Temple Sinai March-April-May 2023 Scribe

“In Jewish history there are no coincidences.”

MARCH • APRIL • MAY

MARCH

Friday, March 3 • 6:45pm

Shabbat Hallelu/6th Grade Milestone/ Teacher Appreciation Service - Birthday Blessings

Saturday, March 4 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Friday, March 10 • 6:00pm

Multi-Generational Family Shabbat Service/Special Guest Rabbi Meir Azari

Saturday, March 11 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Friday, March 17 • 4:30pm

Sharing Shabbat: Breakfast for Dinner

Friday, March 17 • 5:30pm

Torah Explorers (K-2) Milestone Service

Friday, March 17 • 6:45pm

Shishi Israeli Shabbat Service - Birthday & Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, March 18 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, March 18 • 7:00pm

Havdallah Bar Mitzvah Service -

Ethan Saraf

Friday, March 24 • 6:45pm

Shabbat Service

Saturday, March 25 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, March 25 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service -

Noa Brockey

Friday, March 31 • 6:45pm

Shabbat Service/SORTY Shabbat

APRIL

Saturday, April 1 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, April 1 • 10:30am

Bar Mitzvah Service - Zachary Goldberg

Friday, April 7 • 6:45pm

Shabbat Service/Auf Ruf for David White & Melissa Klein/Birthday Blessings

Saturday, April 8 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Tuesday, April 11 • 6:30pm

Yizkor Service

Friday, April 14 • 6:00pm

Multi-Generational Family Shabbat Service

Saturday, April 15 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Friday, April 21 • 6:45pm

Yom HaShoah Service with Holocaust & Jewish Resistance Class - Birthday & Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, April 22 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, April 22 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service - Jessica O’Malia

Saturday, April 22 • 7:00pm

Havdallah Bat Mitzvah ServiceHailey Neale

Friday, April 28 • 4:30pm

Sharing Shabbat: Blue & White

Friday, April 28 • 6:45pm

Yom Ha’Atzmaut Shabbat Service/4th & 5th Grade Milestone Service

Saturday, April 29 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, April 29 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service - Ava Klein

Saturday, April 29 • 7:00pm

Havdallah Bat Mitzvah ServiceRyan Alfred

MAY

Friday, May 5 • 6:45pm

Shabbat Hallelu/Friend of a Friend Shabbat Service - Birthday Blessings

Saturday, May 6 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, May 6 • 7:00pm

Havdallah Bat Mitzvah ServiceSidney Shapiro

Thursday, May 11 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service - Casey Berger

Friday, May 12 • 6:00pm

Multi-Generational Family Shabbat Service/ Confirmation Service

Saturday, May 13 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, May 13 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service - Sophia Reichman

Friday, May 19 • 4:30pm

Sharing Shabbat: Yom Yerushalyim

Friday, May 19 • 6:45pm

Shishi Israeli Shabbat - Birthday & Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, May 20 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, May 20 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service - Sienna Donzis

Friday, May 26 • 9:30am

Shavuot Yizkor Service

Friday, May 26 • 6:45pm Shabbat Service

Saturday, May 27 • 9:00am

Pray. Eat. Love. Morning Minyan

Saturday, May 27 • 10:30am

Bat Mitzvah Service - Ashley Tenem

THE REALLY NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME PURIM SHPIEL PLAYERS present

DIAMONDS ARE FOR ESTHER

A VERY SPECIAL PURIM SHPIEL IN HONOR OF THE 75TH BIRTHDAY OF TEMPLE SINAI AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL

SUNDAY, MARCH 5 • 6:30PM

SCAN THE QR CODE TO RSVP BY MARCH 2

COCKTAIL RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING $36 PER PERSON

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF TEMPLE SINAI AND THE STATE OF ISRAEL

SPONSORSHIPS THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

In lieu of a Journal, we are offering these sponsorship opportunities:

$1200 COCKTAILS & SUSHI

Includes two Gala tickets and event signage

$800 DINING & DESSERTS

Includes one Gala ticket and event signage

DONATIONS Temple Sinai!

Includes event signage I

How would you like your name(s) listed on the signage?

ENCLOSED IS A CHECK FOR $

Purchase a sponsorship or make a donation online at bidpal.net/tsrgala2023

If paying by check, please make it payable to Temple Sinai and mail it to Temple Sinai, 425 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, New York 11577. Please put DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER on the memo line.

$500 ENTERTAINMENT YES! I want to ensure Temple Sinai is forever! Please accept my donation of $ .

Questions? Contact the temple office at templeoffice@mysinai.org.

Yizkor Services

Tuesday, April 11 • 6:30pm in

the Sanctuary

Friday, May 26 • 9:30am in the Simcha Room

Holocaust and Jewish Resistance Course

For the past 25 years, Sixth Grade Religious School students and their parents have had the chance to take the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance Course, taught by Sinai’s own Abbie & Richard Laskey. In this, the final year the Laskeys will be teaching the course, Temple Sinai Religious School is once again graciously offering congregants the opportunity to audit the four in-person classes; all participants will be asked to be masked while in class. Auditors many attend as many of the four sessions as they desire.

Any congregant interested in auditing some or all of the sessions must contact the Religious School office by Friday, March 3 at 516.621.8016 or by emailing Debra Hollander at dhollander@mysinai.org.

The 2023 class will meet on the following dates; all classes meet from 6:30 to 8:15pm on Tuesdays:

March 7

March 14

March 21

March 28

In addition to the four classes, the students and their families will be taking a field trip to The Museum of Jewish Heritage on Sunday, March 26 at 11:30am. While auditors will not be able to join our tour group due to space constraints (imposed by the museum), we encourage you to visit the museum on your own.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the course with the Laskeys at the helm!

