January - Temple Beth Tzedek

TEMPLE
BETH TZEDEK
621 Getzville Road • Buffalo, NY 14226 • (716) 838-3232
TEVET - SH’VAT 5773
JANUARY 2013
LEADERSHIP MISSION VISITS ISRAEL
By Jeffrey and Leah Blum and George and Lisa Wallenfels
No, we weren’t wearing dark shades and dark suits, and
we weren’t trying to dodge the law. But we were on a
mission nonetheless.
On Oct. 27, 2012, a group of 37 Buffalonians from
varying backgrounds – including many of us from
Temple Beth Tzedek – boarded a plane on a Young
Leadership Mission to Israel.
We left our regular daily lives, homes and businesses
behind to explore our heritage and homeland on a trip
sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo,
to develop future leaders for Western New York. No one
on this trip would have guessed how much this weeklong journey would change their lives and create the
possibility of changing the Buffalo Jewish community.
Participants from TBT included Lisa and George
Wallenfels, Leah and Jeffrey Blum, Dana and Dr.
Michael Stoffman, Lynn and Joseph Catalano, Carrie
Rittenhouse and Joseph Enis. Leslie and Jim Kramer also
participated as co-leaders of the expedition, along with
Steven and Ellen Weiss and Robert and Shira Goldberg.
Michael Wise, executive director and CEO of the
Federation, and Women’s Philanthropy Director Randi
Morkisz staffed the trip for Federation.
Now, as winter is beginning to set in here in Buffalo, the
warmth generated by the camaraderie, the ruach, the
energy and commitment has been unbelievable. People
from different synagogues, different communities and
different neighborhoods came together – some as
friends, some as strangers – for one of those journeys that
takes you deep into your own heart as much as to a
foreign land.
Learning about Jews, Israeli history, politics, geography,
each other’s families and spirituality made this journey
an amazing adventure. We began as acquaintances, but
we ended as “family.” Our lives have become entwined
with that of each other, with the Jewish people and with
the past, present and future of Israel.
We expect this trip to influence our Buffalo Jewish
community for years to come. We are continuing this
journey by participating in several leadership workshops
together in the coming months as well as increasing our
involvement in our synagogue and Jewish community.
We welcome and invite you to ask about our trip.
Federation’s young leadership group
See insert for more photos
From the . . .
Cholent POT
Am I the only one who is stunned
that we have just celebrated the
beginning of a new calendar year? Is
there anyone else shocked at how
quickly 2012 flew by? How does
that happen? Each year is measured
the same: 12 months. 52 weeks.
365 days. 8,760 hours. 525,600
minutes. 31,536,000 seconds. That
does not change, except on a leap
year. It shouldn’t feel like it does; yet
it does, for so many of us.
While a calendar year is very much an invented artifice,
imposing a structure that gives shape and form to shapeless and formless time, and one day is really no different
than any other, nevertheless the advent of a new calendar
year does give us pause. A new year is both a last chance
and a new beginning.
We are reminded with each flip of the calendar that life is
precarious and fragile and it can come to an end in an
instant. We are also reminded that life is a gift, precious
beyond appreciation. How we use the day is completely
our choice. Perhaps that is why the author of Psalm 90:12
exhorts: “Limnot yamenu ken hoda, v’navi levav
hokhmah”; teach us to number our days, so that we may
attain a heart of wisdom.
Continued on page 2
From the . . .
Cholent POT Continued . . .
How do we feel about time? Listen to some of the ways we refer to it: we waste time, we use time, we kill time, we
spend time, we make time, we fill time, we save time, we mark time. But rarely do we count time, except when the
calendar reminds us that time is passing quickly.
What if we treated time like we treat money? I know it is a cliché, time is money. But what if, for the sake of discussion,
we felt that every second was worth one dollar. Every morning, we wake up with $86,400. The balance doesn’t carry
over; each day is use it or lose it. Most of us, I would imagine, would make sure we spent every penny and get the most
for our money. We are experts at spending money. But is our time less valuable than our money? Clearly not; we can
recoup lost money, but never can we recover time. Once it passes, it is gone.
Truth is, each of us wakes up in the morning with a full account of 86,400 seconds. Whatever we fail to use during
the day disappears at night, like manna in the desert. We have no “rollover seconds”; there is no overdraft protection.
Would we then count our time with the same precision as we count our loose change? Would we then plan out each
day to spend our time in a way that gets the most for our money?
“Teach us to number our days.” These are words so powerful, so insightful, that we use them as part of the Yizkor
liturgy. “Al korkhekha atta hai” – against your will you are born; “V’al korkhehka atta met” – against your will you
die, Rabbi Elazar Hakkapar teaches (Avot 4:29). None of us really makes that choice. But in the time between the two
poles of birth and death, we have choices to make. And the good ones begin with counting.
See you in shul.
Perry Netter, Rabbi
Word
A
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
THE INSPIRING EFFECT OF A REMARKABLE COMMUNITY
On Nov. 27, I attended the play, The
Blue Rose, which is a stage
adaptation by Darleen Pickering
Hummert – performed by the Theatre
for Change – from the book with the
same name by Gerda Weissmann
Klein, the inspiring and extraordinary
humanitarian, author and survivor of
the Holocaust.
Mrs. Weissman Klein wrote this book in 1974 about the
specialness of her neighbor, 6-year-old Jenny Innerfield, who
had a developmental disability. She wanted to “help readers
accept and love unconditionally every child who was physically
or mentally challenged” (from the preface to the republication
of The Blue Rose in 2008). This program was sponsored
through the Blue Rose Foundation, with funding from the
Daigler Family Scholarship Fund – as administered by the
Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo – and from the
Jewish Community Book Fair.
