LADDER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 And Jacob dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to the heavens... THE Meet the MembersNewestofourTeam Pages 4 High Holy Day Guide Pages 7-13 What Does Judaism Say About? Page 15 Back to Shul BBQ: September 11 Back Cover COMING TOGETHER FOR A SWEET NEW YEAR Beth El members celebrate Shabbat at West Point with cadets and their families
Cantor
2 220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD CHAPPAQUA, NY TEMPLE@BETHELNW.ORG914.238.5641RELIGIOUS914.238.5735EARLY914.238.4030914.238.3928WWW.BETHELNW.ORG10514TFCHILDHOODCENTERSCHOOL
Executive Director
TEMPLE STAFF JAFFE H. LINZER STERNLIEB
Dear Friends,
RHONDA REGAN
Scholar-in-Residence
We are so happy to welcome Kyra to our community this fall. I hope you will welcome her warmly and I hope to see all of your faces during the Yamim Noraim.
Shalom, Shalom, Cantor Sternlieb
I hope you have all been enjoying summer adventures. I am excited to share some great news. In addition to having our TBE adult choir back on the bima this year, I am thrilled to share that Kyra Goldman (Cantorial soloist and singersongwriter) will be joining us as a guest artist this coming fall for our High Holy Days. Kyra has been performing internationally since she was a teenager and she is now a new face in Jewish music. She started her career in the gospel music genre, playing hundreds of concerts across the US and internationally. She won several songwriting competitions, published with Universal Music Publishing Group, released several music videos, EPs, and a selftitled debut album, as well as sharing the stage with internationally known musical acts.
Early Childhood Director
A mid-tour trip to Israel in 2015 changed the direction of her life and music. “In Israel I had such a strong feeling like I had been there before, that I was with my people and that I belonged to them.” She was very intrigued by the feeling and decided to explore her identity at an Atlanta-area synagogue, which ultimately led her to conversion.
HOPE BLAUNER
President A Proud Member of the URJ
Kyra grew up on classic songwriters, whose influences can be heard in her thoughtful lyrics. Her acoustic singer-songwriter style has hints of Celtic, Jazz, Middle-Eastern, Caribbean and Soul. She released two singles with music videos that were recorded and filmed in Israel: the Hanukkah single, “Nes Gadol Haya Sham (A Great Miracle Happened There)” and “Lion Waking Up.” During the pandemic, she and Sue Horowitz released a co-written, Celtic-style Mi Chamocha called, “Who is Like You?” that features a montage of videos recorded by friends and family at home.
GENNIFER KELLY
Rabbi-Educator ELIZABETH
Senior Rabbi MAURA
RABBI NORMAN COHEN, Ph.D.
“My spiritual life has always been important to me,” she said “and I have such an appreciation for my experiences and all the people who have shared parts of my journey. Where I am now feels so natural and I love that my story has been woven into the tapestry that is our collective story. Now my music is part of passing Jewish values and identity L’dor v’dor, from generation to generation.”
CANTOR’S CORNER
JONATHAN
This alarm is how we know, we must be altered — That we must differ or die, that we must triumph or try. Thus while hate cannot be terminated, It can be transformed into a love that lets us live.
The 13th century Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides likens the Rosh Hashanah shofar to an alarm, awakening us to the new year and the opportunity to change. He writes,
In these isolated times, the need for community has never been stronger. We can’t wait to see our preschool students eagerly run into their classrooms, our Religious School students hug after spending time apart, and our congregants come together for the High Holy Days. Together, we step into the future with optimism. Gorman concludes,
Gorman similarly writes,
Everything hurts. It’s a hard time to be alive, And even harder to stay that way. We’re burdened to live out these days, While at the same time, blessed to outlive them.
Gorman speaks directly to the pain so many of us carry under the surface of everyday life: of exhaustion, our own weariness; of frayed relationships, of a world seemingly spinning out of control. But she also warns us against the tendency towards stagnation, that we might confuse what currently is with what hopefully ought to be. The recognition of pain is the first step towards healing and eventually, improvement. “Everything Hurts” is an ode to reflection, self-betterment and the hope for better days ahead.
When Everything Hurts
Maybe everything hurts, our hearts shadowed and strange. But only when everything hurts may everything change.
L’Shalom,Rabbi Jaffe
May this be a time of transformation for all of us, bending hurt into change and eventually gratitude. We can’t wait to see you.
Arise from your slumber, you who are asleep…search your deeds, repent, and remember your Creator...Those of you who forget the truth because of daily trivialities, indulging throughout the year in the useless things that cannot profit you nor save you, look into your souls, amend your ways and deeds.
The ritual of Rosh Hashanah is meant to spur us from our daily routines and rouse us towards self assessment. It is a reminder that the status quo needs not spin on endlessly; that we have the opportunity to break the routines which bind us, let go of the hurt and pain we may have collected over the past year, and look with optimism and confidence towards the coming year.
In her recently published poem, “Everything Hurts”, Amanda Gorman writes,
In this way, we here at Temple Beth El welcome you to a new year of learning, engagement, celebration and renewal. We have spent these summer months preparing an environment in which all may enter our synagogue campus and find opportunities for personal growth and spiritual connection. We have added additional outdoor spaces for our students to play, socialize and learn. Our Social Hall and Beit Midrash have been updated to welcome back large group gatherings. We have welcomed our Rabbinic Intern, Madeleine Fortney and Assistant Preschool Director, Emily Kreiner to help us engage with our growing congregation. You may learn more about them on page 4.
