the newsletter of woodlands community temple
March 2019 Adar I – Adar II 5779
Esther’s 80’s Prom Purim
Wednesday, Mar 20, 7:30-9:00pm
What if instead of an ancient Persian palace, the Purim story unfolded in a 1980’s high school gym?
Esther’s ’80s Prom tells the famous Bible story in the style of a John Hughes film like “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club.” Esther is captain of the soccer team, Rosh is Prom King, and Mordechai is president of the Jewish Student Union. The drama begins when Rosh decides that Vashti isn’t prom queen material and takes matters into his own hands… What makes Esther’s ’80s Prom different than a regular spiel? Instead of sitting and watching the spiel in theater-style seating, we’ll actually attend the 1986 Shushan High School Prom along with Esther, Mo, Rosh, Haman, and Vashti! A DJ will be playing our favorite’80s hits. The drama will unfold in between songs with some scripted performance. Esther’s ’80s Prom is a faithful retelling of the Book of Esther, just through a totally rad 80’s teen drama lens. It’s an interactive play instead of a classic spiel. Continued on page 2
Mishpakha Shabbat For All:
Lo-Sensory, Special Needs-Friendly Shabbat Experience by Rabbi Mara Young
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n Friday night, March 29 at 7:00pm, Mishpakha Shabbat will pay special attention to inclusion for adults and children with special needs. Mishpakha Shabbat is known for its spirit: upbeat songs, family-friendly iyyunim, and community atmosphere. This month we’ll explore how we can make these hallmarks more accessible, especially for those with sensory sensitivities and other special needs. Planning the service has included Lauren Levitt, our Learning Center Coordinator, who has a Masters in Special Education and works with our students with special needs in the religious school. Here’s some of what to expect and the rationale behind it:
There will be a “quiet corner” in the back of the sanctuary. It’ll include some soft seating, coloring books/crayons, and children’s books. If at any point during the service or the oneg (the festive dessert after the service), an individual needs a quiet place to do their own thing, this quiet corner may be a welcomed option. We’ll pay special attention to the tone. The Woodlands sanctuary always aspires to be a judgment-free zone. Yet sometimes we shush our neighbors or throw a glance their way. In the case of children and adults with certain disabilities, sometimes they can’t help but make some noise or move around. On this night, we’ll establish a shush-free zone. If you or loved one needs to stretch, you can do so Continued on page 2
Ten Reasons to Buy Tickets to the 10th Jonah Maccabee Concert, Mar 9th at 8 pm 1. You’ll hear rock star Rick Recht, one of the top-touring Jewish musicians. 2. You’ll take part in a unique, powerful interactive performance that blends pop music, Hebrew, sacred text and social responsibility. 3. You’ll see special guest star Elana Arian, an amazing multi-instrumentalist and a true friend of our community. She has performed at nearly every Jonah concert! 4. You’ll have a ton of fun. 5. You’ll honor Jonah. 6. You’ll support the Dreskins in building something wonderful in Jonah’s name. 7. You’ll get to ask Rabbi Billy what he’s up to, mid-sabbatical. 8. Have we mentioned you’ll have fun? 9. You can sing along, dance and nosh on delicious home-baked goodies. 10. Tickets are selling fast so get yours now. Call the temple office today or go to wct.org/jonah.
Our Woodlands Community 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
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
Esther’s 80’s Prom Purim, Continued from p. 1
So when I show up, what will I be expected to do? A lot of the fun will be on the dance floor. Come ready to dance with your family and friends, with brief interruptions to move the story along. We’ll have snacks and drinks at the back of the room. If you’re feeling more like a wallflower, that’s totally fine too! We’ll have chairs set up around the room so you can watch the drama unfold. All ages are encouraged to attend. What about the megillah and hearing the Purim story? The 80’s are the inspiration, but Purim is the purpose. We’ll start with the blessings for reading the megillah. And while the story may feel different, the same themes and plot lines are there: Vashti’s principled stance, Esther’s bravery, plus Mordechai’s commitment to Jewish tradition. So on that note, we most closely associate Purim with silliness, kiddie carnivals and mythical stories. But the holiday has much to advocate from a justice perspective. Here are some new ways to think about the holiday: • Breaking down the class system: We wear costumes and masks, which end up making us equals. Everyone is commanded to send gifts to the needy, but with everyone all dressed up, we avoid singling out exactly who that is, helping everyone to feel equal. • Easy on the drinking: While we revel in the rabbis’ insistence that we should “drink until we can’t tell the different between ‘blessed be Mordechai’ and ‘cursed be Haman’” the doctrine is quickly followed up by the rabbis warning it might just take a thimble-sized sip of alcohol to do that. It’s one thing to have some fun, but as with anything, moderation and knowing your limits are key. • Purim is a feminist holiday: It’s a lesson in consent. The king orders Vashti to come dance naked in front of him and his friends, who have been partying big time for days. Vashti says, “No thanks, I’d rather not enter your unsafe environment and do something I’m not comfortable with.” We all have that right and Purim teaches it to us with some of our most inspiring female characters. For more on that, see the back page of Makom. So don’t miss our totally tubular Purim celebration. We promise it’s worth it on a school night!
