February 2015 Shofar - Shevat/Adar 5775

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Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

February Shabbat Services Schedule Shabbat Yitro, Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 February 6

6:00 pm

Tu B’Shevat Seder and Potluck

dinner

7:30 pm

Shabbat Services

Free Babysitting Rabbi Burstein and Ruth Ossher during Religous School Services.

February 7

10:30 am

Shabbat Services

Shabbat Shekalim, Exodus 21:1 -24:18 February 13

7:30 pm

Shabbat Services

Shabbat Terumah, Exodus 25:1 – 27:19 February 20 7:30 pm

Shabbat Services

Free Babysitting ECC was busy making picture frames.

Shabbat Zachor, Exodus 27:20 – 30:10 February 27

7:30 pm

Rock Shabbat Services Featuring Grade 3 and Youth

Group February 28

Sunday morning in the Youth Lounge.

10:30 am

Shabbat Services

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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From the Rabbi’s Desk Being Sensitive to All Members of our Congregation At a recent Ritual Committee meeting, we discussed the JFC custom of having wine and grape juice available at every Oneg Shabbat. While Judaism is not an ascetic religion and our tradition uses wine to celebrate special occasions, the presence of alcohol can be an impediment to some people. As the committee shared the pros and cons of having wine available for an Oneg Shabbat, one member of the committee informed us that certain JFC members could not comfortably attend Shabbat services, knowing that wine was freely available. This member cannot attend Shabbat services or the annual JFC communal Seder, because the temptation of easily-accessible alcohol was too great to overcome their addiction.

This information surprised some members of the Ritual Committee, and sensitized us to challenges certain JFC members face because of their addictions. In an effort to try to be understanding and considerate to those who may suffer with an addiction to alcohol, we decided to have wine-free Shabbat services and Ongei Shabbat (the plural of Oneg Shabbat) on the first and third Shabbatot of each month. These Shabbat services also coincide with the free babysitting available, when we may have more younger congregational members than usual.

Addictions to drugs and alcohol can interfere with daily life in innumerable ways. JFC strives to be welcoming and supportive of all, so it is in that spirit that we hope this small step can help others feel more at ease while celebrating Shabbat.

If you or a loved one suffers from an addiction, help is available. In addition to support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, a group for Jewish addicts exists called JACS – Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically-Dependent Persons, and Significant Others. You can find more resources on their website: www.jacsweb.org Please feel free to be in touch with me if you or someone you know suffers from an addiction. We hope that JFC will be a welcoming and safe place for all.

Presidents’ Message--------------Page 3

Ritual Committee---------------- Page 6

Religious School-------------------Page 4

Ask The Rabbi-------------------- Page 7

Early Childhood Center-------- Page 5

3 Page Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road P.O.Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590 Phone: (914) 763-3028 Fax: (914) 763-3069

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

From The Presidents

by Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin Co-Presidents’ Message

JFC’s exploration of the possibility of forming a union with Temple Shearith Israel (TSI) continues to accelerate, at the same time that the examination of email: office@jewishfamilycongregation.org website: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org each other’s attributes is deepening considerably. We and the Board of Trustees continue to be fully committed to keeping JFC congregants informed of ----------------the status of the exploration and to making transparency and candor two of Rabbi the essential hallmarks of that exploration. Because the members of JFC will Marcus L. Burstein, D.Min. make the final determination as to whether JFC and TSI should form a union, rabbi@jewishfamilycongregation.org it is essential that we keep you apprised so that you will be able to make an Cantor informed decision.

Kerry Ben-David cantor@jewishfamilycongregation.org

---------------Director of Education Leslie Gottlieb lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.org Administrator Kathleen Sakowicz ksakowicz@jewishfamilycongregation.org Early Childhood Center Director Jane Weil Emmer jemmer@jewishfamilycongregation.org -------------------Glenn Kurlander Co-President Hal Wolkin Co-President president@jewishfamilycongregation.org Josh Blum, First Vice –President Polly Schnell, Second Vice-President Robyn Cohen, Treasurer Suzanne Sunday, Secretary executive@jewishfamilycongregation.org Karen Conti, Trustee Jon Glass, Trustee Mindy Hoffman, Trustee Robi Margolis, Trustee Paul Storfer, Trustee Bonnie Wattles, Trustee Richard Mishkin, Ex Officio board@jewishfamilycongregation.org Shofar Editor Bryan Wolkin Shofar Printer Copy Stop Royal Press

