EAST MIDWOOD JEWISH CENTER BULLETIN

EAST MIDWOOD
JEWISH CENTER
BULLETIN
THEY SHALL BUILD ME A SANCTUARY AND
I SHALL DWELL AMONG THEM
PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGE
by TOBY SANCHEZ
According to our constitution and bylaws the job of the
president or co-presidents is to be the chief executive
officers of the East Midwood Jewish Center; preside at
meetings of the members and the board, hire, evaluate or
remove the office and building personnel, but not the
rabbi, cantor, Talmud Torah principal or executive director staff; we also sign all official documents and
checks, and authorize routine or emergency expenditures
for the operation or repair of the building and appoint
committees and their chairs.
Randy Grossman and I don’t plan or conduct our Shabbat and holiday services, which is the job of Rabbi Carl,
Cantor Levine and the Ritual Committee, chaired for
many years by Steve Appell. We consult on but we
don’t actually plan our holiday and educational events,
which is the job of our fantastic director of Family &
Education Services, Audrey Korelstein and her Room J
Committee. We don’t run the building, which is the job
of hard working building staff (Anderson Waithe, Bernard Jenkins, Tommy Stevens, Jacques Almenor and our
new employee Loukas Adamatios[Danny]) under the
direction of our executive director, Edith Maiman.,
March/April/May 2015
Nisan/Iyar/Sylvan 5775
a regular shul attendee or get involved with the minyanim, but every month there are more and more people
who find something to interest them at EMJC. Our regular offerings (our lunch and learns, the monthly Shabbat
in the Round, Shabbat A BimBom, and Bagels, Lox and
Talk) plus the annual Megillah reading and Purim Spiel,
and our new NightShul classes bring in new people, as
well as the regulars (some of whom are members and
some are not). Many more people now come into the
building, because we have swimming lessons and open
swims, karate, rhythmic gymnastics, basketball, soccer,
hockey; yoga and Ulpan Hebrew. Over 100 people come
in every day for the many activities of the Senior League
of Flatbush, under the very able direction of Lenore
Friedman (discussions, exercise, dancing, mah jong,
bridge, and lunch and holiday events. Our ballrooms and
small rooms are in great demand for simchas, Purim parties, concerts and other events. We aim to serve the entire community, without diminishing or jeopardizing our
adherence to Jewish traditions.
Randy and I are nominally in charge of everything that
happens here, but we can’t possibly handle it all alone.
So we welcome your suggestions and your time, as well
as your donations. Much of what happens at EMJC is
entirely run by volunteers: High Holiday preparation,
the annual dinner Dance, Sisterhood’s year round and
annual events, the Kaddish & Men’s luncheons and occasional lectures, preparation of the bulletin and our
weekly blasts (now significantly upgraded in appearance,
So what do we do? We think up ways to get people into thanks to Stephanie Luxenberg, Rebecca Phillips and
Audrey Korelstein). If you have an idea and can help
our building so that they may discover a welcoming
implement it, please contact us. We rarely say no – we
place to be Jewish or to learn more about being Jewish.
usually say, great, let’s figure out how to do it.
We have restored EMJC to the 7 day a week facility that
it used to be. That’s why we have brought in all sorts of
new activities and are always on the look out to add
more. Not everything works perfectly the first time, but
This issue of the bulletin is filled with pictures of all the
we can’t wait for perfection – we have to give people
things that go on at EMJC.
reasons to find out what EMJC is all about.
As we have all read over and over again, this is a secular
age, people say they are “spiritual” but not religious and
they don’t care about the differences between the various
Jewish denominations. Not everyone who attends our
events or a bar/bat mitzvah is going to pay dues, become
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SERVICES at EMJC
MORNING SERVICES
Sundays & Legal Holidays
8:00AM
Mondays – Fridays
7:30AM
Saturdays
7:30AM & 9:00AM
EVENING SERVICES
Sundays – Thursdays
7:30PM
Friday
Apr 3…...6;30PM
Apr 10….9:00AM
Apr 10….6:30PM
Apr 17….6:30PM
Apr 24….6:30PM
May 1.….6:30PM
May 8…..6:30PM
May 15…6:30PM
May 22…6:30PM
May 29....6:30PM
Saturday
Apr 4…...7:15PM
Apr 5…...9-10AM(Sun)
Apr 9……6:30PM(Thu)
Apr 11….7:30PM
Apr 18….7:30PM
Apr 25….7:45PM
May 2…..7:45PM
May 9…..8:00PM
CANDLELIGHTING
Apr 3…....7:04PM
Apr 4……8:04PM
Apr 10 ….7:11PM.
Apr 17…..7:18PM
Apr 24…..7:26PM
May 1…...7:33PM
May 8…...7:40PM
May 15….7:47PM
May 22….7:54PM
CALENDAR
Sat Mar 28……Human Rights Shabbat—Lunch and
Learn…………...12:30-2:30PM
Sun Mar 29 .….Little Learners...Rm J…..…9:30-11:15AM
Sat Apr... 4…...Shabbat Katan...Fersko Rm…....11:15-12N
Sun Apr 12…...Yom HaShoah Observance with Madison
Jewish Center………………….......3-4PM
Wed Apr 15…..Yom HaShoah Service ………...4-5:30PM
Thurs Apr 16….NightShul………………….7:30-9:30PM
Fri Apr 17…….Shabbat-A-Bimbom..Rm J……..6:30-9PM
Sat Apr 18…….Shabbat Katan...Fersko Rm…...11:15-12N
Sat Apr 18…….Kaddish and Mens’ Club Shabbat
…………. …………………………………9AM-12:30PM
Thurs Apr 23….Nightshul…………….…….7:30-9:30PM
Fri Apr 24…….Shabbat in the Round……….....6:30-9PM
Sat Apr 25…….Sisterhood Shabbat and Kiddush
…………………………………………….…...9AM-2PM
Sun Apr 26…….Little Learners……RmJ..9:30-11:15AM
Sun Apr 26….....Katya Grineva Concert…Grand Ballroom
……………………………………………….2:30PM-4PM
Thu Apr 30…....NightShul………….…….....7:30-9:30PM
Sat May 2……...Shabbat Katan..Fersko Rm…...11:15-12N
Sun May 3……..Little Learners….RmJ…...9:30-11:15AM
Fri May 8……...Shabbat in the Round………....6:30-9PM
Fri May 15…….Shabbat-A-Bimbom..RmJ……..6:30-9PM
Sat May 16…….Shabbat Katan…Fersko Rm… 11:15-12N
Thursdays May 7, 14, 21….NightShul….7:30-9:30PM
SAVE THE DATES
ANNUAL DINNER DANCE
SATURDAY
JUNE 14
TUESDAY MAY 12
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THOUGHTS FROM RABBI MATT CARL
Though it may still feel like Winter, it is officially Spring and I hear that, in some quarters, it's actually starting
to look and feel that way! Though we associate the beginning of spring with the holiday of Pesach, Jewish tradition makes other seasonally-appropriate connections, too. Among them are Birkat Ha-Ilanot, the blessing on
(blooming) trees:
‫ברוך אתה ה” אלוהינו מלך העולם שלא חיסר בעולמו כלום וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובות ליהנות בהם בני אדם‬
Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheynu Melekh haOlam, sh’lo hisar b’Olamo kloom, uvara vo b’riyot tovot v’eelanot
tovot lehanot ba-hem b’ney adahm
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who causes nothing to be lacking in His universe and
Who created good creatures and good trees in it so that people can enjoy them.
The occurrence and wording of the blessing make sense: we tend to bless God for those things that benefit us
and happen at specific times (think holidays.) We also make blessings on anything enjoyable (Birkhot haNehenin.) But there is more to this practice than simply making the blessing. First, you have to see the tree. It is not
enough to know that this is when it will happen or to hear that someone else saw it. Second, it is the blossom or
flower of the tree that you must see. Third, we say the blessing only when we see this happen to/on a tree that
produces edible fruit. Finally, each person says this blessing only once per year, upon seeing such a bloom for
the first time.