Dayle Fligel (ex-officio)
Mishpakha Shabbat For All, Continued from p. 1
Office Staff
in the seat, in the aisle, or you can use the quiet corner in the back. You can exit the sanctuary if it would be helpful, but don’t feel like you have to. The music will be at a slightly lower volume, rhythmic, and joyful. We will not be using visual worship, as the brightness of the screens and some images may be jarring for some. Yet we will be offering a “visual map” of the service. It will include pictures and words that describe what is happening from the moment one approaches the synagogue to when they head home. Where are we? Who will be leading the service? Where are we in the order of the prayers? What’s next? How much time is left? This visual map is a great tool before, during and after the service to help prepare and debrief. It aims to take away the element of surprise and
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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allow all to access what is happening in the timeframe and in the way that is best for them. You can request a copy of this visual map ahead of the service by visiting wct.org/shabbatforall. As you walk in you’ll also notice some buckets of fidgets and quiet toys. Feel free to grab one that is appropriate for you or your loved one to help them stay focused and/or at ease throughout the service. Since this is our first time doing a service like this, your understanding and constructive feedback are very much appreciated. Hopefully we can learn some strategies that we can use every week to help all feel at home in the Woodlands sanctuary space. Feel free to let your local friends know and invite them to join you at the service.
from the
Youth Director
The Woodlands Way Lily Mandell
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n my first day of work, Rabbi Mara took me into the sanctuary and told me: “Everything you need to know about Woodlands you can learn from our sanctuary.” At first I was a little confused about how a multi-purpose space could embody an entire organization. However now at my six- month mark, I cannot think of a more perfect way to describe Woodlands than a multi-purpose room. See, a multi-purpose room can become whatever one needs it to be, similar to the Room of Requirement from Harry Potter. If you’re not an HP nerd like me, the Room of Requirement is a magical room which can only be discovered by someone who is in need, and transforms to fit the needs of that person. Everyone’s needs are not the same, so the Room of Requirement could appear differently to everyone. In a similar way, everyone joins a temple for different reasons. One may see temple membership as an avenue to G-d, religious schooling for children or even just some place to say Kaddish each week. Woodlands becomes whatever the member needs it to be, because our members truly get what they give. As an old colleague of mine would say, “You create the meaning of the space.” When I entered the “real world” a short eight months ago, I was leaving behind communities that I had formed in my four years of college. Throughout my job search, nothing felt right until I met Rabbi Mara and learned about Woodlands. I believe that I found Woodlands because I needed to, even if I did not know it yet. It was my Room of Requirement; I needed more than a job, I needed a strong community. These past six months at Woodlands have been more meaningful than I ever could have imagined. I have never experienced what it means to be fully and unequivocally supported in my work by everyone in an institution, and every day at Woodlands I feel more and more a part of the bigger picture. The kids have inspired me with their intelligence, kindness and maturity; I know it is difficult to accept a new person into your sphere but I could not ask for a more open and accepting group of teens. You all make my work so easy. I feel confident to say that I am settled in to my Room of Requirement at WCT. I hope you all can take a step back and recognize how Woodlands has been there for you in a time of need. In the words of JK Rowling, “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”
Israel:
The Long and the Short of It
Amoz Oz z"l
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hat can we learn from the life and death of Amos Oz, a literary giant of Israel in the 20th century? During his lifetime that approximately parallels the existence of Israel, he fought in two wars, tilled the soil, penned more than 40 books in Hebrew, founded “Peace Now” and became a moral force for a twostate solution. He lived through the 1948 war and chronicled it in A Tale of Love and Darkness, considered by most his masterpiece. He captures his coming of age during the siege of Jerusalem in 1948 with a brutal honesty about his life and feelings that hones his humanistic thinking. As a young man, stifled by the city, he moved to Kibbutz Hulda where he did much of his writing. Oz never lost sight of his goal - a truce in which both sides could find a home side by side, even though it might sometimes be messy and unhappy. Even though his critics called him a traitor, he said sometimes the “the title, traitor, can be worn as a badge of honor.” For us in the Diaspora, who mostly experience Israel from a distance, we have a lot to learn from this towering thinker. How can we be critical of Israel when it is warranted and still hang on to the history and values we hold dear; how can we honor Amos Oz’ legacy that we can together find a way to live and work together, Jews and Arabs?
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.
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Environmental Task Force:
Green
Corner Woodlands Has Now Implemented It’s New
Zero Waste Disposal Plan! Check this box monthly to see the latest in what you can do to help Woodlands, and the world, go green!
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irst up: You may have seen our new bins around the synagogue. But, as many folks may ask, What goes where? Here are some helpful hints to clarify your concerns. If you want more information, pick up a What Goes Where? cheat sheet on the table outside the sanctuary or email us at etf@wct.org. ALL cutlery, plates, cups etc. from Woodlands from now on are all compostable. They ALL go in the Compost bin. Even if the cutlery or cups look plastic, they’re not, they’re made of plant materials (you can tell by the green swoosh on the cups and the cutlery says “compostable”). Nothing dirty can go in the Paper or Recycle bins. Dirty paper goods can go in Compost. All metal or plastic containers should be rinsed and put in Recycle bin. If you brought it in from outside, it’s most likely trash. (This includes Starbucks/ Dunkin cups) If you don’t know, throw it in the trash, so you don’t contaminate the other bins.
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Want to learn the words and tunes to the prayers at WCT services? There’s an app for that!
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hile recordings of the traditional Shabbat prayers have always lived on the WCT website (wct.org/ blessings), we now have an even easier way to access the words and tunes to the blessings! Thanks to temple teen, Brendan Chang, there’s now an app for that! (Brendan developed and published the app…how impressive is that?!). Simply go to the Apple App Store and search for “Bless Up.” Download the app and the words and recording for each blessing will be right there on your phone! Whose voice is that? Our very own Cantor Jonathan of course! The text is zoom-able. Look at the words while you practice along with the recording. Android users, we do not yet have the app for you. We’re working on it, though!
