Sons of Zion News. Inside this issue: Upcoming Dates to Remember: From Our Rabbi. Chanukah Singing with Rabbi Saul, 12/10 (after Kiddush)

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1 Cong. Sons of Zion 378 Maple Street Holyoke, MA Phone: (413) Upcoming Dates to Remember: Chanukah Singing with Rabbi Saul, 12/10 (after Kiddush) SOZ Board meeting 12/21 7:30pm Book Club 12/18 9:30am Chanukah with the Rosners 12/29 6pm Inside this issue: Thank You! 3 Presidents Note 5 Board Minutes 8 Calendar 10 Yahrzeits and Minyan Chairs 11 From the Office 20 Sons of Zion News Volume 2, Issue 4 From Our Rabbi How to Enjoy Eight Great Nights of Chanukah C onsider giving each night a theme or special focus. Here are some suggestions to make your Chanukah really shine. Latke Night We eat foods cooked in oil to remember the oil in the Temple that burned for eight days. Potato latkes are a staple, but why not experiment by adding apples, cauliflower, kale or whatever to create your own unique mixture? Different toppings along with the traditional applesauce or sour cream can really make your latkes rock. Hot fudge anyone? December 2016 Kislev/Tevet 5777 Or try sufganiot (jelly donuts), a fried food for Chanukah popular in Israel. Tzedakah Night Share the joy of this Festival of Lights with those less fortunate. If you have a tzedakah box, pick one night to count up the money and decide where to disburse it. This can be a great activity with children and/or adults. Not sure where to give? Start saving the many fundraising letters that arrive this time of year, read them, discuss priorities, and make decisions together. Not sure how many contributions to make? How about eight Sing a New Song Night Singing makes the spirit soar at this dark time of year. Learn a new song to add to your usual favorites by going to youtube.com and search for Chanukah songs. Or come to the song session at Sons of Zion on Saturday, December 10 right after lunch. We ll be focusing on Chanukah songs that you can bring home. Rededication Night Think back to the High Holidays. What were the new areas for growth and meaning, the teshuvah, that you wanted to focus on in (Rabbi Continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 (Rabbi Continued from page 1) the new year? What were the behaviors that you wanted to change or redirect as you threw challah into the canal on tashlich? The word Chanukah means dedication or rededication, referring to our ancestors rededicating the Temple after it was desecrated by the Syrian Greeks. Take one night of Chanukah to remind ourselves of the teshuvah that we wanted to make and rededicate ourselves to those efforts. Dreidel/Miracle Night Play dreidel, remembering that the letters on the four sides of the dreidel stand for a great miracle happened there. (In Israel, the fourth letter is changed to read a great miracle happened here. ) Then talk about miracles. What do we consider miraculous? What miracles have we experienced? How can we help make miracles happen? SOZ Night Don t miss our annual celebration at the home of Joan and Michael Rosner on Thursday night, December 29 at 6pm. Always a warm, communal celebration. Bring your own chanukkiah (Chanukah menorah), candles, and a friend if you like. There may also be a festive menorah lighting at Holyoke City Hall at some point during Chanukah. Check your and our website for further details. A Night to Light Up Someone s Life Is there someone you know who could use a little cheering up? Send them a card or give them a call just let them know you re thinking of them or offer them a ride to the Chanukkah party at the Rosners. Check if your local cot shelter or food kitchen needs volunteers. Such an act of lovingkindness gemilut chasadim can bring light to others, and to ourselves. Meditate on the Light Night Take at least one night of Chanukah to sit quietly and watch the candles burn from beginning to end. (You might want to go outside beforehand and experience the dark, possibly noting any stars whose light still reaches us after traveling unbelievably long distances.) Think about the blessing of light that we receive Sons of Zion News perhaps even by those who are no longer with us and how we can share our light with others. So far we have eight activities, one for each of the lights/nights of Chanukah. But what about the shamash? It s the helper candle, the ninth candle that lights all the others. We might think of the shamash as the unsung hero, the quiet enabler who gets no special night of their own, the person or idea or teaching that gives us strength in dark times and that inspires our inner light to shine. This Chanukah, let s remember the shamash as well. I d love to hear if any of these ideas work for you, or if you have some of your own special Chanukah traditions. Happy Chanukah! Rabbi Saul Perlmutter