This blessing fits into a category known as Birkhot haRe’iyah, blessings of seeing, made when seeing things:
rainbows, lightning, certain people, oceans and, of course, trees in bloom. Sometimes it is hard to look at something in nature and see a spark of God in it, have a spiritual experience from it. How much harder it is to look at
people, especially the ones you don’t like, and see God in them. All the soft-spoken rabbi talk about “the image
of God” in the world won’t make that easy. These blessings help. The rule isn’t that one should go out looking
for such a tree. When you go out, starting around now, you should try to observe everything around you; don’t
necessarily look for a tree, but when you spot one–which means you have to observe everything around you–say
this blessing.
The blessing is said (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) around this time of year. Despite the cold this year,
this is the time when the trees begin to bloom. But I posit that there is another reason. We start paying attention
to blossoming trees now because in a certain way, that’s what this month of Nisan is all about. Nisan is a time to
remember that redemption is on its way. Just as we must do with trees, this month, this week, if not all the time,
we have to start looking around. Miracles (Nisan from Nes, miracle) can happen at any time anywhere. Most
scholars hold that you can’t say Birkat haIlanot after the actual fruit comes out; the whole point of the blessing
is to thank God for potential. This is a particularly auspicious time to be thinking about potential. Our redemption as a people and as individuals may seem hidden; it may seem to cold this year for the trees to blossom. But
the potential is there... Only by remembering to bless it will we remember–and merit–to see it.
An early Hag Sameah!
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PESACH GUIDES: ONLINE:
http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/ AND
Conservative Movement’s 2011 Pesah Guide
This guide is based on the Guide that was prepared for the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards by Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz and accepted by the Committee on December 12, 1984 with a number of changes that
reflect subsequent decisions of theCommittee on Jewish Law and Standards and the ongoing changes in food production. Additional material on smooth top electric ranges, medicines, cosmetics, and toiletries has been added. This document has been prepared by Rabbi Barry Starr, a member of the KashrutSubcommittee of the Committee on Jewish Law
and Standards, and Rabbi Paul Plotkin, Chair of the Kashrut Subcommittee.
Of all the festivals, Pesah is the one that not only requires the most effort to prepare for, but by halakhic standards is the
most complex. Yet most Jews are committed to doing their best to observe the laws of Pesah. Here we are providing a
set of guidelines for Pesah food and preparations. We will present some principles first and then proceed to specifics. Of
course we cannot cover every possibility in this brief outline. Please contact Rabbi Szajman if you have any questions
at RabbiTziona@stny.rr.com or 607-723-7461.
Because of the strictness of the halakhah regarding Pesah, the need to remove hametz physically from the home and diet
(and/or sell your hametz for the duration of the holiday), and the complexity of food preparation procedures in the modern world, there may be great variance in the approach of different Rabbis to Pesah halakhah. We cannot present all of
the various approaches. We have chosen a path that follows Jewish Law while at the same time enabling our communities to observe Pesah with joy.
FOODS AND FOOD STUFF
The Torah prohibits the ownership of hametz (leavened grains) during Pesah. Therefore, we arrange for the sale of the
hametz to a non-Jew. The transfer, mekhirat hametz, is accomplished by appointing an agent, usually one’s rabbi, to
handle the sale. It is a valid and legal transfer of ownership. At the end of the holiday, the agent arranges to repurchase
the items on behalf of the owner, since the hametz is again permitted. If ownership of the hametz was not transferred
before the holiday, the use of any such hametz remains prohibited after the holiday (hametz sheavar ha-Pesah).
Since the Torah prohibits the eating of hametz during Pesah, and since many common foods contain some hametz, guidance is necessary when shopping and preparing for Pesah. An item that is kosher all year round, and that is made with
no hametz, and is processed on machines used only for that item and nothing else may be used with no special Pesah
supervision. White milk would be an example of such a product. In most cases however, since we do not know enough
about the processing of products or the sources of ingredients products
ought to have Pesah supervision.
PROHIBITED FOODS include the following: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers or coffees containing cereal
derivatives i.e. anything made with wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye. Any food containing these grains or derivatives of
these grains (the five prohibited species for Pesah) are forbidden. Foods containing flavorings, which may be derived
from alcohol produced from one of these grains which would be hametz, need Pesah supervision.
Ashkenazi Rabbinical authorities have added the following foods (kitniyot) to the above list: e.g. rice, corn, millet, beans
and peas. These and other plant foods (e.g. mustard, buckwheat and sesame seeds) are not permitted on Pesah. Although
many rabbinic authorities have prohibited the use of peanuts and peanut oil, our Movement’s Committee on Laws and
Standards has permitted their use and consumption on Pesah provided said items have proper kosher certification and no
obvious hametz. Most Sephardic authorities permit the use of all the kitniyot foods other than those that might have
come in contact with the prohibited grains. The further processed products whether liquid or solid from kitniyot are also
forbidden by most rabbinical authorities. These might include but not be limited to: corn sweetener, corn oil, soy oil and
ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Israeli products are often marked “contains “kitniyot” and, thus,
Ashkenazi Jews who do not use kitniyot need to be vigilant when purchasing Israeli products.
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What’s Coming Up at NightShul?
NightShul meets almost every Thursday/Every Week includes a social hour before learning
Wine & Cheese Social at 7:15 / Learning starts at 8:00
NightShul's learning opportunities run for three weeks in a month unless otherwise noted.
Admission is $15 for one night, $30 for all three nights in a month.
NIGHTSHUL IN APRIL
April 16, 23, 30
Prayer and Poetry Pack a Punch: The Three Festival and High Holiday Liturgy
Cantor Sam Levine
The magnificence and power of Hebrew prayer come to full fruition in the liturgies of the Three Festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot)
and, especially, the High Holydays. In this three-week course, we will look at how the units of prayer are put to work to accentuate these
high-points on the Jewish calendar. We will also consider the use of piyyutim (liturgical poems) as adornments to the matbei’a hat’fillah
(statutory prayers) and examine how the themes of these special days are brought into full relief by the great medieval poets who authored them..
History or Hagiography: the Rabbis' biographies of themselves
Rabbi Matt Carl
From the backs of baseball cards to rockumentaries, every medium has its own way of documenting the lives of its favorite characters.
Talmudic literature is no exception. In this course, we will delve deeply into a few of the Talmud's stories that (sometimes painfully, humorously and/or outlandishly) describe how these guys became our great Sages.
Hebrew Chant: A spiritual approach to devotion (April 23 only)
Lisa Zbar
To experience the Jewish spiritual practice of Hebrew chant, join Lisa Zbar of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and co-founder of Shir
Chadash: The Brooklyn Jewish Community Chorus for one NightShul evening in April and chant phrases from Psalms, Torah, and liturgy. Experience music inspired by Rabbi Shefa Gold, as well as the Nava Tehila Ensemble from Jerusalem. Some texts may be familiar to
you. For instance, Ashrei, Ma Gadlu, Romemu, Ozi v'zimrat yah, Oseh Shalom, V'ahavta from the Shema, and others will be new.
NIGHTSHUL IN MAY
May 7, 14, 21
The Prophetic Experience*
Dr. Rabbi Barat Ellman
Adjunct professor of Old Testament, Fordham University
Adjunct professor of Bible, Jewish Theological Seminary
What does it mean to be a prophet? The prophetic experience in Israel as represented in the Tanakh was both sublime and terrible. Isaiah
and Ezekiel had to perform uncomfortable and degrading symbolic actions in order to warn Israel of the consequences of its behavior.
