The Ladder April 2016

THE

LADDER APRIL 2016

And Jacob dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to the heavens...

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Women’s Seder April 7 Honoring Accompanist Keith Robellard April 29 Men’s Group Rum and Cigars Event May 1

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GUEST COLUMNIST First Annual Los Angeles Jewish Heritage Trip

by Seth Kreisler, 11th Grade When Rabbi Jaffe started his career at Beth El, the Confirmation Class of 2014-2015 was his first at our temple, and we all bonded really well. After the Religious Action Center (RAC) trip in Washington, D.C., his relationship with us strengthened even more. It was a unanimous decision that our group of twelve wanted to take another trip with Rabbi Jaffe, although not all of us were able to make it. So he planned a trip to Los Angeles, where he lived for a few years while in rabbinical school.

220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514

WWW.BETHELNW.ORG 914.238.3928 T 914.238.4030 F BEGINNING YEARS 914.238.5735 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 914.238.5641 TEMPLE@BETHELNW.ORG

TEMPLE STAFF JONATHAN JAFFE Senior Rabbi STAR A. TROMPETER Senior Cantor MAURA H. LINZER Rabbi-Educator RABBI NORMAN COHEN, Ph.D. Scholar-in-Residence GENNIFER KELLY Executive Director RAYNA ALPERSTEIN Director, Beginning Years LISA P. DAVIS President

A Proud Member of the URJ

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After landing in LA Friday night, we had a quick bite to eat and then rushed over to Congregation Kol Ami, a synagogue primarily serving the LGBT community of West Hollywood, for a short Shabbat service.

The next day, day two, we left our hotel and headed to Runyon Canyon, where we hiked for about an hour. Adam Newman said that it was “the most memorable part of the trip because of the beautiful view of LA and the surrounding cities and suburbs.” Afterward, we drove into Hollywood and ate lunch at In-N-Out Burger. We then spent some time walking around Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard. Some of us shopped, and some of us walked around to sight-see. Then we met and drove up to UCLA and Westwood, where some saw the campus and some walked around the town.

One of the more powerful events of the trip was at Beit T’Shuvah, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center; the only Jewish rehabilitation center in all of the US! We met with two women who currently work there and have gone through the center as patients named Jessica and Sarah. Both faced their own series of challenges, but ended up in the same place. Leslie Regan described the experience as “a unique opportunity.” She said “The stories we heard were so incredibly powerful and eye opening.” Cameron Block said, “Hearing the former addicts speak opened me up right to the fact that anyone can fall down such a path.” Afterward, we decompressed at the hotel before going out to dinner at a Persian restaurant in close proximity to our hotel. Afterward, we were able to give our plentiful leftovers, to a homeless man, one of the Mitzvahs we did.

Day three started out early so we were able to go to the Wilshire Boulevard Temple to learn about their food pantry and take a tour of their beautiful, unique synagogue. Every Sunday, Wilshire Boulevard Temple has a food pantry for the less fortunate who cannot afford enough food. They will also be opening up a health clinic that will provide medical, dental, and psychological care, again, for those who cannot afford to pay for visits to the various doctors. Its sanctuary has one distinct characteristic that separates it from basically every other sanctuary, which is a time mural wrapped round the inside of the perimeter sanctuary. It paints many historic Jewish events from Abraham all the way to the first Jews coming to America.

GUEST COLUMNIST Afterward, we drove to Skid Row, one of the most impoverished areas in the entire United States. We met a friend of Rabbi Jaffe’s, Avram Mandell, from Tzedek America, a Jewish gap year program based in LA. Together, we prepared and served food for a couple of hundred people. Marlee Weill was very involved and cared so much about this specific event because of the emotional response that she received from those we served. “We were given the opportunity to get away from our phones for a few hours and work with people who really needed our help. We saw how underserved and neglected the homeless community is in LA and as a result, we were motivated to make a difference. Not only were we serving lunch but we were also having conversations with them, something that, sadly, many people refuse to do. I think it was really important for us to witness the issue of homelessness and poverty in our country because, essentially, our generation is in the position to stimulate change.” After about two hours, we cleaned up and went to the roof of the five-story building to see the vast differences between Skid Row and normal parts of downtown LA as little as just two blocks away. We then drove to the Grove / Farmers Market. We spent some time there having lunch and hanging out. We then returned to the hotel before heading out to the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade for walking around, shopping, and eating dinner. When we finished, we walked down to the Santa Monica Pier where we went to the beach. Some of us touched the frigid February water, and others stayed on the sand.

