Temple Israel Doorpost November 2018

November 2018

Cheshvan / Kislev 5779

From the Rabbi’s Study…

Dear Chaverim, Do you know what the word “Shabbat” means?

When asked, most answer that “Shabbat” means “day of rest” or simply “rest.” The meaning of the word "Shabbat" however is much more profound.

The root of “Shabbat,” is first found in the creation story in the form of a verb: Vayishbot bayom ha-shevi-i, “and [God] stopped [doing the work of creation] on the seventh day.” (Genesis 2:2). Thus, Shabbat means “to cease” or simply “STOP.” What a wonderful concept! When the Shabbat comes each week, we are commanded to STOP (as God did) our regular weekday chores. On Shabbat, we step back from the pressures and stress of the week to take that figurative (though sometimes literal!) sigh of relief. In Jerusalem, one really senses this spirit of Shabbat as so much of life (transportation, stores, theaters etc..) comes to a STOP. Continued on page 2

Board of Directors Meeting 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, Board Room House Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, Shmoozatorium Basic Judaism Class with Rabbi Ira 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, Board Room Hebrew School Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner 5:45 p.m. Friday, November 30

Welcome New Member Dinner 5:30 p.m. Friday, November 2, Shmoozatorium Brotherhood Breakfast with Dr. Nicole Ruane 9:30 a.m. Sunday, November 4 Development Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, Library Ritual Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, Shmoozatorium Basic Judaism Class with Rabbi Ira 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, Board Room Book Discussion: The Sunflower 6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 8, Library Widow / Widowers Social Group Meeting 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 11, Court St Lobby Temple Office Closed Monday & Tuesday, November 12 - 13 Sisterhood Meeting 6:45 p.m. Thursday, November 15, Shmoozatorium Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 15, Virtual Meeting Musical Shabbat Service, Cantor Shira Nafshi 6:15 p.m. Friday, November 16, Sanctuary Rabbi Search Committee Listening Session 9:30 a.m. Sunday, November 18, Social Hall Greatest Hits of the Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday, November 18, Chapel

When we light candles, bless the wine, and eat our Shabbat dinner, we are sanctifying the day, making it different from the rest of the week. We are recognizing the human need to STOP, a need we often overlook.

Last month a late Shabbat evening service was introduced when we held the service at 7:30 PM rather than at 6:15 PM. Please let me or the Vice-President for Ritual, David Olken, know if you would like Temple Israel to add more late Shabbat services to help us to STOP and thus sanctify the day even more. In addition to the singing and praying, we will often reflect upon an important issue or the weekly Torah portion (or both!).

When Shabbat approaches each week, let us commit ourselves to restoring our strength and rejuvenating our spirit by making the Shabbat a meaningful part of our lives. By STOPping, we will be able to GO on with the week ahead renewed and refreshed.

L'shalom, Rabbi Ira Korinow

Tuesday afternoon 5:30 p.m.

Friday night 6:15 p.m.

Saturday morning 9:30 a.m. followed by kiddush and lunch

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Shabbat Service Leaders Friday, November 2 Rabbi Ira Korinow with musical guest Fran Berman Saturday, November 3 Rabbi Ira Korinow Followed by “Lunch and Learn” Torah study Friday, November 9 Rabbi Ira Korinow Saturday, November 10 Rabbi Ira Korinow Bar Mitzvah of Gabe Weinrieb Friday, November 16 Lay Leaders Musical Shabbat with Cantor Shira Nafshi Saturday, November 17 Cantor Shira Nafshi Friday, November 23 Saturday, November 24

Lay Leaders Lay Leaders

Friday, November 30 Rabbi Ira Korinow Hebrew School Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Learn Hebrew In Less Than a Week Monday - Thursday, December 3-6, 2018 7:00 - 8:30 pm • Have you ever wanted to learn to read Hebrew quickly and painlessly?

• Do you want to follow and participate in the Hebrew prayers during services?

