much love and nurturing that takes place at Brotherhood, so many people who have made our lives so much happier and who have punctuated the long days that can be exhausting with laughter and smiles. The building staff not only keep our classrooms and building space meticulous, they are also so thoughtful, considerate and giving of their time with our children. Throughout the years the building staff were often much better able than me or my husband to calm my less-thanthrilled in the morning children with a high five, a kind word or a smile. My son is going to miss being at Brotherhood everyday but we are committed to finding ways to keep him involved at the Synagogue. I remember the parents in my oldest daughter’s blue room class who were very emotional throughout the year, realizing that this was their last Family Shabbat or last class school trip, or last in-school Chanukah celebration and the many tears that were shed Family Shabbat Please join us to welcome Shabbat together with stories and song. Friday, November 14 5:30 pm - Children up to 3 years old with Daphna Mor and Maya Blank 5:30 pm - Children ages 3-6 years old with Gavi Rubin 6:30 pm - Grades 2-7 with Gavi Rubin and Phil Rothman at graduation. I was empathic, but my time at Brotherhood seemed endless with a younger daughter in the red room and a baby son yet to begin his schooling. The time has gone so quickly and while Nathaniel made his debut at Brotherhood in a carrier dropping his older sister off in the red room, soon he will leave the Nursery all the wiser, happier and menchier!! I see now that his time and our time do not need to end, like the blue room curriculum we can evolve and grow and find new ways to feel inspired at and by our Synagogue. l ♪ Cantor’s Notes: The Soundtracks of our Lives ♪ by Cantor Mike Weis I love my Apple. I’ve always loved my Apple. Long before it was fashionable to do so. Having attended college in Silicon Valley and being a student when the first Macintosh computers were introduced, I clearly remember the excitement and fascination that I and my fellow students shared about this curiouslooking, miraculous device. Back then, though, Apple was the domain of primarily students and artistically inclined individuals, and would remain that way for many years to come. Now, however, all one needs to do is look up from your iPhone next time you’re out on the street or on the subway and see the multitude of devices and earphones all around you to see the kind of impact this company has come to have on a wide swath of American society. What is it that has enabled Apple’s explosive growth and spawned so many imitators/innovators? In a word: music. Ironically, though I am a music professional, I rarely use my iPhone to listen to music. Yes, it’s great for so many other things, but music Cheshvan/Kisleve 5775 November 2014 is what made the smartphone the ubiquitous device it is today. Before the iPhone, there were already smartphones, notably the Blackberry, whose users, like Apple users, were almost religiously devoted to the platform. But Apple figured out something that Blackberry and other competitors had not: people love their music. They love it so much, in fact, that they want to have it with them everywhere they go. And when I say “they,” what I really mean is “we.” WE love our music. We want to carry it with us everywhere we go. We want to be able to share it with the people we care about, and even people that we don’t even know. In our iPhones (and Androids, if you are so inclined), we aren’t just carrying around powerful, mini computers. We’re literally carrying around the soundtrack of our lives. Our music is inextricably linked to who we are as individuals, it is a direct path to our very own souls and the souls of those around us. It’s no accident that Jewish tradition is infused with music: music to celebrate with, music to pray The Brotherhood Synagogue with, music to read the Torah with, even music to mourn with. Music infuses every aspect of our religious lives, just as it infuses every aspect of our everyday lives. To paraphrase a very forgettable Jennifer Beals movie