After our last night at our hotel in LA, we went to the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance, where we learned about the events leading up to and during the Holocaust in greater depth. We met a woman named Gloria, a Holocaust survivor. We were each able to read about the life of a young kid who lived before and during the Holocaust.

Afterward, we visited the Jewish Mile of the Pico Robertson neighborhood, where we ate lunch at various kosher restaurants, such as Sushiko, a kosher sushi restaurant. We then drove to Anaheim and headed to Disneyland. While there, we went on various well-known thrill rides such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Matterhorn, as well as the calmer rides, such as Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean. At around 10:30, we went on Space Mountain, renamed Hyperspace Mountain because, spoiler alert, it is now Star Wars themed. We filled all of our time because we left at midnight, which was when the park closed. We then dragged ourselves across the street into our rooms and went to sleep.

At last, the travel-home day arrived. We had to wake up early so that we could get back to LAX from Anaheim with enough time. We had some fun in the van on the way to the airport, singing along to songs and casually conversing about random topics, as we did the rest of the trip.

In reflecting on the trip, Ella Perlmutter says that she enjoyed “getting to know our confirmation class and the Rabbi on a much deeper level and I’m grateful for that opportunity.” Sam Brickman had similar thoughts about the success of the trip saying that it “was an incredibly unique and rewarding experience that I’ll never forget.” He also told me that he appreciated “spending with the Rabbi and my fellow 11th graders while getting to spend time in sunny Southern California.” Despite the fact that the trip included activities that were not only for fun, many loved the trip. Harris Klein said, “The trip was amazing. It combined a Jewish educational trip with a fun trip with my friends.”

As you can see, the trip was, all-around, amazing and unforgettable. We have already been discussing planning a trip when we are seniors next year before we go off to college and the rest of our lives.

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CANTOR STAR A. TROMPETER Spieling Together!

Grease was most definitely the word for Purim!

Thank you to our fabulous and talented cast, staff and congregants who enthusiastically supported the Purim spiel this year making it the best one yet!

Go Rydell Chai!

BESTY NEWS The Purim Carnival was a hit this year! Our shul-in had 15 teens setting up and volunteering over night! We had over 30 teen volunteers that ran activities, games, and stations. A big thank-you to Rabbi Jaffe for letting us pie him in the face as a raffle prize. Thank you to all the volunteers, especially Gloria Raskin and Gloria Newman.

We also want to thank Breezemont Day Camp for their extremely generous donations! BESTY hopes that you had a blast at the carnival, and we look forward to another wonderful carnival in 2017!

A huge Mazel Tov to our own Erica Gimpel (BESTY Co-President) who was just elected to NFTY New York Area Region’s 2016-2017 Regional Board. Erica is now the NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) New York Area Region’s Membership Vice President. We know that with her leadership skills and outgoing personality she will be an amazing membership vice president! If you have any questions about NFTY please feel free to reach out to her, or to Joni at joni@bethelnw.org

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL January and February; A Very Busy Two Months

by Pamela Goldfarb, TBE Member and Religious School Parent

The students and families in the Religious School had many exciting events in January and February, in addition to the tenth through twelfth grade trip to Los Angeles, which is covered in Seth Kreisler’s article.

Heather Satin told us about the sixth graders’ lesson on conversion to Judaism from three women who have converted. Each woman spoke about her story, why she decided to convert, the process of converting, and how it was a great decision for her and her family. The sixth graders enjoyed this experience very much because it made the topic of conversion more interesting and personal.

Stacey Stambleck told us about the special L’dor V’dor program for the third graders. She explained that as part of the third grade L’dor V’dor project, Mr. Chester, the third grade teacher, invited congregants who immigrated to the United States from places including Israel, Turkey, England and Iraq. The students were divided into small groups and assigned to a designated congregant. The students interviewed the congregant to learn about his or her history and path to the United States. The topics included the congregant’s childhood and the foods and customs from the country from which he or she emigrated. The students learned many things about the different countries. They learned that in Israel jelly donuts are eaten during Chanukah instead of latkes. They also learned that in Israel people have so much pride in their country that they look forward to serving in the army to help protect it. This project was a fantastic exercise for the students to learn about Judaism throughout different cultures.

Finally, thanks to Alyssa White, Nicole Feig, and the entire social committee of the Religious School, which hosted its first moms’ night out for moms of kindergarteners through fourth graders. The event was a success, as 30 moms enjoyed an evening of trivia and delicious food at Trattoria 160 on Wednesday March 2.

