january
the newsletter of woodlands community temple
HIGHLIGHT January 2015 Tevet-Sh’vat 5775
Judaism: A Moral Platform for Justice and Peace
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nce upon a time (or so our ancestors tell us), a man named Abraham stood up to God. It seems the Almighty was intent on wiping out two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham protested, claiming there might be innocent families living there. In the end, the cities were destroyed. But Abraham’s legacy – speaking truth to power – was secure. To this very day, Abraham’s descendants – you and I – Teen lobby L’Taken endeavor to emulate his example. Call it tikkun olam (repairing the world), gemilut hasadim (deeds of lovingkindness) or, simply, tzedakah (doing the right thing), they’re all part of Judaism’ most fundamental teaching: V’ahavta rey-eh-kha ka-mo-kha ... “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). We may argue endlessly about God, about the origins of Torah, about the State of Israel, but there is no argument whatsoever about Judaism’s commitment to human decency and social justice. If I call myself Jewish, I must practice compassion and speak for those who cannot. In December, WCT high school students bussed down to Washington (along with Rabbis Billy and Mara, Ross Glinkenhouse and Jason Fenster) to participate in the L’taken Social Justice Seminar (note that L’taken – “to repair” – is related to tikkun olam). Sponsored by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (“the RAC”), hundreds of teens spent four days learning about Judaism’s commitment to making the world a better place. The RAC’s legislative assistants trained our students in political advocacy techniques. Each participant selected an issue that’s current in America right now (immigration, economic justice, gun violence, LGBT rights, reproductive rights, and more), learned about the topic, and then prepared an advocacy presentation later made in our elected representatives’ offices. These continued on page 2
Coming up next month ...
Artist-in-Residence Weekend with Marilyn Price Marilyn Price is a nationally-acclaimed teacher, historian, craftswoman, author, and entertainer. When Marilyn moves her hands and tells a story, both the audience and puppets come to life. From Friday evening, Feb 6 through Sunday morning, Feb 8, we will have abundant opportunities to learn Jewish values and teachings through puppetry for the kids and, for adults, Torah study and also a workshop on how to bring our own personal stories to light. Marilyn is a master teacher with a contagious humor. We are in for a treat!
The Afro-Semitic Experience Joins us on Friday, Jan 30 @ 8:00 pm
The Afro-Semitic Experience is an American roots band with a difference – they merge Jewish and Afro-diasporic melodies and grooves, combining the core concepts of ase and shalom power, action, unity, and peace. Imagine a band that smoothly and creatively moves from Klezmer to hard bop in the same piece. Imagine musicians who have found a way to play with the feel of both a synagogue and an African-American church. This dynamic and joyous world music experience will take place at 8:00 pm on Friday, January 30 as we celebrate the Sabbath song with lots of participation by our congregation and the Woodlands Singers. As legendary jazz critic Nat Hentoff wrote, “. . . never before have I heard this lyrically powerful a fusion of Jewish and jazz souls on fire. . .” The Afro-Semitic Experience’s music is described by critic Carlos Ramos as “a whoopin’, hollerin’, testifyin’ celebration of multicultural soul music. Imagine Charles Mingus sitting in with a Klezmer band, playing Gospel music set to the polyrhythmic pace of congas and bongos.”
Our Woodlands Community
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Rabbi Billy Dreskin rabbi@wct.org
training sessions allow young people to take action not only during the weekend but for the rest of their lives, speaking truth to power and helping shape a more compassionate nation. The RAC has been around for 50 years. Training teens is one small part of the vital work it does. The RAC educates and mobilizes our entire Reform Jewish community (1.5 million strong) on issues of social and legislative concern. We can then act as one religious community, Katrina Disaster Relief in New Orleans, Feb 2013 speaking with a powerful voice to our elected leaders. The RAC also builds coalitions with other communities, religious and secular, so that our advocacy efforts grow even stronger. Here at Woodlands, issues of social justice are deeply woven into the fabric of our spiritual lives. Every kid knows how important tzedakah and tikkun olam are for us. Involvement in the Midnight Run, the Coachman Center for homeless families, and the HUC Soup Kitchen in Manhattan are only a few of the beneficiaries of our religious school’s performance of gemilut hasadim. Rabbi Mara expresses it this way: “‘Knowing Judaism’ is not the end-goal of learning. Jewish education and Jewish identity formation are the means by which we become good people, active citizens and agents for change. This is why social justice opportunities are woven into our religious school program. Our kids visit with seniors, donate tzedakah, and volunteer in the community. B’nai Mitzvah must choose two organizations to support, demonstrating their responsibility towards community change and establishing a life-long commitment to making the world a kinder, safer, more equitable place for all.” At the congregational level, we have a long history of involvement in social justice activities. From our earliest years, WCT has opened its doors to blood drives, the Jewish elderly of Project Ezra, a Vietnamese “boat family,” the kids at Children’s Village, and NYC’s hungry (through the Midnight Run). We’ve even sheltered the homeless in our sanctuary (1986-89), assisted the Abayudayan Jews of Uganda, rebuilt homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, helped victims of domestic abuse restart their lives, knitted chemocaps for cancer patients, and combated genocide in Darfur. Our current Social Action chairperson, Julie Stein, describes the impetus to do justice at Woodlands this way: “I love that Woodlands tackles progressive and controversial topics. Whether it’s discussing body image with our teens or exploring current incarceration rates, these translate in my mind as, ‘What can we do about this and how can we make it better?’ I see social justice infused into every service and program, really one and the same as what it means to be Jewish. At Woodlands, in particular, I feel a constant message of respect, kindness and warmth. It’s a place that pushes me to be a better version of myself: to reach out to help others, care for my community, the environment, and the people of the world. The message is that it’s not enough to know problems exist but that we need to take action. Some give money, others time, but the thought that we are the lucky ones who are able to share our good fortune seems like a strong obligation in Jewish life. Social Action projects at Woodlands give people a way to translate their values into action. Bringing food on Yom Kippur to help our neighbors make ends meet, talking to people with respect and compassion on a Breakfast Run, donating furnishings for a family to start anew after being victims of domestic abuse ... these projects provide a path forward in response to our knowledge of the problems around us.” In the end, Abraham wasn’t able to save Sodom and Gomorrah (although he did save one family along the way). We can pray that the fruits of our efforts will be a more just world for all. Even if those changes don’t come about, we will have fulfilled Judaism’s mandate to love our neighbors and to speak truth to power in order secure our neighbors’ well-being. And that’s not too shabby an accomplishment for a religious community.
