February - Congregation B`nai Israel

THE OFFICIAL NEWS BULLETIN OF CONGREGATION B’NAI ISRAEL
February 2016 • www.bisrael.com • Shevat-Adar 1 5776
A Message
From Our Rabbi
by Rabbi Debra Orenstein
FLEET
M
y kids are getting to
the age when they
surprise me almost
daily with what they know. Just
yesterday, when the word “fleeting” came up in conversation,
I asked my 9-year-old daughter
if she knew what it meant. She replied, “running
swiftly and gracefully.” Pretty swift, eh? Not to mention graceful.
I especially like that definition when I think of
the noun that fleeting most often describes: time.
Swiftly and gracefully, life goes by.
Some of the chubby-cheeked little kids I knew
when I first came to CBI are now beginning to study
for their b’nai mitzvah. As the Cantor likes to say,
“azoy geyen di yoren.” That’s how the years go.
It seems as if we just returned from a CBI
trip to Israel, and we are planning our next one
– hopefully for the summer of 2017. (Join us for
Israel Shabbat on February 20, to hear reflections
on Israel from our congregants and in our liturgy.
If you are considering a future travel adventure to
our homeland with CBI-ers and families, please
attend our informational meeting on an upcoming
date or contact Robin Pierce at robin.pierce@
bisrael.com.) My long-planned sabbatical in Israel
is less than a year away. Sometimes I feel as if my
father’s sabbatical in Israel, when I was the age that my daughter is now,
happened a million years ago; and sometimes it seems like it was just
yesterday that I lived on Rahel Imeynu (Rachel, our Foremother) Street
and bought banana taffy to split with my sister on our way home from
school in Baka, Jerusalem.
Psalm 90 includes these words:
“Teach us to number our days that we may attain a heart of wisdom.”
In some English translations and in one popular song, the verse is
rendered as “treasure each day.” Teach us to treasure each day.
With time fleeting and flying, with us scheduling time and making time
and occasionally killing time, we can forget just to notice time. And once
you notice – really notice – how can you not treasure each moment?
Including this one, right now, as your eyes miraculously scan and your
brain miraculously understands and your consciousness is miraculously
connected to me and to everyone who reads these words. Meanwhile, just
shy of your awareness and equally miraculously, your breath and your
heartbeat and a thousand other graces continue in this moment. You are
constantly invited – and never required – to notice and to treasure.
I am writing this column on the day that Steve Saltman died. Steve
was treasured as a family man, a member of the Temple, a friend, and a
craftsman. He made audio speakers from parts and proprietary formulas
for ink and cleansers; he sometimes made his own furniture and he
almost always made his own fun. In short, he made impressive use of his
time. On the night before he died, he and his beloved wife, Linda, noticed
the moon together. They didn’t notice because they knew it would be his
last night on earth, but rather because they took account of each day and
each night – and thereby made every one count.
The artist Andrew Wyeth once said, “It’s a moment that I’m after, a
fleeting moment, but not a frozen moment.” That is true in life, as in art.
Paintings may be fixed on our walls and “snapshots” of memories, fixed
in our minds, but time is fluid. It moves gracefully and inexorably – and,
especially as it relates to who and what we love, all too quickly.
In the 6th grade Rabbinic Traditions class of our Hebrew School,
we recently studied the life and the sayings of Rabbi Hillel. Among my
favorite aphorisms by Hillel are: “Do not say when I have time I will study,
for you may never have time.” And “if not now, when?”
C A N TO R ’ S CO R N E R
by Cantor Lenny Mandel
I
’m not sure how
many years Shelly
and I had been
married when one of
her aunts (or uncles)
died. We stood
around the grave,
and as the entire casket was covered I
turned to her and said that we could call
the workmen and they could finish filling
in the grave.
Her cousin Ira Weiss turned and said
“We bury our own, Lenny”.
Of course, growing up in an observant
home, I knew that we buried our own, but
I had no idea that Ira, who was a member
of a reform synagogue, would keep the
practice. Shelly’s dad was the youngest
of four siblings, none of whom grew up
particularly observant, and his oldest
sister Rose Weiss, Ira’s mom, was the only
one who even kept a kosher home.
All of Shelly’s aunts and uncles are
gone now, which should be the natural
course of life, but so are three of her
cousins, taken way too young. The last
of the three, who we buried last Sunday,
was Ira Weiss.
I didn’t officiate and as we stood at
his grave, the rabbi had everyone recite
Kaddish, and then said that if anybody
had a desire to put a little dirt into the
grave, they could do so.
I was dumbfounded at his callousness,
but soon after that he left and I was
asked to chant the El Moleh Rachamim
(G-D full of compassion), and when I was
done, I asked to speak.
I began: “Ira always said We bury
our own, and that’s the respect and
the kindness that we will give him as
well. It’s the final kindness that we can
do for another: the kindness that can
never be repaid.”
I then told one of the most beautifully
touching metaphors that I heard from
our Rabbi, Rabbi Debra Orenstein, at a
burial a few years ago.
“Remember when your child was a
baby,” she said, “and you would go into
his room and pull the covers up under
his chin to make sure that he was warm,
covered and safe? That’s what we’re
doing here: making sure that our loved
one is tucked in, warm and safe as well.”
That night I got a message from Ira’s
niece, Melissa:
“Just wanted to let you know the
impact you left on my heart after your
interpretation of why we cover someone’s
grave. Hearing those first drops of dirt hit
the coffin has always been bone chilling
for me. While I have always appreciated
… staying and making sure the job was
complete...you have changed my vision
for the better. Thinking of it as our last
way to tuck them in and make that person
feel at peace is beyond warming to my
soul. Thanks for those words...they will
stay with me forever.”
May we all be comforted knowing that
as a final gesture, we tucked our loved
ones in again, keeping them warm and
safe in their final resting place.
The compliment from my cousin
Melissa is for you, Rabbi Debra. An
actor can be great on stage, his work
can bring people to heights they never
imagined, but every one of us who ever
‘trod the boards’ (acted on the stage)
knows, we would be nothing without
the genius of the person who put that
pen to that paper.
Thanks.
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of our shul!
2
53 Palisade Ave., Emerson, NJ 07630
Temple Office:
(201) 265-2272
Rabbi Debra Orenstein
(201) 265-2272
Cantor Lenny Mandel
(973) 325-1778
Cantor Emeritus
Sidney Derner
Temple Fax
(201) 265-0971
Temple Website
www.bisrael.com
Temple E-Mail
office@bisrael.com
MENORAH NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
Articles due 5th of preceding month. E-mail
articles to Menorah@bisrael.com. Questions?
Call 201-768-9661.
TEMPLE OFFICERS
2015-2016
Refer to www.bisrael.com for officer e-mails.
President
Nancy Passow
Immediate Past President
Jamie Kreiman
Vice Presidents
Bruce Kasper
Linda Spatz
Treasurer
Jeff Siegel
Financial Secretary
Peter Reiff
Corresponding Secretary
Deborah Shapiro
Recording Secretary
Fred Pierce
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Coordinator Jodi Paulen
Education Co-Chairs
Lori Cohen
Emily Perlman
Samantha Segal
Ritual Co-Chairs
Audrey Bida
Judy Schoenfeld
Joyce Schreiber
Membership Chair
Carol Aferiat
The Menorah Editor
Ellen Michelson
House & Grounds Scott Hayden
Peter Silver
Facilities
Renee Kuperinsky
Warren Kuperinsky
Ways & Means Co-Chairs
Joseph Rosenthal
Men’s Club
Dave Bloom
David Gordon
Sisterhood Co-Chairs
Andrea Collier
Tracy Ganbarg
Trustees
Meryl Kutzin
Gary Schwinder
Sheryl Silver
David Spatz
Naomi Weinberg
To contact Board members go to www.bisrael.com
The Principal’s Pen
by Karen Weiss, Principal
Lori Cohen, Emily Perlman, & Samantha Segal, Education Co-Chairs
G
reetings from the Education Committee. Now that
we’re halfway through the school year, we’d like to
reflect on some of the positive happenings in the Hebrew
School and also fill you on some upcoming events. In September we had a very successful Junior.
