Serving Long Island and World Jewry

Transcription

1 Serving Long Island and World Jewry VOLUME 268 ISSUE 198 DECEMBER WEEKLY SHABBAT SERVICES Friday, December 1, 2017 Service 8:00 PM The Oneg Shabbat will be hosted by Meredith Bloomberg in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of her son, Ethan Bloomberg I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Rabbi s Column 2-3 President s Column 4 Cantor s Column 6 Religious School 7 Funds 9 Calendar 10 TEMPLE OFFICE HOURS & PHONE NUMBERS Monday-Thursday 9 am- 5 pm Friday 9 am 3 pm Rabbi (emergency only) Cantor Temple Office Temple Fax Religious School Dr. Jay H. Rosenbaum...Rabbi Dr. Galina Makaveyev...Cantor MaryAnna Price.... President The Temple Israel Bulletin is published monthly at Temple Israel 140 Central Ave Lawrence, NY Saturday, December 2 - Torah Study 9:30 AM Bar Mitzvah Service 10:45 AM ETHAN BLOOMBERG VAYISHLACH Torah Portion: Genesis 32:4-36:43 Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1-21 Friday, December 8 Service 8:00 PM Saturday, December 9 - Torah Study & Service 9:30 AM VAYESHEV Torah Portion: Genesis 37:1-40:23 Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8 Friday, December 15 Chanukah Shabbat Dinner and Service Dinner 6:30 PM - Service 7:30 PM Saturday, December 16 Torah Study & Service 9:30 AM MIKETZ Torah Portion: Genesis: 41:1-44:17 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 Friday, December 22 Service 8:00 PM Saturday, December 23 Torah Study & Service 9:30 AM VAYIGASH Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28 Friday, December 29 Service 8:00 PM Saturday, December 30 Torah Study & Service 9:30 AM VAYECHI Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12

2 Page 2 A WORD TO THE WISE R ABBI J AY H. R O S E N B A U M CALLING ALL MACCABEES With the dawning of the month of December, many of us already began our quest for those perfect Chanukah gifts for our children and grandchildren. There is no doubt, that the joy of giving and the reward of seeing happy children as they unwrap their gifts is a central theme of Chanukah. But, let us not lost sight of the central personalities of the Chanukah saga, the Maccabees. In addition to transmitting a message of heroism and faith, their valiant war against tyranny seemingly against insurmountable odds, provides us with direction in addressing the challenges of the day, nearly 2200 years after they rededicated the Temple and insured the survival of the Jewish people. The first lesson we learned is resolve and commitment to cause. This is a most important lesson for us as Americans and as Jews committed to the survival, sanctity and security of the State of Israel. It seems that each week the news brings us new stories of atrocities performed by or in the name of ISIS calling for their operatives and sympathizers to engage in acts of terrorism in the western countries where they reside. ISIS and their kind pose a threat not only to Iraq, Syria and the Middle East, but to all people on a global scale who do not subscribe to the same radical and extremist form of Islam as they do. Though the campaign to bring an end to the evil perpetrated by ISIS may be arduous, for the sake of America and the sake of humanity, we must stay the course. This remains a difficult time for the State of Israel who faces an ever-mounting threat from Hezbollah in Lebanon and the possibility of Iranian soldiers on its northern most border with Syria in the Golan Heights. Furthermore, ISIS continues to be a threat to Israel in the Sinai. We question when will these threats end? Where will they lead? What will the future hold? At this time there are no sure or clear answers to these questions. But, one thing I do know is that we must not give up hope on an eventual peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, most certainly and visibly, show with resolve and commitment, our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are on the front lines in the battle against terrorism and unequivocally support our Jewish State in its quest for peace with security with the Palestinians. Furthermore, we must never be fooled into believing that Israel is to blame for the present stalemate in resolving the Palestinian conflict. The truth of the matter is that for two decades Israel has negotiated in good faith to bring about a two-state solution to the crisis. The second lesson of the Maccabees that we must take to heart is to keep faith with ourselves most especially when we encounter setbacks, obstacles and reverses in life. Let us remember that the Maccabees valiant war against the Seleucids took years. Our ancestors, in addition to the victories, had their defeats. Yet with faith in themselves and their cause, they stayed the course and won the day. Finally, the Maccabees teach us the importance of having faith in God and expressing that faith in one s life. Remember, the Maccabees first act after winning the war was rededicating the Temple in Jerusalem and rekindling the Menorah, symbolizing hope, life and faith in God as his eternal people, a light unto the nations of the World. Therefore, dear friends, this Chanukah as we light the menorah, let us express the joy of giving and receiving and celebrate this most joyous of holidays, and take to heart the message of the Maccabees of old. In this way, we rededicate ourselves to our great nation, the Jewish people, the State of Israel and this, our beloved Temple Israel, our spiritual compass and connection to the Holy. Amy, Michelle, Dylan, Ryan, Liam, Jordan and I send you and your family our love and most heartfelt wishes for a Happy Chanukah and a healthy, fulfilling and good New Year.

