Newsletter Reboot 2016

Transcription

1 Editor-in-Chief Karen Bartels home phone Newsletter of the Congregation Kehilat Shalom of Belle Mead, NJ October 2016 Elul Tishrei 5776 Congregation Kehilat Shalom 253 Griggstown Rd. Belle Mead, NJ Phone: Fax: Rabbi Susan Falk President Robert Neusner Administrator Robin Bengochea Religious School Principals Ann Kanarek (K-7) Karen Fridkis (8-12) Lay Cantor Kate Mende-Fridkis Board of Trustees Officers of the Board 1st Vice President Steve Weinstein 2nd Vice President Leonard Edelstein Past President Susan Waskow Treasurer Gregory Corsan Financial Secretary Bill Ries Recording Secretary Amy Rosenthal Corresponding Secretary Sheryl Rosenberg Trustees Jill Fraticelli Iris Rubinstein George Cohen Hilary Crist Tim Kowalski Francine Pfeffer Affiliate: Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Published by: Newsletter Reboot 2016 It s time for some changes. The front page is where news belongs, so we need a news writer to contribute a monthly article. Please contact Karen Bartels if you are interested in participating. The rabbi will be writing her column less often from now on, so Adult Education will be featured instead. Bulletin from the Board moves to page three. The calendar page is available on the website. The newsletter may not always be eight pages, depending on the volume of submissions. If you, our wonderful readers, have something to submit, you may now send it to our new address, newsletter@ksnj.org. Also, if you have happy news to share, like achievements (Dean s List, honor roll, got the lead in the musical, scored the winning goal in the state finals, etc.), promotions, grandchildren and the like, please share it with the community in our Kvelling column. It s a great way for us to get to know each other. We still need that! Oh, and we have a new font. WELCOME BACK BBQ BIG SUCCESS by Hilary Crist What a terrific way to transition from the end summer with a return to CKS for our annual Welcome Back BBQ. New and old members gathered on a gorgeous sunny day to enjoy fresh-grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and an enormous array of side dishes and desserts. Board President Bob Neusner offered a few words of welcome and handed out membership name tags to new members Heather Ciociola, Aaron Fitchner, and Ramona Mora (we welcome her son, Jared, as well). We are also excited about other new members joining our temple Mary Horowitz, Linda Steinberg, and Heidi and Michael Kaufman. In addition, Rabbi Susan greeted the crowd and shared a reading to commemorate the 15 th anniversary of 9/11. The BBQ offered a great opportunity to schmooze with friends -- new and old alike. A big thanks to the Membership Committee and all who helped out, including: on the grill Tim Kowalski and Ed Krisiloff; setup and clean up: Bill Ries, Jim Ohls, Matt Rosenthal, Merle and Gil Brown, Liz Roth, Juliet and Scott Strauss and Bob Neusner and all others who brought food and lent a hand. Copy Editor: Shana Bartels Reviewed by: Susan Waskow Rabbi Susan and Sheryl Rosenberg in a deep discussion at the picnic.

