Redemption - Passover 2022

TEMPLE SINAI OF ROSLYN PRESENTS

REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY Stories from TSR Congregants

CONTENTS

PAGE 1 ABOUT THIS PROJECT RABBI ILANA SCHACHTER

PAGE 2 REDEMPTION THROUGH COMPASSION (AND COOKIES) REESE GROTAS

PAGES 3-4 CLIMATE COVENANT AND WHY WE CARE ELLEN FELDMAN & ANDY KARMIN

PAGE 5 CREATIVITY AND KINDNESS: TOOLS TO MAKE AN IMPACT CAROLINE FABER

PAGES 6-7 UKRAINE CRISIS: TEEN RESPONSE BENJI RABINOVICH & SIDNEY STEIR

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

When we sing "Mi Chamocha" in our daily worship, we remember the powerful moment of our people's liberation. No longer slaves to Pharoah in Egypt, our people sang at the shores of the sea and felt truly free. Today, however, even as we sing those words, we still live in a world today where redemption feels far away- war in Ukraine, thousands of Afghan refugees struggling to resettle in America, and an earth facing a climate crisis, all during a pandemic. The world seems far from whole, and in deep need of repair.

But Passover ushers in our season of hope, and allows us to remember that miracles did happen, and can happen again. However, in our retelling and reliving of the story of our ancestors in their liberation from Egypt, we commit ourselves to continuing the work of redemption, a redemption for all people, and for the entire world.

These pages contain just some of the stories of Temple Sinai community members, who have sought to bring our world closer to redemption this year. We hope that their stories will inspire you as you read them this week and share them at your seder table, offering us a taste of the redemption we seek.

Chag Sameach, Rabbi Ilana Schachter

PAGE ONE | REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY

REDEMPTION THROUGH COMPASSION (AND COOKIES) REESE GROTAS In February of 2020, I realized how much time I spent thinking about people who didn’t have food to eat or a place they could call home. I feel very lucky for everything that I have, and I wish that everyone was as lucky as I am. I wanted to take action to help minimize the number of people who have to go without food or shelter. I thought of ways that I could raise money to help while doing something that I enjoy. As a person who loves both chocolate and baking, I thought of a perfect idea: I would make and sell chocolate covered Oreos and donate the proceeds! For every batch of chocolate covered Oreos I make, I could be helping to change someone’s life forever. This is how Created with Compassion came to be.

Everyone has the power to improve the lives of others, even if they’re not sure how to. One of the themes of the Passover story is redemption, and that everyone can have a second chance. This theme relates to my business, because my proceeds are directed to helping people get their second chance.

This could mean providing food for the hungry, or a housewarming basket for someone who hasn’t had a place to call home in a while. Through Created with Compassion I have helped to feed hungry children, provide toiletries and basic hygiene products, stock food pantries for the local community, provide support for Ukraine during the war, and more. As God helped the Jewish people on their journey from slavery to freedom, it is our job to do what we can to help those in need.

P AGGEE T FWOOU|RR|E DJ O UPRTNI OENY: A N O N G O I N G J O U R N E Y PA EM

When I formed Created with Compassion, I wanted to provide others with an easy (and rewarding) way to help people. Recently, I sold my cookies at two Temple Sinai events. I was happy to see how, through buying my cookies, children could learn the importance of giving in a delicious and simple way. I hope that you can think about and discuss one compassionate action or statement you performed, both at your Passover Seders and your dinner tables.

CLIMATE COVENANT AND WHY WE CARE Climate Covenant is a new kind of campaign for RAC-NY. Unlike years past, the Climate Covenant will be a two- to three-year effort, which will allow us to reach deeper into our congregations and Reform communities to increase our ability to effectively combat climate change. While we will work on climate legislation in 2022, our top priority this year will be building our base of engaged individuals and communities, and thus our power, to make an even greater impact on climate change in future years. If you would like to get involved in this effort at Temple Sinai, please let us know.

MY HOPE FOR REDEMPTION ELLEN FELDMAN I am proud to be a part of SAJ and its support of the RAC-NY Climate Covenant. I am committed to work for the redemption of our earth. We need to free ourselves from our dependency on fossil fuels. The disregard of the beauty and fragility of the world G-d created will continue to destroy the legacy we leave to our children, grandchildren and future generations. My Jewish heritage has taught me that we are all part of a larger communities. The future of one affects the future of all. I cannot be okay if my neighbor is not.

The Climate Covenant is working towards repairing the earth in an equitable way so that no community benefits from the suffering of another. Just as our ancestors were redeemed from enslavement by the Egyptians, our work is an act of redemption for the earth. I strongly believe that it is our responsibility as Jews and as human beings to dedicate ourselves to reclaiming the earth since we are responsible for the damage we have caused.

When I look into the beautiful brown eyes of my grandson, I know that the time is now for action.

PAGE THREE | REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY

ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN, AND THE SKY IS...

