WCT Makom September 2019

the newsletter of woodlands community temple

September 2019 Elul 5779 - Tishrei 5780

The Woodlands Community Temple Board of Trustees a n d i t s S ta f f e x t e n d o u r s i n c e r e s t w i s h e s f o r a s w e e t , h e a lt h y a n d f u l f i l l i n g R o s h H a s h a n a h 5780 ... t o y o u , y o u r fa m i ly a n d f r i e n d s , a n d a l l h u m a n k i n d .

Don’t Miss a Moment!

Selihot (Sat, Sep 21) Movie ... 7:00 pm Service ... 9:00 pm

Rosh Hashanah Evening (Sun, Sep 29)

Yes, All Are Welcome Here

Evening Service ... 8:00 pm Teen Experience (Grades 8-12) ... 8:00 pm

by Rabbi Billy Dreskin and Roberta Roos

E

ven if Judaism had not a word to say about immigration, we would still stand up for those whose lives have been doubly upended – first, by risking everything to leave home in search of a better life, and second, by the treatment they receive upon reaching our border. Our nation’s current policies are cruel. Even if the Torah, the Talmud, and all the rabbis-ofold had nothing to teach about the stranger in need, we would never sit still while scared refugees are hunted down by American law enforcement, families ripped apart by the knock at a door.

But Judaism, it turns out, has plenty to say on this subject. Some, in fact, might argue that nothing is more important in Judaism than this subject.

It all starts in the Torah, although you may recognize this passage from your Passover haggadah. “My father was a

High Holy Days 5780

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 (Mon, Sep 30) Morning Service ... 10:00 am Family Service ... 2:30-3:45 pm Young Family Service ... 3:00-3:45 pm Tashlikh ... 4:00-4:45 pm

Rosh Hashanah Day 2 (Tue, Oct 1) Morning Service ... 10:00 am

fugitive Aramean. He went down to Egypt with meager numbers and sojourned there” (Deut 26). Our people’s story begins with statelessness. Abraham and Sarah set out in search of a new home. Their family’s personal wanderings would become our people’s narrative as our ancestors emigrated from Canaan to Egypt, fleeing starvation and, accepted for a while, were eventually enslaved. Exodus tells the story of a Continued on page 2

Rabbi Mara Announces Next Congregational Israel Trip!

Shabbat Shuvah (Fri, Oct 4) Evening Service ... 8:00 pm

Kol Nidre (Tue, Oct 8) Evening Service ... 8:00 pm Teen Experience (Grades 8-12) ...

8:00 pm

Yom Kippur Day (Wed, Oct 9) Morning Service ... 10:00 am Discussion ... 12:30 pm Family Service ... 1:45-3:00 Young Family Service ... 2:15-3:00 pm Afternoon Learning ... 2:15 pm Yizkor ... 3:30 pm Afternoon Service ... 4:30 pm Neilah ... 5:30 pm Congregational Break Fast ... 6:30 pm

Sukkot Evening (Sun, Oct 13)

February 11-21, 2021

I

f you feel like you missed out on the last trip, or you just weren’t ready to take the plunge, then NOW is the time to start saving your shekels and decide to visit Israel.

But wait … let’s pause there for a second. Decide to visit Israel? It’s not as easy a decision as it used to be, is it? With all the politics, controversies, fake news, real news, etc., sometimes it feels like it would be easier to just vacation elsewhere.

Well, there has never been a more important time to see Israel firsthand. Join our temple trip and answer those questions that you have: Why is Israel so important to so many Continued on page 14

Sukkot Family Experience ... 4:30 pm Kabbalat Sukkot Service ... 5:30 pm Sukkot BBQ ... 6:15 pm

Sukkot Day (Mon, Oct 14) Sukkot Learning with Rabbi Billy ...

8:30-10:00 am

Simkhat Torah Evening (Sun, Oct 20) Cong’l Simkhat Torah Celebration ...

7:00-8:30 pm

Simkhat Torah Day (Mon, Oct 21) Yizkor ... 9:00 am Consecration Service ... 10:15 am

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 Alan Kaplan, VP Facilities

facilities@wct.org Judy Feder, VP Finance

finance@wct.org Jenna Lebowich, VP Programming/Ritual

programming@wct.org Herb Friedman, Financial Secretary

financialsecretary@wct.org Pam Chernoff, Secretary

secretary@wct.org Michael Wiskind, Treasurer

treasurer@wct.org

Board of Trustees Irv Adler Bonni Arbore David Bertan Yvette Gralla Joy Gralnick Juli Klein

Toby Linder Lisa Linn Andrew Loose Steve Schwartz Ann Zarider Jay Zwicker

Dayle Fligel (immediate past president)

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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Yes, All Are Welcome Here, Continued from p. 1

miraculous salvation that would forever define your and my attitude toward the treatment of strangers.

I won’t presume to know what the best legislation is for our country. With competing needs that encompass treatment of the folks at our border while maintaining the security of those same borders, I know this isn’t an easy problem to solve.

Better rabbis than I have preached on the subject. Better presidents than Mr. Trump have tried to fix it.

“You know the feelings of a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9). Landless, stateless, impoverished, suffering and/ or hunted. Thirty-six times in the Torah (thirty-six of all numbers – double chai!), we are exhorted to treat the stranger with compassion, to offer shelter, food, and a kindly word.

Why? Well, one reason of course is that we were strangers. We were tormented. We were enslaved. We were refused entry during our forty years of wandering.

Need we hear anything more?

But you know what? The actual reason we advocate for the welfare of people we may never meet finds its genesis way back in Genesis. Summed up in Exodus 20 with the words, “In six days, God created the heaven and the earth,” that alone should be plenty.

Life has been gifted to us by an unseen, benevolent power — how cheap and mean-spirited to do anything but share what we have with others, especially those who have little or nothing.

And so, we very much believe it is an absolute Jewish imperative to extend a helping hand to the immigrant in need.

And when others around us mistreat those creatures, who have within them the same Divine image that Torah ascribes to you and me, it is simply unfathomable (and certainly intolerable) to stand by idly while this neighbor bleeds (you can read that one in Leviticus 19).

Woodlands Community Temple does not take these teachings lightly. We have two task forces dedicated to immigrant rights and needs. Working in concert with other teams in our temple, we’re just trying to do our part to fulfill the mitzvah of caring for the stranger.

This past year, our Refugee Task Force, as an officially deputized arm of HIAS (which in a previous generation

had assisted our own families in their moves to America) welcomed the Azizi family, six refugees from a war-torn, terror-filled Afghanistan. Partnering with Bet Am Shalom in White Plains, we have provided the Azizis with an apartment and clothing and are now engaged in the process of helping them adjust to life here. The kids – Mozammil (12), Hedye (9), Zaynab (7) and Zuhrah (4) – are making friends and thriving in school. The parents – Saber and Shameela – are improving their English, with Saber taking courses to improve his job prospects. Thanks to a member of our congregation, the kids were able to go to camp this summer. None of this would be possible but for the incredible dedication of a large team of Woodlands congregants, providing funding, transportation, language support, food, clothing, furniture, community resources and, the most necessary ingredient, hands of friendship. The process of helping our new friends is a slow and long one, but we are in it for the long haul and are honored to have the opportunity.

If you’d like to join our Refugee Task Force team, please contact Marge Glusker and Melanie Roher at refugees@wct.org.

Our other task force, Immigrant Friends of Woodlands, has three goals: advocacy on behalf of immigrants (documented or not), educating our congregation about the challenges facing immigrants, and service to the immigrants themselves. We have recently worked with other Reform congregations and community groups in New York for the successful passage of Drivers’ Licenses for All, which will enable New Yorkers to obtain drivers’ licenses without regard to immigration status. We maintain a list on our website of immigrant advocacy resources as well as organizations through which our congregants can provide legal and humanitarian assistance to immigrants.

We work together with community organizations such as Lifting Up Westchester and Neighbors’ Link to meet the needs of the immigrant, largely Spanish-speaking population of the county (one of our favorites is Reading Buddies, where we read with kids in the Yonkers Public Library). In the coming year, we’ll offer a program on understanding what it’s like to live as an undocumented immigrant. Most urgently, we are joining Continued on p. 14

Worship Schedule This month, we have noted the days of the Hebrew month of Elul. Jewish tradition challenges us during Elul to prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. When Elul ends, we hope you will enter the Tent ready to engage in self-transformation.

Sat, Sep 14

Shabbat Shoftim

Fri, Sep 20

Deut 16:18 - 21:9 ... Isa 51:12 - 52:12

Simply Shabbat at 8:00 pm

Fri, Sep 6

A quiet evening with your clergy. Familiar melodies and familiar prayers to bring us all together. The 21st of Elul, nine days until Rosh Hashanah.

