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HAPPY HANUKKAH 5780!
www.tbanj.org Bulletin December 2019/5780
A welcoming community of Jewish life, worship & learning
Details on page 9
Details on page 10
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LIFE CYCLE EVENTS
As of November 21, 2019 MAZEL TOV Gregg Gottlieb, daughter, Isabelle, becoming a Bat Mitzvah Beth & Andrew Sonnenberg, son, Adam, becoming a Bar Mitzvah Frances & Harvey Sonnenberg, grandson, Adam, becoming a Bar Mitzvah Staci & Alan Talbot, daughter, Jordan, becoming a Bat Mitzvah Staci & Alan Talbot, daughter, Samantha, becoming a Bat Mitzvah Pamela & Robert Blumhof, daughter, Emily, becoming a Bat Mitzvah Lauren & David Perl, son, Hudson, becoming a Bar Mitzvah Judith & Carter Dutch, son, Casey Dutch on becoming an Eagle Scout NEW FAMILIES Adam & Sara Abramson Lexa, Logan Livingston Joseph Ballance & Amanda Namer Ballance Bryce, Brielle Livingston Michael & Jennifer Barnhard Peyton, Samantha Livingston Jason & Allison Bauman Morgan, Reid Livingston Len & Julia Bersh Ava, Daniel Livingston Chad & Robin Doria Hailey, Jake Livingston Steven & Geralyn Dranoff Livingston Stanley & Susan Fishman Palm Beach Gardens Paul & Debbie Jordan Maxwell, Spencer, Carter East Hanover
CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF
Mark Stierman father, Abraham Stierman
Lory Bernstein mother, Pearl Isaacson
Elliot & Geralyn Kerven Alexis, Mitchell, Samantha Livingston Jeff & Sari Krantz Addison, Leo Livingston Corey & Sara Liberman Hailey, Bradley Livingston Mara Lieberman Sadie, Isabelle West Orange Evan & Lisa Mason Alexis, Jordan Livingston David & Annemarie Plotkin Max, Alexander, Ella Tenafly Matthew & Amanda Plotkin Chase, Blake, Liv Short Hills Adam & Tami Rotchstein Addison, Coby East Hanover Martin & Beth Skolnick Michael, Harrison, Rebekah Livingston Jordan & Anlee Steinberg Joshua, Lexi Livingston Mark & Lauren Stierman Eric West Orange Ken & Elissa Zaslow Zachary, Gabriella Livingston
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TBA ANNUAL GIVING—PARTNERS IN LEADERSHIP 2019-2020
We are excited to report that last year’s Annual Giving—Partners in Leadership program was a huge success. Temple B'nai Abraham is strong, both financially and socially, and we have you, the members, to thank for reaching our goal. Pledge payments are due: February 29, 2020.
Thank you for your support, Merle H. Kalishman & Julie Silbermann Co-Chairs, TBA Annual Giving—Partners in Leadership Committee
TBA Annual Giving — Partners in Leadership As of November 21, 2019
President’s Circle Susan & Alan Hammer Susan & Richard Kogan Sherry & L. Robert Lieb Leslie & Jay Mayesh Sandi & Mark Rosenbaum Sara-Ann & Robert Sanders Maya & David Silbermann Julie & Max Silbermann Ethel & Robert Singer Trudy & Fredric Slater Ellen & Barry Wagenberg Torah Circle Nancy & Richard Dinar Bernice & Kenneth Garbade Ellen & David Hyman Lauren & Scott Scher Marcy & Mark Schwartz Robin & Leigh Walters 1853 Society Suzanne & Saul Berkowitz Nancy & Ken Bernstein Isabella & Joshua Fiske Drs. Susan & Bruce Greene Lesley & Neil Greenstein Merle & Marty Kalishman Eileen & Jeffrey Klein Rabbi’s Circle Arlene & Richard Bookbinder Nancy & Robert Eskow Caren & Herbert Ford Beth & Ken Friedman Valerie & Robert Katz Harriet & Marvin Kirschner
Ellen & Peter Klein Patricia & Frank Kolodny Michael Lewis Judy & Eric Perlmutter Marian & David Rocker Barbara & Michael Rosenbaum Regina & Jeffrey Roth Christine & Wayne Strassman Mitzvah Circle Jaryn & Ronnie Bloom Elizabeth Buchbinder Ruth M. Dolinko Barbara Drench Sharleen & Andrew Friedman Robin & Gary Hecht Jayne & James Jacoby Julie & Gregg Klein Cindy & Shawn Klein Susan & Andrew Leichter Debbie & Wayne Locke Alyce Sands Miller Karen & Steve Rockoff Ruth Ross Adrienne & Stanley Schwartz Elaine & Stanley Shapiro Honi & Bennett Wasserman Staci & Glen Weiss Marjorie Yonteff Marjie & Scott Zucker Circle of Friends Phyllis & Barry Becker Rebecca & Todd Bialick Sandra & David Bohrer Louise Buchbinder Myra Cohen Steven Delman