Here are some of the more important steps we’ve taken since we last wrote, and those we expect to take in the next month or so:

Many of the joint teams we and TSI have created for the purpose of the exploration have had several meetings and have accomplished significant results. (As a reminder, the initial goal of the JFC Teams was first, to work independent of TSI to define JFC’s values, vision, defining attributes, strengths and weaknesses in the given area, and then to come together with the TSI counterpart Team to assess compatibility and what the two synagogues might seek to create together in a union, so that the combination draws on the strengths of each community to build a new, united synagogue that is stronger, more robust, richer and more sustainable than either could be in isolation. In each instance, the descriptions that follow refer to the work of the combined JFC/TSI team.) o The Education Team has observed and evaluated both religious schools, has interviewed both religious school directors (Leslie Gottlieb and Amy Ritell) and will shortly make a recommendation regarding the identity of the director of a new religious school, should there be a union.

o The Governance Team has reviewed and analyzed each synagogue’s respective bylaws and governance practices, has concluded that the values and philosophy underlying such practices are very similar, has created a proposed framework for a governance structure should there be a union and is working to draft a proposed set of new bylaws that would govern a united synagogue.

The Governance Team has also proposed membership Continued on page 8

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From the Religious School

By Leslie Gottlieb

February 2015 Shofar from the Religious School Art as Didactic Inspiration Roughly an hour away from where we reside in Northern Westchester near the banks of the Hudson River, the DiaBeacon is a museum well worth the trip. The 1960s art collection is visually provocative and for me in my role as a teacher and school director, many of the exhibits helped to provide a lens for further examination under this umbrella. The art transformed itself into teaching models for the classroom. I suppose that the issue of perspective is not one typically discussed in educational settings as much as in the art world.

Nevertheless, my weekend day out turned out to be not far removed from my professional life.

Standing in front of most of the exhibits, I thought about what it means to be a learner and how all learners are different. This IS something typically discussed in the framework of education. Somehow in this museum setting, the juxtaposition of physical structures meant to impose a visceral reaction created a platform and opportunity for inventive thinking with respect to differentiation and teaching multiple intelligences-- in a Jewish context, too.

Upon viewing these two walls it was not immediately clear what the connection was-- or if there were any. Several people in my party walked past both wall installments as if they had no association. Here there was an accidental relationship I came upon that reminded me that not all students see things the same way. Some are visual learners, others kinesthetic— and just when you figure out a way to share a lesson with everyone in the class in some meaningful way, you learn that there is yet another method needed to express an idea for a student you hadn’t truly understood before. One person needs a verbal explanation and another needs it drawn out. Also, how do all of us interpret the same symbols we are seeing visually? What symbolic value do we each take away from an experience or object? When we each see a Jewish symbol, is it a very different experience for each of us?

When you are given the task to teach others, what are the demands we place on ourselves as teachers and on our students? Are we all constantly speaking a different language and what does that mean for us as Jews learning together?

Continued on page 9

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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From The Early Childhood Center

by Jane Emmer

Each Friday morning you can smell the results of our curriculum wafting through the building at 111 Smith Ridge Road. Our Shabbat ritual at the Early Childhood Center is to cook with the kids each and every Friday morning. We share our treats with our visitors for our Young community Shabbat celebration.

Why do we cook with our youngest students? There are lots of reasons....

-Build basic skills. Cooking can help children hone basic math skills by doing something as simple as counting eggs or pouring water into a measuring cup. We ask what comes first, second, and third. We also count together as we spoon dough onto a cookie sheet. We “read” recipes together, and introduce new words. This also promotes literacy. Following steps in a recipe can work on listening skills.

-Encourage an adventurous palate. Preschoolers are notoriously picky eaters, and bringing them into the kitchen to cook can help get them to open up to new tastes. When a 3-year-old plays chef he might sample dishes he wouldn’t try if we just served them to him. We encourage kids to taste new ingredients and talk about how healthy food choices help our bodies grow.

-Help young kids explore with their senses. Kids learn by exploring with their senses and the kitchen is an ideal place to do that. We invite them to listen to the whir of the mixer, pound dough and watch it rise, smell it baking in the oven, and finally taste the warm bread fresh from the oven. If it smells good, looks appealing, and is easy to eat, they may just be willing to try it!