Congregation program during the High Holy days. We also
fulfilled the mitzvah of having a meal in the Sukkah by
snacking on doughnuts and apple juice. All of the Hebrew
School children made decorations, and had the opportunity
to decorate the Sukkah with their craft. In October, the
Hebrew School students experienced an insightful and
uplifting program about Jewish camping in conjunction with
learning about the holiday of Simchat Torah. We also had a
special Prozdor family service led by Rabbi Orenstein.
In November, all our Hebrew School classes, as well as
Shalom Baby participants, parents and friends, enjoyed the
Mama Doni concert. We really got excited for Chanukah with
the musical energy that came out of the sanctuary that day. Hopefully you also shopped at the Holiday Gift Boutique
or at the Book Fair. December brought the Dalet and Hey
students (and some others) to the Jewish Home in River
Vale. The residents loved seeing the children participate in
the service, and the children enjoyed interacting with the
residents at the Kiddush that followed services. January, our
coldest month yet, was filled with warmth at CBI as we held
a Learning Service for all ages, and a Tu B’Shvat program
specifically for Hebrew School children.
As you can see, we have been busy, but we are
not finished! The months ahead promise many more
opportunities to come together as a community. In February,
the Bet Class will get their Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates at a special
Havdalah service on February 6. Yes, Hey Shabbat morning is
also that Saturday morning! There will be a Hey Class Jewish
Heritage Fair on Sunday morning March 6 following Minyan.
Parents are of course invited to attend. The Dalet class will
attend Kehillah #3 on Sunday morning March 13. Then,
Purim will roar in and we’ll play and eat at the Purim Carnival,
our biggest fundraiser for the Hebrew School of the year,
on Sunday morning March 20 and laugh along with Canter
Lenny’s Purim Shpiel on Wednesday evening, March 23. In
between all these events, we have required class services,
family learning services, Friday night services, and Sunday
minyan. Wow! With all these opportunities, we’re sure to see
you in Hebrew School wing, and we really hope to.
GREETINGS FROM THE CBI MEN’S CLUB
by Dave Bloom & David Gordon, Men’s Club Co-Chairs
C
ongratulations to Matt Silver, son
of Past President Sheryl Silver and
former Board Member David Silver, for
winning the 3rd annual CBI Fantasy
Football League Athletic Cup. It all came
down to the final game when his team –
Me and Julio Down by the School Yard
– beat the first place team – Chutzpah
– in the finals. Matt has served as the
league manager for all three years, which
leads us to wonder if maybe there was a
little hanky panky involved. In any event, thanks Matt for
another great year!
Plans are in the works for an upcoming Poker Night, so
keep your eyes glued to the Shmooz for more details.
For more information, to join or volunteer, contact
David & Dave at mensclub.chair@bisrael.com
The One Book/One Community event from December 20 featuring the book
A Backpack, A Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka, with Dr. Sylvia Orenstein as
the guest speaker.
3
SISTERS IN THE HOOD
by Andrea Collier & Tracy Ganbarg, Sisterhood Co-Chairs
S
isterhood is
planning some
great events for the
upcoming months.
On February 21,
at 10:00 am, we will
be meeting in the
CBI kitchen for our annual Cooking
event for the Center for Hope and
Safety (formerly known as Shelter Our
Sisters). This is always a fun event, and
we will need volunteers to help with the
shopping, chopping, and cooking! Keep
in mind that you can help in lots of ways.
You can join us Sunday morning to help
RITUAL
W
cook, you can shop from a pre-made
shopping list of ingredients we will need,
you can make or buy a dessert and bring
it that morning, or make a monetary
donation toward the cost of the food.
We welcome any kind of participation!
This is always a great event and so
appreciated by the women and children
in the shelter who get to eat a wonderful
meal that night.
We will also be having a game night
on Thursday March 31st. We will be
playing mahjong at the home of Tracy
Ganbarg, 2 Nancy Dr. in Hillsdale. Come
on out and have fun with the sisters in
by Audrey Bida, Judy Schoenfeld & Joyce Schreiber, Ritual Co-Chairs
inter is almost half over. Our little ground
hog friends are peeking out of their warm
winter dwellings to let us know how many more
weeks of winter we will have. As we are writing
this, at the start of January, the winter has been
very kind to those of us who “think Florida” and
yet stay in New Jersey! We can only wonder what
our ground hog meteorologists will predict….
What we can predict is another wonderful
month of inspiring services and joyous
gatherings, here at CBI. Every Friday this month
at 8:00 p.m. we will gather together to greet the
Sabbath with meaningful prayers led by Rabbi
Orenstein and chanted so beautifully by Rabbi/
Cantor Mandel. Friday evening, February 19, will be a Torah
Town Hall Shabbat, with an emphasis on current events from a
Jewish perspective.
Our first Shabbat morning service of the month, February
6, we will be led by the Hey Class at 10:00 a.m. There will be a
Bet Class Havdallah Service from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. In addition
to the lovely service that transitions the peace of Shabbat to
the following week, the Bet students will receive their B’nai
Mitzvah dates.
Also, that evening, (February 6) at 6:30 p.m. we are
invited to participate in “Sweet Taste of Torah”, an annual
event sponsored by North Jersey Federation, presented by the
North Jewish Board of Rabbis, who live or work in Bergen,
north Hudson, and eastern Passaic. This wonderful learning
4
a relaxing atmosphere! Please RSVP to
sisterhood.chair@bisrael.com to let us
know you would like to join in the fun.
Its $5 for our CBI members . If you don’t
know how to play, come and learn!
And a special shout out to Warren
Kuperinsky for all his help in baking the
goodies for our program in December for
our One Book One Community program. They were delicious as always!
We hope to see you all in the next
couple of months! Don’t forget to send in
your dues if you haven’t already done so,
it’s never too late to support Sisterhood
at CBI!
experience will take place at Temple Beth Rishon, in Wyckoff,
from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Havdallah will start at 6:50 p.m.,
followed by two, one hour sessions. There will be a snack
between the two sessions and desserts and socializing at the
end of the second session. The cost of the evening is $15.00.
Join us at the Jewish Home for Assisted Living, the
following Shabbat, February 13. It is a warm and
welcoming feeling as our children and adult congregants
mingle with the residents. The Services are from 10:00 –
11:00 am followed by a lovely Kiddush provided by the
Home. Children are always invited to help with the prayers
and as “waiters” at the oneg.
We will congregate at B’nai Israel on Shabbat morning,
February 20, to share “A Shabbat Experience” - Israel
Shabbat. During services our “Tripsters” will share their
experiences and pictures from their recent trip to Israel with
the Rabbi.
Shabbat morning, February 27, come support the Bet Class
as they lead Services at 10:00 a.m.
Enrich your Shabbats by joining us as often as possible. It
will not only be a rejuvenating experience for you, but will also
support those in our congregation who come to say Kaddish
for their loved ones.
