The Ladder Spring 2021

THE

LADDER SPRING 2021

And Jacob dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to the heavens...

COMMEMORATING A YEAR OF LOSS AND GRATITUDE

Purim Celebrations Page 3 Passover Seders & Service

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Tikkun Olam Events Page 7 2021 Israel Trip Info Session

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RABBI’S MESSAGE Purim: A Season of Masks and Chance Dear Members of the Beth El Family, I write to you as we mark one year with COVID-19 in our lives. By the time this bulletin is received, we will very likely have lost half a million of our fellow citizens, including members and loved ones of the Beth El community. We somberly recall the journey of the past twelve months, while also acknowledging with gratitude our many blessings: open schools and open spaces to explore the outdoors, our own health and stability, and the ability for many of us to work remotely through modern technology.

220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514

WWW.BETHELNW.ORG 914.238.3928 T 914.238.4030 F EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 914.238.5735 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 914.238.5641 TEMPLE@BETHELNW.ORG

TEMPLE STAFF JONATHAN JAFFE Senior Rabbi MAURA H. LINZER Rabbi-Educator ELIZABETH STERNLIEB Cantor GENNIFER KELLY Executive Director RABBI NORMAN COHEN, Ph.D. Scholar-in-Residence HOPE BLAUNER Early Childhood Director

While the Purim holiday is often celebrated with joy and revelry, the megillah offers a deeper picture of fear and vulnerability, in which the Jews of Shushan are threatened with impending danger. This malevolent threat hinges on the randomness of lots (in Hebrew, Purim) to be drawn to select the date in which death and destruction will fall upon the Jews. We don masks to recall the hidden identity of Esther, who must risk her own security to advocate for her people.

Today, we find ourselves similarly obscured through the random danger lingering amidst us, with masks serving as our protection. We are forced to encounter our neighbors and loved ones as potential carriers of a threat to our wellness. And yet, we have come to rely upon our modern day Esthers; the healthcare workers, frontline workers, teachers and first responders who continue to risk their wellbeing for the benefit of the larger community.

Perhaps the most important link between this pandemic and the Purim holiday comes not from its symptoms but rather its remedy, as Purim is highlighted by the mitzvah of mishloach manot – preparing and sending meals, and matanot l’evyonim – gifts to the needy. Our community continues to demonstrate its care and resilience through the support of the vulnerable among us. Recent tikkun olam efforts have sent meals, clothing, toys and vital resources throughout the greater Westchester area. Our volunteer participation has only grown throughout the pandemic. This month, we are creating no-sew blankets, collecting pajamas and Passover food. For more information, see page 7. Please join us!

In this way, we follow the Jews of Shushan in responding to calamity by rolling up our sleeves to come to the aid of others. We hope to do our part towards creating a better day when we are no longer threatened or separated by this pandemic. As the megillah (Esther 8:16) recalls: On that day, the Jews enjoyed light and gladness, happiness and honor.

L’Shalom,

RHONDA REGAN President

A Proud Member of the URJ

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Rabbi Jaffe

PURIM

Purim’s Got Talent: TBE’s First Ever Purim Talent Show Friday, February 26 at 6:30 pm Join us online to welcome in Purim through a community-wide talent show, displaying both the revelry and skills of our congregants. Feel free to grab an appropriate drink, kick back and take in our congregants’ best efforts to entertain. The talent show will be followed by a clergy-led Shabbat service featuring the music and spirit of the holiday, as well as a reading from the megillah.

Full details on our website: www.bethelnw.org/event/Purim-Talent

Drive-In Purim Car-nival, Megillah Reading and Havdalah Saturday, February 27 at 4:00 pm Drive by the synagogue between 3:30-5:00 pm to receive your Mishloach Manot (Purim goodies) sent to you by our congregants. Make sure to arrive in time for our 4:00 pm Car-nival. In lieu of wearing our own costumes, we invite you to decorate your car in the Purim spirit. Prizes will be given to the most creative car costumes, as judged by our clergy. Then remain in your cars and dial in to our FM frequency for car bingo, Purim music, the reading from the megillah, and havdalah; all led by our clergy from the 2nd floor windows of the sanctuary.

Full details on our website: www.bethelnw.org/event/Car-nival

Religious School In Class Purim Games for K-3 Sunday, February 28 at 9:00 am Our teachers and staff have prepared a series of games and activities to engage with our students and bring the Purim festivities into their homes.

We look forward to celebrating a most unique Purim with you and your family members. And don’t forget to boo at Haman!

Full details on our website: www.bethelnw.org/event/Virtual-Carnival

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CANTOR’S CORNER Winter Update Dear Friends, Aside from all the amazing Synagogue happenings it has been a very productive and busy winter in regard to music and concert collaborations.

This coming March, I have been invited to join a select group of celebrated women Cantors and singer/songwriters as we join together in a historic, spiritually inspiring, online Passover Seder with women around the world. Please save the date: March 18.

I am also thrilled to share that I have been published once again on Ritualwell.org and most recently I was notified by transcontinental music that my setting of “Love your God” will be included in their newest Manginot song book publication. My original song about Ruth and Naomi will be uploaded to the archive in the “Soundscape Synagogue” in connection with the Adding our Voices initiative.

