Temple Emanu-El Bulletin

Transcription

1 Temple Emanu-El Bulletin Volume 87, No. 7 April/May 2015 WORSHIP SERVICES SUNDAY THURSDAY 5:30 PM Marvin & Elisabeth Cassell Community House (One East 65th Street) FRIDAY EVENING Fifth Avenue Sanctuary Organ Recital 5:45 PM Service Begins 6 PM SATURDAY MORNING Sixth Floor Lounge (One East 65th Street) Torah Study 9:15 AM Fifth Avenue Sanctuary Organ Recital 10:15 AM Service Begins 10:30 AM K. Scott Warren, Organist/Choir Director Dr. Andrew Henderson, Associate Organist Daniel Beckwith, Assistant Organist Services may be heard live or by podcast through the Temple website at Follow the Listen to the Broadcast of Services link from the Home Page. A hearing loop is installed in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary and the Beth-El Chapel; switch aid to T-coil. Headsets or neck loops also are available. Studying Our History to Build a Jewish Future By Saul Kaiserman, Director of Lifelong Learning THE MOST IMPORTANT THING you can do for your children, writes New York Times columnist Bruce Feiler, is to tell them true stories about your own family. The more children know about their family s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their selfesteem, and the greater their resilience in the face of stress. By sharing our childhood memories and the stories of our parents and grandparents, we teach our children that they are part of something larger than themselves, something intergenerational and ongoing. As our children discover that they, too, can be storytellers, they learn how to make sense of the confusing and sometimes unpredictable world around them. Stories of redemption family narratives that tell of overcoming setbacks and recovering from failures are the most beneficial, according to psychologist Dan McAdams. We help our children to be courageous in the face of adversity when we let them know that although we have had both good and bad times, we always have persevered. Telling stories about the times when we endured hardship without losing hope gives our children confidence in themselves and their capacity to succeed. Further, McAdams research shows that those who have both this sense of personal agency as well as intimate, caring relationships are most likely to demonstrate a concern for and commitment to promoting the well-being of future generations. At Emanu-El, our Religious School history curriculum asks students to see themselves as part of a great Jewish family whose origins stretch back thousands of years. We call (continued on page 16)

2 Worship & Spirituality Passover at Emanu-El WEEKLY TORAH PORTION Passover (Exodus 12:37-42; 13:3-10) Read Saturday, April 4 Sh mini I (Leviticus 9:1-10:11) Read Saturday, April 11 Sh mini II (Leviticus 10:12-11:47) Read Saturday, April 18 Tazria-M tzora (Leviticus 12:1-15:33) Read Saturday, April 25 Acharei Mot-K doshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27) Read Saturday, May 2 Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23) Read Saturday, May 9 B har-b chukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34) Read Saturday, May 16 B midbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20) Read Saturday, May 23 Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) Read Saturday, May 30 Read synopses of the Torah portions and view the monthly preaching schedule at torahataglance. THE NAME PASSOVER derives from Moses promise that God would pass over the homes of Israelites on the evening when firstborn Egyptians were to be slain (Exodus 12:23). Following is our schedule of holiday services; all will be held in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary. Eve of Passover/Sabbath: Friday, April 3 6 PM (Sermon: Rabbi Benjamin Zeidman) Passover: Saturday, April 4 10:30 AM (Sermon: Rabbi Joshua Davidson) Eve of Conclusion of Passover: Thursday, April 9 6 PM Conclusion of Passover: Friday, April 10 10:30 AM (Sermon: Rabbi Amy Ehrlich) Please note: The conclusion of Passover includes a memorial service. It is one of four times during the year when we mourn together (Yizkor) and recite the memorial prayers and remember those whom we have loved and lost. PASSOVER CYBER SEDER AND OTHER WEB RESOURCES TEMPLE EMANU-EL IS PLEASED TO OFFER visitors to our website access to our Passover Cyber Seder, which has been recorded by our clergy and members of the Temple. We hope that it will be a helpful resource in your own celebration. We also encourage you to make use of our other Passover resources, including Passover songs, recipes and our guide to understanding the seder. ( SAVIV 20s AND 30s PASSOVER SEDER Friday, April 3 7 PM to 9 PM Katz s Deli (205 East Houston Street) JOIN WITH OTHER YOUNG JEWS to celebrate the first night of Passover at a lively and not-so-typical seder, and enjoy one of the best Passover meals you ll ever eat! Reservations required. For more information and to register: REMINDER...SECOND SEDER FOR THE ELDERLY OUR ANNUAL SEDER FOR ELDERLY JEWS in need of assistance will be held on Saturday, April 4. Volunteers must arrive at 10 East 66th Street or their senior center at the appropriate time, based on their assigned duties. QUESTIONS? Call (212) , ext