3 Volume 1, Issue 6 THANK YOU TO ALL who have so generously responded with your contributions. The enhances irrigation the system message is completed and symbols. and operational. The landscaping is Inside Story also complete you re trying and growing to convey. beautifully. Once you However, have chosen we have not yet reached Headline Avoid selecting images our goal. an image, place it close This story can fit 75- that appear to be out to the article. Be sure to 125 words. Please make of context. your tax-deductible place contribution the caption to the of the Cemetery Restoration Project Selecting pictures or Microsoft to help us Publisher pay for this much-needed image near the work. image. You may make your contribution in includes memory thousands of a loved of one; simply include a note with your check. graphics is an important part of adding content clip art images from The cemetery is the final resting place of so many of our family Caption members describing picture or and to your newsletter. which you can choose friends. Please continue to and honor import them into with your dignity and respect. Think about your article newsletter. There are graphic. We wish all a Happy and Healthy Chanukah and New year. and ask yourself if the also several tools you Joanne picture Saltman supports (Cemetery or can Chair) use to and draw James shapes Eisenstock (Project Chair) Cemetery Restoration Project Contributions received from the following so far: To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Page 3 Francine Foggle Maida Rahn and Lynne Josephson in memory of This story can fit 150- While your main goal and write your own Harold 200 words. Kritzman in memory Evelyn of distributing & Elsie (Alice) & Joseph Alexander a articles, or include a Alfred Polansky Arthur M. Sawl in memory of Abraham & Jennie newsletter might be to calendar of upcoming Dr. One Stephen benefit & Joan of using Kagan Levine sell your in memory product of Sawl; Harold Sawl your or events or a special Henry newsletter & Kate as Levine a and service, David & the Irene key Kagan to a Harold offer Resnic that promotes in memory a of Babe & Samuel Resnic promotional tool is that Dr. Edward Barowsky in memory successful of David newsletter & Jennie you can reuse content is Margie new product. & Buddy Resnic Barowsky, Saul & Eva Magidson, making it Mischa useful & from other marketing to your Theresa You can Jaffe also & research Tracy Bryant in memory of Norma Barowsky, Alfred readers. Barowsky, and materials, such as press articles The Jaffe or find Family filler releases, Merrill Magidson market A great way to add articles by accessing Barry studies, & Diana and reports. Hirsch in memory useful of content Harry & Herb & Barbara Goldberg to your the World Wide Web. Trudy Hirsch newsletter is to develop Nitza, You Jeremy can write & Michelle about a Seaver in memory of Richard Stone Dr. Robert L. Seaver Alan & Ellen Kaplinsky in memory of Nathan & Gary & Susan Bernstein in memory of Milton & This story can fit 150- While your main goal and Shorrie write Bernstein Bess Kaplinsky your own 200 words. of distributing a Leonard articles, & or Sadie include St. John a in memory of Edith & Diane Eskenasy & Family One benefit of using newsletter might be to calendar Irving Carmen of upcoming Sally & Hyman Edelstein in memory your newsletter as a sell your of product or Steve events & Ellen or a Kappel special in memory of Charles & Carl W. Rosenbloom, Lena promotional tool is that service, B. Rosenbloom, the key to and a offer that promotes a Caption describing picture or Arthur Henry Rosenbloom you can reuse content successful newsletter is new Esther product. Kaplinsky Myra from Shayevitz other marketing memory of making the Baker it useful & to your Elliot Rothchild in memory of Sadie & You can also research graphic. materials, such as press readers. Saltman Families articles Louis Rothchild or find filler Helene releases, & Sherman market Marks A great way to add articles by accessing studies, and reports. useful content to your the World Wide (Contributions Web. Continued on page 4) newsletter is to develop You can write about a

4 Page 4 (Contributions Continued from page 3) Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Vapnek in memory of Bess & Nathan Kaplinsky, Aaron Joseph Vapnek Mitchell Epstein in memory of A. William Epstein Jeremy Seaver & Michelle Karem in memory of Dr. Robert L. Seaver Myra Efron in memory of Aaron & Lenore Kingsberg Philip & Susan Craig in memory of Beatrice & Milton Palmer Larzer & Ruth Ziff in memory of Sara & Isadore Ziff Richard Wilson in memory of his Parents Joseph Cohen in memory of Lillian Margolis and Samuel Cohen Ruth Epstein in memory of A. William Epstein Andrew & Lynda Levin Michael & Joan Rosner Larry & Anne Carmen Judith L. Greenspan in memory of Parents and Other Loved Ones William & Sharon Rothchild Amy Bernstein Jay Eisenstock in memory of Shirley Eisenstock Ellen Kischel in memory of Bea & Milton Palmer Jacqueline Brecht Ruth G. Price in memory of Rubin & Martha Michaelson, Fannie & Manuel Goldblatt Frederick & Elaine Clein in memory of The Kaplinsky Family Rachel Henderson in memory of Mollie Blatt Lois & Stephen Levin Frederick & Georgette Barowsky Francis & Ann LaMagdelaine in memory of Benjamin Wilson, Teresa Wilson, Ann Wilson LaMagdelaine & Shirley Eisenstock A & B Eisenstock in memory of Shirley Eisenstock Dr. & Mrs. David Nochimson Sherwin & Rhoda Wernick Jennifer & Berkeley O'Keefe in memory of Benjamin & Teresa Wilson, Amy Levin & Shirley Eisenstock Robert Zellan in memory of Abraham & Elizabeth Zellan Hydro-Pro Irrigation Steven Gold & Irina Markova in memory of Dr. Sol M. Gold Leslie & Carole May in memory of Sabina May Mindy Lipson in memory of Sandra Lipson, Cele Elfman, Ruth Elfman Sidney Paul in memory of Kate Paul Sanford & Joan Katz in memory of Sisitsky Memorials Sons of Zion News

