THE SHOFAR

TEMPLE BETH EL of ONEONTA
www.templebetheloneonta.org
FEBRUARY 2016
THE SHOFAR
Friends,
Temple Beth El is the type of congregation known as a “Mom and Pop” congregation. In congregations of our size, there are generally only a few women and men who are the moms and pops of the
organization. They do the lion’s share of the work, worry about Temple business, fret over the financial stability of the congregation, serve on the Board and the committees, if there are any, and, in
short, take care of everything. Other members of the congregation come to rely on these leaders,
trusting that all will be fine in their capable hands, and, in general, it is.
While there are some benefits to having a small group of members who are responsible for everything, there are some distinct drawbacks to this system. Perhaps the biggest drawback to this type of
system is two-fold: our Moms and Pops quickly come to be exhausted, burnt out by the huge responsibility resting on the shoulders of a few. This small group is responsible for maintaining our financial security, seeing to the upkeep of our house, hearing and responding to congregants’ needs and
concerns, planning for, running and teaching in the Religious School, seeing to Temple communication with congregants, hiring and working with the rabbi, maintaining and funding our cemetery, and
much much more.
So what’s the flip side of the coin? Members of the congregation who are not acting in the Mom and
Pop roles sometimes can come to feel like children – without a say in the way things happen at the
Temple, or, perhaps, like consumers – partaking of items on the Temple menu without really knowing what happens in the kitchen, or why. They can come to feel dissatisfied with the way that things
are done, yet don’t always know how to bring about changes that they would like to see, or avoid
changes that are undesirable to them.
This dynamic creates stress on both sides of the equation. Our leaders are burning out, and our congregants do not always understand why the Temple cannot always provide for their needs. It is time,
in my view, for me to (mis)quote the late great President John F. Kennedy and say “Ask not what
your Temple can do for you; ask what you can do for your Temple”.
Temple Beth El needs all hands on deck. This is not a case of “too many cooks spoil the broth”.
Rather, this is a case of “many hands make work light”. You have skills and abilities that can be used
to benefit the Temple. Are you a writer, a painter, a cook, a teacher, an accountant, fluent in reading
Hebrew, good at shopping for meals, organizing, or reaching out to people? The Temple needs you.
Dues payments alone do not address our needs. Every member of Temple Beth El is important for
who you are, and also for the ways in which you can contribute to the life of the congregation. As in
any healthy relationship, we may find that as we give more of what we have, we get more of what we
need. After all, there is no Temple apart from its members; the members are what constitute the
Temple. Think of the areas of need as work, wealth and wisdom, and please do contribute in the
ways in which you are capable. Please be in touch with Ken Sider, our President, or with me, to let
us know how you can be part of the solution.
(Rabbi’s column continued on page 3)
President’s Column
The lifespan of any synagogue is unknown, but it is known that Jewish communities experience waxing
and waning cycles reflecting local demographics and changes in membership. At Temple Beth El we are
small, but we are strong. In my memory, our membership has never been lower (which is a serious
financial problem), but the members we do have are engaged and spirited (which is a serious benefit).
Services always exceed a minyan, potlucks are always lively and enjoyable, and holiday celebrations are
always fun. Rabbi Karp, warm and welcoming, always reaches out to members and has even become
known in the community through her participation in public events and speaking engagements in local
churches. During the past 18 months, Temple Beth El has enjoyed a small, but steady increase in new
members – an amazing feat given the state of Conservative synagogues in the United States, where so
many are merging or closing. In this regard, the Northeast Regional Office of the United Synagogues of
Conservative Judaism in Albany considers Temple Beth El a success.
As president, I receive phone calls and emails from non-members with an interest in our synagogue.
While we are smaller than what most Jewish people are accustomed to, there is a charm to a synagogue
of our size. In fact, quite a few people prefer it. However, there are a few questions I cannot answer satisfactorily (yet) to all prospective members. Among them: Why don’t we have a full-time rabbi? (We can’t
afford it, but we have an amazing part-time rabbi). Why don’t we have Shabbat services every Friday
night, even if run by lay leaders? (We don’t have enough ready, willing, or able lay leaders.) Why don’t we
celebrate holiday X, Y, or Z? (See answers 1 and 2.) Why don’t we have a “regular” Hebrew School? (We
don’t have enough teachers, money to pay teachers or a director, or families that can fit a 3-day Hebrew
School program in their schedules.) You get the idea. The “don’ts” are merely items on our current list of
limitations. If we can keep our membership growing, our strengths will surely outweigh all of our limitations. What we do offer is something very valuable: good people. Our friendly, warm congregation is always welcoming. We enjoy a relaxed and jovial environment which is evident during board meetings
(where we worry and laugh), Friday night services (where we question, pray, and laugh), Saturday
morning adult education (where we study, debate, and laugh), Hebrew School (where we learn and
laugh) and in the Men’s Club (where we argue, rake leaves, eat, and laugh). But mostly, we laugh. And for
many newcomers to Temple Beth El, it is the laughter and positive spirit of our members that make us
who we are. On Friday, January 29, Temple Beth El held its monthly potluck dinner (this month with
wine and candlelit tables) followed by a Friday night service which attracted over 20 people. This turnout, on a winter night in January, is impressive. Many larger synagogues would envy us. These events
prove that our synagogue achieves what is written in Psalm 126: Our mouths are filled with laughter, and
our tongues with song.