Rabbi Mara Young rabbimara@wct.org Cantor Jonathan Ben Gordon cantor@wct.org Ross Glinkenhouse, Youth Director youth@wct.org Corey Friedlander, Sh'liakh K'hilah corey@wct.org Jason Fenster, Rabbinic Intern intern@wct.org
Executive Committee Stu Berlowitz, President president@wct.org Jenna Lebowich, VP Education education@wct.org Cliff Schoen, VP Facilities facilities@wct.org Andy Farber, VP Finance finance@wct.org Dayle Fligel, VP Programming/Ritual programming@wct.org Herb Friedman, Financial Secretary financialsecretary@wct.org Andrea Einhorn, Secretary secretary@wct.org Mark Selig, Treasurer treasurer@wct.org
Board of Trustees Bob Apter Jill Garland Nancy Brown Yvette Gralla Aliza Burton Barry Leibowitz Wendy Eliezer Lisa Sacks Gloria Falk Mike Scafidi Nancy Fishman Michele Wise Rochelle Stolzenberg (ex-officio)
Office Staff Liz Rauchwerger, Office Coordinator liz@wct.org Michele Montague, Education Administrative Assistant michele@wct.org Michelle Fine, Office Staff mfine@wct.org Bookkeeper bookkeeper@wct.org
About Our Temple Woodlands Community Temple 50 Worthington Road White Plains, NY 10607 914.592.7070 main office 914.592.1790 religious school direct line 914.592.7376 fax wct@wct.org www.wct.org Religious School: school@wct.org Woodlands Community Temple is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism Art Director: Melanie Roher Design and Production: Kate Levy Advertising Director: Bob Apter Production Director: Michelle Fine
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Worship Schedule Shabbat Vayekhee
Gen 47:28 - 50:26 ... I Kgs 1:1-12 Fri, Jan 2 Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm Corey Friedlander and Cantor Jonathan will lead tonight’s service while the rabbis are away. Sat, Jan 3 No 10:30 service this morning. Kaddish can be said at Hevra Torah Learning (9:15 am).
Shabbat Shemot
Exo 1:1 - 6:1 ... Isa 27:6 - 28:13, 29:22-23 Fri, Jan 9 A Joyful Noise! at 8:00 pm A service for everyone, from oldest to youngest. With a dozen musicians and your voices, we’ll fill the Sanctuary with a joyful noise! Visual Worship tonight ... all prayers and readings will be projected onto screens. Sat, Jan 10 Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am Celebrate with us as Max Sasloff, son of Michael and Jackie Sasloff, becomes a Bar Mitzvah.
Shabbat Va’era
Exo 6:2 - 9:35 ... Eze 28:25 - 29:21 Fri, Jan 16 Jammin’ Shabbat at 7:00 pm Put on your jammies, bring a bedtime friend, and c’mon over for the wildest 30 minutes of bedtime song, stories and blessings ever! We’ll be jammin’ on the keyboard and guitar, and makin’ a Shabbat to get you ready for bed. Bring a buck for tzedakah! Martin Luther King Shabbat at 8:00 pm An evening devoted to the writings,
thoughts and dreams of Dr. King and all of us who have followed him. Rabbinic intern Jason Fenster will speak. Sat, Jan 17 New Morning Shabbat Service #1 at 10:30 am Join us for this special worship experience featuring energizing music, prayer, time for quiet reflection, and a potluck lunch. The service will be led by our very own Rabbi Lisa Izes and will run 10:30-11:30 am. Please bring a dish to share, and we will gather for an informal nosh when the service ends. If you sign up in advance (contact the office), we can provide babysitting downstairs as well.
Friday, January 16 at 8:00 pm What does Martin Luther King Day mean to you? Another Monday holiday? Sales at The Westchester? But where does one go to commemorate Dr. King’s lifetime commitment to racial and human equality? Or to affirm our own commitment to the continuing struggle for civil rights? That’s why we encourage you and your family to join us Friday evening, January 16 at 8:00 pm for our annual Martin Luther King Shabbat. Make sure your kids understand the importance of this day. And set aside time for your observance of this significant American holiday. Rabbinic intern Jason Fenster will speak.
Shabbat Bo
Exo 10:1 - 13:16 ... Jer 46:13-28 Fri, Jan 23 Miskpakha Shabbat at 7:00 pm For the entire congregation, just earlier – meaningful for adults, engaging for kids! If you like, join us for a quick dinner at 6:00 pm – make your reservation at wct. org/mishpakha. Sat, Jan 24 Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am Celebrate with us as Rachel Bloom, daughter of Rich and Liz Bloom, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.