Hosea’s personal life – his marriage, his parenting—was wholly taken over and made to dramatize the relationship between God and
God’s people. Jeremiah suffered physically and psychically in the service of the divine program. In this course, we will read passages
from the books of Hosea, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah which shed light on the nature of the prophetic experience and the extraordinary
effect it had on those chosen by God to be God’s mouthpiece. A few prophetic accounts from other ancient near cultures will be brought
for comparison’s sake.
*The Prophetic Experience is sponsored by Marsha and Eliot Solomon in memory of Karl Solomon.
Prayer and Poetry Pack a Punch: The Three Festival and High Holiday Liturgy
Cantor Sam Levine
The Ashkenazi musical tradition that is used in the synagogue today began to take shape as early as the 9th century CE.
Some of the melodies that have been passed down to us are likely older than that. In this class, we will look at the development of nusach ashkenaz (Ashkenazic musical tradition) and how it evolved into nusach america in North America. We will
unpack the modes, motifs, and melodies of the synagogue service and see how each individual unit of t’fillah
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FILLING IN THE GAPS
by Ellen Levitt
There are so many books, magazines, newspapers and online material that I wish I could read that it
often seems like a futile quest. And then there is the reading material I need to read in order to do
my writing on a daily and weekly basis. Whew. It’s easy to feel intimidated but important to keep a
sense of perspective, and read as much as one can. There are so many Jewish texts, books, biographies and other things that I want to read, that I often feel like I am behind the 8 ball.
We Jews are known as the people of the Book, and we have always been encouraged to read and
study the Torah and other scripture. The concept of budgeting time to study Jewish texts even goes
back to Joshua 1:8 (“You shall think about it [Torah] day and night.”) And the idea that even a little
bit of study is better than none is heartening to busy people such as myself.
But one of my personal problems is that I am a fitful, picky reader. I do have certain favorite topics
(urban history, Jewish-American life, architecture, graphic novels on modern life, Harry Potter, etc.)
but other times I pick out a bunch of books and decide quickly that they are poor fits. However, in
the past few months I have gone through a Chaim Potok phase. After years of passing over his novels, I finally read “My Name is Asher Lev” and I am nearing the end of “The Chosen.” And I have
enjoyed them greatly. I haven’t agreed with every element of these books, but it is good to grapple
with what you read.
Guilty admission here: I picked up the Potok novels, and have read much of them in bits and pieces
at shul. I am conflicted about this, but at certain times during services I have quickly completed my
davening and then picked up the books, and read a few pages. Both these books are so deeply tied to
the American Jewish experience, in fact, to the Brooklyn Jewish experience, that there is something
comfortable and enjoyable about reading them in a beautiful Jewish building. Yes, I know that it
interrupts my Kavanah (concentration on prayer), but I have found myself pulled more strongly into
the Jewish discussions and themes elaborated upon in Potok’s writing.
Everyone has certain gaps in their reading history, and many people do not even realize how big a
deficit they may have. It does become a weight on one’s shoulders. Sometimes you may wonder
why you didn’t read certain books when you were younger. But whatever time you pick up a book,
realize that it’s good that you are finally reading it. And if it is a Jewish book, or a book concerned
with Jewish topics, it adds to your knowledge. Go for it!
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NEWS IN REVIEW
Interfaith World Dance Party
by Sally Hipscher
What a wonderful time we had on Sunday, February 8 at EMJC when 35 funloving, eager, adventurous congregants from Our Lady of Refuge (OLR), Church
of the Nativity, and EMJC came together to share our cultural traditions and heritages in music and dance. Teens from OLR taught us Latin dances: the merengue, salsa, and batchata, traditional Haitian dances, an American country line
dance, Cotton Eyed Joe. They also performed an African dance for us. We had a
ballroom dance lesson from a congregant from the Church of the Nativity. In addition we learned some Israeli folk dances, a Greek circle dance and learned the
basics of American Square dance with a lively Virginia Reel.
All who attended agreed that this was a fun event, and the overwhelming feeling is that we should add this event to our yearly calendar. Special thanks to Shereen Rosenthal for coming up with the idea
and making this event a reality. To her team of volunteers who helped
at the door and took care of refreshments we tip our hats.
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IS “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” A TRUE PICTURE OF THE SHTETL?
Several explorations of the history of the shtetl have recently been published, which provide a deeper look at life in the shtetl, than
that provided in the beloved musical, "Fiddler on the Roof.” Here is a description of one of these studies.
The Golden Age Shtetl: A New History of Jewish Life in East Europe by Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern, Princeton
University Press,2014. $29.95 hardcover with photographs
The publisher describes this book as follows: “Theshtetl was home to two thirds of East Europe’s Jews in the eighteen and nineteenth centuries, yet it has long been one of the most neglected and misunderstood chapters of the Jewish experience. Challenging
popular misconceptions of the shtetl as an isolated, ramshackle Jewish village stricken by poverty and pogroms, Petrovsky-Shternn
argues that in its heyday from the1790s to the 1840s, the shtetl was a thriving Jewish community as vibrant as any in Europe. The
shetl in essence, was a Polish private town, belonging to a Catholic magnate, administratively run by the tsarist empire, but economically driven by Jews. It success hinged on its unique position in this triangle of power- as did its ultimate suppression. The
author reconstructs the rich social tapestry of these market towns, chronicling how shtetl Jews traded widely, importing commodities from France, Austria, Prussia, and the Ottoman Empire. The book describes family life, dwellings, trading stalls, and taverns,
books and religious life, and the bustling marketplace with its Polish gentry, Ukrainian peasants and Russian policemen.”
KUDOS TO DANIEL KASS, MD
“Our Danny”, son of Rabbi and Miryom Kass, has been appointed Director of the Dorothy P. and Richard Simmons Center for
Interstitial Lung disease in Pittsburgh. The Center is one of the preeminent centers for clinical care and research in ILD in the
world.
Dr. Kass graduated with Phi Beta Kapa honors from Columbia University in 1995 and from the NYU School of Medicine in 2002.
We wish both Danny, his wife, Debby, their children and Rabbi and Miryom a hearty Mazel Tov on this exceptional honor.
C O N G R A T UL AT IO N S A N D M A ZE L T O V T O :
D A VI D
R O C H E L L E E C K S T E I N on th e b ir th of t h e i r gran ds on Si mon Ca r l b orn t o
t he i r ch i ld ren Je re m y a n d Ga i l Fein s te in
D A VI D A N D A M Y L I EB O V on t h e b i rth of t h ei r gr and dau gh te r , Rut h Lou i s e
M U R R A Y A N D M O R A N L A N T N E R on th e b ir th of t h e i r da u ght er Al ma Yom
J A C OB AN D J A N E T Y OU N G on th e b ir th of t h ei r gr and s on Jacob Gianni Young born to their
children Richard and Orlanda Young.
AND
CONGRATULATIONS and Mazel Tov to grandparents Dr. David and Gail Hammerman and parents
Andrew and Robin Tilem on the Bar Mitzvah of
Jacob Daniel Tilem
Congratulations and Mazel Tov to SHIRLEY
STRAUSS on the bir th of her gr eat gr andson JOSHUA CARL STRAUSS to grandparents Dr. Elton and Karen Strauss and parents
Eric and Bridget Strauss.
