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Congregation Brethren of Israel Founded 1848 Bulletin Volume 162 No. 8 April 2016

Vassar Temple

Upcoming Events:

April 3 VaTY Lunch Box, p7

Four Cups Passover Course, p6

13 Wise Aging, p6

13 Four Cups Passover Course, p6

14 Book Club, p5

20 Wise Aging, p6

20 Four Cups Passover Course, p6

22 First night Passover Seder, p3

30 New Paths Service, p3

Save the Dates: May 2 Yom Hashoah May 6 VTS Generations Shabbat, p1 May 14 Moveable Feast May 15 Mitzvah Day (VaTY car wash too)

Where You Belong

• Adoptachild’sbagtoshopfor--receiveathankyounotefromchild

• Kids:registertodecorateandstuffbagsatMitzvahDayHQ

Forinformationonsponsoringoradopt-ingabag,pleasecontactJasmaineRussoatjasmainerusso@gmail.comor845-787-509.ForotherinformationaboutMitzvahDay,contactMarianSchwartzatsocialaction@vassartemple.orgor845-849-0025.

Moveable Feast Coming in May!!!

Savethedate-May14th,6:30-9:30pm,forVassarTemple’s2016Move-ableFeast.Backbypopulardemand,wehopetohaveachoiceofatleasteighthouseholddinneroptionsformembersandfriends.Specificmenus,pricing,andotherdetailswillbeannouncedsoon.

Templefamilieswhowishtohostadinnerattheirhomeshouldcontactpresident@vassartemple.org.Pleasesavethedateforthiswonderfuleveningofschmoozingwithfriendsandmakingnewfriends.Greatfood,too!Allforagoodcause-ourbelovedVassarTemple!

Generations Shabbat: May 6th

Pleasecomewithyourfamiliestopray,singandcelebrateourSisterhoodandlongtimemembersatourGenera-tionsShabbatanddinneronMay6th.Thisspecialservice,filledwithruach,isledbyourSisterhoodmembers.Afamily-friendlydinnerwillprecedeser-vices.Generationsmembersareinvitedasourguests.LookformoredetailedinfointheMayBulletin.

Mitzvah Day Registration Opens

DutchessCountyMitzvahDay,adayofcommunityservice,willbeheldSunday,May15th,andon-lineregistrationopensApril1statwww.jewishdutchess.org.Informationabouttheday’seventsandallthemitzvahprojectsyoucanchoosefromisintheAprilissueofThe Voice.Somethingforeveryonefromtotstoseniors…Participateasafamily…Participatewithfriends…Orsimplybringyourselfforanunforgettableexperience.

What’s new at Mitzvah Day?• HQisatTempleBethElonGrand

Ave.(nexttoJCC)• ProjectsatGraceSmithdomestic

abuseshelters• TheBirthdayProject(seebelow)

Old favorites: • Freekick-offbreakfast,9:00am• HistoricCemeteryClean-Up• BriggsFarm(greatforfamilieswith

youngchildren)• AppalachianTrailclearingwithRon

Rosen• PJLibrary-ledmitzvahprojectsor

preschoolersandprimarygrades• DoaTalentShowforseniors,and

manymore!

WhatistheBirthdayProject? Let’sprovidebirthdaypartiesforchildrenwhootherwisewouldhavenone;abagfilledwithbirthdaycakefixings,aspecialtoyandbookreflectingthechild’sinterests,perhapsapartydecoration,agiftcard.

Choose from many ways to help:• Bringboxedcakemix,cannedicing,

boxedbirthdaycandlestodonationboxinourTemplestarting4/30

• Donate$36tosponsorabag--re-ceivethankyounotefromchild

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WheredoIclean?Whatdoesallthismean?JoinmeforanexplorationofthePassoverSeder.Getreadytobeadynamichost,oraneducatedguest.ThreeWednesdays,7:00pmatVassarTemple:April6thWhat is Chametz? Why can’t we

have it on Passover?April13thCups, Questions, Children:

Why are there four of everything?April20thWhat’s new in ancient tradi-

tions? The traditional and the innovative on the Seder Plate.

Dueling Rabbis: A Six-Week Course on Pirke Avot (The Ethics of our Ances-tors)SixTuesdaysApril26th-May31st,7:00pmattheBoardmanRoadLibrary“Getyourselfateacher,acquireforyourselfafriend,andgiveeveryonethebenefitofthedoubt.”(RabbiJoshuaBenPerachia,PirkeAvot1:16).Comeandlearnwhatourearliestrabbishadtosayaboutfaithandethics,dailypracticeandsocialjustice.Thisclasswillbetaughtbychevruta(pairs)ofrabbisfromacrossthePoughkeepsieJewishcommunity.NopriorknowledgeofHebreworJewishtextsisrequired.Comelearnwithusaswelearnfromeachother!

Rabbi Leah Berkowitz

ings.AlongwithSukkot,PesachandShavuotcompriseourthreepilgrim-agefestivals,orregalim, inwhichJewswereencouragedtotraveltotheTempleandmakesacrifices.TodayweelevatetheseholidaysbyrecitingHallel,aseriesofpsalmsofpraise,andYizkor,aprayerinmemoryofourlostlovedones,particularlyifwehavelostapar-ent,sibling,spouse,orchild.

YizkorprayersoriginatedintheYomKippurservice,wheretheyencouragedthecommunitytohonortheirlovedones’memorieswithgiftstotzedaka.Thispracticelaterexpandedtoincludetheregalim,givingusmoreregularopportunitiestorememberourlovedones,inwordsandindeeds.Our Pass-over Yizkor Services will be held at 10:00am on Friday, April 29th.Wanttoknowmore?Thisyear,thereareexcitingopportunitiestolearnaboutthisseasonwiththerabbisinourcommunity:

Four Cups, Endless Questions: Under-standing the Passover SederOneofthethrilling—anddaunting—tasksofbuildingaJewishhomeismak-ingaPassoverSeder.WhatdoIcook?