Mishpakha Shabbat 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. The 7th of Elul, twenty-three days until Rosh Hashanah.

Sat, Sep 7 Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am Celebrate with us as Liam Lobl, son of Peter Lobl and Merav Gur, becomes a Bar Mitzvah. Babynaming this morning for Zoe Iliana Weiss, daughter of Nicole and Adam Weiss, granddaughter of WCT members Lyn and Philip Halper.

Shabbat Kee Taytzay Deut 21:10 - 25:19 ... Isa 54:1-10

Fri, Sep 13 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. Mitzvah Hero Training at 6:45 pm!

Shabbat Evening Service at 8:00 pm Ellie Moss, who is becoming a Bat Mitzvah in Israel, will participate in our service. We’ll also be naming Natalie Kimmelman and Alex Maroni’s newborn baby, grandchild of WCT members Leslie and Ray Kimmelman. The 14th of Elul, sixteen days until Rosh Hashanah.

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

Shabbat Kee Tavo Deut 26:1 - 29:8 ... Isa 60:1-22

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.

Sep 7: Parashat Shoftim Facilitated by Rabbi Joan Farber

Sep 14: Parashat Kee Taytzay Facilitated by Elizabeth Hiller

Sat, Sep 21

Sep 21: Parashat Kee Tavo

Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am

Facilitated by Barry Kessler

Celebrate with us as Jillian Micucci, daughter of Lori Micucci and Tom Micucci, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.

Sep 28: Parashat Nitzavim

Shabbat Nitzavim Deut 29:9 - 30:20 ... Isa 61:10 - 63:9

Fri, Sep 27

Facilitated by Rabbi Joan Farber

Mishpakha Shabbat 5780!

Sat, Sep 28

Here at Woodlands, we purposefully use “mishpakha” to describe one of our many signature worship experiences. Mishpakha Shabbat is for our entire community – from older members through grade-school-aged kids. It’s a regular Friday night service, but an hour earlier to accommodate older folks who don’t like to drive late at night and our younger members’ bedtimes. The music is uplifting and catchy, but not pediatric. Mishpakha Shabbat is for our entire temple “family,” modified just a bit to welcome those who need a little change of time and pace. There’s an optional 6:00 pm dinner (register at wct.org/mishpakha).

Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30 am

Here are the dates for 5780 (2019-20):

Celebrate with us as Avery Lesser, daughter of Ilyse and Paul Lesser, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.

Sep 6

The High Holy Days in Story and Song at 8:00 pm As the month of Elul concludes, come share in our communal preparation for the Days of Awe. Special songs and stories will direct our hearts and minds toward the renewal these Holy Days offer.

Alejandro Luciano will choose Judaism.

The 28th of Elul, two days until Rosh Hashanah.

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 and there is no charge. For further information, contact us at babysitting@wct.org.

Nov 8 Jan 31 Feb 28 Mar 20 Apr 17 May 15 Jun 12 (6:00 pm)

www.wct.org

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Israel:

The Long and the Short of It

Variety

by Roberta Roos

I

t’s the time of the year when many little Israeli kids will be starting gan (preschool, daycare). Sometimes the choice of gan depends on religious orientation, language, cost, location, etc. It’s a bit more complicated for parents of kids with special needs. They need more than the ordinary gan provides. Enter Jerusalem Variety Center. It offers treatments and support under one roof to kids – Arab, Jewish, religious, secular – from age one to twenty-one, kids with Down Syndrome, physical disabilities, autism, developmental delays and more.

So why is my cousin sending her daughter, May-Lee, a one-and-a-half year old with no known disabilities, to the Jerusalem Variety Center? Simple. The center also accepts kids who don’t have special needs, bringing the two groups together for selected programs starting with the two-year olds. For MayLee’s family, the hope is that it will make her more tolerant and accepting of those who are different from her, not a bad goal for Israeli society in general. To learn more, visit variety-jerusalem.org.il/about-variety.

Better yet, stop by for yourself!

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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from the

Rabbi

Stopping by the Cantor’s Study on a Shabbos Evening Rabbi Billy Dreskin

I

disappear for six months and come back to find that Cantor Jonathan is leaving?

Who let that happen?

He did, actually. And if our cantor says it’s time, then I suppose it’s time. For 22 years, this kind, knowledgeable, righteous man has led us in so much more than Shabbat and festival singing. More than two decades worth of B’nai Mitzvah children have sat at his desk, intoning our people’s ancient words and melodies while, more importantly, receiving Jonathan’s love and his wisdom as well. More than two decades worth of temple leaders have sat around tables in our Meeting Room deciding policy for our community while, at needed moments, Jonathan’s voice has brought moral clarity to bear. For more than two decades, while I have tried to conduct myself with seriousness of purpose and heart, Jonathan has made me laugh, both on and off the bimah, always reminding me that a full spectrum of emotion is needed for each of us to move through our lives.

And so, as I return from my precious sabbatical, I join with you in preparing to allow our cantor to start his more permanent sabbatical. He has well earned it. And although we will mask our sadness on that day next June when he takes his leave from us, starting today let us savor these final months with him. There are many songs still for us to sing, many prayers still for our children to practice, and many powerful, ethical lessons still for our leaders to learn.

There will be occasions (I refrain from calling them celebrations) during which we can more formally say our goodbyes. And many of you will find your own time and your own way to let Jonathan know how much he has meant to you, to your family, and to our whole community. For now, however, let’s share one last, great year with him. Whether in the tent, in the sanctuary, in the classroom or in his office, let’s make sure to enjoy that, for a while at least, we’ve still got him with us.

When Jonathan first arrived to Woodlands in July of 1998, I shared that “Jonathan Gordon has served exactly one pulpit in his professional career ... for 19 years! Jonathan has loved them (Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, CT) and “them” has loved Jonathan! They are terribly upset to be letting him go. But they’re also thrilled (as we are) that he is so excited about coming to us.” It’s hard to believe we’ve come to the point where “them” is us, and that we are the ones letting go.

But just as his first congregation was thrilled for Jonathan’s next chapter, we too are thrilled for what comes next.

As Carl Sandburg surely intended to write, “This temple is lovely, promising and bright. But I have guitar riffs to get right, and miles to go before I take flight, and miles to go before I take flight.”

Here’s to our best year yet! L’shana tova ... a sweet New Year to one and all.

P.S. I really did have a wonderful sabbatical. Nonetheless, I’m immeasurably delighted to be back with this precious community.

P.P.S. As we prepare for Cantor Jonathan’s departure in June, be sure to read a new monthly feature in Makom that offers just a few reasons we’re thankful to have had him with us these past twenty-two years. We’ve entitled it “Singing Our Praises.”

from the

President

Transitions

Environmental Task Force:

Green

Andy Farber, President

Corner

S

ome years seem long and drawn out, and some go by in a blink of an eye.

The past year was both. We did so much, and accomplished so much, and still we left so many projects left undone. But what has passed is past, now it’s time to look to the future.

This year we will see a major transition at Woodlands. After 22 years on our bimah, Cantor Jonathan will be retiring at the end of June. Cantor Jonathan has touched everyone in our community, through our B’nai Mitzvah program, the Woodlands Singers, Hevra Kaddisha, the Coffeehouse and so much more. It will surely be a bittersweet moment for all of us. There will be many opportunities to honor Jonathan and wish him well during the coming year. Please look for those opportunities and join us.

At year’s end we will be getting ready to welcome a new cantor to Woodlands. A task force has developed a comprehensive job description, and begun an extensive application process with the American Conference of Cantors. I anticipate that we will begin our search shortly after the High Holy Days. We will be seeking candidates who are not only highly qualified and skilled cantors, but also individuals who understand, and embrace, our meaning of community.

On other fronts, our various committees have planned programs throughout the year, giving us many other opportunities to get together. We are planning another Adult Civil Rights Journey; hopefully the weather will be a little bit more cooperative. And there will be new faces at the Jonah Maccabee Concert.

To accompany the opening of religious school on September 8, we’re planning another committee fair. I hope as many of you as possible will come out to meet the committees that run our temple. Come visit us in the sanctuary, find an interest (or a passion), and join a committee. It’s a wonderful way to grow your roots in your community.

Finally, we are planning to launch our new online membership system this year. It will combine your membership data with online payments, signups, and email. The system will be rolled out over many months, as we learn to use it and expand on its functionality. Look to future issues of Makom and congregational emails for details.

It continues to be a privilege and honor to serve as your president here at Woodlands. As we look forward to 5780, I hope you will continue to partner with me and with your temple leadership. Together let’s have a rewarding, safe, healthy, and sweet New Year.

L’shalom,

Be the Hummingbird!

A

s we begin our new year, both at school and in our Jewish calendar, take a moment to think: What small things can you do in your life to make a difference in the world? Sometimes environmental issues can seem overwhelming; that there’s just too much to accomplish.