WCT Pancake Breakfast
Worship Schedule Shabbat Vayakhel
Shabbat Vayikra
Sat, Mar 30
Vayakhel ... Exodus 35:1 - 38:20 ... I Kings 7:40 - 7:50 (additional reading for Shabbat Shekalim is Exodus 30:11-16)
Vayikra ... Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26 ... Isaiah 43:21 - 44:23 (additional reading for Shabbat Zakhor is Deuteronomy 25:17-19)
Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am
Fri, Mar 1
Celebrate with us as Jada Fleiss, daughter of Richard Fleiss and Lori Kroun, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.
Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm
Fri, Mar 15
Our teens will share about their experiences in Washington DC at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s L’taken Seminar.
Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00pm
Yoga Havdalah at 7:30pm
A quiet, contemplative evening of Shabbat song. (Note: time is different than previously published).
Yoga by candlelight. We’ll say goodbye to Shabbat with Havdalah and ready ourselves for the rest of week.
Sat, Mar 2
Sat, Mar 16
Babysitting this month will be
Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am
No 10:30 service today.
Celebrate with us as Fiona Stern, daughter of Mary Elizabeth and David Stern, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.
Ask for Kaddish to be recited at Hevra Torah (9:15 am).
Shabbat Pekuday Pekuday ... Exodus 38:21 - 40:38 ... I Kings 7:51 - 8:21
Fri, Mar 8 Jammin’ Shabbat at 7:00 pm A half-hour of zany, holy fun! 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. And Mitzvah Hero Training at 6:45 pm!
Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber will speak.
Sat, Mar 9
Shabbat Tzav Tzav ... Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36 ... Ezekiel 36:22-36
provided on Mar 1 and 22.
Need a Shabbat babysitter on a night when it isn’t scheduled? 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.
Fri, Mar 22 Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm Rabbinic Intern Zach Plesent will speak.
Sat, Mar 23 Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am Celebrate with us as Daniella Friedman, daughter of Jonathan Friedman and Leora Cohen Friedman, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.
Shabbat Sh’mini Sh’mini ... Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47 ... II Samuel 6:1 - 7:17 (additional reading for Shabbat Parah is Numbers 19:1-22)
Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am
Fri, Mar 29
Celebrate with us as Abigail Federbusch, daughter of Richard and Mary Ann Federbusch, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.
Mishpakha Shabbat for All: Lo-Sensory, Special Needs-Friendly Shabbat Experience at 7:00 pm For the entire congregation, just earlier – meaningful for adults, engaging for kids! If you like, join us for a quick dinner at 6:00 pm – make your reservation at wct. org/mishpakha. This month, we’ll be exploring different ways that we can make our service more accessible for adults and children with special needs.
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.
Mar 2: Parashat Vayakhel Facilitated by Rabbi Mara
Mar 9: Parashat Pekuday Facilitated by Cantor Jonathan
Mar 16: Parashat Vayikra Facilitated by Cantor Jonathan
Mar 23: Parashat Tzav
Facilitated by Rabbinic Intern Zach Plesent
Mar 30: Parashat Sh’mini Facilitated by Rabbi Mara
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Rabbi Mara’s Quinoa Stuffing with Leeks, Walnuts & Cherries 2 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided 1 cup uncooked quinoa 1 Tbs butter cooking spray 2 cups thinly sliced leek (about 3/4 lb) 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp dried rubbed sage 4 garlic cloves, minced 3/4 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted Bring broth and 1/4 tsp of salt to boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Let stand 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add leek, celery, remaining salt, pepper and sage; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in cooked quinoa, and walnuts; heat thoroughly.
Phyllis’s Ratatouille
Passover Foods with a Modern Twist by Jenna Lebowich
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he Passover season in the New York area is heralded by the appearance of piles of Manischewitz, Streits, and Rokeach products lining the specialty aisles at Stop and Shop and Shop Rite. Thoughts of brisket, tsimmis, matzoh balls, gefilte fish start to pop up as we think about the approaching holiday, often followed by a sense of dread as we then consider which of our Seder guests will or won’t eat them. Many of us have shied away from these foods in recent years for a number of reasons. For some, health concerns have made us put aside traditional recipes in favor of lighter dishes or those made with problematic ingredients. For others, changing palates and evolving lifestyle choices have led us to look for new alternatives – dishes that celebrate the season while representing how many of us choose to eat today with a greater emphasis on plant-based eating and less reliance on processed foods. As a registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist, I help my clients to stop worrying about what they can’t eat and to discover new foods and recipes that they love. The New Pesakh Table class on Sun, Mar 31 (11:30am-1:00pm) is designed to do just that. Cooking together as a group, we will explore how to balance the traditional and the new for both Seder and Pesakh week. We’ll make some lighter, healthier versions of favorite dishes and introduce some new, creative recipes that honor the spirit of the holiday while accommodating a variety of dietary and lifestyle needs, including gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan alternatives. We will also share menu planning tips and techniques to help make sure that every guest at the table is accommodated. Register at wct.org/pesakh. Questions? Feel free to email me at jenna@cooklearnlive.com.
