Temple Isaiah Bulletin Volume 50, Issue 5 January 2015
Vote for ARZA in the Upcoming Elections for the World Zionist Congress See Rabbi Sobel’s article on page 3
Coming Soon: Bingo Night A Sisterhood’s Mahjong Workshop A Brotherhood’s “Pancake Breakfast” “He who saves a single life, it is as though he has saved an entire world.” Talmud
Member Union for Reform Judaism
18
25
Religious School/YG 9 am Brotherhood Pancake Breakfast 10:30-11:30 am Tanach Study/Ecclesiastes (Rabbi Karol) offsite 1:30 pm Renaissance Club @ Social Hall
No Religious School
11
5
Religious School
8 pm Exec Board mtg
26
19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
12
Religious School 2 pm Book Discussion Group @ Rm 5 8 pm Religious School Bd Mtg @ Cindy’s House
Religious School
No Religious School
NFTY NAR Winter Kallah Religious School/YG 9-11 am Atid 9 am PA Mtg @ Kitchen 11 am-12 pm Camp Presentation @ Social Hall 10:30-11:30 am Tanach Study/Ecclesiastes (Rabbi Karol) offsite 11:11 am Brotherhood Mtg @ Kitchen
17 Tuckman
4
Saturday Ushers
Friday Ushers
Monday
9 Levine & Saidens 16 Weiser 23 Berns & Countess 30 Cohen
Sunday
Religious School
Religious School
Religious School
Religious School
Tuesday
27
20
13
6
28
21
14
7
7-9 pm Sisterhood Mahjong Workshop @ Social Hall
Wednesday
1
29
22
7 pm Cantor Search Committee Mtg 7:30 pm Ritual Committee Mtg
15
8
7:30 pm Social Action Mtg. @ Rm 5
New Year’s Day Office Closed
Thursday
January 2015 / Tevet - Shevat 5775
2
9
16
23
Candles: 4:51
30
7:30 pm Musical Erev Shabbat Service Honoring New Members & Special Oneg
6 pm Congregational Shabbat Dinner (before service)
Candles: 4:42
Board Installation
7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Evening Service
Candles: 4:36
7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Evening Service
5 pm Tot Shabbat
Candles: 4:28
7:30 pm Family Service
NFTY NAR Winter Kallah
Candles: 4:20
6 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
5:30 pm Nosh
Friday
10 am Shabbat Morning Service
10 am Shabbat Morning Service
31
Rachel Lichtenstein Bat Mitzvah
8:30-9:30 am Shabbat Morning Torah Study
24
8:30-9:30 am Shabbat Morning Torah Study
17
Jordan Klein Bar Mitzvah
10 am Shabbat Morning Service
8:30-9:30 am Shabbat Morning Torah Study
10
6 pm PA Bingo Night @ Social Hall
10 am Shabbat Morning Service
NFTY NAR Winter Kallah 8:30-9:30 am Shabbat Morning Torah Study
3
David Barbakoff Bar Mitzvah
10 am Shabbat Morning Service
8:30-9:30 am Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Shabbat
Rabbi Sobel ‘s Reflections Rabbi Sobel ‘s Reflections Vote for “ARZA” in the Upcoming WZC Campaign We live in an “alphabet soup” of acronyms for our Jewish
to the Reform Movement in Israel each year. In addition,
agencies. Here are some that are key over the next few
the Congress will help determine the leadership of the
months:
major global Jewish organizations, budgetary decisions
WZO: The World Zionist Organization - founded by
and policy in Israel and worldwide.
Theodor Herzl at the first Zionist Congress in Basel
ARZA: Association of Reform Zionists of America is the
in 1897. Today, it forms the backbone for the Jewish
Reform Movement’s Zionist arm. We have a specific
Agency (JA) for Israel, the Jewish National Fund (JNF),
campaign, reformjews4israel.org to encourage American
and other agencies. The WZO utilizes the Zionist
Reform Jews to vote for the ARZA slate in the upcoming
Congress to establish its policies and internally elect
World Zionist Congress Elections. Voting runs from Janu-
leadership to the bodies that define executive policy,
ary 15th through April 30th, 2015. ARZA is managing
departmental direction and budget decisions.
the campaign on behalf of the entire Reform movement.
WZC: The World Zionist Congress is the WZO’s supreme institution and legislative body which meets every four years in Jerusalem. The Congress determines policy, courses of action and chooses the leadership of the WZO. These decisions influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and paid portfolios. The Congress also
Its efforts are supported by all of the Reform movement’s family of organizations and affiliates, including the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) and Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).
makes decisions that affect the status of Reform Jews in
A vote for ARZA helps to promote and encourage the
Israel and across the world as well as the funding avail-
ideals of justice, equality and democracy in Israel. It
able to Progressive Jews in Israel.
helps to provide ongoing programs and services to the
In early 2015, the American Zionist Movement (AZM) will hold elections to determine US Jewish representation to the WZO. The WZO provides a forum for all the world’s Jews to come together and deliberate about issues affecting both Jews in the Diaspora and the state of affairs in Israel. The composition of the American delegation is critically important to Reform Jews in both the United States and Israel because the US delegation of 145 delegates is the
Israeli Reform Movement. Your voice and your vote matter! Take the pledge to vote and Register for ARZA-Representing Reform between January 15th and April 30th. (Requirements for voting eligibility can be found at ReformJews4Israel.org) Pledge to Vote at www.ReformJews4Israel.org. Join me! I have already pledged to vote for ARZA!