This event was inspiring and remarkable on many levels. First,
it was comforting and uplifting to be part of a Buffalo
community where our schools and community organizations,
secular and religious, come together in earnest to understand,
respect and embrace the differences among us.
The sheer number of students from schools throughout the
area, including from our TBT Gesher School and the
Kadimah School, as well as community citizens of all ages –
totaling about 1,500 in attendance for the two performances –
conveyed strongly that persons with disability, and their families and care-providers, are not alone. The powerful remarks of
community leaders, including our own Sharla Bleichfeld, and
the outpouring of support from the audience during the
questions and answers, underscored the recognition of the
humanity and need for relationships of every individual of
every ability.
2 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Second, it is remarkable that Jenny of the The Blue Rose has
become our dear friend, as have so many other special
individuals, through a decade of celebrating Sukkot, Chanukah,
Purim, Pesach and Shavuot together as community through
our Outstretched Arm (OA) Program. This initiative, of
course, is led and supported by co-chairs Lynne Birnholz and
Sharla Bleichfeld, Kesher co-chairs Irv Sellers and Janet
Presser, Rabbi Perry Netter and Cantor Mark Spindler, musicians
Alan Sisselman, Roberta Levine, Ruth Merlin and Andy
Symons, and a phenomenal group of volunteers.
And it is remarkable that our Gesher School children have
become exceptional role models for acceptance and
understanding through their regular participation in our OA
programs. That’s occurred through the leadership of our
Education Director Einav Symons, with Lori Morrison and
dedicated teachers.
Finally, the confluence of this community joint effort for the
Blue Rose production, and TBT’s enduring commitment to
acts of loving-kindness, gives me hope and confidence that
this collaboration will be ongoing – that Buffalo-area secular
and religious organizations will continue to work together to
address unmet critical needs of individuals with disability,
illness and frailty in the caring embrace of community.
This confidence was bolstered by the attendance at our Dec. 9
OA Chanukah program by several esteemed guests: Beverly
Slichta-Cusick, president of the Blue Rose Foundation; Hummert,
the director of Theatre for Change; Eleanor Daigler, from the
Daigler Family Scholarship Fund; and Georgia Mesches, a
board member of the Blue Rose Foundation.
Stay tuned for exciting possibilities ahead. Let us know of your
creative ideas and interest. Kol Ha-Kavod, TBT community,
for remarkable and inspiring good work and leadership.
Janet Gunner
(SISTERHOOD)
The ladies of Sisterhood wish you a Happy and Healthy
secular New Year.
Linda Steinhorn and I returned from convention exhausted
and invigorated. We began our time in Summerlin, Nev.,
attending a United Synagogue
for Conservative Judaism
Shabbaton held at Temple
Beth Sholom. After services,
we rested (adjusting to time change), hung out and greeted
others arriving for the convention.
The highlight of Sunday was the installation of the 2012 –
2014 administration and a tribute to honorary convention
chair Blanche Meisel. Rabbi Bradley Artson was the installing
officer, and led a session on text study after Shacharit on
Monday morning.
Rabbi Eliott Dorff was the keynote speaker on Monday. He
talked about “Conser vative Halakah, Yesterday and
Tomorrow.” The overall theme of convention was “Uri, Uri,
Greet the New Dawn,” so many speakers spoke about change.
During lunch on Monday, winners of the Jewels in the Crown
Award were recognized. Our Sisterhood received an
Emerald Award, the highest level attainable. This is the
second successive time we have received this award.
The new Strategic Plan for Women’s League for Conservative
Judaism(WLCJ) was presented on Tuesday. Jewish Theological
Seminary(JTS) Chancellor Arnold Eisen spoke after lunch, as
Torah Fund celebrated all it has accomplished in the past 70
years. Carolyn Baron, retiring director of Torah Fund, was
recognized for her leadership, and her successor, Rabbi Abby
Ture, was introduced.
Wednesday was the closing plenum. Members and friends of
Women’s League contributed an amount in excess of $35,000
to be distributed to guests at Fisher House, a residence for
families and veterans who are receiving treatment at a nearby
Veterans Administration(VA) hospital. The gift was received
by the director of the West LA Fisher House, Sharon Hudson.
A highlight of the closing plenum was a presentation by Rabbi
Bonnie Koppell, the first female rabbi to serve as a chaplain in
the armed forces. She holds the rank of colonel in the U.S.
Army Reserve. The closing announcement was that the next
convention will be in early summer (July) 2014 in the New
York City area.
Sisterhood held its Chanukah meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11.
Yasher Koach to our program chairs, Rachel Cohen and
Deanna Kardaman. It was a wonderful afternoon of good
food, friendship and entertainment.
Our January meeting is still tentative so you will need to
watch your mail for information. February will be our month
for Sisterhood Shabbat on Friday, Feb. 1, and Vashti’s Banquet
and Bazaar on Sunday, Feb. 17. Details will follow.
B’Shalom,
Carolyn and Rusty
BOYZ’ IN THE HOOD (BROTHERHOOD)
Happy (secular) New Year, from the ‘Hood!
Well, it’s been a busy few months, and we capped it off in late December by teaming up with the TBT Membership Committee
for a special pancake brunch on Dec. 25 – you know, when our only options as Jews outside the home are basically movies and
Chinese food.