OnFridayandSatur-daywepraytogetherandschmoozeattheOneg.ButonanygivenSunday,youwillseeVassarTemple

doingMUCHMOREthanteachingourchildren.You’llseethatthereareawholebunchofotherMitzvahsgoingon.Anditisthesynergyandvaluethatwederiveindividuallyandasacommunityfromthebuzzofactivitiestakingplacefrom9tonoononaSundaythatbringsagreatdealoflifetoourTemple.OnagivenSunday,youmightfindoneormoreofthefollowinghappening:aprospectivemembercheckingusout;acommitteemeeting;theMen’scluborSisterhoodinvolvedinaTempleactivity;avolunteerpromotingscriporJudaicatohelpsupporttheTemple;TinyTemple;folksdroppingofforpickingupLunchBoxfood;Rabbispeakingwithafamily;memberskibitzingabouttheTemple,theirfamily,orlifeingeneral.

SundayatVTislikeaminishtetl-aJewishvillage.WeareamicrocosmofJewishlifeinourmostlynon-Jewishcommunity.Themoreeachofusgetstoseeandbewithoneanother,thebetter.ThemoreourchildrenseetheirparentsandotheradultsengagedinthelifeoftheTemple,thebetter.Themoreopportuni-tieschildrenhavetointeractandbepartofthislifeinourlittleJewishvillage,thebetter.Themorepeopletherearearoundandengagedinoneactivityoranother,thebetter.ThisisexactlywhatahealthyJew-ishcongregationlookslike.BeinginthisenvironmentgoesalongwaytohelpyoungpeopleformtheirJewishidentify.And,ithelpsallofustomaintainourownJewishidentity.Eachofuscancontributetotheenvironmentaswellasdrawjoyfromit.So,ifyou’redroppingyourchildoffforreligiousschool,pleasecomeinandstayalittlewhile.Considercarvingouttime

onoccasionalSundaystopickupscrip.OrcomeinandcheckoutourbeautifulJudaicaselectionaslovelygiftsforlovedones.Strikeupaconversationwithsome-oneyourecognizeorintroduceyourselftoothers.Thesanctuaryisaperfectspottotakeamomentforalittlemeditationortoreadabitofscripture.Havealookatourbulletinboardsforinformationonvariousactivitiesandnews.MaybeevendropadonationintotheTzedakahboxtohelpoutthemonth’sgoodcause.Beingpartofavillage,especiallyyourownJewishVillage-thisplacewecallVassarTemple-isallthemorespecialwhenyouareengagedinit.Whenyou’reapartoftheTemple,theTempleisapartofyouandyourJewishidentity!TheimageI’vedescribedhappensasaresultofthechoicesweeachmaketocreateroominourlivesforourlittleJewish VillagerighthereinDutchessCounty–VassarTemple–onanygivenSunday.

Bob Ritter

Rabbi’s Message: Pesach, Omer, Regalim, Hallel, Yizkor: Vocabulary of the Jewish Calendar

AsweputawayourPurimplaythings,theJewishcalendaradoptsamoreserioustone.We

readyourhomesforPassoverguestsandourheartsforacelebrationoffreedom.Weeatunleavenedbreadforsevendays,insolidaritywithourfleeingancestorsandallwhoarenotyetfree.Butevenafterwehaveeatenourlastmatzahball,ourjourneyisonlybeginning.TheHebrewnameofPassover,Pesach,referstothepaschallamb,thesacrificethatboundusintoacovenantwithGod.Butthefulfillmentofthatcovenantdoesnothappenuntil50daysAFTERourreleasefromEgypt,whenwereceivetheTorahatthefootofMountSinai,amo-mentcommemoratedonShavuot.Whiletheseholidaysaresevenweeksapart,theyareconnectedbyanobservancecalledcounting the Omer.Mostlikelythe49daysofcountingoriginallyappliedtocountingsheavesduringthegrainharvest.Todaythisritualreenactsourancestors’waitingtoreceivetheTorah.TheOmerisatimeofausterityandreflection,duringwhichthereisacustomofstudyingPirke Avot,abookofourrabbis’ethicalteach-

President’s Message: Any Given Sunday

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April Worship Services 1 7:00pm FamilyShabbateveningworshipwithRabbi BerkowitzandorganistJosephBertolozzi2 9:00amTorahstudy 10:00am KershenbaumBatMitzvah

8 7:30pm ShabbatEveningServiceswithRabbiBerkowitz, organistJosephBertolozziandcantorialsoloistElisaDugatkin9 9:00am TorahStudy10:00amRolandBarMitzvah15 7:30pmShabbatEveningServiceswithRabbiBerkowitz,organistJosephBertolozziandcantorialsoloistElisaDugatkin16 9:00am Torahstudy10:00am BrownBarMitzvah 22 5:30pm FirstNightSeder23 9:30am NOTORAHSTUDYatVassarTemplebutallare welcometoattendPesachserviceatTempleBeth El 29 7:30pm LastdayofPassoverShabbatServicewithwith RabbiBerkowitz,organistJosephBertolozzi, andcantorialsoloistElisaDugatkin 30 9:00am TorahStudy 10:00amNewPathsService

April Scriptural Readings

2Shabbat Parah Sh’miniLev.11:1-47,Num.19:1-22;Ezekiel36:16-38

9 Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Tazria Lev.13:29-34;Num.28:9-15,Ex.12:1-20;Ezekiel45:16-46:18

16 Shabbat HaGadol Metzora Lev.14:33-15:33;Malachi3:4-24

23 Pesach Ex.12:21-51,Num.28:16-25;Joshua5:2-61

30 Pesach Deut.14:2-16:17,Num.28:19-25;Isaiah10:32-12:6

Rabbi’s Message: Pesach, Omer, Regalim, Hallel, Yizkor: Vocabulary of the Jewish Calendar

Tiny Temple WehadawonderfultimejoininginthebakingfunduringourTemplehamantaschenbakingextravaganza!Ouryoungestparticipantsenjoyedroll-ing,filling,bakingandeating delicioushamantaschenaswepreparedforPurim.Ifyouhaveachildunder5andwouldliketocheckoutourTinyTemplepro-gram,pleasejoinusonApril17thfrom11:00-12:00whenwecelebratePassovertogether.

New Paths Service

JoinusattheNewPathssabbathmorningserviceSaturday,April30that10:00amintheinformal,inti-matesettingofVassarTemple’sEastChapel.ThemovingliturgyoftheNewPathsprayerbookincludesbothtraditionalandcontemporarywritings,mostlyinEnglish,andparticipantsmaybringsupplementalmaterialstoshare.EachNewPathsservice,whetherlayledorrabbiled,providesauniqueandthoughtfulshabbatmorningexperience.Abriefmini-kiddushfollows.Formoreinformation,pleasecontactMarianSchwartzatmschwa9882@aol.com,RabbiBerkowitzatrabbi@vassar-temple.org,ortheTempleoffice845-454-2570.

