Flemington Jewish Community Center 5 Sergeantsville Road

Flemington, New Jersey 08822 (908) 782-6410

Fax: (908) 806-7736

office@flemingtonjcc.org www.flemingtonjcc.org

December 2016/1 Kislev – 2 Tevet 5777

MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

Hebrew School and its Blessing It is Shabbat lunch and learn; I ask my congregants “What is the most

beautiful lyrics you’ve ever heard?” Most answered referring to music of famous

composers. Only one lady answered, “It was hearing my child’s first cry or seeing

his eyes blink open.”

I am sure that many adults, in particular parents, share the following

experience: “I get home and my child is smiling or s/he comes running to me. It

has just made me grow as an individual and grow as a person.”

In these statements, I find a holy truth. What can be more precious than

listening to children singing and watching children smiling? To me this is true,

not only as a father but also as rabbi/teacher.

When I hear Hebrew School children of any age singing, smiling, and running

around the synagogue building, I see the beauty of Creation unfolded in front of

my eyes. With little effort, we can boost our bliss by strengthening our school,

and by encouraging and funding our children and youths to attend weekend

shabbatonim and Jewish summer camps. These programs will reap enormous

benefits for our Congregation.

Franz Kafka wrote “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty.

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

Last Erev Shabbat, our Young Judea offered us a tangible example. The

students took turns singing Friday evening services and presented a very

entertaining Parsha Players, a little skit based on the Torah Portion of the week.

That was much sweeter than the ice cream sundae they offered. What is common

among these young men and women is that all attended Hebrew School and Jewish summer camps. There, they joined their peers’

from different parts of the country to experience the beauty of Judaism. Charged with enthusiasm, back home they transmitted their

passion to the whole community. Their pursuits recall Hanukkah candles flaming in a dark winter night.

I saw their beauty and felt young.

FJCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Spiritual Leader

Interim Rabbi Jacob Malki

rabbi@flemingtonjcc.org

Executive Board: Acting Co-Presidents:

1st Vice President Neal Wolff 2nd Vice President Mitch Clarin

3rd Vice President Mindy Engle-Friedman

Secretary Laurence Shatkin

Treasurer Jonathan Weitz Immediate Past President Jeffrey Doshna

Elected Trustees: Lifetime Trustees: Jerry Atlas Jack Forman Scott Byne Dan Gross

Jim Fox Zel Gerstein

Richard Frank Ed Mehrlust Judy Gold Howard Nifoussi

Marsha Goldstein Phil Stern

Steven Greenstein Larry Wissner Alan Hylton Michael Wolf

Marvin Jacobson Ruth Wolf

Nathan Lefkow

Bruce Moskovitz Sisterhood President:

Jonathan Nemeth Reena Gold Kamins

Sharon Rednor

Bulletin Editor: Flo Newrock

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CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Congregation,

As we wind down and reflect on 2016, it is clear this has

been a transitional year at the FJCC and we have a lot to be

thankful for. We have added new members to our

congregation but also said goodbye to long time

members. We hired Rabbi Jacob Malki to help provide us

with spiritual leadership while we finalize the search for our

next permanent rabbi. And our longstanding president, Jeff

Doshna, stepped down so that others can carry the torch of

leadership of our great synagogue.

With all this happening, we have had a lot of good to

acknowledge:

Our Nursery and Hebrew schools are full of students

We have an amazing Center Series filled with plays,

guest lecturers, authors, and cooking classes

Our adult education classes, led by Rabbi Malki have

been continuing

Because of your generosity, we were able to deliver

the amount needed to be generously matched at our Yizkor

appeal

We have renamed the sanctuary in honor of the

Kalafer and Jaffe families

We have helped with our mission of Tikkun Olam

by hosting local families in need with our support of Family

Promise

We celebrated all the holidays with joy and simchas

as a congregation and carried on the traditions of the FJCC

In early 2017, our hard working Rabbinical Search

Committee will begin interviewing candidates for our

permanent rabbi. In the spring, when we get down to the final

choices, we will let you know when they will be at the FJCC

leading services and meeting the congregation. I strongly

encourage you to attend so you can help us decide who is the

best choice to lead us into the future. Don’t delegate this

important choice to others. You must be part of this critical

step for the future of the FJCC. You have a say in our future

and I hope you take advantage of this important opportunity.