So instead, we cooked up some pancakes, eggs and plenty of other breakfast treats, while our families and kids took part in some
arts and crafts activities and enjoyed some movie entertainment. We had quite a nice crowd as usual, and a good time was had
by all. Our thanks go to all the volunteers from Brotherhood and
Membership who made it happen.
January’s a little quieter for Brotherhood while we prepare for some upcoming activities. I’ll be heading south to Baltimore for a
national leadership training program by the International Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs at the beautiful Pearlstone Retreat
and Conference Center, getting armed with new ideas and inspired by the fantastic energy of our brothers
across the country and in Canada. Look for more on that in the future.
On Feb. 3, we’ll be partnering once again with Gesher School for the annual World Wide Wrap program, an
international FJMC initiative to encourage men (and students or anyone else!) to don tefillin together.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach and learn the mitzvot associated with wearing the two little black boxes
– with the words of the Shema written inside – on the forehead and upper arm, and wrapping the leather
strap around the arm and hand. And we’ll be doing it with thousands of other men around the world, even as we teach our Gesher
students – boys and girls. Plus, of course, we’ll be serving brunch!
There’s more to come in March, as we plan a wine tasting, and we’re also looking at a pizza program. Plus, we’ll once again be
distributing our Yom HaShoah Yellow Candles to remember those we lost in the Holocaust.
Remember that we’re always open to ideas and input from you, our members and guests. As always, I’m available anytime, by
phone, email, one-on-one, carrier pigeon, signal flares or any means of communication if you have questions, comments, or
suggestions. I look forward to seeing you at the next Brotherhood event.
Until then, we are….
Together in Brotherhood,
Jonathan D. Epstein
President
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 3
SIMCHA SHABBAT
(A celebration of monthly birthdays and anniversaries for our Temple Beth Tzedek family)
We thank the following participants of the Dec. 8, 2012 Simcha Shabbat Kiddish:
ANNIVERSARY BENEFACTORS
Marcia & Len Saran
(also honored by Melinda Saran)
ANNIVERSARY DONORS
Marilyn & Irv Sultz*
ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS
Belle & Cantor Gerald DeBruin*
(November anniversary)
Myra & Allan Werbow
BIRTHDAY BENEFACTORS
Jonathan Fogel
BIRTHDAY DONORS
Helen Bergman*
Jerry Markzon
BIRTHDAY SPONSORS
Sheila Bernstein*
Leah Blum
Ursula Falk
Sophie Fogel
Jonah Fogel
Noah Fogel
Janet Gunner
Harvey Horowitz*
Jeffrey Horowitz
(honored by
Myra & Harvey Horowitz)
Allan Lansky
Elinda Reich
Lilah Waldman*
Robin Waldman
*indicates a milestone year
December Milestone Birthdays
Nancy Bloom
Sally Gordon
David Grayck
Virginia Kaufman
Sheree Lamendola
Rose Levin
Richard Rosenthal
Pauline Rosokoff
Alla Segal
Rose Wisel
Other December Milestone Anniversaries
Rose & Harold Gandel
Arlene & Sid Josephson
Jennie & Howard Popkin
Tu B’Shvat
(excerpted from Chabad.org)
When’s the last time you wished a tree Happy New
Year? The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat is a
great opportunity. It’s known as Tu B’Shevat, the New
Year for Trees.
Tu B’Shevat—celebrated this year on Shabbat, Jan. 26,
2013—is the day that marks the beginning of a “New
Year for Trees.” This is the season in which the earliestblooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their
winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.
Why do trees celebrate their New Year so much later
than ours? It has to do with the rainy season in Israel,
which commences with the festival of Sukkot. It takes
four months for the rains to saturate the soil, nurture the
trees and coax them into producing fruit. This is important to know if you are planning to give your tithes of
fruits, as is done in the Land of Israel, because the
required tithes vary from year to year. It’s also important
if you are a tree and looking for something to celebrate.
Humans can also celebrate along with the trees. After all,
the Torah says, “Man is a tree of the field.” We are
nurtured by deep roots, as far back as Abraham and
Sarah; we reach upwards to the heavens while standing
firmly on the ground; and when we do all this right, we
produce fruits that benefit the world—namely, our good
deeds.
Eat some fruit on this day. Best if you can get some of
those fruits for which Israel is famous: olives, dates,
grapes, figs and pomegranates.
The
New Year
of
Trees
Tu B’Shvat
KIDDUSH SPONSORS
The following have sponsored
a Kiddush or S’eudah Shlisheet
during the month of November:
Celebrants of birthdays & anniversaries
occurring during
the month of November
Temple Beth Tzedek,
in honor of the 25th Anniversary of
Cantor Mark Spindler
The next Simcha Shabbat will be Jan. 19, 2013.
The Gendler & Epstein families,
in honor of the special birthday of
For more information or to be a participant, please contact
Linda Boxer (284-1534 or boxerlinda@yahoo.com)
or Kim Jones in the Temple office (838-3232)
4 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Judith Epstein
Roberta Levine & Alan Sisselman,
in observance of the Yarhrzeit of
William Sisselman
Project Beit Tefilah Update
Our recent activities concerning Project Beit Tefilah continue to focus on evaluation of architects and potential sites.
The Design Team(whose 17 members were listed in a prior Shofar column) is getting closer to being ready to make a
recommendation of an architect. Information about any recommended architect will be shared with the Board and the
membership before any architect is selected. During the fall, we also retained a wetlands consultant to provide
preliminary evaluations of the Bryant Woods and B’nai Shalom sites. As expected, both sites had at least some areas
that could potentially be wetlands. Those potential wetlands areas were smaller at the B’nai Shalom site. We will
continue to explore whether the Bryant Woods site is viable from a wetlands perspective. But we will also continue to
explore other potential sites. For now, we have requested, and been granted, an extension of our deadline to make a
decision on the Bryant Woods site.
