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1 Cheshvan-Kislev 5774 November 2013 Temple Israel & JCC Tel: Fax: Dr. David J. Fine, Rabbi / Caitlin O. Bromberg, Cantor Sharon Litwin, Associate Rabbi / Dr. Joshua Holden, President...Temple Talk...Temple Talk... WINTER MUSIC SATURDAYS: December 14 See Page 20 Study With Rabbi Noam Marans November See Pages Earning the GreenFaith Energy Shield November See Page 9 Sisterhood s Hanukkah Party See Page 17 Homeless Feeding: December 8 and 10 See Page 8 Public Menorah Lighting December 4 at 8:00pm Wed, November 27 See Back Cover Thanksgiving Interfaith Service Tuesday, Nov 26 7:30 pm See Page 9 Early Childhood Hanukkah Party Sunday, November 17 See Page 11 Inside this issue: Rabbi s Message 2 Cantor s Corner 3 Associate Rabbi s Message President s Message 5 NNJJA Fundraiser 6 Chesed 7 Tikkun Olam 8-9 HAZAK 9 Adult Education Early Childhood 11 Scholar In Residence 12 Brandeis Men s Club 13 B'yachad 14 Ways and Means Sisterhood 17 Youth. Adult B not Mitzvah Circle of Honor. B nai Mitzvah Musical Notes 20 Karaoke Flyer 21 Oneg /Kiddush Sponsors. Milestones 22 Donations 23 Opportunities for Giving 24 Charitable Gift Annuity 25 Community Announcements Calendars Back Cover 26-27

2 On Recovering From a Small Trauma FROM THE RABBI S STUDY... I want to thank the many members of the congregation who have reached out to me and expressed concern about the injury I sustained to my finger. I was hurrying around the house, obviously not paying adequate attention to where my appendages were and slammed a door on my finger causing significant damage. This was the morning after Yom Kippur. I must have been wagging my finger too much the day before! My traumatized wife (who was suffering more than I as she did not have the benefit of a most convenient and prompt biochemical response) managed to call an ambulance, and I received wonderful care at the ER at Valley Hospital. I remember as they brought me in on a gurney I was asked if I had ever been to Valley before, and I smiled and said, Not as a patient. The Jewish surgeon told me I was exempt from building a sukkah this year (to my sons disappointment one day they will do all the work, but not yet!), and I have survived a few painful weeks and am now slowly recovering. Experiencing a trauma first hand, which, while not life-threatening was still both scary and painful, has led me to the following reflections: Thank God we have competent emergency services professionals who appeared within minutes of a phone call police and EMT to the house, and then the ER staff and on-call surgeon at Valley. It is too easy to take such things for granted until we need them. I am a righty and have always taken my left hand for granted. I never realized all the things I do with my left hand until I could not use it for a couple weeks. From tying shoes to pressing Control-Alt-Delete, I had to learn how to do everything differently. My surgeon, Dr. Tzvi Small, made the philosophical observation that we lose one small part of the body in my case the tip of my left ring finger and it changes everything we do because every part of the body works in perfect step with every other part. We come to appreciate the marvel of how our bodies work best when they don t. Experiencing pain from such a small area makes me imagine the kind of pain that people must have to live with who sustain much more serious traumatic injuries. The understanding of suffering is dependent on what we can relate to. Yet, the human body responds and adjusts. On the one hand, I am amazed at the body s instinctive knowledge of how to repair itself, even if the repairs are complex. How the body calls up the blueprint for a fingertip out of the filing cabinet, dusts it off and sends the little construction guys to work is amazing. On the other hand, we are babies with regard to pain and can too easily become attached and addicted to painkillers. Our pre-modern ancestors must have had much larger pain thresholds. After going through almost two bottles of Percoset, I knew that I had to transition from that to Motrin and from Motrin to nothing. If you saw me on Sukkot I was quite medicated, but now it s just me! How wonderful it was to know how I had a whole community, the extended family of Temple Israel, worried about me. The accident itself was stupid. The response was heartwarming. Thanks again for all of your concern. Page 2