3 ADDITIONAL SERVICES Please take note of the following services to be held in April and May... Young Families: Tot Shabbat Friday, April 17 and Friday, May 8 4:30 PM One East 65th Street Tot Shabbat is geared specifically for preschool and Nursery School students and their families. RSVP to (212) , ext Annual Gathering of Remembrance Sunday, April 19 2 PM Fifth Avenue Sanctuary AT THE ANNUAL GATHERING OF REMEMBRANCE, co-sponsored by the Museum of Jewish Heritage A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, the Warsaw Ghetto Resistance Organization and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendents, Holocaust survivors participate with their children and grandchildren in a candle-lighting ceremony that demonstrates the importance of passing memories from one generation to the next. Other members of the community are invited to fulfill the sacred Jewish obligation to remember. Tickets are required for entrance. Temple members only should call Mark Heutlinger at (212) , ext All others should call the Museum of Jewish Heritage at (646) Shavuot 5775 Saturday, May 23 6 PM and Sunday, May 24 10:30 AM Fifth Avenue Sanctuary FROM THE HEBREW WORD FOR WEEKS, Shavuot is a reference to the seven weeks it took for the Jews to travel from Egypt to the foot of Mount Sinai and the declaration of the 50th day as a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:21). It is customary on Shavuot to read the section of the Torah that defines the Ten Commandments (which Moses received at Mount Sinai), as well as the Book of Ruth (which is a testament to loyalty, devotion and the act of conversion to Judaism) and passages from Psalms (which are credited to David, King of Israel and the great-grandson of Ruth.) Shavuot also is one of the four times during the year when we remember our loved ones communally through Yizkor. Please note: This year s Confirmation service will be held on Friday, May 15 as part of the evening worship service, instead of during Shavuot. A family dinner follows. See details on pages 15 and 16.» Shabbat Kodesh Family Worship Friday, April 17 7 PM Beth-El Chapel At Shabbat Kodesh, Hebrew prayers are sung with lively melodies, and the Torah is experienced through storytelling. An Oneg Shabbat follows. Saviv Shabbat Friday, April 17 and Friday, May 8 7:30 PM One East 65th Street Wine and a little nosh will be served at 7 PM, so come early! Saviv is for Temple members and nonmembers in their 20s and 30s. NOTE: Dinner follows the May 8 service; charge is $20 per person. Log on to Baby Shabbat Friday, April 24 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM One East 65th Street Baby Shabbat is for younger siblings of Nursery School children, although all children younger than 33 months are welcome to participate. Shir Chadash ( A New Song ) Friday, April 24 and Friday, May 29 6 PM Lowenstein Sanctuary (10 East 66th Street) This monthly service features a liturgy interspersed with Chasidic tales and other teachings. The music, led by a vocalist and supported by instrumentalists, is less formal and more participatory. All are welcome! 3

4 Clerical Updates MEET RABBI TICK... Rabbi Allison Tick grew up in Deerfield, Illinois, and received a bachelor s degree in clinical and social psychology from the University of Rochester. She was ordained in 2014 by HUC-JIR in New York and wrote her thesis on the evolving portrayal of Esther in Jewish tradition. As a participant in Weill Cornell s Pastoral Case Residency Program, Rabbi Tick supports patients of all religious traditions through spiritual care and counseling. Prior to ordination, Rabbi Tick served rabbinic internships at B nai Israel Synagogue in High Point, North Carolina; Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, New York; North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois; and East End Temple in Manhattan. She also has served as a rabbi at Camp Modin in Maine, a coordinator of the Miller High School Leadership Program at HUC-JIR, and a youth group advisor and religious school teacher. And, she has spent two years facilitating 20s and 30s programming at the 92nd Street Y Tribeca. BY NOW, TEMPLE MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED the announcement of the elevation of Rabbi Amy Ehrlich to Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Benjamin Zeidman to Associate Rabbi. Both promotions are richly deserved. Our congregation is truly blessed by their leadership, and we look forward to celebrating them at a special Oneg Shabbat in their honor after worship services on Friday, May 1. Please join us. With both sadness and great pride, we also have shared with you that Rabbi Zeidman will be leaving us to serve as Rabbi of Temple Mount Sinai in El Paso, Texas again a promotion richly deserved. Rabbi Zeidman will be with us through mid-june. Please mark your calendars for Friday, June 12, when we will bid him farewell. We also announce the hiring of Rabbi Allison Tick as Temple Emanu-El s new Assistant Rabbi, beginning in July. Ordained from the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion in 2014, Rabbi Tick currently serves as chaplain at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Her prior work with youth and young adults and her passion for outreach to those interested in learning more about Judaism make her a terrific match. We thank Vice President Susan Danoff for chairing the committee that identified her. Please join us at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Wednesday, May 27 at 6 PM, when we officially will welcome her. Finally, with regard to the search for our new cantor, the search committee chaired by Brian Pessin has received numerous résumés from many talented candidates. After lengthy and thoughtful conversations about the qualities and skills we hope for in our next cantor, we now are interviewing those deemed most qualified. We have been inspired by them all and are moving forward with optimism. If we do not find the right match, then we will hire an interim cantor for July 2015 and continue our search. In the meantime, the music of our services will be in the capable hands of Cantorial Intern Richard Newman and Choir Director K. Scott Warren. Annual Meeting of the Congregation Wednesday, May 27 6 PM One East 65th Street 4 Rabbi Tick sees Judaism as a vibrant tradition that opens our hearts and minds to connection and meaning. She is passionate about Jewish learning and outreach, and she is inspired by Emanu-El s rich history and dynamic community. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION will be held in Greenwald Hall, following the Sunset Service. Enter at the Marvin and Elisabeth Cassell Community House. As part of this year s meeting, we will honor Mark Heutlinger for his 25 years of service. A festive reception will follow.