It is a challenge to maintain a thriving and vital synagogue in a rural area, but it is being done. We always
need and want more members, but we also want to have more opportunities to get together with the
members we do have. Please read The Shofar and consider ways you can participate in synagogue life.
Why not come to a potluck dinner and Shabbat service, help in the Hebrew School, organize a holiday
celebration, or volunteer with us in a soup kitchen? Temple Beth El is necessary in the Oneonta region,
plus, it provides us with a Jewish home away from home. We are lucky to have one another.
Ken
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Changes are Coming to Our Hebrew School
Following several meetings in response to Hollie Jaffe stepping down as Director next year,
the parents of the religious school children decided that they will reorganize the Hebrew
School program for the coming year. Part of this redesign, a cooperative effort, includes
inviting Temple Beth El members to participate. Are you interested in teaching with them?
Volunteering as a helper? Visiting as a guest teacher on a topic you are passionate about?
The parents are hoping to bring our synagogue family together to help their kids feel part
of the Jewish community. As many of you know, it is easy for Jewish children to feel isolated in Otsego and Delaware Counties. Some are the only Jewish child in the school.
Please consider sharing some of your expertise with our children. No offer is too small, so
please contact Ken Sider, TBE President, with your questions or offer of support. (ksider@hotmail.com or 432-8480)
Rabbi’s Column, continued from page 1
We will celebrate Shabbat as a community on Friday night February12th and 26th at 7:30 PM. Our
monthly potluck dinner will take place on the 26th at 6:00 PM. Please do join us in sharing the warmth of
our community and the companionship of being a part of it.
It is not too late to join us for Judaism 101 Lunch and Learn! You can attend on a drop-in basis, for as
many or as few sessions as you like. This course of study introduces our sacred calendar, Jewish life cycle
rituals, the sweep of Jewish history, thought, literature, and more. It is geared for Jews, non-Jews with
Jewish partners, and those considering the possibility of becoming Jewish. Please reach out to folks who
you feel fit this description, and/or contact me if you would like a copy of the syllabus or class handouts.
This month we will meet on Saturday February 13th and 27th from noon – 2 PM. Please bring a meat-free,
shellfish free lunch.
Torah Study meets this month on Saturday February 13th and 27th. Coffee and Shmooze starts at 9:00 am,
and we begin our studies at 9:30. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at rabbimollykarp@gmail.com at any time or for any reason.
Kol tuv (all the good), Rabbi Molly Karp
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YOU CAN EARN MONEY FOR TEMPLE BETH EL BY SHOPPING
AT AMAZON.COM
Every time you shop at Amazon.com, Temple Beth El receives a percentage of that sale with no
cost to you. You still pay the same Amazon prices as usual and Amazon donates a portion of
that sale to our Temple.
It’s EASY. All you have to do is go to the Temple’s webpage at this address:
Then, click on the Amazon.com link and shop as you normally do.
For everything you buy, Amazon will donate to the Temple. It’s as simple as that. Two extra clicks (first, go to
the Temple’s website, then, click on the Amazon Tab and Amazon link) and you’re ready to donate, just by
shopping.
It really helps and it really adds up. Remember us when you shop. You just do two extra steps but then it’s
shopping as usual and we reap the benefits.
Just continue buying what you would buy anyway, and the Temple makes money.
How great is that?
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Yahrzeit List for February 2016
Jan. 29– Feb 4 (18-25 Shevat)
February 5-11 (26 Shevat –2 Adar 1)
Frieda Hirsch
Grete Lefor
Hyman Miller
Samuel Rosen
Gabriel Harris
Louis Yakrus
February 12--18 (3-9 Adar 1)
Barney Wallace
Mildred B. Drogen
Dora Ruchia Wojak
Sarah Messer
Jacob Joseph Novak
February 19– 25 (10-16 Adar 1)
Morris Swre
Morris Rumelt
Russell Wolf
Alma Weinberg
Morris Purnett
Ilene Ussak
Francis F. Elfenbein
Arthur Freedman
Frieda Rosen
Esther Fight
February 26– March 3 (17-23 Adar 1)
Julius W. Ettlinger
Jacob Schatsky
Rose Cheitkin
Harry Markson
Charles Rosen
Samuel Markson
Thank you to Irene Weinberg and Rick Weinberg for sponsoring the oneg Shabbat on Friday February 12th,
in memory of Irene’s father Louis Yakrus. Thank you to Zach Weinberg for sponsoring the oneg in memory
of Alma Weinberg on February 26th. May the name of Louis Yakrus always be remembered for a blessing,
and may the name of Alma Weinberg always be remembered for a blessing.
