Temple Israel Doorpost - January 2017

January 2017

Tevet/Shevat 5777

From the Rabbi’s Study…

Dear Synagogue family, Over the past year I have worked with our ritual committee to document and update our Kashrut policy and procedures.

The updated Kashrut policy is posted on our website, please click on the religious life tab.

Most notably we re-examined our policy regarding food for personal use. We have endeavored to create a consistent policy that reflects our commitment to Conservative Jewish practice in the context of a diverse community with varied levels of personal practice. The policy regarding food for personal use follows this article.

Understanding the reasoning behind the policy In assuming a pulpit, a rabbi must make every effort to understand and respect the existing practices of the congregation. It is for this reason that the United Synagogue Committee on Congregational Standards cautions as follows: “When contemplating a change in ritual or practice, the Rabbi shall act with sensitivity to and respect for the Congregation's prior history, customs and traditions.” As such it is important to understand both the existing policy and the actual practices of the congregation.

It is difficult to ascertain exactly how our previous policy addressed food for personal use as there is disparity of opinion on this matter. There is disparity of practice as well.

Some of our members are diligent in refraining from bringing any food into the building. Others bring dairy, pareve or vegetarian food for personal use into our building and they are consumed on premises regularly. Personal observation indicates that foods for personal use are brought into our building and consumed on a daily basis.

This raises several questions. Can the existing status quo practice of bringing dairy, pareve or vegetarian foods for personal use be maintained or must it be banned? In particular, if food for personal use is being brought into the building on a regular basis how do we know that people are not using forks, spoons, etc. from our kosher kitchen thereby making them treif (not kosher).

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Religious School returns Wednesday, January 4 Israel Affairs Brunch, Slide Show and Stories of Israel Trip

Sunday, Jan 15th, 10:00am Parenting Discussion Group Sun, January 8, 2017, 9:15am – 10:15am Breaking Bread, Breaking Boundaries, Building Community

Sunday, Jan 8th, 5-8pm, St. James Church Hall Ed Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 10 Kitah Zayin Shabbat Saturday, Jan 14, 2017 Havdalah at Home Saturday, Jan 21 CAMP DAY Hebrew Reading Crash Course Museum Trip Gr. 5&6 Sunday, Jan 29

Tuesday Afternoon 5:30pm Friday Night 6:15pm Saturday Morning 9:30am Followed by Kiddush Luncheon

From Page 1 There are two factors to consider in addressing these concerns. For the past two and a half years I have observed food for personal use being brought into the building on a daily basis. Never have I ever seen anyone pull something from the kitchen to use with their personal food items. One can ask, “ Is a casual observance of behavior sufficient to warranty the Kashrut of our kitchen? The answer is emphatically yes.

This is not to say that one can use a kosher vessel for non certified dairy and pareve food. It is a practice that is prohibited Lechatchila (as the preferred practice or standard). However, in the unlikely event that it happened we are dealing with B'dieved (determining the status after the fact) and on this the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) is clear, the vessels are not compromised.

Throughout rabbinic literature Chazal (our sages of blessed memory) rely on the concept of Chazaka (established patterns of behavior) to determine permitted or prohibited status and establish Halachic (Jewish legal) approaches or policy. This is based on the ruling of Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmeni in the name of Rabbi Yochanan (Talmud Bavli Chullin 10b).

All of this has ramifications in establishing a Kashrut policy for Temple Israel. Our policy must be established with the following two goals: (1) If adhered to the kitchen will meet a Lechatchila standard (preferred practice); (2) If accidentally violated the kitchen remains kosher B'dieved (determining the status after the fact). Furthermore, we must consider the diversity of our congregation, the reality of our surroundings and our culture of inclusion. These considerations have historically been considered by our sages of blessed memory when establishing normative practices of behavior.

It is important to understand that even if someone did use one of our utensils for their non certified food, it would not render the vessel non kosher. The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) rules (Yoreh Deah 91 and 105) that vessels only become contaminated by direct contact if two conditions are present: 1) The food is Yad Soledes Bo, meaning that it is hot enough that someone would reflexively withdraw their hand because of the heat.

After much consideration we have come to the conclusion that the existing status quo practice of bringing dairy, pareve or vegetarian foods for personal use will be maintained and formalized as policy, subject to the following restrictions.