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RABBI’S MESSAGE
Stop by the ECC office and say hello to Cari Lynch, our new Administrative Assistant. Cari loves children and is so excited to meet each and every one of them! She lives in Pleasantville with her husband Jon, their son, Jamie, a senior at Greeley, and their 10-year-old cockapoo, Baci. Cari comes from a diverse background of marketing and promotions, sales, and customer support. As a barre enthusiast, she taught at several, local studios for more than 5 years. She loves to cook, bake, take long walks with friends, admire beautiful sunsets, and cheer on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Having been a member of Beth El for years, Cari is excited to deepen her connection to the temple in her new role.
Rabbinic Intern: Madeleine Fortney
ECC Administrative Assistant: Cari Lynch
Due to the amazing growth of our preschool, we are excited to welcome aboard Emily Kreiner in our newly formed position of Assistant Director at the Temple Beth El Early Childhood Center. After graduating from Connecticut College with a degree in Human Development and certification in Elementary Education, Emily earned a Master’s degree in Literacy, focusing on birth through 6th grade students from Bank Street College of Education. For the past 21 years, Emily has taught in NYC private schools including the Town School, the Birch Wathen Lenox School, and the Collegiate School. Her experience has included classroom teaching as well as working as a Learning Specialist, where she taught reading and math to small groups of students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. For the last 7 years, Emily taught 1st grade at the Town School, where she also served on the Faculty Committee which advised the Head of School, as well as various other committees including long range planning. While living in NYC, Emily’s children attended both the 92Y Nursery School and Temple Shaaray Tefila NYC Nursery School. As a parent, Emily served as class representative and volunteered in the preschools as often as possible, learning the culture and building community within the schools. Emily has experienced the full trajectory of a preschool education, and holds the Reggio inspired, Jewish preschool experience in the highest regard. Emily lives in Chappaqua with her husband, Michael, and their three children.
As our congregation continues to grow, we are fortunate to welcome new staff members to the Beth El family. We are happy to share a bit about them here:
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ECC Assistant Director: Emily Kreiner
Madeleine Fortney, a third-year rabbinical student at the New York campus of Hebrew Union College, is thrilled to be serving as Beth El’s rabbinic intern. Originally from Northern Virginia, she attended Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church and was a NFTY-MAR youth group participant. As an undergraduate at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Madeleine majored in Communications and minored in both Judaic Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies. She also served as the student president of Drexel Hillel and led Reform Shabbat services throughout her four years. Professionally, she has worked at Reconstructing Judaism in Wyncote, PA, and taught religious school at various congregations in NYC. A Brooklyn resident, Madeleine volunteers with Repair the World and can often be found braiding challah, reading in Prospect Park, or playing with her cat, Luna. She looks forward to getting to know each of you and engaging at many levels –whether it’s b’nei mitzvah prep, teen programming, or adult education.
WELCOME
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
The Religious School and the Religious School Committee have been preparing for a busy school year ahead. There have been lots of amazing, new teachers hired, and plans put in place for school and community engagement for a very special year.
The Religious School is excited to welcome some new guests and special programs this year. In partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, we are co-sponsoring an emissary from Israel, Maya Naor, who will spend the year in our community and help to enhance our Israel content on Mondays. Our emissary will participate and teach weekly in the 5th and 9th grades. Additionally, we are pleased to welcome Student Rabbi Madeleine Fortney, our Rabbinical Intern, on Monday afternoons and evenings. Student Rabbi Fortney will take a leadership role in 6th grade and teach a section of Hebrew Boot Camp, in our Teen Program, and participate in Sunday morning family education. They will make a significant impact on our program.
Lastly, the Religious School Committee of parent volunteers has been growing over the past few years as well. We’re really grateful to all of the parents who spend time creating programming for the students, foster community engagement and fundraise for the Religious School! We’re very pleased to announce that Lindsay Finkler will be joining Melissa Bahr as the Co-Chairs of the Committee. Marci Levine and Laura Jackson will lead a subcommittee to welcome new and returning families to the TBE community. Sandra Stein and Laurie Levine will lead our Purim Fundraiser. Vanessa Baker will continue to run our Passover Fundraiser. And Shara Gordon and Leah Alani will continue to oversee the busing from Chappaqua Schools, which we know so many families really appreciate. Special thanks to all of the members of our Religious School Committee for their commitment and dedication to helping our Religious School thrive.
Religious School Year Ahead
Religious
By Melissa Popiel Bahr, TBE Member and School
Building on the success of bringing back some in-person events last year, we plan to expand parental involvement in our programs this year. We are excited to host monthly grade-specific Shabbat dinners prior to our First Friday Family Shabbat services. These dinners are a great opportunity for families to spend time with one another and to connect with your children’s teachers. Additionally, we are especially thrilled to invite the parents of our youngest students back into the sanctuary on Sunday mornings to join for Tefillah (prayer). Tefillah is a chance to see our educational program in action and to spend time with your children building positive Jewish memories. Parents will also be invited to learn alongside their children during family education, which will take place yearly, once per grade. Finally, the Religious School committee in partnership with Westchester Jewish Communal Services, will be sponsoring a new series of parent workshops on Sunday mornings on topics such as managing anxiety and helping children navigate social media.
