November Bulletin

NOVEMBER 2014 CHESHVAN ~ KISLEV 5775 WWW.BETHELNR.ORG

December 19th Hanukkah Shabbat including a special Friday night Hanukkah dinner featuring comedian Joel Chasnoff

Have you visted our website lately?

Get up-to-the-minute calendar information, learn about featured events and activites, read The Bulletin in our new “magazine format,” . . . and more!

Go to bethelnr.org!

Thanksgiving..................................... page 3 Israel Affairs Committee................... page 7 HavDairy ........................................ page 16 President’s Kol Nidre Recap............. page 5 S.M.A.R.T. People (seniors).........pages 8, 9 Friends of the IDF........................... page 18

ONE SYNAGOGUE - MANY SERVICES Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804-2190 (914) 235-2700 www.bethelnr.org

A Conservative synagogue affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Melvin N. Sirner Hazzan Jamie Gloth Associate Cantor Uri Aqua Assistant Rabbi Joshua Dorsch Cantor Emeritus Lawrence Avery Hazzan Emeritus Farid Dardashti Executive Director Erica Leventhal Controller Olivier Vogel Day Camp Director Julie Rockowitz Maintenance Director Milton Sinclair Nursery School Director Ronnie Becher Religious School & Youth Activities Dir. Jen Vegh Special Projects Director Linda Newman

OFFICERS President Executive Vice President Vice President Vice President Vice President Treasurer Financial Secretary Recording Secretary

Samuel E. Berger Geralynn C. Reifer Daniel Burton Mark Seidenfeld Mark Silver Joseph Wygoda Debbie Young Sandy Gruenberg

AFFILIATE OFFICERS Sisterhood President Barbara Horowitz Men’s Club Co-Presidents Robert Levine

Steven L. Young Parent Organization Ellen Barlis, Rachel Casanova, Marci Marcus

BULLETIN COMMITTEE Editor & Production Assistant Editors

Linda Newman Michelle Levy Blaustein Jack Gruenberg Steven L. Young

EDITORIAL BOARD Rabbi Melvin N. Sirner Samuel E. Berger Hazzan Jamie Gloth Erica Leventhal Steven L. Young

The Bulletin Vol. 97, No. 3

November 2014 Cheshvan ~ Kislev 5775

Please visit the Beth El Synagogue Center website, www.bethelnr.org for the most current information on meetings and events.

To send us a message, e-mail info@bethelnr.org.

Shabbat Youth Services November 1, 10:45 am Birthday Shabbat 10:15 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:45 am Torah for Tots Family-Friendly Kehillah Service November 8, 10:45 am 10:15 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:45 am Torah for Tots Family-Friendly Kehillah Service November 15, 10:45 am 10:15 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:45 am Torah for Tots Family-Friendly Kehillah Service November 22, 10:45 am 10:15 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:45 am Torah for Tots Family-Friendly Kehillah Service November 29, 10:45 am College-Age Committee 10:15 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:45 am Torah for Tots Family-Friendly Kehillah Service • Torah for Tots: Ages 0 - Kindergarten in the Wiener Lounge • Family-Friendly Kehillah Service in the Levenson Chapel

Daily Minyan Beth El maintains morning and evening services every day of the year.

Contact Associate Cantor Uri Aqua, 914-235-2700, ext. 222.

Shabbat Discussion Group Services take place in the Bess and Nathan P. Jacobs Library from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon. Participants gain a better understanding of the Shabbat morning service through study and discussion of individual prayers and the weekly Torah portion. Other relevant topics are also discussed.

Contact: Jack Gruenberg jackgruenberg@gmail.com NOVEMBER 1, 8 I n S h a b b a t S . P. A . C . E .

(Synagogue Play Activities Children’s Environment), offered weekly on Shabbat, children are supervised by child-care providers in a safe and fun environment, be with their friends, and play with Shabbatfriendly games and toys.

No food is allowed in Shabbat S.P.A.C.E., allergy-aware snacks and water are available. If your child has any allergies, please alert the supervisor in the Kasakove.

Visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/ BethElSynagogueCenter An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided upon request.

On Shabbat and Yom Tov, the telephone in the main office is available only for physicians answering electronic pagers, and not for other purposes.

Shacharit

Saturdays – 9:00 am Sundays – 8:00 am Mondays and Thursdays – 6:55 am Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – 7:00 am

Evening Minyan Times Mincha and Maariv November 1

2 – 21

22– 30 2

5:30 pm 4:30 pm 4:15 pm

Cemetery Grave & Plot Availability Beth El Synagogue Center has sections at Mt. Eden and Sharon Gardens Cemeteries (both in Valhalla), in which graves and plots are available for members and their families. (A plot is made up of four graves.)

For information, call the office, 914235-2700, ext. 223/226..

TWO WAYS TO MAKE YOUR THANKSGIVING SPECIAL College Homecoming Shabbat Saturday, November 29th On Saturday morning, November 29th, Beth El Synagogue Center will continue its tradition of College Homecoming Shabbat. The Thanksgiving weekend provides a wonderful opportunity for college students and their families to worship together, and for the congregation to welcome them. Rabbi Sirner and Rabbi Dorsch will be writing to our current list of college students, inviting them to join us.

Please plan to be with us for Shabbat morning Services, which begin at 9:00 am; kiddush luncheon following.

Parents of college students who have not yet sent us this year’s information for their student(s) are requested to do so as soon as possible. Since addresses change each year, we need to hear from you. A list of our students who responded will appear in the December Bulletin.

JOIN US FOR

SPECIAL SHABBATOT THIS NOVEMBER!  ShabbaTunes

11/1

 Birthday Shabbat

11/8

 Choral Shabbat

11/15

 Veterans Shabbat

11/15

 Teen Takeover Shabbat

11/22

 New Baby Shabbat

11/22

 Homecoming Shabbat

11/29

more info, pg 10

more info, pg 10 more info, pg 11

more info, pg 11

bethelnr.org

HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES THANKSGIVING One out of every four children in Westchester lives at or below the poverty line.

Without our help, many families and children in our own community will be without a Thanksgiving meal. Please share Thanksgiving with those in need.

Donate funds to buy turkeys for the clients of HOPE Community Services.

Each year, the number of people in our Soup Kitchen and food pantry increases by more than 20 percent.

This year, more than ever, we need your help.

Checks for $25 or more may be dropped off or mailed to the Beth El office (payable to Beth El Synagogue Center). Please write HOPE Turkey Drive on the memo line of your check. THANK YOU!

Blood Drive Sunday Morning, December 7 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at Beth El Synagogue Center New York Blood Center will be here!

Blood cannot be manufactured and the one pint you donate can help to save three patients! We need all of you in order to meet our community’s need for blood.

To schedule an appointment: • Visit bethelnr.org/blooddrive • Call the office at 914-235-2700, ext. 223 • E-mail Mitch Kaphan, BENRblooddrive@gmail.com co-sponsored by The Beth El Men’s Club and Temple Israel of New Rochelle 3

RABBI’S MESSAGE I write this message but a few days after a very busy holiday season.

Rosh Hashanah and Rabbi Yom Kippur seem Melvin N. Sirner quite distant, as do the colorful holidays of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simhat Torah. Particularly with many of the holidays taking place on a weekday, the return now to routine and a full normal week is much appreciated.

Many have noted that our holidays are not evenly distributed across the year. We

have now entered a period that, excluding Shabbat, has no holidays. It will be awhile before Hanukkah and then Tu B’shevat and Purim. But let’s not rush the seasons! I believe this period without holidays reminds us that we all live with special days on our Jewish calendar as well as on our personal calendars, including family birthdays anniversaries, etc. The absence of Jewish holidays is an important reminder that each day is, of course, special in its own right. When we are able to go about routine work, when we retire and enjoy leisure and activities long postponed, when we take a walk in

the brisk fall air and witness the beautiful changing colors, we are able to appreciate the specialness in each day. When our children and grandchildren reach a milestone, large or small, we are witness to the uniqueness of every day. As we conclude the Shabbat each week, we recite the havdalah prayer, thankful for the holy Shabbat and also the days of the regular week.

It is my hope that each of us will find meaning, not only in the holidays on our calendar, but also the holy and beautiful dimension of every day. Enjoy the week!

Rabbi Melvin N. Sirner

NOTES FROM THE HAZZAN A few days after Rosh Hashanah, I was in Manhattan with my kids, about to ride the subway. After swiping my MetroCard for each of them, I discovered that I did not have enough for my own fare. I was stuck on the opposite side of the turnstile from my kids in a crowded station. Out of nowhere, a random woman asked me if I needed a ride and handed me her card. I swiped it, thanking her profusely as I returned it to her. When I went to grab some money from my wallet to repay her, she was gone. Vanished.

Last month, we introduced Beth El’s new annual theme, “V’ahavta l’reiacha kamocha” – Love your neighbor as yourself.

Perhaps I was experiencing frequency illusion (also known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon), but I suddenly became more acutely aware of the kindness of strangers.

It makes me smile, and gives me hope that this is going to be a good year.

Our first initiative with our new theme was to bolster the annual USY High Holiday Food Drive, and boy did we deliver. We had

modest expectations when we distributed grocery bags to everyone on Rosh Hashanah.

We did not, however, expect to collect more than two truckloads of non-perishable foods and goods for those less fortunate in our community.

According to Milton Sinclair, our Director of Maintenance, this was the most food Beth El has ever collected “by a landslide.” The folks at HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle were incredibly grateful for our efforts, and reported that this food drive easily surpassed one recently held by Iona College. Beth El has much to be proud of, and we thank all those who contributed to this effort. Special thanks to our USY teens, who distributed the bags on Rosh Hashanah and collected them on Yom Kippur.

November is my favorite month of the year, primarily because it hosts my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Each year, I make an extra effort to be mindful of all the blessings in my life. Having ample food on the table is high among them. Of course, we know that there are so many others in our community who are less

fortunate and do not always have enough to eat. Again, in keeping with our theme, we all have an opportunity to Hazzan Jamie Gloth help.

Each year, in conjunction with HOPE Community Services, Beth El, led by the efforts of our own Frankie Shahar, solicits monetary donations to help provide turkeys to those families in our community who cannot afford one. The need continues to grow, and this year, more than ever, we need your help so everyone can have a happy Thanksgiving.

I invite each of you to contribute to our annual Turkey Drive this year. For just $25 dollars, you can provide a turkey and a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need.

Simply bring in or mail a check made out to Beth El Synagogue Center with “HOPE Turkey Drive” on the memo line. When you do, you can hang up a Beth El turkey on our Turkey Drive wall to show your support to this important cause. Our goal is to outperform all past turkey drives at Beth El. I am confident that by loving our neighbors as ourselves, we can.

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy giving!

Hazzan Jamie Gloth

Thank you to all who donated food in the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We were able to deliver two truckloads of food items to H.O.P.E! 4

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE THANK YOU! Thanksgiving is coming this month and I must say Todah Rabbah…Thanks to so many of you that are rekindling Beth El’s Culture of Giving.

the wonderful Thanksgiving celebrations we shared. We all should be proud and thankful for all parents and what they have taught us. Last month I wrote about a few events for Nursery School parents and Samuel E. Berger their children. Ronnie Becher read a poem written by Mary Rita Schilke Korazan that reflects on why children should be proud and thankful for their parents. I would like to share this poem with our Kehilah.

