Featured Articles

518.438.7858 - June/july 2016 - Iyyar/sivan/tammuz 5776 - WWW.TIALBANY.ORG
Featured Articles
What’s in a Name?
Rabbi
David M. Eligberg
Page 2
About My Professor
Cantor
Rogerio Marx
Page 3
Summertime
President
Samuel P. Morris
Page 4
Trip to Israel!
Nursery Director
Amie Bloom
Page 6
What’s in a Name?
By Rabbi David M. Eligberg
The Torah describes Shavuot in
purely agricultural terms. As it says
in Exodus 34:22,
"The Pilgrimage-Festival of Weeks
you are to make for yourselves, of
the first-fruits of the wheat
cutting..."
Shavuot, one of the three pilgrimage
festivals, has a variety of names, each of
which capture a different aspect of the
celebration through the ages. This
multiplicity of names has always struck
me given that Shavuot is the briefest of
these three festivals and often
perceived as the one most limited in
symbols and seemingly bereft of ritual.
Shavuot often gets overlooked because
it is unlike Passover with its Seder,
symbols, foods and structure, or Sukkot
with its beautifully decorated Sukkot
and the pageantry of parading the four
species.
Shavuot, the most familiar name of the
festival, is the Hebrew word for "weeks"
and the festival occurs on the fiftieth
day (seven weeks plus one day) after
the second night of Passover. Each
night, from the second night of Pesach
to Shavuot, we count day by day, week
by week, for seven weeks. By counting
each day, we recall the biblical custom
of the daily offering of an "Omer," a
sheaf of barley, brought from the early
spring harvest until the time of the
ripening wheat.
This countdown, or more correctly,
"count-up" takes us from the days of
our slavery in Egypt, through the waters
of the Sea of Reeds to freedom, and
culminating as our ancestors stood at
Mount Sinai at the moment of
revelation. As we replicate the counting
of the days of the “Omer” we make our
own spiritual journey of preparedness.
Thus we have, Chag Hashavuot, The
Festival of Weeks.
The kohanim offered two loaves of
leavened wheat bread in the Temple
to mark the end of the "omer"
period and the beginning the new
agricultural season. Families
brought 'bikkurim," first fruits, to
the Temple from the species listed
in the Torah: wheat, barley, grapes,
figs, pomegranates, olives, and
dates. These agricultural elements
were captured in the Torah with the
names Chag Hakatzir, The Festival of
Reaping and Chag Habikurim, The
Festival of the First Fruits.
During the second Temple period, as
part of the process of
democratization of Judaism initiated
by Ezra and furthered by the
nascent rabbinic leadership, an
historical aspect was added to the
agricultural aspects of the holiday.
In an effort to encourage each
person to see him/herself as having
been liberated from Egypt and then
a recipient of Torah, Shavuot
became the celebration of the
marriage contract between God and
Israel; the entering of a covenantal
agreement represented by the
receiving of the Torah at Mount
Sinai.
2
Following the destruction of the
Second Temple, and the consequent
loss of the agricultural and cultic
aspects of the festival, the historical
meaning of the holiday became very
significant. Thus Shavuot’s emphasis
becomes Z’man Matan Torah, the
Time of Receiving the Torah. In the
Talmud (Shabbat 86b-88a) the Ten
Commandments were given on the
6th of Sivan, coinciding with the
culmination of the counting of the
“omer”.
The Talmud also gives the festival its
fifth name, Atzeret, The Conclusion
(Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:2, Bavli
Pesachim 68b). Shavuot is the now
seen as the conclusion to the
holiday of Pesach much like Shemini
Atzeret is the conclusion of Sukkot.
This Pesach to Shavuot connection
enables the sages to give additional
purposefulness to liberation as the
beginning of the journey that leads
to the elevation of Israel at Sinai to
be GOD’s partners. It is this
covenantal moment that we
re-enact and celebrate most
commonly on Shavuot.
With the renewed observance of
elements of the Torah’s
expectations for agriculture in the
land of Israel and a greater
awareness of our connection to the
earth as humans and as Jews, we
should renew our focus on the
agricultural reasons and
observances of our festivals.
Shavuot becomes an opportunity to
relearn how to live in greater
harmony with the earth and with
her cycles. It also allows us to
experience anew the simplicity and
joy of the original meaning of the
celebration as experienced by the
ancient Israelites.
Shavuot
By Cantor Rogerio Marx
“Weeks” is the translation of the word
Shavuot, and it is also the name of the
Holiday we will be celebrating starting on
June 11. Shavuot is NOT one of the most
celebrated holidays in our calendar.
According to the Torah, it took 49 days, or
seven weeks, for the ancient Israelites to
travel from Egypt to the foot of Mount
Sinai. The Torah commands: "And you shall proclaim that day
(the 50th day) to be a holy convocation!" (Leviticus 23:21).
Shavuot symbolizes the end of this seven-week journey.
