לשנה טובה ּתכתבו - The Fair Lawn Jewish Center / Congregation B
Transcription
לשנה טובה ּתכתבו - The Fair Lawn Jewish Center / Congregation B
NEWS & VIEWS ח ד ׁש ֹו ת ו ה ׁש ק פ ֹו ת VOLUME LXIX , NO. 1 FAIR LAWN JEWISH CENTER / CONG. BNAI ISRAEL ELUL 5774 — TISHREI 5775 USPS #096-220 SEPTEMBER 2014 ּתשרי ּתשע"ה- אלּול ּתשע"ד Rabbi Ronald Roth, Cantor Eric Wasser, Synagogue Administrator Claudia Judelman, Your Officers and Board of Directors Wish You a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year 5775. לשנה טובה ּתכתבו FAIR LAWN JEWISH CENTER CONGREGATION BNAI ISRAEL 10-10 Norma Ave. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 201.796.5040 Info@FLJC.com Howard & Joshua Herman Education Center 201.796.7884 Principal@FLJC.com Shirley & Paul Pintel Preschool 201.796.9434 Nursery@FLJC.com Rabbi Ronald Roth Rabbi Emeritus Simon Glustrom Cantor Eric L. Wasser Cantor Emeritus Max Rubin Synagogue Administrator Claudia Judelman Religious School Principal Judy Gutin Early Childhood Director Carol Weber President Jerry Weiner Executive Vice President Ellen Wertheim Vice President Michael Baer Vice President Craig Mont Treasurer Jeff Zerowin Secretary Jen Mendelsohn Honorary Presidents *Nat Sprechman *Marge Bornstein *Julian Bornstein Irving Sklaver * Deceased Sisterhood President M.P.C President Caterer Advertising Editor Leslie Frucht Seth Seigel -Laddy Main Event Carol Peligal Norma F. Pollack News & Views (USPS #096-220) is published ten times a year. $1.00 of annual membership dues is for yearly subscription to News & Views. The Fair Lawn Jewish Center - Cong. Bnai Israel, 10-10 Norma Avenue, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 publishes News & Views. Periodicals postage paid at Paramus, NJ. Postmaster: Send address changes to News & Views, 10-10 Norma, Fair lawn, NJ 07410 FROM THE EDITOR A new year, new hopes, new dreams, new opportunities. May it be for you and yours a happy, fulfilling, and sweet year, filled with all the inspirational, educational, and fun activities to be found here at the Center. And may it be a year of peace for us and for Israel! Norma F. Pollack TABLE OF CONTENTS Adult Education Back to Shul BBQ Bar Mitzvah Book of the Lunch Café Europa Calendar Candle lighting Cantorial Contemplation Deaths Donations Families w/Yng. Children Family Matters Funds Golf Outing High Holy Days High Holidays Services Lulav & Etrog 15 20 30 23 16 35 2 6 2 34 33 29 33 27 9 3 19 Men’s Progress Club Month — Tishrei Nosh & Knowledge On the Shelf Preschool Presidential Pondering Rabbinic Reflections Religious Affairs Comm. Religious School Scholar in Residence 19 14 14 23 32 7 5 12 31 25 Simchat Torah 19 Sisterhood 21 Social Action Committee 17 Sukkot Luncheon 13 Synagogue Administrator 8 Torah Fund Pins 21 COMING UP THIS MONTH . . . September 1 - Oct. 3 Social Action Food Drive Begins September 7 Religious School Begins September 9 Café Europa September 9 Nosh & Knowledge September 14 Back To Shul BBQ September 16 Nosh & Knowledge September 17 Board of Directors’ Meeting RELIGIOUS SERVICES September 20 S’lichot September 21 Sisterhood Bk. Club: People of the Book The Fair Lawn Jewish Center - Cong. Bnai Israel holds morning and evening services every day . September 21 MPC College Planning DAILY September 24 Erev Rosh HaShanah Sunday 9:00 AM & 7:30 PM September 25 First Day of Rosh HaShanah Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM & 7:30 PM September 25 Tashlich Friday 8:00 AM September 26 Second Day of Rosh Hashanah SHABBAT Friday evening 6:30 PM September 27 Shabbat Shuvah Shabbat morning Chapel 9:00, Sanctuary 9:30 AM September 28 Fast of Gedaliah Junior Congregation 10:30 AM Tot Shabbat 10:30 AM Shabbat Mincha After Morning Service & Kiddush There is no evening Maariv service on Shabbat נחמּו עמי,נחמּו We note with sorrow the passing of CANDLELIGHTING September 5 September 12 September 19 September 24 September 25 September 26 2 7:05 PM 6:53 PM 6:42 PM 6:34 PM 7:32 PM 6:30 PM Dr. Gerhard Lang Gertrude Sokol, mother of Robert Sokol Everett Strasser May the Lord console and sustain you, together with all the mourners for Zion and Jerusalem. HIGH HOLY DAYS 5775 S‘LICHOT Saturday, September 20 Musical Program, Followed By Refreshments S’lichot Service 8:30 PM 10:00 PM EREV ROSH HASHANAH Wednesday, September 24 Mincha/Maariv (services end approximately 7:20 PM) Candle Lighting 6:30 PM 6:34 PM ROSH HASHANAH - FIRST DAY Thursday, September 25 Shacharit Children's Service & Junior Congregation Teen Discussion Group (after the sermon) Services End 8:00 AM 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM approximately 11:30 AM approximately 1:30 PM Tashlich, snacks & socializing in the field behind Memorial Mincha/Maariv Candle Lighting ROSH HASHANAH - SECOND DAY Friday, September 26 Shacharit Parents & Children to 6 yrs. / Children's Service & Jr Cong. Teen Discussion Group (after the sermon) Services End 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:32 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 A.M. / 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM approximately 11:30 PM approximately 1:15 PM SHABBAT SHUVAH Friday, September 26 Mincha/Maariv Candle Lighting 6:30 PM 6:30 PM Saturday, September 27 Shacharit Shabbat Ends Chapel 8:45 AM, Sanctuary 9:30 AM 7:30 PM KOL NIDREI Friday, October 3 Candle Lighting Mincha Kol Nidrei Services End 6:18 PM 6:15 PM 6:35 PM approximately 9:00 PM YOM KIPPUR DAY Saturday, October 4 Shacharit Children's Service & Junior Congregation Teen Discussion Group Mincha Congregant's Talk Neilah Maariv Sounding of the Shofar 9:00 AM 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 12:30 PM 4:15 PM 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM 3 EREV SUKKOT Wednesday, October 8 Mincha/Maariv Candle Lighting 6:30 PM 6:10 PM SUKKOT - FIRST DAY Thursday October 9 Shacharit Luncheon in the Sukkah (by prior reservation) Mincha/Maariv For 2nd Day Candle Lighting For 2nd Day Chapel 9:00 AM, Sanctuary 9:30 AM Following Services 6:30 PM 7:30 PM SUKKOT - SECOND DAY Friday, October 10 Shacharit Chapel 9:00 AM, Sanctuary 9:30 AM EREV SHABBAT, CHOL HA'MOED SUKKOT Friday, October 10 Mincha/Maariv Candle Lighting 6:30 PM 6:07 PM SHABBAT, CHOL HA'MOED SUKKOT Saturday, October 11 Shacharit Chapel 9:00 AM, Sanctuary 9:30 AM WEEKDAY SERVICE, CHOL HA'MOED Shacharit Sunday, October 12 Monday, Oct. 13, Tuesday, Oct. 14, Wednesday, Oct. 15 Mincha/Maariv Sunday, Oct. 12, Monday, Oct. 13, Tuesday, Oct. 14 9:00 AM 8:00 AM 7:30 PM EREV SH'MINI ATZERET Wednesday, October 15 Mincha/Maariv Candle Lighting 6:30 PM 5:59 PM SH'MINI ATZERET Thursday, October 16 Shacharit - Yizkor (One Service in the Sanctuary) 9:00 AM EREV SIMCHAT TORAH Thursday, October 16 Mincha/Maariv - Torah Processions Candle Lighting 7:15 PM 6:58 PM SIMCHAT TORAH Friday, October 17 Shacharit - Torah Processions (One Service in the Sanctuary) Simchat Torah for Little Ones 4 9:00 AM 10:00 AM RABBINIC REFLECTIONS . . . Rabbi Ron Roth A year has almost gone by since last Rosh Hashanah. As I begin to compose my sermons for this year I like to ask myself, “Did I really listen to what I said last year? Did I change?” What follows is a brief version of the first part of one of my sermons from last Rosh Hashanah. Here is a question from one of the great scholars of our tradition, Maimonides. Imagine that you had $1,000. I admit that he said dinarim. Don’t ask me for the exchange rate. Accept that it is a considerable amount of money. You want to give that sum directly to help needy people. Would you give it to a single family to cover their grocery bills for five weeks, or would you give $1 each to 1,000 people? What would you do? My guess is that most of you would give it to one person. It is not just an abstract question. Do you receive many fund appeals in the mail, and even more at this time of year? Do you pass by the pushke in the chapel of this synagogue when you come to minyan? Do you respond to all appeals by giving a little to each? Maimonides’ question is not purely abstract, and your answer might help you to develop a spiritual plan for the coming year. Rosh Hashanah provides an occasion for clarifying our spiritual goals and inspiring concrete commitments for the coming year. Let me tell you my answer. I would choose to give the money to one family, or maybe divide it among a small number of families, even though that was not an option. I want to have an impact and help people meaningfully. Giving everyone a dollar does not change anyone’s situation. Temporarily relieving the distress of a family uncertain about how to put food on the table seems both useful and satisfying. Rhonda and I receive a large number of charitable solicitations. We choose to be generous to a small percent of them. The Fair Lawn Jewish Center / Congregation Bnai Israel receives the largest share of our tzedakah, with another large donation to the Jewish Federation of North New Jersey. Of course we respond to the Women’s League Torah Fund appeal immediately!! We choose to give to Hadassah, JNF, United Synagogue, and Project Ezra, a program that helps poor elderly Jews on the Lower East Side. In general we prefer to give a few major gifts and some smaller ones. We do not give to many of the organizations that send us appeals because there are simply too many of them, even though I know they are worthy causes. We want our donations to have an impact. Let me return to Maimonides. In commenting on a Mishnah (Avot 3:18), Maimonides argues that it is best to give one dinar to 1,000 people rather than make one grand gift. As I have just said, I do not give in that pattern. So, not