On Kol Nidre, I asked our congregation to increase their contributions to the Kol Nidre Appeal. I am happy to report that we have collected approximately 16 percent more than last year and more than our budget. As I write, checks are still arriving and we still have sixty-three families who donated last year that have not yet pledged for this year’s Kol Nidre Appeal. Hopefully our results will improve even more. It is not too late—if you have not pledged, please do so.

As of October 27th, here is where we were: fifty-four new donor families that contributed this year that did not contribute last year; 60 percent of families gave $360 or above; ten new families reached the Shomrim Society or above ($1,800 and higher) with a total of thirty-eight Shomrim Society families; 106 families increased their donations and 102 families increased their donations by 10 percent or more.

This is a good jump start at increasing our Culture of Giving.

But this is a journey and not a one-shot action. Our dues and donations are not merely fees for services. Our donations are nothing less than an investment in Jewish continuity and connection. They are the examples we set for our children about the importance of Judaism and the meaningful relationships and experiences unique to our Jewish community. They are an investment in our future so that our doors remain open to all at all times, so that our building continues to be filled with the sounds and energy of our many varied programs, and so that we will be here when you need us and everyone can be embraced in the warmth of our kehillah kedoshah – our sacred community. We should give thanks for good health, family, community, and prosperity, and as it is written in Pirkei Avot, “Eyzeh who ashir, sameach b’helko”, “Who is rich? He who is happy with wherever he may be in life.”

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed that there was a God to talk to.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

At this time of year, I also think about the Thanksgiving holiday and celebrating with family and friends. The aroma of turkey, all the wonderful foods, the Macy’s Parade, the Detroit Lions playing the early game, and the despised Dallas Cowboys playing the late game (I have to admit that I am an Eagles fan, but please do not reduce your contributions becasue of that). Thanksgiving is a great American holiday that reflects the Jewish values of thankfulness, family, heritage, community and – of course – festive meals!

Thanksgiving is also a time of remembering friends and family that are no longer with us. I specifically recall my parents and all

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked.... and I wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.

Tris, Yali, Kenny and I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

See you in shul,

Sam Berger

Join Hazzan Gloth on SHABBAT, NOVEMBER 1st, at 12:45 pm, for an informal get together. We will sing old Shabbat morning favorites as well as some new tunes. No registration or sign up. You do not need to have a good voice or be fluent in Hebrew. Anyone can come! You just have to love to sing.

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Limmud Programs for November Saturday, November 1

10:30 AM

Saturday, November 1 Sunday, November 2 Monday, November 3

1:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:30 PM

Monday, November 3 Tuesday, November 4 Tuesday, November 4

8:00 PM 7:40 AM 7:30 PM

Thursday, November 6

10:00 AM

Thursday, November 6

6:30 PM

Thursday, November 6 Saturday, November 8 Saturday, November 8 Sunday, November 9 Tuesday, November 11

7:30 PM 10:30 AM 1:00 PM 10:00 AM 7:30 PM

Thursday, November 13 10:00 AM Thursday, November 13

6:30 PM

Thursday, November 13 8:00 PM Saturday, November 15 1:00 PM Sunday, November 16 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 18 7:30 PM Tuesday, November 18 7:30 PM Tuesday, November 18 7:30 PM Thursday, November 20 10:00 AM Thursday, November 20

6:30 PM

Thursday, November 20 Thursday, November 20 Saturday, November 22

7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 AM

Saturday, November 22 Sunday, November 23 Monday, November 24 Tuesday, November 25 Saturday, November 29 Sunday, November 30

1:00 PM 10:00 AM 9:30 AM 7:30 PM 1:00 PM 10:00 AM

Shabbat Discussion Group, with Jack Gruenberg Daf Shevui Israeli Dancing Lunch & Learn Choir Rehearsal, with Hazzan Arad Torah Tuesdays WAJE: Validating Ancient Israel’s Existence: The Stakes are High, with Ze’ev Aviezer WAJE: The Prophets: First Isaiah and Jeremiah, with Rabbi Molly Karp Ulpan: Beginners, 6:30 pm; Intermediate 7:30 pm; Advanced, 8:30 pm Talmud Class Shabbat Discussion Group Daf Shevui Israeli Dancing WAJE: Validating Ancient Israel’s Existence: The Stakes are High WAJE: The Prophets: First Isaiah and Jeremiah Ulpan: Beginners, 6:30 pm; Intermediate 7:30 pm; Advanced, 8:30 pm Choir Rehearsal, with Hazzan Arad Daf Shevui Israeli Dancing Jews & Civil War WAJE: Validating Ancient Israel’s Existence: The Stakes are High Sisterhood Evening Book Club WAJE: The Prophets: First Isaiah and Jeremiah Ulpan: Beginners, 6:30 pm; Intermediate 7:30 pm; Advanced, 8:30 pm Talmud Class Choir Rehearsal, with Hazzan Arad “A Modern Understanding of the Bible”, with Rabbi David Blumenfeld, Ph.D. Daf Shevui Israeli Dancing Sisterhood “Bagels & Books” Book Club Jews & Civil War Daf Shevui Israeli Dancing

Questions? Contact Rabbi Dorsch, 914-235-2700, ext. 260, or jdorsch@bethelnr.org.

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“A Modern Understanding of the Bible” Rabbi David L. Blumenfeld, Ph.D. (Near Eastern Literature and Languages)

“The Book of Lamentations – Jerusalem Redux” November 22nd 8:30 am in the Board Room

“Lamentations” combines elements of the qinah, a funeral dirge over the tragic loss of Jerusalem. Yet, throughout thousands of years it remained the focal point for the return of the Jewish People to their ancient homeland. Today, there are calls for a “divided Jerusalem.”

What do you think?

All are welcome.

Future class dates: December 13 Maccabees (Apocrypha) February 28 Esther March 28 Song of Songs April 25 Dead Sea Scrolls May 16 Ruth

Yiddish Vinkl Fridays at 1:00 pm All are welcome!

We all enjoy speaking mamalochen!

Join us every Friday! Speak Yiddish, shmooze, and have fun!

For further information, contact Bea Freedman, 914-337-8645.

ISRAEL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE French Consul General Discusses Anti-Semitism in France On Wednesday, September 10th, Jeff Swarz and David Horowitz visited with the Consul General of France Bertrand Lortholary. We spent an hour with him discussing the recent anti-Semitic attacks that have occurred throughout France, and primarily those in Paris.

Mr. Lortholary assured us that the French government takes these attacks very seriously and have made the issue a high priority in the government of Francois Hollande. Five thousand Jews out of a population of about 480,000 have decided to emigrate from France this year, a substantially higher percentage than in recent years.

Mr. Lortholary stated that the government has a zero tolerance policy toward anti-Semitism and will prosecute any individual or group expressing such views.

He cited the recent prosecution of the comic known as Dieudonné, resulting in the French high court banning the comic’s anti-Semitic performances. Mr. Lortholary also said President Hollande was “at the forefront” of the fight against anti-Semitism in France, and that the government was committed to the safety of all its Jewish citizens.

Mr. Lortholary agreed that the current high unemployment (10%) and stagnating economy in France had contributed to the rise in attacks on Jewish individuals and businesses. He also recognizes that anti-Zionism often masks underlying antiSemitism. He pointed out that Holocaust education is part of the required curriculum for all students in French schools.

Coincidently, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, also recently condemned anti-

Semitic attacks in her country.

France has the largest Jewish population in Europe and is a bellwether for antiSemitism. It is encouraging to hear that the current government has a zero tolerance policy toward anti-Semitism and appears to be doing all it can to prevent future attacks against Jewish citizens and their personal and religious property.

Despite these policies and efforts, French Jews in our Beth El community and families with ties to France say there is distrust and lack of confidence in the French Government’s ability to protect its Jewish citizens from anti-Semitic attacks.

This is a problem that continually needs to be addressed.

Jeff R. Swarz and David Horowitz Israel Affairs Committee

Eric R. Mandel

For information, e-mail David Horowitz at dbhlspc@aol.com, or call the office, 914-235-2700, ext. 223.

“For Zion’s Sake, I will not keep silent . . .” Isaiah 62:1 Sponsored by Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee, Men’s Club, and StandWithUs 7

S.M.A.R.T. ADULTS AT BETH EL CONNECT The word synagogue comes from the Greek for “a place to gather together.” Indeed the synagogue is the center of Jewish life, the place where Jews have gathered, prayed, celebrated and schmoozed. In line with this, Ron Wolfson, a professor of education at the American Jewish University, has coined a term “relational Judaism.” This term refers to Jewish life that is based on friendships and community connections on an interpersonal level, which is exactly what you find here at Beth El. Eleven years ago, Dr. Lester Zimmerman and Jerry Gottlieb formed a Retirees Club.

The group has met semi-monthly, and under their leadership the group has grown.

Julie plans to continue Les’s and Jerry’s

fine work and offer fascinating speakers along with exciting community outings for S.M.A.R.T. people, Senior Mature Adult Retirees Together. If you are retired or thinking of retirement, this group of vibrant and knowledgeable people is for you! We have two events planned for the month of November. Please turn to page 9 of this Bulletin for our November activities.

In October, the S.M.A.R.T. people enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Jay Rehr, and schmoozed while celebrating Eugenie Gingold’s ninetieth birthday in the Sukkah. We hope to lunch and schmooze again in the coming months.

Looking ahead, we are pleased that The Institute for Mature Adults at Westchester

Westchester Community College

presents

CURRENT EVENTS: THE LEAD STORIES Join us at Beth El Synagogue Center 4 Wednesdays, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm November 19th - December 17th All are welcome. No charge.

To sign up, contact Julie Rockowitz at jrockowitz@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 256; or Cheryl Millman at nycha50@gmail.com.

The seniors went to the Recycling Center in Yonkers (top) and the New York Historical Society in New York.

Community College, Mainstream, is offering a free current events class at Beth El on the following Wednesdays: November 19th, December 3rd, December 10th, and December 17th. (box below). Additionally, the Westchester Knicks, the Official Minor League basketball team of the New York Knicks, will be playing on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 11:00 am, at the Westchester County Center. Tickets are $10. R.S.V.P. by November 15th to Julie at jrockowitz@ bethelnr.org or 914-235-2700, ext. 256.

We welcome your ideas about adult programming. The more input we have, the better the outcome will be. Contact Julie at jrockowitz@bethelnr.org to R.S.V.P. and share your thoughts.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NORTH END SENIOR PROGRAM Wednesday, November 5

Yoga with Polly, 10:30 am Beth Cassso, 11:30 am: What you need to know about the Medicare changeover

Friday, November 7

Exercise with Cheryl, 10:30 am Q & A with Rabbi Dorsch, 11:00 am

Wednesday, November 12

Yoga with Polly, 10:30 am Current Events with Shari, 11:30 am

Friday, November 14

Zumba with Julie, 10:30 am

Guest speaker Greta Breskin, M.S., R.D., ShopRite of New Rochelle “Healthy Holidays”

Wednesday, November 19

Tai Chi with Norma, 10:30 am Current Events*, courtesy of Westchester Community College’s Mainstream Program for Mature Adults, 11:30 am -1:30 pm, with instructor Edward Pressman

Friday, November 21

Exercise with Cheryl, 10:30 am Guest Speaker Andrew O’Rourke, 11:15 am “All you Need to Know about the New Tappan Zee Bridge Project”

Wednesday, November 26

Exercise with Cheryl, 10:30 am

Friday,November 28

Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

* The Beth El North End Senior Program is offering seniors a college-level Current Events class under a grant from Westchester Community College’s Mainstream Program for Mature Adults. The class will be held from 11:30 am -1:30 pm on Wednesdays, November 19, December 3, 10, and 17. The only requirement is that twenty people attend the class. This is an extraordinary opportunity to take a college course at no cost.

