January 2020 • Vol. 102, No.6 TEVET ~ SHEVAT 5780 WWW.BETHELNR.ORG
66th Annual Gala to Honor Sandra and Jack Gruenberg Sunday, March 22nd • 5:00 pm • Beth El Synagogue Center Jack and Sandy Gruenberg came to New earned his master’s degrees in Education, Psychology, Rochelle in July 1980 as Jack was chosen to be the and Jewish Studies. Jack was a participant in Beth Director of Beth El Religious School and Youth El’s recent Encounter Program in Israel. Departments. Soon after arriving, Jack created Sandy taught and was a Curriculum Coordinator the Youth Community, incorporating formal and at the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester informal educational arms under one umbrella. (now the Lefell School) for thirty-one years, and also Jack directed the Religious School, the Community at other Schechter Schools around the country for Hebrew High School, Junior Congregation, and the another ten years before that. She earned a bachelor’s Day Camp for eighteen years. After teaching for an degree in Education from Temple University and a additional fourteen years on the faculty of Solomon Bachelors of Hebrew Literature from Gratz College, Schechter, he retired and continued on at Beth El as a and did graduate work at Hebrew University in volunteer, leading the Saturday Morning Discussion Jerusalem. Sandy has and continues to volunteer at Group and the Thursday Weekly Torah Portion class. Jack and Sandra Gruenberg Beth El as Sisterhood President, reading to Nursery Jack holds a bachelor’s degree from Albright College, School classes, co-chair of the Special Needs Seder and Masters’ Degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Westchester and the Chesed Community, and has held numerous offices on continued, page 23 State University (PA), and the Jewish Theological Seminary. He the Beth El Executive Board. Sandy also
Ne'emanim Service Award Jayne and Darren Peister Darren Peister was born and raised in Suffern New York, the youngest of three children. His family were members of a conservative synagogue, and as a teen he was quite involved in USY. His first trip to Israel was after high school where he stayed on Kibbutz Keturah. Darren then attended NYU’s Tisch School continued, page 23
Lapid Award Julia Keltz and Zach Seiden
Darren and Jayne Peister
Julia and Zach joined Beth El as a family in 2015. Beth El is like a second home to their family. Julia grew up in New Rochelle and her family joined Beth El when she was twoyears-old. She attended Beth El’s Nursery Zach Seiden and Julia School, Religious School, and Hebrew High School. She had Keltz continued, page 23
Looking to Volunteer? We likely have something to match your interest! Contact Abby Wise at awise@bethelnr.org.
Vision Action Team Updates............. page 2 Bridges to Civility............................. page 6 Youth & Family Shabbat Weekend...... page 3 Green Team Zero-Waste Kiddush....... page 8
S.M.A.R.T. (Senior Programming)..... page 9 Sisterhood Cinema Brunch..............page 11
VISION ACTION TEAM Beth El’s Framework for Action
Need a place to meet? Join those using THE
VISION ACTION TEAM REMINDER BETH EL INTEREST GROUPS
DEN for meetings, classes or socializing. You can reserve the large meeting table on the whiteboard in the Den Pictured are our Yiddish Vinkl group led by Bea Freedman (below), the weekly Parasha HaShavua class taught by Jack Gruenberg (right), and our Teens taught by one of our Rabbinic fellows.
Have an interest? Form an interest group! It’s easy! Pick up a Beth El Interest Group proposal on the table outside the main office or complete it by visiting bethelnr.org/interestgroups.
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RABBI’S MESSAGE This is a time of dynamic transition within the American Jewish community, both with regard to the institutions that have historically thrived but now struggle to claim strong support from American Jews, as well as the cultural and religious transformations that we see among American Jews in their twenties and thirties. He can speak to the growing movement toward pluralistic and post-denominational Jewish engagement and the ways in which that impacts synagogues, schools, and other institutions that have historically aligned themselves with a movement. Finally, Dr. Kurtzer will address questions about shifting Jewish identities and the ways in which these newly emergent identities are shaping the conversation about intermarriage. Young Jews often have very different ideas about what intermarriage signals to their families and the larger Jewish community, and Dr. Kurtzer will address some of these shifts and trends. Dr. Kurtzer’s brilliance and ability to address difficult questions with deep insight and nuance will lead to an electrifying weekend. I hope to see you at some of the talks. You will not regret learning from Dr. Kurtzer. L’shalom,
Dear Friends,
I am so thrilled about this year’s Scholar in Residence Program. We have the great privilege of hosting Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, the President of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. I have been dazzled by Yehuda’s brilliance Rabbi David Schuck during my years of study at the Hartman Institute. He is one of the most important contemporary public intellectuals in the Jewish community. He is a scholar who brings Jewish texts and ideas alive in ways that always shed new insight into the contemporary moment by looking through the lens of the past (you can read his bio on page 7, top). In his time at Beth El, Dr. Kurtzer will address the burning questions with which so many people in our community struggle. Yehuda will interrogate the question of the relationship between American Jewry and Israeli Jewry. As we all know, the relationship between our two communities is vital for one another’s survival, and for each to flourish in their own unique ways. Yet the political and cultural differences between our two communities continues to widen. Dr. Kurtzer will address the nuanced dynamic between both communities and offer some insights into what the future may hold. Dr. Kurtzer will also address the pace of change in American Jewish life as it relates to our identities, institutions, and ideologies.
Rabbi David A. Schuck
Anti-Semitism: What We Face and How We Fight It Wednesday, January 8th • 7:30 pm
Misheberach List Update Any name added to the Misheberach list will be automatically removed after one month. If a name needs to remain for another month, please reach out again to a member of the clergy.
at Temple Israel Center, White Plains
Mark Weitzman of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Westchester District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr., and Hindy Poupko of UJA-Federation will discuss the sharp rise in hate crimes against Jews here and abroad. The event is free. Registration is required at www.ujafedny.org/event/view/wc-anti-semitism. The event is presented by UJA-Federation and Westchester Jewish Council.
PURIM IS COMING OPEN CALL FOR PERFORMERS!
BETH EL IS NOW SELLING TICKETS TO ATTEND THE AIPAC CONFERENCE MARCH 1st-3rd
Singers, dancers, actors, comedians, scriptwriters, and musicians of all types. All ages are welcome! We want your participation!
Join Beth El at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Early bird registration is available! To attend with the Beth El delegation, submit your check for $399, payable to Beth El Synagogue Center, to Rabbi Sitkin (or Linda) along with your address, email address, and cell phone number. Questions? Contact Rabbi Sitkin at zsitkin@bethelnr.org.
March 9th • Be there or be square! Please contact Jack Klebanow at 917-929-3462, jklebanow@bethelnr.org. 4
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE In my last Bulletin article, I referenced Jacob’s famous dream in Parashat Vayetzei of a ladder reaching to heaven. To recap, when Jacob awakes, he names the place “Beth El” and he takes the stone he had used as a pillow and makes it a pillar. In his classical ethical work, Mesillat Yesharim (The Path of the Righteous), Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto references a midrash on this story by Rabbi Yitzchak, who stated that the stones at Beth El strove with each as each wanted to be the one on which Jacob rested his head. As I reflected on this story of stones at Beth El in contention, I thought that sometimes our Beth El “rocks” contend one with another, as well. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. Thoughtful and considerate disagreements can help surface issues and lead to more complete examinations of critical issues as our congregation conducts its business. But such disagreements have two requirements. First, they must be L’shem Shamayim—for the greater good. And second, they must be civil and respectful. Put differently, they must be kind. I am reminded of a drash on Parashat Chayei Sarah delivered by one of our Rabbinic Fellows, Becca Weintraub, a couple of months ago. She explored the role of kindness in our lives and our tradition, noting, in particular, that while the opinions of the House of Hillel and the House of Shamai were both valid, halacha typically follows Beit Hillel because in their debates they “chose kindness … treating even their competitors with respect and care.” As a member of Beth El, I am proud that day in and day out
our institution and our people show great kindness, great chesed, both within our community and toward those who are not Beth El members. But I am reminded, too, that we must strive to do better. We must take care to address our fellow congregants, our lay leaders, and our staff and clergy with kindness. Already a welcoming Mark Silver community, we must take the extra step to treat newcomers with kindness—such as welcoming them to sit with us for Kiddush Lunch on Shabbat. Last year, Beth El introduced a very important program, “Bridges to Civility,” that strives to enhance civil discourse on matters that may divide us by providing us with the communication skills to address each other with kindness. On Sunday, January 12th, we will have our next workshop in this series, focused on “Enhancing Quality of Dialogue about Israel.” Because the maximum capacity is forty people, please be sure to sign-up in advance. Reflecting back on Jacob’s pillar and Rabbi Yitzchak’s midrash, I would like to propose an alternative ending for the midrash. Imagine how much greater it would be if, rather than contending one with another, the stones of Beth El had come together to form a unified pillow to support Jacob. That would be the ultimate dream. See you in shul! Mark
ISRAELI CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Save the date . . . Tuesday, March 17th 7:30 pm
Presented by Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee (IAC) is pleased to share cultural items of interest concerning Israel each month. IAC is always happy to welcome new members. For more information about meetings and events, please contact either Tamar Tait at Tamartait@ optonline.net, or Bruce Gold at Bruces.gold@gmail.com. This month’s Israeli Cultural Connections column, presented by IAC member Phyllis Steinberg, features a fun recommendation for winter travel in Israel.
