WCT Makom June 2019 by Woodlands Community Temple

the newsletter of woodlands community temple

June 2019 Iyyar-Sivan 5779

Happy Pride

by Rabbi Mara Young

t’s June, which means it’s Pride month! That means our LGBTQ+ Task Force is hard at work preparing for Pride Shabbat (Fri, Jun 7 at 8:00 pm). This year, we’ll be joined by a very special guest speaker: Nadav Shachmon, the Westchester Shaliach (official emissary from Israel). More on him below! First, a reminder on Pride’s background: In the 1960’s gay and lesbian Americans were not allowed to openly display their identity.

Nadav Shachmon and his husband Aylee.

The American legal system and dominant culture marginalized and tried to erase transgender individuals and anyone else who did not fit into the cisgender, heteronormative standard. Many of these individuals found refuge and freedom of self-expression at clubs and bars. Not surprisingly, police raids on these establishments were routine. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, NYC police raided the Stonewall Inn – a bar in Greenwich Village. The crowd fought back, inciting a riot. This led to protests over the next few days and the quick organization of gay and lesbian activists calling for freedom to express their sexual orientation. The Stonewall uprising was a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Continued on page 2

Receive the Torah (Again) Shavuot 5779

he holiday of Shavuot arrives each spring to commemorate the giving of Torah at Mt Sinai more than 3000 years ago. Each year, we’re invited “back to Mt Sinai” to stand alongside our ancestors and receive it all over again. To prepare for that moment, it’s customary to engage in lots of Jewish learning. Which is precisely what we’re going to do! Our Saturday evening (Jun 8, 7:30-10:00 pm) Shavuot celebration will take place in two parts: Part 1: Tikkun Layl Shavuot Ten different presenters will present ten topics for two 25-minute interactive study sessions. You choose two. Go to one first, then head to the second. The learning takes place in small circles of chairs throughout the sanctuary.

No previous knowledge is needed. All you need to bring is your curiosity and personal wisdom. In the past, topics have ranged from “Judaism in the #MeToo World” to how a Torah scroll is made to the Book of Ruth. Stay tuned for this year’s topics. Part 2: Return to Mt Sinai Our Confirmation class will “bring the Torah down the mountain” and read it for us as we too confirm that we stand together in celebration of Jewish life. This short but meaningful ritual Continued on page 2

Spring Benefit at Captain Lawrence Brewery in Elmsford

Don’t miss it!

Sat, June 15, 2019 7:30 – 10:00 pm

Purchase your ticket at wct.org/captainlawrence. $75 a person (21 and older only)

It’s the event of the year! Captain Lawrence has helped us put together a super fun night that includes tours of the brewery, the art of beer tasting, games, raffles, and of course, delicious food. If you haven’t spent an evening at Captain Lawrence, this is the time to discover the fun. This local brewery has a modern beer garden and indoor event space where you'll enjoy the food and drink that they are known for. And, you’ll be there with your WCT friends! The evening will include havdalah, a way to say goodbye to Shabbat and celebrate the sacred community that we’ve formed. This annual fundraiser allows us to celebrate the values and community we’ve come to hold dear, while also raising funds to help our synagogue stay vibrant and strong. We will also reveal the Woodlands Community Temple Directory which includes all of our members, members’ personal businesses and local vendors. Use this as a way to connect to one another and see the constellation of businesses and services in our community that support our temple. Come celebrate our community, our future, and the summertime with friends!

Our Woodlands Community

Happy Pride, Continued from p. 1

Rabbi Billy Dreskin rabbi@wct.org Rabbi Mara Young rabbimara@wct.org Cantor Jonathan Ben Gordon cantor@wct.org Lily Mandell, Director of Youth Engagement youth@wct.org Corey Friedlander, Sh’liakh K’hilah corey@wct.org Zach Plesent, Rabbinic Intern intern@wct.org

Transgender, Queer/Questioning) Liberation Movement. Groups mobilized and amplified their efforts. On June 28, 1970, numerous cities around the US had their first Gay Pride Marches, commemorating the events at Stonewall and increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ community. The day continued to be celebrated in the decades following. LGBTQ pride events now take place worldwide throughout the month of June, constituting a whole month of symposia, marches, parades, concerts and learning events that support, advocate for, and celebrate LGBTQ individuals and culture. Judaism today respects and promotes liberation movements. Our unwavering assertion that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, demands that we see people’s sexual orientation, gender, and partner choices as natural extensions of who they are. Authenticity is the name of the game. Freedom of expression means freedom to show the most Divine aspects of ourselves. This is no exception in Israel. Pride in Tel Aviv is one of the biggest events of the year. In 2018, around 250,000 revelers gathered for Israel’s largest Pride parade ever. Tel Aviv often tops international lists for “most-gay friendly” cities. Of course, just as in the US, Israeli society sometimes disagrees on issues having to do with gay rights. Pressure from conservative groups, including ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups, sometimes impacts national protections and rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. That said, Israel remains, on the whole, progressive, especially for its geographical region. We’re thrilled that Nadav Shachmon will join us at our yearly Pride celebration. Nadav is the Westchester Community Shaliach, which means he is here from Israel on official business! He serves as an organizer, programmer, and advisor on all things Israel in Westchester county. He’s here with his husband, Aylee, and will be speaking about his experiences as a gay man in Israel. Nadav is warm and thoughtful. We are so glad he and Aylee will be spending Shabbat with us. If you’re interested in getting involved in the WCT LGBTQ+ task force, send me an email (rabbimara@wct.org). Happy Pride!

Executive Committee Andy Farber, President president@wct.org Nancy Fishman, VP Education education@wct.org Michael Witkowski, VP Facilities facilities@wct.org Michael Wiskind, VP Finance finance@wct.org Jenna Lebowich, VP Programming/Ritual programming@wct.org Herb Friedman, Financial Secretary financialsecretary@wct.org Steve Sagner, Secretary secretary@wct.org Bonni Abore, Treasurer treasurer@wct.org

Board of Trustees Irv Adler David Bertan Pam Chernoff Judy Feder Yvette Gralla Amy Green

Toby Linder Lisa Linn Matthew Moss Mike Scafidi Ann Zarider Jay Zwicker

Dayle Fligel (ex-officio)

Office Staff Liz Rauchwerger, Office Coordinator liz@wct.org Marjorie Mattel, Office Assistant marjorie@wct.org Michele Montague, Education Administrative Assistant michele@wct.org Bookkeeper bookkeeper@wct.org

Woodlands Community Temple 50 Worthington Road White Plains, NY 10607 914.592.7070 main office 914.592.1790 religious school direct line 914.592.7376 fax wct@wct.org www.wct.org Religious School: school@wct.org

Woodlands Community Temple is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism Art Director: Melanie Roher Advertising Director: Dayle Fligel