largest from a single country outside of Israel and comprises nearly one third of the Congress. The decisions of the Congress influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, over $4 million of which is currently allocated
3
Sustaining Members & Friends of Temple Isaiah 2015 Won’t you perform the mitzvah of tzedakah at Temple Isaiah? If you are able to make a contribution as a Sustaining Member, you will be providing revenue for regular as well as unforeseen expenses, and you will be helping us to plan for future generations. I wish to become a 2015 Sustaining Member of Temple Isaiah. Name ________________________________________________________________________ Phone _______________________ Email __________________________________________
Enclosed is my payment for the Sustaining Membership level indicated in the amount
of $ ______________.
Please bill me for the Sustaining Membership level indicated in the amount
of $ ______________. I wish to be billed $ _____________ each month.
A Platinum Chai ($5,400 or above) A Golden Chai ($3,600-$5,399) A Silver Chai ($1,800-$3,599) A Circle of Enrichment ($1,018-$1,799) A Circle of Growth ($540-$1,017) A Circle of Hope ($360-$539) A Chaverim ($180-$359) A Mitzvah Partner ($118-$179) A Chai or Multiple ($18-$117)
A Note from the Cantor “No Winter Doldrums” Several of my colleagues in Florida appear to have two
When President Obama was first elected, I thought about
seasons in their congregations: before and after the ar-
how I left Hunter College in the Bronx, got off the ‘D’
rival (and later departure) of the snow-birds. Clearly, we
train at 125th Street, and walked outside the Woolworth
here in the North don’t do that, and there are many hap-
to demonstrate for equal access to the lunch counters at
penings in and out of Temple Isaiah.
their Southern stores for everyone, regardless of color.
As a congregation committed to Social Justice, we have always noted the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. There
I may not agree with his politics, but we have come a long way.
were many Jewish leaders on the Mall during the “March
January will give way to February, March and April, with
on Washington.” My wife, Cherie, was there with her
new Adult Education classes, celebrations in which to
family and heard the “I Have a Dream” speech from her
participate and a caring congregation to join for study
father’s shoulders. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and
and worship.
many leaders of the Reform Movement were conspicuous in the photos we see today. Too often, these holidays
Don’t get caught in the “Winter Doldrums.” Join us…
become another excuse for a sale, and I don’t think this
L’shalom,
is different, but we need to take a moment and consider
Cantor Michael F. Trachtenberg
the contribution made by Dr. King and all the men and women who were a part of the Civil Rights movement.
Adult Education at Temple Isaiah Watch our weekly eblasts for details or visit our website at www.tisbny.org
Renaissance Club Attention Seniors! Our Renaissance Club meets once a month at the Temple. You are invited to come, make new friends, and share your ideas for speakers, outings, and events. The next meeting is January 25th at 1:30 pm. Please call Lillian Goldstein at 862-1747 for more information.
5
Religious School Review From The Principal’s Desk Recently, two of our Religious School teachers (Alyson Parilla and Lisa Walters) and I attended a workshop on The Yad Vashem Method of Teaching the Holocaust taught by Lea Roshkovsky, the Assistant Director of Yad Vashem, the world center for Holocaust education and Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust.
with improving instruction, not just managing tasks. Ongoing professional development is an integral and often overlooked part of teaching. It is a credit to the teachers at Temple Isaiah that, despite all of their years of classroom experience, they have always looked to hone their skills and fine-tune their techniques. They
Roshkovsky began her session by commenting, “Many
truly understand the need to remain up-to-date in every-
teachers start their classes with ‘one day they collected
thing they do. It is no surprise that the words of Joshua
the Jews and sent them to the camps,’ and that’s wrong.”
ben Perachyah in Pirke Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers,
“It’s important,” she went on, “to teach children about
“Get yourself a teacher, find someone to study with and
the lives their ancestors and ordinary people had before
judge everyone favorably,” are taken seriously.
the events in Europe during the 1930s and 40s.” As she said it, I smiled because her comment reinforced my belief that, at Temple Isaiah, we’ve been using the correct method to teach the Holocaust for over thirty years. Roshkovsky’s workshop followed, by only a few days, the annual LITE (Long Island Teacher Educator) conference. During this event, every member of the Sunday Religious School staff had the opportunity to study with the high-
The unspoken credo of our teachers (whether they are novices or have many years of teaching experience) to continue Jewish education is important and lifelong. For them Jewish education didn’t end when they got their college degrees or their teaching credentials, and it will continue formally and informally for the rest of their lives. Can you say this about your Jewish education?
ly acclaimed Ira Schweitzer, who recently retired from
Do you personally follow the guidelines of Pirke Avot to
Temple Sinai in Toronto, Canada after 40 years in Jewish
“never say when I have leisure time I will study, you
education, in addition to learning from other exceptional
may never have leisure time.” Be a role model for your
rabbis and educators from Long Island.
children. Take a Jewish adult education course at the temple. Read a Jewish book, newspaper or magazine.
