Message from Rabbi David Eligberg

Israelight
518-438-7858 • www.templeisraelalbany.org • timain@templeisraelalbany.org • December 2013 • 5774
Message from Rabbi David Eligberg
While the lighting of Hanukah
candles remains one of the most
widely observed and familiar
practices amongst Jews today, what
we do is very different from the
reality of our ancient ancestors.
The lamp lit in celebration was
generally a simple pottery lamp,
filled with oil and having a single
wick. This lamp, once lit would be
placed outside the door to the home
on the left. This lamp was the same
type as the one used to provide
illumination in the home on Shabbat.
In the ancient world oil and wicks,
especially the high quality ones
required for fulfilling this mitzvah,
were expensive and led to the rabbis
establishing time frames for the
length required. It was not uncommon
for our ancestors to share the light of
a fire lit in the common courtyard for
illumination during the regular week
and thus preserve their supply of oil.
The financial challenges faced
by our ancestors are reflected in
the Talmudic discussion regarding
the kindling of the Hanukah lamp
wherein our teacher Rava, who lived
in Babylonia in the 4th century, raises
the issue of how to prioritize when
presented with conflicting demands
and limited resources to fulfill them.
The Talmud, Shabbat 23b reads as
follows: 1
Rava said: It is obvious to me
that there is a fixed list of priorities.
When a person is poor
and must choose between
purchasing oil to light
a Shabbat lamp for his
home or purchasing oil
to light a Hanukah lamp,
the Shabbat lamp for his
home takes precedence.
That is due to peace in his
home; without the light of that lamp,
his family would be sitting and eating
their meal in the dark. Similarly, if
there is a conflict between acquiring
oil to light a lamp for his home and
wine for the sanctification [Kiddush]
of Shabbat day, the lamp for his home
takes precedence due to peace in
the home. However, Rava raised a
dilemma: When the conflict is between
oil for a Hanukah lamp or wine for
Kiddush of Shabbat day, what is the
ruling? Does Kiddush of Shabbat day
take priority because it is frequent,
Message from
Linda R.S. Ginsburg,
President
If this bulletin
arrives in your
mailbox in a
timely fashion,
the last days of
2013 are waiting
to be crossed off
your calendar.
Most folks in our community,
the mainstream American Jewish
community, acknowledge and
celebrate two “New Years” annually.
Although most of us go about our
days and weeks in a primarily secular
world, we tend to observe the rituals
associated with Rosh Ha Shanah
more consistently than the rituals
associated with December 31st. We
have a text, a Mahzor, to guide us
through the prayers and to inspire
us for the coming year. We typically
See Rabbi, page 5
See Linda, page 5
Schedule of Shabbat Services - December 2013
Date
Dec 6-7
Dec 13-14
Dec 20-21
Dec 28-29
Candle
Lighting
4:04 PM
4:04 PM
4:06 PM
4:10 PM
Friday Eve
Kabbalat
Shabbat
4:00 PM
4:00 PM
4:00 PM
4:00 PM
Shabbat
Morning
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
Mincha
Shabbat
3:30 PM
3:30 PM
3:30 PM
3:45 PM
Shabbat
Ends
5:05 PM
5:05 PM
5:07 PM
5:11 PM
Schedule of Weekday Services
Mornings
Mondays & Thursdays 6:45 AM
Tues, Wed. & Fri.
7:00 AM
Suns, incl. Dec. 9 & 16 8:30 AM
Wednesday, December 4
Rosh Chodesh Tevet
6:30 AM
Special Dates and Times
Mon.-Wed., Dec. 2-5:
Hannukah
6:30 AM
Tuesday, December 3
Rosh Chodesh Tevet 6:30 AM
Evenings
Sunday-Thursday throughout the
month of December 4:00 PM
1
Wednesday, December 25
Asara B’Tevet
8:30 AM
Fun in Nursery School
2
3
23
30
22
29
7:00 p.m. Bingo
7:00 p.m. Bingo
7:00 p.m. Bingo
9:30 a.m. Men’s Club Bagel
Nosh
16
15
7:00 p.m. Bingo
9
7:00 p.m. Bingo
Mon
2 Hanukkah
8
1 Hanukkah
Sun
4 Hanukkah
Wed
31
24
Notes:
7:30 p.m. Adult Israeli Dance
25 Christmas
18
10:30 a.m. Talking Torah, Rabbi 7:30 p.m. Adult Israeli Dance
Eligberg
7:30 p.m. Adult Beginner’s
Israeli Dance Class
17
11
10:30 a.m. Talking Torah, Rabbi Noon Milton & Edith Ruffer
Eligberg
Lunch ‘n’ Learn
7:30 p.m. Adult Beginner’s
7:30 p.m. Adult Israeli Dance
Israeli Dance Class
7:30 p.m. Board of Trustees
meeting
10
10:30 a.m. Talking Torah, Rabbi 5:30 P.M. CHANUKKAH
Eligberg
EXTRAVAGANZA
7:30 p.m. Adult Beginner’s
7:30 p.m. Adult Israeli Dance
Israeli Dance Class
3 Hanukkah
Tue
~ December 2013 ~
26
19
7:00 p.m. A Taste of Torah,
Rabbi Eligberg
12
7:00 p.m. A Taste of Torah,
Rabbi Eligberg
5 Hanukkah
Thu
27
20
13
6
Fri
28
21
10:30 a.m. Shorashim service
for children under 7
14
6:45 p.m. Concert: Songs from
the Jews of Spain
7
Sat
Message From Cantor Marx
The Pew Research
Center interviewed
3,500 Jews across the
US to generate their
findings. Findings
suggest a gradual
decrease in Jewish
identity among the
non-Orthodox, and a
gradual rise in the overall proportion
of Jews who identify as Orthodox.
The data indicate that 10% of Jews
now identify as Orthodox, just 2%
higher than a similar study 10 years
ago.
