Cantor's Concert at TBE

Annual Cantor’s Concert Presented by Cantor George Mordecai

Honoring

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein

June 8, 2014

Temple Beth El 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, Connecticut

Temple Beth El Honors

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein for their dedicated service to Temple Beth El We are pleased to honor Harriet and Seymour (Sy) Weinstein for their many years of service to our congregation. Together they are main stays of Shabbat morning and morning minyan services.

Sy leads morning minyan and Harriet organizes the congregational participation. Sy chairs the High Holy Days Committee while Harriet organizes the seating of the leadership on the bimah during services.

Harriet serves as chair of the Finkelstein Mitzvah Garden committee helping to organize the planting and sharing of flowers and vegetables.

Currently the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Temple Beth El, Sy is completing his 12th year as a trustee and his seventh year on the Executive Committee.

RABBI JOSHUA J. HAMMERMAN TEMPLE BETH EL 350 ROXBURY ROAD STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902

STUDY (203) 322-6901 X307 E-MAIL: rabbi@tbe.org

June 8, 2014 One of the most underrated of our great ancient sages was a guy named Shammai. He is most often contrasted to Hillel, the glitzy superstar whose opinions were almost always followed.

Shammai most often comes off as the un-Hillel, the other one, the Washington Generals to Hillel’s Globetrotters.

But Shammai played a very important role in Jewish history. He taught us how to argue. Although he almost never beat Hillel in a halachic face-down, his primary goal was always to keep the Jewish people unified, after the argument was over. So, for instance, his students continued to marry those from Hillel’s camp, despite their deep differences. As result, the Talmud always includes Shammai’s arguments on the page, even when Hillel’s won the day. As we look at the sorry state of Jewish unity today, we yearn for more Shammais.

The Talmud records relatively few sayings of Shammai. But one is very telling: “Say little and do much.”

You might have guessed by now that Sy Weinstein’s Hebrew name is Shammai. Sy has never been our most vociferous congregant. He prefers to stay in the background, even as an officer, helping us in understated but substantive ways. He has worked hard for unity and consensus and as our expert parliamentarian, he has safeguarded the legitimacy of key decisions. He is a man who pursues justice, but quietly. He says little but does so, so much.

Harriet and Sy were a match made in heaven, because she is a female version of Shammai - also much preferring to stand in the background. In fact, on Fridays, she literally stands in the back, as she welcomes people to our morning minyan while Sy leads. Harriet has done so much to beautify our garden – another unnoticed, behind the scenes effort. I had the pleasure of watching her plant with students from our Religious School a few weeks ago – a real labor of love.

Now is our chance to thank them both for their many years of service. I am so glad we are doing this, because it makes clear that we value the quiet contributors every bit as much as those who get the headlines. Everyone matters. We need more Shammais – and more Sys and Harriets too.

But for now, we’re just glad to have them!

We’ve also been so fortunate to have Cantor Mordecai with us for these past four years. I join with everyone in thanking him for all his efforts and wishing him and his family well.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

CANTOR GEORGE MORDECAI Temple Beth El 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, CT 06902

E-mail: cantormordecai@tbe.org Study (203) 322-6901 x 303 Fax: (203) 322-0532

June 8, 2014

Jewish musical traditions from around the world reflect the rich cultural exchange that has unfolded over the centuries between Jewish communities and their host cultures. Here in America and in Israel, Jewish music, both sacred and secular is informed by the sounds, tones and textures from a variety of cultures. This is not unique to our time and place; in fact, what we think of as quintessentially Jewish music, whether it be Ashkenazic, Sephardic or Middle Eastern, does not sound so dissimilar from Gypsy, Balkan and Eastern European music in the case of Ashkenazic music, or Arabic music in the case of Middle Eastern and Sephardic. What is unique in the historical moment we inhabit is the reality of the global village and its impact on Jewish music in particular. Never before have we had such access to music from all over the world at our fingertips, and in major urban centers, like New York, are all kinds of interesting collaborations unfolding like never before.