Ira’s keynote address, titled “Different Brains, Different
Watch a Jewish movie.
Learners,” focused on techniques that allow teachers to address the needs of the impulsive learner, students with
When I started my teaching career many years ago, an
AD(H)D, the Resigned Learner with Learned Helpless-
educator whom I have continued respect for told me,
ness and the Argumentative Learner with Oppositional
“Jewish education is like a band wagon. You are either
Disorder. His presentation highlighted a morning filled
always getting on it or getting off it.” Our goal at Temple
with sessions that included “Don’t Laugh At Me” on
Isaiah is to avoid them. Rather, we revise, expand, mod-
creating an environment of classroom social respon-
ify and enhance what works, and eliminate what doesn’t
sibility that eliminates ridicule, bullying, intolerance
from the curriculum. We also don’t jump from band-
and name calling; “Tools for Engagement,” on dealing
wagon to bandwagon.
with students’ emotions and ever changing moods; and
Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazayk
a special workshop for principals that was concerned
Stephen Weitzman
6
President’s Report Happy New Year, again… It’s one of the perks that comes with being Jewish,
This time of year also marks a new beginning for the
getting to say “Happy New Year” twice each year!
Temple Isaiah Board of Trustees, as the newly elected
Whether we’re marking the New Year on the Hebrew
Board starts its term. The Board has much to be proud
calendar each fall, or the secular calendar every January,
of as we look at the accomplishments of the past year:
it gives us the opportunity to reflect on things we like
completing the Rabbinic Search that ultimately brought
about ourselves, as well as things we want to change in the
Rabbi Sobel to our community, granting emeritus status
year ahead. This feeling of starting fresh in various areas
to Rabbi Karol, and finishing work on our congregation’s
of our lives allows us to think about where we’ve been,
newly updated By-Laws. In the year ahead we’ll hire our
as well as how we might want to change course in our
new Cantor and find numerous ways to celebrate the
directions. The marking of a new year lets us turn the
Temple Isaiah community’s 50th Anniversary.
page and start a new chapter with a genuine feeling of a new beginning. Done right, it could be very beneficial to our mental and spiritual well-being. If you’re like me, this welcoming of the secular New Year
As I begin this new year of serving as your president, please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make the months ahead more fulfilling. And, Happy New Year… again.
in January, just a few months after the welcoming of the Jewish New Year in the fall, is anything but overkill. It
L’Shalom,
actually comes at a perfect time – providing me with a wonderful opportunity to “recalibrate the compass” on
Dean Rosenzweig
whatever direction I had set course on back in autumn.
Email: dtrosenzweig@gmail.com
I wish I had additional convenient moments like this
Home Ph (631)444-0199
throughout the year to hit the reset button on my per-
Cell Ph (646)884-3615
sonal and professional life.
7
Ritual Committee Report Beginning in January: We are “Piloting” New Times for Our Friday Night Services To maintain a consistent schedule with our Friday
Any instances where the start time will differ from
night Shabbat service, the Ritual Committee has
this schedule will be noted in the weekly e-blasts,
decided to pilot a more regular time for services.
and the monthly bulletins will always have the most
From January 1 through June 30, 2015, Friday night
up-to-date service times.
services will start at 7:30
pm,
except for the first
Friday night of each month, which will be a Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6 beforehand at 5:30
pm
pm).
(with a pre-neg “nosh”
If this schedule works well
We hope this new schedule will make it easier for everyone to remember the time of our Shabbat services. We look forward to seeing you there!
for the Congregation, we will continue it throughout
Thank you,
the rest of the year.
The Ritual Committee
Congregational Erev Shabbat Dinner &
Live Klezmer Band The Chai Notes
Live Musical Shabbat Service Welcoming New Members
open to all members of Temple Isaiah Friday, January 30th, beginning at 6:30 pm Come enjoy this special evening!
Make New FRiends Dinner will consist of chicken, salad, challah, and beverages provided by Temple Isaiah. Bring-your-own, pot-luck side dishes and desserts.
Cost: $18 per family
Special Oneg to follow Featuring
For more information or to RSVP please contact Jayne Cohen at jaynecohen22@gmail.com.
The Chai Notes 8
P ostings
from the
Parents ’ Association
Happy 2015! Our annual Scholastic Book Fair held on December 7th, 8th, and 9th was a great success! Thanks to all our PA volunteers and shoppers! Bingo Night is almost here! January 10th at 6
pm.
Mark your calendars for lots of
pizza, fun and prizes! See you then! If you would like to be involved with the Parents’ Association, please e-mail us, Nancy Linden & Ilene Horan, at nlinden@optonline.net & mamallama2@optonline. net. We’re the co-chairs of the Parents’ Association and we’re looking forward to meeting you!!!! Our next meeting is January 11th!
Music, Story & Shabbat Celebration 2014 - 2015 Dates All Tot Shabbat Services at 5
pm
Friday, January 16th A Friday, February 13th A Friday, May 15th A Friday, June 12th Join Rabbi Sharon Sobel and Cantor Michael Trachtenberg Children Ages 0-5 (feel free to invite your parents and siblings to join you!) Challah, Juice, Fun and Friends
Camp Corner At our camps, one is always being Jewish, while having fun with Jewish peers. Please visit these websites for our regional Reform camps.
http://eisnercranelake.urjcamps.org
A
http://eisnercranelake.urjcamps.org 9
Breaking Bread With Brotherhood Our 1st Annual Pancake Breakfast is Coming! Sunday, January 25th Happy New Year! I hope all of your holidays were as
Better yet, come with ideas about what else we could
enjoyable and as much fun as mine.
do. There are no dues for first year members.