KIDDUSH SPONSORS
March 7 Congregational Luncheon sponsored by David and Amy Liebov in honor of the naming of their
granddaughter Ruth Louise
March 21 Congregational Kiddush sponsored by Michael and Shelley Braff in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of
their daughter Emma Braff
March 28 Congregational Luncheon by Milton and Ellen Pincus in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary
Page 11
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Warren Brahms
Sanford Goldhaber
Herman Lepson
Joel Siegel
Irving Goldstein
Syras Green
Marilyn Pearce
Joyce Towber
Lillian Cohen
Michael Schwartz
Joel Hochstein
Rena Klotz
Jinah Park Kamil
Joan Greenberg
Seema Rosenthal
Dr. Nina Bickell
Carol Feldsher
Edith Tuber
Nancy Goldstein
Stephen Hoffman
Dr. Steven Kaner
Marlene Lempert
Edith Rubin
Marlene Krafchik
Phyllis Roth
Lawrence Isaacson
Thelma Gold
Shelley Braff
Milton Tapper
Mildred Gindea
Iris Brahms
Anne Binder
Susan Lubowitz
Gail Hammerman
Mr. Solomon Lapidus
Dr. Gabriel Spergel
Joyce Magenheim
Cantor Sam Levine
Miryom Kass
Phyllis Lubin
Eugenie Kroop
Sondra Brandler
Ellen Levitt
Dr. Joseph Rothman
Dr. Donald Gerber
Jessica Wells
Michael Hurwitz
Robert Rosenthal
Sally Frishberg
Arthur Geen
Robin Leitman
Diane Abrams
Richard Breyer
Michael Szajngarten
Miriam Ansis
Thomas J Kraner
Esther Daiell
Daniel Wilchins
Doris Geller
Linda Garmisa
Irwin Tawil
Roberta Wallach
Zvi Engel
Ellen Pincus
Benjamin Rosen
Courtney Walsh
Rita Meyer
David Sanua
Michael Pertain
Roni Schwartz
Melvin Klein
Richard Towber
Gail Underberg
Avrom Fischer
Barbara Wiener
June Cernitz
Judith Breyer
Edith Gothelf
Sharon Tapper
Abraham Prosky
Lynn Borodach/ Feuerman
Florence Yudenfriend
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Eugene & Leah Krakowski
Gary & Diane Abrams
Abe & Arlene Schmutter
Henry & Joyce Magenheim
Avrom & Frances Fischer-50th
Irwin Tawil & Shereen Rosenthal
Henry & Adrienne Traktman
Daniel & Ruth Shapiro
Mark & Robin Finkelstein
Harvey & Pearl Berkowsky
Leonard & Diana Susseles
Milton & Ellen Pincus—60th
David & Amy Liebov
Richard & Judith Breyer-55TH
Melvin & Susan Girshek
Michael & Janet Marcus
Joseph & Phyllis Rothstein
Daniel & Rebecca Wilchins
David & Andrea Clough
Joel & Maria Siegel
Samuel & Norma Ainbinder
Thomas & Madeline Kraner
Richard & Rena Klotz
Warren & Iris Brahms
Steven & Stephanie Kaner
Norman & Evelyn Abes
Dan Migden & Stephanie Luxenberg
David & Marjorie Sanua
Richard & Joyce Towber
Page 12
SISTERHOOD
Greetings from Sisterhood
Sisterhood started off the month of February with the
screening of the Oscar winning foreign film “Ida”. Our
movie was well-attended and was followed by a
thoughtful and provocative discussion.
On March 15 Marilyn Cohen explained and demonstrated several types of Sephardic cuisine.
Stay tuned for news of our Sisterhood Shabbat on
April 25, and our Loyalty Dinner on Tuesday, May 12.
We wish everyone a happy and healthy Pesach!
PRESIDIIUM:
Amy Nitzky, Shereen Rosenthal, Rochelle Eckstein
EMJC JOINS THE SECOND ANNUAL
WORLD WIDE WRAP
By Ed Guterman
On Superbowl Sunday, February 1, 2015 EMJC
joined 232 congregations, men’s clubs and other
gatherings across six continents to participate
again in the Second Annual World Wide Wrap,
which encourages men and women of all ages to
put on tefillin. We encouraged those who had no
experience, those who needed a refresher in technique and those who were approaching their Bar or
Bat Mitzvah to join us and they did. Among the
participants were two pre-Bar Mitzvah boys and 2
pre-Bat Mitzvah girls.
Rabbi Matt Carl officiated and explained the different opinions and traditions on tefillin, Ashekanazi and Sephardic, on how the knots are tied,
where the letters fall on the arm and the hand.
There were lots of opinions about each aspect. We
were taught the proper methods, how to recite the
brochot and gave encouragement to continue performing this mitzvah.
Many thanks to Rabbi Carl for his teaching, to
Avrom Fischer for sponsoring the Kiddush,
Audrey Korelstein for encouraging the pre-bar and
bat mitzvah students to participate and for creating
the attractive and dramatic poster and flyers.
KADDISH AND MENS’ CLUB
The Super bowl Sunday event was a huge success.
Rabbi Carl provided a keg of beer and Frances Fischer
brought a festive cake and munchies.
April 18 is our Annual Kaddish and Mens’ Club
Shabbat: During the Congregational Luncheon Father Perry, of
Our Lady of Refuge Roman Catholic Church, will speak about the
life of his friend, the late Cardinal Lustiger, the former Bishop of
Paris, who was born a Jew and always referred to himself as a
Jew.
Ed Guterman teaching
Rebecca Eluto and
Jonathan Awad
Page 13
Page 14
"The Golden Age of Cantors in Brooklyn" Celebrated at EMJC’s NightShul
EMJC’s new adult education program, NIghtShul, partnered with the Institute for Living Judaism in Brooklyn and the
Brooklyn Jewish Historical Initiative on March 19 to present the “The Golden Age of Cantors: An Evening of Stories and
Music.” Cantor Lisa B. Segal presented opening remarks. Cantor Sam Levine then moderated a discussion with four cantors intimately familiar with the subject (Robert Kievel, Joseph Malovany, Jack Mendelson, and Richard Nadel, son of
EMJC’s former choir director Abraham Nadel) about the extraordinary history of cantorial music in the borough of Brooklyn.
Cantor Levine asked the group, “Did Brooklyn have its own special style of chazzanut (cantorial singing)?” The panel was
unanimous in saying that the chazzanut heard in Brooklyn came from Europe and continued to follow Eastern European
traditions, because that was what people wanted to hear. They explained that chazzanut is prayer, not a performance such as
one hears in a concert. Every prayer has its own specific and required melody. Each cantor can bring his or her own interpretation or style, but he or she must adhere to the basic rules of the prayer. “Great chazzanut is about making perfect sense
of the words,” said one of the guest cantors. All the famous Brooklyn cantors knew how to do this and they stayed within
the framework of the traditional nusach (or rules of synagogue music). In the heyday of 20th century cantorial singing in
Brooklyn, people were familiar with the prayers and the nusach and flocked to hear the great voices.
Cantor Kievel told the audience that his father-in-law, who was the cantor for 30 years at the Brooklyn Jewish Center
(following Richard Tucker, who stayed only one year, before departing for the Metropolitan Opera), earned $5,000 in the
first year of his contract. Temple Beth El in Boro Park enlarged its building from 400 to 1800 seats in order to accommodate
the massive crowds who came to hear its famous chazzan, Mordechai Hershman.
Our guest cantors lamented that today’s congregants are far less well versed in chazzanut and nusach than those of the past
and are less likely to experience “radical amazement“ (in Abraham Joshua Hesdhel’s words) from hearing a great cantor
today. Cantor Jack Mendelson paid tribute to EMJC’s own Sam Levine, saying that “He is a great cantor who makes me
think that this tradition can go on and great cantorial singing/prayer can come back.”
This event was videotaped for future use and we plan to present additional programs on the Golden Age of Cantors.
GABRIEL PARIENTE’S REPORT ON HIS BIRTHRIGHT TRIP TO ISRAEL
As the rain pelted down around us on the dark highway, my parents drove me to JFK airport where I’d soon be departing America for the first
time to travel to my homeland. Despite the excitement and that I’d be going with one of my friends, I was still concerned about meeting people I’d never met and about our safety. However, all my feelings were assuaged as soon as our group began our journey across the country.
The natural wonders - the panoramic view of Jerusalem, Mizpeh Ramon and the Golan Heights - immediately brought me to my knees as I
saw the many beauties of a small of which the rest of the world is unaware.
