The Voice Hanukkah Edition 5783.2022

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Looking back, looking forward, making connections

As we near the end of 2022, I am so happy to reflect upon the many wonderful moments that we shared at CAI this past year. I am equally thrilled that there are countless opportunities to create new, meaningful experiences and form lasting connections within our congregation as we move forward into 2023 After enthusiastically gathering together for the High Holy Days, we have continued to host weekly in-person Shabbat services and join together as a community to share a kiddush

lunch, reviving our tradition before the pandemic We have also gathered back in our beautiful building to enjoy movie nights and discussions, and lifted our voices (and filled our bellies) with evening sing-alongs. Together we celebrated the holidays with Spirits in the Sukkah, and community members cheered on the Mets during our trip to Citi Field. We joined with our partners, members of other faithbased organizations, to address the needs of people in our larger New Jersey community and collected food and crafted items for our neighbors in Essex County. Through each of these moments, we have strengthened our connections to each other and to our beloved synagogue.

Our 2023 calendar is full of new programs, concerts, classes, and community service projects, and we can’t wait for you to find the right opportunity to make your connection within Agudath Israel. If you’re unsure of what to try first, membership director Debbie Lurie (dlurie@agudath.org) is always willing to help point you in the right direction. Thank you for your continued membership at CAI. Our clergy, staff, and lay leaders are working hard to make your membership experience even more meaningful Happy Hanukkah and best wishes for a joyous 2023.

Shani Drogin, President CAI Board of Trustees

RABBI ARI LUCAS

In those days and in our time

Across an ocean and a continent, there is a modern-day Hanukkah story playing out in Ukraine. Of course we do not know how the current war with Russia will end. But the stories we hear of the Ukrainian people’s patriotism under the leadership of Jewish head of state Volodymyr Zelensky echo the ancient story we celebrate on the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah commemorates a military victory of the few over the many It recounts the heroism of a small group of zealous Jews (the Maccabees) who would not be intimidated or dominated by a foreign invader. They refused to Hellenize and assimilate into the imperialist Greek culture. Instead, the Maccabees mounted a violent resistance to maintain their distinct identity as Jews and purify the Temple in Jerusalem after the desecration of a foreign occupier

Ukrainians are fighting for many of the same reasons As they endure cold and darkness this season, they have also provided hope and inspiration through their fight against tyranny. Let us hope that they too have the spiritual resources to endure longer than any of us could reasonably expect. Hanukkah didn’t have to end the way it did. It could very well have been the final chapter in a very short Jewish history The willingness of the Maccabees to fight for their principles and the stubbornness of the Jewish people to resist assimilation in every generation are among the reasons we are still Jewish today. How many other cultures choose a path of less resistance and melt into the majority culture?

One of the essential lessons of Hanukkah is that diversity and distinctive identities should be respected and honored not bullied into nonexistence

As we reflect on the meaning of Hanukkah in our time, we might ask ourselves a few questions: What is worth fighting for? For the Maccabees it was their Jewishness; for Ukrainians it’s their national identity. What would you be willing to risk? What is sacred to you? What ought to be sacred to us?

I encourage you to take one night this Hanukkah to pray for Ukraine as you light your candles The blessing we recite praises God for having performed miracles “bayamim hahem u’vazman hazeh” “in those days and in our time.” This year, I’ll be thinking not only of God, who performed miracles throughout the generations, but of the heroic actions of those individuals who help make miracles happen through their courage and sense of duty those who do what is right, not what is expedient or comfortable May we all be inspired by the heroism of the Ukrainians and be inspired to do what each of us can to preserve freedom, dignity, and our distinct way of life. Wishing you a happy and meaningful Hanukkah.

Illustration by Neil Jamieson for TIME

Source Images: Getty Images (12); Ivanchuk: Lena Mucha—The New York Times/Redux; Kondratova: Kristina Pashkina—UNICEF; Kutkov: Courtesy Oleg Kutkov; Nott: Annabel Moeller—David Nott Foundation; Payevska: Evgeniy Maloletka—AP

RABBI SARA BLUMENTHAL

Give the gift of learning

It probably comes as no surprise to you that I love to learn Jewish texts. As a rabbi, I have the privilege of engaging deeply with our tradition alongside treasured friends, colleagues, and congregants, all of whom become my teachers. We delve into our sacred sources with curiosity and open-mindedness, listening to what they have to teach us and simultaneously asking questions of them They, too, have a voice in the conversation, and yet, our interpretation of them is limited, filtered through our subjective experiences and cultural paradigms. I often wonder what our texts would tell us if they could speak. How would they contribute to our understanding of ourselves and our world?