The social committee looks forward to hosting another event!

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS April 1

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First Friday with 6th Grade participation and Tot Chocolate Seder 2nd Grade family education, 4th Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 1st & 3rd Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 6th Grade Mock Wedding 5th Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 4th Grade Wax Museum Cooking class Matzah K, 1st & 2nd Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 6th Grade Art 1st & 3rd Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman Cooking class Matzah 3rd & 4th Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 3rd & 4th Grade cooking with Ann Farago 5th & 6th Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 4th Grade field trip to the Lower East Side K, 1st & 2nd Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 6th Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman 1st & 3rd Grade Art Program with Sarah Glickman See our website for the complete Religious School calendar.

Religious School Moms’ Night Out

SAVE THE DATE! Religious School Gallery Night Wednesday, May 11 5:45 - 6:45 pm

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BEGINNING YEARS ECC Can We Have Strong Academics and Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Preschool?

Yes we can and we do at Beginning Years. Our teachers have a thorough grounding in early childhood development. We know that very small children learn best through touching, tasting, moving, smelling, manipulating, wiggling, jiggling, twisting, hearing, seeing, and trying. The environment is planned in a way that is organized to make sense to the children. By looking at the various areas or centers, they understand exactly what needs to be done and how things work. Erika Christakis, a lecturer at the Yale Child Study Center says, in her new book: “The Importance of Being Little,” “It is the reality that science is confirming on a daily basis: that children are hardwired to learn in many settings and are really very capable, very strong, very intelligent on the one hand. On the other hand, the paradox is that many children are doing poorly in our early education settings.” Loris Malaguzzi founder of the acclaimed Reggio Emilia Schools in Italy, said 50 years ago: “What children learn does not follow as an automatic result from what is taught; rather, it is in large part due to the children’s own doing, as a consequence of their activities and our resources.” He emphasized, “It was not so much that we need to think of the child who develops himself by himself but rather of a child who develops himself interacting and developing with others.” We are social animals we humans, not designed to be alone but rather in community.

Social learning must precede cognitive development.

Parents quickly discover that when something new is presented to their young child, the first order of business is to “play” with the item. During this play, children are learning all about the item – what it can do, what it looks like, how it can be changed.

They explore again and again and through this the child learns the permanence of objects, how they change and how they remain the same. Though repetition and success a child learns to take a risk.

When the blocks fall down and no one is at all upset by the noise, children learn to try again and again and again.

Because we want children to be persistent and stay with tasks a good teacher works with the child’s developmental style and individual stage of development. She makes statements like “What do you

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think will happen if…?” “What do you think would happen if you tried…?” And the good teacher describes everything she is seeing. “I see you’ve used lots of colors, how did you know how to do that?”

There are daily reading sessions, often multiple times a day. The teacher is helping children learn the conventions of the written language. Patterns are part of mathematics and reading. Creating patterns either visual or auditory supports academics since reading and math are pattern based.

It’s pretty brutal to sit and be forced to copy a letter of the alphabet day after day, but painting, drawing, clay making, wire work promote fine motor skills, and suddenly one day the artist would like to sign his/her work of art and behold – writing a name becomes important.

There is no way any individual can learn all the information there is to know, but learning how to solve problems in true scientific ways is invaluable.

Making hypotheses and testing them, then regrouping and trying again, supports all kinds of learning.

Likewise knowing how to get the information one needs is the gateway to academic success.

Much of what we see in early childhood classrooms looks like play – but it is carefully structured and guided by the teacher to help children use their own problem-solving strategies, pursue their own interests while contributing to the group and helping one another. In a high-quality program, adults are building relationships with the children and paying close attention to their thought processes, and, by extension, their communication. They are finding ways to support the children to think out loud.

BEGINNING YEARS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS April 8 6,13,27 11,12 22 21 29

Professional Development Day - No School Music Studio Art Teacher 1st Passover Seder - No School Storyteller Last day of Passover - No School

PASSOVER CHOCOLATE SEDER Friday, April 1 5:30 pm For families with children in preschool through 2nd Grade to embrace the sweetness of the holiday through song, stories, and of course... CHOCOLATE! RSVP by March 30 on our website: www.bethelnw.org/5776ChocolateSeder This program was made possible through an ignition grant from The Jewish Education Project, an agency committed to sparking and spreading innovations that expand the reach and increase the impact of Jewish education.