Please plan to attend these classes!

All seniors are welcome to attend any of these programs.

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Report from the Keruv Committee . . .

If you have an intermarried child, what are the chances of having Jewish grandchildren? By that I mean Jewish in their bones, not just nominally Jewish. And how do you increase the odds in your favor? Can it be done? What can you do to help move things in that direction? Published statistics on the outcome of mixed marriages in terms of the ultimate religion of the grandchildren are not favorable. But so much depends on the individual nature of the parents and grandparents that I am suspicious of these statistics. Too many dissimilar people and differing situations are lumped together and bury the differing outcomes that can occur in differing circumstances. Subject populations have to be divided into subgroups according to similarities of circumstance and then the outcome in each subgroup needs to be noted.

What are the commonalities of circumstance that constitute a subgroup? I don’t have a ready answer. But there are people who

could figure this out. There are people who have grappled with these issues for quite a while. The issue of what role the Jewish spouse and the Jewish grandparents can play has been spelled out in many ways. Certainly each person in this circumstance must decide how to do this.

What role does the non-Jewish spouse play and what are his or her desires and inclinations? Can these be modified?

Shaped? Strengthened? We’ve not heard too much from this side of the equation.

Keruv grapples with this issue and with what we can do to help. We are currently developing a program to present this subject to the congregation and you will hear more about it in the near future.

If you would like to participate in the work of the Keruv Committee, please contact me at rbsuss@optonline.net.

Bob Sussman

My Jewish Genetic Health MyJewishGeneticHealth.com is a new, free website designed to allow the Jewish community to learn on-demand, in the comfort of their homes, about the various diseases and conditions that have a Jewish genetic component, along with treatment options and related ethical issues.

MyJewishGeneticHealth.com consists of individual “lessons” covering various topics relevant to the Jewish community, including specific diseases and medical conditions, genetic technologies, and bioethical issues.

The website is fully funded by UJAFederation of New York and private donors, and generates no revenue whatsoever. Its only goal is to help protect the health of the current Jewish community. MyJewishGeneticHealth. com is a product of the Program for Jewish Genetic Health, a no-profit initiative of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (einstein.yu.edu/centers/ jewish-genetic-health/).

Join the Retirees on Tuesday, November 11th, at 9:45 am COFFEE AND A NOSH

Author, Linda Silbert will speak about her book, Bessie’s Pillow, and life in New Rochelle. No charge. At Beth El.

TRIP TO NEW ROCHELLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Tuesday, November 25th

Meet at Beth El at 9:45 am We will view an exhibit of World War I posters entitled, “Over Here, Over There.”

There is no charge for this event.

R.S.V.P. to Julie Rockowitz, jrockowitz@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 256.

Happy birthday to Genie Gingold!

The Retirees group enjoys a visit to the SUNY Neuberger Museum of Art. A contemporary Russian exhibit, “This Leads to Fire,” demonstrates the challenges these artists faced.

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RABBI’S SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE On behalf of the entire Rabbi Search Committee, we hope everyone had a good holiday and we wish everyone a year of good health, peace, and happiness. The Committee slowed down its work during the holidays, but is now busily back at work and we have received some very impressive resumes. We have conducted a number of interviews, both by Skype and in person, to-date. But our task is far from over as we continue the process of finding the rabbi that is perfect for the Beth El community.

Based upon the questions that we have been asked over the past couple of months, we want to remind the congregation of a few of the more important aspects of the process. Just to review, we spent January through April soliciting feedback from the entire congregation in various formats trying to ascertain what was most important to our members. This led the committee to a period of self-reflection prior to our filing the application with the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), which we did shortly before Memorial Day. Since that time the resumes have been arriving from areas throughout the world. Some of those applicants have been invited for an initial Skype interview with us, and when the committee determined that it wanted to know an applicant better, we have invited those rabbis to come to Beth El for an in-person followup interview with the committee. This process will continue for some time, with a possibility of a third round of interviews to narrow our list of “finalists” even further. We anticipate inviting a few candidates to come and spend a Shabbat/weekend at Beth El, which will give our entire community the opportunity to meet and interact with the candidates that we believe are the best fit for us.

Several months ago we had a full page of “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding this process. Based upon some of the comments we have been receiving, we thought we would repeat a few of them:

standing” of the USCJ and the RA, respectively. The most important requirements are that a rabbi be eligible both in terms of his/her contract status and the number of years of service experience. In general, a rabbi must be coming close to the end of the current contract with his/her shul or have obtained written approval by their congregation in order to qualify for a new pulpit. Regarding the years of service requirement, candidates apply to a shul based on the size of a congregation and the number of years of service they have. Beth El is considered a Level C synagogue (600-750 member families). For a Level C shul, a candidate has to have at least four years of service experience in order to apply for a senior rabbi position.

DOES THE CONGREGATION HAVE A SAY IN THE FINAL DECISION?

Of course! We will be seeking further congregational feedback later this year after finalists spend a Shabbat/weekend with us.

Furthermore, our constitution requires that “[t]he Rabbi shall be elected by the members at the annual meeting of the congregation or at a special meeting called for that purpose” (Beth El Constitution, Article XII).

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COMMITTEE DECIDES THAT NONE OF THE CANDIDATES MEET OUR NEEDS?

As noted above, we are looking for the rabbi that is the best fit for our community. We will not settle for anything less.

Consequently, if we are not successful in our endeavor, we will likely consider hiring an interim rabbi for a one-year period and resuming our search with the expectation that new candidates will come forward.

Please remember that you can still provide us with your thoughts and questions simply by placing a note in our inbox in the office or by contacting us at rabbisearch@bethelnr.org. Thank you, as always, for your continued support!

Marc Klee & Mark Seidenfeld

Co-Chairs, Rabbi Search Committee

CAN ANY RABBI APPLY FOR OUR POSITION THROUGH THE RA? The RA has specific eligibility requirements and parameters to insure an appropriate match between candidates and synagogues.

Congregations and rabbinic candidates must be “members in good

CALLING ALL VETERANS TO JOIN US ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15th We will recognize our veterans this year on Veterans Shabbat, Saturday, November 15th. If you are a veteran and would like to participate in this special service, please contact Hazzan Jamie Gloth at jgloth@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 252.

SHIRAT EL CHORAL SHABBAT Saturday, November 15th Enjoy a fantastic musical Shabbat with Beth El’s choir, Shirat El, under the direction of Hazzan Ellen Miller Arad

We look forward to honoring you!

Come early. Sing loud!

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How to Maximize Your Charitable Donation to Beth El Synagogue Center Julian Block is a nationally recognized attorney and author based in Larchmont, New York. He has been singled out as a “leading tax professional” (New York Times); “an accomplished writer on taxes” (Wall Street Journal); and an authority on tax planning” (Financial Planning Magazine).

He conducts continuing education programs for tax professionals and is a frequent guest on television and radio shows. He holds a master of law degrees in taxation from New York University Graduate Law School, and is a member of the New York Financial Writers Association and a member, and former officer, of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, a national organization of nonfiction writers. Formerly, he was with the IRS as a special agent (criminal investigator) and as an attorney.

GIVE A LITTLE LESS TO THE IRS Individuals who reduce their income taxes with itemized deductions for things like mortgage interest and real estate taxes are aware that they also can claim contributions to Beth El Synagogue Center and other favorite causes. But many of them are unaware of other potential opportunities.

For instance, don’t simply write checks or use credit cards. Consider donating stocks or other investments that you have owned for more than twelve months and are worth more than you paid for them. Here is the double break—Besides deducting their full market value, you also escape the long-term

capital gains tax that would have fallen due had you sold the shares.

Your planning comes undone when you donate depreciated stocks or other investments. Instead, sell the property, donate the sales proceeds to the synagogue, and claim both the donation deduction and the capital loss.

Contributions of stock or other property are deductible for 2014 as long as the gifts are completed by Wednesday, December 31st. But in some situations, completing the legal paperwork takes time.

The rules are straightforward for lastminute donations made with checks. you may count checks as deductions for 2014 as

by Julian Block

long as the payments are put in mailboxes in sufficient time for letters to be postmarked by midnight Wednesday, December 31st.

The IRS couldn’t care less that the checks reach charities after the close of 2014.

Credit card payments, whether for charitable donations, medical services, or business expenses, qualify for 2014 deductions as soon as you authorize the charge. This holds true even if the credit card companies don’t bill you until 2015.

For more information about reducing your tax bill while helping Beth El Synagogue Center, contact Executive Director Erica Leventhal at eleventhal@ bethelnr.org.

Please join

Celebrate Shabbat Saturday, November 22nd NEW BABY SHABBAT Have you had a baby in the past year? All new babies and their families will have a group aliyah on this special Shabbat morning. A safe baby space will be provided.

us...

COLLEGE COMMITTEE HANUKKAH PACKING Thursday, December 4th 7:30 pm at Beth El

TEEN TAKEOVER SHABBAT Our teens will take over leading parts of the service.

Interested teens should contact Bekkah Gold at regold2@gmail.com

After we pack “care packages” for our students, please stay for wine and dessert.

R.S.V.P. to Debra Ackerman at Acker5family@gmail.com, or Lori Schwartz at oreomets13@yahoo.com.

We look forward to seeing you!

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MEMORIES TO GO: OUR STORIES ABOUT THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

This is the second essay in our series of memories about important events in the twentieth century. Lynn Lowin

My Neighborhood During World War II

I was only six years old when World War II began, but there are things that happened that remain vivid in my mind.

I lived at 481 Claremont Parkway, in the Bronx. It must have been a very glamorous street at one time, one beautiful park at each end of the parkway. By the time we lived there, however, it was a lower middle class tenement area without elevators, and just one bathroom per apartment. Today people may not understand this, but we were very content and did not think we were deprived.

Our neighborhood was integrated and every ethnicity you could think of lived there—Jews, Italians, blacks, and firstgeneration Puerto Ricans. I never thought anything about it. These were the people who lived in my neighborhood. Claremont Parkway was a wide street, bounded by Washington Avenue and Bathgate Avenue.

Bathgate Avenue was a very busy market street. Anything you needed was within a four-block radius—fruit and vegetable stands, butchers, live chicken markets, fabric stores, and the finest decorating stores where you purchased slip covers for furniture, bed spreads, curtains, and custom made drapes— all lined Bathgate Avenue.

Since Claremont Parkway was such a wide street, that was where Bond rallies were held. These rallies were very well attended. I remember that they would hang up all sorts of patriotic banners to sell war bonds. I would bring 25 cents a week to school to purchase a war stamp. I would place this stamp in a book. When I filled up the book with $18.75 worth of stamps, I would purchase a war bond, which would eventually be worth $25.