-Boost confidence. Preschoolers love to show what they can do and working in the kitchen provides opportunities to gain a sense of accomplishment.

It may take a little flexibility and some simple prep work, but with the right expectations, our time in the kitchen with our preschoolers is always a culinary adventure. Please, join us to celebrate Shabbat, and let us share our kitchen creations with you and your child.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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From The Ritual Committee

By Michael Salpeter, Chair

It is fair to say that most of us have some knowledge of the Yiddish language. For many people this knowledge takes the form of utilizing Yiddish words in jokes, off-color comments, and lamentations. For a decreasing number of us, it was the primary means of communicating with grandparents or other relatives who immigrated to the USA from Eastern Europe, and for whom English never became their primary language.

For another group of Jews, another language, commonly referred to as Ladino (sometimes called Judeo-Spanish), was the primary conversational language. Ladino is believed to come from Castilian Spanish spoken in the Middle Ages, although some words have a similarity to both Catalan and Portuguese. When Jews emigrated from Spain to areas of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, Ladino became the commonly used every day language in that region for hundreds of years.

Today, much in the same way that Yiddish is disappearing, the same can be said for Ladino. There are some individuals today who are dedicated to preserving the knowledge of Ladino. One such individual is our own rabbi, Rabbi Marcus Burstein. Rabbi Burstein served as rabbi to the Reform congregation in San Jose, Costa Rica and is fluent in Spanish. In addition, the subject matter of his rabbinical thesis was Ladino songs which combined his love and knowledge of music, Spanish and Ladino.

As a means of educating our membership in the Ladino traditions, the Rabbi and the ritual committee have scheduled a Sephardic Shabbat evening service with a few Ladino songs for March 20, 2015. Please join us that evening for what promises to be an enlightening and enjoyable service.

February Oneg Hosts 2/6/2015

Bonnie Wattles Tammi Jacobs Shulman

2/13/2015

Harold and Ruth Ossher David and Erica Levens

2/20/2015

Roger and Jo Drawec Pat Shafer

2/27/2015

Grade 3

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Ask the Rabbi What are the Different Naming Customs among Jews?

Perhaps one of the most powerful and important actions a parent can take is selecting the name of their newborn child. Our names represent so much of our identity, and most times the name our parents choose for us stays with us for our entire life. Within Judaism, there are two significant customs of naming children based on the cultural differences between Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews. (Ashkenazic or Ashkenazi Jews come from an Eastern European heritage, and Sephardic or Sephardi Jews come from Jews who have Spanish heritage. Jews of Middle Eastern heritage [Iraq, Syria, Iranian, etc.] are called Mizrachi and often fall under Sephardic traditions.)

Selecting a name is a way to honor relatives or important people in our lives. Ashkenazic Jews typically do not name after living relatives; this is a custom, not a law. Some do not even use the same name for a deceased relative if a close living relative has that same name as well. The Shulchan Aruch, a compendium of Jewish law for Ashkenazic Jews created in the 16th century, states that out of respect for our parents we should not refer to them by their first names. In fact, some communities are so strict that they prohibit calling another person the same name as their parent if their parent is present. Based on this principle, Ashkenazic Jews would not give a child the same name as a parent. Choosing to name a child after a deceased relative connects the two people in a symbolic way. Parents often hope that their child will grow up to exhibit the same worthy traits as their deceased relative and that the child keeps alive the pleasant memories of the relative who no longer is living.

There seems to be one major exception in the Ashkenazic world to the principle of not naming after a living person. The most famous interpreter of Jewish law in the 20th century for the Orthodox world was Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. His compilation of law is called Igrot Moshe (Epistles of Moses) and states that a child can be named after a living torah scholar or a particularly righteous person. Perhaps this is the ultimate final application in the reverse of a talmudic passage written over 1500 years before Rabbi Feinstein which prohibits the naming of a child after a sinner or evil person. This same talmudic passage (Yoma 38b) essentially states that naming a child after an evil person will become a curse for that child. Conversely, by naming a child after a famous torah scholar or righteous person, it is hoped that the child will exhibit those same worthy characteristics.

Sephardic Jews, however, have a different sense of honoring one’s relatives, and it is customary to honor living relatives for the same reasons Ashkenazic Jews name after deceased relatives -- they want the positive traits and qualities to be preserved. Often the child is given the same name as his/her grandparent.

Although applied in seemingly-contradictory ways, both customs may come from superstitious reasons.

