B H Young Isr a e l o f Lawr e nceville, 2556 P rinceton Pike L a w r e n c ev ille, NJ 08648 www. y i o l.com FROM THE PRESIDENT S DESK President s Message Wishing everyone a Happy Chanukah. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts to make sure BH Although each of the Jewish holidays is unique, they all follow a general paradigm. An event occurs which we need to hold onto forever, and commemorations are set into tradition to remember and relive the event. But did you know that Chanukah is different from all other holidays in one very distinct way? There is a that we have a minyan for Shabbos. One of our best fundraisers, with no additional cost to you, are the Shop Rite vouchers. To order your vouchers, contact Eleanor Heck. Charles Miller VIEW FROM THE BIMAH detail of the observance of this holiday that makes it unique and special. Chanukah is the only holiday in which we have a specific instruction to advertise and promote the event. All other celebrations are observed in their specific, individual way, but it stops there. There is no consideration for how those holidays are received and processed by the outside world. On Chanukah, however, we have the mitzvah of pirsumei nissa an instruction to actively be involved in the spreading of the miracle of Chanukah. We do this by observing the custom of placing the Menorah at the doorway of the house being careful to place it where it is visible, and at a time when it will be seen by people who are shpatziering. December 2017 Kislev 5778 Volume, Issue Editors: Eleanor Heck Lynda Sacharov Chanukah 5778 Inside this issue: President's Message 1 Community Bulletin Board 3 Donations and Good Tidings Sisters In The Hood 5 No Hassle Kiddush Initiative 4 6
Page 2 A View From the Bimah (continued) One of the reasons for this is that the Syrian-Greek government at the time did not find it sufficient to ban Torah study and the practice of certain commandments, but also required Jews to parade with banners saying that they denounce their share in the G-d of Israel. Well, they weren t quite banners, but inscription on the horns of the oxen they were riding. Oxen were the primary mode of transportation of the time; the horn is the most visible part. Think of them as the bumper stickers of that era. To counter this cruel and oppressive demand, as descendants of those Jews who were abused and humiliated in this way, we are entreated to proudly display our continued faith in Hashem by publicly and proudly displaying our Menorahs. Let s be proud of who we are and what we stand for! We are blessed to be living at a time and in a country that supports the freedom to practice our religion proudly. Let s light up the world with the message that a little bit of light does push away much darkness, so that we can prepare the word for the Messianic reality that is about to happen. Wishing you and your family a happy Chanukah! Rabbi Y. Goldenberg Did you know? Do you need help with checking or placing a Mezuzah? We are happy to offer assistance and guidance related to all aspects of Mezuzot and Tefillin. Mezuzot should be checked twice every seven years to see if they have been affected by adverse weather conditions. Or by folding (which can cause cracks in the letters), or if any other defect has occurred. It is preferable to check Mezuzot which are on the outside of a building more often, due to their vulnerability to the elements. To have your Mezuzot or Tefillin checked or for information, call (609) 882-4330 or email: rabbi@jewishlawrence.com. Please return your siddur, chumash and talis to the bookshelf after services.