JOINT HERITAGE SEDER Sunday, April 10 5:00 pm The Temple Beth El and Antioch Church communities will come together once again to celebrate the Passover holiday and our mutual narratives of liberation from enslavement. Please join our 6th Grade families who will be taking part in leading this year’s Seder. We will be making “thank you” cards for American and Israeli soldiers.

RSVP is required.

WOMEN’S SEDER Thursday, April 7 6:30 pm Please join Sarah’s Circle, Cantor Trompeter, and Rabbi Linzer for this unique Seder experience.

Our theme this year is overcoming adversity through courage and strength. TBE member Cathy Dreilinger will be our guest speaker.

Last year 65 women came together for our Women’s Seder, and an amazing time was had by all. The tradition continues, and we would love for you to be part of it.

RSVP by April 5 on our website:

www.bethelnw.org/5776Womens-Seder

The cost of dinner is $36 per adult and $18 per child under 12. ($10 per adult is tax deductible and will be used to cover the costs of our church guests) We also ask that you bring either a bottle of wine or a kosher dessert for Passover.

RSVP by April 6 on our website: www.bethelnw.org/5776Joint_Heritage_Seder

Passover 1st Day Text Study Saturday, April 23 8:45 - 9:45 am

with Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe

Sorry ***NO WALK INS ***

Join us in conversation and study for the Passover holiday.

Join us for a wonderful evening!

Price includes Seder, dinner, and drinks: Early RSVP by March 31: $40 Late RSVP - April 1-5: $50

Passover Last Day Yizkor Service Saturday, April 29 8:30 am

Questions? Please contact : Alison Laden: Alison@Ladens.net Ellen Portman: eportmanlaw@gmail.com

Followed by Matzah Brei Breakfast

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ADULT EDUCATION More than Just a Pretty Face: Exploring the Complexities of Biblical Women Saturdays 8:45 - 9:45 am with Cantor Star Trompeter

Throughout the Torah, we read about remarkable women who have helped shape the narrative of the Jewish people. Often, however, the text itself does not always capture the true complexities of these dynamic women. In this six session course, by studying the Torah portion of the week, we will focus on the ways in which women are being portrayed in the text, as well as alternative ways to interpret the text. While the Women’s Torah Commentary will be our primary guide, we will also examine these women through the eyes of various commentators, both traditional and contemporary.

The Great Jewish Books Sundays 9:15 - 10:30 am

with Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe While we proudly stand as the People of the Book, many of us are confused about this book and other major Jewish works. This introductory survey of Jewish books will take us from the Torah to more recent milestones. Each class will focus on a specific treatise and its literary and historical setting. Through this process, we may gain knowledge of our people’s major works and the history that weaves through them.

April 17: Yehuda Levi’s Sefer Kuzari

Dates: April 9: Parashat Tazria April 16: Parashat Metzora April 30: Passover

ADULT PROGRAMS “Dough” Special Movie Screening Sunday, April 3 9:15 am & 11:15 am We invite you to view a first look screening of “Dough” before it is in theaters! Join us in the Beit Midrash on April 3 at either: 9:15 am or 11:15 am RSVP on our website to reserve your seat: www.bethelnw.org/DoughRSVP An old Jewish baker struggles to keep his business afloat until his young Muslim apprentice drops cannabis in the dough and sends sales sky high.

Sponsored by Sarah’s Circle Open to the adult community

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B.E.M.A. Men’s Club May Day Rum Tasting and Cigars Sunday, May 1 5:00 - 7:00 pm Join the Beth El Men’s Association for a celebration of the recent temple trip to Cuba with an evening of Cuban food, Cuban rum and, of course, Cuban cigars!

We will start with rum & cigars at 5:00 pm. Dinner at 6:00 pm. The cost is $35.

Space is limited so please RSVP on our website by April 27: www.bethelnw.org/MayDay

SERVICES First Friday Family Shabbat Friday, April 1 5:30 pm Chocolate Seder

RSVP details on page 4 7:15 pm Shabbat Worship Service

with 6th Grade Participation

Special Shabbat Service with Reverend Merle D. McJunkin Friday, April 8 8:00 pm We welcome Reverend Merle D. McJunkin to speak from our bimah in conjunction with Sunday’s Joint Heritage Seder. Reverend McJunkin serves as Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford. Prior to his arrival last year, Reverend McJunkin served Grace Baptist Church of Philadelphia and East Glenville United Methodist Church in Cleveland.