We hope the entire congregation will join us for our Yom HaShoah Shabbat Service on Friday, April 21 at 6:45pm, where the students will offer a moving and meaningful presentation honoring the Holocaust victims, survivors, rescuers, and liberators.

CONGRATULATIONS, RABBI WHITE!

At this year’s convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbi Michael White received the Hakarat Tov Award, given to rabbis for their leadership within the Reform Rabbinate

Celebrate Israel With

Rabbi Meir Azari at Our

Multi-Generational Family

Shabbat Service on Friday, March 10 at 6:00pm

Rabbi Meir Azari leads Beit Daniel Synagogue, located in Tel Aviv’s Old North. Its model of Jewish values are rooted in equality and inclusion that has become an inspiration to Israelis of all backgrounds looking for a place to explore and observe the richness of Judaism, within the values of religious pluralism. Beit Daniel stands on three pillars: Learning, Prayer and Social Justice.

Temple Sinai’s trips to Israel have visited the Beit Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism for Shabbat, and have met with their young Jewish and Arab staff members who engage in co-existence work in Jaffa.

Rabbi Azari is one of Israel’s leading rabbis - don’t miss the opportunity to meet him!

A Conversation about Israel

Legitimate Criticism vs Antisemitism

March 20 • 7:00pm • North Shore Synagogue

83 Muttontown Eastwoods Roads, Syosset

North Shore Synagogue, in partnership with ADL, invites you to hear from ADL’s Director of Israel Affairs, Shaya Lerner. in conversation with Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet. They will discuss the complicated dynamics of discussing Israel and what constitutes legitimate criticism vs. antisemitism.

A Conversation with Jonathan

CEO

Greenblatt

& National Director Thursday, March 30 • 7:30pm at Temple Sinai

As chief executive of ADL, Jonathan leads all aspects of the world’s anti-hate organization. Since becoming CEO in July 2015, Greenblatt has modernized ADL while refocusing it on the mission it has had since its founding in 1913: to fight the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. In 2022, Greenblatt released It Could Happen Here, a book that sounds an alarm, warning that hate and systemic violence are gathering momentum in the United States –and that violence on a more catastrophic scale could be just around the corner.

RSVPs encouraged but not required; scan the QR code to sign up. Co-sponsored by

425 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights

in-person and via zoom

with rabbi michael white mondays at 7:00pm

The Torah’s stories, laws, and teachings, especially through the eyes of the sages of every generation, have the power to transform our lives, deepen our spiritual awareness, help heal our relationships and guide our pathway through life. Together, we will explore its messages through different lenses, including the mystics, the rationalists, the Zionists, the post-Holocaust theologians and more. No previous knowledge is necessary. Come and learn and share and grow.

march 20

april 17 • may 15

DID YOU HEAR?

From the comfort of your home, go on a Jewish journey that is sure to inspire!

During each session, Rabbi White will discuss a different topic from a Jewish perspective. Pour your favorite cocktail, iced tea, coffee, or other drink of choice and join the conversation.

A Class about Jews, Gossip, Yentas, and Shandas

with Rabbi Ilana Schachter

Join Rabbi Schachter as we explore the Jewish fascination with scandal and our conflicted relationship with gossip.

If you miss it, it would be a Shanda!

Wednesdays at 7:00PM

MARCH 1 • MARCH 29

MAY 10

JUNE 7 in-person AND VIA ZOOM

from RABBI SCHACHTER’S study

Rabbi Ilana Schachter rabbischachter@mysinai.org

Judaism as an Immersive Experience

One of my favorite things about Passover is how much of an active and engaging holiday it is. As we sit around a table surrounded by our family and friends, we collectively embark on a journey from oppression to redemption. We don’t simply tell the story; rather, we are obligated to place ourselves back in time, holding for a few hours the dual identities of modern Jew and ancient Israelite. The foods on the Seder plate that we eat throughout the night represent different parts of this journey: the charoset represents the mortar that we were forced to use when we were slaves; the salt water bath for our karpas is the collection of our tears from suffering; the egg and the shank bone represent offerings to God, and of course the matzah is a recreation of the bread that we took with us before it had time to rise.

Perhaps this is why Passover is one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays - its immersive nature invites each person in, making ancient Jewish history and ritual relevant today.

While Passover does experiential Judaism particularly well, it is by no means the only opportunity for Jewish history and ritual to come to life for us. In fact, this is what we hope Judaism can be all the time. Judaism is not a spectator sport, but an immersive experience in which we all can participate. We do not simply remember the moments of our ancestors’ lives, but relive them ourselves. Other Jewish holidays invite this kind of participation as well. On Chanukah, we rekindle the flame of the ancient temple and celebrate not only the ancient miracle of oil but an ongoing one. On Sukkot, we dwell in booths and experience firsthand what our ancestors experienced in the wilderness. Our holidays are crafted in such a way that throughout the year, these ancient stories become our own.

Judaism is not merely immersive in its holidays, but in its invitation to live our values as well. At Temple Sinai, we do not just talk about Tzedakah, but we work to make real social change. We do not merely read instructions for welcoming the stranger, we actively engage in resettling refugees who are in need. We do not simply speak about giving food to those who are hungry, but also pick the gleanings of the fields at Garden of Eve farm, pack meals with Rise Against Hunger, and restock food pantries across Long Island. As we experience all year long, our synagogue is not a library or a museum, but a springboard for Jewish experience engagement.

Today, when antisemitism looms in our lives as a present threat, our initial instinct might be to shy away from Jewish ritual, or to distance ourselves from the Jewish narrative. But this is precisely the moment to deepen our engagement. When we are able to bring Judaism to life in a way that roots us in our collective past but is integrated into our lives today, we are able to stand up to those who would rather we disappear.