Page 3 Young Israel - Community Bulletin Board Adult Education Program lease join us for our classes. P All classes are conducted in English and are held at the Synagogue..Tuesday evening class -- Rabbi Goldenberg will be announcing a new series for his Tuesday night class. Women s class Dina Goldenberg teaches a women s class on alternate Mondays at 7:30. There is no charge for participation. For further information, call the synagogue at (609) 883-8833 any day from Saturday at nightfall through Friday early afternoon. If there is no reply, leave a message on the answering machine Tzedakah Fund Our Shul has a Tzedakah fund to help those in special need of assistance The fund is derived primarily from contributions collected from the pushka in Shul. If you would like to contribute to this fund, or know of a person who is in need of assistance, please advise either Rabbi Goldenberg or Charles Miller. The Memorial Board o he Memorial Board in the Synagogue is a T special way to honor, in perpetuity, the memory of departed loved ones. Plaques are $250 each and may be ordered by contacting the Rabbi. Kiddushim ur thanks to those who have sponsored kiddushim. For a full list of recent kiddush sponsors, please refer to Donations and Good Tidings. To celebrate your special occasion with a kiddush, please e-mail Carol Aronoff: billcar2@verizon.net When paying your dues, please send your kiddush assessment ($100) in a separate check, made payable to the Sisterhood. If you don't have e-mail, you can reach Carol at (609) 530-0366. PLEASE PURCHASE SHOP-RITE SCRIP. IT'S AN IMPORTANT AND EASY FUNDRAISER. TO LEARN MORE, CALL OR E-MAIL ELEANOR HECK 530-1128 eleanor333@outlook.com Board of Trustees 2017 President Charles Miller Tel: 609-530-1846 Treasurer Norman Ferstenberg Tel: 609-882-7170 Secretary Eleanor Heck Tel: 609-530-1128 Directors Dr. Bruce Bitcover Lynda Sacharov Dr. Ted Shafman Yahrzeit Advisory Tel: 609-896 8490 Tel: 215-504-7127 Tel: 609-895 9597 t is very important that our Shul I provide a minyan to enable members and others to observe a Yahrzeit anniversary. Whenever you need to observe a Yahrzeit, please contact one of our gabbaim several days in advance so we can ensure a minyan will be available. Please contact Charles Miller (530-1846). Visiting the Sick t is a religious duty I (a mitzvah) to visit someone who is ill. If you become aware of someone who is unwell or infirm, please advise Rabbi Goldenberg or Charles Miller immediately so that the person may be contacted and visited at an appropriate and convenient time.
Donations and Good Tidings Page 4 May G-D bless those who dedicate synagogues for prayer and those who enter them to pray, those who provide light for them, wine for Kiddush and Havdalah, bread for guests and charity to the poor and all who are involved faithfully in the needs of the community. (from the Yekum Purkan prayer said every Shabbat at the end of the Shacharis service). Kiddushim HENRY AND DALYA REDEL In honor of Eliana Redel SHULI AND JEANNETTE LEVIN Yom Kippur break-fast JEFFREY AND ROSE LONSTEIN In honor of the community and the warm welcome it extended to Jeffrey and Rose GOLDENBERG FAMILY In memory of Rivka Munitz (Simchas Torah evening) GOLDENBERG FAMILY n memory of Rivka Munitz (Simchas Torah morning) ARONOFF FAMILY In honor of the birthday of Carol Aronoff and her daughter in law, Ellie Aronoff, and in celebration of the 31 years since the Aronoff family moved to New Jersey. In celebration of many family simchas SACHAROV FAMILY In memory of Dorothy Fern BRUCE AND LYDIA BITCOVER Yizkor MARTHA FRIEDMAN Yizkor In memory of Goldie Yudkowitz STEVEN AND EVELYN GOLDIN General donation ELEANOR HECK Toward the purchase of the supplemental air-conditioning unit In honor of Kohelet Ferstenberg In memory of Goldie Yudkowitz Yizkor Donations DAVID AND ANDREA LEV Yizkor SHULI AND JEANNETTE LEVIN General donation In honor of Kohelet Ferstenberg In memory of Goldie Yudkowitz MARY ELLEN ROGERS In memory of Rose Kaplowitz JONATHAN SEIDEN AND GALETE LEVIN General donation In honor of the birth of Kohelet Ferstenberg TED AND MARIAN SHAFMAN Yizkor Misheberach General donations In memory of Goldie Yudkowitz Refuah shelemah for Marion Shafman JOEL D. TENNENBAUM, ESQ. General donation Some donations were unintentionally left out of the previous newsletter. They are included in this list. We apologize for the omissions. Thank you all for your contributions and your support of the Shul!
