CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL is the Jewish home we share. We are a community creating positive experiences with individuals of every age. CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL is our spiritual center, where together, our family of families celebrates, commemorates, worships, learns, nurtures, gives, and grows. We constantly strive to achieve the beauty that comes from experiencing the world through Jewish eyes.
CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL 2 Banksville Road • Armonk, NY 10504 • Spring 2016 Quarterly Bulletin
LEADERSHIP
From Our President Lisa Broomer The role of temple President can be a difficult one. Often, your job is to ask people to do things they might not otherwise think about doing. Throughout my three years, many people have asked me why they should do these things, looking for the logic behind the request. So over the years, I have honed my responses. Why should I attend an event? Because you will have a good time and spend time with people you like. Why should I encourage my children to continue post b'nai mitzvah? Because they will encounter challenges as a teenager and will not want you to provide the answers. Having a group and trusted adults to talk with will help them make the right choices. Why should I donate money? Because dues and tuition do not cover our expenses, a situation we share with most other temples in the area. Because we have experienced a reduction in membership over the past five years. Because we cannot teach our children, nourish our souls, comfort our bereaved or celebrate with our community without money to pay our clergy, pay Con Ed, pay the mortgage and pay our staff. And when all else fails, I use typical Jewish guilt - because you should, because your friends and neighbors did, and because others are not as fortunate as you.
As I approach the end of my tenure as President, I have begun to look for some answers myself, instead of being the one to provide them. And I think it comes down to something very simple, yet very difficult to integrate into our pros and cons, assets and liabilities, plusses and minuses, logic-based decision making. continues on page 3
IN THIS ISSUE Cover-3 Leadership From Our President
3-12 Community
Making a Difference, Really Our Teens Travel to Washington D.C. for the L'Taken Social Justice Seminar Thank You: CBY Gala Chai Member Shabbat Service & Quilt Dedication Commemorating Yom HaShoah: From Generation to Generation Facebook and Other Things That Don’t Matter CBY Cultural Connection: Women's Wellness Workshop
CBY Brotherhood Seeking Nominations for the Peyser Award Shabbat Service Guest Speaker: Rabbi Stein Film: Above and Beyond: The Creation of the Israeli Airforce Holiday Celebrations Progressive Dinner Buy a Share in Roxbury Farm CSA CBY Women Get Together and “Get Down”
13-14 Learning
JID Program Changes for 2016-2017 Upcoming JID Programs Adult Education
15-16 Commitment to Others
Volunteers Participate in a Local Habitat for Humanity Build Zero Waste Day and Town Clean Up Day Blood Drive Klezmer Concert Prom Dress Drive JID Food Drive 300 Macaroons Ongoing Programs
CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL
Our Cornerstones
Tradition Congregation B’nai Yisrael connects individuals to our Jewish heritage and weaves our traditions into our individual and family identities. Our religious traditions form a framework for meaningful Jewish lives, and /CBYArmonk help us to celebrate moments of wonder in life’s cycle and to find comfort in times of tragedy and sorrow. Our spiritual home connects our members Rabbi Joshua Strom to that which is Divine, to the rich variety of Jewish living, and to others rabbistrom@cbyarmonk.org in our community. 2 Banksville Road, Armonk, NY 10504 (914) 273-2220 • fax (914) 273-2285 cbyarmonk.org • temple@cbyarmonk.org
Cantor Hayley Kobilinsky cantorkobilinsky@cbyarmonk.org Community Rabbi Douglas E. Krantz Founding Rabbi, Retired Congregation B'nai Yisrael is the center of Jewish life in Armonk. As a neighborhood synagogue, we form a bond among our member families. Melissa Cohavi Director of Jewish Identity Development The synagogue serves as a spiritual and a social center where individuals melissa@cbyarmonk.org Ava Saperstein Administrator fulfill their religious needs and find meaning in Judaism at every stage of life. ava@cbyarmonk.org Jessica Gollin Education Coordinator Learning jessica@cbyarmonk.org Alicia Allison Communications Director Learning the lessons of our Jewish heritage is a primary focus at alicia@cbyarmonk.org Congregation B'nai Yisrael. Together we discover the building blocks of David Pribish Bookkeeper Jewish life, expand our sense of self in a Jewish context, and apply Jewish david@cbyarmonk.org wisdom to every stage of our journey. Frank Vetere Facilities Manager frank@cbyarmonk.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Executive Committee Lisa Broomer President Brian Kaminer Vice President, Business Affairs Communications Co-chair Samantha Schwam Vice President, Programs; Caring/Social Action Co-chair; William Katz Treasurer Bonni Stanley Secretary, Human Resources Chair Paul Skurman Member-At-Large, High Holy Day Honors Chair Members of the Board Susan Bloom CBY Cultural Connections Chair Valerie Drossman Michelle Eickelbeck Membership Chair Diane Freedman Jewish Identity Development Chair Sheldon Ganis High Holy Day Fundraising Aaron Kwittken Communications Co-chair Ina Lane Suzanne Lipton Cookie Markhoff Religious Practices Chair Charles Shapiro Long Range Planning Chair Amy Yallof Felicia Zacks
PAST PRESIDENTS Lewis Schaffer Robert Regal John Stern Marilyn Heimerdinger Michael J. Gross ז״לShelly Jacob Mike Jacobs David Brody Lyle Halperin ז״ל Barby K. Siegel Ann Leber Joel Dworetzky Ellen Bernstein Frederic J. Siegel Charles Shapiro Lawrence C. Fox
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Commitment to Others The Jewish impulse to repair the world [Tikkun Olam] plays a central role in the life of our community. We care for other human beings and strive to make a difference in people’s lives through individual and communal acts of tzedakah here in Armonk, in our wider Westchester community, and throughout our world. Investment We are deeply committed to maintaining our vibrant community. We demonstrate our dedication by sharing our time and our resources to insure a healthy future for our synagogue. Leadership Our clergy and leadership are accessible and responsive. It is our responsibility to be deeply connected to one another, in order to hear what every individual and family needs, and learn how to strengthen our community. Relevance From ancient times, Judaism has thrived by maintaining its traditions in an evolving world. Our synagogue helps our families build contemporary Jewish lives. Through celebration and study, by taking care of our own and reaching out to help others, by respecting every individual and embodying a spirit of diversity, we are able to be authentic Jews in a modern world.