Reverend McJunkin is a graduate of Ohio University and earned a Master of Divinity Degree at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. We look forward to welcoming him to our community!

Shabbat Worship Service with Torah Reading Friday, April 15 7:00 pm Congregational Dinner 8:00 pm Service RSVP on our website by April 12: www.bethelnw.org/DinnerApril15 There will be no Shabbat Service on Friday, April 22, as it is the first night of Passover.

Shabbat Worship Service Honoring Keith Robellard Friday, April 29 7:30 pm Proneg 8:00 pm Service 9:00 pm Reception Join us for a special Shabbat service as we honor Keith Robellard for 25 years of outstanding service to Temple Beth El. This melodious service will feature the TBE Adult choir, the Shir Shabbat band and original music by Keith himself!

TBE COMMUNITY Beth El Family Trip (To Israel or Elsewhere) Intake Meeting Sunday, May 1 10:00 - 10:30 am As significant interest has arisen around creating a trip for Beth El families with children, Rabbi Jaffe is organizing an intake to discuss the possible timing, destination and itinerary for such a trip.

We are considering December 2017 or Spring of 2018 with destinations of Israel and Jewish Spain or Italy. Please join and help us to create the experience that will best serve our Beth El families.

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TBE COMMUNITY Books Bring Comfort The temple’s Caring Committee is collecting new and gently used books for donation to the soon-to-open Caregiver Center at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. This trauma facility provides long term support and care for the most critically ill.

Please help us fill their shelves with books for all ages.

The Center has asked for the following types of books: - Classic Novels, Best Sellers, Biographies, Nonfiction - Hobbies: Arts & Photography, Sports, Gardening, Cooking, Music - Business: Money, Politics, Social Science - Healing: Yoga, Meditation, Nutrition, Body, Mind, Soul, Health & Beauty, Self-Help - Laughter: Humor, Entertainment, Short Stories - Children’s Books: All types- Picture Books, Young Adult Fiction, Series, Nonfiction, Crossword Puzzles Bring your books to the temple lobby, where boxes will be located for donation.

The Caring Committee and volunteers will be sorting and packing these books on Mitzvah Day. Come join us and help be part of this exciting project.

Any questions, you can contact any of the Caring Committee members listed below: Penny Hamlet 914-953-9029 Barbara Becker 914-393-0807 Maxine Ferencz 917-656-5605 Rachel Rosin 914-523-9784

SAVE THE DATE!

!gny zcled mei APRIL BIRTHDAYS!

Sam Abitanta Julianne Appel Samuel Berger Arielle Bortz Halle Brickman Joshua Cantor Hunter Corte Rachel Deutsch Asher Dundas Jason Friedman Jared Gelber Alexa Googel Carly Googel Levi Goren Adam Graff Grace Gralitzer Chloe Greenstein Amanda Hauptman Reese Highbloom Matthew Janis Bennett Katz Jessica Kratz Ilan Laurence Michael Lee Dylan Lefkowitz

Sydney Lerman Harper Margolies Ari Michos Teya Michos Justin Miller Sasha Murray Zachary Nadan Ryan Oberfest Andrew Perelman Danielle Pollner Graham Preizler Kelsey Raicht Caleb Reynolds Jordan Rosen Jenna Rosenberg Marielle Seigel Sawyer Setton Zachary Switzen Charlotte Tucker Grace Ullman Hannah Ullman Allison Wachtfogel Robert Woolf Rebecca Zadeck

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OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE SPONSORING ONEGS Lisa Janis David & Wendy Leason Jonathan & Barbara Lerman Tom & Nona Ullman

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Sunday, May 15 9:00 am - 2:00 pm For updated information please visit our website: www. bethelnw.org/Mitzvah-Day-Registration

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CONGRATULATIONS TO Leslie & Arthur Fass on the engagement of their daughter, Alison, to Dr. Todd Markowitz

B’NEI MITZVAH Appears in print only

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JOYS & SORROWS RECENT GIFTS

YAHRZEITS

Barbara Pollack Mitzvah Day Fund Andy & Harriet Singer in memory of Phyllis Biren

