Emanu-El Cares! By Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich

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1 Temple Emanu-El Bulletin Volume 88, No. 6 May/June 2016 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 Services may be heard live or downloaded as a podcast at Read the weekly Torah commentary on the temple website: torah.php. View the archive, and sign up to have the digital version delivered weekly to your . 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. Emanu-El Cares! By Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich IN HIS MOST RECENT BOOK, Nine Essential Things I ve Learned About Life, Rabbi Harold Kushner reflected on his years in rabbinical school, during which he concentrated on learning theology, among other things. Early in his career, when it came time to comfort someone who had been devastated by a diagnosis, he found that his greatest gift was not all the theology he had learned but the comfort he provided by being present for another. That lesson marked his entire rabbinate. It s one that we have been embracing at Emanu-El, as well, through our Caring Community initiative, under the leadership of Marlene Yokel and Carol Hess. At a recent Shabbat, in the middle of worship, Rabbi Davidson did something extraordinary, which epitomizes the power of community. A member of our congregation who had been ill and therefore absent for too long rejoined our community and came to services. While all those around her celebrated her return with the largest of smiles, Rabbi Davidson paused to welcome her back and then led the congregation in saying the Shehecheyanu, marking this joyous moment with prayer. It was a powerful moment in the Emanu-El community, speaking volumes about our care for each member. In a world that cherishes privacy and independence, it is easy to keep to ourselves. But when we pause to look up, we sometimes realize that we are more than private; we have become isolated. In the last year, Emanu-El Cares has made an effort to bring people together who share common interests and concerns for support and connection, for sharing resources and education, and above all, for being present for one another. What emerges from these shared hours are powerful bonds that are shaped through understanding. Here are some ways we have been present: Last year, the Caregivers Support Group, guided by social worker Carla Daichman, (continued on page 12) Photo by Nomi Ellenson

2 SHIR CHADASH Friday, May 6 and Friday, June 3 7 PM Beth-El Chapel Don t miss our last two worship services of the program year! Note: We will celebrate Israeli Independence Day at our May 6 service, which is also a new member event. CONGREGATIONAL SHABBAT CELEBRATION Friday, May 20 6 PM (Worship Service) Fifth Avenue Sanctuary 7:15 PM (Congregational Family Dinner) One East 65th Street Worship & Spirituality Our New Cantor... WITH GREAT EXCITEMENT we announce that the Cantorial Search Committee has successfully completed its mission. The Board of Trustees unanimously recommends Cantor Mo Glazman as Temple Emanu-El s ninth Senior Cantor, for appointment by the congregation at our annual meeting in May. (See page 5.) Cantor Glazman comes to us having served both Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains and Central Synagogue in Manhattan. Photo by Nomi Ellenson All temple members and their guests are invited to join us for this congregational worship service and communal celebration honoring Cantor Lance Rhodes. In addition, we also will honor Rabbi Rena Rifkin of our Department of Lifelong Learning, as well as our seventh and eighth grade students and all students receiving Religious School With Honors. Note: This service takes the place of the Shabbat Kodesh Family Worship previously scheduled for this date. Following the service, we will host a congregational family dinner; all temple members and their guests are invited to attend. The charge for dinner is $45 per family (up to two adults, any number of children) for reservations made by May 16 and $65 after May 16; the charge for unaccompanied teens is $15 each; and the charge for additional adults is $18 each. Reservations and payments for dinner must be made before the event. Make dinner reservations at Our deepest thanks go to the Search Committee, chaired so ably by Brian Pessin. That we attracted a distinguished candidate like Cantor Glazman testifies to the committee s effectiveness and thoughtfulness. We also extend heartfelt appreciation to our Interim Cantor, Lance Rhodes, for a year of devoted service. In a period of liturgical transition, he offered new and enriching musical experiences from which we learned and grew. And to our members and staff alike he became a wonderful teacher and friend. Please join us at Shabbat Services on Friday, May 20, when we will honor and thank Cantor Rhodes. (See details on left.) We hope to see you on May 20 and look forward to welcoming Cantor Glazman in July. Adult B nei Mitzvah Shabbat Friday, May 13 6 PM Fifth Avenue Sanctuary AS PART OF THIS EVENING S WORSHIP SERVICE, we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of our first Adult B nei Mitzvah ceremony at Temple Emanu-El. Members of that first class will be invited to the bimah for a blessing of commemoration. Please join us as we celebrate the importance of continued Jewish learning. Also during this Shabbat, we will be joined by special guest Rabbi Micky (Michael) Boyden of Kehilat Yonatan Reform Congregation in Hod Hasharon, Israel, near Tel Aviv. Rabbi Boyden writes regularly for The Jerusalem Post and is a frequent guest speaker in North America and Europe, where he addresses issues related to the Israel/ Palestinian conflict and the challenges facing liberal Judaism in Israel. Kehilat Yonatan is a recipient of support from our Philanthropic Fund. 2