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Receive the Torah (Again), Continued from p. 1

has the uncanny ability to transport us back to Torah’s revelation at Sinai and propel us into the future. It begs the question: what does Torah mean in our lives today and how can we impact the future with the lessons it teaches us? If you’ve been to Shavuot at Woodlands before, you know it’s a very special evening. If you’ve never been, come experience the wonder. Shavuot as a holiday is emblematic of the evolving nature of Judaism. ReformJudaism.org explains: “Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it is a celebration of Torah, education, and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life.” Don’t miss this opportunity to not only dive into the holiday’s evolution, but your own evolution as a Jew and a person. It’s a tremendous opportunity to hear the powerful voice of our ancestors and lend your voice to the Jewish future. Plus, we top the whole evening off by dining on ICE CREAM! Why ice cream? It’s unclear why dairy is traditionally served on Shavuot, but scholars believe it has something to do with keeping kosher (the idea that the Israelites refrained from meat until receiving the laws of kashrut). It also could be because Jewish tradition compares the words of Torah to the sweetness of milk and honey. Hence, the sugary sweetness of ice cream!

from the

Cantor

The Day After Tomorrow Cantor Jonathan Gordon

t will be different by the time you read this, but as I write this the weather wants to stay cool. Every forecast reads, “Day after tomorrow it is supposed to warm up.” Surely it will happen, some day after tomorrow and soon. We shall savor long hot afternoons, only to be revived by agreeably cool nights. Winter’s bite will finally fade into memory before summer’s languorous caress. Our parks will fill with people celebrating life. I’ll drive by Macy Park on my way to shul, watching families play soccer and cook on open fires. These folks, mostly recent immigrants, find my home town to be a holiday destination. Yet this is where I leave from to go to my vacation home. How I respect my neighbors from the Bronx, who relish these simple gifts alongside their family and community. I will remember that parks are the vacationlands of the poor. How good it is that they exist for all of us. God’s gifts are for everyone. What is our Jewish response to the pleasant delights that await us in the world? We are taught to be fully joyous and aware of our good fortune. Deuteronomy commands people to face God in good times with “joy and gladness of heart.” Chassidism claims that God disapproves of those who are grumpy despite their many gifts. A man prayed to God every day for wealth and relief from his financial worries. Constantly, year after year, he beseeched Heaven for money enough to improve his life. One day he heard that his neighbor, an utterly irreligious person, had hit the lotto. He cried out to the heavens, “Gottenyu, how could you take care of him and ignore me?” A Heavenly Voice replied, “What? With all your nagging?” Life is a celebration. The Psalmist wrote, “All creatures praise God.” We reward God by enjoying, by drinking deeply from the cup of life. The joys of summer express this idea perfectly. We take in the beauties of the natural world as simple human beings. We are raised by the gifts of abundant sunshine and fragrant breezes which are unconcerned with matters of class or wealth. A child in dirty dungarees, a frog in his pocket, holding a cane fishing pole, will know more about God’s gifts than an elegant landowner straining over his power mower. Judah HaNasi wrote our blessing for seeing new blossoming trees. “Blessed are You, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who made the world lacking in no things, but have produced in it goodly creatures and goodly trees which give delight to human children.” We are all children in the summer. Enjoy your eternal youth! It is a command, after all.

Israel:

The Long and the Short of It “I’m Not Your Toy” By Rabbi Mara Young

ave you heard of Netta Barzilai? If you haven’t, you should find her on YouTube. Netta is the newest musical sensation in Israel and around the world. Netta won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest as the Israel representative. Her song, Toy, is a women’s empowerment anthem, proclaiming, “The Barbie got something to say, hey!” Yes, at the end of the day it’s a simple, catchy pop tune, so perhaps it is Netta’s public persona that has been so empowering. Netta is proudly a plus-sized woman, walking the runway in Israeli Fashion Week. She preaches body positivity and acceptance, particularly to young girls. Netta has also become an outspoken defender of Israel on the global stage. Israel is set to host the Eurovision Song Contest this year. As BDS efforts and anti-Israel sentiment has spread in Europe, groups are urging participants to boycott or abstain from the contest this year. In an interview with the BBC, Netta urged that boycotting is not the answer. She highlighted the fact that Eurovision was created after WWII to promote unity in Europe. “It’s all about building bridges, it’s all about celebrating diversity, being all these people from all these places on the same stage and saying ‘hey, we’re all the same and we’re celebrating all these ethnicities and all these kinds and types of music,” she said. It’s an important reminder of how BDS efforts against Israel snuff out hope for unity while inspiring continued vilification of the Jewish State. Israel is not perfect, but it still has much to contribute on the world stage. Israel, like America, is a land we love. Its accomplishments inspire us, yet we struggle when it falls short of our dreams for it. This column explores Israel’s ongoing work toward building a nation firmly aligned with the Jewish values we love. Join us in probing the aspirations and endeavors of this complicated but cherished land.

www.wct.org

from the

Environmental Task Force:

Green

Corner “Summer of Sustainability” Courtesy of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, here are some ways to keep your summer bright and green!

Spend time outside! Soak up those rays, and breathe the fresh air! You can go for a hike, listen to music at outdoor concerts, go for a bike ride, have a picnic at the park or go for a swim.

Carry your own reusable bottle. As the temperatures heat up it grows more important to stay hydrated throughout the day! Instead of wasting money purchasing plastic water bottles, get your own reusable bottle.

Crack open a window. Instead of cranking the AC all summer, let in the natural air. Whether you’re driving around town or reading a book in your living room, don’t waste the energy and money for AC. Your lungs will feel great and your wallet will be thanking you!

4 5

Unplug. Relax, take a break from your electronics.

Plant a garden. Spruce up your front or backyard by planting some flowers or even some fruits and vegetables! You can go to a local plant nursery to pick out some plants you’d like to see in full bloom in your very own garden.

Looking Backward, Looking Forward Andy Farber

his year has been an exciting one for Woodlands. Many activities were planned, some were completed, and more are waiting to launch. Our security task force was already planning and implementing new security measures when the shootings in Pittsburgh, and later in Poway, shook us to our core. We continue to implement a variety of security measures, and we are working closely with the Greenburgh Police Department as we strive for a balance between warm and welcoming, and secure. The Environmental Task Force (ETF) took a quantum leap with recycling with the implementation of our Zero Waste Program. Bringing together the entire congregation, we now compost nearly all our kitchen waste, along with the plates, cups, and flatware used at temple. Going forward, we hope to extend the program to include catered events. Our enlarged bamboo sukkah, also launched by the ETF, stood for only a day before collapsing in high winds. It became a metaphor for a week’s teaching of fragility; I can assure everyone the sukkah will be built again next year, with tighter knots. A proud moment for social action was refugee resettlement. Joining with members of Bet Am Shalom, we welcomed and settled a refugee family from Afghanistan. Thanks to our hard work and the generosity of our members, the family is settling into a new life in America. The parents are both studying English, the father is working, the mom is starting a business as a seamstress, the kids are in school and looking forward to summer camp. Two great trips were planned for adults this year. A rare November snowstorm grounded the flights for Rabbi Billy and nearly half of the travelers on the Adult Civil Rights Journey. The remainder of the group was able to travel safely to Atlanta, and had such an amazing experience that a second trip is already being planned for next year. Rabbi Mara led a group trip to Israel in December, and that trip was so successful that another trip is already being planned for February 2021. Perhaps most importantly in the life of our congregation, Cantor Jonathan announced that he will be retiring in June of 2020, now just a year away. A bittersweet moment, we will be sad to see him go, but at the same time happy we can celebrate that he has reached this next stage of his career. We are planning our search for a new cantor, and we will ensure continuity in all our programs during the transition. As we close out the year, I look forward to seeing you all at our fundraising benefit at Captain Lawrence Brewing Company on June 15. There’s still time to sign up, at wct.org/captainlawrence. L’shalom,

Help out pollinators. Our pollinators are extremely important to the success of our environment, we can all pitch in to do our part to make sure they are on this earth forever. You can do this is by consciously planting pollinator plants.