A few weeks ago, the text of the Torah came to life in our own chapel in a first-for-CAI Torah learning program: a mock trial Conceived by CAI’s Debby Miller, a group of lay leaders and CAI professionals put biblical forebears Jacob and Rebekah on trial for theft of the blessing (Jacob) and conspiracy (Jacob and Rebekah), as suggested in Parshat Toldot in Genesis. The merit of those charges was ultimately for the jury (the audience) to decide

As a brief refresher, an elderly and blind Isaac, from his deathbed, calls to his eldest son, Esau, and asks him to hunt game and make him a stew such as he likes so that he may give Esau his innermost blessing. Rebekah overhears this and instructs her favored son, Jacob, to bring her two kids for a stew that she will make for Isaac. Jacob does her bidding, puts on Esau’s animal skins, and delivers the meal to his father, disguised as Esau Isaac gives Jacob the blessing before Esau has time to return When Esau finally comes back, he is distraught to find that the blessing already had been given to Jacob, and he begs his father for another blessing. I had the honor of acting as prosecuting attorney alongside a cadre of talented

“witnesses,” “defense counsel,” and esteemed judge To prepare for my role, I looked at a story that I was deeply familiar with, but from a new angle. I had to learn how to prosecute and cross-examine, two skills I did not previously possess, and step outside my comfort zone to act as an attorney. It was a wonderful growth experience to be challenged in my understanding of the well-known narrative and find new ways to make it relevant and meaningful for our times and community This innovative program engaged the age spectrum, from the children who were perched on the bimah steps engrossed in the action to the packed room of engaged adults. Laughter erupted every so often when a witness really acted the part. So much joy emanated from the chapel in a time when levity might be hard to come by The interactive trial, in which everyone present had a role, was food for the mind and medicine for the soul. It was a magical, transformative experience of deep, communal Torah engagement.

In the blessings we say every time we read from the Torah, we bless God for giving us the Torah and planting in us eternal life: Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam asher natan lanu torat emet v’chayei olam nata b’tocheinu

By finding new, innovative ways to give our most cherished texts a voice, we renew not only the Torah but also our lives. I believe deeply that there is always something new to learn. Maybe you stumble across a biblical verse you never noticed before that captures your attention and starts turning your wheels Or you cultivate a skill you never knew you had It might be as simple as asking a question, opening up an uncharted world. Whatever the discovery, learning is a gift. This Hanukkah, as we teach others about our sacred story of finding light in darkness and join in the custom of gift-giving, I invite each of you to give yourself the gift of learning something new. You never know what that experience will end up teaching you

JOEL CAPLAN

Make a synagogue playdate!

Want to have a better time in shul? Want your family to come to the synagogue?

Try making a Playdate

For example: Right after a recent bat mitzvah service in our sanctuary, I congratulated the parents. They said, “We’re so proud. And, Cantor, it would be really great if she would continue with Jewish activities.”

Well, how about reaching out to another family and saying, “We’ll come to the synagogue on X day, for X activity, if you will also. Will you join us?”

It’s a Playdate At least, that’s what we called it when our kids were little: “Want to meet us at the park after school on Tuesday?” “How about if we come over to your place tomorrow? We’ll bring dinner.”

I tell choir singers, “Bring a friend with you to rehearsal. It’s always more fun with a friend there.”

That goes for just about everything It’s the Garfinkel Principle You probably know the old joke: “Dad, how come you’re all of a sudden going to minyan every day?”

“You know my friend Garfinkel? He comes to talk to God. Well, I come to talk to Garfinkel.”

You don’t have to pre-plan coming with a friend, of course. If it’s a class or a meeting or a dance session or minyan or choir or teen night or whatever, you can just show up and see who else is there But if you want your friends to be there, try texting them in advance. “You coming?”

(Yeah, yeah. Or call, or email, or Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/semaphore…)

Rabbi Silverstein used to quote Rabbi Harold Schulweis, who t “J d th J t be Jewish.”

So try making a

LINA SHUSTER

Executive Director

Gratitude for sisterhood

We, the Jewish people, are a family. Our traditions, daily life, and rituals all have family at their core. It is through the Jewish family that our survival rests Through the lens of family we view the past, live the present, and have hope for the future At the center of the Jewish family is a woman, a Jewish mother. A wise Yiddish proverb says, “God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers.”

From our biblical foremothers to the busy moms of today, a Jewish mother is miraculous and full of unconditional love. She is a teacher and spiritual role model the one who infuses her family with kavod (respect/dignity), chesed (kindness), and a profound yearning for shalom bayit (peace within the home). Jewish families create sacred moments within their homes and communities with these values.

In my short time here, I have witnessed the powerful women of CAI and all the gifts they abundantly bring to our community. Even with their own lives, families, and responsibilities, they keep giving to enhance our community They tirelessly give, organize, cook, plan, build, and create; they clean, teach, assist, comfort, share, and pray.

In November, I was honored to join CAI’s annual Sisterhood Shabbat, a coming together of Jewish women of our community. It was a showcase of

dedication, leadership, and hard work for a meaningful cause This was my very first time participating in a longstanding CAI tradition — and the first time I saw every part of the service brilliantly led by women. I was incredibly inspired by our CAI women so strong and diverse, and at the same time filled with the same values and desires to create strong foundations for our families and to build and sustain the dynamic future of our community

On Sunday following Sisterhood Shabbat, filled with joy and pride for our CAI community, I left on a long-awaited Momentum trip to Israel, where every moment was filled with spirituality and meaning. Growing up as I did in the former Soviet Union, I never had a bat mitzvah; I was blessed to celebrate becoming bat mitzvah in Jerusalem, at the Kotel, where, the next day, we lit Shabbat candles As I took it all in, I was filled with gratitude for being a part of the Jewish people that, despite all the hardships we have faced, continues its strong and remarkable journey from generation to generation. Gratitude for a community whose women and Sisterhood are so generous-hearted and give in abundance every day. Gratitude for the opportunity to come to work every day and pursue a career that is meaningful, spiritually fulfilling, and worthy of explaining to my Jewish children. Gratitude for being a Jewish woman and mother.