Many of you may be wondering – and some of you have been asking me – why it seems that the progress of Project
Beit Tefilah seems to have slowed? Will we even have an opportunity to make a decision as to whether to move? Is the
potential buyer ready to move forward?
We continue to be in frequent contact with the potential buyers. They remain extremely motivated to do this project.
They are engaging in their due diligence, including environmental evaluations of our building and land, and we will
bear no risks concerning those evaluations. They have also been busy seeking partners who can participate as
co-owners, co-developers and/or long-term tenants to develop a financially viable plan. The potential buyers
are encouraged by their efforts and we expect that, by early spring, we will know whether this plan can happen from
the buyers’ perspective.
By then, we should be in a better position to decide whether this is something that we want to do.
So, in short, things have been moving a little slower than we hoped. But rather than letting that get us discouraged, we
have used the time to be more deliberate in our selection of architects and potential development sites. In the long run,
this will make our Project Beit Tefilah even more successful.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to Janet Gunner or Harvey Sanders.
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 5
Thank
You!
By Cantor Mark Spindler
(as delivered at Cantor’s Gala, November 17, 2012)
beautiful place in which to live.
First, I want to
thank my wonderful
family who is with
me tonight. To my
beautiful
wife,
Leona, I can’t thank
you enough for your
love and support
through the many
years we have shared
together. Leona and
I couldn’t be happier
to be here in this
wonderful city of
Buffalo and its
community.
We
each found our
niche and it is just a
Annie, my fabulous daughter, what can I say? I love you
so much. You have been at the center of our lives. We are
so proud of your accomplishments. You have graduated
college and you are working as an R.N. at St. Joe’s Hospital. You are also continuing your education so that you
can move up the ladder in your profession. You and your
wonderful and devoted husband, Sean, are raising your
two beautiful children, Lily and James, in such a wonderful and caring way. Leona and I are so proud of both of
you.
I have to recognize two very special people who are here
tonight, who are really like family to us, and they are
Julie and Bill Kaufman, our son-in-law’s parents. We are
really grateful and appreciative for all that you have done
for us. Thank you for all your kindness and caring.
Also here are Julie and Bill’s daughters, Emily and
Rachel, who also happen to be very special and kind
young ladies. Sean’s older brother, Matt, and his
girlfriend, Siobhan, could not be with us. Grandma Iris
is also with us. You are such a sweet, caring and kind lady.
You are truly a role model for the entire family. You are
now recovering from a recent accident and we wish you
a speedy recovery, and I am so grateful that you were able
to be here with us this evening.
I am so happy that my sister-in-law, Abby, is here for me
on this special occasion. When my wife called Abby and
told her I was being honored, she didn’t hesitate for a
moment. She was coming right away. I’ve known Abby
for as long as I have been married to Leona. She has
treated me with such kindness, sincerity and affection. I
am so glad you are here to celebrate with me.
6 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Some of my earliest and fondest memories in my life are
going to Shul with my father. I would be sitting next to
my father and listening to him singing the melodies
along with the cantor. He loved cantorial music. He
loved to listen to the music of the Eastern European
cantors.
When I was in Hebrew School, I excelled in Hebrew
studies. I went to synagogue regularly and attended
Junior Congregation. I led the service for the children at
Junior Congregation. When I was studying for my Bar
Mitzvah with the cantor, he encouraged me to chant
from the Torah and lead services. And so I did. I read the
entire Torah portion and led the Musaf service. After my
Bar Mitzvah, I taught children how to read from the
Torah to help the cantor out.
When I was in high school, there was a synagogue in
need of a Torah reader. I was able to help the synagogue,
and besides, I enjoyed reading Torah. It was a rewarding
experience. The congregation was so nice to me that they
sponsored a special Kiddush in my honor since I was
going off to college.
Another occasion was where my services were needed in
a small synagogue in the outskirts of where I lived. This
was to lead services for the High Holy Days.
My father accompanied me to the shul, and he was truly
rewarded. He heard me daven and he was very, very
happy for me. Through the encouragement of my father
and my involvement in my synagogue, I was destined to
become a cantor.
As a result, I studied at Yeshiva University. I received my
B.A. in music and I attended the Cantorial School simultaneously and graduated with a degree in cantorial
music.
My first position was as cantor of Congregation Brothers
of Israel in Trenton, N.J. I served there for 11 years. I
taught many B’Nai Mitzvah during the course of my stay
there. It was a wonderful position. Then it was time to
move on. In 1983, I went for an audition in Buffalo,
N.Y. It seemed like a wonderful fit for me, but they took
someone else.
I took a position in Lake Hiawatha, N.J., at the Lake
Hiawatha Jewish Center. It was a very small congregation. The congregation was losing members while I was
there and after I served there for four years, they had to
close their doors.
When I began applying for other positions, the job in
Buffalo was available again. I came to Buffalo for an
audition, and this time, I was hired as the cantor of
Temple Shaarey Zedek. I guess the second time was the
charm.
Continued on page 7
Your voices filled the room with such beauty and spirit
that it made us all feel uplifted and set the tone for this
festive occasion. I cannot begin to thank Irwin, Sharon,
Audrey and Ed – and a special thank you to Penny for
coordinating this magnificent tribute concert.
I must make mention of my voice teacher, Marilyn
Barber, without whom I don’t know where I would be.
