August/September 2015 • Av/Elul/Tishrei 5775

From Rabbi Eugene A. Wernick --

Haverim,

We begin a new year -- I as your new rabbi, and you as my new congregation.One midrash says that all beginnings are hard. I do not believe that this one will be. Achallenge, I hope, but hard, hardly!

While I have a good deal of experience in all facets of the rabbinate, I know thatmy most important duty as a rabbi is being there for you. No matter my knowledge, nomatter my experience, if I am not there when you need me for support in sickness and inhealth, in joy and in sorrow, then I have not only failed you but myself as well, in notachieving what I would wish to be—a comfort when needed and a co-celebrant in allyour simhes.

Accordingly, my phone numbers are: home: 212-679-1837; cell: 215-990-1545.You may call anytime, as both telephones have answering devices. I will return your callas soon as I retrieve your message.

Religion has lost its luster for so many. If we are to maintain our synagogue,then all of us must work to make it what it should and could be—a welcoming placewhere we assemble to pray, study, and socialize. I need you and your ideas to advancethe mission of our shul. Although I have strong opinions, I am mature enough to receivehonest criticism gladly, and your suggestions are wanted!

I hope that many of you will participate in the meaningful and attractiveeducational and cultural events, planned by the Ritual and Program Committees inconjunction with Cantor Kidron and me. If you have special programs in mind, don’thesitate to forward them to the appropriate committee or consult with me directly. I ampassionate about teaching and look forward to having classes in Bible, Talmud, history,and literature. Your preferences matter to me. I would also like to have coffee hoursduring the week when you can just drop by for a chat or if you are so disposed, I ameager to call and visit with you so that we can know each other on a more personal basis.

They say that the relationship between clergy and congregation is like amarriage. If that be the case, I pledge my love to you and to all that we hold dear.“Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be.”