only do I disagree with a teaching of Maimonides, but I have acted for years in a manner that is contrary to his position. What is his reasoning? Maimonides holds that, while the grand gift may be effective in alleviating one person’s need in a significant way, it will not transform the personality of the giver. He contends that the habit developed by 1,000 small, repeated gifts will transform the giver into a more generous and kinder person. That is an example of teshuvah, or repentance, becoming a better person, that we seek at this time of year. Maimonides teaches us that the purpose of Jewish tzedakah law extends beyond alleviating suffering. We give not only to improve the lives of others and to bring about a more just society, but also to improve our own character. Becoming habituated to giving makes us generous people and refines our souls. So, did I listen to my words last year? Did you? Once again I need to think of ways I can solidify lifegiving habits to improve myself. We are granted each year a new opportunity to create a better self. Maybe this year I will try to listen more attentively to what I have to say, and act more immediately on it. Some of our other donations go to the Jewish National Fund, MOMA, and the Metropolitan Museum. I am a Friend of the NY Philharmonic. I listen to WQXR and donate to them. 5 CANTORIAL CONTEMPLATION . . . Cantor Eric Wasser, Ed.D. Dear Friends, I hope you all had a relaxing and leisurely summer, enjoying time with friends and family. At this time of year, we are all, of course, busily preparing for the High Holy Days. For me, as the Hazzan, it is an exciting time of year due to two specific projects. Firstly, over the summer I assign Torah readings for the upcoming holy day season. The portions on Rosh Hashanah depict the story of the binding of Isaac, while the sections on Yom Kippur are taken from Leviticus, and represent an introduction into the holiness code. Each of these portions is chanted with a special melody exclusively employed on the Yamim Noaraim. We are blessed to have a huge cadre of people prepared to take on this challenge. This year we will hear twenty different individuals who will work diligently to share their musical skills and Hebrew talents so as to beautify our services. Collectively, we should all be proud of this great accomplishment, and take great “naches” in the chanting which will take place. Secondly, a couple of months ago I began working with our volunteer adult choir. While I am aware that some people are stronger advocates than others of choral singing (often as a result of your own synagogue biography), let me assure you that the choir adds an important element to our liturgy. The choir, in our tradition, is foremost seen as an extension of the Hazzan and the Shaliach Tzibbur. In contrast to a performance, the choral singers are there to help lead us in prayer. Through melody and harmony (hopefully never dissonance!) the participants are there to help enrich the sounds of the synagogue in an uplifting spiritual fashion. Our melodies, with very few exceptions, are selected to encourage congregational participation. This year the choir will introduce a beautiful B’nei Veitcha, Areshet Sfateinu and Ki Lekach Tov. As you catch on to the tunes, we invite and encourage your participation. I am very appreciative of the time and talents of so many of our people, who make this colossal undertaking a highlight of the liturgical cycle. 6 Finally, as you know, this past six months was a particularly difficult period in my life. I was challenged on both a physical and emotional level like never before. In particular, I was blessed to have been able to be part of a successful organ donation to a dear friend and past president of the congregation. While the recovery was physically taxing, I was strengthened by the knowledge that Harvey continues to feel well and has, in many ways, a new lease on life. I anxiously await seeing him and his family occupying their regular seats just a few rows in front of the Cantor’s podium this upcoming Yuntif. On an unhappier note, I am not sure that I will ever fully recover from our family tragedy. Struggling with the ups and downs of loss is never easy, regardless of the circumstances, and the conversations that my brother and I would share in the weeks leading up to the holidays, I know, will never be replaced. I hope, in part, to honor his memory through my work in building and sustaining this Kehillat HaKodesh (sacred community). May the year ahead be filled only with blessings, health, happiness, fulfillment and prosperity for you, your family, all you hold dear, and the entire House of Israel. Shanah Tova Umetukah Cantor Dr. Eric L Wasser PRESIDENTIAL PONDERING . . . Jerry Weiner Unbelievable! Where has the summer gone? As I write, it is the first week of August and Norma insists that our September articles be submitted this week. College students are preparing to leave for school. Our Hebrew School teachers and Preschool teachers are meeting with their directors, Judy and Carol, and planning for the upcoming school year, and Rosh Hashanah is around the corner. Summer is the time for relaxing, but for us it was the time for planning and organizing for the upcoming new year. Synagogue committees, as well as our Men’s Progress Club and Sisterhood, have been busy at work planning activities and programs to meet the needs and interests of our membership. I am still seeking individuals to chair, co-chair or serve on committees. Please call me or email me as to your interests. I invite you to volunteer, and not wait to receive a call from me. I extend a special thank you to Ritch Rosen and our Capital Campaign Committee, and to Alex Shinkar of the Renovation Committee and their committee members, for all their hard work thus far. It is not the easiest of tasks to raise money; it is much easier to spend it. Alex is responsible for the renovation of our Preschool classrooms and second floor hallway. I urge you to consider and make a meaningful contribution to our Capital Campaign, and to join the many who have already done so. With your help, we can and will soon reach our goal, make our building more usable to those of us with physical challenges, and allow us to make our second floor more welcoming to our students. It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of our Congregation, welcome to our FLJC/CBI family Claudia Judelman, our new Synagogue Administrator, who began work on August 11. I hope many of you have had the opportunity to meet Claudia, and if not, will do so very soon. Claudia brings many years of experience, ability, creativity and vitality to us. She is friendly and warm. I hope that her association with us will be a long, happy and productive one. Sadly , I say Yasher Koach and thank Irv Pollack for his many years of dedicated service as our treasurer. Irv will continue to serve on our Executive Committee and Board of Directors. I welcome Jeff Zerowin as our new treasurer, and look forward to his concise reports. I welcome our new Board of Directors members, Sima Alper and Harold Fine. Thank you for joining our leadership team. Thank you to Neil Garfinkle, Lawrence Hess, Barry Schwartz, Shari Toron, David Tratner and Arthur Wartenberg for serving on the Board of Directors, and have decided to “retire” from the Board. We will also miss Linda Ayes and Holly Levy, Past Presidents, from the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. My very best to each of you. I know we can still count on your assistance and advice. I urge more of you, my friends, to become involved. Please work with Rabbi Roth, Cantor Wasser and our committees on programs to interest our members. To be successful, a leader must rely upon a team of concerned, dedicated and creative members to face the challenges ahead. Together, we must think more creatively to leverage our resources to offer more services without additional costs, and to provide meaningful activities and programs. We must welcome innovation and experimentation, and not be fearful of those challenges. Membership and Fundraising are of significant importance. Join these committees and share your ideas with us. Our Kol Nidre campaign will soon begin. The giving of tzedakah is at the heart of our Jewish tradition of obligation and responsibility. Please respond as generously as you are able to. Our Synagogue continues to face some extraordinary financial challenges. We operate our Preschool, and our budget has been pared to the bone. Please join me and be generous when asked to do so. I invite YOU to join me at MINYAN, either morning or evening. Our morning minyans are strong. We do need YOU to help make a MINYAN in the evenings. I, along with your officers and directors, look forward to greeting you soon. Ellie and I wish you and your loved ones a New Year of good health, joy and contentment. Jerry 7 WELCOME TO OUR NEW SYNAGOGUE ADMINISTRATOR, WHAT’S NU? … CLAUDIA JUDELMAN A few words from the Synagogue Administrator With the New Year, you’ll find a new face in the office at FLJC/CBI. On August 11, 2014 I began my work here as the Synagogue Administrator. As I’ve begun to get to know many of the members here, I’m hearing a recurring theme from those I’ve spoken with. Here’s a few examples: “It’s home to me!” “I grew up in this synagogue!” “I’m connected to so many congregants here!” “This is a caring community.” I live in Montebello, NY (Rockland County) with my husband, Barry, and we have three children. Our youngest, Abby, is a student at the University of Maryland. Our middle daughter, Miriam, lives in West Orange with her husband, Marc, and our two beautiful granddaughters! Our son, Yaron, lives in Denver, CO. We are active members in our own synagogue, The Orangetown Jewish Center in Orangeburg, NY, and have always been members of our JCC. Our three children attended Jewish Day School, and our family has always been passionately committed to our Jewish identity and its values. We all studied in Israel at one time or another, and, in fact, Barry and I were both students in Jerusalem on Mt. Scopus, although we didn't meet until much later in time. I was a founding member of Kibbutz Ketura (Young Judaea Kibbutz) in 1974, and Barry started Israel's first rugby team! My professional experience has included Membership Director in the YM/YWHA of Bergen County and Membership/Marketing at the JCC of Rockland County. I have worked with the Office of the Mayor of Tel-Aviv and other non-profits. With a strong background in membership and engagement, I hope to quickly get to meet and know the members here at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center and continue the work you've done in building this warm and welcoming community. 