Families,couples,andsinglesofallagesandgenerations,joinusaroundthetableforVassarTemple’s5thannualFirst Night Passover Sedertobeheldintheso-cialhallFriday,April22ndat5:30pm.Thesederislay-organizedandlay-ledwithashortsederserviceusingauser-friendlyHaggadahandactivitiestomaketheeve-ningfunandmeaningfulforchildren.Complementingthetraditionalritualfoodswillbeadeliciouskosher-styledin-nerfeaturing:home-madematzoballsoup,appropriateappetizers,entréechoicesofeitherchickenorfish,herbedvegetablesides,andselectedPesachdesserts.Ritualwineorjuiceandfoods,plusnon-alcohol-icbeverageswillbeavailable.

• Wecanhandlespecialdietaryre-quirementsifpre-arranged.

• Additionalwinemaybebroughtbyattendeesasdesired.

• Tocoverexpenses,thecostis:Adult:$36;5-13yearold:$10;Underage5:Freewithamaximumof$80pernuclearfamily(parents&children).

Please RSVP BY APRIL 3, 2016bysendingyourcheck(madeouttoVassarTemple)to:VassarTemple,140HookerAvenue,Poughkeepsie,NY12601.Pleaseindicate“Seder2016”,thenumberofadultsandchildren,andthenumberwishingeachentrée(chickenorfish)onthememoline.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsatallabouttheseder,pleasecontactSandraMamis,atseder@vassartemple.orgor914-456-3524.Sederco-chairsareRonRosenandPollyLewis.

VT First Night Passover Seder: April 22nd

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We Need Your Help!Weare,onceagain,askingthatyoubetheeyesandearsinthelivesofourcongregationalfamily.Federalpatientprivacyregulationslimittheinformationthathospitalsmakeavailabletoclergyandvolunteers.WeareencouragingyoutocontacttheTempleofficewhenacongregantisadmittedtoahospitalandwishestohaveRabbivisitduringthehospitalstay.Ourgoalistomeettheneedsofallourcongregants,andwecanonlydothiswithyourhelp.

Condolences to…

RobertKallmanonthepassingofhismother,MarjorieKallman;

JenDahnertonthepassingofherstepsister,JeannieLawrence.

Vassar Temple Bulletin Published monthly Publisher: Marianne Abrams Editors: Sue Lesser and Donna Loshin Technical Support: Bob Abrams

Articles for the May Bulletin must be submit-ted to the Temple office by April 1st. Sorry, we cannot take Bulletin articles over the phone! Articles may be sent via email to publicity@vassartemple.org. The editors reserve the right to edit articles for style, accuracy and length.

Pulpit Flowers Donors

April1:DonatedbytheKershenbaumfamilyinhonorofLindsey’sBatMitzvahApril8:DonatedbytheRolandfamilyinhonorofSam’sBarMitzvahApril15:DonatedbytheBrownfamilyinhonorofAiden’sBarMitzvahApril22:DonatedbyVassarTempleSisterhoodBimahFlowerFund

AnyonewhowishestohonorthememoryofalovedoneortocommemorateaspecialoccasioncandosobysponsoringthesanctuaryflowerswithadonationtotheVassarTempleSisterhoodBimahFlowerFund.ThedonationtotheFundis$55.JustcalltheVassarTempleOfficeat454-2570.

Mazel Tov to… Eric&LoriKershenbaumcelebratingLindsey’sBatMitzvah;

Mark&ShaariRolandcelebrating Sam’sBarMitzvah;

HowardBrowncelebratingAiden’sBarMitzvah;

Dan&EmmaArnoffonthebirthoftheirtwinsons,HenryandMiles.

Sisterhood Judaica Shoppe

OuryearlyPassoversaleisscheduledforApril3rdand17thfrom9:30to11:30am.Wecarryallyourneedsforafes-tivePassovertable:Sederplates,matzahplates,Kiddush,ElijahandMiriamcups,tablecloths,andsomuchmore.WearealsofeaturingsomeveryspecialnewIsraeliartists:• “Hamsah”byEsterShahaf,au-

thenticoriginalcreationssignedbyEster,individuallyhandcraftedcombiningsilver,pewterandSwarovskicrystals

• MezuzotinbrushedaluminumbyAdiSidler,handmadebyIritGal-mor,CaesareaArtsblackcrystalandAluminum

• alargeassortmentofLiorGlushkahamsah.

Passover101willbeonApril17thwithrecipesandsamplestotaste!Don’tmissit!Comeandbrowse…ourpriceswillamazeyou…..noshippingchargeseither!!TheShoppeisalsoopenduringregularTemplehours.FormoreinformationpleasecontactPerlaKaufmanatbrandaliz5@optonline.netor914-456-7309.

Refuah Shelemah

HarryMamis

Follow Rabbi Berkowitz! RabbiBerkowitzisonFacebook,Twitter,Wordpress,andInstagram.Followherandjointheconversation!Twitter/Instagram:@RabbiLRBFacebook:RabbiLeahBerkowitzReadRabbiBerkowitz’sblogat:http://thisiswhatarabbi-lookslike.wordpress.com

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From Our Religious School Director:Finding Our Moral Compass

Inthemiddleofthe16thcentury,aBritishex-plorerandseafarernamedWilliamBoroughwrotea

treatiseabouttheunreliabilityofnavi-gationalchartsthatignoredmagneticnorth.Hecalledhiswork,“A Discourse of the Variation of the Compass, or Magnetical North.”Hispointwasthatonlybyfollowingthecompasscarefullycanonesuccessfullynavigateunknownareas.That’spartone.PartTwoisthis:Inthedecadeslead-inguptothefoundingofthemodernstateofIsrael,aHebrewmavenandallaroundmavericknamedDavidYellininventedamodernHebrewwordfor“compass.”Hischoicewasmatzpen,relatedtothewordtzafon,whichmeans“north.”ForYellin,thecompasswasthatwhichpointednorth.Theancientwordtzafon,whichactuallymeansboth“north”and“northwind,”comesfromtherootTz.P.N.Alsofromthatrootistzafun,whichmeans“hidden.”(Afterall,whoknowswhatliestothenorth?)WefindtzafunintheorderofthePassoverSedercom-inguplaterthismonth.Theafikomenistzafun,whichiswhywehavetolookforit.TherootTz.P.NalsogivesusthewordMatzpun.Inantiquityitmayhavemeant“hiddentreasure.”InModernHebrew,itmeans“conscience.”