Affectionately, Gene

Rabbi Eugene Wernick

~~~ Special Kiddushim ~~~August 1st

Kiddush & Flowers will be sponsored by Robert & Bonnie Coopermanin honor of Bob’s 80th Birthday

August 8thThe Flowers will be sponsored by Dr. Florence Kavaler & Sherry Ann Kavaler

in loving memory of their father, Samuel Kavaler, M.D.September 26th

Kiddush & Flowers will be sponsored byNatalie Katzin loving memory of Murray S. Katz

Rabbi Eugene A. WernickRabbi Eugene A. Wernick was appointed as of August 1, 2015. A magna cum laude graduate of City

College and member of Phi Beta Kappa, he received his master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as his RabbinicS’michah, from The Jewish Theological Seminary. He presided at various synagogues in Canada and the UnitedStates, the most recent of which was Congregation Beth Ohr, in Old Bridge, New Jersey. He has extensiveexperience in teaching, pastoral care, and community outreach, including inter-faith programs, chaplaincy inpolice departments, prisons, and mental institutions. His book, Gateway to the Kabbalah, will be published thisyear.

He is looking forward to teaching Torah, Mishnah, and Talmud to our congregants during specific studysessions arranged either at lunch-time or in the evening.

Join us for an

Open House Tuesday Evening August 18th from 7-9pm

Meet Rabbi Wernick and see our newly renovated sanctuary

Cantor Shiree KidronIsraeli born, Cantor Shiree Kidron received her bachelor’s degree from the Rubin High Academy of Music

and Dance in Jerusalem. She came to the United States, where she received her Master’s Degree in Music from theManhattan School of Music. A member of the Cantors Assembly, she served as an assistant cantor for three years atthe Park Avenue Synagogue, and, recently, as principal cantor of the Bet Shira Congregation of South Miami,Florida.

In addition to her cantorial experience, Cantor Kidron has extensive knowledge of Jewish classical and folkmusic and has performed in venues in Israel, the USA, (Atlanta and New York City) ; and Ukraine. She waswell-reviewed in The New York Times for her performance on July 1, 2005, at the Manahattan School of MusicOpera House, in the Spohr opera, Beauty and the Beast. She has also performed often as lead singer with theall-female Sheba Ensemble.

She will be joining us for the holidays in September.

2015 Capital CampaignDear Friends and Fellow Congregants:

Many of you are aware that we have started a much needed renovation of our Sanctuary. Not onlydid we need a bright new face, but absent a renovation in over twenty years, much of the structure was indisrepair. A leaking roof and defective fire escapes made us aware of other needed improvements.

To date, we have completed our roof, removing the acoustical ceiling and discovering a beautifularts and crafts ceiling with trusses. The heating, air conditioning and sound systems have been replaced,making our sanctuary a very beautiful and comfortable worship environment.

New pews, carpeting, chandeliers, sconces, and LED lighting, will be installed mid-August. Uponentering through a new central doorway in the main sanctuary, your eyes will be lined up with the bima,which will soon be renovated and include new furnishings.

We have also improved the appearance of the vestibule, including new staircases and chair lift.We needed to advance our schedule for Phase Two because a leaky pipe was discovered under the staircase,where the chairlift is located. We needed to repair that pipe, which required breaking the concrete under thestaircase. It made sense to repair the staircase after that job was completed.

After the second week in August, we invite all of you to stop by the synagogue and admire ouramazing progress. The transformation is astounding, but we need your financial support to underwrite theexpenses incurred, renovate the front of the sanctuary, including the wall design, ark, and bima, and replacethe $300,000 from our savings already expended for the roof, fire escapes, ceiling, and painting.

We have mailed you our Capital Campaign brochure, with a pledge card, as well as posted thesame on our website. Your sponsorship would be a wonderful way of honoring people in your life whomean so much to you. At the very least, you may wish to sponsor a pew seat. Our goal is to raise enoughmoney to complete all the needed renovations. Your donation will make a world of difference. I hope youwill enable us to meet this challenge.

As Golda Meir said, “It’s not what you GATHER, but what you SCATTER that tells the type oflife you lead.” I urge you to make a commitment today if you have not already done so.

Thank you for your support,

Marcia Kerr Cherbini2015 Capital Campaign Chairperson

Capital Campaign ContributorsKenneth Adelsberg & Laurie NewitzMordecai & Shiela BraunsteinEdith ClamanAudrey CohenIra & Myrna EpsteinBurton & Brenda FineSherry Fyman & Rossella MocerinoBarbara Gerber-KrasnerBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of Jerry

Politzer’s BirthdayBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, for the June & July

Members BirthdaysBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in memory of Sandy & Leo Koppell’s son-in-law, David RubensteinBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of the

wedding of Alexandra Berke & Spencer SolowayBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of the

birth of Eva Young’s great granddaughter

Barbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, a refuah shelma for Meryl Levy

Heiman & Marilyn GrossBarbara LevinePeter & Leslie LevineDavid ReitnerJuliana & Rusty RenoDavid RosenbergRichard & Judith Sharken Heris StenzelJacob SuttonAnna WolinskyWomen’s LeagueEva Young

Co Presidents’ Messagefrom

Barbara Gerber-Krasner&

David ReitnerWe are pleased and excited to formally announce the appointment of our new

clergy, Rabbi Eugene Wernick and Cantor Shiree Kidron. They will lead us in a beautiful andstimulating service during the High Holy Days and throughout the year. Rabbi Wernick willcommence his leadership as of August 1st, and Cantor Kidron will begin hers as of Erev RoshHashanah, September 13th. We are fortunate to have this dynamic partnership, particularlyas we will be praying in our newly renovated sanctuary for the very first time. We are stillworking on our bima but we are very happy with our new look.Our new clergy are prepared to create a most spiritual worship service. Both the Rabbi andCantor are looking forward to meeting our congregation and are enthusiastic about creatingnew relationships at Or Olam. Their talent, experience, and eagerness to share theirprofessional and pastoral experience will add greatly to our congregational family.

We hope you will find our new worship environment to be a home of spirituality foreach of you. The attractive renovation still requires more work, and your financial support isalways greatly appreciated.

We are grateful to all of you who have already contributed to the capital campaignand have pledged additional funding over the next three years.

The building is in better shape, than ever, with even distributed climate control,more comfortable seating and, when completed, all will have a much better view of thebima. Other planned changes will enhance our synagogue even further.

Elul, the Hebrew month beginning August 16th, is distinguished by the sound of theshofar, reminding us to reflect on our lives and to seek repentance and renewal. We feelvery confident in the ability of our new clergy to help us during our time of reflection andrepentance.

Selichot, which is on September 5th, is during the Labor Day week. A special jointservice will be held at the Sutton Place Synagogue, with Rabbi Wernick and Rabbi Ainpresiding. We will provide further information regarding Selichot Worship in our futureweekly messages. Please consult your Constant Contact email.

May we go from strength to strength, looking forward to a year of good healthhappiness, and prosperity.

We look forward to greeting you in the following days, and, especially during theHigh Holy Days.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu.

End of Life Lecture SeriesNovember 3, 2015

Aides, Nursing Homes, Hospice Care, Long-term care Insurance & MedicareSpeakers:

Barbara Gerber-Krasner, Claudia Justy & Bernadette KriftcherNovember 10, 2015

Power of Attorney, Wills, Trusts and Bequestswith Arlene Flohr, Esq.November 17, 2015

Jewish Law & Termination of Life & Organ Donationwith Rabbi Eugene Wernick

Annual Succoth DinnerSunday, September 27Service at 6pmDinner at 6:30pm

Monday, October 19th at 7:30pm

Figurative Art in Jewish Contexts

with Professor Richard Brilliant

Upcoming Programs

OUR MEMBERS

Happy Birthday to all of our September Birthdays!

Philip Bauman, Brian Berke, Laurie Berke-Weiss, Bonnie Cooperman,Florence Diller, Anna Ganzarski, Seth Grossman, Melvin Maiman,

Isabel Schein, Eva Shamah, Alan Weinstein, Anna Wolinsky

Happy Birthday to all of our August Birthdays!

Morris Abraham, Shelley Finkelstein, Heiman Gross, Richard Mack, Laurie Newitz, Amir Zicherman

Membership Forms

Membership forms havebeen sent out. Please

return as soon as possiblefor the best seating,

especially if you need extraseating.

Book of Remembrance

. We are again publishing ourBook of Remembrance. Forms for

those participating previouslywere sent out. If you wish toparticipate names must be

received no later than August 28,2015 to be included in the book.

On call for minyan

Please let us know if you would be available for a morning minyan if needed. If you are, please let the office know.

TODAH RABBAH We thank the following individuals for supporting our community:GENERAL FUNDHerbert BooksteinEdith Claman, in memory of Sandy & Leo Koppell’s son-in-law, David RubensteinBernice Goldberg, a misheberach for Barry Stephen SadoffMuriel Goldberg, in honor of Bob Cooperman’s 80th BirthdayFlorence Kavaler, in memory of Diana Alice KamenetzMarcia Kerr & Michael Cherbini, in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Linda & Harvey Newman’s grandson, DanielMarcia Kerr & Michael Cherbini, in honor of the marriage of Sherrie Meyers’s grandsonMarcia Kerr & Michael Cherbini, in honor of the 80th Birthday of Roz BlumbergMarcia Kerr & Michael Cherbini, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Wendy & Alan BackelmanMartin P. & Barbara Klein, in honor of our friend, Marcia Kerr & our driver, Michael CherbiniBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in memory of Asher Etkes, husband of Charlene Soltz-EtkesBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of David Reitner’s BirthdayBarbara Levine, in honor of Rabbi Ephraim PelcovitsDavid Reitner, in memory of Charlene Soltz-Etkes’s husband, Asher EtkesSophie & Eric Ross, in memory of Charlene Soltz-Etkes’s husband, Asher Etkes Sophie & Eric Ross, in memory of Sandy & Leo Koppell’s son-in-law, David RubensteinLois Weiss, in honor of the naming of Alexandra Weiss, daughter of Michael & Mariana Weiss