Everywhere I looked these days
I see the word Pew. Many different
people have shared their opinions
and takes on the result of The Pew
Research Center’s recent independent
survey of Jewish America. This
morning, AGAIN, as we did not have
a minyan, I ponder about the Pew
results and, due to our minyan daily
struggle, the results do not come as a
complete surprise.
Assimilation and intermarriage
are not a new phenomenon in the US
or in the rest of the Jewish world. We
are very aware that there is Jewish
apathy and lack of religious interest
among vast numbers of Jews. The
expression “not religious but rather
culturally Jewish” is not a new one.
Nonetheless, the Pew results showed
us the degree of assimilation and
intermarriage. We learn that 17%
of respondents who got married
before 1970 say their spouse is not
Jewish, while among those who got
married in the 1980s, about 40% have
a non-Jewish spouse, and among
those who have gotten married since
1995, nearly 60% have a non-Jewish
spouse.
The Pew interviewed 3,500 Jews
across the U.S. to generate their
findings. In its analysis of its research,
they find a gradual decrease in Jewish
identity among the non-Orthodox, and
a gradual rise in the overall proportion
of Jews who identify as Orthodox.
They reported that 10% of Jews are
Orthodox, just 2% higher than a
similar study 10 years ago.
The Orthodox population is
growing fast, a new analysis of data
from Pew finds that 27% of Jews
younger than 18 live in Orthodox
households. That’s a dramatic jump
from Jews aged 18 to 29, only 11% of
whom are Orthodox.
Jews who endorse that they have
no religion is higher than it has ever
been. Among Jews who are part of the
“greatest generation” of Americans
(born 1914-1927), 93% identify their
religion as Jewish and just 7% say
they have no particular religion, yet
consider themselves Jewish aside from
religion. That share rises in subsequent
generations, and among the current
younger adults, the so called
Millennial generation, fully 32% say
they have no religion.
As the end of the year approaches,
some questions are answered by the
PEW. 32% of Jews say that they have
Christmas trees, and 34% of those
Jews interviewed said that they think
being Jewish is compatible with
believing that Jesus is the Messiah.
And surprisingly, at least for me,
the Pew estimates that there are 1.2
million non-Jewish Americans who
identify as sort-of-Jewish, even though
they are not Jewish by religion and
have no Jewish family background.
As for our Conservative
movement, the study showed that
11% of young Jews identify with the
movement, and that only 18% of U.S.
Jews call themselves conservative
Jews. The numbers declined
drastically since 1990 when we were
43% of American Jews. At the October
conservative movement convention,
which I did not attend, Arnold Eisen,
chancellor of the movement’s JTS
called for a return to the principles
articulated a century ago by Solomon
Schechter, founder of the USCJ: Being
as welcoming as possible to bring
in more Jews, taking Conservative
Judaism beyond the bounds of the
synagogue and providing more money
4
Shabbat Services
Rabbi David Eligberg & Hazzan Rogerio
Marx will conduct services
Shabbat, December 7 - 9:00 a.m.
Vayiggash
Genesis 44:18-47:27
Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15--28
Shabbat, December 14 - 9:00 a.m.
Vayhi
Genesis 47:28-50:26
Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-2:12
Shabbat, December 21 - 9:00 a.m.
Shemot
Exodus 1:1-6:1
Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23
Shabbat, December 28 ... 9:00 a.m.
Va’era
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Haftarah: Ezekiel 29:25-29:21
-
-
-
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Anniversary...
Shemot
Ethan Katz
and time to the movement.
I do not know what the solution
for the Conservative movement is,
but I wonder if a return to the past is
the right path. We are where we are
because what worked in the past is not
working in the present. At least, not
for the thousands that have left our
ranks. As our pews are emptier every
year during the High Holidays, during
Shabbat services and our minyanim as
well, we must try to reach out to where
people are now, and not where they
were 100 years ago. The issues that
Continued on next page
Rabbi Continued from Page 1
Cantor Marx, continued
families face in 2013 are very different
from those in 1913. Technology and
Critical Biblical Studies brought us to
a different realm than 100 or even 50
years ago. Many find the dichotomy
between what they have been hearing
in shul and life in the year 2013 hard
to reconcile. People vote with their
feet. The language the movement’s
leaders speak must reflect the nonstatic and fluid reality of Jews and
Judaism. Survival and growth will
depend on a reality check and an
openness to accept people for who
they are and where they are, instead of
pounding on the same key and trying
to change them back to a world long
gone.
I see a bright future ahead when
people will find meaning again when
they return to our pews.
B’shalom,
Cantor Marx
o
u
o
Calling all families
with children
7 years old or younger...
Shabbat Shorashim Service
Saturday, December 14
10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m
Y Shabbat Shorashim is an
interactive celebration of Shabbat for children ages 7 and under
accompanied by an adult (parent,
grandparent...).
Y Through song, movement,
story and play, children are
introduced to basic prayer and the
joy of Shabbat.
Y Biblical stories, holiday
themes and Jewish values are
presented in a fun and age
appropriate manner.
i.e., it is performed every week, and
there is a principle: When there is a
conflict between a frequent practice
and an infrequent practice, the
frequent practice takes precedence?
Or, perhaps the Hanukah lamp takes
precedence due to the publicity of the
miracle?
Rava’s juxtaposition of the two
conflicting values, the requirement
to publicize the miracle of Hanukah
which is dischargeable for only the
eight days of the holiday versus the
principle that frequent or regular
mitzvot (here, weekly requirement
of sanctifying Shabbat by reciting
Kiddush over a cup of wine) take
precedence over such seasonal
observances, in fact points to a deeper
challenge for us as observers of our
tradition. The arrival of a holiday,
whether Hanukah, Pesach, or Rosh
Hashanah, generates tremendous
excitement and anticipation. We
prepare our homes, think about guests,
and decide on menus, all with an
eagerness to celebrate the special
moment in the history of our people
and community. The special family
foods that get made only then, the
unique heirlooms that are infused with
family history, all contribute to our
sense of the moment. This is entirely
natural.