My colleagues and I raised the roof with some great online concerts and we also raised a nice sum to donate to MAZON with our virtual concert series Cantors and Company Coast to Coast for COVID Relief - Songs for Sustenance to help feed the hungry through the winter months. Special thanks to Cathy Dreilinger, Stacey Pfeffer, and Michele Gregson for your help with PR for our Cantors and Company Concert series.

The January concert focused on the themes of Shabbat Shira (The Sabbath of Song) and the crossing of the Red Sea. This Torah portion brought us to the dramatic journey to freedom, as the Israelites witnessed the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. They had to hold strong to their faith as they faced their fears and crossed the sea with hope in their hearts.

This concert was truly historic. We had representatives from all branches of Judaism participating Reform Conservative, Orthodox, Renewal, and Re-constructionist.

We all unified for this cause, to feed the hungry, as we shared the music of our hearts. Many of us happened to be children of Cantors or members of clergy families.

We honored Cantor Meir Finkelstein by joining in song with a virtual choir video of his most beloved setting of L’dor Vador.

As all of us are on the journey of our lives, I began the concert by offering a new song of hope with a prayer for the journey. This song parallels the passage from slavery to freedom, from the known to the unknown, hopefully one day leading us to the promised land.

We received very uplifting feedback from so many attendees all across the nation and I premiered a new song that I co-wrote with Beth Styles.

Into the Promised Land Words & Music: Elizabeth Sternlieb & Beth Styles Verse 1 Let us gather all of our blessings Though our burdens won’t be far behind Don’t give up now, I know we will get there.

We will forge ahead hand in hand So let’s walk together, it isn’t that far We’ll let our faith, be our guiding star And we will build a better world, the future’s in our hands This will be the Journey to the promised land The promised land, the promised land, the promised land Verse 2 Let’s cross over, we’ll brave it together Through the valleys of the unknown We’ll climb the mountain,and let love lift us As we will rise above, together as one. (Chorus) Bridge Sh’Tolicheinu, V’tatzideinu, V’ Tadricheinu L’shalom Sh’Tolicheinu, V’tatzideinu- Don’t give up – You gotta believe Last Chorus

Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb

PASSOVER

Passover Recipes with Ingredients, Directions, and Video Instruction Professional Chef Suzy Scherr shows us how to make her delicious Easy Olive Oil Chocolate Mousse and the Ultimate Brisket for Passover, while Rabbi Jaffe shows us how to make matzah using only flour, water and a clean surface!

All Passover information will be available on our website: www.bethelnw.org/Passover2021

Second Night Virtual Passover Seder Sunday, March 28 at 5:30 pm The first part of the Seder will last about 1 hour. At that time, we will all log off Zoom and have dinner.

The second part of the Seder will start 45 minutes later. Log back onto the same Zoom number. This part will last about 20 minutes and is worth coming back to!

Full details on our website: www.bethelnw.org/event/passover-2nd-night

Passover Yizkor Service Sunday, April 4 at 10:00 am Full details on our website: www.bethelnw.org/event/passover-yizkor

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Virtual Education in the Religious School: 6th Grade Conversion Discussion Panel and 7th Grade Mitzvah Corps Cooking Project

By Lauren Harburger, TBE Member and Religious School Parent Sixth graders at Temple Beth El learned about converting to Judaism this past month. An important part of the curriculum was a Conversion Discussion Panel, where students heard from people who converted to Judaism. The panelists included a mother, a father, a teenager, and even their own teacher who converted to Judaism. During the Zoom session, panelists discussed their reasons for converting and the process they went through to convert. Sixth graders were given the opportunity to ask questions in this interactive session. During the classes before the panel, students learned about conversion rituals, including the mikvah and the conversion ceremony. This virtual panel allowed our students to learn about real world application to course material.

As a part of our Mitzvah Corps program, seventh grade students at the Religious School also had a unique lesson this month. In their virtual classes, students cooked an Italian-themed dinner to be distributed in the Bronx by the Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA). The class was connected to the AAOHA by partnering with Bake Back America. Bake Back America was founded in response to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This important mitzvah project was made possible through the leadership of the seventh grade teaching staff, including Joni Gehebe-Kellogg, Heather Satin, Joan Kantor, and Jackie Brickman. Each class followed a different recipe to create for the food pantry. The students learned about food insecurity and the impact it makes on the community. The food pantry hosted a special day for these meals to be given out. An impressive 80 meals were delivered to the AAOHA. Each meal included a serving of baked ziti, penne with tomatoes and white beans, a salad, garlic bread, brownies, water, recipes and a thoughtful note. This mitzvah project was not only a good deed, but it was also a fun cooking experience that brought together the seventh grade class. Special thanks to our parent chairs: Alonna Travin, Debbie Samberg, Lisa Josephs, and Sarah Stern.

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TIKKUN OLAM Upcoming Mitzvah Opportunities Brought to us by our Tikkun Olam Committee Blankets, Pajamas & Passover Food Drive Sunday, March 21

Join us on Zoom as we make no-sew blankets for children in the hospital. Donations of the no-sew blankets, new kids pajamas and Passover food will be collected March 22-24. No-sew blanket kits (including the fabric and templates) will be sold in advance for pick up at the temple the week of March 14.