Ashkenazic Jews feel that by naming a child after a living relative, “The Angel of Death” may confuse the two and come for the younger before the older. Sephardic Jews think that by using the same name, “The Angel of Death” will also be confused and take neither the older nor the younger person.

With whatever names we choose, we hope our children will live long, meaningful lives and bring honor to their names.

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Continued from page 3 - Presidents Message

categories (family member, single member, etc.) that would pertain to a united synagogue.

o The Finance and Legal Team has had numerous meetings and is working to create a refined financial projection of what a united synagogue would look like and to address the future dues structure for each membership category. It is also interviewing legal counsel to assist TSI and JFC in addressing regulatory and other legal matters associated with bringing the two congregations together. o As we have previously noted, the clergy and lay leadership of each synagogue decided that each synagogue would cancel its own Shabbat service on four different evenings and instead attend services at the other synagogue. Two of these services have now been held: on December 12, JFC congregants attended a Shabbat evening service at TSI led by Rabbi David Reiner and Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, while on January 9, TSI congregants were JFC’s guests for a service led by Rabbi Burstein and Cantor Ben-David.

Both services were marked by genuine hospitality, warmth and extraordinary enthusiasm, and both were immensely successful. On one date in the future, a Shabbat service jointly led by the clergy of both synagogues will be held at JFC and on a second date, one will be held at TSI. These joint services will give us the opportunity to begin to see the possibilities for a combined service. o As we write, each synagogue’s standing ritual committee is about to meet jointly to plan joint celebrations of upcoming festivals. o We are planning other shared events and celebrations to give the congregants of each synagogue the opportunity to get to know one another better.

To sum up, the exploration continues to move ahead and is accelerating, as we deepen the examination and engage in an ever more nuanced analysis. We continue to be extremely encouraged by what we’ve learned about TSI, their values and their hopes for a united community. The depth of the commitment from both congregations to work together collaboratively and respectfully to address sensitive and challenging issues has been nothing short of remarkable. Both JFC and TSI have been driven by one guiding principle: the necessity of ensuring the survival of a rich, thriving and robust Jewish community in Westchester and Fairfield counties. We remain extremely optimistic about the prospects for achieving that goal.

Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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The photo above made me think about Torah for a long time. All of these wooden boxes are the exact size and height. Each box is empty at first glance-- except for one that remains empty to allow the others surrounding it to resonant more meaning, The others have other pieces of wood added in variations that adjusts the viewer’s sense of space and reality. Torah and Jewish life begins for each of us as an open space and then we fill our lives with its stories, values, traditions and history until it frames and fills our lives. It is also true that some are sealed off from it by their own machinations-- or because they have not had ample exposure to a relationship with it. I saw each of these squares as people—each making use of Torah and Jewish life in their own way—in the Reform tradition, making independent choices about Gd, Torah and Israel.

In these two sets of photos, your first impression is betrayed quickly when your perspective changes. By moving closer or to a different angle, the same object in front of you has a totally different meaning. A wall becomes a wedge or a staircase—both implying a chance to go beyond the original limitation you perceived just seconds before. We close ourselves off to being open about new things and get stuck with one view of the world. Then, after widening our outlook we learn that there is so much more to learn and feel.

To me, this lesson has much resonance with respect to our traditions—and especially to JFC’s recent exploration of a potential synagogue collaboration with TSI. The perspective you choose to adopt creates the vision you see before you—your reality. You make choices based on this chosen view and sometimes you have to change the position where you stand in order to see more clearly. With perspective comes possibility.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Jewish Websites to Share Each of us has access to information and resources online that can inform, enhance, and change our lives.

Luckily, many Jewish-themed websites exist to teach, encourage, and inspire us as individuals and as a community. We can access these resources from anywhere, and we can continue to grow in our knowledge and awareness, in our spiritual and intellectual lives.

I encourage you to spend a few minutes on the web pages listed below.

If you have any favorites yourself, please let me know and I may include them in future articles.

Jewish Population of the USA -- http://ajpp.brandeis. edu/index.php Counting our numbers has been an important part of Jewish history since Biblical days. Several times in the torah we read of a census and genealogies make up a significant portion of the text. From ancient days until now, we are very interested in knowing our numbers.

The Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University created a new American Jewish Population Project. In addition to sharing the perhaps-surprising statistic that there are approximately 7.1 million Jews in the USA today, they provide a fascinating and interactive map that includes Jewish population and percentage of Jews by state and county. I’m sure that you will enjoy spending some time on their website.