Rava, along with the rest of our
sages and teachers want to approach
these events with joy and to truly revel
in the celebration of our history and
heritage. At the same time, I believe
that by challenging us to think about
the impact of the annual celebrations
on the routine observances of Judaism,
we are being reminded that we need to
infuse our daily practice and ongoing
participation in Jewish living with a
passion and enthusiasm similar to that
with which we welcome holidays.
This requires of us that we be focused
and aware of how the teachings of our
tradition speak to our daily activities,
articulating ethical expectations in the
workplace, moral guidelines for our
interactions with others, insights into
5
our stewardship of our environment,
and wisdom to guide in our family
life.
To meet this challenge we need
to be regular and frequent students of
the texts and teachings of Judaism. If
we do so, then the miracle of Jewish
survival we publicize on Hanukah and
the strength of Jewish identity which
underlies it will be visible not only in
the lights of Hanukah but in the light
we bring to the world by our actions.
This passage is taken from the Koren
Talmud Bavli with commentary by Rabbi
Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz. The bold
reflects the basic and terse text of the
Talmud with the regular font representing
the connective material added to allow for
ease in reading the text in translation.
1
Linda Ginsburg, cont. from page 1
gather with family and friends for
one or more meals. We dress in our
“yontuf” clothes and greet each other
with special wishes - for your name to
be written and sealed in the Book of
Life. All this helps us enter the next
year with purpose and hope.
Activities welcoming the secular
New Year in our community tend to
reflect those of the greater American
public - from a midnight toast to a
long game of Monopoly to a day
watching football. A different New
Year, a different tone.
Happily, one widespread practice
does link the two dates: end of year
tax-deductible gifts. Please include
Temple Israel in your late December
list. The synagogue operating budget
depends on the extra generosity of
our members. The donations enable
youngsters to attend our joint Hebrew
School B’yachad and our own Camp
Givah; they support adult education
and senior outreach. If you have a
particular preference or question as
to which area of programming could
most benefit from a gift, please call
Executive Director Jeff Lurie at 4387858, ext 110.
Start off 2014 with a “L’Chaim”
and make it meaningful. Wishing all a
happy and healthy 2014.
Religious Affairs Committee
In November 1991, I completed
saying kaddish following the death of
my mother. I found that after counting
down the days, I could not give up
attending the daily minyan cold turkey.
I began attending once or twice a week
in no particular pattern. After a few
weeks, the Gabbai, Harry Ellowitz
z’’l, had a conversation with me and
advised me that he understood what I
was going through, but that it would
be helpful if I simply chose a day of
the week and came to the morning
minyan on that day every week. I
asked which day would be most
helpful and he told me Friday. I have
now come to the morning minyan on
most Friday mornings for the past 22
years, at one time causing Rabbi Silton
to nickname me “our man Friday”.
Over those 22 years many have had
similar experiences.
This past spring, one Friday
morning, there were 9 people at the
morning minyan, including 4 who
desired to say kaddish. I sent texts
and made calls and was unsuccessful
in attaining a 10th person who could
arrive before others needed to leave. I
attempted to offer an apology to those
who were not able to say kaddish.
Some appreciated the effort and some
left upset that the synagogue could not
provide a minyan. It was on that day
that I decided to accept then Executive
Vice-President Linda Ginsburg’s
extension of the opportunity to reassume the chair of the Religious
Affairs Committee.
For many years, I have seen
friends and parents of my children’s
friends discontinue synagogue
membership and express surprise that
I would continue to pay dues after my
children’s synagogue education had
ended. My standard answer was that
I needed to support the synagogue
because having gone through the death
of a parent, I knew there would be
times that I would need the support
of the synagogue. When completing
the synagogue profile in conjunction
with our recent rabbinical searches, an
overwhelming number of congregants
indicated that they took great pride in
the synagogue being able to conduct
a morning and afternoon minyan 365
days a year and felt it was important
for the synagogue to continue to do so.
OUR MINYAN NEEDS HELP
Currently, there are more than a
few days each month, either in the
morning or evening, when we are
either not able to attract a minyan
on a timely basis or are successful
in recruiting the people needed by
significant efforts by our clergy and/or
our volunteer gabbai. If we continue
to believe in the desirability of having
a morning and afternoon minyan 365
days a year, we need your help. For
the past several years, we have used a
“minyan duty” program and I’m sure
everyone is familiar with the letters
requesting the recipients to come to
minyan every day for six consecutive
days. While this system got off to a
good start, participation has mostly
waned. Therefore, the Religious
Affairs Committee, in conjunction
with our clergy, proposes a new,
different system to enhance attendance
and insure a minyan.
THE PLAN
Over the next sixty days, a
member of the Religious Affairs
Committee will call each synagogue
member family and request that a
family member commit to generally
attending either the morning or
afternoon minyan on a specific day
of each week (for example, every
Tuesday morning). We understand
that circumstances may not allow such
a commitment and we will suggest
consideration of a commitment for
once every other week (for example,
the even numbered Fridays of each
month), or even once per month
(we may suggest consideration of
attendance on the same day of each
month, so that if your lucky number
is 17, you may wish to commit
to coming to morning minyan on
6
the 17th day of each month). We
understand that due to the change in
time of the afternoon/evening services
through the year and, also, that some
congregants live outside the area for
portions of the year, some can only
make seasonal commitments. We are
not asking for an ironclad commitment
and understand that congregants have
work commitments and vacation
schedules and that unexpected things
arise which may prevent one from
attending. Obviously, the goal is
to increase minyan attendance and
also allow our clergy to anticipate
specific dates on which additional
calls may need to be made ahead of
time. Ideally, we would like to create
a monthly calendar with commitments
on the part of 15-18 people for each
weekday service. This cushion will
account for the various absences noted
above while still insuring the success
of our minyan.
If you would like to make a
commitment without being called or
have any questions, please feel free to
e-mail me at RMGOTT@AOL.COM.
The committee’s goal is to never
again have to tell a congregant that the
synagogue cannot provide a minyan
for that congregant’s kaddish needs.
Bob Gottheim
Religious Affairs Committee Chair
Mazel Tov...
to Florence Saidel on the
birth of her great grandson.