Check out a farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets offer many fresh and locally sourced foods such as eggs, vegetables, fruits and honey.

www.wct.org

President

Worship Schedule Shabbat Bemidbar

Sat, June 8

Shabbat Korakh

Bemidbar ... Numbers 1:1 - 4:20 ... Hosea 2:1-22 ... 42nd day of the Omer

Tikkun Layl Shavuot, 7:30-10:00 pm

Korakh ... Numbers 16:1 - 18:32 ... I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

Fri, May 31 Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm A quiet evening of Sabbath peace.

Sat, June 1 Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am Celebrate with us as Dylan Pray, son of Allison and Keith Pray, becomes a Bar Mitzvah.

Shabbat Naso Naso ... Numbers 4:21-7:89 ... Judges 13:2-25 … 49th day of the Omer

Fri, June 7 Jammin’ Shavuot at 7:00 pm Climbin’ Mount Sinai! A half-hour of zany, holy fun! Special “First Fruits” blessings for all babies born since last May. Put on your jammies, bring a bedtime friend, a blanket if you like, and c’mon over for 30 minutes of Shabbat song, stories and blessings to get you ready for bed. Bring a buck for tzedakah. Our last Jammin’ Shabbat until next fall. And don’t forget, Mitzvah Hero Training at 6:45 pm!

Pride Shabbat at 8:00 pm Woodlands’ LGBTQ+ Task Force, in collaboration with our Social Action Committee, is excited again to present this service of equality, inclusion and love. Come hear Nadav Shachmon, the Westchester Shaliach (official emissary from Israel) speak about his personal experiences as a gay man in Israel.

Sat, June 8 No 10:30 service today. Ask for Kaddish to be recited at Hevra Torah (9:15 am).

Our annual Shavuot evening of interactive learning and affirmation. Come renew the ancient mystical path of those who walked before us. First, a Beit Midrash, two 25-minute sessions of small-group learning led by staff and volunteers. Then, “Standing at Sinai” to reaffirm our love for Torah, just as our ancestors did 3,200 years ago. Our 10th grade Confirmation families will join us in celebrating their teen’s Jewish life ahead! Shavuot sweets follow.

Sun, June 9

Fri, June 28 Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm A quiet evening of Sabbath peace. Rabbinic Intern Zach Plesent will be leading our service this evening while Rabbi Mara and Cantor Jonathan are away.

Sat, June 29 No 10:30 service today. Ask for Kaddish to be recited at Hevra Torah (9:15 am).

Shavuot Yizkor at 9:00 – 10:00 am

And throughout the summer …

Shabbat Beha’alotkha

Fridays throughout July and August

Beha’alotkha ... Numbers 8:1 - 12:16 ... Zekhariya 2:14 - 4:7

Fri, June 14 Mishpakha ShaBBQ at 6:00 pm One-hour Mishpakha Shabbat followed by our annual cookout. Bring your campers-to-be for a blessing to send them off to a summer of fun and growing. We’ll be outside if the weather permits! Reservation for the BBQ a must wct.org/ shabbq.

Sat, June 15 No 10:30 service today. Ask for Kaddish to be recited at Hevra Torah (9:15 am).

Shabbat Shlakh Lekha Shlakh Lekha ... Numbers 13:1 - 15:41 ... Joshua 2:1-24

Fri, June 21 Shabbat Evening Service and Board of Trustees Installation at 8:00 pm Join us as we thank our outgoing leadership and welcome our new Board.

Summer Outdoor Services at 8:00 pm Under the stars (weather-permitting), a bit less formal and lasting about an hour.

Saturdays through Simkhat Torah Hevra Torah Learning, 9:15-10:15 am Led by members of Hevra Torah and/or visiting faculty. Good conversation on the weekly Torah parashah is always happening. Drop by any Shabbat morning! Visit wct/org/hevratorah for schedule of facilitators.

Need a Shabbat babysitter in the month of June? Let us know by the Wednesday prior and we will provide it! All Shabbat babysitting is done by our own Academy students. There is no charge. For further information contact us at babysitting@ wct.org.

Sat, June 22 No 10:30 service today. Ask for Kaddish to be recited at Hevra Torah (9:15 am).

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Shavuot Yizkor Memorial Hour Sun, Jun 9 at 9:00 am

hether someone you love died recently or many years ago, Jewish tradition provides an opportunity through Yizkor to reconnect memory and heart for a few moments out of our busy lives. While we each can stop anytime to do this ourselves, to come together with our synagogue community is a beautiful and meaningful way to honor those we love. Please join us for our Shavuot Yizkor Hour. We’ll sing, read, and share a few words and thoughts of remembrance. Then we’ll return to our regular day.

Hevra Torah Learning Saturdays, 9:15-10:15 am There’s abundant room around our table. Drop by once or often, we’d love to have you join our lively conversation. In the Meeting Room or Library.

June 1: Parashat Bemidbar Facilitated by Cantor Jonathan

June 8: Parashat Naso Facilitated by Barry Kessler

June 15: Parashat Beha’alotkha

Facilitated by Cantor Jonathan

June 22: Parashat Sh’lakh Lekha

Facilitated by Rabbi Mara

If you or someone you know is a victim of Domestic Abuse, please share this confidential hotline:

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Rabbi Mara’s Annual Report I’ve buried, mourned, and set grave markers for at least twenty members of our community and/or their loved ones in the last 5 months. (How’s that for an opener)?