GEULA ZAMIST

Early Childhood Center Director IDEAL18

The mission of IDEAL18 is to bring generations together through intentional, creative experiences for the mutual benefit of all generations Our Early Childhood Center was selected with a small group of schools across the country to participate in IDEAL (Intentional Deep Experiences Across Lifecycles).

Participation in the fellowship involved many months of learning and preparing, including two three-day conferences exploring such issues as ageism, program design and development, and observation and documentation

When we were ready to launch our own program, we began by creating a leadership team that includes synagogue staff, volunteers, and educators.

Our Grandfriends were selected and took part in an orientation to learn more about our goals and understand our school’s pedagogy.

On Sukkot, the Grandfriends and the children met for the first time in the CAI sukkah The energy was magical, as the children and elders sat around the tables, played with materials ogether, and shared stories. After that first meeting, we

heard from one of our Grandfriends: “Sending special thanks to the kids for inviting us to participate in a wonderful sukkah program. The event was memorable. The activity with the kids made me learn so much about myself at this stage of life. I was the beneficiary of the event and realized what a labor of love teaching is.”

Since then, the Grandfriends have met regularly with our Fours classes twice a month By sharing time together, deep relations are developing

When the children enter the room with their Grandfriends, they are excited to greet them and catch them up on everything that has happened. After the children return to their classrooms, the leadership team meets with the elders, reflecting and sharing what we have learned.

The children get so much from someone paying close attention to them and listening to their ideas The elders are learning about our school and finding new sources of meaning in their own lives.

Some reactions: “Grandfriends is a very valuable and delightful program.” “The children are amazing and really enjoy our time together.” “Love to see the interaction among the kids ” “I truly look forward to our time together ”

During journal-writing time in the classroom, the children have been writing about their time with their Grandfriends. (see photo below)

Often the partners work with loose parts, materials with no specific set of directions, that can be used alone or combined with other materials Children turn the parts into whatever they imagine: A stone can become a character in a story; an acorn can become an ingredient in an imaginary soup. These objects invite interaction and encourage collaboration and cooperation. Many of the Grandfriends have noticed how comfortable the children are engaging with different materials.

"The children are learning skills and experiences from Grandfriends that they can learn only from experience, communication and life skills, and inter-generational understanding and interest This is a marvelous program, and I commend the ECC for bringing it to our children. They are learning life skills in an open-ended environment."

We are honored to have been chosen to participate in IDEAL18. After just a few months, we are planning on ways to build and expand on the experience

KAREN FRANK

CAI's Congregational Nurse A helping hand with issues of aging, illness, spiritual wellness

Every few years, I think it is useful to re-introduce myself to those of you who may not even know that CAI has a congregational nurse or what it is I do. I am on staff as a pastoral nurse to provide service to member families in all areas of aging, illness, and spiritual wellness

Mine is a rather unique role combining nursing, counseling, and chaplaincy to families who may be struggling with transitions or challenges. The job includes home visits to the elderly to check on how they’re managing, including eating, taking medicines, getting to appointments, and engaging socially.

I advise families regarding long-term plans, community services, or alternate living

arrangements I can help set people up with meals, home health aides, grab bars, or other equipment. I have a storage room here at the synagogue with medical equipment to lend.

I also am available to act as companion to those managing difficult conditions. I can visit regularly to hear about their experiences and consult on possible supportive services in the struggle Mostly I can show up and simply listen from an objective and caring perspective I also can guide in meditation, prayer, and relaxation techniques to help ease pain and anxiety.

I meet with families who are trying to navigate the system in making arrangements for an aging parent; I can help facilitate family meetings and steer them toward solutions. I have run caregiver groups in which we offer support, encouragement, and actual problem solving I facilitate Wise Aging groups and lead Opening to Shabbat Meditation and Wednesday Wellness classes on Zoom.

I have helped plan community-wide educational programs on issues of health and wellness for all ages.

My cell number is 862-485-9062; my email is nursekarenfrank@gmail.com. Please don’t be a stranger feel free to reach out Hoping that the lights of Hanukkah shine brightly for you

SUSAN WERK

Education

Director

Nes gadol hayah sham

What would the celebration of Hanukkah be without the squeals and giggles of children spinning the dreidel, playing for the spoils pennies or nuts or the ever-popular chocolate gelt? Spinning is truly an art. It takes practice, patience, and encouragement to get that spin to last more than a second. And when it does, we hold our breaths, uncertain of what the outcome will be.

The spin is not as important as the landing of course As the dreidel drops on gimmel (get it all!), nun (nothing), hei (take half), or shin (put one into the pot), everybody gets into the fun of the game.

For me, in 2022, the dreidel also reminds me of the media tornado that whirls around us every day. A multitude of sources bombards us with a storm of information, most of it unsettling, scary, disturbing just plain bad news about crime, war, injustice, unrest But when the dreidel stops and rests even if we land on shin we are reminded of the real meaning of the four letters on the dreidel the initials for the phrase “Nes gadol hayah sham,” “A great miracle happened there” (in Israel, of course, instead of a shin, there’s a pei, for po, meaning “here”), leading us to reflect on the joyful miracles that we remember and are grateful for on the holiday And, in that daily swirl of bad news, suddenly our attention rests on a human-interest story, some awesome tale of wonder about an act of gemilut chasadim (bestowing kindness or selflessness) or, dare I say, a miracle of humanity and generosity. I love those stories; I crave those reminders that amidst the bad news, there is good news to report about our fellow human beings Each time the dreidel lands we recall the miracles that surround us; each time a “good news” story airs, we refocus and think about how we too can save a life, support a humanitarian cause, contribute to society in positive way. Just as the

darkness of December is brightened by the lights of Hanukkah, so too the darkness of our society’s troubles is brightened by the lights of kindness, good deeds, and miracles that surround us.

