Journal in honor of rabbi joshua hammerman

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

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

June 14, 2018

It is with a tremendous amount of gratitude that I welcome you to Temple Beth El for tonight’s concert. My appreciation extends to all who made this concert and the celebration of my 30th possible. Interestingly, Norma and Milton Mann, for whom this concert is named, were instrumental in bringing me to TBE. They made the 28-mile journey to Peekskill, NY on a cold winter’s night in 1987, to see a young candidate for their assistant rabbi’s position. Norma and Milt made themselves right at home that Shabbat, serving coffee at the Oneg and laughing and singing along with my former congregants-to-be, helping them to get though what was an uneasy time for all of us.

So many memories have come flooding back as I’ve reflected on my tenure here in Stamford. So many people have touched the lives of myself and my family. I thank you all.

I have a special place in my heart for the cantorial partners with whom I’ve worked, four of whom are here tonight. Each has shared unique gifts with us – along with extraordinary talent. Few congregations in the country have been so blessed with such musical excellence and stylistic diversity. They also all happen to be good friends and kind souls. I’ve loved working with them all.

Special thanks to Cantor Magda Fishman, who has taken her place as one of the leading cantors in our country, and one whom we at TBE embrace with great love and pride. Hazzan Sidney Rabinowitz and Cantor Deborah Jacobson also hold very special places in our hearts and in TBE’s history. And Cantor George Mordecai, our special guest, became a beloved figure here in so short a time, even as he also changed us in innumerable ways. We wish him good luck as he and his family begin a new chapter on their journey.

It’s been a wonderful journey for all of us. And that journey is far from over. While milestones are nice to mark, they are merely signposts pointing us toward the next one. For Beth El, the future is brighter than ever – and I am glad that all of us are partners in forging it.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Mazal Tov Rabbi Hammerman on your 30th anniversary.

RONNIE AND EDWARD FEIN AND FAMILY

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Thank you Rabbi Hammerman and Mara for all you have done for us and the community!

And thank you Cantor Fishman and Cantor Mordecai for your wonderful music!

THE FRIEDEN FAMILY

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Rabbi Hammerman, Thank you for being our rabbi Through our joys and our sorrows.

With love and appreciation,

THE JAFFE FAMILY SARI AND ALAN DEVRA AND PARRY ZOÉ AND ANDREW

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Thank you, Rabbi, for your unwavering dedication, countless hours, and spiritual guidance which you have provided to our family and the Temple Beth El community for the past 30 years.

We are honored to have your as our Rabbi and friend.

BETSY AND PETER KEMPNER

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Rabbi Hammerman, when we think of Temple Beth El, we think of you.

Stacy and Emily have grown knowing only you as their Rabbi. We’ve looked to you for leadership, inspiration, and guidance and you’ve provided all those things and more.

We want to thank you for all you’ve meant to Temple Beth El and our family over these many years and hope that we have many more to share with you and Mara.

All our best wishes,

LOIS, STACY, EMILY, AND GARY

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

A true honor to you, Rabbi Hammerman

Milton and Norma Mann, z’l Dad and Mom, Poppop and Nana Your memories live on forever through your family and through this beautiful music.

MANN FAMILY

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Thank you Rabbi Hammerman for your years of service and leadership to our congregation.

TEMPLE BETH EL MEN’S CLUB

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Services

Classes

High Holy Days

Festivals

Synaplex

Ethan & Dan’s Britot

Israel

Birthday Parties

Western Europe

Graduations

especially all the pizza!

PLUS MANY, MANY MEETINGS!

EILEEN H. ROSNER

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

To Rabbi Joshua Hammerman and Cantor Magda Fishman With appreciation and love for the past, I look forward to a wonderful future for TBE.

MARSHA KAISER SHENDELL AND FAMILY

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

TBE SISTERHOOD IS GRATEFUL TO CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN AND CANTOR GEORGE MORDECAI FOR ALL THEY DO TO CULTIVATE COMMUNITY AND UPLIFT US WITH THEIR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC.

TBE SISTERHOOD IS PRIVILEGED AND HONORED TO RECOGNIZE ALL RABBI HAMMERMAN HAS DONE AS OUR SPIRITUAL LEADER, EDUCATOR AND FRIEND. YISHAR KOCHACHA FOR OVER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE. MAY YOUR STRENGTH BE ENRICHED.