If you have a Yahrzeit coming up and would like to
remember your loved one with an honor (opening or closing
the ark, carrying the Torah, or an aliyah), please contact us at
ritual.chair@bisrael.com.
See you at Shul!
The P resident's Pen
by Nancy Passow, President
“When you’re down and troubled And you need some love and
care And nothing, nothing is going right; Close your eyes and
think of me And soon I will be there To brighten up even your
darkest night . . . All you have to do is call And I’ll be there,
You’ve got a friend.” by Carole King
Y
ou probably remember that the
theme I chose for my presidency is
community. One of the joys of being part
of a community, especially a community
like CBI, is that “all you have to do is call”
(or email) and we’ll be there – you have
a friend at Congregation B’nai Israel. We are here to help –
whether it’s illness, financial issues, spiritual issues, whatever
has you down and troubled. Call the Rabbi, call the Cantor, or
call me (or send an email if you’re not comfortable calling). Not
sure how to get in touch with any of us? Call the office and ask
Marie – she knows how to find us. And if she’s not there, as I
sometimes remember, my phone number is on the answering
machine message (I will admit to still being surprised when I
get phone calls, especially from people outside of CBI).
February may be a short month (one extra day this year!)
but there’s plenty to do at CBI. The Hey and Bet classes
will be leading Shabbat morning services, and the Bet Class
celebrates Havdalah as well (they receive their B’nai Mitzvah
dates that evening) – come enjoy them. Everyone is invited to
Shabbat Share & Care at JHAL – a fun, one-hour service that
the JHAL residents love. This month’s Shabbat Experience
will be Israel Shabbat – an opportunity to highlight parts of
the Shabbat morning service that focus on Israel, to see and
hear about CBI’s trip to Israel this past October, and to enjoy a
light Israeli lunch.
This is not only leap year on the secular calendar, it’s also
a double Adar year – which means twice the fun! And CBI is
going to be out there having fun. There are two special fun
fundraisers in February. The first, on Monday, February 8,
is dine out at the Blue Moon Mexican Café in Woodcliff Lake.
Bring the flyer, either eat in or take out, and CBI receives
20% of your check (flyer is here in the Menorah, linked in
the Shmooz, and in CBI’s lobby). Then on Saturday night,
February 27, Comedy Night is back (snow date is February
28) – doesn’t get much more fun than that!
CBI is a place to go for your spiritual needs, it’s a place to
go to have fun. Please don’t forget it’s also a place to go for
support and help. When you need some love and care, just call
– we’re here to be your friend!!
MEMBER MUSINGS
I
hope you all read the ‘Kehillah’
article written by our Hebrew School
students Ella Glastein and Harlee
Hayden in December’s Menorah. They
beautifully defined ‘Tzedakah’ and
‘Chesed’ as follows: “Tzedakah means
to raise money or give your own money
to people or countries in need. Chesed
is when you give your time, not your
money, to people who need help….’
I believe the time is now for ‘Chesed’
to be extended to our Muslim neighbors
who are being singled out and
demonized just for being Muslim. This
should strike way too close to home for
all of us who have witnessed, directly
or indirectly, the stigma of being
segregated as ‘the other’. . When the
by Ellen Michelson
‘Tripsters’ were in Israel in October, and
we exited the Yad Vashem Holocaust
Memorial, our guide David said “we are
all survivors of the Holocaust”, and it
was easy in that place to understand
what he meant. And as ‘survivors’, it
is incumbent upon us to do what we
can, where we can, to stand up and be
counted so this fear of the ‘other’ does
not take root in our country.
Of course, we all recognize that
Muslim extremism is a very serious
threat throughout the world today,
especially to Israel, as well as to fellow
non-radicalized Muslims. That is all
the more reason why we need to reach
out to and build relationships with
moderate Muslims.
I will be working with the Rabbi
initially, and subsequently through
other Interfaith and outreach groups, to
develop a game plan for CBI to engage
with some of the many moderate
Muslims in our area, and hopefully
begin a dialogue. Over time other joint
activities may follow, potentially under
the auspices of our SAC, or other
groups within CBI.
If you would like to join me in this grass
roots effort, please contact me, and
we’ll see where ‘Chesed” can take us.
Ellen Michelson
201-967-0141 or
Ellen.Michelson@bisrael.com
5
Where can I find a performance of Jethro Tull, The Rock Opera?
T
FOCUS
ON ISRAEL
o those of you who haven’t been to
Israel in a couple of years don’t go
looking for the Mann Auditorium. That
doesn’t mean that the Israel Philharmonic
has lost its home and it doesn’t mean that
plays and concerts no longer have a large
venue in the great city of Tel Aviv. What
it does mean is that Charles Bronfman,
the Canadian/American businessman
and philanthropist donated $10 million
towards the renovation of the building
with the stipulation of a name change. The
Philharmonic Orchestra’s fund raised $25
million from different contributors and the
Tel Aviv municipally gave $20 million dollar
for the project. The renovations included
constructing a new 2400 seat concert hall
with complicated changes to the acoustics
in the hall and building a library of sheet
music. The project took two years and was
completed in 2013.
The Mann family agreed to the name
change after being assured that Fredric
Mann would be memorialized in the new
building. Mr. Mann was a Russian child
immigrant to the United States who made
his fortune in cardboard boxes. His principal
interest was classical music and he used his
wealth to support many musical endeavors
including an ensemble which led to the
creation of the Israel Philharmonic and
financing its first permanent home in 1957
known as the Mann Auditorium until 2013.
Now, the Charles Bronfman Auditorium is
ready to rock on February 24 and 25 when
there will be two performances of Jethro
Tull, The Rock Opera. Ian Anderson, with
flute in hand, will celebrates the life of
Jethro Tull, an English agricultural inventor.
The show tells the story of the original Tull’s
life and also incorporates the famous songs
(remember Thick As A Brick and Aqualung
among the many of Anderson’s legendary
rock band, Jethro Tull.) Anderson will be
joined by other musicians on stage to
create this multimedia performance. Interested in attending? While doing
research for this article there was an ad
to buy tickets for Jethro Tull...at the Mann
Auditorium. It’s hard to break old habits.
K-S SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE
TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Application Deadline is April 30
The K-S Scholarship Foundation, administered by Congregation B’nai
Israel, will again award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student in
2016. The scholarship will be made to a Jewish high school senior, from
either the Pascack Valley area or surrounding communities, who meets
certain eligibility requirements that include demonstrating academic
achievement and financial need.
Applications must presently be Jewish high school seniors who
graduated CBI’s Hebrew School and/or attend the Bergen County
High School for Jewish Studies and/or reside in Emerson, Westwood,
Washington Township, Hillsdale, Closter, River Vale, Harrington Park,
Norwood, Upper Saddle River, Oradell, or Woodcliff Lake.
To obtain an application, contact the temple’s administrator at
201-265-2272 or office@bisrael.com. Applications must be submitted
by April 30. The recipient will be notified on or about May 31, 2016.
6
Warren Kuperinsky baking Hanukkah cookies
with Hebrew School students.
Ask the Clergy
[aka Dear (R)Abbi]
q
q
This month answered by Cantor Lenny Mandel
What is the origin of the Star of David being
associated with Judaism? What is the symbolism
behind the star, and the colors blue and white, being
on the Israeli flag?