But every little step leads to great changes!

Always remember the story of the hummingbird, inspired by a fable originally told by the Quechan people of present-day Ecuador and turned into an environmental tale by celebrated Kenyan environmental activist, women’s rights advocate, and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai: We are constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed. The story of the hummingbird is about this huge forest being consumed by a fire. All the animals in the forest come out and they are transfixed as they watch the forest burning and they feel very overwhelmed, very powerless, except this little hummingbird. It says, “I’m going to do something about the fire!” So it flies to the nearest stream and takes a drop of water. It puts it on the fire, and goes up and down, up and down, up and down, as fast as it can.

In the meantime, all the other animals, much bigger animals like the elephant with a big trunk that could bring much more water, they are standing there helpless. And they are saying to the hummingbird, “What do you think you can do? You are too little.

This fire is too big. Your wings are too little and your beak is so small that you can only bring a small drop of water at a time.” But as they continue to discourage it, it turns to them without wasting any time and it tells them, “I am doing the best I can.”

And that to me is what all of us should do.

We should always be like a hummingbird.

I may be insignificant, but I certainly don’t want to be like the animals watching the planet go down the drain. I will be a hummingbird. I will do the best I can.

So remember, you don’t have to do it all, and don’t let others disparage, discourage, or dissuade you from doing what you do.

Just be the hummingbird and know that you are doing what you can. Todah rabbah!

www.wct.org

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Jammin’ Shabbat 5780!

Put on your jammies, bring a bedtime friend, and c’mon over to Woodlands for the wildest bedtime song, stories and blessings ever! Rabbi Billy, Rabbi Mara and Cantor Jonathan will be jammin’ with songs and stories. If you’re looking for an exciting way to celebrate Shabbat as a family (and to get ready for bed, you won’t want to miss a single JAMMIN’ SHABBAT this year!

One Friday night a month, 7:00-7:30 pm.

Mitzvah Hero Training (teaching every kid to be a mensch) at 6:45 pm!

Here are the dates for 5780 (2019-20): Sep 13, Oct 4, Nov 15, Dec 20, Jan 3, Feb 14, Mar 13, Apr 24, May 29 Grandparents: If you have little ones living in (or visiting!) the Westchester area and you’d like to kvell at their loving being in temple, invite them to join you for Jammin’ Shabbat. They’ll love it, which means you will too!

Mitzvah Hero Training @ Jammin’ Shabbat Starting Fri, Sep 13 at 6:45 pm We are utterly thrilled and delighted to invite you and your children (through grade 2) to come a little bit early for Jammin’ Shabbat so they can participate in Mitzvah Hero Training. Jewish tradition calls upon each of us to do just and compassionate work in our world, to bring a kinder, safer, happier life to those in need. Our children should learn this as soon as possible.

So before each Jammin’ Shabbat service (don’t forget to dress in jammies and bring a bedtime friend!), we’ll have a very brief hands-on community service project for them to complete and take home with them.

What a beautiful opportunity to teach our kids about tikkun olam, Judaism’s 4000-yearold passion for fixing our broken world.

Mitzvah Hero Training – bringing out the hero inside of every child.

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www.wct.org

from the

R a b b i / E d u c at o r

Living with Liberty Rabbi Mara Young

N

oah begged to see the Liberty Bell this summer. She had learned about it in school and wanted, oh-sobadly, to see it in person. Mark and I decided that there are worse things your kid can beg you for, so we made an impromptu trip to Philadelphia.

As we were reading up on Liberty Bell facts I said to Noah, “You know, the quote on the bell is from the Torah!” Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all inhabitants thereof ... Leviticus 25:10. In context, it refers to the Jubilee year, the utopian dream of a time when all slaves will be set free and all land will revert to its original owner. Eventually, in the case of the Liberty Bell, the phrase was used as abolitionist rallying cry. The bell’s message was taken up by other liberation movements as well, American independence and women’s suffrage, to name two. Just like the Torah, the Liberty Bell is full of myth and meaning, urging each generation to adapt its basic values in a way that encourages humanity forward.

If you zoom in on the phrase from Leviticus, the Hebrew for “liberty” – d’ror – means to roam freely, to flow without obstruction. We talk a lot about liberty in America, often in the context of complete autonomy, doing what simply “makes us happy.” Yet this probably wasn’t what Jefferson intended when he wrote in the Declaration of Independence that we all are due “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Historians agree that he wasn’t calling for a hedonistic free-for-all, but rather that each person should be afforded the opportunity to thrive. Happiness is not just doing what makes us feel good in the moment. Happiness, in this context, means flourishing. It means struggling but learning – experiencing discomfort and growing.

Learning Jewishly (either as a child or as an adult) is to learn what it means to live with liberty. Often Jewish studies are free-flowing, meandering, open to endless interpretation. Everyone – all genders and ages – are entitled to study and pursue joy through Torah. Yet while “it is a tree of life to them who hold fast to it and all of its supporters are happy” (from Proverbs 3:18), the Torah never tells us to do something just because it makes us feel good. Its obligations and the questions it engenders are meant to make us struggle, to really explore what it means to flourish. Spoiler alert: it has to do with living in a just society and seeing God within ourself and others.

Showing up to religious school or to learning sessions at temple isn’t always easy but the Torah’s promise, and our synagogue’s promise, is that it will help each of us to find liberty, a sense of purpose in society and meaning in our own lives.

Looking forward to learning with you,

from the

Cantor

Sleepers, Awake!

Cantor Jonathan Gordon

T

he High Holy Days are nearly here. Our spiritual heartbeat is quickening; soon shofar blasts at services will rouse us to the great encounter. Who is it we shall meet on the High Holy Days?

These days comprise a series of steps in which the people Israel, every one of us, reconnects with God. What a joyful and profound enterprise!

And the shofar is our alarm clock. The sound is brash and raw. Impossible to ignore. It brings us back to our ancient roots with basic elements that have not changed.

I once sang at a “modern” congregation that refined the shofar. They hired a famous musician who put a brass mouthpiece on the horn. The virtuoso made it sound like a mellifluous french horn from the symphony orchestra. The listening congregation felt genteel, cultured, and serene. Exactly the wrong thing!

I’d like to presage the season, and share ten reasons Jews blow the shofar, according to Sa’adya Gaon: 1. The shofar sounds are like trumpet blasts to announce the coronation of a monarch. On Rosh Hashanah, God created the world and became our sovereign. We acknowledge God with the sound.

2. The shofar announces the Ten Days of Repentance. It stirs our consciences so we confront our past errors and return to God. 3. The shofar was sounded at Sinai when the Torah was given. We remember our destiny to be a people of Torah, to study it and observe its commands.

4. The shofar is like the voices of the prophets, whose words rang out to denounce our wrongdoing, and called us to serve God and humanity.

5. The shofar reminds us of the destruction of the Temple, calling us to renew our future and overcome our suffering.

6. The shofar is made from a ram’s horn, as the ram was the sacrifice by Abraham in place of Isaac. It reminds us of the heroic faith of our ancestors, who exemplified devotion and left us a tradition to continue.

7. The shofar urges us to feel humble before the majesty and might of God that is manifest everywhere and surrounds our own lives.

8. The shofar is a reminder of the Day of Final Judgement, to prepare all humanity for God’s scrutiny of our deeds.

9. The shofar foreshadows the jubilant proclamation of freedom when the people of Israel will be delivered from persecution.

10. The shofar foreshadows the great day when God’s reign of righteousness spreads throughout the entire world.

Not the stuff of serenity or slumber by any means. These short blasts ring on in the heart of our people. May they stir us to a meaningful High Holy Days awakening, now as in ancient days and in the great days yet to come.

Singing Our Praises This being our 22nd and final year with the transcendent gift that is Cantor Jonathan Gordon, each month’s Makom will feature a brief reflection on our time with him, highlighting something that we will love remembering for many, many years to come.

We simply adore Cantor Jonathan’s leadership of the Woodlands Singers. Our rehearsals start at 8:15 pm to accommodate people like us who are always late. He comes to the sanctuary and starts with a rousing “hello singers,” regardless of how many or few folks are in the room. He never loses patience with handing out the same music to the same singer over and over again. In fact, he seems to have an infinite number of copies of the music. We start learning in parts, and he goes over each part tirelessly. We then sing the piece as a group, and he’ll say “Let’s start again from where it got bad – the beginning!” He always has some amusing anecdote to relay to lighten the mood.

This has encouraged us to keep working to bring our performance up to the high standard that he has set, even as he has challenged us with more difficult pieces.

Rehearsals with Jonathan are a highlight at the end of a long day, filled with learning, amusement, and great music. We will miss his intellect, talent, and wit and choir just won’t be the same without him.