Children would also strip silver foil from chewing gum wrappers and cigarette packs

Beth El Celebrates November Birthdays Beth El Synagogue Center would like to extend a “Happy Birthday!” to its members with a birthday in the month of November.

Please join us for a birthday celebration at our Kiddush luncheon on November 8th.

If you have a November birthday, but your name does not appear on the list, we are sorry

for the omission and we ask that you please contact the synagogue at info@bethelnr.org so that we can update our records. Please also contact us if you do not wish to have your name appear on our birthday list. (The list reflects our adult members and post-bar/bat mitzvah children up to the age of 21.)

Benjamin Ackerman Gabrielle Altman Gabriela Altman Jonah Atlas Roslyn Barnett Mark Berman Victoria Bloom Fredric Bomback Matthew Bonci Emma Burack Stacy Cerny Rochelle Chaiken Luba Chernov Emma Cohen Sheila Cohen Theodore Colby Paul Diament Jill Efron Lee Ehudin Edward Emanuel Lawrence Epstein Sergei Esipov Marc Esrig Jacob Esses

Barbara Kotler Deborah Kurlander Barbara Lazarus Daniel Leffell Elizabeth Legatt Nancy Levin Laurie Levine Matthew Lewis Diane Linett Sima Littman Jonathan Lopatin Susan Mandelbaum Debra Mayer Meryl Mendelson Marla Mishler Goldie Newman Zipporah Oksman Darren Peister Nathaniel Platzner Arnold Reisfeld Debbie Rieber Laurie Roth Evelyn Salter Jodi Scheinfeld

Marvin Feldman Davina Fisher Victoria Fisher Sheryl Fleishaker Abbe Fleishaker Moshe Gelboim Samuel Getzler Murray Ginsberg Debra Goldfarb I. David Goldman S. Elizabeth Goldman Robert Goldstein Helene Goldstein Norman Gordon David Grandwetter Libby Gross Heather Herman Susan Hollander Ida Hyman Marc Jacobs Sarah Keltz Vanessa Kerchner Celia Kessel Jonas Kessler

Michael Schiffres Edward Schwartz Alan Segal Thalia Segal Samuel Shteingart Douglas Simon Darcy Stack Deborah Stampfer Natalie Starkman Steven Stein Jared Sullivan Jeffrey Swarz Judith Szabo George Tecklin Laura Tiszenkel Michael Wechsler Paula Weckstein Brighita Weinberg Stephanie Wigler Leon Yablon Daniel Yairi Teddy Zabb Jonathan Zung 12

and roll them into balls. We were so proud to be helping the war effort.

In school we were given round ivory discs with blue writing to wear around our necks. They contained our name, address, and birthday. We wore them around our neck at all times so if a bomb hit, we could be identified. The windows in our classrooms were taped with long strips of a gauzelike substance to stop the windows from shattering if a bomb fell. We had air raid drills and had to sit on the floor of an inside wall in the hallway of the school until the allclear siren rang. I guess I was too young to understand that anything bad could happen to me. It all seemed so exciting.

I have so many stories about the Bronx during this time and I will write them in other issues of the Bulletin.

by Blanche Fried

Save the date . . .

Tuesday, December 2nd 6:30 pm American Friends of Magen David Adom’s

ANNUAL NEW YORK BENEFIT DINNER honoring BARBARA WALTERS With the AFMDA Humanitarian Award presented by MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG Also honoring NOAH ROCKOWITZ HAINA JUST-MICHAEL THE PACKIN FAMILY NICOLE & MICHAEL STRONGIN at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers Pier 61, 23rd Street and the West Side Highway, New York

A Note from Your Men’s Club . . .

We are not resting on our laurels, but the Men’s Club has been on a roll! Our membership and participation is up. After selling out our tickets to the Tel Aviv Maccabi vs. Brooklyn Nets basketball game at the Barclay’s Center in early October, we had a record attendance at our Steak & Scotch event in the Sukkah on Hol Hamoed Sukkot for good food, good booze, and good schmooze. We also cosponsored a networking event with Temple Israel Center in White Plains.

While we have no stand-alone events scheduled in November, we will co-sponsor the talk by Rabbi Daniel Cohen (see cover) with other Beth El groups and affiliates entitled, “What will they say about YOU when you’re gone?” We will also hold our monthly planning meeting on Sunday morning, November 9th. Join us at 11:00 am for a bagel and shmear!

We will hit the ground running in December and need you to plan ahead.

Our popular Monday Night Football event returns on December 1st, featuring division rivals Miami Dolphins against our own

New York Jets. We will be barbecuing and serving beer in the Youth Lounge. This event is open to those ages 21 and over. Register at bethelnr.org/football. We look forward to seeing you there.

Serving the Beth El community and the community at large remains a prime focus of the Men’s Club. We will host our bi-annual Blood Drive in conjunction with the Brotherhood of Temple Israel of New Rochelle on Sunday morning, December 7th, between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm (see page 3). Blood cannot be manufactured and a donation of one pint can help to save three patients. Your participation is vital in order to meet our community’s need for blood. Watch for more information in our e-mails and flyers and make an appointment to perform a true mitzvah at bethelnr.org/blooddrive.

Please also mark your calendars for Jewish Heritage Night with the new Westchester Knicks at the Westchester County Center on Saturday evening, December 13th, at 7:00 pm. We plan to get a large block of tickets and it promises to be a great night.

Rob Levine and Steven Young

Join Men’s Club for FOOTBALL on the big screen!

MONDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 1st Pre-Game activities 8:00 pm Kickoff, 8:30 pm Jets vs. Dolphins

in Beth El’s Youth Lounge Barbecue Dinner and Beer (age 21+ only)

$15 Men’s Club members $20 non-members Questions? Contact Robert Levine at GoBrother@ralasolutions.com, or Steven Young at beprez@optonline.net.

R.S.V.P. to bethelnr.org/football or call the office at 914-235-2700, ext. 223.

MEN’S CLUB WATCHES TEL AVIV TEAM AT BASKETBALL GAME

PHOTOGRAPHS NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEB VIEWING

The Men’s Club had a great time at the basketball game on October 7th. It was a sell out crowd! A group of us arrived by subway around 7:00 pm, and we were ushered past the throngs of waiting people right onto the floor of the arena (by Rob Weber’s contact) for a picture just as the Tel Aviv team came onto the floor. Men’s Club sold all fifty tickets—another Men’s Club success—Jewish kids hanging out with their friends and their parents!

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New Rochelle Hadassah is pleased to present JOHN P. GACCIONE

Acting Director of Consumer Protection and Director of Weights and Measures for Westchester County, New York

Join us for a lively discussion on “BEING A SMART CONSUMER”

Monday afternoon, November 10th We are all concerned with protecting ourselves, our credit, and our personal identity. As part of Mr. Gaccione’s job, he manages the operation of the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection along with enforcement of county and state consumer protection laws. He will cover topics such as using credit cards safely, identity theft, shopping, refunds and returns, credit reports, and more. Join us for this valuable and informative presentation. at Beth El Synagogue Center 12:30 pm light lunch • 1:00 pm program All are welcome!

New Rochelle Hadassah and Beth El Sisterhood are pleased to present BARBARA DAVIS

City Historian for the City of New Rochelle Coordinator of Community Relations: New Rochelle Public Library

“Introducing The Big Read” Tuesday afternoon, December 16th Barbara will introduce the library’s upcoming Big Read project and will re-introduce you to Mark Twain and the book she hopes to have the whole community of New Rochelle reading,

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Join us for this interactive program; hear first-hand about the program roll-out and share your ideas. Learn why this book is important for everyone. at Beth El Synagogue Center 12:30 pm light lunch • 1:00 pm program All are welcome!

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Beth El Sisterhood Sisterhood Scene In the past, Sisterhood had a reputation for being a group for—you’ll pardon the expression—old ladies who, for the most part, did not work outside the home. When I joined Beth El thirty years ago, almost all Sisterhood events and meetings were held during the day. Now, however, that is not the case. The face of Sisterhood has changed, both at Beth El and at other Conservative congregations with which we interact. We have changed, too, in order to accommodate our members with day jobs.

All Sisterhood Board meetings are now held in the evening, with occasional Executive Board meetings taking place on Sunday mornings. Our popular ongoing daytime events noted on this page continue, but most of our programs are now in the evenings. We enjoyed a well-attended challah making workshop on a September evening, and, by the time you read this, we will have feasted at our annual paid-up membership dinner. Thank you to Sandy Gruenberg, Carole Graham, Lauren Berger, Ariel Rehr, Ellen Hollander, and Linda Resnick for your hard work on these events.

Following the success of our monthly Bagels & Books program, and responding to suggestions from members, we have now started an evening Sisterhood book group.

Hopefully you have received information describing this program. Our first meeeting is on November 18th, at 7:30 pm (see box at right). We will start off our series by discussing the book The River Midnight,

by Lilian Nattel. Publisher’s Weekly says that Nattel’s debut novel “poignantly and humorously evokes shtetl life by interweaving stories of four Jewish women in Blaszka, a turn-of-the-century Polish village.” If the book is not enough to entice you to join us, then perhaps wine and cheese will! Enjoy a relaxing yet stimulating evening with some wonderful Beth El women! Erica Epstein and Cynthia Glickman are chairing this endeavor and will be happy to answer any questions.

As I write this, we have just completed the High Holidays and Sukkot. Sisterhood was proud to sponsor kiddushim in the Beth El sukkah, with gratitude to Ruth Hirsh for her tireless efforts in organizing this event.

With best regards, Barbara Horowitz, Sisterhood President

SHOP SMART, DO GOOD FUND-RAISING DAY Lord & Taylor Shopping Benefit FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th

9:00 am-11:00 pm • Eastchester Store only!

Sponsored by Sisterhood

Pre-shopping (credit card only) begins on November 7th Purchase a ticket for a $5 donation, which serves as your admission to this event. The ticket includes two 25% bonus coupons, with very limited exclusions, and your 15% savings pass (usable all day), good on regular and sale-priced items, including cosmetics and fragrances! Plus, you can save an additional 10% on top of all the other great savings when you use your Lord & Taylor credit card.

Tickets may be purchased from Linda Resnick, 914-576-3632 or cosa48@yahoo.com; members of Sisterhood, the Nursery School office, or the synagogue office, 914-235-2700, ext.

223/226, or visit LordandTaylor.com/dogoodeastchester (enter Beth El Synagogue Sisterhood New Rochelle in the drop down).

Questions? Contact Linda Resnick, 914-576-3632, or cosa48@yahoo.com.

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Join us for the first meeting of the

SISTERHOOD EVENING BOOK CLUB Tuesday, November 18th 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Wine, cheese, and a discussion of the book

The River Midnight

by Lilian Nattel

Free! No R.S.V.P. required.

Questions? Contact Erica Epstein at mmleepstein@gmail.com or 914-391-6662; or Cynthia Glickman at tanman911@verizon.net or 914-582-6297.

Sisterhood Ongoing Programs CARD ROOM: Both Canasta ( Mondays at 12:45 pm) and Mah Jongg (Tuesdays at 12:45 pm) meet weekly!

WALKING CLUB meets every Monday at 9:30 am for a nice easy walk—not a jog. Everyone is encouraged to walk with us. It is quite enjoyable!