3 CANTOR S CORNER The Lights of Thanksgivukkah What is the Essential Mitzvah? This year s rare confluence of the first day of Hanukkah with Thanksgiving has given rise to confusion, disorientation and lots of fun speculating about how to combine the special foods of each holiday. The word Thanksgivukkah is being used so widely that it begins to seem like a real word. It also gives us a chance to notice things about the holiday that we may not always think about. As a matter of fact, Hanukkah may have been Thanksgivukkah before it became the holiday we know so well. In the famous Talmudic discussion about the origin of Hanukkah, the section concludes with the statement that the next year they established it as a holiday with Hallel and Thanksgiving without any mention of the institution of the lighting of candles in each and every home. This is also the case in the text of the Al Hanisim prayer that is added to the Amidah during Hanukkah. It only mentions the relighting of the Menorah in the Temple courtyard and not the lighting in every home. Another discussion in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b) debates whether the kindling of lights, or the placement of the lamp was the essential mitzvah. The placement of the lamp in front of doorways originally, and later at least visible from the street in a window, is due to the mitzvah of pirsum hanes or publicizing the miracle. We are expected to continue the work of the Maccabees by publicly showing that we are proud to be Jews and that we observe Hanukkah without fear of persecution, or in spite of it. After a spirited conversation, the rabbis concluded that the kindling itself was the most important mitzvah, but the mitzvah of publicizing was also important and should be observed. It was regarded as best if the menorah was placed on the doorstep before being lit, then lit and allowed to burn until finished. Later scholars from Maimonides onward declare or theorized that the kindling of lights in the home was a continuation of the kindling of the Menorah in the Temple courtyard. If that is true, then all the more reason to kindle the Menorah, if not on the doorstep, at least in a place visible from the street to passersby. It also intensifies the idea that we know from Shabbat observances, that the Shabbat or holiday table is to be seen as a reminder of the altar and the home as the Temple. From this Hanukkah forward in Ridgewood, we will now have a very special opportunity to observe and share the mitzvah of pirsum ha-nes. The Jewish community of Ridgewood will be placing a large community menorah at Van Neste Square and will be lighting it each night of Hanukkah to share the holiday with our entire town. All the congregations with members who are residents of Ridgewood will participate: Temple Israel, Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes, Congregation Beth Rishon in Wyckoff and Temple Beth Or in Washington Township. On the first night of Hanukkah, all the clergy of the four congregations will perform this ceremony together, with assignments of different kindlers on each of the succeeding seven nights. So join us on Wednesday evening, November 27 th for the community lighting of the first light of Hanukkah. Details appear elsewhere in Temple Talk. And yes, my children, Thanksgivukkah is a Jewish holiday!

4 ASSOCIATE RABBI S MESSAGE NNJJA Hanukkah is the perfect time for the NNJJA community to take stock of the educational process for the year. We are well into our cycle of learning. Each class has begun to delve into their curriculum and is making great strides in the classroom. Our Pre-K students have learned about the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Simchat Torah; they studied about tzedakah and what it means to be a righteous, generous person. Kindergarteners and first-graders are exploring the life of the synagogue, learning about what they find in the sanctuary and why each ritual item is special to them as young Jewish students. Our second-graders have studied the story of Creation and Noah in depth, and each week they use their Comment Corner to reflect on what they are learning and hang their thoughts on the bulletin board. Kitah Aleph has mastered their first Tefillah Goal, Shalom Aleichem, and Kitah Bet is beginning its journey through their study of the Prophets and later Biblical heroes. Kitah Gimmel had a unit on the meaning of their Hebrew names and studied the first chapter of Genesis, with commentaries, in depth. Kitah Dalet is mastering the Torah service and studying and discussing what it means to each of them personally to become bar/bat mitzvah. And Kitah Hey is learning about Middot, Jewish values, in particular justice, respect and kindness. The word Hanukkah means dedication. The word in Hebrew for education, hinnuch, comes from the same three-letter root in Hebrew as Hanukkah. When the Maccabees fought the Syrian Greeks for the right of the Jews to live Jewishly, to worship God and to pass on to our children the laws and customs of our people, they did so with the express dual goals of education and celebration. When they dedicated the ancient Temple after it was defiled in the war, the holiday became a time not only to celebrate miracles, but also to celebrate children. There is something incredible that happens to children when they stand near the candles of the hanukkiah and sing the blessings and songs in the Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony each night. I like to think of it as the ultimate miracle. Even though there have been many times when the lights could have gone out on the Jewish People, we have dedicated ourselves to the education of our children. In Hebrew they mean the same thing. They go hand in hand. So, as I reflect on the accomplishments of the students and teachers of NNJJA in the few short months from the beginning of school until Hanukkah, I am struck by the dedication of the parents and teachers to the education of their children. It s not Hebrew school like it was when I was a kid. Not only do we now expect our students to achieve academically, as they do in their secular schools, but we also have the expectation that they will grow in their dedication to Judaism and to their respective synagogue communities. I hope this year, as our NNJJA families light our Hanukkah candles, each of us will make the connection between the miracle of Hanukkah and the miracle of our children and their knowledge, dedication and love of being Jewish. Chag Urim Samayach, Rabbi Sharon School Closed: Wed Nov 6 th --Sun, Nov 10 th Sun, Nov 24 th Wed, Nov 27 th -Sun, Dec 1 st Sun, Dec 22 nd --Wed, Jan 1 st NJEA Teachers Convention Week School-wide Hanukkah Celebration at Temple Beth Sholom, Fair Lawn Thanksgiving Recess Winter Recess (Classes resume Sun, Jan 5, 2014) Family Workshops: Kindergarten, 1 st and 2 nd - Grades: Sat, Nov 23 rd, 5:00 pm at Congregation Beth Sholom, Teaneck Kitah Dalet: Sun, Dec 8 th, 11:00-12:30 pm at Temple Israel Kitot Aleph, Bet and Gimmel: Sun, Dec 15 th, 11:00-12:30 pm at Temple Israel Page 4