Helen Farber Annette & Herb Feldman Marsha & Steven Fiske Rheda & Raymond Folkman Denise & Arnold Gerst Debra & Carey Gertler Bonnie & Keith Gurland Deborah & Gregg Jacob Sandra & Craig Kantor Alyssa & Avery Kranz Jill & Brett Krasnove Barbara & Warren Klein Antoinette & Michael Koenig Barbara & Barrett Kolton Jessica & Jay Kooper Richard A. Kosson Bette & Stan Kurzweil Esther Laufman Andrea & Larry Leff Scott Levy Ilene & Paul Lieberman Marlene & Alan Moscowitz Cynthia Pfeffer Brandi & Arthur Podnos Sandy & David Posner Nancy & Scott Ritch Lori & Peter Rosenbaum Renee & Edward Rosenthal Enid & Fred Rothman Geri Schaeffer Luba & Mark Schonwetter Lorraine Stein Miriam Palmer-Sherman & Rabbi David Vaisberg Allison & Jonathan Wasserstein Barbara Weisenfeld Diana & Michael Wische Naomi Zeitel
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Dear Temple Family, Temple B’nai Abraham is happy to announce that we will now be live streaming our Shabbat and holiday services in the Ross Sanctuary. The camera will be focused only on the bima. With this technology, Temple B’nai Abraham services will now be accessible and available to our community mem-bers who are in the hospital or home-bound, who are away traveling or at school, or who for some reason or another cannot attend in person. Access will be password-protected, and you will be able to enter the live feed via our website: www.tbanj.org. To access the live feed, click on the Live Stream button on the home page.
Full terms of use are found on the website and must be accepted before reaching the password-protected portion of our website. This password is provided to TBA families only. If you know of others who would like access, please have them contact the temple office. We are so pleased to be able to extend our services to all who wish to attend. We hope that this technological up-grade will support you in your spiritual and ritual practice, and we of course welcome your feedback. Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg, Senior Rabbi Dr. Bruce Greene, President
TBA LIVE STREAM
JONI & ALAN COHEN
ISRAEL TRIP CHAIRS
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TBA BOOK GROUP
TBA Book Group 2019-2020
with Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg. M.A.R.E, M.A.H.L.
The B’nai Abraham Book Group will have engaging, meaningful, and edifying conversations about different books each month. Together we developed a rich, varied, and provocative reading list for the coming year, beginning in with The Liar by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen. Register online or call 973.994.2290.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 7:30 PM The Liar by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
Nofar is an average teenage girl---so average, in fact, that she's almost invisible. Serving customers ice cream all summer long, she is desperate for some kind of escape. But one afternoon, a terrible lie slips from her tongue. And suddenly eve-ryone wants to talk to her: the press, her schoolmates, and even the boy upstairs. He is the only one who knows the truth, and he is demanding a price for his silence. Then Nofar meets Raymonde, an elderly immigrant whose best friend has just died. Ray-monde keeps her friend alive the only way she knows how, by inhabiting her stories. But soon, Raymonde's lies take on a life of their own.