Nancy and Chuck Fishman

If you too would like to sing our cantor praises, you are cordially invited to compose 150 words and send them to Rabbi Billy (rabbi@wct.org). Try to focus on just one or two specific moments that you cherish.

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September Happenings Learning Book Club Wed, Sep 11 at 2:00 pm An Odyssey: A Father, A Son & An Epic

by Dan Mendelson

Facilitated by Phyllis Hirth.

Lost Synagogues of the Bronx: Sun, Sep 15, 11:00 am - 4:30 pm For several decades, the Bronx was home to a large, vibrant Jewish community that supported dozens of synagogues, religious schools and institutions. Many of these buildings have now changed hands and are home to churches, schools, and serve other purposes. Ellen Levitt, a lifelong New Yorker, not only writes about these “lost” synagogues, but conducts tours of their old buildings. Ellen will conduct a private tour for WCT members of many of the Bronx’s lost synagogues. We will visit several former synagogues and other Jewish institutions in a few main areas of the Bronx, including the Grand Concourse, the West Bronx and South Bronx, examining the facades for their style, decorative touches, and more.

Our first stop will be lunch, followed by a 2½ hour tour. The bus will leave Woodlands promptly at 11:00 am and be back around 4:30 pm.

Ellen is author of a trilogy on The Lost Synagogues of New York City. She leads tours and maintains the Facebook page, “The Lost Synagogues of New York City and New Jersey.” She is also the author of Walking Manhattan and dozens of articles.

She is a veteran teacher who lives with her family in Brooklyn.

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 (cantor@wct.org) 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 or $65 if you sign up for all 8 programs. More details to follow.

Harriet Levine teaches about the role of Jewish women, beginning with the Bible and Talmud, and moving forward from there.

First class is Thu, Oct 3.

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We would love to have you give us a try.

Stop by any Saturday morning and take a seat at the table. We’ll help you find the right page and, when you’re ready, we’d love to hear what you’re thinking. Questions are just as welcome as answers!

Join us for an always lively discussion on current events immediately followed by Lunch and Learn. An agenda will be emailed to participants ahead of each meeting. Contact Phyllis Hirth (phyllishrth@ gmail.com) for more information.

S’forim Forum Saturdays once a month, 4:30-6:00 pm Come read and discuss the best books in Jewish fiction, facilitated by Cantor Jonathan. Details to follow. First date is Sat, Oct 26. A light snack and Havdalah will follow.

Hevra Torah – Come Join Us! On Saturday mornings – 9:15-10:15 am, whether you bring a little one to religious school or you’re just taking it easy at home, why not come by the temple and spend an engaging, stimulating and uplifting hour talking Torah? Some really nice folks come together each Shabbat morning and sit with Billy, Mara or Jonathan to explore the portion of the week.

Some of us know a few things about Torah, some don’t know anything. All of us bring

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The focus section is always announced in the weekly email so, if you like, you can read the text beforehand. But if you haven’t read, come anyway.

Current Events

Sign up by at wct.org/lostsynagogues by Sun, Sep 8. Space is limited to 23 people.

The cost is $45, which includes lunch.

Jewish Studies Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 am

our minds and our hearts to meet the text and, together, seek to discover something about it that reaches out across three thousand years to touch our souls.

Oddly enough, while wrestling with these words we often see our own selves peering back at us. That just seems to be how Torah works.

Talmud with Martin Irwin Four Thursdays, Sep 5-26, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm How lucky are we? There are now two Talmud facilitators here at Woodlands. You are cordially welcome to learn alongside Martin Irwin, longtime member of Billy’s Talmud class and quite a knowledgeable individual himself. Four sessions with Marty in September, with Billy starting up again on Thu, Oct 17.

Marty will be working from the same text that Billy uses: Koren Talmud Bavli, Vol. 1: Tractate Berakhot (English and Hebrew Edition). If you’re already a regular, bring your book and jump right in. If you’d like to stop by and try us out, just show up and someone will be very happy to share their book with you. When you’re ready to take the plunge, get yourself a copy of the book on Amazon or elsewhere. Our conversations are entertaining, frequently enlightening often irreverent, and sometimes life-changing.

Contact the office (wct@wct.org) to register.

Hope to see you there!

And hang onto Billy’s Talmud dates: Oct 17, 24, 31, Nov 7, 14 and 21.

Social Action

Adult Civil Rights Journey Thu-Sun, Feb 20-23 We are delighted to announce that registration is open for our February 20-23, 2020, Adult Civil Rights Journey to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham.

Join Ellen and Billy Dreskin in retracing the fateful steps of America’s civil rights movement in Atlanta, Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham. This is the trip that many of us missed due to snowed-out flights in 2018. We’re so pleased to offer it again.

Our itinerary includes: • Atlanta, GA ... the site of America’s one Jewish lynching (Leo Frank in 1915), the Names Project (home to the 48,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt) • Montgomery, AL ... the Rosa Parks Museum, the Equal Justice Initiative and the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice (800 monuments memorializing thousands of America’s lynchings) • Selma, GA ... the infamous Edmond Pettus Bridge (where State Troopers beat back peaceful protestors)

The month of Elul, which precedes Rosh Hashanah, is a time for reflection and preparation. We prepare for the holy days by taking Heshbon HaNefesh, an accounting of our soul, an accounting of our actions. The rabbis intended that our heshbon focus on both our spiritual growth and our interpersonal relationships. We are encouraged not only to ask the tough questions about the time we’ve taken to reflect on what matters to us and how we have treated others, but also what we have done l’taken et ha’olam, to repair our world. When we look back on 5779, will our personal accounting checklist include attending rallies, speaking up for those less fortunate, making zero-waste and reducing our carbon footprint a priority, helping our refugee family and the women and children of Hope’s Door, and feeding the hungry?

If you feel that your Heshbon HaNefesh could benefit from adding more social justice activities, your Social Action Committee can help. Choose from the many choices on this page or stop by wct.org/socialaction to find more.

The WCT Social Action Committee engages often in its own Heshbon HaNefesh, continuing many projects and adding new ones in 5780. If you want to add your voice to our conversation, please join us on Thu, Sep 12 at 7:30 pm for our new year’s first meeting.

• Birmingham, GA ... the Civil Rights Institute, Freedom Park (where Public Safety Commissioner Bull Connor’s dogs and water cannons were unleashed on peaceful protestors), and the 16th Street Baptist Church (where 4 children died in a 1963 bombing)

Knitting and Crocheting Sun, Sep 22, 3:00-5:00 pm We meet regularly to help and inspire each other as we complete projects such as blankets for babies in Israel, afghans and holiday presents for domestic abuse victims, and other projects. Email Angela Adler at knitting@wct.org.

Shelter Dinner Sun, Sep 15 Prepare dinner for The Sanctuary teen shelter in Valhalla. shelterdinner@wct.org.

September Mensch of the Month is Seventh Grade You, too, can be a mensch by bringing in low-sugar cereal boxes, granola bars, juice boxes, fruit cups. Help our local food pantries and the folks they serve.

Immigrant Friends of Woodlands Build a true sanctuary for an immigrant family fighting its case in the courts against deportation! Support the efforts of the community to create an apartment at South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry. Visit Southpres.org to learn how.

Questions? Contact Rabbi Billy (billy@wct. org). Registration and additional information is available online at wct.org/civilrights.

Apple Picking with Families at Hope’s Door Sun, Sep 22 Join members of the Domestic Abuse Task Force when we go apple-picking with families from Hope’s Door, a Westchester-based shelter and counseling center that offers programs and services designed to break the cycle of domestic abuse. This is a wonderful, but unfortunately, expensive project. If you can help defray the cost for this outing, please email domesticabuse@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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5780

High Holy Days at Woodlands

ELUL: A Month to Get Ready

During the month of Elul (which begins on Sat eve, Aug 31), Jewish tradition urges us to begin the introspective process that will occupy our attention during High Holy Days. As we wind down from the sunny, lazy 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.

Rosh Hashanah begins on Sun eve, Sep 29. These days are tremendous gifts to us from Jewish tradition: that rare opportunity to spend dedicated time thinking about the person we’re supposed to be. Every moment in the tent leverages that opportunity. In the preceding days of Elul, we encourage you to look for other ways to start this sacred process.

See you in the tent!

Honor a Loved One High Holy Days Bookplates Now Available It is a time-honored Jewish tradition to honor people we love by making tzedakah contributions on their behalf. You and your family may do this by purchasing bookplates to dedicate individual copies of our High Holy Days makhzor. Your donation will help us pay for these new makhzorim.

As 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!

• For All College Students Rosh Hashanah Morning Mon, Sep 30 @ 10:00 am • For All Academy Students and WoodSY Members Yom Kippur Morning Wed, Oct 9 @ 10:00 am

A Word to Our Parents about the High Holy Days

• One plate will be lovingly inscribed with both your and your loved one’s name

Please know that we encourage all our children to attend adult services for High Holy Days.