e’re not used to this sort of loss at Woodlands. Some of these deaths happened at a ripe old age, some happened suddenly and senselessly. Some were at the end of horrific suffering, some were peacefully quiet and quick. It remains abundantly clear to me: God is dayan ha-emet, the judge of truth. When I repeat this traditional saying with mourners, I stress that this doesn’t mean that we think the loss of our loved ones is fair or just (although sometimes we welcome death this way after suffering). Rather, since we cannot make sense of the unfairness of death, we have no choice but to hand ourselves over to God, to community, and/or to the shared tears. And it’s here, amidst the significant losses of the last couple months, that I’ve also experienced the most beauty. The way we take care of each other at Woodlands, the way we show up, the compassion we show, this is what is so special about our community. Our Hevra Kaddisha volunteers are quick with a yes when asked to lead our shiva services. Members of temple leadership show up to usher the funeral service and set up the sanctuary, even on a weekday morning when we are burying a member of our community who they never met. At a shiva service, when others exit, the Woodlands folks stay. To daven a shiva service with Woodlands is to be held in a loving embrace. I’ll never forget when Mark’s mother died and Woodlands showed up to pray at our house. At the Shema, the first note was so full, harmonized, and robust, that I nearly bawled. I felt as if I had done a trust fall into extended arms. That’s what it is to be part of a community. Specifically, the Woodlands community. And as much as we mourn together, we celebrate, learn and grow together. I see being part of a synagogue as an antidote to apathy. It’s the way we nourish our individual souls while at the same time avoiding self-centeredness. And that leads me to think about value and the

things we’re willing to pay for these days. The internet has opened us up to the incredible value of sharing. Think of how often you offer to “share” something – either a picture on Facebook or a file on Dropbox. Nowadays, we transmit knowledge widely and without cost. What an incredible re-introduction of such a compassionate social gesture — sharing! But what’s come with this great invention is an antipathy toward paying for things. For example, most synagogues around the country collect dues. Same with many gyms, professional associations and other “member-driven” organizations. Post-2008, Americans, on a whole, have been understandably more anxious about their disposable income. We pay for things that we deem necessary to our everyday lives, things that we pay for and then immediately use. So what about something we might not use every day? Why still contribute for its upkeep and not just for the service we draw from it, like temple? It’s a natural question, and difficult to answer, because the value we get from Jewish community is holy value, spiritual in nature. Yet while it may be invisible to the eye, it is keenly felt in our hearts. Do not underestimate what it means to be psychically connected to this very special community of people. That invisible bond is precisely what moves us to righteous action. This strength of communal spirit motivates us as we ready an apartment for an Afghani refugee family and clothe them for the summer. This spirit drew us to this sanctuary after the shooting in Pittsburgh. It’s the pride we feel when a young people pledge commitment to the Jewish future at b’nai mitzvah, Confirmation and Graduation. It’s that feeling of hiking in the Negev with 40 other Woodlands members, literally in the footsteps of our ancestors. Not to mention, drawing closer to a synagogue actually brings one closer to the Muslim and Christian community – evidenced in the close friendship we have developed with Peace Islands Institute and our local churches. Continued on page 7

Why I Volunteer @ Temple In this column, we introduce you to fellow temple members who have stepped forward to help make Woodlands a place we can all love.

Lisa Linn

eginning in college, Greg and I hopped from temple to temple, attending free high holiday services, but never feeling connected enough to join. Even once the kids were enrolled in religious school, we still felt like outsiders at the other temples in our lives. Then we found Woodlands. These were our people. It just felt right. From the welcoming evening of David Fligel’s “Shalom y’all” to the eternally smiling face of Harriet and the warmth emitted

Rabbi Mara's Annual Report, Continued from p. 6

Being part of this community says you are not a fair-weather fan of Jewish values. Being connected makes a beautiful demand: do the right thing. Do it right now. (This thought was inspired by a song by the band Ages and Ages, which Dan Nichols has been performing lately). What I love most about being part of synagogue is this community’s insistence that we not give up on empathy when faced with a digital and physical barrage of callousness. I see this manifest in every aspect of what we do here – in our rituals, social action, education and emotional care for one another. Pirkei Avot relays: Hillel says, “Do not separate yourself from the community.” The commenting rabbis ask, “why?” They then answer their own question – so that you may share in its troubles. Why share in the troubles? Because you’ll also share in the comforts. And of course, it’s Rashi who provides the best context: Do not separate yourself from the community he says, so that you may see blessing in your work. We have many blessings this year to consider. Losses, yes. Disappointments, definitely. And despite them all, we come out blessed. Blessed by the learning we did and blessed by the difference we made. We are a blessing to one another. Amen.

from all the clergy, we had found our home. But we also realized that a home such as Woodlands does not stay strong by itself. It must constantly be maintained by those who love it. We enrolled in Derekh, I sat on the board, and we both created the Jonah concert, a true labor of love. The hours spent volunteering are paid back tenfold by the enjoyment we receive when we proudly say, “We belong to Woodlands.”

He’s baaaaack! Rabbi Billy to return from Sabbatical… and thank you’s abound!

here is much to miss about Rabbi Billy – his wisdom, his music and his highly assorted tie collection. Come reunite with Billy on Friday, July 5 at our 8:00 pm service. What new insights and experiences will he bring back with him from his sabbatical? You’ll have to come to find out. Starting July 5, Rabbi Billy will again be on call for all your pastoral care and ritual needs. Thank you to everyone who has made Rabbi Billy’s time away go smoothly: Andy Farber and the executive team, Michele, Liz and Marjorie in the office, Lily, Corey, Zach, Cantor Jonathan and Rabbi Mara. Thank you also to the members of the community to volunteered to step in when needed: members of the Hevra Kaddisha and Hevra Torah, Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber, Rabbi Lisa Izes and so many others! Thank you especially to Lisa Sacks for your time as Acting Religious School Director. By stepping into this role, Lisa allowed for Rabbi Mara to give her full attention to the whole synagogue community. Lisa, your good counsel, expertise and good humor helped keep our school running smoothly and will help us to grow and improve in the future.

Update from the

Cantorial Future Planning Committee

he Cantorial Future Planning Committee has been meeting and working since February on evaluating our options following Cantor Jonathan’s retirement on June 30, 2020. We are happy to report that as a result of our research and discussion, our proposal to the Board of Trustees to authorize the search for a fulltime replacement cantor was approved at the April Board meeting. This proposal was the committee’s unanimous recommendation, reached after our in-depth review of the various options available to us, discussion of the needs and future of the congregation, and a lengthy discussion with experts in the area of cantorial training and placement. Our next step is to complete a lengthy, detailed application form for the American Conference of Cantors that will allow us to begin the search process and introduce Woodlands and our job opening to both newly-ordained and seasoned cantors when the placement process opens next fall. This application has been started by the committee and will be presented to the Board of Trustees for feedback and input. The application will be submitted right after the High Holy Days in 2019 so that we can actively begin to accept and review candidates over the winter/spring of 2019-20. In addition to our research and recommendation, the committee has also recommended that additional funds be put aside in the 2019-20 budget to cover the expenses related to the cantorial search, as well as for additional b’nai mitzvah tutoring support. It is our recommendation that all students slated to become bar or bat mitzvah in the fall of 2020 begin their work primarily with a tutor (under Cantor Jonathan’s supervision) so that they will have consistent support over the time of transition from one cantor to another. Our hope is that in doing so we will provide reassurance to our b’nai mitzvah and their families and that the process will be as seamless as possible for all. As always, please feel free to reach out to Jenna Lebowich, VP Programming and Ritual, or President Andy Farber with any questions or concerns you may have about the work of the committee or the cantorial search process.