In the ancient past as well as now, the biblical holiday was
not as popular with the masses as Pesach, Sukkot, or Rosh
Hashanah were, so the rabbis increased its relevance by
associating Shavuot with Moses’ receiving the Torah from
God on Shavuot; Chag Matan Torah: The Holiday of the Giving
of the Torah. I heard this explanation some years ago, “like
the wheat that ripens during the Sfirat Ha-Omer period, so
the Children of Israel had to "ripen" after the Exodus from
Egypt on Passover before they became worthy of receiving
the Torah.”
Of the three pilgrimage festivals in the Torah, only Shavuot
has no specific date affixed to it. It is the 50th day from the
second day of Passover. Shavuot is also known by other
names: Chag Habikkurim (the Feast of the First Fruits), and
Chag Hakatzir (the Festival of Reaping).
Yom Ha-Bikkurim : The Day of the First Fruits – From
Shavuot until Sukkot the ancient Israelite farmer would bring
the first fruits of his harvest (only from the Seven Varieties wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and (date)
honey) as an offering to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Chag Ha-Katzir: Festival of the Harvest – Shavuot is the start
of the wheat harvest in Israel that can last for many weeks in
different parts of the country, small as it is.
In modern times, Jews can no longer bring the first fruits of
their harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem, and thus there are
no particular mitzvot associated with Shavuot. There are,
however, several rituals that are traditional components of
celebrating the holiday. On Shavuot, many participate in
all-night, or at least several hours, of Torah study as part of
the celebration of the holiday.
Traditionally, the Book of Ruth, or Megillat Ruth, is read
during services on Shavuot. Ruth is a young Moabite woman
who married an Israelite man. When her husband died, she
followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Israel and
adopted the Jewish faith and people as her own. To
feed herself and Naomi, she gleaned in the field of
Boaz, a rich man. Boaz is taken with her, and
eventually they marry. Among their descendants is the
famed King David who built the first Temple. The
theme of Ruth’s conversion to Judaism is central to this
story. In Ruth 1:16–17, she states: “Entreat me not to
leave you or to return from following after you. For
wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you lodge, I will
lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God
my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be
buried. Thus and more may God do to me if anything
but death parts me from you.” Ruth is often
considered to be the model of all who “choose” or
convert to Judaism—accepting the Torah, just as Jews
accepted the Torah at Mt. Sinai—and this passage
traditionally has been understood as her conversion
statement.
The Reform movement has held its Confirmation
ceremony, for high school students who have
continued their studies and Jewish involvement
beyond b’nei mitzvah, on or near Shavuot. Just as the
Jewish people accepted the Torah on Shavuot, so do
confirmands reaffirm their commitment to the
covenant and adult Jewish life.
For early Zionists, who deemphasized the religious elements of Judaism to focus on its cultural aspects, observed Shavuot by restoring its biblical format. For
years, First Fruits Festivals were held on kibbutzim,
featuring elaborate pageants and parades, displays of
fruits, tractors and babies, and joyous singing and
dancing.
As a dairy loving person (as well as meat), I enjoy the
fact that one of the Shavuot traditions is the
consumption of dairy products. The explanation for
this custom is not as straightforward. There are all
sorts of attempts to explain it, Gematria, different
word associations, parabolic analogies, stretches of the
imagination, and stretches of Jewish law. The simplest
explanation comes from Song of Songs (Shir ha'Shirim)
4:11: "Like honey and milk [the Torah] lies under your
tongue." The explanations vary according to its origin.
In summary, if you are not lactose intolerant, eat dairy!
Blintzes, cheese, cheesecake, and more.
I hope to see you this Shavuot during services. There
are many different opportunities to participate during
Shavuot services. Please let me know if you want to
read Torah, Haftarah, Services, or Megillat Ruth. I will
be happy to help you reach your goal.
3
Summertime
Hadar Gift & Book Shop
By President Sam Morris
“Summertime and the livin’ is easy” –
George Gershwin
I think that sums up everyone’s
thoughts these days. After winter, a
cool spring and the spring holidays,
we’re all ready for the relaxing days of
summer. While some feel that a
synagogue is or should be dormant between Shavuot and Rosh
HaShanah, that is not the case here. Our summer hotspot is of
course Camp Givah, where you can still register your children or
grandchildren for one to eight weeks of the best of swimming,
hiking, sports, dance, arts and music in a Jewish experience
unparalleled in the area. Even if you don’t have someone at
Givah, you are most welcome to come for the wonderful oneg
on Friday afternoons. It really is a terrific time. For the younger
ones not yet ready for Givah, our summer Nursery program will
include a July Fourth celebration, trips to the Bach library and a
firefighter museum in Hudson. Why I’m going to the office is
beyond me.
“
Closer to home, we have again our series of Fun Fridays;
different activities, snacks, games and beverages for all ages
leading into our relaxed and inviting Friday evening services. We
will be having a couple of our very popular Shabbar-be-ques as
well. And don’t forget that we still maintain our daily minyans
and Shabbat services, all made possible by your participation.
Of course, there’s a little bit of work to be done in the summer.
On June 30 we’ll be having our annual meeting. So come over
and take part in the running of our congregation. Shmooze. Have
some ice cream.
Later in the summer, we will be hosting the return of the Temple
Israel Garage Sale on August 21. So save the items that you
would like to donate for this event. And if you have a college
student in need of furnishing a dorm or apartment, or an eye for
some retro clothes or household items, stay tuned for this event.