• Each plate will be placed inside one synagogue copy of our High Holy Days prayerbook

While children’s programs and services tailored for specific age groups will be available throughout the High Holy Days, you and your entire family are always welcome in the tent. We look forward to seeing them among the faces for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

We ask that you be considerate of other worshipers during the services and be responsible for your child’s behavior, whether inside or outside of the tent.

Family Services for the High Holy Days

Service at 9:00 pm

Each year, we are delighted to invite our high school students and college students for a Torah aliyah during the High Holy Days. This year, these will take place at the following times:

• Bookplates cost $36 for each makhzor dedicated

• Order online at wct.org/bookplate

Selihot: A Late-Night Mystery Saturday, September 21

College and High School Aliyot for the High Holy Days

Rosh Hashanah Day (Mon, Sep 30) Family Service

2:30-3:45 pm

(parents and school-age children, grades 2-6)

Young Family Service

3:00-3:45 pm

(parents and preschool-age children, age 0-7)

Tashlikh (for everyone)

4:00-4:45 pm

(we’ll walk from WCT to St. Joe’s Church)

Yom Kippur Day (Wed,Oct 9) Family Service

1:45-3:00 pm

(parents and school-age children, grades 2-6)

Young Family Service

2:15-3:00 pm

(parents and preschool-age children, age 0-7)

Neilah (for everyone)

5:30-6:30 pm

Parking for the High Holy Days “Be a Good PARKING Neighbor.” We know parking is at a premium when large numbers come to temple. So please carpool and reduce the number of cars coming into the neighborhood.

If you do drive, park at St. Joe’s (in the designated spots only). If the St. Joe’s lot is full, you may park on Don La, Biltom Rd and Drake Rd, but not Whitehouse Rd. Remember to park only on the side designated by Police Department signs and strictly observe the NO PARKING signs. Greenburgh Police patrol these streets, and will ticket (maybe tow) cars not parked properly.

There will be handicapped parking spaces close to the Tent for legitimate state or county handicapped parking license permits. In addition, the entire temple parking lot will be reserved for

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families that require parking in close proximity to the temple such as seniors unable to navigate the hill from St. Joe’s.

These spaces are extremely limited, so please make sure you truly need one before parking there.

Ushering for High Holy Days Is Open to All!

Thank you for complying with these instructions. The High Holy Days are a wonderful time for us; let’s do what we can to be wonderful neighbors, as well.

High Holy Days Sermons Will Be Online If you find one presentation or another particularly meaningful during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, or just want to read something through again, you can download it for yourself or to share with others. They will be available at wct.org/ hhdsermons.

Tashlikh – Judaism’s Rosh Hashanah Water Ritual

Andrew Bordwin

At 4:00 pm on Rosh Hashanah afternoon (Mon, Sep 30), we’ll gather by the stream at St. Joseph of Arimathea Church (just down the street at 2172 Saw Mill River Road ... plenty of parking in the church lot). After spending a few moments considering what hurtful parts of ourselves we’d like to “cast off” in the New Year ahead, we’ll scatter bread crumbs “into the depths of the sea.” Very simple. Very personal. Very powerful. Join us for our 4:00 walk from the temple to the stream (or meet us there), and our “casting off” as we observe Tashlikh. A poignant beginning to 5780. Special invitation: If you have a shofar, bring it. At Tashlikh, everyone is welcome to sound the calls.

Ever wondered how to volunteer to help out in the Tent during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? It’s easy, and we could really use your help (teens included).

Lend a hand at either congregational services or family services – your pick!

We also need 15-20 minutes of help after Neilah (the closing service on Yom Kippur) to put away books and papers for next year.

Sign up online at wct.org/ushering.

Questions, please contact Mike Lebowich (ushering@wct.org).

The High Holy Days Food Van Bring a Box or Bag of Food on Yom Kippur In Westchester, one in five are hungry or at risk of hunger. The elderly, working poor, single mothers and children ...

200,000 food-insecure Westchester residents, of which 60,000 are children.

On Yom Kippur, Woodlands collects non-perishable food to donate to local food pantries, directly feeding our neighbors in need. Bring a bag or box of new, healthy food (no expired foods, please – check dates).

If you can volunteer for an hour or two to help at the collection truck – accepting donations, checking expiration dates and boxing the food – please visit wct.org/ foodvansignup (adults and children grade 6 and older).

Your Tallit’s Nightlife The tallit (prayershawl) is traditionally worn only during morning prayer. If you’re the shaliakh tzibur (service leader) or you’re coming up for an aliyah (either to bless or to read the Torah), you may wear one for these specific moments.

But there’s one time during the year that everyone is invited to wear a tallit at night: Kol Nidre. So for Yom Kippur this year, give your tallit a nightlife and bring it to the tent for Kol Nidre.

Babysitting During the High Holy Days Let us take care of the little ones while you’re in the Tent. There is a fee and advance registration is required (no walk-ins will be accepted). Please observe registration deadlines so that we can be sure to have the right number of staff on hand: Mon, Sep 9 for Rosh Hashanah, and Mon, Sep 16 for Yom Kippur.

Online reservations may be arranged at wct.org/hhd for the following services: Rosh Hashanah Evening Sun, Sep 29 at 8:00 pm Rosh Hashanah Day I Mon, Sep 30 at 10:00 am Rosh Hashanah Day II Tue, Oct 1 at 10:00 am Kol Nidre Evening Tue, Oct 8 at 8:00 pm Yom Kippur Morning Wed, Oct 9 at 10:00 am Yom Kippur Afternoon Wed, Oct 9 at 3:30 pm

Bring Your Kids Back for Neilah As the sky grows dark, we dim the lights and open the Ark to prepare for the closing of Yom Kippur’s “Gates.” It’s a magical moment. We’d love to have you return with your children and grandchildren for our concluding Neilah service and one final, awe-inspiring tekiah gedolah on the shofar. Neilah begins about 5:30 pm and concludes with the blast of the shofar and a brief Havdalah at 6:30. You’re welcome to come in with your kids at any time.

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5780

High Holy Days at Woodlands

Yom Kippur Afternoon Learning

Jewish tradition finds many people staying at temple throughout Yom Kippur day, both to deepen the value of the Holy Day and to make it easier to fast. Between some of our services, we offer some wonderful learning opportunities that you’ll really enjoy: 1) Immediately following our morning service, join us in the Sanctuary for an hour of learning with Zach Plesent, our rabbinic intern.

2) As the day continues on, come spend an hour with our very own Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber studying and discussing some of our traditional Yom Kippur texts. She’ll take us on a journey into the new Reform makhzor, Mishkan HaNefesh. She’d love to have you join her 2:15-3:15 pm in the Library.

A Note about Yom Kippur Yizkor Our Afternoon Service and Neilah (Concluding Service) on Yom Kippur Day follow immediately after Yizkor. There is no interruption. These services are among the most inspiring moments during the entire High Holy Days, but their beauty is disrupted by congregants leaving when Yizkor concludes. Please remain with us for the final minutes of the day.

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Please join us at our Famous Annual Sukkot BBQ Sun, Oct 13, 4:30-8:00 pm A holiday celebration for the whole congregation!

4:30 - Sukkot Family Activities 5:30 - Kabbalat Sukkot Service (a 45-minute musical, visual worship for young and old) 6:15 - Sukkot BBQ Through Sun, Oct 6: adults $15, children $7, families $30 On or after Mon, Oct 7: adults $20, children $10, families $40 Bring one side-dish or dessert per family (if possible, make it local, go for organic, and keep it green). And don’t forget, no nuts please! Sign-up online at wct.org/ sukkotbbq.

Please remember to bring fruits and veggies to hang in the sukkah!

Bring a Friend to the Sukkot BBQ and Help WCT Grow Sun, Oct 13, 4:30-8:00 pm The Sukkot BBQ is a great showcase for our temple. It lets prospective members see us in action – our creativity, our friendliness, our energy, and our powerful sense of community. If you know someone who you think would love Woodlands, please bring them along.

For doing so, we’ll give you a $25 credit towards a future temple activity. While all of you enjoy decorating the sukkah, your friends can also meet our clergy and receive a tour of the temple. We’ll have temple leadership on hand to answer any questions. It’s a fun day to share what you love about Woodlands with your friends and neighbors and eat some great BBQ too.

By the way, if you’re looking for a way to get involved with the temple but don’t want to attend a lot of meetings, the Membership Committee could be a perfect match! Please email membership@wct.org and together we’ll make things happen. Help build new member gift baskets, staff a Taste of Woodlands welcome table, or volunteer at a neighborhood street fair. We have a lot of options, depending on what kind of time you have to share. We’d love to hear from you.

Build My Own Sukkah?!