5 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Before becoming president of Temple Israel, my professional background included experience in academia (experimental nuclear physics) and working in a large business (engineering for a defense contractor). Those are two very different worlds, but between them I felt like I had a lot of the experience in organizational leadership that I would need to be successful in serving our synagogue. What was new to me was the operation of a small business. From the start, I needed to get used to the small business environment and learn how things get done without having dedicated departments for HR; finance and accounting; contracts; facilities; even shipping and receiving. And I had to adjust to the informality when contrasted with my day job of org charts, standard policies, and performance metrics stuff that often gets in the way, but is generally taken for granted. The small business environment is much more person-to-person; whether the question is succession planning or institutional knowledge, I need to find the person rather than the document. At the same time, a movement is afoot toward the professionalization of synagogue management and leadership across Conservative Judaism, including at Temple Israel. Some of this is due to the maturation of our institutions; much of it is a specific effort of the United Synagogue, which now provides resources and training to apply successful business practices to synagogue governance at a scale that makes sense. My pet theory is that synagogues founded by independent local businessmen moving to the suburbs are increasingly populated by employees of corporations familiar with the advantages of best practices coming out of business schools. The effects at shuls like ours are shorter and more focused board meetings, data-driven decisions, accurate budgeting, and programs and initiatives tied to our long-term goals. But just as I have started to become comfortable in helping lead this small business, I have begun to realize that thinking of ourselves as a business of any size is the wrong model. Regardless of whether it is for- or non-profit, a business provides a product to its customers or in our case, members. We strive to provide good service. And when we ve fallen short, or when problems have arisen, my inclination has been to remind myself that our organization is based on volunteer labor. Our members contribute enormous time, effort and expertise, but they also have day jobs and families; occasional gaps are part of the deal. But we re not a business, and it isn t because we are member-supported or use volunteer labor. We re really just Jews. And to live as Jews, to observe our milestones, to feel proud and secure in our identity and provide a footing for our children to be who we are we need each other. Explicit in the concept of a minyan is that we cannot be Jews alone, but need to form a community. And so we formed a co-op. We created a place to meet, pray and celebrate. We hired religious professionals to teach and guide us. We hired staff to set up for us, clean up after us, run the dayto-day operations and keep our communal space in working order. And generations of volunteers have come together to enrich our experiences and to ensure the details are taken care of. We don t have a company that provides a service. We all of us create the service when we show up. In our co-op, when we give, it is not to the synagogue, it is to ourselves. When we serve, it is not the institution that we are serving, but each other. Page 5

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7 Bring our community together!!! Volunteer Community Helpline - The Chesed Connection Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center Looking for a way to get involved in the Temple Israel community without joining a committee? Can you spare a few hours per year? Do you have limited time but still want to participate as a one shot deal? Does your student child need community service hours? Look no further. Here is your opportunity: Volunteers may be asked to: ^ prepare a meal ^ carpool a child or drive an adult ^ shop at the supermarket ^ run an errand ^ visit a congregant ^ send a card Volunteer Form for Community Helpline - The Chesed Connection Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center Page 7

8 River Clean-up Project a Successful Community-Wide Event TIKKUN OLAM Temple Israel members helped ensure our annual community-wide cleanup was a big success on Sunday, October 6th, in spite of the drizzle. More than 40 good-spirited adults and children worked steadily for two hours, cleaning up debris from mysterious Gypsy Pond. Many had never seen this gem! Our "loot": 28 large contractor-sized bags (filled with plastics, styrofoam, cans, items too dirty to recycle) propane tank, tarps, sleeping bag, pipes, crates, balls, lots of plastic, 8 tires, etc. The prize was a 250 lb. bridge, which the guys (including our own Bob Rohrberger and Leigh Brown) hauled out of the water and up the hill. This is our third cleanup, and we hope the water will flow more easily each time we remove obstacles. Thanks to our Village for providing equipment and hauling the debris away to the landfill. Some of the larger metals will be recycled. Please go to the website: and click on "Events" to see more great photos Part of a bridge submerged in Gypsy Pond was carted off by intrepid clean-up crew. Credit: picture by Anna Zisk 10-year-old Jacob Kramer, Temple Israel NNJJA student, donned protective gloves to aid the cleanup crew at Gypsy Pond. Credit: picture by Anna Zisk UPCOMING EVENTS: Homeless Feeding Cooking or Serving in December We have two dates in the fall to participate in our Homeless Feeding Program in Hackensack. We cook the main meal on Sunday in the synagogue kitchen and serve on site in Hackensack on the following Tuesday. To help cook or serve, contact Nadine at nzgnzg@aol.com. Cooking Sunday, December 8 th, at Temple Israel 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 pm Serving December 10 th on site in Hackensack- 4:00-6:00 pm Page 8

9 UPCOMING EVENTS: TIKKUN OLAM - cont... Thanksgiving Interfaith Service A time for all Americans to worship together Join Rabbi Fine and Cantor Bromberg as they and other members of the Ridgewood interfaith community come together to celebrate our uniquely American tradition. Food donations also are encouraged, which will be delivered to our local food pantry. When: Tuesday, November 26 th - 7:30 pm Where: Unitarian Society, Ridgewood, NJ Earning the GreenFaith Energy Shield Special Weekend 2013: November 16 th -17 th Join us on November 16th--17th, as Temple Israel commits to becoming one of the first synagogues in the country to earn the GreenFaith Shield for Energy Stewardship. This is a designation from GreenFaith, an interfaith environmental group, in collaboration with the Federation of Jewish Men s Clubs, United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, Women s League of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly. The weekend at Temple Israel ---November 16th 17th -- will include programs for congregants of all ages. Together, we will learn how to take action to improve the environment, save money and energy and fight climate change. Saturday, November 16th 1:00 pm (after Kiddush) Kimberly Hoff -- New Jersey s Clean Energy Program, focusing on unique energy-efficient systems for homes and businesses. Sunday November 17th --10:30 am (after minyan) Dani Heise -- TechniArt, Clean Energy Program s lighting partner Matt Smith -- Food & Water Watch PLUS Special prayers focused on the environment Sunday school lessons on energy conservation Information on how you can take further steps at home and in the wider community Sponsored by the Tikkun Olam Committee and Brandeis Men s Club HAZAK On October 9th, we had our monthly HAZAK meeting. And we watched a very interesting movie, "Simon Wiesenthal: His Life and Legacy." Everybody appreciated the movie. We always try to have interesting programs and a delicious lunch. Join us! Our next meeting will be on November 13th at 12:30 pm at Temple Israel. Please call Evelyn Auerbach at (201) or Sonia Albescu at (201) at least two days in advance so that we will be able to provide enough food for lunch. Page 9