Printed on 100% recycled paper. Read this issue of our Bulletin, as well as past issues, online at cbyarmonk.org under Calendar and Events.
LEADERSHIP continues from cover
Because you can. Yes, that's it - because you can. Think about it - so simple, yet so profound. So clear, yet hard to follow through. Because you can. Why should I give $500, $5000, $50,000 each year? Because you can. And if you can't, no worries, no guilt, just do what you can. Why should I come to services on a Friday night? Because you can, and you might just leave feeling better, having taken part in the centuries old tradition of taking a break from the workweek and saying hello to Shabbat. And if you can't, no worries, no guilt, just do what you can. So the next time you are asked to participate, to pray, to comfort, to celebrate, to learn or even to give, don't ask the person who approached you why you should. Ask yourself if you can. If you can, then do so. And if you can't then no worries, no guilt, just offer to do what you can.
Help Shape the Future of CBY A few weeks ago we sent out focus group invitations via email so you can lend your voice to CBY's Long Range Planning process and help determine our future direction. Focus Groups have already begun. If you have any questions or did not receive an email invitation, contact Charles Shapiro at longrangeplanning@ cbyarmonk.org. At the end of this phase of the Long Range Planning process, we will hold Sounding Board meetings in which the results of the process will be shared with the Congregation as a whole.
COMMUNITY
Making A Difference. Really. Rabbi Joshua Strom When I was in high school, I remember feeling frustrated by the political scene. Old enough to begin to understand some of the issues facing our country and our world, I wanted to get more involved, to share my opinions and feelings in a venue and manner in which they would count for something. Knowing that the votes cast and the decisions made would most certainly impact my own future and that of my peers, I felt it incredibly unfair that I was too young to enter the voting booth. There was, it seemed, no place for my voice to be heard, and that was quite upsetting. What I wish I had known about was the Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C. The RAC, as it’s known, is the congressional lobbying body of the Union for Reform Judaism, representing approximately 1.5 million Reform Jews in the United States. In a nation where religious and spiritual values impact our political choices, when “people of faith” comes to be a term that influences the political landscape, it is of the utmost importance that liberal, Jewish values are represented and expressed in all three branches of government. The RAC does that for us, every single day, whether we realize it or not.
The weekend seminars are called L’Taken (pronounced “lih-tah-kein”), meaning “to repair” or “to fix.” While our democracy is among the best in the world, there are certainly elements that are broken and in need of repair. Two of our students, Rachel Broomer and Lauren Berman, joined Melissa and me in DC for CBY’s L’Taken weekend at the beginning of March. Melissa and I were blown away by their passion, their desire to get involved and be heard, and their maturity in grasping and struggling with some very challenging topics. We have chosen to include both Rachel’s and Lauren’s lobby speeches in our bulletin, because we are so proud of everything they learned and accomplished over the course of this weekend. When we find ourselves frustrated, feeling that our voices are not being heard, and that we’re not really making a difference, do yourself a favor: take out these phenomenal speeches, and read them again. And then you’ll know that we can make a difference – really – and that our future is a very bright one indeed.
And throughout the year, the RAC sponsors weekends for high school students to learn about timely political issues, delve into what Jewish texts and tradition have to say about them, learn through simulations about the multi-faceted world of congressional lobbying, explore the rich history of Washington, and conclude a power-packed weekend by actually lobbying our own representatives on issues that matter most to our students. 3
COMMUNITY
Our Teens Travel to Washington D.C. for the L'Taken Social Justice Seminar Rachel Broomer
Lauren Berman
I had the privilege of going on our Temple's trip to the Religious Action Center's L'Taken. Throughout the course of four days, I was able to not only learn about the current issues of our world through a Jewish lens, but I was actually able to travel to Capitol Hill and lobby for an issue that was important to me personally. I chose to advocate for reproductive rights, and I can honestly say that having the chance to speak with a representative who has the power to really do something was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. During the RAC trip, I also met many new people from all over the country, and participated in interactive and enlightening breakout sessions, during which you are able to pick a topic you are interested in and really dive into it. You also attend two services inside the hotel, one Friday night (led by our own amazing Rabbi Strom!) and one on Saturday morning. However, Saturday night, we traveled to the Jefferson Memorial and had our Havdalah service on the marble steps. Everyone had their own candle and sang along to the songs we all know so well. The sense of community was overwhelming, and only helped to remind me why I love Judaism so much. Overall, my weekend at L'Taken was not only fun and enjoyable, but filled with passion, religion, and learning, all of which I know I will never forget.