• Did you learn to read Hebrew in Hebrew School but are in need of a refresher course?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then “Learn Hebrew In Less Than a Week” may be for you! Rabbi Ira Korinow’s class is meant to teach mechanical reading and will provide you with the skill to continue to learn to read and understand what you’re reading.

There is no cost for the class but you are required to purchase the text book for $13.95. Please RSVP

by Tuesday, Nov. 20 to the office at 603-436-5301, ext. 10 or email templeoffice@templeisraelnh.org.

Dear Fellow Congregants, I would like to update you on the work of the Rabbi Search Committee (RSC) and the Board of Directors. MJ Shoer who, along with Helaine Roberts, got the RSC off to a good start, unfortunately had to step down for personal reasons. I am pleased to announce that the committee unanimously endorsed Jeffrey Friedman to assume the role of co-chair, and the Board is also very happy to have Jeffrey take on this leadership position. As many of you know, Jeffrey served on the Board of Directors for several years, playing a major role in guiding the Hebrew School and Early Learning Center through a period of transition as Vice President for Education.

Under the capable leadership of both Helaine and Jeffrey, the RSC is deeply engaged in the search process, sending out our application for rabbinical candidates and organizing listening sessions for the congregation. Information about these meetings is available in both This Week and in the Doorpost. I encourage you to attend these sessions and share your insights and hopes for our new spiritual leader with the RSC. If you are not able to attend one of the sessions, please direct your suggestions, comments, and questions to Helaine, Jeffrey, or any member of the RSC.

chance to reach out to previously Jews throughout the broader Seacoast region, and to provide more programs and services to our current membership.

Along with these strengths and opportunities, we also discussed some of the corresponding challenges. Among these are the fact that we have relied very heavily on volunteers for a great many of the central functions of Temple Israel in an environment in which there is ever-increasing competition for members’ time. One of the possible solutions would be to increase the level of professional staffing. Another major challenge that we face over the medium term is that our beautiful building, in both the very old sanctuary and the new additions, will require considerable capital improvements, substantially exceeding the current ear-marked funds.

This board retreat was the beginning of a process of evaluation and planning so that our community is prepared to seize opportunities and address challenges before they become acute. The board will be looking for ways to include the entire congregation in this process and draw upon the broad pool of expertise and experience found in our community.

David Bachrach

I would also like to report that the Board of Directors held a discussion session this past Sunday morning, which was focused on identifying where Temple Israel is today, and where we hope to be in the future. We began with a SWOT analysis, that is a discussion of our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. As you may well imagine, we identified many strengths, including our diverse and welcoming community and our beautiful facility in downtown Portsmouth. We also identified a number of opportunities, including the

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plans to beg their parents to take them there as a group before their bnei mitzvah celebrations!

Did I mention that we were complimented on how polite and respectful our children were?

Shalom Everyone and Happy November!

We are currently in the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, sometimes called Marcheshvan (“bitter Cheshvan”), as it is the only Jewish month without a holiday or special mitzvahs. “How boring!” did you say?

Well, “boring” is not how the month of October went for our Hebrew School! Here are some highlights from the past month, including the very last day of September: 

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On Sunday, September 30 the children joined the congregation for a wonderful Simchat Torah celebration. Rabbi Ira presented the children who were brand new to Jewish learning with their own mini Torahs. After seven joyous hakafot (processions with the Torah scrolls accompanied by lively klezmer music), all present were invited by groups to come up for an aliyah. The upcoming bnei mitzvah class had their own aliyah and Rabbi Korinow offered a blessing as they stood under his tallit, held up to create a canopy akin to a chuppah. The evening continued with the reading of the final verses of Devarim (Deuteronomy) and the first day of creation from Breishit (Genesis). An ice cream extravaganza concluded the program!

On Sunday, October 14, the 6th and 7th graders, their teachers, and many parents went to the Mayyim Hayyim mikveh in Newton, MA. Our field trip was educational, handson, and fun! A few students were already making

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Art with Laura Sher: The 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders made beautiful Sh’ma pillows!