Phyllis Hirth 2 cups diced mushrooms 1/2 cup diced onion 2 Tbs diced garlic 2 Tbs olive oil 2 cups peeled and diced eggplant 2 cups peeled and diced zucchini 1/2 cup diced red pepper 1 Tbs red wine vinegar 1/2 Tbs basil 1/2 Tbs oregano salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup diced tomatoes 10 kalamata olives, diced 1/4 cup pine nuts Saute mushrooms, onion and garlic in olive oil until mushrooms are well browned and onions are very soft. Add eggplant, zucchini and red pepper and cook about 5 minutes. Add vinegar, basil, oregano, salt and pepper and cook another 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and olives and cook another 5 minutes. Throughout these 3 steps stir occasionally. Let cool; then add pine nuts. Note: Good with pita chips or party rye bread as an appetizer or hors d'oeuvre. Excellent over pasta.
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There are many great recipes out there that will accommodate special dietary needs. Sometimes it just requires a little thinking outside of the box to repurpose a recipe you already love or the willingness to serve something non-traditional at your table. A quick look through What’s Cooking Tonight!, our own WCT cookbook, revealed a few great recipes—some not even in the Passover section—to consider. In the column on the left are Rabbi Mara’s Quinoa Stuffing with Leeks, Walnuts, and Cherries on page 245 and Phyllis’ Ratatouille by Phyllis Hirth on p 173. Quinoa has been a lifesaver for many at Passover as a gluten-free grain option. It’s also a very good source of protein (as are the walnuts in the recipe), which your vegetarian and vegan guests will appreciate as an alternative to chicken or brisket. Ratatouille is a familiar dish to many and a great way to get a lot of vegetables on the plate. It can also be made in advance and in larger batches and reheated, a boon to busy cooks feeding a crowd. A hearty vegetable dish like this can pull double duty on your seder table as both the vegetable dish with a meat protein and take center of the plate honors over quinoa for non-meat eaters.
from the
President
Be Twice as Happy, It’s Adar (II) Andy Farber, President
T
here’s a great saying in the Hebrew calendar … be happy, it’s Adar. This year, we can be twice as happy, because 5779 is a leap year, and there are two months of Adar. Hebrew leap years are not uncommon, in fact they occur more often than the four-year cycle of the secular leap year adding a 29th day to February. But so it is that it will be in Adar II, and not in Adar (I), that we will celebrate Purim. This year for Purim we’re all going to the prom. Yes, we are to returning to our past. Find yourself a date, or date yourself, and head off to our prom. Wear your dancing shoes, and be prepared to dance the night (all right, the evening), away. It will be an event you won’t want to miss. The other not to miss date in Adar II is even more important. The Blood Drive is, literally, a chance to save a life. Twice a year, we have the chance to step forward, roll up a sleeve, and donate a unit of blood. In January, I signed up for the blood drive in my office. Since I also wanted to donate at Temple’s drive, I asked the organizer, Lauren, if I’d be eligible to donate on March 24, the date of our drive. (Her answer was yes.) But then Lauren then asked me which Temple I was donating at, and when I told her Woodlands, she told me what a wonderful job Chuck Bauer does to organize the Woodlands blood drive. Chuck has been organizing our blood drive for years, and it was a thrill to hear of his reputation within the blood donor community. Help support Chuck, and save a life, by coming down to temple to donate blood. L’shalom,
Next up…SPRING! We just completed our winter buying trips and found new artists like the distinctive wooden boxes by Bohemian couple Teresa Witkowska and her husband, Chris Kowalski, of Enchanted World of Boxes. Their Polish art boxes are inspired by the world’s cultures and we’re proud to display their Judaica themed pieces.
We’re also excited about the new Passover merchandise we found! Yair Emanuel’s laser cut hand painted Seder plate will bring bright color to your Passover table. The intricate designs evoke abundance, health, renewal and freedom and the painted glass Elijah cup adds additional spirituality.
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.
Matthew Moss In my first few years at WCT, my “volunteering” was limited to helping fold up the tables after the Sukkot barbecue and, when asked, doing traffic duty. I was surprised to find that folding tables and directing traffic can be rewarding, even fun, if done with good people and for a good purpose. From my family’s experience, Woodlands is at its best when its members band together as a team, whether folding tables or mobilizing for a good cause.
I am now serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and helping out on the Finance Committee. Beyond enjoying the work and the company of my fellow congregants, I think it’s important to contribute my time to the temple that plays such a central role in our family’s life.
And check out new colorful bead bracelets by Taska by Beatrice that are ideal B’nai Mitzvah gifts! 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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March Happenings & Beyond Learning Jewish Studies Thursdays, 10:00 11:30 am Join us as Harriet Levine teaches about the environment for Jews in Medieval Europe.
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 dates: Mar 20, Apr 17, May 15 and Jun 19. Sign up at wct.org/lunchandlearn.
Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor Thursdays, Mar 7, 14 and 21 at 11:30 am A three session class on Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor written by Yossi Klein Halevi. Halevi writes from his heart about the wall that separates Israelis and Palestinians and attempts to understand his own complex feelings. Each session will focus on a different chapter. Join us for the conversation facilitated by Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber.
Book Club Wed, Mar 13 at 2:00 pm Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Facilitated by Lois Green One of the most important works of twentieth-century American literature, Zora Neale Hurston’s beloved 1937 classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is an enduring Southern love story sparkling with wit, beauty, and heartfelt wisdom. Told in the captivating voice of a woman
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who refuses to live in sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish romantic dreams, it is the story of fair-skinned, fiercely independent Janie Crawford, and her evolving selfhood through three marriages and a life marked by poverty, trials, and purpose. A true literary wonder, Hurston’s masterwork remains as relevant and affecting today as when it was first published – perhaps the most widely read and highly regarded novel in the entire canon of African American literature.