YAHRZEIT CONTRIBUTIONSPhilip Bauman, in loving memory of Sidney BaumanMichael Berelowitz, in loving memory of Alec BerelowitzMartin Begun, in loving memory of Michael BegunMartin Begun, in loving memory of Arthur RosenbaumBernita Benson, in loving memory of Sidney OfsowitzMichael Berelowitz, in loving memory of Merle BerelowitzRichard Berke, in loving memory of Ruth AprilRichard Berke, in loving memory of Claire BerkeRichard Berke, in loving memory of Marvin BerkeBradley Bernstein, in loving memory of Irving BernsteinShiela Braunstein, in loving memory of Frieda GoldklangIsaac Cavaliero, in loving memory of Jeanine CavalieroAudrey Citak, in loving memory of William KahnEdith Claman, in loving memory of Irving ClamanStephen Cooperman, in loving memory of Jack CoopermanDavid Cummins, in loving memory of Irv CumminsRhonda DeFabritus, in loving memory of Jonas BertanRhonda DeFabritus, in loving memory of Florence Bertan ParkerAndrena Dionisio, in loving memory of Minnie DioisioHoney Drucker, in loving memory of Lillian BornsteinPaula Dubrow, in loving memory of Sara DubrowIra & Myrna Epstein, in loving memory of Jack EpsteinArlene Fein, in loving memory of Harvey PaticoffArlene Fein, in loving memory of Mollie PaticoffStanley Fein, in loving memory of Lillian FeinAdrienne Fierman, in loving memory of Russ FiermanArlene Flohr, in loving memory of Eugene FlohrSuzanne Frankle, in loving memory of Harry MaryanovRochelle Friedland, in loving memory of Emanuel RappGary Gaines, in loving memory of Rose GersonGary Gaines, in loving memory of Gussie GainesGary Gaines, in loving memory of Benjamin GainesGary Gaines, in loving memory of Charles GersonGary Gaines, in loving memory of Dan RosenbergEdith Gamer, in loving memory of Elias BaraxEdith Gamer, in loving memory of Morris Barax

YAHRZEIT CONTRIBUTIONS (continued)Heiman Gross, in loving memory of Rose GrossMarilyn Gross, in loving memory of her father, Joseph WishikBarbara Haar in loving memory of Allan KarpmanBarbara Haar in loving memory of Morris KarpmanBarbara Haar in loving memory of William KarpmanJack Jacobs, in loving memory of Edith Wetchker JacobsLinda Jacobs, in loving memory of Reuben SpectorClaudia Justy, in loving memory of Jules SchapiroEllen Katz, in loving memory of Gerry SchneiderJacques Kellner, in loving memory of Arlene KellnerMarcia Kerr-Cherbini, in loving memory of Steven Brian KerrRochelle Kornreich, in loving memory of Abraham TuretskyBarbara Levine, in loving memory of Lawrence LevineBarbara Levine, in loving memory of Martha LevinePeter Levine, in loving memory of Samuel LevinePeter Lichtenthal, in loving memory of Lawrence LichtenthalPeter Lichtenthal, in loving memory of Rhoda LichtenthalSharon Miller, in loving memory of Anna StelzerEdward Minkow, in loving memory of Rose MinkowEvelyn Morgenstern, in loving memory of Rita SperlingEvelyn Morgenstern, in loving memory of Stephen SperlingRobert Neidorff, in loving memory of Shirley R. NeidorffSteve Orlikoff, in loving memory of Doris OrlikoffSandra Ortner, in loving memory of her dear father, Jacob GoodmanSandra Ortner, in loving memory of her dear grandfather, Morris GoodmanSandra Ortner, in loving memory of her dear grandmother, Morris GoodmanGlenn Ostrager, in loving memory of Murray OstragerFlorence Packman, in loving memory of Abe RosenbluthGerald Pomper, in loving memory of Celis PomperJosie Press, in loving memory of Randi Jane PressMichael Rubenstein, in loving memory of Arthur RubensteinEdward Sandler, in loving memory of Shirley SandlerFara Satin, in loving memory of Irwin ThallFara Satin, in loving memory of Ruth ThallIsabel Schein, in loving memory of Olga BackerNorman Schulman, in loving memory of Frances SchulmanJoan Segal, in loving memory of Florence GlantzJoan Segal, in loving memory of Harry GlantzJudith Sharken, in loving memory of Minnie LivnerSherill Sigalow, in loving memory of Gloria SigalowHelene Singer, in loving memory of Solomon FrechtmanGeoffrey Skolnik, in loving memory of Sol OrlovDavid Sokol, in loving memory of Paul SokolPam Weiss, in loving memory of Victoria WeissNora Willis, in loving memory of Deral E. WillisAudrey Woolrich, in loving memory of Felice WoolrichAudrey Woolrich, in loving memory of Rachel WoolrichEffie Zadok, in loving memory of Shlomo PreschelBarbara Zittell, in loving memory of Paul ZittellBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of the birth of the Rabbi’s son, Felix Weber-Pelcovits

FLOWER FUNDEdith Claman, in loving memory of Irving ClamanRobert & Bonnie CoopermanKaren Dine, in loving memory of her mother, Esther DineNatalie KatzDr. Florence KavalerBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner David Manber, loving memory of his brother, Jerry Manber KIDDUSH FUNDRobert & Bonnie CoopermanKaren Dine, in loving memory of her mother, Esther DineBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour KrasnerJacob SuttonLarry Levine Celebration FundBarbara Levine, wine for Rabbi’s farewell dinner.PROGRAM FUNDRobert & Bonnie CoopermanBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour KrasnerKOL NIDREGladys PruzanskyMatzah Fund Florence Diller & William PollackSale of ChametzFlorence Diller & William PollackYizkorBurton & Brenda FineBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour KrasnerSol Matsil, for our loved onesMelvin & Elaine NadelDavid RosenbluthStanley Simon