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Yasher Koach Rabbi Hammerman!

Immense thanks for being A friend A teacher An author Our Rabbi

THE SOSNICK FAMILY

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Rabbi Hammerman

We thank you for thirty years of taking care of our community.

Cantor Fishman We look forward to celebrating your thirtieth anniversary at TBE!

CARL AND DANA WEINBERG

Mensch • Marks

Life Lessons of A Human Rabbi BOOK SPONSOR

Bi-Cultural Day School wishes Mazel Tov to

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman BCDS Alumni Parent of Ethan (2005) and Daniel (2007)

Thank you for 30 years of dedicated service to Temple Beth El and our Jewish community.

Your commitment is an inspiration to us all.

Mazel Tov to Cantor Magda Fishman (BCDS Parent of Yair, Class of 2027)

on a beautiful evening of music, celebrating the “Sounds of Israel.”

David Pitkoff President, Board of Trustees

Jacqueline Herman 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

With thanks for your service to Temple Beth El

BETH EL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

As we take pride in the past and look to the future of TBE, we congratulate and thank Rabbi Joshua Hammerman for his vision and leadership over the last 30 years.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES TEMPLE BETH EL

Rabbi Hammerman Mazal Tov for 30 years of inspiring, teaching, caring, mentoring, counseling, supporting, dreaming and enriching so many people’s lives within the Beth El community (your home) and nationally.

Your love of music, partnership, guidance and support of my vision have been a blessing to me.

May God bless you and your family with happiness, health, love and many more years of continued vigor and leadership.

Many blessings,

CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN

Jewish Sportsmens League GARY BLOOM BRUCE BLASNIK HENRY BUBEL DAVID S. COHEN

MARTY DONNER BOB DORF BILL GILBERT PAUL GORDON ED KWESKIN

DAVID LEWIS CARL ROSEN PAUL SABBAH DAVID SWERDLOFF

Mazal Tov, Baba, on 30 years of service to Temple Beth El. Michal, the children and I have been blessed to have you as a friend.

It was an honor for me to work with you. Your visionary and collaborative style of leadership, as well as your commitment to clergy partnership, inspired me to dream big.

Your love and dedication to Beth El has helped establish it as a warm and caring community, a major force for good in the area.

I am so grateful to be able to join Cantor Fishman in honoring you, my friend.

B’ahava Raba.

MICHAL, GEORGE, GABRIELLA AND ELIORA MORDECAI

In honor of Rabbi Joshua Hammerman and our dear and talented performers who have enriched our lives.

HARLEY AND STEPHEN OSMAN

With gratitude, respect and admiration THE ROMANOWITZ FAMILY

The words that come to mind in describing Rabbi Hammerman are: Teacher Devoted Caring Listener Inspired Speaker Prolific Writer Researcher on public events affecting the Jewish Community Committed to the Temple Beth El and the Stamford community Respected spiritual leader Accepting of all congregants Nurturing world traveler Sharing his views on world events Last, but not least, a mensch We are proud to be congregants of Temple Beth El. We honor and wish mazel tov to Rabbi Hammerman for his 30 years of service and more wonderful years to come!

JUDY DALGIN SUCHIN AND NORMAN SUCHIN

ANONYMOUS

Kol Ha’Kavod Josh!

We have been blessed over the decades by your compassion, wisdom, vision, insight, leadership and most importantly your friendship!

Thank you for all that you have done for us, our family and our community!

RAE-ANN AND SCOTT ALLEN

We are so grateful to have Joshua Hammerman as our Rabbi!

We, our Temple Beth El community and all who read your work online are better for your, and your family’s, presence and good work.

BETH, BRAD, ALIYA, JOSIAH AND ELIAS BOYER

Mazel tov, Rabbi Hammerman, on your 30 year anniversary at Temple Beth El You have played a major part in our lives at many happy and sad milestones, starting with Keith’s Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem, Gina and Brian’s wedding in NYC, and our grandson’s, Jared, bris and Bar Mitzvah. Our children have loved being a part of the Beth El congregation and have always felt inspired by your teachings and spiritual guidance. We are all so grateful to have had your friendship, advice and warmth over all these years.

We wish you good health, nachas from your family, and hope you will be able to continue your travels to exciting places.

