January 2015 Kesher

Join Rosh Chodesh Women’s Journey Group
and Women of the Wall’s Rabbi Amy Small.
Meet one of the “Monuments Men.”
Watch the Jewish Film Festival’s hit, The
Sturgeon Queens.
Shop Origami Owl.
What’s Inside
Rabbi’s Reflections...page 4
January 2015
Learning with Rabbi Laura...page 6
Tevet-Sh’vat
B’nai Mitzvah profiles...page 7
Volume LII Issue 4
Page 2
Thursday, January 1- New Year’s Day
Temple Closed
Friday, January 2
7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Worship
Saturday, January 3
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Worship
Parshah: Vayechi, Genesis: 47:28-50:26
Sunday, January 4
Friday, January 9
6:00 pm Tot Shabbat
7:30 pm Visual Tefillah led by Rabbi
Franzel’s 6th Grade Class & Kol ShalomJunior Choir
Saturday, January 10
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Worship
Bar Mitzvah of Evan Shortman
Parshah: Shemot, Exodus: 1:1-6:1
Ushers: Stacey Aaron & Steve Aaron,
David & Erin Sussman
No Religious School
Brotherhood Super Bowl Play Off
Sunday, January 11
9:30 am Women’s Connection Mah Jongg
Monday, January 5
Religious School Resumes
7:30 pm Temple Board Meeting
9:45 am Women’s Connection Book Club
5:00 pm Renaissance & Brotherhood:
“The Sturgeon Queens “ and a surprise
dinner
Wednesday, January 7
12:00 pm Torah Study with Rabbi Levy
Monday, January 12
6:30 pm Temple Shalom Academy
Thursday, January 8
11:00 am L’Chaim Club
6:30 pm Gesher
Page 3
January 2015 Worship and Activities Calendar (Cont.)
Friday, January 16
Saturday, January 24
7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Worship
Rosh Chodesh Shvat Blessing:
Vogel
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Worship
Geta
Parshah: Bo, Exodus: 10:1-13:16
Sunday, January 25
Saturday, January 17
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Worship
Bat Mitzvah of Hailey Tamres
Parshah: Va’era, Exodus: 6:2-9:35
Ushers: Lauren & Kurt Alexander,
Dayna & Brian Monro
Sunday, January 18
No Religious School
Monday, January 19Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Offices Closed
Thursday, January 22
11:00 am L’Chaim Club
Friday, January 23
7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Worship
TSHY Shabbat
Sixth Grade at Aidekman Building in
Whippany for Mitzvot of MetroWest
9:45 am Brotherhood Breakfast: Louis
Zucker Memorial Lecture-Harry Etinger
4:00 pm Women’s Rosh Chodesh
Journey: Speaker on Women of the
Wall, Rabbi Amy Small
Monday, January 26
6:30 pm Temple Shalom Academy
6:30 pm Gesher
Wednesday, January 28
7:30 pm Brotherhood Board Meeting
7:30 pm Executive Committee Meeting
Friday, January 30
7:30 pm Erev Shabbat Worship
Saturday, January 31
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Worship
Parshah: Beshallach, Exodus: 13:17-17:16
Page 4
Temple Shalom
215 S. Hillside Ave.
Succasunna, NJ 07876
Rabbi’s Reflections…
Returning to Israel
Web: www.tshalom.org
Facebook: tshalomnj Twitter: @tshalom
Phone: 973-584-5666 Fax: 973-584-1674
As I write this bulletin article, Israel
is very much on my
mind. Our son, Josh, is currently
there with a group from American
University on a Birthright trip. Yesterday, he was texting with his mom
as he stood atop Mt. Bental in the
Josh on Mt. Betal 7 years Golan Heights.
Coincidentally, at
ago.
about the same time, the Timehop
app on my iPhone flashed a picture of our family atop Mt.
Bental almost seven
years ago today.
Professional Staff
Rabbi David C. Levy, D.D., R.J.E.
Senior Rabbi
RabbiLevy@tshalom.org
Rabbi Laura M. Rappaport, D.D.
Director of
Cong. Learning RabbiLaura@tshalom.org
Leslie Kallus, M.S.W.
Administrator
Administrator@tshalom.org
Rabbi Joel E. Soffin D.D.
Rabbi Emeritus rabbisoffin@gmail.com
Seven years ago at
this time, I had the
pleasure and honor
of leading a Temple
Shalom trip to Israel
Josh in Israel this month with Birthright.
along with my family.
It was an amazing adventure filled with a lifetime of memories for all who took part. Now my son Josh has returned
there to revisit old memories, make new ones with new
friends and to strengthen his ties to our homeland.