At the L'taken Social Justice Seminar, my eyes were opened in a big way. I never knew that Judaism commanded us to make such huge changes in the world, and I found it so interesting to connect passages of scripture to modern day issues. Through different workshops, I was able to learn so much more about political issues and what it means to be Jewish. It was an amazing feeling to be surrounded by 450 passionate, kind, and interesting teenagers. Even though we were only there for three and a half days, the sense of community that formed was astounding. The Shabbat and Havdallah services were filled with song and actually quite fun. The whole experience made me feel like I was part of something important. It also made me realize that I have the power to make the changes that I want to see in the world.
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Read the speeches Lauren and Rachel gave on Capitol Hill at cbyarmonk.org/blog.
COMMUNITY
Thank You Thank you for everyone's generous support of our CBY Gala honoring Rabbi Strom and Shelly and Bernie Jacob. Read our gala journal and see more pictures on our website: cbyarmonk.org/gala.
View more pictures from these events and others on our facebook page: facebook.com/CBYArmonk. 5
COMMUNITY
Chai Member Shabbat Service and Quilt Dedication On Friday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. join us for a special service during which those who have been members of CBY for 18 years or longer will be acknowledged and appreciated. Oneg Shabbat to follow. Also at this service we will be dedicating the beautiful quilt that was made on CBY's First Annual Women's Retreat and put together so lovingly by Carolyn Salon. The quilt will be hung on the wall in our synagogue.
Commemorating Yom HaShoah: From Generation to Generation Remembering the Holocaust through Story and Song with Cantor David S. Wisnia and Avi Wisnia
Cantor David Wisnia survived Auschwitz because he was a singer and entertainer. Seventy years after the liberation he and his grandson, Avi Wisnia, an award-winning composer and singer, embarked on a journey to reconnect with his roots and bring his story to a new generation. Listen to them share their story on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrace Day, Thursday, May 5 at 7:00pm. Free and open to the community. A native of Warsaw, Poland, Cantor Wisnia is a survivor of Auschwitz, saving his life by singing to entertain the Nazi SS and cell block leaders. While in the camp, he composed two songs that became popular with the inmates. One song was in Polish, “Oswiecim” (Auschwitz) and the other in Yiddish, “Dos Vaise Haizele” (The Little White House In The Woods), both now on display at the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. Wisnia was transferred to Dachau in December 1944, after managing to survive the Death March. He was soon found and rescued by the American 101 Airborne Division. He then joined the 506th Parachute Infantry and engaged actively in combat during the closing days of the war with Germany in 1945, becoming both a survivor and a liberator. After the War, Wisnia moved to the United States where he served as Cantor of Temple Shalom in Levittown, PA for 28 years, and recently retired after 23 years as Cantor for Har Sinai Hebrew Congregation of Trenton, New Jersey. Wisnia continues to be an active vocalist, educator, and congregational community leader. For more information on the memoir of David Wisnia’s powerful life story, “One Voice, Two Lives: From Auschwitz Prisoner to 101st Airborne Trooper”, visit onevoicetwolives.com. Avi Wisnia is an award-winning composer, singer, performer and educator, finding inspiration in Brazilian bossa nova, acoustic American folk, 1950’s West-coast jazz, and contemporary pop. Hailing from Philadelphia, Avi has travelled extensively with his debut album, Something New, performing in prestigious venues around the world – from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, giving a TED talk about “The Nature and Nurture of Bossa Nova” and even spending a month on tour in Brazil. Avi has performed alongside artists such as The Roots, Ani DiFranco, Arturo Sandoval and Maroon 5, and his music has been featured on TV and in featured films. He is the winner of several songwriting awards and was most recently named Outstanding Keyboard Player of the Year at the MoBucks Music Awards in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit aviwisnia.com. 6
COMMUNITY
Facebook and Other Things That Don’t Matter Cantor Hayley Kobilinsky Ah, priorities, priorities. I get many opportunities, on a regular basis, to do a priority check. This should come as no surprise; being clergy means seeing both wonderful and terribly sad events. Every day’s flip lands on both sides of the coin. I can start with a Bat Mitzvah service, head to a baby naming, counsel a wedding couple, and then meet with a family preparing for a funeral, before returning to more mundane tasks of home ownership, marriage and motherhood. It can feel as though one is going through a manic swing. It does, however, provide moments of clarity. First, there is balance in everything. If I work with a student who is resistant, there is always another who is eager. There are babies joining the Jewish covenant through the loving acts of their parents, and there are hands lovingly laying earth into a grave. It is a constant reminder of the (pardon the cliché) cycle of life. And I can, and do, cry at both the b’nai mitzvah and the memorial services. The balance helps keep us sane. Those events immediately remind one of what is most important in life. This overarching sense of the “big picture” pushes us through the stormy waters back to a calm float. Second, don’t sweat the small stuff. You know all the things you stress about? The nasty person at work treating you cruelly? The stories on facebook that make you feel like you’re doing a crummy job at life? None of it matters. None of it. Not one bit. Much of it is façade anyhow. When I think about how much time I’ve wasted in front of a computer screen (the irony not being lost on me that I’m writing this article on a computer right now), I shudder. Reality check your lives: What is really important? With whom do you really want to spend time? If TODAY is your last day on this earth, would you be glad you spent it like this?