2 CKS Donations CKS gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our members and friends. General Lisa Roe In memory of Sylvia and Alex Rimmer Marc & Harlene Rosenberg Thanks to Iris Rubinstein In honor of the 10th anniversary of the outdoor classroom, built by Brian as his Boy Scout Eagle Project Greg Corsan Meryl Bisberg Iris Rubinstein Shari Diamond High Holiday Marc & Elizabeth Becker Charles Levitan Bert Mandelbaum Susan Simon Dedicated to Stanley Zalob Martin Kowalski Amy Brandwein Arlene Barnett Dedicated to Bessie & Jack Sirinsky Amy Illis Anya Raskin Judy Rose In memory of Regina & Paul Isen Leonard Lipman Johnny & Rachael Mynheir Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Marc & Harlene Rosenberg Thanks to Rabbi Susan Remember CKS when you donate: Dues only cover a portion of the CKS operating budget. Consider making a donation in memory of a loved one, honoring an accomplishment, or recognizing a friend or colleague. Youth Services High Holidays Children s services at high holidays will begin at 10:30 am on October 3 and October 12. The service for ages 3-10 and their families and is concurrent with morning services. A full schedule for the holidays is on our website. Tot Shabbat Dates: November 11, January 27, March 31, May 12 Time: 6 pm A friendly, musical service with song and story for toddlers through kindergarten-age children, their families, and friends. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult. CKS High Holidays Schedule Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, October 2, 7:00 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah service Monday, October 3, 9:30 am Rosh Hashanah Day 1 service 9:30 am Tot service 10:30: Children s service 4:15 pm Tashlich Tuesday, October 4, 9:30 am Rosh Hashanah Non-traditional service Yom Kippur: Tuesday, October 11, 5:45 pm Kol Nidre service Wednesday, October 12, 9:30 am Yom Kippur morning service 9:30 am Tot service 10:30: Children s service 1:15 pm Yizkor service 4:15 pm Avodah 5:30 pm Neilah 6:30 pm Final Shofar blast followed by Break Fast Sukkot: Friday, October 21, 6:30 pm Pizza in the Hut 7:30 pm Shabbat service Simchat Torah: Sunday, October 23, 6:30 pm Service with live Klezmer music and dancing with the Torahs. All CKS High Holiday services are free and open to the public. 9th Annual Rummage Sale Sale Dates: November 3 rd, 4 th and 6 th Donation Dates: October 30 th November 2 nd Every year our annual CKS rummage sale grows. With growth, more help is needed. Please consider joining the rummage sale team, and help make this year s rummage sale a big success. (Side benefit - It s a great way to meet other CKS members and feel more a part of our community!) All proceeds support our synagogue, and all leftover items get donated to HomeFront and to other local charities. It is a winwin for all. New this year: we will be selling items to the public on Thursday from 1-7pm in addition to Friday and Sunday. Please consider volunteering during this time! Volunteers are Needed During the Week of October 30 th : Sunday 9am 2pm, Monday - Wednesday 10am - 7pm; Thursday 10am - 7pm; Friday 7:30am - 5pm; Sunday 8:30am - 3pm. Please Debbie Gartenberg with your availability. Rummage sales are very labor-intensive, and WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE DEBBIE every hour of help makes a big difference! Tables Needed! We need many extra tables. If you can lend us any, please drop them off sometime during the week of October 23 rd but no later than 9am Sunday morning, October 30 th. Please write your name on the bottom of each table. Donations Needed! To make this sale a success, we need loads of items to sell! You can drop off your gently used items during Religious School on October 30 th, or Monday - Wednesday October 31 November 2 nd from 10am to 7pm. Clothing; household, kitchen, or yard items; toys; sports equipment; electronics in working condition (no old TVs); small furniture; collectibles; linens; rugs; books (no textbooks) etc. are welcome. Please contact Debbie Gartenberg to volunteer or for questions about donations at dgart1518@gmail.com.