I want to thank everyone who made the Bernie Friend
On January 25th, we’ll be holding a new event –
Latke Bash such a success. Whether you shopped,
a pancake breakfast. Proceeds will support the
chopped, peeled, grinded, mixed, cooked, served,
renovation of the Rabbi Karol Youth Lounge in the
cleaned or more than one of the above, it’s truly a
religious school building. See the flyer elsewhere in the
team effort. In many ways, the Latke Bash symbol-
Bulletin for all the details. I hope you can join us to
izes what Brotherhood is about, everyone pitching in
help make this a reality.
for the common good. In addition to the rave reviews we received for the latkes, we also collected donations to stock the Temple Isaiah food pantry and provided latkes to the residents of Atria and the patrons of Our Daily Bread soup kitchen. The Latke Bash has always been my favorite Brotherhood event, and the fact that we’re able to help others at the same time makes it even more so.
In closing, I want to tie up some loose ends from previous months.
First, I wanted to acknowledge
and thank our Comedy Night sponsors – Newbrook
At the Latke Bash we also kicked off our 4th annual
Insurance, Gershow Recycling, Elegant Affairs and
car raffle. The drawing will take place on June 6,
Cardinal Transport. I also want to thank Howard
2015, at Las Vegas Night. You’ll be hearing more
Mazer for organizing our Bowling Night last month.
about this in the upcoming months. Tickets are available from any Brotherhood member or through the Temple office.
I look forward to seeing you all in January. As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions or comments, please email me at tekuates@yahoo.com or
This month’s Brotherhood meeting will take place Sunday, January 11th at 11:11
am
call me evenings at 981-5128.
in the Temple
kitchen. Come have a bagel, meet some of your fellow
Jay Schoenfeld
congregants and hear about what we’ve got planned.
Brotherhood President
Triad Concert Series If you are interested in baking for a concert in February, March or April 2015, please contact Paula Plotkin at (631)902-1584 or pauladaula@ optonline.net
10
Shmoozing with S isterhood Mahjong Workshop is Coming! Wednesday, January 7th Sisterhood wishes a very happy and healthy 2015
Sisterhood General/Business Meetings:
to all! We had a successful November holiday rec-
Thursday January 15 at 7:30
ipe exchange and cantorial search committee focus
Sunday February 8th at 10
group meeting. Everyone who participated had good insights, which fit in well with the ideas from other TI organizations. We know the committee is working very hard and Sisterhood appreciates their efforts. We all enjoyed a light bagel breakfast and had fun sharing some of our favorite recipes that we make for families and friends. We will be putting together a TI Sisterhood e-cookbook over the course of the next year in celebration of TI’s fiftieth anniversary. Sisterhood would like to thank everyone who participated, and there is always time to contribute a few of your
am
pm
(Room 4) and
(Kitchen)
Sisterhood will be having an evening general/business meeting on Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 and a light breakfast meeting at 10
am
pm
on Sunday,
February 8th in the social hall kitchen. Topics to be discussed are our upcoming Hamantaschen workshop, Miriam’s Seder, Mitzvah Day and our Sisterhood Shabbat dinner and service. Sisterhood will need volunteers for all of these events. These meetings are open to all, and we welcome your ideas for programming and fundraising events.
favorites.
Our newest Sisterhood news in a nutshell…
Coming up: Sisterhood Sponsored Hamantaschen Baking Workshop Sunday, March 1st from 11:30
am
to 1:30
pm
(Temple Kitchen) Mahjong Workshop Wednesday, January 7th at 7-9
If you love Hamantaschen, there’s no comparison pm
(Social Hall)
Open to all. If you ever wanted to learn how to play this ancient game, this is your chance. (Or volunteer to teach if you know the game) Sisterhood’s Mahjong workshop is complete with a light kosher style Chinese supper. Space is limited to 24 students (we have approximately 6 instructors), so register early. For more information, contact Eileen Donnelly at ebdonnel@optonline.net or RSVP to Sisterhood (SH-mailbox or Temple office), or to Paula Bennett at pbennett1000@gmail.com. The very last call to RSVP for Sisterhood’s Mahjong Workshop is Sunday January 4th!
to the homemade real deal. Join Sisterhood, have a baking lesson and take home a tray of these delectable cookies. This event is open to all, and children supervised by a parent are welcome to participate. A $10 early registration fee ($12 the day of the event) to cover the cost of materials and supplies payable to TI Sisterhood, will be collected. RSVP to Sisterhood (SH-mailbox or Temple office) or to pbennett1000@ gmail.com by Friday, February 20th. Very Sincerely Yours, Paula Bennett and Eileen Donnelly TI Sisterhood Co-Presidents
11
The Rabbi Adam D. Fisher Library Our Temple library is open one half-hour before each Erev Shabbat Service. If you are available to volunteer, please call Barbara Yarmus at 981-2709.