8 These few short sentences speak volumes about FLJC/CBI. Together with my personal experience as an active member of my own synagogue, and professional experience working closely with membership engagement, I’m excited to bring my skills here and to work with the FLJC to continue the great work you’ve done in building such a warm and welcoming congregation. I hope you’ll feel free to stop by my office to introduce yourselves and tell me your own reasons for loving it here. Wishing you a Shana Tovah! B’Shalom, Claudia THE HIGH HOLY DAYS SEASON S’LICHOT Originally recited only on Yom Kippur, since the Middle Ages the High Holy Days season has been ushered in by S’lichot on the Saturday night preceding Rosh Hashanah. The penitential service is comprised of many of the prayers recited on Yom Kippur, in addition to other compositions written especially for the S’lichot service. Traditionally held at midnight, our S’lichot evening begins at 8:30 PM with a musical program and refreshments, followed by the S’lichot service at 10:00 PM. ROSH HASHANAH Rosh Hashanah, literally “the head of the year,” is observed as the Jewish New Year at the beginning of the seventh month, Tishrei. It commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the world, which occurred, according to tradition, 5,775 years ago. Although the Torah prescribes observance of Rosh Hashanah for one day, it is always observed as a two-day Yom Tov, the two days being considered yoma arichta, one long day. The name Rosh Hashanah does not occur in the Bible. Instead, it is referred to as Yom T’ruah (the Day of the Blowing of the Shofar), Yom HaZikaron (the Day of Remembrance), and Zichron T’ruah (the memorial of the blowing of the Shofar). It is also considered Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment), when all mankind is judged by the Creator, and the fate of each individual is inscribed in the Book of Life. Rosh Hashanah inaugurates the Ten Days of Repentance, Aseret Y’me T’shuva, the most solemn season in the Jewish calendar, for retrospection and introspection. THE SHOFAR The most characteristic symbol of Rosh Hashanah is the Shofar. Mentioned frequently in the Bible, and throughout the Talmud and later Hebrew literature, the Shofar was used in ancient times to sound alarms, to assemble armies for attack in war, and to announce plague or famine. The Shofar also announced important events of a national character, such as the accession of a ruler to the throne, or the proclamation of a rabbinic edict. It ushered in the Sabbath, festivals and New Moon, and, together with other instruments, was frequently employed as part of the worship in the Temple at Jerusalem. The Shofar is associated with two outstanding events in Israel’s past. It recalls the Akedah -- the binding of Isaac -- and the Giving of the Law at Sinai. In the ‘end of days,’ the coming of the Messiah will be heralded by a Shofar blast. Hallel, which is recited when our hearts are joyful because of our Yomim Tovim, is not recited on Rosh Hashanah because of our anxiety about the judgment we are to receive. ROSH HASHANAH AT HOME Rosh Hashanah is both a solemn and festive occasion. Although the observance of the High Holy Days is centered primarily in the synagogue, the home is where the family prepares for the New Year in a spirit of faith, and in a mood conducive to prayer and soul searching. The table is set with a white cloth and a centerpiece of flowers – symbolic of purity and joy. Candlesticks, wine and challahs symbolize a full, round year, and a dish of honey and sliced apples asks for a sweet year. It is customary not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah, since the numerical value of the Hebrew for nut (egoz) is the same as that of sin (chet). 9 The family gathers for the lighting of the candles and the Kiddush which precedes the festive meal on both nights of Rosh Hashanah. The following blessings are recited over the candles. שּבַת ו) יֹום טוב ַ ( ַאשֶר קִּדשָנּו ּבמְצֹותָ יו ו ִצּוָנּו להַדלִק נֵר שֶל,ּברּוך אַּתָ ה ד" ֵא ֽלהֵינו ֶמלֶּך הָעֹולָם Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu, Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu lehadlik ner shel (Shabbat v’) Yom Tov. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us by Your commandments, and commanded us to kindle the lights of (the Sabbath and) the Holiday. .ש ֶה ֶחי ָנּו ו ִקימָנּו ו ִהגִיעָנּו לַּזמַן ַהזֶה ֶ ,ּברּוך אַּתָ ה ד" ֵא ֽלהֵינּו ֶמלֶּך הָעֹולָם Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu, Melech ha’olam, sheh-hecheyanu, vekiyemanu, vehigiyanu laz’man hazeh. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who has kept us in life, preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season. After Kiddush, HaMotzi is recited over the challahs. Then everyone dips apple in honey, and recites: .שנָה טֹובָה ומּתּוקָה ָ יהי ִ ַרצֹון מִל ָפנֶיָך ד" אֵלהֵינּו ואֵלהֵי ַאבֹותֵ ינּו שּתחַדֵ ש עַלינּו Yehi ratzon mil’fanecha, Adonai Elohaynu v’Elohay avotaynu, sheh-techadesh alaynu shanah tova u’metukah. May it be your will, Lord our G-d, to renew unto us a good and a sweet year. On the second night of Rosh Hashanah it is customary to introduce a new fruit, so that, in addition to the blessing over the fruit, Shehecheyanu may also be recited. TASHLICH Tashlich, which means “cast away,” originated with the ancient Jews of Babylonia, who superstitiously believed their sins clung to their clothing as evil spirits. On Rosh Hashanah they went to a river, turned their pockets inside out, and shook their hems out over the water. This superstitious practice was banned by the rabbis, but the people would not give it up, so the rabbis told the people to put bread crumbs in their pockets, and to regard the bread crumbs as symbols of their sins. Today we still ceremonially discard our sins into flowing water on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. When the first day of Rosh Hashanah is Shabbat, we recite Tashlich on the afternoon of the second day. At Tashlich men turn their pockets inside out, women shake the hems of their skirts, and bread crumbs are tossed into the water to represent our sins. The Rosh Hashanah greeting, in its brief form, is “L‘shanah tovah tikatevu” – “May you be inscribed for a good year.” Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we say “G’mar hatimah tovah” - “May you be sealed for a good year.” TSOM GEDALIAH Gedaliah ben Ahikam was appointed Governor of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar when the first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in the sixth century BCE. His assassination brought to an end the First Jewish Commonwealth. The anniversary of Gedaliah’s assassination, 3 Tishrei (the day after Rosh Hashanah) is a fast day known as Tsom Gedaliah, the Fast of Gedaliah. In years when 3 Tishrei falls on Shabbat, Tsom Gedaliah is observed on Sunday. 10 YOM KIPPUR Yom Kippur is the one religious occasion which is observed entirely in the synagogue, yet the meal which precedes the Fast is intended to be a spiritual experience for the entire family. This meal is eaten early, so the family can be in the synagogue before sundown. Following Birkat HaMazon (the Grace after Meals), the candles are lit, and the following blessings are recited: ּברּוך ַאּתָ ה ד" ֵא ֽלהֵינּו ַאשֶר קִּדשָנּו ּבמְ צֹותָ יו ו ִצּוָנּו להַדלִק נֵר שֶל יֹום ַהכִּפּוריִם,ֶמלֶּך הָעֹולָם Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu, Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav, ve’tzivanu lehadlik ner shel Yom HaKippurim. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified us by Your commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the Yom Kippur lights. ּברּוך ַאּתָ ה ד" אֵֹלהֵינּו ש ֶה ֶחי ָנּו וקִ י ָמנּו ו ִהגִיעָנּו לַּזמַן ַהזֶה ֶ , ֶמלֶּך הָעֹולָם. Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu, Melech ha’olam, sheh-hecheyanu, ve’kiyemanu, ve’higiyanu laz’man hazeh. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, who has kept us in life, preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season. FASTING Self-denial in food and other physical pleasure is part of the tradition of the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” Refraining from meals, as well as work, helps in the self-discipline of heart and mind, and prepares us to face our Creator in prayer and repentance, seeking forgiveness and blessings for life and health in the new year. Although children are not obliged to fast until they are 13, the fast may be observed in part or in full earlier. Jewish law and tradition hold the maintenance of life and health as a prime religious duty. Therefore, when a person is ill or weak, a doctor should be consulted about fasting. YAHRZEIT CANDLES It is customary to light yahrzeit (memorial) candles for deceased members of the family. They must be lit before the holiday candles. BLESSING THE CHILDREN Before leaving for shul, the parents bless their children by placing their hands on the head of each one, and reciting: For sons: .