5 Community Sponsored by the Men s Club... Cameras in the Courtroom Sunday, April AM to 12 PM One East 65th Street F. Roberts for News THE USE OF CAMERAS IN FEDERAL COURTROOMS has been a subject of debate for many years. One question concerns how cameras may affect the presentation and consideration of evidence. Will the behavior of the court participants change by the presence of cameras (including witnesses, counsel and the judge)? Will it be more difficult for a victim to testify, even in a civil case, knowing that the proceedings are being broadcast? Noted trial attorney and appellate attorney Mark C. Zauderer will be our special guest in leading this discussion. Mr. Zauderer has represented major corporations and prominent individuals in business, financial and commercial litigation. He is a past president of the Federal Bar Council and was appointed by New York s chief judge as chair of New York s Commission on the Jury. He lectures widely on legal issues in the public media. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Friends School, Union College and the New York University School of Law. He is a senior partner in the firm Flemming, Zulack, Williamson and Zauderer LLP. The charge for this event is $30 for Men s Club and Women s Auxiliary members, $35 for all other Temple members and guests. Brunch is included. QUESTIONS? (212) , ext. 250 or mensclub@emanuelnyc.org. BUKHARIAN JEWISH JOURNEY Tuesday, April 7 Bus departs at 10 AM, Tour at 11 AM Join the Women s Auxiliary for a guided tour of the Bukharian Jewish Community Center and the Bukharian Jewish Heritage Museum in Forest Hills to learn about their history, culture and traditions. Lunch to follow at Eilat. NOTE: This event has been rescheduled from December. Charge is $85 for Women s Auxiliary and Men s Club members; $95 for all other Temple members and guests. WOMEN S AUXILIARY TRIBUTE FUND Commemorate significant life-cycle events in a meaningful way and support the activities of the Women s Auxiliary. All contributions are listed in Window on Emanu-El. Contact the Women s Auxiliary at womaux@emanuelnyc.org or (212) , ext NOTE: Reservation forms for all Women s Auxiliary and Men s Club events may be downloaded at calendar.php. 5

6 Sponsored by Club Three Contemporary Perspectives on the Meaning of Life EMANU-EL EATS Spring has sprung! Passover is here. And, Passover desserts seem to be a perennial favorite...judging by the number of Passover dessert submissions to our forthcoming cookbook. The notion of lighter spring fare and Passover desserts are often at odds with each other. Not so in this preview recipe for a delicious but light Passover Spongecake. And, if you don t have the chance to make it for Passover, then consider making it almost any other time. Tuesday, April AM One East 65th Street WRITTEN IN TIMES OF CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY, the ancient texts of Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes offer not only a resonant social critique but also the inspiration to live with meaning and integrity. Saul Kaiserman, director of Lifelong Learning, will guide an exploration of three extraordinarily different ways that the Bible challenges us to think about the nature of evil, the reasons behind suffering and the purpose of human existence. Ninth and High, the Jewish Address: The Untold Story Image Singuliere 2011 Twelve-Egg Passover Sponge Cake Serves 12 to 16 From Marcia Waxman, Temple Past President This recipe was given to me by Rayminnie Friedman (of blessed memory). Rayminnie was a devoted member of Emanu-El and a past president of the Women s Auxiliary. She was a wonderful cook, and this is the best sponge cake I ve ever tasted, which is probably attributable to the fact that Rayminnie was a chemist. 12 large eggs, separated 1½ cups sugar, divided Grated zest of one large lemon Grated zest of one medium orange ¼ cup orange juice Pinch of salt 1 cup matzo cake meal ¼ cup potato starch ½ cup finely ground walnuts (continued) Tuesday, May AM One East 65th Street TEMPLE MEMBER MELANIE RADLEY will share excerpts from her book-in-progress, Ninth and High, the Jewish Address: The Untold Story. Hamilton, Ohio, was home to the fourth Jewish Reform congregation in the United States. For more than a century, the congregation strove to remain true to its roots as it dealt with the burden of the Holocaust, the Klan and difficult internal politics often in the absence of rabbinic leadership. Many American Jews will relate the saga of this remarkable congregation to their own family s religious history. An important story for all of us...don t miss it. Participation in Club 65 is open to all Temple members age 65 and forward. WORLD ZIONIST ELECTIONS It s Now or Never! VOTING FOR THE World Zionist Congress elections ends April 30. Just as Nachshon believed, waded into the Reed Sea and the waters parted, be a Nachshon for the Reform Jewish Movement and do everything you can. Learn more at 6

7 EMANU-EL EATS (continued) Sponsored by the Women s Auxiliary Years of the Little Blue Box Tuesday, April 21 10:15 AM (Check in) / 10:30 AM (Tour starts) Tiffany & Co., 727 Fifth Avenue (and 57th Street) SINCE 1837, the masterpieces of Tiffany & Co. have defined style and celebrated the world s great love stories. Join us for a unique insider s tour at Tiffany s in their exclusive by-appointment-only, private jewelry salon designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern. Experience Tiffany s exquisite high jewelry and one-of-a-kind designs in this luxurious and very special environment. Salon Gemologist Jeff Politis will share what makes Tiffany gemstones so special and rare. Lunch will follow at the fabulous Brasserie 8½. The charge for this event is $55 for Women s Auxiliary members, $65 for all other Temple members and guests. Space is limited to the first 35 registrants. RSVP by April 16. QUESTIONS? Call (212) , ext. 235, or send an to womaux@emanuelnyc.org. Annual Spring Meeting and Luncheon Thursday, May 7 12 PM One East 65th Street THE WOMEN S AUXILIARY cordially invites all Temple members and guests to their annual spring meeting and luncheon, which includes the election of board members and officers. This year s guest speaker will be Bill Persky, a five-time Emmy Award winning writer, director and producer for The Dick Van Dyke Show, That Girl and Kate & Allie, as well as TV specials with Sid Cesar and Bill Cosby. The charge for this event is $30 for Women s Auxiliary members, $40 for nonmembers. RSVP by May 1. QUESTIONS? (212) , ext. 235 or womaux@emanuelnyc.org. As part of the day s activities, we will host a raffle of many wonderful prizes: gifts from Fellan Florists, his-and-hers watches and more. Raffle proceeds benefit ongoing Women s Auxiliary projects. Price: $10 per ticket or $25 for three. Winners need not be present. 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat yolks with 1 cup of the sugar until they are thick, almost white, and ribbon when a little of the batter is allowed to drop back into the bowl from a spoon. 3. Stir in grated lemon and orange zests and orange juice. 4. In a clean, large mixing bowl, beat egg whites with a pinch of salt. As they begin to thicken, gradually beat in remaining ½ cup of sugar. Whites should stand in stiff, glossy peaks. They are perfect when they slide easily in a mass when the bowl is tipped. 5. Sprinkle cake meal, potato starch and ground nuts over whites. Add yolk mixture and fold all together, gently but thoroughly, with a rubber spatula until no egg white shows. 6. Pour mixture into a 9½- or 10-inch tube pan. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean and top of cake springs back when pressed with a fingertip, about 1 to 1¼ hours. Invert tube pan over a bottle and cool cake upside down for 2 hours before removing cake from pan. View additional Passover recipes from the cookbook on the Temple website: emanueleats. 7