B’Yachad News...
B’Yachad celebrates Chanukah!
I’m looking
out the window.
The sky is a
beautiful blue,
the temperature is
almost breaking
60. There is a
slight breeze in
the air and I am
appreciating this wonderful, warm
fall day. Incongruously, inside the
B’yachad classrooms, the sights and
sounds that abound are of the winter
holiday of Chanukah! The typical
cold wintery chill in the air that makes
us appreciate the heat of the sizzling
hot latkes and warm glow of the
beautiful dancing flames is missing…
Chanukah is unusually early this year.
Typically, the month of November
is a quieter time, when we can catch
our breath from the busy High Holiday
season and get settled into our routine.
Not so this year. No rest for the weary
– at B’Yachad we are full speed ahead!
Just yesterday, the smell of latkes
sizzling in oil was drifting from the
kitchen below, as 7th and 8th graders
prepared a bountiful latke feast for
the middle school and the teachers.
Music filled the hallways as the Cantor
made his way through the classrooms
teaching the students Al Hanism and
other traditional Chanukah melodies.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th graders were
busy making wooden dreidels while
learning the significance of the
letters Nun, Gimmel, Hey, and Shin
(Nes Gadol Haya Sham – A Great
Miracle Happened There). The 4th
graders were making and decorating
huge shields and learning about the
Macabbees and their heroic efforts.
1st graders collectively made a large
menorah with candles to decorate their
classroom and even the youngest Gan
students have been busily preparing
for Chanukah with crafts, stories and
games!
As if this were not all enough
to keep us hopping, this week we
have special guest artist, Amy
Rosenstrauch, coming to teach the
middle schoolers how to make hand
dipped candles. They will each take
home their own creations of beautiful
candles.
The students have been diligently
rehearsing for our B’Yachad
participation at the Chanukah
Extravaganza. Our K – 1st graders
will be dancing to “Lots of Latkes”,
2nd and 3rd graders to “Hinei
Mah Tov” and 4th-5th graders to
“Candlelight”. Zoe’s Jazz Dancers
will be performing to a rock version of
“Banu Chosech L’garesh”. Hope you
will enjoy the show!
Regardless of what nature gives us
outside or the calendar dictates, I
wish all of my B’Yachad families,
faculty and the extended synagogue
communities a warm, meaningful,
enjoyable and reflective holiday.
Chag Sameach!
Ruth Malka
Happy Birthday to
B’Yachad students in
December ...
02Marissa Rosenblum
06Brady Rudnick
12Gabriel Cohen
16Samuel Gilboord
16Robert Weisberg
24Benny Pauli
31Nathaniel Koplik
7
Herman & Libbie
Michaelson Early Childhood
Center...
I am so excited
to have joined
the staff of the
Herman and LIbbie
Michaelson Early
Childhood Center
at Temple Israel.
In just my few short weeks here, I am
amazed at the education the children
are receiving. Every day the children
are engaged in rich, hands-on learning
experiences, while being nurtured by
some of the most incredible educators
in the Capital District.
The Nursery School has started to
celebrate Havdallah, the ceremony that
ends Shabbat. We meet every Monday
for Havdallah and after the blessings I
read the group a funny story. I believe
that every Monday for every person
should start with a funny story! There
is nothing better than the laughter
of young children as they listen to a
story make predictions about what will
happen next and enjoy their time being
together. To hear their voices sing la
la la la la la as we sing the havdallah
prayers and to see their eyes open
wide as we extinguish the Havdallah
candle and hear the psst as the flame is
extinguished….what a wonderful way
to start a Monday.
The Toddling ducks, our 2-year
old classroom, love to get messy! I
have already had the chance to play
with goop, guck, pumpkin playdough
and a variety of other ooey, gooey
items! The children love to explore
each item as they play, talk and engage
with each other.
Our Hands & Feet class, the
3-year olds, is learning about families.
Each child created their own family
page for homework. It is amazing to
see that each family was given a blank
piece of paper and yet the children
returned with an incredible work of
art that truly showcases their families.
Each child then did a presentation
about his/her family to the entire class.
In the Butterflies & Bumble Bees
class, the group is busy building. This
group built their own menorot out of
duplo legos this year. These menorot
could be sold they are so beautiful!
Each child chose their own colors of
duplos and created their own menorah
with stickers and dreidels! Truly
beautiful works of art that will be
fabulous keepsakes.
Finally, in our HIP class, the
Hebrew Immersion Program, I am
just constantly amazed at the handson learning that occurs! From the
moment the children walk into the
classroom, only Hebrew is spoken,
and their eyes twinkle as they follow
the directions, play and interact! From
making menorahs with stickers, to
matching candles and counting how
many are the same and how many are
different, and also learning about the
miracle of the oil, this is a class that
has to be seen to truly be appreciated!
I have already seen and learned
so much from the amazing preschool
teachers at Temple Israel. I look
forward to many more years working
alongside the teachers and watching
children grow and blossom! We still
have limited space available in our
classrooms. If you are interested in
seeing our program in action, please
call me to set up a tour!
Amie Bloom, 438-7858 ext 5
Attention
Snowbirds:
Please contact the
Temple office when
you are leaving for
the winter months so
that we can change
your address. This will ensure
that you continue to receive your
Temple bulletin as well as any other
mailings we send out. When you
return to the Albany area, please
give us a call to let us know so that
we will have the correct mailing
address on file for you.
Thank you from the Staff at
Temple Israel.
Farewell to Pam Smiler from Gwen Rudnick
Pam Smiler has been “the face”
of Temple Israel’s Early Childhood
Education program for countless
children, parents and staff. Words
cannot express the impact she made on
the lives she’s touched here. But all I
have to offer are words, and, although
these may be inadequate, I figured
I’d at least try to be developmentally
appropriate. So, with tremendous
gratitude to Rabbi Eligberg for his
ideas and with sincere apologies to Dr.
Suess, here goes.
We definitely love that Pam She Am.
We love her because she am Pam.