I’ve worked with other voice teachers in Buffalo, but
Marilyn is the one who has guided me. She has taught
me how to sing correctly, she has developed my voice to
the point where I should be able to sing for many years
to come, and she is a very dedicated and devoted teacher
and a person who I can sincerely look up to.
Rabbi Perry Netter honors Cantor Mark Spindler
See insert for more photos
Now, you know the rest of the story. Well, I have to say,
this is an extraordinary congregation. I have had the
support of everyone from day one. Everybody was so
friendly and welcoming. I am so thankful and appreciative that I have been able to serve this congregation for
this length of time. This congregation seems to be
focused on where they are going and what their goals are.
Everyone seems to be working together looking toward
the future and doing what is best for the synagogue.
I truly feel blessed to be part of this warm, friendly and
outstanding congregation. I couldn’t be in a better place.
At this time I want to thank Lisa Davidson, the chairperson of this most beautiful and memorable event. This
truly was a yeoman’s effort. I know you must have spent
endless hours of thoughtful consideration and preparation for this evening. It was all worth the time and effort.
I also want to thank the entire committee for their dedication and hard work in preparing for this event. I am
truly appreciative of all your efforts in bringing this event
to its culmination. What an exciting evening.
These last 25 years have been so satisfying and fulfilling
for me. My first love is working with the B’Nai Mitzvah
students. I have taught so many over these many years
and loved every minute of being with them. I truly enjoy
teaching them, guiding them and ultimately, reaching
their final goal of conducting the service on the day of
their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. For me, it is a meaningful and
moving day. I hope some of them will have an impact in
our community or wherever they may be as they grow up
and mature in their lives.
And a word to my colleagues:
What a beautiful and uplifting way to begin this special
evening. I couldn’t be more pleased and excited than to
have my wonderful colleagues here with me this evening.
This concert was especially meaningful to me because it
was performed so beautifully by my dear friends and
colleagues whom I have gotten to know over my years in
Buffalo.
I want to thank the entire synagogue staff for their
concern and caring; Cantor Emeritus Debruin, Michele
Lynch and especially Allan Werbow and Kim Jones
whom I’ve worked with for these last 25 years: you guys
are the best.
There is one special person who makes life here at Beth
Tzedek a true joy. He is, of course, my Rabbi, friend and
colleague, Perry. You have brought so much joy and fun,
with your unbelievable intellect and your good
naturedness. I have learned so much from you in the
short time that you have been here. If you have some
advice for me, you do it in such a way that it is positive
and reassuring. I am so thrilled that we are working
together and I hope that we will continue to lead this
beautiful congregation together for many more years to
come. I am so fortunate to have you here to celebrate this
special event with me.
Finally, as I look out at this packed auditorium, my heart
is filled with gratitude and humility. There aren’t enough
words to describe how I feel at this time. This congregation is unbelievable. You are the most loving, caring and
warm people I have ever met. I want to thank all the
parents of my former students and present students for
being so cooperative and understanding. You have made
my job that much easier. And, of course, your children
are wonderful.
These past 25 years have been the best years of my life.
Thank you to my students, their parents and all of you
who are assembled here tonight for this spectacular and
meaningful event.
This is truly an evening that I will remember for the rest
of my life.
Thank you all for coming.
Cantor Mark Spindler
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 7
@
In the interests of streamlining communication with staff and committees, Temple
Beth Tzedek has set up the following email addresses to ensure messages are
delivered to the right people. Please use them accordingly.
rabbi@btzbuffalo.org – Rabbi Perry Netter
cantor@btzbuffalo.org – Cantor Mark Spindler
executivedirector@btzbuffalo.org – Executive Director Allan Werbow
president@btzbuffalo.org – TBT President Janet Gunner
caterer@btzbuffalo.org – TBT Catering
giftshop@btzbuffalo.org – Linda Linsky
library@btzbuffalo.org – TBT Librarian Craig Posmantur
office@btzbuffalo.org – TBT Office
kjones@btzbuffalo.org – Administrative Assistant Kim Jones
mlynch@btzbuffalo.org – Administrative Assistant Michele Lynch
membership@btzbuffalo.org – Membership inquiries
rsvp@btzbuffalo.org – RSVP for TBT events
shofar@btzbuffalo.org – Messages, articles or other submissions to Shofar editor
rosterbook@btzbuffalo.org – TBT Roster Book Committee
gogreen@btzbuffalo.org – “Go Green” Initiative, for email delivery of Shofar
webmaster@btzbuffalo.org – TBT Webmaster Larry Boxer
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Suite 200
Getzville, NY 14068-1573
BUFFALO JEWISH
FREE LOAN SOCIETY
David Burstein, O.D.