We’re looking forward to a great school year ahead!
Parent 5
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
11September Opening Sunday of Religious School for K-4th grade 12 Opening Monday of Religious School for 5th-7th grade 13 Opening Tuesday of Religious School for 3rd grade attending Tuesdays only 25-27 No Religious School for Rosh HaShanah 2October Parent Education Class: Finding the Words During Difficult Times 4 No Religious School for Yom Kippur 9-10 No Religious School - Columbus Day Weekend 11 Sukkah Visits for 4th grade 13 Sukkah Visits for 5th and 6th grade 16 Sukkah Visits for K-3rd grade 16 Consecration of new students 17 S’mores for 8-12th grade 17 Simchat Torah Services for 7-12th grade 23 Youth Activity for Kindergarten 24 Opening Day for 8-12th grade 25 Youth Activity for 4th grade 27 Youth Activity for 5th and 6th grade 30 Youth Activity for 1st grade 31 No Religious School See our website for the complete Religious School calendar.
3rd - Sunday, November 13 at 11:00 am
4th - Tuesday, October 25 at 6:00 pm
5th & 6th - Thursday, October 27 at 5:45 pm details and up forms found on our CENTER
6YOUTH ACTIVITIES TBE ECC HIGHLIGHTS 6SeptemberTeachers Return 9 Playground Playdates: Temple Tots-9:00am, 2’s-9:30am, 3’s-10:30am, 4’s-11:30am 9 Tot Shabbat 5:45pm 12 Classroom Visits for 2’s, 3’s & 4’s 13 First Day of School for 5 day 2’s, 3’s & 4’s 13 Classroom Visit - Temple Tots 14 First Day of School for 3 day 2’s 15 First Day of School for Temple Tots 22 Parent/Caregiver Coffee for the 3’s & 4’s, 9:00am 26-27 Rosh Hashanah - School Closed 28 Enrichments Begin 28 Explorers 29 Parent/Caregiver Coffee for the 2’s & Temple Tots at drop off 29 Pre-K Starts 4October Kol Nidre - No Pre-K or Enrichments 5 Yom Kippur - School Closed 6 Caregiver Coffee 9:00am 7 Tot Shabbat 5:45pm 10 Columbus Day - School Closed 13 Back-To-School Night 7:30pm 15 ECC Benefit 31 Staff Development Day - School Closed
2nd - Sunday, November 6 at 11:00 am
K - Sunday, October 23 at 11:00 am
can be
website: www.bethelnw.org/rs/youthactivites Join your TBE friends in grades K through 7 for these fun activities! EARLY CHILDHOOD
Temple Beth El’s Youth Activities Committee is designed to promote a strong sense of community within Temple Beth El for our kindergartners through 7th Graders. The Committee’s primary objective is to encourage our children’s desire to be involved in their Jewish community at a young age. We are achieving this goal by offering a wide variety of social and community-based activities for children within this age group. The activities offered to our children in grades K-7 include movie nights, junior boot camp, cupcake wars, cooking programs, and so much more. Through these events, the Youth Activities Committee provides Beth El’s children in grades K-7 with the opportunity to gain team-building skills, build friendships, and fully understand and appreciate the value of being part of a Jewish Community.
Please SAVE THE DATE for the following fall events!
1st - Sunday, October 30 at 11:00 am
Full program
sign
7 HIGH HOLY DAYS
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
12:30 pm Picnic Lunch with Ice Cream Truck at Gedney Park
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 25
Rosh Hashanah
A second opportunity to participate in this meaningful ritual alongside Rabbi Jaffe and your Beth El friends and neighbors.
9:00 am Preschool Family Service
Families with children K through 4th grade will love our one-hour service with music, Torah reading, and student participation.
1:00 pm Casual Rosh Hashanah Hike with Rabbi Jaffe (meet at Gedney Park dock)
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A non-strenuous one hour walk around Gedney’s perimeter red trail. Pets welcome.
Join our clergy team for a 30 minute service aimed towards our youngest congregants and their families. We will gather for songs, prayer, sharing, and the blowing of the shofar in a participative and casual environment. Parking is available on site for those with strollers.
3:00 pm Service for Families with Children in Elementary School
4:00 pm Family snack in the Klein Courtyard
A one-hour informal musical service in our Klein Courtyard to usher in the holy day. Come as you are!
12:30 pm Rosh Hashanah Morning Late Service*
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
5:00 pm Outdoor Musical Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Rosh Hashanah Day: Monday, September 26
4:30 pm Tashlich Service at Gedney Park
HOLY DAYS
Enjoy the Gedney Park playground and picnic area with Beth El friends and neighbors.
Led by Rabbi Jaffe, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
12:00 pm Second Day Tashlich (meet at Gedney Park dock)
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
Rosh Hashanah Second Day: Tuesday, September 27
* Live-streamed and recorded www.bethelnw.org/live_stream
HIGH SCHEDULE
9:30 am Rosh Hashanah Morning Early Service* (childcare available)
10:00 am Rosh Hashanah Second Day Service*
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
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9:30 am Yom Kippur Morning Early Service* (childcare available)
Led by Cantor Sternlieb, Rabbi Dr. Norman Cohen and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
3:30 pm Service for Families with Children in Elementary School
5:00 pm Yizkor*
The afternoon provides us with additional opportunities to reflect upon the past year while also exploring central Jewish themes of loss, renewal, and redemption.