As we experience once more the journey from oppression to redemption around the Passover table this year, may we continue to immerse in the Jewish experience, bringing to life the holidays, rituals and values that enrich our lives.

Chag Sameach!

Rabbi Ilana Schachter

For more information, contact Social Action at socialaction@mysinai.org

The Social Action Committee practices tikkun olam every day. Your donations, caring, and generosity give physical and emotional comfort to those in need. Together we put smiles in hearts around the corner and around the world. To donate to the Social Action Fund, please visit the temple website at mysinai.org/donate.

IN MARCH, OUR MITZVAH OF THE MONTH IS RISE AGAINST HUNGER!

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, March 12 from 9am-4pm at Temple Sinai

Rise Against Hunger is a global effort to end hunger and empower communities. This year, we are so excited to host this incredible social action project at Temple Sinai, where we will pack at least 20,000 meals for those in need throughout the world. This is a marathon of fun and making a difference, and we can’t achieve our goal without YOU! Every member of our community, from age 1-105, will have an opportunity to participate in one of our 2-hour shifts, competing to see which group can pack the most meals. (Spoiler Alert - for every thousand meals we pack, someone gets to ring a gong!) Bring your friends and join us for this temple-wide mitzvah! SEE PAGE 15 FOR MORE DETAILS!

IN MARCH, OUR COLLECTION IS GENTLY-USED PROM CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES!

Let’s help teens who don’t have anything appropriate to wear to their prom have a prom night to remember! Your contribution will give them a chance to have this very special experience and milestone. A collection bin will be near the entrance of the temple. Please consider donating: gowns (especially size 14 & over)

IN APRIL, OUR MITZVAH OF THE MONTH IS COOKING FOR A CAUSE!

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, April 21 at 10:30am at Temple Sinai

Come be a part of this popular feel-good morning! You don’t want to miss it! While cooking and kibitzing in the Culinary Arts Studio, we each prepare a nutritious meal, then deliver it to someone who is homebound. The smiles and big appreciation for these meals will stay with you long after the deliveries are complete. RSVP by April 10 to socialaction@mysinai.org.

IN APRIL, OUR COLLECTION IS PAPER TOWELS! We have a long standing relationship with Hatzilu Rescue Organization which provides support to Jews experiencing job loss, health issues, and other difficulties. Hatzilu is Hebrew for rescue or save. Please donate much-needed, individually wrapped paper towels. A collection bin will be near entrance of the temple.

IN MAY, OUR MITZVAH OF THE MONTH IS....STAY TUNED! LOOK FOR DETAILS IN OUR SOCIAL ACTION EMAILS

IN MAY, OUR COLLECTION HELPS OUR NEIGHBORS!

Giving is Living a non-profit organization whose mission is to join the fight against poverty and economic hardships that currently dominates members within underprivileged communities, is focused on helping Roslyn residents and those in surrounding communities. Their greatest needs are non-perishable foods – canned goods, pasta, tuna, and cereal, as well as personal hygiene items – like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and lotion. Please help by donating what you can. See our emails for the Amazon link and have the items delivered directly to the temple.

GIVE TZEDAKAH!

Your contribution to the Social Action Fund allows us to help more people in more ways. Please visit mysinai.org/donate. FortunoffJewelry.com

The Social Action Committee thanks all of you in advance for your part in our dedication and commitment to tikkun olam, repairing the world. If you would like to get more involved, please reach out to us at socialaction@mysinai.org.

Great Gifts at Great Prices

Great Gifts at Great Prices

15% OFF your purchase - use code Offer expires on May 31, 2021. Restrictions apply.

15% OFF your purchase – use code TEMPLE21 Offer expires on November 20, 2021. Restrictions apply.

view from the bimah

Amy Braunstein abraunstein@mysinai.org

Grief and Resilience Live Together

As I write this SCRIBE article, I am surrounded by tragedy of unimaginable proportions; scenes of devastation and loss from the massive earthquake that occurred in Turkey and Syria. It is almost impossible to imagine that entire cities could be flattened, and tens of thousands of lives lost in a matter of minutes. As I struggle with the extraordinary loss, I am captivated by the efforts of so many relief workers from around the world. I am particularly proud of Israel who was a First Responder sending rescue teams, doctors, and medical personnel. Each survivor they found is another story, another link to a family, and another miracle. Babies, parents, pets. I truly understand the message of to save a life is to save the entire world. The remarkable act of saving one life can help heal our world. Despite extraordinary loss, there remains hope and optimism for our future.

We also mourn the tragic loss of so many lives from the mass shootings that seem to take place daily. Something must be done, and it is our responsibility to be part of this effort!

As a Jewish community, we are invested in tikkun olam. Clearly, this work is paramount to our identity and collective responsibility as Jews. Nothing can heal the world around us more than our own efforts to rebuild, renew, and restore, whether through donations to the synagogue, engagement in our many outreach programs, or support of individual families, friends, and our community.

Our clergy and temple leadership are engaged in so many vital activities that support those in need. Together with URJ, we are helping refugee families from Afghanistan and Ukraine. With support from our congregants, we send aid to families and temples in Ukraine and refugee areas in Poland. Temple Sinai’s Social Action Committee works throughout the year to support our community. From food drives, to clothing for those in need, to direct financial support, to Mitzvah of the Month. Truly, their work never ends!

This year, we celebrate Temple’s Sinai’s 75th Anniversary which coincides with the State of Israel’s 75th anniversary! Two incredible milestones that should not be taken for granted. To preserve Temple Sinai’s future, we have established a once-in-a- generation fundraising campaign. Our goal is to expand our endowment to ensure that our programming and needs will be met for the next generation.

