SCRIBE December 2023/January-February 2024

KISLEV/TEVET/SHEVAT/ADAR I 5784 DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 Volume 80 • Number 3

“We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible.”

DECEMBER • JANUARY • FEBRUARY DECEMBER

Friday, December 1 • 6:45pm Shabbat Hallelu Service/Birthday Blessings Saturday, December 2 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Saturday, December 2 • 6:15pm Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service Luke Geller Thursday, December 7 • 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service - Spencer Roth Friday, December 8 • 4:15pm Sharing Chanukah/K-2 Milestone Service Friday, December 8 • 6:45pm Shabbat Chanukah Service Saturday, December 9 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Thursday, December 14 • 10:00am Bar Mitzvah Service - Madden Greenberg Thursday, December 14 • 12:00pm B’not Mitzvah Service - Ivy Falcone & Willa Falcone Friday, December 15 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service/Birthday & Anniversary Blessings Saturday, December 16 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Saturday, December 16 • 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service - Derek Edelstein Saturday, September 16 • 7:00pm Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service Seth Shinder Friday, December 22• 6:45pm Shabbat Service Saturday, December 23 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Friday, December 29 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service Saturday, December 30 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

JANUARY

Friday, January 5 • 6:30pm Shabbat Hallelu Service/Birthday Blessings Saturday, January 6 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Friday, January 12 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service Saturday, January 13 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Saturday, January 13 • 10:30am Bat Mitzvah Service - Chase Kwiat Saturday, January 13 • 6:00pm Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service Jake Rubel Thursday, January 18 • 10:30am Bat Mitzvah Service - Abby Marcus Friday, January 19 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service/Birthday & Anniversary Blessings Saturday, January 20 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Friday, January 26 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service Saturday, January 27 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Saturday, January 27 • 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service - Brandon Dorf

FEBRUARY

Friday, February 2 • 6:45pm Shabbat Hallelu Service/Birthday Blessings Saturday, February 3 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Friday, February 9 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service/Fifth Grade Milestone Service Saturday, February 10 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Friday, February 16 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service/Birthday & Anniversary Blessings Saturday, February 17 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan Friday, February 23 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service Saturday, February 24 • 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday Morning Minyan with Rabbi Ilana Schachter 9:00-11:00am Rabbi Schachter invites you to a reflective experience filled with prayer and learning.

No previous knowledge of Hebrew, liturgy, or text required - join us as we learn from our tradition and one another.

In-person & via livestream OR via ZOOM check your email for details.

2 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

4:15pm Sharing Chanukah for ages 2 through 3rd grade Featuring the Torah Explorers (K-2) Milestone Service followed by dinner 5:45pm

Hineni Chanukah Program in the art room

6:15pm Chanukah Wine & Cheese “pre-neg” Bring your Chanukiah and take part in our community candle lighting 6:45pm

Multi-Generational Chanukah Shabbat Service featuring the Temple Sinai Band and the Community Choir! Stay for latkes and sufganiyot immediately following the service.

8:00pm

Special Chanukah Program for Teens - details to follow

Check your email for more information on all of these festive Chanukah celebrations!

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2023 3

A Jewish Approach to Death and Mourning as Inspiration for Holy Living

a five-part class with Rabbi Michael A. White

Mondays at 7:00pm • In Person and via ZOOM December 11 • March 11 • April 8 • May 13 Our sessions will take us into and beyond prayers and ceremonies that guide us through death and grief, together with modern inspirational readings that can bring comfort and wisdom. We will also look at how contemporary Jewish thought approaches such issues as when life ends and euthanasia.

sip, schmooze, and study SCoTCH and SACRED TEXT

with Rabbi Michael White Tuesdays at 7:30pm December 19 April 16

Monday at 7:30pm February 12 Locations to be announced

This award-winning program 4 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

is hosted by Brotherhood

from

RABBI WHITE’S study Rabbi Michael A. White rabbiwhite@mysinai.org

Suffering makes a people greater, and we have suffered much - David Ben-Gurion At my age, one remembers little from early childhood, but one memory stands brilliant and clear: Sunday school, October 7, 1973. I was a fifth grader, and my teacher was Max Schutz, of blessed memory. Max was a big, bulky Israeli with a strong voice. He was a giant to me. Max once told me that he had been a paratrooper in the Six- Day War. He said you could drop him blindfolded into the middle of a jungle and he’d find his way home.

That Sunday was the day after the Yom Kippur War broke out and I saw Max cry that day. While we were in class, he received notice that his brother had died in the opening battle of the war. Max’s tears were shocking, and they awakened something inside of me, something an elevenyear-old wasn’t capable of naming, but something that would define my life. That day, I became a devoted Jew and a Zionist.

Israel has never known a day of quiet, secure peace. But some days are so very terrifying, because they reveal Israel’s fragility. Her enemies never stop plodding, preparing, and planning to attack. They not only dream of a Middle East free of the Jewish State, they dream of a world without Jews.

And yet, decades, indeed centuries, of trauma, and suffering, of displacement, and murder, alienation, and false accusations, have strengthened the Jewish soul. Out of the ashes and the tears grow an indomitable resilience and resolve. Tragedy strengthens us.

I am so proud of our Temple Sinai community. In just days we turned our own grief into a mitzvah, raising $250,000 for Magen David Adom, literally saving countless lives.

This is perhaps David Ben Gurion’s most famous quote: In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles. So, I am praying, with all my heart, that Israel’s realists will also create miracles: safety and security for our people, comfort, strength, and the wisdom to face unimaginable grief, and the strength of community, our Jewish family, for embrace and protection. Then, Dear God, lasting peace, Jews and Arabs living side-by-side, each realizing their national aspirations, enjoying mutual respect and friendship, quiet and calm for all the inhabitants of that sacred land.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Michael A. White

Support Magen David Adom through our fundraisng site: afmda.securesweet.com/TempleSinaiRoslyn SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 5

2024

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 • 12:00pm All are welcome to join Rabbi Michael White, President Allen Geller, and Executive Director Lee Mirrer at

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Boca Town Center Mall • 21090 St. Andrews Blvd • Boca Raton We hope all Temple Sinai members (past and present) and their families and friends will attend! $45 per person for a family-style meal that includes a starter, salad, main courses (chicken, eggplant, and pasta), desserts, and soft drinks.

2024

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 • 12:00pm • in Boca Raton Please make reservations for

people @ $45/person = $

enclosed

Name(s) of attendee(s) Email

Cell phone

Florida phone

Florida address mail to: Temple Sinai • 425 Roslyn Road • Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 • Attn: Florida Luncheon

The View from the President’s Chair Allen Geller ageller@mysinai.org

A Time for New Beginnings As we approach the calendar New Year, I am reminded of our own High Holy Days. It was and is a time for renewal, a time for reflection and atonement and a time to reset ourselves for the coming year.

The calendar New Year is also a time for personal renewal and to make resolutions, that for the most part, we tend to ignore. But this year, I would like to ask you to think of others before yourselves.

One of the catch phrases of our Jewish faith is Tikkun Olam, heal the world. With that thought in mind during this season of renewal, we should focus on others rather than on ourselves. We should think about how we can help others reach their goals or at least, improve their situations.

During the past year we lost many people, young and old.

