the Shofar From the Rabbi

Transcription

1 the Shofar 1 Adar I-29 Adar II 5774/February March 2014 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Rabbi s Message Jewish International Film Festival Changes Are Coming Purim Baskets Project Calendar 3 Shabbat Dinners 4 Condolences 4 Cultural Affairs/ Life Long Learning Tikkun HaNefesh Ma aser Sheni Special Thanks 6 Children s Education 7 Book Club 7 Cookbook Reviews 7 From the Rabbi Each new year there's a habit among many of us to make resolutions. Some are kept, many are not, all are made with the best of intentions. That being said, the business of keeping resolutions is not easy. Think about it: this year I will lose weight. This year I will lower my stress level. This year I will... Fortunately you are part of a caring community, Israel Congregation, and your participation in our community does not require a resolution. It is a decision you have already made. When I think about our congregation, I am reminded of something that I used in grade school penmancontinued on page 2 The Film Festival Continues The next film in ICM s Jewish International Film Festival will be shown on February 9 at 4 pm (moved from February 2). Set in 2007 and unfolding over a single year, A Bottle in the Gaza Sea is a heartfelt look at war as it is experienced by young people still growing in their opinions and allegiances. This French/Canadian/Israeli co-production is about an friendship between a French-Israeli girl and a Palestinian young man. Based on a very wellreviewed young adult novel, A Bottle in the Gaza Sea will be appreciated by both adults and teens. continued on page 2 Changes Are Coming New Ways to Stay Connected The role of the Editorial Board is to find ways to communicate effectively to keep you better informed, make you feel a part of ICM and entice you to attend services and programs. To that end we are modifying our mailings to make it easier for you to stay connected with less and paper clutter. Our goal is to see more of you: at services, putting the fun in fundraisers, dancing and singing at musical events, viewing films, taking classes, discussing books with friends at the new book club. ICM offers life-enriching programs and we don t want you to miss any of them. More Information; Fewer Mailings We hear from members that there are so many ICM s it is hard to pay attention to them all. So starting very soon, you will receive: THE MONTHLY CALENDAR:* This will be ed and snail mailed to all. It will include the activities for that month only, with a very brief description of events, and our customary Ma aser Sheni announcement that recognizes members whose contributions help to keep ICM vital. We hope you will put this piece of paper on your bulletin board or refrigerator, or next to your computer. continued on page 2

2 From the Rabbi continued from page 1 ship. It was a wide piece of paper with each row having two solid lines with a line of dashes in the middle. The goal was to have perfect handwriting: capital letters above the line, small letters below. I think of this paper as analogous to our congregational life. We are your community, with you through life. That is the dotted line in the middle of the solid lines sometimes on the line, sometimes a little up, sometimes a little down. At others times your life will spike with a great joy, and we are here to rejoice with you. Sometimes your life will crater to a low. At that time, too, we will be with you when you experience it, as you hopefully find your way back up over time. No matter where you find yourself--spiking, cratering, or in the dotted line that is our daily lives I hope that you value our Israel Congregation community as I do, as the people who travel with you through all the moments of your life. Rabbi David Novak The Film Festival Continues continued from page 1 The final film of the season is The Other Son which will be shown on March 2 at 4 pm. It is a "switched at birth" film, but this time the babies switched are Jewish and Arab, who, when the truth is discovered, must overcome deep and conflicting emotions as they learn their new identities. As is customary, admission is by free-will donation. Purim Baskets Project Be watchful for s about how you can again be part of this delightful event and fill Purim with joy and generosity. There will be a need for basket-assembling assistance at the beginning of March: please call Lisa in the office to let her know if you have some time to share. Page 2 Changes Are Coming continued from page 1 THE SHOFAR:* The Shofar will now be ed every other month. Members who currently receive a paper copy will continue to do so. It will include program descriptions, occasional messages from the Rabbi, the President or the Board, committee reports, ads from businesses that support us, and as in the past, messages from those community organizations in which ICM is involved. THIS WEEK AT ICM:* This will replace the Refrigerator Page. It will include the same information but in a format we believe will be easier to read and remember. Although focusing on the week's activity at ICM, it will continue to remind you of actions you need to take regarding future events. And because our goal is to make ICM your Sabbath home, there will always be information about the Rabbi's sermon and special Community Suppers. S:* s will be limited to urgent messages and a regulated number of program promotions. Program coordinators can speak to Lisa for further information. Please Let Us Hear From You We welcome your ideas and suggestions: as it says outside the Northshire Bookstore, Nothing [we write] is writ in stone! And if you have writing/editing/ proofreading experience, the Editorial Committee is looking for a few more wordsmiths to join us. Please contact Lisa, our office administrator, and an Editorial Committee member will call you. *It has been and will continue to be our policy not to include commercial or personal programs unrelated to the synagogue in any of our mailings.

