Rabbi s Message. Rabbi s Message

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1 1 BULLETIN CONGREGATION B NAI JESHURUN OF STATEN ISLAND December 2017 Kislev 5778 Bulletin Award Winner of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Rabbi s Message 2 Rabbi s Message 3 As we approach Chanukah I wonder about the connection between this ancient story and our modern lives today. Is it just a cultural event in our history?

While all of the above reasons have validity none of them really sum it up.

2 Rabbi s Message 2 Rabbi s Message 3 As we approach Chanukah I wonder about the connection between this ancient story and our modern lives today. Is it just a cultural event in our history? A convenient holiday to offset Christmas? A model for how we should handle persecution/ anti-semitism? A religious obligation to perform the mitzvah of lighting the menorah? While all of the above reasons have validity none of them really sum it up. The story of Chanukah can be boiled down to this: An outside enemy tried to destroy our religion and our culture, the Jews resisted and succeeded in fending them off. Despite the devastation caused by the enemy they were able to rededicate the temple which was the center of religious and cultural life. So what is the religious and cultural life that they were protecting? It was a deep commitment to a life of Torah study, with the intent to translate that study into action. It was a divinely inspired wisdom that was traditional and relatively consistent and not the latest trend of morality. It was based on humility and ultimately following the guidance of the religious leaders. It was a commitment to doing what's right over what feels pleasurable. While it s inspiring to see so many of us celebrate Chanukah, with all its fun aspects like playing dreidel and gifts every day (I totally missed out as a kid, we only got Chanukah gelt on the fifth night) we should also consider the hard fought for rights: to study Torah, practice mitzvot and follow religious guidance. In our modern times it isn't an outside force trying to force us to neglect Torah; in fact, diversity is celebrated in America, I will continue to do my part as your rabbi by working to give inspiring sermons, keeping the services short, adding tunes that are more relatable to a younger generation, as well as offering more classes like the Hebrew reading class. The shul is taking a big step by putting forward the proposal of making services egalitarian (meaning women would be able to do everything men can do in the service.) This will be up for a vote soon (please make sure to come and vote). The intention is to make the services as accessible as possible to all who want it while staying within the confines of Jewish law and guidance. In order for us to have a thriving inspiring community, we all need to stretch out of our comfort zones. Learn a little more Torah, refrain from gossip, give charity to those in need, and build our community one action at a time. It would really be sad if we were to allow to happen to us what our enemies in the Chanukah story intended to do to the Jews of long ago. Let's not let our own resistance and possibly lack of inspiration keep us from living a more religious life. The Mishnah teaches us B makom Sheain Ish Hishtadel Lyot Ish which loosely translates to: in a place where no one is being a (responsible) person, be a (responsible ) person. Don't wait for others to get involved but take the initiative. May we have a joyful Chanukah and be moved by its most important lessons. Rabbi Sam

4 5 Presidents Message The year is coming to an end quickly and we would like to report on the last few months.

tireless efforts on behalf of our shul community, along with several politicians. They worked very hard to ensure the success of this event.

Thank you to everyone who attended to make this event memorable and please frequent the businesses that advertised in our journal. We thank them for their support.

We had many volunteers who gave of their time and efforts to make this a success and thanks for the donations of clothing and household items.

3 4 5 Presidents Message The year is coming to an end quickly and we would like to report on the last few months. B nai Jeshurun Family, Men s Club Message On October 28th, we celebrated our 130th Dinner Dance which honored two deserving couples namely Ann & Roy Moskowitz and Jessica and Lou Bruschi for their tireless efforts on behalf of our shul community, along with several politicians. They worked very hard to ensure the success of this event. Thanks also to the Dinner Dance Committee for their many hours of planning and meetings. It was a fantastic evening and we realized that an event of this kind could be accomplished. Thank you to everyone who attended to make this event memorable and please frequent the businesses that advertised in our journal. We thank them for their support. In November, we held our Annual Rummage Sale and Flea Market. We had many volunteers who gave of their time and efforts to make this a success and thanks for the donations of clothing and household items. We appreciated that the clothing items were brought in on hangers so that it made it easier for all concerned. Through our social media, word of mouth, and signage on our fence, we are booking many outside events. We have a beautiful facility, which is being utilized for many different kinds of events. Engagement parties, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and birthdays are being held in our Ballroom. We also have many affairs booked into next year. With Chanukah approaching, let us rededicate our efforts to positive thoughts and actions. Happy Holiday to you and your loved ones. First I would like to wish everyone a happy Chanukah and a Secular New Year. Our next program will be the Worldwide Wrap XVII on Super Bowl Sunday, February 4, The wearing of tefillin is a continued catalyst for Jewish spiritual growth. It is a highly personal act that serves to reinforce Jewish Identity. If you need assistance with putting on Tefillin there will be a number of congregants who will show you. The Worldwide Wrap is held during Sunday morning Minyan beginning at 9AM. The FJMC Northern New Jersey Region Man of the Year Dinner was November 8 th. The CBJ honoree was Corey Stalerman. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time. Thank you to Mark Gillerman for his informative presentation Casino 101 Anyone interested in sponsoring a Saturday Morning Kiddush please contact Joel Brimmer at: (718) or Brimmer911@aol.com Respectfully, Ruth Greenwald and Arlene Rachman Shalom, Joel Brimmer

6 7 USY News There have been many opportunities and events for our youth to participate in this fall.