Third, living life is really important. I have never heard a eulogy include the sentence, “I wish she had spent more time at the office.” And, for that matter, I’ve never heard “I’m glad he held that grudge.” You know what I have heard? The satisfaction in knowing that a loved one focused on what really mattered to them. The joy of having lived a life full of love for family and friends. That love trickles down the generations. If you want your children to live a life full of love, teach them by example, and live a life full of love. If you’re reading this and had a moment of inspiration, but now are thinking, “eh, that’s all fine and well but I can’t change anything…” then I will share with you the beautiful words of Theodore Hertzl, one of the fathers of the state of Israel: Im tirtzu ein zo agadah, v’im lo tirtzu, agadah hi, v’agadah tisha’eir. (Or, in the original German: Wenn ihr wollt, ist es kein Märchen…) If you will it, it is no dream. And if you do not will it, a dream it is, and a dream it will stay. Hertzl wrote this sentence about the dream of having a Jewish homeland. But how lovely a thought it is that we might be able to make our dreams come true. As we approach the Passover season, I imagine our ancestors, enslaved in Egypt, thinking too that it was futile to dream. Time after time their dreams were dashed. And yet, that last time…the impossible happened. I wish you happy dreaming, and look forward to seeing you in the Promised Land.
Birthday Blessings For children and adults alike! Rabbi Strom and Cantor Kobilinsky will give monthly birthday blessings on the first Friday of the month. Join us at services, receive a blessing on the bema for a good year, and children will receive a special treat too. The dates for our special birthday blessings are: • May 6 • June 3 (for all summer birthdays) Annual Cantor's Concert 7
COMMUNITY
CBY Cultural Connections: Women's Wellness Workshop Healthy Aging, Clean Eating ,Yoga & Mindfulness Join us for our workshop with a keynote speaker, 2 workshops and breakfast bites on Thursday, May 19 from 9:30am-12:00pm. $18/CBY members. $25/non-members. Sign up at cbyarmonk.org. A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health with Dr. Joel Evans Dr. Evans, the founder and Director of the Center for Womens’ Health in Stamford will share a holistic approach to the prevention of the most common health issues affecting women as we age. To learn more about Dr. Evans visit centerforwomenshealth.com. The Power of the Mind, Body & Spirit with Alka Kaminer
Join us for an active workshop featuring chair yoga, mindfulness and the power of essential oils. To learn more about Alka visit presentwisdom.com
The Power of Food with Jyoti Tewani, Health & Nutritional Consultant
Come learn about why we need to include greens, fats and super foods in a healthy diet. Sample a custom made green smoothie and learn how to make your own. For learn more about Jyoti visit foodthatfitsyou.com.
Breakfast bites provided by chef & congregant Suzanne Perry
Isaac Mizrahi Art Tour at the Jewish Museum in NYC.
CBY Brotherhood
Volunteering at the Food Bank in Westchester and Hike, Hang and Eat at Merestead Park in Mt Kisco. 8
COMMUNITY
Seeking Nominations for the Peyser Award We are seeking nominations for our Howard J. Peyser Service Award that is presented annually to a member(s) of our temple whose efforts on behalf of CBY reflect the selflessness, commitment and long-term service we remember in the late Howard Peyser. Howard was a man who participated fully in every aspect of our congregation's life. From the time he and his family joined our temple in 1987, until his tragic passing in 2001, Howard was involved. He served on and chaired a broad range of temple committees, including Program, Membership, Special Events, Fundraising and Budget & Finance. He joined the Board of Trustees in 1991 and was on the Executive Committee for five years. Howard was completing his second term on the Board when he was suddenly taken from us. He will be remembered not only for the breadth and depth of his service, but also for the humility with which he undertook each task. Howard never sought the limelight, and when we needed him, he never said no. The award committee welcomes recommendations from our congregation. Please e-mail your nominations to Paul Skurman at skurman@sankel.com by May 15 and put "Peyser Service Award" in the subject line. Past Recipients include Ross Honig, Bob Goldberg, Michael Gross, Marilyn Heimerdinger, Shelly Jacob, Michael Jacobs, Cookie Markhoff, Steven Ruskin, Carolyn Salon, Frederic J. and Barby K. Siegel, Paul Skurman and Debra Ezratty.
Shabbat Service Guest Speaker Join us on Friday, May 13 at 8:00 p.m. for our Shabbat Guest Speaker Rabbi Jonathan Stein who will be speaking on behalf of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Jonathan Stein is the Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shaaray Tefila of New York City and currently serves as Secretary of the national Board of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Rabbi Stein has served as a Board member and officer of more than 40 organizations, including chair of the Board of the United Way of San Diego, president of Operation Understanding, the Marion County Commission on Youth and the Indiana Interreligious Commission on Human Equality as well as a member of the San Diego Human Relations Commission. He has been recognized as an honorary member of the National Association of Temple Educators and as a life member of the North American Federation of Temple Youth. He has been honored by the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Film: Above and Beyond: The Creation of the Israeli Airforce On Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00pm join Congregation B’nai Yisrael and Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester for a special screening of Above and Beyond: the Untold Story of the Creation of the Israeli Airforce, directed by Roberta Grossman Produced by Nancy Spielberg. Reception and conversation with a retired IDF Pilot to follow. You must RSVP for this program at cbyarmonk.org. 9
COMMUNITY
Holiday Celebrations
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COMMUNITY
Progressive Dinner Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones at our Progressive Dinner on Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m., a fun and festive evening of dining, socializing and moving from home to home. Experience a variety of delicious tastings generously provided by your hosts. You will spend cocktail hour with the entire group at a member’s home from 7:008:00pm. Then the group will divide up and travel to their assigned dinner home from 8:15-10:00pm. Your evening concludes when everyone meets back together for an elegant dessert buffet. $75 per couple. $40 per person. RSVP at cbyarmonk.org/progressivedinner
Buy a Share in Roxbury Farm CSA Buy a share in Roxbury Farm this year receive fresh organic vegetables, and provide direct support to a bio-dynamic New York farm VEGETABLE SHARES $638 for 23 weeks June 8- November 16 FRUIT SHARES $75 for 18 weeks, beginning July 13 Locally-grown but not organic. Fruit share is available only as an add-on to a vegetable share.