2) The food is contained in a Kli Rishon (a vessel that was heated directly on a flame or other source of heat) or Irui Kli Rishon (being poured from a vessel that was heated directly on a flame or other source of heat).

A. Food for personal use must be dairy, pareve or vegetarian only.

It is virtually impossible that personal foods brought into our building will meet both of these required parameters for contamination.

B Food for personal use may not be brought into the Temple kitchen, nor may any utensil from the kitchen be used with it.

Rabbi Senter’s Office Hours

C. A plentiful inventory of disposable cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, etc. must be maintained outside of the kitchen in a place easily accessible to the public.

Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday*

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10am-5:30pm 10am-3pm 9am-12pm 9am-12pm

* when Hebrew School is in session

FOOD FOR PERSONAL USE

D. Food for personal use can not be consumed as part of a Temple function involving food service.

E. Food for personal use cannot be shared as part of a function at the Temple. As such potluck events are precluded.

Giving a Gift by Leading

By Fran Berman, President In early December I joined many Temple Israel Religious School parents, students, and teachers for the annual Kabbalat Shabbat dinner and service. Sitting in the crowded social hall at the start of the dinner, there was plenty of socializing going on. There were even some zaydes and bubbes, who watched proudly as their grandkids strutted their stuff.

This evening showed our students at their very best.

The children were excited to stand up and demonstrate their mastery of the blessings and prayers.

Some of the youngest students led off by singing a rousing “Shalom Aleichem,” and then delivered pairs of “lit” tissue paper Shabbat candles to all of the tables after chanting the candle blessing. After a delicious meal, prepared and served by parent volunteers, we went upstairs to the sanctuary, where groups of students, with their teachers, flowed up to the bimah and back down to their seats, leading the Friday night service with confidence and excitement. I especially enjoyed hearing the oldest students give the D’var Torah, explaining the week’s section of the Torah in their own words. Their thoughtfulness and innate wisdom inspired me with confidence in the next generation of Jews. Y asher koach to all of the teachers who prepared our students so ably for this big night.

A few weeks later I was in Sarasota, Florida, where I met Diana, a woman of 70 who had just chanted Torah for the first time at a small Jewish Renewal

congregation. When I asked her why now, she told me that a longtime member of the congregation offers a challenge each year: If anyone chants Torah for the first time at their shul, she donates $100 to the shul in their honor. She was not interested in the hoopla of having an adult bat mitzvah, but she was intrigued to challenge herself to achieve this milestone. Happily, she was able to reach her goal.

As I thought about this, I realized the brilliance of this challenge. The donation makes it crystal clear that in chanting Torah, the chanter is giving a gift to the congregation, the gift of their study, time, and dedication.

The donation does not benefit the person chanting -instead, it makes clear how joining in the service benefits the whole congregation. Rather than being an act of pride or self-aggrandizement, participating in the service is an act of love for the Jewish people, for our traditions and heritage. That is what I saw in the faces of the children of Temple Israel during the Kabbalat Shabbat service, and in the eyes of their families: pride in being part of a living, breathing Judaism.

So as we begin the year 2017, I challenge anyone reading this to sign up to chant Torah or Haftarah for the first time at Temple Israel this year. If you do, I will donate $100 in your honor to the fund of your choice. And if you need help with the verses of Torah or Haftarah, I will be happy to assist you. Let’s take a lesson from our children and become proud, confident leaders, if only for a day.

Important Notice The parking lot at 170 State St. is reserved for that building, unauthorized cars will be towed even with a TIP sticker!

Parking for our members is on Court St.

January

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4:22 PM

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Education Greetings from the Education Committee, What we have come to consider as one of the true high points of the Hebrew School year occurred in December with the Kabbalat Shabbat dinner and student lead services. What can be better than joining your friends and family at the Temple on an early winter Shabbat night for dinner, and then moving into the Sanctuary for a wonderful Shabbat service co-lead in parts by each of the Hebrew School grades? It is one of those great times when you can sit back and witness how far the students have come in their Hebrew and how comfortable they are in participating in a service. Actually it’s more than that, really- it’s how much they enjoy those parts of the service that tends to invoke perhaps such pride and nachas. Our thanks for the amazing job our teachers all did in preparing their classes for this event! As for the wonderful Friday night service we are reminded by the Rabbi to consider that, quote, “we actually do this every Friday night”!