“Happy New Year! Tu b’Shevat 2015!” Learning with Rabbi Mara Wed, Feb 4 at 10:00 am
Shabbat Beshallakh
Exo 13:17 - 17:16 ... Jud 4:4 - 5:31 Fri, Jan 30 Shabbat Shira Music Service at 8:00 pm Festive tribute to song as our ultimate expression of faith. Featuring David Chevan and the Afro-Semitic Experience, bringing together Jewish and African-American musical heritages. continued on page 6
Hevra Torah Learning: Saturdays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. There’s abundant room around our table. Drop by once or often, we’d love to have you join our lively conversation. In the Meeting Room or Library.
Jan 3: Parashat Vayekhee Facilitated by Rabbi Mara
Jan 24: Parashat Bo Facilitated by Rabbi Billy
Jan 10: Parashat Shemot Facilitated by Rabbi Billy
Jan 31: Parashat Beshallakh Facilitated by Rabbi Mara
Jan 17: Parashat Va’era Facilitated by Cantor Jonathan
Why a Shabbat Service to Honor Dr. King?
Happy New Year? Wasn’t that a month ago? Sure, but Tu b’Shevat is also known as the New Year of the Trees. Join Rabbi Mara to learn about what sort of “new year” this can be for nature and for us. Tu b’Shevat is Judaism’s original “Earth Day.” It celebrates the miracle of nature’s cycles, and provides a mystical seder that correlates these cycles with the ultimate redemption of humankind. You are invited to join Rabbi Mara for a special edition of Daytime Diversions and explore with her Judaism’s take on Tu b’Shevat and the beauty of nature and our attendant responsibilities
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from the
Director
of
Congregtional Learning
Making an Impact The power of social action
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ast semester, our 8th and 9th grade Academy kids took part in lots of social action activities. They traveled to the Hebrew Union College soup kitchen in Manhattan and provided warm dinners, chatting with the guests there. Our teens also volunteered at the Coachman Family Center, a housing shelter in White Plains, where they played games with the kids living there. The lesson: our love for our fellow humans should know no bounds, and, we need not travel far to find those we can impact. The surprise: the people we met had a profound impact on us. After these experiences, the Academy staff facilitated a reflection with our teens. Rather than tell you what I think our kids got out of these experiences, I’m sharing with you, verbatim, their answers to some of the questions asked: What did we do? • We helped people who we usually don’t get to have conversations with • Performed a mitzvah What was the easiest part of your participation? • Showing up • Being able to communicate What was the hardest part of your participation? • Seeing what kinds of situations people were in • Seeing someone I used to go to school with
• The little girl who was a lot like me • T he little girl who would not leave my side because we went to the same school What does our participation in these activities say about us? • It shows we don’t do it enough • People are nice to others even if you don’t know who you’re being nice to • We are caring people • Social action is an integral part of our community • It shows that our temple cares about giving back • We care for others What did you learn that you will take with you? • There are always people who struggle • Sometimes people just need to talk to someone • That not all people in food kitchens are homeless • Not to judge people without walking a yard in their shoes • Someone helping someone else create a better environment for others • That even hanging out with people can brighten their day • People are always in need even if they don’t seem it Wow. B’shalom,
What moment stood out for you? • The facial expression of the kids when we helped them
Todah Rabbah (thanks!) to our Confirmation families (and friends) who worked up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner by spending the morning preparing a veritable feast of turkey and all the fixins that they then delivered to the VOA Shelter in Valhalla.
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Committee Reports
Social Action Project Ezra Luncheon Sunday, January 11, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm schmooze verb \ shmüz\ : to converse informally : chat; Origin of SCHMOOZE Yiddish shmuesn, from schmues talk, from Hebrew sh mu’ th news, rumor First Known Use: 1884 Sit and schmooze with our elderly friends from Project Ezra and learn their stories of living on the Lower East Side at the Project Ezra Luncheon on Sunday, January 11. Each year a group of 50 Jewish seniors from Project Ezra comes to Woodlands to enjoy a festive luncheon and “a day in the country.” We share bagels, lox, blintzes, whitefish and other Jewish comfort food, along with musical entertainment by Cantor Jonathan and religious school students. Each table at the luncheon is hosted by two Woodlands families or individuals, who provide and serve a dairy lunch for the table.
to get to know the people who will receive the Passover food boxes that our religious school students pack up later in the year. Contact Harriet Kohn for all the details of the luncheon at hrsw82@hotmail.com or 693-0751. Learn more about Project Ezra on the Social Action Projects page of the temple website.
Brrrr!!! It’s way too cold for a yard sale but not for The Judaica Shop at Woodlands’ annual “Yad Sale!” All in-stock Torah pointers are 10% off.
Knitting and Crocheting Group Sunday, January 25, 3:00-5:00 pm The knitting and crocheting group began as an outgrowth of the Domestic Abuse Task Force. The DATF provides household goods to families moving out of the Hope’s Door shelter into their own apartment. A handmade blanket provides a warm welcome to the women and children as they start a new life. Join us on Sunday, January 25 to chat, nosh and knit squares that are sewn into blankets. All levels are welcome. We have instructions for beginners. The group also knits and crochets chemotherapy caps for patients undergoing treatment. Email Angela Adler at angeadler@aol.com to let her know you’re coming.
Gary Rosenthal Yad on stand, $90
We’re excited to showcase ICONZ, a cottage industry based in Cape Town. Each metal embossed art piece is hand-cut, and is hand-crafted by women in Cape Town homes. The pieces are distributed through compassionate trade company, One World Projects. One World Projects strives to reduce poverty, restore balance in nature and promote peace by giving artisans around the world a chance to earn fair wages and improve their lives.