With love from CAROL AND WIL BREWER AND THE FAMILIES OF GINA AND KEITH

Congratulations to Rabbi Joshua Hammerman on your 30 years of service to Temple Beth El From your friends at THOMAS M. GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME 203-359-9999

- Gallagher Family owned - Gallagher Family Operated -

TOM GALLAGHER - FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND OWNER

Congratulations to Rabbi Hammerman on this special occasion and Thanks to the wonderful musical talent who add their “nachas.”

ROBERT COHEN, MARSHA COLTEN AND FAMILY

Mazel Tov and A Big Thank You from The Entire Donner Family

HELEN, MARTY, JOSH, JEN, HEATHER, KERRI AND JACKSON

“If we are to re-establish the rightful place of the rabbi in Jewish life...that begins when the rabbi steps down from pulpit of the soul and laughs, cries, errs and does teshuvah together with the rest of us.” — Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

In 2001, we had only been members at Temple Beth El for a short time, but it was your inspirational speech after the September 11 th tragedy that made TBE our spiritual home. Thank you for 30 years of your thoughtful dedication to our congregation. We are lucky to have you as our Rabbi!

ELISSA AND JAMES HYMAN

For 30 years you’ve shown your dedication to Temple Beth El in so many ways For all you do and who you are we say a heartfelt thank you Rabbi Hammerman and Mazel Tov!

ALAN AND PEGGY KALTER

Rabbi Hammerman You have supported our families in simcha and sorrow.

You have been our rabbi, counselor, teacher and friend.

Your wisdom, compassion and humanity guides our congregation and community.

With thanks and much love, THE POMERANTZ AND FEINBERG FAMILIES

L’Chayim to Rabbi Hammerman and to the future of Temple Beth El

1136 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583 Phone: 914-472-2240

Congratulations to Rabbi Hammerman and Temple Beth El Rabbi, thank you for all you have done and all you will do for our family, for Temple Beth El, and for our community.

Your tireless efforts make a difference in the lives of many people.

THE TURSHEN FAMILY

Thanks Rabbi Hammerman for 30 years of good times and good deeds.

THE JOAN AND FRED WEISMAN FAMILY

Dear Rabbi Hammerman, Congratulations and best wishes to you and yours!

Many the best of the past be the worst of the future!

Thanks for being a part of our lives for the past 30 years.

We truly appreciate all you have done for our family!

With warmest regards,

BARBARA AND ED BERMAN

BARBARA AND WARREN BRANDT

Compliments of

ANONYMOUS

SUSAN AND MARTIN CLARKE

Thank you for your many years of music to Cantors:

30 Years!

That one foot must be tired…

Rabinowitz Jacobson Mordecai Fishman

MAZAL TOV! Best,

from

BOBBE AND BEN EVANS

RHODA AND AVRAM FREEDBERG

Mazal tov Rabbi Hammerman!

Congratulations to Rabbi Joshua Hammerman on 30 years of service to Temple Beth El.

We are honored to serve the Temple Beth El family with you!

MAXINE, JAY, GARY AND BRIAN FREILICH

ALBERTO EYZAGUIRRE JAMI FENER LISA GITTELMAN UDI ELLEN GOTTFRIED STEVEN LANDER LINDA REZAK MINDY ROGOFF BETH SILVER RAD VAZQUEZ

Rabbi Hammerman Retracing the steps of your life year-toyear in Temple Beth El...You led the way up and down the hill; over rough or smooth, your journey has been with joy.

Your heart kept the courage of the quest.

The roads that you walked in Temple Beth El for 30 YEARS turned to be the BEST.

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan but also believe.”

- Anatole France

Mazal tov and todah rabah to Rabbi Hammerman for sharing your dreams, beliefs and ideas with Temple Beth El and the entire community.

Thirty years have gone by so quickly. We look forward to sharing many more years with you and Mara!

Thank you.

OLGA AND RON GOLDSTEIN

PAULA AND BEN GREEN

Congratulations and thank you to Rabbi Hammerman for all you have done from Temple Beth El over the past 30 years

Thank you for being my Rabbi.

Yasher koach to our wonderful Cantors, current and past, who keep our spirits high with their magical voices and fabulous musicality.

DENISE AND DAVID GREENMAN AND FAMILY

Mazal Tov Rabbi Hammerman!