Chesed Committee
The Chesed Committee provides help and support to Temple members in times of need and in
times of joy. Anne Green and Bernadette Winters Bell are available to offer support.
Bernadette Winters Bell b15lola@aol.com Home # 607.432.6278
Anne Green Home la0130@stny.rr.com
cell # 607.267.8610
Home #433-1203
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MEMBER NEWS
We wish refuah shlema to Spencer Bell, recovering at home from a fall.
We wish refuah shlema to Carole Blumenkrantz after her knee surgery.
Check out an excellent article by Dr. Ken Sider in The Sentinel (the UUP newsletter.)
MEN’S CLUB BREAKFAST
The Men’s Club Breakfast will be held Sunday February 21st in the downstairs social hall.
LORD’S TABLE
Thanks to Deb Marcus for helping in January. Deb and I were really scrambling serving 60 meals. We
could use a few more volunteers, especially during the winter months. It’s only once a month for a few
hours, and very satisfying.
Please call or e-mail Hollie at hjjaffe@hotmail.com (433-4745) to volunteer. It’s a great community
service, and we stand with many churches and community organizations in taking a monthly turn at
feeing the hungry.
RABBI MOLLY KARP’S ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES FOLLOWING 9:30 a.m. TORAH STUDY
Torah study is interactive. No preparation required—we read the weekly portion together.
February “Lunch and Learn” - Judaism 101 for Adults
If you are coming for the first time,
Bring a dairy or vegetarian brown bag lunch or a dish to share.
February 13th 12:00-2:00 pm
Topic to be determined
February 27th 12:00-2:00 pm
Topic to be determined
Please contact Rabbi Karp rabbimollykarp@gmail.com for a syllabus, readings, and information.
Shabbat Torah Study: At 9:30, following 9 a.m. “coffee and schmooze” on Saturday mornings.
Services at 10:30ish.
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MEMBER AND SUPPORTER BUSINESSES
In case of emergency
Rabbi Karp is not reachable via email on Shabbat and festivals. To reach her in the event of a rabbinic emergency, or in the case of an urgent need on Shabbat, please contact Temple Beth El's President, Ken Sider at 4328480 or ksider@hotmail.com. At all other times, you can reach Rabbi Karp at rabbimollykarp@gmail.com. In the
event of a death, please contact Steve Feuer, at 988-6654.
www.templebetheloneonta.org
TEMPLE BETH EL WEBSITE ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Please contact Susan Carbone at susanrcarbone@gmail.com for more information about this FREE service for members.
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Thanks, Dr. Neal Schultz!
Purchase any products from BeautyRX. The
profits from all purchases from Temple members will be donated to the Temple. Just go to
www.beautyrx.com redeem it by applying code
"tbeth" in the shopping cart or checkout page.
Or call 1-855-beautyrx -that’s 1-855-2328897, thank you.
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Temple Beth El Shofar
published by
TEMPLE BETH EL
PO Box 383 Oneonta, NY 13820
83 Chestnut Street
SAVE THE DATES … and times. Friday night services at 7:30 on
February 12 and 26. Shabbat morning Torah study starts at
9:30 am on February 27, following coffee and schmooze at 9,
with the monthly “Lunch and Learn” from 12-2. Bring your
own meat-free, shellfish-free lunch or a dish to share.
www.templebetheloneonta.org
Rabbi Molly Karp
607/432-5522 (synagogue)
Www.rabbimollykarp.com
Rabbi Emeritus Donald Neil Roberts
February 26th potluck at 6 pm. Please call or e-mail Alice at
lichtensteina@hartwick.edu or Amy Zoltick at 643-5577 or
amysays@gmail.com.
February 2016 Shevat/Adar 1 5776
_____________________________________________
OFFICERS
Ken Sider
President
Howie Gelbsman
Vice President
Hollie Jaffe
Secretary
Anne Green
Treasurer
This spring we will be honoring our high school graduates at a
Friday night service. Please contact Hollie Jaffe 4334745 or
hjjaffe@hotmail.com with your child’s name and high school.
We’ll want to try to schedule this so as many of them can
come as possible.
Immed. Past Pres.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rick Weinberg
Susan Carbone
Robert Garfield
Stephanie Bauer
____________________________
Steven Feuer
Men’s Club President
Irene Weinberg
Sisterhood
Hollie Jaffe
PASSOVER SEDER
Are you interested in coming to a Temple Beth El seder? Please let us
know. This requires a great deal of work to plan and carry out, so we will
only undertake the effort and expense if we have interest. Please email Jill
Grundfest ASAP: jgrundfest@gmail.com
Hebrew School Director
Temple Beth El
PO Box 383
Oneonta, NY 13820
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