Torah Topics for Today -- www.torahtopicstoday.com This website provides value-oriented, accessible discussion topics to empower parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge and commitment.

Jewish Texts and Learning for Social Justice -- http:// on1foot.org/ American Jewish World Service, a NYC-based significant organization advocating for human rights and justice throughout the world, hosts this website that provides countless resources to understand the Jewish texts of social justice work and to inspire us to

Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

act on our tradition. The name of the website comes from the talmudic text in which a person wishes to convert to Judaism while the teacher (literally) stands on one foot. Shammai chases the student away, while Hillel states, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole torah. The rest is commentary; go and learn it.”

The Jew and the Carrot -- http://blogs.forward.com/ the-jew-and-the-carrot/ This blog deals with Jews, food, and contemporary issues. It is partnership of The Jewish Daily Forward, a national Jewish-American newspaper published in New York City and Hazon, a nonprofit organization that promotes creating healthier and more sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond through transformative experiences, thought leadership, and capacity-building. I think that you will find this blog a great combination of contemporary food issues with Jewish tradition.

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Long-time JFC member and teacher

Rona Salpeter

is available to help with: babysitting, house sitting, animal care—& all jobs requiring a loving caring individual!

References are available upon request.

Contact Rona at # 914-643-8176.

Easy ways to Support JFC  Shopping at Amazon through Jewish Family Congregation website gives us a commission on all purchases.

This is a convenient way to support JFC and a convenient way to shop. http://www.amazon.com/?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&link_code=hom&tag=jewishfamil0e-20

 Each time you shop at DeCicco Market, tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC will receive a rebate from your purchases.

Thank You For Your Generous Support!

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Sunday, February 1 9 am-12 noon Join us this morning for our annual‌ Grades 4-6

Bring a Parent to Religious School Follow your child’s schedule and stay for as long as you like!

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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JFC’s Early Childhood Center Early Registration

The Early Bird…..gets the best deal!

Register now until February 16 to lock in 2014-15 tuition rate Tuition for next year expected to increase by 3%

Register on our website: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org $350 non– refundable deposit and 1/3 tuition due by February 16 to qualify.

Contact Jane Emmer, ECC Director at 914-763-3028 with any questions or concerns.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Tu B’Shevat Seder and Potluck Dinner at JFC February 6 Join us as we celebrate the “new year of the trees” 

6:00 pm Seder and Potluck (bring your favorite dairy or veggie dish)



7:30 pm Shabbat Services—free babysitting will be available

RSVP before noon, Monday, February 2 914-763-3028 office@jewishfamilycongregation.org Please let us know how many adults and children will attend and what main course or side dish you will bring.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

JFC’s 10th Annual

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Tom McTiernan

Comedy Night!

February 7, 2015 8:00 pm

Join us for a night of fun with friends, drinks, a dessert buffet and lots of laughs!

Raffle Tickets!

Tom McTiernan is one the East Coast’s best comedians. He has appeared at New York City’s and Los Angeles’ best comedy clubs including Comic Strip Live, The Gotham Comedy Club, and The World Famous Improv. On television, Tom has appeared on Comedy Central’s “Stand, Up Stand Up” and NBC’s “Friday Night.” Tom has also worked in Atlantic City and Las Vegas where he has opened for numerous acts including Tom Jones and Blood Sweat and Tears.

Robin Fox

$30 each or 4 for $100

Chance to win a fabulous week-long vacation in Narragansett Bay, RI!

Tickets

$50.00 each until January 1st $60.00 each after January 1st Tickets and raffles may be purchased online at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

Call 914-763-3028 with any questions

Robin Fox spent 17 years as a New Jersey stay-athome mom. This “Real Housewife” was the funniest lady at the PTO and bus stop but one day decided to move her act to the comedy stage and has audiences roaring ever since. She can be seen at regularly at Gotham Comedy Club and Broadway Comedy Club. On Television, Robin appeared twice on “Nickmom Night Out!.” Robin has been on We Entertainment television and on Lifetime TV. Robin was a “Hot Topic” of Conversation on ABC’s “The View.”

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Jewish Family Congregation’s 10th Annual Comedy Night Raffle: Win a 6 day/ 5 night stay at Bonnet Shores Beach House, a 3 bedroom/2 bath beach house located in the coastal community of Bonnet Shores in Narragansett.