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Sefer b’Sakeet: The kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders went to the library!

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Picture day with Ron Sher: The 2019 bar/bat mitzvah class had their pictures taken by Ron Sher. The beautiful photos will hang on the wall across from the Gift Shop on the way to the Shmoozatorium after November.

Coming up this month: The older children will be attending a special presentation on Kashrut (the hows and the whys of keeping Kosher) on November 4, Elissa Kaplan Senter will lead music classes for all the grades on November 18, and our Whole School Kabbalat Shabbat dinner and service is scheduled for Friday, November 30. It will be another busy and fun month!

As always, please feel free to call or email me at 603-969-2984 or egt9@aol.com with any questions or comments.

L’shalom, Elian Tackeff, Head of School

November

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5:15 p.m.

November

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4:06 p.m.

November

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3:59 p.m.

November

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3:54 p.m.

November

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3:51 p.m.

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Welcome new members: Leslie Bateman of Seabrook, Glenn & Joan Goldwyn of Dover, Ben & Alison Freidlin and their daughter Penny of Newfields, Michelle & Tyler Lebs and baby Makenna of Epping.

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Refuah Shleima Wishing a speedy recovery to Carolina Barba, Dena Stern, and Audrey Bierhans.

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Condolences to Sumner Winebaum and his family on the death of his wife, Helen.

Social Action Committee The next meeting of the Social Action Committee will be held in the library on Sunday, December 2, at 10:00 a.m. All interested in learning more about the committee’s work are invited to attend!

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Ritual Committee Here are a few events to consider attending as we turn back the clocks in November and get ready for winter.

November 2nd is the new member’s dinner and Friday night service. Even if you haven’t signed up for the dinner, join in the Friday night service led by Rabbi Korinow. Our Friday night service on November 16 is a musical service led by Cantor Nafshi. She’ll also be with us for Shabbat morning services November 17. It’s always inspiring and uplifting when she leads and I hope you will be able to join us.

Finally, put Sunday December 9 on your calendar for the Chanukah Community Candle Lighting and Prayer for Peace. We’ll begin at 5:00 p.m. by lighting the Hands of Hope hanukkiah in the courtyard and continue inside for singing and light refreshments in the Shmoozatorium. More details to follow. Come and bring a friend.!

B’shalom, David Olken

Membership Committee Needs “People” People Do you like to meet and welcome new people? If so, the Membership Committee wants YOU. This is a low-intensity, high-reward committee. One of our main needs is for “liaisons” to contact new and prospective members to welcome them and offer to answer questions or help them get involved in synagogue activities.

We welcome your help with this even if you aren’t able to come to committee meetings, and right now we especially need liaisons who are familiar with the preschool and Hebrew School, to help welcome young families. The Membership Committee also plans a few programs each year (such as the November 2 New Member Community Shabbat dinner and service), and promotes volunteer engagement.

We need a mixture of longtime and new temple members, of all ages – so if you are wondering if we need someone like you, we do! If interested, please contact Margie Wachtel at wachtelm@grinnell.edu (preferred) or 603-498-0473.

Update from the Temple Israel Sisterhood New Widow / Widower Social Group Meets: Sunday, November 11, at 1:00 p.m., Temple Israel’s Court Street vestibule For: People who have lost their partners within the past 5 years. Open to all, to socialize and develop friendships. Temple Israel membership not required.

Please RSVP to group leader Elissa Kaplan Senter via email at ekapsent@aol.com or via phone / text at 516-450-5171 .

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New officers have been elected:

President: Aimée Margolis Vice-President: Jewel Davis Secretary: Ashley Barajas Treasurer: Cathi Cherry-Liston Rosh Hodesh liaison: Deborah Levine Meetings are scheduled for the last Thursday of every month at 6:45 p.m. in the Shmoozatorium.