3 ANNUAL GATHERING OF REMEMBRANCE Sunday, May 1 2 PM to 4 PM Fifth Avenue Sanctuary Elsie Adler Memorial Holocaust Program Sunday, May 1: 9:30 AM (Tefilah) Lowenstein Sanctuary (10 East 66th Street) 10 AM to 12 PM (Speaker) One East 65th Street Monday, May 2: 4 PM to 6 PM Lowenstein Sanctuary (10 East 66th Street) IN HONOR OF YOM HASHOAH (HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY), Temple Emanu-El s Religious School welcomes survivor Ethel Katz and student Jacqueline (Jackie) Addeo (pictured above) as this year s guest speakers. They come to us through the Harriet and Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center & Archives at Queensborough Community College, CUNY. Born in Poland in 1922, Ethel had her life changed forever when Hitler s forces arrived and the atrocities began. Ethel and her family spent years running from one temporary safe haven to the next until they eventually were discovered in The entire family was gunned down as they tried to flee, but Ethel managed to escape death. Alone, she hid for months behind a false wall in a house occupied by German soldiers. Today, she shares her story with students in hope of preventing hate and preserving the memory of her lost family members. Jackie was accepted into the Holocaust Internship Program at the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center in 2015 and has served as an exemplary intern and a strong representative of the program, which seeks to examine the effect World War II had on residents living in Europe s Jewish communities. After interviewing Ethel as part of her internship, Jackie has made it her mission to share Ethel s story. These sessions are made possible by the Elsie Adler Memorial Holocaust Program, created by her caring family and friends to honor the memory of Emanu-El s longtime, generous member Elsie Adler. This program reflects her passion for preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating each generation about this dark period in Jewish history. In addition, Congregation Emanu-El supports the Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center with a gift from the Philanthropic Fund. 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. Temple members only should call Mark Heutlinger at (212) All others should call the Museum of Jewish Heritage at (646) Please note: All Religious School parents and temple members are welcome to attend the Elsie Adler memorial event. Students in grades 5 through 7 will attend as part of their regular school day. Sunday s 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) Photo by Melanie Einzig 3

4 TORAH AT A GLANCE... Read summaries of each Torah portion and view our monthly preaching schedule at Acharei Mot (Read Saturday, May 7) Leviticus 16:1-18:30 K doshim (Read Saturday, May 14) Leviticus 19:1-20:27 Emor (Read Saturday, May 21) Leviticus 21:1-24:23 B har (Read Saturday, May 28) Leviticus 25:1-26:2 B chukotai (Read Saturday, June 4) Leviticus 26:3-27:34 B midbar (Read Saturday, June 11) Numbers 1:1-4:20 Naso (Read Saturday, June 18) Numbers 4:21-7:89 B haalot cha (Read Saturday, June 25) Numbers 8:1-12:16 WEEKLY TORAH STUDY Please note: The last scheduled session of our Torah study group for the program year will be Saturday, May 21. Many thanks to Rabbinic Intern Toba Schaller for guiding us in discussion this year! Torah study will resume regularly in September and will be led by Rabbinic Intern Tarlan Rabizadeh. All are welcome to attend. Shavuot Services and Confirmation Saturday, June 11 6 PM and Sunday, June 12 10:30 AM Beth-El Chapel 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. Shavuot also is the second of the three agricultural festivals. On June 11, we will celebrate with our high school students as they confirm Torah s place in their identity during Shavuot services. (See details, page 11.) The June 12 service is a Yizkor service, one of four times during the year when we mourn together and recite the memorial prayers in remembrance of those whom we have loved and lost. All are welcome. FOUR FACTS ABOUT SHAVUOT In addition to being the Festival of Weeks, Shavuot is known as the Festival of the First Fruits and the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah. In Israel, cheesecake is the favorite dairy food for Shavuot. In the United States, blintzes are more common. Because the Torah often is linked to water, it is common for children in Israel to gather for water fights in parks or other public spaces during the holiday. It is customary to stay awake all evening during the first night of Shavuot, studying the Torah. Learn more about Shavuot on the temple website: Test your Shavuot knowledge in this online quiz! 4