Goings on in the Youth Group We are so excited to welcome Lisa Walters and Emily Gergen as our new Youth Group Advisors! They are both so enthusiastic and have been working on some amazing new programs for our Youth Group. We look forward to watching our Youth Group grow and become something truly incredible!
To kickoff our brand new Youth Group program, we will be having a
Make Your Own Sundae Party Join us on January 11th at 1 in the Social Hall
pm
You will have the opportunity to meet Emily and Lisa and to hear all about our brand new program. All are invited – if you are not a part of our Youth Group, come and check us out! Jill Berns and Shari Countess Co-Chairs - Youth Group Committee
12
TEMPLE ISAIAH
Pancake Breakfast – Fundraiser for Rabbi Karol Youth Lounge
Sunday January 25th - 8:00 to 11:00 AM $5 per person / $20 per family Everyone welcome For more information or to RSVP please contact Jay Schoenfeld (tekuates@yahoo.com)
_____ # of tickets @ $5
_____ I’m bringing the family ($20)
Name ___________________________________________ Email ________________________
Phone _____________
Cash or checks payable to Temple Isaiah Brotherhood 13
Social Action Activities I am humbled, proud and grateful to be part of the Temple Isaiah community. This holiday season, we asked you to open your hearts and wallets for those in need and those protecting our country overseas. The response was so overwhelming. With your help, we were able to send seven packages to Afghanistan, provide over 75 children with gifts (who otherwise would not have any) and stock the Temple food pantry and a local food pantry with much needed items. Wishing all a happy, healthy and blessed New Year. Sheila Silberhartz Social Action Chairperson
P artners
in
Caring Counseling Available Here to Help Those in Need
Under the auspices of Partners in Caring, a UJA
and confidential short-term individual, couples and
funded program bringing together FEGS Health and
family counseling and referral services will be avail-
Human Services (the region’s Jewish human services
able to our members. Children, adolescents and
agency) and synagogues, we have the services of
adults are welcome. For more information or to speak
FEGS social worker, Janet Zimmerman, available to
to a social worker, please contact Janet Zimmerman,
Temple Isaiah members. Partners in Caring brings
LCSW-R, at (631) 462-9800 ext.122 or by e-mail at
educational programs and workshops, volunteer
jazimmerman@fegs.org.
opportunities and projects to the synagogue. Free
Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen Members of Temple Isaiah’s Social Action Committee and other volunteers staff the Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen at St. James Catholic Church (429 Route 25A in Setauket). Please note the times: set-up will be from 1:15 - 2 pm, dinner will be served at 3 pm, and all clean-up should be done by 5 pm.
14
O ur Membership Committee’s Monumental Mission Temple Isaiah: A Second Home for Family & Friends On Friday, January 30th, beginning at 6:30
pm,
the
The goal of our Membership Committee is to develop
Membership Committee will be hosting an evening
and implement effective methods to bring-in and
dedicated to welcoming the newest members of our
welcome new members to our synagogue. An equally
Temple Isaiah family. This special evening will fea-
important part of our mission is to encourage existing
ture a dinner, musical service (starring our very own
members to participate in at least one or more of our
klezmer band “The Chai Notes”), and oneg.
community’s many meaningful activities. We believe
Everyone is welcome, as this will be an excellent opportunity for congregants to meet and get to know one another, to make new friends, and to participate in our TI community. Dinner will consist of chicken, salad, challah, and beverages – provided by the synagogue – and bringyour-own, pot-luck side dishes and desserts.
that members who are personally encaged in our “extended family,” who feel welcome and involved, are much more likely to remain as members of Temple Isaiah throughout the years. With this in mind, please provide your response to the questionaire below. Indicate which activities, events, and/or clubs you might most enjoy. If you have an area of expertise that you would like to share, let us
For more information or to RSVP please contact
know. And please be advised, TI already offers some
Jayne Cohen at jaynecohen22@gmail.com.
of these activities under various auspices.
Name _________________________________________ Email ________________________________________ I am interested in participating in the following activities/events/clubs: (Please write-in responses)
q Social (EG: Game Nights, Film Viewing & Discussions, Outdoor Outings, Concerts, etc.) Answer:
q Political (EG: Debate Club, Guest Speakers, Letter Writing Campaigns, etc.) Answer:
q Cultural (EG: Museum & Gallery Outings, Fine Art or Crafts Classes, Theatre Trips, etc.) Answer:
q Sports (EG: Professional Sports Attendance, Intramural Teams, Bowling League, etc.) Answer:
q Other (Religious, Social Action, Travel, First Aid Classes, Defensive Driving Classes, etc.) Answer:
Please return to TI office, or email your ideas/responses to jaynecohen22@gmail.com. Thank you.
15
Israel Committee Insights The ‘Jewish-State Bill’ is Balanced and Necessary Israeli elections have been declared as the result
fundamental constitution-like laws, was initially
of the collapse of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s
proposed by MK Avi Dichter of the left-of-center
coalition government. One of the primary areas of
Kadima party in 2011. According to Haviv Gur in his
contention is the fierce objection to the proposed
“Times of Israel” op/ed, the original motivation for
‘Jewish State Bill’ that right-wing members of the
the bill was a response to efforts by Arab civil groups
Knesset (MKs) had presented and the Prime Minister
in 2006-7 that demanded that, “the Israeli state’s
amended. The bill is an attempt to legally codify
identification with Jewish nationhood must end.”