Exception: this month’s meeting is November 15.

October highlights from the Early Learning Center: Students worked on the letter Pp‌ mostly because we are really into talking about pumpkins: how they grow, what is inside of them, what color they Tammy LabontÊ are, and that we can go and pick Director, ELC them. We learned that a pumpkin is a pumpkin until you carve a face or other design into it and then it becomes a Jack-o-Lantern. We learned the Five Little Pumpkins song. We also painted cardboard circles orange to made pumpkins and later added a face and made Jack-o-Lanterns for our bulletin board.

Parent Chris Buck shares woodworking tools and process with ELC students.

We walked to the Music Hall with parent chaperones for a performance of The Rainbow Fish. The next day, our class created a rainbow fish as a thank you to the Music Hall performers.

and patience. Chris will finish the whale at home and then bring it back to the classroom so the children can see the finished sculpture. Thank you, Chris, for sharing your hobby with us.

Parent Chris Buck came to school and taught us about woodworking. Chris brought a piece of birch wood and let the children decide what shape it should become. The children chose a humpback whale. Chris drew it out and started to work with his tools so we could appreciate how the job takes time

Students are looking forward to their regular visit with Grand Pals at Wentworth Home, and enjoying these crisp fall mornings on the playground!

Shalom, Tammy & Elian

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A special thank you to September kiddush sponsors The Sunshine Family The Sakelarios family

Temple Israel Brotherhood Invites You to a

Community Breakfast Sunday, November 4, 2018 Temple Israel Social Hall With Special Guest Speaker Dr. Nicole Ruane Program Schedule 9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Brotherhood meeting 9:30 a.m.

Community Breakfast

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Presentation by Dr. Nicole Ruane from the UNH Department of Classics, Humanities, and Italian Studies, on the topic of “Pigs and Paternity: Some Thoughts on Food Impurities and Their Significance,” followed by Q & A session.

This event is free and open to Temple members.

Please RSVP to the Temple Office via phone at 603-436-5301, extension 10, or via email at templeoffice@templeisraelnh.org.

Bar Mitzvah of Gabe Weinrieb Saturday, November 10, 2018 My name is Gabe Weinrieb. I have a yellow lab named Dilly. My favorite memory is hitting a walkoff to win the Little League state championship in 2016. I go to Portsmouth Middle School. My favorite subjects are math, English, and social studies. I like to play baseball, soccer, and to ski. Judaism is important to me because it connects me to my ancestors.

I plan to do my mitzvah project at the Portsmouth Library because I want to give back. I have been going there my entire life, and reading lots of good books.

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CEMETERY FUND Dick & Lorrie Grossman in memory of Dick’s mother, Bess Grossman.

CULTURAL ENDOWMENT FUND Jewel Davis in memory of her father, Bernie Davis.

Shirley & Elliott Fishbein in honor of Elaine & Sheldon Krasker celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary.

Michael & Susan Golden in memory of Mildred & Samuel Golden and also Herbert Greene.

DINNERMAN/ROTTENBERG EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND Stan & Rita Robbins in memory of grandparents Philip & Anna Borwick. Mark Harrison in memory of his father, Melvin Harrison. Ron & Joyce Meenes in memory of Ron’s loving mother, Charlotte Meenes.

Michael & Susan Golden in memory of Mildred & Samuel Golden and also Herbert Greene. Ken & Bertha Litvack. Denise Levin in memory of her mother, Shirley Vaughn.

DUES ABATEMENT FUND Haskell Bernat in memory of his father.

LIBRARY FUND Allen & Adina Linden in memory of Allen’s brother, Fred Linden. Bernice Richman in memory of her father, Abraham H. Richman.

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Peter Pastor, in appreciation of Rabbi Korinow’s services at the unveiling of the stone for Peter’s mother, Florence Pastor. Janet Fox in memory of her husband, Bruce Fox. SOCIAL ACTION FUND Fran Berman in memory of her father, Jack Berman, and mother-in-law, Sara Klein.