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Passover Around the World A number of Woodlands families spent Spring Break (and therefore Passover)

abroad. While certain traditions will vary, experiencing Jewish ritual moments in other countries is an important reminder of how the Jewish people are truly one family, bound by a common language, values, and obligations. Here are two snapshots of how this looks for members of our Woodlands community.

Seder in Italy By Lisa Sacks

Memorial tiles at a home in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome from which twelve residents were arrested and deported by the Nazis, mostly to be murdered in concentration camps.

This year my family spent the first part of Passover in Rome, which is one of the oldest continuous Jewish communities in the world with at least two millennia of history. We saw the Arch of Titus with its depiction of the victorious Romans bringing back Jewish slaves carrying the captured menorah from the Second Temple. And we toured what is still referred to as the Jewish ghetto where we visited the gorgeous Great Synagogue of Rome, ate Jewish fried artichokes, and saw memorial tiles embedded in front of homes of Jews deported and murdered by the Nazis. For the first Seder we joined the festivities at Beth Hillel Roma, the liberal synagogue of Rome. Because Roman Jewry has its own rite — it is neither Ashkenazi nor Sephardi but something else entirely — the rituals were a mix of the familiar and unfamiliar. The languages in use were English, Hebrew, and Italian with a number of supplemental readings by Primo Levi. And the food, while delicious, was mostly of the Sephardi persuasion, which (sadly for 12-year-old Lucy) meant no matzah ball soup. At least Dayeinu was the same . . . Grazie!

Seder in the UK by Eric Shawn The March-April edition of Hadassah has sat on our kitchen counter for a few weeks. The cover shows a woman protesting the recent comments, widely reported and perceived as anti-Semitic, of British Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. So, with our upcoming April school vacation trip to England only a few days away, I got it into my brain that in addition to a Premier League match, a trip to Legoland, and stops to see Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Oxford and Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory, that we should somehow observe the first night of Passover on our trip. So, I reached out to Rabbi Mara who put me in touch with a synagogue outside London close to where we were staying. A few correspondences later to some additional synagogues, and we suddenly found ourselves invited to a Seder by someone we had never met for the first night of Passover and the last night of our trip.

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At the Seder, we joined about twenty-five others for three to four hours of almost all Hebrew with a great deal of singing and many animated discussions across the table about the meaning of the Passover story. The delicious menu included two types of fish, puree of squash soup, baba ganoush, crispy roasted potatoes, beet salad and fish balls (a combination of gefilte fish and matzo balls). My younger daughter made a new friend. We met former Westchester resident ex-pats. My wife and I heard the strong political opinions of an openly gay, Jew-by-choice, and avid President Trump supporter. We were all impressed with the knowledge of the gender non-confirming parent of two lovely and musical daughters who led the Seder. Our host was so warm and generous to include us with her friends and family for the holiday. It was a terrific and enlightening end to a great trip for the whole family.

Say hi to Rabbi Mara and Lily at Eisner and Crane Lake!

Rabbi Mara will be joining the faculty at Eisner Camp (Aug 4-11) She’ll get to hang and learn with all the terrific WCT kids there! She’ll also pop over to Eisner’s sister camp, Crane Lake, to see the many WCT kids there as well. And while Lily will be spending the early part of the summer at URJ Camp Coleman in GA, she’ll also spend a night up at Crane Lake in August to say hi to our kids.

Grads and Dads... new homes and weddings… and everyday celebrations. Oh my!

appy occasions, milestones and lifecycle events are what we all look forward to. The Judaica Shop at Woodlands strives to be “your neighborhood shop for gift giving…and getting” and add a little something more to those beautiful moments with family and friends.

Our feature artist this month is Anne Koplik. This local Northern Westchester mom and daughter team have been making beautiful vintage inspired jewelry since 1981. Their spiritual, sparkly, perfectly priced handcrafted pieces will be treasured for years to come.

Long time WCT favorite artist, Emily Rosenfeld’s Tikkun Olam leather bracelet is a special acknowledgement and mitzvot reminder for your graduate as they enter their next life journey. And please stop by the gift shop and check out our array of mezuzot and home blessings for the new home owner, apartment renter or off-to-school student.

The Judaica Shop at Woodlands is open, by request, every day the temple office is staffed. Evening and weekend hours are noted in the weekly temple email blast. Have a question? Special request? Email us at judaicashop@wct.org.

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June Happenings Learning Woodlands Singers From time to time, our Woodlands Singers delights and enriches our services and other special events. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings, 8:15-9:15 pm. If you can carry a tune and like group singing, this is the place for you. Contact Cantor Jonathan for more information.

Lunch and Learn Third Wednesdays, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm A wonderful lunch and timely discussions of important topics. $10 per session. Coming date:

Jun 19 – “How to Document Your Family History.”

Book Club Wed, Jun 12 at 2:00 pm Exit West is contemporary fiction written by Moshin Hamid. The novel begins in an unnamed country, but it’s protagonists are quickly forced to migrate to Mykonos, London and finally to Marin, California. Each time they migrate to a new country, they experience conflicts relating to their abrupt arrival in a new environment and upon their relationship. Rochelle Novins and Sue Galin will co-facilitate.

Social Action Walk in Solidarity with Survivors Sat, Jun 8 Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in protest against gun violence. For information on this and other gun violence awareness events during June, email Shelli Katz, shellikatz10 @gmail.com.

Prepare Dinner for The Sanctuary Sun, Jun 9 Help prepare dinner for the teen shelter in Valhalla. Contact shelterdinner@

10 wct.org.www.wct.org

From the Director Youth Engagement

“One Year In”

nd just like that, my first year at WCT is coming to a close. When I got here in August I could not even fathom being at the place I am now, and I thank each and every one of you for making this the most welcoming place to work. Youth Engagement events and activities this year have been well attended, inspirational and just so much fun. WoodSY kicked off the year with our teen led High Holy Day services. Teens filled the room for both Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre, and the board created programs about being part of the Woodlands puzzle and the impact of mindfulness and self-care. In February, the board put on a Tropical Party to beat the winter blues. We played volleyball, made acai bowls and got to know each other with mixers. Academy this year was filled with educational and community building activities, one of which being an LGBTQ+ program for the 8th and 9th grades led by junior Daniel Goldberg, the chair of the LGBTQ+ task force. The students learned about different injustices and had the difficult conversations about what it means to be equal in our country. It was a perfect example of the power of peer-to-peer teaching and how valuable it is to learn how to ask the right questions. The Youth and Family Engagement Committee put on events for parents with students of all ages, one of which being Havdalah on Ice. This year the event took place at Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains, and after some time skating out on the ice, we gathered together for Havdalah led by our student songleading group Ruach Neshamah and Rabbi Mara. It was definitely one for the books. Next year I am hoping to build off of everything I learned this year, and start adding some new activities and events to make our youth program that much stronger. We recently elected a new WoodSY Board, and this group of teens is already so motivated and excited for what is to come. We plan to institute more teen led programs and collaboration with other synagogues in the area. I am so lucky to have had such amazing predecessors who have paved the way for me and I cannot wait to see where we can go next year.