Delivery occurs on Wednesdays, 5:45-7:00 p.m. Beef, chicken, and lamb shares are also available There are a limited number of shares so sign up soon! If you are interested in purchasing half a share, or have any questions contact Tessa Kwittken at tessa@kwittkenfamily.com. To sign up print out an application form from the Roxbury Farm website, roxburyfarm.com, and mail it to them with your check. • • • •
Shares may be split but one member is individually responsible for managing the split. All shareholders are responsible for helping one evening (about 1 1/2 hours) during distribution throughout the delivery season. Part of the volunteer job is to bag and deliver surplus vegetables to Neighbors Link in Mt. Kisco. All communication is via e-mail. In addition, e-newsletters are sent by the Farm each week that give news of the Farm, and provide recipes and tips for storing and preparing produce. Shareholder families are encouraged to visit the farm.
Save the Date Talking Israel on Campus: An Empowering & Interactive Workshop Thursday, June 9 at 7:00pm End of the Year BBQ and Prospective Member Event Friday, June 10 at 6:30pm
Congratulations Charles Shapiro on becoming a bar mitzvah on April 2 Ron and Deborah Tobias on their daughter, Lauren Tobias' marriage to Michael Rosen on April 2 Bob Grimes, Co-President of Citimeals on Wheels, for being honored at their fundraiser in NYC
Joan Lunden for receiving the Warrior Award from the WWE this Sunday in Dallas Mitchell Roschelle who, on behalf of his company PwC, was recognized in April at the NY Knicks game for his ongoing commitment to planting trees as part of the Million Trees New York campaign
In Memoriam Robert Reisender, brother of Michelle Miller Mildred Levine, mother of Ellen Miller Paul Jacobs, husband of Linda Jacobs Dr. Stanley L. Lane, father of Stanley Lane Robert Herold, brother-in-law of Alan Bauer Aaron R. Goldberg, father of Robert Goldberg Burton Levy, father of Marc Levy Joseph Ezratty, father of Brian Ezratty Stephanie Glazer, wife of Alan Glazer Gary Krukowski, brother-in-law of Amy Dworetzky Alex Neuburger, uncle of Lori Cohen
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COMMUNITY
CBY Women Get Together and “Get Down” To all you bright, capable, charming, interesting women of Congregation B’nai Yisrael: If you weren’t at the Guest House Retreat in Chester, Connecticut, on January 29-31, you really missed out! It was a weekend none of us who attended will soon forget. Twenty-five women across the age spectrum arrived, some as friends, some as acquaintances and a few as strangers; but on Sunday afternoon, we left as friends. The weekend began with an amusing activity that helped us find something unusual we had in common. We then sat down at randomly assigned tables to a delicious dinner, followed by a creative Erev Shabbat service led by Melissa and Hayley. Finally, we began sharing the artifact each of us had brought that connected us to another woman who was important in our lives. Smiles and tears ensued. The next morning, we awoke to sunshine and a sumptuous breakfast, followed by a morning walk for those who were so inclined. At our morning Shabbat service, seven of us read from the Torah, a first for many. Discussion followed, then more sharing, more eating, and yoga or guided meditation for those who like that kind of stuff.
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The main attraction for the afternoon was the making of quilt squares, under the expert tutelage of Carolyn Salon and Ellen Belson, quilters extraordinaires. Much hilarity went into the process as many confronted a sewing machine for the first time ever. After a quick Havdallah blessing, using an iPhone as a flame, we enjoyed a wine-tasting of Israeli wines and another terrific dinner. After too many desserts, we GOT HENNAED. Results can be viewed on CBY’s website: cbyarmonk.org. Following Sunday morning’s sumptuous breakfast, the group discussed Alice Hoffman’s excellent novel, A Marriage of Opposites, about the Jewish painter Pissarro’s mother. One last lunch, and it was time to leave. The above may be a cursory outline of what we did, but it doesn’t convey the depth of our experience. The glue that held it all together was the chatting, the schmoozing, the sharing and the affection that developed as a result. Melissa said at the beginning, “What happens at the Retreat stays at the retreat,” but that’s not quite true. It will stay in all our hearts.
LEARNING
JID Program Changes for 2016-2017 Melissa Cohavi, Educator As I make my way through my first year at CBY I have learned so much and met so many wonderful people. I have spent much time building relationships and thinking ahead towards our future and what I think will help this community to grow and prosper. Of course, we are looking to build the JID and teen programs, and to that end there will be some changes in the coming year. So, here goes: •
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Kindergarten, first & second grades will join the third graders on Tuesday afternoons and will be able to take the activity bus to CBY. Kindergarten will meet weekly instead of monthly. We will be offering an optional pilot program for our sixth and seventh graders and their parents called Lomed B’Yachad/Learning Together.