TZEDAKAH FUND Goldie Fink in memory of her father, Harry Bratter.

Marilyn Gorman in memory of her sister, Rosilyn Steinberg. Michael Steinberg in memory of his mother, Rosilyn Steinberg. Diane Goulston in memory of Roberta Baer. Sharen Eidelberg Spratt in memory of Samuel Baruch Dratch, beloved son of Patricia Manya Eanet.

HEBREW SCHOOL Barry & Claire Siegel in memory of Barry’s father, Abraham Siegel.

INSTITUTIONAL OPERATING ENDOWMENT FUND Harry & Carolann Jaeger. Al & Marlene Rubin. Paula & Stuart Boxer in memory of Stuart’s mother, Frieda Boxer, and in memory of Paula’s mother, Ruth Rosengard. Robert Chaikin in memory of his father, Oscar Chaikin. Jennifer Katz-Borrin.

KIDDUSH FUND Leonard Baer. Howard & Myrna Promer in memory of Howard’s father, Arthur Promer, and also in memory of Helen Winebaum. Frances Lampert in memory of her father, Abraham Baisuck. Dena & Jeffrey Stern in honor of the marriage of Jill Fishbein.

PRESCHOOL FUND Nancy Jaffe in memory of her mother, Ruth Morris.

In Appreciation The family of the late Roberta L. Baer is full of gratitude. We would like to thank family and friends far and near for the many acts of kindness, sympathy, and donations in Roberta’s honor.

We want to express our appreciation to Rabbi Krieger for his comforting words and guidance, and also to J. Verne Woods Funeral Home for their professional arrangements and care.

Roberta will always be remembered for her sharp style, warm smile, and humor. She will be greatly missed every day.

— The Baer Family

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November Yahrzeits 1. Bessie Porter, Clement Wyle 2. Minnie Kline, Alexander Willens, James Bockman, Herman Seperson, Morris Fine 3. Julia Lesser, Martin Singer, Sarah Emmer 4. Aaron Salden, Rebecca Freedman, Barney Grossman

23 Cheshvan / 22 Kislev 17. Max Resnick, Mildred Golden, Phyllis Wagner Brill, Pierette Zinck 18. Robert Goodman, Annie Tober, Edward Seperson, Lawrence Felsenberg, Faye Shear, Edward Wheeler

19. Marion Neyer, Lillian Smith

5. Ida Black, Solomon Israel, Seymour Osman

20. Esther Sharansky, Ruth E. Fain

6. Harry Abrams, Morris Osher

21. Melvin Partoll, Samuel Levy, Jeanne Slass, Arthur Senter, Mildred Lane

7. Nana Vero, Dorothy Pollack, Martha Magerer 8.

(no observances)

22. Arno Fleisher, Jennie Shoer, Rabbi David Senter, Newton B. Cohn

9. Mollie Ebb, Leib Haritonov, Alice Berit, Sadie Cook, Gerald Fine, Katherine H. Edelstein

23. Rachel Kushious, Cyril Ball, A. Harold Seidner

10. Rabbi Moshe Poleyeff, Robert Freedman, Eugenia Klarova

25. Harry Cantor, Sarah Zirpolo

24. Harry Yoken, Joseph P. Giffen

11. Jacklyn Simchik, Renee Goodman, Abraham Fisher, Frances Anderson

26. Jacob Heller, Mary McCrensky, Morris Levy, Statia Nesin, Sidney Zeff

12. Donald Albert, Dorothy Feitelson, Benjamin Gold, Naomi Bluestone, Eileen Platania, Bessie W. Young

27. George Gelman, Joseph Partoll, Harold Berit, Arnold M. Baer

13. Abraham Hooz, Benjamin Fineberg, Gussie Flescher, Julius Weiner

29. Aaron Finkelstein, Harry Gross, Herman Spaien, Jacob Mason, Gerald Sher, Davida Gelfman, Selma J. Nasberg

14. Lewis Hooz 15. Alex Belostock, Milton Weiner, Baurcard Nesin, Fannie Krasnow, Richard Rowe

28. John Alexander, Morris Isacoff

30. Samuel Levine, Morris Zack, Allen Koiles, Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, Deborah Most

16. Harry Liberson, Barnett H. Book When you are observing a family member’s yahrzeit, you are welcome to say kaddish at services Friday night, Saturday morning, Sunday morning (when Hebrew School is in session) or at Tuesday minyan (5:30 p.m.).