3 FEBRUARY MARCH Page 3 1 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Terumah 4 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 5 4:00 pm Religious School 7 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship followed by 8 9:00 am Tot Shabbat 10:15 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Tetzavah 9 4:00 pm Jewish International Film A Bottle in the Gaza Sea 11 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 12 4:00 pm Religious School 14 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship featuring Vera Broekhuysen 7:30 pm Men Who Should Cook Night 15 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Ki Tisa 18 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 20 7:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting 21 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship followed by 22 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Vayakhel 25 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 26 4:00 pm Religious School 28 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship 7:30 pm Chili and Cornbread Bowl 1 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Pekudei 2 4:00 pm Jewish International Film The Other Son 3 7:00 pm ICM Book Club 4 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 5 4:00 pm Religious School 7 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship 7:30 pm Birthday Bash: Dinner Sponsored by Mindy Bloom, Ed Glazer and David Skulnik 8 9:00 am Tot Shabbat 10:15 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Vayikr 11 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 12 4:00 pm Religious School 14 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship featuring Vera Broekhuysen followed by Common Table Dinner 15 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Tzav 16 Purim 18 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 19 4:00 pm Religious School 20 7:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting 21 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship followed by 22 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Shmini 25 10:30 am Rabbi s Class 26 4:00 pm Religious School 28 5:45 pm Wine & Cheese Preneg 6:30 pm Shabbat Worship 7:30 pm Finger Foods: Appetizers for Main Course 29 9:30 am Shabbat Worship, Parashat Tazria

4 Shabbat Dinners First, let me thank you all for all of your diverse contributions to our "Common Table." The salads and side dishes have been sumptuous. I would also like to thank our everfaithful challah bakers: Lee Fox, Irene Glazer and Oliver Levis. If there is anyone else who would like to help us out with week number four, we would be forever grateful. The new year brought new recipes that were enjoyed by all. Breakfast for Dinner was a nice change and our Soup-er Bowl Dinner was super! Coming up we have Men Who Should Cook Night on February 14 and our Chili and Cornbread Bowl on February 28. In March we ll try Finger Foods: Appetizers for Main Course. So, all of you, please plan on joining us with your manly fare, spicy chili and sweet cornbread and tasty tidbits as we enjoy different shabbos meals and each other s company. Remember, if you have a simcha or a milestone that you would consider sharing, please sponsor a dinner. I can be reached at vtmindy@yahoo.com or if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Mindy Bloom Condolences Rosalie and Lee Fox on the loss of their mothers, Irma Gross and Lois Fox Lilli (Gary) Mayerson on the loss of her mother, Sylvia Zeidman Francine Panely on the loss of her mother, Edith Becker Beth (Jason) Rosenthal on the loss of her father, Herbert Raab Page 4 Cultural Affairs/ Life Long Learning ICM s Life Long Learning Committee will sponsor the First Wednesdays program offered through the Vermont Humanities Council on Wednesday, May 7. It will feature Dr. Ronald Sobel, Senior Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Emanu-El in New York City, the largest synagogue in the world. His topic will be Words We No Longer Use: A Study in Language and Culture in which he explores how, from the Biblical period to our own time, language has influenced culture and the way people relate to each other. Take note that our Miller-Scholar Weekend will be August Other projects are in the works. Carol Goldsmith Tikkun HaNefesh Tikkun HaNefesh committee is looking for volunteers for a couple projects: 1. Habitat for Humanity: Serving at the new Resale Store and home-building on Jennifer Lane. There will be a meeting of all potential and current volunteers on Monday, February 10 from 3 to 4:30 at the Gordon house on Jennifer Lane. Please let me know if you need directions. 2. Vermont Reading Partners: If you purchase something from the Northshire Bookstore on February 22 and/or 23 and mention Vermont Reading Partners, 20% of the purchase will go to them. 3. Book Drive: Please drop off any slightly used children's books in a box (marked Vermont Reading Partners ) in the coat room at ICM. We are collecting books for them. 4. Interfaith Seder takes place on Sunday, April 6. Volunteers will be needed for many things. Please contact Micki Lisman at Cathy Rano