The goal of this program is to build Jewish identity and community amongst both our 6th/7th graders and their families. By bringing this group together on Sunday morning, the objective is to create a community of intergenerational learners, as well as long-lasting connections and friendships amongst those families who choose this program. The monthly Lomed B’Yachad program for 6th & 7th grade families will be in its pilot year in 2016-17. For those families who choose the monthly Sunday option, it will be in lieu of mid-week JID program, and Hebrew tutoring will be offered via skype for individual 20 minute weekly sessions with a teacher. The Sunday morning program will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will include the following: • • • •
A creative morning service led by Rabbi Strom. Family learning programming led by JID Director Melissa Cohavi & Rabbi Strom A monthly social action component built into the program Brunch foods each month
Families who choose this program will be asked to make a serious commitment, to put the dates on their calendar now, and to do their best to place this program before everything else on their Sunday morning schedule since it only meets monthly. The program will start with a minimum of six students/families, and those families who choose not to be a part of this pilot program will send their children to the JID program on Wednesday afternoons. Learning topics may include: focus on text studies, Israel, Holocaust, connections to current events, God, Jewish values and their connection to our lives, and much more.
The social action component will be an additional monthly commitment and will be organized by the families themselves, with the help of the JID Director. The goal is to bring our families out of the building and to do good in the world together. • •
Weekly skype Hebrew tutoring will be offered to any student who wants it for a minimal additional fee. Our teens will be able to choose from a number of different internship programs, which come with leadership training, and monthly meetings.
The internships being offered are: Education Interns, Administrative Interns, Social Action Interns, Rabbinic Interns and Cantorial Interns. More information will be coming soon about this new and exciting program. We are going to continue to offer trips for our teens including the L’Taken program at the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, a Civil Rights Journey, and a community service trip to the Dominican Republic. If your teen is interested in any of these, please contact me so we can begin planning right away. • •
CBY’s adult education program will continue to grow in the coming year, so look out for speakers and classes in your e-mail and snail mail boxes. The PJ Library program will be growing as well. We started monthly PJ Library gatherings on Saturday mornings which will be both Tot Shabbat and PJ Library combined. If you have a little one (or are the grandparent of a little one) look out for our next program!
In addition to all of these new program opportunities, we have the Purim Carnival on March 20th, Kindergarten, first and second grades will be leading Shabbat services and the fifth grade will present their Living Museum on March 18th, and the third grade will be leading services on April 15th. Come out and support our children! I love being part of the CBY community, and if I haven’t met you yet I am looking forward to do so. Come by and say hello! I wish all of you a wonderful spring season.
Registration Your Children Now for the 2016-2017 School Year at cbyarmonk.org 13
LEARNING
JID Program Winter-Spring 2016
Upcoming JID Programs
Adult Education
FIELD DAY | Sunday, May 1, 10:30am-1:30pm
TEXT IN THE CITY | Wednesdays at noon with Rabbi Strom, 5/11, 6/8, at Pryor Cashman LLP, Times Square, NYC
Slide into Summer at our Field Day for JID families & friends at Breezemont Camp. Ga-Ga, Basketball, Arts and Crafts, Soccer, Aerial Playground/Ropes Course and Pizza Lunch. RSVP to Jessica at jessica@cbyarmonk.org.
TOT SHABBAT/PJ LIBRARY | Saturday, May 21, 10am
Join Rabbi Strom, Cantor Kobilinsky and Melissa Cohavi on Saturday, May 21 at 10:00am when we come together to sing songs, read a story, eat breakfast, and do arts and crafts projects together.
STUDY IN THE SUBURBS | Wednesdays at noon with
Rabbi Strom, 5/18, 6/15 at CBY
TORAH STUDY | Saturdays, new time of 8:45 a.m.
A weekly opportunity every Shabbat morning in our library to discuss the week’s Torah portion with our clergy. Come every week or once in a while; all you need to bring is an open mind.
ROSH CHODESH LUNCHEON & STUDY GROUP |
Fridays at noon once a month, 5/6
Rosh Chodesh is a special holiday where we find peace, enrichment, and sisterhood. At CBY we are a grassroots gathering of women who meet each Hebrew month to celebrate the new moon. We serve lunch and share in informal programs focusing on Jewish and/or women’s issues. 14
COMMITMENT TO OTHERS
Volunteers Participate in a Local Habitat for Humanity Build Samantha Schwam, Caring and Social Action Co-chair At 9am on Sunday, April 10th, a sunny, but cold Sunday morning, approximately 30 of our congregants volunteered at a Habitat For Humanity site in Millwood, NY. The location was an abandoned home which Habitat For Humanity purchased from the state. They are going to rebuild it into either a one or two family home for people in need. It was the first day on the site for Habitat and our team of kids and adults spent the morning helping to clean out the abandoned home, inside and out.
We worked in the living areas of the home, as well as in the basement and in the yard. It was hard work but everyone was happy to help such a great cause. We are hoping to be able to go back to this same site in a few months to work again on one of the rebuild portions of the project. If anyone is interested in joining us for future Habitat programs, please email me at socialaction@cbyarmonk.org.
Zero Waste Day
Blood Drive
Reduce and Reuse (drop off items and help others) on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at North Castle Town Hall. Item accepted include household furniture, bikes, supplies for cats & dogs, spring & summer clothing, paper shredding, e-waste (computers, TVs, etc) and scrap metal, bulk & oil.
Help save a life at our Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Precise Match on Tuesday, May 3 from 4:00-8:30 pm. Appointments Appreciated. Walk-ins Welcome. To schedule an appointment, contact us. Co-sponsored by the Caring and Social Action Committee and the New York Blood Center.