Written with propulsive energy, dark humor, and deep insight, The Liar reveals the far-reaching consequenc-es of even our smallest choices, and explores the hidden corners of human nature to reveal the liar, and the truth-teller, in all of us.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 7:30 PM Solomon Gursky Was Here by Mordechai Richler
Berger, son of the failed poet L.B. Berger, is in the grips of an obsession. The Gursky fami-ly with its colourful bootlegging history, its bizarre connections with the North and the Inuit, and its wildly eccentric relations, both fascinates and infuriates him. His quest to unravel their story leads to the enigmatic Ephraim Gursky: document forger in Victorian England, sole survivor of the ill-fated Franklin expedition and charasmatic religious leader of the Arctic. Of Ephraim’s three grandsons, Bernard has fought, wheeled and cheated his way to the head of a liquor empire. His brother Morrie has reluctantly followed along. But how does Ephraim’s protege, Solomon, fit in? Elusive, mysterious and powerful, Solo-mon Gursky hovers in the background, always out of Moses’ grasp, but present-like an omen.
Books available for purchase online at Amazon.com or other booksellers.
Upcoming dates and book selections: Wednesdays, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM @ TBA February 12: Sapiens: a Brief History of Human Kind by Yuval Noah Harari March 11: A Pigeon and A Boy by Meir Shalev April 1: New American Haggadah by Jonathan Safran Foer & Nathan Englander May 13: Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein HaLevi
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CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
Set a King over Us: Personal Reflections on Paradigms of Power in the Book of Samuel with Cantor Epstein
The class is designed for lay people with limited Hebraic and Biblical knowledge. All sessions will be 75 minutes. We will closely read the Book of Samuel focusing on one main character a week ( Eli, Samuel, Saul, David) plus the female actors. We will gain a fresh, empathetic view of the text in terms of the corrosive effects of power upon leaders while applying its wisdom through the prism of our lives and internalizing its lessons vis-à-vis our own roles in society. Using Halbertal and Holme’s The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel, as a guide, we will be able to understand the basic narrative, identify pitfalls inherent in wielding power, discuss its effect on both the powerful and powerless, and gain new personal and contem-porary political insights.
Recommended Books: The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel, by Robert Alter
The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel, by Moshe Halbertal and Stephen Holmes. Register online or call 973.994.2290.
Thursdays, December 5 & December 12, 2019, 7:00 to 8:15 PM
Parashat HaShavua
Join the lively discussion of legend and lore, the ancient world and the modern one, the Jewish people’s feel-ings about its God, and God’s feelings about His people. Through our reading of the weekly portion, and oc-casional forays into the traditional commentators, we seek not only to understand the profundities of Torah, but also to understand the world and ourselves a little better. Parallel English/Hebrew texts will be used. We hope you’ll stay for services, but even if you can’t, stop by for a weekly dose of Torah!
Saturdays, Parashat HaShavua, all year, 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM
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CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
Monthly Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Dantowitz
Ethics of our Ancestors (Pirkei Avot) All are welcome for a lively discussion and exploration of Pirkei Avot. Through a close study of Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz’s Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary, each month we will explore life’s wisdom through ancient texts and modern interpretations. Each session is independent so come to one, many or all.
Bring your appetite for learning as well as your dairy lunch! Beverages will be provided! This course is free and open to the community. Register online or call 973.994.2290..
Thursdays, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM December 19, 2019, January 23, February 27, March 19, April 23 & May 21, 2020
Photos by Bennett Wasserman, TBA Photo Team
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ReIntro to Judaism with Rabbi Vaisberg
This class is for all those seeking to rediscover their Judaism. It may be that you find yourself in a new
chapter of life; it may be that you simply seek to learn more. Participants will help choose class topics as we explore what paths towards meaning Judaism can offer us. Topics may include Shabbat and holiday practices, life cycle events, mysticism, health, approaches to eating, teenagers, caring for aging parents, etc.
This class will be taught via Zoom ( a video conferencing tool, meaning that you can participate from wherever you are on your phone, tablet, or desktop!) if you have any questions, call the temple office, 973-994-2290.
CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
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Twelve Tremendous Talmudic Texts with Rabbi Vaisberg
We will dive into twelve fantastic Talmudic texts that deal with key issues confronting Judaism today, includ-ing such topics as pluralism, disagreement, revelation, and balances of power. No background in Talmud is necessary, and this course is taught using English translations. This course is inaugurating Temple B’nai Abraham’s new Steinsaltz Talmud set and taught in honor and memory of Rabbi Dr. Aaron D. Panken, z”l.
Bring your appetite for learning as well as your dairy lunch! Beverages will be provided! This course is free and open to the community. Register online or call 973.994.2290.