Why not reach out to see if their survivors are doing OK? We cannot undo what has transpired but we can be there to listen and hopefully, help the survivors return to some sense of normalcy. I know this is a difficult undertaking, but if not you, who then? Sometimes, it will take multiple reach-outs. I have done this and will continue to do this with members of our Temple Sinai community. I find it very rewarding, and when you get a response, it’s even more rewarding as you help others heal themselves.

great books...great insights...great fun

OUR NEXT BOOK - BESSIE by Linda Kass Drawing on biographical and historical sources, Bessie re-imagines the early life of Bess Myerson, the first and ONLY Jewish Miss America. Her victory in the pageant in 1945 was seen as redemption for Jews following the Holocaust. We will review this book the week of December 13. A Chanukah gift to ourselves! Email Leslie Lewit Milner at llmmotivate@aol.com for more information.

My point is that by holding out your hand you will receive many times the rewards. You would be amazed at how good you can make someone else feel by being there for them… again it is not easy to reach out, but we need to be persistent.

We need to make those individuals feel like they are still part of the community.

The Temple Sinai community is comprised of many wonderful and talented individuals. We can make a difference. You can make a difference. Hilary Clinton famously wrote a book entitled It Takes a Village. In fact, the expression comes from an old African Proverb about the community raising a child. I think of the Temple Sinai community as our village. The temple needs to be here for you, and you need to be here for others in the community.

The other thought at this time of the year is Chanukah. The simple translation of the word is dedication. It commemorates the re-dedication of the second temple of Jerusalem in the second century B.C. Chanukah is a story of persistence and of the willingness and courage of a few to help the many, but most importantly, it is about community. I ask you to please try the things I have discussed today...helping others, being an active part of the community, and helping the world to heal.

My wish is for everyone to have a healthy, happy, and successful new year. Part of that wish is for each of you to hold out your hand to someone in the community.

With warmest regards,

Allen Geller

MOVING?

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READ ALL ABOUT IT....

LATVIA, LITHUANIA & ESTONIA ... a Fantastic Temple Voyage July 29-AUGUST 11, 2023

by LESLIE LEWIT MILNER There is no doubt these countries are the next PARIS or ROME! Amazing architecture, wonderful EATS, and great shopping ... but more than that - ancestral history seen through the eyes of our temple members who had family that once lived in those countries was emotional, informative and REAL. When you travel with fellow temple members, everything seems richer through shared stories and intellectual discussions. Hired guides from each country we visited, along with the depth of knowledge that our Cantors Sergei and Elena imbue into the day to day excursions make ANY trip you take with them a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. We were comfortable in wonderful hotels and welcomed in delicious restaurants, but more than anything, we were safe. Our cantors are world travelers; their ability to navigate while making each and everyone of us feel safe and cared for, is beyond measure. I recommend you join THEM and US, your Temple Sinai FAMILY, on the next trip!

Here are a few insights into the Baltics from my fellow travelers ...

From Danny Reich: The trip was an intimate gathering of only 11, which allowed us to bond quickly together. The camaraderie we developed made it that much more enjoyable and fun.

We heard lectures from local tour guides about Jewish life before and after the Holocaust. More than 90% of the Jews in the Baltic countries were killed during the war, the highest of any countries. We saw some of the remaining vestiges of what were once thriving and robust Jewish communities. Many members of our temple community have family roots based in the Baltics.

We saw the many Jewish museums, schools, and community centers, plus the memorials. We lit candles, said prayers, left memorial rocks, and honored our past. We were glad to go before Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia), and Tallinn (Estonia) will be overrun by tourists in the next few years, as people discover these beautiful cities with delicious foods from all over that area of Europe.

P.S. I had my first elk dinner in Helsinki, Finland!

I look forward to the next trip with my fellow temple members.

From David Wollin: An excellent, fascinating, well-executed, and comfortable exploration of Jewish heritage and history with wonderful hosts, guides, and companions. This was a great history lesson about three remarkable countries not on the usual tourist trail. It gave me a new appreciation for what the Baltic people and the Jews went through during the past two centuries.

From Sue Nadler: The trip to the Baltic countries was special not only because of the places we visited, but it gave me the opportunity to travel with a very special group of people. It was an extraordinary experience. I do not think I can put into words my feelings while visiting the sites of the holocaust in these countries, I want to thank Cantor Sergei who first suggested the trip to me, and Cantor Elena who made me feel welcome, and to both of them for their hard work. A great deal of effort and planning went into arranging what was a memorable trip and they deserve a special thank you for all they did prior to the trip and during it. I am grateful I had the opportunity to experience it.

The Baltic Travelers: Lawrence Milner, Leslie Lewit Milner, Sue Nadler, Danny Reich, Cecile Saretsky, Stan Saretsky, Cantor Elena Schwartz, Cantor Sergei Schwartz, Linda Stern, David Wollin, and Leslie Wollin.

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 9

Adrianne Rubin, Ph.D.

arubin@mysinai.org

A Collection That Lights Up My Life!

As I wrote in last year’s winter issue of the SCRIBE, I love and collect Chanukiot. Our house is the repository for the many Chanukiot my parents amassed over the course of several decades, not to mention ones that we ourselves have collected along the way.

The small, easily portable Chanukiah I used while living in England in the early 2000s

My in-laws’ Chanukiah given to us by Noah’s stepmother after his father passed away in 2020; the arms move!

While I shared a few favorites from museum collections last year, here are a few favorites from my own family’s collection, ones we use regularly (as evidenced by the residual candle drippings!):

Noah’s VW camper van Chanukiah, given to him nearly 30 years ago by his mother

The Noah’s Ark-themed Chanukiah my mother gave Zach for his first Chanukah, and the one he still lights every year

At this time, when the world needs light more than ever, let’s be sure to display our Chanukiot proudly, and spread as much light as we can – during Chanukah and every day.

Chanukah Sameach, 10 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

Help Us Build Our Giant

MENORAH Show your support for Israel by purchasing a block for $72 All monies raised will be donated to Magen David Adom In addition to having a custom plaque on one of our giant LEGO blocks, you will also receive a special prize!

Visit our website at mysinai.org/legomenorah2023 to reserve your block by December 4!

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group

curated by Cantors Sergei & Elena Schwartz

The notion of Jewish Peoplehood encompasses Judaism as a civilization with a collective story, religion, culture, language, ethical tradition, and dedication to community. Temple Sinai is presenting this series to strengthen the connection between Jews within our community and around the world. These programs will feature, through sight and sound and art and music, the good works and global initiatives that represent us as a people.

Judaism is a living tradition. Its history, beliefs, practices, and ethical teachings need to be passed on from generation to generation. Learning is the key to living a full and meaningful life. Reading Jewish literature, listening to music, looking at art all inspired by Jewish themes or liturgy, or learning to understand religious symbolism, are ways in which we can learn about our spiritual and cultural Jewish identity.

Learning enriches our lives, ensures that Judaism survives and becomes a vibrant force for good in our own lives, in our community, and in the wider world. We learn to attain a better sense of who we are and how we can create a better world for the next generation.

Our children and young adults live in equivocal and uncertain times where it is not clear what “universal values” or “truths” exist when they encounter the “real world”. All of us face the ambivalence of acting in our own self-interest for causes that may be less than just, and in so doing, compromises to our principles are made to achieve gain or immediate gratification. Nevertheless, Jewish values are defined in part by our willingness to encounter the world as it exists and not to build walls to insulate ourselves from its existence, as can often be seen in the community that surrounds us. These values also are defined by our willingness to encounter ourselves in the world and commit ourselves to the uncomfortable examination of whom we are and might become in these self-encounters.

Ultimately, as Jews, we are left with the truth of needing to constantly reinvent and heal ourselves from these worldly encounters.