8 BOOK SIGNING The Defiant: A True Story Friday, May 8 7 PM One East 65th Street BOOK DISCUSSIONS Attendance is free and open to all Temple members. Men s Club Book Group Wednesday, April 1 8:30 AM Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue and Unthinkable Choices by Mosab Hassan Yousef Wednesday, May 6 8:30 AM The Betrayers by David Bezmozgis Stettenheim Literary Circle Wednesday, April 15 1 PM to 2:30 PM* / 6:30 PM to 8 PM Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat Wednesday, May 13 1 PM to 2:30 PM* / 6:30 PM to 8 PM Where d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple Wednesday, June 10 6:30 PM to 8 PM meeting only A Widow for One Year by John Irving * Co-sponsored by the Women s Auxiliary Women s Auxiliary Book Group Thursday, April 16 3 PM A Replacement Life: A Novel by Boris Fishman (Discussion to be led by Rabbi Ehrlich) Tuesday, May 12 12:30 PM Selection to be determined (Discussion to be led by Rabbi Davidson. Feel free to bring your lunch; coffee and cookies will be served.) FOLLOWING SHABBAT SERVICES, all Temple members are invited to join us for a special book reading and reception with members of our Russian-speaking Jewish community. The Defiant is a World War II memoir by Shalom Yoran, a Holocaust survivor and a former Jewish partisan. We will be joined by Mr. Yoran s widow, Varda, who will read from and sign copies of the book. Charge is $15 per person. RSVP to rsjcommunity@emanuelnyc.org. Sponsored by the Men s Club... Annual Meeting and Samuel Sacks Achievement Award Presentation Thursday, May 21 6 PM to 9 PM One East 65th Street ALL TEMPLE MEMBERS are invited to the Men s Club annual meeting, which includes the installation of officers and board members, and presentation of the Samuel Sacks Achievement Award. This year s recipients are Rona Weinstein and Norden Hahn. Rona is co-chair of Second Night Seder, co-chair of the Women s Auxiliary Book Club, a long-time member of the Sunday Lunch Program and a representative to the Women of Reform Judaism. Norden has been a Temple usher for more than 30 years; he is a tireless worker, along with his wife, Phyllis, for Second Night Seder; and he has been a helping hand in the kitchen for countless Temple events. The charge for this event is $30 for Men s Club and Women s Auxiliary members, $35 for all other Temple members and guests. Wine and cheese will be served prior to the meeting, and a full reception will follow the award presentation. RSVP by May 18. QUESTIONS? (212) , ext. 250 or mensclub@emanuelnyc.org. 8

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12 A VERY SPECIAL MITZVAH... Temple members are needed on Tuesday, April 21 from 10 AM to 12 PM to work alongside three special-needs young adults from AHRC Fisher Center to prepare meal bags for hungry New Yorkers. Volunteers also will have the chance to chat with and get to know our guests as they have lunch before they depart. To volunteer, contact the Tikkun Olam Committee at or (212) , ext RONALD McDONALD HOUSE Once a month, under sponsorship of the Women s Auxiliary, Emanu-El congregants serve dinner and organize art projects and entertainment for the families residing at New York City s Ronald McDonald House. Upcoming dinners will be held on Thursday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 26, both at 5 PM. Temple members interested in participating must call the Women s Auxiliary at (212) , ext (Please, no walk-ins!) LAYLEADERS NEEDED! Temple Emanu-El s Readers Panel, organized under the auspices of the Men s Club, offers congregants the chance to be leaders as well as to connect with those mourning or seeking comfort, and to reconnect personally with Judaism. Volunteers are needed to assist at our Sunset Service, held every Sunday through Thursday at 5:30 PM in Greenwald Hall. The time commitment is minimal: once every five or six weeks. Training is available, and limited Hebrew is required. Contact the Men s Club at mensclub@emanuelnyc.org or (212) , ext Volunteering Project Prom Sunday, April 19 1 PM to 4 PM and Monday, April 20 through Friday, April AM to 4 PM One East 65th Street TEMPLE EMANU-EL S TIKKUN OLAM COMMITTEE is pleased to once again sponsor Project Prom in partnership with Gala Gear. Through this program, more than 300 girls from 15 schools will be able to choose a full prom outfit, complete with shoes and other accessories. And, if they don t find a formal gown that they love, then they can choose a more casual dress for graduation. Volunteers will be needed for set-up on Sunday, April 19, between 1 PM and 4 PM, and each day during the week of April 20 (Monday through Friday) to assist our visitors between 10 AM and 12 PM, 12 PM and 2 PM, and 2 PM and 4 PM. Donations of ladies formal attire, accessories, dress shoes and unopened cosmetics will be collected until Friday, April 17. All items should be youthful and suitable for spring. Donations may be left in both the 65th Street and 66th Street lobbies. INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? Call the Tikkun Olam Committee at (212) , ext. 452, or send an to tikkunolam@emanuelnyc.org. Philanthropic Fund Update FOUNDED IN 1917, the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) is a government-accredited agency providing for the religious, educational and morale needs of Jewish military personnel, their families and patients in Veterans Affairs hospitals. Through our Philanthropic Fund and the efforts of our Tikkun Olam Committee, Temple Emanu-El works with the JWB on a number of meaningful projects throughout the year. This year, funds raised for the Philanthropic Fund during the Yom Kippur Appeal supported the purchase of a Torah to be used by our troops. Rabbi Harold Robinson, head of the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council and JCC 12