Some suggestions for making each evening of the holiday special through fun family events: Movie Night, Dance Party, Board Game, Mitzvah Project, Family Tzedakah Allocation, Hanukkah Guests on Shabbat, Talent Show, and Supermarket Mitzvah (using money that was going to be spent on toys to buy food to donate to the needy).

Let us enhance the holiday with stories of kindness, gratitude, and miracles and encourage each one of us to ignite a flame encouraging love, giving, and humanity, creating a fire of hope for all to see

Here are some “Hallelujah Moments” from the Education Department: “Hallelujah” to Maren Jacobs, who was named CAI’s “Youth of the Year” by the Northern NJ Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. “Hallelujah” to Erica Rabner for her new EP, “Hanukkah! Hanukkah! Hannukah!”

“Hallelujah” to the Oppers and the Weisleders, who will join our CAI Family Trip to Israel during Hanukkah

“Hallelujah” to Shari Bricker, assistant to the education director, and Lori Weinberg, administrator coordinator of the Education Department, for all the hard work they do to have a smooth-running office.

“Hallelujah” to the amazing Early Childhood Center, Religious School, and Adult Ed teaching staff!

“Hallelujah” to all our curious and engaged students of every age and stage who continue our sacred endeavor of learning about who we are as Jews.

Chag Urim Sameach! May the lights of Hanukkah bring us joy and warmth.

Adult Education resumes in Jan. 2023! Stay tuned for information!

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Putting Jewish values into practice

The CAI Social Action Committee continues the important work of putting Jewish values into practice. Two of the most prominent Torah commands concern helping the poor and treating the stranger in your midst as you would your own kind These are matters of tzedakah of justice which are obligations, and not of charity, which arises from feelings.

Under the auspices of the committee, CAI continues to support the important work of Family Promise of Essex County. Congregants attended the annual Family Promise breakfast fundraiser at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, where they heard inspiring stories of families who were homeless and were reincorporated into the community with residences and jobs As part of our ongoing commitment, CAI hosted families over the course of one week in July and a second week in November. Hosting within the

scattered shelter system involved providing home-cooked meals for the families, filling a shopping list of requested foods for the week of our commitment, and donating gift cards to allow family autonomy in meeting individual needs. Volunteers did not meet face to face with the families, as we had in the past when they were housed at CAI The giving, therefore, was done anonymously which is the highest form of giving

CAI volunteers also continued to support families experiencing food insecurity by making regular donations to local food pantries. The hunger crisis in America has grown exponentially due to the high cost of food items and interruptions in the supply chain attributed both to the pandemic and to the war in Ukraine Therefore, reliance on the generosity of others has been ever more crucial CAI is also actively involved with the Northern New Jersey Sanctuary Coalition, a nonprofit group that assists refugees seeking asylum in the United States after fleeing political persecution in their country of origin. Committee members are on the coalition board, and congregants have successfully sponsored three asylees over the years, helping them become productive members of their new home here in America. So many of us are only a generation or two removed from family members who made similar perilous journeys to escape privation and oppressive regimes. On Saturday, Feb. 4, CAI will participate in the annual Refugee Shabbat (supported by HIAS), along with other synagogues and organizations all around the world In advance of the primary elections in June 2022 and the midterms in November 2022, congregants volunteered with the League of Women Voters to provide voter education and registration materials to residents in the West Essex community. Torah-mandated societies are compassionate societies, requiring our political engagement if good intentions are to be realized

Karen Eisenberg is chair of CAI’s Social Action Committee.

ANDREA MALMUD

JFS Zeller Family Social Worker Resilience and refuah: Pandemic healing

Shalom, everyone! On the fifth anniversary of my sacred time at CAI, I feel blessed to be writing to you again, about a Maccabi-style rededication of ourselves from the effects of collective trauma. As we all know, these past few years have been surreal and, for some, tragic. Though we have celebrated simchas, few of us have been unscathed by feelings of fear, worry, confusion, anger, grief, loneliness, loss even of a sense of purpose and identity We may feel like our personal temple has been destroyed, and we are out of oil

It would do us well to declare that what did not stop our ancient heroes will not stop us. As we

gradually begin to take risks and rebuild from what has been called universal collective trauma, we may be followed by both memories and ongoing tzures. I invite you to engage in the following activity from “The CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy] Art Activity Book”: On a piece of paper, or in your imagination, draw a picture of several boats (anything from row boats to cruise ships) “The boats can carry heavy loads: put your worries and fears inside them Visualize untying the ropes and watching the wind carry them out to sea.” as we celebrate the Festival of Lights, may every candle bring to mind a blessing, as we rededicate our own lives, one flicker at a time. And may our grocery stores continue to be restocked with oil. As Jews, we will also rededicate ourselves to frying and noshing Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

Give the gift of peace of mind

Hanukkah, which celebrates “dedication,” is a festival often associated with gift-giving. What could be a more meaningful, worthwhile, and consequential gift than alleviating for your children, relatives, or friends the burden of purchasing burial plots for you (and family members) immediately following death?