3 Page 3 Home guide for Chanukah celebration - By Rabbi Jay H. Rosenbaum Dear friends, on Tuesday evening, December 12 th at sundown, we begin our eight-day celebration of Chanukah. Please join with your family members each night in lighting the menorah. For your convenience, I have provided you with the blessing and reflections on the meaning of each candle. HAPPY CHANUKAH! Reminder: Facing the Menorah, the candles are added each night from right to left, and kindled by the Shamash from left to right. CHANUKAH BLESSINGS Baruch atah Adonai elohenu melech ha olam, asher kid sha-nu b mitzvotav v tzivanu le had lik ner shel Chanukah. Blessed is the Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose Mitzvot we are hallowed, who commands us to kindle the Chanukah lights. Baruch atah Atonai elohenu melech ha olam, she asah nissim la-av-otenu bayamin hahem baz-man hazeh. Blessed is the Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors, in days of old at this season. ON THE FIRST NIGHT ONLY: Baruch atah Adonai elohenu melech ha olam, she hecheyanu vekiyemanu vehigiyanu laz man hazeh. Blessed is the Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season. FOR THE FIRST NIGHT: We light the first candle to remind ourselves that in the beginning there was darkness on the face of the earth. With the words, Let there be light the world was brought into existence from darkness to light. We kindle our first candle which we hope, like the earth s first light, will grow to enlighten the whole world. FOR THE SECOND NIGHT: The second light reminds us of the brightness of our community and the community of our people in ERETZ YISRAEL, the land of Israel. Through the darkness of years in exile our people clung to a beacon of hope, shining forth through our tradition. And now through years of miles and lands, that beacon burns brightly in our hearts, and in the world, again. If I forget You, Oh Jerusalem, let my tongue cleave to my mouth, left my right hand forget its cunning. FOR THE THIRD NIGHT: The third light reminds us that in every generation we need the faith of the Maccabees of old. Long ago in Jerusalem, this brave band led by Judah, drove the Syrian Greeks out of the Temple, and as their first act of faith rekindled the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light, which, along with the Temple, had been desecrated. In this simple, yet meaningful act of belief, they demonstrated their faith that God, once again had redeemed God s people, for The Lord is my light and my salvation. FOR THE FOURTH NIGHT: The fourth light is the light of courage. It took strength for Mattathias and his sons to ignore the bribes and threats of Antiochus. It took courage to make the decision that not gold and not precious stones, but freedom to worship was the higher goal of the people. Every day we are called upon to make decisions. Some of them are easy and affect only ourselves; others are infinitely more difficult and involve many others; family, friends, community, even nations. Just as the Maccabees lived by the words of Moses to Joshua, may we also, Be strong and of good courage. FOR THE FIFTH NIGHT: The fifth light is the light of Torah, the Five Books of Moses, the source of our values. It was to be faithful to its teachings that Judah and his followers went to battle. Often we must sacrifice for an ideal. How much we are willing to lose is a mark of how much we hope to maintain. Yet we have a guide to help us. The Mitzvah is a lamp and the Law is a light. FOR THE SIXTH NIGHT: The sixth light is the light of the Synagogue. Some call it Temple; some shul, it is our symbol, that through worship, through common ideas, and through our devotion to the Jewish people, there can be o force which can ever destroy us. The Sanctuary is the sign that we, as co-workers with God, can help to bring about freedom in our world, Blessed are all who come in the name of the Lord, we bless you from out of the House of the Lord. FOR THE SEVENTH NIGHT: The seventh light reminds us that our beginnings are in the home, where we first learned our Judaism. The home is where we learn the warmth of love; the joys, tastes, aromas, sensations of caring families, of Jewish homes. On this Festival, as at all times, may the hearts of children be turned to the parents and parents to children, and may we understand through all their experiences the blessings of love and devotion symbolized by the home. "Let your home be open wide, and let the lost be members of your household." FOR THE EIGHTH NIGHT: The final light is the light of our responsibility, to be a Kingdom of priests and holy people, to try to complete the work of creation; bringing love and humanity into the world. Micah said, It has been told to you what is good, and what the Lord required of you: Only to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