10 ADULT EDUCATION Study with Rabbi Fine Sunday Morning Lecture Series To Explore History of Christianity This year the Rabbi s Sunday Morning Lecture Series examines the historical interrelationship of Christianity and Judaism, beginning with the origins of Christianity and following developments up to the 21st century. It s never too late to jump in. Class meets on the following upcoming dates: Dec. 8th & 15th; Jan. 12th; Feb. 23rd; Mar. 2nd & 23rd; April 6th & 27th; May 18th Tuesday Evening Talmud Continues, Join this Lively Study Group. Come study Tactate Brakhot, learning the laws of prayer along with a wealth of material on rabbinic theology, from the new user-friendly Steinsaltz edition, in an informal, interactive seminar-style class. All levels welcome; no Hebrew reading facility required! JFNJ s One Book, One Community at Temple Israel This Year s Selection: By Fire, By Water By Mitchell James Kaplan Read it Now. Then Meet the Author. Thursday, April 3, 2014 Mitchell James Kaplan's award-winning novel, By Fire, By Water, is set in turbulent 15th- century Spain. Focusing on the story of Luis de Santangel, chancellor to the king of Aragon and a converso (a Jew whose family was forced to convert to Christianity), the novel combines a passionate love story with a religious mystery, as it explores the crises of faith and politics at the heart of the Inquisition. Rabbi Fine s upcoming Sunday morning class will cover The Inquisition in depth and therefore offers a perfect tie-in with the themes of By Fire, By Water. Attend class, read the book, meet the author and enlarge your understanding of this fascinating period in Jewish history! One Book, One Community, sponsored by Jewish Federation of North Jersey s Synagogue Leadership Initiative, provides an opportunity for community-wide adult Jewish learning. Page 10

11 ADULT EDUCATION cont. Scholar-in-Residence Weekend November 22 nd -23 rd Hanukkah Party: Save the Date!!! Study With Rabbi Noam Marans Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, American Jewish Committee Temple Israel s former spiritual leader returns for a weekend of study that will tie in with Rabbi Fine s Sunday history lecture series. Join Rabbi Marans on Friday night, Shabbat morning and Shabbat afternoon, following kiddush, as he describes his global travels to cultivate dialogue and understanding between the Jewish People and other major faith and ethnic groups and support for the State of Israel in his capacity as director of interreligious and intergroup relations for the American Jewish Committee. Rabbi Marans recent work has taken him to Rome for an audience with Pope Francis and to Washington, DC for the 50 th anniversary of the historic March on Washington; and he regularly confers with New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and other local leaders of the Catholic, Muslim and Protestant faiths, along with leading Jewish thinkers in interreligious affairs. For complete details about Rabbi Marans Friday night dinner and Shabbat afternoon lunch presentations, see flyer in this edition of Temple Talk. EARLY CHILDHOOD Sunday, Nov 17 th, Noon Preschool children and their younger siblings will celebrate Hanukkah with small crafts, a light lunch, latkes and donuts and musical entertainment by Music Speaks-a children's music program voted a Reader's Choice, Top 3, by the Jewish Standard. The celebration is free and open to the community, so please, invite unaffiliated friends you may know who have small children. For questions about the Hanukkah Party or other early childhood events at Temple Israel, please contact Melanie Sadok at thesadoks@yahoo.com. Cantor Bromberg, Ilana Unger and Justin Kellner celebrate the holiday of Sukkot during the Sukkah Hop. Credit: Photos by Dan Unger Page 11