Israel as a Jewish state. Criticism has ranged from the bill being unnecessary and gratuitously provocative, to its being discriminatory and even racist. The debate is central to building a consensus about what Israel is and what Zionism means.
Herzl and the early Zionists knew that the survival of Jewish culture and the protection of Jews physically depended on Jewish self-determination. Jews living in the Diaspora were powerless because they were stateless and subject to persecution and assimila-
The Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism
tion. The formation of a state of the Jewish people
(IMPJ), Israel’s liberal Jewish religious movement,
meant that Jewish culture, as the majority in its own
in a statement opposing the bill, affirms its central
state, could evolve on its own terms.
motivation: “We believe that Israel’s Jewish character and its being the national homeland of the Jewish people are fundamental constitutional principles that are worthy of protection and expression in Israeli law.” IMPJ’s criticism centers on the expression of the equally important principle of democracy, the rights of minorities, and concern for
The success of Israel is a remarkable story, but Israel is under siege both from physical threats and from a campaign of de-legitimization. A Jewish state is an anathema to far too many in the Arab world and an anachronism for some on the far-left in the West, who treat the Jewish state with a double standard.
“…giving Jewish law (Halacha) a legal status as an
Israel, like all societies, is not perfect. Numerous
inspirational platform to the Knesset’s actions.”
issues need to be addressed, but being an ethnic
The bill attempts to balance the Jewish character of the state of Israel with the equally important principles of democracy and equal rights. Although the bill clearly defines Israel as the Jewish state, it also makes clear that “The State of Israel is democratic, based on the foundations of freedom, justice
nation-state is not one of them. The world is awash in ethnic nation-states, which add richness to all humanity; states like Italy, France, Spain, and others balance the ethnic character of their majorities with principles of democracy and the rights of its minorities. Israel has successfully struck that same balance.
and peace in light of the visions of the prophets of
If there is to be a durable peace, the Palestinian/
Israel, and upholds the individual rights of all its citi-
Arab world must come to terms with the perma-
zens according to law.” In addition to enshrining and
nence of a Jewish state in its midst. And those who
supporting Jewish heritage, it also makes clear “The
have enabled Arab rejection must be challenged on
State will act to enable all residents of Israel, regard-
their highly selective demands for universalism. The
less of religion, race or nationality, to preserve their
nation-state bill is a step toward that goal.
culture, heritage, language and identity.”
Rich Tuckman
Ironically, codifying Israel as the nation-state of the
Chair of the Israel Committee
Jewish people into the “basic law,” a group of several
dooderspa@aol.com
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Media Watch Israel Israel’s Moral Imperative 1. Israel’s Leviathan natural gas reservoir expected to launch production in early 2018.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/New-Tech/Leviathan-gas-reservoir-to-begin-flowing-by-
early-2018-382419 2. Five Israelis murdered in Jerusalem synagogue attack praised by Hamas. Three of the victims were dual
US citizens. Second link comprises photos of Arabs handing out sweets in celebration.
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/11/18/an-act-of-pure-terror-two-palestinian-men-kill-four worshippers-at-jerusalem-synagogue/#.VGvP6X3FQmA.email
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/11/18/photos-palestinians-celebrate-hand-out-candy-after-
synagogue-terror-attack/ 3. Iranian supreme leader delineates in succinct tabular form his justification and strategies for annihilating Israel.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/11/09/iran_s_khamenei_israel_must_be_annihilated.html
4. Israel says foiled Hamas plans for widespread Jerusalem attacks
http://news.yahoo.com/israel-says-foiled-hamas-plans-jerusalem-attacks-121535386.
html?bcmt=1417113995800-bc81aa65-f696-4b9a-aa67-b2785a86c470&bcmt_ s=u#mediacommentsugc_container 5. “Sick hit parade: Another Palestinian song praises running over Jews”
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/19/sick-hit-parade-yet-another-palestinian-song-praises-
running-over-jews/#.VGzGtbmWcgc.email 6. Egypt, concerned with Hamas’s Gazan terror infrastructure tunnels announced it is considering a plan to
create a border buffer zone of up to a kilometer, incorporating a deep water trench, and already resulting
in the eviction of 10,000 people during the initial phase.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/19/egypt-takes-aim-at-hamas-terror-tunnels/#.VG0yvBW-ado.
Larry Weber
weberl@optonline.net
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Temple Isaiah Wish List The goal of our Wish List is to raise needed funds for temple improvements, without raising dues or tapping into the temple's operating budget. We owe a huge todah rabah to all who have taken an interest in this work. The following is the list of remaining projects that still need our attention: Irrigation for cemetery section I Blinds for all classrooms
$5,000
$3,000
10 rectangular tables
$950
2 rectangular table caddies
$378
10 circular tables
$1,890
2 circular table caddies
60 folding chairs
2 LCD players
$690 $1,500
TV/DVD projection equipment for the Youth Building
$650 $800
Cork Board for Youth Building
$50
Shelving for Youth Building
$100
Please remember that we are engaged in an effort to thrive, and not just survive. Helping us to purchase any item on the wish list is a mitzvah, a tax deduction, and a way to make Temple Isaiah a better home for our families.