Neighborhood Clean Up Sunday, April 18

In celebration of Earth Day we will be doing a clean up at a location tbd.

Planting Sunday, May 16

Come plant seeds at the temple to bring color for the spring. As part of your Purim Mishloach Manot gift bag you will receive seeds; use those, or we will have extras to plant in designated areas.

Food Drive for Feeding Westchester June 1-8 Details coming soon!

All of the above information will be available on our website: www.bethelnw.org/Community/Tikkun_Olam_Council A Sincere Thank You To All Who Donated To Our Tikkun Olam Drives Over the past few months, our community has generously contributed to the numerous donation drives that we have hosted, including the Chanukah Toy Drive, Diaper Drive, and Help Feed the Hungry with Lunch Bags.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Giving Back

By Hope Blauner, TBE ECC Director Judaism teaches us that we should introduce our children to the concept of doing good deeds early in life. Here at the ECC, we believe that even the youngest of children can learn that the onus falls on them to make the world a better place.

The teachers constantly instill these core beliefs and values through random acts of kindness, some of which might include helping a friend zipper their jacket, comforting a friend when they’re sad or upset, or sharing a toy. There are many opportunities in our very own Temple Beth El community where we may lend a helping hand. This year, with a pandemic raging throughout the country, has been an especially challenging one and people need our help more than ever. Here’s a look at all we’ve done these past few months to help improve the lives of those in need and hopefully make their day a little better and brighter.

Thanksgiving Cards This year’s Thanksgiving was an especially difficult one for many families. Large get-togethers and travel were discouraged so as a result many of our seniors spent the holiday alone. Rabbi Linzer and I thought about what we could do to help bring some joy to the seniors in our Beth El community during this challenging time and together we decided to make Thanksgiving cards. In every card, there was a poem along with hand drawn decorations by our 4 year olds and religious school students. We even received several thank you notes from our seniors expressing their appreciation at receiving the cards and the special meaning the cards provided.

Emergency Shelter Program Every year, as a member of the Northern Westchester Shelter Partnership, our temple hosts men and woman with no home or reliable source of food by providing a place to stay and a warm dinner.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we were not able to provide shelter this year, but we were still able to put together breakfast bags. Our 4’s got right to work and decorated the outside of the brown bags with hearts and smiley faces and filled them with various breakfast items.

Once complete, the 4’s teachers led a discussion about what it’s like not to have a warm bed to sleep in or food to eat. The children expressed how happy they felt to help those in need.

Diaper Drive Did you know that 1 in 3 families struggle with diaper need? And a one-month supply of diapers can cost up to $80-$100 every single month? As a result of the pandemic, diapers are needed now more than ever, so when 914Cares reached out asking if we can help them collect diapers, we immediately said “yes”. Thanks to all of you, our two-week drive was a huge success and we were able to help 914 Cares distribute diapers and wipes to families in need living throughout Westchester County.

Tzedakah Shabbat provides a wonderful opportunity for the children to consider and share all they are thankful for: family, friends, and pets. Shabbat is also the perfect time for the children to bring in their tzedakah boxes filled with the coins they’ve collected and add

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EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER them to their individual class tzedakah boxes. It’s been joyful to watch the tzedakah boxes fill up, one coin at a time, over the past four months. Our Mitzvah Committee, chaired by Sharon Stiefel, chose this year’s tzedakah recipient: Blythedale Children’s Hospital located in Valhalla. To date, we have collected $297.15 and it is our hope that by the end of the school year we will have doubled that number.

Help Feed the Hungry Our very own Tikkun Olam Committee recently put together a lunch bag drive to help feed Westchester residents suffering from food insecurity. Here at the preschool we’re always thinking of ways for the children to help out, but for this particular mitzvah, the teachers became involved and spent time before (and after) school decorating brown bags and filling them with sandwiches, chips, cookies, and fruit.

As you can see, the ECC is hard at work helping others and the children are learning that they can and will make a difference in this world. We are truly blessed to live in such a caring and giving community and appreciate your ongoing support. If you have a drive that you would like to see the ECC become involved with, please reach out to Hope at hblauner@bethelnw.org.

TBE ECC HIGHLIGHTS March 1-2 Picture Day 12 No School – Professional Development Spring Recess March 29 - April 2 April 23 No School – Parent/Teacher Conferences

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ADULT EDUCATION Laster Lecture Series: Who Counts, Race and the Jewish Future Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 pm with Ilana Kaufman, Director of the Jews of Color Initiative

Ilana’s work sits at the center of Jewish Community, Racial Equity, and Justice is anchored by the voices and experience of Jews of Color and is focused on grantmaking, research and field building, and community education. As a guest on NPR’s All Things Considered and Code Switch, with pieces featured in eJewish Philanthropy and The Foundation Review, and an Eli Talk titled Who Counts, Race and the Jewish Future with 16,000 views, Ilana is passionate about all things at the intersection of Jewish Community/Racial Justice/Jews of Color/Education/Philanthropy. Prior to joining the Jews of Color Initiative Ilana was the Public Affairs and Civic Engagement Director, East Bay for the San Francisco, Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council. Ilana received her B.A. in Sociology from California State University-Humboldt and her M.A. in Educational Pedagogy from Mills College.