So I wish everyone an easy summer, and encourage you to make
your synagogue a part of your summer.
4
Shop at Hadar Gift Shop for
beautiful jewelry from Ayala Bar,
Michal Golan, and Christophe
Poly from Crono Designs. Tallit
from Gabrieli, glassware from
Lily Art, Judaica from Metal Lace
and Jillery, colorful glass Judaica
from Gary Rosenthal, children’s
puzzles, Chanukah and Shabbat
activity sets from Pigment & Hue, wedding and
Bat Mitzvah gifts from Sara Beames and many
more beautiful items.
Having a Simcha? Ask how Hadar Gift Shop can
help – inscribed kippot, benchers, tallit, gift registry.
In addition to its Judaica treasures, Hadar Gift
Shop has many gift items from beautiful jewelry
to items to beautify the home.
Hadar Hours
(New Hours Effective Sunday, June 26, 2016)
Sunday
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Evenings by appointment, call the synagogue
office, 438-7858, ext 112.
Soup Kitchen Help Needed
There is a SOUP KITCHEN on Sunday, 6/26.
Please contact Amy Krenzel at 518-472-0138 or
516-319-6880. E-mail linomore61@yahoo.com.
Please bring grocery bags & plastic
containers for people to take food home with
them. Thank you.
JUNE 2016 – Schedule of Services
Date
Candle
Lighting
Shabbat
Morning
Shabbat
Mincha
Shabbat
Ends
8:10 PM
Friday Eve
Kabbalat
Shabbat
7:00 PM
June 3 – 4
9:00 AM
7:45 PM
9:11 PM
June 10 – 11
8:14 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
See Shavuot Schedule1
June 17 – 18
8:17 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
7:45 PM
9:18 PM
June 24 – 25
8:19 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
7:45 PM
9:20 PM
Friday Night Fun Schedule of Events
June 3, 6:30 PM
National Donut Day – Usher in Shabbat with a holey experience!
Debate: Freihofer’s versus Entenmann’s Donuts
June 10, 6:30 PM
Superman Days & National Iced Tea Month – Celebrating the Man of Steel with Green,
Red and Black Kryptonite Tea. Super snacks & surprises!
June 17, 6:30 PM
Chardonnay on Shabbat – Ease into Shabbat with Wine & Cheese
Mornings
Sundays, June 5, 19, 26
8:30 AM
Mondays, June 6, 20, 27
6:45 AM
Tuesdays, June 14, 21, 28
7:00 AM
Wednesdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
7:00 AM
Thursdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
6:45 AM
Fridays, June 3, 10, 17, 24
7:00 AM
Evenings (Except as noted otherwise below)
Sundays – Thursdays
7:00 PM
Special Dates
Sunday, June 5
Yom Yerushalayim
8:30 AM
Tuesday, June 7
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
6:30 AM
Shavuot
Saturday, June 11
Mincha & Tikkun Leil Shavuot1
7:30 PM
Sunday, June 12
Shavuot
9:00 AM & 8:15 PM
Monday, June 13
Shavuot
9:00 AM & 8:15 PM
1 Shavuot begins – Tikkun Leil Shavuot includes dairy dinner and desserts
5
JULY 2016 – Schedule of Services
Date
Candle
Lighting
July 1 – 2
8:19 PM
Friday Eve
Kabbalat
Shabbat
6:00 PM*
July 8 – 9
8:17 PM
July 15 – 16
Shabbat
Morning
Shabbat
Mincha
Shabbat
Ends
9:00 AM
7:45 PM
9:20 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
7:45 PM
9:18 PM
8:13 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
7:45 PM
9:14 PM
July 22 – 23
8:08 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
7:30 PM
9:09 PM
July 29 – 30
8:01 PM
7:00 PM
9:00 AM
7:30 PM
9:02 PM
Friday Night Fun Schedule of Events
*July 1, 6:00 PM
Kick-Off National Grilling Month with a Shabbarbecue!
July 8, 6:30 PM
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
July 15, 6:30 PM
Sports Cliché Week
Crash Davis: You're gonna have to learn your clichés. You're gonna have to study them, you're gonna have to know
them. They're your friends. Write this down: "We gotta play it one day at a time."
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: Got to play... it's pretty boring.
Crash Davis: 'Course it's boring, that's the point. Write it down.
July 22, 6:30 PM
July 29, 6:30 PM
Avengers Assemble for Comic Con(troversy)
Monty Python’s World Lumberjack Championships
Mornings
Sundays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
8:30 AM
Mondays, July 11, 18, 25
6:45 AM
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26
7:00 AM
Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20, 27
7:00 AM
Thursdays, July 14, 21, 28
6:45 AM
Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
7:00 AM
Evenings (Except as noted otherwise below)
Sundays – Thursdays
7:00 PM
Special Dates
Monday, July 4
8:30 AM
Wednesday and Thursday, July 6 and 7
Sunday, July 24
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz
Fast of Tammuz Observed
6
6:30 AM
7:45 PM
The Nursery School Takes Off on a Trip To Israel!