5 Volume 1, Issue 6 December 2016 Note from the Co-Presidents Page 5 awareness, compassion, and formative! On our home page, enhances the message and commitment symbols. she has also added a link to Inside Story you re trying to convey. to acting from a place our Facebook page and our Headline Avoid selecting images of love and Once by you joining have PayPal chosen account where you can This story can fit 75- that appear to be efforts out and an supporting image, place conveniently it close make secure donations or pay your dues at any to the article. Be sure to 125 words. of context. all members of our place the caption of the diverse community. time. Your Co-Presidents also Selecting pictures or Microsoft Publisher image near the image. graphics is an important includes thousands On of December 14, we have a new address. You part of adding content clip art images from have been invited may write to us at As we come into December, to your newsletter. which we you (and can encourage choose you to RSVP ) presidents@sonsofzionholyoke.org Caption describing picture goes out or to the are faced with the shortest and import to attend into your an important event A big thank you days Think and about the your excitement article of newsletter. the entitled There United are in Faith, Standing with tools Our you Neighbor taking als who, last month, came with group of hard graphic. working individu- holiday and ask season yourself as many if the cultures also several across picture the supports world celebrate or their can use place to draw at the shapes Islamic Society of wheelbarrow and tools and did To catch the reader's attention, Festivals of Light. There is much Western Mass at 5:30pm. 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The first one was sub- promotes the Jewish a Federation of West- painted swastikas and other you can reuse content successful racist from and other xenophobic marketing graffiti. making Something, it useful to Say your Something, mitted by Joanne Saltman to You can also research Within materials, one day, such as funds press were readers. Attorney General Maura articles Healy or find filler help fund the Cemetery Restoration Project. For the second raised releases, and market a group of caring A great has way set to up add a hotline articles for any by accessing people studies, spontaneously and reports. came useful together and made their way newsletter up witnessed is to develop or experienced You can bias- write about that SOZ a received the largest content Massachusetts to your resident the World who has Wide grant, Web. we are pleased to share the mountain to remove these motivated threats, harassment allocation awarded to enhance offensive statements. Two or violence. The hotline number the security of our building. On weeks later, members of different is Nov. 29, SOZ participated in This faiths story returned can fit 150- to that very While your main goal and write your the own National Day of Giving 200 words. of distributing There have a been many articles, good or include a spot to hold a healing and unifying prayer service. This is how where Joanne Saltman took the known as #GivingTuesday, One benefit of using newsletter things might happening be to at calendar SOZ. A of big upcoming your newsletter as a sell your thank product you or to our office events manager the Laura key to Marks a who offer worked that promotes a Caption describ- or a special a just and caring community promotional tool is that service, of lead to make several dozen conscience responds. This is you can reuse content successful a tirelessly newsletter to design is new and product. latkes that will be distributed to launch ing picture or powerful attestation to how from other marketing making the our it useful beautifully to your individuals as it gets closer to expanded You can website with a new address: articles or find filler also research graphic. light of others shines and reaches out to one another to overone who took the time to con- materials, such as press readers. Chanukah. Thank you to every- releases, market A great way to add articles by accessing come the darkness of such acts. tribute on #GivingTuesday and studies, and reports. useful content Please browse to your at your the World convenience. is to We develop hope you You find can it write in- about Wide Web. (Continued on page 6) The days ahead may require newsletter a

6 Page 6 (Continued from page 5) made a donation to Sons of Zion through the PayPal account set up on our website. There are many exciting ways to celebrate Chanukah in our community. On Dec. 28, 1-2:30 pm, we are hosting a special event for children ages 2 to 8 at the Holyoke Public Library. On Dec. 29 at 6pm, please join us for Sons of Zion News the annual very special evening at the Rosners. May you and your families each experience the many miracles of Chanukah. Let us bring the light to others and let us receive the light of others in peace. Respectfully submitted, Andrea and Michael