BAGELS & BOOKS BOOK CLUB usually meets on the last Monday of the month, at 9:30 am. Our next meeting is scheduled for November 24th. We will be discussing Talia Carner’s book, Jerusalem Maiden.

MITZVAH KNITTING meets once a month on Wednesdays. Our next session is December 17th, at 9:30 am.

We have supplies. Lessons are available.

FOR QUESTIONS about any of these ongoing activities, contact Arlene Salman at 914-235-2485, or aesalman@aol.com.

Mark your calendar . . .

Beth El Nursery School’s Second Annual Silent Auction Fundraiser January 31, 2015

Leave the kids at home and join current and alumni parents for a great night out that won’t disappoint! Delicious food and drinks, good music, a silent auction, and tons of fun! Come out to support our children at the Nursery School’s biggest fundraiser of the year!

BABY U BEGINS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd Register at bethelnr.org/babyu.

Acclaimed Jumping Jenny Author to Appear at Tri-State Area Jewish Day School, Yeshiva, & Camp Fair at Beth El Acclaimed author Ellen Bari will appear, through the sponsorship of the PJ Library, at the Tri-State Area Regional Day School, Yeshiva, and Camp Fair hosted at Beth El Synagogue Center on Sunday, November 16th.

Ms. Bari will engage children with a special reading of Jumping Jenny and will be available to sign copies of her cherished book.

The fair, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, will bring together over sixty Jewish schools, camps, and Israel programs in a central location. With Ellen Bari offerings for children from kindergarten through college, it makes the search by busy parents easy and accessible. A listing of all of the participating schools camps and Israel programs can be found on the fair web page, JewishFair.org.

Ms. Bari is the author and creator of numerous books, multimedia, and exhibits for viewers young and old. Her career includes seminal projects for luminary companies at every end of the spectrum, from Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and American Express. But, to some of her childhood friends, her claim to fame is still her audacious 1,000 jumps on a shiny metal pogo stick many years ago!

“I have read Jumping Jenny to my sons many times,” said Evan Levy, a Beth El member and one of the organizers of the fair and president of Carmel Academy, one of the participating Jewish day schools. “The rich collection of engaging books that PJ Library offers reinforces the critical importance of enriching our children’s exposure to the Jewish world. I spent months exploring summer camp options for my children and visited many open houses and parlor meetings to find the right high school choice for my oldest son. We hope to make that process easier for other parents by bringing the expanse of school and camp options together in one room.”

Camps, Israel programs, and schools from across the Jewish spectrum—Reform, Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and independent institutions—are coming together for the fair. Each family attending is eligible to win a $1,000 scholarship that can be applied toward any of the participating programs. The fair reflects collaboration among Jewish organizations through the efforts of co-sponsors Beth El Synagogue Center, The Jewish Education Project, The Jewish Week, PJ Library, RAVSAK, UJA-Federation of New York, and Westchester Jewish Council.

Questions? E-mail Ronnie Becher at nursery@bethelnr.org, or Shery Rosenstein at srosenstein@bethelnr.org.

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NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS This past month was chock full of holidays and afforded the Nursery School children an expansive opportunity for deep learning.

Shofarot, luluvim, etrogim, and Torahs were in all of our classrooms. There was intense blowing, shaking, smelling, exploring, and comparing.

We decorated our outdoor school sukkah with murals, wall hangings, and many artistic creations. Using lumber and PVC pipes, many of our classes built their own sukkah right in their room! Classes were also able to enjoy snack/and or lunch in the many Sukkot of Beth El. A giant thank you goes to Hazzan Gloth and the Croog family for hosting our fouryear-old students during hol hamoed Sukkot in their family sukkahs. The children had a wonderful opportunity to compare and contrast how different Sukkot are decorated

and constructed. And really nice snacks were served!

That wasn’t our only “off-site” excursion. Our four-year-olds went by bus on two field trips related to our curriculum— apple picking and a picnic lunch at Dr. Davies Farm, as well as apple cidering at Greenburgh Nature Center.

Before Simchat Torah, many of our classes went on a Torah Walk and counted all of the Torahs in Beth El Synagogue Center.

While we were in the chapel we opened the Ark and took out a real Torah. We discussed the many parts of the Torah and we verbalized many new Hebrew vocabulary words: Beit Kenesset................... synagogue Yad...............................Torah pointer M’eel............................. Torah cover Aron............................................. ark Degel.......................................... flag Hashem...................................... God Siddur.............................prayerbook

Parents have fun at Nursery School Curriculum Night

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Our gathering culminated in singing and dancing with the Torahs, Subsequently, each class created an Aron Kodesh, an ark to house their class’s Sefer Torah.

Having adjusted to life in the classroom with new teachers and friends, it was time for our parents to hear more details about our vision for the school year. On Curriculum Night, the parent body was invited into the classrooms and heard presentations from the staff. Not only was our program outlined, but parents had an opportunity to engage in their own “play” (building, fingerpainting, dressup and manipulatives). Everything was documented and books will be published shortly. Enjoy the photos below!

Ronnie Becher, Director

Bartell Twins Invite Israeli Soldier to Beth El As part of their bar mitzvah project, Jesse and Stephen Bartell, sons of Donna and Abe Bartell, worked with Hazzan Gloth and Jen Vegh to set up a program with Friends of the IDF for Sunday, November 9th. A soldier will speak to 5th, 6th, and 7th graders and their parents.

Can you imagine working long who have been and continue to be supported by the Lone Soldier hours in challenging conditions and Program and FIDF. being far from home? That is exactly A series of events are planned over the coming year. The what every soldier in the Israeli army kickoff event will take place on Sunday, November 9th, from experiences. Friends of the Israeli 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A lone soldier will come to speak to members Defense Forces (FIDF) is a not-for- of Beth El Synagogue Center. The primary focus of this event is the profit organization that helps to provide 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students in our Religious School and Day “FIDF … Their job is to look after Israel, ours some of the extras for soldiers in the Schools, as well as their families. We will learn first-hand from a is to look after them.” IDF. The FIDF helps pay for places lone soldier about his/her experience in the army. This event is open for the soldiers to go to and enjoy to all Beth El members. The lone soldier will talk about making themselves during their time off, funds on-base recreation centers, aliyah, serving as a lone soldier in the IDF, and life in the army. and helps to finance the soldiers’ education and transition to private Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. life after the army.

Through this event, we hope to raise awareness about Friends As difficult, dangerous, and, at times, scary as life may be for of the IDF, the great work they do, and the invaluable service they the average soldier in the IDF, imagine what their lives would be provide; as well as inform people about what it is like to be a lone like if, when they did get time off, they had nowhere to go! Imagine soldier. We hope you can join us for this great event, co-sponsored spending chaggim (holidays) and Shabbatot by the Beth El Synagogue Center, the Beth PHOTOGRAPHS NOT AVAILABLE El Religious School, the Israeli Action alone. Things could go from tough to really FOR WEB VIEWING challenging. This is exactly the experience Committee, and us—Stephen and Jesse that lone soldiers go through. A lone soldier Bartell. is someone from a country other than Israel, who makes aliyah and If would like more information about FIDF and Lone Soldiers, must serve in the Israeli Army. Their decision to help and support and/or wish to make a donation, visit our FIDF giving page at Israel means leaving their friends, family, and country of origin. firstgiving.com/fundraiser/stephenandjesse-bartell/FIDFWCT. For our bar mitzvah project, we have decided to raise money and We hope to see you at Beth El on November 9th! awareness for Friends of the IDF and their Lone Soldier program.

Jesse and Stephen Bartell In addition to helping all soldiers in the IDF, FIDF has special programs to provide additional support to lone soldiers because of the unique experiences they have and extraordinary situation they are in. We hope to raise money to provide a lone soldier a trip back home to see their family. We chose this program because we wanted to have an impact here at home, while at the same time, affecting people in Israel. There are lone soldiers from all over the world, the United States, and even some from right here in New Rochelle,

Religious School Update PHOTOGRAPHS NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEB VIEWING

In between all of the craziness of the holidays in October, Beth El Religious School classes were abuzz with exciting and engaging learning. We especially enjoyed our experience with the Artist in Residence in which families explored the Alef Bet. In November we’re excited for our special programs, like welcoming an Israeli soldier to speak with our 5th-7th graders, a speaker on worldwide Anti-Semitism in the high school, and Open House for parents on Sunday, November 16th.

Kitah Hey and Vav building a sukkah from found natural objects

Kitah Gimel students practicing Hebrew writing in sand 18

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL & YOUTH NEWS Youth Community Update

YOUTH COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

October was an exciting month in the Youth Community! We kicked off the month with our family Sukkah decorating, in which families with children of all ages gathered in the Beth El Sukkah to make and hang decorations. Ruach (K-2ndgrade) got to meet all sorts of camoflauging creatures at their Noah’s Animals event. Chaverim (3rd-5th grade) found animals all over the Beth El building in their Noah Scavenger Hunt. Kadima (6th-8th grade) can’t wait to reunite in November. In addition to divisional and regional events, Beth El USYers (9th-12th grade) enjoyed Sushi in the Sukkah at the Carr-Gloth home. We’re looking forward to a sensational November!

Don’t forget to check out the fabulous Jewish Day School, Yeshiva, & Camp Fair being held at Beth El on Sunday, November 16th, 10:00 am-12:00 pm!

Thursday, November 6 Kadima, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm Thursday, November 13 Chaverim, 6:00 pm-7:15 pm

USY SATO Night, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm Sunday, November 16 Day School and Jewish Camp Fair, 10:00 am-12:00 pm Thursday, November 20 Rosh Hodesh Girls Saturday, November 22 Teen Takeover Shabbat Sunday, November 23 Chaverim, 12:00 pm-1:30 pm Watch your email for information about other upcoming Youth Events!

Ruach Noah’s Animals

PHOTOGRAPHS NOT AVAILABLE FOR WEB VIEWING

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

USY Sushi in the Sukkah

Follow the Religious School on Twitter! @bethelrelschool

Sunday, November 2

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Institute, 9:00 am-11:00 am Art for Gimel-Vav

Monday, November 3

E.L.I., 5:45 pm-7:00 pm

Sunday, November 9

Hey/Vav & Gesher with Israeli Soldier Olim & Tichon Anti-Semitism Speaker

Wednesday, November 12

WAHS InService for Teachers

Sunday, November 16

OPEN HOUSE Olim & Tichon Educator Meeting

Monday, November 17

ELI, Religious School Board

Thursday, November 20

Art for Alef-Bet, Gan-Gesher Educator Meeting

Friday, November 21

Olim & Tichon (8th-11th grade) Erev Shabbat

Sunday, November 23

Art for Gimel-Vav Rosh Hodesh Class Color Dress Up Day

Thursday, November 27

Closed for Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 30

Closed for Thanksgiving

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Community Events I Am My Beloved’s: Challenges of Marriage and Relationships in Contemporary Society and the Jewish Community WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5th

With New York Times “Modern Love” editor Daniel Jones, Dr. Mona Fishbane, Rabbi Aaron Brusso. Register at jtsa.edu/challenges

United States Admiral Michelle J. Howard, Vice Chief of naval Operations, the Navy’s first female four-star admiral MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10th R.S.V.P. to Milsteincenter@JTSA.edu

UJA-Federation Parlor Meeting

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, 7:30 pm, “Strengthening Day Schools through Community Advocacy,” at the home of Yael and Evan Jerome, 160 Victory Blvd., New Rochelle. Register at ujafedny.org/dayschool-advocacy-parlor-meeting or contact Susan Scharf Glick at glicks@ujafedny.org, or 914.761.5100, ext. 120. No cost. Optional $18 donation to help feed a hungry Jewish family on Thanksgiving.