And the desire to strive to repair the world (Tikkun Olam) to make these encounters less painful and more rewarding to both spirit and body. Tikkun Olam affects us in everything that we do, how we interact with the world, and how we interact with each other and as a People.

Jewish identity is not transmitted genetically, but culturally and within families, through example and influence. As it has been said, The process of transmission is one of education in the broadest sense, so that what is transmitted is not merely knowledge but beliefs and values, attitudes and ideals, and above all a sense of identification and commitment.

So please join with us and take the journey with your fellow Congregants and Clergy and celebrate with pride our Jewish Peoplehood.

- James C Rotenberg

Check your email for information on future programs in the JEWISH PEOPLEHOOD series!

The Celebrating Jewish Peoplehood series is Co-Chaired by Lauren & David Borkon and Carol & James Rotenberg 12 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

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Author’s Talk

SHADOWS WE CARRY MERYL AIN Thursday, January 4 • 7:30pm • via ZOOM We were fortunate to have Meryl Ain join us on ZOOM in October, 2021, to discuss her book,The Takeaway Man. We are excited to welcome her back with her new book, Shadows We Carry, which is the sequel to The Takeaway Man. Shad­ows We Car­ry opens with the assas­si­na­tion of John F. Kennedy on Novem­ber 22, 1963. It’s a defin­ing moment in his­to­ry, and, as Bron­ka Lubin­s­ki astute­ly com­ments, ​“Noth­ing will ever be the same again.” This novel deft­ly and engag­ing­ly illus­trates the effects of the soci­etal changes and upheavals of the 1960s and 70s.

In this well-researched, char­ac­ter-dri­ven sto­ry, Ain exam­ines many themes and issues with insight and com­pas­sion. She folds top­ics such as fem­i­nism, anti­semitism, gay rights, abor­tion, and sec­ondgen­er­a­tion Holo­caust sur­vivor con­cerns into the char­ac­ters’ lives.

Because Ain thought­ful­ly inter­weaves numer­ous his­tor­i­cal events, sig­nif­i­cant nos­tal­gic details, and cul­tur­al and geo­graph­ic ref­er­ences, the char­ac­ters’ sto­ries will res­onate deeply with those who expe­ri­enced the era.

Thursday, January 11 7:30pm • via ZOOM

Anti-Zionism vs. Antisemitism with Shaya Lerner Director, Israel Affairs/ Associate Director, Middle Eastern Affairs SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2023 13

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For more information, contact Social Action at socialaction@mysinai.org The Social Action Committee continues our dedication to tikkun olam, repairing the world. Where there is need we ask, how can we help? Your generosity to our drives, causes, and funds is why we can answer that question around the corner or around the world. Thank you! Todah Rabah! You make a difference that is felt and remembered!

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL!

The worst crisis and tragedy in Israel’s history is upon us. We are praying hard and often. Temple Sinai is encouraging donations to Magen David Adom as we are committed to saving lives and helping our Israeli brothers and sisters defeat Hamas to bring peace, stability, and security to our Homeland.

To make a donation, please visit our fundraiser website at afmda.securesweet.com/TempleSinaiRoslyn. If you would prefer to pay by check, please make it payable to Magen David Adom, drop it at the office or mail it to Temple Sinai, and we will send it directly to MDA. Your donation will qualify for the matching funds from the Bloomberg Foundation. Please enclose a note with your check that includes the following information: • Would you like your name indicated on our Team TSR page or would you like to remain anonymous?

• Would you like the amount of your donation indicated? If not, the amount will be included in our total, but will not be displayed on our Team TSR page.

If you have any questions, please contact Mara Rosenwasser at mrosenwasser@mysinai.org or Lee Mirrer at lmirrer@mysinai.org.

DECEMBER COLLECTION: Let’s Fill the Community Needs Food Bank! Pause and imagine the feeling if food was on your “wish list.” We are

partnering with the JCC to fill up the wish list of the Community Needs Food Bank. Please donate these items and drop them off in the bins in the temple lobby or check our email for the Amazon link to order and have sent directly to Temple Sinai: canned protein (chicken, salmon, sardines, tuna) • peanut butter or alternative nut butters • canned vegetables (carrots, corn) canned fruit in juice/applesauce • low sodium soups • pasta and pasta sauce • hot cereal (Cream of Wheat, Farina) • pancake mix and syrup.

DECEMBER MITZVAH: Please watch your emails for all our Chanukah fun coming in December

JANUARY COLLECTION: Let’s Give Friendship Through Food - Down the Street! In memory of our friend, the late Pastor Victor Lewis, we

continue to help fill his church’s food pantry through the EJOY/Pastor Lewis Food Drive. Please donate these items and drop them off in the bins in the temple lobby or check our email for the Amazon link to order and have sent directly to Temple Sinai: non-refrigerated milk and juices • canned soups & vegetables (especially corn) • cereal • pancake mix and syrup • oatmeal • pasta and pasta sauce • rice • beans • healthy snacks • flour • cooking oil • paper towels • toilet paper • napkins.

14 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

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JANUARY COLLECTION: Let’s Give Kids a Good Night and Sweet Dreams! The Pajama Program helps thousands of children who would otherwise go to sleep in the clothes they wore during the day. Please drop off your donation of NEW pajamas for newborn through XL and NEW books for all ages. Be sure to remember the bigger sizes for older kids.

JANUARY MITZVAH: Cooking for a Cause! Save the Date: January 5 Always a favorite event, Social Action will team up with Friend of a Friend for

the next edition of Cooking for a Cause, taking place on Friday, January 5 at 10:30am. You don’t want to miss it! While cooking and kibbitzing in the Culinary Arts Studio, we will each prepare a full meal AND DELIVER it to someone who is homebound. The smiles and huge appreciation for these meals will stay with you long after the deliveries are completed. Please RSVP by December 22 to socialaction@mysinai.org.

FEBRUARY COLLECTION: Let’s Help Fill the Pantry for THE INN! THE INN assists those who are hungry and homeless. They need our assistance

more than ever as the need for food increases. It’s not enough to think about those in need; please join us by acting to help them.

Your contribution matters. Please donate these items and drop them off in the bins in the temple lobby or check our email for the Amazon link to order and have sent directly to Temple Sinai: canned protein (chicken, tuna in water, sardines, salmon) • peanut butter • cereal • canned fruit • canned vegetables

FEBRUARY MITZVAH: Please watch your emails for all our meaningful mitzvah coming in February

FYB - For Your Benefit: The Sid Jacobson JCC offers a Jewish Community Support Warm Line This group of caring professional social workers can help you with life’s challenges and obstacles in an individual or group setting.

For more information: call Nelson Rothstein at 516.484.1545 ext. 171 or email him at nrothstein@sjjcc.org.

GIVE TZEDAKAH: Your contribution to the Social Action Fund allows us to help more people in more ways. To donate to the Temple Sinai Social Action Fund, visit our website at mysinai.org/donate.html.

The Social Action Committee’s dedication and commitment to tikkun olam, repairing the world, grows and deepens with each year.

If you would like to join us please reach out to socialaction@mysinai.org.

Even in darkness it is possible to create light

- Elie Wiesel

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 15

Discover the Exciting World of Chess With Temple Sinai

ALL AGES! ALL SKILL LEVELS!

INTRODUCING THE

INTERGENERATIONAL

club We are working on the launch of an intergenerational chess club and would love YOU to be a part of it!