4 Page 4 P R E S I D E N T S M E S S A G E M A RYA N NA P R I C E It always amazes me how fast the calendar appears to move once the High Holy Days have past. As I write this new monthly column, we recently celebrated our annual Kristallnacht Service, commemorating the Night of Broken Glass in Germany. Although we remembered the Holocaust with students reciting poems and prayers, and a wonderful speaker who proudly told of his parents traumatic experience, the thing that struck me the most was the naming service held that same evening. Our speaker s four-month -old granddaughter, great granddaughter of the survivors of the Holocaust, was given her Jewish name that night, living proof of the continued vitality of the Jewish people and our congregation. For approximately 100 years, Temple Israel has held a joint Interfaith Thanksgiving service with the Russell Sage First Presbyterian Church in Far Rockaway. This year was no exception and Temple Israel was fortunate to host this wonderful service. The Church choir sang alongside the Temple Israel choir and the sanctuary was filled with beautiful music. No festivity is complete without food so a light dinner was served after services. It was a truly wonderful evening. By the time this column comes out, hopefully you will all have attended the screening at Temple Israel of Look at Us Now, Mother! The movie is from Emmy Award filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum, who grew up in North Woodmere and attended Lawrence High School. Desserts and popcorn have been sponsored by Doug Segan, and advanced registration was high. It was a fun evening, with more to come. For those of you who have not as yet signed up your college or graduate school children in our college gift program, there is still time. There is no charge, and the Chanukah packages have not yet been sent out. As my children can attest, it is a wonderful remembrance of home and family to receive these packages on special holidays, just to remind your children that we love them, miss them, and are thinking of them. Our latke bake is coming up on December 10, and Alan Krim has already begun to assign tasks to our intrepid latke bakers, who will arrive at 6 AM to peel potatoes and cook all morning so that our Temple children and parents can celebrate the holiday in style. My son still wears his scuba diving goggles when grating the onions, and my husband still smells like potato latkes for the rest of the day.an absolutely wonderful time! Speaking of Chanukah, our family Chanukah dinner is coming up shortly, where we have a dinner before our annual Chanukah service. At the service, all families are encouraged to bring a menorah and light it together with our rabbi when we light our Temple Israel menorah, to celebrate this joyous occasion. Let us bring light to illuminate the world. As I stated during our Kristallnacht service, history always mentions how the pilgrims, fleeing religious persecution, began this nation it never mentions that they came with Jews, welcomed by these persecuted groups because of the large proportion of doctors and educated people needed to form a civilized society. When we hear of Marches in Charlottesville with American Nazis screaming, Jews will not replace us, it should remind us all that we are the originals we have replaced no one. We always have, and will continue to be, an integral and vital part of the bedrock of this country. May it always be so.

5 Page 5

6 Page 6 G R E E T I N G S F R O M C A N T O R G A L I N A M A K AV E Y E V Dear Friends, I would like to congratulate Our Congregational Choir for successfully leading the Interfaith Service on Tuesday, November 21 st. The choir will present new music selections we worked on for the past few months. The evening was filled with joy and happiness. We are thankful to your support and admiration that you show to our talented members. It means a lot to us and we are looking forward to creating many more meaningful moments together. We welcome to our Congregational choir Temple s new member Faye Clement and our past president Kenny Shapiro. Our next performance will be on Friday Shabbat Service, December 1 st. We are always looking for more choir members who have an open mind and love of good music. The Choir meets twice a month and leads Shabbat Service in Song on the last week of the month. We encourage anyone who would like to sing with us to contact me at CantorGalina@gmail.com or call Temple Office at (516) On Friday, December 15 th, our Temple will hold a very special Chanukah service involving all the students of the Religious School. Throughout the centuries, we celebrated our tradition in ways that sustained us and strengthened us. I hope you will be able to share in this joyous event with your Temple Family and show our children that we care deeply about them. I would like to let you know about our Cantorial concert on Friday, June 8 th featuring popular songs from Broadway musicals written by famous Jewish composers. Popular songs such as Sunrise Sunset by Jerry Bock from the Fiddler on the Roof, Somewhere over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen from The Wizard of Oz, My Favorite Things by Richard Rodgers from The Sound of Music, and Hello Dolly by Jerry Herman from Hello Dolly, are only some of the highlights you will hear at our performance. We are working hard and enthusiastically on learning these musical selections. This concert will be a wonderful and joyful experience for all. We hope you will join us at this fun event. Warmest wishes to you and your families for a very happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year! Yours in Song, Cantor Galina Makaveyev November 6, 2017 After watching movie Defiance, Hebrew High students meet with Mr. Robert Bielsky, the son of one of the partisans. November 20, th Grader & Hebrew High dinner at Ahuvas Grill sponsored by the Sklar family.