5 Ma aser Sheni Page 5 Thank you for your generous donations! GENERAL FUND Harvey & Paula Alpart in memory of Anne Simon Alpart Mark & Fran Aronowitz in memory of Arthur Aronowitz, Lois Fox and Etta Rein Bone Builders with thanks for use of our building David & Carol Buchdahl in memory of Rolf Buchdahl Morty & Anita Bunis Mary Ann Carlson in honor of Ray and Ellen Lipshutz Norman Cohen in memory of Diane Raycher Neil & Helena Davidoff Michael & Susan Dick in appreciation for time spent at ICM Martin & Barbara Donner in memory of Mildred Finkelstein Leonard & Helene Glaser in memory of Sigmund Nathan Ben & Lana Hauben in memory of Frida Hauben Henry & Judy Kaplan in memory of Celia Levine Donna Karpen in memory of Joseph Miller Stewart & Judy Katz Richard & Claire Katz in memory of family members Mickey Kent in honor of Ned Fox s marriage and in memory of Irma Gross Gail & Philip Krevitt in memory of Arnold Steinberg Lynne Mazer in memory of Richard Mazer Marc & Carolyn Milzman in memory of Noah Kamenetsky Alan & Elaine Rashes in memory of Diane Raycher Marilyn Rice in memory of David Abolafia Norma Rosenblatt in memory of Lois Fox and Irma Gross Herbert Sackett in memory of Evelyn Sackett Lee & Barbara Silver in memory of Murray Schneider and Harry and Dorothy Silverberg Larry & Nancy Steinberg in memory of Sally Rummel Phillips, David Phillips, Lillian Steinberg and Joel Steinberg Fredrick & Carroll Tobin TIKKUN HA NEFESH Marjorie & Michael Weiss in memory of Frances Weiss CHILDREN S EDUCATION FUND Jerry & Ellen Alpart in memory of Jessie Dubow Loni Bader Argovitz in memory of Steven Bader Jackie Borella in memory of David and Minnie Neuwirth Morris & Hedy Cohen in honor of Sara, Chuck, Ruth and Talia Michelsen ADULT EDUCATION FUND Merrily Lewis MARILYN GLATT LINGLEY FUND Sandy Mailman in memory of Peter Rosenthal MUSIC FUND Alan & Mindy Bloom Albert & Helene Feldan Ed & Irene Glazer in memory of David Abolafia, Lois Fox, Irma Gross, Herbert Raab, and Sylvia Zeidman CULTURAL AFFAIRS/LIFE LONG LEARNING Phil & Carol Goldsmith in memory of Irma Gross Stewart & Judy Katz PETER JANNKE FUND Cheryl Ullman in memory of Peter Jannke continued on next page

6 Ma aser Sheni continued from prior page Page 6 MERKADO LIBRARY Leslie & Lynne Abcug Morty & Anita Bunis Leslie Merkelson & Marvin Friedlander David & Valerie Heisler RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND Saragail Benjamin in honor of Ned Fox s marriage, in memory of Irma Gross, and in celebration of Jon and Lisa Prial s new home Barbara Bishop in appreciation for her husband s service Marty & Sandy Castelbaum in memory of David Abolafia, Philip Cummis, Lois Fox, Irma Gross and Bernard Weinberger Gary & Rebecca Fishkin in memory of Lois Fox and Irma Gross Robert & Micki Horowitz in memory of Ida Horowitz and Herman Kaplan Jerry & Patricia Kreitzer in memory of Harry Kreitzer Nancy Landis in appreciation for her mother s service Charles Mailman in memory of Peter Rosenthal Sandy Mailman in memory of Harriet Burack Marion Mueller Karen, Kenneth & Linda, Paula, Richard & Debbie Polivy in memory of Irma Gross SHABBAT DINNER FUND Alan & Mindy Bloom in honor of Ned Fox s marriage Morty & Anita Bunis in memory of Irma Gross Peter & Helen Engel Linda Feldman in honor of Rabbi Novak s Birthday Eileen Fishkin Gary & Rebecca Fishkin in memory of Milton Lakin Ed & Irene Glazer in memory of Edith Becker Philip & Carol Goldsmith in honor of Bradley Myerson s inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014 and his law office having received a Tier 1 ranking in the 2014 Edition of the U.S. News Best Lawyers in the field of criminal defense Charles & Linda Hordiner Joel & Elinor Katz in memory of Sam Katz Stewart & Judy Katz in memory of Irma Gross Saul & Cathy Kimmel in memory of Cissy Thompson Russ & Sheila Mills in memory of Irma Gross Marion Mueller in memory of Irma Gross Lee & Jeanne Nemlich in memory of Irma Gross David & Marlene Skulnik in memory of Edith Becker Donations received after January 17 will appear in the April-May edition of the Shofar. Special Thanks To...Tikkun Ha Nefesh for sponsoring dinner on November 14...Rabbi Yafa Chase for conducting services on November 9...Dick Malley of Habitat for Humanity for speaking during November 22 services...all that participated in the Interfaith Council s Auction and Harvest Supper, Thanksgiving Service and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service...Robin Bass for her Israeli dance instruction after the screening of Hava Nagila