13 Association Armed Forces and Veterans Services Committee, spoke at Emanu-El s Veteran s Day Shabbat Service in November. And, most recently, students in our Religious School prepared and donated 140 mishloach manot for Purim that were sent to Jewish troops in 55 locations around the world. Contributions to the Philanthropic Fund may be made at any time during the year. Log on to Baby Shabbat Early Childhood NEW THIS YEAR, Baby Shabbat is a 30-minute program designed for younger siblings of Nursery School children, although all children younger than 33 months are welcome to attend. On select Fridays, from 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM, families gather on the bimah in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary with Rabbi Amy Ehrlich and early childhood educator Hadar Orshalimy to usher in Shabbat with music, blessings and a taste of challah. Our final session for this program year will be held Friday, April 24. There is no charge, and participation is open to Temple members and their guests. Young Families: Rooftop Party Sunday, May AM to 11:30 AM 10 East 66th Street DON T MISS OUR END-OF-THE-YEAR CELEBRATION! If the weather is nice, then we ll play in the pools. Bring sunscreen, bathing suits, towels, hats and a change of clothes. If it rains, then the party moves inside to Blumenthal Hall. RSVP to Young Families by Friday, May 15. Call (212) , ext. 242, or send an to youngfamilies@emanuelnyc.org. PARENTING@EMANU-EL Parent and child programs led by child psychologist Dr. Juliet Cooper and Rabbi Amy Ehrlich once again will be held in the fall. Toddler Group (for children ages 10 months to 20 months) explores family roles, positive routines and how to incorporate Jewish ritual into family life. Parent-Child Group (for children ages 24 months to 33 months) provides a stimulating, structured playgroup emphasizing social interaction through which parents can learn from immediate situations. Preschool Parents Group focuses on such issues as separation, social development and peer relations. For more information, log on to New registration forms will be posted in mid-may. NURSERY SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP Temple Emanu-El s Nursery School Summer Camp provides activities tailored to the child not yet ready for a full day of camp, with groups led by our Nursery School teachers. A typical day includes an art project, music and movement, free play in the classroom, and lots of outdoor play. Campers bring their own lunches. Summer Camp 2015 will run from June 8 through July 23. Children must be 2 years, 9 months old by June 30, If you wish to enroll your child, then please call (212) , ext. 230, or send an to sfischer@emanuelnyc.org, and we will an application to you. 13

14 SHABBAT KODESH AND TEEN LEADERSHIP DINNER Friday, April 17 7 PM (Service in Beth-El Chapel) 8 PM (Dinner at One East 65th Street) This month s Shabbat Kodesh service will honor high school students who have taken on a leadership role within our congregational community. Dinner for teens and their families will follow the service. Teens who have participated in the A-TEEM, Senior Youth Group Board, Teen Benefit Committee, Teen Philanthropic Committee, High School Volunteer Weekend and Civil Rights Trip will make presentations on what they have accomplished so far this year. The charge for dinner is: $40 per family (including two adults) for reservations made by Monday, April 13; $60 per family after April 13; and $15 for each additional adult. Reservations for dinner are required. After April 13, cancellations cannot be refunded. Register online at www. emanuelnyc.org/hsdinner. Religious School Holocaust Remembrance Program Wednesday, April 15 4 PM to 6 PM Lowenstein Sanctuary (10 East 66th Street) and Sunday, April 19 9:30 AM (Tefilah) Lowenstein Sanctuary (10 East 66th Street) 10 AM to 12 PM (Speaker) One East 65th Street IN HONOR OF YOM HASHOAH (HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY), Temple Emanu-El s Religious School welcomes survivor Dori Katz as this year s guest speaker. Ms. Katz came to America from Belgium in 1952 with her mother. She spent the war as a Hidden Child, while her father and all her relatives perished in the Holocaust. Her memoir Looking for Strangers, published last year by the University of Chicago Press, tells the story of her return to Brussels 40 years later to look for the people who hid her and to find out what happened to her family. Copies will be available for purchase and signing. Please note: All Religious School parents are welcome to attend. Students in grades 5 through 7 will attend as part of their regular school day. The program will include break-out reflection sessions by grade with a separate session for parents to discuss how to talk to their children about the Holocaust. QUESTIONS? Contact the Religious School office at (212) , ext. 226 or school@emanuelnyc.org. HAVDALAH PAJAMA PARTY Saturday, April 18 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM One East 65th Street Put on your pajamas, bring the family and join your friends as we say farewell to Shabbat through songs, stories and craft activities! Experience a modern take on ancient Jewish rituals filled with joy, gratitude and love. This program is for students in Pre-K through Second Grade, their siblings and those who delight in them. It is open to member and nonmember families. Pajamas are encouraged but not required! Register online at www. emanuelnyc.org/pajama. Tweens and Teens AJWS Teen Benefit Saturday, April 25 9 PM Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street) CREATED BY TEMPLE EMANU-EL TEENS, the AJWS Teen Benefit is completely planned, produced and attended by teens. Over the last five years, the Teen Benefit has raised more than $100,000 for American Jewish World Service. (continued) 14