Chief of the teachers, the toddlers and
toodlers,
The preschoolers and Mommy (and
Daddy) and Me-ers.
Team builder and diaper changer and
banker and feeder,
Pam She Am is the consummate
leader.
That Pam She Am, she am a drum
major.
Whether Trek for TI, Yom Haatzmaut,
Purim or Simchat Torah,
Pam She Am led it all while dancing
a hora!
Growling through the story, The
Chanukah Guest,
As a cuddly Bear, Pam She Am
dressed.
Sukkah decorating and the Pesach
Seder,
Pam She Am was the coordinator.
To kids in Parottee*, she gave of her
heart
In hopes of providing a much better
start.
She hauled books and delivered goods
Lovingly collected from our
neighborhoods.
But for our children at TI,
The twirlers and tumblers,
The spinners and sitters,
The runners and yellers,
The biters and spitters…
8
Around Pam She Am they’d circle and
swarm.
Before our own eyes, they’d begin to
transform
Into adventurers, explorers,
discoverers, and seekers,
Even if some may have mismatched
their sneakers.
Hugging and waving good-bye at
graduation,
Pam She Am shared the joy of their
maturation.
Handholder, noseblower, tearwiper
and cheerer-upper,
Pam She Am did this for kids but for
parents more oftener.
A laugher, a listener, a sick kid tender,
and a filer,
For staff, families and children, Pam is
most of all a Smiler!
And, with that, I’d like to conclude
with a real quote from Dr. Suess:
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile
because it happened.”
Thank you.
* A nursery school in Jamaica
Gwen Rudnick, Chair
Education Committee
Israeli Dance classes
T’marim:
Thursday evening 7-8:30 PM
Garinim/Shoreshim:
Thursday evening 6-7 PM
Contact: Gail Sacco
gailsacco75@gmail.com
Adult Beginner:
Tuesday evening 7:30-8:30 PM
Adult Intermediate and
Open Dance: Wednesday 7:30 to 10:00 PM
Contact:
Sharona Wachs
SWachs@albany.edu
Marian Alexander
alexander.marian@gmail.com
Shabbat Shira (Parashat
B’Shallah)
Join us for a joyous Shabbat
of song and dance at Temple Israel
January 10-11, 2014, co-sponsored by
the Temple Israel Cultural Arts and
Dance committees.
We will join with B’Yachad and
Givah families for Shabbat dinner
Friday night following Kabbalat
Shabbat services. After dinner we
will have a “dancing oneg,” where
we will do traditional Israeli dances
while singing Shabbat and Israeli
zmirot led by Cantor Marx. Shabbat
morning will be enhanced by the
beautiful music of the Ne’imah Jewish
Community Chorus, who will do
a short performance on the Bimah
following the Musaf service. Services
will be followed by an extended
Kiddush.
Our festivities continue Saturday
night with a dance workshop and party
led by Becca Rausch. Becca is an
accomplished Israeli dancer, teacher
and choreographer . She rose through
the ranks of Israeli dancing in Albany
starting in kindergarten at HACD. She
danced in Temple Israel’s Anafim
and Tzamarot teen performing groups
and Ohav Shalom’s Me’orot teen
performing group. She also taught
in the Temple Israel Hebrew school
dance program and created the
Israeli dance performance program
at Congregation Beth Emeth. After
graduation, she went to Brandeis
University where she danced with
B’yachad, Brandeis’ acclaimed Israeli
dance performing troupe. She served
as the troupe’s artistic director for
three years. She went on to found and
direct Zikukim, a Boston area semiprofessional Israeli dance performance
troupe, and to create a substantial
Israeli dance performance program for
Boston area youth. She continues to
teach and choreograph in the Boston
area and beyond. She is thrilled to
return to Albany to lead our workshop.
Deadline for signup for Shabbat
dinner is December 27. Please see
enclosed flyer for dinner options,
prices and further details.
Shelley Justa
In October, our T’marim and
Shoreshim dancers performed at
the Empire State Plaza Convention
Center in the 42nd Annual Festival
of Nations. Over 30 countries join
to celebrate the world’s cultures at
this event where about 1,000 people
watch our dancers, eat kosher food
(generously prepared by Noam Saati)
and purchase jewelry from EEEMA’s
Beads (jewelry handcrafted by
Sharona Wachs).
Very special thanks to Shaina
Degroult-Elias who represented us as
Miss Israel and committee members
Shelley Justa, who coordinated
volunteers; Sharon Flom, who assisted
with the food, and Nathalie Degroult
and Adam Elias (who coordinated the
whole mishegas!) as well as the other
volunteers who donated their time to
sell food, take tickets, shop and shlep!
The Adult Beginner group,
which meets on Tuesdays and the
Intermediate group which dances
on Wednesdays always accept new
members. Please contact Gail Sacco,
439-8549 or gailsacco75@gmail.com
for more information. Registration
forms are on the website.
Save the Date
Installation of
Rabbi David Eligberg
May 2, 3, 4, 2014
Milton & Edith
Ruffer
Lunch ‘n’ Learn
Wednesday, December 11, noon
Israeli Film with subtitles
A Matter of Size
A comedy about four overweight men who learn to love themselves
through the Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. The film follows a tender
and funny path from body shame to celebration.
Reservations not required, but appreciated. Call Linda, 438-7858, ext
117, by Monday, December 9.
9
A Day in the Life of the Jewish People – 28 Kislev - 28 Tevet
Who was Who in Jewish History
* 28 Kislev – On December 23,
1840, Rabbi Abraham Dov of Avritz
died. He was the author of Bat Ayin,
comments on the Pentateuch.
Rabbi Abraham Dov was rabbi of
the Ashkenazic community of Safed.
He was captured by the Druze and
held for ransom. When the money was
not forthcoming, they placed a sword
at his throat and threatened to use it if
there was no immediate payment. The
rabbi, calm and courageous, asked
to make a last request. His captors
were so impressed when, instead of
pleading for his life, the rabbi asked
for water to wash his hands so he
could recite his final prayers, that they
thereupon released him from captivity.