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13 Man-of-the-Year Dinner First and most importantly, we were proud to honor Howard Schreiber as this year s recipient of the prestigious Brandeis Men s Club Harry Grant Man-of-the-Year (MOY) Award. The Northern New Jersey Regional Man-of-the-Year Awards Dinner took place Wednesday, November 6th at Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael in Springfield, NJ. Thanks to all who came out to honor Howard for everything he has done for our club and for our Temple Israel community over the years. Please save the date for our fun upcoming events!! Sunday November 24th, 10:00 AM, Hanukkah Celebration. Help serve latkes to our NNJJA students. This annual celebration is open to all members and friends associated with any of the NNJJA-affiliated synagogues. Sunday, January 19th is the annual BMC ski trip. Stay tuned for additional information on this popular and fun event. OUR THANKS Chair Setup and Take-Down for the High Holy Days: Boy, did the Brandeis Men s Club (BMC) have it easy this year! On Thursday afternoon, August 29th, Joe Wechsler, Joe Landau, Eli Bordowitz and Bob Dworkin set up rows and rows of chairs in the Social Hall, under the ever-capable supervision of Jose Serna. Thank you guys, for so graciously helping out. As the Kiddush Room had to be kept open, we didn t have to set up chairs there at that time. Jose did this in plenty of time for Kol Nidre. That s one reason the BMC had it easy. The other reason was we didn t have to take any of the chairs down. Jose and Tina Polen did it all. A hearty thank you goes their way. Sukkah Take-Down: How many men does it take to uninstall the Temple Israel Sukkah? Apparently half as many as it took to put it up, and in less time too. Many thanks go out to Mark Lipkovitz, Dave Millman, Joe Wechsler, Barry Freeman, Eli Bordowitz and Bob Dworkin for pitching in. And, by the way, there was no sign of the two little grey mice that appeared during the construction of the Sukkah. I suppose they found a nice home near another religious establishment. BMC Lecture on Eldercare and Estate Planning: On October 6th, Irina Shay, an attorney who specializes in Eldercare and Estate Planning gave an interesting and informative lecture to many members of the Temple Israel community. The lecture was highly interactive, and we learned a lot about preparing for the later years and taking care of our families both older and younger. B Shalom, Alex Rothschild, Co-President, Brandeis Men s Club Brandeis Men s Club Page 13

14 B Yachad Thank you to everyone who attended our apple-picking event in October. We had beautiful weather and a great turnout! There were lots of regular B'yachad folks and some newcomers as well. Everyone enjoyed some good food, great company and picking a few apples as well. The kids even stopped climbing apple trees long enough to pose for a picture. November features the return of the Saturday night Latkefest dinner. On November 23 enjoy a casual dinner with friends after a hectic week to help prepare for Shabbat. We start at 6:00 pm. If you're interested in hosting one of these in your home in future months, please let me know. As always, watch your for more details. Erin Lindenberg erinlindenberg@hotmail.com Credit: Photos by Erin Lindenberg MARCH 8, 2014 Ways & Means Help Celebrate Jose s 25th Anniversary at our Annual Ways & Means Dinner and Silent Auction Save the Date! On Saturday, March 8th, we will honor Jose Serna for his 25 years of dedicated service to Temple Israel. The festive celebration will be an evening filled with delicious Latin food, dancing and fun. Also please help by selling ads for the Commemorative Ad Journal and soliciting products and services for the Silent Auction. Please use the donation forms from this edition of Temple Talk or you may pick up additional copies at the Temple office. Page 14

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17 Hanukkah Celebration at the new home of Evelyn and Rubin Auerbach SISTERHOOD Evelyn is excited to host Sisterhood s annual Hanukkah party. December 4th at 8:00 at the Auerbach s newly renovated home: 173 Fairmount Avenue, Glen Rock. Please bring an unwrapped gift for Shelter Our Sisters. Sisterhood and Shelter Our Sisters are two of Evelyn s favorite organizations. Let s celebrate with Evelyn. Sisterhood Shabbat January 18 th Sign up today to participate. This is an opportunity for the women of our congregation to show their talents, as we do every year. Suzie Holden is in charge of assigning parts, so her at Suzanne.holden@yahoo.com. Book Group If you missed the November meeting of the Sisterhood Book Group but want to be part of it, contact Risa Rohrberger at (201) to find out what s next. The group meets on Sunday evenings about once a month, at which time they decide on the next book to read. A Sisterhood Thank-You We were so fortunate to have Dr. Susan Flanzman share her medical knowledge with us in her presentation on Sunday, October 27th. I hope you enjoyed her informative health talk and left with some new ideas to incorporate into your life. Thank you to everyone who helped make our annual Progressive Dinner a success. Susie Goldstein and Shari Haber worked hard to make the evening delicious and enjoyable. We started with a wonderful cocktail hour at Laura and Phil Brody s home. Many talented chefs hosted the dinners. And then we had a sweet ending to the evening with a decadent dessert table at the home of Stephanie Gottesman and Bob Zeller. Kippot Orders Sisterhood has customized kippot for your simchas. Before buying online, check with us! We will save you money. Contact Carla Vogel at (201) or carla.buchalter@gmail.com Sisterhood Judaica Shop The shop is stocked with beautiful holiday items. We still have Hanukkah menorahs, gifts and serving pieces. We have jewelry, mezzuzot, candlesticks, tzedakah boxes, baby gifts and more. Think of the Sisterhood Gift Shop when you need gifts for bar/bat mitzvah, birthdays, housewarming or hostess gift. When it is time for your child s bar or bat mitzvah visit us first for tallitot. The selection is great, and so are the prices. We discount everything 20%. We are open many Sundays during Hebrew School, or call for an appointment. Contact Stephanie Gottesman for purchases: (201) or sjg @aol.com. Torah Fund Since 1942, Women's League has supported the Conservative movement through Torah Fund. Torah Fund supports The Jewish Theological Seminary (New York, NY), Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (Los Angeles, CA) and the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies (Jerusalem) through scholarships and direct gifts. You can contribute to Torah Fund by making a donation and receiving an annual Torah Fund pin. Benefactor pins cost $180. To order this year's beautiful Torah Fund pin, contact Peri Namerow at pbn1@columbia.edu or (201) or (201) This year's beautiful Torah Fund pin is now available. Page 17