Visit our website for Zoom information: www.bethelnw.org/event/Jewish-Future

Bader Lecture Series with Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D.

We are thrilled to welcome back Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D., for a two-part series to be held over Zoom, in collaboration with Temple Shaaray Tefilah of Bedford and Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk. Rabbi Ellenson’s teachings will be based upon his newly co-edited book, “American Jewish Thought Since 1934: Writings on Identity, Engagement, and Belief”.

Part One: American Jewish Thought Since 1934: Diversity and Dialogues Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 pm with Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D.

This session will focus on the nature and diversity of American Jewish Thought over the past 80 years. The different approaches taken by diverse Jewish thinkers to issues ranging from the Holocaust and Israel to Jewish peoplehood in a post-ethnic Jewish community will be highlighted.

Visit our website for Zoom information: www.bethelnw.org/event/Diversity-Dialogues

Part Two: Writings on Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 pm with Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D.

The past forty years have witnessed revolutionary changes on the American Jewish scene to the role of women in the Jewish community and the perceptions of gender and sexuality. This session will explore the works of diverse American Jewish thinkers to trace the evolution and diversity of different sectors in the community on these issues.

Visit our website for Zoom information: www.bethelnw.org/event/Feminism

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ADULT EDUCATION The 14 Hinenis: Expanding our Willingness to Limit Ourselves and Respond to Others Sundays at 10:00 am Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Norma Cohen, Ph.D.

The Torah features 14 separate incidents of individuals announcing themselves with the word, “Hineini”, meaning, “Here I am”. Expanding upon his book, “Hineini in Our Lives”, Rabbi Norman Cohen will investigate the power and meaning of this ancient statement of presence for others and accountability. Our growth begins with our ability to step forward and take responsibility for our actions. Please join us as we open our sacred texts to learn more about ourselves.

Dates: April 25, May 9 and May 16 Visit our website for Zoom information: www.bethelnw.org/event/14Hinenis

SERVICES

Shabbat Worship Services Fridays at 7:15 pm Upcoming Special Services: Shabbat Worship Service with 7th Grade Participation Friday, March 5 at 7:15 pm Shabbat Worship Service with Teacher Appreciation Friday, May 7 at 7:00 pm Service Zoom information can be found on our website and in our weekly emails.

Zoom Meeting ID: 819 7059 9547 If you would like to join by phone, call 1 (929) 436 2866

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TBE COMMUNITY Local Seniors Struggling to Get a COVID Vaccine Helped By TBE Member

By Stacey Pfeffer, TBE Member There I was on my 17th hour in the past week trying to obtain a COVID vaccine appointment for my 79-yearold immuno-compromised homebound father on Long Island. I had tried different vaccination sites, local pharmacies to no avail and large hospital system waiting lists in both Nassau County and Queens. I tried to log on different times of day and no luck. I posted to Chappaqua Moms Facebook page asking for advice plus Roslyn Parents where my parents are based and still nothing in the imminent future was showing up. Besides a vaccine shortage, the situation was complicated by the fact that I preferred a drive-through site like Jones Beach so my father would not have to transfer from wheelchair to car and back again.

Out of the blue, I got a text from TBE member Melissa Sussberg who I first met when our sons were in nursery school at the temple. “I saw your Facebook post about getting you dad an appointment. I’ve had some really good luck and helped a bunch of people. Do you want me to give it a try?” Of course, I accepted her offer and I couldn’t even fathom how those who were less computer-proficient than me were expected to secure an appointment. She then asked for my father’s details and got to work. A vaccine angel living only a block away from me was in my midst!

Less than two hours later, she succeeded with securing an appointment at Jones Beach but it wasn’t until late March. “I’m going to keep trying for an earlier appointment,’ she said. Luckily, she wasn’t giving up.

Little did I know that that very weekend, she had reached out to Rabbi Jaffe to offer her help to TBE seniors too and so an email went out to seniors 75+ in our congregation noting her offer to help. She has been able to help four TBE members in that age group secure appointments plus another 14 seniors that she heard about through friends, neighbors etc.

Next up, she plans to help TBE members 70-74 get vaccine appointments. “I’m doing them in small increments because each one takes a little time,” she said. It’s no surprise that Sussberg is uniquely suited to a task that requires tremendous tenacity. As the President of Global Sales at high-end luxury apparel company Victoria Beckham, she describes herself as “highly competitive with any task she commits to.” Plus she jokes that she has obsessive behavior and quick refresh skills.

I’d add highly strategic too as I was searching too many avenues and she honed in on one and was eventually able to secure a February appointment for my dad. “The bonus of all of this is that I have now met some pretty amazing people that I never would have met. One woman and I already have a lunch date when this is all over,” she explained. Personally, I’m inviting her over for a cocktail or two when this pandemic is over – hopefully sooner rather than later.

Stacey Pfeffer freelance writes for several regional publications and is the former editor of Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk.