The club will be open to ALL ages and ALL skill levels (Newbies-Advanced) Our aim is to foster an environment that not only hones chess skills but also cultivates critical thinking, improves concentration and promotes intellectual growth Want more info? Interested in Joining Us? Please fill out our form so we can start planning!

Check your email for the form link

BROTHERHOOD What a wonderful beginning of the year for Brotherhood!

On a Sunday morning this past August, Brotherhood arranged to have Pro Chef of Long Island, a mobile knife sharpening service set up shop in the temple parking lot.

To call it a big hit is an understatement! Many congregants brought their knives for pre-High-Holy-Day sharpening. In the four-plus hours Pro Chef was on-site, they sharpened over 140 knives; in turn, Brotherhood was given a portion of the proceeds for every knife sharpened as a donation from Pro Chef. This fundraiser was so well received and so worthwhile that it will now become a yearly service we are going to offer our Temple Sinai family.

This past August, Brotherhood was also pleased to host the first meeting of

the MRJ/LI Council; our long time member, Larry Krasnoff, now serves as Council President. The guest speaker was Brad Kolodny, who has joined us for programs at Temple Sinai on several occasions in the past. Brad discussed parts of his new book, The Jews of Long lsland: 1705 to 1918.

Brotherhood members have been involved in many other significant

temple functions. Many of our members were active participants in the

Ambassadors Program during the High Holy Days. Kudos to Woody Greenberg

for spearheading this effort every year. As has been the tradition every

year, Brotherhood, led by our Temple Sinai in-house Project Manager, Jeff Krugman, built the Sukkah in the parking lot, the site on our annual Sukkot

Brunch. On October 1, Rabbi Ilana Schachter shared her insights on the significance of Sukkot with the attendees. As always, special thanks to

Rabbi Schachter for participating and educating us.

An offshoot of Brotherhood, the CONNECT Networking Group, started by past president, Richie Blatt, has already been given recognition by the National MRJ Council. CONNECT, in conjunction with Brotherhood, hosted it’s first Evening Edition in the Simcha Room and it was a great success, allowing many new participants to meet and connect with others. Congratulations to Brotherhood members Frank D’Ambrosio, Rob Kuppersmith, and Howie Mann for helping make this happen. The next CONNECT Evening Edition will take place on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00pm.

On Tuesday, December 19 at 7:30pm. we will host another Scotch and Sacred Text with Rabbi White. It will prove to be another wonderful evening filled with spirts and biblical insights. As I mentioned in my edition of the SCRIBE, Brotherhood is teaming up with Friend of a Friend to present Karaoke Night on January 20. We are also working with them on a Comedy Night - stay tuned for more details. There is also going to be a Brotherhood Shabbat Service on Friday, March 22 at 6:45pm.

We are always busy planning other programs and events, so please check your email for updates.

Brotherhood is strong and getting stronger. Come join us on this fulfilling journey!

Norm Hollander Brotherhood President

CONNECT evening edition

Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00pm in the Simcha Room.

Register at mysinai.org/form/connectevening12623 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 17

Friend of a Friend/Chaverot 2023-2024 is off to a rousing start for Friend of a Friend!

Our Opening Brunch in September was attended by 40 women. Many thanks to those who made it a great success: Cecile Saretsky for the beautiful floral centerpieces, Leslie Lewit-Milner for the delicious food, and all the attendees who contributed to the welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

The next Friend of a Friend event was Sukkah Decorating, delayed a few days due to a drenching rain on the originally planned date.

Thank you to our Sukkah Decorating crew who did an outstanding job: Diane Hirsch, Ginny Jordan, Lainie Krasnoff, Susan Moisoff, Lucy Niederbach, Jane Scal, and Tammy Szerencsy.

Once again the weather wreaked havoc with our plans for our annual Brunch in the Sukkah honoring our Ushpizot. However, that didn’t stop us from celebrating! We switched gears, moved to the Simcha Room, and enjoyed our brunch in honor of Lynn Fishkind and Loryn Solomon. We thank them for sharing the stories of their ancestors coming to America, and of their love for Temple Sinai.

Rabbi Schachter led us in learning and we joined together in song with Cantor Elena Schwartz. Thanks to all of the women who contributed to making this brunch so special: Leslie Lewit Milner and her food committee, comprised of Jill Wasser, Jill Barry, Tammy Szerencsy, and Paula Kraus. A special thank you to Paula Kraus, who made the beautiful centerpieces.

Friend of a Friend has lots of fun, educational and social events planned for the next several months, and you don ‘t want to miss any of them, so be sure to join Friend of a Friend! You’ll enjoy being part of our welcoming, intergenerational group of women.

Put the first Friday of every month at 9:30am on your calendar for Friend of a Friend’s monthly meetings. Please note, our meeting on January 5 will be followed by Cooking for a Cause with the Social Action Committee.

In addition to our monthly meetings, save the dates for the these wonderful programs and events over the next few months:

Religious School Chanukah Boutique December 4, 5, & 6 • 4:00pm We sell merchandise our Religious School students can purchase as gifts for their family and friends.

This year, we will also have items for adults as we will be selling the lovely Judaica items that came from our gift shop, including tallit, challah covers, mezzuzot, and jewelry.

Don’t miss it!

Wine, Women, & Wisdom December 6 • 7:00pm

Religious School Latke Parties December 11, 12, & 13 • 4:00pm

Cantor Elena Schwartz leads the interactive discussion on the wisdom of Jewish teachings. The sessions give women the opportunity to learn, laugh, and connect over a glass of wine while gaining insights into sacred text.

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Visit us at mysinai.org/fof, email us at fof@mysinai.org and follow us on Instagram @mysinai_fof

Karaoke Night with Brotherhood January 20 • 6:00pm

Home Safety for All Ages

January 16 • 7:00pm

Heart Health

with an expert from Northwell February 6 • 4:00pm

ZOOM Bingo

February 15 •TBA with Tammy Szerencsy

Dr. Melissa Klapper - American Jewish Women as Changemakers: the History & the Legacy February 27 • 11:00am

Co-sponsored by Adult Engagement A luncheon will follow this program

Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is a Professor at Rowan University in New Jersey where she teaches American and women’s history, with a focus on the late 19th and early 20th century. Additional research interests include the history of childhood, the history of education, and American Jewish history. She is the author of four books as well as numerous articles and essays. She lectures widely in a variety of academic and community settings. She is the book review editor of the journal American Jewish History and recently completed a term as the co-chair of the Association for Jewish Studies Modern Jewish History--The Americas division. She is currently the Coordinator of the Women’s & Gender Studies Program at Rowan University.

Although these two special events won’t happen until the spring, put them on your calendar now!

Intergenerational Women’s Seder

April 3 • 6:30pm

Women’s Art & Jewish Heritage Trip to Philadelphia May 2-3

Please remember to sign up for Friend of a Friend events when you see them in the Friend of a Friend or weekly temple emails. We look forward to seeing everyone at our meetings and taking par in our wonderful activities.

Charlotte Hollander and Leslie Wollin Friend of a Friend Co-Presidents

Beyond Modigliani & Chagall: More Jewish Artists of the School of Paris Sunday, February 4 at 4:00pm via ZOOM This art presentation by Sinai’s own, Jackie Covey, was inspired by the recent Nassau Museum exhibit entitled Modigliani and the Modern Portrait.

Great Gifts at Great Prices Great Gifts at Great Prices 15% OFF your purchase - use code TEMPLE24 15% OFF purchase – use code TEMPLE21 Offeryour expires on February 29, 2024.