* 2 Tevet – On December 12, 1882,
Rosh Pinnah, first Jewish settlement in
the Galilee, was founded.
* 20 Kislev – On December 17,
1914, Jews of Tel Aviv were expelled
by the Turkish authorities and sent to
Egypt.
* 12 Tevet – On December 26, 1936,
the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
was founded. Its first concert was
played under the direction of Arturo
Toscanini.
* 1 Tevet – On December 14, 1947,
thirteen Haganah members, escorting
a convoy to Ben Shemen, Palestine,
were ambushed and killed.
* 1 Tevet – On January 2, 1949,
Egypt agreed to negotiate an armistice
with Israel.
Mike Garber, Head of House
& Grounds, Retires
(Delivered Shabbat morning,
November 16, 2013)
Good morning/good Shabbos:
I fully realize the significance of
being called to the bimah and I want
to express my appreciation for this
occasion. To the Rabbi, the Cantor,
the Board and all the wonderful
congregants: Thank you so much for
honoring me in this manner.
I have always heard the addressing
an assembly of people is one of the
most common major fears of people
in general. In my case, it certainly
is! I’ll do my best not to have a panic
* 4 Tevet – On December 14, 1977,
the Cairo Peace Conference, with
participation of Egypt, Israel and the
U.S. and the U.N. , opened.
* 8 Tevet – On December 26, 1952,
Israel’s first minister to an Asian
country presented his credentials to the
emperor of Japan.
* 10 Tevet – On January 9, 1873,
Hayyim Nachman Bialik was born.
He was the foremost modern Hebrew
poet.
* 14 Tevet – On January 11, 1971,
the population of Israel reached the
3 million mark when Mr. & Mrs.
Nathan Cherolnikov and their daughter
arrived from Russia.
Israel, and Anwar el-Sadat, president
of Egypt, met at Ismailia, Egypt, to
discuss terms of peace between Israel
and the Arabs.
* 18 Tevet – On January 10, 1947,
the ships, Independence and InGathering, carrying illegal immigrants
to Palestine, were taken by the British
to Cyprus for internment.
* 19 Tevet – On December 29,
1901, the Jewish National Fund (Land
Redemption Fund) was established
at the 5th Zionist World Congress in
Basle, Switzerland.
* 24 Tevet – On January 25, 1949,
elections for the first Knesset of the
State of Israel were held.
* 15 Tevet – On December 25, 1977,
Menahem Begin, prime minister of
* 28 Tevet – On January 2, 1927,
Asher Ginsberg (Ahad Ha-Am), father
of cultural Zionism, died.
attack until later. There is so much
to say, but I will spare us all by being
brief.
When I first came to Temple Israel
15 years ago, something told me that I
could do a lot to support and maintain
the building. Little did I know that a
job would morph into a way of life, a
life that gave me a home, a measure of
prosperity and infinite opportunities to
meet and befriend delightful people. I
also formed bonds with many people
(and you know who you are), who,
hopefully, will be good friends for life.
Also, I gained a great respect for the
Temple as an institution and the values
it represents.
Leaving my position here is
very difficult and sad and a great sea
change in my life. However, it is time
for me to move into another epoch of
my life, due mainly to medical issues
which may no longer be suppressed
and put off. However, I guarantee that
you have not seen the last of me. One
of the first things I asked the officers
when discussing my departure was
if I could return for occasional visits.
They assented and I am happy to say
that I will be a frequent drop in.
To wrap up, I just want to express
my ongoing respect and affection to
everyone and thank you for a great 15
years.
Mike Garber
10
Cultural Arts
Committee
A wonderful way to
celebrate the end of
Hanukkah- Soy Sefardi: A
Concert Celebrating the
Songs of the Jews of Spain
On Saturday evening, December
7, we hope you will join us as we
go back in time and hear the beautiful melodies and language of the
Sephardim by attending Soy Sefardi:
Songs of the Jews of Spain, as presented by soprano Nicole Murad and
classical guitarist Eric B. Davis.
Nicole, who is classically trained,
has performed in operas and concerts
in the United States and abroad. As
a member of the American Sephardic
community, she traces her family tree
back to fifteenth century Spain and has
embarked on a journey to explore the
music of her ancestry. By performing
the songs of her ancestors, she hopes
to keep the Sephardic culture and its
rich musical traditions alive. Having spent her childhood in the Capital
District, she is a proud graduate of the
Hebrew Academy and celebrated her
becoming a Bat Mitzvah at Temple
Israel.
Eric is the first classical guitarist to graduate from Julliard and has
gained recognition for his work in
a variety of musical genres, ranging
from classical to pop, country and
Latin. As a classical artist, he has
performed solo recitals and chamber
music throughout the United States
and has performed as a soloist with
major orchestras in Europe and South
America.
The concert, will begin at 7:30
p.m. At 6:45 p.m, when the doors
open, we will be serving tapas, wine
and beer, soda, coffee and tea. Please
bring photo ID. Tapas selections will
include both meat and pareve choices
as well as vegetarian/vegan and gluten
free offerings. The evening will close
with a dessert reception at 8:30, at
which time you can meet and speak
with Nicole. This is all included in the
ticket price, as well as underwriting
from the Sam and Mollie B. Greenberg Musical Arts Endowment Fund
and the Judge Bender and Mildred
Solomon Kallah Fund.
Tickets are $15 each, and two
for $25 if purchased before noon on
Thursday, December 4th. If purchased
at the door, the price of tickets will
be $20 each. Temple Israel is located
at 600 New Scotland Avenue, Albany
NY, and has plenty of parking available. You can contact Linda at Temple
Israel, 518-438-7858, extension 117 to
make your reservation.
Submitted by Stacy Cohen
SOUP KITCHEN
Sunday
December 22
11:00 AM-2:30 PM
Contact Amy Krenzel, Temple
Israel Social Action Co-Chair,
472-0138 or linomore61@yahoo.
com Please bring empty containers
or grocery bags for leftovers to give
to the people we serve. Bring these
items with you to the soup kitchen
when you volunteer your time!!