Inthisroundaboutway,theHebrewwordsfor“compass”and“conscience”endupsoundingnearlyidentical---matzpenandmatzpun---underscoringaninherentconnectionbetweenthetwoconcepts,andpracticallybeggingustoaskhowacompassislikeaconscience.Perhapsacompasshelpsusliterallyfindourwayintheworldwhileourconscienceisthemoralequivalent.Thecompasstellsuswhichwayisnorthandourconsciencetellsuswhichwayiscorrect.Orperhapstheconnectionisthatboththerightliteralpathandtherightmoralpatharehidden,andourtaskistofindthem…orperhapsboth.Englishalsoemphasizestheconnec-tionbetweenmoralityandliteralnaviga-tionwiththephrase“moralcompass”and,inparticular,withthenotionthatonecanloseone’smoralcompass.Theideaisthatourdaytodayexistencecantakeoneoftwoforms.Wecanbelikethecaptainofashiponitscorrectpath,guidedbyacompass,knowingthatwewillreachourintendeddestinationeventhoughwecannotseeit.Orwecanbelikethecaptainofashipwhoignoresthecompassandendsuplostatsea,nevertoendupwherewewant.Forthatmatter,eventhephrase“lostatsea”hasbothliteralandmoralinter-pretations.

AllofwhichbringsusbacktoPassover,aholiday,afterall,dubbed“theTimeofOurFreedom,”duringwhichwecel-ebrateourfreedomfromEgypt,and,moregenerally,ourongoingfreedom.Withthatfreedom,weknow,comestheabilitytochoosegoodpathsorbadones.Anditturnsoutthatwesometimeshaveanaturalpredilectiontoignorewhatweknowisright.Afterall,ourfirstmajorprojectasafreepeopleoutofEgyptwastobuildandworshipanidolintheformoftheGoldenCalf.Thisiswhyeveryspringwebothrejoiceinourfreedom,withPassover,andbeginamoralaccounting,withthecountingoftheOmer---thatseven-weekperiodoftimefromPassover(andfreedom)toShavuot(andTorah).Thisyearshouldbenodifferent.Solet’sonceagainstartwiththeAfikomen---thesurprisethatistzafun,hidden---andwithitrenewourattentiontothetoolswehaveforfindingourway:thecompassinallofitssurprisingcomplexity,andevenmore,ourconscience.Ignorethem,aswesooftentendtodo,andwefaceunfore-seenperil.Heedthemandwecanlookforward,astheOmerpromises,toarichlifeofTorah.

Chag Samei’ach

Dr. Joel Hoffman

TheReligiousSchoolissteppingoutsidetheclassroomonApril10thfrom9-11:30.GradesK-7areheadingtothePoughkeepsieFarmProjecttoexperi-enceinreal-timeconceptsabouttreesandecologytheylearnedwhilestudy-ingTuB’Shevat.Thechildrenwillbeparticipatinginage-appropriateactivitiesastheylearnaboutourlocalsoilandhealthyfoodsandwillbemakingtheirownsnacks!OurJewishHeritageofsus-tainingtheearth,nature,GodandallitssplendorwillberightbeforetheireyesattheFarm!

Parentsaremorethanwelcometoat-tendthistripwiththeirchildren.Pleasedressaccordingly.Children willgetdirty!Thefeeis$5perchild.Permissionslipswillbesenthomewithparentssowehaveanaccuratenumbertogivethefarmofthoseparticipating.Moredetailswillcomeaswegetclosertothedate.PleasecontactShaariRoland,ReligiousSchoolCommitteeChair,shaari@opton-line.net,withanyquestions.

Religious School Field Trip to Farm

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From Chametz-to-Table

AsPassoverapproachesandyouclearyourcabinetsofchametzinpreparationfortheholiday,wehopeyouwillconsid-erdonatingthesefoodstohelpfeedthehungryinourcommunity.ThisMarchandApril,pleasedropoffyourcannedandnon-perishablegoodsintheCANJAMbin.WewillbaganddeliverthemtofoodpantriesinDutchessCounty.

Happy Passover Nancy Samson

462-4828orcanjam123@aol.com

Summer Veggies on the Way!

Doyoulovefreshlocalveggies?Doyouwanttosupportlocalfarmersandalsocontributetoanimportantcom-munityinitiative?Ifso….here’sagreatopportunityforyouandyourfamily!PriHaEmek,nowintoitsfourthyear,isanot-for-profitCommunitySup-portedAgriculture(CSA)initiativethatisgroundedinJewishvaluesconcerningtheenvironment.PriHaEmekisHe-brewforBountyoftheValley.ACSAisacooperativeagreementbetweenafarmerandagroupofpeoplewhoagreetopre-purchaseashareofthefarmer’sproduceforanentireseason.TheCSAgivesmembersaccesstofresh,local,sustainablygrownproduceatcompeti-tiveprices,whilehelpingtopreservefarmlandandbuildingcommunity.PriHaEmekispartneringwithLineageFarminHudson.Eachweekshareholderswillchoosefromawidevarietyofseasonalvegetables,freshlyharvestedanddeliv-eredbyourfarmers, including:lettuce,arugula,saladturnips,kale,Swisschard,broccolirabe,garlicandgarlicscapes,cabbage,tomatoes,onions,summer&wintersquash,carrots,cucumbers,herbs,beans,beets,andradishes.Besidesthegreatveggies,it’sreallyfuntoparticipateandsharefoodideasandrecipeswiththegroup.SeveralVas-sarTemplefamiliesarealreadymembers.And,asanaddedbonus…..thereisnotahugeworkrequirementtojoin;only4-6hoursovertheentireseasonwhichrunsfromearlyJunethroughOctober.ThedistributionisheldweeklyattheHudsonValleyCommunityCenter.