for the Westchester Jewish Council’s
JULIAN Y. BERNSTEIN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS at Temple Israel Center
Hey all you skiers! Want some fun on the slopes? How about skiing in Israel? Mount Hermon offers views of the Golan Heights, Syria, Lebanon, Galilee, and Hula Valley. On a clear day you can even see Damascus. Wow! Mount Hermon is only two hours away from the desert, so if you wanted you could probably ski on the mountain and float in the Dead Sea on the same day. Mount Hermon offers fourteen ski runs and five ski lifts. Rental equipment is available, and you can take lessons. But you’d better hurry because skiing is only available for about fifty days a year, from January to March. During the rest of the year you can still go to Mount Hermon for hiking and mountain biking, off road ATV riding, and trips on a bobsled type coaster. For more information, visit https://www.skihermon.co.il/en/. B’shalom, Phyllis Steinberg
280 Old Mamaroneck Road White Plains, NY 10605
We are pleased to announce that
NINA LUBAN
is an award recipient for her outstanding contributions to Beth El Synagogue Center. Plan to join us! No charge for this event. 5
BRIDGES TO CIVILITY/ISRAEL AFFAIRS
WORKSHOP How We Talk to Each Other About Israel
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 | 11:30 A.M.–2:30 P.M. Regardless of our politics, we as American Jews have a common love for Israel. But while our love transcends partisan differences, beneath the surface disagreements regarding Israel-related issues are passionate and often run deep, rendering discussions in our community both challenging and oftentimes polarizing. Many of you participated in the successful first workshop of the Beth El Bridges to Civility committee last April, which dealt with the political divide in America. We have once again turned to Resetting the Table, a national organization focused on enhancing civil discourse, to facilitate this workshop on American Jewish attitudes to Israel related issues. We will not be debating these matters at this workshop, but rather we will be devoting our efforts to skill building in communication techniques to traverse our differences with curiosity and mutual respect. Our intent is that those who attend will be well equipped to bridge the divides that often emerge in Israel-related discussions and promote more meaningful dialogues. Bridges to Civility is co-sponsoring this workshop with the Israel Affairs Committee. Together we are seeking a group of up to 40 congregants with diverse opinions about Israel issues to participate in this event, so please join us and help us spread the word.
REGISTRATION IS STRICTLY REQUIRED AND WILL BE CAPPED RSVP at bethelnr.org/talkaboutisrael2019 Questions? For more information contact: Steve Silverman: stevesilverman44@gmail.com Fred Wiener: fpwiener@aol.com Tamar Tait: tamarktait@gmail.com Bruce Gold : bruces.gold@gmail.com
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ABOUT OUR SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE, DR. YEHUDA KURTZER Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer is president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. He is a leading thinker and author on the meaning of Israel to American Jews, on Jewish history and Jewish memory, and on questions of leadership and change in American Jewish life. Dr. Kurtzer led the creation of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America in 2010 as a pioneering research and educational center for the leadership of the North American Jewish community, and teaches in its many platforms for rabbis, lay leaders, Jewish professionals, and leaders of other faith communities. He is also the co-creator of the Shalom Hartman Institute’s iEngage Project, which seeks to bridge between Israel and world Jewry through content, curriculum, and cutting-edge educational programs.
Dr. Kurtzer received his doctorate in Jewish Studies from Harvard University, a Master of Arts degree in Religion from Brown University, and is an alumnus of both the Bronfman Youth and Wexner Graduate Fellowships. Previously Yehuda served as faculty member at Brandeis University where he held the inaugural chair in Jewish Communal Innovation. He is the author of Shuva: The Future of the Jewish Past, which offers new thinking to contemporary Jews on navigating the tensions between history and memory; and the co-editor of the forthcoming volume The New Jewish Canon, a collection of the most significant Jewish ideas and debates of the past two generations. He lives in New York with his wife and their three children.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE CENTER
Spiritual Practices
For more information on all of our spiritual practices, visit bethelnr.org/spiritualpractices.
KAVANNAH | Saturday January 11, 11:00 a.m. Join one of our rabbis for an hour of mindfulness, meditation, intentional study, silence, singing and prayer. This time is a gift for yourself.
LIBEINU: HEART & SOUL SHABBAT | Friday, January 24, 6:30 p.m. Join us to greet the Sabbath with uplifting song, quiet meditative prayer, and inspiring words of Torah.
NIGGUN HALEV (MELODY OF THE HEART) | Saturday, January 25, 9:00 a.m. Our melody-filled Saturday morning service is a beautiful balance of traditional liturgy with accessible and moving song and harmonies. For more information on all of our spiritual practices, visit bethelnr.org/spiritualpractices.
OPEN BEIT MIDRASH: JANUARY Each week (on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays), Open Beit Midrash attendees will study Jewish texts—ranging from Chassidic thought to Jewish law. Each week, learn from two Rabbis and you can choose the topic you would like to study for the evening. Instructors include Beth El’s Rabbi David Schuck and Rabbi Zach Sitkin as well as Rabbi Ethan Linden, the executive director of Ramah Berkshires, and Beth El’s rabbinic fellows. In addition to the weekly classes, scholars from around the NY area will teach once a month on topics related to their respective fields—from prayer and ethics to contemporary Jewish issues. We begin at 7:30 p.m. with drinks and food followed by learning promptly at 8:00 p.m.
UPCOMING DATES: Thursday, January 9
Tuesday, January 14
(guest speaker Jonathan Ornstein)
Explore. Seek. Learn. Transform. For more on our Open Beit Midrash, visit bethelnr.org/openbeit 7
About Jonathan Ornstein Since its opening in April 2008, Jonathan Ornstein has served as the Executive D i re c t o r o f t h e J ew i s h Community Centre of Krakow, an organization devoted to rebuilding Jewish life in Krakow. A native of New York City, he moved to Israel in 1994, and to Poland in 2001. He is a primary architect of Poland’s contemporary Jewish rebirth.
KERUV* KORNER: SANCTUARY SOUNDS With our new sanctuary and its state-of-the-art acoustics came, for those in need, a new-model hearing amplification device. At Shabbat morning services, the new hearing devices are located next to the large-print prayerbooks, with a sign identifying their whereabouts. What should also be right next to the hearing devices is a placard with instructions for their use. Sometimes, mysteriously, that placard disappears. While we’ll continue to replace it whenever it disappears, we’re taking this opportunity and Bulletin space to reproduce the instructions here. Perhaps you require the device or would simply like to try it. Maybe you do not require hearing amplification, but a friend or family member does, and you’d like to be able to help him or her adjust it correctly. Perhaps you will be a Shabbat usher at some point who is asked to help. In any of these cases, familiarity with the instructions will help. After all is said and done, it’s rather simple. Nina Luban and Elise Richman, Keruv Co-chairs
*“Keruv” = to bring close, to draw near
LISTENING DEVICE INSTRUCTIONS Each device is turned on and pre-set to Beth El Channel E. The only control you may need to adjust is the volume. 1. Unwrap the cord. The earpiece is already plugged into the correct port. You may use your own ear buds or ear phones. Plug them into the empty port. Remove the existing cord. 2. Place the device on your ear. The curved ear hook can be adjusted for either ear. If you have difficulty attaching the device, ask an usher for assistance. 3. Adjust the volume for your comfort. Kindly return the device to this table at end of services.
Did you know . . .
VOLUME UP
Keruv maintains a growing shelf of Beth El library books and resources addressing special needs, intermarriage, LGBTQ, and “inclusion” generally. You are welcome to peruse at any time! If the library door is locked, please ask office to have it opened. (And please note: Keruv is always interested in related book recommendations!)
VOLUME DOWN PRE-SET TO CHANNEL E PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH!
#BETHELGOESGREENER: ZERO-WASTE KIDDUSH Get ready to enter a new “Green Era” at Beth El! In January 2020, Beth El will be implementing Phase 1 of our waste-reduction program, with the introduction of a “zero-waste” kiddush on Shabbatot. This initiative brings us in line with other institutions in Westchester and around the country which have implemented many environmental sustainability practices already. The zero-waste strategy for Beth El kiddushim involves separation of compostables, recyclables, and paper from unusable trash. Today, all the synagogue’s kiddush disposables go into the trash, which is burned at a facility in Peekskill, releasing smoke into the air we breathe. Composting, in contrast, is a significant contribution to sustainability because this process turns food scraps and other organic matter into soil-enhancing fertilizer, rather than into air-polluting smoke. To implement our zero-waste kiddush, we will substitute our plastic plates, utensils and drinking cups with those made of compostable corn starch. We are confident that you won’t notice much difference! The Green Team and Beth El leadership understand that change is difficult and are appreciative of everyone’s willingness to pitch in. Under our new waste-reduction format, we will set up several groups of three bins—color-coded and labeled “compost,” “recycle,” and “trash”—at strategic locations in the ballroom, and ask that congregants distribute their disposables into the appropriate bins as they leave. To assist you in adapting to this new format for disposing of
your kiddush items, we will have a Green Team member at each bin location every Shabbat for the first year of the program. Here’s the format in a nutshell: • • •
Collect your compostable plates, cups, cutlery and napkins before leaving the ballroom. Bring the materials to one of the groups of bins at visible locations in the ballroom. For proper disposal: note the pictures on signs posted to each bin. If you need help, ask a green-aproned Green Team volunteer.
We are extremely grateful for the generous grant from the Beth El Sisterhood to make this initiative a reality. Thank you, Sisterhood! Together we will make our shul a place that actively cares for our planet! To kick off this change at Beth El, on Saturday, January 4, 2020, we are celebrating with our first Green Shabbat at Beth El. Rabbi Schuck will be speaking on Sustainability. Please join us at this exciting and special Shabbat! by Lew Koflowitz, lewkof@hotmail.com Green Team Co-Chairs: Alan Greenberg, asgreenberg2@gmail.com Jayne Peister, peisterjs@gmail.com 8
Go get your friends and come on over!
Wednesday Mornings — 10:30
am
- 11:30
am
Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. Come for coffee and join the fun! This program is free of charge, so put on your silver sneakers and join us! First Wednesday of the month...... January 1: NO EXERCISE, Happy New Year Second Wednesday of the month.. January 8: BALANCE, with Tim, North End Fitness Third Wednesday of the month..... January 15: CHAIR YOGA, with Nan
at 11:30 am CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION, with Shari Baum, L.M.S.W.
Fourth Wednesday of the month... January 22: GOLDEN ZUMBA, with Laura Fifth Wednesday of the month...... January 29: FLEXIBILITY & EXERCISE, with Mary
Exercise instructors are subject to change without notice. Newcomers are welcome. For information or to R.S.V.P. for any SMART (Senior Mature Adults Retired Together) activity, contact Julie Rockowitz at jrockowitz@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 256.