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ISRAEL TRIP Looking Forward to Traveling Again, We Are Excited to Introduce Our…

2021 Winter Break Family Israel Trip December 22, 2021 to January 1, 2022 Join Rabbi Jaffe and your Temple Beth El friends and neighbors on this extraordinary trip for both explorers and deepeners, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to the Northern Border.

Zoom Information Session with Rabbi Jaffe Thursday, March 4 at 7:30pm Meeting: 531 270 1388 Password: Shalom Total Cost: $3600 Land Package Price Per Person + Airfare No commitment/deposit required until Fall 2021 Feel free to send any question to Rabbi Jaffe at jjaffe@bethelnw.org 13

JOYS & SORROWS RECENT GIFTS

October 20, 2020–January 25, 2021 Barbara Pollack Mitzvah Day Fund Richard & Dianne Spitalny in honor of the birth of Sidney Gutman Betty & Jack Bader Adult Education Fund Jason & Suzanne Hubschman in honor of Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Ronni Diamondstein in honor of Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb to thank her for the Noah’s Bark service Bruce and Barbara Flanz in honor of Aaron Aizenstain’s Bar Mitzvah Neil Gleit & Amy Shipper in honor of Josephine Shipper’s Bat Mitzvah Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Cantor Sternlieb Mike & Ellen Wlody in memory of Harriet Wlody Caring Community Fund David & Sharon Abrams in memory of Robert T. Abrams Jeff & Barbara Becker in memory of Phoebe Carter Jeff & Barbara Becker in memory of Ray Glickman Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Phoebe Carter Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Eva Levine Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Shirley Levine Mitchell & Ilene Make in memory of Phoebe Carter Clifford & Susan Ray in memory of Beth Liber Ben & Rachel Rosin in memory of Alexander Treitelman Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Phyllis Biren Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Harold M. Harrison Clergy’s Congregants in Need Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in honor of Gennifer Kelly Clergy’s Discretionary Fund Stuart & Anita Beeber in memory of Claire N. Katcher, Abraham Katcher, Clara Beeber Galowit, Fran Katcher Samuels, and Michael Zale Marshall & Nancy Schiff in memory of Benjamin Nachbar Ellis & Rae Zimmer Fund For Children In Need Janice Schlickman in memory of May Rolle Amy& Sam Resnick Family Fund For Adult Jewish Education Frederick & Vicki Feiner in memory of Edward Ross Aranow Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of May Rolle Joan Kolbert in memory of Mildred Axelrod and Arthur Axelrod Maxine Olson Maynard in memory of May Rolle Leslie Resnick in memory of May Rolle and Myra Schubin Steven Ross & Francine Falk-Ross in memory of Richard Falk

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YAHRZEITS February 21-27 Sarah Bloom Bernard Borchard Renee Buxbaum Thelma Felcher Anna Figowsky Joel Friedman Beatrice Futterman David Futterman Nasha Hamlet Ruth Kaufman Muriel Kessler Ben Kolbert Murray Ocko Bella Pismeni Saul Reinharz Morris Robin Alan Rolle Lenore Rosin Anthony Rotunno Theodore Ruzow Laura Sloan Maury (Maurice) Sommer Madeleine Wallach Ruth Winner Beatrice Wolfson February 28-March 6 Elaine Abrams Nehemiah Gertrude Adelsberg Nancy Alani Louis Armand Andre Anita Bachenheimer Florence Benzer Robert Berman Ingrid Braslow Rochelle Cirin Gabriele Grunebaum Dyke Kolbert Selma Leff Anna Levine Carole Levine Rogers Selma Lipman Florence Meyers Morton Pechman Ned Rose Greta Rosenblum Wallye Rosenbluth Lea Elizabeth Spielman Pearl Tenzer Abraham Vielie Daniel Wolchok Sarah Bloom Wortman

March 7-13 Herbert Bernstein Bertha Breslau Harrison Dolly Brickman Harry Elkin Lottie Gordon Nataline Gruenfeld Barbara Johnson Beatrice Katcher Ruth (Rifka) Katz Ralph Kemler Linda Kimelman Rhoda Levy Conrad Lifschen Ethel Missenblatt Richard Nadel Barbara Ocko Sandra Portnoy Milton Rubin Stella Kohn Saslow Julius Schachter Dora Shapiro Robert Yablans March 14-20 Roberta Abrams Samuel Ackerman Harold Altman Richard Berman Elaine Bleetstein Oscar Brenman Dorothy Cole Hilde Collins Harry I. Davis Herbert Davis Benjamin Ehrlich Jerry Figowsky Rose Ginsburg Joseph Goldfarb Gertrude Goldsmith Harriet Gollin Helen Horowitz Abraham Juster Howard Lerner James Lewis Walter Mintz Mildred Resnick Robert Ross David Scolnick Robert Tauber Henrietta Treitelman Joseph Wirth Joseph Wolff Beverly Zymet