7 Volume 1, Issue 6 Highlights of the SOZ Religious Committee Meeting Page 7 group aliyot and Look through the Newsletter enhances the message Inside Story to continue and a symbols. version of this Once year s you have to chosen celebrate Hanukkah. for all the activities planned you re trying to convey. Headline Avoid selecting images Second an day image, of place This story can fit 75- that appear to be out Tu it B Shevat close Seder will be Rosh Hashana, to the article. Be sure to 125 words. of context. Saturday, February 11, replacing the Shabbat Kiddush. which included place the liturgy, songs, image small near the image. caption of the Selecting pictures or Microsoft Publisher graphics is an important includes thousands of discussion groups, Purim, Sunday, March 12 will part of adding content clip art images from sharing personal include assembling Caption and describing delivering Shalach to your newsletter. which you can choose experiences, midrash, and shofar. Manot. picture or and import into your Think about your article newsletter. There are Passover will feature graphic. Seder and On Sunday, ask yourself November if the 13, This year s theme was t shuvah. also several tools you Together for the third year, picture 2016, members supports or of the Religious Committee joined by year for a spiritual experi- person who wants To catch the to reader's attend attention, a can use to draw Consider shapes joining us next striving to ensure that every place an interesting sentence or interested members of the ence you will remember. seder will have the opportunity, and hosts will enjoy the quote from the story here. congregation (13 people in Tachlich at the end of each This all) met story to can review fit 150- the High While your service main works! goal and write your own mitzvah of welcoming people 200 Holiday words. and Sukkot/Simchat of distributing a articles, or include a newsletter The might cello be on to Kol Nidre One benefit of using calendar earned to their seders. Yizkor will be Torah services and plan forward to Shavuot. Of course, of upcoming your newsletter as a sell your a product YES!! In or capitals. events At least or a special Monday, April 17, 10:00a.m. promotional tool is that service, one the committee key to a member offer that was promotes in (Patriot s a Day) bagels, lox, coffee, fruit and you can reuse content successful tears. newsletter is new product. Shavuot, Tuesday, May 30, more were enjoyed by all from other marketing making it useful to your and provided sustenance You can also research materials, such as press readers. for Sincere and genuine appreciation was expressed articles to our or find Thursday, filler June 1, 10:00a.m. 7:30p.m. and Yizkor will be the discussion. releases, market A great service way to leaders add Rabbi articles Perlmutter to and your Dr. Chorowski the World as Wide by accessing WITH WINTER S ARRIVAL, studies, Rabbi Perlmutter and reports. led our useful S lichot Service for the first time newsletter well is as to to develop the chorus. You can write about a content MONDAY Web. AND THURSDAY MINYANS ARE CHALLENGthis year and received rave reviews from the small (yes, Special highlights of Sukkot/ ING. THE BEST WAY TO ENthere was a minyan) and very Simchat Torah were Ken SURE A MINYAN WHEN YOU This enthusiastic story can group. fit 150- While your Vieu s main expansion goal of and the write Suk-youkah (he a tells us there articles, is more include PARTICIPATE. a IF EACH MEM- NEED own ONE IS TO COME AND 200 words. of distributing Erev Rosh Hashana services One benefit of using newsletter to come, might so be stay to tuned), calendar the of upcoming BER CAME EVEN ONE DAY A returned to SOZ by popular your newsletter as a sell your pot product luck in or the sukkah events and or the a special MONTH, WE WILL HAVE MET promotional demand. Services tool is that led by service, Dr. the key to a offer that promotes a rousing Simchat Torah service THE CHALLENGE. Caption WE describing picture or NEED you Chorowski can reuse were content successful. successful newsletter is new product. which even brought us outside. YOUR HELP!! from other marketing making it useful to your The vast majority of the group Consider attending You Simchat can also research graphic. materials, such as press readers. Joan and Rich voted approval of traditional First market day of Rosh A great tunity way to add work out with articles G-d by accessing Sons of Zion Religious Com- Torah next year -- articles an oppor- or find filler releases, studies, Hashana and services reports. including useful content and your to your friends!! the World Wide mittee Web. Chairpersons newsletter is to develop You can write about a