In other school news, we welcome everyone to join us for a warm welcome to Marge Gruzen who has joined the school as our 2nd Grade teacher. The students love Marge and her warm personality and are getting so much from the experience she brings as a teacher to our school. So...welcome, Marge!

Thank you to Ken Kowalchek and his Latke Brotherhood who stepped up to the frying pan to deliver hundreds of delicious potato pancakes for the Community Chanukah party. Noa Burke and the teach-

Memorial Lights

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Remembering our dear departed is an important Jewish tradition. A beautiful way to memorialize our loved ones in perpetuity is with a plaque in our sanctuary. Memorial plaques can be reserved or ordered for $250.

ers along with Gail LePage and Lovey Oliff provided some excellent crafts activities while families enjoyed virtually unlimited latkes and pickup dreidel games. Thank you to all who made this possible.

We once again encourage each and every parent with children in Sunday school especially to join us for a monthly parenting discussion and book club lead by Laura Rubin. There is wisdom and stories and good humor as we discuss the...ahh...adventure we are on. The next meeting is Sunday January 8th at 9:15am. Hope to see you there.

Finally we could not let this moment pass without taking the opportunity to say thank you to our friend Alissa Holmes who has provided the Temple with so much of her energy as Director of Administration these past years. Extended thanks for all that she has done to keep the office, and therefore the Temple, running so smoothly and professionally during her tenure.

B’Shalom Sam Berg

Ritual Chanukah is just past and winter is settling in. This is a perfect time to think about food and fun activities in the days ahead. We have four dates for Community Singing Workshops with Cantor Shira Nafshi starting with Friday, February 3rd . The other dates are March 10th, April 7th and June 16th. The programs will start at 5 PM with light appetizers, followed by singing workshop from 5:30 to 6:15 and then a service from 6:15 to 7 PM. The goal is to get more people to learn songs and harmonies from the liturgy. The workshops are free and open to the public. Come have fun and bring some friends. Preregistration is appreciated.

Please contact the office if you plan to attend.

B’Shalom,

SPONSOR A KIDDUSH

Cooking Classes Hi everyone,

One of the best parts of Shabbat morning services is sharing a meal together at Kiddush lunch.

I have been asked to do cooking classes again, but I need your input. If you are interested, please contact me.

People gather, share stories, laugh, joke, and meet new people. Kiddush helps us build the connections that make us a strong, vibrant community.

The class(es) would be on Sunday morning from 9:30-11:30am. Also, is there anything special you would like me to teach? Ethnic foods, pastry, cake decorating, holiday foods?

By sponsoring a Kiddush, you participate in supporting and fostering that sense of community.

Lorrie Grossman beachmaven131@gmail.com

Thank you,

.

You can honor someone, remember someone, celebrate a simcha, or put together a group who all have something in common (for example, “Harry Potter fans”) to sponsor the Kiddush.

There are lots of reasons to sponsor a Kiddush. What are yours?

For information regarding sponsoring a Kiddush please contact Cindy in the office.

Toda Raba - Thank You Special thanks to David and Monica Olken for providing Kiddush on Chanukah and New Year’s weekend.

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SING AND SCHMOOZE WITH CANTOR SHIRA NAFSHI

COMMUNITY SINGING WORKSHOP FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD at 5:00 PM Free and Open to the General Public 5 PM Refreshments - 5:30 PM Workshop 6:15 PM Friday Night Services Preregistration Preferred Contact the Temple Office 603.436.5301

Come Have Fun and Bring a Friend

Condolences to: Kellisue, J effr ey, J onah and Ginger Fr iedman on the passing of their beloved mother & grandmother, Beatrice Loftus Mazel Tov to: Izzy Bratter on the marriage of his granddaughter Rachel Bratter and Donald Rioux Thank You: To Gail LePage and Lovey Oliff and the PTO volunteers who organized our School Dinner. To the Brotherhood latke makers who provided amazing Chanukah treats. To the Dinnerman’s for working on our gift shop Chanukah display. To Ron Sher for B’nai Mitzvah photography

TZEDAKAH (CHARITY) FUND If you know of a member of the community who could use financial assistance, please call the Rabbi at (516) 450-5117. We can provide short-term help for utility bill payments, etc. and will be kept in the strictest confidence.