Current Events Wed, Mar 20, 10:00-11:30 am Join us for an always lively discussion on current events. An agenda will be emailed to participants ahead of the meeting. Contact Phyllis Hirth (phyllishrth@gmail) for more information. Subsequent sessions: Apr 17 and May 15.
S’forim Forum Sat, Mar 23, 4:30-6:00 pm The Lawgiver by Herman Wouk The Lawgiver begins when a writer named Herman Wouk receives an insanely lucrative offer to pass judgment on a screenplay about Moses commissioned by an eccentric Australian billionaire. Tim Warshaw, a Hollywood honcho desperate for a hit to save his failing production company, takes on the project and brings along screenwriter Margolit Solovei, the “preoccupied pagan” daughter of an Orthodox rabbi. A light snack and Havdalah follow. Facilitated by Cantor Jonathan.
The New Pesakh Table: Holiday Favorites Made Healthier Sun, Mar 31, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Looking to lighten up your traditional Seder menu? Need new ideas for healthier holiday recipes, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes? Join registered dietitian and culinary nutritionist Jenna Lebowich for a hands-on holiday cooking program. We’ll make some traditional favorites with a healthier twist and get you ready for Seder. $10/pp materials fee. Sign up at wct.org/pesakh.
Mah Jongg Thu, Mar 7 at 7:30 pm Beginners and teens are always welcome to join us. Bring a nosh and your mah jongg card, if you have one. Questions, or to RSVP, email Michele (michele@wct.org).
SAVE THE DATE! We’re trying something new! A Daytime Mah Jongg Game! Tue, Mar 12, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm If you are interested, please email michele@wct.org.If we have enough interest, we'll make daytime mah jongg a regular event!
Social Action One Mitzvah Leads to Another When Daniella Friedman joined her family on Rabbi Billy’s Christmas Eve Midnight Run, she discovered that two of the most sought-after items are large and extra-large size dark-colored hoodies and duffle bags/large reusable shopping bags. Because our supply of these is low, Daniella decided that she would ask her Bat Mitzvah guests to donate these items. She will then distribute them when she goes on one of our breakfast runs in the spring. Help her perform this mitzvah. A collection box sits outside the temple office throughout March.
It is official: WCT is going Zero-Waste in 2019. We are now using the compostable plates, bamboo forks and spoons and cups all the time. Everything should be placed in the bin with the green bag, which has a Compost sign above it.
March Mensch of the Month is Second Grade! You, too, can be a mensch by bringing in Cereal boxes, granola bars, juice boxes, and fruit cups. Help our local food pantries and the folks they serve.
Shelter Dinner Cooking Sun, Mar 17
Y o u t h A n d F a m i ly Engagement
Prepare part of a home-cooked meal (main dish, veggies, etc) for the teens living at a shelter in Valhalla. Let Val Fox, Melissa Goldsmith or Allison Pray know at shelterdinner@wct.org that you are willing to help.
WoodSY Purim Shul-In Sat, Mar 16-17, 6:30 pm – 10:00 am
Beginners are always welcome.
WoodSY’s annual Purim Shul-In is back! This year, we are having a special surprise performance, so get excited! In addition, we will be setting up the carnival, having yummy snacks, and a fun sleep over at temple. Keep your eyes and ears open for more information soon!
Blood Drive Sun, Mar 24, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
WoodSY Board 2019-2020 Applications Due: Mar 29, 12:00 am
Giving blood at Woodlands is so easy and convenient. Come in when you’re picking up or dropping off from religious school, going to a meeting, or swing by just because you’re a mensch. You can donate if you’re between 17 and 75 years old and weigh at least 110 lbs. (16-year olds may donate with a note from a parent, and those older than 75 with a note from your doctor). Please bring ID with you. Schedule your appointment at wct.org/blooddrive or e-mail Chuck Bauer and Jill Garland at blood@wct.org. Walkins are welcome but they may need to wait.
We are now taking applications for the 2019-2020 WoodSY board! Being on WoodSY board is an amazing leadership opportunity that empowers you to work with your WCT peers in creating, planning, and running youth group events, brainstorming new ways for engaging teens in Jewish opportunities, and envisioning the future of your youth program here at Woodlands. You will also receive leadership training sessions and opportunities for growth, which look amazing when you apply to college!
Project Ezra Passover Food Collection March 15-31
Purim Carnival 2019 brought to you by WoodSY Sun, Mar 17, 10am-1pm
Knitting and Crocheting Sun, Mar 10 3:00-5:00 pm
Please help us fill up 50 boxes of Passover food for the Project Ezra Seniors by either: • Donating Kosher for Passover-labeled food during our temple-wide food drive in March (see list at wct.org/passoverfood) • Volunteering to shop for Passover food items, Apr 5-8 • Making a donation to Woodlands for the Project Ezra Food Program Volunteers are also needed to deliver food boxes directly to the seniors in their homes on Sunday morning, Apr 14. Contact Harriet Kohn at ProjectEzra@wct.org if interested.
Teens do not run for a specific position; rather, they will seek an opportunity to lead. A slating process determines what role each teen occupies. The nomination committee will choose the position for each applicant, and that will result in a slate that all Academy students will vote on. For more information, email Lily at youth@wct.org.
Come by anytime between 10 am and 1 pm for games, prizes, crafts, and carnival attractions (if the weather behaves, we’ll even have a bouncy house!). We’ll even be picking up on the 80’s Purim theme! Staffed by our Woodlands teens, it’s the must-attend event of the year! Bring cash to buy tickets – every child must be accompanied by an adult. Plenty of snacks and food will be available for sale. Don’t forget to bring your grade’s assigned food for the Project Ezra Food drive and you’ll get two free tickets!