8 Page 8 Present: Alfred Hutt, Michael Rosner, Ken Vieu, Cindy Vieu, Burton (Buddy) Resnic, Larry Carmen, Dave Carmen, Nancy Carmen, Bill Robbins, Jacqueline Brecht, Andrea Fox, Steve Levine, Laura Marks, Joan Levine, Joan Rosner, Rabbi Saul Perlmutter Co-President Michael Rosner called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m. MOTION: Nancy moved, Alfred seconded the motion to accept the minutes of October 19, 2016 as presented. Passed unanimously. Treasurer s Report: Nancy reported that the Cemetery Restoration Fund raised $20,000 to date. The High Holiday Appeal is lower than in the past at $2,500 to date and checks are still coming in. Activities Committee: Cindy reported the October 9 Outside Cleanup was a successful start. Joanne, Steve and Gellya volunteered to staff a second cleanup day and Laura asked for volunteers to work on November 11, Veteran s Day. Ken Vieu has enlarged the sukkah (applause and cheers). This is a work in progress. The City has asked us to help with a Hanukkah Menorah lighting ceremony in front of City Hall. They asked us to research the Menorah and organize daily lighting, etc. We will include Rodphey. The City will purchase the menorah and have allocated $ The menorahs we found on line were around $750. Anyone interested in making a private donation to offset costs can contact Andrea who will forward donations to the City. Budget and Finance Committee: Andrea explained that due to expensive kitchen and heating repairs last year, we began this fiscal year with an unexpectedly large debt. It is imperative that we work out a plan to sustain our shul and our cemetery into the future. A subcommittee led by Joanne is working on the dues structure. Budget and Finance is exploring ways further reduce expenses. A short discussion ensued about reviving merger talks with Rodphey. No action to be taken at this time. We have $14,000 in unpaid dues that we need to collect. We Sons of Zion News SOZ Board of Directors Summary of Meeting held November 9, 2016 have several small accounts with People s Bank. Extensive discussion and explanation of each of the funds. MOTION: Michael moved, Alfred seconded, subject to the approval of the trustees of the Endowment Fund and in the event approval is not given, subject to approval of the board of directors, in accordance with the trust document of 1978, the funds from the Endowment Fund may be tapped for synagogue expenses. Passed Unanimously Andrea stressed this is the beginning of many more conversations needed to plan for our financial future. Fund-Raising: Rabbi Perlmutter shared many ideas including Honoring Older Congregation members at a gala dinner or brunch, types of auctions, getting sponsors for events. Cindy, Jacqueline, Joan L, and Joan R shared ideas that are being discussed: Donor Dinner, Bingo, speakers, raffle. Discussion about merging the efforts of the Activities, Membership and Fundraising Committees for future meetings. (Board Meeting Continued on pg. 9)

9 Volume 1, Issue 6 (Board MeetingContinued from pg 8) Building: Andrea reported that we are looking enhances the message for a new person to snow plow. There is a list you re trying to convey. in the office to identify needed Avoid selecting building images repairs, from light bulbs to This story can fit 75- that boilers appear that to will be be out followed up by members 125 words. of of context. the building committee. (This idea is working!) Selecting pictures or Microsoft Andrea Publisher thanked Steve L. and Ken for fixing graphics is an important includes the bathroom thousands of sink. part MOTION: of adding Laura content moved. clip Joan art R. images seconded from motion to purchase a domain name from Laura. to your newsletter. which you can choose and import into your Think Passed about unanimously. your article newsletter. There are and Resignations: ask yourself The if the Board also offered several many tools thanks you picture supports or and sadly accepted the can retirement/ use to draw shapes Inside Story Headline Winter Coat Drive This story can fit 150- While your main goal The 200 Jewish words. Family Service of of distributing Springfield One is benefit asking of for using our help. newsletter Please con- might be to a sider your donating newsletter new as a or gently-used sell your winter promotional coats for tool refugees is that who product or service, are the not key to a successful newsletter is used you can to reuse winter content weather! Especially making it useful to your needed from other are marketing coats for school readers. age children, materials, but any such as warm press clothing is welcome. Drop off is in the SOZ small so- releases, market A great way to add studies, and reports. useful content to your cial hall, under the clock. newsletter is to develop To view a larger version of the flyer, visit Inside our Story website Headline and click on This the story Events can fit tab While your main goal 200 words. of distributing a One benefit of using newsletter might be to SAVE THE DATE! Feb your newsletter as a sell 26, your 2017 product or On promotional Sunday, Feb. tool 26 is that 11:30am, service, we the key to a you can reuse content successful newsletter is will be holding a panel discussion with from other marketing making it useful to your State and Local Government materials, such as press readers. Representatives on topics of interest regarding the new Presidential administra- releases, market A great way to add studies, and reports. useful content to your tion. Please plan to attend! newsletter is to develop resignation of Nancy Carmen from her role as treasurer after she shared that she had accomplished the goals she set when she accept- and symbols. ed Once the you office have and chosen she has had recent life styles an image, change. place She it close will stay on the Board of to the article. Be sure to Directors, and is eager to train her replacement. place the caption of the image Rachel near the Henderson image. sent a letter of resignation. The board sadly accepted. and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product. You can also research articles or find filler articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product. You can also research articles or find filler articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Page 9 MOTION: Steve moved, Joan Caption L. seconded describing picture or a motion to adjourn. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:30p.m. graphic. Caption describing picture or graphic.