Building a sukkah at home can make Sukkot exciting and hands-on for young and old alike. It’s really not so complicated.

And many sukkah-builders involve their friends, relatives, and even the entire neighborhood in the fun. Sukkot this year begins Sunday evening, October 13 (and tradition has us return home from Yom Kippur services to begin building).

Why not let us show you “The Sukkah Project” and other ideas about how to make your own sukkah? Visit wct.org/ sukkot for details.

Simkhat Torah!!

Our annual celebration of Torah and Jewish learning

Sunday, October 20 Celebration 7:00-8:30 pm Don’t miss our rockin’ Simkhat Torah house band!

Witness the awesome experience of unrolling the entire Torah!

Bring your entire family – from great-grandparents to grand infants – as we sing, dance and celebrate with our Torah ... the Woodlands way!

Youth Engagement 5th/6th Grade Retreat Fri-Sun, Sep 13-15 Our annual 5th and 6th grade retreat is quickly approaching!

This year we will be holding the weekend at the Holmes Retreat Center in Holmes, NY. Each year the 5th and 6th grades travel to a camp or retreat center for a weekend of engaging programs, alternative prayer and class bonding. We are so excited that our retreat is the weekend after religious school starts, as we expect it to be an excellent connecting opportunity for the students early in the year. If you have questions, please email Lily at youth@wct.org.

Teen High Holy Day Services Rosh Hashanah, Sun, Sep 29 at 8:00 pm Kol Nidre, Tue, Oct 8 at 8:00 pm Each year, the WoodSY Board organizes separate High Holy Days services for our temple teens. These services are completely planned and led by teens and alumni songleaders, and the students go above and beyond at engaging the groups in experiential ways. This past year, the Rosh Hashanah service was focused on how we are all pieces of the Woodlands puzzle, and we put together a big apple puzzle with unique facts about ourselves. WoodSY focused on mindfulness for its Kol Nidre service and taught participants how to make their own bullet journals.

Our new Board, led by senior Daniel Goldberg, is excited to bring something new to the High Holy Days services this year. For more information, email Lily at youth@wct.org.

Hope to see you there!

8th Grade Retreat Sun, Oct 27 Save the date for our 8th grade retreat in NYC with Repair the World. The retreat consists of a service project and fun outing in the city. Registration information to come. If you have questions, email Lily at youth@wct.org.

NFTY-NAR/NFTY-NE Fall Kallah Fri-Sun, Nov 8-10 Save the date for NFTY-NAR’s first event of the year! Join students from all over the northeast at URJ Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, NY for a weekend of experiential programming, alternative prayer and bonding. Register now at newyork.nfty.org

Sexuality Retreat Fri-Sun, Nov 15-17

from the

Director

of

Youth Engagement

Holy Community!

Lily Mandell

I remember

it like it was yesterday: my mom and I pulled up to the cabin in her white Ford Fusion and were greeted by two 18/19 year-olds in t-shirts that said: Camp Coleman 2009. They each shook my hand with the utmost enthusiasm and declared how excited they were to meet me. I had been to other camps before, but something about this felt different. This was my first Reform Jewish summer camp, and little did I know that this first interaction would be the catalyst to my personal and professional growth in the Reform Jewish world. That summer I learned about Jewish heroes and performed in a musical for the first time. I engaged in different types of prayer each night and learned how to rock climb. I finally felt proud to be Jewish and I made friends who are still pillars in my life.

The Reform Jewish summer camp experience was vital in my decision to work professionally in the Jewish world. The things that make camp important, and the things that make Judaism important are fully intertwined; creating a microcosm of happiness, culture and spirituality. My years in Jewish camping have given me the opportunity to now pass on these lessons, L’dor Vador, to the next generation of Jewish youth.

Summer camp and year-round youth engagement go hand in hand. So much of what I do is adapted from summer camp programs, and our students sing prayers at services that they know from summer camp.

There is an instant connection when you meet another summer camp kid, but an even greater connection when you meet a fellow Jewish summer camp kid.

The minute I set foot in Woodlands Community Temple I felt right at home because we have an inherent “camp” atmosphere. We value music, stories, personal growth and community. We put our arms around each other and bless our families at services. We welcome the stranger, peer educate and teach the Woodlands way to our children.

Woodlands can be your holy community, in the same way so many children find their holy communities at camp.

As we enter the new school year, our students put away their tie dye and lanyards and pick up their textbooks and pencils. They get back to the grind of homework and extracurricular activities, and say goodbye to campfires and song sessions. However, when they walk through the WCT doors, we strive to greet them with the same enthusiasm that my first counselors had when they greeted me 10 years ago. With this, they keep a little piece of camp with them, and know that Woodlands can indeed be their holy community.

Save the date for our annual 9th grade Sexuality Retreat.

This year the retreat will be held at Holmes Retreat Center in Holmes, NY. We are excited for the new scenery and looking forward to another successful retreat. Registration information to come, if you have general questions email Lily at youth@wct.org.

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Rabbi Mara Announces Next Congregational Israel Trip!, Continued from p. 1

We Want You to Make “A Joyful Noise!”

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e began this service as an experiment, looking for ways to create Shabbat services informed by American gospel tradition yet still authentically Jewish. Eleven years later, “A Joyful Noise!” is the result. Captivating and enchanting for adults and young people alike, AJN is a 12-piece musical ensemble that includes piano, bass, drums, guitar, 2 horns and many singers. We create a contemporary, dynamic musical worship experience that features melodies by many of the American Jewish community’s best-known and best-loved composers. Visual worship provides engaging graphics behind the prayers, sometimes punctuating the sermons, and frees your hands to clap or hold someone else’s. And of course, thoughtful and stimulating writings from the rabbis and others who find their way onto the “AJN” bimah.

Here are the dates for 5780 (2019-20, Fridays at 8:00 pm): Oct 25, Jan 17, Mar 6, Jun 5 “A Joyful Noise!” always draws a crowd.

We’d love to see you there!

faiths? What are the major issues Israeli society is dealing with? How can Israeli culture feel so familiar yet so foreign at the same time? And finally, why do people get so worked up about Israel?

On this trip, we’re heading to northern Israel and pursuing a variety of educational and recreational experiences there. We’ll explore Israel’s culture, spirituality, challenges and attractions!

Our goal is to soak in everything special about our historical homeland while also exploring its modern challenges and opportunities.

For example, we’ll explore bohemian Tel Aviv with a graffiti tour, seeing what social activism looks like in modern Israeli society. We’ll visit the ancient Caesarea ruins and mystical Sefat. We’ll meet with the residents of a Druze village and stop in at an Arab-Israeli cultural center in Haifa. We’ll take part in cross-cultural cooking classes, winery tours, jeep rides through the Golan and meet with a IDF military leader on the Israel-Syrian border. We’ll have two Shabbats to connect to the spiritual life of the country and we’ll watch a light show on the ancient walls of Jerusalem.

A detailed itinerary, all costs and registration are online at wct.org/israel2021.

Rabbi Mara will be leading the trip along with her husband Mark and their two kids.

Like our last trip, this one is open to all ages. Peruse the itinerary to see how the days are purposely differentiated to accommodate age and physical ability. The trip is appropriate for Israel first-timers as well as those who have visited before.

Israel feels like the one place where you can go, be faced with its complexity and come back more connected to it. At some level, it becomes indescribable. Somewhere in the nexus of Jewish history and questions about the Jewish future, you find yourself in a complicated but beautiful Hebrew-filled present, where you bond not only with your travel-mates, but Jews worldwide.

Don’t miss out. Visit wct.org/israel2021 and join us!

Yes, All Are Welcome Here, Continued from p. 2

Please Fill the Shopping Cart!

Adults and children: Your donations to our “Tzedakah Shopping Cart” feed hungry people right here in Westchester.

Each time you come to Woodlands, please bring a few (unexpired and nutritious) non-perishables with you.

Parents, when your children join you in giving to others, they watch the most powerful role-model in their lives and will remember it forever. Make sure you bring something too.

Let’s all get into the tzedakah habit!

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“Simply Shabbat” is Simply Delightful!

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oodlands is a pretty exciting place to build a Jewish life for ourselves and our loved ones. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to take it easy and just enjoy one another’s company. “Simply Shabbat” is a Friday evening service that does just that. The clergy lead a simple Shabbat service, with familiar Jewish melodies, perhaps a Torah reading or a discussion, and the beauty of spending Shabbat with our beloved Woodlands community. Our first “Simply Shabbat” this year will take place at 8:00 pm on Fri, Oct 5.

Come join us!

with other Rivertowns congregations in creating a sanctuary apartment at South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry to provide refuge for immigrants under threat of deportation while they pursue their case in court.

If you’d like to get involved with Immigrant Friends of Woodlands, contact Steve Glusker at immigrantfriends@ wct.org.