SMART Group Event (Senior Mature Adults Retired Together)
Soup in a Jar and Sandwich Making TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 10:00 a.m. | Coffee and the Newspaper
SMART Group Event (Senior Mature Adults Retired Together)
Freedomland USA
The Story of America’s History—Themed Park in The Bronx
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 10:00 A.M. | Coffee, Schmooze and the Newspaper 10:30 A.M. | Program Begins
10:30 a.m. | Soup and Sandwich Making
Celebrated as ”The Disneyland of the
Help make sandwiches and fill jars with soup ingredients for the elderly. Meet Niti Minkove from the Bronx Jewish Community Council and learn how we can help fight food insecurity in the Bronx. Join us as we partner with ENGAGE Westchester, a UJA subsidiary.
East,” it operated for 5 years (1960 – 1964). Join Author Mike Virgintino as he takes us back in time for a fascinating look at this incredible 1960 Big Apple slice of
RSVP encouraged but walk-ins are OK.
Americana theme park.
To RSVP and if you have questions, please contact Julie Rockowitz at 914-235-2700 ext. 256 or jrockowitz@bethelnr.org.
SMART Group Event (Senior Mature Adults Retired Together)
$8 includes lunch. RSVP before event.
Beth El Synagogue Center | 1324 North Ave | New Rochelle, NY 10804
Star Spangled Banner
To RSVP or for more information, contact Julie Rockowitz at jrockowitz@bethelnr.org or 914.235.2700 ext. 256
The Unlikely Story of America’s National Anthem at Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY, 10804
NEW DATE FOR SMART Group Event (Senior Mature Adults Retired Together)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY, 10804
10:00 A.M. | Coffee, Schmooze and the Newspaper 10:30 A.M. | Program Begins RSVP to Julie: 914-235-2700, ext. 256, or jrockowitz@bethelnr.org Marc Ferris presents a fascinating performance
that highlights the hidden history of our national anthem and helps explain why it is the most controversial song in United States history. Why did “The Star-Spangled Banner” become
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Meet Our Volunteer of the Month: Rachel Casanova way!). When Abner was born, they reached out to Rabbi Sirner for guidance. Rabbi Sirner came to the bris to welcome them to New Rochelle. When they joined Beth El six years later, Rabbi Sirner welcomed them by name—quite a warm welcome! It’s now been ten years since Beth El became their Jewish home. During that time, Rachel was involved with re-energizing the Parent Organization for the Religious School. She has been a part of efforts and committees to improve the use of our building, helping with the sanctuary renovation project, and now continues to contribute to refining the experience in the newly built space. She has been on the Board of Trustees for three years. Lucy became a bat mitzvah in October and now they can (calmly) reflect on the incredible experience that our clergy and leaders at Beth El provided her. Rachel hopes to give back to others as they approach this milestone—if you have any questions about the process from a recent parent, let her know! She is also excited to be a part of the Jewish Parenting Learning Circle, led by Rabbi Schuck, with a dozen other parents.
Rachel Casanova lives in New Rochelle with her husband, Enrique, and their two teenage children, Abner and Lucy, who are currently students at New Rochelle High School and Albert Leonard Middle School respectively. Rachel works at Cushman & Wakefield leading their Workplace Innovation consulting practice in New York City. T h e C a s a n o v a s ’s f i r s t interaction with Beth El was Rachel Casanova sixteen years ago—having just planted roots in New York after living in North Carolina for nine years. They relocated when Rachel was seven months pregnant with Abner (not always how people plan it, but job opportunities and a desire to be close to family happened to coincide with a baby on the
About Beth El’s Ritual Committee Donald Fleishaker, Ellen Hollander, Alan Kellman, Shayna Klopott, Donna Levy, Jodi Scheinfeld, David Shechter, Ella Shteingart, Beth El President Mark Silver, Susan Solow-Dubin, Michael Wechsler, Ben Wulfsohn, and Debbie Young, plus Rabbis Schuck and Sitkin and Cantor Aqua. This diversity provides the committee with a fuller picture of how different segments of our community feel about the issues being discussed and studied. In order to optimize the engagement across many segments of the Beth El population, we have instituted 3-year terms for the committee members. This cycle allows us to rotate new members on every year as we afford many members of our community the opportunity to participate in these conversations while, at the same time, retaining a sense of continuity and vision. If you are interested in rotating onto the committee for a term starting in 5781, please let Brian Bosworth or Mark Silver know.
The Ritual Committee was refashioned in 2016, and meets monthly to study the halachic issues regarding a question of interest to the Beth El congregation. This in-depth primary source and contextual discussion, may reflect a matter that ultimately requires a halachic decision. Our role helps advise Rabbi Schuck who, as Mara d’Atra, has the final authority for what is best for our community and is often a consensus among the group. Once a decision is made, the committee members act as ambassadors to the larger community to explain the decision. (For example, we changed from having a Mi Sheberach after each Torah Aliyah to calling individuals up by name and having a group blessing before Hagbah.) Our goal is to have a committee comprised of individuals from a variety of demographics in terms of Jewish background, age, and involvement in the synagogue. Currently the committee is comprised of Tris Berger, Steve Berkowitz, Brian Bosworth (chair),
Want to feature your committee or a member? Contact Marc Klee at mklee7@gmail.com.
Sisterhood’s Paid-Up Membership Dinner
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Sisterhood Scene January is an interesting time in the Jewish calendar. This year we end the Book of Genesis with Joseph’s landing in jail, and begin the Book of Shemot (Exodus). In this book of the Bible, the seeds of the forebearers planted earlier in the Torah begin to sprout, and the Hebrews are transformed into a nation and receive their basic code of life, the Torah. The Hebrew word shemot means names. Names of the family of Jacob is how the book begins and Names have a significant meaning here. The nation receives its “name” and its essential national identity. With the exile, Jews had to and continue to have to confront our identities, hold onto our Jewish names, our Jewish language, and our Jewish traditions. Sisterhood helps us do that on a daily basis as we women join together to work towards the good health of our Jewish community. How do we do that? • We run a Judaica gift shop to help you find all the ritual items you might need. Carole Graham and Ellen Hollander keep it well stocked with beautiful items for you and your family.
• Cynthia Glickman and Carole Graham provide Shabbat shiva meals for all mourners who are sitting shiva locally. • Barbara Engelson Klee and her team cook once a month for HOPE Soup Kitchen and the needy among us. • We are providing new furniture for the Nursery School office to welcome new parents. • We will be providing new iPads for the Religious School for those students who learn more easily in a digital format. • Susan Wolman and Joyce Wechsler also organize homemade kosher meals for new mothers and for those sitting shiva. We are here to help our community hold on to its Jewish character as well as to offer our women congregants a place to feel welcome, educated and involved for the health and warmth of our synagogue community. Why not join us on January 20th for our Cinema Brunch! See you then or earlier in shul. Sandy Gruenberg, Sisterhood President
Save the Date . . .
Sisterhood’s Afghani Cooking Class
March 19th, 7:00
pm-9:00pm
Women’s Seder: An Exploration of Women in Jewish Practice for Girls and Women, 13 and up For information email Shayna Klopott at shayna.klopott@ gmail.com or Erica Epstein at mmleepstein@gmail.com.
SISTERHOOD’S Annual Cinema Brunch MONDAY, JANUARY 20 | 11:30 A.M.–1:45 P.M. | $10 SNOW DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
BAGELS & BOOKS
Join us for a light lunch and a screening of Hummus! The Movie!, a film that tells the touching personal stories of three people — a hard working Muslim, an ever-smiling Jew, and a young Christian Arab who, despite their historical and cultural differences all have one thing in common … a passionate love of hummus!
Join us for a stimulating discussion, coffee, and bagels!
The Bridge Ladies by Betsey Lerner Monday, January 13 • 9:30 am
RSVP by January 14 at bethelnr.org/cinemabrunch2020
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT ARLENE SALMAN 914-235-2485, AESALMAN@AOL.COM.
Questions? Please contact Barbara Horowitz at barbara.w.horowitz@gmail.com.
Sisterhood’s Ongoing Programs CARD ROOM: 12:45 pm weekly: Canasta, Mondays; Mah Jongg, Tuesdays WALKING CLUB: every Monday at 9:30 am for a nice easy walk—not a jog. All are welcome! MITZVAH KNITTING: Free lessons and supplies. Knit at home and donate your work. E-mail Phyllis at pjf920@verizon.net.
QUESTIONS? Contact Arlene: aesalman@aol.com, or 914-235-2485. 11
12:00 NOON - 12:30 PM ON SELECTED FRIDAYS January 10, February 7, March 13, May 1, June 5 Welcoming children 2 years and younger with their parents, grandparents and caretakers! Join us for this fun-filled musical sing-a-long and Shabbat celebration. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS PROGRAM. R.S.V.P. to bethelnr.org/shabbatshaboom Questions? Contact Ronnie or Shery— nursery@bethelnr.org or 914.235.2700, ext. 250.
Scenes from our Successful December Blood Drive
The Jewish Education Project Last month, the Jewish Education Project sponsored an In-SITE-ful journey visit to Beth El Nursery School. This visit gave eighteen preschool teachers and directors from Westchester, Manhattan, Long Island and New Jersey an opportunity to hear about Nursery School Director Ronnie Becher’s journey of creating a more progressive Reggio Emilia inspired educational philosophy and school. During their time at Beth El, the participants heard from Ronnie, visited classrooms, spent time at Gan Teva (the outdoor playground) and heard from a panel of teachers about their experiences teaching and implanting their educational philosophy at the school. The teachers left inspired, and they are eager to take ideas from Beth El back to their own schools. It was a wonderful morning spent together, and we are grateful for the continuing partnership and ongoing professional development between Beth El and the Jewish Education Project.