18 Welcome to the new year of Temple Israel's Youth Groups. We have some exciting things planned for all ages. YOUTH Rabbi Sharon will be running the El Al program for our younger youth, grades 4 & 5. And Felicia Hillman will again be running the Kadima program for grades 6, 7 & 8. Mark your calendars! KADIMA Kadima: 6 th,, 7 th, & 8 th -graders Kadima will be meeting twice monthly, once on Sundays after NNJJA, and once on Tuesdays at the synagogue for Lounge Night, with some exceptions for overnights. November 19th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 pm December 15th - Ice Skating December 17th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 pm January 18-19th -Overnight January 28th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 pm February 7-8th - Shabbaton February 11th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 pm March 2nd - Monster Golf March 11th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 pm April 6th - Murder Mystery Day April 29th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 pm May 4th - TBA May 6th - Lounge Night, 6:30-8:30 Mazal Tov to our Adult B'not Mitzvah! El Al: 4 th - and 5 th- graders El Al activities generally occur on Sundays after NNJJA November 17 th - Hanukkah Candle Dipping and Party December 15 th Monster Golf January 12 th Lounge Afternoon February 7 th 8 th Shabbaton March 9 th Purim Mask Making April 6 th Chocolate Seder May 18 th Lounge Afternoon June 11 th Pool Party USY: 9 th - 12 th -graders EL AL USY Our USY program for those in grades 9-12 has a new advisor, Alayne Birnhak. The USY chapter this year includes Temple Israel, Temple Beth Shalom in Fair Lawn, the Jewish Community Center of Fair Lawn and Temple B'nai Israel in Emerson. This means expanded opportunities to be social, participate in Tikkun Olam activities, do volunteer work within the communities, meet other USY'ers from NJ and across the country and just have fun. To find out more about what s in store, Alayne at: alayne.birnhak@gmail.com. On Shabbat morning, November 9th, Temple Israel celebrated a very special simcha with Alanna Carter, Suzanne Holden, Susan Landau, Erin Lindenberg, Linda Paige and Tricia Schreiber, who completed a two-year course of study with Rabbi Sharon and Cantor Caitlin, which culminated in a group adult b'not mitzvah. It was a wonderful morning, with their ritual skills on display, followed by a celebratory kiddush. While it is expected that our children will prepare for bar or bat mitzvah, when adult members take the time to learn, practice and master Jewish literacy, it reflects a commitment not only to the Jewish People and to our traditions, but also to our community. Temple Israel is indeed blessed! Mazal tov again to Alanna Carter, Suzanne Holden, Susan Landau, Erin Lindenberg, Linda Paige and Tricia Schreiber. Page 18

19 CIRCLE OF HONOR TODAH RABBAH TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Benefactor s Circle Beth & Freddie Kotek Patron s Circle Sharon & Kenneth Levitsky Tricia & Howard Schreiber Pillar s Circle Audrey Meyers & Scott Agins The Gruber Family Shari & Manny Haber Rita & Robert Obeiter Sponsor s Circle Anonymous (3) The Fels Family Roberta & Charles Fleischman Beth & Arty Freed Tamara & Barry Freeman Hayley & Jeffrey Gluck Susie & Shelly Goldstein Suzanne & Joshua Holden Debbie, Wayne & Jared Miller Melony & Robert Muller Peri & David Namerow Lisa Mellman & Toby Nygaard Johanna & Michael Rosen Sisterhood of Temple Israel Bonita & David Weiss This section intentionally left blank B NAI MITZVAH Page 19

20 MUSICAL NOTES The Music Committee extends kudos and thanks to Julie Geller, talented Jewish singer/songwriter from Colorado, for performing a delightful Fall Concert on Saturday evening, October 12th. Julie is Rabbi Fine's sister-in-law and aunt to Laurence and Ariel. Her sweet voice and inspiring songs lit up the sanctuary! If you wish to purchase Julie's CDs, they may be found at We give Honorable Menschen to Gila Melamed for her beautiful flyer and poster, Bruce Thaler for working so hard on publicity, Maureen Nassan for her help with the printed program and reception, Tina Pollen for setting up the reception, Jose Serna and Tina for their logistical assistance and hard work and Alice Stevens for babysitting. Coming Up: WINTER MUSIC SATURDAYS: 7:45 pm, Havdallah; 8:00 pm, Concert; 9:00 pm, Wine & Dessert Reception ** Suggested $10 donation is collected at the door and supports Temple Israel Music December 14 th Gabriel Schaff, violinist and Jewish musicologist, accompanied by Leslie Frost, pianist January 11 th Virtuosi from Israel: Moran Katz, Clarinet; Shmuel Katz, Viola; and Anna Polonsky, Piano. These artists are sponsored by the America Israel Cultural Foundation. Our thanks to Rich Schnaittacher for his generous sponsorship of this event. February 8 th Jonathan Taylor, Piano. All-Chopin concert. You may sponsor Temple Israel Music with your donation of any amount. Make your check out to "Temple Israel," indicating "Music" on the memo line. The suggested giving levels, below, will be acknowledged in the printed programs through June 30, Gifts received after June 30, 2014 will be acknowledged in the new fiscal year. Benefactor ($90): Patron ($72): Friend ($54): Supporter ($36): Thank you! We look forward to sharing these wonderful musical events with you, your families and friends. Tamara R. Freeman, D.M.A. and Elaine Silverstein - Music Co-Chairs Music Committee: Artie Bressler, Irene Bressler, Debbie Cantor, Marc Cantor, Bob Dworkin, Larry Klein, Roger Lang, Nanette Rosenbaum, Harlan Rosenthal, Iven Rothenberg, Deanna Rothenberg, Bob Smolen, and Jon Taylor, Bruce Thaler Page 20