By Amie Bloom
At the Archeological Dig the children worked with Jodi
Eligberg to find pieces of “ancient” pottery to help put
together a pot. They dug in the dirt and explored until
they found the 4 pieces that put the pottery back
together. I loved seeing the children try to fix the pot
as they rotated the broken pieces around and around
until they fit.
It would be impossible to take a group of 80
preschoolers on a real trip to Israel, so the Nursery
School has done the next best thing…….On May 12, Yom
Ha’atzmaut, we boarded our imaginary plane and set off
for the land of Milk and Honey! With our sites set on
seeing a Kibbutz, a Shuk, the Kotel and an archeological
dig site, we knew we were in for a busy day.
The Tzahal Army was a riot! Hadas Gartiez took the
children through the paces of an obstacle course
Tzahal style! Jumping Jacks, crawling under obstacles,
jumping over cones and more were all a part of the
exercises that the children learned as they went
through a Tzahal orientation in the run around room!
At the Kotel Rabbi Eligberg guided the children as they
wrote notes to put in the wall. From wishes and hopes
to things they were thankful for, each child sent a
different message to God and placed it in the Kotel.
What I love about preschoolers is that even though we
told them clearly that they would be home right after
lunch time, many of them were still very concerned that
we were taking them to Israel without their parents. It
was only after they were reassured that we were only
going on a pretend airplane ride that they agreed to
pack their suitcases and make their passports and come
along on our adventure.
The kibbutz was alive as Cantor Marx taught the
children to milk the cows, and Vicki Kirchner showed
the children the orange trees and helped them pick
and squeeze oranges to make orange juice. This was a
paid position for the children and they earned shekel to
use when they shopped at the shuk. We also had a
kibbutz where the children were responsible for
chopping cucumbers and tomatoes for Israeli salad! I
loved watching how excited the children were when
they tasted the Israeli salad! "Different than our salad”
said one of the 3 year olds, , “even more yummy!” was
another comment we heard repeatedly.
Finally, the highlight of the trip was shopping at the
shuk! The children had to dicker with the shop keepers
of the shuk to purchase different items. There is
nothing funnier than watching a 4 year old try to
explain to a “shopkeeper” why an item should be a
pink shekel instead of a blue shekel!
So much fun and so much learning occurred as we took
our imaginary trip to Israel!!
Summer Camp Registration
is in full swing for the Herman and Libbie
Michaelson Early Childhood Center.
We are very excited for a summer full of outside
play, field trips, and so much more! There are
limited openings for children ages 4 and 5. If you
would like more information about our summer
camp program.
Please contact Amie Bloom,438-7858 x120.
7
Sunrise, Sunset – Bridging the Gap Between Two Generations
By Ruth Malka, Mifgash Director
Teens from Mifgash Jewish Community
High School Program’s Better Together
course have embarked upon an exciting
new intergenerational journey this year,
along with seniors of The Massry
Residence. This community service
course alternates between weekly visits
to the Massry Residence and classroom
learning and discussions
about the senior community and the needs of
this particular stage in life. Utilizing the
curriculum, prepared by Ruth Malka, Mifgash
Director, segments from the movie, Fiddler
on the Roof serve as a springboard to
stimulate topics of Jewish interest in which
the students and seniors share their own
values, opinions and personal experiences to
connect with one another. These sessions
have successfully fostered relationships that
have bridged the generational gap. Some of
the many themes include finding one’s voice,
talking to God, gender roles, assimilation,
immigration, prejudice, intermarriage, prayer,
family hierarchy, respect, Shabbat, and
tradition (of course!) - the list goes on.
about how I make challah with my mother every Friday
before Shabbat. Someone else in my group said that
they sing songs after lighting Chanukah candles. I really
enjoyed comparing traditions with people of another
generation. It showed me how little age matters in
having a good time. Young people and elderly people
can both have a good time. Age doesn’t matter.”
Eden Weinstein, junior, Mifgash
student: “I ended up having a very fun
and educational experience. We often
watched parts of Fiddler on the Roof
together, and used them to discuss
things like Judaism, the purpose of
traditions, and miracles. I got to know
the people at the Massry, and began
to see their different personalities and
look forward to meeting with them
every other week. Through our
discussions about family, Israel and
Jewish identity, I was able not only to
understand them more, but also to
learn more about myself.”
Claire Filler, sophomore, Mifgash
student: “We were discussing how we
express our Judaism and how
important it was to let people know
we were Jewish. It was unanimous
among the students that Judaism is an
important part of their identity and
that we are full of pride when we tell
people we are Jewish, but it wasn’t
always like that.”
Through this course, our Mifgash students
have developed more compassion towards,
understanding of, and a deeper appreciation
for the older generation as well as recognition
that there is much to be learned from the
seniors and their life experiences, according
to Stephanie Fisher, facilitator of the course.
The seniors have also been provided with
new and engaging activities, connections to
the younger generation, and meaningful
friendships. This wonderful opportunity has
created a bridge between the generations,
focusing on the students’ and seniors’
similarities while also learning to appreciate
their differences.