פרים וכמנַשֶה ָ ישִמָך ד" כ ֶא Yesimcha Elohim k’Efraim v’k’Menasheh. May G-d give you the blessings of Efraim and Menasseh. For daughters: ָרחל ולֵָאה, ֽרבקָה,ש ֵמך ד" כש ָָרה ֽ י Yesimech Elohim k’Sarah, Rivka, Rachel v’Leah. May G-d give you the blessings of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. And continue for all the children: .ּֽׁשמרָך ֶ יברכֶך ד" וי ֶ .יָאֵר ד" ּפָניו ֵאלֵיָך ויחנֶָך ישא ד" ּפָניו ֵאלֵיָך וישֵם לָך ׁשָלֹום Yevorechecha Adonai v’yishm’recha. Ya’er Adonai panav aylecha vichunekah. Y’sah Adonai panav aylecha v’yasaym lecha shalom. May G-d bless you and guard you. May G-d show you favor and be gracious to you. May G-d show you kindness and grant you peace. FORGIVENESS At this time, too, members of the family ask each other for forgiveness for the wrongs and hurts they have done, knowingly or unknowingly, during the year. 11 RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE . . . Charles Cohen We welcome all new members, as well as our members who have been vacationing, back to Shul as we start our busy schedule of New Year Holidays, events and activities. I want to thank Arthur Wartenberg for arranging our Summer schedule of lay volunteers doing Dvar Torah, Haftorah and Torah readings during our Rabbi’s and Cantor's well-deserved vacations. Yasher Koach to all Summer volunteers for your excellent participation. Our daily Minyanim - mornings at 8:00 and evenings at 7:30, continue every day, all year ‘round, and we thank our stalwart "regulars" who attend Minyan virtually every day and keep it going throughout the year. We ask our fellow congregants to volunteer for Minyan attendance a few times a month, as we often need a 'TENTH’ man or woman so members can say Kaddish. We will be here for you if you need us ... and ask for your reciprocation by volunteering on a regular basis. Let Holly Levy know if you have any preferences as far as day of the week, or morning or evening. Evenings in the Winter are sometimes especially difficult, so please come if you can. There is a valid perception that the same people very often to do the same things on Shabbat, and that is primarily because they are here, and are willing and able to do so, but our goal is to get ALL members involved in the ritual process. I know that we all are busy in our lives, but I ask you to make a special effort to come to Shul on time, as Torah Aliyahs are assigned before the Torah service starts, and if you are not seated before the Torah service, it may be too late to receive an Aliyah, so I am asking for your prompt arrival. If you normally drive to Shul on Shabbat, and are able to pick up an older member in your vicinity who needs transportation, please let me know, as we do need some drivers to perform this mitzvah to allow some of our older members to attend services. If you see a new face, feel free to meet and greet that person during Kiddush or whenever. We get a regular flow of visitors, and in the spirit of our patriarch Abraham, let us extend our hospitality to all travelers or visitors, who could be prospective new members as well. Allow let me to reiterate our procedure on assigning Aliyahs on Shabbat (other than on the High Holidays or Bar/Bat Mitzvahs days). On Shabbat we have a traditional Torah Minyan in the Chapel, and an egalitarian Minyan in the Sanctuary. If you want to receive an Aliyah in the egalitarian Minyan, to commemorate a simcha or other life cycle event, or if you wish to read the Prayer for Our Country or the Prayer for Israel, please let me or the Center Office know in advance, so we can try to accommodate your request. A word of remembrance about Dr. Gerhard Lang, a long-time member who served with distinction for many years on our Religious Affairs Committee. Dr. Lang also served as Gabbai, assigning honors on Shabbat, as well as being a regular in our High Holiday choir where he could apply his great knowledge of both liturgy and music. He passed away this Summer, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Adell, and to his children and family. Also, If you are a Kohan, Bat Kohan, Levi or Bat Levi, and wish to do a Torah blessing, please advise as well, as we sometimes need a Kohan or Levi for this honor. Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year 5775. May it be a year of great blessings for you and your family, and for SHALOM - Peace - in Israel and the entire world. If you can't read the Hebrew to say the blessing, let us know, and we'll help you with a transliteration and some preparatory practice. Charles Cohen Let us know if you CAN read Torah and/or chant a Haftorah, or have other underutilized Jewish skill sets. We want to get our members involved in ritual 12 activities, so please reach out to us if you can participate in any way. Please Join Us For A FESTIVE SUKKOT LUNCHEON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 Adults $15 Parents + Children Under 12 $38 Youths 12 - 18 Years $10 ------------------------------------------------------Please let us know by Wednesday, October 1 that you will join us. Adults’ Names______________________________________________________ Children’s Names____________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Phone____________________________ E-Mail____________________________ Number of Adults__________ Number of Children__________ Amount Enclosed $__________ Please seat us with___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to the FLJC/CBI. Tables for 10-12 may be reserved with full payment. We will try to accommodate you as best we can. 13 TISHREI In the Torah, Tishrei is called the Seventh Month, but it is now regarded as the first month, its first day being Rosh Hashanah, this year beginning on Wednesday evening, September 24. In Prophets, the month is called yerach ha’etanim, the Month of the Mighty. According to the sages, our patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were all born in Tishrei. Sarah, Rachel and Hannah, who had all been barren, were remembered by G-d on Rosh Hashanah with the gift of children. Adam was created by G-d on Rosh Hashanah. And on Rosh Hashanah Joseph was freed from prison by Pharaoh. In the days of the Spanish Inquisition, a converso named Don Fernando Aguilar was the conductor of the royal orchestra. Longing to hear the shofar, he arranged a concert for Rosh Hashanah, at which the instrumental music of various peoples would be played. Many other conversos came to the concert, where the t’’kia, sh’varim and t’ruah sounds of the shofar were played under Don Fernando’s direction, with all the clergy in ignorance of the significance of the blasts. 3 Tishrei is the Fast of Gedaliah. Gedaliah was the governor of Judea, assassinated by the King of Ammon, along with most of the Jews and Babylonians with him. The remaining Jews, fearing Nebuchadnezzar’s vengeance, fled to Egypt, and the land remained desolate. The Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Repentance . 10 Tishrei is Yom Kippur. Intoxicating beverages are not consumed at dinner, lest one become drunk and his prayers be an abomination. Four days after Yom Kippur is Sukkot. The eighth day is Sh’mini Atzeret, when the prayer for rain is once again included in the Amidah. On Simchat Torah we rejoice over the conclusion of the Torah reading, and immediately begin reading it again. Tishrei’s sign of the Zodiac is Libra. The month has 30 days, ending October 24. 14 NOSH & KNOWLEDGE Please join us as a new year of the popular Nosh & Knowledge with Rabbi Roth returns. Tuesdays, 11:30 — 12:30 in the Youth Lounge September 9 September 16 October 7 October 14 October 21 October 28 November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 December 2 December 9 December 16 Engage in challenging discussions of Biblical texts, all read in English. Everyone is welcome as we study the Torah. All discussions are in English and each class is independent of the others, so you can come as often as you like. Fresh bagels, tea and coffee served. ADULT EDUCATION . . . Charles Cohen As the great Rabbi Hillel said, “If you do not increase your knowledge, you decrease it." It is NEVER too late to learn, and in this spirit we ask all members to participate in the Adult Education opportunities at the Fair lawn Jewish Center - Congregation Bnai Israel. Whether it be Jewish-themed books or film, Torah or Mishnah studies, public speakers, guest lecturers or Scholar in Residence weekends, we can keep you busy and well informed throughout the year. Rabbi Roth and Cantor Wasser conduct classes on various subjects which are well attended and very successful. So Watch for announcements of classes as the year goes on. Rabbi Roth has been leading Nosh & Knowledge classes on Tuesdays at 11:30 AM for many years. Cantor Wasser leads a Mishnah classes after Minyan on Wednesday mornings. Starting dates for classes in the Fall will be announced. We particularly need your support in making the Scholar in Residence Shabbat, featuring wellknown Bible Scholar, ProfessorSharon Keller, on Friday-Saturday, November 14 - 15 a great success. This event is always interesting and