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NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS One of the most joyous times of the year for children, the holiday of Hanukkah, presents a wealth of learning opportunities in the Nursery School. We pride ourselves as being a processoriented school, a place where deep learning occurs through exploration and investigation. In general, we are not a productoriented place where projects, usually teacher directed, are the focus. However, when it comes to our Jewish holidays, we believe in the importance of traditions. Thus, we guide children in creating a ritual object, something that families can use for many years to come. Our two-year-olds used an oil bottle to create a Hanukkiyyah for their families. Two-year-olds love to stuff things, and they were given a wealth of materials—pompoms, pipe cleaners, beads, and wooden pieces—which they used to fill their bottles. When placed horizontally, there was amble space for tiles and bolts that were glued on to hold candles We are confident that these Hanukkiyyot will be used for many years as part of our two-year-old families’ tradition. Our threes made a unique Candle Box Holder using materials that they have been exploring throughout the school year. Their box is just the right size to hold the 44 candles necessary for the holiday. Hanukkah is not just about candles. It’s about oil as well. And what would Hanukkah be without a delicious latke fried in oil! After exploring a variety of potatoes, and cooking mashed potatoes and baked potatoes, our fours then used oil to fry latkes and created a beautiful latke tray to bring home to their families. Our annual Hanukkah Chagigah was a fabulous success! Children and parents in our threes and fours classes gathered in the Youth Lounge for our traditional Hanukkah Chagigah: candle lighting, communal singing, and dancing with one of
our music specialists, Lori Weber. A few highlights of our program include seeing four dads create a huge human dreidel and spin around at different speeds, and watching our clergy and synagogue leaders jump out of the frying pan and run around the room acting the part of runaway latkes. Following singing, families spent time with their children experiencing first-hand the creative process and methodology of good early childhood practice. They built Hanukkiyyot in the block corner, played dreidel, made their own shamash candle, explored light and dark with our light tables, and engaged in a variety of art activities related to the holiday. Although we were all a bit dizzy from spinning around like dreidels, it did not stop us from enjoying some tasty sufganiot (jelly doughnuts), latkes and homemade applesauce. We look forward to celebrating many more holidays together with our extended Beth El community. We all know that famous phrase, “It is better to give then to receive,” but this is a difficult concept to convey to children, who are culturally bombarded with a much different message. We would like to thank our parent body for remembering to send tzedakah coins with the children. This hands-on-approach helps the children internalize one of the important meanings of “doing a mitzvah.” As Jews, we are obligated to walk the world mindfully. We teach our children to act with kavod (respect); to realize their responsibilities towards one another and the earth. Our parent body launched a Mitzvah Committee, a program that seeks to increase our children’s understanding of what a mitzvah is and promote a desire in our children to perform acts of kindness. Many pairs of mittens and gloves were collected for Kids Closet and displayed on our Chaverim Hanukkiyyah in the lower lobby. There is no question that the Hebrew month of Kislev, filled with the joyous and magical holiday of Hanukkah, could be our favorite one of all! REMAINING FALL TODDLER TIME CLASS JANUARY 2, 9, 16, 23 • 9:15 am
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Play, art, and music; Make new friends and learn together; Classes are facilitated by a licensed teacher with a parent/caregiver participant
A Note from the Director of Youth and Family Engagement…
January Teen Highlights
Happy New Year! We had a great December and are so excited for all that’s in store for 2020. There’s so much happening in January! We can’t wait to see you all month long, especially at our Teen Midnight Run, Bingo Night for Adults, Family Havdalah in Pajamas, Ice Skating, and more! Save the Date: Youth & Family Shabbat is the weekend of February 7-8. Heads of School from Carmel Academy and the Leffell School are invited to join us, in addition to our wonderful Beth El clergy, educators, and staff, for a joyous weekend together. Stay tuned for some melodies to learn during Shabbat Shira, where we read the Song of the Sea (Ex. 15:1-18) in Parashat Beshalach. This was the song sung by the children of Israel after the Passage of the Red Sea. It is customary for spiritual singing to occur during services on this Shabbat, which falls on Youth & Family Shabbat this year! We are so excited to celebrate together. Register for Shabbat Dinner on February 7th by going to bethelnr.org/yfshabbat. Have any questions? Want to grab coffee? Email me at rgold@ bethelnr.org and I’d love to chat. Stay Warm, Bekkah Gold, Director of Youth & Family Engagement
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Teen Night Out – Midnight Run, 6:00 pm Teen Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Teen Learning, 6:30 pm Rosh Hodesh for 12th Grade Girls Teen Learning, 6:30 pm Teen Learning, 6:30 pm Teen Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Teen Learning, 6:30 pm Teen Shabbat Dinner, 6:30 pm
Friends in Kitah Gimel cutting out newspaper clippings to learn about the differences between meat, dairy, and parve food
Religious School Board members and educators discussing best practices of our Religious School at the Board Educator Brunch. 14
January Religious School Highlights
Religious School Dismissal Procedures
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In September we began a new dismissal procedure for Thursday evenings after Religious School, between 5:40 pm and 6:10 pm every Thursday that Religious School is in session. Cars enter the parking lot through the entrance closer to North Avenue (in the exit lane) on Northfield Road, looping through the parking lot and snaking up to the front entrance, picking up children at the red doors by the Office of Youth and Family Engagement. Families have color-coded cards for each of their children with their name and class listed. Parents or caregivers will hand one card to a professional who will send someone to go get your child and your child will hand you back your card when they enter the car. If you would like to park, please use the second entrance on Northfield Road, further from North Avenue. Bekkah Gold will be stationed outside so that the path to the second and third parking are accessible to anyone trying to enter or exit the building. If you plan on entering or exiting the property during this window, please park in the second and third parking lots. January Religious School dates are listed for your convenience. We look forward to a smoother process. The safety of our children is our top priority. Thank you for your patience as we get used to this dismissal procedure!
Dismissal occurs in the front parking lot these Thursdays between 5:40 pm and 6:10 pm. Religious School Closed – Winter Vacation RS Cooking Chug Religious School Religious School RS Cooking Chug Religious School RS Educator Meeting, 6:30 pm RS Closed – MLK Jr. Weekend RS Cooking Chug RS Board Meeting, 7:45 pm Religious School Religious School RS Cooking Chug Religious School
January Youth & Family Highlights 4 12 18 20 24 25 26
Kadima Sicha, 10:30 am, for 6th/7th Graders BE Mitzvah Experience for 6th Graders/Parents, 10:15 am Bat Mitzvah, Sophie Erber Havdalah in Pajamas, 5:30 pm Bar Mitzvah, Adiel Chhahira Libeinu Service and Shabbat Dinner, 6:30 pm Bar Mitzvah Aliyah, Jack Wolk Family Ice Skating, 2:00 pm
January Parent Highlights 11 18 21
Bingo Night, 7:30 pm, at Beth El Havdalah in Pajamas (for kids & parents!), 5:30 pm Parent Happy Hour at North End Tavern, 7:30 pm
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JANUARY 2020 MONDAY
SUNDAY
TUESDAY
1
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 .................................... David A. Schuck Associate Cantor ...............................Uri Aqua Assistant Rabbi.........................Zachary Sitkin Rabbi Emeritus ......................Melvin N. Sirner Hazzan Emeritus ....................Farid Dardashti Executive Director ..................Erica Leventhal Asst. Executive Director ................ Abby Wise Controller .................................... Olivier Vogel Camp Dir./Seniors Coord........Julie Rockowitz Nursery School Director ......... Ronnie Becher Dir. of Youth Engagement ...........Bekkah Gold Sp. Projects Dir. /Asst. to Clergy......L. Newman
5
Shacharit 8:00am
8 TEVET
Religious Schools Closed Encounter Post-Travel Session 9:00 am Zumba 9:30 am
OFFICERS President .......................................Mark Silver Executive Vice President.........Robert Patchen Vice President ......Lauren Freeman-Bosworth Vice President ........................ David Shechter Vice President ........................ Debbie Young Treasurer ................................ Barbara Cohen Financial Secretary ........................Ellen Barlis Recording Secretary ............Nancy Mayerfield AFFILIATES Sisterhood President .......... Sandy Gruenberg Men’s Club President ........... Steven L. Young Religious Sch. Parent Org. ........Sharon Brown, Julia Keltz, Lisa Mandelker Marci Marcus Nursery Sch. Parent Org. ......... Gayle Salama Joanna Esterow BULLETIN EDITOR
M
Linda Newman
Beth El maintains morning and evening services every day of the year. Contact Associate Cantor Uri Aqua, 914-235-2700, ext. 222.
* Minyan times listed on this
calendar page and elsewhere in The Bulletin are accurate as of the date of printing. Please visit the Beth El website www.bethelnr.org/calendar for the most up-to-date information. NOTE: Friday evening services are held at 7:00 pm throughout the spring and summer months.