3 Bulletin from the Board by Hilary Crist I m kicking off my first year on the CKS Board and I would like to introduce myself. My husband, Peter, and I have been members here for as long as we ve been married (24-plus years.) Some of you may have seen me at services, at special events, on the Rabbi search committee, around the Mah Jongg table, or, as of last fall, singing with Kol Ahava. For those of you who don t know me, I m a professional actress who, in addition to regular stage shows, performs regularly in murder mystery dinner theater. I m also a writer with two published novels under my belt and for 16 years have been writing book reviews (fiction) and interviewing authors and publishing industry executives for Publishers Weekly. I also love to bake cookies and brownies are my specialty. We joined CKS when we lived in a townhouse in nearby Montgomery Woods near Rocky Hill. When we moved to our current home in the woods of rural Hunterdon County in December of 1995, we maintained our membership because we really liked the congregation. When Hurricane Floyd hit our area in September of 1999, someone from CKS called to make sure we were okay. I said to Peter, That s why we re members of this synagogue. I am honored to serve on the Board and I appreciate having this platform as a Board member to share my thoughts about a topic I think would be relevant to you. I ll start by sharing something private regarding my experiences attending services. I can already hear the groans from some of you. No, this is not a pointed appeal to attend although I certainly would encourage you to do so it s a chance to share my personal experience, which might give you a different perspective on what services can offer. As you know, during the Amidah section of our services whether it s for the Sabbath or a special holiday, Rabbi Susan encourages us to read the special passages in the prayer book, or look at the various commentaries or to follow the thoughts in our own hearts. For the past several years, I ve used that time to stop and think for a few moments about members of my family my husband, my mother, my sister and her husband, their children and spouses and their children. I think about what they may be going through and I pray that life is good for them, that whatever troubles they have will be eased that sort of thing. It struck me that in my busy life (and I know we all have busy lives!) services offer me the one time in the week when I can stop and take a breath and really think about my loved ones in a special way that I don t have time for or don t even think to take the time for, during the week. I always feel better after having done this. Something about being in community while praying for them makes the experience special. I hope sharing this may help you consider what you might add to your life to come to services, and give yourself the opportunity to have some sacred time to use in a way that just isn t there during the regular course of the week. As I ve discovered, being part of the CKS community means we are not alone in our sadness or joy; that we may find surprises at Shabbat services whether it s a discussion inspired by the Torah portion for that day in which ancient wisdom speaks to our contemporary experiences, an opportunity to learn something new from Rabbi Susan s perspective, the thrill of watching the progress of the children in our congregation as they grow up and blossom into adults, or just taking a moment of peace to have the space to think about people or events in our lives in a deeper way. I thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you on the Board and I hope to get to know those of you whom I haven t yet met throughout the year. Hilary Kayle Crist Trustee

4 Religious School Reports by Ann Kanarek WE HAD A GREAT BEGINNING! With a special excitement, our students eagerly started classes, met their teachers, received their books and settled into a new year of learning. Welcome back everyone and very best wishes for a successful academic year. Many new and returning families attended the parent reception and classroom orientation. The teachers appreciated meeting you and thank you for your support and encouragement. ***** This fall, we are delighted to welcome two new teachers to our staff: Sharon Taub and Sabrina Gutwilik. We are also happy to welcome back all of our other fine staff members: Sharon Diamondstein, Karen Fridkis, Rena Gitlitz, Joanna Javeline and Tracey Weingarten. We are also very fortunate to have a group of fine young teens working as Madrichim (teacher aides) in our school. They are wonderful role models for our younger students. We welcome: Charlotte Birnbaum, Josh Goldhammer, Lea Goldhammer, Tess Kowalski, Aaron Orshan, Ethan Ries, Ally Rosenthal, Dorothy Waskow and Jack Weitze. ***** All of us at CKS are here to bring the highest quality of Jewish education to our children and to provide a warm, personal, and caring environment. We can do this by maintaining a close and strong relationship with our synagogue families. Please remember my heart and door are always open to you and your children. Your questions and concerns regarding your child s Jewish education are my concerns, as well. I urge you to keep the lines of communication between us open. As we work together, we can help ensure our children s Jewish future. As we enjoy the sweetness of the New Year, think about how APPLES come in many varieties like people; go through many stages in life from seed to blossom to fruit; like a year apples contain the seeds for the next year; there is no guarantee with an apple like life you try to pick out the best you can; apples remind us of health an apple a day; apples can turn into applesauce we can change and like an apple you can shine and spend the year trying to be our best selves! HONEY, beautifully thick and golden and jewel-like reminds us of life s beauty.it s intensely sweet just like some moments in life; honey takes bees and people to make it.we are partners in God s creation; the bee s nest recognizes the importance of community, interconnection, and harmony of all nature honey is a pet term of endearment people can be as sweet as honey and we should treat them that way! RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REMINDERS: Sunday, October 2: NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, Erev Rosh HaShanah Friday, October 7: Shabbat Mishpachah Family Service, 7pm 5 th grade Haggigat HaSiddur: Prayer book presentations Sunday, October 9: SHOFAR MAKING WORKSHOP (Program was rescheduled) Sukkot craft with Kehiloft Sunday, October 16: Regular school session; Sukkah building; COOKING; PACT 3: The Crown of a Good Name Friday, October 21: Sukkot: PIZZA IN THE HUT Sunday, October 23: Sukkah visitations; Regular school session Simchat Torah celebration with Klezmer Band, 6:30pm. Sunday, October 30: SCHOOL-WIDE GLEANING TRIP to Giamerese Farm Haggigat HaSiddur A prayer book celebration Friday, October 7 at 7pm You are invited to join us at this very special Shabbat Mishpachah Family Sukkot Service. We have scheduled a creative ceremony for our fifth graders called Haggigat HaSiddur, which is a prayer book celebration. On Friday, evening, October 7 th at 7:00pm, our fifth graders will be assisting Rabbi Susan in conducting the Shabbat service and each child will receive a Siddur the prayer book they will use each Shabbat and holiday. This will be a very beautiful and inspirational Shabbat service and we look forward seeing you all there!