15 The evening of desserts and dancing is open to all teens in Eighth through 12th Grade not just Emanu-El members! This year, all proceeds will benefit AJWS emergency relief campaign for Ebola. We are currently facing the largest outbreak of Ebola in recorded history. Thousands in West Africa have died already, and thousands more are sick. Through the AJWS Emergency Response Fund, we are supporting grassroots organizations in Liberia and Senegal that are helping to replace panic with trust, contain the outbreak and save lives. In addition to supporting a great cause, teens on the committee learn important skills, including fundraising, event-planning and leadership. The Emanu-El community can show support through monetary and in-kind donations. And, all are encouraged to purchase raffle tickets for great prizes, such as Jets tickets and an ipad mini! Event tickets and raffle tickets can be purchased at Monetary donations also can be made. To find out how much the teens raise, join us for their check presentation to AJWS on Sunday, May 17 at 11 AM, as part of the Religious School End-of- Year Family Assembly. Enter at 10 East 66th Street. High School Confirmation Friday, May 15 6 PM Fifth Avenue Sanctuary (Note: A family dinner for all Temple families follows at 7 PM. See page 16.») ALL-ACCESS PASS Friday, April 24 4:30 PM One East 65th Street Families of all Religious School students are invited for a unique Shabbat experience featuring a behindthe-scenes tour of the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary that will include the bimah, clergy s robing room and choir loft. Learn how our magnificent sanctuary gloriously communicates our history and how the architecture and design add meaning to our worship. Then stay for Shabbat services either in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary or our monthly Shir Chadash service in Lowenstein. There is no better way to familiarize your family with Temple Emanu-El and our distinctive mode of worship than by attending this very special event. RSVP to school@ emanuelnyc.org. THIRD GRADE PARENT BAR/BAT MITZVAH INFORMATION MEETING Sunday, April 26 11:15 AM and Monday, April 27 5:15 PM 10 East 66th Street Are you confused about the bar/ bat mitzvah process at Emanu-El? Wondering when you re supposed to start thinking about it? Is it too late or way too early? (Answer: It isn t.) COME CELEBRATE WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS as they are confirmed during Sabbath services! Throughout the year, our Confirmation students have been traveling alongside the Israelites in a journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai and from childhood to adolescence. They will stand before our congregation, ready to accept the responsibilities of Jewish adulthood. They will lead those in attendance in study and worship, teaching about their chosen issue for the year, Responding to Poverty. Our confirmands are Jae Bratskeir, Will Cramer, Gabriella Hetu, Emily Janover, Caleigh Leyton, Daniel Marsala, Liana Plotch and Joelle Ramson. Join our clergy and Lifelong Learning staff for a brief informational meeting prior to the end of the Religious School day. Over a cup of coffee, you ll learn about the different types of worship services at Emanu-El and the prayer spaces where children may be called to the Torah. RSVP to school@emanuelnyc.org. 15

16 Religious School Family Dinner Friday, May 15 7 PM One East 65th Street SEVENTH GRADE BAR/BAT MITZVAH MINI-RETREAT... IN SIXTH GRADE Sunday, April 26 12:30 PM (optional lunch at noon) One East 65th Street The mini-retreat is an integral part of the collaboration between clergy, families and staff to make the bar or bat mitzvah experience a meaningful and empowering one. Students and their parents will deepen their connection to the tradition, explore the values underlying the ceremony and connect with other Emanu-El families experiencing this same life-cycle process. The program includes personalized study of your child s Torah portion. This program is only for families of sixth graders whose b nei mitzvah services have been scheduled for the spring, summer and fall of ALL TEMPLE FAMILIES ARE INVITED to join us for our final family dinner of the year after the 6 PM worship service in the Fifth Avenue Sanctuary. Religious School With Honors students will be recognized at the service and at the dinner. The charge for dinner is $40 per family (including two adults) for reservations made by Monday, May 11; $60 per family after May 11; and $15 for each additional adult. Reservations for dinner are required. Register at QUESTIONS? Call (212) , ext. 226, or school@emanuelnyc.org. Service Learning Dessert Reception Friday, May 15 8 PM One East 65th Street IN ADDITION TO OUR high school confirmands and Religious School With Honors students, seventh and eighth graders who have participated in Mitzvah Corps, Tzedek League and the service trip to New Orleans likewise will be honored during the May 15 worship service at 6 PM but then also at a reception following the 7 PM family dinner. Families are invited to join in celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of these students, including a positive effect on their local community. Dessert will be served. For more information about any of our Tweens and Teens programs, contact Program Director of Youth Learning and Engagement Missy Bell at (212) , ext. 329 or youthgroups@emanuelnyc.org. 16 PREVIEW OF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Friday, May 1 and Friday, May PM to 1:30 PM 10 East 66th St. Experience the liveliness and warmth of our Kindergarten and discover what makes our school a great place for families to learn and grow. Each session includes lunch, music, art, a mini-mitzvah project and a Shabbat celebration. Parents are invited to join for the final half-hour. Children may attend one or both sessions. There is no charge for this event, but reservations are required: A JEWISH FUTURE (continued from page 1) ourselves B nei Yisrael, the children of Israel, the great-great-great-great grandchildren of Jacob and Rebecca. When our third and fourth graders study the Bible, they learn of the challenges faced by their ancestors and the decisions they made to respond to them their triumphs along with their mistakes and missed opportunities. We explore the values and beliefs that shaped their actions, and we think about whether or not we would make similar decisions ourselves. I know some of you may be saying to yourselves, but wait, the Bible stories aren t actually true; they didn t really happen. They may be good stories, but they are just stories. Well, as I ve gotten older and started telling stories of my family to my own children, I ve come to believe that there really isn t so much difference between those stories of Jacob and Rebecca and those I tell my kids. How well do I really remember