The blue stripes on the Zionist flag were inspired by the
stripes on the tallit (prayer shawl). The tallit has two separate
symbolic aspects: the light blue hue and the stripes. Some
say that the stripes are meant to recall the one dyed strand
of the ritual fringes (tzitzit). This leads to the significance of
the hue itself. According to the Torah, one strand in the tzitzit
should be light blue. To judge from references in the Talmud,
it was a shade between green and blue. Many symbolic
meanings were attributed to it. Rabbi Meir said that it recalls
the color of the sky; Rabbi Judah ben Illai maintained that
the color of Aaron’s staff was light blue, as were the Tablets
of the Law, and this is why God commanded the Jews to
include it on their prayer shawls: “As long as the people of
Israel are looking at this tehelet, they are reminded of {the
words} written on the tablets and observe them.” In other
words, the sight of the color tehelet leads to observance of
the commandments. White and tehelet, along with gold and
purple, were the colors of the High Priest’s raiment (Exodus
28: 4,43) and of the curtains of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26).
They were considered to be the colors of purity symbolizing
the spirituality of the Jewish people.
The first person in modern times who voiced the idea
that blue and white are the national colors of the Jewish
people, was the Austrian Jewish poet Ludwig August Frankl
(1810-1894). More than three decades before the First
Zionist Congress, Frankl published a poem entitled “Judah’s
Colors”:
When sublime feelings his heart fill,
He is mantled in the colors of his country
He stands in prayer, wrapped
In a sparkling robe of white.
The hems of the white robe
Are crowned with broad stripes of blue;
Like the robe of the High Priest,
Adorned with bands of blue threads.
These are the colors of the beloved country,
Blue and white are the borders of Judah;
White is the radiance of the priesthood,
And blue, the splendors of the firmament.
A. L. Frankl, «Juda›s Farben,” in Ahnenbilder
(Leipzig, 1864), p. 127
The Star of David (The Jewish Star) - although the Hebrew
MAGEN David means Shield of David - was, according to
our history, the emblem that was emblazoned on David’s
shield when he went to war.
The world renowned Kabbalistic scholar (Jewish
mysticism) Gershom Sholem, had an entirely different
take: according to Sholem, the motive for the widespread
use of the Star of David was a wish to imitate Christianity.
During the Emancipation, Jews needed a symbol of Judaism
parallel to the cross, the universal symbol of Christianity.
In particular, they wanted something to adorn the walls
of the modern Jewish house of worship that would be
symbolic like the cross. This is why the Star of David
became prominent in the nineteenth century and why it
was later used on ritual objects and in synagogues, and
eventually reached Poland and Russia. The pursuit of
imitation, in Sholem’s opinion, led to the dissemination of an
emblem that was not really Jewish and conveyed no Jewish
message.*
Rabbi Debra Orenstein’s dad (Rabbi Jechiel Orenstein) had
a fabulous explanation of the Star of David, which goes back
to its early historical roots. The two triangles are two deltas
to spell the name David in Greek letters.
One faces up to show respect for God. One faces down to
show involvement in this world. This is the shield of David
the warrior, who was also David the lover and peacemaker.
It has become the shield of the Jewish people. It has moved
Jews for centuries, and it certainly had a strong emotional
and spiritual charge in 1948 - when a symbol of degradation
(the yellow star) was reclaimed as a symbol of the Jewish
state (the blue star). Rabbi Jechiel used to say, “This is
a great genius of the Jewish people - to take a symbol of
oppression and reinvent it as a symbol of freedom.”
7
Notes from the Rabbi
SWEET TASTE
OF TORAH
Saturday evening, February 6
Explore “Sacred Relationships”. Healthy,
meaningful, enriching relationships are vital to
our lives. Every relationship we have -- with our
self, our family, our friends, our congregations,
our community, our people, our homeland, and
God -- has the potential to be sacred. Join nearly
two dozen rabbis from northern New Jersey
who will be exploring in one uplifting night what
Judaism teaches about these concentric circles
of connection, as well as ways to make our
relationships sacred. This year’s event is at Temple
Beth Rishon, 585 Russell Avenue, Wyckoff. Doors
open at 6:30 p.m., special musical Havdalah at 6:50
p.m., classes are followed by great desserts! $15
per person, pre-registered; $20 at door. Check
out the 2016 program and register by credit card
at: www.sweettastesoftorah.weebly.com.
A MULTI-GENERATIONAL
TRIP TO ISRAEL WITH CBI
CBI just completed our first community TRIP TO
ISRAEL in over a decade, and it was an amazing
experience! The group that came back was so lit up
by a community experience of Israel that we already
want to plan our NEXT TRIP. The plan is to make
this a MULTI- GENERATION TRIP, for parents with
younger kids, and including grandparents and singles
and couples of all ages, too. We are considering a
SUMMER 2017 trip. If you are interested or would like
more information, please contact the Rabbi (rabbi@
bisrael.com) or Robin Pierce, of our Focus on Israel
Committee (robin.pierce@bisrael.com). A date for
our first meeting will be announced soon.
8
SLAVERY IN THE NEWS
Did you know?
•9
.5 billion is generated by human trafficking in
the United States each year.
• 155 billion is generated across the globe each year.
• Worldwide, 5.5 million children are victims of
human trafficking annually.
• The average age of a girl forced into prostitution
is thirteen and a half.
• 22% of today’s slaves are sex slaves; the remaining 78% are spread across all industries and settings where manual labor is used – including restaurants, hotels, mines, factories, quarries, farms,
private homes, fishing boats and even (as we
heard about on the news last year) nail salons.
Adult Education Daytime Series:
My Prayerbook
February 11 and March 10
The Second Thursdays of the Month from
1 pm-2 pm
This is part of an ongoing monthly series. Bring
a dairy or vegetarian lunch and nosh while you
drash. Our class continues examining individual
prayers and the history and structure of the
prayerbook as a whole. From month to month,
the focus is chosen by those in attendance.
CBI Members Networking
To Find Work & Lend Support
Do you know of a good job? Are you, or is your company,
hiring? Or would you like to find new work? CBI members
are interested in networking. Do you want to participate?
Can you help? Please contact our President, Nancy Passow,
at president@bisrael.com to let her know if you are
interested.
BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
Name: Audrey Bida
Position: Ritual Co-Chair
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the
Bronx, New York
Which High School did you attend? I went to
James Monoe High School in the Bronx, New York
Where did you go to college? I went to Bergen Community College,
and Thomas Edison State College, New Jersey
What is (was) your profession? I am an Early Childhood Educator Kindergarten Teacher
Where do you live currently? I live in Paramus
Do you have children? If so, what are their names and ages? Both
Sarah and Jason had their Bat/Bar Mitzvah at CBI
How long have you been a member of CBI? I have been a CBI member
since 1993
Did you hold any other Board positions before your current one? I
was Sisterhood co-chair and Ritual co-chair
The thing I like most about CBI is… I have always felt like I am at
home in a community that welcomes me every time I am at shul.
Name: Judy Schoenfield
Position: Ritual Co-Chair
Where did you grow up? I was born in the
Bronx, but moved to Philadelphia the August
before I started fifth grade. I attended Northeast
High School in Philadelphia.
Where did you go to college? I started college at Cleveland Institute of
Music/Case Western, in Cleveland, Ohio. After suffering with continuous tendonitis from 8 hours of practicing a day, I switched majors to
Elementary Education at Kent State University in Ohio. I came home to
Philadelphia to attend Temple University for my Masters Degree in Reading Psychology.
What is (was) your profession? I started teaching 3rd grade after returning
home to Philadelphia. I resumed teaching at Temple Emanuel Pre-School
when my youngest child was in kindergarten.
Where do you live currently? I live in Emerson NJ.