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Tree of Life: Have you noticed the beautiful Tree of Life in our sanctuary? Did you know it was created by one of our own congregants? Many leaves are still available. Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, New Baby… Honor the mitzvah of a loved one today. $180/each

Earlier this month Elian and I attended the 7th Annual Early Childhood Jewish Education Conference at Hebrew College in Newton, MA. In the spirit of Hanukkah, the theme of the conference was Nissim v’Nifla’ot, Miracles and Wonders. We explored educational approaches that embrace the diversity of learnLaura Sher ers and celebrate the uniqueness of each of us. We Director, ELC also explored spiritual teaching in Torah Godly Play, a story-telling practice gaining popularity throughout the world to enhance the spiritual lives of children. Having this opportunity to learn with many local and national master educators not only strengthens our light within, it enables us to inspire and guide our children of the Early Learning Center.

And how did we inspire the children this past month, a month filled with cold and darkness? We began with a Pajama Day, of course! What could be better than homemade hot chocolate and whipped cream, snuggling with a favorite stuffed animal, hearing bedtime stories, and wearing cozy pajamas all day long? Many thanks to Rachel Robie for joining us that day!

We also spread light into this month remembering the Hanukkah miracle of the Maccabees’ victory over King Antiochus and his army, and the miracle of one drop of oil that lasted for eight days. The children were busy creating menorahs out of clay, spinning and dancing like dreidels, and playing the dreidel game with pennies we cleaned during our scientific experiment with a weak acid (vinegar) and sodium chloride (salt), that removes copper oxide. The children also peeled dozens of apples and cooked up delicious applesauce that went with our amazing latkes at our Family Hanukkah Celebration!

Wishing you all a good month ahead filled with light and joy!

L’Shalom, Laura

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Shalom Everyone! Happy 2017!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Hanukkah with joyous light and lots of yummy latkes!

I’d like to start the new secular year with a public service announcement: The wax on your Chanukkiah will come off very easily and with no scrubbing if you let it stand under hot running water for a little bit. You can also submerge it in hot water, but you have to make sure it doesn’t get cold! Then rinse and you are ready for next Hanukkah (Dec 12, 2017) Youth Group took a break in December, but we are back for more fun and mitzvot this month!

Our January event will be on Sunday, the 29th, following Hebrew School. Since we couldn’t have our annual Youth Group Hanukkah party because of vacation and other logistical reasons, and too many young people were disappointed, And I don’t like to see sad faces around me, I have decided that we will have a “Who Says You Can’t Have A Post Hanukkah & Post New Year’s Eve We Will Have Fun Anyway Party”, complete with a Yankee Gift Swap, food, games, etc., and a nonperishable food or toiletry collection for Crossroads House Family Shelter. Details will be in the Youth Group Flyer!

As always, please feel free to call or email me with any questions, ideas or offers to chaperone, help with food, or drive, at 603-969-2984 or EGT9@aol.com I am always looking for new venues or event ideas and welcome suggestions.

NEW: TIP Crafters Club

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2017!

L’Shalom, Elian Tackeff, your friendly youth group person

First gathering Friday, Feb. 10th @ 9:30 AM

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Bring your knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking or another project and join us in the Schmoozatorium. Please RSVP to Elissa Kaplan Senter @ ekapsent@aol.com. Come to gab and foster friendships.

INSTITUTIONAL OPERATING ENDOWMENT FUND Arlene Scampini & Elaine Lampert in memory of their parents Morton & Brina Lampert, Bert & Deb Freedman in memory of Roz Steinberg, Bert & Deb Freedman in memory of his father Robert Freedman, Renee Levy in memory of Roz Steinberg, Renee Levy get well to Izzy Bratter, Jody Kahn in memory of her grandfather Harry Gross, David Cline in memory of David’s father, Daniel D. Cline, Paul Rothman, Bert & Deb Freedman KIDDUSH FUND Myrna & Howard Promer get well to Izzy Bratter, Myrna & Howard Promer and family in memory of her parents Eva & Max Weisner, Bernard Zeidman in memory of his mother and father Ida & Jacob Zeidman, David Cline in memory of Debbie’s father Vernon H. Byus Jr.,