P.S. On that note, thank you to our outgoing WoodSY board… Isabelle Ripin, President Daniel Goldberg, Programming Vice President Ruthie Kaufman, Social Action Vice President Ashley Klein, Religious and Cultural Vice President Sammie Feldbaum, Membership Vice President Charlotte Ballan, Communications Vice President Kaleigh Silverstein, Secretary Nate Rechtschaffen, 9th grade rep

And welcome to the new… Daniel Golberg, President Ruthie Kaufman, Programming Vice President Sarah Sagner, Social Action Vice President Sam Scafidi, Religious and Cultural Vice President Rory Confino-Pinzon, Membership Vice President Kaleigh Silverstein, Communications Vice President Austyn Richter, Sponsorship Vice President (new position) Eliana Miro, 10th grade rep Sarah Chernoff, 9th grade rep

Confirmation Sat, June 8 - Sun, Jun 9 The mountain awaits. With hearts and minds open, on Saturday evening, June 8 and Sunday morning, June 9, our 10th Grade Confirmands will transport us back to an ancient time when, standing at the foot of Mt. Sinai, we claimed what would become our eternal legacy ... the Torah. Now, it is received by a new generation.

Camp Blessings Fri, Jun 15 at 6:00 pm Just before our sweet young ‘uns take off for points known and unknown — summer camp or otherwise — we invite you to bring them to temple. We’ll bless ’em and send ’em on their way ... with much love and hope for a summer of fun, growing, learning and friendship. Hope you and your kids can join us! Shabbat Barbecue follows. RSVP for dinner at wct.org/shabbq.

To the Confirmation Class of 5779 and their families: Mazal tov from all of us at Woodlands! Danielle Arbore daughter of Tony and Bonni Arbore

Joshua Cohen son of Alan and Sandra Cohen

Michael Fischgrund

son of Robert and Debra Fischgrund

Jacob Friedman son of Jonathan Friedman and Leora Cohen Friedman

Jessica Katz daughter of David and Amy Katz

Phoebe Katz daughter of Eric Katz and Monica Esser

Samuel Scafidi son of Mike and Liz Scafidi

Gabriel Sipe son of Karen Golden and Kirk Sipe step-son of Robert S. Berger

Gavin Stern son of David and Mary Elizabeth Stern

WCT Camping 2019! Aug 23-25 Taconic State Park-Rudd Pond

itch a tent and cook over the campfire! Swim in the lake and go for a hike! This yearly trip is a great way to make use of the Hudson Valley’s beautiful forests and spend time with your Woodlands family. All ages welcome! $55 per family. Sign up at wct.org/camping.

Maxwell Weinhouse son of Brett and Deena Weinhouse

Joshua Wise son of Andrew and Michele Wise

Scott Zarider son of Craig and Ann Zarider

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Upcoming Meetings

The Simkha Page

Our B’nai Mitzvah Dylan Pray

Executive Committee

June 1

Mon, June 3 at 8:15 pm

Torah Portion Bemidbar

Finance Committee

Hebrew Name Matan

Mon, June 10 at 8:15 pm

Jewish Life Committee Mon, June 10 at 8:00 pm

Board of Trustees

Mazal Tov to...

Mon, June 17 at 8:15

Keith and Allison Pray, as their son, Dylan, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.

We would be delighted to welcome you to any temple meeting that interests you. Please be in touch with Andy Farber (president@wct.org) for information on how to join (or just visit) a committee.

Todah Rabbah (thank you) to...

Temple Security Update

ecent horrific events at synagogues and other Houses of Worship emphasize the importance of continually assessing security to provide a safe environment for all of us. We are fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with the Greenburgh police department and other organizations to address our needs and obtain credible, relevant information to assist us. Improvements to some procedures and our physical security infrastructure have occurred and are continuing. The Temple Security Task force is comprised of a cross section of congregants sharing their perspectives and experience. We would love for additional members of the congregation to join us. If you are interested, please contact security@ wct.org. If you would like more details on specific steps we have taken, please reach out to the committee.

Yes, Jews Are organ Donors! Organ transplantation is a routine therapy for dozens of life-threatening diseases, yet thousands of New Yorkers desperately await a second chance to live. Judaism teaches us, “To save a life is to save a world.” Contrary to popular misconception, Jews do register as organ donors! To participate in the mitzvah of matan hayyim – the gift of life, register online at donatelifeny.org.

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The Academy BBQ grilling team: Stu Berlowitz and Mitch Klein To Mitch Klein and Michael Scafidi for your heroic efforts in restoring our temple website. Betsy Schorr and Michael Silverman for leading our Breakfast Run to feed those in need in NYC. Kirsten Kleinman, Joan Glazer Farber and Hernando Carmona for leading the ETF and the entire congregation to Zero Waste.

Jeanette and Carl Katz on the arrival of twin grandchildren, Charlotte and Carter, born to Cassie Herschenfeld and Ben Katz.

All of our temple committees for an amazing year of programming and spiritual nourishment. All of our advertisers for your support throughout the year. See you in September! To all who contributed to help send the Azizi children to camp. We will continue to post updates about this Afghani refugee family we are sponsoring on the Woodlands website at wct.org/refugeeupdate.

The 2018-19 WoodSY Board for your hard work, dedication, teamwork and passion.

Hevra Kaddisha: A Sacred Duty And We Could Use Your Help

erhaps they’ve appeared at your front door? When death takes someone we love, Jewish tradition has us sit shiva to receive comfort from friends and neighbors. Sometimes we request that evening services be held in our home to provide an opportunity to recite Kaddish. That’s when the members of our Hevra Kaddisha arrive. With compassionate guidance, they take our hand for this ritual of remembrance as we make our way through the valley of the shadow. We can always use another member of the team. If you’re comfortable at a Friday night service, we will train you to lead the home shiva service and provide this most meaningful act of communal support. If you think (even if you’re not sure) that you might want to become part of the Hevra Kaddisha, please contact Cantor Jonathan (cantor@wct.org). He’ll help you decide if this is right for you, and he’ll train you to be able to comfortably lead the service. Thank you to all who, during our community’s most vulnerable moments, have throughout 2018-19 conducted shiva services in our homes.

The Simkha Page

Donations We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support Woodlands Community Temple by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions.

Rabbi Mara’s Mitzvah Fund

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund

In memory of Dave Doynow, from Renee Doynow. In honor of Victoria Krebs baby naming, from Steve Krebs. In memory of our daughter, Janet Morris, from Bob and Clare Feldman. In memory of Sheldon Silverman, father of Jan Friedman, from Jeff and Jan Friedman. In honor of Dylan Pray becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Keith and Allison Pray.

In honor of Dylan Pray becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Keith and Allison Pray.