The pool was open, and there were tons of activities (inc.

USY then had their Leadership Training Institute (LTI) Kinnus (Convention) where members learned about various ways

If you have any questions about these events, and how awesome they were, speak to Laura Weinstein.

learning and activities. For more information on this event, speak to Madison Mushnick.

Kadima members participated in a quiz show, and had a few physical challenges.

Lila Bruschi led a few games that she and some of our members learned from Encampment.

4 6 7 USY News There have been many opportunities and events for our youth to participate in this fall. USY had their Opening Event, where the members participated n a Luau at the Ivy League Day Camp, in New Jersey. The pool was open, and there were tons of activities (inc. Rock Wall, Bumper Boats, and Euro Bungy) for well over 100 USYers. USY then had their Leadership Training Institute (LTI) Kinnus (Convention) where members learned about various ways they can lead and give back to our local community. If you have any questions about these events, and how awesome they were, speak to Laura Weinstein. USY Fall Kinnus was held at Marlboro Jewish Center, where over 200 USYers gathered for a fun filled weekend of learning and activities. For more information on this event, speak to Madison Mushnick. The Kadima Opening Event was a Game Show in Caldwell, NJ. Kadima members participated in a quiz show, and had a few physical challenges. For more information on this event, ask Gabriel MonteLeon. On the local scene, we had a successful Game Night. Lila Bruschi led a few games that she and some of our members learned from Encampment. This was a great night, where everyone had fun, and showed the importance of participating in Regional events. It is where our kids learn and bring back to our community. Upcoming Events December International Convention in Chicago. Zachary MonteLeon completing his term as International Communications Vice President. Kadima Opening Night Fall Kinnus Game Night January USY Freshman Shabbaton January 20 USY Evening Program January Kadima Convention February 2-4 USY Mid-Winter Kinnus

Hebrew School News My love of Jewish culture, Jewish music, and cultural food.

Both groups of great grandparents le their original homelands for the promise of a be er life in The United States of America.

Benjamin Weinshelbaum, would end up emigra ng with his parents as a 16 year old to Castle Garden and end up se ling on the Lower East Side in The Essex Street area where he would finally meet Ida

Lower East Side. From my fraternal grandparents, I learned the love of Jewish Culture through cultural music, customs, and love of ethnic foods.

Her recipes were unfortunately never published, but the memories of her cooking and rugelach are never forgo en. Ben was a quiet, jolly, round bellied man who loved to laugh.

5 Hebrew School News My love of Jewish culture, Jewish music, and cultural food. comes from the mes spent with my maternal and fraternal grandparents, three out of four were first me immigrants from Russia and Poland. Both groups of great grandparents le their original homelands for the promise of a be er life in The United States of America. Ida Hochberg would be the only grandparent born in the US, but whose parents had emigrated with her older siblings from Russia. Benjamin Weinshelbaum, would end up emigra ng with his parents as a 16 year old to Castle Garden and end up se ling on the Lower East Side in The Essex Street area where he would finally meet Ida Hochberg, date, get married, open up a dairy restaurant on 1 Essex St (R + W Dairy Restaurant), and give birth and raise a son named Seymour (my father) who would share his love of stories of The Lower East Side. From my fraternal grandparents, I learned the love of Jewish Culture through cultural music, customs, and love of ethnic foods. My grandmother Ida was not only the mayor of her restaurant but she was also the chef and baker. Her recipes were unfortunately never published, but the memories of her cooking and rugelach are never forgo en. Ben was a quiet, jolly, round bellied man who loved to laugh. His greatest joy came from when his 3 grandsons would try to make him laugh. He spoke a bit of broken English, however we loved and enjoyed his leadership of the Seders. My maternal grandparents Alex (née Harry ) Markowitz and Fanny Natowitz, were proud parents of 5 children. The youngest who was my Mom. My grandpa only spoke Yiddish and when I saw him he was always reading the Yiddish newspaper, The Forvitz or The Forward. 8 Hebrew School News It was because of my connec on and wan ng to connect with my grandparents that at a young age of 6 or 7, I enrolled well before Hebrew School, into a local A er School Workmen s Circle (h ps:// circle.org/ ) h ps://circle.org/what we do/yiddish language/ Youth Yiddish Class in Clearview, Queens. Mr. Olitsky would spark my love of language, school, culture and song, through though ul celebra on and study. I then went on to Hebrew School Aleph class at Bay Terrace Jewish Center, where I would study with Rabbi Hyman Levine and Cantor Victor Wortman. I have such fond memories of my a er school classes at BTJC and I had excelled because of my love for culture and language and my prior knowledge of the Yiddish Aleph Beis. I con nued on through Hey Class, and studied for my Bar Mitzvah and would chant both the Ha orah and the Torah por ons of Parsha Naso, back in June of some year when I was 13. My big connec on to Hebrew School, was my love to learn about the stories of my grandparents and their culture. This drove my love to study the language and to partake in the customs of my Grandparents. These same joyful memories, I will try to share and ins ll in your children. I felt that Hebrew School was to be a place to explore and discuss customs, and to connect as a family to enjoy the customs,language, food,music and dance of our Jewish celebra ons. This love I hope to share with you, your family, and your children. 9 Shalom, Sholom ben Simcha Winchel (Neil Winchel)