Finally, some important acknowledgements. We wanted

to thank everyone who helped with taking down the sukkah

this year including: Dan Gross, Jerry Atlas, Jonathan Weitz,

Scott Schipper, David Goldman, Marvin Jacobson, Harry

Rapkin, and Nathan Lefkow.

We also had a lot of support to make the play, “A Modest

Suggestion,” go smoothly. Those who helped with the setup

and breakdown of the production included: Mike Wolf, Scott

Byne, Mona Shapiro, Nathan Lefkow, Mindy Engle-

Friedman, Harry Rapkin, Jonathan Weitz, Rose Mehrlust, and

Michael Kawas.

We will be coming up with some fun events in 2017 and

I hope you can help us to organize and plan these, and also to

attend. Stay tuned for more information and please let me

know if you have any questions or concerns. Feel free to

reach us at president@flemingtonjcc.org.

Best regards,

Co-presidents: Mitch Clarin, Mindy Engle-Friedman, and

Neal Wolff

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AROUND THE SYNAGOGUE MAZEL TOV TO: Anneliese & Howard Nifoussi on the marriage of their

daughter, Jenna, to Brian

Flo & Bruce Newrock on their 50th wedding anniversary

REFUAH SHLEMAH TO: Melvin Dvoor

Michael Horwitz

Judy Nussbaum

Faith Ostroff

Milt Rosen

OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO: Lenore Levine on her loss of her beloved husband, Phil

To Marlene & Neal Wolff on the loss of Marlene’s beloved

uncle, Stanley Karr

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NURSERY SCHOOL FIRST ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR The Nursery School’s first annual Craft Fair, which was held

in November, was a great success. Twenty-seven vendors,

most selling hand-made items including art, decorations,

clothing, accessories, pet novelties, books, personal care

products, and cookies helped over 200 attendees get an early

start to their holiday shopping. Special thank yous to the very

talented Cara London and Phyllis Lerner for being venders, to

Pam Nemeth, Jane Wasserman, and Jonathan Weitz for

helping with organizing and execution, to event planner

extraordinaire, Jodi Weitz, for making an idea into a

successful and profitable synagogue event, and to our

congregants who came out to shop.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HEBREW SCHOOL HAPPENINGS November seems to be a short month. We have off for

New Jersey Teachers Convention and Thanksgiving. But that

doesn’t seem to slow us down. I hear the students reciting the

Chanukah Brachot and singing Chanukah songs. This month

we will have our first Tot Shabbat and Jr. Congregation, go to

the JRA, and visit Independence Manor. An ice cream social

is planned for our Hebrew High students and the Hunterdon

Central students who will be going to Poland in the spring.

On Sunday, December 18th, there will be an 11:00

dismissal which will allow families who are attending the Kol

Dodi concert to grab a nosh before the program.

Karen Walsh

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2016 FJCC YELLOW SCHOOL BUS TRIP

To the Jewish Relief Agency

December 11th

$9/person

Leave the FJCC—8:00 AM

Return to the FJCC—2:00 PM

We will make one stop to drop off food items on our way home

□HH8-12 students are eligible to attend without parents (although this can be

a really great family volunteer opportunity)

□Students in Gan- third Grade need to come with his/her parent(s)

□4th - 7th grade need to have a parent or a designated parent supervisor (one

parent can volunteer to bring 3 or 4 students with them)

Seats are available on a first come first served basis. Please send RSVP with

check to reserve your spot.

RSVP BY

December 3rd

Seats are first come first served

Name: ________________________ email: _____________________

____________# adults’ names: _____________________________________

____________# students’ names: ___________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_______________Amount enclosed.

My child/ren ___________________________________ will be attending under

the supervision of _____________________________________________

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CONTRIBUTIONS Todah rabah to all those who made donations to:

TORAH CROWN FUND Dena Scibilia in memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved

father of Jeff Doshna

BUILDING FUND Marsha & Zel Gerstein:

In memory of Phil Levine, beloved husband of

Lenore Levine

For a refuah shlemah to Melvin Dvoor

For a mazel tov to Kimi & Barry Mittler on the Bat

Mitzvah of their daughter, Kylei

In memory of Barbara Berg, beloved mother of Pam

Nemeth

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

GENERAL FUND Anonymous in memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved

father of Jeff Doshna

Barbara & Mitch Clarin in memory of Alvin Farber,

beloved father of Dena Scibilia

Antje Doyle in memory of her beloved husband, Bill

Alissa & Jim Fox:

In memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of

Pam Nemeth

In memory of Bruce Kay, beloved husband of

Evelyn Kay

In memory of Phil Levine, beloved husband of

Lenore Levine

For a mazel tov to Anneliese and Howard Nifoussi

on the marriage of their daughter, Jenna, to Brian

Malka Goodman:

In memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of

Pam Nemeth

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

Carol Joyce & Robert Mahon in honor of Flo and Bruce

Newrock’s 50th wedding anniversary

Esther & Steve Kamenetsky in memory of Phil Levine,

beloved husband of Lenore Levine

Mindy Kaminsky & Family and Larry Thomas in

memory of Phil Levine, beloved husband of Lenore

Levine

Kestenbaum Family:

For a mazel tov to Kimi and Barry Mittler on the Bat

Mitzvah of their daughter, Kylei

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

For a todah rabah to Linda and Jerry Atlas for the

donation of an air purifier to Rabbi Malki’s office

Henry Kuhl in memory of Phil Levine, beloved

husband of Lenore Levine

Flo & Bruce Newrock:

For the yahrzeit of Flo’s beloved father, Milton

Richman

For the yahrzeit of Bruce’s beloved mother, Sylvia

Newrock

Sue & Rick Rothstein:

For get well wishes to Judy Nussbaum

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

Amy Rubin:

In memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of

Pam Nemeth

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

In memory of Alvin Farber, beloved father of Dena

Scibilia

Laurence Shatkin in memory of Alvin Farber, beloved

father of Dena Scibilia

Jane Wasserman & the FJCC Nursery School Board in

memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of Pam

Nemeth

Ilene & Stan Weinstein:

In honor of Alissa Fox for being so kind to his

family. She is loved.

In honor of Jack Forman for taking and keeping the

pain away

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

Cathie & Art Wetstein:

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

In memory of Alvin Farber, beloved father of Dena

Scibilia

For get well wishes to Milt Rosen

CENTER SERIES FUND Mindy & Eliot Friedman:

In honor of Eliot davening Shacharit for the High

Holydays

In honor of Noah Friedman serving as cantor for the

High Holydays

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

In memory of Irene Suslow, beloved mother of

Carolyn Goldman

In honor of Samuel Doshna’s Bar Mitzvah

KIDDUSH FUND Barbara & Mitch Clarin:

In memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of

Pam Nemeth

In honor of Kylei Mittler’s Bat Mitzvah

Vivian & Fred Daniel:

In memory of Phil Levine, beloved husband of

Lenore Levine

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

For a mazel tov to Malka Goodman on the B’nai

Mitzvah of triplets Aaron, Zachary, and Ilana

Malka Goodman in honor of the of B’nai Mitzvah of her

triplet grandchildren Aaron, Zachary, and Ilana

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Evie & Phil Stern:

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

In memory of Phil Levine, beloved husband of

Lenore Levine

In memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of

Pam Nemeth

For get well wishes to Michael Horwitz

Nathan Treinish in memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved

father of Jeff Doshna

HEBREW SCHOOL Marlene & Neal Wolff:

In memory of Barbara M. Berg, beloved mother of

Pam Nemeth

In memory of Thomas Doshna, beloved father of Jeff

Doshna

In memory of Marlene’s Uncle Stan Karr

Tzedakah is always “in season.” If you have an event coming up such as an anniversary, a birthday, a yahrzeit, etc., it’s a mitzvah

to contribute to your favorite fund. You can send your check to the FJCC office with a note telling us where you would like the

money used. Some of the funds that you can donate to are: Building Fund, General Fund, Kiddush Fund, Prayer Book Fund, Hebrew

School, Shmuel F Frand Memorial Holocaust Education Fund, and Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. Do a mitzvah – send a donation.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE FJCC CENTER SERIES ENTERS ITS THIRD YEAR!!

The FJCC CENTER SERIES invites you to participate in its

third year of exceptional programs which will include

discussions by authors, lectures, films, plays, music, and cultural

events. We have already hosted this year’s first offering.

Comedian and chef, Robert Rosenthal, author of Short Order

Dad: One Guy’s Guide to Making Food Fun and Hassle-Free,

shared recipes, anecdotes and cooking tips.

Please mark your calendars for our other programs this fall.

On Sunday, December 18, celebrate Chanukah with the

veteran choral group, Kol Dodi, who will entertain with songs in

English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino. Our very own Harry

Rapkin is part of this troupe.