17 that story my mother told me about my great-grandfather? Did it really happen the way I m telling it? How much of it am I just making up? Actually, even the stories I tell my children from my own childhood aren t entirely accurate, shaped as they are by failures in memory and a fair bit of prudent self-censorship. If I extrapolate the process back 70 generations, then there is no doubt that there has been a fair bit of creativity involved in the storytelling, but it doesn t really matter. The point is, here s a story about your great-great-great grandparents that we believe is worth telling again. In the fifth grade, we explore the amazing journey of the Jewish people from ancient times to the modern era. We follow the ups and downs of the Jewish people, learning how our ancestors continually reinvented themselves and our religion in the face of ever-changing circumstances. We see how Judaism was reformed after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, from a religion primarily centered on sacrificial worship to one of ideas and literature. We contemplate key moments and turning points in our people s story not only the peaks of achievement and success but also the dark times, such as the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. We ask, how is it that Jews and Judaism have continued to thrive over all these centuries? How have we adapted to changing circumstances and simultaneously maintained a sense of unity and peoplehood despite our diversity? Our sixth grade curriculum takes a close look at how three dynamics of the last century have shaped Jewish identity and set the parameters for Judaism in the 21st century. First, our students investigate why the U.S. became the largest Jewish population in the world. Then, we explore the rise of Nazism in Europe, acknowledging with honesty not merely the terrible crimes committed against humanity but more important the stories of courage and resistance that enabled the Jewish people to triumph in the face of evil. Finally, we study how the modern State of Israel came into being and what it means for both a diverse population and for Jews around the world to call it home. For most of our history, Jews have lived under the authority of those with different beliefs and values than our own. We have learned to flourish under constantly changing circumstances, and this adaptability has prepared us well for an uncertain future. We have learned to be collaborators, innovators and iconoclasts, scientists who challenge long-held assumptions and dreamers who create worlds of imagination. By seeing the stories of those who came before us as our own, by identifying as part of a supportive collective with a strong sense of community, our children learn that they, too, can and will make a difference. At the same time, it is because we share a common set of stories that we have remained a cohesive, international people, even amidst our diverse ways of living as Jews. Reform Judaism is about transformation: personal, communal and global. We seek to make ourselves into better people and the world into a better place. When we teach our children that we have a heritage both of glorious achievements and of thriving despite adversity, they learn that they, too, can grow up to be confident, capable and caring Jewish adults. JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR! To enrich the community experience for our weekday afternoon students, we will offer Religious School classes to students in Pre-K through Seventh Grade on Monday afternoons beginning in the fall of Religious School students in all grades then may choose to attend on either Sundays or Mondays; Wednesdays will no longer be an option for Religious School. Students still may switch between Sunday mornings and Monday afternoons when needed. Beginning in May, registration forms may be downloaded at Families with returning students will receive their prepopulated forms in the mail. If you have questions about school registration, then please contact Rachel Brumberg, associate director of Lifelong Learning, at (212) , ext. 326 or lifelonglearning@ emanuelnyc.org. END-OF-YEAR FAMILY ASSEMBLIES Sunday, May AM Monday, May 18 5 PM and Wednesday, May 20 5 PM 10 East 66th Street Families are encouraged to join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our Religious School students and view our end-of-the-year slide show. On May 17, members of our Teen Benefit Committee will present a check to the American Jewish World Service for funds collected on its behalf. 17