Page 5 SISTERS IN THE HOOD Not much has happened in Lawrenceville in the last few months. Quiet is a good thing. I would like to thank all the people who made YI a great place to be for the Jewish holidays. Leading services, reading Torah, setting up for Kiddushes, building and unbuilding the Succah, and the list goes on, it is a lot of work and takes effort. YI members take on the job, get it done and do it well. As Jews we seem to go from Chag (Holiday) to Chag. Hasham has given us lots of times to celebrate life. Have you seen the large Chabad Chanukah (menorah) in the Lawrenceville ShopRite? It is in front of the Kosher Experience department. Just look for it, it will take you to all your Chanukah needs. When I last wrote, Bill and I were getting ready for an Alaskan cruise. Alaska is beautiful. We saw bears, whales, otters, eagles and owls. The glaciers were mind blowing, it seemed that we were close enough to touch them. We joined other passengers for Shabbos services. I think we met all the other Jews on board. There seemed to be about 3 dozen (36, good number) of us. One couple lives in Bensalem, PA and shops in the Lawrenceviile ShopRite. Playing Jewish geography with strangers is always fun. One man grew up in the Bronx (so did I), one woman, Queens (Bill). She even attended the day school our sons would have gone to, if we had stayed in NY. Her dad worked for Bartons chocolates in Brooklyn, Bill taught across the street. I like to say that there are not a lot of us, but we move around, so everyone knows everyone else. This is not good if you go into Witness Protection. You would be outted the first Passover when you tried to buy matzah. Bill and I attended a Science Fiction convention in November. One of the panel topics was "Is Replicated Meat Kosher?" The discussion went on and on, of course with no true answer. Some say yes, some say no. We have a few more conventions coming up, some with the family, some just Bill and I. We are now looking at an end of 2017 cruise to the Caribbean. NJ is already too cold for me. Take note: you are only allowed to complain about one season's weather per each year's cycle. I think I will take winter this year, it is usually my choice. The next few months hold reasons to celebrate simchas; birthdays, anniversaries and a wedding. Those along with remembering our loved ones are reasons to host a Kiddush. Talk to me about dates. Dina has also made the whole process easier for you. For a fee, she will do all the work so you don't have to. Check with her. However you do it, think about sponsoring a kiddush. The calendar in Shul is not always correct, the one I keep at home is up to date. The sale of ShopRite gift cards is an ongoing and painless fund raiser. ShopRite gives us a discount, you pay face value, Sisterhood makes money. Win/Win deal. Call Eleanor to order cards. Here are my nags for this newsletter: 1. Seat and lid down 2. No baby carriages blocking outside steps 3. Replace hard beverages Three is enough. My family and I would like to wish everyone a Chanukah filled with family, friends. fried food and joyous light. Carol for Sisterhood
Page 6 Dear Fellow Shul Goer, I would like to present the community with an opportunity that could benefit its members: I ll call it the No-Hassle Kiddush Initiative. If you would like to sponsor a Kiddush but you can t (or don t want to!) deal with the headache of shopping, preparing, setting up, etc., no worries. I will do it for you. Yup, you read that correctly. I will prepare your entire Kiddush all you need to do is show up! It s that simple. I will offer you choices of delicious homemade salads and baked goods, pretty platters, tasty deserts, and more. I will even include the paper goods. On the next page, you will find a list of options, as well as other information that you might need. Note: this offer is my own personal initiative. It is in addition to, not in place of, what is currently being arranged by the YI sisterhood. If you were at shul on September 16th, you would have been able to sample a No Hassle Kiddush which was sponsored by Eleanor Heck. If you have any questions, you can contact me: dinagoldenberg@aol.com 609-231-8609
Page 7 BASIC KIDDUSH - $150 Salads (vegetable): Choice of 3 (Each additional salad $7) Eggplant marinated Eggplant babaganoush Taboule (quinoa) Coleslaw Potato Carrot cooked or grated Tomato Egg Salad Olive dip Chummus Platters: Choice of 1 Fresh vegetable Fresh fruit (seasonal) Fish: Choice of 2 (Each additional $10) Gefilte fish with horseradish Tuna (plain or scallion) White fish salad (store bought) Herring (store bought) Nosh: One of each (Each additional $5) Cookies 2 types (rugelach, biscotti, chocolate chip, etc.) Nuts or chocolate Extras: Cake for special occasion: $50 *Price includes paper goods *Liquor provided by Kiddush sponsor List is flexible. If you would like specific or select items, that can be arranged. One week advance notice for all orders! Orders must be pre-paid. NOTE: If you are expecting a larger than usual crowd, please indicate approximately how many additional guests you expect. Prices will be adjusted accordingly. Potato chips or Tortilla chips Pretzels or other chips Crackers 2 types Drinks: 2 seltzers and 1 juice (Soda upon request) DELUXE KIDDUSH: $225 Same as basic plus: 2 additional vegetable salads Fish platter OR deli platter Kugel choice of potato, noodle or apple