5 Community Women s Auxiliary Spring Meeting and Luncheon Thursday, May PM One East 65th Street ALL TEMPLE MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS are invited to the Women s Auxiliary Annual Spring Meeting and Luncheon with special guest Mimi Sheraton, pioneering food writer and former restaurant critic for The New York Times, Cue and Village Voice. Her writings on food and travel also have appeared in Time, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Smithsonian, Vogue, Town & Country, New York magazine, and Food & Wine. She has written 16 books, including The German Cookbook, which is being reissued in a 50th anniversary edition this coming November. Just published in January 2015 is her latest, 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die. This event includes the election and installation of Women s Auxiliary officers and board members. A TASTE OF JUDAISM... ARE YOU CURIOUS? Sunday, May 15 and 22 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM One East 65th Street If you ve ever wondered why Jews eat braided bread on Fridays or celebrate the New Year in the fall, then this course is for you! Open to anyone, Jewish or not, this free, two-part course offers the opportunity to learn or re-learn Judaism in a dynamic, interactive, and accessible environment. This course will explore modern Jewish spirituality, values and community, all while learning about Jewish rituals, traditions and holidays. Come to one or both classes. Participation is open to all. Charge is $35 for Women s Auxiliary members and Men s Club members, $45 for nonmembers. Pay online with your credit card at Checks should be made payable to the Women's Auxiliary. Take a chance on winning great prizes through our raffle! Prizes include gifts from Fellan Florists, jewelry and much more. Raffle cost: $10 each or three for $25. Winners need not be present to collect their prizes. Proceeds from the raffles benefit ongoing Women s Auxiliary projects. Annual Meeting of the Congregation Thursday, May 26 6 PM One East 65th Street THE ANNUAL MEETING of the members of Congregation Emanu-El will be held in Greenwald Hall of the Marvin and Elisabeth Cassell Community House, following the Sunset Service. As part of our agenda, we will approve the appointment of Cantor Mo Glazman as our new senior cantor. (See page 2.) Contact Conversion Coordinator Stephanie Crawley at scrawley@ emanuelnyc.org to register or for more information. COMMUNITY AS FAMILY Monday, May 23 6 PM to 8 PM One East 65th Street Organized by our Emanu-El Cares group, Community as Family is a program where the un-familied can meet in a casual, confidential place to discuss issues with others who have similar concerns. This is our final session of the program year. RSVP to (212)