5 Kehiloft, the next step in your Jewish journey Back to school means back to Kehiloft for the teens at CKS! This past Sunday, Kehiloft kicked off the new year with its annual car wash at the Religious school. It was a lot of fun working together to raise money for the year s events and activities. Then, after a brief meeting upstairs, we moved onto our second annual project the loft deconstruction. Thanks to a great team of teens and adults, we were able to get the loft ready for High Holiday services in record time. Shoutout to Bill Ries, Tom Berger, Steve Birnbaum, Jill Fraticelli, Roy Fraticelli, Matt Rosenthal, Jared Witt, and former Kehilofter Ilana Berger for all of their help and support in the two events it was much appreciated! Kehiloft s student board has also been working hard to prepare for the year ahead. On Thursday, the board, along with Kehiloft s adult supervisor, Karen Fridkis, delegated responsibilities and discussed ideas for events such as the annual project. The meeting was very productive and equally delicious, as there was Chinese food involved. It s looking to be a great year! Lastly, I d like to take a moment to welcome all of Kehiloft s new members. Kehiloft is truly a special and exciting community full of kind and entertaining people. I m sure you ll find yourself right at home. We re all excited for the new year! Ally Rosenthal OCTOBER Monday, Oct 3 - Rosh Hashanah 4 th aliyah Wednesday, Oct 5-6:00-8:00 Prep Religious School Sukkot prep/social Sunday, Oct 9-9:00-10:00 - Lead craft project in Religious School Sunday, Oct 9-3:00-5:00 High Holiday program at Stonebridge Sunday, Oct 16-11:00-2:30 Build succah Wednesday, Oct 19 - Rabbi Susan leads discussion #1 Sunday, Oct 23-6:30-8:30 Simchat Torah at CKS Sunday, Oct 30-9:00-12:00 Trip with RS students NOVEMBER Wednesday, Nov 16 - Regular session and Shabbat service prep Sunday, Nov 20-12:00-2:00 Social session Thanksgiving break 5 Kehiloft