• Comprehensive eye exams
• Specially trained in treating eye diease
• Contact lens specialist
• Fashion eyewear
QUALITY CARE AT A PERSONAL LEVEL
Amherst
224 Plaza Drive
Hopkins near Klein
668-8127
Kenmore
924 Kenmore Avenue
876-2020
716-852-4744
8630 Transit Road, East Amherst
Jay L Mesnekoff, President/Owner
639-8890
“In the Family Tradition”
PLUMBING
& HEATING
SUPPLY COMPANY
TANKLESS WATER HEATERS
SUMP PUMP BACK-UP SYSTEMS
Allentown Award Winning Artist
David
Manny
Presents
Commercial • Residential Fine Art & Gifts
By Appt: 716.471.1764
www.BUFFALOTREASURES.com
8 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
TO ADVERTISE IN
THE SHOFAR
CALL THE TEMPLE OFFICE
838-3232
CONDOLENCES
Janice Felsen
Sister of Harvey Schiller
Ruth Fox
Mother of Michael Fox
Mother of Dan Fox
Mother of Morey Fox
Mother of Joan Armstrong
Mary Hanoka
Mother of Susan Halpern
Mother of Beverly Spool
Mother of Eleanor Seel
Sally Scheib
Mother of Ilene Scheib
Samuel Weinstock
Father of Arie Weinstock
Father of Ruth Goldberg
Father of Dahlia Mangan
Father of Mickey Weinstock
Husband of Ester Weinstock
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK YAHRZEITS
Contributions are gratefully acknowledged for the following:
Michael Abbey
Louis Ablove
Fannie Abramson
Esther Allen
Charles Amsterdam
Molly Amsterdam
Rabbi Abraham Babb
Sarah Babb
Lena Bell
Sidney Birzon
Helen Boxer
Meyer Cantor
Israel Carrel
Lola Danziger
Gilda Denton
Lillian Ditkoff
Vladimir Dmitriev
Beverly (Billie) Domenech
Abraham Drellich
Edith Drellich
Fanny Elkin Drellich
Kenneth Drellich
Rose Dubbs
Szloma Dula
Edith Elkin
Vera Ellis
Jerome Elman
Jacob Fineberg
Fannie Flescher
Marcus Flinter
Jacob Freedman
Frieda Friedes
Harry L. Friedes
Simon Friedland
Rose Friedman
Frank Gallin
Harold Geller
Frank Gellman
Louis Gerst
Lenore Godin
Eva Goldman
Morris Goldman
Meyer Gordon
Minnie Goun
Sam Goun
Avi Sarah Greenberg
Mildred Grelick
Rose Gross
Minnie Hesch
Betty Hirschberg
Ben Hoffman
Jack Horowitz
Nathan Jacobs
Morris Jacobson
Henry Kahn
Hyman Kardaman
Fannie Katz
Raquel Kubiak
Emily Kurland
Ellen Kushner
Joseph Landberg
Morris Laufer
Sol Laventhal
Alexander Leavy
Kenneth Leve
Leon I. Levenson
Irwin Levine
Kenneth Levine
Sidney Levine
Nathan Levy
Harry Lewis
Ellis Lichtblau
Herman Lichtblau
Sarah Lichtblau
Sheldon Macoff
Jane Magil
Samuel Marks
Jack Mastman
Harry Mednick
Isaac Mehana
Gertrude “Goldie” Meltzer
Robert Ian Mesch
Steven Meyer
Gladys Hannah Miller
Max Mingal
Henry Mintz
Ida Narotsky
Max Newman
Sam Nisberg
Esther Nudelman
Abraham Pastor
Philip Pohl
Busya Polak
Randy Oshlag
Benjamin Plotkin
Edward Plotkin
Max Podolsky
Mary Polakoff
Jacob Post
Edith Potosky
Dr. A. Harry Ravins
Harry Reisman
Irene Ribakove
Lillian Mardell Rohlman
Minnie Rosenberg
Samuel Rosenthal
George Ross
Lester Rossen
Diana Samson
Leo Samson
Benjamin Schneiderman
Harold Schneiderman
Ida Schneiderman
Isadore Schneiderman
James Schneiderman
Louis Schneiderman
Joan Seeman
Walter Semerau
Gerhardt Shumaker
Sarah Singer
Rheda Sirkin
William Sisselman
Isadore Sniderman
Selma Speier
Myron Sperer
Nathan Sterman
Arthur Stern
Sandra Stoliar
Florence Taksen
Luba Taylorson
Sara Their
Anna Tuchman
Melvin Tuchman
Betty Ullman
William Wallach
Herbert Wallen
Leon Wallens
Rena Wallens
Esther Weinberg
Leo Weinrieb
Bella Williams
Sarah Wolffe
Dr. Maurice Zackheim
Marion Zamek
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 9
We Acknowledge with Thanks to the Following
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK CONTRIBUTORS
Anne Bernstein Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
80th Birthday of Papa Alan
Adam, Brett & Hayley Bernstein
80th Birthday of Alan Bernstein
Ellen, Amy, Marc & Jen Bernstein
Anne Bernstein Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of Lee J. Etelson
Norman & Hannah Weinberg
Bradley J. Bronstein Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Recovery of Lynn Bronstein
Judy & Eric Davis
Edna Kielar
Michele Lynch
Michael Bloom
Carol Davis
Renee Joffe
Eric & Judy Davis
Alvin & Joyce Mintz
In Appreciation of Kesher Committee
Ilene Scheib
Sharon Silbiger
Judy & Eric Davis
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Memory of:
Mary Hanoka
Lynne & Alan Birnholz
Molly Forman
Judy & Eric Davis
Building Fund
In Memory of:
Rosalyn Antman
Mendy & Edith Fine
In Observance of
the Yahrzeit of Irwin Yalowich
Rachel Yalowich
Janice & Jerry Robins' Granddaughter
Becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Roz & Harvey Podolsky
Edith & Joel Cohen Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Special Birthday of
Shirlee Stromberg Gluckstein