Membershipisopentoanyone,re-gardlessofreligiousbackground.A$36membershipfeeisrequiredfromeachfamilywhichenablesustooffertzeda-kahsharestothoseinneedandprovideprogrammingforourmembers.

FullShare–10differentveggieseachweekfor$500

SmallShare–5differentveggieseachweekfor$300

Forfurtherinformation,pleasecontact:bountyofthevalley@gmail.com

Sisterhood Hamantaschen Baking Day 2016

AllthosetastyhamantaschenthatweateforPurimcouldnothavebeenmadewithoutthehelpofalotofpeople.Justlikeinyearspast,boththesocialhallandthekitchenwerefilledwithpeopleofallagesrolling,fillingandbakingLOTSofdelicioushamantaschen.Itwasahecticdaybutwiththegreatgroupofpeoplewehadhelpingitwasdefinitelyafunday!Thereligiousschoolparticipatedinmakinghamantaschenaswell.I’malwaysamazedathowourstudentsarebecomingextraordinarypastrychefs!LauraBrundageandFernWolfhelpedtheTinyTemplekidsenjoytheirfirstforayintomakinghamantaschen.Fernandherhelpersthenreadiedthirty-fivepackagesofhamantaschentobesenttoourcollegestudentsanddozensmorewerepreparedforoutreachbyBarbaraMindelandRozKaflowitztobedeliveredbyourmanyvolunteers.Thisyearnotasingletraywasburned,thankstoLisaRubenstein,NadineZaritsky,MarciaTanzmanandLisa-SueQuackenbush.Veryimpressiveladies!AlsoastonishingwashowAnnLerman,RonniJarvisandJenDahnertrolledoutandcutallthosehamantaschensoperfectly.Lotsofpeoplecontributedtomak-ingthedaysuchasuccessandwiththetemperatureoutsidehitting60degrees,wedidn’tevenhavetoworryaboutsnow!AhugeTHANKYOUtoallourhelpersanddoughmakers.Wecouldn’thavedoneitwithoutyou!ThisincludesRabbiBerkowitz,LauraBrundage,SusanColodner,JenDahnert,OrianaDani-berg,CarolynFrankel,SherrieGeisler,EveGendron,JanetGreenman,TamaraGruszko,SusanHecht,RonniJarvis,NiliJerome,MeredithKaflowitz,RozKaflowitz,PerlaKaufman,MurielLam-pell,AnnLerman,PollyLewis,DorothyMarkus,BarbaraMindel,DanahMoore,LyndaMorgenstern,AmyHornOclatis,Lisa-SueQuackenbush,LisaRubenstein,NancySamson,AlexSinn,MicheleSinn,RoniStein,MarciaTanzman,ShiraTeich,FernWolfandNadineZaritsky.AspecialthankstoMichelleSinnandMarciaTanzmanformakingglutenfreehaman-taschenandtothoseofyouwhocameearlytohelpwithsetupandstayedlateforcleanup.ThereweresomanypeoplehelpingoutthatI’msureIunintention-allyleftsomeoneoffthislist.Ihopeyouallrealizethatwithoutyourhelpthedaywouldnothavebeenassuccessfulasitwas.

Judy RosenfeldSisterhood Hamantaschen Baking Chair

Four Cups, Endless Questions: Understanding the

Passover Seder

Perhapsoneofthemostthrilling—anddaunting—tasksofbuildingaJewishhomeisputtingtogetheraPassoverSeder.WhatdoIcook?WheredoIclean?Andwhatdoesallofthismean?JoinRabbiBerkowitzforathree-weekexplorationofthePassoverSeder;andgetreadytobeadynamichost…oraneducatedguest.

• April 6:What Is Chametz and Why Can’t We Have It on Pass-over?

• April 13:Cups, Questions, Children: Why Are There Four of Everything?

• April 20:What’s New in Ancient Traditions: The Traditional and the Innovative onthe Seder Plate

WHEN: ThreeWednesdays: April6,13,20at7:00pm

WHERE:VassarTemple

Furtherinfo:vassartemplerabbi@gmail.comor845-454-2570

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Jewish War Veterans Meet April 10th

ThePrivateHermanSiegelPost625oftheJewishWarVeteransoftheUnitedStateswillholdaregularmonthlymeet-ingonSunday,April10thatCongrega-tionSchomreIsrael,18ParkAvenue,Poughkeepsie.Themeetingbeginsat9:30am.AllpersonsoftheJewishfaithwhohaveservedinanybranchoftheUnitedStatesarmedforces(Active,Reserve,orNationalGuard)arecordiallyinvitedtoattendandparticipateintheactivitiesofthisJWVPost.AsSchomreIsraelisstrictlykosher,nofoodordrinkmaybebroughtintothesynagogue.Forfurtherinformation,pleasecon-tactthePostCommander,RobertL.Mor-risonatROBL56@aol.com.

Sisterhood Lunch Box a Success

SisterhoodLunchBoxwasaterrificsuccess!Manythanksgotoourmembersandvolunteers.Weprepared,cookedandservedchili,saladandfixingsforthosewhocametotheFamilyPartnershipCenter.ThanksgoouttoJudyRosenfeld,MelissaErlebacher,BriannaErlebacher,LauraBrundage,DanahMoore,JacobMoore,JenDahnert,JudyHarkavy,RoniStein,EllenZelig,NadineZaritsky,RobinPeritz,MicheleSinn,andShaariRoland,ArleneandGilSeligman,andMarianneAbrams.ThankyoutoMarianSchwartzforallofherguidance,Perlafortakingphotos,andLindaBabasforshopping!Ifwehaveoverlookedanyone’scontri-butions,pleaseacceptourgratitudeandapologies.

• April 1-3: NFTY NAR/GER Ju-nior Youth Kallah @ URJ Kutz Camp (6th - 7th graders)

Opento6thand7thgraders,JuniorYouthKallahisanopportunitytogiveouryoungestmembersofNFTYatasteofwhat’stocomewhentheyreachhighschool.Thisweekendlongeventisde-signedtoallowReformJewishstudentsfromallovertheTri-Stateareatomeeteachotherandengageinaweekendofsocialization,funandJewishlearning.TheeventwillberunbyacombinationofhighschoolteensandadultsfromtheTri-StateArea.Registrationfeeas-sistanceisavailable.