Elaine Friedman and Louise Stern in Museum combinations of both).

Louise Stern, a She has received awards longtime member of in juried exhibits Temple Israel of New by the New Rochelle Rochelle, and Elaine Art Association, Friedman, a longtime Mamaroneck Artists’ member of Beth El Guild, and JCC. Her S y n a g o g u e C e n t e r, work has been reviewed continue to exhibit their in the New York Times, artwork in Beth El’s Sound Shore Review, Kanner Kurzon Museum, Eastchester Chronicle, through November Elaine Friedman J e w i s h We e k a n d 30th. These friends elsewhere. have quite different Elaine Friedman techniques and styles, taught art in New so you will enjoy a Yo r k C i t y p u b l i c different experience schools. After moving from that which we to Westchester, she u s u a l l y d i s p l a y. continued at SAR L o u i s e ’s e x h i b i t Academy, A. J. Heschel displays her mixed Louise Stern School, Temple Israel media/collages from her studio and Elaine’s exhibit is her current Center of White Plains, The Solomon landscapes done with oil pastels, and Schechter School, and The Childrens Arts Workshop in Rye. A previous exhibit in the previous ones using acrylic paint.

Louise Stern was trained in multiple Kanner Kurzon Museum was all acrylic visual art media, but she was originally landscape paintings. She has also exhibited a pianist and singer, including with the at Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild, New Rochelle Collegiate Chorale. She has produced both Library, Greenwich Library, Silvermine and figurative and abstract work (sometimes Iona College.

Abigail Pogrebin and Guests: A Modern Celebration of Hanukkah THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th R.S.V.P. to Milsteincenter@JTSA.edu

The Jack and Lewis Rudin Lecture New Yorker Cartoonist Roz Chast On Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? And Aging Parents THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11th Register at www.jtsa.edu/aging

Jewish Heritage Night

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13th, 7:00 PM Join us for a fun night of community and basketball with the Westchester Knicks.

Westchester County Center, White Plains

Westchester Jewish Council 39th Annual Gala

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24th, 7:00 pm Honoring Elliot Forchheimer, at Beth El

KOL HAZZANIM AND THE

WESTCHESTER JEWISH COUNCIL with grant support from UJA-Federation of New York/Westchester

present

A NIGHT OF MUSIC AND JOY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15th • 7:30 pm at Temple Israel of New Rochelle 1000 Pinebrook Blvd., New Rochelle, NY 10804

$20 by November 8th; $25 thereafter

Register at wjcouncil.org or pay by check to the Westchester Jewish Council.

Join us for a great night as we celebrate the richness of our Westchester Jewish community. Twenty-seven cantors from all over Westchester are participating, including our own Hazzanim Jamie Gloth, Ellen Miller Arad, and Farid Dardashti. Sing along with a unique selection of music, ranging from contemporary to traditional, Jewish to secular, rap to rock—enjoy the diversity and talent of Kol Hazzanim. A dairy dessert reception will follow. For information, contact Donna Bartell at donna@wjcouncil.org or call 914-328-7001.

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YAHRZEIT DATES

MAZAL TOV

The yahrzeit of the following deceased persons permanently inscribed on our Memorial Walls are observed on these dates:

Newsmakers . . .

Mazal tov to:

NOVEMBER Jay Jackson Louis M. Brown Louis Golding George Lyons Emily Kander Saul Bergman Gustav Feibelmann Annie Shanok Martin Singer Ida Fashing Cantor Jacob Friedman Oscar Sussman Sylvia Eisenberg Benjamin Katowitz Mary Levy Sidney Lieberman Sophie Ruskin Rose Wygod Leah Belsky Samuel Lang Rabbi Israel H. Levinthal Frieda Wolfsie Hyman Frost Edward Julius Glick Dr. Harold Grad Ruth Roberta Wachtel Pauline Karp Geula Kessel Max Bialo Annie Friedman Barbara Levinson Sarah Baum Ralph Esses Morris Meyers Irving Strum Max Cooper Philip Fried Estelle Worton Morris Imber Alexander Finn

Frankie and Avi Shahar upon the birth of grandson Izadore Root, and to parents Jed and Becca Shahar; Howard and Helene Goldstein in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Julia, daughter of Steven and Ellen Ehrlich-Goldstein; Vanessa and Adam Kerchner upon the birth of a son, and to grandparents Sheila Cohen and Irwin Cohen; Noah Rockowitz upon his forthcoming honor by American Friends of Magen David Adom at their upcoming Annual Dinner; Dana Rottman upon the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter Mollie Roth, daughter of Karen and Josh Roth; Carol and Sam Perlman upon the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Misha Saad, son of Sheri Perlman and Ahron Saad; Jerry and Bilha Gottlieb on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Jack Gottlieb, and to parents Suzanne and Ron Gottlieb; Laurie and Eric Roth upon the engagement of their daughter Arial Roth to Noah Gold, son of Susan and Jay Gold.

A Warm Beth El Mazal Tov to One and All!!!

Share your milestone events with us!

We would like to hear about your engagements, births, graduations, losses, and other events. If you experience a milestone or a loss in your family, please call Rosalie in the clergy office, 914-235-2700, ext. 228, with your news.

Kiddush The Kiddush of November 1st will be sponsored by Barbara and Robert Ehudin in honor of the bat mitzvah of their daughter Sophie Ehudin.

The Kiddush of November 8th will be sponsored by Laurie and Robert Levine in honor of the b’nei mitzvah of their children Sarah and Michael Levine.

The Kiddush of November 15th will be sponsored by Beth El Synagogue Center in honor of Veterans’ Shabbat.

The Kiddush of November 22nd will be sponsored by Lauren Berger and Jay Rehr in honor of the aufruf of their son Josh Rehr.

1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 14 15

Stanley Fuchs Irving May Harry Desnick Donald Eisenberg Morris Rubenfeld Jeanette Friedman Kitty S. Winter Irene Tanenbaum Sarah Faye Weintraub Rivka Gelboim Elenor Klein Mabel Posner Hyman Shanok Martin Goldstein Charles Kahn Philip Koslow Charles David Greene Herbert Kander Charles Parker Morton Bellin Sarah Diamond Harold Drimmer Edna Schulman Menucha Bryna Benzel Samuel Fuchs Milton H. Farber Arnold Feingold Morris Geller David Sirner Benjamin Solov Sadye Lesser Marjorie Silberman Nathan Cooper Avraham Gelboim Rose Levin DECEMBER Beate Grunauer Anne Polow Adele Scheffler Lena Weinrib Florence Zarovsky

15 15 16 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 24 24 24 25 25 27 27 28 28 28 29 29 30 30 30 1 1 1 1 1

CONDOLENCES

The Kiddush of November 29th will be sponsored by Beth El Synagogue Center in honor of College Homecoming Shabbat.

We record with sorrow the losses suffered by our members and friends and extend to them our deepest sympathies. Condolences to: Glen Herskowitz upon the loss of his father, Nat Herskowitz; Mark Rosenblum upon the loss of his grandmother Selma Schlechter; Jonathan Glickman upon the loss of his father, Avraham Isaac Glickman.

Herbert Pearlman upon the loss of his brother Leonard Pearlman; Steve Newman upon the loss of his mother, Muriel Newman; Judy Schustack upon the loss of her mother, Shirley Salzman.

Do you have a food allergy?

If so, please bring it to the attention of our executive director, Erica Leventhal by sending an e-mail to ELeventhal@ bethelnr.org describing your allergy, or call 914-235-2700, ext. 225.

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CONTRIBUTIONS HAZZAN DISCRETIONARY FUND

IN HONOR OF:

In memory of Nat Herskowitz, father of Glen Herskowitz.

The joyous occasion of Stanley Batkin’s 100th birthday, from Ann Lebed.

Avraham Glickman, beloved father of Jonathan Glickman, from Lauren Freeman-Bosworth and Brian Bosworth.

A donation was received from Diane and Eugene Linett.

THE JEREMY SCHEINFELD MEMORIAL FUND IN HONOR OF: Lenore and Rabbi Melvin Sirner on the birth of their grandson Lev Benjamin, from Judy and Ed Schwartz.

IN MEMORY OF: Shirley Knopp Nutkis, beloved mother of Debbie Young, from Ann and Joel Davis.

GENERAL FUND

Our High Holiday honor on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, from Diane and Eugene Linett.

My aliyah on the High Holidays, from Russell Fayer.

The High Holiday honors that our family received, from Judy, Ed, and Lisa Schwartz.

Shari and Marvin Chinitz on the birth of their grandson, from Susan and Bob Goldstein, and Rochelle Chaiken.

Rochelle Chaiken on the birth of her grandson Eli, from Susan and Bob Goldstein.

Lynn and Jeff Lowin on the engagement of their daughter Joanna, from Susan and Bob Goldstein.

Hillel Gruenberg on receiving his Ph.D., from Shari and Marvin Chinitz.

SYLVIA AND ROBERT SCHER CHESED COMMUNITY FUND IN HONOR OF: Mark and Marjorie Seidenfeld on their twentyfifth wedding anniversary, from Nora KlionWolloch.

Beth El’s clergy for a meaningful holiday, from Nora Klion-Wolloch.

Lenore and Rabbi Melvin Sirner on the birth of their grandson Lev Benjamin, from Nora KlionWolloch.

Marianne and Bob Sussman on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Nora Klion-Wolloch.

RECOVERY OF: Shirley Katz, wishing you a full and speedy recovery, from Nora Klion-Wolloch.

IN MEMORY OF: Charles Raffel, beloved husband of Rivka Raffel, from Debra Seltzer and Charlie Altman.

Linda and Steve Newman on the birth of their grandson William, from Shari and Marvin Chinitz, Wendy and Alan Rosenberg, and Susan and George Morris.

Judy and Bobby Schmeidler on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Shari and Marvin Chinitz.

NURSERY SCHOOL FUND IN HONOR OF: Tami Novoseller on her thirty-fifth birthday, from Debbie and Jonathan Reiber.

MARC FRIED SPECIAL NEEDS RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND IN HONOR OF: Lenore and Rabbi Melvin Sirner on the birth of their grandson Lev Benjamin, from Wendy and Alan Rosenberg.

Marianne and Bob Sussman on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Rosalind and Richard Kaufman, Carole M. Sussman, Harriet and Douglas Rachlin, and Susan and Mitchell Tarnopal.

Erica Leventhal and her work at Beth El, from Jill and Henry Charrabe.

Lenore and Rabbi Melvin Sirner on the birth of their grandson Lev Benjamin, from Elise and Bob Schepp, and Rochelle Chaiken.

Patty and Isidore Huss on the engagement of their daughter Blaine Huss, from Elise and Bob Schepp.

Our Simchat Torah honorees Robert Baker, Donna Bartell, Michael Meisler, and Robert Weber, from Elise and Bob Schepp, and Susan and Michael Meisler.