7 Page 7 REED RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DR. G A L I N A M A K AV E Y E V CANTOR/DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SCHOOL CALENDAR, DECEMBER /05 - Religious School, LWA 12/10 - SUNDAY, Latke Bake Chanukah Party, 10AM 12PM, TIL 12/12 - Religious School, LWA - Mitzvah Trip to Atria 12/15 - FRIDAY, Pre-Chanukah Dinner 6:30PM, Service 7:30PM, TIL 12/19 12/26 - NO Religious School, Holiday Recess Dear Families, I would like to congratulate our 5 th, 6 th and 7 th Grade students for successfully leading our Family Shabbat on Friday, November 17 th. Alongside the Rabbi, they joined me in chanting Shabbat prayers and singing beautiful Shabbat songs. We all enjoyed the dessert and ice-cream party after this special energetic celebratory worship experience. There is nothing more exciting for the children than to participate and share in the celebration of a Jewish Holiday in a meaningful way. Chanukah is a child-oriented holiday with warm family celebrations. There are so many activities taking place in our School during Chanukah. Our Hebrew High School students will visit the Bristal Assisting Living Facility on December 11th. Young adults will explain the meaning and significance of the Chanukiyah and lighting the candles. After the presentation, during dinner at the Sherwood Diner, they will bond together and discuss their feelings about the experience. On December 12th our Religious School students will visit the residents in Atria Assisted Living Facility on a Mitzvah Trip. At the conclusion of our trip, everyone will enjoy pizza and fruit candy. On Friday, December 15th during the Pre-Chanukah Shabbat Service, our students will sing Chanukah songs and the 7th Grade and Hebrew High Students will participate in the Human Menorah. We will have a Latke Bake Chanukah celebration on Sunday, December 10th, during which our students will have crafts, make menorahs and edible dreidels, dance to music provided by a DJ, enjoy delicious latkes and be given Chanukah gelt candy. Although Chanukah is a fun-filled holiday, it is also a charitable time of giving. We encourage our students to bring in and donate new toys that will be distributed to children at the OHEL MOED in Brooklyn. Please bring your contributions to the school before December 10th. As we move toward 2018, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to improve our School by creating meaningful and memorable Jewish experiences for our children: the Sklar family, Swerdin family, Price family, our Parents and Students, Teachers, Staff, Vice-President Marc Isseks and Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum. I extend my sincerest wishes to all of you for a very happy Chanukah and a healthy and prosperous New Year. B Shalom, Cantor Galina Makaveyev Family Shabbat Service Friday, November 17, 2017

8 Page 8 December Anniversaries Kristina and Simon Field Cheryl and Steven Gralnick Ellen and Roger Harvey Nancy and Alan Hoffman Drs. Keisha and Mark Joseph Susan and Michael Kerr Rhonda and Marc Marinoff Maya and Dr. Boris Marshalik Cheryl and Ted May Elana and Dr. Bruce Mazor Debra and Russell Rosenthal Shelley and Dr. Fred Rudin Marlene and Roger Werner December Birthdays Randy Blaustein Jane Dai Kenneth Friedman Amir Gal Robin Goldberg Dr. William Groisser Carol Gronsbell Ellen Harris Dr. Robin Himmelstein Martin Hollander Burton Kahn Elana Mazor Brian McMahon Dr. Daphne Mizrahi Gerald Morganstern Dr. Frida Popilevsky David Romano Fredda Romano Michael Rosenblatt Abe Rutman Aron Schnell Martha Sexter Keith Sherman Dr. Stephen Silverstein Cathy Weiss Rhonda Zimberg Congratulations to Ethan Hunter Bloomberg who will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on December 2, Ethan is the son of Meredith and Seth Bloomberg and brother of Haydan. He attends Lynbrook South Middle School where he is a 7th grade honor student. In Ethan s spare time he enjoys being active playing hockey and basketball for Lynbrook teams, as well as hanging out with his friends playing soccer and football. For Ethan s Mitzvah project, he will be raising money for the Fly A Kite Foundation. This foundation raises money to find a cure for DIPG a form of brain cancer that typically strikes children. He has worked very hard for his Bar Mitzvah and his family couldn t be prouder. Mazel Tov! SAVE THE DATES! Please join us on Sunday, December 10 th 10:00 AM 12:30 PM for our ANNUAL LATKE BAKE in the Titman Auditorium. If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, please contact: Cantor Galina Makaveyev at cantorgalina@gmail.com or fathers, please call Alan Krim at or at amkrim@aol.com Please join us on Friday, January 12th 7:30 PM for our Fifteenth Annual Greater Long Island Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Service. Please join us on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM for our free Book & Author Series, Bad Rabbi and other strange but true stories from the Yiddish Press, with special guest, Eddie Portnoy.