The 39 people on the trip were mostly New Yorkers from CUNY schools, but there were some from Missouri, Texas, Long Island and Connecticut. Their ages ranged from 18 to 22, and they were both religious and not so religious. There were bumps along the way. As the almost
constant rain and snow , a nasty winter similar to New York’s, forced us to alter our plans, and kept us traveling for long periods on our tour
bus – but without Wi-Fi. The kibbutz where we stayed also lacked Wi-fi, but we survived. We entertained ourselves with games like Heads
Up, Karaoke or sing-alongs on the buses. Unfortunately, we did not get to hike Masada or walk with the camels, nor coin new slogans to describe our mostly indoor experiences. Yet these disappointments did not drive us apart, but brought us closer together.
These were things that drew us together: walking around the Old City, which was freezing, and seeing a Bar Mitzvah celebration outside the
city’s gates, the game of Bang! that we played following the Shabbas meal, the group discussions where we learned much about each other,
such as each one’s favorite colors, role models, goals in life and why they felt lucky to have the opportunity for this trip. .
I’ll never forget the sights and sounds of all the Israelis who were so courteous to us in the shops, although some tried to guilt trip us into buying trinkets. We ate a lot of falafel and shwarma for our lunches and lots of scrambled eggs for our breakfasts, as Israel does not offer a full
array of international cuisine.
At the trip’s half way point, we were joined by 7 Israeli soldiers who impressed me as among the best people I have ever met. Most were in
their second year of army service. In the IDF men are required to serve for a minimum of 30 months, and for women, it is 18 months. Our
soldiers were between 20 and 23 and were always funny, down to earth, and easy to talk to. We learned about their lives in Israel and they
learned about ours and were sometimes surprised by things we described. They taught us to play some Israeli party games like dunking our
heads into flour and trying to unwrap a piece of candy with our teeth with our hands behind our backs. As we did so, they pretended to be IDF
commanders training us to be soldiers. Needless to say, I ended up with flour all over my face and had nothing to show for it. “Exercise” masqueraded as many pushups assigned for not standing in straight lines or showing signs of emotions. I am happy to say that I’m not in the IDF.
Cont’d on page 19
Page 15
EMILY BRAFF’S D’VAR TORAH ON THE OCCASION OF HER BAT MITZVAH
For those who were unable to attend our services on Saturday, March 21, we reprint the excellent speech delivered by the new Bat
Mitvah, Miss Emma Braff, as it well illustrates her abilities and pays gracious tribute to those who prepared her for the event (Rabbi
Matt Carl, Cantor Sam Levine, Hebrew School /Sunday-Tuesday School Director Audrey Korelstein and her staff, Emma’s friends,
and, of course, her parents Michael and Shelly Braff.)
Shabbat Shalom everyone. I am so pleased to have the opportunity to speak here before each of you. I will be discussing my Torah
portion, V ayikra, which means “And He –God – called.” It explains a couple of different things all related to sacrifice. There are a
few different kinds of sacrifice. These kinds are all performed in different ways, and they are each performed for different reasons,
such as alleviating guilt, wanting mercy from God and, overall, to worship God.
Sacrifices were done to worship and show appreciation for God. Although sometimes they were meant to allay guilt, they were never
intended to assuage guilt for people who had intentionally continued to do what they had done wrong in the first place. The 6th century midrash, Leviticus Rabbah, states, “Let no person say, ‘I will go and do ugly and immoral things. Then I will bring a bull with
much meat and offer it as a sacrifice on the altar, and God will forgive me.’ God will not have mercy on such a person.” This is very
true. The power of sacrifice should not be abused in such a way. Even today, this statement proves true. When you apologize for
something, there is no purpose in doing so, if you are not genuine. You should never intentionally do what you have done wrong over
and over again, and then just apologize to clear your conscience; no matter what the case may be. We all make mistakes and will
continue to do so. Therefore, when we apologize for our actions, it should always be genuine.
Sacrificing animals was the basis of many Jews’ daily lives. However, much of that came to an end after the temple was destroyed.
Although this changed many things for many people, Jews continued to make sacrifices. T hey just made them in a new way. They
began to pray. Praying is more definitely a sacrifice. The early rabbis called prayer “the sacrifice of the heart,” or Avodat Halev. We
sacrifice our time to worship God, and as apologies should be genuine, prayers should be as well. When you speak each word of each
prayer, you should think about what you are actually saying and your connection with God. One thing that I have noticed about the
transition from sacrifice to prayer is that while praying, you are experiencing a much more direct communication with God. You are
directly speaking to God, whereas in sacrifice, there is an intermediary. Someone else is slaughtering the animal for you, and they are
between you and God. Nowadays, when we pray, we should take advantage of our forthright communication.
These are just a few things that I have learned while preparing for my bat mitzvah I have studied my religion in a new way, a way I
have not quite seen it before. I now know all about the different kinds of sacrifice. I now know much more relating to the prophets,
and I now know more about my history as a Jew. Aside from analyzing various texts, excerpts, portions and prayers, I have also
learned much relating how to go about my daily life. I have learned that sacrifice is important, and I strongly believe that sacrifices
should not only be made to God, but also to the people who one encounters every day. Now I am not saying to bring a bull without
blemish to your closest neighbor, but simple acts of kindness can go a long way. I’ve learned to sacrifice my time to help others.
Recently, in fact, my Hebrew school classmates and I have been working on a few projects. We have been preparing different activities for the younger kids to enjoy, and are currently working on creating new recycling bins for the ballrooms of the building. Besides
monitoring in school whenever we can, we are glad to give back to the synagogue and members of the community. These are a couple
of sacrifices we are glad to make.
I have had a splendid time speaking in front of each of you about my views and preparations, but now I would like to thank some very
important people. I would like to first thank my teachers. This includes Audrey Korelstein, who has taken the time to help me since I
was much younger; Cantor Sam Levine, without whom I would not have had a successful bat mitzvah; Rabbi Matt Carl, who has
helped me to better understand these topics; and throughout the years, Rachel, Jesse and Danielle, who assist Audrey in Room J.
Thank you for helping me with my reading, speaking and much more. Julian, Daniel and Rebecca: I thank you for all of the times we
have worked together and learned together. You are exceptional friends. I thank my dearest parents, who haves supported me and
guided me throughout this entire process, as well. Last, but not least, a very important thank you to all of you who took the time out
of your Saturday morning to come take part in the service. I do know that some of you who came specifically to support me may not
have understood exactly what has been happening during the last couple of hours, but I want you to know that your presence here is
greatly appreciated. All of you have contributed to my success, and I deeply thank you for that sacrifice. Shabbat Shalom.