Families of all ages are welcome to participate. It’s also an opportunity
Adult Education Ongoing Programming: Woodlands Singers Cantor Jonathan Gordon Wednesdays, 8:15 p.m.
Hebrew Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
for London. They are greeted with a pamphlet instructing immigrants how to act like “the English.” In her tender, sweetly comic debut, Natasha Solomons tells the captivating love story of a couple making a new life – and their wildest dreams – come true.
Jewish Studies Harriet Levine Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.
S’forim Forum
Book Club
Join us as we discuss The Marrying of Chani Kaufman by Eve Harris, a novel about Chani’s arranged courtship and wedding in the ultra-Orthodox community of London. Refreshments and Havdalah.
Wednesday, January 21, 7:30 pm We will be discussing the best-selling novel, Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English by British author Natasha Solomons. At the outset of World War II, Jack Rosenblum, his wife Sadie, and their baby daughter escape Berlin, bound
Lily Art Green Yad, $44; Black Enamel Yad, $39; Quest Silver and Purple Enamel Yad, $55
The Judaica Shop is open every day, by request, when the temple office is staffed; evening and weekend hours are noted in weekly temple email blast. Email us at judaicashop@wct.org with all special requests. Volunteers needed! No retail experience necessary.
Cantor Jonathan Gordon Saturday, January 17, 4:30-6:00 pm
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Mixed Media Matted Collage, $20
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Just Israel
Avital Geva and the Greenhouse • 1967: Paratrooper Avital Geva fought for Jerusalem. • 2014: Conceptual artist, social critic and peace activist Avital Geva brought the Ein Shemer Greenhouse to the JCC Manhattan. • Intervening years: Kibbutznik Geva’s focus on art and respect for nature is expanded to encompass cooperative work, human relations, experiential education and peace. While the ecological aspects of Geva’s Greenhouse at Kibbutz Ein Shemer are impressive, even moreso are the human dimensions. Kids learn to value science by working with scientists. By working with others, they learn to see past what makes us different. Boys and girls, Arab and Jew, gifted and challenged, sabra and immigrant – working sideby-side, they develop mutual trust and respect. In Geva’s eyes, all the folks who surround him are his hevreh, his pals – the ones who would do anything for each other. Future: Boys and girls, Arab and Jew, gifted and challenged, sabra and immigrant – all hevreh. Note: Learn more about Avital Geva and others who fought for Jerusalem in Yossi Klein Halevi’s Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation.
“L’taken” Teen Political Action Seminar Inspires Our Young People Recently returned from L’taken, a social justice learning-and-action program run by our Reform movement’s Religious Action Center, thirteen of our 10th-12th graders joined Ross Glinkenhouse, Rabbi Mara, Bonnie Mitelman, rabbinic intern Jason Fenster and Woodlands teens with Rep. Nita Lowey Rabbi Billy for a weekend of exploring and implementing the very highest of American civic values and Jewish ethical values: working to make our communities better for all. Participants learned about the importance of the lobbying process, practiced lobbying strategies, and visited our elected representatives to put their new knowledge and compassion to work. Here’s what some of the participants had to say about the weekend: Julia Feiner: “My favorite part of the weekend was going to a program about poverty and the many causes and examples and stories about what poverty is like.” Allyson Werner: “I was happy with the fact that the RAC supports the LGBTQ community.” Emma Schneider: “Originally, I was not planning to lobby. I was going to write my part and that was it. But I decided to speak and I’m glad I did.” Leah Gottlieb: “I really enjoyed the Shuk classes. They helped me develop how I felt about issues, even if I had no previous knowledge or personal connection prior to entering the room” Abigail Ripin: “I had never heard of how campaign finance affects elections, but now I am interested in further learning or perhaps activism on the subject.” Ariane Gottlieb: “It was interesting to see the Reform movement’s official stance on issues. They seem to reflect the good of the community rather than what favors ourselves.” Special thanks for helping make the trip possible to WCT’s Steve’s H.O.P.E.(Helping Open People’s Eyes) Fund, created by Bonnie, Alan and Geoff Mitelman and Joanne Lelewer Harpel after their son and brother, Stephen Lelewer, died. Steve cared deeply about the way people treat one another, and we are honored to further Steve’s ideals and the work that might have become his own.
Stephen Lelewer, z”l
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Worship Schedule While Israel struggles with the challenges of establishing peace with her neighbors, good news emerges regularly. This column provides a brief glimpse of something taking root there that firmly aligns Israel’s values with Judaism’s. We hope you share our pride and admiration for her achievements.
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New Morning Shabbat Service #2 Sat, Jan 31 at 10:30 am Join us for our 2nd special worship experience in January, featuring energizing music, prayer, time for quiet reflection, and a potluck lunch. This service will be led by our very own Sh’liakh K’hilah Corey Friedlander and rabbinic student Lisa Sacks. The service will run 10:30-11:30 am. Please bring a dish to share, and we will gather for an informal nosh when the service
ends. If you sign up in advance (contact the office), we can provide babysitting downstairs as well. •••••••• Babysitting at 8:00 pm Shabbat services is provided by teens from our religious school. This month, babysitting will be available on January 9, January 16, and January 30. There is no charge, and no advance notice is required. Further information at babysitting@wct.org.
Feburary and Beyond Cooking Dinner for VOA Shelter
Purim Goody Bags are Coming!