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22 ONEG/KIDDUSH SPONSORS Dec. 6: Dec. 13: Dec. 20 Dec. 27: Oneg Shabbat Sponsors OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP Dec. 7: Dec. 14: Dec. 21 Dec. 28: Kiddush Sponsors OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP-NOSH & DRASH OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP MILESTONES BNAI MITZVAH BIRTHS Benjamin Alan Baslaw, grandson of Judy Baslaw We wish our newborn and his family strength, good health, and joy Paul Jacob, son of Deborah & Alexander Jacob Daniel Dachille, son of Amy and Douglas Dachille Alanna Carter, Suzie Holden, Susan Landau, Erin Lindenberg, Linda Paige, and Tricia Schreiber We wish our B nei Mitzvah a lifetime of Torah, Mitzvot and Gemilut Hasadim (Acts of Lovingkindess) ENGAGEMENTS Nicole Solomon to Jared Engel. Nicole is the daughter of Lori Solomon We wish the engaged couple mazel and future happiness. REFUAH SHELEMAH Simone Adrian, Anne Kornblum, Sherell Miller, Lori Solomon We wish complete healing of body and spirit to all who confront illness DEATH David Kaplan, husband of Jean Kaplan May the families be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem Page 22

23 DONATIONS Temple Israel Chai Campaign Laura & Philip Brody in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Risa & Robert Rohrberger in honor of Bob Smolen, Hatan Torah Risa & Robert Rohrberger in honor of Carla Vogel, Kallat Bereshit Temple Israel Operating Fund Debbie & Jan Corwin in honor of Susie & Shelly Goldstein Susie & Shelly Goldstein in honor of Judy Baslaw on the birth of her grandson, Benjamin Alan Baslaw Robert Goodfriend in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Robert Goodfriend in honor of Chris Nerrie for Making Every Holiday Special Robert Goodfriend in appreciation of Robert Obeiter for holiday honors Carole Gelfer & Harry Katz in honor of Temple Israel Linda Paige in honor of Howard Schreiber, Brandeis Men s Club Man of the Year Cindy Zirkin in honor of Howard Schreiber, Brandeis Men s Club Man of the Year Barry H. Glick Chesed Endowment Fund Judy Glick in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Max Aaron Strachman Memorial Library Endowment Fund Naomi & Howard Strachman in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Naomi & Howard Strachman in honor of Howard Schreiber on being chosen Brandeis Men s Club Man of the Year Religious School Enrichment Fund Rina & Jerry Litwin in memory of our parents Susan Reeve Feed the Hungry Fund The Apsel Family in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays Gayle & Robert Sussman in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Chumash Etz Hayim Tricia, Howard, Emily & Evan Schreiber in honor of Helen Schreiber on the occasion of her birthday We thank all of our donors: Mahzor Lev Shalem Linda & Abe Davis in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Linda & Abe Davis in memory of our parents and grandparents, Abe s brother and Linda s sister Christine & Evan Dobkins in memory of Fran Roter, sister of Christine Dobkins Selma Klein in memory of Robert Klein Jane & Richard Rosen in memory of Jerry Schraub, husband of Marion Schraub Jane & Richard Rosen in honor of Lisa Mellman and Toby Nygaard on the engagement of their son Erik to Lauren Kaufman Cantor s Discretionary Fund Christine & Evan Dobkins in memory of Fran Roter, sister of Christine Dobkins Associate Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Christine & Evan Dobkins in memory of Fran Roter, sister of Christine Dobkins Yizkor Christine & Evan Dobkins Bob Dworkin Alla & Rabbi David Fine Rita Halpern Johanna & Michael Rosen Ellen & Allen Rubin Rabbi Gloria & Martin Rubin Cindy Zirkin in memory of Lillian & Joseph Zirkin Helene & Rabbi Robert Fine in memory of our parents Page 23