Irv & Gloria Atlas
Speedy Recovery of Rosalie Rosenband
Illene Cooper
Edith & Joel Cohen Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Dr. Robert Reisman
Leonard & Rita Weiss
Education Fund
In Memory of:
Chuck Blinkoff
Illene Cooper
Sylvia & Louis Cooper Fund
In Memory of:
David Cooper
Jack Robins & Elaine Cheiffetz
Fran Bogom
Sarah & Ted Chertoff
Irwin Davis Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Rosalyn Antman
Gert Bacol & Bernie Engel
Carol Davis
Pauline Freedman
Judy & Eric Davis
In Observance of
the Yahrzeit of Israel Sander Davis
Carol Davis
In Observance of
the Yahrzeits of Ruth Weiss, Norman Weiss,
Ralph Davis and Gloria Davis
Judy & Eric Davis
Sally Scheib
Tinka Lendner
10 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Chanukah Outstretched Arm Program
Daniel & Ida Serure
Janice Felsen
Carol Davis
Education Fund
In Honor of:
Birth of David & Roberta Essrow's
Great-Grandson, Ethan
Elaine & Mel Brothman
Irwin Davis Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Jared Wallenfels Being Called to the Torah
Gert Bacol & Bernie Engel
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Sylvia Greenman
Ilene Levine
25 Wonderful Years of Cantor Spindler
Illene Cooper
In Observance of
the Yahrzeit of Mowry Hacker
Janet Presser
Janice Felsen
Harvey & Myra Horowitz
Beatrice Kaiser
Eric & Judy Davis
Molly Forman
Barbara & Michael Sitrin
Mark L. Josephson Torah Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of Iris Statland
Arlene Josephson
Kassirer Family Minyan Room Fund
In Honor of:
Cantor Spindler & Rabbi Netter for Kindness at
Morning Minyan
Cheryl Rudin
Sam Cohen
Illene Cooper
Kassirer Family Minyan Room Fund
In Memory of:
Sally Scheib
Shirlee Stromberg Gluckstein
Mary Hanoka
Laura & Phil Recoon
Samuel Weinstock
Jeff & Chris Stromberg
Jerry Frank Memorial Garden Fund
In Honor of:
Get-Well Wishes for Albert Brunn
Shirley & Larry Magil
Kiddush Fund
In Memory of:
Zelda Waldman
Donald & Erma Bader
Speedy Recovery of Annette Levenson
Ilene Levine
Rabbi Isaac Klein Scholar-in-Residence
Endowment Fund
In Honor of:
Refuah Shlemah for Sylvia Greenman
Muriel Segal
Speedy Recovery of Rosalie Rosenband
Larry & Shirley Magil
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Sylvia Greenman
Ilene Levine
Chanukah Outstretched Arm Program
Daniel & Ida Serure
In Appreciation of Kesher Committee
Ilene Scheib
Rabbi Isaac Klein Scholar-in-Residence
Endowment Fund
In Memory of:
Rosalyn Antman
Muriel Segal
Frances Kornmehl Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
In Appreciation of Bernie's Aliya on Shabbat
Bernie & Jill Kornmehl
We Acknowledge with Thanks to the Following
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK CONTRIBUTORS
Rabbi Isaac Klein Library Fund
In Honor of:
Helen Bergman
Suzanne Kahn
Pulpit Fund
In Honor of:
The Israeli Soldiers
Oded Rauvenpoor
Martin Sanders Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Special Birthday of Judith Epstein
Ina Sanders
Speedy Recovery of Rosalie Rosenband
Bernie & Sandra Weinstein
Ilene Levine
Herb & Roz Weiss
Bat Mitzvah of Leah Kramer
Caroline & Ira Lieberman
Martin Sanders Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Mary Hanoka
Helaine & Harvey Sanders
In Appreciation of Sisterhood Kindness to Me
Illene Cooper
Cantor Mark Spindler
Judy & Jerry Carrel
Marriage of Ellis & Laurie Werbow
and the Birth of Asher Avraham Werbow
Eileen & Arnold Markowitz
Rabbi Isaac Klein Library Fund
In Memory of:
Samuel Cagen
Annette Kareff
Mary Hanoka
Edie Teibel
Robert Reisman
Edie Teibel
Sally Scheib
Edie & Art Block
Molly Forman
Sandy Perlmuter
Sally and William Malkinson Scholarship
Fund
In Honor of:
Marriage of Ellis & Laurie Werbow
and the Birth of Asher Avraham Werbow
Barbara & Irwin Ginsberg
Henrietta Steinberg Music Fund
In Honor of:
Cantor Spindler, for 25 Years of Service to
Temple
Sam Korus
Pamel & Dr. Ilja Weinrieb
Sara Joseph
Mazel Tov & Thank You to Cantor Spindler
for All Your Support and Kindness Over the
Years
Steve & Fern Bernstein
Cantor Mark Spindler
Jack Robins & Elaine Cheiffetz
In Appreciation of Cantor Spindler
Ilene Scheib
Ritual Fund
In Memory of:
Grandfather, William Sperling
Dr. & Mrs. Harold Levy
Janice Felsen
Jeanette & Frank Levin
In Appreciation of Rabbi Netter
Ilene Scheib
Norman & Hannah Weinberg's
Recent Honor from the Jewish Federation
Mimi & Herschel Balsom
Birth of Asher Avraham Werbow
Gert Schwab
Marriage of Laurie & Ellis Werbow
Gert Schwab
Pulpit Fund
In Memory of:
Aaron Dobzewitz
Dr. Herschel & Mimi Balsom
Beatrice Pincus
Judy & Eric Davis
Samuel Weinstock
Drs. Lisa Benson & Lee Guterman
Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
In Honor of:
Birth of Asher Avraham Werbow
Rina & Mark Kotok
Marriage of Laurie & Ellis Werbow
Rina & Mark Kotok
Temple Fund
In Honor of:
Judy & Jerry Carrel's
50th Wedding Anniversary
Sheila & Jeffrey Carrel
Mendy & Edith Fine,
in Appreciation of Good Deeds
Helen Ablove
Receiving an Aliyah
Mona Lewis
In Appreciation of Temple
David Rogachefsky
Jeanne Johnson
Birth of Spencer Pollock
Rena S. Rose
Cantor Mark Spindler,
on his 25th Anniversary with Temple
Lenore Marx
Marriage of Ellis & Laurie Werbow
and the Birth of Asher Avraham Werbow
Donald & Erma Bader
Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
In Memory of:
Sally Scheib
Marian & Steve Lustig
Temple Fund
In Memory of:
Ruth Fox
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Bernhardt
Jonathan Schechter & Ruth Collins
Janice Felsen
Lee Lippa
Mary Hanoka
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Bruce S. Rein Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Rosalie Rosenband
Rae Cohen
Samuel Cagen
Joyce & Mel Block
Bruce S. Rein Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Sally Scheib
Henry Peita
Rae Cohen
Barbara Meyers
Henry & Lynn Ullman
Synagogue Renovation Fund
In Honor of:
Happy Birthday to Joe Sterman & Sylvia Weiss
Herb & Roz Weiss
Synagogue Renovation Fund
In Memory of:
Dr. Robert Reisman
Joe Sterman & Sylvia Weiss
Larry & Cookie Levin
Oscar Smukler
Larry & Cookie Levin
My Parents, Peter & Yanina Sermyazhko
Tamara Castro
Sally Scheib
Helen Ablove
Frank Kurtz
Janice Felsen
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Oscar Smukler
Michael Bloom
Shirley & Cyrus Trossman Museum Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of
the Yahrzeit of Martin Trossman
Tinka Lendner
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 11
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
Amherst, New York
TEMPLE OFFICE
SCHOOL OFFICE
Rabbi
Cantor
Cantor Emeritus
Executive Director
Chairman of the Board
President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
Buffalo, N. Y.
Permit No. 2434
838-3232
836-2660
Perry Netter
Mark Spindler
Gerald DeBruin
Allan Werbow
Harvey Sanders
Janet Gunner
Judy Davis
Lisa Davidson
Janet Presser
Rick Jacobson
Ariel Kostiner
Alan Goldstein
Mailing Address
621 Getzville Road
Buffalo, NY 14226
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday Shaharit Service 8:30 a.m.
Weekday Shaharit Service 7:30 a.m.
Friday Evening Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 6 p.m.
Saturday Shabbat Service 9 a.m.
Daily Minha Sunday through Friday 6 p.m.
Saturday Minha followed by S’eudah Shlisheet, Ma’ariv & Havdalah
January 5 – 4:15 p.m.
January 12 – 4:15 p.m.
January 19 – 4:30 p.m.
January 26 – 4:30 p.m.
OUR NEXT ISSUE
ALL MATERIALS FOR THE
FEBRUARY SHOFAR
MUST BE RECEIVED BY
February 2 – 4:45 p.m.
February 9 – 4:45 p.m.
February 16 – 5:00 p.m.
February 23 – 5:15 p.m.
JANUARY 7, 2013
Find us on the Web at: http://www.btzbuffalo.org
or email us at office@btzbuffalo.org
JANUARY 2013
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 2012
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
6
24 Tevet
TEVET - SH’VAT 5773
MONDAY
FEBRUARY 2013
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28
7
25 Tevet
2 Sh’vat
14
3 Sh’vat
Gesher School
Talmud Class 9:30 a.m.
20
9 Sh’vat
16 Sh’vat
19 Tevet
OFFICE CLOSED
8
26 Tevet
15
4 Sh’vat
Gesher School
21
10 Sh’vat
Gesher School
Talmud Class 9:30 a.m.
Weinberg Mincha 3 p.m.
27
1
Sisterhood Board 10 a.m.
Gesher School
Bloodmobile
Board Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Gesher School
13
TUESDAY
22
11 Sh’vat
Sisterhood
General Meeting 12 Noon
Gesher School
28
17 Sh’vat
Gesher School
Mishpacha
12 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
29
18 Sh’vat
Officers Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Gesher School
WEDNESDAY
2
20 Tevet
Ritual Committee 7:30 p.m.
Singable Melodies 7:30 p.m
9
27 Tevet
THURSDAY
3
21 Tevet
Education
Committee 7:30 p.m.
10
28 Tevet
Weinberg
Study Session 1:30 p.m.
Singable Melodies 7:30 p.m.
16
5 Sh’vat
Lunch & Learn Noon
Finance Committee 7 p.m.
23
12 Sh’vat
19 Sh’vat
4
22 Tevet
Candle Lighting 4:36 p.m.
11
29 Tevet
Candle Lighting 4:43 p.m.
17
6 Sh’vat
Adult Education
Committee 7:30 p.m.
24
13 Sh’vat
Membership
Committee 7:30 p.m.
30
FRIDAY
18
7 Sh’vat
Candle Lighting 4:51 p.m.
25
14 Sh’vat
Candle Lighting 5:00 p.m.
31
20 Sh’vat
SATURDAY
5
23 Tevet
Jr. Congregation
End of Shabbat 5:25 p.m.
12
1 Sh’vat
End of Shabbat 5:32 p.m.
19
8 Sh’vat
Simcha Shabbat
Tot Shabbat
End of Shabbat 5:11 p.m.
26
15 Sh’vat
Jr. Congregation
End of Shabbat 5:50 p.m.