What is ARZA?
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any have heard of ARZA and wondered, what is that funny combination of letters? ARZA is the American Reform Zionist Association, a mouthful. What does it have to do with you, you ask? Perhaps this will help: ARZA was founded in 1978 as the Reform Movement’s Zionist arm to link progressive Jewish voices to the task of building a better Israel. The organization’s goal is to understand and help Israel evolve into a modern and democratic state in connection with Am Yisrael (the Jewish people at large). ARZA’s goal is very Reform in its nature: as Jews we have an obligation to continue to engage with Israel, broadening and deepening our relationship with our ancient homeland and modern Jewish space. There are ways to do this that ARZA supports: teaching our kids, teaching ourselves, songs, holiday-based programming, art, food, films, and honest conversation about what we love and what challenges us. Plus, traveling to Israel, an experience that cannot be replicated. ARZA advocates for progressive Judaism in Israel and helps bridge the gap between Israel and the progressive diaspora. WCT has always been a member of ARZA and many congregants have regularly pledged to support ARZA financially. We hope this continues and that more are inspired to join. The suggested amount is a pledge of $50, yet we ask that you give what you can. So if you have been asking yourself “what exactly does it mean to be a liberal Zionist?” or “how can I help make my voice heard on issues having to do with Israel?” ARZA may be the right place for you. Show your care by making a donation and/or joining our ARZA Israel Committee. Email arza@wct.org.
If you or someone you know is a victim of Domestic Abuse, please share this confidential hotline:
www.wct.org
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Upcoming
Meetings
The Simkha Page
Our B’nai Mitzvah Fiona Stern
Abigial Federbusch
March 2
March 9
Torah Portion Vayakhel
Torah Portion Pekudei
Hebrew Name Maayan
Hebrew Name Avigayil D’vora
Daniella Friedman
Jada Fleiss
Finance Committee
March 23
March 30
Mon, Mar 11 at 8:15 pm
Torah Portion Tzav
Torah Portion Shemini
Social Action Committee
Hebrew Name Daniella Shiri
Hebrew Name Yehudit Batya
Finance Committee Sun, Mar 3 at 7:30 pm
Executive Committee Mon, Mar 4 at 8:15 pm
School Board Mon, Mar 11 at 8:15 pm
Mon, Mar 11 at 8:15 pm
Board of Trustees Mon, Mar 18 at 8:15 pm
Finance Committee Mon, Mar 25 at 8:15 pm
Jewish Life Committee Mon, Mar 25 at 8:15 pm 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.
Starbucks and a Schmooze @ WCT Sun, Mar 3, 10:30-11:30 am in the meeting room Our kids aren’t the only ones who get to make friends at Woodlands!! Adults are invited to join the Youth and Family Engagement Committee for bagels, coffee (fresh from Starbucks) and schmoozing on Sunday, March 3, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Come by before you pick up your child or stick around during the second session for a warm up and some good conversation.
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www.wct.org
Mazal Tov to... David and Mary Elizabeth Stern, as their daughter, Fiona, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
Jonathan Friedman and Leora Cohen Friedman, as their daughter, Daniella, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
Richard and Mary Ann Federbusch, as their daughter, Abigail, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
Richard Fleiss and Lori Kroun, as their daughter, Jada, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
Todah Rabbah (thank you) to... Dan Emery who, in partnership with Marge Glusker, led our Refugee Task Force from its creation after Rabbi Billy’s sermon about the Yanov Torah in 2017. Dan is stepping down and Melanie Roher is stepping up to co-chair the steering committee with Marge. Dan, thank you for your leadership and dedication. All who contributed to the Project Ezra Luncheon: Linda Davidson, Pamela Goldstein, Michele & Andrew Wise, Bonni Arbore, Mark & Michele Montague, Shelly, David, and Janet Weinstein, Linda & Jay Zwicker, Lisa, Jay and Matthew Heinlein, Alison Harris, Murray Bodin, Jack Rockafellow, Elise Ballan, Jan Friedman, Hillary Archigian, Cantor Jonathan, Adam Hart & the Fifth Graders and, of course, Harriet Kohn, who made it happen.
Our amazing Tu b’Shevat Pancake Breakfast team: Kirsten, Jon, Joseph and Dean Kleinman, Eric and Phoebe Katz, Joan and Andy Farber, Roberta and Juliana Roos, Dayle Fligel, Melissa Goldsmith, Laura Londin, Ilan & Alejandro Luciano, Nan Gladstone, Pam & Joel Chernoff, Lori Kroun and Richard and Jada Fleiss, Jeremy Leventhal, WoodSY & Lily Mandell, Rabbi Mara, and everyone who popped in to lend a hand. Brendan Chang for developing our new “Bless Up” app for learning our blessings! And thank you to Andy Farber for helping make it a reality as well! Judy Stiefel, Nicole Lesser, and the Domestic Abuse Task Force for their workshop on understanding dating violence with our 11th and 12th graders. Thank you to the Zirlin family for completing our temple's collection of the Revised Torah Commentary. Now we can all truly be on the same page!