6 MEN S CLUB BOOK GROUP Wednesday, May 4 8:30 AM The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by David I. Kertzer 1997 National Book Award finalist for nonfiction Winner of the National Jewish Book Award for Jewish-Christian relations A dramatic and heart-wrenching tale that reveals a great deal about the battle between conservative and progressive forces in mid-19th-century Europe. Kertzer, author of the groundbreaking work Sacrificed for Honor: Infant Abandonment and the Politics of Reproductive Control, turns his attention to a smaller but no less poignant story. Kirkus Reviews (April 1997) CLUB 65 Tuesday, May AM One East 65th Street In our final program of the year, we welcome Joe Nadis of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), who will discuss current problems in Israel. Club 65 is a monthly social group and educational program for senior members of the temple, both men and women. Participation is free of charge. Sessions meet at One East 65th Street. QUESTIONS? Call (212) Men s Club Annual Meeting and Samuel Sacks Achievement Award Presentation Thursday, May 19 6 PM One East 65th Street THE MEN S CLUB CORDIALLY INVITES all temple members and their guests to attend its annual meeting, which includes the election of officers and presentation of the Samuel Sacks Achievement Award. This year s recipient is Ramlal ( Joe ) Bissram, director of maintenance at Temple Emanu-El, who has provided nearly three decades of dedicated and exceptional service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate with us. Joe has given tirelessly of himself to attend to all aspects of temple life, large and small. And, Joe has tended to the needs and comforts of endless numbers of congregants and visitors to our synagogue with elegance, warmth and compassion. Be it at worship services, life-cycle events, festivals or other special occasions, Joe has endeared himself to young and old and has been an embodiment of the spirit of compassion at Emanu-El. The charge for this event is $30 for Men s Club and Women s Auxiliary members, $35 for all other temple members and guests. Pay online at QUESTIONS? Call (212) , ext. 250, or mensclub@emanuelnyc.org. Student Exhibition Sunday, May 15 2 PM to 5 PM I. M. Wise Hall (One East 65th Street) PLEASE JOIN US AS Temple Emanu-El hosts Project Art s 15th Student Art Exhibition. More than 1,000 pieces of the students work will be on display for all to view. All are invited to attend. A festive buffet of desserts and beverages will be served. Temple Emanu-El s partnership with Project Art began at Mitzvah Day 2015, where members of our community assembled 300 supply backpacks to help unleash the power of creativity for children attending New York City Public schools that do not have money in their budgets to provide art classes to their students. Temple Emanu-El s goal was to place art supplies in the hands of as many children as possible. (continued on page 7) 6

7 Volunteering Mitzvah on Your Own! AT TEMPLE EMANU-EL, tikkun olam is more than just a spoken phrase it is considered a core value. Tikkun olam is a call to action, a sense of community, an opportunity to help make a meaningful difference not only in our congregation but also for others in the wider community. As a result, we are proud to announce a new partnership with American Corporate Partners (ACP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting returning veterans with their transition from the military to the civilian workforce. ACP provides free one-on-one career development mentorships to post-2001 military veterans, and we encourage you to participate as a mentor. ACP mentors and protégés are carefully paired for one year based on a variety of considerations, including geographical location, educational background and shared career interests. Each pair is encouraged to speak at least once a month to discuss résumé and interview preparation, as well as networking and other professional development topics. Throughout the year, an ACP staff member will check in regularly to ensure satisfaction, provide resources and track the progress of the relationship. ACP mentors currently are needed in the following career fields: real estate, consulting, health care (physicians), information technology, human resources, government and small business. Typically, ACP mentors are at least 35 years old and have a minimum of eight years of professional experience. We hope you will share your gifts of knowledge and support those who have served honorably. To become an ACP mentor, please visit When prompted, enter the access code ACPUSA (case sensitive). On the application, when asked how you heard about ACP, please list Congregation Emanu-El of NYC. After your application is complete, an ACP staff member will be in touch regarding next steps. STITCH N TIME All temple members are invited to knit with us on the following Sundays: May 1, June 5, July 10 and August 14 from 11 AM to 2 PM; enter at One East 65th Street. Projects benefit clients of the Sunday Lunch Program, as well as children and other adults in need. Instruction and yarn provided; you bring your own #8 needles! Light refreshments served. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE Once a month, Emanu-El volunteers cook and serve dinner to families staying at New York City s Ronald McDonald House. Dinners will be held on the following Tuesdays: May 24, June 21, July 26 and August 23. Preregistration with the Women s Auxiliary is required: (212) , ext. 235 or womaux@emanuelnyc.org. SUMMER ANGELS The Sunday Lunch Program needs temple members who can be called on short notice to help during July and August. Call (212) to have your name added to the list. Project Art currently operates after-school classes in 23 public libraries throughout New York City s five boroughs and serves 1,460 youths. Project Art s mission is to empower youth, teachers, artists and communities nationally with the positive benefits that arts education delivers. The results show that this program instills creativity and confidence within our youth, engenders a spirit of service in college students, reinvigorates public libraries, supports emerging artists and builds community in underserved neighborhoods. Learn more at 7