Features: Three large bedrooms (4 beds) sleeps eight people comfortably.

Large deck with new dining set and gas grill

Bedrooms: #1- King bed, #2- Queen bed, #3 - Queen & Twin bed,

Washer/dryer

Queen sleeper sofa in living room Two Full Bathrooms and Outdoor hot/cold shower

Walk down the street to "Little Beach" (great views of Newport

Fully equipped Kitchen

Bridge)

Central Air Conditioning 4 complimentary beach passes to Narragansett Town Beach Three flat screen TVs , WiFi, Cable, DVD player, iPod dock & DVD movie library Outdoor hot/cold shower

Keurig Coffee Maker

Community playground a quick walk from the house Only 5 minutes to Narragansett Town Beach Driveway parking for three cars Beach Equipment provided

Visit our website to purchase tickets www.jewishfamilycongregation.org Offer for 6 days/5 nights (Sunday arrival, Friday departure) at the Bonnet Shores Beach House. Redeemable in June, July or August 2015- based upon availability. Booking must be no later than March 1, 2015. The value of this vacation is over $1700. A fully refundable security deposit of $500 will be required, the cleaning fee of $175 will be waived for this booking.

This booking includes 4 passes to Narragansett Town Beach- and includes all linens/bath towels.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Early Bird Enrollment for Religious School at Jewish Family Congregation.

The Early Bird…..gets the best deal! 

Lock In This Year’s Tuition Rate for Next Year and Receive a $100 Registration Fee Credit



$250 Non-Refundable Registration Fee (reflects $100 Registration Fee Credit)



$500 Deposit due by March 18



No Worries—Secure Your Spot Now



Priority Consideration on Class Selection



Fast and Easy—just Visit our Website by March 18

www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

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Don’t Miss the Upcoming Youth Group Rock Shabbat Friday, February 27 7:30 PM Attendance is worth two STARS points for students in Grades K-6!

This is also a Grade 3 Shabbat service!

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Don’t Miss the Purim Carnival This Year!

Save the Date‌

Sunday, March 1 12:00-2:00 PM *Carnival begins at 11:00 AM during Religious School for students in grades 4-6.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Judaism and the Five Senses

Pre-Pesach Kosher Wine Tasting Smell Saturday, March 7, 8 pm Event to take place at a member’s home close to JFC

Pre-Pesach Kosher Wine Tasting Records of Kosher wine date back to biblical times, and while Jews were exceptionally late to the game of refined wines, we have finally and inevitably arrived. And we have arrived with dramatic excellence. In the span of a decade and a half kosher wines have gone from "ehh" to"Ahh" and from "oy to joy.� Stunning kosher wines are coming out of California, Argentina, Israel, France, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, and a dozen other places. Journals and expert reviewers are scoring many kosher wines in the 90s and acknowledge their place aside their non-kosher counterparts. Join us and find a wine to grace your Passover table.

$10 donation requested For location and to RSVP contact the office by phone 914-763-3028 or by email office@jewishfamilycongregation.org by noon, Monday, March 2.

Jewish Family Congregation, 111 Smith Ridge Road, PO Box 249, South Salem, New York 10590

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Sephardic

Shabbat Friday, March 20, 2015 7:30 pm Come celebrate Sephardic culture and diversity at a special Sephardic Shabbat featuring special prayers, new melodies and a rounded seat layout.

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Donations Caring Committee Larry & Leslie Gottlieb & Family in honor of Michael Salpeter’s birthday Richard and Cathy Mishkin in honor of Michael Salpeter’s birthday Suzanne Sunday & Ken Kurzweil in honor of Michael Salpeter’s birthday General Fund Ken Kurzweil & Suzanne Sunday in memory of Ruth Kurzweil Rothwax Robi Margolis in memory of Bernard Shuler Richard & Catherine Mishkin in honor of Kerry Ben-David Lorraine & Robert Pidgeon in memory of Denise Fuchs Suzanne Sunday & Ken Kurzweil in memory of Ruth Segel Sunday Davis Rabbi & Mrs. Harvey and Meryl Tattelbaum in honor of Rabbi Burstein, Cantor Ben David and Linda Paudling on the occasion of Rayn’s Bat Mitzvah Molly & Gregory Fund K-1 Religious School Classes in honor of Leslie Gottlieb Rabbi Discretionary Fund K-1 Religious School Classes in honor of Rabbi Burstein Religious School Discretionary Fund Eric Sherr and Michele Auerbach-Sherr in honor of Leslie Gottlieb and Linda Paulding on the occasion of the Sherr’s B’not Mitzvah

Donations made after the tenth of the month will appear in next month’s Shofar.