• April 3: VaTY Lunch Box

• April 15-17: NFTY NAR Spring Kallah @ URJ Camp Eisner (8th -12th graders)

SpringKallahisaweekendretreatforanyReformJewishteenintheNYArea.TeenscomefromalloverLongIsland,NewYorkCity,WestchesterandFairfieldtospendtheweekendmeetingotherJewishteensfromthroughoutthearea,engaginginmeaningfulconversa-tionsandactionsaroundsocialjustice,participatinginteen-ledprayerandspirituality,mostimportantly,havingfuntogether.Getreadyforaweekend

offun,food,singing,games,andothersurpriseswithover2008ththrough12thgradeReformJews!Registrationfeeas-sistanceisavailable.

• May 15: Mitzvah Day Car Wash

Emailusatyouthgroup@vassartemple.orgifyouhavequestions,suggestionsorwanttoparticipate!B’Shalom

Shira and Dan

VaTy: Upcoming Events

8

AleafhasbeenplacedontheVassarTempleTreeofLifeinhonorofRabbiBerkowitzbyAlimandAnafimcontributors.ProceedsfromtheTreeofLifesupporttheendowmentFund,ongo-ingprograms,andoperations.

Alim ~ Leaves

David&AmyBerkowitzCharles&JoanBlanksteenSamuel&AdriaanFinnermanHoward&EmilyHimelsteinDavid&MarilynMcGaulleyLampellLou&CandaceLewisDr.Harry&SandraMamisDr.Arthur&CarolMenkenMark&KathleenMetzgerBob&MaryRitterJames&MaryAnnRobinowitzRon&MarilynRosenDr.Loren&CharleneRosenthalBrian&HelenSilvermanGloriaTurkAnafim~Branches

JosephAmbash&LillianWeigertDr.AndrewChernack&Dr.BarbaraPaynePaul&AndreaCiminelloRobert&JudithCreedonDr.Paul&BarbaraDworkinMelissaErlebacherRichard&HarrietFeinEdward&VivianGarberDr.Jeffrey&NanGenshaftEric&BarbaraGillmanDr.Jack&FredricaGoodmanDavid&SusanKarnesHechtCantorPatriceKaplanDr.Daniel&MollyKatzMatthew&MurielLampellElaineLipschutzKent&KathyMardonLilaMatlinSteven&MargotRileyPeterBonnieScheerRabbiMayer&AnnSelekmanGilbert&ArleneSeligmanMurray&MarySolomonCharles&RoniSteinLewis&HilaryWrobelNadineZaritsky

Shorashim ~ Roots

Robert&MarianneAbramsDaniel&SusanAlbinderWilliam&SusanBarbashJoseph&JudyBerkowitzCatherineBokorRichard&LindaCantorMartin&EleanorCharwatDorisCohenStephen&JenniferSachsDahnertGeorgeneDreishpoonElisaDugatkinRichardDuVall&LisaRubensteinRabbiLarryFreedmanRabbiJohnFriedman

ArthurGellertRabbiPaul&DeborahGolombL.Arnold&RoslynGoralnickLeonard&BarbaraGreenbergDr.Arthur&MargeryGrotenJudithHarkavyKristinJuddEleanorKatzJoel&ClaudiaKelsonEric&LoriKershenbaumLee&MichelleKleinRichardLevienBrettLubarskyMichael&MarcyLubarskyBarbaraMindelJeremy&DanahMooreDr.Kenneth&AmyHornOclatisEleanorPupkoKurt&Lisa-SueQuackenbushBettyRennerEric&JudyRosenfeldArnoldSerotskyCraig&MicheleSinnJerold&EileenSlateBarbaraSternIra&SherryTackelGlenn&MarciaTanzmanDaniel&ShiraTeichHal&JenniferTeitelbaumRabbiDanielVictorDavid&FernGreenbergWolfEllenZelig

New Leaf onTree of Life

Buy Scrip

Help Yourself Help the Temple

9

Weekly Study at Vassar Temple

“TorahStudy”withtheTemple’sRabbiLeahBerkowitz,whichexaminespassagesfromtheweek’storahportionorhaftorah,isheldSaturdaymorningsat9:00am(noclass4/23).“The Talmud: Modern Ideas from an Ancient Text”istaughtbySeniorScholarRabbiPaulGolombonTuesdaysatnoon.Allarewelcometocome,learnandjoininthelivelydiscussionsatbothclasses--noprevioustrainingrequired!Questions?rabbi@vassartemple.orgor(845)454-2570

Wise Aging Program Resumes April 13th

OnWednesdayevening,April13that7:00pm,Wise Aging resumesafteraWinterhiatus.Wewelcomenewpeople–menandwomen–aswellasthosewhoparticipatedinthefall.TherewillbeanintroductorysessionfornewcomersonApril13thandwewillmeetastheentiregrouponApril20th,bothbeginningat7:00pm.Wewillselectfuturedatesatthattime.IfyouplantocometotheIntroSessionorhaveanyquestions,pleasecall:DebbieGolombat483-7717orLindaCantorat473-1819.

Yiddish Fun!

YouareinvitedtoenjoyanhourofYiddish(broken)conversation,songsandcultureatHudsonValleyCommunityCenter(formerJCC),110S.GrandAve.,Poughkeepsie,onTuesdaysat11:00am.YouorMom&Dad,Grandma&Grand-paarepromisedadelightfultime.FormoreinformationcallRitaFreemanat845-473-4129.

Support our Teen Lunch Box

OurTempleteens,grade8-12,ledbytheyouthgroup,aresponsoringLunchBoxonSunday,April3rdandtheyareseekingdonationsof:3lbs.allbeeffranks1to2dozenpiecesfreshfruit/bananas/grapesYourfooddonations,labeled“ForLunchBox,”canbedroppedoffbeforehandwheneverTempleisopen(non-perishablesintheplasticbinonthecounternearthekitchendoor,perishablesinthefridge).IfyoucanhelppleaseletShira-Teichknowwhatyouwillcontrib-uteatteichs11@gmail.comor(781)492-1244.ChecksmadeouttoVassarTemplewith“LunchBox”onthememolinealsohelpthislife-sustainingprojectandaretaxdeductible.