JOYS & SORROWS March 21-27 Anne Allen Fred Becker Samuel Besen Phyllis Biren Charlotte Brotz Scarlett Chwatko Irving Cohen Joan Epstein Sidney Gersten Fannie Ginsburg Leon Glassgold Dorothy Isaac Minnie Marron Mona Paster Betty Rosenberg Lillian Ruzow Felix Schnur Samuel Schwartz Samuel Shrager Harold Sitver March 28-April 3 Howard Agatston Ethel Baron Monroe W. Bleetstein Helen Borchard Joel “Kip” Borisky Mildred Byck Joan Ferencz Milton Finger Allan Finkel Charles Fried Abraham Girshek Florenie Hydecker Herbert Katz Samuel J. Kimmel Rachel Klein Bernard Leff Mildred Linzer Nancy Narva Sylvia Pastor Dora Rosenzweig Frida Schnellenberg Jakob Schnellenberg Janet Shields Selma Silberman Carole Smiley Annette Stiglitz Diane Thurer Gertrude Wallis Alan Young Sidney Zenker Toni Axler Ginsberg

April 4-10 Murray Ackerman Muriel Adler Susan Baier Michael Beck Barbara Blaustein Myrna Clyman Mikki Davis Schneider Julian Antonio Duran Sr. Phillip Elman Dorothy Elman Max Findling Ralph Gefsky Sheldon Goldstein Florence Greenwald Igal Itzhaky Gertrude Kaplan Gerard Kessler Rose Levitt Ubaldo Masotti Joseph Perloff Boris Rosenzweig Robert Saltzman Joseph Schagrin Evie Schwartz Hannah Wolff James Yussim April 11-17 Doris Ackerman Lucille Altman Mary Benjamin Jewell Ruth Brody Oscar Buchman Warren Bunshaft Suzanna Cohen Judy Cooper Arlene Eisner Martin Fass Rose Goldman Stanley Gottesfeld Sydelle (Syd) Gottlieb Ornstein Kurt Jacobson Sydelle Kesselman Pearl Lavender Geraldine Lazarus Sam Lefkowitz Sandra Levine Samuel Liber Stanley Mendelowitz Ida Moore Joseph Moscowitz Irving Pastor Milton Perloff Pearl Poret

Temple Beth El Endowment Fund Doug & Alice Kraus in memory of May Rolle Neidich Ed Scholarship Fund Steve & Linda Ochser in memory of May Rolle The Richard M. Bleier Maintenance Endowment Fund Joan Kolbert in memory of Ann Wray Flower Fund Michael & Judy Gewitz in memory of Benjamin Nachbar Michael & Judy Gewitz in memory of Zelma Lipshutz Arlen & Kathy Goldberg in memory of Sylvia Goldberg Dick & Lucille Goldsmith in memory of Lisa Grubel Stan & Penny Hamlet in memory of Harold Friedlander Ken & Amy Murray in memory of Gail Ina Bernstein Charles & Eve Poret in memory of their beloved mother, Esther Jacobs Steven Ross & Francine Falk-Ross in memory of Richard Falk Steven Ross & Francine Falk-Ross in memory of Richard Falk Richard & Dianne Spitalny in memory of Jerry Press Richard & Dianne Spitalny in memory of William Spitalny Bette Travin in memory of Ella Shabes Gregory Altman Music & Arts Fund Congregation Beth Israel in memory of May Rolle Ross & Janet Levy in memory of Margot Sisman and William Weintraub Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Gennifer Kelly Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Ann Testone Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Jaclyn Dubray Israel Action Special Fund Adrienne Shiloff in memory of Bertha Schwartz Adrienne Shiloff in memory of Jerome Shiloff Lee and Richard Laster Special Fund Rich & Jane Zenker in memory of Richard Laster Rabbi Educator Discretionary Fund Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Rabbi Linzer Religious School and Family Education Fund Merle and Ken Glass in honor of Brad Jacobs Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Joni Kellogg Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Heather Satin Senior Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Richard & Betsey Corbin John & Debra Goldenberg Neil Gleit & Amy Shipper in honor of Josephine Shipper’s Bat Mitzvah Bernice Bassin in memory of Fanny Blasenheim Stuart & Anita Beeber in memory of Phoebe Carter

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JOYS & SORROWS RECENT GIFTS (Continued) Senior Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (Continued) Bruce and Barbara Flanz in honor of Aaron Aizenstain’s Bar Mitzvah Jamie & Mark Heisler in honor of Rabbi Jaffe’s leadership in racial equality education.