10 Page 10 Sons of Zion News December 2016 Sun Mon Tue We Thu Fri Sat Morning Minyans are every Monday and Thursday at 8am, followed by breakfast. Shabbat services are at 10am every Saturday, followed by Kiddush and lunch Kislev 3 1 Kislev 3 Kislev Hebrew Reading Class 9:45am Shabbat Begins 4:01pm Toldot Kislev 6 6 Kislev 7 7 Kislev 8 8 Kislev 9 9 Kislev 10 4 Kislev 10 Kislev Shabbat Begins 4:00pm Kislev Kislev Kislev Kislev Kislev Kislev 17 Kislev Shabbat Begins 4:01pm Kislev Kislev Kislev Kislev Kislev 24 Book Club 9:30am 18 Kislev 24 Kislev SOZ Board Meeting 7:30pm Winter Begins Shabbat Begins 4:04pm Kislev Kislev Kislev Kislev 30 1 Tevet Kislev 2 Tevet Children s Chanukah Party, 1pm Hebrew Reading Class 9:45am Chanukah with the Rosners, 6pm Shabbat Begins 4:09pm Vayetze Sing Chanukah songs with the Rabbi after Kiddush Vayishlach Vayeshev Shabbat Mevarchim Miketz

11 Volume 1, Issue 6 Page 11 December Yahrzeits & Minyan Chairs Nov. 27 Dec. 3: Joan Rosner Nov. 28 Nov. 30 Dec. 3 *Fannie Saex Robert Saex *Max Stein *Constance K. Barowsky Beatrice Rose Isaac Eskenasy *Beatrice Palmer Jay Posnik Dec. 4 10: Laura Marks Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 7 Dec. 10 *Stanley Saex Samuel Cohen *Rose Alperin Benjamin Paul Dec : Burton Resnic Dec. 12 Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 17 *Murray Horn Jacob Paul Lena Seamon *Nathan Solomon *Arthur Jay Berenson *John Gaylor Milton Palmer *Samuel Resnic Anne Wiener *Sonia R. (Baker) Greenspan Dec : Andrea Fox Dec. 19 Dec. 20 Dec. 22 *Leslie Kahan *Aaron Blatt *Yetta Gaylor *Anne Kaplinsky Sophie Paul *Louis Saex *David A. Weber Dec : Richard Freyman Dec. 25 Dec. 26 Dec. 27 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 *Russell Bernstein Shirley Brawer *Louis H. Schlosberg Harold Gerstein *Matilda Goldberg *Mildred Kaplinsky Dr. Ira Daniel Gilbert *Joseph Welson *Milton Jerome Laufer Adele Robbins Marcelle Freyman Visit our New Website Sons of Zion has a new internet home: You will find service times, information about upcoming events both in and outside the Synagogue, holiday information, our synagogue calendar with meetings and other information, and even a button that will take you to PayPal (sorry, non-mobile devices only) so you can pay your dues or make a donation with a credit card. Be sure to take a look, and stop by often!

12 Page 12 Sons of Zion News

13 Volume 1, Issue 6 Page 13 Nitza by Ozzie Wernick, ) (on the occasion of her birthday last month She comes from the land of milk and honey, Where everything isn t always bright and sunny. Spent time in the army; she did her tour. Probably a drill sergeant (of this we re not sure). She came to the States and met her match, For both she and Dr. Bob, a very good catch. They raised a fine son, as bright as could be. The apple doesn t fall very far from the tree! Her world changed forever when she lost Bob, But she kept on working cause it was her job. As for the shul, she works like a beaver. Where would it be without Nitza Seaver? Her Seniors love her for the work she s done, And at the same time, the all have fun. Her Wednesday luncheons deserve a good look. It goes without saying, What a good cook! Her signature pea soup could win a prize, Along with an entrée (just leave out the fries). Now with Jimmy, she s found a new call; As the saying goes, You can t win em all. Today on your birthday (we know it s a big one) We wish you good health and have lots of fun! Our light will outlast their flag. It was on a Friday afternoon right before Shabbat that this photo was taken. My grandmother realized that this was a historic photo, and she wrote on the back of the photo that their flag wishes to see the death of Judah, but Judah will always survive, and our light will outlast their flag. My grandfather, the rabbi of the Kiel community, was making many speeches, both to Jews and Germans. To the Germans he warned that the road they were embarking on was not good for Jews or Germans, and to the Jews he warned that something terrible was brewing, and they would do well to leave Germany. My grandfather fled Germany in 1933, and moved to Israel. His community came to the train station to see him off, and before departed he urged his people to flee Germany while there s still time. - Yehudah Mansbuch, grandson of Rabbi & Mrs. Posner.