What is your spouse’s name? My husband’s name is Bernard
Do you have children? If so, what are their names and ages? I have
three children, Melissa, Jocelyn and Jeffrey. They are all happily married
and have graced me with 6 wonderful grandchildren ranging in age from
9 months to 11 years old.
How long have you been a member of CBI? We move here in August, 1973
having researched the fact that there was a synagogue in town. We were
greeted by Murray and Fran Klein upon our arrival. We attended High
Holiday Services that year, and have been active ever since.
Did you hold any other Board positions before your current one? I
started out in Facilities for several yeasrs, and did a second stint years
later. I was Sisterhood Co- President for many years, and also Membership Chair.
The thing I like most about CBI is… This is where I met my first friends
when I moved here all those years ago. I love the warmth of the membership, our Rabbi and Cantor. I love the fact that all ages blend to make
this a wonderful, caring family.
BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
Name: Dr. Joyce Schreiber
Position:Born in Brussels, Belgium but raised
in Closter, NJ
Where did you grow up? Marlboro, NJ
Which High School did you attend? Northern
Valley Regional High School in Demarest, NJ
Where did you go to college? Haverford College and then attended
Teachers College, Columbia University for graduate school
What is (was) your profession? Currently teaching special education
mathematics, however practiced as a licensed psychologist for over
15 years.
Where do you live currently? River Vale, NJ
What is your spouse’s name? Edward Schreiber
Do you have children? If so, what are their names and ages? 3
children-Zachary (17), Daniel (13), and Liya (9)
How long have you been a member of CBI? 10 years
Did you hold any other Board positions before your current one? Was
on the Education Committee two years ago
The thing I like most about CBI is… How the community is a familly
and is always supportive in good times and times of need.
CHOOSE YOUR STORE….
AND SUPPORT THE TEMPLE
FOOD STORE GIFT CARDS FOR SALE
SWAP YOUR CASH FOR A FOOD STORE GIFT CARD AND THE TEMPLE MAKES 5%
IT COSTS YOU NOTHING!!!
IT'S EASY, IT'S QUICK AND IT'S A MONEY MAKER FOR CBI!
SEE MARIE IN THE OFFICE FOR YOUR GIFT CARDS.
P.S. THEY MAKE GREAT HANNUKKA GIFTS FOR KIDS, PARENTS AND FRIENDS.
9
Shabbat Across America Family Dinner
& Dalet Class Service, March 4, 2016
Enjoy a Shabbat dinner, with rituals, songs, and
prayers around the table, led by Rabbi Debra
Orenstein, Cantor Lenny Mandel, and the Dalet
Class. Children attending will have the opportunity to play
Shabbat games. Our service, integrated with the dinner, will
conclude in the sanctuary with Mourner’s Kaddish,
ending around 8:00 pm, followed by the oneg.
Shabbat Across America is an outreach event,
supported by hundreds of synagogues across
North America, including CBI. Its motto is:
“Turn an ordinary Friday night into
something extraordinary!”
Friday, March 4, 6:30 to 8:00 pm,
please RSVP by Sunday, February 28
GUESTS WELCOME!
NAME: _____________________________ e-mail address: _____________________
Number of people attending: adults ______ children ________
Cost: Members -- Adults $15; Children (12 & under) $8; [Member family price cap
$40; Extended family member price, includes 2 grandparents, cap $55]
Guests/Non-Members -- Adults $17; Children (12 & under) $10; [Family cap $45;
grandparents cap $60]
AMOUNT INCLUDED_________________
I/We can help: ____ plan; ___ cook; ____ set-up; ____ serve; ___ clean-up;
___ plan/play games
RSVP by Sunday, February 28 to Congregation B'nai Israel office at 201-2652272 or office@bisrael.com or drop off at CBI office (charge can be billed to your
account). If mailed, address is Congregation B'nai Israel, PO Box 345,
Emerson, NJ 07630.
10
PO Box, 345, 53 Palisade Avenue, Emerson, NJ 201-265-2272 office@bisrael.com www.bisrael.com
11
!
Congregation B’nai Israel presents:
COMEDY NIGHT - 2016
Saturday, February 27th at 8:30pm*
Doors open at 7:30pm
(*snow date Sunday, February 28th)
!
All Ticket Holders will Receive 2 Free Drinks**
Bring your own Kosher wine.
Soft Drinks & Munchies Provided
Featuring….
THE STONE TWINS
Semi-finalists on “Last Comic Standing”
New York Friars Club roasts
New York Comedy Festival, and more!
BRAD TRACKMAN
“The Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
“Heroes of Jewish Comedy”
Has opened for Robin Williams, Damon Wayons, and more!
DAN WILSON
“Evening at the Improv”
MTV’s “Half Hour Comedy Hour”
Has opened for
Dana Carvey,
Richard Lewis,
Richard Belzer,
and more!
SAVE
THE
DATE!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!!
Cost: $50 per person In Advance!
$55 at the Door!
!
!
**Each ticket includes:!
!
1 margarita or 2 beers — your choice!!
!
Enjoy your drinks before the show begins.!
No beverages can be served during the performance.!
!
MARK
YOUR
CALENDARS
NOW!
TELL YOUR
FRIENDS!
You’ll make your checks payable to “Congregation B’nai
Israel” and mail to P.O. Box 345, Emerson, NJ 07630 Attn: Comedy 2016
12
!
PARENTING
DISCUSSION GROUP
We hope the over-sized type got your attention.
The headline announces an adult education series geared
– but certainly not limited – to parents and parenting
issues from a spiritual perspective.
Purim is Coming!
It’s time to get your orders in!
Volunteers Needed!
Your user-friendly Mishloach Manot forms have been
mailed and the order deadline is February 12th (So
send it in before you go away for Presidents’ Week).
Sending Purim baskets of goodies is a wonderful
tradition spelled out in the Book of Esther. Ask your
children whom they would like to send a basket to so
they can take ownership of this mitzvah. It’s a great
way to boost friendships and support the temple.
Order for friends and family outside of temple too.
What a warm surprise on a cold March day!
Please don’t delay in filling out the form. Every
name you check off will receive a bag with your name
on the card as a sender. If you don’t want to deal with
the form, you can send a check to Congregation B’nai
Israel for $195 and your name will be on each bag
to EVERYONE in our B’nai Israel family--members,
clergy and staff. It’s that simple!
Schedule OVERLOAD:
Spiritual Conversations – with a parenting focus
Sunday, February 7 • 10:15am-11:30am
Grab coffee and a bagel and let’s meet back of Social Hall
One popular radio show calls parenting “the longest, shortest time.” Parents are immersed
in tasks that both seem to go on forever and, simultaneously, to speed by. Though this time
of life is often “crazy/busy” – it is also deep.
Parenting and grandparenting raise all the most profound spiritual issues: What are
my values? What is the most important thing to pass on? What is the balance between
acceptance and instruction - how can I nurture and support? When must I direct and set
standards? What kind of person do I need to be, so that I can guide the next generation to
be their best selves?
We all know that busier does not necessarily mean more productive or happier. Yet,
most of us continue to be busier than we would like. Books have been written about our
“over-scheduled” children. Yet, we want the best (most?) for them – sports, music, other
extra-curriculars, holiday celebrations, religious instruction, and, of course, time to play
and “just be a kid.”
Come join the Rabbi, CBI parents, and all others who have an interest in these topics,
for a spiritual conversation about priorities, balance, and Jewish perspectives on time wellspent – for our kids and for ourselves.