Recently, with the assistance of the Agudath Israel Cemetery Association, three CAI families purchased burial plots in one of the congregation cemeteries for their family and dear ones. We are here to help, at any time, even at the last minute. However, it is so much easier for all concerned to purchase plots before they are needed, as so many members of our congregation have done

Remember:

The association accepts credit card payments.

As a courtesy to our members, the CAI Cemetery Association will purchase back any plots you have bought, at your original cost, for any reason.

Plots are available for you and your Jewish family members at the nearby Menorah and King Solomon cemeteries in Clifton, among the final resting places of Agudath Israel friends and neighbors Full information is available by going to agudath.org/cemetery-association; contact any committee member for further details.

May Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication, be a meaningful one for you and your families and dear ones. Best wishes for a light-filled, joyous holiday.

Rabbi Richard Hammerman is a Trustee of CAI's Cemetery Association To reach the Cemetery Association, please send an email to info@agudathcemetery.org.

CREATE FOR A CAUSE Crafting to serve people in need

Members of the CAI Create for a Cause group work together to craft handmade items such as hats, blankets, and scarves to donate to organizations in our area and beyond that serve people in need We began over four years ago and since then have donated to over 15 organizations, including Strengthen Our Sisters, Valley Settlement House, Toni’s Kitchen, Montclair

Human Needs Food Pantry, Caldwell Food Pantry, and Oasis: A Haven for Women and Children. We’ve made hats for Israeli soldiers and sent items made in yellow and blue to support refugees from Ukraine We even made masks and delivered them to hundreds of CAI members during the start of the pandemic. Create for a Cause is open to all skill levels including beginners who would like to learn

different ways they can contribute. Our group includes members who knit, crochet, sew, bead, and design artwork and notecards with messages of hope.

An exciting addition is our new Create for a Cause Teen Group They are making handmade items to donate along with the larger group donations. The teens are also selecting projects on their own, such as making dog toys and bandanas for a local pet rescue organization. If you are interested in learning more about this group, please email the chair at iviedrogin@gmail.com.

If you would like to learn more about being a part of Create for a Cause or how you can donate new or gently used items along with our handmade items, please reach out to Caryn Snerson at agudathcfc@gmail.com. Our next meeting will be Friday, Dec. 23, at 10:30 a.m. in the social hall everyone is welcome!

Caryn Snerson is chair of Create for a Cause

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Gratitude

and giving

Hanukkah is a time for family, celebration, and giving. This year, as CAI opens its doors for all our traditional festival programming, the first time since the pandemic, we all have much to celebrate and be thankful for.

Our CAI community has given so many intangible gifts to all our families every single year, but especially during the darker days of the pandemic Our clergy, staff, teachers, and lay leaders kept the spark of our Jewish community alive and kept us connected when we truly needed it the most.

In honor of the Festival of Lights, a holiday with the message of gratitude and giving, we hope that you give back to CAI and enable us to continue to grow, thrive, and sustain our important mission

We are so grateful to those of you who have already made a gift to the 2022-23 Annual Fund. These generous donations ensure that CAI is able to continue to offer the robust programs, services, and social opportunities that make our synagogue the warm, welcoming, enriching place it is for so many families. Every gift, at every level, makes a big difference to our CAI community

For those who have not yet made a donation, please consider supporting CAI as you make your holiday and year-end giving. You can make a gift directly on our website at “Annual FundCongregation Agudath Israel. ” With much gratitude and thanks.

Jordan Shumofsky is a CAI Vice President, and Seth Weisleder is chair of the Annual Fund

TZEDEK INITIATIVE In pursuit of social justice and racial equality

Congregants from Rose of Sharon Community Church in Plainfield joined CAI members on Oct. 12 to view “Shared Legacies,” a 2020 documentary focusing on the coalition and friendship between the Jewish and AfricanAmerican communities during the turbulent 1960s’ Civil Rights era.

The screening was sponsored by the CAI Tzedek Initiative and organized by members Sharon Zucker and Judy Zaks. Among the dozen or so attendees from the church was the Rev. Valerie Yancy, interim pastor at Rose of Sharon, a predominantly African-American church Susan Werk facilitated the evening

The film explores the relationship between Jewish and Black religious and lay leaders who supported Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts to promote racial equality and harmony. It also examines how that relationship has frayed in subsequent years, as the two communities found themselves at odds over a number of issues The response to the screening and a Zoom discussion a couple of weeks later was incredibly positive. Participants from both houses of worship commented on the importance of telling this story and rebuilding the alliance to fight hatred racism and anti-Semitism today. An enhancement to the evening was the pairing of a CAI member with each of the Rose of Sharon visitors, which encouraged discussion and the formation of personal connections It was agreed that developing a connection between the two congregations by building personal relationships is a key element to this work and that this event was the foundation for future joint activities. The screening of “Shared Legacies” was part of the Tzedek Initiative’s mission to pursue and promote social justice and racial equality through listening and learning, community building, and

advocacy and activism The Tzedek Initiative has hosted more than 20 events since its founding in the wake of the George Floyd murder in 2020, helping the synagogue form relationships with nearby organizations. It has also supported the formation of workgroups open to any congregant tackling issues of importance to congregants, including voting rights, reproductive rights, educational inequality, civil discourse, diversity, and inclusion

If you are interested in Tzedek Initiative events or participating in one of our workgroups, please reach out to co-chairs Deborah Rosen, Deborah Miller, Ruth Jaffe, or Morris Lewis.