Yom Kippur: Wednesday, October 5
9:00 am Preschool Family Service
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney We conclude Yom Kippur with Neilah when we hear the final sounds of the shofar. The brief, beautiful Havdalah service before we break fast is one of the sweetest moments of the holiday season.
* Live-streamed and recorded www.bethelnw.org/live_stream
HIGH HOLY DAYS SCHEDULE
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
Kol Nidre: Tuesday, October 4
12:30 pm Yom Kippur Morning Late Service*
The Yizkor service is a beautiful tradition of remembering beloved family members and friends who have passed. If you wish to have the name of a family member who has died since last Yom Kippur read during Yizkor, but have not previously recorded the name with the temple, please contact the office so that we can include that person.
2:30 pm Refugee Resettlement Update and Panel Discussion in Beit Midrash
5:45 pm Neilah Concluding Service with Havdalah*
6:25 pm Break-fast snack
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney Families with children K through 4th grade will love our one-hour service with music, Torah reading, and student participation.
7:45 pm Yom Kippur Evening Service
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
3:30 pm Afternoon Service with Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Dr. Norman Cohen*
Full details on page 11
Yom Kippur
Parking is available on site for those with strollers.
Led by Rabbis Jaffe, Linzer, Cantor Sternlieb and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
observance
Workshop with Larry Mendelowitz
Thursday, September 22
As our students are invited to blow shofar at the Rosh Hashanah morning service and Yom Kippur preschool and family services, we are offering the opportunity to train with congregant and shofar blowing expert Larry Mendelowitz. Together, we will go over shofar blowing technique, as well as the calls utilized on the bimah so that all volunteers are prepared to lead our congregation. as usher in the High Holy Days the begin the process of repentance and self-reflection. will conclude the with Havdalah, marking the end of Shabbat, and light refreshments.
we
with
HIGH HOLY DAYS DETAILS
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observance of Selichot, in which we
3:45 pm Shofar Blowing
Saturday,SelichotSeptember 17 6:00 pm Selichot Service with Rabbi Jaffe and Cantor Sternlieb Join Rabbi Jaffe and Cantor Sternlieb
Preparing for the High Holy Days
We
Yom Kippur: Wednesday, October 5 at 2:30 pm
As you may know, over the past months, the Westchester Jewish community has coordinated efforts towards settling refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Under the umbrella of RESet Westchester, multiple families have been brought to Westchester, furnished with homes, jobs, and vocational support. We will hear from members of RESet Westchester, along with several refugees who have arrived locally through their efforts. Join us to learn about this inspirational example of tikkun olam and how others might get involved in this valiant effort.
HIGH HOLY DAYS DETAILS
Refugee Resettlement Update and Panel Discussion
Food will be collected at the temple on Yom Kippur.
Each year during the High Holy Days, our congregation generously donates food to a Westchester-based organization, serving individuals in need. These food pantries serve individuals from local communities who are the truly needy: elderly singles who can’t pay Westchester rents; disabled men and women with little disability insurance with families to feed; mentally impaired individuals; mothers and children fleeing from abusive situations; families in which parents were temporarily laid off who have now used up what little savings they had. And this year the needs are greater than ever with so many individuals and families affected by the current economic downturn.
ParmalatNuts and powdered milk
Cereal and oatmeal
Legumes (in bags and cans)
Rice (in bags and boxes)
Please check expiration dates. The pantry cannot accept expired food.
Canned Fruit
Canned spinach, peas, corn, potatoes, etc.
Canned tuna, chicken, sardines
Coffee (regular and instant)
The following items are needed right now:
Annual High Holy Day Food Drive
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Chicken broth (esp. low sodium)
Cooking oil
Healthy snacks
Jarred spaghetti sauce
Pancake mix & syrup
MacPastan Cheese
Soup (esp. low sodium)
Tickets for all services are required and must be shown at the door for entry. We will once again be using SimpleTix for tickets. A link will be emailed to you, provided you have renewed your membership. If you would like to bring an out-of-town family member, a guest ticket can be purchased on the ticket software.
For all live streamed services, please visit: www.bethelnw.org/live_stream
Live Streaming
Childcare
Parking and Busing
HIGH HOLY DAYS DETAILS
Proof of vaccination is required for entry to the building for all participants. Masks are recommended but not required, excect for sections marked for masked individuals only. Ticket and proof of vaccination are required for entry, ages 5+.
Tickets
For those who wish to watch at home, High Holy Day materials will be available for pick up beginning Wednesday, September 21. Materials include a prayer book, our printed materials, and High Holy Day food collection bags.
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Parking at Beth El is available for those in physical need. Parking passes can be obtained with your ticket request. For young families with strollers attending our tot service at 9:00 am - limited parking is available. For all others, parking is available at Bell Middle School with bus shuttle service. Participants at Second Day Rosh Hashanah services may park on site.