Offer expires onRestrictions November 20, 2021.

Restrictions apply. apply.

FortunoffJewelry.com • 800-636-7886 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 19

Temple Sinai Religious School

Our children, our future Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz

cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org

Chanukah, O Chanukah!

This festival of Chanukah is quickly approaching, so we are mindful of the meaning of the word Chanukah – dedication.

The specific historical context of this wonderful holiday, which brings a soft glow and warmth to our homes, connects the word to the dedication of the Holy Temple following the sacrilege by the forces of Antiochus Epiphanies. The goal of this Syrian tyrant was to Hellenize the Jews.

In order to achieve this goal Antiochus outlawed Sabbath observance, circumcision, and Torah study, and set up a pagan alter in the Holy Temple. Some Jews, called Hellenists, did not want to resist the Syrians, the bearers of the proud Greek culture.

Hellenists, Jews who spoke the Greek language, participated in Greek sports, adopted Greek names, neglected Hebrew, Shabbat, Yom Tov, and gradually replaced them with pagan observances.

Had they prevailed, Judaism would have disappeared. Happily, there were some Jews, led by a priestly family know as the Hasmoneans or Maccabees, who, as the saying goes, would rather fight than switch. In the year 168 B.C.E, Matityahu spoke for them when he declared: Though all the heathen within the bounds of the royal domain obey him (Antiochus), and each one forsakes the worship of his fathers …yet will I, my sons, and my brothers walk in the covenant of our fathers.

We are so proud of Reese Grotas! She hosted two cookie sales, raising funds for ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel,

20 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

After three years of fighting under the leadership of Matityahu and his five sons – Judah, Yonatan, Eliezer, Yochanan, and Simon, the Jews prevailed. The Holy Temple in Jerusalem was cleansed, and a ceremony of re-dedication was held. However, the broader events against which the Chanukah story is set point to a much more significant kind of dedication. The real victory celebrated on Chanukah is the victory of the forces of Jewish survival and uniqueness over the forces of assimilation, which would not be possible without the dedication of the Maccabees to their right to remain different.

Our school has a core of dedicated parents who labor to maintain the vitality of the Religious School and build for its future. We are blessed with families who give of their time, energy, talent, and love to make sure that our children are guided by the same kind of dedication to the Jewish people. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Amy Zufflacht, Tracy Zimmerman, Liz Neale, and the rest of the Education Committee, whose dedication is greatly appreciated These are just a few of the host of people in our Religious School family whose dedication to our children keeps all of the lights burning.

Chag Chanukah Sameach,

Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz Our students made cards for soldiers in an IDF unit stationed in the Every week our Mitzvah Makers north. attend Hebrew Prayer Bootcamp

in preparation for their B’nei Mitzvah

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR

DECEMBER 2023

JANUARY 2024

3 Jewish Museum Tour/Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue - Grades 4-6 10:00am 4 FOF Chanukah Boutique 4:00-6:00pm 4 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 4 K-2 Milestone Practice 4:30-5:00pm 4 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm 4 Mitzvah Makers - ADL Speaker 7:00-8:00pm 5 FOF Chanukah Boutique 4:00-6:00pm 5 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm 5 Mitzvah Makers - ADL Speaker 7:00-8:00pm 6 FOF Chanukah Boutique 4:00-6:00pm 6 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm 7 First night of Chanukah ( December 7-15) 8 Sharing Chanukah 4:15-6:00pm 8 K-2 Milestone 5:00-6:00pm 8 Hineni Chanukah 5:45-6:45pm 8 Chanukah Service 6:45pm 11 FOF Latke Parties 4:00-6:00pm 11 Shinshin Latke Parties Visits 4:15-6:00pm 12 FOF Latke Parties 4:00-6:00pm 13 FOF Latke Parties 4:00-6:00pm 18 Mitzvah Makers - HUC Soup Kitchen 3:00-7:00pm 18 Cooking with Morah Paula 4:00-6:00pm 18 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 18 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm 18 Mitzvah Makers - 6:30-8:00pm

23 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 23 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 24 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 24 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 24 Erev Tu B’Shevat 25 Tu B’Shevat 25 Hineni 4:30-5:30pm 29 Mitzvah Makers - HUC Soup Kitchen 3:00-7:00pm 29 Cooking with Morah Paula 4:00-6:00pm 29 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 29 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 29 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm 29 Mitzvah Makers - 6:30-8:00pm 30 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 30 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm 31 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 31 T’filah 5:30-6:00pm

JANUARY 2024 2 No School - Winter Break 8 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 8 3rd Grade Family Program - Challah Bake 4:30-6:00pm 8 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 8 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 9 Hineni 4:30-5:30pm 9 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 9 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 10 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 10 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 15 No School - MLK Jr. Day 16 No School - Staff Professional Development 17 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 18 6th Grade Family Education Program - Wimple Project 6:00-7:00pm 19 Sharing Shabbat - Hug a Tree 4:15-6:00pm 21 6th Grade Family Education Program - Wimple Project 4:30-5:30pm 22 K-2 Family Education Program 4:30-6:00pm 22 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 22 5th Grade Milestone Practice 4:30-5:00pm 22 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm

FEBRUARY 2024 5 4th Grade Family Program - Israel with Shinshin 4:30-6:00pm 5 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 5 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 6 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 6 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 7 Hineni 4:30-5:30pm 7 5th Grade Milestone Practice 5:00-5:30pm 7 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 9 5th Grade Milestone Service 6:45pm 12 Cooking with Morah Paula 4:00-6:00pm 12 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 12 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 13 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 14 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 19 No School - February Break - through 2.21.24 26 Religious School & Mitzvah Makers Classes Resume 26 Shinshin Classroom Visits 4:15-6:00pm 26 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 27 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm 28 T’fillah 5:30-6:00pm

Chanukah Boutique

sponsored by Friend of a Friend Monday, December 4 Tuesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 6 This year, we will also have items for adults as we will be selling the lovely Judaica items that came from our gift shop, including tallit, challah covers, mezzuzot, and jewelry.

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 21

Mazel tov to our B’nei Mitzvah

Luke Geller

Spencer Roth

Parents: Brooke & Jeremy Geller Siblings: Benjamin-9 Grandparents: Caren Rosenbloom Susan & Alan Geller School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th Grade Parsha: Vayetze

Parents: Lindsay & Jarrett Roth Siblings: Jordan-15 Grandparents: Susan & Richard Etra Elaine & Fred Roth School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th Grade Parsha: Vayishlach

Madden Greenberg

Ivy Falcone

Parents: Samantha & Rob Greenberg Siblings: Weston-9 Grandparents: Irene & Ron Cohen School: Roslyn Middle School - 8th grade Parsha: Miketz

Parents: Jenni & Jonathan Falcone Siblings: Anna-16, Willa-12 Grandparents: Linda & Gerry Snyderman Sharon & Michael Falcone School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade Parsha: Miketz

Willa Falcone

Derek Edelstein

Parents: Jenni & Jonathan Falcone Siblings: Anna-16, Ivy-12 Grandparents: Linda & Gerry Snyderman Sharon & Michael Falcone School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade Parsha: Miketz

Parents: Shari & Jason Edelstein Siblings: Spencer-15, Amber-10 Grandparents: Elinor & Mark Doulman Elaine & Stuart Edelstein School: Willets Road School - 7th grade Parsha: Miketz