9 TEVET
12
15 TEVET
Shacharit 6:55am
10 TEVET
13
Religious School Chug 4:40 pm Sisterhood Board Meeting 6:30 pm Chug Ivri 7:30 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:30 pm FAST OF TEVET
16 TEVET
14
17 TEVET
Shacharit 8:00am
Shacharit 6:55am
Shacharit 7:00am
Religious School 9:00 am Vision Action Team Meeting 9:00 am Zumba 9:30 am Israeli Dancing 10:00 am
Sisterhood Bagels and Books 9:30 am Jewish Short Stories 10:00 am Walking Club 11:30 am
SMART Discussion 10:00 am
Canasta 12:45 pm Dance Class 6:00 pm
Audit & Finance Committee Mtg. 7:30 pm Open Beit Midrash: Nosh 7:30 pm; Discussions 8:00 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
BE Mitzvah Experience 10:15 am Chess Club 11:00 am Bridges to Civility Event 11:30 am Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
Shacharit 8:00am
22 TEVET 20
Shacharit 8:00am
Religious School Closed Teen NYC Trip & SATO in the City Israeli Dancing 10:00 am Concert: Songs for Seeds 10:30 am
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
26
Shacharit 8:00am
29 TEVET
Religious School 9:00 am Rel. Sch. Kehillah & Schmooze 9:00 am Zumba 9:30 am Israeli Dancing 10:00 am 4th Grade BE Mitzvah Reveal Date 10:30 am Chess Club 11:00 am Keruv Committee Meeting 12:00 pm Family Ice-Skating 1:30 pm (off-site) Teen Feb. Break Svc Learning Orien. 5:00 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm
23 TEVET
Nursery and Religious Schools Closed Synagogue Offices Closed
8
S
G
Mah Jongg 12:45 pm
Canasta 12:45 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:30 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:30 pm
7
Walking Club 9:30 am
Dance Class 6:00 pm
19
Daily Minyan
6
Shacharit 6:55am
H T G O N C M
1
G C
Mah Jongg 12:45 pm
21
24 TEVET
Shacharit 7:00am
H C B Y
S
SMART Discussion 10:00 am
G
Sisterhood Cinema Brunch 11:30 am
Chug Ivri 7:30 pm Young Parents Happy Hour 7:30 pm (off-site)
H R C
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
M
Bar Mitzvah Adiel Chhahira 9:30 am Walking Club 9:30 am
27
Shacharit 6:55am Walking Club 9:30 am Jewish Short Stories 10:00 am Canasta 12:45 pm
1 SHEVAT
Mah Jongg 12:45 pm
28
Shacharit 7:00am
2
SMART Discussion 10:00 am
G
Mah Jongg 12:45 pm
H T H C H
Religious School Chug 4:40 pm
Dance Class 6:00 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm ROSH HODESH
2 SHEVAT
Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm
M
TEVET ~ SHEVAT 5780 WEDNESDAY
1
4 TEVET
Shacharit 8:00am
Nursery School, Religious School & Synagogue Offices Closed
FRIDAY
THURSDAY 2
Shacharit 6:55am
5 TEVET
3
Shacharit 7:00am
SHABBAT 6 TEVET
4:22 pm
Yiddish Vinkl 1:00 pm Dance Class 3:30 pm
Ritual Committee Meeting 7:30 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:20pm NEW YEAR’S DAY
8
Shacharit 7:00am
Mincha/Maariv 4:20pm
11 TEVET
Get SMART Get Fit 10:30 am
Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Teen Board Meeting 7:00 pm Green Team Meeting 7:30 pm Officers Meeting 7:30 pm Nursery School Board Mtg 7:30 pm Cantillation Class 8:00 pm (off-site) Mincha/Maariv 4:30 pm
15
Shacharit 7:00am
18 TEVET
9
Shacharit 6:55am
Mincha/Maariv 4:20pm
12 TEVET
Toddler Time 9:15 am Rabbi Hojda Wisdom of Rab. Texts 10:00 am Parasha Hashavua, with Jack 1:30 pm Religious School 4:00 pm Teen Learning 6:30 pm Rosh Hodesh 6:30 pm Re-Introduction to Judaism 7:30 pm Open Beit Midrash: Nosh 7:30 pm; Disc. 8pm
Shacharit 6:55am
Shacharit 7:00am
19 TEVET
17
Shacharit 7:00am
Toddler Time 9:15 am Rabbi Hojda Wisdom of Rab. Texts 10:00 am Parasha Hashavua, with Jack 1:30 pm
Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Cantillation Class 8:00 pm (off-site) Board of Trustees 8:00 pm Youth Services Comm. Meeting 8:00 pm
Religious School 4:00 pm Religious School Educator Mtg. 6:30 pm Teen Learning 6:30 pm Jewish Parenting Learning Circle 7:30 pm
Dance Class 3:30 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
22
25 TEVET
Get SMART Get Fit 10:30 am
Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Religious School Board Meeting 7:45 pm Cantillation Class 8:00 pm (off-site)
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
29
Shacharit 7:00am
Shacharit 6:55am
26 TEVET
Toddler Time 9:15 am Rabbi Hojda Wisdom of Rab. Texts 10:00 am Parasha Hashavua, with Jack 1:30 pm Religious School 4:00 pm Teen Learning 6:30 pm Re-Introduction to Judaism 7:30 pm
3 SHEVAT
Hebrew Ulpan 6:30 pm Teen Board Meeting 7:00 pm HR Meeting 7:45 pm Cantillation Class 8:00 pm (off-site) Haftarah Skills Class 8:00 pm
30
Shacharit 6:55am
20 TEVET
4:36 pm
Yiddish Vinkl 1:00 pm
24
Shacharit 7:00am
4 SHEVAT
27 TEVET
4:44 pm
Yiddish Vinkl 1:00 pm Dance Class 3:30 pm Libeinu Service 6:30 pm Shabbat Dinner 7:30 pm Scholar-in-Residence Talk 9:00 pm
Shacharit 7:00am
Rabbi Hojda Wisdom of Rab. Texts 10:00 am
Ruach USY Kinnus
Parasha Hashavua, with Jack 1:30 pm
Yiddish Vinkl 1:00 pm
Religious School 4:00 pm Teen Learning 6:30 pm
Teen Shabbat Dinner 6:00 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm
Dance Class 3:30 pm
5 SHEVAT
4:53 pm
14 TEVET
Shabbat ends 5:29 pm
Birthday Shabbat Shabbat Service 9:00 am Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:15 am Youth Services 10:45 am Kavannah Service 11:00 am Kiddush 12:00 pm Daf Shevui 12:30 pm Parent Organization Bingo Night 7:30 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:40 pm
18
21 TEVET
Shabbat ends 5:37pm
Bat Mitzvah Sophie Erber Shabbat Service 9:00am Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Youth Services 10:45 am Kiddush 12:00 pm Daf Shevui 12:30 pm Havdalah in PJs & Movie Night 5:30 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
25 VAERA
Scholar-in-Residence
31
11
SHEMOT
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:40pm
Get SMART Get Fit 10:30 am
Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm
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4:28 pm
Shabbat ends 5:22 pm
Green Shabbat Shabbat Service 9:00 am Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Service Oneg 10:15 am Kadima Sicha 10:30 am Youth Services 10:45 am Kiddush 12:00 pm Daf Shevui 12:30 pm Teen Night Out:Midnight Run 7:00 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:30pm
VAYECHI
Shabbat Shaboom 12:00 pm Yiddish Vinkl 1:00 pm Dance Class 3:30 pm
Get SMART Get Fit 10:30 am Current Events with Shari Baum 11:30 am
Shacharit 7:00am
13 TEVET
Mincha/Maariv 4:30 pm
Mincha/Maariv 4:30 pm
16
10
7 TEVET
VAYIGASH
Religious School Closed Toddler Time 9:15 am
4
28 TEVET
Shabbat ends 5:46 pm
Scholar-in-Residence
Shabbat Service 9:00 am Niggun Halev 9:00 am Shabbat SPACE 9:30 am Pre-Serv Oneg 10:15 am Youth Services 10:45 am Kiddush 12:00 pm Daf Shevui 12:30 pm Mincha/Maariv 4:50pm SHABBAT MEVARCHIM
Daf Shevui 12:30 pm every Shabbat Beth El offers Hebrew Ulpan classes every Wednesday. Beginner: 6:30 pm; Intermediate 7:30 pm; Advanced 8:30 pm. Try a class!
Beth El Celebrates January Birthdays Beth El would like to extend a “Happy Birthday!� to its members with a birthday in the month of January. If you have a January birthday, we hope that you
will join us for a Kiddush lunch on Shabbat, January 11th. If you have a January birthday, but your name does not appear on the list, we are sorry for the omission and ask that you e-mail the synagogue at info@bethelnr.org so
that we can update our records. 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.)
Michele Abo Cantor Uri Aqua Jason Aronstein Dana Asher Joan Atlas Robert Baker Daniel Bases Jessica Berman Jeffrey Bloom Sherry Brown Jocelyn Burton Abner Casanova Adiel Chhahira Rachel CohenZolottev
Carol Herzberg David Horowitz Linda Hyman Hannah Jacobson Lily Jacobson Phyllis Jay Florence Joffe Mathilde Joseph Harvey Katzeff Richard Kaufman Adam Kerchner Jessica Keusch Ruth King Marc Klee Samantha Lacher
Stacey Popovsky Jay Rehr Arlene Reifer Joshua Rosenberg Eric Roth Nathaniel Roth Dana Rottman Lawrence Rubenstein Meir Salama Gwen Salmo Lori Schwartz Cynthia Shechter Simone Shteingart Arnold Silverman Sherry Solomon
Joel Davis Sophie Erber Claudia Felberg Judah Ferst Barbara Finder Nathan Fisher Dasha Fishler Jordan Fishler Miles Forma Barry Friedman Simone Goldberg Barbara Goldman Judith Goldstein Meryl Gordon Linda Haber
Young Parent
HAPPY HOUR 7:30 PM
Come join us for a great opportunity to meet new people in a relaxed and friendly environment. No registration required. Open to all. Questions? For more information, contact Zach Seiden at Zach05@gmail.com.
Estelle Lebowitz Deborah Levine Lorri Liss Levine Janice Levy Marci Lobel-Esrig Nina Luban Michelle Maidenberg Harry Mamaysky Howard Mandelbaum Jesse Morris Rachel Moster Ann Oestreicher Laura Penn Kelly Plaxin Helene Pollack
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS September 17 at Growlers
January 21 at North End Tavern November 19 at The Gnarly Vine March 17 at Tavern 32 December 17 at Vintage 1891 January at North End Tavern April 21 at21Growlers March 17 at Tavern 32
May 19 at North End Tavern
April 21 at Growlers Dates subject to change! May 19 at The Gnarly Vine Dates Subject to Change!