from the 1980s that was so forgettable I can’t even remember the name of it, “You never really know a person, until you know their dreams.” I would say that you never really know a person until you know their music. That is why, this coming January, we will be staging the second incarnation of our successful Voices of the Sacred concert, an event, which at its very core, is all about encountering the humanity of our religious neighbors by sharing with each other the music that we use to connect to the holy. Keep your eyes open for information about the concert, but most of all, come join us for what will undoubtedly be another unforgettable evening of sacred music. Save the date for Saturday night, January 31, 2015. See you there! l 7 Brotherhood Synagogue Sunday Cheshvan/Kislev 5775 November 2014 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 ✡ Saturday Morning 9:30 am: Services Bat Mitzvah of Josie Ingall Shabbat Corner 9:45 am: • Junior Congregation 10:30 am • Alef-Bet Club 10 am LECH-LECHA 2 9 am: Tikvah 3 9 am: Book of Genesis 49:30 am: Toddler Class 5 4 pm: Hebrew School 10 am: English-in-Action 5 pm: Book of Exodus 10:45 am: Toddler Class 7 pm: Learn to Read Hebrew 12:30 pm: Trope by the Numbers 8 pm: Jewish Current Events 5:40 pm: Minyan 10 am: Baby Class 6 9 am: Gentle Yoga 7 4:26 pm: Candles 11 am: Pre-Toddler Class 9:30 am: Toddler Class Nursery School Dinner Noon: Interfaith Bible Study (at Brotherhood) Noon: Lunch & Learn 6:30 pm: Services 2 pm: English-In-Action 4 pm: Hebrew School 8 9:30 am: Services Bar Mitzvah of Michael Prizant 3 pm: Thursday Corner 4:30 pm: Hebrew Corner 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! 7 pm: Apocrypha Text Study 7 pm: Life Goes On / Book Club 9 9 am: Tikvah 10 am: - 4 pm: Twelfth Annual Chuck Ginsburg Memorial Blood Drive 10 9 am: Book of Genesis 11 5:40 pm: Minyan 6:30 pm: Engaging Israel 4 pm: Hebrew School 5 pm: Book of Exodus 7 pm: Learn to Read Hebrew VETERAN’S DAY Office and schools closed 8 pm: Jewish Current Events 16 9 am: Tikvah 17 9 am: Book of Genesis 18 9:30 am: Toddler Class VAYERA 12 10 am: Baby Class 13 9 am: Gentle Yoga 11 am: Pre-Toddler Class 9:30 am: Toddler Class Noon: Interfaith Bible Study (at Calvary) 2 pm: English-In-Action 4 pm: Hebrew School 4 pm: Hebrew School 10 am: English-in-Action 5 pm: Book of Exodus 10:45 am: Toddler Class 4 pm: Hebrew School 7 pm: Learn to Read Hebrew 12:30 pm: Trope by the Numbers 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! 8 pm: Jewish Current Events 4 pm: Hebrew School 7 pm: Apocrypha Text Study 5:40 pm: Minyan 6:30 pm: Special Veterans’ Shabbat Services 3 pm: Thursday Corner 4:30 pm: Hebrew Corner 15 9 am: Gentle Yoga 9:30 am: Toddler Class 1:30 pm: Hadassah Meeting Noon: Lunch & Learn 2 pm: English-In-Action 1 pm: Shabbat Club 4:15 pm: Bat Mitzvah of Hanna Lipkis CHAYEI SARA 21 4:15 pm: Candles 6:30 pm: Services 7:30 Shabbaton Dinner Guest musical scholar-in-residence: Gerard Edery 22 Shabbaton Programs and Concert: Gerard Edery 4:30 pm: Hebrew Corner 7 pm: Brotherhood Book Club 9 am: Minyan 9 am: Tikvah 10 am: DOROT Thanksgiving Deliveries ROSH CHODESH 30 24 9 am: Book of Genesis 4 pm: Hebrew School 25 10 am: English-inAction 5 pm: Book of Exodus 12:30 pm: Trope by the Numbers 7 pm: Learn to Read Hebrew 5:40 pm: Minyan 9:30 am: Services B’nai Mitzvot of Anna & Leo Greenleaf 3 pm: Thursday Corner 7 pm: Board Meeting 23 9:30 am: Services Bat Mitzvah of Gabrielle Miles 7 pm: Rabbi Irving J. Block z”l Memorial Lecture: Dr. Georgette Bennett 19 10 am: Baby Class 20 11 am: Pre-Toddler Class 4:20 pm: Candles Family Shabbat Services at 5:30 & 6:30 pm Noon: Lunch & Learn 6:30 pm: Harmoni-AH! 7 pm: Apocrypha Text Study 14 26 4 pm: Hebrew School 27 TOLDOT 28 4:11 pm: Candles 6:30 pm: Services 29 9:30 am: Services THANKSGIVING 8 pm: Jewish Current Events VAYETZEI Save the Dates Saturday, December 6, 8:00 pm Author and Composer Ben Sidran and his Band explore Jews and the American Songbook With special guest: Ivy Austin Cost: $15 per person at the door Don’t miss it!! Thursday December 18, 7:30 pm Annual Chanukkah Big Band • Big Latkes • Lotsa Vodkas