December 2

December 14

December 14

December 7

December 14

December 16

Seth Shinder

Chase Kwiat

Jake Rubel

Parents: Lauren & Roman Shinder Siblings: Kara-15, Kyle-9 Grandparents: Isabel & Bruce Eisenberg Galina & Vladimir Shinder School: Wheatley High School - 8th grade Parsha: Vayigash

Parents: Jamie & Cory Kwiat Siblings: Harper-10, Ryder-8 Grandparents: Denise & Elliott Parr Fern & Lowell Kwiat School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade Parsha: Bo

Parents: Joy & Lance Rubel Siblings: Emily-16 Grandparents: Arlene Delikat Fran & Arthur Rubel School: Willets Road - 7th grade Parsha: Bo

December 16

January 13

January 13

CORRECTION

Abigail Marcus

Brandon Dorf

Lila Katcher

Parents: Robyn & Michael Marcus Siblings: Annie-16 Grandparents: Phyllis & Gary Kendler Jeffrey & the late Gail Marcus School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade Parsha: Bo

Parents: Maris & Matthew Dorf Siblings: Zachary-15 Grandparents: Roberta & Larry Helfant Nancy & Lenny Dorf School: Willets Road School - 7th grade Parsha: Beshalach

Parents: Aimee & Daniel Katcher Siblings: Maxwell-16 Grandparents: Robin & Gerald Safran Roanne and Paul Katcher School: Roslyn Middle School - 8th grade Pasha: Ha’Azinu

January 18

January 27

September 9

We apologize for the errors in the previous issue of the SCRIBE

On Saturday, October 28, we had an opportunity to premier our very first Bat Mitzvah Wimple! Emily Arnold proudly displayed the Wimple that she and her family worked so hard on during our Family Education programs last year and in the months leading to her Havdallah service.

In her Wimple, Emily not only included her Hebrew name, but also some of her family’s most cherished traditions, such as their love for cake and sweets during Chanukah.

Additionally, Emily displayed her class’ Sixth Grade Religious School theme Jewish and Proud by adding the Israeli flag, and she included two tennis racquets to commemorate her classmates, Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz.

We are so proud of Emily, her family, and all of our seventh grade families who are paving the way for this brand new and meaningful tradition at Temple Sinai. We look forward to seeing more Wimples in the coming months as we welcome our 2023-2024 sixth grade students into this program.

Pam Alcala - Family Educator and Artist-in Residence SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 23

Dina’s Teen Talk Dina Kwasnicki dkwasnicki@mysinai.org

Look at All We Did This Fall!

It’s been a busy Fall in the Youth & Teen Department! We kicked off lots of amazing programs and have filled them all with our incredible Temple Sinai teens. It’s also been a complicated time in our department, as our teens process what happened in Israel on October 7. We have been so proud and amazed by the way our teen community has come together in good times and bad.

Here’s a brief overview of our fall together:

Teens volunteered for High Holiday Programs: Helping with younger kids, loading the food collection truck, leading our Healing

service and more!

Dina’s Famous Starbucks Hours: Every Thursday, hang out with Dina from 3-5pm at our local Starbucks!

24 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

SORTY Socials: Our new, purely social youth group experience, kicked off with fun at PuzzleBreak LI, followed by a Sukkot celebration where we learned how to make sushi with a professional sushi chef!

Hand in Hand: We kicked off our Hand in Hand program with children from local Homeless Shelters and we had a BLAST with some fall fun! In our second session, we spent time learning about inequality and how it might impact housing and financial security.

Teens Supporting Israel: • Amazing groups of teens have been continually making Israel Solidarity bracelets to be sold to benefit our Magen David

Adom fundraiser. Interested in purchasing one? Send us your donation confirmation email and come on by to choose one of our beautiful creations! Check out some samples below.

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 25

• Our Unpacking the Crisis in Israel mini-class spent three meaningful weeks engaging in powerful conversations about

the roots of the conflict in Israel, as well as current events and social media statements from celebrities, universities, and companies.

• Some of our incredible teens have launched their own other initiatives supporting Israel as well, and we could not be more proud!

A LOOK AHEAD AT THIS WINTER’S TEEN PROGRAMS • SORTY Social: Chanukah Silent Disco Glow Party! Friday, December 8, time TBA • Winter Mini-Classes: - Torah (Taylor’s Version): The Torah of Taylor Swift Welcome to Torah (Taylor’s Version). Join us as we dive into a study of Taylor’s music as sacred text and follow the invisible strings tying her lyrics to the wisdom of Jewish

tradition. Cause’ Torah never goes out of style! We’ve got a blank space baby, and

we’ll write your name! Don’t be the antihero saying you could’ve, would’ve, should’ve

been in this class!! I can see you… every Wednesday night!

Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm, 6-week class

Dates: 11/8, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 1/3 - Hot Topics: Confirmation 2.0 with Rabbi White

Calling all 11th & 12th graders! This Confirmation 2.0 experience continues the deep and critical conversations

you loved from our signature 10th grade program. We’ll tackle difficult topics like racial justice, gender, anti-Zionism

and antisemitism, sexual ethics, the afterlife and more, all through a Jewish lens.

Sundays 11am-12pm *select sessions will be 10am-11am* 8-week class (occurs monthly)

Dates: 11/19, 12/10, 2/11, 3/3*, 4/14*, 5/5 (take a study break with Rabbi White!)

- Opening the Dor: Intergenerational Giving Circle Teens and Seniors come together for this unique, intergenerational giving circle to connect through philanthropy, storytelling, and shared values. We will discuss the issues that are affecting our world today, learn about building consensus, and work together to make a meaningful donation to an organization that resonates with our values!

Mondays 6:30-8:00pm Meets Weekly over select periods Dates: TBD

It’s not too late to sign up! Go to www.bit.ly/TeenRegistration2324

26 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

Meet Our New Assistant Director of Youth & Teen Engagement, PAIGE KENIS! Paige Kenis grew up in Bayside, Queens, and is currently a Social Work student at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. As a teen, she was active in her local BBYO chapter and just this past summer, she staffed a BBYO Israel Trip -- so if you’re interested in Jewish teen summer travel, Paige is the gal to talk to!

She’s so excited to get to know our Temple Sinai Youth & Teens this year. We’re already benefiting so much from her artistic talents, administrative skills, and fun vibes here in the Youth & Teen Department!

You can reach Paige at 516.621.6800 ext. 150 or email her at PKenis@mysinai.org.

JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP IS BACK!

REMINDERS ABOUT JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP! • We have three super fun Youth Groups for 4th-6th graders! Each meets 1x a month. They are:

- JORTY: our co-ed group for all 4th-6th graders to have fun together!

- JCREW: our 4th-6th grade boys group - Rosh Chodesh: our 4th-6th grade girls group • Most Youth Group programs take place right after Religious School, on Monday nights from 6:00-7:00pm,

and include pizza dinner!

• Most programs take place in our awesome REVAMPED Youth Lounge! Complete with our cool new candy cabinet!

WE CAN’T WAIT TO HANG OUT WITH YOU!!