The Epichorus is one such expression of this musical trend. Rabbi Zach Fredman who was drawn to Middle Eastern music and the oude, (Arabic string instrument) teamed up with Al Sarah, a Sudanese born singer and songwriter, along with Shir Yaakov-Feit, a well known singer and composer of sacred Jewish chant, and other phenomenal musicians from Israel and America to explore the convergence of Middle Eastern, African and contemporary Jewish musical styles. The result is truly magical and it is my honor and privilege to bring them to Temple Beth El. We also honor two very special people this year. Sy and Harriet Weinstein are constantly working for and supporting the Temple. They do this selflessly, whether it is conducting morning minyan on a regular basis, supporting our Shabbat morning minyan and donating their time to the Board and various committees. I have bonded with Sy over the last four years, as we both run together off the bimah to escape the barrage of candy after the Haftarah blessings of the b’nai mitzvah, but seriously, I am always inspired to see Sy davening with us on a Shabbat morning, quietly praying with such intense kavanah (spiritual focus). Harriet loves to sing and her passion for Jewish music is also evident at services and when she leads the musaf service.

I am so happy to be able to dedicate tonight’s program to the both of them.

B’Shalom,

Cantor George Mordecai

SOPRANO

Mazal Tov to Harriet and Sy Weinstein as we honor your commitment and dedication. “May you go from strength to strength.�

Penny and Michael Horowitz

MEZZO SOPRANO

We honor our friend and fellow Board member Sy and his wife Harriet Weinstein for their commitment to a strong, vital Jewish present and future.

We salute you for all you have done in the past and will continue to do.

Temple Beth El Board of Trustees

MEZZO SOPRANO

We salute Harriet and Sy Weinstein for their dedication and commitment to Temple Beth El

The Board of the Beth El Cemetery Association

MEZZO SOPRANO

Teaching minds. Reaching hearts.

Bi-Cultural Day School wishes a Mazal Tov to

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein Thank you for your dedicated service to Temple Beth El. Your commitment is an inspiration to us all.

Robert Zitter President, Board of Trustees

Jacqueline Herman Principal, Head of School

2186 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT 06903 ● PHONE (203) 329-2186 ● FAX (203) 329-0464 ● EMAIL office@bcds.org Bi-Cultural Day School is a recipient agency of United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, UJA/Federation of Greenwich, the UJA Federation of Westport-Weston-Norwalk, and UJA/Federation of Eastern Fairfield County

MEZZO SOPRANO

With best wishes from your auditors FRIEDBERG, SMITH & CO., P.C. Certified Public Accountants 855 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604 Phone (203) 366-5876 (203) 359-1100 Fax (203) 366-1924 E-mail contact@fsco-cpa.com www.fsco-cpa.com

DAVID M. ZIEFF, C.P.A.

JOSEPH ROSENMAN, C.P.A.

JOHN P. McCARTHY, C.P.A.

THOMAS R. DURAND, C.P.A.

RICHARD P. OFFENBACH, C.PA.

ROBERT J. SCHLESS, C.P.A.

WILLIAM H. VAN ALSTYNE, C.P.A.

SANDRA D. CALLANAN, C.P.A.

MEZZO SOPRANO

MEZZO SOPRANO

MEZZO SOPRANO

We thank Harriet and Sy Weinstein for their years of dedicated service to Temple Beth El.

Sisterhood of Temple Beth El

MEZZO SOPRANO

Thank you to The Epichorus and Cantor Mordecai for singing our “unsung heroes,�

Harriet and Sy Weinstein.

Thank you to the Weinsteins for all you have done for Temple Beth El.

Eileen H. Rosner

ALTO

Congratulations Harriet and Sy on your well deserved honor!

Thank you for your many years of service and dedication to Temple Beth El.