ANDY KARMIN Aside from growing up in a political family, I was also mentored about the wonders of the Earth. My father taught me to respect all things found in nature. Hikes, along with lazy evenings observing the constellations and planets through our telescope (which attracted all the kids on our block in Queens) brought my understanding about our place in this fragile environment.

My father and I always became disturbed in the fall when everyone on the block would rake their leaves into huge piles in the street.

It was tremendous fun jumping in them, and getting admonished, but then as custom all the piles would be lit on fire and burned. The air would become soot-filled, chokingly unpleasant, and at night with the ashes still smoldering it became impossible to view the heavens.

Today my "piles of leaves memory" remains with me as we confront a challenge that goes beyond my experiences on 255th St. The environmental wandering that I did years ago is meant to lead us all to redemption, a safer, healthier sustainable world. It is truly righteous work. It is for this reason that I find myself so passionate about RAC-NY's commitment (combining the efforts of Reform synagogues across the state) to the Climate Covenant, and feel so proud that Temple Sinai has taken the lead in this project to save our planet. The Climate Covenant is rooted in our responsibility to our children and their children. The pile of leaves across this world must be swept away, never to be lit.

I hope that my reflections will give my fellow congregants the impetus to join me in engaging with this critical project.

PAGE FOUR | REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY

CREATIVITY & KINDNESS TOOLS TO MAKE AN IMPACT CAROLINE FABER

In May 2020, I volunteered to bake for delivery people and read to children in homeless shelters through the organization Bake Back America. When I read to the children in the shelter, I loved it and got off the Zoom knowing I wanted to do more. I thought about what I was doing during the pandemic to help me feel better. When I felt socially isolated or bored, crafting and Zoom classes lifted my spirits. I hoped that by providing supplies and offering a free crafting program to the children in the shelters and other children facing hard times, I

could hopefully change their lives and through creativity and kindness, make the world a better place.

The mission of my program is to provide children facing challenges with the resources to participate in a fun arts and crafts program that would also reduce stress and social isolation, boost self-esteem and most of all, promote kindness. Children are referred to the program through homeless and domestic violence shelters, pantry lines, child care centers and other programs that serve low income families.

Once a child enrolls, they are sent a suitcase shaped box filled with basic craft supplies and craft bags that correspond to a weekly calendar. They are linked with a volunteer Zoom leader and meet their volunteer weekly for an hour session. Together, they do the weekly craft, talk and have fun.

As time has gone on, the program has expanded to include special needs events and events for children facing medical challenges. It was extremely eye opening to see how little these families had and how excited the kids were for a simple craft project. My favorite parts about this program are seeing how proud the kids feel when they are finished with their project, and how creative they are with them. It is extremely rewarding to see how much crafting is able to help these kids, and also provide a break for families who are struggling. I hope that my program will continue to grow and impact more and more lives.

PAGE FIVE | REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY

UKRAINE CRISIS: TEEN RESPONSE When news broke about the war in Ukraine, so many of us asked, "What can we do?

How can we help?" Our teens were no exception. Benji Rabinovich and Sidney Steir share their stories about why they could not stand idly by and why they took action to help.

FAMILY CONNECTIONS: MY MOTIVATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BENJI RABINOVICH

Like so many others, I am saddened and angered by the awful situation in Ukraine. It especially hits home for me as all of my Great Grandparents on my dad's side were born in Ukraine and also forced to leave their homes because of a military threat to their safety and freedom.

Instead of feeling helpless, I have decided to take action and help as best as I can. It has been very meaningful to me to work closely with Temple Sinai to identify organizations that are directly impacting the people of Ukraine, both those on the ground and the refugees who have fled. I strongly feel we have to be upstanders who take action, and not bystanders to the injustices happening around us.

As Passover approaches, the parallel of Jews being liberated from slavery in Egypt is comparable to the hopes of Ukrainians being liberated from the occupation of their beloved country. I hope that the work we are doing helps them know that they are not alone and the Jewish people support them.

PAGE SIX | REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY

GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE SIDNEY STEIR

Although I don't have a personal connection to Ukraine, I feel a connection as a human being to the people in Ukraine who are suffering during this horrific time. Seeing what Ukrainians are going through makes my heart break and I couldn’t imagine losing my safety and loved ones. I wouldn’t allow myself to just stand by; I had to do something.

I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with Temple Sinai with the hope of making a real difference in peoples’ lives. I am proud to have worked hard alongside others encouraging communal responsibility. Thus far, Benji Rabinovich and I have raised close to $25000 to donate to Ukraine, and are planning an auction for Temple Sinai teens and their families. It’s important for people to recognize this impact isn’t just immediate but ongoing, as Ukrainians will need help for years to come.

Passover is a holiday about Liberation- I am hopeful that the money we raise allows as many people as possible to have a fresh start after experiencing such devastation. As so many people are displaced, it is important to ensure they receive even the smallest amount of safety, support and care as they recover.

PAGE SEVEN | REDEMPTION: AN ONGOING JOURNEY