Town Clean Up Day Help with Clean Up in Armonk and throughout North Castle by coming to Town Hall on May 1 from 9:00am3:00pm to pick up bags and safety vests. Email Malorie Lipstein for more information on how to help beautify our community.
Klezmer Concert On Thursday, May 19 at 7:00 pm we will host the Klezmer Concert for the Havorah Program of Westchester Jewish Community Services. It is a unique opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to experience Jewish life. Our families greet our guests and serve snacks, offering us an opportunity to interact and share a special evening with the disabled community in Westchester. 15
COMMITMENT TO OTHERS
Prom Dress Drive
Ongoing
Help local teens attend their prom by donating a special dress, tuxedo, formal suit, or accessories. Drop them off at CBY and we will deliver them to the Community Center of Northern Westchester.
COOKING FOR PEOPLE IN NEED Weekly/Ongoing Members of our community cook a meal once every 4-6 weeks for a person or family in need.
JID Food Drive Thank you to everyone who donated food through our JID Food Drive in March. We donated 300 pounds of food to the Community Center of Northern Westchester.
300 Macaroons We delivered 300 macaroons for a seder for the developmentally disabled. Thank you to everyone who baked macaroons!
BRISTAL ASSISTED LIVING: WEEKLY SHABBAT SERVICE weekly/ongoing A member of our congregation leads a simple service once every 4-6 weeks. SHOPPING FOR THE HUNGRY Ongoing We collect food weekly to donate to the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Food donations can be dropped off at CBY at any time. For any questions or to become involved with our programs contact the Caring and Social Action Committee at socialaction@cbyarmonk.org.
INVESTMENT
Donations Annual Giving Sterling National Bank Martin and Judith Schwartz Andrew and Jane Gold in honor of David's bar mitzvah Charles and Marya Shapiro in honor of Charles' bar mitzvah David Gould and Laura Lustbader in honor of Charles Shapiro's bar mitzvah Jeffrey Tuchman and Felicia Buebel in honor of Cantor Kobilinsky for the baby naming of Penelope Jane Tuchman Jeffrey Tuchman and Felicia Buebel in honor of Charles Shapiro's bar mitzvah Louis and Donna Gordon in memory of Seymour Frost Mark and Pearl Vogel in memory of Dr. Stanley L. Lane Mark and Pearl Vogel in memory of loved ones Monte Ezratty in memory of Joseph Ezratty Paul and Cathy Skurman in memory of Joseph Ezratty Staffard and Stefania Garson in memory of Jerry Garsky Stanley and Ina Lane in memory of Joseph Ezratty Stanley and Ina Lane in memory of David Waksman Stanley and Ina Lane in memory of Dr. Stanley L. Lane and in appreciation of the clergy leading Shiva minyans at their home Aaron and Tessa Kwittken Michael and Melanie Garfinkle Robert and Lori Horowitz Joanne Peyser and Robert Bressler in honor of Charles Shapiro's bar mitzvah and Mayra Shapiro's birthday Rabbi Strom's Discretionary Fund Alex and Lori Greene Joshua and Amanda Stein 16
Phyllis Widder in appreciation of Rabbi Strom's warmth and compassion and in memory of James Widder Andrew and Jane Gold in honor of in honor of David's Bar Mitzvah David and Ellen Lestz in honor of Paul's Bar Mitzvah Marlene Nadel in honor of of Rabbi's Strom installation Brian and Debra Ezratty in memory of Joseph Ezratty Donna Markell in memory of her mother, Ann Matles. Donna Markell in memory of father, Martin Matles Cantor Kobilinsky's Discretionary Fund Alex and Lori Greene Mark and Pearl Vogel Robert and Lori Horowitz in appreciation of the Women's Retreat Andrew and Jane Gold in honor of David's bar mitzvah Frederic and Barby Siegel in memory of Theda Kogon Kory Kogon in memory of Theda Kogon Rabbi Krantz's Discretionary Fund Robert and Marcie Sanders Contributions can be made online at cbyarmonk.org/donate.
Amazon Smile Congregants can contribute to the CBY community in an ongoing manner is through the Amazon Smile program. Amazon Smile allows you to direct a portion of your eligible Amazon.com purchases to non-profits like CBY. Just click on the Amazon Smile link on the Amazon homepage and select Congregation B'nai Yisrael as your charity partner. Once you do this, 0.5% of every one of your eligible Amazon purchases will be donated to CBY.