Outside our temple building is a sign that reads, “All are welcome here.” It’s written in multiple languages because we want everyone – strangers included – to know they can find friends here. It also reminds ourselves that welcoming the stranger is not some archaic notion that resides in dusty tomes; it is a defining value ... of our people and ourselves.

Jews, Christians & Muslims Share Ramadan Meal @ WCT This summer we were busy scouting out new merchandise that we feel compliments the lifestyles of our congregants.

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e visited many of our current artists to see their new work. Our goal is to have beautiful things at wonderful prices and be “your neighborhood shop for gift giving…and getting.”

The High Holy Days begin Sun, Sep 29 and we'll be ready to help you have a sweet New Year. Stop by to see our selection of apple and honey plates, serving trays, Shabbat candlesticks and colorful candles.

Need a hostess gift? Our challah plates, knives and covers, and home blessings are welcomed treasures.

Want to honor a HHD Torah reader? Consider gifting them their own Torah pointer or tallit.

Have a budding shofar blower? Start them early with our children’s shofar.

Woodlands Receives Award from URJ Summer Camps For the 10th consecutive year, Woodlands Community Temple has received an award from Eisner and Crane Lake camps for sending loads of young people to Eisner, Crane Lake, 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the Creative Arts Academy, Kutz Camp, and NFTY in Israel.

WCT shipped off 40 of our students to URJ summer programs, or more than 20% of our religious school population.

We’re so proud to receive this recognition of our support of Reform Jewish summer programs. These are a crucial part of building children’s Jewish identity, self-esteem and confidence.

By sending our kids to Reform summer programs, we’re helping them shape the future of Reform Judaism, and mold positive, Jewish lives for themselves.

For more information about Eisner, Crane Lake, Sci-Tech, or Creative Arts Academy, visit urjyouth.org/camps online.

WCT members Chuck and Nancy Fishman accepted the award on our behalf.

Visit us first when gift shopping … we’re sure you’ll find the perfect piece for every simcha – baby births, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs or just celebrating your love of things Jewish .

September Surprise Sale!!

From September 8 – 29, pick a sealed ticket and win 10, 15, 20 or 25 percent off your purchase! Take advantage of great prices on tabletop and hostess gifts perfect for High Holy Days celebrations!

The Judaica Shop at Woodlands is open, by request, every day the office is open. Evening and weekend hours are noted in the weekly temple email.

Have a question? Special request? Email us at judaicashop@wct.org.

We’ll be happy to assist you!

www.wct.org

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Upcoming Meetings

School Board Mon, Sep 9 at 8:15 pm

Social Action Committee Thu, Sep 12 at 7:30 pm

The Simkha Page

Our B’nai Mitzvah Liam Lobl

Jillian Micucci

Sep 7

Sep 21

Torah Portion Shoftimr

Torah Portion Kee Tavo

Hebrew Name Liam

Hebrew Name Shaindel Hannah

Finance Committee Mon, Sep 16 at 8:15 pm

Avery Lesser

Jewish Life Committee

Sep 28

Mon, Sep 16 at 8:15 pm

Torah Portion Nitzavim-Vayeilekh

Board of Trustees

Hebrew Name Peninah

Mon, Sep 23 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.

Memorial Garden Wall

Inscribe Your Loved One’s Name

T

wice a year, Woodlands adds names to our beautiful outdoor Memorial Garden Wall (just outside the sanctuary on the other side of the Ark) and dedicates them during a Yizkor Memorial Service. The fall dedication will be held during Yizkor on the last day of Sukkot (Monday, October 21 at 9:00 am).

Please visit wct.org/memorialwall if you wish to have names inscribed on our Memorial Garden Wall in time for the Sukkot dedication, and supply the information requested there – not later than Thursday, October 10.

The price for inscription is $800 per name.

Space may be reserved on the Wall for future inscriptions with full, advance payment. All names (whether they are to be inscribed or reserved) should be submitted at the time of reservation. This allows the engravers to allocate appropriate space for future inscriptions.

Zekher tzadik livrakha ... their memories are for a blessing.

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www.wct.org

Mazal Tov to...

Adele and Daniel Tomasetti on the marriage of their daughter, Liane to Raymond Byrne.

Larry and Yvette Gralla on the marriage of their granddaughter, Liane Tomasetti.

Audrey Rosen on the birth of her great grandson, Cole Mason Rosen-Wachs.

Peter Lobl and Merav Gur, as their son, Liam, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.

Lori Miccuci and Tom Micucci, as their daughter, Jillian, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Paul and Ilyse Lesser, as their daughter, Avery, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Todah Rabbah (thank you) to...

Dayle Fligel and Bonni Abore for putting together the Woodlands Directory.

The wonderful grilling crew at the Mishpakha ShaBBQ. Fern Richter and Lauretta Kahn for organizing our Spring Gala at Captain Lawrence Brewery and all those who volunteered to help at the event.

Everyone who facilitated learning at our Tikkun Layl Shavuot: Rabbi Mara Young, Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber, Phyllis Hirth, Harriet Levine, Cantor Jonathan, Phil Karmel, Nicole Lesser, Corey Friedlander and Julie Hirschfeld.

September 11, 2001 Zekher tzadik livrakha ... may their memory be for a blessing.

The Simkha Page

Donations

The Woodlands Community Mourns the Loss of

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

Donald Blumenthal father of Sharon Shawn

Rabbi Billy’s Mitzvah Fund

Adult Education Fund

In honor of the birth of our granddaughter, Samantha Molly Kolko, from Larry and Audrey Kaplan.

In appreciation of Rabbi Billy and in honor of the marriage of Jeanne Einhorn and Jonathan Simpson, from Adam and Andrea Einhorn.

In memory of Anna Leicht, mother of Nelson Leicht, from Nelson and Jackie Leicht.

In honor of Martin Irwin for teaching us Talmud, from Jeanne Bodin, Barry and Judith Kessler, Rochelle Novins, Phyllis Opochinsky, Lance and Sura Rosenthal, and Ellen Rubin.

In honor of Harriet Levine and Jewish Studies, from Jewish Studies Class.

Annette Iturbe mother of Richard Iturbe

Rabbi Mara’s Mitzvah Fund In memory of Joel Taman and in appreciation of Rabbi Mara for the warm and comforting funeral service, from Arlene Taman.

In honor of Rabbi Mara for conducting a meaningful and beautiful unveiling for Vikki Krebs, from Steve Krebs.

In memory of Barbara Kravitz, mother, from Linda Davidson.

In memory of Dora Cooke, mother of Jackie Leicht, from Nelson and Jackie Leicht.

Chai Fund In memory of Anne Berkowitz, mother of Barbara Abram, from David and Dayle Fligel.

In memory of David Ostfeld, brother of Sheila Sweet, from David and Dayle Fligel.

In memory of Warren Shapiro, brother of Neil Shapiro, from David and Dayle Fligel.

In memory of Warren Shapiro, brother of Neil Shapiro, from Mark and Michele Montague.

In memory of Dave Doynow, husband of Renee Doynow, from Stu and Karen Berlowitz.

In memory of Richard Safirstein, brother of Jack Safirstein, from Larry and Yvette Gralla, Barry and Judith Kessler, Dotty Miller.

In memory of Bob Steinhardt, from Larry and Yvette Gralla.

In memory of Robert and Harriet Brickman, parents of Lee Brickman, from Lee and Nanci Brickman.

In memory of Ruth Polikoff, mother, from Phyllis Opochinsky.

Jonah Maccabee Fund In memory of Fran Weingast, from Douglas and Nancy Ruttenberg.

In memory of Fran Weingast, from Stu and Karen Berlowitz.

In appreciation of Rabbi Billy and in honor of the marriage of Jeanne Einhorn and Jonathan Simpson, from Adam and Andrea Einhorn.

Israel Committee In honor of the fabulous Israel Committee, from Rochelle Novins.

Education & Youth Activities Fund In support of Eisner Camp as part of my Bat Mitvah tzedakah, from Aviv Emery.

Geraldine and Gerald Weinberger Lifelong Learning Fund In memory of Gerry Weinberger, from Tony and Selena Barron, Murray and Jeanne Bodin, Chuck and Nancy Fishman, David and Dayle Fligel, Larry and Yvette Gralla, Barry and Judith Kessler, Nelson and Jackie Leicht, Don and June Moskovitz, Phyllis Opochinsky, Mark and Liz Rauchwerger.

In memory of Philip Rabinowitz, brother of Rav Julius Rabinowitz, from Murray and Jeanne Bodin.

Music Fund In memory of Annette Iturbe, mother of Richard Iturbe, from David and Dayle Fligel.

In memory of Annette Iturbe, mother of Richard Iturbe, from Corey Friedlander.

Scholar in Residence In memory of Bob Steinhardt, from David and Dayle Fligel.