Preparing for the TOUGH
conversations:
Spiritual Conversations – with a parenting focus
However you choose to do it, participation is the
key. The Mishloach Manot program has become an
important fundraiser for our synagogue, so please
participate wholeheartedly.
The committee also needs lots of help putting
things together.
• We’re making trail mix after minyan/bagel
breakfast Sunday, March 6th.
• We’re bagging hamentashen Sunday, March
13th after minyan/breakfast
• We’re packing over 300 bags (wow!) in the
evenings the week of March 14th.
Watch for the times and possible changes.
ANY amount of time you can volunteer will be
helpful and fun.
Contact Robin Pierce at robin.pierce@bisrael.com
with any questions and to say when you can help.
To Be Announced
Every once in a while, you have the opportunity – and responsibility – to have a truly
profound talk with your kids. They will ask you important questions. Some of these can’t be
anticipated, but a great many can be contemplated in advance. If you are going to answer
your kids or grandkids meaningfully, you can’t answer “off the top of your head” – but
rather from the depths of your soul.
Where do babies come from? Why does everyone have to die? Why doesn’t God still
talk to people the way it says in the Torah? Are we rich? Why do Jews marry other Jews,
and do I have to, when I grow up? Could there ever be another Holocaust? Why do good
people suffer? Why do some people hurt other people so much? What is wrong about
pre-marital sex? Why don’t we invite that homeless man to come and live with us?
These are all real questions, asked in the past by real kids in our congregation – either
of their parents or of our clergy.
This Spiritual Conversation opportunity is geared toward preparing for the tough
questions. We will explore our own answers. Then, when the inquiries and opportunities
arise, we will not be taken by surprise.
Come join the Rabbi, CBI parents, and all others who have an interest in a spiritual
conversation about some of the most important spiritual conversations of our lives.
For questions, suggestions, and RSVP’s please contact
Debbie Maron at dmaron13@hotmail.com
13
GOT GENTLY USED SHOES?
Start cleaning out your closets and start looking under your
bed for gently used shoes then BRING THEM TO CBI!
The large “Shoe Box” for your donations is in the lobby.
[No UGGs, snow or ski boots, flip flops, rollerblades or
ice skates & no holes in the soles, please]
CBI raises money for each box we fill up and we provide shoes
for those who can use them.
ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO GIVE YOU DONATIONS, TOO!
Congregation B’nai Israel has partnered with Community Recycling and their ShoeBox Recycling
program from now through the spring! Together we are on a mission to help promote the importance
of shoe recycling while raising funds to help support CBI.
Participating is simple
We are collecting gently used shoes for reuse, meaning all the shoes we recycle as a group are
destined for another home. From South America and Africa to areas right here in the United States, our
ShoeBox Recycling efforts will go to help people and communities in over 50 countries…and will keep
usable shoes out of our local landfills. Every pair you recycle means extra funds for us, less landfill waste and
the potential to connect us to a SoleMate! For more information contact waysandmeans.chair@bisrael.com and check out
Community Recycling online at www.communityrecycling.biz
14
Attention 6th-8th Graders!
Attention 9th-12th Graders!
There is an overnight with other teens in our area
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th - SATURDAY EVE, FEBRUARY 27th!
It's a "trttt" – an overnight from Friday eve until after Shabbat ends.
Where?
Temple Israel
475 Grove Street, Ridgewood
Have fun with other 6th-8th graders and other high schoolers help lead services, enjoy dinner
together and play games an hang out on Shabbat.
Start time: Friday, 5:15pm
Pick-up time: Saturday, 6:30pm
If you must leave early, that is fine - however you must attend at least one service
during the Shabbaton that weekend. You just need to let Naomi Weinberg or
an adviser upon arrival at Temple Israel know before-hand.
Questions? Contact naomi.weinberg@bisrael.com
LETTERS
Dear CBI Family,
It is hard for me to put into words just
how grateful I am for the love and
support CBI has shown me and my
family during this sad time following the
passing of my mother, Louise Kaplan.
I’m not sure what I expected, but the
outpouring of attention has been
amazing. Rabbi Orenstein and Cantor
Mandel performed a superb, spiritual,
and heart-rending service, and continued
with prayers and conversations at shiva
and beyond. Cantor’s beautiful voice
transported us beyond our grief to
comfort and gratitude. Rabbi’s wise and
soothing words helped to transport me
from pain to healing. Sisterhood was
immediately there for us.
So many phone calls and cards
and donations and visits. So many
expressions of condolence whenever and
wherever I see you. More than ever, I
know that I have a home and family with
all of you at CBI. These are gifts I may
never be able to adequately repay, but I
will try. Many heartfelt thanks.
Carolyn Ginsberg
To my CBI family,
Your prayers, good wishes, and delicious
food package have helped me feel better.
Thank you for caring.
Pam Zisner
Dear CBI,
Thank you so much for the generous
and thoughtful Chanukah gift. I really
appreciate all the kindness and support I
have received from everyone.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Karen Weiss
Dear CBI Board,
Thank you so much for the Hanukkah
gift, and I will put it to good use. And
while I’m saying thank you I want
you to know how much I appreciate
the opportunity to visit Israel. Your
generosity in allowing me to take the
time off during the school semester gave
me a chance to visit some of the many
places I have heard mentioned at CBI.
Mazel Tov
Belinda Hecht, and Julie and
Irwin Simon, on Glenn Howard’s
engagement to Julie Simon
Brett Ingram on his new job in
New York City
Eric Weinberg on his new job
in Michigan
Evan Reiff on his trip to Israel
with Birthright
Debbie Maron on launching her
new blog, Resiliency Now… from
enabled to able,
www.resiliencynowblog.com
CONDOLENCES
Linda, Scott, and Jennifer Saltman, and Judy and
Bernard Schoenfeld, on the passing of Steve Saltman
Thank you!
Marie
15
FEBRUARY 2016
Candle Lighting Times: 5: 4:59 12: 5:08 19: 5:17 26: 5:25
Shevat-Adar I 5776
SUNDAY
9am Hebrew
School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
10:30am Parenting
Discussion Group
MONDAY
7
14
No Hebrew School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
10am Interfaith
Breakfast
21
9am Hebrew
School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
10am Sisterhood Cooks
for Center for Hope &
Safety
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
4pm Hebrew
School
2
8
4pm Hebrew
School
9
10
7:30pm Board
meeting
THURSDAY
3
1pm Adult Ed/My
Prayerbook
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
4
8pm Erev
Shabbat Service
5
11
8pm Erev
Shabbat Service
12
10am Share &
Care Shabbat
morning service
at JHAL
13
15
No Hebrew
School
16
17
18
8pm Town Hall
Shabbat
19
10am Israel
Shabbat with
Tripsters
20
22
4pm Hebrew
School
23
24
25
5:15PM Kehillah
Shabbaton
26
10am Bet class
Shabbat morning
service
27
8pm Erev
Shabbat Service
28
6
10am Hey Class
Shabbat morning
service
5pm Bet Havdalah,
Bar/Bat Mitzvah date
announcements
6:30pm Sweet Taste of Torah
8pm Comedy Night
29
9am Hebrew
School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
8pm Comedy Night Snow
Date
MARCH 2016
Candle Lighting Times: 4: 5:33 11: 5:41 18: 6:48 25: 6:56
Adar I-Adar II 5776
SUNDAY
6
9am Hebrew
School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
10am Hey Heritage Fair
13
No Hebrew School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
MONDAY
7
TUESDAY
4pm Hebrew
School
1
4pm Hebrew
School
8
WEDNESDAY
7:30pm Board
meeting
THURSDAY
2
9
3
1pm Adult Ed/My
Prayerbook
10
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
20
14
4pm Hebrew
School
15
16
17
16
27
6:30pm InterGenerational
Drumming Circle
4
11
8pm Erev
Shabbat Service
18
9pm Oneg Sponsored by
the Siegel Family
21
No Hebrew
School
22
7pm Purim
Shpiel &
Megillah Reading
23
24
28
4pm Hebrew
School
29
6:45pm Esther
Extravaganza
25
7:30pm Bet Class Erev
Shabbat services
10am Purim Shpiel
9am Hebrew
School
9am Minyan &
Bagel Breakfast
6:30pm Shabbat
Across America
Dinner & Dalet Class
Service
SATURDAY
5
10:30am Shabbat
morning One
Wonderful Hour service
10am Gimmel
Class Shabbat
morning service
12
9:30am Bat
Mitzvah of Jodi
Siegel
19
10am Share &
Care Shabbat
morning service
at JHAL
26
7:30pm Family Erev
Shabbat services
10am Dalet Kehillah
9am Hebrew
School
FRIDAY
30
7pm Sisterhood
Mahjong Night
31
FUNDS
Freyda Fund
TO: Meryl & Larry Kutzin
Mazel Tov on the birth of your 1st
grandchild, Sylvie Rose. Enjoy! Enjoy!