INVESTMENT
Gala Accenture Prudential Scott and Lauren Anchin Edward and Shari Applebaum Armonk Dance Jeffrey and Jill Aronsky Beascakes Bakery Beehive Bob and Ellen Belson Wayne and Michele Benach Andrew and Michele Berliner Jeffrey and Allison Berman Kenneth and Jan Bernstein Douglas and Jody Birns Steven and Susan Bloom Stuart Bondell and Sheryl Fengel Breezemont Day Camp Marc and Beth Brickel Broadway North Pizzeria David Brody and Barbara Mendelson Steven and Lisa Broomer Mitchell and Ellen Cairo George and Mary Ellen Castineiras Plaza Memorial Chapel William and Deborah Charron Mark and Susan Chegwidden Ilan and Melissa Cohavi Adam and Lori Cohen Joseph Crucilla and Susan Goldstein Thomas Curran David Cziner and Leslie Blum D'Alessandro Salon Deloitte Consulting LLP Peter Disanza Simon and Jaime Dordik Jonathan and Phyliss Doroshow All About the Dress Mitchell and Valerie Drossman Terrence and Annette Dwyer Eco Cleaners David and Sharon Eder Edge of Dance Steven and Michelle Eickelbeck Randall and Pam Eisenberg Keith and Michelle Ender Andrew and Mychal Ertel Brian and Debra Ezratty Marc and Susan Failing David and Mindy Falk Robert and Nancye Falzon Steven and Marla Feldman Eric and Danielle Fisher Edward Fleischman Perry and Diane Freedman Zack and Dana Freeman Ronnie and Lana Frieden Aaron and Shari Fruhling Sheldon and Susan Ganis Michael and Melanie Garfinkle Barry and Lisa Geller Jason and Penny Geller Robert and Jordana Getreu Gary Glauber and Deborah Cerar Alan Glazer Julie Glick Shon and Stefanie Glusky
Andrew and Jane Gold Jason and Carrie Gold Peter and Carol Gold Andrew and Kim Goldberg Bob Goldberg and Janice Yass Goldberg David and Rori Goldin Edward and Sarah Goldin Steve and Kara Goldman Brian and Marcia Goldstein Robert and Debra Gottlieb Laura Lustbader Alex and Lori Greene Jeffrey and Tracey Greenfield Steven and Jill Greenspan Robert and Barbara Greer Rajan Gupta and Nandini Mongia Maria Hackley Jeffrey and Caryl Hahn John and Marilyn Heimerdinger Jeffrey and Olga Henick Jeffrey and Robyn Herman Andrew and Jenn Hershaft Larry and Robyn Hollander Ross and Michelle Honig Adam and Alicia Ifshin Adam and Rhoda Ingberman Bernie and Shelly Jacob Jagger and Jade Eric Kahn and Lauren Burack Brian and Alka Kaminer Randi Kapelman Rohit and Shikha Kapoor Ray Karaman Photography William Katz and Penny Shemtob Gary and Nanci Keltz Armonk Country Kitchen Ronald and Andrea Klausner Robert and Anissa Klein Scott and Radha Klugman Cantor Hayley Kobilinsky and Benjamin Poserow Jeffrey and Joan Konigsberg Robert and Barbara Koster Stuart and Nicole Kovensky Aaron and Tessa Kwittken La Mer Seafood Stanley and Ina Lane David and Elissa Lefkowitz David and Ellen Lestz Eric and Susan Levy Marc and Hollie Levy Mark and Ann Marie Lieberman Mark and Suzanne Lipton Steven and Wanda Lockwood Audry Lory Jerome Lowenstein John and Beth Lyons Ralph and Susan Mack Made in Asia Matthew and Aimee Marcus Alex Margolin and Lana Bernstein Nick's Corner Market Harris and Cookie Markhoff Bill Masella and Mary Flaherty Melts
Matthew and Allison Miller Richard and Ellen Miller Michael Millette Moderne Barn Wine and Spirits Alex and Erica Molina Jurgen and Anne Muhlhauser Mark and Lisa Neporent Alan Offenberg Pazzo Pizza Stephen and Sallyann Pelletier Robert Bresler and Joanne Peyser Jerry Pickholz Nicholas Potter Allan and Margo Ratafia Brad and Lisa Rosenberg Stuart and Ellen Rosenstein Robert and Ana Roth David and Sherry Rothenberg Peter Sayre Michael and Barbara Schacter Martin Schapiro and Anna Weber Geoffrey and Jill Schmidt Michael and Sandra Schoenhaut Fred and Samantha Schwam Jack and Renata Schwebel Steven and Tamar Schweitzer Charles and Marya Shapiro Dov Shapiro James and Michele Shea Frederic and Barby Siegel Eric and Amy Siegle David and Jamie Sirkin Paul and Cathy Skurman Andrew and Sasha Solow Todd and Andrea Soloway Frank and Amy Spadafino William and Bonni Stanley David and Felisse Starker Joshua Stein and Christine Fitzgerald John and Barbara Stern Michael and Laura Strober Carol Strom Rabbi Elliot and Susan Strom Rabbi Joshua and Tali Strom Ramy Tadros Taylored Menus Kenneth Tanji Ronald and Deborah Tobias Anthony and Stephanie Torre Towne Center Pharmacy Jeffrey Tuchman and Felicia Buebel Hickory Tweed Philip and Cindy Waldeck David Walke Arnold Wallenstein Harvey Weinberg Greg and Elissa Weinhoff Ron Weiss Josh and Jami Weissman Richard and Danielle Wolf Matthew and Amy Yallof Toby and Felicia Zacks Jeffrey and Michelle Zelekowitz William and Stacey Zeltner David and Liz Zimmerman
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King David Memorial Chapel, Inc Generations of lasting service to the Jewish Community Family Owned and Operated • Handicapped Accessibility Graveside Services • Monuments • Preneed and Prepaid Planning • Fully Accommodating Facilities
288 East Main Street • Mount Kisco, NY 10549 914-241-7100 • www.kingdavidmemorials.com
Selling a Car, Truck or 4x4?
Help CBY by donating a vehicle you no longer need. Donating your vehicle is safe, fast, and tax deductible. Some restrictions apply. This service is provided free to the temple. For more information, please call Auto-Line Enterprises at (914) 681-1757
To advertise in our quarterly Bulletin, contact Alicia in the temple office at (914) 273-2220, alicia@cbyarmonk.org. 19
CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL 2 Banksville Road, Armonk, New York 10504
or current resident
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLAINS, NY PERMIT NO. 4438