Sunday, February 1
Don’t forget, Purim Goody Bag order forms are due by Fri, Jan 30! You may also place your order online at wct.org. Sending sh’lakh manot is a mitzvah, both in sending Purim gifts to friends but also as tzedakah to help keep our temple operating costs down and our religious school thriving.
Each Sunday, a home cooked dinner is made for the residents of the Volunteers of America Shelter in Valhalla through a rotation of churches and synagogues in the Greenburgh Interfaith Caring Community. On Sunday, February 1, Woodlands is providing the dinner for twenty residents. We need volunteers to make part of the meal. If you can provide a main dish, salad, vegetable, starch side dish or fresh fruit, please email Julie Stein at SocialAction@wct. org to sign up
Marilyn Price, Artist in Residence “Our Stories, Your Stories” Fri-Sun, Feb 6-8 Join us for a bit of history on Jews and stories, and then an insight into the importance of sharing our own stories with friends, family and ourselves. Throughout the delightful weekend there will be stories shared, abundant wisdom and boisterous laughter.
6th Annual Jonah Maccabee Concert with Billy Jonas and The Levins Saturday, March 7 Plan to attend the 6th Annual Jonah Maccabee Concert, featuring Billy Jonas (guitar, bass, marimba, buckets, barrels, bells and body) and The Levins (uplifting folk-rock troubadors). Don’t miss a wonderful evening of sumptuous entertainment and community good.
Proceeds support scholarships for URJ summer experiences for Woodlands children and teens. Purchase your tickets at wct.org/jonahconcert. Listen to Billy Jonas and The Levins online. Visit billyjonas.com and thelevinsmusic.com.
Each bag costs $18 for the first family, $6 for each additional. Or you can send to the entire congregation for $118. Families will receive one Purim bag with a personalize greeting that includes the names of each family that “sent” it. Goody bags will come home with your religious school child, and are available for pickup at Purim celebrations.
NFTY Nashir … Success! Close to thirty teens from all over the United States came to Woodlands for a weekend of intense song leader training Dec 12-14. With artists-in-residence Dan Nichols, Shira Kline and Cantor Ellen Dreskin, we rocked out at WCT all weekend long! Woodlands Community Temple would like to thank the weekend’s sponsors for helping to make this weekend possible: NFTY (North American Federation Temple of Temple Youth), The Jonah Maccabee Foundation, Greg Kellner, and the Jewish Education Project. “NFTY Nashir 8,” the intro-experience for 8th graders, was made possible through a micro-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.
Please participate in Woodlands’ Purim Sh’lakh Manot program. Send them to friends, your children’s teachers … even better, to the entire congregation! It’s a wonderful, loving mitzvah for Purim!
Improv Purim Returns! Wed, Mar 4 at 8:00 pm Yep, for those who remember, we have transformed Purim, from time to time, into the ultimate embarrassment: many of us trying our hands (probably better, “tying our hands”) at being funny in our telling the story of Esther. You can relax, however; we’re not coming after you this year. But we are incredibly excited about the return of Improv Purim! This time, it’s “Shushan’s Next Hit Musical!” Every scene and every song is improvised by the professional company of “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical!” about which the New York Times has said, “Hilarious!” and Time Out NY proclaims, “At last, a musical of, for, and by the people!” Tonight, the crew gets its Jewish on, just for Woodlands! Under the direction of improv veterans Rob Schiffman and Deb Rabbai, whom TheaterWeek hails as “brilliant,” this will be a Purim you won’t soon forget! So improvise yourselves a costume and meet us in the Sanctuary for a Purim filled with sex, violence, excellent food and endless laughter!
NFTY Nashir Thanks our volunteers A special and loving shout-out to our volunteers, without whom this weekend could not have happened: all those who transported participants, hosted them in their homes, baked, set up and cleaned up, and so much more! Thank you to Hillels of Westchester, Dan and Miriam Emery, Karen Golden, Kelly and Ben Walter, Doug and Geri Pell, Joan and Andy Farber, Sandra and Alan Cohen, James Sagner, David and Dayle Fligel, Sandi Lieb Geiger, Martha Dubinsky Witkowski, Mike Witkowski, Juli Klein, Mitch Klein, Karen Berlowitz, Doug Pell the Weekend Sound Dude and Nick and Ilene Haigh.
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A Special Thank You to Makom Editor Mike Winkleman and Art Director Melanie Roher
NFTY Nashir
Last month’s issue of Makom (December 2014) marks our editor Mike Winkleman’s “retirement” from day-to-day direction of Makom, WCT’s temple bulletin. Under Mike’s guidance, our monthly newsletter has undergone a complete redesign and has subsequently developed into a publication that is envied by temples across North America, both for its crisp appearance and abundance of high-quality content. Our temple community, of course, has Andrea Olstein and been the main Mike Winkleman beneficiary of Mike’s efforts and we are immensely grateful for all he has given us since 2010. Mike continues behind the scenes as an advisor to Makom. Melanie Roher has been the Art Director behind Makom since Melanie Roher and its redesign in Steve Schwartz 2010. And while Melanie is not retiring from her post (thank goodness!), we want to take this opportunity to recognize and offer our thanks for her many contributions as well - not just to Makom’s art and layout, but for so very many WCT publicity designs (including our Woodlands logo) that she has so kindly and expertly provided to us across past years. Mike and Mel, thank you. For all that you have done for us over the years, you have our fervent gratitude. Mee khayil el khayil … may you both grow from strength to strength!