Chai Fund In memory of Dave Doynow, husband of Renee Doynow, from Robert and Selena Barron, Yvette and Larry Gralla, Jay and Lois Izes, Barry and Judith Kessler, Nelson and Jackie Leicht, Dotty Miller, Don and June Moskovitz, Hope Neuburger, Roberta, Roger and Allison Wetherbee. In memory of Fran Weingast, from Yvette and Larry Gralla. In memory of Harriet Gollin, from Don and June Moskovitz. In memory of Dave Doynow and in appreciation of Woodlands, from Renee Doynow. In memory of Joel Taman, from Sandy and Max Tuchman. In memory of Sheila Goldstein, from Sandy and Max Tuchman. In memory of cousin Marilyn Karlan, from Sandy and Max Tuchman. In honor of the marriage of Sidney Fligel, son of David and Dayle Fligel, to Hannah Rogers, from Mark and Michele Montague. In memory of Larry Rosenberg, brother of Lois Bacharach, from Phyllis Opochinsky. In memory of Anne Berkowitz, mother of Barbara Abram, from Larry and Yvette Gralla. In memory of Matilda Katz, mother of Lois Melman, from Arnold and Lois Melman. In memory of Dave Doynow, husband of Renee Doynow, from Arnold and Lois Melman.

Midnight Run Fund In memory of Fred Koven, from Jeff and Susan Axelrod.

Social Action Fund In memory of Eric Samson, from David and Nancy Samson. In memory of Joel Taman, husband of Arlene Taman, from Dotty Miller.

Steve’s H.O.P.E. Fund In memory of Raphael Bocher, from Nelson and Jackie Leicht.

Jonah Maccabee Fund In memory of Fran Weingast, from Murray and Jeanne Bodin, David and Dayle Fligel, Dale and Elly Glasser and Family, David Griff and Roni Beth Tower, Jay and Lois Izes, Barry and Judith Kessler, Harriet Kohn, Nelson and Jackie Leicht, Dotty Miller, Mark and Michele Montague, Don and June Moskovitz, Rochelle Novins, Phyllis Opochinsky, Fran Rosenfeld, Michael and Stacey Silverman, Dick and Sheila Sweet, Max and Sondra Tuchman, Mark and Fran Weinstein. In memory of Fran Weingast and in appreciation of the clergy, Woodland Singers and WCT community, from Liz, Jim, Rebecca and Adam Weingast.

Torah and Ritual Fund In memory of David Ostfeld, brother of Sheila Sweet, from Larry and Yvette Gralla, Jay and Lois Izes, Nelson and Jackie Leicht, Don and June Moskovitz. In honor of Rabbi Mara, Rabbi Joan, Roni Beth Tower and David Griff for conducting beautiful and meaningful Shiva services, from Dick and Sheila Sweet.

Education Enrichment Fund In honor of the WCT Teachers, from Lisa Sacks.

The Woodlands Community Mourns the Loss of Anne Berkowitz mother of Barbara Abram Dave Doynow husband of Renee Doynow David Ostfeld brother of Sheila Sweet Warren Shapiro brother of Neil Shapiro Joel Taman husband of Arlene Taman Fran Weingast beloved WCT member HaMakom y’nakhem otam… may God bring comfort to all who are in mourning. Zekher tzadik livrakha ... may their memory be for a blessing.

Come Sing with Us! This is the time to join up with the Woodlands Singers and help fill the High Holy Days tent with music! In June, we begin to rehearse what is arguably the best choral music in the Jewish world. If you are inclined to sing with the illustrious and friendly Woodlands Singers, why not jump in now? We rehearse every week, from now through the fall, beginning promptly at 8:15 pm (and ending just as promptly at 9:15 pm). Our singers come as often as they can. You don’t have to give up everything in your life to be part of the team, although it will become a meaningful part of your life and you probably will want to come as often as is possible. The choir sings on Rosh Hashanah evening, Yom Kippur evening, and at Neilah as the Day of Atonement comes to a close. The music is grand. The experience is wonderful. And our singers help provide a beautiful service for the entire congregation. Rehearsals are brief and fun. What’s holding you back? Now’s the time (we know you’ve been thinking about it). Contact Cantor Jonathan and chat about it (914-592-7070 or cantor@wct.org). Looking forward to hearing from you in every sense of the word.

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Dr. Jamall Calloway Fri, Jul 19 at 8:00 pm We just can’t help ourselves! Dr. Jamall Calloway has presented here at WCT four times since 2016. We’re thrilled that while he’s visiting from the West Coast, he’s opted to come spend some time with his friends here at Woodlands! Dr. Jamall Andrew Calloway is from Oakland, CA, recently completed his PhD in Philosophical Theology, preceded by a Masters of Divinity from Yale and BA in interdisciplinary humanities from Tougaloo College in Jackson, MS. An ordained Baptist minister, Jamall is a postdoc research fellow and visiting professor at Brown University, as well as summer pastor of Christ Church UCC in Mt Washington, MA. Dr. Calloway writes about faith, resistance and hope in the face of evil.

Clergy Availability During the Summer ... Either Rabbi Billy, Rabbi Mara or Cantor Jonathan will be “on call” throughout the summer. Please understand, however, that summertime is one of the very few times our clergy can get away for rest and relaxation. If you should have need, you need only contact the temple office (914-5927070). If after hours, the message on the voicemail will tell you how to get in touch with the clergy.

WCT Seat Cushions are Back! Ever wonder why the chairs in the tent are so uncomfortable? Worry no more! You can now purchase attractive, comfortable and stylish seat cushions tastefully decorated with the Woodlands logo. At $10 per cushion (or a bargain rate of four cushions for $36), your entire family can enjoy the High Holy Days in supreme comfort. To order, email tushcush@wct.org. Your tush and your temple will thank you!

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Board of Trustees Installation Fri, Jun 21 at 8:00 pm Each year, a wonderfully dedicated group of volunteers steps forward to share the responsibilities of leading our congregation. Our Board of Trustees works tirelessly to make our synagogue community a home for Judaism for us all. Please join us as we honor them with a gala Shabbat celebration.

Our sincere thanks

to these outgoing members of our Board of Trustees ... Mike Witkowski Steve Sagner Mike Scafidi Amy Green Matt Moss

For your leadership and dedication, todah rabbah ... thank you. And welcome to our 2019-2020 Board of Trustees Andy Farber, President Nancy Fishman, VP Education Alan Kaplan, VP Facilities Judy Feder, VP Finance Jenna Lebowich, VP Programming/Ritual Herb Friedman, Financial Secretary Pam Chernoff, Secretary Michael Wiskind, Treasurer T r u s t e e s 3-Y e a r T e r m

Bonni Arbore David Bertan Juli Klein Steve Schwartz T r u s t e e s 2-Y e a r T e r m

Irving Adler Toby Linder Joy Gralnick Jay Zwicker T r u s t e e s 1-Y e a r T e r m

Yvette Gralla Lisa Linn Andrew Loose Ann Zarider

We wish you a year of unparalleled success!