Accountant
As I mentioned over the Holy Days, it is past time for Temple
Shalom to do the same, to return to Israel as a group and
forge the memories that will strengthen our ties to our
homeland, to our Judaism and to each other.
As I said only a few months ago, “the most powerful way we
can support Israel is with our presence, by going to the land
ourselves and connecting with our history, our people and
Administrative Staff
Phylis J. Sapherstein
Rabbi’s Admin.Asst. RabbisSecretary@tshalom.org
Lisa Testa
accountant@tshalom.org
Meagan Ruggiero
Religious School Admin. Asst.
ReligiousSchool@tshalom.org
Congregational Officers
Gary Platt
President
grplatt@hotmail.com
Robin Katchen
Vice President
rkatchen@optonline.net
Jennifer Wilck
Vice President
wilckjz@optonline.net
Erik Rofe
Vice President
erik@rofegroupinc.com
Matt Goldblatt
Secretary
msgold5@optonline.net
David Weinerman
Treasurer
David.S.Weinerman@morganstanley.com
Glenn Weiss
Financial Sec.
glennweiss@optonline.net
Page 5
our future. In my office sits a group picture from that trip (in 2007) engraved with the caption, “We
began as friends, but became a family.” There are no better words to describe the power of that experience. We became a family not just with each other, but with our people in Israel. It is an experience
that I want to replicate and that Israel desperately needs us to pursue.
“Since 2007, we have tried three more times to mount a trip to Israel. Sadly, Intifadas and financial
downturns have undermined our plans each time. Yes, trips to Israel are expensive, but their value far
exceeds their cost. And yes, Israel continues to be challenged by outside threats, but you will never
feel unsafe or be knowingly put in harms way on a trip to Israel. And Israel needs us today, not just
spiritually and morally, but physically as well.
“So many can attest to the power of visiting our homeland and the tangible change it brings about in
your heart and soul, but our reason for going now is an even more critical one. Israel relies on the tourism industry as a primary source of economic and spiritual well-being… Israel needs us spiritually and
Israel needs us economically. Now more than ever, we must be willing enough and courageous enough
to stand up and offer that vital support. It only takes twenty individuals, four or five families, to make
such a trip a reality and I hope you will consider being among them.”
This promises to be an amazing experience, but I can’t do this alone; I need your help. If you would like
to help make this trip a reality through your family’s participation, please make plans to attend an Israel Trip Planning meeting on Wednesday evening, January 21st at 7 pm. Together we will begin a planning process that will include deciding on a date, looking at proposals from different tour companies,
setting an itinerary and planning programs to prepare us for our journey and activities that will help us
make the most of our experience.
There is perhaps no greater gift you can give to your Jewish soul than to reconnect it to our people’s
historic and modern homeland. I look forward to the chance to sharing that gift with you as we experience Israel together.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi David C. Levy
This was Temple
Shalom in Israel in
2007…
Will you be in the
picture in 2015?
Page 6
Learning with Rabbi Laura…
Four hundred years is but a moment in the history of the Jewish people; however it’s
enough time to transform a custom into a real tradition. It was about that long ago
that Jews of Germany began sewing colorful fabric wraps for their newborn baby
boys that expressed their hopes for a long and full Jewish life. This wrap was (is)
called a wimple and often was illustrated with the boy’s name, date of birth and
symbols representing hopes for future Torah study and marriage.
(19th century wimple on display at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia)
The wimple was used to wrap the boy at his b’rit milah and to wrap the Torah at his Bar Mitzvah
and the aufruf before his wedding. Often the wimples were stored at the family’s synagogue.
In our modern era, many people choose to make one for both sons and daughters at their birth,
wrapping the baby at his/her naming or b’ris. Our Temple Shalom community will, beginning
this year, begin a communal tradition of a B’nai Mitzvah
class wimple.
Our pre-B’nai Mitzvah families have been divided into cohorts and will meet three times at the outset of the B’nai
Mitzvah process. During one of these cohort meetings,
each student will bring fabrics, charms and patches that
have personal meaning for him/her and create two personalized fabric squares. Congregant volunteer Judi Mann has
(first cohort of 6th graders working on graciously agreed to facilitate this project and sew together
their wimple squares)
the squares into a class wimple.
Beginning next school year, each B’nai Mitzvah class will have their own wimple on display.
Each student will use the wimple for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah service and the class will use it for
their Confirmation service. Each of them may choose to use it to wrap the Torah when they
Page 7
eventually come back for an aliyah before their weddings.
Like the much-loved Confirmation Class photo wall in our lobby, this annual project will provide
a beloved spiritual memory for each of our B’nai Mitzvah classes. Just as the Torah is wrapped in
their artistic, personalized creations, may each of our Temple Shalom classes know they are enfolded in the love of their Jewish community – a place where they always have a spiritual home.