Shira Siegel, junior, Mifgash student:
“Growing up as children, we are all
expected to know that we should
respect and obey our elders. It’s in the
10 commandments, meaning it is
something that G-d told us that we are
required to do. I have come to realize
that while there are so many physical
and mental differences between
myself/my peers and the elderly,
there are also a lot of similarities that I
had never realized before. It has been
exceptionally interesting being in the
Better Together program, because of
my experience of having the opportunity to interact and
converse with the seniors one on one.”
Here is what some of our Mifgash students
had to say about the course:
Lauren Heller, sophomore, Mifgash student:
“The first day we went to the Massry started
off a chain of good experiences. We sat
down in groups of three or four. We
watched a clip from Fiddler on the Roof, Tradition. We then
talked about traditions that we enjoy. In my group, I talked
8
Article Continued on Page 11
YOU Can Help Bingo Today!
By Eric Schwartz
A rabbi, a minister, and a priest were playing poker
when the police raided the game.
month at a Monday
night BINGO. You can work
the sales
Turning to the priest, the police officer said, "Father
tables, walk up and down
Murphy, were you gambling?”
the aisles hawking cards and
Turning his eyes to Heaven, the priest whispered,
specials, or serve food from
"Lord, forgive me for what I am about to do." To the
our kitchen. You can work as
police officer he then said, "No, officer, I was not
often or as little as you like
gambling.”
because every little bit
helps! We especially
The officer then asked the minister, "Pastor Johnson,
appreciate our regulars,
were you gambling?”
though, who come on a
Again, after an appeal to Heaven, the minister replied, scheduled basis to work a
"No, officer, I was not gambling.”
specific job, like cooking in the kitchen, doing the
banking, or even calling the games. As they say, many hands
Turning to the rabbi, the officer again asked, "Rabbi
make light work.
Goldstein, were you gambling?”
And the work isn’t even hard. On the contrary, it’s fun. Our
BINGO games are like a community of neighbors. Our players
are regulars who all know one another. And our workers are
from our own Temple Israel family; out for fun and a good
laugh. We greet our customers with a smile, trade news with
them, celebrate their life events, and commiserate with them
when they are low. All the while doing business. And when
things slow down, taking a break to schmooze over free drinks,
Kosher hot dogs, pretzels, and popcorn from our kitchen.
Shrugging his shoulders,
the rabbi replied, "With
whom?”
So what does this story
have to do with
BINGO? Well, every one
of those clergymen
probably has a BINGO
operation running in the
Social Hall of their
establishment.
You see? The job even comes with side benefits. What a deal!
Our BINGO needs your help if it is going to continue helping to
keep our dues low by contributing a fresh income stream to
our Temple's budget. We need your effort, your smiling face,
and even a good joke every so often (like Norm Rosenthal who
comes loaded with a dozen jokes and a twinkle in his eye every
night).
Not that they frequent the games themselves. But I’m sure
that they are all happy for the great revenue that such games
generate for their establishments.
Finding people to play isn’t hard (even the clergy like a good
game once in a while). It’s finding people to work the games
that’s hard, even here at Temple Israel where, often, one
person has to cover two or three jobs to help get us through a
night. And it’s getting worse as the folks who have worked
BINGO regularly for years have gotten older and can’t be with
us as often if at all.
Please lend a hand and support our BINGO. Call Jeff Lurie or
Linda Young in the Front Office and let them know you would
like to help.
If you want to hear more about the games, how they
work, and what the different jobs are like, please let Jeff or
Linda know and they'll have one of the BINGO Committee
members (Audrey Ellowitz, Rocky Rockowitz, or myself) get in
touch with you.
Here at Temple Israel, our BINGO operations on
average contribute $40,000 each year to our operating
budget. To put it another way, without BINGO, based on our
congregation’s current size, membership dues would have to
increase 14% to replace the lost revenue.
We’d love to chat with you and help you find a job and a time
that suits you best.
There’s an added bonus about BINGO revenue: it comes from
a source outside of our synagogue family. As my father would
say, “Gefinineh gelt.” "It’s like found money!" Who can resist
such a gift?
All any of our volunteers need to do to help BINGO remain a
viable revenue stream is to spend about an hour or so once a
9
Thank you!
By Ruth Malka, B’Yachad Principal
This year marked a very special time in
my professional life, as I was fortunate
enough to meet and hear Educator,
Author and Professor Howard Gartner
present his views on education and his
Theories of Multiple Intelligences at
Union College. His approach to education
is based on the premise that each person
learns differently and can excel in specific
areas based on interests and abilities. He confirmed my
premise that we must approach our students by teaching to
their various strengths and thus enabling them to succeed via
different pathways.
I am very appreciative that in addition to focusing on their
curricular goals, the B’Yachad teachers really identify their
students’ own unique skills and talents. Some are artistically
gifted, some are strong in communication skills, some have
solid analytical skills and some have well developed
interpersonal skills and naturally gravitate towards helping,
giving and sharing with others. Regardless of the individual
personalities and strengths of the students, our teachers have
been effective in creating cohesive classes and that is
ultimately what makes B’Yachad such a success. I admire their
work and dedication. Together (B’Yachad!) we are a cohesive
group of educators who are focused on bringing the love of
Judaism to our next generation.