Please mark your calendar to attend this year’s Diamonds are Forever Gala on May 18. It will be an exceptional evening to remember and our first in-person Gala in more than three years. Nothing is more special than spending time together and I look forward to greeting you there. It will be an evening of celebration and recognition of everything that makes Temple Sinai such a special place.

Once again, it is time for me to start planning for Passover and bringing my families together. I will start organizing the menu soon and confirming the head count. Hopefully, I will have to open an additional folding table or two. The dining room will never be large enough. Last year, I wrote about retelling the Passover stories, plagues, and Covid. I remain optimistic that we are in a better place this year, but am reminded that the world around us is filled with challenges for so many. There is much work to do.

I hope all of us will devote a little more effort this year to tikkun olam than we did last year - whether through the synagogue or through your own interests. Do something more to heal our world. It is wonderful to watch and read well-crafted news stories, but it’s much more meaningful to be a part of the story. Please ask your family at Passover how they want to contribute to rebuilding our world and commit to a goal.

I wish you a wonderful Pesach and health and happiness to your entire family.

Amy Braunstein

Sunday, March 12

9:00am-4:00pm

Rise Against Hunger is a global effort to end hunger and empower communities. We are so excited to host this incredible social action project at Temple Sinai on March 12, where we will pack at least 20,000 meals for those in need throughout the world.

Every member of our community, from age 1-105, will have an opportunity to participate in one of our two-hour shifts, competing to see which group can pack the most meals.

Bring your friends and join us for this temple-wide Mitzvah!

When you sign-up, you will be able to select your time slot. While specific groups are scheduled for specific intervals, feel free to choose the time slot that works best for you (and your family). The first half-hour will be an information/instruction session; the project portion will take an hour and a half.

The time slots are as follows:

9:30-11:30am: Early Childhood Center 11:00am-1:00pm: Religious School

12:30-2:30pm: Adults 2:00-4:00pm: Teens

To register, simply scan the QR Code, or visit our website at mysinai.org/riseagainsthunger2023

Check for details on our May Mitzvah of the Month coming soon to your email!

from generation to generation

Your tzedakah will enable us to continue to be a strong, vibrant, and welcoming Jewish community; a place through which Jewish values and Jewish pride can be handed down from generation to generation.

For more information, scan the QR code.

WHAT PLANNED GIVING REALLY IS

Planned gifts are usually a donation from one’s financial or estate plans, for those who want to support a cause that is truly important in their lives by making a legacy gift to those organizations. As part of our Sinai 75 endowment campaign, we are pleased to see our Planned Giving program at Temple Sinai being utilized! Below, please find a testimonial from one of our members who recently decided to make a planned gift to our campaign. After speaking with your attorney and/or financial advisor, we would welcome the opportunity to explore this life-changing and transitional opportunity with you...it is exciting!

Frank D’Ambrosio Board Member

My family joined Temple Sinai in 1967 and I subsequently became a Bar Mitzvah, was Confirmed, and graduated Hebrew High School. Even as a teenager, I became a part of the community – working in the school office under the guidance of Eleanor Friedman (z”l) and ushering for the High Holy Days. Through college and as a young adult, I returned to temple often, even though I lived in Boston. When my parents moved to Florida, it was an easy decision to retain the membership on my own, for this is the only temple I ever knew, and it was an integral part of my Jewish life. Over the decades, I’ve seen the temple grow, both physically and spiritually, thanks to the amazing clergy and lay leadership – embracing modern Jewish values, diversity and inclusion, and building community. I can’t think of a better way to pay it forward for future generations than to include Temple Sinai in my planned giving.

Todd Glickman Congregant

Be sure to consult with your attorney, financial planner, or insurance agent before making a decision about planned giving. If you have any questions, please contact our Vice President/Treasurer Jeffrey Sklar at jsklar@skbllp.com.

Frank D’Ambrosio

Todd Glickman

Celebrate Purim

Monday, March 6

5:00pm

Megillah Reading & Third Grade Milestone

Third grade parents, please RSVP to Debra Hollander at dhollander@mysinai.org

5:30pm

Purim Dinner & Carnival

Enjoy a festive meal & carnival with your family! Check your email for more details, scan the QR code or visit our website at mysinai.org/purim2023

Rabbi Michael White & Rebecca Katz-White invite the Congregation to the Auf Ruf of David White and Melissa Klein at Shabbat Services

Friday, April 7 at 6:45 in the evening

We Celebrate

our

2023 Confirmation Class

Our Confirmation service will take place on Friday, May 12 at 6:00pm

Aidan Katz son of Bonnie & Daniel Katz

Zachary Kuppersmith son of Alyssa & Rob Kuppersmith

Sophie Plotnitzky daughter of Diana & Randy Plotnitzky

Freddy Murad son of Wendy & Albert Murad

Ethan Yedvab son of Lauren & Joshua Yedvab

Adrianne Rubin, Ph.D. arubin@mysinai.org

Every Seder Plate Tells a Story

As we get ready to celebrate Passover in just over a month’s time, I thought it would be interesting and fun to see some of the diverse styles of Seder plates.

Created in what is now western Ukraine, this Seder set is comprised of several component pieces and diverse materials. It

features wooden trays for matzah, wooden holders for the symbolic foods on the Seder plate, and a brass crown-like pedestal to hold Elijah’s cup. Unlike other Seder sets from around this time, which were typically made of unadorned silver, this set is ornate. It also has a sense of animation, due to the presence of the lions, which typically feature on ceremonial objects associated with Chanukah, rather than Passover. The lions’ curvilinear shape is echoed in the brass grillwork and complemented by the pattern visible on the fabric inside the set.