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SPARK Yad Workshop
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adult education Please, Thank You, Oops and Wow! Prayer 101 Rabbi Mara Young Sunday, January 11, 9:30 am Almost every prayer fits one of these four categories. Join this class to investigate what exactly is in our prayerbook and how it actually resonates with our everyday lives. A mix of learning and personal exploration, no prior knowledge needed! Please register online at wct.org/prayer101.
4th Wednesday 5 Wednesdays, beginning January 28 Finding yourself at home on a Wednesday morning craving a cup of coffee and some human interaction? Don’t go to Starbucks; come to Woodlands! We’ll have hot coffee, some newspapers, and a comfy place to sit. Whether you’re retired, a stay-at-home parent, or working from home, we’d love to see you for some informal schmooze. Drop in for as long as you’d like.
Daytime Diversions We wish all a happy New Year, filled with friends, laughter, learning, and good health. Daytime Diversions aims to help achieve these goals by presenting an enjoyable movie on the first Wednesday of each month, a fascinating speaker on the second Wednesday of each month, and a rousing Current Events Group discussion on the third Wednesday. We meet at 10:00 am and are out by Noon. Coffee/tea and doughnuts are served.
Bring friends, relatives, and neighbors. Join us on Wed, Jan 7 at 10:00 am, to view and discuss It Happened One Night, the 1934 movie that won five Academy awards. It stars Claudette Colbert, Clark Gable and other familiar stars of the past. It’s a classic tale of the battle of the sexes, something that is still relevant today. Following a heated argument with her father over her marrying a wealthy playboy without her father’s permission she is whisked away from her husband to her father’s yacht, but literally jumps ship. She is forced to accept the help of Gable (an out-of-work reporter). Then the fun begins! On Wed, Jan 14, join us to find a great way to avoid the winter blues, as we once again travel with congregant and world traveler, Ed Miller. Back by popular demand (we’ve been to Europe and Africa with Ed), this time we stay in the United States as we are treated to commentary and a slide show of the wondrous National Parks of our country. Ed has presented his travel slide shows throughout Westchester for the past 18 years, sharing through slides, music, and dialogue, the wonders of his travels and discoveries. Join us on Wed, Jan 21, when the everpopular Current Events Group meets. In less than two hours, we try to solve the world’s problems. Our esteemed leader, Bob Steinhardt, will be in Florida, having earned a well-deserved rest. But have no fear! We’ve lined up an array of smart, personable agenda writers and facilitators. This month, our
intrepid leader will be Phyllis Hirth. If you want to make any suggestions for the agenda, please contact Phyllis at phyllishrth@gmail.com.
Taste of Mussar Four Thursdays: Jan 8, Jan 15, Jan 22, Feb 5, 8:00-9:30 pm Mussar is a centuries-old spiritual tradition focused on developing inner awareness, spiritual growth, and ethical living. In this class we will engage with traditional and contemporary texts, develop individual practices focused on specific character traits (middot), and build community with one another. This class will be led by Woodlands member and trained Mussar facilitator Lisa Sacks and will offer a journey of self-reflection and change, as well as study in a valued avenue of Jewish learning. Those who complete the course will be invited to join our ongoing monthly Sunday morning Mussar group discussions. Curriculum cost: $36 (non-members $45), payable to Woodlands Community Temple (the entire fee goes to The Mussar Institute, which produced the curriculum). Note to current Derekh participants: If you want to join this class, we will offer a make-up session in place of the Jan 15 date which conflicts with Derekh. Please check the WCT Adult Ed brochure or wct.org for more information.
Search for New Youth Director Believe it or not, Ross Glinkenhouse will be leaving Woodlands in just six months to continue on to his next adventure. Although it will be hard to say goodbye, we need to start thinking ahead to find the best possible candidate to fill Ross’ shoes. VP of Education Jenna Lebowich and the selection committee – Barry Leibowitz, Jennifer Tower, Faye Friedman, Mark Montague and Phyllis Hirth – will begin in January to prepare for the selection process. Questions or comments about the process? Email Jenna Lebowich at education@wct.org.
www.wct.org
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WCT Youth Engagement NFTY Winter Kallah Jan 9-11 Hosted by Temple Shaaray Tefila Bedford
WoodSY Night Thu, Jan 15, 7:15-9:00 pm
Story and Havdalah
The Simkha Page
B’nai Mitzvah Max Sasloff
Rachel Bloom
Jan 10
Jan 24
Torah Portion Sh’mot
Torah Portion Bo
Hebrew Name Moshe Eytan
Hebrew Name Rakhel
Presented by YFEC Katan Sat, Jan 24 @ 4:30 pm
Mazal Tov
Please join us for a fun, interactive program and story time with celebrated children’s book author Fran Manushkin. Ms. Manushkin is the author of over 100 Jewish and secular children’s books, including Latkes and Applesauce, The Matzah that Papa Brought Home, The Tushy Book, and the popular Katie Woo series. The program will include a brief, beautiful family Havdalah ceremony. We hope to see you there!
Mazal Tov to Michael and Jackie Sasloff, as their son, Max, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.