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Sharon Spenser Dina Stahl Shirin Stein Carla Stein Richard Stern Dara Sulman Marc Suvall Joseph Tait Dylan Tait Betty Troyetsky Howard Wenig Barbara Wygoda Dava Yavetz Lori Zung
NEWSMAKERS
Mazal tov to: Rhonda and Scott Afran on their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary; Barbara Simon on the engagement of her grandson Brett Lemberger, son of Amy and Alex Lemberger, to Dana Powder, daughter of Debbie and Jerry Powder; Cindy and Bob Hershkowitz on the birth of grandson Dylan Hudson Kaplowitz, and to parents Rachel and Mark Kaplowitz; Phyllis and Herman Steinberg on the birth of a grandson, and to parents Eric and Helen Steinberg; the family of Hannah Mani-Abraham on her bat mitzvah; the family of Jacob Tolle on his bar mitzvah; Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Lisa Mendler on the birth of their son Noam Shai, and to big brother Avi; Cantor Uri and Judy Aqua on the birth of a grandson in Jerusalem, and to parents Shabsi and Frumie Aqua and Aunt Talia Litwin and Uncle Daniel Aqua and their families; Dalia Fenster on the engagement of her grandson Seth Fenster, son of Hyman Fenster and Lauren Neufeld, to Stephanie Wolbransky, daughter of Holly and Mark Wolbransky; Eunice Kaplan on the engagement of her granddaughter Abigail (Abby) Katz, daughter of Lisa Kaplan and Leon Katz, to Brett Kirsch.
A Warm Beth El Mazal Tov to One and All!!
Kiddush The Kiddush of December 21 was sponsored by Gabrielle and Avinoam Shefa in honor of the baby naming of their daughter; by Tris and Sam Berger on the tenth yahrzeit of Lillian Berger, z�l; and by Brenda and Ivan Corwin in honor of the baby naming of their daughter. The Kiddush of January 11 will be sponsored by the Ruttenberg family on the occasion of the first yahrzeit of Emily Marx, z�l. The Kiddush of January 18 will be sponsored by Alyssa and Jonathan Erber in honor of the bat mitzvah of their daughter Sophie Erber.
Want to sponsor a kiddush? Contact Alise Liquorie at aliquorie@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 223.
Welcome to the Beth El Community The Corwin Family Of New Rochelle Ivan and Brenda Corwin Zoe, 17 months; Ava, 6 weeks
CONDOLENCES We record with sorrow the losses suffered by our members and friends and extend to them our deepest sympathies. Condolences to: The family of our long-time member Gladys Barish on her passing; Jay Rehr on the loss of his aunt Gladys Barish; Jerry Gottlieb on the loss of his wife, Bilha Gottlieb; The family of Herbert Pearlman on his passing; Florence Taubenfeld on the loss of her husband, Harry Taubenfeld; Anne Weisbrod on the loss of her father, Harry Taubenfeld.
JANUARY YAHRZEIT OBSERVANCES
The yahrzeit of the following deceased persons permanently inscribed on our Memorial Walls are observed on these dates: Ruth Baum Cohen Jeanette Cohen Linda Dinkes Sarah Fay Silver David W. Simpson Sabina Bialo Fannie Lewinsohn Eva S. Garfein Rose Katzof Ida Levine Jake Meyers Joseph Einhorn Jean Feingold David Troodler Joseph Wasserman Isadore Ginsburg Susan Kramer Yosef Rapoport Beckie Walek Alexander Ira Boner Hyman M. Charm Isidore Eisenberg Hannelies Guggenheim Edward Heligman Stanley Josell Frances Miller Leon Nirenberg Chaim Rubin Benzel Bertram Klein Jacob Sohn Beatrice Berens Emily Marx B. Merton Aronstein Rose Goldman Rebecca Goldstein Joseph Kurzon Samuel Zucker Rose Cohn Irving Friedman Jacob Katzof Morris Loinger Joseph Sunshine Eva Sussman Frances Rosenblum Barbara Teichman Nathan Fink Ralph P. Katz Rose Goldstein Ada Hirsch Ella G. Farber Myra Farber
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Theodore I. Garfein Helene Guggenheim Tillie Nirenberg Anna Sohn Frida Szlachter Herman E. Getzoff Betty J. Grad Rose M. Greenberg Charlotte Hirsch Florence Singer Louis H. Streger Coloman Lowenkopf Deborah Miller David Snyder Fannie Bogash Emil Feuerstein Arline Kasakove Amelia Lyons Mary Schifter Philip Schonberg Herman Axelrod Lea Ferstenberg Florence Schwartz Molly Warriner Beatrice Bergman Frances Goldman Victor Gordon Rebecca Jackson Leon A. Messing Hyman Batkin Shirley Ilberman Irving Barasch Ida Bolnik Jack H. Epstein Martin M. Fagin Seymour Kostrinsky Teresa Ginsberg David Barish Lillian Fried Dr. Max Goldstein Janet S. Levene William Rosenberg Anita Rothenberg Moses Baer Sheffer Reuben Sherman Samuel Guggenheim Daniel Halpern Harry Zuckerman Norma Singer Brandes Max Goldman Sidney Shalat
Share your milestone events with us!
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If you experience a milestone or a loss in your family, contact Linda at LNewman@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 246. 19
YIZKOR/ YAHRZEIT DONATIONS
GENERAL FUND IN HONOR OF:
IN MEMORY OF:
Melvin Adler, Martin Auspitz, Joan and Stuart Barry Salman, our good friend and neighbor, from Marvin Schuck, beloved father of Rabbi David Schuck, from Sondra and Carl Goldenberg, and Bardin, Irving Baumwald, Anita Better, Phyllis Barbara Davis and Steven Pappas. Brown, Martha Cole, Suzanne, Matthew and Steve Silverman on his Simchat Torah honor, Barbara and Lawrence Orans. Spencer Dickman, Barbara Finder, Dr. Michael from Sondra and Carl Goldenberg, and Roz and Hilda Chinitz, beloved mother of Marvin Chinitz Fisher, Donald Fleishaker, Michael Frankel, Ruth Richard Kaufman. and Lynn Chinitz Gruenstein, from Barbara and and Sandy Frankel, Judy and Mel Gabriel, Ellen Martin Levitin on his special birthday, from Joseph Wygoda and Nancy Levin. and Moshe Gelboim, Jay Howard Goldstein, Sondra and Carl Goldenberg. Alfred Fayer, beloved father of Russell Fayer, Roberta Greenberg, Haber Family, Madelyn and from Roz and Richard Kaufman. Albert Katz, Nathan Kornfeld, Donald Kotler, Jay Carol and Richard Chadakoff on their fiftieth Lerman, Anita Glasberg Liebowitz, Susan and wedding anniversary, from Penny and David Margaret Sadok, beloved mother of Mark Sadok, from Geralynn and David Reifer, and Barbara Michael Lurie, Arkady Mamaysky, Marsha and Klein. Richard Mendelsohn, Susan and Jeff Mittleman, Judy and Cantor Uri Aqua on the birth of their and Bob Cohen. Richard Robbins, Valerie Rudolph, Harriet granddaughter Rachel, from Linda and Sol Haber. Robert Kenler, beloved brother of Janet Seligman, Schwartz, Cynthia and Ira Shechter, Rabbi Melvin Sheryl and Aaron Fleishaker on the birth of their from Sondra and Carl Goldenberg, and Bernard N. Sirner, Jack Spirt, Marc Straussberg, Mark and Judy Robinson. grandson, from Linda and Sol Haber. Walfish, Ronnie and Jesse Weinberger, William The 2019 Simchat Torah honorees, from Winters, Esther Zarembaski. Jacqueline and Avi Einzig.
ENDOWMENT FUND IN HONOR OF:
Judy and Cantor Uri Aqua on the birth of their granddaughter Rachel, from Ella and Russell Fayer. IN MEMORY OF: Marvin Schuck, beloved father of Rabbi David Schuck, from Barbara and Marc Klee. Harriet Engelson, from Barbara and Marc Klee.
Janine and Isaac Chinitz on the birth of their son Ezra Chinitz, from Nancy and Frank Levin.
SPECIAL NEEDS FUND IN HONOR OF:
YOUTH ACTIVITIES FUND IN MEMORY OF:
Zoe Boxenbaum, my granddaughter, on her bat Selma Resnick Rapp, from Ronnie Kaplan. mitzvah, from Norma Wasserman. The marriage of Emily Hollander, daughter of Susan and Elliot Hollander, and Nathan Igdaloff, from Elizabeth and Alan Legatt.
JEREMY SCHEINFELD MEMORIAL FUND IN HONOR OF:
IN MEMORY OF:
DOROTHY FLEISHAKER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND IN HONOR OF: Sheryl and Aaron Fleishaker on the birth of their grandson, from Jacqueline and Avi Einzig, and Marc and Anita Zoldessy.
Judy and Cantor Uri Aqua on the birth of their Marvin Schuck, beloved father of Rabbi David granddaughter Rachel, from Sharon and Peter Spenser, Geralynn and David Reifer, and Robin Schuck, from Elizabeth and Alan Legatt. Kaphan and family. Hilda Chinitz, beloved mother of Marvin Chinitz and Lynn Chinitz Gruenstein, from Elizabeth and Susan and Michael Meisler on the birth of their grandchild, from Robin Kaphan and family. Alan Legatt.
THE ELEANOR G. BAUMWALD PRAYERBOOK FUND IN MEMORY OF:
Eva Teitelbaum, from Jack R. Schwartz.
Donald Fleishaker on the birth of a greatgrandson, from Anita and Marc Zoldessy.
THE ANDREW SHAPIRO MEMORIAL FUND IN HONOR OF: Stephen Silverman for his Simchat Torah honor of Hatan Bereishit, from Judy Shapiro. IN MEMORY OF: My dear husband, Edward Shapiro, on his yahrzeit, from Judy Shapiro.
DAY CAMP FUND IN HONOR OF: Sheryl and Aaron Fleishaker on the birth of their grandson, from Jodi and Rob Scheinfeld.
TEEN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF: My cousin Edward Shapiro on his yahrzeit, from Susan and Elliot Hollander on the marriage of Richard A. Brown. their daughter, from Sharon and Peter Spenser. Marvin Schuck, beloved father of Rabbi David Susan and David Schlecker on the marriage of Schuck, from Judy Shapiro. their daughter, from Sharon and Peter Spenser. 20
IN MEMORY OF: Susan Blumberg, from Greg Scheinfeld. Ruth Handler, from Marilyn Handler. Hilda Chinitz, beloved mother of Marvin Chinitz and Lynn Chinitz Gruenstein, from Jodi and Rob Scheinfeld. Esther Futterman, my beloved mom and grandma to Mark, Adam, and Alison, on her yahrzeit, from Robin Kaphan.