6 Adult Education Our adult education program kicked off this year on September 18 th with On One Foot: Basic Judaism, Part 1. But there s still the whole year ahead to get in on the learning! Enjoy. Israel: Bridging the Gap / Guest Speaker: Rabbi Marisa James Rabbi Marisa James is currently the Senior Organizer for T ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. During her five years living in Jerusalem, Rabbi James worked for Encounter Programs, facilitating respectful dialogue regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict among rabbinic and cantorial students and Jewish leaders during trips to the West Bank. With Israel so often in the news, many of us wonder if there will ever be peace. If you have questions about what you hear or read in the media, if you worry about Israel s future, if you wonder if a twostate solution is still possible or even what that means then, this class is for you. Together we will learn about the roots of the conflict and its possible solutions, with ample time for questions and discussion. December 4, 2016, 10:00 am On One Foot: Basic Judaism, Part 2 Don t know your Torah from your Talmud? Do you find yourself searching for an answer when someone asks you a question about a Jewish custom? Whether you ve had a Jewish education or not, or just feel like you want to brush up, this class will provide a basic overview of Jewish history, holidays, and sacred texts. A follow-up to Session 1, this class will focus on Judaism s sacred texts and the historical periods that inspired them, concluding with modern and contemporary trends and the development of the various denominations. February 5, 2017, 9:15 am Wrestling with God: What Do Jews Believe? From our Biblical forebears to the Medieval philosophers to modern-day Jewish feminists, Jews have been struggling to understand God s nature and how that understanding can provide meaning in our lives. In this class, we will learn about Jewish perspectives on God through history. We will discuss questions including: What is God? Is God all-knowing or all-powerful? Does God hear our prayers? If I don t believe in God, am I still Jewish? March 5, 2017, 9:15 am and discuss the value of rest and the sacredness of time in our lives. In our final session, we will incorporate our new perspectives into a Sabbath experience on May 13, Weeknights, TBA, 7:15 pm. Final session, Saturday, May 13, 2017 Leading Services: From Lighting Candles to Adon Olam This four-session series is designed to prepare participants to become service leaders at CKS but is open to anyone who just wants to understand Shabbat services and prayer more deeply. Session 1: Welcoming Shabbat: The Friday Night Service Sunday, November 20, 2016, 9 am Session 2: Making it Meaningful: Joy and Mourning Sunday, December 18, 2016, 9:00 am Session 3: Leading a Torah Discussion Friday, March 17, 2017, 6:00 pm dinner; 7:30 services Session 4: Putting it All Together Friday, April 28, 2017, 6:00 pm dinner; 7:30 services For further details on these or other adult education sessions, check our website, Meditation and Chanting Led By: Rabbi Susan Falk Dates: November 15, December 13, February 7, March 7, April 4 Time: 7:15 pm Is mindfulness Jewish? Is there such a thing as Jewish meditation? Absolutely! Through sitting, walking, and chant, learn how to practice mindfulness meditation and discover Judaism s rich history with this ancient practice. The Sabbath: Why We Need it Now More Than Ever For centuries, the Sabbath has been the centerpiece of Jewish life. This class will be a multi-session book discussion of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel s masterpiece, The Sabbath. As we read and discuss sections of the book, together we will learn about the history and development of this remarkable concept,

7 7

8 253 Griggstown Road, Belle Mead, NJ Listserve contact Fulfilling the religious, educational and social needs of our Jewish community since October 2016 Deadline for next newsletter: October 15 th Whom to contact for Susan Waskow Adult Education Debbie Gartenberg Beautification B nai Miztvah Iris Rubinstein Billing/Payments Robin Bengochea Board of Trustees Bob Neusner Building & Grounds Marty Millman Building Usage/Access Robin Bengochea Congregants Assistance Fund Rabbi Falk Education Lisa Ries Financial Aid Bill Ries Debbie Gartenberg Fundraising Iris Rubinstein Gift Shop Hospitality(Kiddush & Oneg) Robin Bengochea Kindercapers Natalie London Kehi-Loft (Hebrew High) Karen Fridkis Life Cycle (Caring for Each Other) Sheryl Rosenberg Long Range Planning Ron Lubin Marketing & Publicity Jen Rappaport Membership Matt Rosenthal Pastoral Emergencies Rabbi Susan Falk Karen Bartels Newsletter Susan Waskow Ritual Technology - Website and Social Media Amy Rosenthal webmaster@ksnj.org Technology - Computer and Networking Michael Galkin store5309.upsstoreprint.com 2016 by CKS. All rights reserved. Permission required for reuse. The CKS Newsletter is published monthly, except July. Deadline is the 15 th of each month. Every effort will be made to publish contributed items, but due to space restrictions, placement, format, and content are at the discretion of the editorial staff. Advertising Policy. You can advertise in this newsletter to inform the community of your business or profession. Advertising is accepted based on its interest and applicability to our readership. Location in the newsletter is at the editor s discretion. CKS does not necessarily endorse or vouch for the products and services of our advertisers. The newsletter is published 11 times per year (no issue in July). a file with the art to the editor, or provide camera-ready art on clean, white background. Advertiser responsibility to meet deadlines. Rates are low and must be paid in advance. For information and a rate sheet, please contact the temple office.