11
Temple Israel and Ohav Shalom’s
Kadima and USY are joining forces
again, this time for a rockin’ Chanukah
party. All are welcome!
The event will be from 6:30 pm-8:00
pm in the Ohav Shalom Youth Lounge
on Monday, December 2nd and it is
free! The evening will include a latkaeating contest, sufganiyot (donuts)
galore, Rugrats Chanukah, a dreidel
competition in a “Spinagogue” and
lots of hanging out with friends.
Please RSVP to me at this email
address (albanykadima@gmail.com).
L’hitraot (See You Soon),
Dan Scher
Visit the
Hadar Gift Shop
for your Hanukah needs:
Candles, Menorahs, Dreidels,
Gelt (Milk Chocolate or Pareve, and
all Nut Free)
and many more Hanukah items
For questions or to verify hours,
please call the synagogue office at
438-7858, ext. 117
REGULAR HOURS:
Sunday
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Evenings By Appointment
AcknowledgementsOfContributions
November 2013
Contributions to a Temple Israel fund will be acknowledged and published upon receipt of payment. The
donations listed below were received from October 24 - November 25, 2013. We greatly appreciate all
contributions made in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a beloved one.
Page 1 of 2
November2013
Sara M. Ainspan Memorial Israel Scholarship
Ruth & Sam Poskanzer
Herman & Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood
Center Fund
In Honor of
Recent marriage of Rita & Lee
Poskanzer
Risa & Mike Sahr
Sarah Buchman Scholarship Fund
Jules Olshein Camp Givah Scholarship Fund
Yahrzeit of
Hyman Gold
Shirley Feinroth
Friedman
Barbara Wachs & Sylvia
Olshein
In Honor of
Rachel Anisfeld
Yahrzeit of
Lilliam Frumkin
Wendy & Howard
Schaffer
Dance Fund
Marilyn Cohen
Yahrzeit of
Howard Chenfeld
Roz & Gary Judd
Marlene & Georges
Belfort
Amy & Neil
Rosenstrauch
In Honor of
Sophie Belfort
Dorothea Capon
Pauline Reitknecht-Wurtzel
In Memory of
Arnold Linter
Eric Leighton
Louis Aroeste
Hannah Kates
Benjamin Silberman
Sophie Lavine
Tina Lavine
Barbara Scher
Yahrzeit of
Ann Morse
Barbara Scher
Charles Morse
Carl Kosden
Yahrzeit of
Abraham Ray Shapiro
In Memory of
Al Robinson
Selig Corman
Al Robinson
Selma & Leonard
Symansky
Al Robinson
Reva Lobel
Karen & Alan Lobel
N. David Lobel
Morton Goldberg
Grace & Julius Rosenblum Givah Memorial
Scholarship
Howard M. Kahn Endowment Fund
Joel Phillips
Karen & Alan Lobel
Shirley Goldberg
Bernard Gordon Fund for the Needy
Ida Gordon
In Honor of
Marlene & Howard Pressman's
new grandchild
Yahrzeit of
Morris Reitknecht
Herbert S. Vener
Norman Massry
In Appreciation of
Rabbi Eligberg
Dorothea Capon
General Fund
Gavin, Karen, Lee and
Sean Setzen
Leonard Mallimson
Rabbis Discretionary Fund
Cemetery Development Fund
Joan Martens
In Memory of
Herb Vener
Barbara Wachs & Sylvia
Olshein
Camp Givah Future Fund
Ilana & Rob Kovach
In Memory of
Gladys (Hyman) & Nathan
Stoll
12
Eileen & Harvey
Greenfield
In Honor of
Bill Rosenblum's special
birthday
Elaine & Robert
Freedman
William Rosenblum's special
birthday
Elaine Burrick
Bill Rosenblum's special
birthday
Lynn Sternklar
Bill Rosenblum's special
birthday
Marilyn & Ron
Silverman
Bill Rosenblum's 80th birthday
November2013
Grace & Julius Rosenblum Givah Memorial
Scholarship
Rheba & Merwin Greene
William Rosenblum's special
birthday
Speedy Recovery
Stephen Greenfield
Eileen, Harvey, & Marc
Greenfield
Miriam L. Rosenfeld Givah Scholarship
In Memory of
Martin A. Stoll
Risa & Mike Sahr
Janice Rosenthal Memorial Fund
Joan Paley & Family
In Memory of
Michael Paley
Joan Paley & Family
Joseph Paley
Yahrzeit of
Clara Schwedock
Evelyn Schwedock
Evelyn & Jerry Scheer Israel Scholarship
Yahrzeit of
Rose Friedman Menchel
Robert Menchel
On Sunday,
November
10, the
Page 2 of
2
Temple Israel Cemetery Committee had
clean up day from 10:00am to noon.
With the help of five volunteers plus the
committee members themselves, we did a
wonderful job of sprucing up our beloved
cemetery. We went through all sections of
the cemetery (Sections A-E) as well as the children’s area.
Our volunteers cleaned up everything from garbage and
foliage to pruning low hanging trees. Needless to say, we pulled a
lot of trash out of all areas and the cemetery looks very impressive.
Also, thanks to one of our committee members, pothole repair has
begun. This temporary fix should get us by till the spring. We
also took down all the flags from the veterans’ plots so they don’t
get destroyed and blown around in the harsh winter months. New
flags will then be put back up in spring time for Memorial Day.
As a big thank you, we offered hot beverages and
refreshments for a job well done. I am honored to say that we
have an impressive looking cemetery that we all can be proud of.
Again, I would like to thank all Cemetery Committee members
and all volunteers who came out and braved the inclement weather
this day.