STEINSALTZ TALMUD SET DONATED BY SUSAN AND RICHARD KOGAN
Mondays, 12:30 to 1:30 PM December 2 & December 16, 2019
January 13, January 27, February 10, February 24, March 2, March 23, March 30, April 20 & May 11, 2020 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Rosh Hodesh with Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz
sponsored by Sisterhood—The Women’s Connection Rosh Hodesh is the celebration of the new Hebrew month and is a special time for women. Sisterhood—The Women’s Connection welcomes all women to join in an evening of learning, warmth, and spiritual growth. The Spring Rosh Hodesh event features a Women’s Seder before Passover. Join us each or any month and feel the sisterhood connection. Register online or call 973.994.2290. Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 7:30 PM—Rosh Hodesh, 13 Kislev This Rosh Hodesh will focus on the topic, "The December Money Dilemma...Coveting
vs. Contentment,” with guest speaker Rabbi Mary L. Zamore, editor and contributing author to The Sacred Exchange: Creating A Jewish Money Ethic (CCAR Press, 2019).
Motherhood in the Modern Age Explored at TBA Rosh Hodesh Temple B’nai Abraham’s Sisterhood-The Women’s Connection Rosh Hodesh program in the Hebrew month of Heshvan (December) focused on the theme of “Motherhood in the Mod-ern Age.” Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz, who leads the monthly Rosh Hodesh at TBA, framed the program with a traditional and mod-ern interpretation of the passage from Proverbs 31 which begins: “A woman of valor who can find, her worth is far beyond that of rubies.” [Proverbs 31:10] Women of various generations
reflected on their shared and different experiences as mothers. “It was a wonder-ful evening of Sisterhood, connection, warmth, and learning. Those in attendance were inspired by panelists Jane Eisenstat, Donna Ellenbogen and Miriam Palmer-Sherman as well as all of the women present who explored the joys and challenges of motherhood,” noted Rabbi Dantowitz.
Photos by Rabbi Dantowitz
CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
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HANUKKAH AT TBA
Join us for a Special Family Hanukkah Celebration Friday, December 13, 2019
Dinner 5:15 PM Adult: $14; Children 5-12 years: $9 (children 4 and under are free)
RSVP Temple office, 973.994.2290
Candle Lighting 6:15 PM
Service 6:30 PM
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All funds as of November 21, 2019 ONE FAMILY FUND In honor of Nancy Siegel’s special birthday Betty Ende In honor of Dr. Michael Borstein becoming a Bar Mitzvah In honor of Ellie Pine becoming a Bat Mitzvah Wishing Judy Borstein a speedy recovery Renee & Edward Rosenthal In memory of Allyn Cooper Marian & David Rocker In memory of Abraham Stierman Lawrence S. Boss In honor of Adam Sonnenberg becoming a Bar Mitzvah Suzanne & Saul Berkowitz Barbara Z. Silber In honor of Marlene Lupin’s special birthday Marion & Allan Maitlin CLERGY DISCRETIONARY FUND In memory of Mark Epstein’s mother, Harriet Epstein In honor of Mrs. Alice Weinstein’s 94th birthday Diane & Jerry Jacob In honor of Rabbi Vaisberg’s Installation David Schatsky & Susan Bodnar In honor of the Jacob Family High Holy Day Aliyot Deborah & Gregg Jacob In honor of their granddaughter, Julia Kollin chanting the Haftarah on Rosh HaShanah Arlene & Dan Kollin In honor of sitting on the bimah & second day Rosh HaShanah Aliyah Evelyn & Amos Gern In memory of Norman Lefkowitz, father of Bill Lefkowitz In honor of the marriage of Ryan Gottsegen to Lexi Wallace Barbara & Dan Kaplan To the Fund Helena Diamant Glass In memory of Allyn Cooper, wife of Larry Cooper Helen Farber Bobbi Bromberg In memory of Abraham Stierman, father of Mark Stierman Joan & Harry Cagin Mark Stierman Marjorie Feld