P lease Help Fill Our Food Pantry Many Families are in Need Dear Friends, Our food pantry supplies are running low. We have many families in our community relying on us for sustenance. We need your help to restock our food pantry now. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Pantry Items Needed: Canned Goods
Dried Goods
Household Items
Super Market Gift Cards
Vegetables
Pasta
Toilet paper
King Kullen
Beans
Powdered Milk
Paper towels
Stop & Shop
Soups
Oatmeal (unsweetened)
Diapers
Shop Rite
Tuna
Whole Grain cereal
Tomato sauce
Rice (in boxes)
Fruit in water
Waldbaums Other Jar baby food Granola bars Apple sauce Unsweetened juice boxes
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Simchas & Tzures Whether you have happy news (simchas) or sad
If you would like one of our rabbis to officiate
news (tzures), we hope you will share it with us.
at a funeral, please speak to Rabbi Sobel before
Rabbi Sobel likes to know about births, engage-
scheduling. Our sanctuary is available for funeral
ments, weddings, and other happy occasions, as
or memorial services. If you call the Temple about
well as hospitalizations, sicknesses, or deaths. As
a funeral and have to leave a message with the
hospital stays are often short, and hospitals do not
answering service, please mention that you are
call us when you are admitted, please let us know
calling regarding a funeral.
so Rabbi or Cantor can arrange to visit or at least telephone.
Congratulations
Condolences
To Laurie & Leon Klempner on the birth of their granddaughter Maya Sophia Epstein To Barbara & Bruce Meyer on the birth of their grandson Jaxon Paul Meyer
To Seymour Schlachter on the death of his wife Helen Schlachter To Lee Shangold on the death of his father Gary Shangold
Welcome New Members Ahuva Markewitz
Sunshine Funds
Beautification Fund
It’s always the "right time" to make a contribution
The purpose of the Beautification Fund is to
to your Temple. It might be in honor of a living per-
generate money to renovate and beautify our syna-
son or a recent event, or in memory of someone or
gogue. All monies will go into a fund dedicated to
something, or anything you want. Donations can
this purpose.
be made over the phone, by email, or through the USPS. However you send the information, your do-
To assist in this goal, a wall sculpture has been
nation can be added to your monthly Temple Isa-
commissioned. This permanent work of art pro-
iah invoice for easy bookkeeping. Sunshine cards
vides the opportunity to commemorate your
require a minimum contribution of ten dollars.
support for Temple Isaiah. Plaques of different sizes will be available in the following categories:
Minimum contribution is $10 Prayer Book: $45 Chumash: $60 Tree of Life Leaf: $118 Pew Plaque: $500 Memorial Board Plaque: $250 Please call the office for more information regarding the above contributions.
CONTRIBUTOR........ $250 per year for 3 years SPONSOR................. $500 per year for 3 years PATRON................. $1000 per year for 3 years BENEFACTOR......... $2500 per year for 3 years To make a contribution, or if you have any questions, please call the office at 751-8518.
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Sunshine Funds & Other Donations Adult Ed Fund
Israel Fund
In memory of Cynthia Landis Doris & Leo Dvorken Wishing Pam Shulder’s grandson a speedy, easy and full recovery Myra & Alan Rosofsky
In memory of Ruth Frank Gerstein Family In memory of Morris Gerstein Gerstein Family In memory of Millie Stern Gerstein Family
Beautification Fund In memory of Frances Slovin Myrna & John Ruisi
Fund to Feed the Hungry In memory of Ettie Altman David Altman In memory of Roslyn Feldman Pam Feldman In memory of Estelle Goldstein Morton & Amy Rosen In memory of Robert Lowett Morton & Amy Rosen In memory of Glenn Orenstein Iris & David Schiff In memory of Ruth Scherz Joan & Arnold Scherz In memory of Milton Schiff Iris & David Schiff In memory of Helen Schlachter Marge & Bert Feldstein In memory of Ida Shapiro Doris & Leo Dvorken In memory of Warren Tuckman Susan & Rich Tuckman Wishing Joan Korins a speedy recovery Sheila & David Silberhartz Wishing Pam Shulder’s grandson a speedy and full recovery Marge & Bert Feldstein Social Action Group Wishing Linda Stopsky a speedy recovery Sheila & David Silberhartz Mazel Tov to Donna & Lloyd Newman on the birth of their grandson Iris & David Schiff
Music Fund In memory of Alexander Ferris Cheryl Hirsch In memory of Leah Tepper Ellie Tepper