Page 16
The East Midwood Gratefully Acknowledges the Following Generous Contributions
Evelyn & Norman Abes
Simcha Fund
In honor of the birth of our great granddaughters Avery & Alex
Joyce Ashe
Bikur Cholim Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
Pearl & Harvey Berkowsky
Simcha Fund
In honor of Shirley N. Strauss on the birth of her beautiful great grandson Joshua Carl Strauss
Simcha Fund
In honor of Bridget & Eric Strauss on the birth of their beautiful son Joshua Carl
Judith Bernstein
Simcha Fund
In honor of Michele Isaacson’s 65th birthday
Pearl Binder
Bikur Cholim Fund In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
Rochelle & David Eckstein
Simcha Fund
In honor of Sandy & Miriam Goldhaber on the engagement of their grandson Ariel to Aviva
Steve Finkelstein
Building Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Dr. Steven Kaner
Bikur Cholim Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
Bikur Cholim Fund In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Sharon Resen
Frances & Avrom Fischer
Building Fund
In honor of Sandy & Miriam Goldhaber on the engagement of their grandson Ariel Menche to
Aviva Koloski
Building Fund
In honor of Madeleine & Stephen Appell on the birth of their granddaughter Isabella Aviva Appell
Building Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Dr. Steven Kaner
Simcha Fund
In honor of Amy & David Liebov on the birth of their first granddaughter Ruth Louise
Reva Friedman
Room J Fund
In honor of Rabbi Matt Carl’s installation
Bikur Cholim Fund In honor of my granddaughter Madeline’s birthday
Sandra & Sy Green
Lisa Ehrlich Fund
Lisa Ehrlich Fund
Rabbi Pomerantz Fund
Rabbi Pomerantz Fund
Lisa Ehrlich Fund
Riva Gilman
Simcha Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
In honor of Steven Green’s birthday
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Sharon Resen
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Jack Panzer
In honor of Toby Sanchez’s birthday
Dr. David & Gail Hammerman
Simcha Fund
In honor of Sandy & Miriam Goldhaber on the engagement of their grandson Ariel Menche to
Aviva Koloski
Simcha Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Dr. Elton Strauss
Building Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Dr. Steven Kaner
Sally & Mike Hipscher
Room J Fund
In honor of Michele Isaacson’s birthday
Gloria Hochberg
Building Fund
In honor of Shirley N. Strauss
on the birth of her great grandson Joshua Carl Strauss
Michele & Larry Isaacson
Building Fund
In honor of Madeleine & Stephen Appell on the birth of their granddaughter Isabella Aviva Appell
Page 17
Simcha Fund
Building Fund
In honor of Amy & David Liebov on the birth of their first granddaughter Ruth Louise
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Dr. Steven Kaner
Bob & Ronni Kaplan & family
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund In honor of Rabbi Matt Carl becoming the new head rabbi
Contributions Continued
Norma Katz
Bikur Cholim Fund
In honor of Michele Isaacson’s birthday
Hannah Levine
Building Fund
In honor of Frances Fischer’s birthday
Rabbi Pomerantz Fund
In honor of Shirley N. Strauss on the birth of her great grandson Joshua Carl Strauss
Building Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
Susan & Harvey Lubowitz
Simcha Fund
In honor of Rabbi Kass’s birthday
Simcha Fund
In honor of Madeleine & Stephen Appell on the birth of their granddaughter Isabella Aviva
Appell
Bikur Cholim Fund In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Dr. Steven Kaner
Building Fund
In honor of Shirley N. Strauss on the birth of her great grandson Joshua Carl
Joseph Marino
Simcha Fund
Sue & Len Margulies
Simcha Fund
Simcha Fund
Simcha Fund
In honor of Edna Ferrazzano
In honor of Joanne & Howard Honigman on the marriage of their daughter Amy Honigman
to Mitchell Simon
In honor of Michele & Larry Isaacson on the marriage of their daughter Mollie to Eric
Sumberg
In honor of Madeleine & Stephen Appell on the birth of their granddaughter Isabella Aviva
Appell
Maxine & Jerrold Moses
Rabbi Pomerantz Fund In honor of Rabbi Kass
Ellen & Miltob Pincus
Simcha Fund
In honor of Shirley N. Strauss on the birth of her great grandson Joshua Carl Strauss
Roz Pomerantz
Rabbi Pomerantz Fund In honor of Shirley N. Strauss on the birth of her great grandson Joshua Carl Strauss
Abe Prosky
Building Fund
Building Fund
In honor of Rabbi Matt Carl’s installation as our new Rabbi
In honor of Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Alvin Kass
Seema & Robert Rosenthal
Building Fund In honor of Linda Schloss
Joyce Shapiro
Simcha Fund
In honor of Shirley N. Strauss on the birth of her great grandson Joshua Carl Strauss
Shirley N. Strauss
Simcha Fund
Simcha Fund
Building Fund
Building Fund
Building Fund
Simcha Fund
In honor of Joyce Shapiro on the birth of her great granddaughter & being so caring
In honor of Edith Maiman’s birthday
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Reva Friedman
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Sharon Resen
In honor of Gloria Hochberg’s birthday
In honor of Michele Isaacson’s 65th birthday
Dr. Alex Trakhtman & Galina Zbarskaya
Simcha Fund
In honor of Madeleine & Stephen Appell on the birth of their granddaughter Isabella Aviva
Appell
Building Fund In honor of Rabbi Matt Carl’s installation
Janet & Jacob Young
Building Fund
Building Fund
Roberta Wallach
Simcha Fund
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Alma Krull
In honor of a Refuah Shlemah for Linda Drucker
In honor of Sandy & Miriam Goldhaber on the engagement of their grandchildren Ariel
Menche & Ayelet Menche
Page 18
EMJC Gratefully Acknowledges Donations Made to the Following Funds
Contributed by ………………………………………... In Memory of
ADULT EDUCATION FUND
Contributed By ............................................................In Memory of
Helga Abel ...................................................................... Herbert Abel
Toby Gordon ............................................................ Frances Schloss
Estelle Leibowitz ............................................................ Egbert Polak
Elinor & Charles Miller ..................................................... David Barte
ALAN ROSENBLUM FUND
Contributed By ............................................................In Memory of
Dr. Gerald Brooks ...................................................... Howard Brooks
Marilyn Litwak ............................................................. Eugene Litwak
BIKUR CHOLIM FUND
Contributed By ............................................................In Memory of
Seema & Bob Rosenthal ................................. my cousin, Rita Smith
BUILDING FUND
Contributed By ............................................................In Memory of
Renee & Joseph Abada ............................................ Gloria Klenetsky
Rose Adler ................................................................ Gloria Klenetsky
Eric & Goldie Arrow
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Carole & Moe Berman ................................................. Jerry Slotnick
Pearl Binder .............................................................. Gloria Klenetsky
June Cernitz......................... Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
Robin & Mark Finkelstein .......................................... Gloria Klenetsky
Steve Finkelstein ..................................................... Perez Rosenthal
............................................................................. Gloria Klenetsky
.................................................................................... Daniel Liker
................................................................................. Isabel Boehm
........................................ Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
Frances & Avrom Fischer……………………………....Gloria Klenetsky,
beloved mother of Emily Pariente
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Reva Friedman ......................................................... Gloria Klenetsky
Michael Gerstein & Lois Jackson.............................. Gloria Klenetsky
Sandy & Miriam Goldhaber....................................... Gloria Klenetsky
Dr. David & Gail Hammerman .................................. Gloria Klenetsky
........................................ Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
Gloria Hochberg..........................................................Elliot Hochberg
............................................................................... Andrew Hochberg
Barbara & Stan Hopard ............................................ Gloria Klenetsky
Michele & Larry Isaacson ......................................... Gloria Klenetsky
Arthur & Francine Katz ........ Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
Michael Kliegman ..............................................Georgiana Sandberg
Thomas & Madeline Kraner ...................................... Gloria Klenetsky
............................................ Jean Thally, mother of Francine Katz
.................................... Barbara Hammer, wife of Robert Hammer
Hannah Levine................ Gloria Klenetsky, mother of Emily Pariente
Amy & David Liebov
............................ Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Susan & Harvey Lubowitz…………………………..…..Gloria Klenetsky
........................ Harold Cohen,beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Marilyn Pearce .......................................................... Gloria Klenetsky
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Ellen & Milton Pincus .................................................... Isabel Boehm
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
........................................ Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
Luna Poplausky .................. Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
................................... Gloria Klenetsky, mother of Emily Pariente
Abe Prosky ..................... Gloria Klenetsky, mother of Emily Pariente
.................................................................................. Irene Metrick
............................................................................ Perez Rosenthal
................................................................................. Isabel Boehm
Sharon & Robert Resen ........................................... Gloria Klenetsky
Sandy & Edward Rich .......................................... Florence Rosenthal
Phyllis & Joe Rothstein ........ Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
............................................................................. Gloria Klenetsky
Marilyn & Edward Rothstein ......................................... Harold Cohen
Shereen Rosenthal ....................................................... Isabel Boehm
Dr. Fryderyka Shabry ................................................... Isabel Boehm
....................... Harold Cohen, beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Blossom & Martin Shelton
........................ Harold Cohen,beloved brother of Barbara Hopard
Eda & Jacob Solome ................................................ Gloria Klenetsky
Shirley N. Strauss ..................................................... Gloria Klenetsky
..................................... Harold Cohen, brother of Barbara Hopard
................................................................................. Isabel Boehm
........................................ Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
Sylvia Klein, beloved mother, grandmother & great grandmother
Dr. Alex Trakhtman & Galina Zbarskaya
................................... Gloria Klenetsky, mother of Emily Pariente
Edith Tuber ...... beloved wife, mother, grandmother Gloria Klenetsky
Janet & Jacob Young ............................................... Gloria Klenetsky
LISA EHRLICH FUND
Contributed By ............................................................ In Memory of
Barbara & Bob Fromowitz ... Bette Mandell, sister of Michael Marcus
..................................... Harold Cohen, brother of Barbara Hopard
Andrea Green & Frank Valenti ........................................ Daniel Liker
................................................................................. Isabel Boehm
Arthur Green .................................................................... Daniel Liker
................................................................................. Isabel Boehm
Sandy & Sy Green ........................................................ Isabel Boehm
............................... Jean Thally, beloved mother of Francine Katz
.................................................................................... Daniel Liker
................................................................................. Harold Cohen
................................................................................. Bette Mandell
LISA EHRLICH FUND (continued)
Contributed By ............................................................ In Memory of
Florence Handler ........................................................ Isidore Rankell
Peter Handler............................................................... Harry Handler
Miriam Ketani .......................................................... Elias Zilberstein
Stanley Weinstein ..................................................Samuel Weinstein
............................................................................ Harriet Goldstein
MORTON BINDER STUDY FUND
Contributed By ............................................................ In Memory of
Anne Binder ..................... Harold Cohen, brother of Barbara Hopard
NEIL SILVERMAN FUND
Contributed By ............................................................ In Memory of
Gloria Hochberg ...................................................... Helene Hochberg
PRAYER BOOK & BIBLE FUND
Contributed By ............................................................ In Memory of
Roberta Wallach
..................... Gloria Klenetsky, beloved mother of Emily Pariente
RABBI HARRY HALPERN FUND
Contributed By ............................................................ In Memory of
Ann Kranis ....................................................................... Pearl Posen
David Kranis .................................................................. Clara Kranis
RABBI POMERANTZ FUND
Contributed By……………………….In Memory of
Rochelle & David Eckstein………………………...