(RJV) Reform Jewish Voice of NYS Advocacy Group Forming

WerecentlyheldaluncheonfeaturingguestspeakerArleenStein,arepresenta-tivefromtheReformJewishVoiceofNewYorkState,anorganizationwhichiscomprisedofvolunteersfromvari-ouscongregationsandwhosepurposeistopromotestatelegislationaddress-ingtherootcausesofsocialandeco-nomicinjustice,advocateforethicalgovernment,andadvancereligioustoleranceandhumandignitythroughoutthestate.ArleenisamemberofCon-gregationBethEmethinAlbanyandhasservedontheCommissiononSocialActionoftheUnionofReformJudaism,withwhomRJVisaffiliated.

AstherewasalotofinterestinwhatArlenehadtosay,weareforminganadvocacygroupatVassarTemple.Arleenwouldbehappytoreturntogivethemthetrainingtheyneedtosuccessfullyapproachourstatelegislatorsontheseissuesthroughouttheyear,andeveryoneisinvitedtoparticipateinRJV’sannualAdvocacyDayinAlbanyonMonday,May9th.WerecognizethatVassarTempleisapoliticallydiversecongrega-tion,andthisgroupwilldiscusshowwecanengageinadvocacyonanindividuallevel,notasrepresentativesofVassarTemple.

Pleasecontactsocialaction@vassar-temple.orgifyouareinterestedinjoiningtheadvocacygroup.Visitrjvnys.orgformoreinfomationonRJVandtosignontotheire-maillist.

10

Memorial Board Plaques

Honor the memory of your loved ones with a plaque on the Memorial Board in the sanctuary. For information, call the

Temple office at 454-2570.

APRIL 15ElsieH.AlbertEliasAltmanFannieBardHarryDegensheinJackJacobsonDr.PaulKoltaiDavidKorobkinAnneLacherPhilipLacherEvelynLanningSadieLiebermanMildredMetlisEvelynPartridgeHerbertRosandKenneth(Mickey)RosenblumSolomonSalbergIdaSalitLouisSchwartzNathan“Toolie”TurkCharlesVolkman,Sr.Dr.FritzWeigert

APRIL 1HermanBaskinHarryBronfeldJeanetteAda CohenMorrisDomesDorothyEsnerDavidH.EttensonHon.JosephH. GellertZoeyRachelGillmanIlseHolzerSamuelKarnesRoseBaumKrautMiltonLevittMorrisS.RosenmannWilliamM.RothsteinTillieSchwartzCoraFrances SolomonPearlTeperman MartinTurk

APRIL 8IsadorAlbinderSamuelBaskinJosephFrankelLorraineGoldbergDr.AlbertGouldIdelIzraelewiczMarthaKatzLillianF.KovacsMorrisD.KovacsMorrisLandauFrancesLazarusJeannetteS.NewmanJoshuaLowePosnerRhonaPrussinMollieRosenbergMorrisRosenbergIdaneEvanSalengerVawnJennifer SalengerEricSamsonMimiL.SchorMaxMichaelSimon,MDMaxSolomon

APRIL 22JesseBarbashHarryBardEvaBleyGeorgeN.FreedmanElizabeth“Libby”HorowitzAlfredKapnerDoreenKimmelDelbertLaLoneDanielLengerJoanMarshallEricMendelNathanL.ReiflerNormanS.ReiflerLesterM.RitterGladysSalbergJuliusSeifJoanSachsShasanGertrudeRosenmannSonkinMarionVolkmanSamuelH.WeismanGertrudeWeissRebeccaWolfson

APRIL 29SidneyCohenRuthEdnaDayAnnaDreishpoonPaulineDublerJacobEttensonFrancesR.FinnermanEdithKaufherrFayePrisanskyKaufmanBeverlyKellyBessieGoldmanLassSimiLevyHesterLoxEdwardMoffitSaraSilbermanEstherStraussMarkSyrkinJ.LouisSumnerAbrahamTavssRobertUttalDr.WolfgangU.Weigert

VassarTemple’sSisterhoodBookClubwilldiscuss,justintimeforPass-over,All Other NightsbyDaraHorn,anhistori-calnovelwhich

takesplaceduringtheCivilWar.ThemeetingwillbeonThursday,April14th,at2:00pm.,intheCommunityRoomofCollegeviewTower,141

FultonAvenue,Poughkeepsie.All Other Nightsexploresraceandreligionin19thcenturyAmerica.JacobRappaport,thesonofawealthyimport-exportfamily,fleeshomeandenlistsintheUnionArmytoavoidanarrangedmarriage.Whenhissuperiorsdiscoverhisuniqueconnections,heissentonespionagemissionsthatrevealanAmericanJewishpopulationdividedbytheMason-DixonLine,butunitedbybusiness,religious,andfamilyties.Ja-cobisorderedtomurderhisownuncle,whoisplottingtoassassinateAbrahamLincoln.Themurderistotakeplaceon

Passover.Basedonrealhistoricalfigures,DaraHorn’snovelhasbeendescribedbycriticsas“multilayered,page-turningsto-rytellingatitsbest,”themixofloveandloyaltyplayedoutinadividedAmerica.Thebookisavailableinpaperbackandthroughthelocallibrarysystem.ElaineLipschutzwillleadthediscus-siontowhicheveryoneiswelcome.ToRSVPorgetmoreinformation,pleasecontactLindaBabasat473-7931orlinda.babas.41@gmail.com.Pleasefeelfreeto

Book Club to Discuss All Other Nights on April 14th

Yahrzeits

11

SusanMatlin LouisShub LilaMatlinMorrisLevine

LilaMatlinRalphParridgeEvelynPartridge RichardPartridgeTessieTurk Steven&ShellyTurkHarveyKaflowitzRoslynKaflowitzRoseBaumKraut DutchKrautNathanielBaum Nina&NicholasKrautSidneyGreenman JanetGreenman&RobinPeritzMarjorieKallman Richard&LindaCantorLillianGerberLillianFeldman RobertFeldmanAnnemarieTeutsch DoiCohenEvelynLanning

James&MaryannRobinowitzBlancheFertig PhyllisRitterMarjorieKallman Morton&RitaAltermanAnnLacher Maury&MiriamLacherEsterG.RheingoldHermanJacobs IrmaJacobsEdwardMoffit Kent&KathyMardonBernardZuckermanAdrianZuckermanNaomiGoldberg D’Arcangelo&Co PollyLewis Ed&VivianGarber Kent&KathyMardon LilaMatlin Dr.&MrsBruceE.Waxman