In addition to these four major events, the FJCC has two

ongoing adult education classes with Rabbi Malki. Both classes

meet on Thursday, in the morning at 11:00 AM and in the

evening at 7:30 PM. Adults are welcome to come anytime.

As we move into 2017 we will offer a film series, and Art

History lectures by Cara London. In March, the West Side

Woodwind Quintet, which includes Eliot Friedman on the oboe,

will present an afternoon of chamber music. In May at our

annual Women’s Day Brunch we are happy to bring Kate Siegel

and Kim Friedman, mother-daughter authors/comedians of

Mother Can You Not. Also in May, Noa Baum, author of Land

Twice Promised, will discuss her book about her friendship with

a Palestinian woman and their memories about the ongoing

conflict.

Our programs are open to the public. We encourage you to

invite your friends and family. Please RSVP in advance to 908-

782-6410, ext.10. RSVPs help us to plan. Our events will be

posted on our Facebook page.

Please donate to the CENTER SERIES. All contributors will be

recognized, by contribution level, throughout the year. The

annual sponsorship opportunities are:

Benefactor ($5000 or more)

Pillar ($1000 to $4,999)

Patron ($500 to $999)

Sponsor ($250 to $499)

Contributor ($100 to $249)

Friend ($25 to $99)

Committee Member or Event Volunteer

Please send your donation to the FJCC CENTER SERIES, 5

Sergeantsville Road, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE CENTER SERIES REVIEWS

The Ken Kaissar drama “A Modest Suggestion” was

presented at the FJCC on Sunday, October 30. It cleverly

presented issues of racism, anti-Semitism and what it means

to be Jewish in a highly accessible and stimulating

production. The lively discussion that followed covered a

wide-range of related topics and according to the cast

members, it was the best post-play discussion they had

experienced. Thank you to the approximately 30 FJCC and

local community members who joined us.

On Sunday November 20, the FJCC CENTER SERIES

hosted a talk and discussion by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

sponsored by Jim and Alissa Fox and Fox Family Foundation.

David Goldman provided a meaningful and thoughtful

introduction to Rabbi Telushkin's talk. Rabbi Telushkin

engaged us with topics including the qualities of wisdom,

strength, and wealth, and the notion of forgiveness. Over 100

attended including many from both our synagogue and the

greater Hunterdon/Somerset/Bucks communities as well as

members of local churches. Rabbi Telushkin's talk was

followed by a luncheon and a book sale and signing.

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Gift Shop

It’s December and winter is here, but we also have the warmth and lights of Hanukkah. We have many new and exciting items that will thrill you. All your favorite chocolates, including lollipops, gelt, and chocolate Maccabees are here for you to save. Hanukkah socks, brand new jewelry, games and toys for kids, decorations, towel sets, candles, dreidels, cards, gift wrap, bags,

mugs, and Hanukkiahs, and don’t forget you get a free mini calendar with any purchase. We are open during regular office hours and Hebrew School. Please fill out a receipt and leave your check made out to FJCC Gift Shop, in the office. The shop is looking for volunteers to help set up items and design the shelves. We’d love to hear from you. Thanks to Kim Muller, Gayle Neibart, and Joan Rogow for their help in November.

Your Gift Case Committee:

Lois Gross Gayle Neibart

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We need congregational participation for Oneg and Kiddush sponsorship! Do you have a Yahrzeit coming up or a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, anniversary, birthday, or any occasion to sponsor an ONEG/KIDDUSH?

It doesn’t have to be a fancy feast or expensive. Be creative, prepare the food in the FJCC kitchen, pick up kosher food at ShopRite,

or simply send in a check and the shopping will be done for you. Please call Deborah in our office 782-6410 or email

office@flemingtonjcc.org and let her know what date you will sponsor.

December 20161 Kislev 5777 - 2 Tevet 5777

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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¡¡4:15PM §5:18PM

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¡¡4:16PM §5:19PM

¡¡4:19PM §5:23PM

§5:23PM §5:24PM §5:25PM §5:26PM §5:26PM §5:27PM/¡¡4:24PM §5:28PM

1 Kislev 2 Kislev 3 Kislev

4 Kislev 5 Kislev 6 Kislev 7 Kislev 8 Kislev 9 Kislev 10 Kislev

11 Kislev 12 Kislev 13 Kislev 14 Kislev 15 Kislev 16 Kislev 17 Kislev

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25 Kislev 26 Kislev 27 Kislev 28 Kislev 29 Kislev 1 Tevet 2 Tevet