TO MAKE A DONATION Contact ZOE RAYNES at zraynes@bethelnr.org, or 914235-2700, ext. 228. Min. $18. Mail your payment to Beth El Synagogue Center, attn: Alise, 1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804.
SISTERHOOD MITZVAH FUND
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Sheri Langer in memory of Hilda Chinitz; Sheri Langer; Janet Seligman in memory of her father, IN HONOR OF: Barbara and David Horowitz on the birth of their Joe Kenler; Caryl Fuchs in memory of her husband, Stanley Fuchs; Debbie and Steven Young granddaughter Eliana, from Nora Klion-Wolloch. in memory of Rabbi Sitkin’s Aunt Shelly; Laurie and Eric Roth in memory of Hilda Chinitz; Harold and Lisa Kaufman in memory of Rabbi Sitkin’s Aunt Shelly; Jeffrey and Roberta Graf; Cantor Uri and Judy Aqua on the birth of their Phyllis Cole in honor of Phyllis Feingold’s induction into the Senior Citizen Hall of Fame; Sol grandchild, from Nora Klion-Wolloch. and Linda Haber in memory of Hilda Chinitz; Sol and Linda Haber in honor of the recent birth Alan Greenberg on the engagement of his of grandchildren to David and Barbara Horowitz; Caryl Fuchs in memory of Samuel Fuchs; Caryl Fuchs in memory of Samuel Matta; Caryl Fuchs in memory of Sadie Fuchs; Sol and daughter Lauren, from Nora Klion-Wolloch. Linda Haber in honor of the birth of granddaughter Rachel to Cantor Uri and Judi Aqua; Sol and Barbara and David Horowitz, on the births of Linda Haber in honor of the birth of a grandson to Marvin and Shari Chinitz; Rita and David two new grandchildren, from Sandy and Jack Kaufman in memory of David’s mother, Pearl Myland Kaufman, and Rita’s mother, Etta Fox Gruenberg. Marcia and Hy Pryluck, Gaby and Rosenfeld; Elisa Nemirow with thanks for Singing as a Spiritual Practice in the Sukkah; Judith George Newfield, and Sharon and Peter Spenser. Harary in memory of Hilda Chinitz; Norma Wasserman in honor of her eighty-second birthday; Sheryl and Aaron Fleishaker on the birth of their Barbara and Jay Lerman in memory of Robert Kenler; Maryann and Nicholas Santarone in first grandson, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. honor of Sheila Leonard; Daniel and Meris Ruzow with thanks for the Rosh Hashanah services; Judith Shari and Marvin Chinitz on the birth of a new Schachner in memory of Hilda Chinitz; Barbara Winter in honor of Phyllis Feingold’s induction in to the Senior Citizen Hall of Fame; Michael Haber in memory of Bilha Gottlieb; Sol and Linda Haber in grandson, Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. honor of the birth of Noam Shai to Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Lisa Mendler; Sheila Tanenbaum in honor Phyllis Feingold on her induction into Westchester of the birth of Noam Shai to Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Lisa Mendler; Len and Susan Mark in memory County’s Senior Hall of Fame, from Sandy and of Marci Marcus’s father, Allen Beckman; Av Rivel in memory of his parents, Paul and IIona Rivel, Jack Gruenberg, Gaby and George Newfield, and his sister Bernice Burkhoff; Morris and Rosalind Herstein in honor of the bar mitzvah of Nate and Carol and Paul Freedman, and Marcia and Hy Vicki Fisher’s grandson; Charlotte and Richard Watt in memory of Charlotte’s mother, Freda Abramsky; Pryluck. Charlotte and Richard Watt in honor of Phyllis Feingold’s induction into the Senior Citizen Hall of Hanita and Paul Schneiderman on the engagement Fame; Charlotte and Richard Watt in honor of the birth of Noam Shai to Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Lisa of their two sons, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. Mendler; Caryl Fuchs in honor of the birth of Noam Shai to Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Lisa Mendler. Rise Stern on her Simchat Torah honor, from IN MEMORY OF RABBI DAVID SCHUCK’S FATHER, MARVIN SCHUCK Sandy and Jack Gruenberg, and Gaby and George David and Barbara Horowitz; Mindy and Stanley Patchen; Noel and Leah Edelson; Sheila Landau Newfield. Cohen; Peter and Sharon Spenser; Yvette Lawrie; Lisa and Robert Patchen; Joanna and Sam Kaufman; Steve Silverman on his Simchat Torah honor, from Karen Hogan; Valerie Rudolph; Gary Claar and Lois Kohn-Claar; Sheila Tanenbaum; Deena and Josh Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. Davis; Geralynn and David Reifer; Maria and Steven Kessler; Marjorie Schlosberg; Josh Rosenberg, Heather and Ben Horowitz on the birth of their Brian Rosenberg, and Amanda Schnapper; Ana Turkienicz; Elise and Barry Richman; Dana Stein; new daughter, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. Nadine and Robert Jacobson; Nina Kleiman and Leon Goldberg; Mike Frankel and Shayna Klopott; Jeff and Susan Mittleman; Gitta and David Silberstein; Sandy and Jack Gruenberg; Norma Wasserman; Jack Gruenberg for his wonderful weekly class, Elise and Bob Schepp; Abbe Fleishaker; Rebecca Weintraub; Janice Levy; Lea Gabbay; Charlotte and from Gaby and George Newfield. Richard Watt; Brian Bosworth and Lauren Freeman-Bosworth; Melvyn and Priscilla Bloom; Carol IN MEMORY OF: and Paul Diament; David Shechter and Carrie Fox; Adam and Vanessa Kerchner; Debbie and Steven Margaret Sadok, beloved mother of Mark Sadok, Young; Carole and Jeffrey Graham; Rae and Barry Charles; Bob and Barbara Cohen; Ruth and Amnon from Erica and Larry Epstein, Cynthia and Jeffrey Gotian; Susan and Elliot Lesser; Terry Cohen; Susan and Howard Mandelbaum; Laurie and Eric Glickman, Marcia and Hy Pryluck, Sheila Cohen, Roth; Yvette Gordon; Abraham Walfish; Joyce and Michael Wechsler; Judy Schmeidler and family; Diane and Ralph Heiman; Judy and Mel Gabriel; Liz Alperin-Solms; Shireen and Matthew Lewis; Gaby and George Newfield, and Mona Gross. Robert and Susan Goldstein; Marci and Alan Marcus; Jessica Fisher; Maxine and Joe Siegel; Isaiah Hilda Chinitz, beloved mother of Marvin Chinitz, and Janet Seligman; Helene Pollack; Bernard Katz; Ellen and Jacob Hollander; Betty and Mitchell from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. Troyetsky; Elaine and Jack Katz; Laura Penn; Barbara Simon; Rita and David Kaufman; Jodi and Rob Hilda Chinitz, beloved mother of Lynn Chinitz Scheinfeld; Ellen and Moshe Gelboim; Steven and Jane Berkowitz; Fred and Leni Weiner; Harold Gruenstein, from Sandy and Jack Gruenberg. and Lisa Kaufman; Roberta Morse; Robert and Lori Weber; Margo Lampert; Janis Demartini; Jason Gladys Barish, beloved aunt of Jay Rehr and and Louise Silverman; Tami and Michael Novoseller; Gail and Steven Goldman; Joseph and Barbara Wygoda; Phyllis and Harvey Jay; Blair and Evelyn Selber; Phyllis Cole; Patricia Levinson; Josh Podietz Lauren Berger, from Erica and Larry Epstein. and Hila Reichman; Irwin Cohen; Rochelle Chaiken; Liz and Eric Alderman; Jenn and Kevin Hylton; Dalia Fenster; Alfred and Shelley Klein; Jay and Barbara Lerman; Roz and Dick Kaufman; Steven Gruenstein and Lynn Chinitz-Gruenstein; Bruce and Rita Gilbert; Phyllis and Herman Steinberg; Mila Barg and Lance Levine; Shari Birnbaum-Baum; Judith Harary; Herbert and Florence Joffe; Michael TO DONATE TO SISTERHOOD’S and Roni Schiffres; Elissa and Jonathan Glickman; Susan Wolman and Stephen Guggenheim; Dina MITZVAH FUND, contact Marcia and David Brot; Robert and Barbara Ehudin; Judy and Michael Spiegeland; Joel and Ann Davis; Pryluck at marciapryluck@gmail. Jacqueline and Avi Einzig; Mark and Eleanor Walfish; David and Jeanna Radvany; Lois Morgenstern; Sue and Michael Meisler; Donald Fleishaker; Stephan Loewentheil and the Loewentheil family; Jules com, or mail your donation(s) to and Harriet Schwartz; Richard and Sharon Schwab; Meryl and Martin Druckerman; Merill and Ellen 1255 North Avenue, B2O, New Resnick; Steven and Lori Schwartz; Nancy and Frank Levin; Rabbi Annie Tucker; Lloyd Sherman; Rochelle, NY 10804. Donation Janet Yoskowitz; Arnold and Margery Reisfeld; Sheri Langer; Michael and Linda Goldstein; Barbara and Leon Protass; Ella and Russell Fayer; Howard Steinman and Barbara Birshstein; Gaby and George minimum is $10. Make checks Newfield; Donald and Barbara Kotler; Barbara Mendler; Rick and Ellen Barlis; Judy Shapiro; Alyssa payable to Beth El Sisterhood. and Jonathan Erber; Esther Zarembski; Vicki and Nate Fisher; Sandra and Bob Goldman; Ira and Cynthia Shechter; Beth El Religious School PTA; Sharon and George Rozansky. 21
KOL NIDRE APPEAL 2019: ADDENDUM Beth El Synagogue Center would like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who contributed to our 2019 Kol Nidre Appeal. Your support of the Beth El community is greatly appreciated and it allows us to continue to provide excellent programs for all. SHOMRIM SOCIETY Wendy and Mitchell Gross Laurie and Eric Roth
% Ten Percenter: Those who increased their pledge by a minimum of 10% above their contribution last year. Shomrim Society: Those who made a contribution of $1,800 or more. Membership in this society demonstrates a deep commitment to the continuity of services and programs provided by Beth El.