Anniversaries David & Carrie Kane

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Don’t forget to stop in and check out the JFC Gift Shop!

If you are interested in purchasing anything, please let us know in the JFC Office.

Notes by

Nancy, Inc.

Nancy Silberstein Invitations and stationery at discount prices tel/fax: 914-232-0835 e-mail: notesbynancy@aol.com www.notesbynancyinvitations.com

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

MB TUTORING Hundreds of students helped to excel

Malcolm Brown MIT Chemical Engineer B.S., M.S.

Prep

• SAT, PSAT & ACT

Math

• 7th & 8th Grades • High School sequence • Calculus

Science • Chemistry  Physics • Earth Science For further information, contact: Telephone: (914) 533-5468 E-mail: malcolmbro@aol.com Registered State tutoring. Serving Westchester and Fairfield

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JFAB

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Jewish Family Alliance for a Better-World Community Action Group

Community action group for parents, children, family and friends Monthly meetings at Jewish Family Congregation Thursday meetings during RS will take place regularly for those interested!

Come to the meeting, share your thoughts and get involved!

How can we create a better world?

Become an upstander Prevent bullying Prevent anti-semitism & hate Build relationships with other communities Work with the Junior Newtown Action Alliance Work on gun safety issues Make social media safe for everyone

Adult Chairs: Leslie Gottlieb, Dawn Kessler, Karen Blum, Michele Auerbach Youth Chairs: Heather Sherr, Elyse Sherr (Adults & Teens Welcome to Join!!!)

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

Please join us Friday Mornings for Shabbat Song and Snack With your toddlers and babies!

11:30 am -12:00 noon RSVP - 914-763-3028

Rabbi Burstein will lead us in song and Shabbat fun! We will all gather together in the sanctuary at JFC at 11:30 am. After singing we will enjoy a snack prepared for us by the children in the Early Childhood Center.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

Birthdays Elizabeth Amerling Danielle Schwartz Auerbach

Ellie Carter

David Kane

Joel Portnoy

Jillian Chipman

Zachary Kessler

Adam Portnoy

Kenneth Aufsesser

Jeff Dodes

Ryan Kirker

Sandy Radin

Kase Aufsesser

Ethan Falconer

Adam Kirker

Aviva Salpeter

Karina Barth

Guss Firestein

Hannah Klotz

Alan Sheptin

Blake Berg

Victoria Friedman

Benjamin Kurlander

Zachary Sheptin

Lowell Berg

Leah Alana Friedman

Yvonne Lerner

Rebecca Stadlen

Brian Besterman

Iris Glass

Paula Levine

Eli Tubbs

Lisa Block

Steve Goldberg

Claire Lichtman

Pia Vandervelden

Joshua Blum

Ellen Goldstein

Catherine Lipper

Michael Waxman

Tesa Baum

Iliana Hellinger

Robi Margolis

Michael Wein

Zander Bolgar

Jacob Hellinger

Daniel Minnock

Laurie Wolkin

Peter Breslin

Drew Hoffman

Morgan Minnock

Jennifer Carter

Carrie Kane

Johanna Perlman

Yahrzeits Bessie Belsky

Charlene Lavin

Arthur Stoll

Joseph Drawec

Philip Levens

Joseph Warmund

Judith Eydenberg

Solomon Lichtbach

Norton Worster

Sarah Feldman

Marcy Cohen Lissau Daniels

John Grzymala

Stephen Margolis

Miriam Isaacs

Irving Reichenthal

Ruth Kahn

Joseph Rosenhouse

Frances Klotz

Jacob Stern

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Shevat - Adar 5775/ February 2015

Non Profit Organization Postage PAID White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022

Thursday night Religious School students gather for services.

Current Resident Or

Upcoming Events February 1 Bring a parent to Religious School February 6 Tu B’Shevat Seder and Potluck Dinner February 7 Comedy Night February 27 Rock Shabbat March 1 Purim Carnival March 7 Judaism and the 5 Senses March 20 Sephardic Shabbat

Make sure to check out our calendar for up to date events at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org