WCT Ski Trip! Sun, Feb 1 Face it, no New York teams are making it to the Superbowl this year. So all you skiers and boarders can hit the slopes at Mountain Creek NJ and be back in time for the big game. Bus departs WCT on Sun, Feb 1 at 7:30 am (sharp!), and leaves the mountain at 4:00 pm. All persons under the age of 13 must have a responsible adult on the slopes with them. Please make checks payable to WCT, (write “ski trip” in memo area) and submit to office by Thu, Jan 15 (nonrefundable). Email mitchklein@gmail.com and bertlaw@verizon.net (David Bertan) your phone number and which ticket type you require. Limited seats, so get your money in ASAP!!! Bus and Lift Ticket: $66 Adult • $63 Youth (7 - 18) $30 Child (0 - 6) Bus, Lift Ticket and Equipment Rental: $105 Adult • $102 Youth (7 - 18) $69 Child (0 - 6) Bus, Limited Lift Ticket, Equipment Rental and Group Lesson: $112 Adult • $112 Youth (7 - 18) Not available Child (0 - 6)
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www.wct.org
Mazal Tov to Rich and Liz Bloom, as their daughter, Rachel, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
Mazal Tov to Fran and Gerry (z”l) Weingast, on the marriage of their daughter, Laura Weingast, to Don Nievatko
Thank You A big thank you to Martha Dubinsky, Mike Witkowski, Estelle Winkleman and Cole Hudson for their most excellent work throughout the 9th grade retreat.
Thank you to Roni Beth Tower and David Griff for the time and energy you put into setting up the Book Fair. Thank you to all who volunteered!
God” in November. Over 100 people attended. Thank you to committee members: Tamir Rosenblum, Janice Rosenthal, Julie Hirschfeld, Harriet Levine, Judith Kessler, Gloria Falk, Marty Irwin, Audrey Stone and Roberta Roos. A special thank you to Rabbi Billy for being a panelist, and to Rabbi Joan Farber, Rabbi Lisa Izes, Cantor Ellen Dreskin and Rabbi Mara for facilitating workshops. You created a wonderful community of learning for us all!
Thank you to Julie Stein for organizing the Thanksgiving Confirmation Cooking event!
Thank you to Bonni Arbore for your hard work on our Yad-making Workshop!
Thank you to Jenny Ottinger for spearheading our successful Religious School Book Fair.
Thank you to everyone for supporting WCT University’s “Perspectives on
Donations We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support Woodlands Community Temple by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions. Rabbi Billy’s Mitzvah Fund Thank you Rabbi Billy and in honor of the marriage of Nicole Halper to Adam Weiss, from Lyn and Philip Halper. Thank you Rabbi Billy for the aufruf blessing of our children, and in honor of the marriage of Dana Albert to Evan Altneu, from Diane and Bob Altneu. Thank you Rabbi Billy and in honor of the marriage of Matt Fox to Sara Baxter, from Karen and Mark Fox.
In honor of Judith and Barry Kessler’s 50th wedding anniversary, from Viv and Jerry Felsher.
Irene Axelrod
In honor of Bill Falk’s 83rd birthday, from Viv and Jerry Felsher.
mother of Nanci Brickman
In honor of Bill Falk’s 83rd birthday, from Nancy Gladstone and Jesse Seligson. In honor of Bill Falk’s 83rd birthday and in honor of his 70th anniversary of his becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Gloria Falk. In memory of Bob Gralla, from Mickey Milbauer.
Rabbi Mara’s Mitzvah Fund Thank you Rabbi Mara for a beautiful and meaningful wedding ceremony and in honor of the marriage of Dana Albert to Evan Altneu, from Diane and Bob Altneu. Chai In honor of Andrew Bordwin’s 50th Birthday, and for the wonderful HHD services, from Milton Bordwin. In honor of Bill Falk’s 70th anniversary of his becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Jane and Bob Steinhardt. In memory of Lila Fishman, mother of Nanci Brickman, from Andy and Joan Farber. In memory of Lila Fishman, from Gloria and Bill Falk. In memory of Irene Axelrod, mother of Jeff Axelrod, from Deborah and Michael Wiskind. In yahrzeit memory of Helen Farbman, from Lois Ratafia Diamond. In memory of Walter Strick, father of Charlie Strick, from Dayle and David Fligel. In memory of Bill Krupman, father of Pam Allyn, from Dayle and David Fligel. In memory of Paulette Fuschillo, mother of Michael Fuschillo, from Dayle and David Fligel. In memory of Bob Gralla, brother of Larry Gralla, from Dayle and David Fligel. In memory of Barry Gelberg, uncle of Michele Montague, from Dayle and David Fligel.
The Woodlands Community Mourns the Loss of
High Holy Day Prayerbooks In honor of Judith and Barry Kessler’s 50th wedding anniversary, from Gloria and Bill Falk. In memory of Pearl and Martin Goldberg, from Jeanne and Murray Bodin. In memory of Sylvia and Paul Bodin, from Jeanne and Murray Bodin. In memory of George Skolnik, father of Faith Ackerman, from The Ackerman Family. Bernard and Frances Shapiro Chesed Caring Community Fund In memory of Bill Krupman, father of Pam Allyn, from Marty and Rhoda Payson. Wishing Phyllis Frank continued good health, from Marty and Rhoda Payson. Steve’s H.O.P.E. Fund Donation from, Marshall Ragir, The Meyer and Norma Ragir Foundation. In memory of Stephen Lelewer and Maurice B. Cossman, from Randee Seiger, and the Seiger Family Foundation.
mother of Jeff Axelrod
Lila Fishman
Sheldon Silverstein
father of Rich Silverstein
Jack Bluett
father of Lisa and Bill Bluett HaMakom y’nakhem otam… may God bring comfort to all who are in mourning. Zekher tzadik livrakha ... may their memory be for a blessing.
Bereavement Groups WCT is forming new Bereavement Groups to meet the needs of members who have suffered losses. Our pilot group drew great strength and consolation from one another, and we invite you to be a part of this loving, important, membership-wide initiative. Sessions will be led by therapists. For more information contact Herb Friedman (3950304, hjfswschp@aol.com) or Alan Kaplan (552-0363, alankap1@verizon.net).