Gloria Klenetsky, beloved
mother of Emily Pariente
Harold Cohen,beloved brother of
Barbara Hopard
Susan & Arthur Geen….. Gloria Klenetsky
Sy & Sandra Green…….. Gloria Klenetsky
Goldie Klein…………….... Rose Scher
Dr. Philip Klein & Joan Greenberg………………….
Gloria Klenetsky, beloved
mother of Emily Pariente
Shereen Rosenthal……….uncle Philip Rosenthal
Joyce & Richard Towber Gloria Klenetsky
...Harold Cohen, brother of
…. Barbara Hopard
YAHRZEIT FUND
Contributed By
……….In Memory of
Inna Abramsky……….. Yankel Gurevich
Miriam Akshlomo……...Rose Rosen
Naomi Aronowitz……….Betty Aronowitz
Eric & Goldie Arrow…...Family members
Naomi Atkins………….. Sidney Sheiman
Marilyn Barouch………...Bertha Filler
Sima Berezanskaya……...Michel Berezansky
Blyma Berezanskaya
Leonid Gurevich
Ruth Berger……………..…Marion Gottlich
Cont’d from Pariente page 14
We were able to reach the Dead Sea, even though it was freezing cold and I decided to go in without my water shoes on. For future trip
goers, don’t do this. While the floating was incredible, it was a miracle that my feet didn’t get cut open by the sharp salt crystals.
During our snowball fight, the troops broke out into on our walk around Neve Illan on Saturday morning, with most of the girls running
for cover and the guys just pelting snowballs at each other until a few people got blasted in the face and ears, and we finally agreed to
cease hostilities.
Seeing Mt. Herzl was indescribable. It’s strange to say but I never saw a more beautiful cemetery where every Israeli soldier who perished
is at rest. We heard numerous stories of how they gave up their lives to ensure that Jews like me could live in pace in Israel and all over
the world. I thought how my father could have been here, as he fought in the Yom Kippur War. I nearly cried as Liat, our group leader led
us in the hymn of “Eli, Eli” at the grave of Hannah Senesh and “Hatikvah” at the grave of a lone soldier Michael Levin.
From Mt. Herzl, we made the drive over to Yad Vashem and I was struck by how something so beautiful, housed the memories of something so terrible. To my shock, the contents of the museum did not make me cry as much as I thought would but my eyes did well up when
I saw a movie showing a children’s choir singing “Hatikvah,” and learned that nearly all of them perished in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Then in the Hall of Names we saw two million blank spaces in the shelf, thinking of the lost souls still unknown and soon to be lost
to the passage of time.
Despite the cold, we were able to reach the Old City, and pray at the Western Wall. It had been freezing the whole day, but as I approached the wall and prepared to put my message in the cracks, the sky opened up and it suddenly felt warm outside. Divine intervention
perhaps? I don’t know but the experience of touching the wall made me cry thinking of my whole life growing up Jewish, my family, and
all those who died to make sure I could stand in that spot. It’s an experience that every person of Jewish descent should experience in their
lifetime.
The final gift of the trip was getting to meet my father’s family for the first time. Despite t e bitter cold and just like my Dad, their first
question before anything else was, had I eaten something? I knew that I’d truly come home, and hopefully I will get another chance to go
back..
Many many thanks to our tour leader Liat, our advisers Ariel and Matan, and the 39 others with whom I shared this experience.