B’nai Mitzvah Profiles
Evan Shortman, son of Dave and Jill Shortman, of Long Valley will be called to
the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on January 10, 2015. A seventh grade student at Long
Valley Middle School, he is the brother of both Bryan and Kyle Shortman.
Evan enjoys playing lacrosse, soccer and basketball throughout the year, and
spending time with his brothers when they are home from college.
His Mitzvah project was organizing an on-going collection for Soles 4 Souls,
where he was able to donate more than 700 pairs of new and used shoes for those
in need within the US and in other countries.
As a family, we are very proud of Evan and delighted to be celebrating his becoming a Bar Mitzvah, following his brothers in 2006 and 2008.
Hailey Tamres daughter of Jennifer and David Tamres, of Randolph will be
called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on January 17, 2015. A seventh grade student at Randolph Middle School, she is the sister of Brandon and Jason, and the
grandchild of Phyllis and Orrie Wilner and Trude and Arthur Scheman.
Hailey enjoys playing soccer and basketball, as well as spending quality time
with her friends. She loves to travel with her family and treasures her spring
break vacations in Cancun.
Hailey’s Mitzvah project is working as a mentor for SNAP- Special Needs Athletic Programs. SNAP
is a non-profit organization created to inspire youth to work together through athletics and other
peer mentoring activities. As a mentor, Hailey is able to use her strengths in athletics and her love
for caring and working with younger children. Through SNAP, Hailey is able to work with children
with special needs and offer them a safe and positive environment to play a variety of sports.
We are so proud of the young woman Hailey has become. It is such a pleasure to watch her grow
and mature through her journey to becoming a woman in the Jewish tradition. It seems like yesterday Hailey was entering Hebrew school for the first time as a young kindergartener. We are so
delighted that she has reached this milestone and is able to share this special day with so many
family and friends.
Page 8
Rosh Chodesh Women’s Journey Group
The group will meet at Temple Shalom on Sunday, January 25th at 4:00 p.m. and will feature
speaker Rabbi Amy Small. She will be speaking about Women of the Wall. All women in the
community are invited to this event. Watch the weekly e-blasts for further details.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Renaissance Group
A Jewish Film Festival hit, “The Sturgeon Queens” will be shown at Temple on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 5 pm, followed by discussion and a surprise dinner. $18 per person.
Hattie and Anne are the two surviving daughters from the famed lox and herring
emporium Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side. They are also the stars of THE
STURGEON QUEENS. This documentary – timed to coincide with the store’s centennial in 2014 – traces four generations of Russ family history, from patriarch Joel Russ, who immigrated to the US from Austria-Hungary with little more than the shirt on his back, to Josh
Russ Tupper and Niki Russ Federman, Joel’s great grandchildren, now in their 30s, who run the
store today. The film also features Herman Vargas, aka “The Artistic Slicer,” longtime Russ &
Daughters employee, who represents the new wave of immigrants behind the R & D counter.
Babysitting
Looking for a babysitter? A Temple Shalom Senior Youth Group member may be your neighbor
and love to watch your children! Please contact TSHY Advisor Jennifer Gates
tshyadvisor@tshalom.org for babysitter’s contact information.
Brotherhood
January 5th—NFL playoff party! Food, drinks, camaraderie and of course the actual teams TBD.
January 11th—Co-sponsoring “The Sturgeon Queens” with Renaissance. See above.
January 25th, 9:45 a.m.—Brotherhood breakfast. Our speaker will be Harry Etinger, who is a real
Monuments Man. Amazing story of the Jewish teenager who fled Nazi Germany, but returned six
years later as one of the art hunters made famous by the George Clooney film.
January 28th, 7:30 p.m.—Brotherhood board meeting.
TOT SHABBAT
6:00 pm
TEMPLE SHALOM
FRIDAY, January 9, 2014
215 South Hillside Avenue
Succasunna, NJ
973-584-5666
Tot Shabbat is for children ages 2-6 with a parent, grandparent
or guardian. Rabbi Levy & Rabbi Laura will lead a visual and
interactive Shabbat experience.
Please RSVP by January 7 to Leslie Kallus, Temple Administrator at
973-584-5666 x 5 or administrator@tshalom.org.
We will provide a small oneg for our Tot Shabbat participants.
Our Tot Shabbat Schedule for the year is as follows:
February 13, 2015
March 13, 2015
May 8, 2015
Page 11
HOWARD R. GOODKIN, D.M.D.
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Independent Member of BKR International
Do you have an upcoming
simcha?