stimulating, and also helps financially in running other events for free or at minimum cost to you. Please help with your sponsorship and support of our annual Scholar in Residence program. For those in our Congregation who have expertise or knowledge of a subject of Jewish interest, and want to serve as presenters, please contact me or Rabbi Roth, as many of our best lecturers have been from our own congregational family. Thanks to the continued efforts of Fran Westerman and Phyllis Mirchin, we will again have our very popular Book of the Lunch series in the Fall and Spring. On October 6 Edith Sobel will review The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman, and on November 3 Rabbi Roth will review Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel. Stay tuned for the December selection. Always an interesting discussion -- and lunch! Jewish learning should never stop. This has never been truer than today. As the Children of Israel, we are all, in a sense, representatives of the Jewish faith. It is our responsibility to inform and educate our children, as well as friends in the non-Jewish world, about Judaism and Israel. At a minimum, we need to know the basics of our faith. When are our Holidays? How are they celebrated? What goes on at Shabbat or Holiday Services? What are the prayers, and what do they mean? What makes Judaism different from the other faiths? When asked a question about something basic in Judaism, or news events as they affect Jews anywhere, a BLANK stare or NO ANSWER is not an acceptable response. Demonstrating that teaching and learning is a lifetime activity, our Rabbi Emeritus, Simon Glustrom, has recently written a new book, Unfinished Journey: A Rabbi's Bout With Doubt reflecting his personal journey and reflections over a long and distinguished career. Any "bout with doubt" has no doubt made him develop a more insightful understanding of the aspirations and limitations of faith in the modern age. A copy of his book was donated by Rabbi Glustrom to our Max E. & Anna Bornstein Library, and is also available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Let us take advantage of the many learning opportunities we offer at FLJC-CBI Adult Education, to acquire the basic knowledge, so we can make informed responses to questions and Jewish issues, dispel the rampant disinformation, and tell the unknowing the truth about what is going on in Israel and the world around us. Charles Cohen This year, Sisterhood will be hosting the popular Books & Bagels Sunday morning series that Ellen Wertheim ran successfully, and we appreciate Ellen's involvement for many years in this popular program. Their first selection is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, to be discussed on September 21. Sisterhood will announce future books and presenters for the Fall and Spring. 15 THE SYNCOPATED SENIORS TO PERFORM AT JFSNJ CAFÉ EUROPA Jewish Family Service of North Jersey's Café Europa will be held Tuesday, September 9. The Syncopated Seniors will tap dance to standards and show tunes. For over 25 years, this troupe has been performing in Bergen and Passaic County. JFSNJ's Café Europa is a social and supportive program designed for Holocaust survivors. Monthly meetings are held at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Lunch and a variety of programming are provided. Transportation can be arranged. Call Melanie Lester, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 973595-0111. KESHER CAREER COALITION OFFERS MENTORING PROGRAM We want to remind congregants that our Mentoring program, designed to support members during their searches for employment, is in place. We encourage anyone interested in becoming either a mentee or a mentor to submit an application on the following websites: Application to be a Mentee: www.cbsteaneck.org/kesher-mentee-app Application to be a Mentor: www.cbsteaneck.org/kesher-mentor-app Leah Stromer, Coordinator of the Kesher Career Coalition Mentoring Program, will contact you after you apply online. Leah has contacted the people who applied to be mentees, seeking to meet regularly with someone in their field. She also contacts the volunteer-mentor applicants from our seven participating synagogues to develop suitable matches. The Coalition works closely with Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson (Teaneck) and Jewish Family Service of North Jersey. If circumstances warrant, participants are referred, and are also informed of job search workshops that are offered by those offices. 16 SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE . . . Nina Gold & Mark Meisel Thank you for your donations, over the summer, of school supplies for needy children. We received great supplies that will help lots of kids start their school year on the right foot. These supplies will be distributed through the Center for Food Action. During the High Holidays the Social Action Committee will once again be running a food drive. The concept of running a food drive during the High Holidays was started by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Mazon runs a national appeal called “The Corners of Our Field,” which is premised on the Jewish tradition of setting aside the corners of one’s fields for the poor and for strangers. From now through October 3 before sundown, when Yom Kippur begins, we will be collecting, at the shul, non-perishable food donations for local food pantries that serve our neighbors who are in need: the Center For Food Action, St. Anne’s in Fair Lawn, and Fair Lawn Human Services. During Rosh Hashanah services, grocery bags and a flyer reminding you of the food drive appeal will be located in the shul lobby. As we prepare for the High Holidays, and when we fast on Yom Kippur, let us remember the many people in our community who fast involuntarily because they don’t have enough food to eat. In previous years we have collected hundreds of bags of food to donate. We hope we can continue to build on this tradition with your generous donations of non-perishable food items, as well as checks and/or supermarket gift cards. The following is a list of suggested foods needed by the food pantries: In addition, during the High Holidays we will be working with the Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities (J-ADD) to sell beautiful flower arrangements for Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot. Flowers by J-ADD employs people with developmental disabilities in productive and meaningful work. Please consider ordering your Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot flowers through J-ADD. Ordering details and contact information to come. The Social Action Committee welcomes all congregants to participate in our projects. There are many ways that members can participate, from helping out with a few phone calls, bringing in clothing or food donations, becoming a committee member, and helping us run one of the existing programs or creating a new one. Thanks for supporting our projects. Mark Meisel & Nina Gold What Does Hunger Look Like? Hunger has many faces: A parent skipping meals so her children can eat, a child going to bed with an empty stomach, a recently-unemployed man making do with a watered-down can of soup for his dinner so he can save the rest for breakfast, a mom feeding her two teenagers oatmeal for dinner several times a month, an elderly man going through a dumpster outside a local restaurant. Each of these people has a name and story; each lives in our community, and all of them turned to our local food shelters for help. Please support our food drives. Canned Meat (tuna, chicken, etc.) Canned Soups Canned Vegetables Macaroni & Cheese Peanut Butter & Jelly Cereal (kids’ cereal welcome) Dry Milk (e.g., boxed Parmalat) Supermarket Gift Cards (you can use your scrip ) Beans Rice Pasta Baby Formula and Diapers 100% Juice Nutritional Supplements (e.g., Ensure) Checks made out to Center for Food Action 17 BREADS FOR TASHLICH On Rosh Hashanah we Jews have a ceremony called Tashlich. We go to the ocean, a stream or a river to pray and throw bread crumbs into the water, symbolically, throwing away our sins into the flowing water. Occasionally, people ask what kind of bread crumbs should be thrown. Here are suggestions for breads which may be most appropriate for specific sins and misbehaviors: For ordinary sins For erotic sins For particularly dark sins For complex sins For twisted sins For tasteless sins For sins of indecision For sins committed in haste For sins of chutzpah For substance abuse For use of heavy drugs For petty larceny For auto theft For timidity/cowardice For ill-temperedness For silliness, eccentricity For not giving full value For jingoism, chauvinism For excessive irony For unnecessary chances For telling bad jokes, puns For war-mongering For dressing immodestly For causing injury to others For lechery, promiscuity For being holier than thou For abrasiveness For dropping in without notice For over-eating For impetuosity For indecent photography For raising your voice For pride, egotism For sycophancy For being overly smothering For laziness For trashing the environment - White bread French bread Pumpernickel Multigrain Pretzels Rice Cakes Waffles Matzo Fresh bread Stoned Wheat Poppy Seed Stollen Caraway Milk Toast Sourdough Nut Bread Shortbread Yankee Doodles Rye Bread Hero Bread Corn Bread Kaiser Rolls Tarts Tortes Hot Buns Bagels Grits Popovers Stuffing Quick Bread Cheesecake Challah Puff Pastry Brownies Angel Food Cake Any long loaf Dumplings Wishing you and yours a wonderful and peaceful New Year! MEN’S PROGRESS CLUB Seth Seigel-Laddy Another