IN MEMORY OF: Shirley Knopp Nutkis, beloved mother of Debbie Young, from Susan and Elliot Lesser, Shari and Marvin Chinitz, and Sharon and Peter Spenser.

Avraham Glickman, beloved father of Jonathan Glickman, from Lois Kohn-Claar and Gary Claar, and Beth Siegel and family.

Max Berry, beloved father of Brenda Berry, from Rochelle Chaiken.

Larry Heligman, beloved husband of Wendy Goulston, from Rochelle Chaiken.

THE PTA LIBRARY FUND IN HONOR OF: Shari and Marvin Chinitz on the birth of their grandson, from Faye and Jack Gingold.

SPECIAL NEEDS FUND IN HONOR OF: Judy and Bobby Schmeidler on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Rosalind and Richard Kaufman.

Nina and Rabbi Eugene Katz on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Elaine and Martin Levitin.

Elchan Meyrowitz, my beloved father, on his yahrzeit, from Harriet Schwartz.

ELEANOR G. BAUMWALD PRAYERBOOK FUND

My father on his yahrzeit, from Nora KlionWolloch.

IN HONOR OF:

IN HONOR OF:

Marianne and Bob Sussman on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Randy and Stephen Sussman.

Shari and Marvin Chinitz on the birth of their grandson, from Lynn and Jeff Lowin.

THE DOROTHY FLEISHAKER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND IN HONOR OF: Stephanie Millman and Rabbi Josh Dorsch on their engagement, from Sharon and Peter Spenser.

IN MEMORY OF: Nat Herskowitz, beloved father of Glen Herskowitz, from Debbie and Steven Young.

Marjorie and Mark Seidenfeld on their twentyfifth wedding anniversary, from Norman Posner.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES FUND

Marjorie and Mark Seidenfeld on their twentyfifth wedding anniversary, from Geralynn and David Reifer.

Lenore and Rabbi Melvin Sirner on the birth of their grandson, from Norman Posner; and Judith, Roberto, and Yael Hodara.

Donna Bartell, Simchat Torah honoree, from Marjorie and Mark Seidenfeld.

IN MEMORY OF:

Shirley Knopp Nutkis, beloved mother of Debbie Young, from Dina and David Brot.

Eva Teitlebaum, from Jack R. Schwartz.

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IN MEMORY OF:

CONTRIBUTIONS SISTERHOOD MITZVAH FUND IN HONOR OF: Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner on the birth of their first grandchild, from Joyce and Michael Wechsler, Naomi Raber, and Miriam Rabin.

Marjorie and Mark Seidenfeld on their twentyfifth wedding anniversary, from Joyce and Michael Wechsler, and Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Marianne and Bob Sussman on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Joyce and Michael Wechsler, and Sandy and Jack Gruenberg.

Shari and Marvin Chinitz on the birth of their grandson Nadav, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Rabbi Josh Dorsch on his engagement to Stephanie Millman, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg, and Harriet and David Rudnick.

Linda and Steve Newman on the birth of grandson William, from Harriet and David Rudnick, and Sandy and Jack Gruenberg.

Erica and Josh Leventhal on the birth of their son Andrew Blake, from Harriet and David Rudnick, and Miriam Rabin.

Rochelle Chaiken on the birth of grandson Eli Judah Menchel, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg.

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

Phyllis and Harvey Jay on the birth of their granddaughter, from Harriet and David Rudnick Heidi and Michael Kremins on the bat mitzvah of their daughter Maya, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Barbara and Rob Ehudin on the bat mitzvah of their daughter Sophie, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Sol Kaplan on his special birthday, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Tami Novoseller on her thirty-fifth birthday, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Rob Weber on his Simchat Torah honor, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Michael Meisler on his Simchat Torah honor, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Rob Baker on his Simchat Torah honor, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Donna Bartell on her Simchat Torah honor, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

GET WELL TO: Donald Fleishaker, wishing you a speedy recovery, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

IN MEMORY OF:

Mollie Eisenberg on her 100th birthday, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg, and Vicki and Nate Fisher.

Shirley Knopp Nutkis, mother of Debbie Young, from Harriet and David Rudnick, and Sandy and Jack Gruenberg.

Lynn and Jeffrey Lowin on the engagement of their daughter Joanna, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg, and Harriet and David Rudnick.

Shirley Sommer, wife of Jay Sommer, from Harriet and David Rudnick, and Sandy and Jack Gruenberg.

Judy and Bobby Schmeidler on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg, and Harriet and David Rudnick.

Irving Gross, husband of Mona Gross, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Susan and Robert Goldstein on the birth of their grandson Malcolm Li, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Linda and Sol Haber on the engagement of their daughter Jordana, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Faye and Jack Gingold on the marriage of their daughter Lisa to Michael Greeenberg, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Rachelle and Steven Stern on the engagement of their daughter Sara, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Frank Madow, father of Sheryl Fleishaker, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Martin Getzler, father of Faye Gingold, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Saralee Avery, wife of Cantor Lawrence Avery, from Harriet and David Rudnick, and Sandy and Jack Gruenberg.

Shirley Trachten, mother of Gary Trachten, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Florence Kaplan, mother of Mitchell Kaplan, from Harriet and David Rudnick.

Larry Heligman, beloved husband of Wendy Goulston, from Vicki and Nate Fisher.

An unforgettable simcha starts with a classic caterer

Gourmet Kosher Catering customized to your taste and theme Exclusive caterer at Beth El Synagogue Center Call for a private, no obligation consultation!

CLASSIC CATERERS • 845-353-5578 23

Ralph and Diane Heiman in honor of Dylan and Lucas Portnoy becoming a B’nai Mitzvah; Avi and Jacqueline Einzig in memory of Shirley Nutkis and in honor of the birth of grandson Lev Benjamin to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Simeon Schwartz and Ellen Greenebaum in memory of Larry Heligman; Helene Wolloch in memory of Saralee Avery; The Mowlem and Har-zvi families in honor of Fred Moses’s ninetieth birthday and the sixtyseventh wedding anniversary of Selma and Fred Moses; Annette and Mitchell Fogelman in memory of Sam Abraham; Merill and Ellen Resnick in memory of Shirley Nutkis and in honor of the sixty-seventh wedding anniversary of Selma and Fred Moses and Fred Moses’s ninetieth birthday; Gary and Evelyn Trachten in memory of mother, Shirley Trachten; Eilene Kahn in memory of father, Max Kellman; Linda and Bill Grabel in memory of Alice Levy; Janet and Isaiah Seligman in memory of Hannah Kenler; Carole and David Curtis in memory of mother, Ruth Rosenblatt; Sylvain and Naomi Weinberger; Arthur, Loretta and Nicole Holland with gratitude to Rabbi Sirner and Rabbi Jachter, and in honor of the birth of grandson Lev Benjamin to Lenore and Rabbi Melvin Sirner; Caryl Fuchs with wishes for a speedy recovery to Shirley Katz and in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Ethel Kaplowitz and family in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Sheila Tanenbaum in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Phyllis Cole in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Lisa and Rob Patchen in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Geralynn and David Reifer in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; George and Susan Morris in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner, and in honor of Rosh Hashanah; Elly and Teddy Zabb in honor of the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Rabbi Eugene and Nina Katz; Julie and Noah Rockowitz in honor of the Simchat Torah honorees; Sylvia Halpern and family in honor of Stanley Batkin’s 100th birthday; Michele, Artie, Emma, and Samantha Wolk in memory of Nat Herskowitz; Erica and Larry Epstein in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Fred and Judy Bomback in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Allen and Barbara Simon in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Barbara Finder and Jack Renick in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Lois KohnClaar and Gary Claar in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner; Marilyn and Mitch Sofer and Stanley Galler in honor of the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Melvin and Lenore Sirner.

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We’re serious about Kosher We Aim to Offer The Best Quality Kosher Selections Throughout Our Stores!

Kosher, Catered to You!

Kosher Selections • KOF-K Certified nut butters • Coffee from all over the world roasted on premises certified by KOF-K • Fresh made Salads, Sandwiches, Entrees, Rotisserie Chickens and more.

• Large selection of Glatt Kosher meat and poultry “OU” and/or KOF-K certified.

• More than 100 varieties of olive oils including KOF-K Certified un-filtered barrel oils imported exclusively from Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Australia and California • Made from scratch KOF-K Certified baked goods

Full Service Kosher Butcher

FAIRWAY KOSHER CATERING IS PLEASED TO OFFER

At our kosher meat department, you can count on stellar quality. Our USDA Choice

a delicious, extensive menu to help you serve your guests, whether an intimate party of 8 or a wedding extravaganza of 800. Choose from exclusively prepared oven-ready options to ready-to-serve dishes and everything in between!

Angus beef is all-natural, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and vegetarian fed. We're also proud of our poultry: we offer Murray’s locally raised, veggie-fed chickens from Pennsylvania farms--free of hormones and antibiotics.

Fillers or "pink slime"? Absolutely not. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we’ll order it special, just for you.

Kosher Ground Beef We use no fillers, dyes, or anything else. Just simple, high caliber beef, kosher under the strictest supervision of OU and/or KOF-K, and Rabbi Marmorstein.

The Biggest and Freshest Selection of Produce We have more fruit on display than most stores sell in a week.

Premises-roasted Coffee Roasted fresh each and every day! The whole fabulous department is certified KOF-K.

Exclusively Imported KOF-K Certified Olive Oils A superb selection of olive oils means you get to choose based on preference.

Our divine barrel oils are un-filtered at our direction for extra flavor and fragrance.

TO ORDER CONTACT OUR CATERING CONSULTANTS

Our non-barrel oils are also spectacular and carefully chosen by our experts.

Organics Over 10,000 natural and organic foods priced better than that other store.

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KOF-K Certified Baked Goods Fresh-baked award winning bagels, baguettes and so much more.

POST ROAD PLAZA 847 PELHAM PARKWAY PELHAM MANOR, NY 10803 914.633.6550 8AM - 10PM DAILY

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The authority on great food is under the supervision of Rabbi A. Marmorstein and now KOF-K certified!

LAKE GROVE OPENING SUMMER 2014 Follow us on

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reTHINK SCHECHTER

Being a mensch doesn’t just make the grandparents happy.

Research confirms that learning to do the right thing with the right attitude leads to stronger academic performance. Schechter Westchester’s K-12 commitment to Jewish character education means our students feel safe, engaged and respected, so they can focus on achieving success – in the classroom, in the lab, on the playing field, and in the world.

Open HOuse Lower School nOvember 16, 2014

Middle School December 7, 2014

High School nOvember 2, 2014

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The Bristal Assisted Living | Where Ever y Day Means More

TM

I am living a new chapter in my LifeStory “I retired from Liberty Mutual in 1991 after decades working as a trial attorney. It was an interesting profession and a tough business.

I’m still pretty tough. Currently, I am on the Food Committee here at The Bristal. Our culinary staff cares about what the residents think and they honor our requests and recommendations. That’s great, because our opinions matter. And that’s how I’ve always run my life.

Tom, Resident of The Bristal

I can be myself at The Bristal.”

For more about Tom tune in at thebristal.com/truelifestories

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2039 Palmer Ave. Larchmont

George T Davis Jewish Ad3_625x4_75_Ad 12/11/13 4:24 PM Page 1

George T. Davis Funeral Home

Providing quality services at affordable prices.