Summertime At WCT Summer Outdoor Services

Travel Justly this Summer

Friday Evenings All Summer

Jun 28 - Aug 30, 8:00-9:00 pm

ou are cordially invited to join us — beneath a canopy of enchanting summer skies — for our Shabbat summer outdoor services. About an hour long, come and relax with friends and neighbors. These services are less formal (if that’s even possible at Woodlands), filled with music, prayer, and meaningful words of humor and hope. A very friendly crowd will join you following the service for an Oneg of noshing and even better shmoozing. Such a delightful way to celebrate Shabbat. Children are most definitely welcome! And if the weather does not cooperate, we’ll move inside for air-conditioned spiritual comfort.

Elul: A Month to Get Ready

hile packing bags and kicking back for summer fun, you may want to circle Friday, Aug 30 on your calendar. That evening is the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, which means Rosh Hashanah is only four weeks away (Sun eve, Sep 9). During the month of Elul, Jewish tradition urges us to begin the introspective process that will occupy our attention during High Holy Days. As we begin to wind down from the sunny (hopefully), lazy (also hopefully) days of summer, Elul reminds us it’s time to begin examining ourselves — our actions, our outlooks — and begin considering why we’ve made the choices we’ve made in the past year, and how we might modify those choices in the months ahead. We’ll give you more to think about when Elul gets here. But for now, we encourage you to make August 30 a red-letter eve in your summer/fall schedule.

America’s hotel employees work hard to ensure we feel at home while traveling. Yet they are often poorly compensated and sustain injuries at more than twice rate of other service-sector workers. During this summer’s vacation travels, here’s how we can all help:

Keep a Tidier Room Injuries commonly sustained by hotel workers include back aches, shoulder pain and “Housemaids’ Knee.” We can help by throwing away trash and organizing personal items so they don’t need to be moved.

Leave a Meaningful Gratuity We can show appreciation for quality service and help hotel employees better care for their own homes and families.

Stay at Unionized Hotels Visit hotelworkersrising.org to find union hotels where workers earn an average of 33.3% more. In Deuteronomy 24 we are taught, “Do not abuse needy and destitute laborers. Pay them their wages on the same day, before the sun sets ... lest they cry to God and you incur guilt.” For 3000 years, Judaism has advocated on behalf of those unable to lobby for themselves: the poor and the homeless. Let’s do our part.

Woodlands Community? Selihot: A Late-Night Mystery Sat, Sep 21, 8:00-11:00 pm

s the summer winds down, join us for this late-night very spiritual beginning to Judaism’s remarkable period of self-reflection we call the High Holy Days. Selihot has its origins in Jewish mysticism and, to this day, offers an embracing, inspiring late-night hour of personal review of the year gone by. It’s a very sweet, yet provocative opportunity to meet the music and the themes that will fill our tent just a week later. One of our better-kept secrets here at Woodlands, Selihot is some people’s favorite service of the entire year! We’ll start with a film, then eat a little nosh, and gather for our 1st High Holy Days ritual. Be sure to put Sat, Sep 21 at 8:00 pm on your calendar.

e’re all proud of the warmth and friendliness in our synagogue. It’s our community. But not everyone feels that way. Some have come to a Friday night service and no one said hello. Others have attended a temple event or were just waiting for someone in the hallway, and no one acknowledged them. If each of us considers ourselves ambassadors of The Woodlands Way, if we’re the ones to say hello, it’s a pretty sure bet folks will feel welcome. Woodlands is a warm, welcoming, open and embracing community ... when we’re the ones to make it that way.

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Religious School

Family Picnic

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Property taxes too high? As a former member of the Town of Greenburgh Board of Assessment Review, I have expertise in determining if you are paying too much. The deadline for filing is June 18th, so please contact me soon! “I invite you to ask the many other WCT members about their experience working with me when buying or selling their homes. Just ask me, and I’ll connect you!”

Natalie Werner, SRES, e-Certified Licensed

Real Estate Associate Broker

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Westchester Properties 4 Chase Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 914-629-0985 dir 914-723-5225 bus nataliewerner@bhhsWestchester.com www.NatalieWernerHomes.com

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A Major Supporter of Woodlands Community Temple Domestic Abuse Task Force

630 Saw Mill River Rd Ardsley, NY 10502

914-357-4411

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current resident or:

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JudaiConnection It’s time for Pirkei Avot! by Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber

e are near the end of Fathers (really the early rabbis). Pirkei fulfill all the obligations in] Berachot. Sefirot HaOmer – the Avot is part of the Mishnah, which was (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Kamma 30a) counting of the Omer. compiled in the Second Century by While Pirkei Avot was not strictly While we no longer count Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. The Mishnah speaking law, it was equated with other the time between harvests, we continue is divided into tractates that, with the sections of the Mishnah and required if to count the days from the second day exception of Pirkei Avot, present laws, one wanted to be pious. From a modern of Pesach to Shavuot. We move from which are related to a specific topic. perspective, the individual mishnayot our escape from the narrow places of Pirkei Avot is a compilation of ethical (sayings, rules) speak to us because Mitzrayim (Egypt) to the openness of statements by the ancient rabbis and they focus in on behavior and ethics Sinai and the wonder of rather than ritual. There are six Revelation. We move from Shabbatot (Sabbaths) during the a physical experience to Omer and Pirkei Avot has six f a m n o t f o r m ys e lf the spiritual experience of chapters, thus providing us with receiving the Torah. readymade study materials for w h o w i ll b e f o r m e There are numerous Shabbat. educational experiences tied ersonally, I enjoy studying f a m o n ly f o r m ys e lf to the Omer. Some read a Pirkei Avot because of the different book of the Bible variety of ethical teachings. w h at a m daily or verses connected Hillel taught “Don’t separate to preparation for worship. yourself from the community” nd if not now when Others focus on the virtues (2:4) as a reminder that it is easy of Biblical characters and to be part of the community RABBI HILLEL ways in which we can when life is good and therefore emulate their behaviors. we need to stay connected when For example, Abraham the community is facing challenges. was known for hospitality, Rebecca – does not have the weight of halacha, law. Rabbi Tarfon challenged us with “It is spirituality; Miriam – wisdom and David The Talmud records: not upxx to you to finish the work, yet – leadership. We can study their stories R. Judah said that in order to become you are not free to avoid it” (2:16). And as guides for our own behavior. Focusing a pious person, one must fulfill the Ben Bag Bag said: “Turn it and turn it, on the Ten Commandments and other words of [the entire section of Mishnah for everything is in it. Reflect on it and mitzvot can also provide guidance as we called] Nezikin. Raba [and others say grow old and gray with it. Don’t turn move slowly toward Shavuot. Rabina] said, [the pious person must do] from it, for nothing is better than it.” My preference is to declare it time everything in the Tractate [Pirke] Avot; (5:22) — It is Torah, of course. to study Pirkei Avot, the Sayings of the and [still] others say [that person has to

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