Richard&LindaCantor JanelL.Aronson

Lewis&HilaryWrobelFannyDeanGorden

BarbaraN.Scheer

Wallace&ElizabethSchwartz ThomasM.Cervone Bill&CarolRhode David&SusanHecht MarieCole Chuck&MarlandBerghorn IrmaJacobs Muriel&MattLampell John&KarenHerring Charles&KarenSimon DoiCohen Steven&AmyEffron Jack&RitaEffron Larry&CindyJacobson

MUSIC FUNDIn Honor of:RabbiLeahBerkowitzonbecomingVassarTemple’srabbi Frank&PaulaSloan

LIBRARY FUNDIn Memory of:NaomiGoldberg JoanReifler

LIPSCHUTZ FUNDIn Memory of:SolLipschutzBenjaminClarfeld ElaineLipschutz

ContributionsRABBI’S FUNDIn Honor of:RabbiLeahBerkowitz’Installation

IvyF.Hoffman&MeganValentine Kent&KathyMardon

In Memory of:MartinL.Lowenthal Charles,Roni&JosephSteinNaomiGoldberg BarbaraAronson

SUSTAINING FUNDIn Honor of:MaryRitterinorganizingFiddler on the

Rooftrip Lewis&HilaryWrobelMarian&RalphSchwartzandNewPathsServices JaneLaLoneDavidLampell’s65thbirthday JanelL.AronsonDan&EmmaArnoffonthebirthof theirtwinsons,HenryandMiles

Bob&MaryRitterSandraMamis&theVTRitualCommittee

forputtingtheInstallationdinnertogetherbeautifully LilaMatlin

In Memory of:JonFranklinKatz EleanorKatzSamuelKarnes TheKarnesHechtFamilyGeorgeMeltzer AlanS.Rubenstein LisaRubensteinRuthParry KathrynMardonIrvingRosenthal

Loren&CharleneRosenthalKurtSimiles SandraMamisRussellOppenheimer MiriamOppenheimer JillOppenheimerAuerbach

Ifyouarelikeme,throughouttheyearyoureceiveperiodicnoticesaboutupcomingYahrzeitsforyourlovedoneswhohavepassedaway.Myfirstre-sponseisusuallytonotetheShabbatob-servanceoftheYahrzeitonmycalendar,andthebuckstopsthere…literally!ButinresponsetotheseimportantYahrzeits,thereisanothersteponecantake,andIamdevotingmycolumnthismonthtoencourageyoutoconsidertakingthatstep:itiscalledtheSustaining Fund.

ThenoticeyoureceiveisnotonlyintendedtoremindyouoftheYahrzeit,italsoprovidesyouwithanopportu-nitytomakeadonationinmemoryofyourlovedone.Contributionsmadeforthispurposearegenerally(thoughnotcategorically)directedtowardTemple’sSustainingFund,andassuch,helpsustaintheoperatingcostsoftheTemple.ThisisanimportantsourceofincomeonwhichtheTemple’sleadershipdependstomakeendsmeet.Startingthismonth,youwillnoticeachangeinthedesign

FUND FACTS – Sustaining Memories and the Temple

andsizeoftheYahrzeitnotice,asameanstoprovideyouwithmoreinformationaboutmakingdonationsandtooffermorepersonalizedwishesontheseoccasions.

SothenexttimeyoureceiveaYahrzeitnotice–newdesignandall–don’tlet“thebuckstopthere.”PleaseconsiderdirectingChai,orwhateveramountyouchoose,tosustainingyourlovedones’memories,andtosustainingourTempleatthesametime.YouwillbedoingadoubleMitzvah.

Jennifer Sachs Dahnert

12

Vassar Temple Bulletin 140 Hooker Avenue

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601 845-454-2570

www.vassartemple.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Rabbi: Leah BerkowitzRabbi Emeritus: Stephen ArnoldSenior Scholar: Paul Golomb Religious School Director: Dr. Joel M. HoffmanCantorial Soloist: Elisa DugatkinOrganist: Joseph BertolozziPresident: Bob Ritter 1st Vice-President Mark Metzger 2nd Vice- President: Ron Rosen Secretary: Susan Karnes Hecht Treasurer: Len GreenbergSisterhood Co-Presidents: Laura Brundage & Danah Moore Men’s Club Co-Presidents: Dave Samson & Dave WolfImmediate Past President: Bob Abrams Youth Group President: Brianna Erlebacher

PRSTD STDU.S. Postage

PaidPermit # 11

Newburgh, N.Y.

DATED MAILPLEASE RUSH

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

7pm Family Shabbat Service

29am Torah Study10am Kershenbaum Bat Mitzvah

39am R/S, Gr. K-712pm Lunchbox

4 510am SEP12pm Talmud Study6:30pm Ritual Committee

64:30pm Hebrew School6:30pm R/S Gr 8-127pm Learn about Passover with Rabbi Berkowitz

710am SEP

87:30pm Shabbat Service

99am Torah Study10am Roland Bar Mitzvah

10Religious School Class Trip

11 1210am SEP11am Rabbi’s Lunch12pm Talmud Study6pm VTS Donor Dinner

134:30pm Hebrew 6:30pm R/S Gr 8-127pm Intro Wise Aging7pm Learn about Passover with Rabbi

1410am SEP2pm VTS Book Club7pm Exec Cmte Meeting

157:30pm Shabbat Service

169am Torah Study10am Brown Bar Mitzvah

179am R/S, Gr. K-710am Tiny Temple

18 1910am SEP12pm Talmud Study

204:30pm Hebrew School (last day)6:30pm R/S Gr 8-127pm Intro Wise Aging7pm Learn about Passover with Rabbi 7pm Finance Cmte

2110am SEP

22First night of Passover10am Yizkor ServiceNo Shabbat Services

23PassoverNo Torah Study

24PassoverNo Religious School

25Passover

26Passover10am SEP12pm Talmud Study7pm Omer classon Pirke Avot

27PassoverNo Religious School

28Passover10am SEP7pm Board Meeting

29Passover (last day)7:30pm Shabbat Service

309am Torah Study10am New Paths

April 2016