9 Page 9 V o l um e 2 6 8, I s s ue DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS CANTOR S DISCRETIONARY FUND In loving memory of: Rose Barresi, beloved grandmother Lena Stolls Charles Mann, beloved son Lois & Philip Mann Albert Barrow, beloved father Michael Barrow RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND In loving memory of: Barney Shafran, beloved father Roni Friedman Lois Mofenson, beloved sister-in-law Robert Mofenson Stanley Tehel, beloved father Lois Mann CHIZNER FUND In loving memory of: William Cooper, beloved father-in-law Iylene Cooper Nathan Rothenberg Ronald Rothenberg SPECIAL ONEG HOSTED BY: GENERAL FUND In honor of: Marcia Turetsky s grandson, Tyler, on his Bar Mitzvah Sheila Tick In loving memory of: Joseph Goldberg, beloved father-in-law Irving Port Mildred Wurtzburger, beloved mother Linda Taub Alan Hershey Linda & Norman Rosner Stuart Zimberg, beloved brother Rhonda Zimberg & David Froikin Jack Rosenberg, beloved father Tamar Waldhauser IRA HIMMELSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND In loving memory of: Israel Sherman, beloved great grandfather Michelle I. Jaeger Barbara & Lee Gerber in honor of the baby naming of their granddaughter, Aviva Lettie Ocner SPECIAL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EVENTS HOSTED BY: Hebrew High Dinners MaryAnna & Wayne Price Hebrew High & 7th Grade gathering at Ahuvas Grill Religious School decorating ceramic Menorahs Hebrew High School monthly cooking club Linda & Stephen Sklar MAKE A DONATION We appreciate your donations to our funds, special events or hosting an oneg. Temple Israel provides you with a meaningful way to acknowledge a birthday, graduation, birth, marriage and all special occasions in the lives of those who are special to you and in memory of a loved one.

10 Page 10 DECEMBER 2017 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY :30 PM Free event Book & Author Stolen Legacy 1 8:00 PM Shabbat Service 7 8 8:00 PM Shabbat Service 2 9:30 AM Torah Study 10:45 AM Bar Mitzvah Ethan Bloomberg 9 9:30 AM Torah Study & Service 10 10:00 AM Latke Bake Chanukah Begins at Sundown Chanukah Shabbat 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Service 16 9:30 AM Torah Study & Service 17 10:30 AM Free event Book & Author Chancer 18 7:00 PM Officer s Meeting 7:45 PM Board Meeting CHRISTMAS DAY BUILDING CLOSED 19 Chanukah ends :00 PM Shabbat Service :00 PM Shabbat Service 23 9:30 AM Torah Study & Service 30 9:30 AM Torah Study & Service 31

11 Page 11 Temple Israel graciously acknowledges our weekly Bimah Flowers donated by: Would you like to see your business advertised here? Please call the Temple Office 1315 BROADWAY HEWLETT, NY Boulevard-Riverside Chapels 1450 Broadway Hewlett, New York (516) (516) Director: Stanley Misikoff z l WALL S BAKE SHOP 1336 Broadway - Hewlett Serving the finest in Quality Bakery Products

12 TEMPLE ISRAEL INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR A CHANUKAH SHABBAT DINNER & FAMILY SERVICE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, :30 PM DINNER 7:30 PM SERVICE The Religious School students will join in conducting the service and reciting the blessings over the Menorah with the Rabbi. Families are encouraged to bring their own personal Menorah to light during the service. ADULTS $ CHILDREN FREE (under 16 years old) Dinner Menu to include: Brisket, Roast Chicken, Fried Chicken, Latkes, Salads, Rolls and Sides ALL RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 Call the Temple Office Make check payable to Temple Israel and mail to: 140 Central Avenue Lawrence, New York Temple Israel 140 Central Avenue Lawrence, New York NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAWRENCE, N.Y. PERMIT No. 5