I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I will not
be returning as Principal in the fall. It has truly been an honor
and a privilege to have worked with this talented team these
past 3 years! I feel fortunate to see how they have embraced
and integrated all of our new students, how they are flexible
and willing to adapt to a vibrant and fluid schedule, and how
much effort they invest in preparing thoughtful, creative and
stimulating lessons each week. I would like to express my
sincere appreciation for their support and friendship. I’ve
learned a great deal from them and will miss their company.
I would also like to thank the clergy for participating in and
supporting the curriculum with Family Education programs,
Tefillah and Rap with the Rabbis.
Finally, the highlight has been in getting to know the
many wonderful students and their families. They come
in with such enthusiasm, energy and big smiles on their
faces! They are a special group of children and I will
definitely miss them!
I wish B’Yachad success in the future. May you go from
strength to strength!
Mifgash continued from Page 9
When asked to share her thoughts about the program,
Gladys Slone, a resident of The Massry Residence and
Better Together course participant said, “It is very
uplifting to see these teenagers so very interested in
learning about our backgrounds.”
Another Massry resident and course participant, Agnes
Faust had a personal message for the Mifgash students,
“It was wonderful meeting you all. I wish you all good
things for your future.”
The highlight of the year was the culminating event – a
lively and interactive celebration on April 17th at The
Massry Residence. The seniors and students were musically entertained by “Tevye” aka Mark Burgasser, local
area performer, who along with his musical director,
Dale Zurbrick, performed “If I Were a Rich Man” and
directed the group of over 50 residents and Better
Together students and families, in the singing of
“Tradition” and “Sunrise, Sunset”. Even after the
performance was over, the energy in the air was high,
smiles abounded everywhere – some residents even
spontaneously got up and danced!
Following the performance, the Better Together course
participants continued the celebration with an exchange
of gifts. Students gave the seniors hand-painted potted
plants as they thanked them for a wonderful year. The
seniors gave the students journals to use as they
continue in their journey of life. To top it all off, before
partaking in a wonderful dinner together, the group was
entertained by a magnificent video montage that
showcased their year’s events, capturing the learning,
sharing and connections that transpired throughout.
Indeed, the Better Together program has proven to be a
wonderful, meaningful, educational and significant
experience for all involved. As Lois Thomson, resident,
The Massry Residence said, “I was very happy to be with
intelligent young teenagers, hearing their thoughts and
enjoying their youth.”
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INCLUSION ACTION COMMUNITY
Temple Israel Joins the USCJ Ruderman Inclusion Action Community
By Miriam Adler
Temple Israel members and clergy have formed a Committee, based on the recommendation of the Board of
Directors, to work with the guidelines and support of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s
Ruderman Initiative to create an Inclusion Action Community. Our vision is to: create an inclusive
environment in which our synagogue community inspires the religious and spiritual life of its members with
sensitivity to their diverse physical, emotional, and social realities. We will be meeting twice a month on
Tuesdays at 7:30 pm through August to complete the task of doing an analysis of our congregation, assessing
our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Our goal is to prioritize the recommendations and
develop an implementation/action plan. Engagement, communication,
and networking are key to our success. We invite members to participate
in this effort by joining the committee and/or by participating in any
surveys, focus groups, or meetings.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the
Co-Chairs, Miriam Adler at adlermiriam193@gmail.com
or Barbara Wachs at bawachs@aol.com.
On Sunday May 29th , 2016 the Temple Israel Cemetery
Committee will be having its Spring Clean Up Day. We will also
assisting the Jewish War Veterans putting out the flags on
veterans' graves for Memorial Day. What a great Mitzvah!
The event will start at 10:00 AM and go to 11:30 AM
WANTED!
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Save any of your treasures you want to donate to this
summer's garage sale.
Donations will be accepted beginning the week of August 15, 2016
(please do not drop off anything before)
If you would like to join the Garage Sale Planning Committee, please contact Jeff Lurie, 438-7858, ext. 110
or tigaragesale@gmail.com
Our cemetery is located on Western Ave in Guilderland across
from the main entrance of Crossgates Mall.
Please be sure bring a few of the following items:
- pair of gloves
- rake
- lopping shears or clippers
Neil Rosenstrauch, Jonathan Carp, and David Ginsburg will be
organizing and leading this event.
Contact office for additional information
and to volunteer!
Camp Givah's acrostic theme for the summer, spells out Machaneh Givah!
At Camp Givah this summer, each Hebrew letter of the words "Machaneh Givah" begins a different word
that comprises the theme for that week. In week 1, the letter "mem" represents
"mishpacha" (family). This week, we focus on building our camp community as we gather together and
launch another magical summer. In week 2, the letter "chet" represents "chagim" (holidays), as we
blend secular and Jewish holidays. We start the week celebrating July 4th with a barbecue, then enjoy a
Chocolate Seder, Purim Ball, Iron Chef Latka and more. The outline of these two weeks gives you a taste
of the special summer in store for campers. It's not too late to register for camp!
Please visit campgivah.org, call TI or email campgivahdirector@gmail.com.