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
Social Action Fund
In honor of Rabbi Mara, from Jay, Evalyn, Robert and Amy Mendelson. In memory of Richard Birnbaum, husband of Janet Birnbaum, from Steve and Roberta Florin. In memory of Richard Birnbaum, from Janet Birnbaum. In honor of Dick Sweet’s 80th birthday, from Alan Kaplan. In honor of Adam Kawalek and Andrew Denman, grandsons, from Linda Lucks. In appreciation of Rabbi Mara for conducting a very meaningful funeral for Larry Rosenberg, from The Bacharach Family. In appreciation of Rabbi Mara for the wonderful Shabbat service in honor of Dick Sweet’s 80th birthday, from Dick and Sheila Sweet.
In honor of the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry, from Alan and Sandra Cohen. In memory of David Zadoc Whipple, grandson of Nancy Gladstone, from David Griff and Roni Beth Tower. In memory of Philip Barnhard IV, father of Elizabeth Barnhard, from B’nai Binah Study Group. In memory of Philip Barnhard IV, from Jeff and Susan Axelrod. In memory of Philip Barnhard IV, from Dotty Miller. In memory of Philip Barnhard IV, from Rochelle Novins.
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund In appreciation of Cantor Jonathan for preparing me to chant Torah in honor of my 80th birthday, from Dick Sweet.
Hunger Fund In memory of David Zadoc Whipple, grandson of Nancy Gladstone, from Murray and Jeanne Bodin.
Music Fund In honor of Dick Sweet’s 80th Birthday, from Gail Zizmor.
Chai Fund
Jonah Maccabee Foundation
In memory of Larry Rosenberg, brother of Lois Bacharach, from David and Dayle Fligel. In memory of Henry Clayman, father of Marcia Kingston, from David and Dayle Fligel. In Yahrzeit memory of Jay and Kevin Novins, from Rochelle Novins. In memory of Bob Phillips, son of Harry and Marge Phillips, from Tony and Selena Barron. Donation from Skip Friedman. In memory of Bob Phillips, from Larry and Yvette Gralla. In memory of Bob Phillips, from Barry and Judith Kessler. In memory of Sylvia Rosenblum, mother of Judy Flamm, from Barry and Judith Kessler. In memory of Bob Phillips, from Evi and Stephen Lieb. In memory of Bob Phillips, from Marge Thrope. In memory of Dorothy and Morris Kingston, from Michael Kingston. Donation from Eric Grossman and Betsy Schorr.
In memory of Larry Rosenberg, brother of Lois Bacharach, from Barry and Judith Kessler.
Refugee Resettlement Fund In honor of welcoming a refugee family and the efforts of my friends, Melanie and Steve Schwartz, from Janet Dewar.
Steve’s H.O.P.E. In appreciation of Evan, Faye Friedman and family for their ongoing support and generous commitment, from Bonnie Mitelman. In appreciation of David Griff and Roni Beth Tower for their interest and support, from Bonnie Mitelman.
B’rukhim haba’im...
Welcome to our newest members! Nancy and David Samson
The Woodlands Community Mourns the Loss of Philip Barnhard IV father of Elizabeth Barnhard Richard Birnbaum husband of Janet Birnbaum Freddy Hagouel father of Bette Hagouel David Zadoc Whipple grandson of Nancy Gladstone Bernice Tobor Wineberg mother of Rachel Wineberg
HaMakom y’nakhem otam… may God bring comfort to all who are in mourning. Zekher tzadik livrakha ... may their memory be for a blessing.
Are You in Need of Financial Assistance?
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The Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) may be able to help. For 125 years, HFLS has been providing 0% interest loans to lowand moderate-income New Yorkers in need. Loans are available for emergency and personal needs, higher education, vocational school, small business start-up or expansion, fertility treatments, adoption, and more. HFLS loans have no interest, no fees, and reasonable repayment terms. Visit HFLS.org or contact 212-687-0188 or info@HFLS.org to learn more.
Can You Hear Me Now? WCT Sound Crew in Formation
We’re looking for a few folks who’d like to mix sound for worship services. Previous experience is helpful. If you’ve ever played in a band or mixed sound, this could be just for you. Once a month or so, we need a pair of ears to mix sound in sanctuary for A Joyful Noise, Purim, and other complex musical moments at WCT. Here’s a chance to have lots of fun working with great people and to give a bit of time to our temple. We can train you on our specific board (Behringer X32) but we’re not really in a position to teach anyone from the ground up. Please contact Lance Rosenthal (lance.rosenthal@ gmail.com) if you’re interested or have questions.
www.wct.org
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Yoga Havdalah by Candlelight Sat, Mar 30, 7:30pm
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oodlands’ favorite yoga teacher Rebecca Smith will be back to celebrate Havdalah with us. Adults and older teens are welcome to share in an accessible, multi-level yoga class that will weave the music and traditions of Havdalah with the asanas (poses) of yoga. Those who have experienced Yoga Shabbat with Rebecca over the past five years know that she is a masterful teacher who has a great talent for both combining the spiritual traditions of Judaism and yoga together and for helping each participant — regardless of their experience and flexibility (or lack thereof!) — to find their own way to connect both body and spirit. Sign up at wct.org/yoga by March 25 so we save room for you and your yoga mat. The $20 per person price includes a postclass wine, cheese and dessert gathering. Dress comfortably in clothes you can easily move in. Bring your yoga mat or use one of the temple’s.
Biscuit, Bubbles and Blessings Sat, Mar 2, 4:00-6:00 pm For families with young children (ages 7 and below). We’ll start the evening with a book reading by Alyssa Capucilli, the author of the beloved Biscuit series. Then Biscuit himself will make an appearance! After you snap a few photos, we’ll do a short Havdalah service (saying goodbye to Shabbat) and then settle in for a magical bubble show by BubbleManiaJR! It’ll include puppets, stories, and of course, lots of bubbles! This is a perfect event to invite your friends to, especially those who are looking for a temple to call home. Sign up at wct.org/biscuit.