summer has passed, and now suddenly the kids are back to school, and we are starting to prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As I reflect back on my first year as President of the Men’s Progress Club I am extremely proud of all that we accomplished together. I am very much looking forward to the new year and what lies ahead for us! We have so much planned, and we’d love for you to get involved! Larry Bach (ushering.fljc@gmail.com, 973-7154461) will be coordinating our Ushers for the High Holidays. We schedule ushers on the mornings of Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26, as well as Kol Nidre evening, Friday, October 3 and Shabbat of Yom Kippur, October 4. If you haven't already, please contact Larry to sign up for a brief shift, and help to keep the decorum we've all come to expect and appreciate during our ceremonies. Along with Sisterhood, we cannot wait to welcome everyone to the Back to Shul Bar-B-Que on Sunday, September 14. We'll have LOTS of great food and great entertainment, with a special live performance from local super stars "Touch of Gray!” Come on down to the Center, kick back and relax with our shul family. Those willing and able to pitch in with set-up, cooking and/or clean-up please contact mpc@fljc.com or 917-5125591. Todd Walker (toddwlkr1@gmail.com, 201-2801179) has been recruiting all Summer for the Shofar Corps! This year we plan to bring more spirit and smiles to those in our community who cannot attend High Holiday services first hand, so that all who wish can hear the sound of the Shofar. If you know a teen who is interested in volunteering, please reach out to Todd as soon as possible. Our visitation date is Wednesday, September 17, fast upon us! We'll be decorating the Sukkah on Sunday, October 5 along with Sisterhood and the Religious School students! Paper chains, paint, crafts, tape, glue, coffee, snacks... Come by, join in the fun after dropping off the kids! We are kicking off the New Year in High Gear! Come be a part it; we need your energy! See you all soon! Warm regards, 18 SUKKOT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! Give yourself and your children a wonderful holiday experience. with a beautiful and fragrant Lulav & Etrog. Participate in the procession around the synagogue! $45 per set Please complete this form and return it to the Center Office. Deadline for ordering is September 17. Please be sure to join us for Simchat Torah FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 ----------------------------------Yes!! Please order _________ Lulav & Etrog Set/s ___________ Payment is enclosed ___________ Bill my account Name ____________________________________ Address __________________________________ as we conclude reading the Torah for the year, immediately begin reading it again, and parade around the sanctuary, singing and dancing with the Torah! The names of our Simchat Torah Chatanei will be announced in the October issue of News & Views ________________________________________E-Mail____________________________________ Phone____________________________________ 19 20 SISTERHOOD . . . Leslie Frucht 5775 TORAH FUND PINS ARE HERE! The FLJC Sisterhood has been busy planning a year of activities. If you haven’t already sent in your Sisterhood dues for 2014-2015 we hope you will do so. We are looking forward to seeing you at all of the great events and programs we have planned. Here are some of the programs/events coming up in September and October 2014: Back to Shul BBQ - Israeli Style (with MPC) – September 14 1:00 - 4:00 PM Book Club – Be prepared to discuss People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - September 21st 10:00 AM Sukkah Decorating – October 5 during Hebrew School Paid Up Membership Event – Come enjoy a night of Glass Fusion – October 23 7:30 PM Please support the Torah Fund. Contributions of any amount are appreciated and help support the Jewish Theological Seminary and other Conservative causes. I want to thank everyone who supported the underwriting of the Bima flowers, as well as placing New Year’s Greeting in News & Views. A full list of greetings will appear in the October News & Views. If you would like more information on any of the programs I mentioned you can phone the Center office, or you can email me at Sisterhood@fljc.com. The Sisterhood wishes you and your family L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu. May 5775 be a year full of peace and prosperity for you and your family. Leslie The year 5775 marks the 129th anniversary of the Jewish Theological Seminary. In honor of the Seminary’s anniversary, our goal this year is 129 women (and men). Donations of any amount are appreciated. A contribution of $180 entitles you to the special Torah Fund pin for 5775. The theme of the 5775 / 2014-2015 Torah Fund pin is Mishpacha — Family and the Tree of Life. The family in all its forms is the solid system of roots that supports our tree of life. The Torah Fund pin this year is a wide-branching tree. Torah Fund supports the Jewish Theological Seminary which trains our rabbis and cantors, supports Camp Ramah for our children, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, and the Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano. Support our Conservative Jewish heritage. See Carol Peligal for your Torah Fund pin, and wear it with pride! From: Jeff Goodman <jeff@campramah.org> Date: Fri, Jun 27, 2014 at 8:52 AM Subject: Purim Fun Run Donation To: rabbi@fljc.com Dear R. Roth, Thanks so much for sending us the proceeds from your second annual Sisterhood Purim Fun Run. Formal thank you letters will be coming from our office, but I just wanted to write you a quick thank you email for continuing to support our special needs campers. As per your instructions we are sending $1,500 to Camp Ramah in New England for the 5 Tikvah campers at camp from New Jersey. We are also sending $300 to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for the one special needs camper from New Jersey at that camp. Again thanks for thinking of our special needs campers and helping them spend the summer at Ramah - it is much appreciated. Shabbat Shalom, Jeff Jeff Goodman National Business Manager National Ramah Commission, Inc. 3080 Broadway New York, NY 10027 21 22 ON THE SHELF BOOK OF THE LUNCH Welcome back to the Max E. & Anna Bornstein Library. Mazel Tov to our Rabbi Emeritus, Simon Glustrom, on the publication of his latest book, Unfinished Journey: A Rabbi’s Bout with Doubt. Rabbi Glustrom, since leaving the active pulpit, has had time to consider all he learned at the Jewish Theological Seminary in light of his 41 years on our pulpit, and his experiences in the 23 years since then, and has evolved a personal religious philosophy for today. Many thanks, Rabbi, for donating a copy of ‘Journey’ to our Library! The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman will be reviewed by Edith Sobel at the Book of the Lunch on October 6. Professor Sardie runs the Museum of Extraordinary Things on Coney Island in 1911, featuring “living wonders,” such as his motherless webfingered daughter Coralie, who performs in a tank as the Mermaid, where her father puts her at risk for what he expects to be a profitable hoax. Ezekiel Cohen, also motherless, is an immigrant from Russia who abandons his family and faith, renames himself Eddie, and becomes a photographer. He documents the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and tries to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a Triangle worker. Publisher’s Weekly calls the book “A mesmerizing new novel about the electric and impassioned love between two vastly different souls during the volatile first decades of the 20th century.” In a vastly different vein is Ari Shavit’s My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel. A patriotic Israeli columnist for Haaretz with unbridled love for his country, he assesses unflinchingly the way in which he sees Israel today. My Promised Land will be reviewed by Rabbi Roth at the November 3 meeting of the Book of the Lunch. In The Other Half of My Soul by Bahia Abrams a college freshman girl from the Sephardic Orthodox community of Brooklyn, who has never been away from home before, falls in love with a bright young Shiite Muslim boy from Syria who has unknowingly fallen into the hands of an Islamic terrorist organization. This fast-moving thriller is a love story with adventure, and a message of tolerance and peace. MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 NOON The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman Reviewer: Edith Sobel This really is an extraordinary book and story, and exceedingly well told. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 NOON My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shavit Reviewer: Rabbi Ronald Roth This book is an eye-opener, and since Israel is on the front and inside pages of most newspapers, this book is well worth reading and talking about. We look forward to a stimulating, informative and social Fall season with the Book of the Lunch series. Please call the Center office (201-796-5040) by the Thursday before the review and we will have lunch and a welcome for you. Our fees stay the same: $80 for the series of 6 reviews: 3 in the Fall and 3 in the Spring $15 per session for members $18 per session for non members The Max E. & Anna Bornstein Library is open Thursdays from noon to 3:00 PM, and by arrangement. Very best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and peaceful 5775! Phyllis Mirchin & Fran Westerman Norma F. Pollack 23 24 HIGH HOLY DAYS REMINDERS NO Please remember that food is not permitted in any portion of the synagogue. During the High Holy Days a special room will be available for parents to feed their small children, as well as to change diapers. Your Yom Kippur fast is a reminder of those who go hungry every day. Please bring at least one bag of food for the needy to the synagogue by Yom Kippur. It will be donated to the Center for Food Action. Remember to wear non leather shoes to shul on Yom Kippur. It’s a sign of turning away from luxury – and it’s more comfortable. OUR ANNUAL SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE SHABBAT Friday - Saturday November 14 - 15, 2014 Our Scholar in Residence will be noted Biblical Scholar Prof. Sharon R. Keller, PhD Popular Lecturer and Bible Scholar In the Tri-State Area Our Kol Nidrei campaign needs you. In honor of the holiest day of the year please pledge and send the most charitable donation you can. Order your Lulav & Etrog for Sukkot. $45. Orders are due by September 17. Build and decorate your Sukkah October 5, 6, 7 & 8. HER TOPIC IS May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year! TAKE MY WIFE, PLEASE . . . Marital and Non-Marital Relations in the Bible and the Ancient World Presentations Include “Wife-Sister Stories in the Bible and in the Dead Sea Scrolls” “The Sotah Ritual” “Joseph and His Escapades” A flyer with all details and rates will be mailed in the coming weeks. Friday-evening dinner is an RSVP paid event. Please support this important Adult Education Scholar in Residence Shabbat with your attendance and Sponsorship. THANK YOU FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION COMMITTEE 25 26 27 28 FAMILY MATTERS REFUAH SH’LEMAH ♥ So nice to hear that Bea Goldman is back home again. ♥ Very happy that Sophie Richman is doing so much better following a bad fall this summer. MAZEL TOV! ♥ Mazel Tov to Fran & Sig Westerman on the marriage of their granddaughter, Dina. ♥ Mazel Tov to Linda & Jeff Herrmann on the marriage of their son, Neil. ♥ Mazel Tov to Gary & Rose Baskind on the engagement of their daughter, Amanda. MAY YOU BE COMFORTED ● Sincere condolences to Bob & Ann Sokol on the loss of Bob’s mother, Gertrude Sokol. ● Deepest condolences to Adell Lang on the passing of her husband, Dr. Gerhard Lang, a long-time member of the Religious Affairs Committee and of our High Holidays choir. As always, thanks to Robin and Dassa, who keep us apprised of your Family Matters. Very best wishes to you all for a health, happy and peaceful 5775! 29 מזל טוב לּבר מצוה MAZEL TOV TO OUR BAR MITZVAH ARIEL WILK אריאל יונתן ּבן רונאן ולאה צינה September 13, 2014 18 Elul 5774 Parsha: Ki Tavo As Ariel ascends the bima as a bar mitzvah he will share his simcha with his parents, Laura and Ronen, and with his brother, Daniel Elan. Ariel enjoys music, swimming, acting and Pokemon. While his career plans are still in flux, some possibilities include business owner, chef, or scientist. However, right now Ariel’s Bar Mitzvah project is raising funds for the Foundation for the Families of Fallen Paratroopers and the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. ALL IT TAKES IS 1½ HOURS A WEEK . . . Did you know that Bergen County has the greatest number of senior adults in all of New Jersey? And that many of these people are in their 80‘s and 90’s, and are not able to get out to shop or to cook for themselves? Jewish Family & Children’s Service runs a KOSHER MEALS ON WHEELS program every day! It is staffed solely by volunteers who deliver hot lunches to 30 – 35 seniors each day. Volunteers are needed!! Can you give 1½ hours per week to deliver meals? For information call: Jewish Family & Children’s Service (201) 796-5151 or visit our office at 17-10 River Road Fair Lawn A LETTER FROM OUR BAR MITZVAH My name is Ariel Wilk, and I will be a Bar Mitzvah on September 13. For my mitzvah project I have decided to raise money for, and donate a portion of the gifts I will receive, to two organizations that provide services to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). I have chosen these organizations because my father is a former IDF paratrooper. I have two cousins currently serving in the IDF, and I was in Israel in July and witnessed firsthand the escalation of hostilities along the Israeli/Gaza Strip border, and gained a better understanding of the sacrifices that IDF soldiers make to protect Israel. The first organization is the Foundation for the Families of Fallen Paratroopers (also known as “Dad’s Friends”). It is a strictly voluntary organization, managed and operated by current and former paratroopers, which provides support and assistance to the wives and children of fallen paratroopers. Activities it conducts include two 4 day outings per year (one at Hanukah and one during Passover), and a week-long summer camp. It is funded solely through donations. You can learn more about the Foundation at http:// aba35.co.il/FAQ2.asp. The second organization that I am raising funds for, and will contribute to, is the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). FIDF provides financial, educational, social, cultural and recreational support to the men and women serving in the IDF. This includes support provided to the families of fallen soldiers; financial, social and emotional support to soldiers who have chosen to leave their countries of origin to serve in the IDF (“Lone Soldiers”), including academic scholarships to eligible Lone Soldiers; recreational programs for wounded soldiers; and building, refurbishing and maintaining recreational and sports centers, cultural and educational facilities, synagogues, memorial rooms, auditoriums, and “soldiers’ homes” for soldiers throughout Israel. If you would like to make a donation to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, please do so through my donation page: http;//www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/arielwilk/ arielwilksfundraisingpage. Thank you for supporting me during my journey. Ariel Wilk 30 THE HOWARD & JOSHUA HERMAN EDUCATION CENTER . . . Judy Gutin Opening Assembly & Registration Sunday, September 7th Parents and students are invited to join us Sunday, September 7 when our doors will open on a new school year. 9:00 - 9:25 AM Registration and check-in for new and returning students will take place in the lobby. Please be sure to take care of tuition and fees before September 7. Bring your completed Medical/Emergency form. All forms will be available so that you can proceed quickly to our opening assembly. 9:25 AM Opening Assembly will begin promptly with the blast of the Shofar. What’s new? Web-based Educational Programs for 2014 - 2015 This year we are advancing our use of technology in our school. PrayerTech, a special new digital Hebrew program for 3rd-7th graders, will enable our educators to bring learning and Hebrew review to a new level of enjoyment for our students. JetsIsrael: Our 7th graders will be participating in a Distance Learning Course through the Jets Israel educational website. Ot LaBaot App: Our 2nd graders will use a new learning App specifically created for their text book, eliminating the need for a classroom workbook. Prayertech: Our new Digital Hebrew Curriculum Students in 3rd through 6th grades will be using a new online curriculum to supplement their Prayerbased Hebrew curriculum from Torahaura, our text book company. Torahaura describes their new Web based program in the following description: “PrayerTech is a multi-platform integrated system for facilitating student development of Hebrew prayer comprehension and performance skills. Students can log on using a tablet (iOS or Android) or any PC or Mac computer to do work on their own. Through the successful completion of activities students earn game time towards major (non-teaching) games that are part of this system.” How does PrayerTech work for our students? The PrayerTech student app is a multifaceted tool. It will enrich classroom Hebrew experiences, and serve as either homework or a resource for the classroom. PrayerTech is organized by the prayer. Each prayer offers 4-5 activities that engage students with the language elements of the prayer. For each prayer, students make a recording of their prayer performances, and send the recordings to their teachers via email. JetsIsrael Course for Zayin Students Our 7th graders will be collaborating and studying with the 7th graders at the Jewish Community Center of Paramus. Through the JetsIsrael educational Web site, our classes will remain in their own synagogues, while signing in virtually to the educational Web site at the same time, and communicating via the Internet while learning. A trip to the Jewish Heritage Museum is planned in November, with both schools participating. Students are excited about this study partnership. Shabbat School for all Grades: A New Shabbat Family Experience Shabbat School is an innovative idea that we will implement for the first time on Shabbat morning, December 7. All students and parents are asked to “save the date” and plan to attend what we hope will be a very meaningful and fun-filled Shabbat experience. Faculty will join us as we learn by grade, gather together for a special Torah reading, and end our morning on the Bima, helping to lead the concluding prayers. Look for additional details in the Fall. Junior Congregation Meets Weekly Throughout the Year Throughout the school year we are grateful to Leor Wasser, our weekly Junior Congregation Facilitator, for leading a lively participatory service. Students in our upper grades (3-7) are required to attend 8 times a year. Each class will be assigned Shabbatot when they are responsible for leading Junior Congregation. Parents are welcome! Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur Junior Congregation The High Holidays are already upon us. We encourage all students to participate in our Junior Congregation program on both days of Rosh HaShanah, as well as Yom Kippur. Our teachers are busy preparing for what we know will be an exciting year of learning. We look forward to greeting each of you as we begin our Jewish Journey together. As is our tradition at this time of the year, I would like to wish each of you and your families a Healthy, Happy and Sweet New Year. May we see Peace in Israel. Shana Tova U’Mitukah, שנה טובה ומתוקה Judy Gutin Principal 31 SHIRLEY & PAUL PINTEL PRESCHOOL Carol Weber This is truly going to be a sweet new year for the preschool! Over the summer something wonderful has happened to the preschool … We have a brand-new environment! From top to bottom our school has been renovated. Fresh paint, new lights, fabulous flooring, and brand-new furniture. I want to thank the FLJC board and congregation for their support and foresight. They realized that, if we want our wonderful Preschool to survive and remain competitive, we have to bring our school environment into the 21st Century. We now have a winning formula for success; a new and innovative curriculum, a fabulous staff, and a Preschool environment that is conducive to learning. To renovate a Preschool it definitely takes a village. I want to thank the Pintel family for their generosity. Without their funding the renovation of the Preschool would not have been possible. Thanks, to Alex Shinkar for finding the superb tradesman to make the vision for the Preschool come to fruition. Thanks and gratitude to the Men’s Progress Club for helping clean out the classrooms and doing the heavy lifting. Thanks to Jerry Weiner, Gail Rottenstrich and Ellen Wertheim for their input and support of the project! I would be remiss if I did not thank my staff for cleaning out their classrooms in record time, so that the renovation could begin. Another change we have made is extending our after care hours. We now have after care until 6:00 PM, making it easier for working parents with late work schedules. I am asking all the FLJC congregants to spread the word that the FLJC Preschool is better than ever, and enrollment is ongoing! A very happy and sweet New Year to all! Carol Weber 32 UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN All events are open to anyone! Bring friends and make friends. ENDOWED FUNDS and their purposes ADULT EDUCATION Jack Sanders Fund Jeffrey M. Yagoda Fund Sunday, September 14, 1:00 PM Back to Shul BBQ Families with young children are invited to attend this fun synagogue-wide event. RSVP and payment necessary. Check the Web site for details. Thursday, September 25, 10:00 AM Rosh Hashanah Family Service Free and open to the community. Celebrate the Jewish New Year in this short family service. Thursday, September 25, Babysitting: First day Rosh Hashanah 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Available to members, children supervised by a preschool teacher while adults participate in services. Thursday, September 25, Tashlich in the Park 4:30 – 5:30 PM Join in the tradition of tossing your mistakes away in the field with stream access behind Memorial School. Casual, snacks, and socializing. Friday, September 26, Babysitting: Second day Rosh Hashanah 10:30 AM–12:30 PM Available to members, children supervised by a preschool teacher while adults participate in services. Saturday, October 4, Babysitting: Yom Kippur 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Available to members, children supervised by a preschool teacher while adults participate in services. Saturday, October 4, 7:15 PM Yom Kippur concludes At the conclusion of this holy day, children are invited onto the bima for the final shofar blast at the end of N’eilah. This is a respectful but happy celebration at the end of our most sacred day. (N’eilah service begins at 6:00 PM.) Tuesday, October 14, 6:00 PM Sukkot: Pizza in the Hut Sing, eat pizza, shake the lulav and etrog and participate in the dedication of the new preschool rooms. RSVP and small fee to cover dinner necessary. Call Carol Weber at 201-796-9434. Friday, October 17, 10:00 AM Simchat Torah for Little Ones An age-appropriate celebration of this happy holiday. Touch and see the Torah up close, do an art project and share a snack. CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS Thaler Fund GENERAL Ann Glass Fund Bud Kessler Fund Shirley Pintel Fund Bruce Salmon Fund ISRAEL TRIP SCHOLARSHIPS Diane & Abner Blumberg Fund Merle & Isadore Kenwood Fund Louis & Belle Kopf Fund MISCELLANEOUS Gabel Fund - maintenance of the Gabel tapestry NURSERY SCHOOL Harris Flax Fund Clare Green Fund RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS Irwin & Szije Gersten Fund - maintenance of religious items Cecile Roth Fund - chapel minyan Torah readers RELIGIOUS SCHOOL AWARDS Howard Herman Fund Helen & Lester Milich Fund Alan Marc Schreiber Fund YOUTH ACTIVITIES Max Findling / Rosner Zmigrod Society Holocaust Museum trips Robert Lazerowitz Fund Jeffrey Meyers Fund - Jewish education June & David Salzman Fund - Jewish education Find the latest on all of our events at fljc.com/community/families-with-youngchildren Questions or comments? Write tots@fljc.com. 33 THE GENEROUS HEART WILL BE ENRICHED YAHRZEIT FUND CLARE GREEN NURSERY FUND Rose & Gary Baskind & Family Mazal Tov and best wishes on the engagement of your daughter, Amanda to Dr. Jonathan Korngold Ellie & Jerry Weiner HOWARD HERMAN FUND Religious School Scholarships Natalie Klein Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery Fran & Sig Westerman BUD KESSLER FUND General Purposes Anita & Jay Brunn In honor of Josh’s marriage. Loads of good luck to the both of them Fran Kessler Natalie Klein Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery Fran Kessler ROBERT LAZEROWITZ FUND Youth Activities Natalie Klein Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery Carol & Joe Peligal RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Bob Sokol & Family In memory of your beloved mother and grandmother, Gertrude Bena & Steven Weil CECILE ROTH MEMORIAL FUND Chapel Minyan Best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery – Bruce Ben Perla Rhoda Pollack RABBI’S TZEDAKAH FUND Gina Pasirstein & Family In memory of your beloved husband, father and grandfather, Alex Rose Lieberman Suzanne & Arthur Mahler In honor of your 60th Anniversary Ann & Herb Lefkowitz 34 Harry Blankenstein Evelyn Blankenstein Heinz Pasternak The Pasternak Family Myra Sherman Jennifer Cohen Julius Kahn Marion Raindorf Esther Raphaelson Janet Denbaum Abraham Ruthazer Jack Ruthazer Jerome Goldberg Harriet Goldberg Louis Redbord Edgar Redbord Estelle Harris Harold Harris Gus Singer Sydelle Resnick Singer Jean Kramer Stuart Kramer Sadie Siemon Marilyn Fromkes Barbara & Phil Steinberg Pauline Lazar Irwin Lazar Steven Melamed Aida Melamed Gilda Stave Gelfand Maxine Stave 35 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT PARAMUS, NJ A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR May you have a kiss from your beloved, a smile from a child, a warm, cozy home with the aroma of good food. May you have a merciful IRS agent, good friends and helpful neighbors. May you enjoy the fruits of your labors, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and may the sun shine on your face – but not too much. May your computer and your refrigerator both be safe from spam, and may your e-mail bring you only good news, and jokes that are not as old as you. May you finally learn to understand what it is that you are supposed to eat; is it more pasta and fewer carbs, or less pasta and more carbs, or is pasta a carb, in which case you can’t eat it! Should you drink more coffee for the sake of its invigorating caffeine, or should you drink decaffeinated coffee, which is healthier? May your occupation, whatever it may be - homemaker or doctor, lawyer or tailor, house husband or stock broker – give you much satisfaction. And may it also earn you enough money to send your children through college and graduate school, and to support them ever after. May you see a rainbow; may your child hit a home run with the bases loaded; may your team score a touchdown. May the Sabbath Queen enter your home and enable you to follow the teachings of the Torah with love. In this New Year that now begins may your hair, your teeth, and your stocks not fall, and may your blood pressure, your cholesterol and your mortgage rate not rise. May you win the lottery, and thereby acquire a host of long-lost relatives, and may you remember the Fair Lawn Jewish Center when you win. May your children and grandchildren receive good reports in school, and may you receive a good report also from your dentist, from your ophthalmologist, from your dermatologist, from your cardiologist, from your gastroenterologist, from your podiatrist, from your urologist, and ultimately from your G-d. Whenever it rains may you have an umbrella. May Israel stop being the punching bag of the United Nations. May she be able to live a normal life at last. And may she bless the world with her morality, her wisdom and her creativity. And may we support her wholeheartedly, and love her because, with all her faults, she is family. And may we meet on the streets of Jerusalem in the year to come, and, if the Messiah arrives, may we recognize him or her. May this year be happy, healthy and prosperous for you and your loved ones. 36