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Acknowledgements Of Contributions May 2016
Contributions to a Temple Israel fund will be acknowledged and published upon receipt of payment. The
donations listed below were received from April 26 – May 23, 2016. We greatly appreciate all contributions made
in honor of a special occasion or in memory of a beloved one.
Herman & Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood Center
Mrs. Dale Crisafulli in appreciation of Amie Bloom and the Herman & Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood Center
Drs. Scott & Diane Tenenbaum in memory of Stanley Cantor
Rabbi Discretionary Fund
Mr.& Mrs. Alfred Landess for the yahrzeit of Samuel Landess
Mrs. Aileen Sternfeld for the yahrzeit of Fay Wolkoff
Mrs. Leona Eligberg in honor of Yonatan, Sarah & Jodi Eligbergs' birthdays; in memory of Fred Eligberg
Drs. Scott & Diane Tenenbaum in honor of Dr. Gavin & Karen Setzen receiving the Circle of Humanity Award
From his parents, Eileen & Harvey Greenfield, in memory of Stephen Greenfield
Temple Israel Higher Education Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Fisher in memory of Anatoly Mishiev
Jules Olshein Camp Givah Scholarship Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Silverman in honor of Dr. Gavin & Karen Setzen receiving the Circle of Humanity Award
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Morris in honor of Linda & David Ginsburg's new grandson
Sarah Ainspan Memorial Israel Scholarship
Martin Ainspan for the yahrzeit of Sara M. Ainspan
Janice Rosenthal Memorial Fund
Ira & Diane Rubtchinsky in honor of birth of Dr. Jonathan Huz & Sarah Koblenz's son
Ira & Diane Rubtchinsky in honor of the birth of Meghan & Gary Ginsburg's son
Gardner & Harriet Lerner in memory of Elsie Shapiro
Louis & Clara Weinstein Scholarship
Mrs. Rita Bell in honor of the anniversary of Nancy Bell & Eli Taub
Dr. Abraham H. & Edythe Levine Fund
Mrs. Charlotte Fainblatt for the yahrzeit of Harold Altus
Tilman Kallet Kallah
Mrs. Shirley Cohen for the yahrzeit of Abram Altman
Dr. Steven Huz & Ms. Sharon Flom for Mazel Tov to Millie & Dan Grossberg on their wedding anniversary
and Mazel Tov to Stan & Valerie Zalen on the birth of their grandson
Cemetery Fund
Mrs. Rhoda Lavine for the yahrzeit of Morris Kaplan
Camp Givah Future Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Berkun in honor of the birth of Meghan & Gary Ginsburg's son
The Rudnick Family in honor of the birth of Meghan & Gary Ginsburg's son
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Morris in honor of Gary & Meghan Ginsburg's new son
Mrs. Ida Leberman in memory of Lynne Scein, sister of Carol Leberman
Herman & Libbie Michaelson Music Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Morris in appreciation of Micki Groper & her tremendous dedication to our nursery school
Dr. Steven Huz & Ms. Sharon Flom in honor of Micki Groper
Judith Karpen Mazel Tov to Micki Groper on her retirement
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Fried in honor of Micki Groper
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The Pozner Babysitting Fund
Mr.& Mrs. Louis-Jack Pozner for the yahrzeit of Bette Podell & Joseph Judkowitz
Amy Szlamowicz Higher Education Memorial Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Neudel in honor of Karen & Gavin Setzen receiving the Circle of Humanity Award
Siegfried & Stefanie Isser Fund
Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Isser for the yahrzeit of Morris Siegel
Perry Wolfson Camp Givah Aquatics Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Morris in honor of Peppy & Harris Sanders new great grandson
General Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Holland Donation Mitzvah Day
Mr. Martin Scher & Mr. Paul Scher for the yahrzeit of Ethel Goodman Scher
The Rudnick Family in honor of Carol Oko's special birthday
Mr. & Mrs. Neil Rosenstrauch in memory of Frances Levy, mother of Stephen Levy
Mr. Robert Crystal in honor of the birth of Meghan & Gary Ginsburg's son;
in memory of Helen Levine Spiro, mother of Marsha Strosberg
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Basloe Mazel Tov Steve Huz & Sharon Flom on the birth of their grandson;
Mazel Tov to Barry & Naomi Reiss on the birth of their granddaughter
Ms. Nancy Bell & Mr. Eli Taub in honor of Gary & Meghan Ginsburg’s new baby
Dr. Gavin & Karen Setzen Mazel Tov to Meghan & Gary Ginsburg on the birth of their new son;