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10 DOTING DADS: MOTHER S DAY EVENT Sunday, May 1 10 AM to 11:30 AM One East 65th Street Dads, give Mom the morning off and help your child bring home something special for her! (This is a Young Families event geared for children in preschool and Nursery School.) RSVP to youngfamilies@emanuelnyc.org. BRING-A-FRIEND DAYS Sunday, May 8 9:30 AM to 12 PM and Monday, May 9 4 PM to 6 PM 10 East 66th Street Temple member families and nonmembers are invited to join us for a session of our innovative and dynamic weekly program for children in Pre-K through Seventh Grade. Discover what makes Temple Emanu-El a great place for families to learn and grow! There is no charge for this event, but reservations are required: Call (212) , or school@emanuelnyc.org. YEAR-END ROOFTOP PARTY Sunday, May AM to 11:30 AM 10 East 66th Street Young Families ends its program year with an annual rooftop party. 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. (This event is for preschool/nursery School children.) Early Childhood Parenting Programs at Emanu-El PARENT AND CHILD PROGRAMS led by child psychologist Dr. Juliet Cooper and Rabbi Amy Ehrlich once again will meet in the fall. New Parents Group (for parents and babies up to 10 months old) offers discussion on a range of important and stimulating parenting topics. The group is supportive and educational and creates a warm environment for connecting with other new parents. (Sessions meet Mondays from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM.) Toddler Group (for children ages 10 months to 20 months) explores family roles, positive routines and how to incorporate Jewish ritual into family life. (Sessions meet Mondays from 10:45 AM to 12 PM.) Parent-Child Group (for children ages 20 months to 30 months) provides a stimulating, structured playgroup emphasizing social interaction through which parents can learn from immediate situations. (Sessions meet Wednesdays from 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM.) REGISTER ON THE TEMPLE WEBSITE! Please review program dates and fees for the program in which you would like to participate. Classes are open to temple members and nonmembers. Parents with twins/triplets pay half price for each additional child. Log on to Mommy and Me A 50-MINUTE CLASS led by music educator Hadar Orshalimy, Mommy and Me introduces families to Jewish holidays and simple prayers, a bit of Hebrew, movement and fee play. Note: This is a class for parents and children; please do not send caregivers unless you are registering multiple children at the same time. Sessions will begin again in mid-september. RSVP to youngfamilies@emanuelnyc.org. Class size is limited; registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at 10

11 Nursery School Summer Group ARE YOU LOOKING for a great camp experience for your preschooler? Temple Emanu-El s program provides: Groups led by experienced Temple Emanu-El Nursery School teachers Exciting activities within the structure of a preschool classroom Two large, sunny outdoor play spaces where children can enjoy wading pools, bubble tables and sprinklers Weekly music and yoga instruction Air-conditioned rooms that provide a bright, welcoming environment for campers 2016 SESSIONS: June 7 through June 23 (3 weeks) June 27 through July 21 (4 weeks) June 7 through July 21 (7 weeks) 9 AM to 1 PM, Monday through Thursday Children must be 2 years, 9 months by June 30, 2016, to enroll. FINAL BAR/BAT MITZVAH MINI-RETREAT Sunday, May 15 12:30 PM 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. A typical Summer Camp day includes an arts-and-crafts project, music and movement, free play in the classroom and lots of outdoor time. Campers bring their own lunches. If you wish to enroll your child, please sfischer@emanuelnyc.org, and we will you an application. Spaces are limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Your child does not need to be a student in our Nursery School to enroll. Additional questions? Please call (212) This program is only for families of seventh and sixth graders whose b nei mitzvah services have been scheduled for the spring, summer and fall of RSVP at www. emanuelnyc.org/ mini-retreat. Tweens and Teens Confirmation Service Saturday, June 11 6 PM Beth-El Chapel COME CELEBRATE WITH our high school students as they confirm Judaism s place in their lives during Shavuot 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 Addiction. Our confirmands are Stone Abramson, Zachary Burlant, Anna Cooper, Bridget Curwin, Brentt Goldstein, Andrew Hartman and Meredith Silfen. Congratulations to all! MITZVAH MESSENGERS Congratulations to the Super Mitzvah Messengers from our Seventh Grade Mitzvah Corps, recognized for their excellent attendance and participation: Brooke Abeles Harry Fins Audrey Atinsky Ashley Glat Atticus Boyle Isabelle Glat Jason Burlant Julia Goldberg Jordyn Cohen Jack Greff Mia Curwin Madeline Isman Leila Epstein Liliana Levick Rachel Familant Harry Novak Carolyn Finerman Sydney Reinhardt SUMMER HOURS During the summer, the Religious School Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM and Friday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. 11