KOL NIDRE CONTRIBUTORS Cindy Aaronson and Stan Arkow Donna and Abraham Bartell% Phyllis Feingold Susan and Robert Goldstein% Ellen and Jack Hollander Elizabeth and Alan Legatt Adele and Sheldon Lobel
The Wisdom of Rabbinic Texts: A class for the Inquiring Mind 01/09 - 01/30
10:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Lively, interactive, and intellectually challenging study of Talmud, in English translation. No lecturing. No pontification. No moralizing. Rather, a joint effort to “get to the bottom” of what the texts are saying.
Curious? Walk in and try your first class at no charge. This class will be like none you have experienced before. We will study the Talmudic text on its own terms, without preconceived notions. Our goal is not information, but immersion – an opportunity to “plug in” to the process of learning. That means not to read what someone else tells you what the Rabbis (supposedly) said, but to see it inside and experience it for yourself -without intermediaries. All levels welcome. Just bring a friendly disposition, an inquiring mind, and a desire to think. Beth El Synagogue Center|1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY Four Thursdays, Jan 09 thru Jan 30, 2020 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM Tuition $140 (try your first class, w/o commitment) Instructor: Rabbi David Hojda (845-304-8442) -- dhojda@gmail.com
For more information: Sam Berger (914-494-6079) -- sam.hr.berger@gmail.com Rabbi David Hojda is a teacher, translator, editor, and author. He specializes in text-based classes on Jewish ideas to adults of diverse backgrounds. Known for his insight and wit, Rabbi Hojda's Westchester classes have attracted a steady following of repeat students who appreciate the opportunity for in-depth, non-dogmatic thinking about classic texts in a stimulating, highly accessible setting.
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Melanie Kogan and Scott Mellis Pamela Friedman and Robert Preminger% Ruth and Marvin P. Price Barbara Conviser and Theodore Rosenzweig Risa Ryger and Peter Wasserman Anne and Rick Weisbrod
DONATION POLICY
We have re-evaluated the way we handle notification of general donations made to Beth El. We will only mail out acknowledgement letters for donations of $36 or greater made to our various funds. ALL donations of any value will continue to be posted in the monthly Bulletin. This is in line with common practice of other synagogues of similar size, and also yields administrative savings for Beth El. To donate, visit www. bethelnr.org/donation. Note: This policy change does not affect donations made to Sisterhood or the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. Please use ShulCloud wherever possible to make your donations electronically, as this, too, yields administrative savings. If you have questions about how to use ShulCloud, contact Zoe Raynes at ZRaynes@bethelnr.org, or 914235-2700, ext. 228.
GRUENBERG, continued from page 1
SEIDEN-KELTZ, continued from page 1
volunteers at Kids’ Kloset for 914 Cares, drives for New Rochelle Cares, teaches classes to seniors through DOROT’s University Without Walls, and mentors new teachers through the Davidson School at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Sandy and Jack are parents to four wonderful children and four wonderful childrenin-law: Hana and Aaron, Joshua and Elissa, Yehuda and Orlee, and Hillel and Yael. They are also the proud grandparents of nine amazing grandchildren ages 2 to almost 20: Barak, Zeke, Asher, Caleb, Kayla, Sam, Ilan, Zoe, and Sari. Judaism has been at the core of their lives since meeting at Camp Ramah in the Pocono’s over fifty-five years ago, and they solidified their relationship two years later while each was spending a year in Israel—Sandy in a Peace Corps-type program in an immigrant village and Jack continuing his Jewish studies at the Seminary’s Branch in Jerusalem. They hope to be able to continue their efforts on behalf of the Beth El Community for many more years to come.
her Bat Mitzvah at Beth El and served as the Beth El USY chapter vice president. She went to the University of Rochester, followed by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for medical school. She completed her residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology at New York University, and fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Montefiore. She works at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College as a Minimally Invasive Gynecologist and Pelvic Pain Specialist and is going to be the residency program director starting July 2020. Zach grew up in Queens, New York, and was a member of the Forest Hills Jewish Center. He attended Solomon Schechter School Queens and Binghamton University. He studied abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Zach received a master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College and has been a teacher at George M. Davis Elementary School in New Rochelle since 2009. Julia and Zach met at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires in 1996. They started dating in 2006, and were married by Rabbi Emeritus Melvin N. Sirner at Glen Island Harbor Club in 2008. In 2010, their daughter Hannah was born, followed by son Jared in 2013, and daughter Zoe in 2018 (in the midst of Julia’s Journey experience). Julia is a member of the Religious School Parent Organization and serves on the Clergy Search Committee. Zach was the Beth El Camp Athletic Director from 2008-2010. He is most famous for his performance in the inaugural Beth El Comedy Night. He helped organize the Young Parent Happy Hour and is currently a member of the Religious School Board and a member of the Board of Trustees. They are honored to be this year’s Lapid Award recipients.
PEISTER, continued from page 1 of the Arts, focusing on Film & TV production. His senior project was a documentary on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. He got an “A” and gained 10 pounds. After college he went to Israel for a second time through a program called Livnot U’lehbanot in Tzfat. This program was formative as he experienced “living Judaism” through worship, education, volunteerism, and kashrut. Professionally, Darren freelances in television post-production. Over the past decade, he has become an editor-in-residence at WNET and edits musical performances, documentaries, and more. He has won three Emmy awards for his work. Beth El has been a worthy focus of Darren’s volunteerism. He produced and edited numerous videos for Purim, Rabbi Sirner’s send-off video, and Beth El’s Centennial Commemoration. Darren regularly attends services and has assumed the role of “Candy Man,” showering sweets each Shabbat on the Haftarah reader. He also enjoys being a Greeter/Usher during High Holiday services. Jayne was born in Valley Stream, NY, and is also the youngest of three children. She and her family went regularly to Friday night services at Temple B’nai Israel, a Reform synagogue nearby. Jayne was very involved in the Reform NFTY teen movement, acting as President of LIFTY (Long Island Federation of Temple Youth) in her high school senior year. She graduated from Cornell University as a biology major/business minor and worked in pharmaceutical sales for Lilly USA for 30 years, accepting an early retirement in 2017. Now she works as Director of Commercialization for Retia Medical, a small medical device company in Valhalla. Grateful for the community she and her family have found in Beth El, she has held leadership roles on the religious school board, the Board of Trustees, as an Officer and has helped coordinate many events- including the Safrai Israeli Art Speakeasy and Best Family Shabbatot. Jayne is currently co-chair of The Green Team, which is guiding Beth El toward an even greener future. Darren and Jayne met through a mutual friend (congregant Debbie Mayblum’s sister!) on Darren’s twenty-fifth birthday and were married two years later in 1993. They have two wonderful daughters, Emma and Sophia, who are now 23 and 20 respectively. Sophia made aliyah in July 2019 and Emma aspires do so in the near future. The warmth, spirit, and sense of camaraderie the Peister family found at Beth El has cemented their place within this community. They are humbled to receive the President’s Ne’emanim Service Award and are thrilled to be sharing recognition with the beloved and accomplished Gruenbergs and the multi-talented Keltz-Seidens.
To learn more about the Gala, visit www.bethelnr.org/Gala2020. Please plan to join us on Sunday, March 22nd!
ABOUT THE LAPID AWARD The Lapid Award was first begun in 2018, and is given to young members who have exhibited exceptional commitment to the Beth El community. By deed and example, they are picking up the torch—The Lapid—and carrying on the traditions of our kehillah kedoshah, our sacred community, while helping to forge a bright future for generations to come. Through their dedication they have worked to enhance the lives of our members and have come to be an integral part of the Beth El family. 23
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Thinking of buying or selling in 2020? The time for us to start talking and planning is now! Don’t make a move without me. Your neighborhood is my expertise.
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M 917.693.3557 JBurton@HoulihanLawrence.com Proud Beth El member R A N K E D I N T H E TO P 1% O F A L L AG E N T S I N W E S TC H E S T E R M L S # 1 AG E N T I N T H E # 1 B R O K E R AG E I N N E W R O C H E L L E S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S
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D r e a m i n g o f a N e w H o m e i n t h e N e w Ye a r ? Larchmont Woods Section of New Rochelle $1,339,000 This stunning 4,699-sf stone front Colonial has the combination of look, location and private property that create the perfect fit. The impressive center hallway sets the stage for this spectacular home offering arched entries, gracious proportions, rich architectural detail and wonderful family living. Web# 5104604
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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 Licensed Real Estate Sales Person
Helping the Beth El community with their home buying and selling needs for over 10 years.
914.420.8556 s.rosenstein@yahoo.com
Wishing that your home is filled with blessings, light, happiness and joy.
מאחלת לכם שביתכם יהיה מלא , באור,בברכה ! ובשמחה,באושר
JOCELYN BURTON Real Estate Salesperson
M 917.693.3557 JBurton@houlihanlawrence.com Proud Beth El member
Ranked in the Top 1% of All Agents in Westchester MLS 1 Agent in the 1 Brokerage in New Rochelle #
#
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES N E W RO C H E L L E B RO K E R AG E | 1 5 Q UA K E R R I D G E ROA D According to the HGAR media-kit, there are currently 10,300 members of HGAR, Jocelyn ranks 68 and in the Top 1% in Westchester County by all properties sold, 2018. Source: HGMLS, 2018, single-family homes, City of New Rochelle, total volume, by company. HGMLS, 2018, single family homes, New Rochelle School District, total volume, by agent, Houlihan Lawrence New Rochelle Brokerage.