24 Donations & Dedications OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING While Judaism itself can thrive without reference to finances, a community of Jews who are committed to the purpose of the synagogue learning, worship, and fellowship does need financial resources to help each other and themselves. Most of us recognize our obligation to maintain membership in Temple Israel and to support it by payment of annual dues. However, dues alone do not cover all of our costs. There is a continuing need for donations to help assure the synagogue s strength and development. We encourage any and all donations to Temple Israel. The following are suggested giving opportunities in which the funds are used to support all aspects of synagogue life: Temple Israel Operating Fund any amount Tributes $5 DEDICATION OPPORTUNITIES Mahzor Lev Shalem For Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur $64 Chumash Etz Hayim $118 Simcha Terrace Paver $136 Memorial Plaque $540 Large Memorial Tablet $54,000 The following are suggested giving opportunities in which the funds are used to support specific areas of synagogue life: Temple Israel Chai Campaign Fund any amount Funds the major capital improvements from our synagogue building renovation Religious School Enrichment Fund any amount Funds religious school enrichment programs & materials Endowment Funds $25,000 to establish a fund; $18 donation to established funds Each Fund has a specific purpose. Consult column on the right Susan Reeve/Temple Israel Feed the Hungry Fund any amount Funds Temple Israel s Tikkun Olam Feed the Hungry Program Kiddush Club Funds the kiddush when there is no regular kiddush sponsor $144 Rabbi s Discretionary Fund any amount Funds charitable purposes, at the discretion of the Rabbi Cantor s Discretionary Fund any amount Funds charitable purposes, at the discretion of the Cantor Associate Rabbi s Discretionary Fund any amount Funds charitable purposes, at the discretion of the Associate Rabbi Contribution Form Name: Address: Enclosed is my contribution of $ to Checks for General Donations or Dedications should be made payable to Temple Israel. Checks for an Endowment or Discretionary Fund should be made payable to the specific Fund. This contribution is in honor of or in memory of Endowment Funds TEMPLE ISRAEL GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To fund maintenance and/or capital improvement projects to Temple Israel properties. AMSTERDAM FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To provide siddurim to Temple Israel religious school students. DONALD FELLOWS HOLOCAUST EDUCATION MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To fund the education program portion of the Annual Holocaust Remembrance. PHYLLIS ANN ZWEIG FRIEDMAN ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To provide scholarship to a Temple Israel high school student to attend an Israel/Eastern Europe educational program. BARRY H. GLICK CHESED ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To fund both the cost of a professional motivational speaker who will inspire attendees to perform acts of lovingkindness AND the Chesed forum which will follow the talk. DAVID & SARA GOODMAN ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To fund supplemental Jewish experiences for Jewish youth. DAVID & SALLY KIRSCH SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To provide scholarship to a religious school graduating student for continuing Jewish religious education. ALEXANDER & SOPHIE PURITZ MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To fund the Temple Israel Annual Hanukkah Party, which shall include the distribution of silver dollars to all students. MAX AARON STRACHMAN MEMORIAL LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To purchase educational materials for the library as well as fund library related educational events. WILLIAM & RHODA TOONKEL JEWISH MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND PURPOSE: To promote Jewish musical education for the Temple Israel religious school, as well as other musical and cultural experiences for Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center. Page 24

25 CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES Make good financial sense! A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY is a wonderful way to make a gift to Temple Israel and receive a guaranteed income stream during these uncertain economic times. Whether you manage your own funds, or a close relative s, this investment may be for you. You need not be a T.I. member to participate. Consider establishing a CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY to: Provide regular, fixed payments that offer you income for your lifetime Name up to two income beneficiaries (I.E. a husband and wife) Transfer cash or marketable securities in exchange for a guaranteed income Realize rates that are higher than CD s and money market accounts Take an immediate Charitable income tax deduction Receive a portion of each payment tax-free Enjoy favorable capital gains treatment, if funded with appreciated securities Sample rate chart for a life annuity: Age Rate Age Rate % % % % % % To enquire about specific details please contact Howard Schreiber; , 10baker@optonline.net Page 25

26 Life Beyond Temple Israel: Community Activities/Announcements A Message from the Jewish Community Relations Council of JFNNJ: The Solution to Hunger is in the Backyard: Learn about AmpleHarvest! For gardeners who are harvesting more than they can use, visit to find a food pantry nearby that s desperate for their help and they should tell their neighbors about it too. For people planning on Hanukah/Thanksgiving-Day dinners and were planning on floral centerpieces for their dinner table, use baskets of whole fruit/vegetables instead... and then donate these to a food pantry the next day learn more at For people who are involved in teaching or social action at their synagogue, a Jewish-themed study guide is available at JewishAnswer For people who d like to get gardening supplies, a monthly photo contest with a $300 Gardeners Supply Company gift certificate for the winner is taking place. People may submit a photo of the food they re donating to a food pantry, and a public vote decides the winner. Details at The Jewish Home of Rockleigh, Russ Berrie Home for Jewish Living continues its assistance to the homebound elderly in Bergen County through two initiatives: rides to Shabbat services and home-delivered kosher Shabbat dinners. For further information, to either receive services or to participate as a volunteer, please contact Temple Israel member Chuck Berkowitz, executive director of The Jewish Home, at (201) JFSNJ Community Program: A Dual Perspective on the Life of a Child with Asperger s Syndrome. Jewish Family Service of North Jersey is hosting a discussion with Steven Paglierani, a seasoned therapist who treats children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome and who himself has Asperger's. This unique and dynamic parenting program will be held on Tuesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center, Norma Avenue. Recognizing that parents of children with Asperger's may benefit from Steven's dual perspective, he will answer questions about both having and treating the syndrome. According to Mr. Paglierani, the focus will not be on labels and stereotypes, but rather on "instilling a sense of hope and direction for families of a person with Asperger's". The program is free and open to the community. Page 26

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30 Temple Israel & JCC 475 Grove Street Ridgewood, NJ Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Paramus, NJ Permit No Temple Talk...Temple Talk...