Graveside Service

Chapel Service including traditional orthodox casket

$5,385

including traditional orthodox casket

$4,790

Vincent Fasano, Manager 14 Le Count Place New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-632-0324 The price of the recommended caskets in the above offerings which include caskets is $795. The caskets included in the above offerings are recommendations only. You are not required to purchase these or any other casket or container as part of this offering.

All of the components of these offerings may be purchased separately if you prefer, and pricing will be the same whether purchased separately or as a component of one of these groupings.

tion c e l e s e g e a lar foods! v a h e W ared p e r p f o

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Specializing in a complete line of Kosher Meats, Provisions, Cooked Foods & Specialty Groceries. We have a full-service catering department for all your party needs.

1066 Wilmot Road Scarsdale, NY 10583

SEASONSNY.COM Place your order online and either pick it up in the store or have it delivered to your home! E-mail scarsdaleorders@seasonsny.com.

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Tel: 472-2240 Fax: 472-2215

If you, or someone you know, is looking to buy or sell a home this fall, please call me.

125 STRATTON, NEW ROCHELLE Announced by stately gates and cloistered behind a 6 foot stone wall, this exquisitely restored seven-bedroom home balances important period architecture with every modern comfort. Incredible country setting includes a lovely pool and breathtaking gardens. WEB# RO866771 asking $2,650,000

290 OVERLOOK ROAD, NEW ROCHELLE The home of dreams. Stately brick Colonial perched on one of the largest and most breathtaking lots in all of New Rochelle. Stunning architectural details and endless space for entertaining. Seven bedrooms and ďŹ ve bathrooms. Walk to houses of worship. WEB# RO1108291 asking $2,625,000

2 POPHAM LANE, SCARSDALE Ascend a private road to this incredible six-bedroom haven, less than a mile to Scarsdale Village and train. Revel in the charm of a 1910 Colonial, renovated with a modern mentality and aesthetic. Complete with versatile free-standing studio ideal for parties or office. WEB# RO4404378 asking $1,999,000

376 BEECHMONT DRIVE, NEW ROCHELLE This fully renovated and meticulously-restored 1924 Georgian Colonial is a celebration of architecture and design. Nestled on over 1.5 acres of stunning grounds & gardens, it is a grand and majestic retreat. Complete with six+ bedrooms; a stateof-the-art oasis. RO1105803 asking $1,640,000

64 VERDUN AVENUE, NEW ROCHELLE Gracious Tudor resplendent with over 5000 sf of living space and over half an acre of stunning property.

Bright rooms chockfull of architectural details and charm. Family room extension with door to yard. Private bedroom/office in own wing with entrance. WEB#RO4403459 asking $1,195,000

145 VALLEY ROAD, NEW ROCHELLE Charming six-bedroom Colonial, set serenely in sought-after Wykagyl Park. Enjoy the beautiful new landscaping and the tranquil sounds of the lovely shallow brook. Two of the bedrooms sit more privately with their own full bath and staircase. Walk to all.

WEB# RO1088778 asking $899,000

Jocelyn Burton Real Estate Salesperson

Ranked #1 Agent in New Rochelle Mobile 917.693.3557 | JBurton@houlihanlawrence.com New Rochelle Brokerage | 914.636.6700 ext. 309 HGMLS, 1/1/14–10/8/14, All Property Types, Total Dollar Volume, by Agent, New Rochelle School District.

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Ray Catena Lexus of Larchmont and NOEL GREENSTEIN invite you to see our

Luxury Sedans & SUVs

SISTERHOOD’S BAUM JUDAICA GIFT SHOP Great gifts for all occasions!

1435 Boston Post Road Larchmont, N.Y.

For an appointment, call Wendy Troodler, 914-563-9000.

(914) 833-5000 ngreenstein@raycatena.com

Pretty Paper

Law Office­ of­

& Polka Dots

David Lacher­ Providing experienced legal representation to individuals and the business community ­ Real estate sales & acquisitions­ • • Wills & estate administration­ • LLC & corporate formation; buy/sell agreements­ • Land use & real property development • Governmental relations, lobbying & regulatory affairs • Domestic & international commercial transactions­­­ chase bank building­

270 north avenue, 8th floor­ new rochelle, ny 10801­­ 34

914-355-5900

www.lacherlaw.com­­

NOVEMBER 2014 1a SUNDAY

CHESHVAN ~ Kislev 5775

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1

SHABBAT

8 CHESHVAN

LECH LECHA

Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Journey through Siddur 10:30 am Shab Disc. Grp 10:30 am Youth Services 10:45 am ShabbaTunes 12:45 pm Daf Shevui 1:00 pm

B’NAI/B’NOT MITZVAH 11/1 Sophie Ehudin 11/8 Sarah Levine

Michael Levine Visit us on facebook at facebook.com/BethElSynagogueCenter

2

9 CHESHVAN 3

10 CHESHVAN 4

Walking Club 9:30 am Zumba 9:30 am Nurs. Sch. “Nitzanim Israeli Dance 10:00 am First Seeds” 9:30 am Memories to Go 10:00 am Ruach 11:00 am Nurs. Sch. Kasakove USY 5:00 pm Playdate 11:30 am Lunch & Learn 12:30 pm Canasta 12:45 pm Officers Mtg. 7:30 pm Daylight Savings Time ends. Choir Rehearsal 8:00 pm Move clock back one hour.

9

16 CHESHVAN 10

Israel Affairs Babgel Breakfast with Eric Mandel 9:00 am Zumba 9:30 am Israeli Dance 10:00 am Men’s Club Meeting 11:00 am KRISTALLNACHT

16

Walking Club 9:30 am Nurs. Sch. “Nitzanim First Seeds” 9:30 am New Roch. Hadassah Meeting 12:15 pm Canasta 12:45 pm Board of Trustees Meeting 8:00 pm

23 CHESHVAN 17

Zumba 9:30 am

Israeli Dance 10:00 am Canasta 12:45 pm E.L.I. Meeting 5:45 pm Religious School Board Mtg. 8:00 pm

23

I KISLEV 24

12 CHESHVAN 6

Seniors 10:30 am

18 CHESHVAN 12

WAJE: The Prophtets 10:00 am

19 CHESHVAN 13

25 CHESHVAN 19

Mahjong 12:45 pm WCC: Mainstream Sisterhood Evening Current Events Wine & Cheese Book 11:30 am Club 7:30 pm Jews and the Civil War 7:30 pm WAJE: Ancient Israel 7:30 pm

3 KISLEV 26

Synagogue Offices Closed Nursery and Religious Schools Closed

Shabbat

22 CHESHVAN

CHAYA SARA

Shabbat ends 5:27 pm

Choral Shabbat Veterans Shabbat Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Youth Services 10:45 am Daf Shevui 1:00 pm WJC Night of Music 7:30 pm (off-site)

29 CHESHVAN

Shabbat

Seniors 10:30 am ends TOLDOT Yiddish Vinkyl 5:22 pm 1:00 pm 4:15 pm Welcoming Chai House New Baby Shabbat Teen Takeover Shabbat Religious School Olim Underst. Bible 8:30 am & Tichon Shabbat Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Dinner 6:00 pm Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Youth Services 10:45 am Daf Shevui 1:00 pm J-Life Havdalah 4:30 pm

5 KISLEV 28

THANKSGIVING DAY 35

21 CHESHVAN 15

27 CHESHVAN 21 28 CHESHVAN 22

Rosh Hodesh: It’s A Girl Thing 6:00 pm Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Talmud Class 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 8:00 pm

15 CHESHVAN

Seniors 10:30 am ends VAYERA 5:33 pm Yiddish Vinkyl 4:26 pm 1:00 pm Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Shab Disc. Grp 10:30 am Youth Services 10:45 am Birthday Shab 12:00 pm Daf Shevui 1:00 pm

20 CHESHVAN 14

Gateways 9:30 am WAJE: The Prophtets 10:00 am

4 KISLEV 27

Zumba 9:30 am Nurs. Sch. “Nitzanim Israeli Dance 10:00 am Seniors 10:30 am First Seeds” 9:30 am RetireesTrip 9:45 am Sisterhood Bagels and Chaverim 11:30 am Mahjong 12:45 pm Books 9:30 am Walking Club 11:30 am ROSH HODESH Canasta 12:45 pm 30 8 KISLEV Nurs. Sch. Kasakove Jews and the Civil War Playdate 4:30 pm 7:30 pm Israeli Dance 10:00 am

14 CHESHVAN 8

WAJE: The Prophtets 10:00 am Seniors 10:30 am Parashat Hashavua Yiddish Vinkyl 4:20 pm 1:00 pm 1:00 pm Chaverim 6:00 pm USY 6:00 pm Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Rabbi Sirner Israel Trip Meeting 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 8:00 pm

26 CHESHVAN 20

Seniors 10:30 am

2 KISLEV 25

13 CHESHVAN 7

Kadima 6:00 pm Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Talmud Class 7:30 pm Daniel Cohen Lecture 7:45 pm

Nursery School Half Connect to Care 10:00 am Day for 3s & 4s Religious Sch. Closed Seniors 10:30 am Retirees 9:45 am Mahjong 12:45 pm Nurs. Sch. ParentTeacher Conf. 3:00 pm Jews/Civil War 7:30 pm WAJE: Israel 7:30 pm Sis Gen. Meeting 7:30 pm VETERANS DAY

24 CHESHVAN 18

Walking Club 9:30 am Day School, Yeshiva, & Nurs. Sch. “Nitzanim First Seeds” 9:30 am Camp Fair 10:00 am

11 CHESHVAN 5

Religious School Closed Torah Tuesdays, after minyan, 7:30 am (off-site) Mahjong 12:45 pm Nursery School Board Meeting 7:30 pm WAJE: Ancient Israel 7:30 pm ELECTION DAY

17 CHESHVAN 11

Shabbat ends 6:41 pm

6 KISLEV 29

7 KISLEV

Shabbat

Synagogue ends VAYETZEI Offices Closed 5:19 pm Nursery School 4:11 pm Homecoming Shabbat Closed Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Youth Services 10:45 am Daf Shevui 1:00 pm

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE CENTER 1324 NORTH AVENUE NEW ROCHELLE, NY 10804-2190

Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID White Plains, N.Y. Permit No. 925

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

SHERY ROSENSTEIN Sales Associate

Personalized attention to you and your needs.

B: (914) 723-8228 C: (914) 420-8556 E: s.rosenstein@yahoo.com W: www.clairedleone.com

Meryl Chassen

29 Wilmot Road Scarsdale, NY 10583

JOCELYN BURTON Real Estate Salesperson

Sales Associate

The #1 Ranked Agent in New Rochelle Proud Beth El Member and New Rochelle Resident

Prudential

jburton@houlihanlawrence.com Mobile: 917.693.3557

Wykagyl/Rittenberg Realty 1299 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804

New Rochelle Brokerage 15 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle, New York 914.636.6700 ext.19309

Bus: 914 632-9100 Cell: 914-420-7877 Top Producer Over the Last Several Years

An independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

Source: EAMLS, 1/1/2013–12/31/2013, Condominium, Co-operative, Multi Family 2–4, Single Family, Total Volume and Units Sold, by Agent, New Rochelle School District.