“Ahavat Yisrael” Art Festival

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“Ahavat Yisrael” Exhibit On a sunny October afternoon, about 50 Temple Israel members, family, and friends gathered for a "Mini Multi-arts Festival", including music and songs with Nathaniel Cowan. Mary Anker led a reading with her own work and poems by Amy Hyett, Roberta Swagel, and Deborah Levine. Visual artists included Jill Poyourow (speaking on “Why I Paint my Ancestors), Julie Serrano (with stories of “awakening” nursing home residents in the 1970s), Julia Samuels, Susan Overby West, Toby Harman, and Florence Levine. Sculptor Sumner Winebaum contributed five pieces, along with watercolors by his beloved late wife, Helen Winebaum.

Elian Tackeff presented an entertaining account of her immigration from Turkey. Genealogy researcher Fred Feldman gave us insight into his immigration from Eastern Europe as a young boy and showed us photos from his soon- to-be published book.

Photographs of Israel by Paula Singer and Fred Feldman were also featured.

Special thanks to the Cultural Endowment Fund, members of Sisterhood and the House Committee for their generous support, Tobey Harman for helping prepare our diverse buffet, TI members who loaned prints from their own collections (by Marc Chagall, Samuel Bak, and Leonard Baskin), and Don Harman and Susan and Charlie West for assisting with dismantling the previous exhibit and hanging new work.

Our theme of "Ahavat Yisrael" - "Love of Israel" young and old, religious and secular, modern and ancestral –really came alive! I am inspired to do a similar event next year. Please take a few minutes to look at what's on the walls of the Shmoozatorium and Social Hall until December 17, 2018.

With gratitude, Deborah Levine, Exhibit Coordinator

Book Discussion—Temple Library Thursday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m

The Sunflower, by Simon Wiesenthal How do we and do we have to forgive others?

Ourselves? While a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp, Wiesenthal is faced with a harrowing dilemma involving a dying SS officer’s wish for absolution for his crimes. Years later, still haunted by the experience and his response, Wiesenthal writes The Sunflower and invites numerous distinguished thinkers to contribute their thoughts about his ultimate decision as well as forgiveness and justice.

Please RSVP to discussion leader Mary Anker, mamanker@gmail.com.

Greatest Hits of the Service, Version 2 Sunday, November 18, at 10:30 a.m.

TIP Chapel (second floor) Learn to chant some of the “greatest hits’ of the Shabbat service, kiddush, and common prayers. We welcome Hebrew and non-Hebrew readers.

RSVP to Amy Hyett, amyhyett@comcast.net.

SAVE THE DATE!

Saturday, March 9, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.

Temple Israel Portsmouth Board of Directors David Bachrach, President

Two extraordinary cantors join together for a special benefit concert.

Fran Berman, Immediate Past President

From Bimah to Broadway, Featuring Micah Morgovsky & Shira Nafshi

David Olken, VP Ritual Joanne Samuels, VP House Seth Wizwer, VP Education Beth Salzman, Recording Secretary Jennifer Sebeny, Financial Secretary Amy Borne, Treasurer Robert Bradbard, Director Tobey Harman, Director Marc Hiller, Director Mel Prostkoff, Director Steve Sacks, Director Ira Schwartz, Director Margie Wachtel, Director

Proud member of USCJ Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

OFFICE HOURS 200 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-436-5301

Temple Israel