12 EMANU-EL CARES (continued from page 1) CLERGY Joshua M. Davidson, Senior Rabbi Amy B. Ehrlich, Rabbi Allison Tick Brill, Assistant Rabbi Lance D. Rhodes, Interim Cantor Dr. Ronald B. Sobel, Senior Rabbi Emeritus Dr. David M. Posner, Senior Rabbi Emeritus Lori A. Corrsin, Cantor Emerita Toba Strauss Schaller, Rabbinic Intern Stephanie Crawley, Rabbinic Intern Richard Newman, Cantorial Intern OFFICERS John H. Streicker, President Hon. Susan S. Danoff, Vice President Marne Obernauer Jr., Vice President Brian Pessin, 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 Jessica Ingram, Director, Member Services Saul Kaiserman, Director, Lifelong Learning Rachel Brumberg, Associate Director, Lifelong Learning Dr. Gady Levy, Executive Director, The Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center Ellen Davis, Director, Nursery School Warren Klein, Curator, Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum of Judaica Charles S. Salomon, Funeral Director K. Scott Warren, Organist/Choir Director Dr. Andrew Henderson, Associate Organist Daniel Beckwith, Assistant Organist Kathryn M. Roberts, Bulletin Editor provided a welcome forum for those caring for ill or elderly relatives. Over the course of eight weeks, spouses, children and concerned friends came together to pool their wisdom and find a respite in their shared time together. In conjunction with Mount Sinai Hospital s Refuah Shelaymah Synagogue Outreach, Rabbi Jo Hirschmann joined us to facilitate a rarely discussed topic: strategies for finding the strength to care for those who have loved ones with dementia. From sharing notes about coping to spending time with others who really understand the effects the disease has on family life, each participant emerged from our discussion with an understanding of the powerful thread that each family holds onto when the challenges of dementia seem so daunting. In a world that cherishes privacy and independence, it is easy to keep to ourselves.... Emanu-El Cares has made an effort to bring people together. Emanu-El Cares has a special group, unknown to most of our congregation, that has been meeting for several years: for parents who have lost a spouse and are raising school-age children. Their unique circumstances create a bond that needs no explanation. Although time has brought some healing, they still come together to encourage and support each other, to celebrate and commiserate with one another about the ways their families are different from others, as each one takes steps toward the future. They empower each other by being present. As demographics change many people are remaining single longer, and some couples have chosen not to have children more adults are unfamilied, defined as without adult children or other family. Emanu-El Cares is responding, and there is no age threshold to participate. Each month, our Community as Family group comes together under the skilled guidance of our member Wendl Kornfeld to explore ways to create a trusted family dynamic from an extended community of neighbors, friends, professionals and others. Drawing from current news articles and members personal experiences, this caring group of members explores such topics as housing options, caregiving, finances, technology and relationships. For younger members in their late 40s and 50s, anticipating what lies ahead is the best way to provide for oneself. By being present, we have become each other s community, which is no small accomplishment. One of Emanu-El Cares most important collaborators is DOROT, through its Partners in Caring and Door to Door programs. Most New Yorkers know that DOROT has a Friendly Visiting program and that it makes holiday package deliveries. But, through Partners in Caring, Emanu-El gains the benefits of having a social worker, Yael Kornfeld, who assists us in caring for our seniors. She has made home visits and referrals; she also has made important observations and provided valuable resources for a number of congregants. Door to Door is available to Emanu-El seniors to help them travel to 12