Sandra Klein in memory of Arthur Klein Joan Kolbert in memory of Phoebe Carter Perry Levine in memory of Mildred Frisch Douglas & Judith Phillips in honor of the baby naming of Layla Pennziner Ben & Rachel Rosin in memory of Phoebe Carter Scott & Melissa Singer in honor of Rabbi Jaffe Rita Wein in memory of Marvin Wein Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Fund Michael & Judy Gewitz in memory of Phoebe Carter Michael & Judy Gewitz in memory of Gil Lipshutz Eleanor Fogel in memory of May Rolle Torah Funds Bill & Fran Deutsch in memory of Michael Morton Tributes Jane & Moses Alexander in memory of May Rolle Edward & Valerie Berman in memory of Julian Juster Michael Bernstein in memory of Janice Bernstein Amanda Blum in memory of May Rolle Betsy Blumberg in memory of May Rolle Alex & Missy Cohen in memory of Barbara Cohen Joe Faber & Sumy Daeufer Wendy Haber in memory of Myra and Milton Schubin Susan Failing in honor of Jack Saletan’s Bar Mitzvah Rabbi Jan and Cantor Alane Katzew in memory of May Rolle Nicolaysen Insurance Agency in memory of May Rolle Seth & Alisa Gershman in memory of Leon B. Rosenblatt Phil & Ann Glazer in memory of May Rolle Arlen & Kathy Goldberg in memory of Mandel J Kramer Ivy & Stanley Relkin in memory of May Rolle Jack Wiener in memory of May Rolle Barbara & Stan Selbst in memory of May Rolle Susan & Clark Schubach in memory of May Rolle Joan Katz-Kesher Group in memory of May Rolle Dick & Gloria Raskin Melanie Reich in memory of May Rolle Rabbis Eve Rudin and Elliott Kleinman in memory of May Rolle Ken & Judy Sagat in memory of May Rolle David& Beverly Stein in memory of May Rolle Sheila Taylor Sylvia Waksman in memory of Gloria Kalina Sylvia Waksman in memory of Lena Lefkowitz Sylvia Waksman in memory of Sam Lefkowitz Sylvia Waksman in memory of Murray Waksman Michael & Sharon Weaver in memory of May Rolle Ellen Wiener in memory of May Rolle Youth Program Fund Betsy Stone in memory of May Rolle

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YAHRZEITS (Continued)

April 11-17 Lynn Robinson Norma Ruby Sorrel Martin Stern Richard Tumpowsky Murray Waksman April 18-24 Michael Bass Harold Bernstein Etta Brotz Morris Dobkin Barbara Feibus Theodore Ginsberg Erich Grunebaum Walter Hamlet Martin Manasse Alexander Pollak Betty Rifkin Sidney Rosenbaum Clare Rush Benjamin Saslow Meyer Siegel Irving Sisman Natalie Smith Henry Smith Abraham Spitalny Hilde Stern Arnold Wallack April 25-April 30 Lorraine Berger Judith Feldman Ronald Finger Harry Fisher Bernard Fishman Abraham Glazer Victor Greenbaum Heather Handler Lillian Kaufman Sarah Kimmel Morris C. Klein Lillian Lessler Nathan Levine Dorothea Ochser Harold Paster Berry (Dov) Pearlman Morris Raskin Daniel Raylesberg Louis Routman Frieda Schwartz Moses Sternlieb Louis Tulbowitz

JOYS & SORROWS

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dkxal dpexkif

MAZEL TOV

HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO Susan Buchman on the death of her father, Benjamin Nachbar The Carter Family on the death of Phoebe Carter Rich Downey on the death of his father, Jerry Downey Mel Ehrlich on the death of his mother, Pauline Ehrlich Devra Glick on the death of her grandmother, Rae Braunstein

Sienna Miller became a Bat Mitzvah on February 6 Zach Kessler became a Bar Mitzvah on February 13 Lindsay Richman will become a Bat Mitzvah on February 27 Dylan Braun will become a Bar Mitzvah on March 6 Samuel Pfeffer will become a Bar Mitzvah on March 20 Parker Eisner will become a Bar Mitzvah on March 20

Paul Glickman on the death of his father, Dr. Sheldon Glickman

Zachary Nadan will become a Bar Mitzvah on

Laura Medway on the death of her father, Michael Paul Brainin

Josh and Charlie Gershman will become a

Samuel Perlmutter on the death of his wife, Dorothy Perlmutter The Schubin Family on the death of Myra Schubin Jane Swirsky on the death of her father, Charles Sterling Rhonda Regan on the death of her mother, Sheila Taylor The Rolle Family on the death of May Rolle Jim Wein on the death of his father, Marvin Wein The Wray Family on the death of Ann Wray

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CONGRATULATIONS TO Leslie Aufieri-Schneiderman on her marriage to Eric Schneiderman

April 10

B’nei Mitzvah on April 10 Jillian Potashner will become a Bat Mitzvah on April 17 Julianne Appel will become a Bat Mitzvah on April 17 Alice Faber will become a Bat Mitzvah on April 24

In times of joy and sadness, please keep us informed!

It is always a pleasure to hear good news from our temple members and to share joys. Often it helps to share problems or illnesses, too.

Our Rabbis, Cantor, and Caring Community Committee want to respond to the needs of our congregants.

Please let us know if you, or some other temple member, might be helped by a visit or telephone call. Many people assume that everyone knows, but a note or call to the temple office, at 238-3928 x 1323, will get the message to our clergy.

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TBE UPDATE COVID Update

By Gennifer Kelly, Executive Director It has been a while since we last sent out an update regarding the pandemic’s impact on the synagogue and our procedures. While our practices have largely remained constant over the last several months, we want to share what we’ve been doing and how we hope to proceed into 2021.

Our building remains closed to most, with only our Early Childhood Center (ECC) students and Beth El staff in the building during the week. We have continued to host B’nei Mitzvah services, opening the Sanctuary to 15 close family/friends, seated in pews spaced at least six feet apart, while the clergy remain on the bimah behind plexiglass. Our Friday evening congregational Shabbat services have fully remained online.