Morris Lewis is co-chair of the Tzedek Initiative.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

Working to make a healthier planet

The CAI Environmental Committee invites you to join our next meeting, on Zoom, Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m.

We are proud to share some of our accomplishments and honors, and plans for future activities.

We have been recognized as one of the country’s “Seal of Sustainability” congregations, a designation given by HAZON: The Jewish Lab for Sustainability

We have been invited to become part of the new national Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition.

CAI teens, including Jacob Levine and Eli Schulman, attended the Oct. 30 program of the national Jewish Youth Climate Movement in NYC and will be among the leaders of a new teen group at CAI Susan Werk and Shachar Kessler helped facilitate this new opportunity

With the Interfaith Committee, we published “Nourishing Our Souls,” an interfaith vegetarian cookbook, with Gail Kleinman (chair of the Interfaith Committee) serving as chair and Deborah Schwenk (Environmental Committee) as co-chair, with other wonderful volunteers! The cookbook was the result of our programming on reducing climate change and having as speaker Jonathan Safran Foer (author of “Eating Animals” and “We Are the Weather”) Now sold out, the cookbook has gone into a second printing. Net profits are donated to local foodbanks.

Bob and Janet Markman sold the cookbooks at CAI’s Holiday Boutique, where many people purchased them for themselves and as gifts. A tree donated by the Caldwell Environmental Commission was planted outside CAI and is maintained by volunteers from our committee, including Ben Alter, Mark Lipsy, and Debbie Arbit.

A Tu B’Shvat seder is being planned by Debbie Arbit and Randi Brokman for Sunday, Feb 25 New members Michael and Nurit Brown invited committee members to their home sukkah party for a wonderful gathering with delicious food! A free “Plant Swap” (plants, seeds, and cuttings) is planned for the spring; Michael invites farmers or gardeners to contact him for more information.

Rabbi Lucas was speaker for the annual Environmental Shabbat during Sukkot Vegetarian foods were added to the kiddush (with some recipes prepared from recipes in the cookbook), and only compostable tableware was used. CAI had a new, larger sukkah, donated in memory of Stacy Sepinwall.

Earth Day takes place on Apr. 23, and Rabbi David Saltzman and other committee members are planning a program Guest speakers have included CAI congregant Deborah Schwenk, who is an EPA attorney, and Jacob Labendz, son of congregant Marilyn Labendz and author of “Jewish Veganism and Vegetarianism.”

We invite CAI congregants of all ages and stages to join us for the activities we offer and to help us plan new ones Happy Hanukkah!

Harriet Sepinwall is co-chair of the CAI i l C i

COMMITTEE

Sharing positive values and understanding

The goal of the CAI Interfaith Committee is to create community with members of other faith groups while reducing discrimination, bigotry, and xenophobia In these divisive times, connecting and sharing positive values and understanding of each other’s religions and cultures is more important than ever. By learning about our neighbors’ traditions and beliefs, we can treasure our unique differences as well as our human and spiritual commonalities. Our programs are educationally, socially, and spiritually focused on our shared desire to make our world a kinder and safer place Initiated by Rabbi Silverstein, CAI’s longtime involvement with the West Essex Ministerial Association has led to strong bonds forged by community-wide programs with churches and the Peace Island Institute, a Turkish-Muslim organization. Our committee’s programs, in person or virtual, may be sponsored by us or in partnership with other CAI committees or community groups Membership and activities are open to all CAI members; others may be invited to participate. This year we completed “Nourishing Our Souls,” our beautiful interfaith vegetarian cookbook created in partnership with the Environmental Committee. Its mission is to help save our planet, improve our health, and reduce hunger while providing delicious, culturally diverse recipes that allow us all to break bread together With the help of the Social Action Committee, $500 of our net proceeds have been donated to both Toni’s Kitchen and the Human Needs Food Pantry, both in Montclair. Bob and Janet Markman are donating least 20 copies to local libraries, and the book it is being featured by Hazon: The Jewish Lab for Sustainability. Over 300 copies have been sold

Our relationship with Begegnung (Meeting) Christians and Jews a German organization dedicated to enhancing connection and understanding between the two faith groups has been formalized to include at least three joint programs a year under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Ursula Rudnick and CAI congregant Dr. Debby Miller. Programs over the past two years have included virtual trips to Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, and Hanover, Germany, where we learned about Dona Gracia, Martin Luther, and Abraham Joshua Heschel with scholars from Germany, Israel, Denmark, and Great Britain.

In partnership with the ADL, we explored interfaith relations in Israel. In a program organized with CAI’s Combating Anti-Semitism Initiative, historian and author Rafael Medoff spoke about the lessons to be learned from the Holocaust in regard to combating anti-Semitism today.

Our annual Iftar Dinner with the Peace Island Institute took place at CAI, in person for the first time in three years. Our teen group “Beyond Reposting” played a major role in planning and hosting the event, enriching the experience, and it will be continued

This season we will explore issues related to social justice, mental health, and spirituality in addition to food and grace through Christian and Jewish perspectives, and more familyoriented activities involving film and music are being planned.

If you would like to be involved, contact chair Gail Kleinman at gskleinman@gmail.com

Gail Kleinman is chair of the CAI Interfaith Committee.

COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM INITIATIVE

Raising awareness, providing tools for the fight

The United States has been the most hospitable “diaspora” location for Jews, but recently there has been a meteoric rise in anti-Semitic violence, exemplified by attacks at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, in California, in Jersey City, and elsewhere. Social media is full of venom directed against Jews, including hateful tropes that have endured for centuries. Israel has been a lightning rod for hatred, enveloping Jewish college students and forcing many to hide their Jewish identities. Celebrities like Kanye West and Kyrie Irving have pushed hateful anti-Semitism into the mainstream FBI director Christopher Wray reported that 63 percent of all religious hate crimes are directed against Jews, who constitute only 2.4 percent of the population.

In recognition of this disturbing trend, Agudath Israel’s leaders formed the Combating AntiSemitism Initiative in early 2022.

During the past year the following programs were sponsored:

“The State of Anti-Semitism” Rabbi David Levy, director, NJ region of the American Jewish Committee, reported on the recent AJC survey on anti-Semitism.

“Responding to Anti-Semitism in Social Situations” featured Dr. Jonah Cohen, communications director for CAMERA, the leading organization monitoring and correcting anti-Jewish and anti-Israel bias in the media He discussed using the techniques of the Socratic dialogue to counter anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements.

“The Catholic Church and Its Relations with Jews, Post-Holocaust,” Dr. James Paharik, director of

The National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education, recounted the history of the Church’s persecution of the Jews and how Catholics are working to build better relations with Jews.

Scott Richman, ADL NY/NJ regional director, led a discussion on the ADL’s 2021 ADL audit of anti-Semitic incidents, which CAI, as a signature synagogue, received a preview of It revealed a greater increase in anti-Semitic events in the NY-NJ metro area, when compared nationally.

“Myths and Facts about Israel,” led by ADL director of Israel affairs, Shaya Lerner, covered common misperceptions about Israel and how to correct them.

“Lessons from the Holocaust Years We Can Apply to Combat Anti-Semitism Today” Noted Holocaust scholar Dr Rafael Medoff, referencing the anti-Semitism of the FDR administration and mistakes Jewish communal leaders made during those years, presented a guide to efforts we can make in combating antiSemitism today. The program was supported by Marjorie and Norman Feinstein and cosponsored by the Interfaith Committee “Words to Action, ” held in cooperation with ADL, aimed to help Jewish teens explore their identities and equip them to combat antiSemitism and anti-Israel bias.

“Addressing Social Media,” for teens, showed them how to recognize misinformation online and how they can be vigilant in recognizing and combating anti-Semitism.

“Being Jewish on Campus,” a panel discussion for college students, covered the challenges of being Jewish on campus and tools to use when encountering anti-Semitism and anti-Israel attacks.

We welcome feedback, ideas you have for future programs, and possible resources; contact initiative co-chairs Max Kleinman (mkleinmanconsulting@gmail.com), focusing on adult education, and Grace Sumka (gracesumka@gmail.com), on activities for youth and young adults.

Max Kleinman is co-chair of CAI’s Combating Anti-Semitism Initiative.

SISTERHOOD

Bringing together women of all ages and stages

Lyrics from a children’s song “Make new friends but keep the old” describes Sisterhood Sisterhood aims to bring together the women of CAI of all ages and stages to meet one another through enlightening and enjoyable events. Sisterhood continues to support CAI, as it has done for decades, by providing flowers for the holidays and siddurim for the b’nei mitzvah youngsters. The annual Sisterhood Shabbat and kiddush includes more than 35 women leading the morning service Sisterhood continues to support adult education and religious school programs and maintains the gift shop for the benefit of the entire congregation. Since September 2021, more than 100 women and men have participated in Sisterhood programs. The year began with L’Chaim, a spirited mixology evening via Zoom, and was followed by two gourmet cooking and baking demonstrations on Zoom by congregants Christine Goldberg and Melanie Glass Fascinating discussions featuring two authors whose books have received rave reviews from The New York Times congregant Dara Horn and Joshua Henkin attracted more than 100 participants.

Eating delicious food from Holy Schnitzel was a highlight of Mahjong and Game Day at Judy Levenstein’s pool in person Tal Wolf of Tal Cake Art, a CAI member, presented a sufganiyot workshop for Hanukkah So many talented women at CAI are willing to share; consider volunteering to share your expertise. Sisterhood partners with the CAI Social Action Committee to provide food for those experiencing food insecurity through Stock the Shelves, a Women’s League program, and publicizes and contributes to the Family Promise program

CAI Sisterhood is part of the national Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and its Garden

State region, which offer many opportunities to attend classes, lectures, and programs worldwide

The annual Torah Fund Campaign raises funds to support the institutions of higher learning that educate future professional and lay leaders of Conservative/Masorti communities. In addition to raising money for scholarships, Torah Fund also presented two thoughtprovoking programs: Kendell Pinkney, a student of color at the Jewish Theological Seminary, presented via Zoom a monologue exploring race, identity, humanity, and Jewish spirituality with two other Jews of color, in a program cosponsored by the Sisterhoods at Pine Brook Jewish Center and Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston. CAI congregant Rabbi Cliff Miller gave a fascinating explanation of his work as a cataloguer in the JTS library. He works with books in multiple languages, many over 500 years old

Our Torah Fund goal this year is 80 participants; please contact Sharon Hammerman or Cindy Schechter to donate to the annual campaign. Upcoming Sisterhood events include a Cholent Cookoff, chaired by Tal Wolf and Shira Kelmanovich, Friday, Jan. 20; and Mahjong and Game Day, Sunday, Feb. 26.