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9 16 17 To sponsor an Oneg Call Arlene Rachman Or ********** To sponsor a Kiddush Luncheon Call Joel Brimmer Or Brimmer911@aol.com

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11 20 21 Yahrzeits (December) Yahrzeits (December) Sigelman, Joseph Friday, 12/1/2017 Kislev 13, 5778 Sigelman, Arthur & Diane beloved grandfather of Arthur Ogontz Breiner, Ruth (Rikfa bat Lieb) Saturday, 12/2/2017 Kislev 14, 5778 Ogontz, Leonard beloved mother of Leonard Missry, Frieda Sunday, 12/3/2017 Kislev 15, 5778 Lieb, Howard & Joyce beloved grandmother of Joyce Sklansky Goldberg, Jeanette (Shandel b/s Nachman Kopel) Sunday, 12/3/2017 Kislev 15, 5778 Goldberg, Myles & Paula beloved mother of Myles Greenwald, Rachel (Ruchel b/s Yisroel) Monday, 12/4/2017 Kislev 16, 5778 Greenwald, Israel & Ruth beloved mother of Israel Randall, Edith (Ethel bas Josef Eliyahu) Monday, 12/4/2017 Kislev 16, 5778 Halpern, Jack & Alexa beloved mother of Alexa Weinstein, Gloria Tuesday, 12/5/2017 Kislev 17, 5778 Weinstein, Seth & Nicole beloved mother of Seth Prus, May (Mania b/s Yitzchuk) Thursday, 12/7/2017 Kislev 19, 5778 Friedman, David & Sylvia beloved mother of Sylvia Sussman, Harry Thursday, 12/7/2017 Kislev 19, 5778 Wissemann, William & Shirley beloved father of Shirley Farber, Lillian Friday, 12/8/2017 Kislev 20, 5778 Wiener, Marc S. & Jennifer F. beloved grandmother of Marc Blackman, Charles Tuesday, 12/12/2017 Kislev 24, 5778 Blackman, Sheldon beloved father of Sheldon Goldstein, Helen Wednesday, 12/13/2017 Kislev 25, 5778 Goldstein, Richard & Judith beloved mother of Richard Moskowitz, Anne Thursday, 12/14/2017 Kislev 26, 5778 Moskowitz, Roy & Ann beloved mother of Roy Klapper, Minnie Saturday, 12/16/2017 Kislev 28, 5778 Klapper, Arleen beloved grandmother of Arthur Brimmer, Oscar Sunday, 12/17/2017 Kislev 29, 5778 Brimmer, Joel & Sharon beloved father of Joel Duberstein, Benjamin (Binyumin b'n Shmul) Sunday, 12/17/2017 Kislev 29, 5778 Duberstein, Marshall & Diane beloved grandfather of Marshall Kunda, Clara Monday, 12/18/2017 Kislev 30, 5778 Blackman, Sheldon beloved mother of Sherry