Seder Plate, Tiered Seder Set 18th-19th Century

Brass: casts and engraved; wood: painted and stained; ink on paper; silk: brocade; linen; cotton

13 1/8 x 15 x 14 1/2 inches

Collection of The Jewish Museum, New York

Also highly decorative, but in a two-dimensional way, is this porcelain Seder plate from the late nineteenth century. As early as the sixteenth century, artists in Europe created Seder plates featuring scenes from the Passover story. Herend began manufacturing porcelain Seder plates in Hungary shortly before this plate was made. This scene depicts the ritual hand washing and shows Seder participants in extremely colorful garb.

This Seder plate is particularly poignant. Created in 1948 by Jews in a Displaced Persons Camp in southern Germany, its iconography shows the journey from enslavement in Egypt to freedom in the Land of Canaan. Even more significant than the imagery is the text along the bottom, which reads: This Year in Jerusalem, rather than the typical Next Year in Jerusalem. Given that the plate was made the same year the State of Israel was created, this deliberate phraseology is especially significant and deeply moving.

Seder Plate Herend c. 1870

Porcelain

Diameter: 14 3/4 inches

Collection of The Jewish Museum, New York

Passover Plate

Jewish DPs, Displaced Persons Camp, Bavaria 1948

Clay: glazed

Diameter: 10 7/8 inches

Collection of The Jewish Museum, New York

I wish you and your loved ones a joyous and meaningful Passover – Chag Pesach Sameach!

arubin@mysinai.org

ALDEN SOLOVY

Poet and Liturgist in Residence

Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4

Alden Solovy, the world-renowned liturgist, author, journalist, and educator, comes to Temple Sinai for a weekend-long series of activities, including readings, adult workshops, youth programs, and worship.

Solovy has written more than 700 pieces of new liturgy, offering a fresh new Jewish voice, challenging the boundaries between poetry, meditation, personal growth, and prayer. His writing was transformed by multiple tragedies, marked in 2009 by the sudden death of his wife. Solovy’s teaching spans from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem to Limmud and Leo Baeck College in the UK, and synagogues throughout North America. Solovy is a threetime winner of the Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism. He made aliyah to Israel in 2012, where he hikes, writes, teaches, and learns.

Wednesday, March 15 • 11:00am • via ZOOM

In advance of his visit to Temple Sinai Alden, Solovy will join us via ZOOM on Wednesday, March 15 to read from his new book – These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah – and will explore the Torah learning behind several of the poems. These Words pairs 70 divrei Torah on one word of Torah with poems based on each of those words. Alden will also talk about his process to create the book and will take questions. Check your email for the ZOOM information.

Luncheon!

This year’s Florida Luncheon was simply wonderful! For the first time since 2020, we met at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Boca Raton for a delightful afternoon of delicious food, non-stop kibbutzing, and the joy of finally being together again! It was my first chance to meet many of the attendees and they were so welcoming and thrilled that Rabbi White, Amy Braunstein and I were able to make this happen. We even got to celebrate Alan Weinschel’s birthday!We are all looking forward to next year’s luncheon!

- Lee Mirrer, Executive Director

More than 40 people attended - the largest turnout ever! SCRIBE

calling all artists

for our juried art show

mediums

All mediums welcome: painting,drawing,photography, sculpture, or textile art.

criteria

All work must be original. Submitted work must be the artist’s own. Artists ages 17 and up are welcome to submit. Pieces cannot measure larger than 36” x 36”.

how to enter

Submit images of your work (up to five entries per artists) to sinai.art@yahoo.com. Please note: submission does not guarantee exhibition of art.

evening!

UPCOMING BROTHERHOOD EVENTS

Monthly Meetings • Wednesdays at 7:30pm • in the TSR Library

March 1 • April 12 (via ZOOM) • May 10

SCoTCH and SACRED TEXT with Rabbi Michael White

Tuesday, April 18 • 7:30pm • Location TBA

We know you’ll find both the fascinating discussion on Torah and the camaraderie to be most worthwhile.

Let’s Celebrate PASSOVER

CONNECT, Temple Sinai’s Networking Group, has been going strong since it launched in November, 2020. The mission of CONNECT is to bring professionals together with the goal of referring good contacts and potential clients to one another. By helping one another improve our businesses, we are helping to improve the well-being of our Temple Sinai community.

Join us at our upcoming meetings - Wednesdays at 8:00am: March 1, 15 & 29 • April 12 & 26 • May 10 & 24

Join us for our annual Brotherhood Seder with special guest, Rabbi Ilana Schachter.

Tuesday, March 28 • 7:00pm • at Ben’s

RSVP to brotherhood@mysinai.org

Friend of a Friend/Chaverot

Friend of a Friend has been busy! We finished off 2022 with a lot of fun and learning. We enjoyed an intriguing Wine Women and Wisdom led by Cantor Elena Schwartz. This year’s Chanukah lunch, boutique, and latke parties with the Religious School were all a great success. We learned some great makeup style tips from celebrity makeup artist Krystal Fernandez. We started off the new year focusing on wellness with our new yoga series, with Northwell Health’s, Dr Diamond and Mindfulness

Based Stress Reduction, at our popular Kintsugi event, led by Lulu. Fun was had by all at our annual Bingo event, and we were able to raise money for a great cause, too. If you haven’t joined Friend of a Friend, please join now so you don’t miss out on all that’s coming up.

Sadly, Lori Yaspan, FOF leader, inspiration, and friend to all, was taken from us way too soon. Lori was oneof-a-kind. Anyone who knew her, loved her. She was the most loving, generous, hardworking woman. She did it all, and did it with a smile. She will be missed, but will always remain in our hearts as we continue to flourish as an organization, in her memory.