Enjoy!
FROM: Hal & Judy Abrams
TO: Peter Hirschel
Happy 90th birthday
FROM: Alan & Joan Landesman
Good & Welfare Fund
TO: Jamie Kreiman
Thank you for generously &
wholeheartedly sharing your time, vast
experience & great bedside manner.
FROM: Jeremy & Deborah Shapiro
TO: Idelle Schwinder & Meryl Kutzin
Thank you for all you do.
FROM: Nancy & Mike Passow
TO: Congregation Bnai Israel
Thank you for allowing me to share in your
Yom Kippur Holiday services
FROM: Rita Seiden
TO: Meryl & Larry Kutzin
Wishes for the best of everything in your
new home. May you always be surrounded
by “old friends” and new ones.
FROM: Hal & Judy Abrams
TO: Sonie Glazer
Thinking of you and wishing you well.
FROM: Hal & Judy Abrams
TO: Meryl & Larry Kutzin
Congratulations and best wishes on the
birth of your granddaughter, Sylvie Rose.
FROM: Beth & George Liepmann
TO: Caroline Ginsberg
Condolences on the passing of your
mother, Louise Kaplan.
FROM: Joan & Steve Zelman, Judy & Hal
Newell, Bruce & Naomi Weinberg, Ellen &
David Michelson
TO: Pam Zisner
Wishing you a complete & speedy recovery
FROM: David & Ellen Michelson
TO: Jeff Weiss
Happy 65th birthday
FROM: Beth & George Liepmann
TO: Belinda Hecht
Mazel Tov on Glenn’s engagement to Jenna.
What wonderful news for the whole family.
FROM: Ellen & David Michelson
TO: Julie & Irwin Simon
Mazel Tov on Jenna’s engagement to Glenn.
So happy to hear the news.
FROM: Ellen & David Michelson
Get Well Fund
TO: Judy Gluckson
Sending you wishes for a speedy &
complete recovery
FROM: Naomi & Bruce Weinberg
TO: Judy Schoenfeld
Sorry to hear that you have been ill. Hope
it’s a smooth & easy recovery.
FROM: Hal & Judy Abrams
Jehiel Orenstein
Educational Fund
TO: Sylvia Orenstein
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
FROM: Ellen & Bruce Sonkin, Ellen &
Dave Michelson
Rabbi Discretionary Fund
TO: Rabbi Orenstein
Thank you for your brilliance in every
sense of the word & your guidance of Toby
toward deeper understanding of her Torah
portion & what it means to be a Bat Mitzvah
FROM: Jeremy & Deborah Shapiro
Cantor Discretionary Fund
TO: Cantor Mandel
Thank you for nudging, encouraging &
supporting Toby both as she prepared to
lead services and as she led them.
FROM: Jeremy & Deborah Shapiro
Yahrzeit Donations
Ruth & Peter Hirschel in loving memory of
Richard Katz
Marilyn & David Weinstein in loving
memory of Yetta Weinstein
Renee Kuperinsky in loving memory of
Simon Gorfinkel
Marsha Fleischner in loving memory of
Ruth Rosch
Jeff Siegel in loving memory of Murray
Siegel
Phyllis Kirschner in loving memory of
Herman Kirschner
Phyllis Kirschner in loving memory of my
dear Mother, Eleanor Thaler
Richard Lipshultz in loving memory of
Harry Lipshultz
Richard Lipshultz in loving memory of
Anita Lois Lipshultz
Barbara Glueck in loving memory of Irwin
Echtman
Barbara Glueck in loving memory of Celia
Echtman
Bruce Noble in loving memory of Harry
Noble
Les & Donna Kaufman in loving memory of
Moses Kaufman
Robert Greenblatt in loving memory of
Shirley Greenblatt
Hal & Judy Abrams in loving memory of
our beloved son, Aron Abrams
Gary Schwinder in loving memory of Murry
Schwinder
Marcia Schloesser in loving memory of
Lawrence S. Greenberg
Pam & Robert Zisner in loving memory of
Pam’s Grandfather Sam Polansky
Peter Reiff in loving memory of Beatrice
Reiff
Ruth & Peter Hirschel in loving memory of
Elly Hirschel,
Fran & Bernard Silverberg in loving
memory of Lena Silverberg
Fran & Bernard Silverberg in loving
memory of Judith Kuklin
Hanna Wechsler in loving memory of
Mordechai Kleiner
Lisa Pollack in loving memory of Alex
Pollack
Gus & Joan Eben in loving memory of Emil
Eben
Peter Ganbarg in loving memory of Pearl
Ganbarg
Gertrude Hecht in loving memory of
Murray Hecht
Pam & Robert Zisner in loving memory of
Pam’s Grandmother, Anna Geller
Neil & Marilyn Amdur in loving memory of
Meyer Nanus
Fran & Bernard Silverberg in loving
memory of Samuel Kuklin
Marian Bluestein in loving memory of
Martin Seiden
Marian Bluestein in loving memory of
Victor Kleinfeld
Barry Bluestein in loving memory of Ruth
Bluestein
Barbara Steinberg in loving memory of her
Father, Samuel Steinberg
Howard Siegel in loving memory of William
Siegel
z
Get Well
Soon!