Page 8 Making Light of It. By Lynda Sacharov Light comes into our lives in many ways like when Hashem first spoke, Let there be light. We make light of a serious situation. You light up my life. or Lighten up.and in a couple of days, we will begin The Festival of Lights, which will not only lighten up our homes with the light from the menorah, but also uplift our spirits. We are already familiar with the wonderful story of Chanukah. This is a story about two people who, in their way, have brought light into the world. This is a story of Rita and Barry. They re retired and were looking for something to fill their days. A friend of theirs told them that she volunteers with the Bumper T Caring Clowns program. After attending an orientation at another clown s home, which lasted about four hours, Barry and Rita were hooked (maybe it was the red nose that attracted them). They began training, by shadowing a veteran clown to observe. After about 25 hours of training, they received certificates at a graduation ceremony held at St. Mary s Hospital (in Pennsylvania), during which they officially became clowns.and while they marched around, everyone else clapped. They walk the hallways of both St. Mary s and Capital Health (in Hopewell), stopping in rooms of the patients young and old their visits can last a few minutes or longer sometimes there is no visit because a patient just might not be in the mood for a happy clown. Then there are times when they simply enter the lobby of a hospital, and are drawn into conversations with people just waiting. Rita recounts a time when upon entering the lobby, a woman, her daughter and granddaughter were there to see an elderly grandfather, who was a patient. Rita followed them into the room four generations in one room. It was the elderly grandfather who said that their visit was better than the medicines. Barry and Rita bring light into the lives of everyone they visit. They have already reaped many benefits for their selflessness in a smile, or thank you from a patient, or from a family member or caregiver. They feel a great sense of satisfaction. Barry and Rita take their clowning around very seriously as they try to lighten up those who are sad, and they always leave em laughing! ******** Happy Chanukah may the Festival of Lights bring joy and peace to you and those you hold dear.
Page 9 Ask The Rabbi Is there a question you might like to ask Rabbi Goldenberg? If so, send it to LSach@msn.com. Your answer will appear in the next newsletter. Dear Rabbi, Question: We know we light the Menorah on Chanukah, but why is it that it is not generally done to decorate the outside of our homes as is typically practiced in other religions? Answer: It is the Jewish custom to light the Menorah in the home, but in a way that it can be seen from the street. This teaches the lesson of spreading the message of Chanukah to the outside world (see View From the Bima, on page 1.) Taking this a step further and placing Chanukah symbols and decorations is in the spirit of the above, albeit not instructed. But let s do it because of our Jewish pride, not because it s done by others.
Page 10 Bereavement Services King Solomon said, There is a time for all under the heavens a time to love, a time to journey, a time to plant, a time to reap, a time to rejoice and a time to mourn. In a most loving and caring way and with the greatest sensitivity, Rabbi Goldenberg will make it his business to offer all the comfort, guidance and bereavement support needed. In addition, he will be glad to offer his assistance in preparation, officiating at the funeral, making Shiva services, arranging for the kaddish to be recited, etc. For assistance, or for more information, please call: (609) 882-4330. THIS SPACE HAS TRADITIONALLY LAID OUT LIGHTING AND SERVICE TIMES FOR SHABBOS AND YOM TOV. HOWEVER, THANKS TO THE CHABAD OF LAWRENCEVILLE CALENDAR THAT THE RABBI MAILS OUT ANNUALLY AND TO THE RABBI'S WEEKLY E- TORAH E-MAIL, WE HAVE DECIDED THAT IT MAY NO LONGER BE NECESSARY TO INCLUDE THE INFORMATION IN THE NEWSLETTER. PLEASE NOTIFY RABBI GOLDENBERG IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE THE CALENDAR OR BE ADDED TO THE MAILING LIST TO RECEIVE THE E-TORAH PLEASE FEEL FREE TO NOTIFY ELEANOR, LYNDA, OR THE RABBI IF YOU WOULD PREFER THAT THE NEWSLETTER ALSO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION.
Page 11 IN CELEBRATION OF YOUNG ISRAEL ***** Marian and Ted Shafman Sach of Beads DiabeaDes Handmade bracelets & necklaces Made to order Caryn Sacharov Email: CHoff1201@Optimum.net / Cell: 609-558-2612 Lynda Sacharov Email: LSach@msn.com / Cell: 609-638-1861 Website: www.sachofbeads.com A portion from each sale benefits the ADA. Thanks to our Advertisers for their support! Want to place an ad? Contact Eleanor Heck 609-530-1128 or Lynda Sacharov 215-504-7127 Don t forget to check out Young Israel s website www.yiol.com