Childcare is available for children ages 2-6 during the 9:30 am morning service on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The suggested donation is $18 per child per day. On Rosh Hashanah morning, parents will have the option to bring their children into services for the shofar blowing (we will make sure to give fair warning of when to bring in your child during services). For more information, go to /.
For the Health and Safety of Our Community
Important Details
Monday, October 17
HIGH HOLY DAYS DETAILS
Sukkot celebrates both the fall harvest and our deeper connection to nature. It is a joyous season that symbolizes our people’s redemption and God’s protecting presence as they wandered through the wilderness. Sukkot is one of the most physically beautiful holidays because of the sukkah (temporary booth) that we decorate with symbols of the harvest, and the lulav and etrog, which we shake as we pray for a good season of rain. Our Sukkot service will also include the yizkor remembrance of loved ones we have lost over the past year, for whom we observe kaddish during this festival. Festivities to take place in the Klein Courtyard, followed by a special oneg.
Meet your friends and neighbors as Rabbi Jaffe and his family welcome us to their yard with its sukkah and playground. Refreshments will be served.
2:00-4:00 pm Congregational Open House at Rabbi Jaffe’s Home
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Saturday, October 8
7:15 pm Simchat Torah Service
5:30Friday,SukkotOctober7pmTotShabbat in the Sukkah
7:15 pm Sukkot Shabbat Worship Service with Yizkor in the Sukkah
Simchat Torah, meaning “The Joy of Torah”, celebrates the completion and new cycle of reading the Torah. We hold up the Torah as it is completely opened and read the final verses of Deuteronomy and the first lines of Genesis. A festive oneg will follow to celebrate the sweetness of the Torah.
Simchat Torah
6:00 pm Congregational Dinner & Sukkah Decorating
SPECIAL SHABBAT SERVICES & PROGRAMS
Family
Sunday, October 2 at 9:00 am with Jennifer Schmelkin LCSW
Ellen Weisberg: eweisberg@wjcs.com
Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) Jewish Programs Youth and Family Services Presents:
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Bothconversations.JenSchmelkin
Raising children during these extraordinary times can be a challenge. Cultivating meaningful conversations with our children regarding hard topics, such as loss, can bring up many feelings for parents. Join us for a discussion about how to support our children with difficult topics, and reassuring words to use for these
Jen Schmelkin: jschmelkin@wjcs.com
Tacos and Torah with Rabbi Jaffe
Join us for our first Family Shabbat of the season!
Tot
5:45 pm Shabbat 7:15 pm Shabbat Service
Friday, September 9
and Ellen Weisberg are clinical social workers at Westchester Jewish Community Services. They have extensive early childhood experience through their roles in various school-based settings, including both preschool programs and elementary schools. Jen and Ellen work with teachers and families to support and encourage children to reach their greatest potential. They provide child guidance and socialemotional learning support, while paying close attention to developmental issues. They offer concrete support on a range of issues related to emotional-regulation, social-skill development and problem-solving, with empathy and sensitivity.
Monday, September 12 at 6:00 pm
The Taco Project, 465 Bedford Road, Pleasantville
We hope to mix our love of learning and eating with our limited series, Tacos and Torah, to be held at The Taco Project in Pleasantville. Order your tacos, chips and margarita. Then join Rabbi Jaffe and your Beth El neighbors in an informal discussion on Jewish text. All ages welcome. Salud!
Finding the Words During Difficult Times: How to Facilitate Challenging Conversations with our Children
NEW PARENTING EDUCATION SERIES
First Friday Family Shabbat
Jen and Ellen are available for parent-coaching sessions through the Jewish Programs Youth and Family Services, a program generously funded by the UJA.
This series has been made possible by the Resnick Family Fund for Adult Jewish Studies.
NEW ISRAEL CULTURE COMMITTEE
Sundays at 9:15 am (with breakfast)
15 ADULT EDUCATION
We are excited to announce the newly created Israel Culture Committee. Initially, the Israel Culture Committee will seek to provide Israel-focused programming at Temple Beth El, 2-3 times per year. We hope to keep all committee meetings short and to a minimum, with respect to busy schedules. This is not a political action committee, but one that we hope will engage TBE members of all ages as to the unique and very special country that is Israel. We hope that you will join us for an introductory Zoom meeting, the date to be announced. For more information or to join us, please contact: Stacey Divack at sedivack@optonline.net or Naomi Koller at koller.naomi@gmail.com
Given the myriad of issues confronting us today, it can be helpful to access Jewish sources to see how our sages dealt with such matters. Even the most specific modern issue can find precedence in Jewish history. And so we will dig into the heart of the matter on such crucial issues as gender, sex, abortion, gun control, and narcotics. Session with be taught jointly by Rabbi Jaffe and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney, with five sessions on Sunday mornings and two others on Shabbat afternoons, with breakfast or lunch offered. Please join us for all or any one of these lightning rod issues. Full details can be found on our website:
October 30 with Rabbi Jaffe – Marijuana and Alcohol
December 11 with Rabbi Jaffe – Gambling and Pornography
March 19 with Rabbi Jaffe – Gun Control and Ethical Warfare
As we recognize that our congregants manage busy lives and are not always available to attend educational programs and events at the synagogue, we are proud to continue offering our eighth year of Jewish Learning Circles. For any congregant who is able to gather a group of 10 or more participants, Rabbi Jaffe is happy to come to you and lead a discussion over the topic of your choice in an informal and social environment. Perhaps you want to meet a few times a year over food and drinks and discuss current topics or aspects of Jewish history or observance. Or organize a monthly lunch or coffee group. You pick the time, location, topic, and frequency and we will take it from there. This way, we seek to lower the barriers to Jewish education and participation while engaging with our congregants according to their availability. If you are interested in forming or participating in a group, please reach out to Rabbi Jaffe at jjaffe@bethelnw.org
November 13 with Rabbinic Intern Fortney – Abortion
Dateswww.bethelnw.org/AE/JudaismSayandtopics:
What Does Judaism Say About?