Your talents, concerns, interests, and suggestions are welcome; please reach out to any Sisterhood board member: Sharon Hammerman, Rebecca Glass, Anita Finkel, Jackie Walzer, Donna Franklin, Michelle Shandler, Michelle Zeman, Karen Eisenberg, Judy Levenstein, Liza Amir, Pam Fertel Weinstein, and Debbie Lurie.

Sharon Hammerman is Sisterhood President

MEN’S CLUB

Back on a roll to benefit CAI

CAI Men’s Club is back on a roll During the last two-plus years, we had limited social events but carried on with activities that benefit the congregation, including putting up and taking down the sukkah and the courtyard awning, ushering for the High Holy Days, carrying out the memorial candle program for Holocaust Remembrance Day, and providing Mischief Night patrol

Taking part in Men’s Club social events is fun and allows participants to get to know each other and build friendships.

We are bringing back ping-pong night on Wednesday, Feb. 22. More information is coming soon. Over 60 guys attended each of the first two we held, enjoying ping-pong, corn hole, beer, sushi, pizza, and lots of fun Each of the social events we were able to hold in the past year a NJ Devils hockey game and Spirits in the Sukkah drew about 25 people each. We also organized a bus to attend a Mets game. The yearly highlight of the Northern NJ

Region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs is the annual Man of the Year event, which took place Dec. 4. Our Man of the Year was Arthur Franklin, who has been volunteering at the synagogue since the 1970s, serving on the board of trustees and as treasurer. Over the years he has sat on numerous committees, walked many Men’s Club Mischief Night patrols, and ushered for the High Holy Days He recently completed multiple decades as CAI board of trustees parliamentarian and continues to serve on the board. In 1989 Arthur became secretary of the Agudath Israel Cemetery Association and has been its president since 2012. This year the Men’s Club also honored a Youth of the Year, Maren Jacobs, daughter of Steven and Jessica Jacobs and a senior at West Orange High School Maren attended CAI's preschool and religious school and participated in Chaverim, Chalutzim, and Kadima. She is now in her second term as president of USY. She works as a teen helper in the religious school and on Sundays teaches her own class of first-graders. The annual blood drive will take place (after time off for COVID) on Sunday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-1 p m And we will again choose a Men’s Club scholarship recipient for a deserving high school senior; the award is announced at Men’s Club Shabbat each spring.

Being a CAI Men’s Club member also provides the benefit of being a member of the national Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and its Northern NJ Region, which offer online programming to all members To get on the email list, please contact Men’s Club president Jonathan Mehl (jmnjesq@gmail.com) or go to NNJR.org and FJMC.org.

Jonathan Mehl is Men’s Club President.

Rabbi Uri & Sari Allen with Aderet, Yedidyah and Doron

Ben & Tamar Amoyal with Max and Yuli Charles & Ellen Atkins

Michael & Nurit Brown Rabbi Azriel & Judy Fellner (returning members)

Eric & Samantha Gladstein with Shane and Gemma

Seth & Sara Glasser with Zachary and Emma Daniel Goldin

Aaron & Shai Jiji

Shaun & Sarah Kessler with Ellie, Clara and Juliette

Jeffrey & Michele Landau with Rebecca, Ethan and Allyson

Alan Landy & Vivienne Decker with Arthur and Annabelle Susan Levin Carol Lewkowicz

Samuel & Vicki Lurie with Sophia Eric & Brittney Novison with Brie and Emmett

Michael Rabinowitz & Elyse ShermerRabinowitz with Jeffrey and Emma Marc & Jennifer Romanoff with Luca and Ari

Rich & Kimberly Scheer with Dylan Eric & Lauren Schwartz with Drew and Liv David & Allison Semaya with Juliet Harris & Libby Siegel

Jan Skidds & Debbie Rosenthal-Skidds with Jordyn and Hadley

Graig & Michelle Solow with Collin, Brandon and Russell Gary & Barbara Sorkin with Gabriella and Caleb

Mike & Rebecca Weinisch with Molly and Shea

Matthew & Samantha Wielkotz with Sienna Jan & Melanie Zlotnick (returning members)

AN ATTITUDE OF

November 21, 2022

Rabbi Lucas, Cantor Caplan, and Susan Werk, As we celebrated Cayla's Bat Mitzvah and reflect on our prior two son's Bar Mitzvah ceremonies, we wish to thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for the time, care, and thoughtful consideration, support, and kind words over the years and during our children's milestone events. We also wanted to share with our greater Jewish community, that although our family is not as involved day to day, month to month with all the wonderful activities that are offered by our synagogue, despite that our presence is not as often as it could be, all three of you have welcomed us on each and every occasion and made us feel truly welcome, at home, and part of our greater Jewish community. Your attention to our children and their well being and greetings even after you have not seen them in many years, warms our hearts. Your willingness to explain to us in English the meaning behind the Hebrew words and prayers spoken, and the substance underlying the Torah reading is very much appreciated. You make us feel like family.

This publication would not have been possible without the help of Abby Meth Kanter, who edited the articles, and Caryn Snerson, who consulted on the design and layout. We also thank everyone who wrote an article, sharing such beautiful and inspiring messages.