April 1-2

January 6 - March 15, 2016

Beginning Years Early Childhood Center Fund Blauner and Wexman Class at Beginning Years Nursery School in memory of Pauline Barnard, mother of Laurel Wexman Betty & Jack Bader Adult Education Fund Barry & Gloria Meisel Phyllis Kirshner in honor of the Meisel Family Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Elliot & Susan Pecker in memory of Stanley Kravet Caring Community Fund Phoebe Carter in honor of the wonderful ladies who drive me to and from my various activities Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Shirley Levine Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Eva Levine Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Anna Levine Stan & Penny Hamlet in memory of Nasha Hamlet Stan & Penny Hamlet in memory of Hilda Friedlander John & Barbara Heffer in memory of Muriel Seiler Ross & Donna Held in memory of Doris Held Ross & Donna Held in memory of Daniel Wolchok Elliot & Susan Pecker in memory of Stanley Kravet Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Phyllis Biren Chai Fund Stan & Penny Hamlet in memory of Nasha Hamlet Sylvia Waksman in memory of Gloria Kalina Sylvia Waksman in memory of Lena Lefkowitz Amy & Sam Resnick Family Fund For Adult Jewish Studies Clifford & Susan Ray Fred & Amy Robin in memory of Morris Robin Dave & Bunny Center Family Mitzvah Endowment Fund Charlene Berman in memory of Dave Center Temple Beth El Endowment Fund Mitchell & Leslie Rubin in memory of Milton Rubin Flower Fund Irene Auerbacher in memory of Arthur Sarowitz Roberta Bengelsdorf in memory of David Bengelsdorf Gary & Ellen Byck in memory of Bernard Waring David & Cathy Dreilinger in memory of Linda Grigg Charlie & Robin Elkin in memory of Gertrude Elkin Ron & Alisa Emanuel in memory of Carole Rogers Jeffrey & Debra Geller in memory of Dora Shapiro Jeffrey & Debra Geller in memory of Melville Geller Arlen & Kathy Goldberg in memory of Mandel J. Kramer Arlen & Kathy Goldberg in memory of Sylvia Goldberg Kamran & Ellen Hakim in memory of Isaac Hakim Dick & Lee Laster in memory of Jeanette Laster Evan & Debi Mittman in memory of Max Mittman Gene & Tobi Nadel in memory of Harry A. Nadel, Phyllis Nadel, Philip B. Kimmel Bill Pollak & Maria Fisher in memory of Angela Fisher Fred & Amy Robin in memory of Bebe Harrison Ben & Rachel Rosin in memory of Alexander Treitelman

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Anita Bachenheimer Sara Baum Monroe W. Bleetstein Helen Borchard Joel “Kip” Borisky Harry Elkin Milton Finger Allan Finkel Edith Green Samuel J. Kimmel Dora Rosenzweig Marie Spevack Gertrude Wallis Sidney Zenker April 3-9 Murray Ackerman Dorothy Elman Phillip Elman Max Findling George Fullam Ralph Gefsky Sheldon Goldstein Florence Greenwald Gerard Kessler Joseph Perloff Boris Rosenzweig Robert Saltzman Julius Schachter Bernard Vexler Lee Wolff James Yussim April 10-16 Doris Ackerman Samuel Ackerman Lucille Altman Irving Cohen Hilde Collins Benjamin Ehrlich Rose Goldman Gertrude Goldsmith Pearl Lavender Geraldine Lazarus Rose Levitt Ubaldo Masotti Joseph Moscowitz Jean Orlander Milton Perloff Pearl Poret

Lynn Robinson Darrett Rutman Martin Stern Richard Tumpowsky Murray Waksman Lois Walker April 17-23 Ada Bacher Mary Benjamin Harold Bernstein Warren Bunshaft Judy Cooper Morris Dobkin Barbara Feibus Erich Grunebaum Samuel Liber Martin Manasse Minnie Marron Fannie Nelson Alexander Pollak Harry Reiner Betty Rifkin Clare Rush Miriam Safro Samuel Shrager Meyer Siegel Natalie Smith Henry Smith Abraham Spitalny Arnold Wallack Nathan Wolfson Milton Zimmerman April 24-30 Jay Anfanger Etta Brotz Bunny Center Judith Feldman Harry Fisher Bernard Fishman Aviva Freelander Laurence Friedman Abraham Glazer Victor Greenbaum Samuel Jaffe Sarah Kimmel Morris C. Klein Lillian Lessler Nathan Levine Vera Nemoytin Dorothea Ochser Harold Paster Morris Raskin

JOYS & SORROWS YAHRZEITS (Continued)

Louis Routman Benjamin Saslow Frida Schnellenberg Jakob Schnellenberg Annette Stiglitz Raymond Stillman Louis Tulbowitz

JEWISH MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Every Friday at 9:30 am

Please join us for meditation and discussion.