February 4 with Rabbinic Intern Fortney – Gender and Sex
Jewish Learning Circles with Rabbi Jaffe
Saturdays at 12:00 pm (with lunch)
April 22 with Rabbinic Intern Fortney – Judaism and Homosexuality
January 22 with Rabbinic Intern Fortney – Tattoos and Piercings
Exploring Jewish Views on Contemporary Issues with Rabbi Jaffe and Rabbinic Intern Madeleine Fortney
_____ Prepare or purchase a meal.
_____ Help set up house for Shiva if needed.
16 HOW CAN YOU HELP?
_____ Other possibilities? Please describe:
_____ Grocery shopping.
_____ Drive to doctor, treatment, etc. Drive to services or other Temple functions. Drive homebound or elderly.
_____ Assist with tree planting certificates.
_____ Pick up and deliver food for meals of consolation.
A member of the TCC will contact volunteers either by phone or by Sign-Up Genius, an online website. You can help once or many times depending upon your availability. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. The feeling of doing a good deed for a member of your Temple family will far outweigh the time and effort required to do it!
_____
(Please check activities of interest.)
_____ Make a friendly visit to the homebound or elderly.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?
TIKKUN OLAM
The Caring Committee of Temple Beth El acts as an extended spiritual family by supplementing the pastoral care of the clergy and providing a broader sense of community within the T emple. We send our message of care and concern to Temple congregants who are ill, bereaved, returning home with a new baby, homebound, or in need of transportation. Our congregants have volunteered to drive to a doctor’s appointment or Temple services, prepare a meal of consolation or family meal during the shiva period or an extended illness, pay a friendly visit or help fellow congregants in any way possible.
The Temple Caring Committee works closely with our clergy and Temple staff to be of assistance to our members in times of need. We maintain a list of volunteers who have offered to help when a need arises.
_____ Provide or purchase a meal for a family during Shiva.
_____
Please fill out the Volunteer Sign-Up form and mail (220 South Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514) or email it to the Temple (temple@bethelnw.org). There is also a form on the Temple website for your convenience (www.bethelnw.org/TCC). The Temple Caring Committee will take it from there!
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP INFORMATION Email:_________________________________Mobile:________________________________Landline:______________________________Address:_______________________________Name:_________________________________ PLEASE CHECK WHEN YOU ARE GENERALLY AVAILABLE: Weekdays: _____ Daytime: _____ Weekends: _____ Evening: _____
The Temple Caring Committee is there for you. Please call the Temple at 914-238-3928 if you or someone you know is in need of our services.
TEMPLE CARING COMMITTEE
B’NEI MITZVAH
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18B’NEI MITZVAH
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B’NEI MITZVAH
Clergy’s Discretionary Fund
Debi & Jim Howard in honor of Barry & Gloria Meisel’s Wedding Anniversary and Barry’s Birthday
DonaldIrvinCatherineJackShirleyMaryHymanMollieSylviaLeonardRobertJanetSandraMichaelAnnaBerniceRuthHeleneBennieDorothyNessBellaPatsyJacobBerkowitzH.ByckFeldmanFleischmanGainesHaleHymanHerzfeldKatzKramerLedererLeiferModelOstrelichPerloffRedstonRhodesRubinShiloffShiloffStablerStrumTenzerTooheyYagodaZadeck
RECENT GIFTS
September 18-24 251
Gabriel & Zhanna Brown in honor of Alex Brown’s Bat Mitzvah
Chai Fund
Jack JeanneJoelMollieMaxwellPaulJoelRubeHerbertMorrisHelenBeckerBirenEpsteinGoldIsraelKaplowitzKleinSagatSagatSammetShepard Geiser Sally Silverman20JOYS & SORROWS
Jacob Baron
Nathan Axelrod
April 12 – August 1, 2022
Arlene Benaroya Saul Diamondstein Rita EugeneDorisWarrenDreilingerFrischHamillSheldon Handler
Stephen & Linda Ochser in honor of Barry Meisel’s StephenBirthday& Linda Ochser in honor of Barry and Gloria Meisel’s 50th Wedding Anniversary
Fred Jelinek
Arnold Cohen
Ellen & Gary Byck in memory of Mildred Byck Alex & Melissa Cohen in memory of Gerald “Pop” Cohen Richard and Suzie Denmark in memory of Muriel CharlesDenmark&Robin Elkin in memory of Gladys Katz Maxine & Jonathan Ferencz in memory of Edna EileenClaymanFriedman in memory of Susan Friedman-Pearsall Michael & Judith Gewitz in memory of Deedy Lipshutz Richard & Amy Glotzer in memory of Helene Laufer Richard & Lucille Goldsmith in memory of Henry Grubel Peter Halperin in memory of Louis Halperin Ross & Donna Held in memory of Robert Held Sam & Sally Honig in memory of Donald P Honig
Jordan Isaacson & Crystal Therrien in honor of Tye Isaacson’s Bar Mitzvah
September 4-10
September 1-3
Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Joel Clayman Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Dolores JonathanFerencz & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Zoltan Ferencz Jonathan & Maxine Ferencz in memory of Stuart RichardClayman&Lucille Goldsmith in memory of Shirley EllenManoochehrianHakim&Joan Cohen in memory of Shirley ScottManoochehrian&MelissaSinger in memory of Irving H. Biren Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Rose Singer
Edward & Valerie Berman in honor of David and Alison’s wedding
Nat
William Hecht
Ina Braslow Abe RuthHenryAlbertGailSusanBeatriceBenjaminRosalindStanleyLillianMollyJoshRobertSamArnoldStanleyMollieMosesBarbaraNathanElaineMrs.JanetMarilynBrotzCampanelloCohenElaineCorbinCorwinFuttermanGoldfarbGorbanGrossmanHalperHertzKleinLedererMizrahiMoscowitzOsheroffRobinsonRosenthalRosenzweigRothenbergRubensteinPatriceSorrel-MoskSteinStraussStrauss September
October
Flower Fund
Mittman Mollie IreneHarrietIrvingSuzanneHarryJeromeGaryHarryArnoldLeeIrvingBlancheMorrisNadlerRosensheinRossScheineShienbloomSussmanWallerWeisbergHWeissWidettWlodyZuckerman
Richard Abrons
Betty & Jack Bader Adult Education Fund
May Ellinson Green
Caring Community Fund
Jesse Benaroya May
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
Max MelvinKaplanKilgman
RaquelMollieBarbaraLouisHyMarjorieHorowitzKrinzmanLevineLipshutzMirkenReibeisenZymeck
YAHRZEITS
Bonnie
Dovia Lerrick in memory of Robert B. Lerrick, MD and William Lehrich, MD David & Alonna Travin in memory of Marty Friedman
September 11-17
Eva Juster
October 9-15
Gabriel & Zhanna Brown in honor of Alex Brown’s Bat SusanMitzvahRuzow Debronsky in honor of Danny and Jess StevenRuzow&
Miriam
October 16-22
October 30-31
Bette Travin in memory of Ernest Shabes Adam & Meredith Weiss in memory of Harriet Shane Rachel Wilders in memory of Rita Gruberg
October 23-29
Gregory Altman Music & Arts Fund
October 2-8
Marvin Bernstein
Tributes
Becker
Joseph Cooper Irving
CharlesJeromeNathanOscarDorothyPhyllisBernardDonaldJuliaEstherBobArthurFredHenryHenryJosephSamuelBlechnerBrownDeutschGewitzGoldsmithGrubelGruenHarrisonJaffeLewisLewisPerelmanPosnerRaskinSchechnerSchiffShiloffTalbot
Dr. Elliott Brotz
Natalie Ballen
Irving
Alan & Heidi Israel in memory of Sandra Levy Brachfeld Richard & Judy Miller in memory of Morris C. Klein Bill Pollak and Maria Fisher in memory of Alexander H. MichaelPollak & Bettina Prober in memory of Thomas Aczel Alan and Caren Raylesberg in memory of Daniel PeterRaylesberg&Stacey Stambleck in memory of Barry David GailWeiss&Alan Schreier in memory of Alexander Zamshnick
Valerie and Ed Berman in honor of David Berman’s Auf Ruf in celebration of his upcoming wedding to Alison Nolte Ivy Braun in memory of Stanley Kaplan Russell & Melanie Dritz in memory of Harriet Shane Terry Goldfischer in memory of Lillian Kaufman, David Kaufman and Bella Goldfischer Douglas & Judith Phillips in memory of Raymond Phillips, Malvina Phillips and Ida H. Meyers
Albert H Singer Craig FannySmithTulbowitz
Carole Elias
Temple Beth El Endowment Fund Dovia Lerrick in memory of Lawrence A. Ackman
Lucille LawrenceCahnH. Clayman Leonard Disavino Nanci Lifschutz May DavidArthurRolleGRosenbluthSetton 21 JOYS & SORROWS
Flower Fund (Continued)
Senior Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Dawn Sanders in honor of Noa Haber’s naming Jarrodceremony&Allyson Schlesinger in memory of Sandra Katz Michael & Jodi Schwartz in honor of Caden Schwartz’s Bar Mitzvah
RoseJosephDorothyHelenAmmielFlorenceMarvinFriedaGertrudeLeahRoseSusanWernerLoisBerthaMollieJeanetteEliasFeinsteinGerstenGottfriedM.HalperHamletHankinKozierokLowenMillerPressSchachterSiegelSpicehandlerJonapTitunikAliceTocinWeberWidett
Harry RobertMauriceShirleyRobertAlexRitaSwansonSeymourCeilIdaAnnJeromeLeonardJonathanHaroldCeceliaDavidManoocherMiltonEvelynJeanetteRebeccaBerniceMannieSigmundAdlerDreilingerGoldbergGoldenbergGoldmanHoffmanLoebBeilensonMaisellManoochehrianMeiselMonkRabinowitzResnickYRosenbergRosenthalRosenzweigScherlSchreierScolnickShieldsB.SimpsonSterlingSterlingTainskyF.TauberWagner
Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Lawrence Levine Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Nicole Lewinter Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of Dax Nemerov Scott & Melissa Singer in memory of our dog Mandy
Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Fund Nadia & Bob Bernstein in memory of Rose Cohen Adam Fishman & Naomi Koller Fishman in memory of Simon Cohen Maxine & Jonathan Ferencz in memory of Regina and Ignatz Ferencz
Adeline Alpert Stanley Batkin Jack SelmaPhyllisRuthDavidLeonaWilliamJamesShirleyWalterFlorenceDavidSylviaWarrenJackDorisPaulineCharlotteCatharineDucyRaymondBeeberBreakstoneBronsonDaubDiamondsteinEhrlichGalofaroGoldbergHymanKaplanLeiferLenowitzMeyerMeyersonPosnerQuinnRedstonRolbeinRubinSandersSwirsky
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 1300, will get the message to our clergy.