Bookplates For High Holy Days Prayerbooks You may lovingly inscribe your loved one’s name in our High Holy Days makhzor, Donation is $36. An order form is in the temple newsletter and on the temple website. Order online at wct.org/bookplate.
Geraldine and Gerald Weinberger Lifelong Learning Fund In honor of Barry and Judith Kessler’s 50th wedding anniversary, from Barbara Stein.
In honor of Yvette and Larry Gralla’s anniversary, from Gloria and Bill Falk.
To find out more about all the funds that are available for your support and for more information about how to donate to these funds, please visit www.wct.org/donate
WCT’s Cemetery Plots In 2008 WCT purchased 69 gravesites at Sharon Gardens in Valhalla, NY. At this time, in total we have only 28 unsold gravesites remaining. The price per gravesite is $3,050. Gravesites can only be sold to temple members. For information or to purchase any of these gravesites, please contact Bob Apter (693-2732) or Lois Green (949-2116), or write to cemetery@wct.org.
www.wct.org
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New Year, New Advertiser! Welcome to our own resident Geek, Duncan Pell, our newest and youngest advertiser !!! I’m not kidding - Ben’s Deli is really coming. For Ben’s Deli Gift Cards at $ 36.00 face, value send an e mail to makom@wct.org.
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We t h a n k o u r A d v e r t i s e r s f o r t h e i r S u p p o r t
Ads Deliver
Reach out and touch a Woodlands member with your ad. One, five, ten times a year.
To reserve space, call the temple office @ 914 592 7070 or write to makom@wct.org
We t h a n k o u r A d v e r t i s e r s f o r t h e i r S u p p o r t
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Umami Sushi 724 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley 914-231-9443 Free Delivery
Open Mon &Wed-Sat 10:30 am to 10 pm, Sun 12-10, Closed Tuesdays Thursday night is Ladies Night! All hot sake, beer, wine is Buy One, get one or get the second round free! (Gentlemen are welcome too!)
âœˇ Mention Woodlands Community Temple and get 10% off eat-in dining âœˇ (Not to be combined with any other offers) Catering Available: from $15/person for up to 100 people; from $10/person for up to 200 people
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We t h a n k o u r A d v e r t i s e r s f o r t h e i r S u p p o r t
We t h a n k o u r A d v e r t i s e r s f o r t h e i r S u p p o r t
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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage
PAID White Plains, NY
50 Worthington Road White Plains, NY 10607
Permit No. 1112
current resident or:
DATED M ATERIAL- DO NOT DEL AY
JudaiConnection Choosing Mitzvot By Harriet Levine, RJE, Educator Emerita
O
ur tradition teaches us that a mitzvah is a commandment. Our Torah is filled with hundreds of them. 613, to be exact, some of which make sense to us in today’s world, some which do not. We have been taught that the reason we need to follow Torah’s rules and regulations is that by doing them all of Israel will become holy or sanctified. Leviticus 19:2 teaches: “Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them you shall be holy for I, Adonai your God am holy.” The purpose of holiness permeates all of Jewish law and encompasses every aspect of the human experience. As modern liberal Jews, we are often uncomfortable with this idea of doing mitzvot because God has commanded us to do so, especially since we believe in the right to choose. For me, as for many liberal Jews, doing mitzvot is not only important, but necessary, because it is the right way to live. Mitzvot are divided into ritual and ethical catagories and tell us what we must or must not do. I believe that in order to be able to intelligently choose which mitzvot to follow, and how to follow them, we must have the knowledge to understand what our traditions teach. For me, among the most important commandments are the ethical ones, those which teach how we are to behave toward others.
Several years ago I learned of Keshet, an organization dedicated to full equality and inclusion in all parts of the Jewish community. Now that I have retired and have to plan my days and hours for myself, their guidelines are often uppermost in my mind. These are on the top of my list: V’ahavta l’Reiekha Kamokha … love your neighbor as yourself. This mitzvah
“As modern liberal Jews, we are often uncomfortable with this idea of doing mitzvot because God has commanded us to do so, especially since we believe in the right to choose.” from Leviticus 19:18 is where it all begins, according to Hillel. If we do not first love and accept ourselves, there is no way we will be able to love and accept others. We must first understand that we are not perfect in order to accept imperfection in others. Sh’lom Bayit … peace in our homes. Each of us needs to feel comfortable and safe, beginning in our own residences. We cannot help others feel safe unless it starts with us individually. B’tzelem Elohim … in God’s image.
This idea, from Bereshit 1:26, should always guide us in our interactions with people. No matter our life experiences, we are all created in God’s image. This includes the elderly, the sick, the disabled, those who live differently or believe differently, and those of different ethnicities and backgrounds. For me, this means much more than merely tolerating and accepting those who are different. It means honoring and welcoming them. Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh … communal responsibility. We need to care for others. One of my favorite prayers from Makom Shelibi Oheyv, one of our Woodlands Community Temple siddurim, is that which says in part: “We stand for equality. We stand against injustice. We stand for those who cannot stand. We stand for others. We stand for ourselves.” Kavod … respect. Everyone should be treated with respect. To have regard for the rights, feelings, dignity, wishes, and ability of others is paramount. These values/mitzvot are but a few, but they are instrumental in the way I try to live my life. They are a beginning. May we each find those mitzvot important to us to make our own lives richer. Only then will we be able to make better the lives of our families, neighbors, communities, nation, and the world.