All are welcome whatever your level of experience with meditation – including those who want to try it for the first time. On the first Friday of every month meditation is led

by Ruth Rosenblum, of Westchester Jewish Community Services. The remaining Fridays are led by members who attend regularly, and are composed primarily of silent meditation and a short discussion on the Torah portion and its significance from a mindfulness point of view. There is no charge for these sessions.

If you have any questions, please contact Maxine Olson at maxineols@gmail.com or Ann Glazer at annglazer1@gmail.com

KNITZVAH CORPS We are a group of members who meet monthly in members homes and knit together. New members are always welcome with any skill level. We also are happy to tutor beginners!

For more information contact Hillary Kent at hilaryk13@gmail.com

MAH JONGG

Every Wednesday at 9:30 am All are welcome! Come to gab, play, or just relax with a cup of coffee!

Questions? Contact Myra Borchard at mborchard@optonline.net

RECENT GIFTS (Continued) Ken & Judy Sagat in memory of Kenneth Sack Ken & Judy Sagat in memory of Albert Huber Richard & Dianne Spitalny in memory of Mark Press Richard & Dianne Spitalny in memory of Samuel Press Gregory Altman Music & Arts Fund Steve & Meryl Adler Charles & Eve Poret Irene Auerbacher in memory of Arthur Sarowitz Perry & Sandy Levine in memory of Lillian Flichtenfeld Mickey Pintchman in memory of Charles Pintchman Prayer Book Fund Barbara Kalik in memory of Vincent W. Witt Rabbi Educator Discretionary Fund Elliot & Susan Pecker in memory of Stanley Kravet Senior Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Don Altman in memory of Alice Jacobs Bernice Bassin in memory of Fannie Blasenheim and Miriam Bassin Bob & Nadia Bernstein in memory of David Colin Kamran & Ellen Hakim in memory of aunt Mimi Barbara Kalik in memory of Mark J. Kalik Gene & Tobi Nadel in memory of Harry A. Nadel, Phyllis Nadel, Philip B. Kimmel Elliot & Susan Pecker in memory of Stanley Kravet Ben & Rachel Rosin in memory of Henrietta Treitelman Ben & Rachel Rosin in memory of Lenore Rosin Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Fund Stan & Penny Hamlet in memory of Hilda Friedlander Tree of Life Fund Adrienne Shiloff in memory of Jerome Shiloff Tributes Lee Blum Peter & Marjorie Troob Dick & Lucille Goldsmith in memory of Lisa Grubel Maxine Olson Maynard in memory of Sidney Presburg Maxine Olson Maynard in memory of Leonard Maynard

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HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO Ellen Cooper on the death of her father, Jerry Figowsky Gary Kibel on the death of his father, Howard Kibel David Rappaport on the death of his father, Samuel Rappaport Dottie Tauber on the death of her husband, Dr. Robert Tauber

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FACILITY RENTAL

vjna CELEBRATE at TBE!

From weddings and life-cycle events to private gatherings, business functions, and lectures, Temple Beth El’s stunning new facilities provide an exceptional setting for all types of special occasions and events.

For rental inquiries or to schedule a tour of our facilities, please call 914.238.3928. We look forward to helping you create a memorable event. For more information, please visit www.bethelnw.org/facility_rental.

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B’NEI MITZVAH CONFERENCES BIRTHDAY PARTIES LECTURES MEETINGS CELEBRATIONS WEDDINGS

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Temple Beth El Portraits Donated by Todd Shapera Located on the Second Floor Wall, across from the Social Hall

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Personally Owned and Supervised William F. Flooks, Jr. Proprietor William J. Flooks Funeral Director

Karen Lord

Funeral Director

Jeffrey S. Goldhorn Licensed Manager

Caring for our community since 1928 Personal and Complete Funeral Service 418 Bedford Road…Pleasantville, NY 10570…769-0001

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC.