14 Page 14 Sons of Zion News Nancy Carmen to Retire as SOZ Treasurer Nancy Carmen will retire as Treasurer as of January 1, [T]hank you for all the experiences and challenges I have had over the past 5 years. To the Sons of Zion community: This letter is my official notification to Congregation Sons of Zion that my last day as Treasurer will be January 1, On that day I plan to retire as Treasurer. I am very excited about it and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the experiences and challenges I have had over the past 5 years. Five years ago, the office had the oldfashioned method of a one-write bookkeeping system, no computer, and plenty of paper flying around the office. My first step was installing QuickBooks, a user friendly bookkeeping system and then creating a chart of accounts with opening balances. This was an important endeavor and a huge challenge. Bank statements, payroll, vendors, bills, funds, and member dues were all handwritten at the time. Thank you, Irene Bernstein. We did it. It took many hours and thanks to my goal of reaching perfection it was completed after months and I was very proud of myself. I will always remember the Board meeting when I presented financial statements for the first time. If only you could have seen everyone s reaction, especially Herbert Goldberg and Attorney Burton Resnic. What a pleasure and sense of accomplishment. My next goal was to add members, addresses and dues, which are so critical to synagogue finances, to QuickBooks. Well, we did it this year. Thank you, Laura. And now all of our members receive a statement on a regular basis. We had many verifications and adjustments - it took a lot of time. Remember, members, it is very important for you to make a note on your check stating what it is for. Finally, I set up an organized file system for all the paperwork. A special thank you to Steve Levine who explained all the Jewish Foundation accounts. Yes, doing this job was purely genuine, and from my heart. I will miss going to the office and working with Laura Marks and sending Mike Rosner off to the bank. Thank you, Mike. I plan to work right up to my last minute with the new replacement, and I expect a smooth transition. After retiring, my extra time will be spent with our granddaughter Lauren and our family, and maybe a vacation here and there. My best wishes to the Congregation for the BEST future. Sincerely, Nancy Carmen, Treasurer

15 Volume 1, Issue 6 All Cleaned Up! Page 15 Worcester Place: Before "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead. While this quote is generally referred to within the context of social justice, it is always very powerful to recognize how it only takes the contributions of a few people to change the outcome of any situation. In our case, I am referring to the amazing job we did in responding to a concern brought to us by the Holyoke Board of Health. On October 25, the City sent a Andrea, Brielle, Cindy, Zachary and Laura working on Worcester Place notice stating we needed to clean up the Worcester Place side of our building. Things had gotten so overgrown, you couldn't walk without hitting your head on vines and tree branches, and coupled with the trash and litter, you could barely see our fence! Fortunately, the clean up crews organized immediately and in less than a few weeks, we received a clean bill of Health from the City. Please see the before and after pictures. Thanks go out to the many who worked very hard and helped- Laura Marks, Cindy and Ken Vieu, Brielle Burkett, Michael Rosner, Steve Levine, Gellya Shulman, Andrea Fox, and Zac Fox. Ernie Mathieu from the Board of Health re-inspected and declared us, satisfactory. He also, commends everyone who worked on it and made arrangements for it to be taken care of. It looks great. This project of regular maintenance will be added to our garden and grounds list for upkeep and hopefully will never get that overgrown again. Thanks to all who lent your time, sweat and tools. What a difference! Want to Learn to Read Hebrew? A course on Hebrew reading is beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, at 9:45 am, (after morning minyan and breakfast). The course is open to all and will focus on building Hebrew reading skills. It should be useful for beginners, as well as for people who would like to improve their reading from the prayer book and eventually from the Torah. The next class meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 22 at 9:45.