13 doctor s appointments, to shop or to go to the bank. Our opportunity to care for seniors has been enhanced greatly by DOROT s help, and we are grateful for their assistance. There is a power in these small clusters of care that does so much for our congregational family. We look forward to strengthening and expanding these efforts with congregational volunteers. Please consider lending a hand or an ear, and through your presence, make it be felt that Emanu-El cares! WHAT DO YOU THINK? Join the conversation at 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, May 7 Brooke A. Abeles, daughter of Michele L. Abeles Jordyn Cohen, daughter of Jennifer and Ira Cohen Peter Zucker, son of Caryn and Jeffrey Zucker Saturday, May 14 Alden Silverman, son of Leah and Leonard Silverman Saturday, May 21 Vanessa Magid, daughter of Jacqueline and Kevin Magid Ashley and Isabelle Glat, daughters of Neil and Dana Glat Sydney Reinhardt, daughter of Hal and Suzanne Reinhardt Saturday, June 4 Carolyn Finerman, daughter of Beth-Ann and Adam Finerman Calder Wilson, son of Rachel and Kirk Wilson Saturday, June 11 Ryan Wolff, son of Bonnie Ross-Wolff and Steven Wolff Benjamin Cohen, son of Cori and Jonathan Cohen Saturday, June 18 Georgia Wallace, daughter of Hillary and Daniel Wallace We are grateful for their sponsorship of each Friday evening s Oneg Shabbat. BAR/BAT MITZVAH PREPARATION Children must be enrolled in Religious School in order to celebrate becoming a 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) To schedule a date, call Sherry Nehmer at (212) 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. Call Sherry Nehmer at (212) 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. Call the Women s Auxiliary at (212) , ext

14 HAVE AN ALIYAH An aliyah (Torah blessing) can be made to honor a special moment in your life or simply for the delight of being involved in Saturday morning services. Our clergy encourages you to recite the blessings or even take on the fulfilling challenge of reading Torah. Jessica Ingram, director of Member Services, at jingram@emanuelnyc.org, or call (212) CELEBRATE DURING SERVICES Help us celebrate the joyous events in your life with an aufruf (wedding blessing) or announcement of a baby naming at Sabbath services. Call Elizabeth Fevrin at (212) Please specify what you are celebrating! REMEMBERING THOSE WE LOVED Temple Emanu-El is now tracking yahrzeits the anniversaries of members deaths and those of their family members. Letters of reminder will be sent out prior to each yahrzeit, so that you may mark the anniversary with us at our daily Sunset Service or at Shabbat services. Simply provide us with the following information: Name of deceased (first and last, middle if applicable) Date of death (Hebrew or Gregorian) Relationship to member PULPIT FLOWERS at worship services have been donated by the following congregants: For the Sabbath of May 6 and 7 Mrs. Burton Kossoff in loving memory of Burton and Stephanie Lynn Kossoff Bernice Banschick and Dr. Nils Lauerson in loving memory of our mothers, Bessie and Miriam, and of all mothers on Mothers Day For the Sabbath of May 13 and 14 Carol, Carl, Alexandra, Robert and Peter Hess in loving memory of mother and grandmother Frances Aaron Hess Rabbi Stanley T. and Ivy R. Relkin in loving memory of Leonard Jay Reade For the Sabbath of May 20 and 21 William Fruhauf in loving memory of my parents, Frankye and Henry Fruhauf, and of my aunt, Sara Fruhauf Beekman For the Sabbath of May 27 and 28 Susan and David Rahm in loving memory of Susan s father, Allen H. Berkman For the Sabbath of June 3 and 4 Edythe, William and John Heyman in loving memory of George H. Heyman Jr. For the Sabbath of June 17 and 18 Mrs. A. Coleman Poll in loving memory of her parents, Mildred and Jacques G. Coleman Susan and David Rahm in loving memory of David s brother, Carl Michael Rahm Lee and Roger Strong and Family in loving memory of his mother, Marguerite G. Strong For the Sabbath of June 24 and 25 Barbara W. Kummel and Family in loving memory of Eugene H. Kummel You can share this information with our Membership Department by sending an to membership@emanuelnyc.org, logging on to or calling (212) 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)

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16 TEMPLE EMANU-EL BULLETIN Vol. 88, No. 6 May/June 2016 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 INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Our New Cantor...page 2 Elsie Adler Memorial Holocaust Program...page 3 Confirmation/Shavuot...pages 4 and 11 Annual Meeting of the Congregation...page 5 Women s Auxiliary/Men s Club annual meetings...pages 5 and 6 Project Art Student Exhibition...pages 6 and 7 Parenting Programs...page 10