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Painting and Carpentry

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Interior & Exterior Painting, Power Washing, Replacement Carpentry, Window & Door Installations, Power & Finish Sanding office@korthpainting.com

238-5388

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Painting and Carpentry

NEW CASTLE AUTO CENTER, INC. 25 South Bedford Rd. Chappaqua, NY 10514 914-238-2662 914-238-4461

OWEN CAHN Manager

LARRY MILTON Owner

Korth and Shannahan Painting

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TEMPLE DIRECTORY 220 SOUTH BEDFORD RD 914.238.3928 T CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514 914.238.4030 F WWW.BETHELNW.ORG TEMPLE@BETHELNW.ORG

Senior Rabbi

Jonathan Jaffe

Rabbi-Educator

Maura H. Linzer

Senior Cantor

Star A. Trompeter

Executive Director

Gennifer Kelly

jjaffe@bethelnw.org

mlinzer@bethelnw.org

BEGINNING YEARS RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

914.238.5735 914.238.5641

executivedirector@bethelnw.org

TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS 1311 1316 1121 1321 1310

1320

1322 1221 1120 1600 1110 1300

strompeter@bethelnw.org

Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Senior Cantor Star Trompeter Maura H. Linzer, Rabbi-Educator Gennifer Kelly, Executive Director Jaclyn Dubray, Administrative & Life-Cycle Coordinator Leslie Aufieri, Executive Assistant to Gennifer Kelly & Communications Coordinator Ann Testone, Bookkeeper Rayna Alperstein, Early Childhood Ed. Director Judi Meyer, Religious School Assistant Gregory Allen, Facility Manager Joni Gehebe-Kellogg, Youth Coordinator Life-Cycle Emergency

Director of Rayna Alperstein Beginning Years ECC ralperstein@bethelnw.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS

Lisa P. Davis President

Richard Albert

Executive Vice President

David Abrams Vice President

Rhonda Regan Vice President Submissions should be e-mailed to bulletin@bethelnw.org.

Deadlines are the 5th of the month prior to the month of issue: September, October, November, December/January, February/March, April, May, and June.

Published by the congregants of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.

Advertising Editor Proofreader

Hedy Simpson Leslie Aufieri Mel Wolfson

HGSimpson@aol.com LAufieri@bethelnw.org

Amy Robin

Vice President

Stephanie Saltzman Vice President

Janet Levy Treasurer

Carol Wolk Secretary

WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester welcomes all who wish to participate in Jewish life – singles, couples and families in all their forms, gays, lesbians, interfaith couples – all people regardless of age, sexual orientation, or financial means.

The synagogue is a kehilah kedoshah – a sacred community. It’s like a sukkah. A sukkah is constructed of many different branches woven together. So is the synagogue: the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the married and the unmarried, single parents, grandparents, gays and heterosexuals, non-Jewish spouses. The broader the sukkah’s reach, the more tightly its branches are woven, the stronger it stands. So too the synagogue: the greater the variety of people welcomed within it, the closer they feel to one another, the stronger the temple stands.

TRUSTEES Term Expires 2016 Ruth Clark Robert Klein Rand Manasse Steve Ochser Kathy Raicht Term Expires 2017 Robert Medway Art Saltzman Lisa Shaiken Hedy Simpson Forrest Sussman Alonna Travin Term Expires 2018 Eric Alani Adam Brodsky Gregg Diller Marc Fried Mitch Goldstein Diane Thaler

Past Presidents, Honorary Members of the Board Barry Meisel Steve Adler Gloria Meisel Stanley Amberg William Pollak Charlene Berman May Rolle Melvin Ehrlich Ernest M. Grunebaum David Ruzow Temple Organizations Sisterhood/ Sarah’s Circle Men’s Club/B.E.M.A.

Gail Schreier, Myra Borchard, Alison Laden, & Ellen Portman Andrew Laden, Dan Switzen, & Jim Wein

Youth Group Co-Presidents Lauren Clark & Erica Gimpel

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Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14115 White Plains, NY

220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514

OR CURRENT RESIDENT

CELEBRATE PASSOVER WOMEN’S SEDER Thursday, April 7 at 6:30 pm

JOINT HERITAGE SEDER Sunday, April 10 at 5:00 pm

RSVP by April 5: bethelnw.org/5776Womens-Seder

RSVP by April 6: bethelnw.org/5776Joint_Heritage_Seder

Last year 65 women came together for our Women’s Seder, and an amazing time was had by all. The tradition continues, and we would love for you to be part of it.

The Temple Beth El and Antioch Church communities will come together once again to celebrate the Passover holiday and our mutual narratives of liberation from enslavement. Please join our 6th Grade families who will be taking part in leading this year’s Seder. We will be making “thank you” cards for American and Israeli soldiers.

Sorry ***NO WALK INS *** Price includes Seder, dinner and drinks: Early RSVP by March 31: $40 Late RSVP - April 1-5: $50 Join us for a wonderful evening!

RSVP is required. The cost of dinner is $36 per adult and $18 per child under 12.

We also ask that you bring either a bottle of wine or a kosher dessert for Passover.