Be it a Bris, Baby Naming, Bar/ Bat Mitzvah,
Wedding, Bridal Shower, Engagement Party,
Retirement Party…..
Why not rent Temple Shalom’s
Social Hall?
Reasonable rates, catering choices and a
lovely setting!
Contact Leslie Kallus at 973-9584-5666 x 5
or administrator@tshalom.org for more details.
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Page 14
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offers securities through
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Headquartered at 18 Corporate Woods Blvd. Albany, NY 12211
Imagine Your Ad Here!
Do you want to reach Temple members?
Would you like to draw attention to your
business or service? We offer ad space in
Kesher each month.
Ads run for full year.
$200 for 3.5 x 2 (business card)
$400 for 1/4 page
$600 for 1/2 page
$800 for full page
Contact Leslie Kallus for more information
and an ad contract. 973-584-5666, ext. 5 or
administrator@tshalom.org.
Page 15
Condolences
Karen (Stuart) Poris, on the loss of her mother, Barbara Weiner, on November 22, 2014.
Richard Bruskin, on the loss of his mother, Carol, on December 7, 2014.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Yartzeit Fund
From: Nan Barcan
In memory of her father, Marcus Basser
From: Sharon Blayer
In memory of her cousin Melvin Kwassman
From: Grace Goldberg
In memory of her father, Daniel Levy
From: Leslie Kallus
In memory of her mother, Gilda Kaplan Hecht
From: Arline Castellucci
In memory of her mother, Lillian Lebowitz
From: Gloria Gura
In memory of her father, Harry Antebi
Tributes as of December 16, 2014
Administration
Chai
From: Mark, Alex, Anthony & Henry
Levine
To: Phylis Sapherstein & Staff
Thank you for your
continued support.
Have a wonderful
holiday season.
Kavod
From: Paul, Rich & Sandy Felsen
To: Richard Bruskin
In memory of your
mother, Carol Bruskin
Food Pantry
From: Marcia & Stanley Saltz
To: Lonnie Nechamkin & Family In memory of your
mother, grandmother
& great-grandmother
From: Marcia & Stanley Saltz
To: Wendy Mensch & Family
In memory of your
father & grandfather
Page 16
From: Marcia & Stanley Saltz
To: Robert Zimmerman &
John Sanders
Mazal Tov on
Jeremiah’s Bar
Mitzvah
From: Michael & Geta Vogel
To: Dr. Benjamin Fusman
In memory of Moshe
Fusman, son of
Reuven Fusman
Library Fund
Chai
From: Jane, Ed & Mitch Gold
To: Mr. & Mrs. Mort Averett
In memory of your
daughter, Malinda
From: Jane & Ed Gold
To: Daniel Whitehead
In memory of your
grandmother, Anna
Marie Whitehead
To: Mrs. Michael Pappacena & Family
In memory of
Kavod
From: Jane, Ed, & Mitch Gold
Robert
Williamson, beloved
father & grandfather
Mitzvah/Caring
Kavod
From: Bonnie Cohen
To: Carol Katcher
In honor of your
granddaughter,
Amanda Bloom,
being called to the
Torah for her
Bat Mitzvah
Music /Choir
Chai
From: Art & Sandy Rosenfiled
To: Don Fast
Happy Birthday &
Many More!
Page 17
Rabbi Levy’s Discretionary Fund
Chai
From: Mark, Alex, Anthony &
Henry Levine
To: Rabbi Levy
Have a happy & healthy
holiday season.
From: Mark, Alex, Anthony &
Henry Levine
To: Rabbi Laura
Have a happy & healthy
holiday season.
From: Mark, Alex, Anthony &
Henry Levine
To: Fariba Mahgarefteh
Thank you for a
wonderful 2014! Have a
happy holiday season.
From: Mark, Alex, Anthony &
Henry Levine
To: Meagan Ruggiero & Staff
Thank you for your
continued support of
the religious school.
Have a wonderful
holiday season.
From : Jodi & Evan Biale
To: Wendy Mensch & Family
In memory of your
father & grandfather,
Sol Chazan
From: Sheila Lieberman
To: Bloom Family
Mazal tov on Amanda’s
Bat Mitzvah
From: Marcia & Stanley Saltz
To: April & Erik Rofe
Mazal Tov on Ryan’s
Bar Mitzvah
From: Myrna Nadler
To: Hope & Michael Bloom
Mazal tov on Amanda’s
Bat Mitzvah
From: Myrna Nadler
To: Carol Katcher
Mazal Tov in honor of
your granddaughter,
Amanda Bloom’s, Bat
Mitzvah
Religious School Fund
Chai
Kavod
Soup Kitchen
Kavod