22JOYS & SORROWS ISRAEL TRIP LAST CALL! Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester Multigenerational Chanukah Family Israel Trip December 22-31, 2022 Registration due September 23 Join Rabbi Jaffe and your Temple Beth El friends and neighbors on this extraordinary trip for both explorers and deepeners. Celebrate Chanukah in the Promised Land, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to the Negev Desert. Full details and booking information can be found at: www.israelmaven.com/bethelnw
Leslie Corwin on the death of her father, Alvin R. Corwin
dkxal dpexkif
Michael Mann on the death of his father, Philip Mann
Mark Koller on the death of his wife, Gloria Koller
Heartfelt Condolences to
Allyson Schlesinger on the death of her mother, Sandra (Sandy) Katz
David Abrams on the death of his brother, William Friedman Abrams
Brad Stuart on the death of his father, Jay Stuart
Alonna Travin on the death of her father, Marty Friedman
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.
RELIGIOUS
Janet Levy
1312 Carmen Stevens, Development Coordinator
Executive Vice President
CENTER
TEMPLE DIRECTORY
1320 Leslie Aufieri-Schneiderman, Communications Director
1222 Emily Kreiner, ECC Assistant Director
EARLY CHILDHOOD 914.238.5735 SCHOOL 914.238.5641
1311 Senior Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe
1321 Gennifer Kelly, Executive Director
1220 Cari Lynch, Administration Assistant to ECC Director
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 en courage 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.
1122 Heather Satin, Religious School Assistant Principal 1110 Joni Gehebe-Kellogg, Youth Coordinator 1300 Life-Cycle Emergency
Barry DavidWilliamGloriaMeiselMeiselPollakRuzow
Rhonda Regan President Marc Fried
Lisa Crandall
Sarah Lieb Vice President
Pam DebbieStephanieArtNormaGoldfarbKleinSaltzmanSaltzmanSamberg
Director of Early Hope Blauner
Executive Director Gennifer Kelly executivedirector@bethelnw.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS
Vice President
1121 Rabbi-Educator Maura H. Linzer
Meryl Lefkowitz Vice President
Larry AlyssaBlockGarnick Lerner
220 SOUTH
TRUSTEES
Evan Cohen
1316 Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb
Jennifer Pariser Vice President
Senior Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe jjaffe@bethelnw.org
Vanessa Baker
Please send all checks to our accounting company: Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester PO Box 418 Montvale, NJ 07645 23
Amy Robin Immediate Past President
Past Presidents, Honorary Members of the Board Steve ErnestMelvinLisaRichardAdlerAlbertDavisEhrlichM.Grunebaum
The synagogue is a kehilah kedoshah — a sacred com munity. Like a sukkah, it is constructed of many different branches woven together: the married and the unmar ried, single parents, grandparents, non-Jewish spouses and those of all sexual orientations. The broader the suk kah’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.
1325 Jason Stringer, Building Operations Manager
Gary DianeStaceyMelissaStaceyMunowitzPfefferSingerStambleckThaler
Term Expires 2023
Rabbi-Educator Maura H. Linzer mlinzer@bethelnw.org
Term Expires 2025
BEDFORD RD 914.238.3928 T CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514 914.238.4030 F WWW.BETHELNW.ORG TEMPLE@BETHELNW.ORG
TELEPHONE EXTENSIONS
Childhood Center hblauner@bethelnw.org
1323 Jaclyn Trustman-Dubray, Administrative & Life-Cycle Coordinator
Kelly Aidekman Treasurer Pam Klein Secretary
Term Expires 2024
1221 Hope Blauner, Early Childhood Center Director
Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb esternlieb@bethelnw.org
Gregg Diller
Jill AlyssaLiebmanWhite
WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE CONGREGATION
CURRENT RESIDENT OR 220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514 Non Profit Organization U.S. PermitPAIDPostageNo.14115WhitePlains,NY WELCOME BACK! Back to Shul BBQ Sunday, September 11 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Klein Courtyard We are delighted to once again be able to offer this opportunity for our Beth El community to come together. Join your friends and neighbors for our kick-off event of the year! Food and entertainment for all ages. BouncyBBQ!castles!Andmore!