Page 20
Contributions continued
YAHRZEIT FUND (continued)
Contributed By ........................................................... In Memory of
Bella Berliner ............................................................ Gitla Nebenhaus
Carole Berman ............................................. My mother Yetta Bresler
Carole & Moe Berman
............................ My beloved grandmother Esther Leah Feldman
Judith Berman .................................................................. Sylvia Klein
Arthur Blander .......................................................... Herman Blander
Karen Borack ............................................................. Edward Borack
............................................................................... Jeanne Borack
Lynn Borodach ......................................................... David Feuerman
Richard Breyer ......................................................... Abraham Breyer
Lee Brooks .................................................................. Martyn Brooks
...................................................................................... David Brooks
Bonnie Carroll ................................... My grandmother, Elsie Pinchuk
Debbie Ceder .................................................................. Sol Obstfeld
June Cernitz .............................................................. Hyman Seifman
Anita Cohen ................................................................ Samuel Cohen
Jacqueline Cohen ...................................................... David Kupsinel
............................................................................. Joseph Kupsinel
Paula Engel .................................................................... Joseph Klein
Carol Dachs ................................................................ Richard Dachs
................................................................................ Mary Andrews
Michael Davidson ........................................................ Alice Davidson
Hannelore Dreifus ........................................................ Leopold Stern
Judith Eisenberg ...................................................... Sidney Sheiman
Judith Engel ................................................................... Miriam Miller
Carol & Howard Feldsher .............. Judith Reddock & Irving Feldsher
Berta Fishman .......................................................... Arkady Fishman
Judge Gerald Garson ..................................................... Sam Garson
Susan Geen ............................................................ Louis Rosenberg
Doris Geller ......................................... Parents Jack & Lenore Sacks
Leah Gelfman .............................................................. Rose Lipschitz
Cinnie Glasser .............................................................. Mildred Weiss
Bruce Gold ........................................................................... Leo Gold
Jacob Gold ..................................................................... Mendel Gold
Grace Goldberg ............................................................... Eli Goldberg
Joel Goldberg ............................................................ Reine Goldberg
Julian Goldberg .......................................................... Harry Goldberg
Irving Goldstein ........................................................ Minnie Goldstein
Rosalyn Goldstein ................................................... Jeffrey Goldstein
Madeline Greenbaum ................................................ Sarah Lefkowitz
Bud Gross ....................................................................... Jules Gross
Edward Guterman .................................................... Susie Guterman
Contributed By ........................................................... In Memory of
Gerald Hammer........................................................... Rose Hammer
Joan Hoberman............................................................. Eli Hoberman
Joanne Honigman ........................................................ Rose Edelson
Bernard Hoppin .............................................................. Ruby Hoppin
Michele Hunger ............................................................... William Kroll
Stuart Inselman ...................................................... Leonard Inselman
Sylvia Jaffe .......................................................................... Jake Katz
Florence Kantor............................................................. Philip Thrope
Deana Katz ................................................................... Sheldon Katz
Dr. Sanford Kingsley ....................................................Yetta Kingsley
Ira Kinsler ...................................................................... Jacob Kinsler
Allan Klein ...................................................................... Philip Cohen
Dr. Philip Klein.................................................................. Sylvia Klein
Roberta Klinger ............................................................ Marvin Hertan
................................................................................... Herbert Klinger
Rena Klotz.............................................................. Rose Blumenfield
Dr. Lawrence & Estelle Kobilinsky .........................Simon Kartagener
.................................................................................... Ida Kartagener
Eugene Krakowski ............................................... Eugenia Krakowski
Leah Krakowski ................................ Herbert Shapiro & Alan Shapiro
Hilda Krasne.............................................................. Fannie Schaffer
Milton Krasne ................................................................. Anna Krasne
Alan Kroll ......................................................................... William Kroll
Morris Lamer .......................................................... Minnie Brownfield
Prof. Arthur Lieberman, Joan Rosof & Margot Lieberman
..................................................................Mother Dora Lieberman
Marcia Leifer ................................................................... Pearl Posen
Robin Leitman ............................................................ Mildred Epstein
Dr. Barry Leitman .................................................... Gustave Leitman
Audrey Levine ...............................................................Esther Levine
Philip Latman ............................................................. Hyman Latman
Harriet Littman............................................................ Anna Kornreich
Henry Magenheim ................................................ Shirley Magenheim
Eleanor Marcus ................................................................. Ray Simon
Gilda Mudick .................................................................. Frieda Boiko
Howard Natter ........................................................... Benjamin Natter
Michael Neiderfer ....................................................... Mildred Epstein
Ronald & Blossom Offenkrantz ......................Dr. William Offenkrantz
.......................................................................... Frances Leinwand
Gary Papierman ....................................................... Sally Papierman
Sheldon Papierman.................................................. Sally Papierman
Leonard Pine ........................................................ Charlene Schwartz
Howard Reiss ............................................................. Seymour Reiss
Elliot Roth………………………………..……………..…..Beatrice Roth
YAHRZEIT FUND (continued)
Page 21
Contributed By ........................................................... In Memory of
Joseph Rothstein....................................................... Annie Rothstein
Charlotte Rubin ............................................................ Irving Mitchell
Selma Russel ............................................................. Meyer Frisman
Bradley Sacks ................................................................Lester Sacks
Ira Schapiro ................................................................. Pearl Schapiro
Richard Schapiro ......................................................... Pearl Schapiro
Edward Scheine .......................................................... David Scheine
Dr. Frances Shapiro .................................................. Nathan Shapiro
Sheila Shaw .................................................................... Gloria Shaw
Marcia Sheiman ....................... In loving memory of Sidney Sheiman
......................... In loving memory of my mother Bertha Silverstein
Joseph Sherman ...................................................... Arnold Sherman
Leonard Shiller .................................................. Milton & Berta Shiller
Alan Silverman ..................................................... Frances Silverman
Michael Silverstein ............................................... Theresa Brunswick
Elizabeth Simon ........................................................... Angela Simon
.............................................................................. Barry Jacobson
...................................................................................... Ray Simon
James Smith.................................................................Dorothy Smith
Sheila Small ............................................................. Molly Greenberg
Shirley N. Strauss.............................. Beloved brother Milton Strauss
Adelaide Sugarman ........................................................... Ruth Miller
Leonard Susseles..................................................... Fannie Susseles
Richard Tascandi ................................................... Herman Tascandi
Shereen Tawil ......................................................... Esther Rosenthal
Barbara Tirschwell................................................... Morris Tirschwell
Joyce Towber ......................................................... Bernard Kaufman
............................................................................. Miriam Kaufman
............................................................................. Jennie Kaufman
Roberta Wallach ......................................................... Robert Wallach
..................................................................................... Harry Rose
Sarah Wang ........................................................... Julius Rosenblum
................................................................................... Morris Wang
Iris Wasserstein ..................................................... Abraham Pelowitz
Leta Weintraub ..................................................... Gertrude Krumholz
Lois Weintraub .....................................................Nathan Hochheiser
Barbara Wiener ....................................................... Shirley Goldstein
Irving Wiener ..................................................................Rose Wiener
Saul Wolfert ......................................................................Etta Wolfert
Jacob & Janet Young ............................................ Dr. Philip Schultze
............................................................................... Herman Young
.....................................................................................Ethel Biesly
............................................................................... Celia Goldberg
...................................................................................... Anna Klein
Sara Zuckerman ................................................ Dr. Charles Shiffman
CEMETERY PLOTS
still available at
reasonable prices.
Call the office at
718-338-3800
for more info.
Page 22
A MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM
SHARON RESEN
Letter from Sol Weingarten, a former
EMJC Bar Mitzvah
To the many members of the EMJC
Family;
Thank you for sending me information about EMJC’s 90 th
anniversary celebration. The pictures remind me of the
years around 1938 when I attended the Talmud Torah,
prepared for my Bar Mitzvah and learned a great deal
about what it was to be Jewish, understandings that have
stayed with me all my life. I felt a real sense of belonging
at the EMJC because the attitudes were neither excessively
conservative nor excessively liberal. If the religious expression at the EMJC today continues to be of the same
quality as I experienced it when I was 13 years old, then it
can to be a beacon to the many thousands of Jews who live
in Brooklyn today.
My family and I thank you for the
phone calls, cards, visits, the monetary donations to the Oasis Diner
and the delicious home cooked
soups and other meals sent to us
during my recent illness. Your friendship and love mean a great deal to
the Resen Family.
Mr. Weingarten’s website is www.SolWeingarten.com
ROZ CLAIMS “NO MORE HIPS FOR HER COUNTRY”
Roz Pomerantz is now recovering in the Haym Salomon
Home for Nursing & Rehabilitation. Mail your notes and
cards to her at 2340 Cropsey Avenue, Brooklyn 11214. Roz
thanks everyone for their prayers and good wishes. We are
eager to see her beautiful, always-smiling face soon.
ELUTO WINS DEBATING PRIZE FOR NYS
Three rousing cheers to Sam Eluto, son of our members Steven and
Sherryl Eluto, for earning the New York state high school championship
in varsity policy debate. Sam and his debate partner, Dante de Blasio
(son of our mayor), beat out all other hopefuls at their tournament. The
young debaters won the trophies for Brooklyn Tech High School, where
Sam is a junior. Let it also be noted that as a student in Room J, Sam was
an opinionated student who tackled Jewish ideas with
vigor and rigor.
SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS
Page 23
EAST MIDWOOD JEWISH CENTER BULLETIN
THE EMJC BULLETIN IS PUBLISHED 6 TIMES A YEAR.
DONATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR ALL OCCASIONS
Occasion:________________________________________________________________
EAST MIDWOOD JEWISH CENTER
www.emjc.org
An Inclusive Egalitarian Community
affiliated with The United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism
listed on National and New York State
Registers of Historic Places
Matt Carl, Rabbi
Dr. Alvin Kass, Rabbi Emeritus
Samuel Levine, Cantor
Randy Grossman, President
Toby Sanchez, President
Edith Maiman, Executive Director
Audrey Korelstein, Director of Youth &
Family Education
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