Through the late fall, both our ECC and Religious School were held in-person activities outside the building using canopy tents as classrooms and gathering spaces. With the winter cold, our Religious School has gone fully remote, coming up with an array of innovative solutions to keep the children engaged. It is our expectation that following a quarantine period after Spring Break, the tents will be back and we will once again offer in-person instruction beginning the week of April 11.

We have continued our Tikkun Olam efforts unabated, seeking to meet the growing needs of our larger community due to the pandemic. Thanks to all of you who have contributed to our efforts to bring donations of groceries, technology, diapers and more to those in need. To offer a glimpse of our efforts, our students have been sending cards to homebound and older members, while our 7th graders recently made meals for those in need in the Bronx.

The health and safety of our congregants and staff remains our top priority. To that end, our services and activities will remain primarily online until it is safe to bring us together in person once again. We eagerly look forward to welcoming our community members back into the building in the not so distant future and have begun to discuss what the High Holy Days might look like, with the hope that those who wish to attend in-person will be able to do so.

To end on a positive note, with New York’s rollout of vaccination phase 1B, our teachers and educational staff look to receive their vaccinations in the coming weeks. We are so happy to see members of our staff, especially those who work in-person with children on a daily basis, receive the protection they deserve - and look forward to our congregants receiving the same benefit.

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TEMPLE DIRECTORY 220 SOUTH BEDFORD RD 914.238.3928 T CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514 914.238.4030 F WWW.BETHELNW.ORG TEMPLE@BETHELNW.ORG

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 914.238.5735 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

914.238.5641

TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS 1311 Senior Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe 1121 Rabbi-Educator Maura H. Linzer 1316 Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb 1321 Gennifer Kelly, Executive Director 1221 Hope Blauner, Early Childhood Center Director 1220 Beth Cohen, Administration Assistant to ECC Director 1323 Jaclyn Trustman-Dubray, Administrative & Life-Cycle

Coordinator

Senior Rabbi

Jonathan Jaffe

Rabbi-Educator

Maura H. Linzer

Cantor

Elizabeth Sternlieb

Executive Director

Gennifer Kelly

Director of Early Childhood Center

Hope Blauner

jjaffe@bethelnw.org

mlinzer@bethelnw.org

esternlieb@bethelnw.org executivedirector@bethelnw.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS

Rhonda Regan President

Marc Fried

1320 Leslie Aufieri-Schneiderman, Communications Director

Executive Vice President

1322 Ann Testone, Bookkeeper

Gregg Diller

1312 Carmen Stevens, Development Coordinator 1325 Jason Stringer, Building Operations Manager 1122 Heather Satin, Religious School Assistant Principal 1110 Joni Gehebe-Kellogg, Youth Coordinator 1300 Life-Cycle Emergency

Vice President

Kim Gilman Vice President

Jennifer Pariser Vice President

Diane Thaler WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester appreciates the rich diversity of the Jewish community and invites all who seek a connection to Jewish life to join us. We encourage participation of interfaith couples and families as well as people of all backgrounds, ages, financial means, sexual orientations and gender identities. We welcome children and adults with disabilities and their families.

We strive to ensure that our programs and facilities are accessible to all and to accommodate special needs.

The synagogue is a kehilah kedoshah — a sacred community. Like a sukkah, it is constructed of many different branches woven together: the married and the unmarried, single parents, grandparents, non-Jewish spouses and those of all sexual orientations. The broader the sukkah’s reach, the more tightly its branches are woven, the stronger it stands. So too the synagogue: the greater the variety of people welcomed within it, the closer they feel to one another, the stronger the temple stands.

Vice President

Alyssa White Treasurer

Sarah Lieb Secretary

hblauner@bethelnw.org TRUSTEES Term Expires 2021 Eric Alani Lisa Crandall Gary Munowitz Stacey Pfeffer Stacey Stambleck Term Expires 2022 Deb Fass Jacobs Gary Kibel Pam Klein Meryl Lefkowitz Janet Levy Karla Shepard Rubinger Carol Wolk Term Expires 2023 Larry Block Alyssa Garnick Lerner Pam Goldfarb Norma Klein Art Saltzman Stephanie Saltzman Debbie Samberg

Amy Robin Immediate Past President Past Presidents, Honorary Members of the Board Ernest M. Grunebaum Steve Adler Barry Meisel Richard Albert Gloria Meisel Stanley Amberg William Pollak Lisa Davis David Ruzow Melvin Ehrlich

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Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14115 White Plains, NY

220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

ANNUAL FUND Support Annual Fund 5781 Today!

Despite COVID-19 vaccinations beginning to offer some hope for protection of our most vulnerable populations and front-line workers, Temple Beth El continues to adjust to the length and impact the pandemic and the effects on our members. Closing the gap in funding between membership dues/ tuition and our operating expenses – which includes aid for those in need – remains a top priority.

Supporting the Annual Fund with your gift, helps our synagogue to bridge this gap and ensure a rich and meaningful pursuit of the Jewish faith for all. Now - more than ever - your support is needed! Your gift is welcome and appreciated by mail or online at: www.bethelnw.org/annual_fund_donations.

Use your cellphone camera to take a photo of the code to the left and be taken directly to the Annual Fund Donation page.