In memory of Bob Steinhardt, from Larry and Yvette Gralla.

Annual Fund Donation from Larry and Yvette Gralla.

Endowment Fund In memory of Dick Safirstein, from Jack and Sue Safirstein.

Steve’s H.O.P.E. Fund In memory of Stephen D. Lelewer, from Alan and Bonnie Mitelman.

In honor of the birth of my great-grandson, Cole Mason Rosen-Wachs, from Audrey Rosen.

In honor of the birth of Cole Mason Rosen-Wachs from Alan and Bonni Mitelman.

Barbara Kravitz mother of Linda Davidson Daisy Matluck mother of Scott Matluck Philip Rabinowitz brother of Rav Julius Rabinowitz.

David Rosenberg brother of Roni Beth Tower Richard Safirstein brother of Jack Safirstein Bob Steinhardt beloved WCT member Gerald Weinberger 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.

Hevra Kaddisha: Comforting the Mourner A Sacred Duty and We Could Use Your Help Perhaps 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.

www.wct.org

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End-of-school Picnic Registration is now open!

Union for Reform Judaism Biennial December 11-15, 2019 Chicago, IL (land of Rabbi Jason Fenster!)

Join your rabbis, temple leaders and members who enjoy great music, teachers, and 5000 Reform Jews in one gigantic Shabbat service for this phenomenal Reform Jewish experience.

More information, as well as online registration, is available at urj.org/biennial.

Registration is now open! Save $200 by signing up before Wed, Oct 16. Learn how to make Woodlands a better synagogue for us all, and have a great time in Chicago too!

A Reminder from Herb Friedman, Financial Secretary As a new year begins, please remember that any financial arrangement previously made with the Financial Secretary is for one year only.

After receiving your temple bill, if a discussion about a new arrangement would be helpful, please contact Herb at financialsecretary@wct.org or at 914-395-0304.

WCT Seat Cushions are Back!

E

ver 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, visit wct.org/tushcush. Questions, contact Jenna Lebowich (programming@wct.org).

Your tush and your temple will thank you!

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www.wct.org

Too Much Fun!

Woodlands to Participate in Jewish Agency’s Shinshinim Program

B

e on the lookout for Ofek, a young man from Israel who will be part of the Woodlands family this year. Ofek is participating in “Shinshinim,” an exciting new program from the Jewish Agency for Israel. The Shinshinim are 18-year-old Israeli emissaries who are deployed to communities around the Jewish world with the goal of educating people of all ages about Israel and its culture. Shinshinim bring the Israeli spirit to synagogues, schools and other organizations to provide informal programming that builds Jewish identity and educates all age groups about Israeli life.

The Shinshinim defer their army service for one year to come to the United States.

When the Shinshinim return to Israel, they carry a deeper understanding of our American Jewish community with them. The Shinshinim nurture a personal connection to us that we all hope will bring our communities closer together.

Ofek will be working weekly with our 7th graders and Academy students. He’ll be partnering with Rabbi Mara and Lily to bring Israeli culture and history to our kids and help them feel a personal connection to the Jewish homeland. If you’re not connected to a teen at Woodlands, don’t worry, Ofek will be around for lots of other Woodlands events. Be sure to welcome him, get to know him, and be part of this special exchange program.

Islam and Judaism: The Same, Only Different!

Interfaith Conversation and Learning

Beged Kefet Now Available for Download

O

nce upon a time, Ellen and Billy Dreskin were part of quite the acclaimed performing group. Beged Kefet sang in synagogues across North America for twentyfive years (until 2009). In that time, they recorded three albums which, we’re very pleased to announce, are now available for digital download purchase at jonahmac.org/ music or you can simply listen by searching your favorite streaming music service. All proceeds (from sales and online listening) go to The Jonah Maccabee Foundation. For more information, visit jonahmac.org/music.

Save the Date!

Thu, Sep 26, 7:30-9:00 pm Back by popular demand, we're continuing our series of shared Muslim/Jewish learning opportunities, looking at stories and figures that are common to both Torah and Quran. Co-facilitated by either Rabbi Billy or Rabbi Mara along with Imam Ibrahim of Peace Islands Institute (and now a good friend of WCT)!

In September, Rabbi Mara and the Imam will take a look at the story of Joseph and his brothers. Come be part of this new friendship and exciting interfaith dialogue.

These sessions have been truly magical and inspirational.

Please register online at wct.org/thesameonlydifferent. Dessert will be served.

11th Annual Jonah Maccabee Concert featuring

Chava Mirel and Elana Arian

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Can You Hear Me Now? WCT Sound Crew in Formation Make Curtains Shorten Sleeves Replace Zippers Make Custom Dresses

Shameela Azizi is the mom of the family from Afghanistan resettled by WCT and Bet Am Shalom members. She does expert alterations and makes custom dresses and items for the home — at reasonable prices.

For more information and to make an appointment to visit her home studio in downtown White Plains with your project, please email ShameelaSews@gmail.com

Make Pillow and Cushion Covers

Replace Elastic

Hem/Shorten/ Take in Waist

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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June Bash Benefits WCT and All Who Attended!

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www.wct.org

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.

Thank you

to the members of the Woodlands community.

Keep Smiling!

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

Dr. Charles Strick, DDS TOP DENTISTS™ 2019 COSMETIC DENTISTRY • FAMILY DENTISTRY

(914) 693-6990

20 Center Street, Ardsley, New York 10502 www.charlesstrickdds.com

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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A Major Supporter of Woodlands Community Temple Domestic Abuse Task Force

630 Saw Mill River Rd Ardsley, NY 10502

914-357-4411

• Interior Loading Bay • Climate Controlled Interior 22

Joseph Casario Claudia Forlong danielle ponga Matthew pantal Matt Foley ed garrity JereMy golden edwardsdowdle.com

serving westChester County and the surrounding areas sinCe 1927

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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage

PAID White Plains, NY

50 Worthington Road White Plains, NY 10607

Permit No. 1112

current resident or:

DATED M ATERIAL- DO NOT DEL AY

JudaiConnection

Elul ... what?

by Rabbi Joan Farber

E

lul is the month preceding Tishrei (when Rosh Hashanah occurs) and it begins on Saturday evening, August 31. Depending on the Jewish calendar and the timing of the leap year (when add an extra month), Elul typically falls in August and we pay very little attention to it. It’s simply the month that precedes the High Holy Days and vacation is more interesting.

There are lots of holidays in the Jewish calendar. In Tishrei, there are four. Kislev has Hanukkah. Shevat has Tu b’Shevat.

In the spring, we celebrate Pesakh in Nisan and Shavuot in Sivan. I have not included the more modern observances and celebrations, which include Yom HaShoah and Yom HaAtzma’ut.

Having listed so many holidays, it’s important to mention that there are a few months with no holidays beyond the weekly observance of Shabbat. It happens that Tishrei is bookended by two holiday-less months: Elul and Heshvan.

Some might say Elul is for preparing and Heshvan is for recovering.

To understand the significance of the month of Elul, the rabbis turned to the Bible for inspiration and found two phrases which each contain four words beginning with the four letters of Elul.

The first is from the Book of Esther.

Eesh L’rei-ei-hu U’ma-ta-not L’ev-yo-nim (Gifts) to one another and gifts to the poor” (9:22)

I

n its original context, the verse is referring to Mishlakh Manot, the giving of gifts of fruit, nuts and hamentashen on Purim. As a message during Elul, this verse leads us to consider the material world and how we prepare for the coming year. During Elul, many of us prepare the foods for the Holy Days, baking honey cakes and round challot, planning our festival meals. When I was growing up, it was the time for new “temple” shoes (patent leather Mary Jane’s) and new dresses. These actions are linked to the physical preparation for Rosh Hashanah and might also include giving tzedakah.

But getting ready for the High Holy Days is much more than physical preparation. The rabbis suggest a phrase from the Song of Songs as another Elul message. Song of Songs is attributed to King Solomon and described by Rabbi Adam Greenwald as “an unabashedly sensuous, even at times quite erotic, paean to love.” While the poetry seems to describe human love, Song of Songs is understood to be the poetry of love between the people of Israel and God

Ani L’do-di V’do-di Li I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (6:3)

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ou have to trust me that, in Hebrew, these are same letters that are in “Elul.”

Through this verse, Elul is linked to our relationship with the Divine and draws our attention to the spiritual and reflective preparation needed before we can enter the tent. Beginning on the first day of Elul, a shofar is sounded every morning, reminding us of the importance of this month. We are encouraged to take an accounting of our actions and to consider where we have strayed from the path. In the process of self-reflection, we may realize we have hurt another or spread gossip or were neglectful. We can begin to ask for forgiveness and consider how to change. Then, when the High Holy Days arrive, we’re ready to do our spiritual work.

Elul is here! Time to prepare!