LADIES’ GAME DAY & LUNCH

Friday, March 3 at 10:30am

Open to all women of Sinai & guests. Bring your canasta, mah jongg, rummikub, or any other group game for fun, games, & prizes. Lunch will be served. Sign up in a group or sign up solo to be matched in a game and make new friends.

$18 by Venmo, Zelle, or check to Friend of a Friend, memo Game Day. RSVP to fof@mysinai.org.

FRIEND OF A FRIEND

MONTHLY MEETING

Fridays at 9:30am

March 3 • March 31 •

May 5

Be a part of the planning stages for our events and activities. Your involvement makes all the difference - our meetings are short, efficient, and fun, so give it a try!

If you’d like to join us for the first time, just email fof@mysinai.org to let us know you’ll be attending. Our March meeting will be in-person followed by Game Day, and as of now, our March 31 and May 5 meetings will be via ZOOM. Look for our emails with ZOOM links or contact fof@mysinai.org

March 2•March 9

May 16 • May 23

$20 per class or $72 for all 4 remaining March classes

YOGA CLASSES

LED BY CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR

SHARON EPSTEIN & CANTOR ELENA SCHWARTZ

Thursdays, at 9:00am in the Simcha Room

Please join us for a spiritual hour of Yoga, great for your body, mind, and soul. To register for Yoga, payment can be made by Venmo (@FriendofaFriend-Chaverot) or Zelle (fofsinai@gmail.com), or you may send a check to the temple office made out to Friend of a Friend, with “Yoga” in the memo line.

BAKING WITH LUCY NEIDERBACH

Tuesday, March 14 at 10:00am

in the Barry Family Culinary Arts Studio

Enjoy a great morning, in person at Temple Sinai, baking galettes with FOF friend and baker extraordinaire, Lucy Neiderbach. No charge. RSVP to fof@mysinai.org

FOF WOMEN’S INTERGENERATIONAL SEDER

Thursday, March 23 at 6:30pm

Join

Together, we will enjoy a special Seder, as we sing, dance, & celebrate Passover and women’s contributions to the Passover story. Enjoy this festive and interactive Passover celebration, led by Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz and Rabbi Ilana Schachter. $80 pp dinner catered by V&Z Caterers.

In 2019, a terrific group of women created an incredibly beautiful and amazingly relevant Haggadah for us all to enjoy. Although it is geared towards women, it can also be used as a great family seder Hagaddah

To join Friend of a Friend or renew your membership, please send your check, payable to Temple Sinai for $36 with FOF in the memo line: Temple Sinai, 425 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.

FOF dues and donations allow us to contribute to Sinai’s youth and adult programs, the clergy’s discretionary funds, community social service organizations, and more. Your thoughtful donations are always appreciated; checks may be made out to Friend of a Friend, with donation in the memo line, and mailed to the temple office. Thank you.

Hagaddot are available for purchase at $18 each. Please send in checks made out to Friend of a Friend/Chaverot, and write Hagaddah in the memo.

If you are paying to attend the dinner, please put Intergenerational Seder in the memo.

If you prefer, you can also Venmo @Friendofafriend-Chaverot or Zelle to fofsinai@gmail.com. Hagaddot can be picked up weekdays at the temple office: Monday-Thursday between 10:00am and 4:00pm or Fridays from 10:00am-2:00pm.

Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00pm

Join Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz and Esther Fortunoff for a lively discussion about the Torah, the connection of the endurance of the diamond and the land of Israel. No charge, RSVP to fof@mysinai.org.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

A THREE-PART SERIES

Thursdays, December 15 (part 2) & February 9 (part 3) at 7:30pm

FOF SHABBAT SERVICE

Friday, May 5 at 6:45pm

Join the women of Friend of a Friend along with our clergy as we lead prayer, read from the Torah and perform the mitzvot associated with our services.

Hats off to our HiGH sCHool seniors

Congratulations & Best of Luck to the Class of 2023!

Lindsay Cohen daughter of Candace Cohen

Aidan Eckfeldt son of Randi Eckfeldt

Michael Emouna son of Rashel & Matin Emouna

Noah Finkelstein son of Laurie & David Finkelstein

Harry Gerber son of Andrea & Ronald Gerber

Zachary Gerson son of Susan & Colin Gerson

Logan Grotas son of Jana & Aaron Grotas

Tobey Hirsch son of Diane & Leonard Hirsch

Jesse Kahn son of Heidi & Steven Kahn

Lemuel Mashkevich son of Ilona & Grigoriy Mashkevich

Lauren Rosman daughter of Amy & David Rosman

Mac Schwartz son of Marci & Mark Cohon

Ella Szerencsy daughter of Lori & Adam Szerencsy

Tyler Turetsky son of Donna & Daniel Turetsky

Emma Yedvab daughter of Lauren & Joshua Yedvab

Max Zimmerman son of Tracy & Robert Zimmerman

The Temple Sinai of Roslyn Family invites the entire community to join us for

Breakfast for Dinner Shabbat

3 YearstOld o 2nd Grade

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023

DROP-OFF 4:30-5:30pm

Group 1: Threes - Pre-K

Group 2: K - 2nd Grade

Fun, animated, and enriching program for children

Students will participate in a fun craft!

BACK TOGETHER AT 5:30pm

FEATURING THE TORAH EXPLORERS (K-2) MILESTONE!

Shabbat

Celebrate with drums, piano, singing, laughing, and dancing!

Parents, grandparents, and siblings are all welcome!

Family dinner to follow the service

All Are Welcome! FREE !