16 Page 16 Sons of Zion News The Book Club will meet on Dec. 18 at 9:30am. Bagels, lox, coffee and juice will be served. February s Book Club Book Sons of Zion Book Club The Book Club enjoyed reading the last book Lovesong by Julius Lester, and had a nice discussion about what it means to be Jewish and especially to want to convert to Judaism. Our next book will be The Muralist by B. A. Shapiro. The meeting will be at 9:30am on December 18 at the synagogue. Bagels, lox, coffee, juice etc. will be provided. Suggestions for future books are always welcomed. Our next book will be The Black Widow by Daniel Silva. A very current and exciting read, although it is a bit long. We probably won't meet in January due to the weather so you have time to read it. Review of The Muralist From the author of the New York Times bestseller The Art Forger comes a thrilling new novel of art, history, love, and politics that traces the life and mysterious disappearance of a brilliant young artist on the eve of World War II. Alizée Benoit, an American painter working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA), vanishes in New York City in 1940 amid personal and political turmoil. No one knows what happened to her. Not her Jewish family living in Germanoccupied France. Not her artistic patron and political compatriot, Eleanor Roosevelt. Not her close-knit group of friends, including Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Lee Krasner. And, some seventy years later, not her great-niece, Danielle Abrams, who while working at Christie s auction house uncovers enigmatic paintings hidden behind recently found works by those now famous Abstract Expressionist artists. Do they hold answers to the questions surrounding her missing aunt? Entwining the lives of both historical and fictional characters, and moving between the past and the present, The Muralist plunges readers into the divisiveness of prewar politics and the largely forgotten plight of European refugees refused entrance to the United States. It captures both the inner workings of today s New York art scene and the beginnings of the vibrant and quintessentially American school of Abstract Expressionism. B.A. Shapiro is a master at telling a gripping story while exploring provocative themes. In Alizée and Danielle she has created two unforgettable women, artists both, who compel us to ask, What happens when luminous talent collides with inexorable historical forces? Does great art have the power to change the world? And to what lengths should a person go to thwart evil?

17 Volume 1, Issue 6 Events around the Pioneer Valley Inside Story Headline This story can fit words. Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter. Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or This story can fit words. One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing MUSIC enhances the message you re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context. Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers. materials, such as press releases, market A great way to add studies, and reports. useful content to your AT THE UCC OF HOLYOKE newsletter is to develop The Holyoke High School Choirs will perform at the This story United can Congregational fit 150- While Church your main goal 200 on words. Dec. 11 at 2pm. of distributing $10 a suggested donation, One benefit of using newsletter $5 for might be to your students newsletter and as seniors. a sell Call your product or promotional tool is that for service, more the key to a you can information. reuse content successful newsletter is from other marketing making it useful to your materials, such as press readers. releases, market studies, and reports. For information about these events and more, visit our website: and click on the Events tab. and symbols. A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image. and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product. To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Page 17 Caption describing picture or graphic. You can also research articles or LEARNING find filler articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write AT about TEMPLE a ISRAEL Rabbi Simcha Paull Raphael, Scholarin Residence at Temple Israel in and Greenfield, write your own will be leading a series articles, of discussions or include all a weekend, Dec. 9-11, calendar about of Jewish upcoming views of death, dying, events and or the a special afterlife. Some are free and offer open that to promotes the public, a some Caption require describing picture a small or preregistration product. and/or request new You donation. can also research For more information, graphic. call articles or find filler articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a

18 Page 18 Sons of Zion News From the Jewish Federation

19 Volume 1, Issue 6 Page 19 Ads from Our Sponsors Please Patronize our Sponsors. They Make our Newsletter Possible! Always Room for More! BUSINESS CARD ADS: $180 / YEAR PLEASE CONTACT THE SYNAGOGUE OFFICE (413) OR office@sonsofzionholyoke.org

20 Happy Chanukah! Cong. Sons of Zion 378 Maple Street Holyoke, MA Phone: (413) Submission deadline for next issue: December 25. Discover the wide range of Jewish arts and culture around western Massachusetts. Enjoy the rich fabric of Jewish community in the Pioneer Valley, Berkshires, Southern VT, and beyond at Jewish Culture Connect! From the Office Oh, these short, chilly days! The bus drops my son off at my house in the afternoon and these days, when it s grey and gloomy, it s practically dark by the time he gets home. My chickens have all but stopped laying (I could give them artificial light, but they probably appreciate the break). It s harder to find the motivation to do much in the evenings after supper. The kids wish they could go out and play for an hour before bed like they did in the summer. I long to hibernate, or at least curl up with the cat and a cup of tea. What can break the dark monotony? I m sure you know the answer. Just when I think it can t possibly get darker, Chanukah comes and cheers me with its promised of renewed light. As the Barenaked Ladies sang, What a miracle that a spark lifts these candles out of the dark. I ll gather with loved ones, enjoy some light and love and latkes, and maybe a gift or two. I ll see you at the Rosners for the 6th night, and who knows? Maybe things will look a brighter very soon! Chag Sameach! ~Laura