Thank you, David Brown
Temple Israel Higher Education Fund
Roz & Gary Judd
In Honor of
Rose & Alan Levensohn's new
grandchild, Abigail Pearl
Roz & Gary Judd
In Memory of
Rabbi Jacob Weiss, brother of
Anschel Weiss
Tzedakah Fund
Yahrzeit of
George Snitowsky
Shirley Lieb
Perry Wolfson Camp Givah Aquatics
Endowment
In Memory of
Al Robinson
Annette & Larry Wolfson
Annette & Larry Wolfson
Cheryl DiStefano's mother,
Charlotte
Speedy Recovery
Ruth Phaff
Annette & Larry Wolfson
e
q
e
o
e
q
13
YAHRZEITS
Notices are sent to each family prior to a Yahrzeit to remind them of the forthcoming anniversary of the death
of their dear ones. Below are listed the names of those who are inscribed on a Yahrzeit Plaque which will be
duly displayed in the Synagogue on the day of the Yahrzeit.
December
01 Machcia Ainspan, Albert Alpart, Fay Grossman,
Milton Judkowitz, Minnie Rapp, Anshel Tessle,
Samuel Zusman
02 Rose Udelson Bray, Rose Jochnowitz, Arthur Minick,
Samuel R. Scher, Bernard Shapiro, Thelma Rhoda
Speigel
03 Jack Herd, Arthur Minick
04 Jessie Friedman, Julius Kommit, Saul Samuel Segal
05 Evelyn Jacobs Barrow, Bryna Demsky, Samuel
Gladstein, Sarah Kieval, Bernard Koblenz, Sidney
Lacholter, David Mark Plesser, Martin Pomerantz
06 David Alfred, Rose Blank, Emanuel Leo Braveman,
Sheila Gottheim, Abe Hatkoff, Dora Marin, Helen
Silverman
07 Anna Ainspan, Chaim Mittelpunkt Feiner, Charles
Mandel, Adelaide Zeibert, Sam Zellner
08 Ida Rosenthal Chait, Hani Fliegelman, Imre Stanley
Halmos, Jake Icke, Ruth Schenkel, Anna Sheber,
Samuel Silverman, Ben Smith, Max Zarch
09 Dorothy Bressen, Rae Krouner, Linda Carol
Margolius, Joseph Rome, Isidore Rosenbaum, Edith
Ruffer, Eva Smuckler, Roslyn Taichnar, Frances
Zeiger, Fania Zeuf
10 Morris Ruffer, Pauline Esther Smolensky, Albert
Tarler
11 Harold Becker, Lena Hanken, Celia Krouner, Max
Mones, Shmuel Petrushka, Henrietta Pinkert
12 Herman Bernstein, Rae Cohn, Rabbi Morris Katz,
Lillian Safran, Rebecca Scheer, Joseph Suchoff
13 Emerick Friedman, Nettie Kessler, Morris Miller,
Fannie R Segel, Sefton Temkin, Benjamin Waldman
14 Philip Mabel, Jacob Neifeld, Ralph Tannenbaum,
Rebecca Wiess
15 Eleanor Carr, Mae Cohen, Lawrence H. Long, Minnie
Silberman, Lena Singer
16 Anna Lieberman, Morris Polansky, Dora Shapiro
17 Jennie Bindell, Aida Cohen, Samuel Rosenberg,
Samuel Schner
18 Sarah Ainspan, Lillian Greene, Harry Judd, Ruth
Small, Samuel Squire, Jack Sternbach
19 Joseph Jonah Coplon, Nathan Hollander, Milton
Kaye, George Kornit
20 Max Brickner, Bertha Byer, Froma Esther Katusky,
Harry Leon Katz, Raymond Klein, Anna Marcus,
Rose Pfeiffer, Sam Shayevitz
21 Mollie Greenberg, Morris Konikoff, Morris
Shayevitz, Isaac Sherer, Morris Slutsky, Harry
Trilling, William Weinles
22 Edmond Akiba Koblenz, Clara Halasz Kronovit, Helen
Sovetts Marcus, Beckie Mostensky, Henry Sontz
23 Sarah Bernstein, Louis Boyere, Maurice Glockner,
William King, Esther Ratisher, Sol Silberstein
24 Isadore Drapkin,m.d., Richard Friedman, Richard
Henry Friedman, Evelyn Geschwind, Harry Kallet,
Benjamin Taichnar, Sarah Schlema Tessler
25 Herman Goodman, Anna Handin, Dora Margoli,
Benjamin Yavner
26 Celia Alpart, Maurice Buchenbaum, Zellick Corman,
Joseph Goldblatt, Mary Goldstein, Jacob Lehrman,
Rose Margolis, Beth Olinsky, Jacob Paikoff, Sol Shaye,
Sarah Weinman, Louis Weinstein
27 Samuel Berney, Silvya Israel, Jean Morris, Lillian
Biskin Pogoda, Beckie P Trager
28 Bella Axelrod, Anna Berman, Fay Greenstei, Shirley G
Hochberg, Maurice Kronovit, Harold Smuckler
29 Anne Alpart, Harry Alter, Ben Berkun, Selma
Bloomgarden, Winifred Fulbright, Siegfried Pfeiffer,
Minette (Mindy) Thompson, Morris White
30 William Ackerman, Anna Scher Fritz, Moe W
Hoffman, Bernard Mansfield, Miriam Sirota
Markowitz, Dora Obodov, Morris J Podell, Myer Rosen
31 Rabbi Jacob Axelrod, Abraham Branz, Reuben Lasky,
Louis Rous, Nathan Sheber, Morris Vogel
Robert L. Freedman - Broker
Elaine C. Freedman - ABR, CRS, GRI, Associate Broker
Full Service Agency for Buyers & Sellers
RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL
40 Colvin Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
518-489-7474
rlfrealty@verizon.net
“Integrity and Service is our Business”
Jewish living ...
• transportation to
medical appointments
• three delicious kosher
meals daily
• large apartments
• personal assistance &
medication assistance
Albany, NY 12203
www.massryresidence.org
14
assisted.
(518) 689-0453
THE SOUP KITCHEN
15
Articles for the bulletin should be submitted to Alice at ed_sec@templeisraelalbany.org before the 10th of the month
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #73
Albany, NY
600 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
C
T
E
60
Taking Care of our Cemetery
16