18 BAR/BAT MITZVAH PREPARATION Children must be enrolled in Religious School in order to celebrate bar or bat mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El. A date can be scheduled when a child is in fourth grade. To register your child for Religious School, call (212) , ext To schedule a date, call Sherry Nehmer at (212) , ext CELEBRATE DURING SERVICES Celebrating a special event in your life? To have an aufruf (wedding blessing) or to celebrate a baby naming as part of a worship service, please call Rabbi Joshua Davidson s assistant, Elizabeth Fevrin, at (212) , ext Be sure to specify what you are celebrating! REMEMBERING LOVED ONES Now that Temple Emanu-El broadcasts its own services over the Internet, we are able to accommodate all congregants who wish to share Sabbath services and have the name of a loved one read during Kaddish. If you wish to have a name read, then please call one of the rabbis during the week of yahrzeit observance. HOSTING A RECEPTION Temple Emanu-El is pleased to be able to offer our magnificent spaces to Temple members, not only for religious services and life-cycle events but also for their celebrations. For more information, call Sherry Nehmer at (212) , ext Life-Cycle Events FROM BIRTH TO DEATH, the act of consciously marking the major milestones in one s life is an important element of both personal and religious development. Similarly important are the rituals associated with these life-cycle events. The following students of our Religious School will become B NEI MITZVAH: Saturday, April 11 Marisa Shorrock, daughter of David Shorrock and Lauren Zucker Saturday, April 18 Hogan Greenfader, son of Stacey and Gary Greenfader Saturday, April 25 Benjamin Eli Breitman, son of Meredith and Matthew Breitman Jared Pierce Brandman, son of Andrew T. Brandman and Kira S. Brandman Saturday, May 2 Natalie Vogelstein, daughter of Monica and Andrew Vogelstein Noah Hartman, son of Claudia and Thomas Hartman Saturday, May 9 Eric Spencer Harwood, son of Mitchell Harwood and Frances Janis Saturday, May 16 Natalie Rose Baer, daughter of Brandon and Miriam Baer Rebecca Gans Solomon, daughter of Abby and John Solomon We are grateful for their sponsorship of each Friday evening s Oneg Shabbat. PULPIT FLOWERS at worship services have been donated by the following congregants: For the Sabbath of April 3 and 4 Anita Fields in loving memory of my mother, Rose Pearlman Resnek In loving memory of Clara Fisch Charles S. Salomon The Universal Funeral Chapel 1076 Madison Avenue (212) Our service is available in the Temple, home or our Chapel. The Cemeteries of Congregation Emanu-El Salem Fields and Beth-El A limited number of above-ground crypts are available in our community mausoleum. For information, please call Cara Glickman at the Temple Office, (212)

19 For the Sabbath of April 10 and 11 Judie and Howard Ganek in loving memory of our dear mother, Elizabeth Goldstein Mrs. A. Coleman Poll in loving memory of her parents, Mildred and Jacques G. Coleman For the Sabbath of April 17 and 18 Robert, Ann and Jessica Freedman in loving memory of Felix C. Fertig Robin M. Laden in loving memory of my father, Leonard Laden Suzanne Sloan in loving memory of Peter Moore For the Sabbath of April 24 and 25 Ellen J. Weiss in Celebration of Life Meredith and Matthew Breitman in honor of their son Benjamin becoming a bar mitzvah Bonnie, David, Richard, Nancy and Gail Maidman in loving memory of Ada Maidman For the Sabbath of May 1 and 2 Mrs. Burton Kossoff in loving memory of Burton and Stephanie Lynn Kossoff For the Sabbath of May 15 and 16 Rabbi Stanley T. and Ivy R. Relkin in loving memory of Leonard Jay Reade William Fruhauf in loving memory of my parents, Frankye and Henry Fruhauf, and my aunt, Sara Fruhauf Beekman For Shavuot services on May 23 and 24 Gilbert, Linda and Jennifer Snyder in loving memory of Stephanie Lynn Snyder For the Sabbath of May 29 and 30 Lesley and Van Marcus in honor of our son s marriage: Matthew Marcus to Fara Jellson Susan and David Rahm in loving memory of Susan s father, Allen H. Berkman LOOKING FOR MORE? Full program descriptions and event registration forms are available on the Temple website: CLERGY Joshua M. Davidson, Senior Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich, Rabbi Benjamin J. Zeidman, Associate Rabbi Lori A. Corrsin, Cantor Emerita Dr. Ronald B. Sobel, Senior Rabbi Emeritus Dr. David M. Posner, Senior Rabbi Emeritus Alexis Pinsky, Rabbinic Intern Carlie Daniels, Rabbinic Intern Richard Newman, Cantorial Intern OFFICERS John H. Streicker, President Susan S. Danoff, Vice President Marne Obernauer Jr., Vice President Robert A. Calinoff, Secretary Stephen T. Shapiro, Treasurer STAFF Cara L. Glickman, Vice President, Finance and Administration Mark H. Heutlinger, Administrator Robyn W. Cimbol, Senior Director, Development and Philanthropy Sherry Nehmer, Assistant Administrator Christine Manomat, Membership Saul Kaiserman, Director, Lifelong Learning Rachel Brumberg, Associate Director, Lifelong Learning Dr. Gady Levy, Executive Director, Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center Ellen Davis, Director, Nursery School Elizabeth F. Stabler, Temple Librarian, Ivan M. Stettenheim Library Warren Klein, Interim Curator, Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica Charles S. Salomon, Funeral Director Kathryn M. Roberts, Bulletin Editor/Webmaster 19

20 TEMPLE EMANU-EL BULLETIN Vol. 87, No. 7 April/May 2015 CONGREGATION EMANU-EL of the City of New York One East 65th Street, New York, NY (212) Emanu-El is now on Facebook! Visit us at On view at the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica... Title page from The Song of Songs David Wander, 2009 Acrylic on paper WRITTEN IN VERSE, Song of Songs is a fragmented love poem about the relationship between a man and a woman. Many of the traditional commentaries maintain that this text is to be read as an allegory of divine love between God and the Jewish people. Wander takes a more literal approach to illustrating the text, representing the erotic elements of Song of Songs rather than spiritual love. The artist uses the Hebrew text to cover the lovers nakedness like a veil. VISUALIZING THE BIBLE: WORKS BY DAVID WANDER on view through October 18, 2015 Opening reception: Wednesday, April 1 6 PM to 8 PM (Opening remarks at 6:45 PM) 20