In honor of Rabbi Dantowitz & Rabbi Vaisberg with thanks for their support Mary Beth Davidson & Family In honor of Rabbi Vaisberg for his help and support Lory Bernstein In honor of Marlene Lupin’s 80th birthday Evi Meinhardt KULWIN EDUCATION FUND Stacey & Marc Rosenberg Gabriel Strassman RABBI KULWIN EMERITUS DISCRETIONARY FUND In honor of Rabbi Kulwin with thanks for his help & support Lory Bernstein In honor of the wedding of her daughter, Ilana Fried to Alex Teicher Emily Fried CARING CONNECTIONS In honor of Marlene Lupin’s special birthday Bobbi Bromberg THE FREDERICK W. KAMIS EARLY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Sheilah Kaye In memory of the father of the Rogoff Family Ginny Kamis JEWISH LEARNING PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of Matthew Rheingold’s grandmother Susie & Gary Botwinick PRAYERBOOK FUND In honor of Adison Becker becoming a Bat Mitzvah Alicia & Stuart Levy
GENEROUS GIFTS FROM THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE
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GENEROUS GIFTS FROM THOUGHTFUL PEOPLE
YAHRZEIT FUND
It is a traditional duty of Jews to recite Kaddish for a deceased parent, child, spouse, or sibling (daily during the first year, annually thereafter on the anniversary of death). We thank those who have contributed to the Yahrzeit Fund in memory of their loved ones. May their memories forever be for a blessing…
300 East Northfield Road
Livingston, New Jersey 07039
mailing address: PO Box 46, Livingston, NJ 07039
www.tbanj.org
Temple 973.994.2290 Fax: 973.994.1838
The Early School 973.994.7016 Fax: 973.994.7999
Jewish Learning 973.994.3950 Fax: 973.994.7999
Program (K-12)
December 2019
The Temple B’nai Abraham Bulletin is published monthly.
Online at www.tbanj.org
Bruce H. Greene, D.O., President
Jeffrey Klein, Vice President Scott Loventhal, Vice President
Stacey Rosenberg,, Vice President Kenneth Starr, Vice President
Isabella Fiske, Secretary Tara Heyderman, Asst. Secretary
Carey Gertler, Treasurer Craig Kantor, Assist. Treasurer
Julie A. Silbermann, Immediate Past President
Jakob B. Halpern, Counsel
David Z. Vaisberg, Rabbi
Faith Joy Dantowitz, Rabbi
Jessica Epstein, Cantor
Clifford M. Kulwin, Rabbi Emeritus
Lee Coopersmith, Cantor Emeritus
Gail Milchman, Executive Director
Debbie Aronson Ziering, Director of Early Childhood Education
Melissa G. Weiner, Director of Jewish Learning
Tina Greenberg, Communications Coordinator
DECEMBER 2019 SERVICES
Friday, December 6 5:45 PM Pre–oneg 6:30 PM Family Shabbat service, December birthdays will be celebrated. An Oneg Shabbat will follow services. Saturday, December 7 9:00 AM Parashat HaShavua: Vayetze 10:00 AM Shabbat morning service. Dylan Angel, daughter of Jodi & Steven Angel, will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.
Friday, December 13 5:15 PM Pre-Hanukkah Family Dinner, details on page 10 6:15 PM Congregational Hanukkiah Lighting 6:30 PM Shabbat service. Aufruf of Ross Brandes & Karen Silbermann, daughter of Julie & Max Silbermann An Oneg Shabbat will follow services. Saturday, December 14 9:00 AM Parashat HaShavua: Vayishlach 9:00 AM Jr. Congregation 10:00 AM Shabbat morning service Saul Brauns, son of Efi Avigdor & Ryan Brauns, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. Gage Spiegler, son Shari & Bruce Spiegler, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. Friday, December 20 5:45 PM Pre–oneg 6:30 PM Shabbat service An Oneg Shabbat will follow services. Saturday, December 21 9:00 AM Parashat HaShavua: Vayeshev 10:00 AM Shabbat morning service
Sunday, December 22 Erev Hanukkah, first candle Monday, December 23 Hanukkah, second candle Friday, December 27 5:45 PM Pre–oneg 6:30 PM Shabbat service An Oneg Shabbat will follow services. Saturday, December 28 Hanukkah 7th candle 9:00 AM Parashat HaShavua: Miketz 10:00 AM Shabbat morning Service Sunday, December 29 Hanukkah, 8th candle Monday, December 30 Hanukkah, last day