Interested in joining the Youth and Family Engagement Committee? Come by on Sundat, March 3 at 10:15 am for a brief meeting or email our chairs, Liz (emcnamara@uwalumni.com) and Juli ( juliklein20@gmail.com) for more information.
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www.wct.org
Teens Repairing the World
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ast month, 12 Woodlands teens piled into a bus and drove down to Washington DC. They were the next crop of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to participate in the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s L’Taken Seminar. Woodlands has participated in L’Taken for decades, along with hundreds of other Reform synagogues from around the country. Through interactive workshops, L’Taken briefs and prepares the teens to climb Capitol Hill on Monday morning and lobby for the issues they believe in most strongly. This year, our kids tackled some of our nation’s most pressing issues in specific ways: Campaign Finance Reform (rejecting corporate donor money and supporting grassroots fundraising), Disability Rights (providing adequate funding for special needs education), Reproductive Rights (allowing for federal money to go toward abortion services), Economic Justice (raising the minimum wage), Climate Change (working toward a complete shift to renewable energy sources and providing education for the workforce to make the shift as well) and Gun Violence Prevention (tougher regulation in regards to background checks). These topics stemmed from the teens’ genuine interests. They worked collaboratively with the Religious Action Center staff, WCT chaperones (Dir. of Youth Engagement Lily Mandell, Rabbinic Intern Zach Plesent, Bonnie Mitelman and Rabbi Mara) and each other to produce researched, polished presentations. Monday at Capitol Hill consisted of real-life application. We met with aides from Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand as well as Reps. Engel, Maloney and Lowey. Highlights were when Rep. Lowey herself came to meet with the teens despite her very busy schedule. And, there was the awesome coincidence of Rep. Engel’s aide being a former WCT teen himself (and sharing how his experiences with WCT inspired his work now!). But some of the best parts happened off the hill. Close to 400 teens participated the weekend. We mixed, mingled and made new friends. The message became clear: we don’t do this work alone. We have allies around the nation who speak our language and share our values. As Reforms Jews, we are part of a large network with a loud voice. Shabbat services and Havdalah at the Jefferson Memorial proved that our united voices and Judaism’s ancient and authentic love of justice are powerful. Our teens felt this personally - learning, growing and bonding. Steve’s mother, joined the trip yet again and shared his story with the teens. The sense of dor l’dor, generation to generation, was made very real. Our teens’ yearly social justice trips are made financially possible for our families through the support of Steve’s H.O.P.E. (Helping to Open People’s Eyes), named after Stephen Lelewer. After Stephen suddenly died, his family created Steve’s H.O.P.E. to carry on Steve’s memory and love of social justice. Bonnie Mitelman, Steve’s mother, joined the trip yet again and shared his story with the teens. The sense of dor l’dor, generation to generation, was made very real.
We t h a n k o u r A d v e r t i s e r s f o r t h e i r S u p p o r t
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Judai Connection Fixing Esther by Rabbi Vicki Armour-Hileman
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arch is the month of Purim, when we read the story of Esther. Now, you may have heard that the early rabbis weren’t thrilled with some of the details of the text of Esther. Their concerns are understandable. After all, the name of God is conspicuously absent from the text. Additionally, Esther is questionable as a Jewish role model. Not only does she marry a non-Jewish king, but she seems thoroughly assimilated into Persian culture and doesn’t engage in any recognizable Jewish practices. These concerns seem to have been shared by other Jews in the Greco-Roman world. So in the first century B.C.E., some Greek-speaking Jews set about rewriting the story and trying to “fix” the perceived flaws of the text and its heroine. The resulting Greek versions of the story mention God frequently and try to turn Esther into a more pious character. For example, they record her prayer after learning the Jews are in danger: “O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but you.” They also recount her attempt to follow Jewish dietary laws, as she claims, “Your servant has not eaten at Haman’s table, and I have not honored the king’s feast or drunk the wine of libations.” Finally, they assure us that Esther took no pleasure in her marriage to a non-Jewish husband, as she reports “I…abhor the bed of the uncircumcised and of any alien.”
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lthough the Greek versions are concerned about making Esther feel more Jewish, they also try to show that Jews can fit in with the cultures around them. To do that, the Greek texts imbue Esther with the ideas of femininity from their times, adding more emotion — and more timidity — to her personality. For instance, fearful of approaching the king without being summoned, Esther faints. Twice! The Greek versions aren’t alone in trying to correct some of the perceived deficiencies of the story and its central character. In a variety of midrash and commentary, the rabbis, too, augment the story with similar accounts of Esther’s prayers and her piety. Oddly enough, they also join in the effort to make her a more emotional and fearful character, declaring in one midrash that she was so nervous to go before the king that she succumbed to a bout of explosive diarrhea (BT Megillah 15a). Oh dear. Our poor heroine. While other versions of Esther’s story give us insight into the minds of Jewish writers living two millennia ago, I’m glad the Bible adopted the version we’re all familiar with, where God is never explicitly mentioned, and Esther is our Esther, brave and committed, saving her people without fainting even once. Perhaps this version fits more closely with life as we know it, where it is left to us to discern whether and where we see God’s hand in history – and to negotiate our Jewish identity as a minority simultaneously trying to live our heritage and to fit in with the culture around us. For me, that means neither the story, nor the courageous woman at its heart, need fixing. They are already perfect, just the way they are.