7 Children s Education Lessons for school-aged children: We have continued with this year s topic, mitzvot. We completed our study of the kinds and levels of tzedakah and visited the Manchester Health Services Thrift Store, the Habitat for Humanity Housing development, and the Northshire Bookstore Book Angels display and learned the ways in which we can give tzedakah to each of the organizations. We also studied the mitzvah of Keeping the Earth, and learned several stories from the Torah that show us that we are responsible for taking care of the earth. As part of this mitzvah we learned about the holiday of Tu B Shevat. Tot Shabbat continues on the second Saturday of each month from 9 to 10 am. In December we were treated to a wonderful, engaging, musical hour with Saragail Benjamin, complete with drums for everyone. In January we made caterpillar grass planters for Tu B Shevat. Upcoming months will include activities for Purim and Passover. Any tot, accompanied by a caregiver, is welcome to join us; synagogue membership is not required. ICM Book Club Notice Henderson the Rain King was the subject of a lively discussion at the first "in-formation" meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 3 at 7 pm. We will be reading The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. What happens when two mythological creatures from two often-clashing cultures meet on the streets of New York? The book is available in paperback and is a treat to read. All you wonderful ICM readers, be sure to hold the date! Page 7 From the ICM Library: New Cookbooks The following cookbooks have been added to the ICM library in recent months. Please stop in and check them out there are some great recipes and wonderful family stories. The New Jewish Table explores the melding of two different cultures: seasonal American and Eastern European. With more than 125 recipes, including reinterpretation of traditional Jewish favorites, made with fresh seasonal ingredients, there are recipes for every occasion that the entire family will enjoy. Jerusalem: A Cookbook Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi explore the vibrant cross-cultural perspective from inventive vegetable dishes to satisfying, rich desserts. Jewish Cooking Bootcamp: A Modern Girl s Guide to Cooking Like a Jewish Grandmother takes every last ounce of intimidation out of Jewish cooking, while serving up a healthy helping of family, culture, and other flavors to savor. Anecdotes, quirky suggestions and tips for buying and presentation jostle with recipes like a busy family dinner, providing new cooks and those intimidated by Jewish cuisine a comforting familial vibe. The New York Times Jewish Cookbook is a collection to cook from as well as to celebrate the history, culture, culinary creativity, and enduring tradition of Jews around the world. This useful, appealing and imaginative volume will delight those who appreciate Jewish culinary culture and is sure to set a new standard on the Jewish cookbook shelf. Cooking Jewish: 522 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family gathers recipes from five generations of a food-obsessed family and for all cooks who love to get together for coffee and a little something.

8 srael Congregation has about 180 I member units from diverse Jewish backgrounds, both full-time and parttime residents of southern Vermont. We provide weekly Shabbat and holiday services, a religious school, adult education, life-cycle events, and cultural and social programming in a warm and welcoming environment. An integral part of Jewish life in the Northshire for almost 90 years, Israel Congregation has been at its current location on Route 7A, 1.2 miles north of Route 11/30, since Our building is ADA accessible. Office: Website: office@icmvt.org Rabbi s cell phone: Rabbi s rabbi@icmvt.org 6025 Main Street / P.O. Box 1050 Manchester Center, Vermont Friday Evening Shabbat Services, 6:30 pm Preneg at 5:45 pm; services are followed by a Communal Dinner Saturday Morning Shabbat Services, 9:30 am Tot Shabbat: 9:00 am, second monthly Shabbat morning; services begin at 10:15 am Rabbi David Novak, Rabbi Rabbi Michael Cohen, Rabbi Emeritus Board of Directors Ed Glazer, President Mark Aronowitz, Vice President David Sischy, Vice President Marlene Skulnik, Treasurer Marisa Eisemann, Corresponding Secretary Mindy Bloom, Recording Secretary John Sobel, Past President Directors Lynne Abcug, Morty Bunis, Sandy Castelbaum, Al Feldan, Rebecca Fishkin, Carol Goldsmith, Sheila Mills Page 8 Shofar Editorial Committee Doris Bass, Marisa Eisemann, Marlene Skulnik, Laurie Sullivan