Joyce Schreiber
Al Shust
Seymour Turk
Pam Zisner
17
F E B R U A R Y YA H R Z E I T S
Bessie G Gotfrid
22 Shevat 02/01/16
Edward Sommers
22 Shevat 02/01/16
Harry Epstein
22 Shevat 02/01/16
Israel Gluckstern
23 Shevat 02/02/16
Josef Wegner
23 Shevat 02/02/16
Milton Zirl
23 Shevat 02/02/16
Joseph Rubin
24 Shevat 02/03/16
Samuel Weinstein
24 Shevat 02/03/16
Phyllis Crowne
27 Shevat 02/06/16
Theodore Stern
28 Shevat 02/07/16
Lawrence Trager
30 Shevat 02/09/16
Milton Kutzin
2 Adar 02/11/16
Louis Buller
3 Adar 02/12/16
Benjamin Feinman
6 Adar 02/15/16
Florence Fleischer
7 Adar 02/16/16
Lynda Schachne
8 Adar 02/17/16
Beti L Kreiman
9 Adar
02/18/16
Rebecca Swerlick
10 Adar 02/19/16
Ann B Kossar
10 Adar 02/19/16
Anna Gobstein
12 Adar 02/21/16
Jack Kaplan
13 Adar 02/22/16
Benjamin Rosner
14 Adar 02/23/16
Claire Lieberman
14 Adar 02/23/16
Fannie Kirschner
14 Adar 02/23/16
Barbara Levitt
15 Adar 02/24/16
Jack J Silverberg
16 Adar 02/25/16
Ben Ratner
17 Adar 02/26/16
Sheldon H. Lubitz
17 Adar 02/26/16
Clara Shustak
19 Adar 02/28/16
Dora Bein
19 Adar 02/28/16
Edward Birnbaum
19 Adar Sidney Edward Cherry
Martin Friedman
18
TEMPLE SERVICES
YAHRZEIT/MEMORIAL PLAQUES
A reminder card is mailed every year prior
to the yahrzeit anniversary. Plaques are
displayed on the sanctuary walls.
$240
Email Lynn Reiff at
memorial.coordinator@
bisrael.com
TREE OF LIFE LEAVES
Commemorate special occasions or honor
someone special with a leaf displayed on
our lobby walls.
$180
Call Bob Greenblatt at
201-265-5777
SENTIMENT CARDS
$10.00 minimum
We’ll send a beautiful card to express your
Call Bruce & Ellen Sonkin at
sentiments. Choose from one of the
201-358-0129 or e-mail
following funds:
fundcards@bisrael.com
• Freyda Fund for all occasions, in
memory of the good deeds of Freyda
“Fran” Klein
• Eternal Light Fund for memorials
• Irving Riekes Memorial
Garden Fund for all occasions.
Funds used to maintain garden behind
temple.
• Get Well Fund
• Cantor Sid Derner Building
Fund for all occasions. Funds used for
existing building needs.
• Good & Welfare Fund
• Social Action Fund to help those
in need
• Bernice’s Kitchen Fund for
all occasions, in memory of Bernice
Kuperinsky. Funds used for kitchen
equipment.
• THE RABBI JEHIEL ORENSTEIN
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT FUND
In memory of Rabbi Jehiel. Funds
scholars-in-residence, teacher
development, and other educational
needs of the synagogue.
• rabbi discretionary fund
Contributions made will benefit organizations, members, causes, and/or
purchases at the discretion of the Rabbi
• cantor discretionary fund
Contributions made will benefit organizations, members, causes, and/or
purchases at the discretion of the Cantor
PRAYER BOOK FUND
Book plate dedications for all occasions.
Contact Barry Bluestein at
201-782-0969
JUDAICA GIFT SHOP
Located in the temple lobby.
Contact Meryl Kutzin at
meryl.kutzin@bisrael.com
SUPERMARKET GIFT CARDS
A major fundraiser that can be used at any
Fairway, Shop Rite, Stop and Shop. Temple
earns $5 on every $100 gift card.
May be purchased in $50
increments.
Contact Idelle Schwinder at
201-265-7281
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
Let your neighbors know about our shul.
Contact Carol
Aferiat at membership.chair@
bisrael.com
FACILITIES RENTAL
Available for private parties
Contact for rates at
facilities.chair@bisrael.com
02/28/16
MENORAH NEWSLETTER
ADVERTISING
For rates email Ellen Michelson
menorah@bisrael.com
19 Adar 02/28/16
19 Adar 02/28/16
SPONSORSHIPS
Sponsor a Kiddush, an Oneg Shabbat, or
Sunday bagel breakfast.
Contact Meryl Kutzin at
meryl.kutzin@bisrael.com
M E N O R A H PAT R O N S
Harold & Judith Abrams,
Emerson
Elyse & Leonard Asch, Closter
Shelly, Richard, Marisa, & Elana
Birnbaum, Harrington Park
The Bluestein Family,
River Vale
Stephen Brody, Susan Hertzberg,
Michelle, & Derek, Haworth
Shirley Cook, Hackensack
Joan, Gus Eben and Family,
Emerson
Sheila & Ed Faerber, Emerson
Arlene Feinman, Cary, NC
Tracy, Peter, Peri and Julia
Ganbarg, Hillsdale
Nancy Kihn & Reed Glassman,
West New York
Sonie Glazer, San Diego, CA
Debra & Donald Green, Demarest
Bob, Bonnie, Michelle &
Stephanie Greenblatt,
Emerson
Stanley & Marilyn Halprin,
Closter
Gertrude Hecht, New Milford
Ruth & Peter Hirschel, Haworth
Vivian Holzer & Mitchell
Ignatoff, Harrington Park
Belinda, Gillian, Andrew, &
Glenn Howard, Emerson
Francine, Sandy & Stephanie
Kaplan, Westwood
Les & Donna Kaufman,
Emerson
Ken & Connie Klein, Norwood
Bill, Marcy, Steven, & Allison
Lazarus, Boynton Beach, FL
Irwin & Vivienne Levenson,
River Vale
Beth, George, Jonathan, and
Neil Liepmann
David Meinhard & Ellen Breger,
Woodcliff Lake
Robert, Lisa, Alex & Spencer
Mendelson, Hillsdale
Allan, Jackie, Lisa & Zach
Millstein, Emerson
Sharon and Allen Neuhaus,
Woodland Park
Victoria Sonshine Pasher,
Hillsdale
Martin and Susan Pelavin,
Woodcliff Lake
The Passow Family, Englewood
The Pierce Family, Demarest
Ellen, Marcel, Wendy and Adam
Plaut, Washington Township
Lynn & Peter Reiff, River Vale
Robin & Maurice Rosenberg,
Lake Worth, FL
Shelly, Marc, Allison & Gregory
Saperstein, Alpine
Bernard, Judy, Melissa
Jocelyn, & Jeffrey
Schoenfeld, Emerson
Idelle, Gary, Eric, & Meredith
Schwinder, Emerson
Fern & Don Segal & Family,
Emerson
David, Sheryl, Ben & Matt
Silver, Paramus
Roberta, Martin Simon and
Family, Emerson
Bruce & Ellen Sonkin,
Washington Township
Gail, Michael & Rachel Starr,
River Vale
Harriette & Seymour Turk,
Emerson
Hanna Wechsler, Woodland Park
Phyllis and Bernard
Weinberger, Boynton Beach, FL
The Zamkoff Family, Upper
Gynedd, PA
Joan, Steven & Marcia Zelman,
Oradell
Robert & Pamela Zisner, Emerson
If you would like to become a
Menorah Patron, please e-mail
the editors at menorah@
bisrael.com
George is now in Nanuet!
For generations, we’ve
made family, community
and tradition our promise to you.
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GUTTErMaN aNd MUsIcaNT
jEWIsh FUNEral dIrEcTors
WIEN & WIEN INc.
MEMorIal chapEls
alan l. Musicant, Mgr. N.j.lic.No. 2890
Irving Kleinberg, N.j. lic. No. 2517
Martin d. Kasdan, N.j. lic. No. 4482
ronald Bloom N.j.lic.No.4545 advanced planning director
1-800-522-0588
Fax: 201-489-2392
402 Park Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
1-800-322-0533
Serving all of Florida
www.GuttermanMusicantWien.com
For Generations_3.5x2.indd 1
7/5/2007 2:04:19 PM
Congregation B'nai Israel
P.O. Box 345
Emerson, New Jersey 07630-1935
Change Service Requested
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