ROSH HODESH Tot Shabbat

Services 7:30

Toledot

Services 9:15

Jr. Congregation

Services 9:00 Services 7:30

Israel Scholarship Speaker

Oneg: Kleiman Family

Vayetze

Services 9:15

Services 9:00

JRA Bus Trip

Services 7:30 Vayishlah

Services 9:15

Services 9:00

Center Series: Chanukah

Music - Kol Dodi

Blood Drive 12:30 Services 7:30 EREV HANUKKAH

Vayeshev

Services 9:15

HANUKKAH I

Services 9:00

HANUKKAH II HANUKKAH III HANUKKAH IV HANUKKAH V ROSH HODESH - HANUKKAH VI

Services 7:30

HANUKKAH VII

Miketz

Services 9:15

[¡¡Candle Lighting, §Observance End for Flemington, NJ]

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3 - Alexandra Kesselhaut

- Beverly Landstrom

- Hannah Weinstock

4 - Leah Green

- Zachary Liebman

- June Strober

5 - Monica Jakubowski

- Amy Rubin

7 - Natalie Atlas

- Joshua Weinstein

8 - Mark Gertzman

9 - Leah Rudolph

- Zachary Rudolph

10 - Dylan Stein

11 - Valerie Goldman

- Benjamin Jampel

12 - Joshua Ellenberg

- David Zackowitz

13 - Darlene Arden

- Cliff Michaels

- Jacqueline Sornstein

14 - Jane Griffith

16 - Seth Cohen

- Hannah Ellenberg

18 - Kim Muller

- Scott Schindler

19 - Mildred Goodman

20 - Robin Alexander

20 - Stephen Riche

- Delilah Rogow

- Eric Rogow

21 - Joshua Ellenberg

- Arthur Wetstein

23 - Douglas Reid-Green

27 - Alan Radzin

28 - Abbe Daniel

- Bruce Kestenbaum

- Gayle Neibart

- Jonathan Wissner

29 - Lori Daniel

- Jeffrey Levine

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 19 - Marian & Jack Daniels

23 - Vivian & Fred Daniel

24 - Flo & Bruce Newrock

27 - Louis & Ellen Pearlman

- Shelly & Marty Sobel

28 - Ilene & Stanley Weinstein

DECEMBER YAHRZEITS 1 - Irving Braff

- Joseph Forman

- Mathilda Ruth Norinsky

3 - Julius Bernhard

- Judy Daniel

4 - Sylvia Rogow

- Henry Rosenberg

5 - Feiga Mozeico

- Charles Watson

6 - Nathan Seligman

7 - Ruth Isaacson

8 - Milton Guttman

- Leonard Pressman

- Herman Simon

- Donald Watts

9 - Kalman Burstyn

- Alice Epstein

- Eleanor Pavlovsky

- Mae Suess

10 - Donna Gropper

11 - Fritz Einstein

- Abraham Mesherof

12 - Lawrence E. Fuerst

- Josef Ganz

- Alexander Taub

- Charles Schechter

- Marvin Skowronek

- Irene Waxman

13 - Pearl Greenberg

- Fannie Lapidus

14 - Ida Blaher

- Reuben Plotkin

15 - Lillian Simcoe

17 - Eric Kulp

18 - Blanch Boydman

- Frances Horowitz

- Ann Simon

- Rubin Simon

- Charles Strasfeld

19 - Rose Doshna

- Gloria Roemer

- Ben Shenker

19 - Charles Slavin

21 - Gustav Eisinger

- Milton Gilbert

- Ben Silberberg

- Rose Seligman Williams

22 - Edward Gross

- Julius Lowenstein

24 - Edith Grill

- Bessie Plotkin

- Imre Reves

- Donald Schipper

25 - Paul Goldings

26 - Anna Levin

27 - Sylvia Newrock

- Robert Seligman

- Sol Silberman

28 - Priscilla Coppersmith

- Hyman Rosenthal

29 - Joseph Nifoussi

30 - Alexander Lehrer

31 - Louis Glickman

Yahrzeit candles are lit the night before the yahrzeit is observed. PLEASE NOTE: If your birthday, anniversary, or yahrzeit information is missing or incorrect, please bring or mail your information to the FJCC office, or email it

to Flo Newrock so it can be included in future bulletins.

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Flemington Jewish Community Center

5 Sergeantsville Road

Flemington NJ 08822