Mazel Tov to Linda & David Ginsburg on the birth of their grandson; Mazel Tov to Peppy & Harris Sanders
on the birth of their great grandson Friedman Building & Grounds Fund
Dr. Steven Huz & Ms. Sharon Flom for the yahrzeit of Mildred Flom & Max Flom
Nathan & Mollie Sagan Scholarship
Rona & Jerry Renstrom for the yahrzeit of Mollie Sagan, Nathan Sagan & William Sagan
Grace & Julius Rosenblum Givah Memorial Scholarship
Eileen, Harvey & Marc Greenfield in honor of Karen & Jerry Greenfield for all you have done for us
Leonard & Ruth Briskman & Barbara Silverman Sunshine Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Mintzer for the yahrzeit of Charlotte Burg
Dance Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Cohen for the yahrzeit of Lorice Chenfeld;
in memory of Milton Isaac Baer, father of Eve Cameron;
Mazel Tov to Steve Huz & Sharon Flom on the birth of their new grandson
Mrs. Joyce Teitelman in honor of Steve Huz & Sharon Flom's new grandchild
Dr. Steven Huz & Ms. Sharon Flom in memory of Milton Isaac Baer, father of Eve Cameron Franco
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Schwartz in memory of Milton Isaac Baer, father of Eve Cameron Franco
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YAHRZEITS
June 2016
6/1/2016 (24 Iyyar)
6/2/2016 (25 Iyyar)
6/3/2016 (26 Iyyar)
6/4/2016 (27 Iyyar)
6/5/2016 (28 Iyyar)
6/7/2016 (1 Sivan)
6/8/2016 (2 Sivan)
6/9/2016 (3 Sivan)
6/10/2016 (4 Sivan)
6/11/2016 (5 Sivan)
6/12/2016 (6 Sivan)
6/13/2016 (7 Sivan)
6/14/2016 (8 Sivan)
6/15/2016 (9 Sivan)
6/16/2016 (10 Sivan)
6/17/2016 (11 Sivan)
6/18/2016 (12 Sivan)
6/19/2016 (13 Sivan)
6/20/2016 (14 Sivan)
6/21/2016 (15 Sivan)
6/22/2016 (16 Sivan)
6/23/2016 (17 Sivan)
6/24/2016 (18 Sivan)
6/25/2016 (19 Sivan)
6/26/2016 (20 Sivan)
6/27/2016 (21 Sivan)
6/28/2016 (22 Sivan)
6/29/2016 (23 Sivan)
6/30/2016 (24 Sivan)
Susan Davis, Nathan Pinkert, Hilda Rosen
Dora Dickerman, Inna Mikhaylova, Sylvia Steiner, Murray Talanker
Sally Cheren, Leo Fliegelman, Abraham Goldenberg, Milton Levine, Morris Phaff,
George Swyer
Mitchell H Creeger, Morris Eiss, Rose Wilcove
Sheina Freed, Stella Wagner Gold, Meyer Sohnen
Harry Pozner
Samuel Gottesman, Rachel Hames, Meyer Kaplan, Edward Lee Rossman, Max Schaefer,
Shirley Segal, Anna Della Shogaun
Nelson Atkin, Bessie Cohen, Harvey Nash, Harold Taub, Shirley Sandee Weiss
Joseph Greenstein, Joseph Schatz
Harry Arcus, Bertha Einstein, Max Flom
Maurice Cohen, Isadore Galitz
Simeon Einstein, Samuel Jackson, Martin Michaelson, Faye Rothschild, Rose Schaefer,
Rose Silberstein
Louis Rabinowitz, Karen Shapiro, Max Taub
Norma Bell, Sam Kamenezky, Julius Kaplan, William Leventhal, Hyman Zima
Bernard Gordon, Max Karp, Rebecca Leah Nachamkin
Ida Bachman, Katherine Corman, Sophie Grossberg, Hyman Rothenberg, Freddie Strumza
Mildred Goldberg, Rose Goodman
Hyman Buff, Molly M. Buff, Ida Goldstein, Sophie Sanders, Judge Harold Segal
Cynthia C Altus, Susan Roth Sherman, Minnie G Squire, Harry Thompson
Fay Butler, Lottie Carp, Freda Asch Paul, Ethel Schner
Chaya Riva Singer, Hyman Yanklowitz
Ruth Cohn, Fay Goldman, Fay Hantman, Jay Stern
Linda Cohn Brauner, Jacob Cohen, Bertha Goldblum, Eileen Kommit, Abraham Sherer
Sarah G Cohen, Dorothy Margolius, Ruth Isabelle Minick
Clara Diamond, Louis Hantman, Miriam Justa, Sara Rabinowitz, Robert Merrill Schwartz,
Yiskurk Vasselman
Mordechai Eson, Iossif Gourevitch, Ruth Minick, Harold Schwebel, Theodore Spatz, Mrs.
Ruth Zalen
Helen Klein, Frank Larner, Sarah Schaffer, Eunice B Sherer
Nathan Ainspan, Elias Weinberg
Ian Arcus, Ida Chazan, Jack Rubin, Celia Shapiro, Judge Meyer Tobias
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Thank you to everyone who has signed up for our
green initiative to receive the monthly bulletin online
only. This reduces our costs greatly as well as saves
the amount of paper Temple Israel uses. If you would
like to sign up for this initiative please contact Sierra
Lynch at 438-7858, ext. 112 or
tiadmin@tialbany.org
Bingo Help Needed
Friendship Dinner
Thursday, June 23
Call 438
438--7858
7:30 PM
Hosted by the Turkish
ext 117
Cultural Center
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Temple Israel of Albany
600 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
NONPROFIT
ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #73
Albany, NY
Contact Jeff Lurie at 438-7858, ext. 110 or tidirector@tialbany.org
16