JEANNIE KASINDORF

Rabbi Hammerman Thank you for over thirty years of leadership which has made Temple Beth El our spiritual home.

ERIC BAKER AND BONNIE KINTZER

CAROL AND ALLEN KRIM

Rabbi Hammerman Thank you for the vision, leadership and comfort you have brought to our family and the TBE community over the past 30 years.

Congratulations Rabbi Hammerman, and thank you for all you do for all of us.

So many milestones, so many special moments...And we look forward to those still to come.

Congratulations and mazel tov.

SCOTT, LIZ, ZACHARY AND ANDREW KROWITZ

TO RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN

In Friendship and Great Respect from the Levitz Family

RONI AND ALLAN LANG

Mazal tov on 30 years of growing, sharing, teaching and learning.

AVIVA MALLER

OUR MOST SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR 35 YEARS OF BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF EACH AND EVERY LIFE-CYCLE OCCASION FOR OUR FAMILY

‫ּכל הּכבד‬

on thirty wonderful years.

Mazel Tov Rabbi Hammerman!

Temple Beth El, and the entire Stamford community, is lucky to have your leadership.

We thank you for your leadership and dedication to our congregation.

LISA AND JEFF MANHEIM

BARBARA MULLER AND JOHN ROMANOW

Mazel tov to Rabbi Hammerman for 30 years of leadership at Temple Beth El.

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Hammerman for 30 years of dedicated service to our Temple and community.

ROBIN AND RICK REDNISS

LINDA AND JOE ROTHMAN

In grateful appreciation to Rabbi Joshua and Dr. Mara Hammerman The joys, values and traditions of our heritage come to life under your guidance.

Rabbi Hammerman Thank you for all you do and congratulations on this milestone.

With admiration and appreciation,

THE SCHECHTERS CATHY, DAVID ADAM AND REBECCA SATZ

MAZAL TOV RABBI HAMMERMAN We are glad that we have had an opportunity to grow up together at Temple Beth El.

BRACHA AND JERRY SILBER

MIRIAM, MICHAEL, JACKIE, ALLIE AND LAUREN

Thanks for 30 years of taking care of our Temple Beth El community.

Mazel Tov.

JOYCE AND LEWIS SLAYTON

Rabbi Hammerman Mazel Tov! ANONYMOUS

BEVERLY AND DAVID STEIN

Rabbi Hammerman

Rabbi Hammerman

Thank you for your dedication and leadership.

Your leadership for the last 30 years has been inspirational.

MARY C. AND ALAN SILBERMAN

LORI AND BRUCE TOBIN

To all you have given our family, congregation and the community, we honor you, Rabbi Joshua Hammerman.

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Hammerman for over 30 years of service to Temple Beth El and the Stamford community!

A special thrill for our musical concert of Cantor Magda Fishman, Cantor George Mordecai, Hazzan Sidney Rabinowitz and Cantor Deborah Jacobson.

Thank you Cantor Fishman for continuing to enrich our lives through prayer and music.

GAIL G. AND STEPHEN TRELL AND VEGAS

MIA AND LONNY WEINSTEIN

Congratulations for Thirty Years of Service

MAZAL TOV RABBI HAMMERMAN on 30 years of service!

Best regards,

Here’s to another 60!

GLORIA AISENBERG AND FAMILY

THE AMSTERS - JUDY AND BOB

TO MY RABBI JOSH AND MY DR. MARA MAZAL TOV!!!

FOR ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL YOU DO AND ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL YOU ARE.

Thank you, Rabbi, for being our spiritual leader and friend for all these years.

HUGZ AND HUGZ AND EVEN MORE LOVE!!!

JUDY AND MERYL ARONIN, Z’L

AMY AND MEL BLOOMENTHAL

Magda - Your voice is forever beautiful!

Rabbi Hammerman - Thank you for many years of dedication and leading TBE! MELISSA, KEN, SARAH & MIA BRODER

MAZAL TOV!

In honor of and appreciation for our Rabbi, Joshua Hammerman, for these many years.

SANDY BURN MARSHA MATTHEWS

RITA AND MIKE BUTTERMAN AND FAMILY

Dear Rabbi Hammerman, Thanks for inspiring us for 30 years.