RSVP to mysinai.org/sharingshabbat

Led by Cantors Sergei and Elena Schwartz

save the dates

friday, march 3

5:00pm shabbat family dinner

6:45 service

monday, march 6

5:00pm megillah reading 6:30 purim family dinner & carnival

friday, march 17 5:30pm service followed by a special shabbat family dinner

friday, april 28

6:45pm yom ha’atzmaut celebration and service followed by a blue & white oneg

&

TEMPLE

Our children, our future

Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org

The B’Mitzvah Program Creates Deep Connections to Judaism

In the last issue of the SCRIBE, I wrote about the re-launch of our B’Mitzvah learning initiative. I am excited to report that the program has been an incredible experience for our fifth and sixth grade students and their parents.

The following is what our Family Educator and Religious School Artist-in Residence, Pam Alcala, has shared about the program so far:

When Cantor Elena approached me to discuss the possibility of creating milestone projects as part of our B’Mitzvah program, I could not have been more thrilled. As a parent in our Religious School, I have always had a deep connection to the importance of elevating our children’s Jewish education to its highest potential by making sure that our entire family unit is immersed in the process. As a Jewish Educator, it is my first priority to make sure that our students have the opportunity to create a deep connection to their learning and their journey as they become adults in the Jewish world.

This introduction to how we study Torah and the accompanying texts aimed to be family friendly, interactive, and sought to make the process of embracing their Torah portions much more meaningful. Subsequently, to celebrate this important milestone, our fifth graders and their families will have an opportunity to gather and work on a very special cover to their very own Mishkan T’Filah (Siddur), which they will carry with them as they prepare to become B’nei Mitzvah in just a few short years. Emails with dates and registration instructions have been sent out, and we cannot wait to get started on this exciting new project.

Pam Alcala

This year, the new and improved B’Mitzvah program returns from its COVID-19 hiatus stronger than ever. This year, we have developed a comprehensive curriculum that allows our B’Mitzvah families to engage in interactive learning through different art and educational projects. Giving participants the ability to utilize their own creative minds to translate their Judaism into tangible heirloom projects gives them the opportunity to communicate their pride in their Judaism in their own words.

Our fifth grade students and their families began their journeys through two new programs that are designed as an introduction to the excitement that awaits them as they start preparing for their ceremonies. We had our first Fifth Grade Family Education class where we explored the structure of the Tanakh: from the different portions of the Torah, to the writings of our prophets.

Our sixth grade class has already successfully begun their milestone project. This year, Temple Sinai is beginning the wonderful tradition of creating a Wimple. A Wimple is a ritual object used to keep our Torah scrolls together and it is a practice dating all the way back to the 1600s. The tradition is that parents would take the swaddle fabric used to wrap their babies upon their birth, use the same fabric for their consecration, to wrap the Sefer Torah during their B’nei Mitzvah, and even as part of their Chuppah. Some families continue to use these Wimples through many generations, and the HUC campus in Los Angeles currently houses over 500 Wimples as part of their archives!. These Wimples can be as simple or as ornate as a family wishes it to be. So far, we have had the joy of watching our sixth grade families create some wonderful designs. In addition to the Wimple, our sixth grade families will learn all about some of the most important symbols in our Jewish tradition: Tallit, Tefillin, Tzitzit, and Kippot.

We are so honored and humbled that you have chosen Temple Sinai as part of your child’s Religious School education, and we look forward to experiencing a thrilling new year of learning together.

L’Shalom, Pam Alcala Family Educator and Artist-in Residence

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR

MARCH 2023

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR

APRIL 2023

3- NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL/MITZVAH MAKERS

13 CLASS - Passover Break

3 JORTY 5:00-6:30pm Offsite

10

MAY 2023

for ages 3 through second grade Friday,

What is a Wimple (לפמיוו)?

A Wimple is a decorative garment in the form of a long sash. Almost extinguished during the Shoah, the tradition of the wimple has been revived in contemporary Jewish culture. Now, Jewish parents and grandparents make wimples for both boys and girls.

Thank you to those who joined us for our first 5th Grade Family Education learning about the history of Tanach!

Does Judaism value heroes? Do all people have it within them to be heroes? In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, our Hineni students looked at how Judaism defines a true hero!

Two AMAZING Sharing Shabbat experiences: Let it GLOW and Hug a Tree!

Keep up with Temple Sinai Religious School on Social Media! To see all of Rebecca Golden’s fantastic posts, follow us on Instagram!

Mazel tov to our B’nei Mitzvah

Ethan Saraf

March 18

Parents: Stacy & David Saraf

Siblings: Max-14, Harper-7

Grandparents: Edna Saraf

School: Willets Road School - 7th grade

Parsha: Vayikra

Noa Tagger Brockey

March 25

Parents: Mandy Tagger & Christian Brockey

Siblings: Lea-10

Grandparents:

Rochelle & Benjamin Tagger

Virginia & Michael Brockey

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Vayikra

Zachary Goldberg

April 1

Parents: Gabrielle & Adam Goldberg

Siblings: Skylar-18, Layla-15

Grandparents:

Cheryl & Richard Meyer

Ellen & the late Steven Goldberg

School: Willets Road School - 7th grade

Parsha: Tzav

Jessica O’Malia

April 22

Parents: Melissa & Scott O’Malia

Grandparents:

Carole & Phillip Sorgen

Barbra O’Malia

School: The Wheatley School - 8th grade

Parsha: Metzora

Hailey Neale

April 22

Parents: Liz & Jeff Neale

Siblings: Matthew-9

Grandparents:

Toni & the late Henry Wiener

Carol & Rich Neale

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Achare Mot-Kedoshim

Summer Lilly Spier

April 27

Parents: Kelly & Laurence Spier

Siblings: Skylar-16, Sydney-14, Sailor-10, Saige-8

Grandparents:

Toby & Nathaniel Spier

Janet McCarthy

Bernadette & the late John McCarthy

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Achare Mot-Kedoshim

Ava Klein

April 29

Parents: Gabrielle & Joshua Klein

Siblings: Madeleine-14, Samuel-8

Grandparents:

Ruth & Douglas Klein

Yolene & Ernst Chassagne

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Achare Mot-Kedoshim

Ryan Alfred

April 29

Parents: Amanda & David Alfred

Siblings: Alexa-10, Gavin-9

Grandparents:

Alice & Eugene Bell

The late Risa and the late Larry Alfred School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Emor

Sidney Shapiro

May 6

Parents: Rachel & Jared Shapiro

Siblings: Quinn-8

Grandparents: Beth & Gregory Gordon

Dr. Howard Shapiro & Paula Shapiro

School: Willets Road School - 7th grade

Parsha: Emor

Casey Berger

May 11

Parents: Lauryn & Michael Berger

Siblings: Josh-14

Grandparents:

Livia & Alan Berger

Terri & Howie Zaretsky

Cynthia Zaretsky

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Behar-Bechukotai

Sophia Anne Reichman

May 13

Parents: Marisa & James Reichman

Siblings: Neil-15, Paulina-6

Grandparents:

Blanca Semmel

Elliot Reichman

Gloria Caruso

School: Willets Road School - 7th grade

Parsha: Behar-Bechukotai

Sienna Donzis

May 20

Parents: Tracie & Sebastian Donzis

Siblings: Greyson-10, Ashton-8

Grandparents: Carlos Donzis

Graciela Donzis

Sanford Wert

Joan Wert

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Bemidbar

Ashley Tenem

May 27

Parents: Samantha & Brad Tenem

Siblings: Ryan-8

Grandparents:

Steven Ackerman

School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade

Parsha: Naso

We are so proud of our Mitzvah Maker students for their hard work volunteering at the Hebrew Union College Soup Kitchen.

Charlotte & Norman Hollander on the birth of their granddaughter Talia Elyse Hollander

Drs. Anne & Keith Niesenbaum on the birth of their granddaughter Sloane Max Niesenbaum

Sherri & Jay Eisenstadt on the marriage of their son Corey Marx to Rachel Amper

Felice & Eric Kobrick on the engagement of their daughter Allison to Bradley Pearl

Ellen & Lawrence Vigneaux on the birth of their granddaughter Melody Emilia Deserio

Deborah Gottlieb on the birth of her grandson Harrison Max Gottlieb

Sheri & Perry Schorr on the engagement of their daughter Julie to Kyle Hoberman

Jodi & Alan Kaplan on the birth of their granddaughter Madison Rose Kaplan

Sherri & Jay Eisenstadt on the birth of their grandson Myles Graham Galperin

with deepest sympathy

Richard Orent on the loss of his mother Phyllis Orent

Nancy Kaplan on the loss of her father Jack Antin Hudson

Jonathan Doneson on the loss of his father Leonard Doneson

Steven Bloom on the loss of his wife Joyce Bloom

Irwin A. Cantor on the loss of his nephew Dr. Dennis A. Gladstone

Mark Cohon on the loss of his mother Eva Cohon

Allison Greenberg on the loss of her grandmother Isabelle Ames

Edward Berman on the loss of his mother Zinaida Berman

Sheri Schorr on the loss of her mother Lillian Kronfeld

Shelly Levine on the loss of her father Shaul Horan

Lisa Birbach on the loss of her father Max Schuller

Loryn Solomon on the loss of her mother Ruth Solomon

Brad Tenem on the loss of his father Richard Tenem

Richard Yaspan on the loss of his wife Lori Yaspan

Carol Baum on the loss of her father Sheldon Murray Simon

Victoria & Richard Evans on the loss of their son Jordan Evans

DID YOU KNOW?

We record with sorrow the death of these temple members

Joyce Bloom

Lori Yaspan

With deepest sympathy to their families; May their memories be for a blessing.

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.

Temple Sinai of Roslyn 425 Roslyn Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 516.621.6800 mysinai.org

TEMPLE SINAI

Main Office: 516.621.6800

Early Childhood Center: 516.621.8708

Religious School: 516.621.8016

Rabbi Michael White rabbiwhite@mysinai.org

Cantor Sergei Schwartz cantorsergeischwartz@mysinai.org

Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org

Rabbi Ilana Schachter rabbischachter@mysinai.org

Cantor Emeritus

Cantor Andrew H. Edison President

Amy Braunstein

Executive Vice President

Allen Geller

Vice Presidents

Liz Wiener Neale

Scott Nussbaum

Vice President/Treasurer

Jeffrey Sklar

Secretary

Maribeth Kraus

Legal Counsel

Charles Weiss

Executive Director Lee Mirrer lmirrer@mysinai.org

Marketing & Communications Manager Kathy Diamond kdiamond@mysinai.org

Member Services Manager

Betty Brandel bbrandel@mysinai.org

Financial Manager

Mara Rosenwasser mrosenwasser@mysinai.org

Accounting Specialist

Michael Gamba mgamba@mysinai.org

Brotherhood President Richard Blatt

brotherhood@mysinai.org

Friend of a Friend/Chaverot President

Tammy Szerencsy fof@mysinai.org

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

Interim Operations Director Lauren “Lulu” Belferder lbelferder@mysinai.org

Early Childhood Center Director Lindsay Dayan ldayan@mysinai.org

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

Religious School Coordinator/ Cantors Assistant Debra Hollander dhollander@mysinai.org

V&Z Caterers info@vandzcaterers.com

516.484.4300