Betsy and Peter Kempner

Harriet and Sy, Congratulations on a well-deserved honor.

You are an inspiration to all of us.

Our thanks for all the work you do to support our synagogue.

Enjoy your day.

Love,

Liz and Scott Krowitz

ALTO

Thanks to both of you for all you’ve done, and all you continue to do, to make TBE the wonderful place that it is.

Your continued commitment to TBE is invaluable.

It has been a privilege to know you all these years.

We wish you both the best for the future.

Lois Stark and Gary Lessen

Much joy to a wonderful warm couple Harriet and Seymour

Milton Mann

TENOR

Thank you TBE for our honor and a special thanks to the performers.

Congratulations Harriet and Sy

Harriet and Sy Weinstein

Sue Frieden

Dear Harriet and Sy and Cantor George

To Harriet and Sy

May you always go from strength to strength!!!

Thank you for all that you do!

Thank you for giving so much of your time in so many meaningful ways to our Temple.

Congratulations on this wonderful concert!

Fran and Gerry Ginsburg

Grecia and Ron Gross

TENOR

Sy and Harriet Thank you Sy and Harriet for all that you do for Temple Beth El and the greater Stamford community.

Dana and Carl Weinberg

You represent so much that is good about Temple Beth El. We honor the commitment and devotion you have shown for so many years and look forward to many years of your leadership and guidance.

The Pomerantz and Feinberg Families

In honor of my brother and sister-in-law Sy and Harriet Weinstein 1066 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583 TEL: 914.472.2240 FAX: 914.472.2215 EMAIL: davidgellman@seasonsny.com

Shirley Buxenbaum

BARITONE Thank you for your years of dedication to TBE.

Harriet & Seymour Weinstein in appreciation for your devoted service to our congregation

Amy and Mel Bloomenthal

Sheila and Gordon Brown

♫♫♫ Harriet and Sy Weinstein, Thanks for all you do for our community.

Mazal tov on this well deserved honor!

To our long-time friends, congratulations on being honored for your dedication and work for Temple Beth El.

Marsha Colten and Robert Cohen

Myra and John Graubard

♫♫♫ Yasher Koach to Harriet and Sy

Dear Harriet and Sy, Temple Beth El can always count on you.

Thank you for your continuing support at daily minyan, holiday services and, of course, Shabbat.

Best wishes to Michal and George

Denise and David Greenman

Carol and Allen Krim

♫♫♫

Our best to Cantor Mordecai and our thanks to Harriet and Sy for their dedication to Temple Beth El

Beverly and Allen Kezsbom

BARITONE Cantor George Mordecai Thank you for your service to Temple Beth El and good luck in the future.

Mary C. and Alan Silberman

♫♫♫ Dear Harriet and Sy,

Yasher Koach Harriet and Sy

Well deserved!

Mazel Tov!

Miriam and Steve Sosnick

Suzanne and Norman Stone

♫♫♫ Harriet and Sy Thank you for your “service” to TBE.

Mazel Tov and thank you for all you do.

Todah Rabah Cantor For all your splendid melodies.

Sharon and Jeff Turshen

Gail G. and Stephen Trell

♫♫♫ Mazel Tov to Harriet and Sy

Honoring a wonderful community couple Harriet and Sy Weinstein

Mia and Lonny Weinstein

Cheryl and David Wolff

BARITONE We salute Harriet and Sy for their service, leadership and commitment to Temple Beth El.

Thank you to Harriet and Sy for all you have done to enhance the TBE community!

Lieba and Steven Lander

Beth and Brad Boyer

♫♫♫ Thank you to Harriet and Sy from

Your Friends at the Morning Minyan

♫♫♫

THE EPICHORUS

Best wishes from‌

Jerry Jacobs Sari and Alan Jaffe Jennifer, Harris, Ilana and Madelyn Meth Kathy and Jeff Paseltiner Linda Simon Nicole and Ron Zussman