Dina & Paige SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 27

mazel tov Lisa & Steven Birbach on the birth of their granddaughter Lily Margaux Meltsner Cathy & Emil Samuels on the marriage of their son Joseph to Jessica Rosen Bonnie & Michael Koblenz on the birth of their grandson Benjamin Noah Kaplan Regina Stone on the birth of her great-grandson Samuel Roberto Alejandro Boato Lori & Seth Cohan on the marriage of their daughter Hannah to Aaron Jacobs Joanne & Steven Orshan on the birth of their grandson Elijah Dean Nacht Audra & Malcolm Needle on the marriage of their daughter Madison to Elizabeth Gaspari Burnette Groveman on the marriage of her granddaughter Madison to Elizabeth Gaspari Michele & Howard Berkenfeld on the marriage of their daughter Gabrielle to Harrison Hascoe Jodi & Alan Kaplan on the marriage of their son Jonathan to Jessica Eggers Denyse & Benjamin Dreksler on the birth of their grandson Lucas Irving Dreksler Sharon & Frank D’Ambrosio on the engagement of their daughter Chelsea to Brett Humphrey Amy & Dr. Richard Braunstein on the birth of their grandson Eli Gus Braunstein Barbara & Lawrence Blatte on the birth of their great-grandson Eli Gus Braunstein Stacee & David Blatte on the birth of their great-nephew Eli Gus Braunstein Allison & James Godman on the marriage of their daughter Jennifer to Brahm Gardner Jill & Ira Perlman on the marriage of their son Adam to Julia DiPietrantonio Alice & Marvin Bader on the birth of their granddaughters Millie June Bader & Zoey Lily Bader Gail & Illan Silberman on the marriage of their daughter Allison to Max Kovar Maxine Leeds on the birth of her granddaughter Summer Lennox Smolinsky Leslie Lewit Milner & Lawrence Milner on the marriage of their daughter/stepdaughter Mariel Milner to Joseph Spina Karen Black & Stanley Kopchynsky on the marriage of their daughter/stepdaughter Mariel Milner to Joseph Spina Helen Lancberg on the birth of her great-granddaughter Margot Claire Weiss Audra & Malcolm Needle on the marriage of their daughter Hunter to Ari Shenkman Burnette Groveman on the marriage of her granddaughter Hunter to Ari Shenkman Lisa & Howard Busch on the engagement of their son Zachary to Judy Ringel Lisa & Howard Busch on the engagement of their daughter Samantha to Reed Ginsberg We are so grateful to Susan and Kenny Kasnett who graciously donated the beautiful Steinway & Sons grand piano in the Simcha Room in honor of Michele, Jonathan, Hunter, and Brody Schifrin 28 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

with deepest sympathy JoAnn Goldberg on the loss of her sister Sharon Goldberg Lori Kombert on the loss of her aunt Sharon Goldberg David Mandell on the loss of his brother Eric Mandell Cheryl Goldstein on the loss of her father Bernard “Buddy” Savetz Alan Feldman on the loss of his wife Alice Feldman Bradford Rand on the loss of his mother Barbara Rand Rita Levy on the loss of her mother Sima Katz Rebecca Levy on the loss of her grandmother Sima Katz Joan Scheckman on the loss of her husband Jerome Scheckman Jane Scal on the loss of her husband Donald Scal Allison Luckman on the loss of her mother Jane Alice Topper London

We record with sorrow the death of these temple members

Alice Feldman David Kreitzman Donald Scal Jerome Scheckman Deborah Sussman With deepest sympathy to their families; May their memories be for a blessing.

Laurie Hirsch on the loss of her mother Ruth Bader Adam Hirsch on the loss of his grandmother Ruth Bader Stacey Newman on the loss of her grandmother Ruth Bader Jacklynn Kreitzman on the loss of her husband David Kreitzman Roberta Levit Bluestone on the loss of her sister Adele Appel Charlie Berman on the loss of his mother Carol Berman Brooke & Evan Sokolov on the loss of their cousins Igal Flash & Cindy Flash Robin & Charles Weiss on the loss of their nephew Bradley Friedman Sherri Eisenstadt on the loss of her brother Ian Kaufman Kerrin Friedman on the loss of her mother Bonny Lee Wax

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 29

30 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

WHERE ARE THEY NOW Irving Braverman 26 West 61st Street New York, NY 10023 Israel and Susan Cohen 6850 Palmetto Circle So Apt 1309 Boca Raton, FL 33433 Howard and Blanche Ernst (deceased) Douglas Ernst (son) 43 Sweet Hollow Road Huntington, NY 11743

The Cemetery Committee of Temple Sinai needs your help in locating former congregants or their next of kin with whom we have lost contact. The temple needs to determine whether these individuals expect to use the cemetery plots that have been reserved for them in the future.

Please reach out to Committee Member Larry Krasnoff (516.484.2276 or larkarch@yahoo.com) or Temple Member Services Manager, Betty Brandel (516.621.6800 or bbrandel@mysinai.org) with any current contact information you may have for the following families. Last known cities/towns are provided below:

Rene Greenbaum (deceased) Linda Green (daughter) 5942 4th Avenue N St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Edwin Hershberg 20 Eden Way Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576 Carole Gordon (deceased) Neil S. Gordon (brother) 14 Hummingbird Drive Roslyn, NY 11576

Samuel and Helen Rosenblum (deceased) Jeffrey Rosenblum (son) 2893 Crosley Drive W West Palm Beach, FL 33406 Miriam Weil 3750 Inverrary Drive Lauderhill, FL 33319 Irving and Rhoda Paul 20 Holly Lane Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

DID YOU KNOW? Temple Sinai has recently acquired a limited number of graves in our sections at New Montefiore Cemetery in the areas that were previously sold out. These have been graciously donated back to the temple by families who have relocated and find they can no longer use them. Rather than wait until it becomes a matter of some urgency, we want to give our congregants an opportunity to explore their options. We have groupings of up to four graves that can become family plots.

If you are interested, please contact Betty Brandel in the temple office. Any questions you have are welcome.

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 31

DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION Of THE SCRIBE

Aaron Herman

Vice President of Sales

DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION Of THE SCRIBE

Telephone 516.367.4700 Fax 800.320.3362 amh147@aol.com InlandPrinters.com

A donation to any of the clergy discretionary funds requires a separate check.

For each of these donations, please make your check payable to Temple Sinai of Roslyn with the specific discretionary fund written in the check memo line: Rabbi Michael White’s Discretionary Fund Cantor Sergei Schwartz’s Discretionary Fund Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz’s Discretionary Fund Rabbi Ilana Schachter’s Discretionary Fund Donations to any other funds can be combined in one check made payable to Temple Sinai of Roslyn.

Please remember that if you use a company or similar type check, your name should appear on the check so we can properly credit your account.

Are you making a donation?

Paying your temple bill?

You can do so online at mysinai.org.

Click on either donate or payments in the upper right hand corner, and follow the instructions.

Advertise your business while supporting Temple Sinai.

For information contact Kathy Diamond at kdiamond@mysinai.org

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 39

danielgale.com

If you are interested in buying or selling a home, please contact Eva for a personal and confidential home consultation as well as a free market analysis.

Eva Garfinkel Drabkin

Associate Real Estate Broker 516.626.7600 ext.27 c.516.978.1050 evadrabkin@danielgale.com Wheatley Plaza Office • 516.626.7600 • 342 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale, NY Each office is independently owned and operated.

…At long last, New York City chic and sophistication comes to Long Island…

Call the event specialists, Mary Venier-Zwirn & Vincent D’Elia to view our beautifully decorated space for your next special occasion

516.484.4300

40 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 41

26

30 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM

29 6:45pm Shabbat Service

27

28

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM

6:45pm Shabbat Service

Dates and times are current as of November 15, 2023 and are subject to change. Online calendars will be updated on a regular basis; please visit our website at mysinai.org for all other program and event information.