Contributions in Memory of Eve Newitz, mother of Laurie Newitz

Helen CostichFrances ElettoRobert & Barbara ElkanJeffrey ForchelliEileen GiardinoStuart & Judy GisserMarlene & Benjamin Goldberg Kathleen HoltzmanRobert M. KaufmanJim & Deborah KmetzoBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour KrasnerCindy & Paul LucasBeverly Miller Michael & Candance MonacoLaurie Newitz & Ken AdelsbergRobin Spear & John ClearyAnita & Larry SolanCarl & Carole WagnerLaura WalshinJennifer & Rick WassermanSteven Zelkowitz

Join our Synagogue Book ClubBoth Men & Women Invited

On Tuesday, August 4 at 8:00 PM, we will be meeting at my home 300 East 54th St – 16K, to discuss the book All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. This is the story of a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Everyone who has read it raves about it. Edith Claman will lead our discussion. Please RSVP to me, at, safta18@aol.com, 212-758-7445.

Women’s League Corner -

We trust you are having a good summer and are ready to join with us as we plan for the New Year. We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Eugene A. Wernick and Cantor Shiree Kidron this year. It will be a very exciting time as we move back to the newly refurbished Sanctuary with our new clergy.

We at Or Olam Women’s League are proud to have made a pledge of $15,000.00 to the capitalcampaign. The entrance door will be dedicated by us. It is your support of our Shalach Manotproject and your many contributions to the Women’s League on various occasions that haveenabled us to accomplish this. Yasher Koach!

Plans are coming together for our Supper in the Sukkah on October 1 . Save the date. This hasalways been a highlight on our calendar. Please let us know if you can help organize this project.

On Wednesday, September 30, Women’s League will be having a luncheon in the Sukkah at theJewish Theological Seminary, for the Manhattan and Riverdale Women’s League affiliates, from11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. For those of you who have never seen this amazing Sukkah, it is a realtreat. Details, including cost and program, will be available shortly. Save the date and we willkeep you posted. They will only be able to accommodate 25 people, so make sure to respond assoon as you receive the details.

On Sunday, October 18 we hope those of us who are willing and able will join Team Sharsheret,an organization supporting women and families of Jewish background, facing cancer, at theAmerican Cancer Society's Making Strides against Breast Cancer Central Park 5-Mile Walk. Wehave several people who have already committed to walk.

As we plan for the new year, we are open to any suggestions for programming. If you are able tovolunteer to help with any of our functions it would be appreciated. Please contact me atsafta18@aol.com or 212-758-7445.

We thank you for your support over the past year. With the New Year almost here it is time toask for your support once again. Dues for this year will remain at $25.00. We have sent out duesnotices and are grateful to all of you who have responded promptly. If you haven’t yet sent inyour dues, please leave a check for us in the Synagogue office payable to Or Olam Women’sLeague. To grow, we would like you to invite your friends to join us as well. Our goal: everywoman who is a member of Or Olam to become a member of our Women’s League this year.

May you enjoy the rest of the summer. I look forward to greeting you all during the upcomingholidays or sooner.

Sandy Koppell

SHABBATOT - August

August 8-9 EkevCandlelighting: 7:46pm Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

August 15-16 Re’ehCandlelighting: 7:27pm Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24, 23

August 21-22 ShofetimCandlelighting: 7:27pm Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

August 28-29 Ki tetseCandlelighting: 7:17pm Torah: Deuteronomy 21:10-25:197Haftarah: Isaiah54:1-10

SHABBATOT - September

September 4-5 Ki tavoCandlelighting: 7:05pm Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

September 11-12 NitsavimCandlelighting: 6:54pm Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24, 23

September 18-19 VayelekhCandlelighting: 6:42pm Torah: Deuteronomy 31:1-30Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20

September 25-26 Ha’azinuCandlelighting: 6:30pm Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-52Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51

SHABBAT AND DAILY SERVICE TIMESSHABBAT SERVICE TIMESKabbalat Shabbat 6:00 p.m.Morning Service 9:30 a.m.WEEKDAY SERVICESMorning Service (Monday-Friday) 8:00 a.m.

Office will be closed on September 7th, Labor Day

Or Olam - The East 55th Street SynagogueFounded October 30, 1906

as Chevra B’nai Leive

Clergy and OfficersEugene A. Wernick RabbiSherry Fyman Torah ReaderMarshal Salant ChairmanBarbara Gerber-Krasner CoPresidentDavid Reitner CoPresidentArlene Flohr Vice-PresidentDavid Sokol TreasurerRichard Kaufman Secretary

OR OLAM THE EAST 55TH STREET SYNAGOGUE

308 East 55th Street • New York, NY 10022 •212-752-1200

office@east55.org www.east55.org

Please note that any and all reservationsfor Kiddushim, Flowers, Haftorah

Readings, Auf Rufs, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs,Brises, Baby Namings etc. must be made

through the Office.Please email - office@east55.org or phone

the office (212)752-1200All requests must be received and

confirmed by the office.