12 22 23 Yahrzeits (December) Yahrzeits (December) Hess, Hannah (Hindel) Tuesday, 12/19/2017 Tevet 1, 5778 Buehler, Ernest & Trophy beloved mother of Ernest Muskat, Florence Wednesday, 12/20/2017 Tevet 2, 5778 Conrad, Michael & Sandra beloved aunt of Sandra Wisseman, Marie Thursday, 12/21/2017 Tevet 3, 5778 Wissemann, William & Shirley beloved mother of William Reich, David Friday, 12/22/2017 Tevet 4, 5778 Reich, Larry & Sheila beloved father of Larry Swaaley, Jacob Friday, 12/22/2017 Tevet 4, 5778 Swaaley, Michael & Sherry beloved grandfather of Michael Kaplan, Jean Saturday, 12/23/2017 Tevet 5, 5778 Kaplan, Barry & Elissa beloved mother of Barry Kaplan, Sarah Saturday, 12/23/2017 Tevet 5, 5778 Kaplan, Barry & Elissa beloved mother of Elissa Steinbruck, Helaine Saturday, 12/23/2017 Tevet 5, 5778 Steinbruck, Richard & Laurie beloved mother of Richard Kaye, Natalie B. Tuesday, 12/26/2017 Tevet 8, 5778 Klapper, Arleen beloved aunt of Arthur Kress, Esta Tuesday, 12/26/2017 Tevet 8, 5778 Kress, Sid & June beloved mother of Sidney Weiner, Joseph Tuesday, 12/26/2017 Tevet 8, 5778 Conrad, Michael & Sandra beloved uncle of Sandra Eison, Maurice (Moishe Leib b'n Yitzhuk) Wednesday, 12/27/2017 Tevet 9, 5778 Eison, Howard & Karen beloved father of Howard Feingold, Frances Thursday, 12/28/2017 Tevet 10, 5778 Schwartz, Sheldon & Rochelle beloved mother of Rochelle Meisel, Gussie Thursday, 12/28/2017 Tevet 10, 5778 Sigelman, Arthur & Diane beloved grandmother of Arthur Goldman, Miriam D. (Miriam) Friday, 12/29/2017 Tevet 11, 5778 Edelman, Robert & Diane beloved mother of Diane Landberg, Lillian (Leika) Friday, 12/29/2017 Tevet 11, 5778 Gimbelman, Vickie beloved mother of Vickie Schreibman, Bessie Saturday, 12/30/2017 Tevet 12, 5778 Duberstein, Marshall & Diane beloved mother of Diane

DIRECTORY for Congrega on B nai Jeshurun of Staten Island Phone: 718.981.5550 Website: Cbjsi.com Email: cbjshul@gmail.

13 DIRECTORY for Congrega on B nai Jeshurun of Staten Island Phone: Website: Cbjsi.com cbjshul@gmail.com Congrega on B nai Jeshurun of Staten Island United Synagogue of Conserva ve Judaism Member Tel: (718) Fax: (718) Rabbi Samuel Kastel Samkastel@gmail.com E mail: CBJShul@gmail.com Cantor Mordechai Edry Edrycpa@aol.com Website: cbjsi.com Co Presidents Ruth Greenwald Arlene Rachman grandmaruthie1@verizon.net ArleneRachman@gmail.com V.P. Administration Susan Bender suebender@gmail.com V.P. Finance Sharon Brimmer Brimmer911@aol.com V.P. Ritual Roy Moskowitz R2ceo@aol.com V.P. Youth & Education Rochelle Maltz rochellemaltz@msn.com Acting Treasurer Dr. Jack Bender jackibender37@gmail.com Corresponding Secretary Beth Abott Bethabott@aol.com Hebrew School Principal Jessica Bruschi bruschi@verizon.net PTA President Alexis Prussack Mar n Youth Group Director Bruce MonteLeon cbjyouth@yahoo.com Sisterhood Presidium Arleen Klapper Melissa Mushnick arleenkmsw@aol.com S H A B B A T SYNAGOGUE SCHEDULE Shabbat Services: Friday Nights Promptly at 8:15 pm Friday dinners 6:15 pm Services at 8:15 pm Saturday Mornings Promptly at 9:15 am Daily Minyan: Sunday Mornings 9:00 am CBJ Rokhsar building Monday & Thursday Mornings 7:20 am CBJ Rokhsar building Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Mornings 7:20 am at Temple Emanu EL We invite you to join us S H A L O M Men s Club President Joel Brimmer brimmer911@aol.com regularly for Membership Committee Rochelle Maltz rochellemaltz@msn.com Shabbat Services Cemetery Committee Arlene Rachman arlenerachman@gmail.com **Please arrive promptly to insure a Adult Education Ronny Ben Aron rbenaron@yahoo.com minyan for those who need to say Ritual Committee Joyce Lieb mamalieb@aol.com Kaddish** Publicity Roy Moskowitz R2ceo@aol.com Proper attire is necessary at all mes in the Sanctuary.

BULLETIN CONGREGATION B NAI JESHURUN OF STATEN ISLAND. April 2017 Nissan Bulletin Award Winner of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

1 BULLETIN CONGREGATION B NAI JESHURUN OF STATEN ISLAND April 2017 Nissan 5777 Bulletin Award Winner of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 2 3 Presidents Message Presidents Message We are pleased