31 NEW YEAR’S EVE

CHRISTMAS DAY

25 BUILDING CLOSED -

24 CHRISTMAS EVE

23

22

21

9:00am Wednesday Morning Meditation on ZOOM 12:30pm Sinai Stitches in the Library

18

17

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan In person & livestream 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service Derek Edelstein 7:00pm Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service - Seth Shinder

10:00am Bar Mitzvah Service Madden Greenberg 12:00pm B’not Mitzvah Service Ivy & Willa Falcone

16

15 6:45pm Shabbat Service/ Birthday & Anniversary Blessings

14 CHANUKAH NIGHT 8

9:00am Wednesday Morning Meditation on ZOOM

9 CHANUKAH NIGHT 3 4:15pm Sharing Chanukah/K-2 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan In person & livestream Milestone Service 5:45pm Hineni Chanukah session 6:15pm Chanukah pre-neg and candle lighting 6:45pm Chanukah Shabbat Service 8:00pm Chanukah Teen Program

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM 6:15pm Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service - Luke Geller

8 CHANUKAH NIGHT 2

2

9:30am Friend of a Friend Monthly Meeting 6:45pm Shabbat Service/ Birthday Blessings

Sat

1

Fri

13 CHANUKAH NIGHT 7

20

7:30pm Board of Trustees Meeting

7:00pm Adult Education with Rabbi Michael White

7:30pm Scotch & Sacred Text

12 CHANUKAH NIGHT 6

11 CHANUKAH NIGHT 5

10 CHANUKAH NIGHT 4 9:30am A Conversation with Gil Hoffman on ZOOM

Thur

7 CHANUKAH NIGHT 1 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service 9:00am Wednesday Morning Spencer Roth Meditation on ZOOM 4:00pm RS Chanukah Boutique including Gift Shop items in the Simcha Room 7:00pm CONNECT Evening Edition 7:00pm Wine, Women, & Wisdom

6

Wed

19

4:00pm RS Chanukah Boutique including Gift Shop items in the Simcha Room

4:00pm RS Chanukah Boutique including Gift Shop items in the Simcha Room

5

4

Tue

11:00am JORTY trip to the Jewish Museum & Sephardic Synagogue

Mon

3

Sun

December 2023

Main Office 516.621.6800 Religious School 516.621.8016 Early Childhood Center 516.621.8708

42 SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 23

30

22

29

28

12:30pm Sinai Stitches in the Library

31

24 EREV TU B’SHEVAT

17

27 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan In person & livestream 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service Brandon Dorf

26 10:30am FOF Writer’s Workshop with Carolyn Lituchy 6:45pm Shabbat Service

TU B’SHEVAT

25

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan In person & livestream 6:00pm FOF/Brotherhood present Karaoke Night in the Simcha Room

20

19 4:15pm Sharing Shabbat - Hug a Tree 6:45pm Shabbat Service/ Birthday & Anniversary Blessings

10:30am Bat Mitzvah Service Abby Marcus

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan In person & livestream 10:30am Bar Mitzvah Service Chase Kwiat 6:00pm Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service - Jake Rubel

13

18

6:45pm Shabbat Service

12

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM

6

Sat

Dates and times are current as of November 15, 2023 and are subject to change. Online calendars will be updated on a regular basis; please visit our website at mysinai.org for all other program and event information.

16

21

MLK, JR. DAY 7:00pm FOF First Aid at Home with Amy Kula in the Simcha Room

15 BUILDING CLOSED -

14

11

9:30am Friend of a Friend Monthly Meeting 6:45pm Shabbat Service/ Birthday Blessings

10

5

7:30pm Author’s Talk: Meryl Ain via ZOOM

Fri

4

Thur

7:00pm Wine, Women, & Wisdom 7:30pm Shaya Lerner of the ADL via ZOOM

3

Wed

7:30pm Board of Trustees Meeting

Tue

9

2

8

NEW YEAR’S DAY

1 BUILDING CLOSED -

Mon

7

Sun

January 2024

Main Office 516.621.6800 Religious School 516.621.8016 Early Childhood Center 516.621.8708

SCRIBE Dec 2023-Jan-Feb 2024 43

7

22

29

28

15

21

14

24 9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM

6:45pm Shabbat Service

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM

17

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan In person & livestream

10

9:00am Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan via ZOOM

3

Sat

23

6:45pm Shabbat Service/ Birthday & Anniversary Blessings

16

6:45pm Shabbat Service/Fifth Grade Milestone Service

9

9:30am Friend of a Friend Monthly Meeting 6:45pm Shabbat Service/ Birthday Blessings

8

2

7:30pm Mom’s the Word Program Co-sponsored by the ECC, Religious School, and Adult Engagement in the Sanctuary

Fri

1

Thur

7:00pm Wine, Women, & Wisdom 7:30pm Adult Engagement program with Steven Windmueller via ZOOM

Wed

Dates and times are current as of November 15, 2023 and are subject to change. Online calendars will be updated on a regular basis; please visit our website at mysinai.org for all other program and event information.

27

26

25

7:30pm Board of Trustees Meeting

13

20

PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Tue

12:00pm Florida Luncheon in Boca Raton

6

19 BUILDING CLOSED -

7:30pm Scotch & Sacred Text

12

5

Mon

18

11

4:00pm Beyond Modigliani & Chagall - Art Lecture with Jackie Covey via ZOOM

4

Sun

February 2024

Main Office 516.621.6800 Religious School 516.621.8016 Early Childhood Center 516.621.8708

Temple Sinai of Roslyn

425 Roslyn Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 516.621.6800 mysinai.org

KISLEV/TEVET/SHEVAT/ADAR I 5784 DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

TEMPLE SINAI

Volume 80 • Number 3 Main Office: 516.621.6800 Early Childhood Center: 516.621.8708 Religious School: 516.621.8016

Rabbi Michael White rabbiwhite@mysinai.org Rabbi Ilana Schachter rabbischachter@mysinai.org Cantor Sergei Schwartz cantorsergeischwartz@mysinai.org Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org Cantor Emeritus Cantor Andrew H. Edison President Allen Geller Executive Vice President/Treasurer Jeffrey Sklar Vice Presidents Liz Wiener Neale Scott Nussbaum Amy Pepper Adam Weinschel Secretary Tammy Szerencsy Legal Counsel Charles Weiss

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: mysinai.org Executive Director Lee Mirrer lmirrer@mysinai.org

Director of Membership & Engagement Adrianne Rubin, PhD arubin@mysinai.org

Director of Operations & Technology Heather Murray hmurray@mysinai.org

Director of Youth & Teen Engagement Dina Kwasnicki dkwasnicki@mysinai.org

Marketing & Communications Manager Kathy Diamond kdiamond@mysinai.org

Ass’t. Dir. of Youth & Teen Engagement Paige Kenis pkenis@mysinai.org

Member Services Manager Betty Brandel bbrandel@mysinai.org

Early Childhood Center Director Lindsay Dayan ldayan@mysinai.org

Financial Manager Mara Rosenwasser mrosenwasser@mysinai.org

Executive Assistant to the Rabbis/ B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator Dafna Weintraub dweintraub@mysinai.org

Accounting Specialist Michael Gamba mgamba@mysinai.org Brotherhood President Norman Hollander brotherhood@mysinai.org Friend of a Friend/Chaverot Co-Presidents Charlotte Hollander Leslie Wollin

Religious School Coordinator/ Cantors Assistant Debra Hollander dhollander@mysinai.org V&Z Caterers info@vandzcaterers.com 516.484.4300