DINNERMAN/ROTTENBERG FUND Karen Kirzner Adler in memory of Roz Steinberg, Steve Maddock in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg, Mary Rottenberg & Joyce Rottenberg Meenes in memory of Roz Steinberg, Paul Rothman & Emily McEntee in memory Rosilyn Steinberg, Myrna & Howard Promer in memory of Roz Steinberg, Renee Levy on the passing of Arline Koiles’ brother-in-law, Leonard & Roberta Baer on the passing of Arline Koiles’ brother-in-law, Phyllis Hewson in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg, Michele McCann-Corti in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg, Michael & Laurie Steinberg in memory of Roz Steinberg, David & Nancy Whitney in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg, David Dupont, Barbara Fox in memory of her father Eli Borwick, Georgine Gori in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg, Robert Dumond in memory of Roz Steinberg, Edward McLaughlin in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg

TZEDAKAH FUND Marjorie Cypres in memory of her mother, Lillian Lorde,

LIBRARY FUND Geraldine Mittelman in memory of her husband, Michael Mittelman, Paula & Karl Singer in memory of Paula’s mother, Mary McGrensky,

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Evelyn Karu, Randall Spratt and Sharen Eidelberg Spratt

HEBREW SCHOOL DONATION FUND Phyllis Heilbronner in memory of Allen Linden’s sister, Cynthia Rubin,

PRESCHOOL DONATION FUND Naomi & Arnold Fishbein in memory of Al Linden’s sister Cynthia Rubin, Selma Freedman in memory of her husband Robby, Graphic Dimensions, in memory of Rosilyn Steinberg

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January Yahrzeits:

Tevet 3 / Shevat 4

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Henry Willar, Charles Trott

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Rabbi Abraham Heschel

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Zelig Applebaum

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Solomon Gerstein, Gertrude Kaplan, Bessie Cohn, George Brown, Jay Wein Pauline Wilson, Rose Coles, Carl Schwartz, Herb Heller

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Esther London, Maurice Ruben, Hyman Sherman Marcia Alexander, Leah Kolikof, Benjamin Slome, Edith Prostkoff Alan Schenk, Ethel Fleisher, Mildred Thrope Abraham Zeidman, Eve Cetlin, Yury Klarov, Mary Saklad, Jacob Stone Annie Freaman, Lena Fishbein, Saul Sussman Rebecca LePoff, Ethel Halprin

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Jacob Landsman, Morris Rubin, Hyman Schwartz, Florence Levingston Abraham Lampert, Arnold Katz, Alan Kaner, Bess Koach Louis Zeidman, Allen Levenson, Arthur Reinhart, George Sherman, Harold Lampert Anna Levitt, Harry Levin, Melvin Pedell

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Fannie Woolfson

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Ida Shapiro, Ruth Sussman

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D. H. Silverman, Sara Alpers, Jerome Sorkin Sarah Rottenberg

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George Hooz, Betty Prietz, Jack Lasky, Betty Rose Leader, Burton Kreisworth, Rachel Promer, Frieda Beubis, John McGowan Jacob Cohen, Samuel Greenfield, Dora Segal, Rose Chaikin, Lena Fluster

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Albert Levy, Arthur Black, Harold Fisher

Edith Brown, Joseph Kitrosser, Arthur Poster, Beverly Schneider, Arthur Leblanc Jennie Levine, Melvin Helflich, Kathy Ramras Samuel LePoff, Gerald Bernheimer,

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Alex Paul, Mollie Krasker, Lillian Rosenwald

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Samuel Hooz, Julian Meltzer

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Rose Fisher

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When you are observing a family member’s yahrzeit, please be aware that you are welcome to say Kaddish not only at the Friday night or Saturday morning service, but also at the Tuesday minyan at 5:30pm and Wednesday or Sunday when school is in session.

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Temple Israel Portsmouth Board of Directors Fran Berman, President Barney Share, Immediate Past President David Olken, VP Ritual Robert Bradbard, VP House Sam Berg, VP Education Mel Prostkoff, Recording Secretary Matthew Herman, Financial Secretary Howard Rubin, Treasurer David Bachrach, Director Sue Goldin, Director Amy Hyett, Director Alan Lincoln, Director Ira Schwartz, Director Jennifer Sebeny, Director

Monday 8:30am –1pm Tuesday 8:30am –1pm Wednesday 11am-5pm Friday 8:30am-12pm OFFICE HOURS 200 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-436-5301

Temple Israel