Love, MALERIE AND JEFF COHEN

With deep appreciation for all your support, guidance, and wisdom… Thank you so very much for everything, Rabbi.

EVAN, TINA AND SOPHIA CWASS

Congratulations!

Thank you Rabbi Hammerman for your leadership and compassion.

BINNIE DITESHEIM

SARAH DARER AND HANK ESKIN

Mazel Tov Rabbi Hammerman!!!

With love, gratitude and best wishes,

MEIRA, DAVID, BEN, MARISSA AND JOSH

With deep appreciation for Rabbi Hammerman’s 30 remarkable years of giving and guidance to the TBE congregation and to our family.

SUZANNE, ROB, LINDY & JULIA FRUITHANDLER

Congratulations Rabbi Hammerman on this well-deserved honor!  Thank you, Cantor Fishman and Cantor Mordecai for a wonderful concert!

All our love, HEIDI AND HARRISON GANZ

THE GOLDBLATT FAMILY JUDYE, BOB DAVID, RONA, DAN, DOUGLAS AND JENN

Rabbi Hammerman, we look forward to your services, inspiring sermons, and your participation with the Interfaith Council.

Cantor Fishman has added much joy to the services which we find uplifting.

Best regards MYRA AND JOHN GRAUBARD

aeh lfn Rabbi Hammerman!  SUE AND

ART GREENWALD 

Yasher koach, Rabbi!

Thanks for your leadership and many contributions to the Stamford community!

PHYLLIS AND GEORGE HELLER AND FAMILY

Thank you Rabbi Hammerman for 30 years of dedicated service and leadership.

SUSAN AND LARRY HOLZMAN

Rabbi Hammerman Thank you for your compassion, your guidance, and years of unmitigated service to our community.

ELLIN AND ELLIOT ISBAN

Congratulations on this wonderful milestone.

Rabbi Hammerman, we are so happy to be here for this celebration and even happier to be a part of the TBE community. Thank you for your leadership.

EVELYN AND BRUCE KAHN

Cantor Fishman, thank you for another wonderful concert and for all you bring to our community.

Rabbi Hammerman

THE LAICHTMAN FAMILY

Mazel Tov - Lucky to have you in Stamford!

Mazel Tov, Dear Cousin!

You have always been a source of spirituality and love for your family.

CAROL AND PETER LILIENTHAL EDITH SAMERS AND EDWARD SMITH

PATTI, ED, ELYSSA, DANIEL, MICHELLE AND HANNAH MACTAS

Congratulations Rabbi.

Mazel Tov Josh!

You have been with me through thick and thin.

We have come a long way together thanks to your vibrant leadership and vision.

Love MELANIE MASSELL

DEBRA AND STEPHEN POLLACK AND FAMILY

Congratulations to Rabbi Hammerman for 30 inspiring years.

You light up our lives with the beautiful music.

Thank you!

SALLY AND JAMES ROTHKOPF

EVIE SHAPIRO AND ALAN ROSENBERG

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman Your leadership has been an inspiration.

To Rabbi Hammerman, In appreciation for your kind words and support during challenging times and joyous occasions.

Mazel Tov!

Mazel tov!

DEBBIE, LEON, DANIELLE AND ADAM SHAPIRO

LINDA SIMON

MAZEL TOV AND THANK YOU RABBI HAMMERMAN

Dear Rabbi Thank you for teaching us Torah.

With appreciation

THE STAINES FAMILY

SUZANNE AND NORMAN STONE

Blessings and congrats, Rabbi!

Cantor Magda Fishman Cantor George Mordecai Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

I am away but celebrating with you in spirit always.

Sing your hearts out, Cantors!

Love to all, PAMELA TINKHAM ď ™

In honor, love and respect Thank you, Rabbi and Mara, for 30 years!

CHERYL, DAVID ALI AND RACH WOLFF

May you each go from strength.

CAROLINE TEMLOCK TEICHMAN AND MARC TEICHMAN

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Hammerman Betsy and Al Bergman Mindy, Jeff and Stephanie Hausman Leslie and Joseph Heyison Jerry Jacobs Judy and Edward Jacobson The Kobliner Family Ann and Julius Lasnick Laura Markowitz Brenda Piskin and Andrew DiFiore Susan and Carl Shapiro Barbara Brafman and Larry Stein Sheila and Daniel Wolfson