Rabbi Adam D. Fisher Library In memory of Samuel J. Cohen Tamra Cohen Stoller In memory of Jesse Leitner Rhoda Lieberman In memory of Shirley Rivkin Sonya Singh Wishing Pam Shulder’s grandson a speedy recovery Barbara & Jerry Fine Mazel Tov to Marion & Martin Liebowitz in honor of becoming great grandparents Iris & David Schiff Mazel Tov to Myra & Alan Rosofsky on Eli’s engagement Iris & David Schiff
Rabbi Karol Youth Lounge Fund In memory of Solomon Feingold Sylvia Feingold In memory of Esther Kaplan Barbara & Bruce Meyer In memory of Sarah Kaplan Barbara & Bruce Meyer In memory of Rose Racer Fran Robinson Mazel Tov to Diane & Stephen Weitzman on the marriage of their son Barbara & Bruce Meyer
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Sunshine Funds & Other Donations Rabbi Sobel’s Discretionary Fund
Special Projects Fund
In memory of William Charatan Maureen & Harvey Bernstein In memory of Rosa Goijman Silvia Spitzer In memory of Max Lacoff Marshall Lacoff In memory of Sheldon Lacoff Marshall Lacoff In memory of Sol Liebowitz Marion & Martin Liebowitz In memory of Shirley Rivkin Eileen & Harvey Kamil In memory of Max Rosenzweig Arlene Gitter In memory of Gary Shangold Ileen & Ivan Ensler In memory of Molly Siskind Marion & Martin Liebowitz For Rabbi Sobel in honor of her installation Ilene & Ivan Ensler For Rabbi Sobel to say thank-you for caring Ilene & Ivan Ensler In honor of Rabbi Sobel’s installation The Kamen Family
In memory of May Dvorken Doris & Leo Dvorken
Religious School Fund In memory of Neil Abelson Sonya Singh In memory of Esther Althaus Silvia Altman In memory of Lawrence Fisher Janis Feldman In memory of Tillie Rosenberg Janis Feldman In memory of Leslie Tannen Janis Feldman Mazel Tov to Diane & Stephen Weitzman on the marriage of their son Sheila & David Silberhartz Mazel Tov to Myra & Alan Rosofsky on Eli’s engagement Suzan & Fred Goldhaber In honor of Harvey Witman’s retirement Vicki & Joel Blumenfeld Cheryl & Mark Borden
Tikkun Olam Fund In memory of Murray Kamen The Kamen Family
URJ Camp Scholarship Fund In memory of Sarah Forman Diane & Stephen Weitzman In memory of Anna Rubin Diane & Stephen Weitzman Mazel Tov to Diane & Stephen Weitzman on the marriage of their son The Baracks Family Carole-Ann Gordon Linda & Roger Jonas The Kamen Family
Worship Fund In memory of Leonard Goldstein Lillian Goldstein
Youth Group Fund In memory of Harry Dvorken Doris & Leo Dvorken In memory of Joseph Turner David Turner
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CS MAEDER LANDSCAPE Candy's Organic Gardening • Spring & Fall Clean-ups • Gutters Cleaned • Seasonal Programs • Shrubs Trimmed • Vegetable & Herb Gardens • Rototilling • Perennial Garden Design, Planting & Maintenance • Bulb Gardens • Gravesite/Memorial Plantings & Maintenance
631-988-9211
Serving 3V community for over 35 years LIC. / INS. • Senior Discounts
Randy DeStefano Managing Partner of Nesconset Bagel Cafe
(516) 971-8035 Old fashioned hand-rolled, water kettled & baked to perfection A tradition since 1986 248 Smithtown Blvd. Nesconset, NY 11767 www.libagelcafe.com
(631) 366-2362 (P) (631) 366-2363 (F) Randy@libagelcafe.com
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Visit our Websites for Special Offers
Gift Certificates Available
Dr. Kneessy
Dr. Adler
Dr. Coccaro
179 Belle Meade Road, East Setauket, NY 11733
SUFFOLK PLASTIC SURGEONS, PC
SPS: 631-751-4400 v Spa: 631.751.2693
www.suffolkplasticsurgeon.com v www.spabellemeade.com
www.wix.com/gemsda/davidaltman
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Office (631) 751-0196 Cell (631) 807-7162
764 RT. 25A SETAUKET, NY 11733
Family When Family Can't Be There Assistance • Accompaniment • Transportation • Companionship
Insured & Bonded
Wheelchair Accessible Van
We Can Transport Your Loved Ones To Special Occasions! Tom & Robin Wells, owners/operators phone: 631-751--0909 • email: info@wells-care.com website: www.wells-care.com
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Bar Mitzvah January 2015 David Barbakoff January 3rd Son of Evan & Andrea Barbakoff
Jordan Klein January 17th Son of Peter Klein & Cara Harth-Klein
Rachel Lichtenstein January 31st Daughter of Alan & Deborah Lichtenstein
Siman Tov & Mazel Tov To All! Rabbi—Sharon L. Sobel
Parents' Association Co-Chairs—Nancy Linden
Cantor—Michael F. Trachtenberg
& Ilene Horan
Educational Director— Stephen Weitzman
Youth Group Advisors—Emily Gergen
Temple President—Dean Rosenzweig
& Lisa Walters
Sisterhood Co-Presidents—Paula Bennett
Youth Group President—Allana Rosenberg
& Eileen Donnelly
Rabbi Emeritus—Stephen A. Karol
Brotherhood President—Jay Schoenfeld
Rabbi Emeritus—Adam D. Fisher
Temple Isaiah A 1404 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11790 (631) 751- 8518 A www.tisbny.org A tisaiah@optonline.net Bulletin designed by Gary Kamen and edited by Adam Mandelbaum