July 2015 - Tammuz/Av 5775

Shofar Tammuz/ Av 5775 Jewish Family Congregation July 2015

www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

From the Rabbi’s Desk page 2 President’s Message page 3 Religious School page 4 Early Childhood Center page 5 Ritual Committee page 6

Ask the Rabbi page 7 Yahrzeit/Birthday/Anniversary page 10 Oneg Shabbat Hosts page 14 Donations page 14

July Service Schedule

Shabbat Balak, Numbers 22:2 – 25:9

July 3 6 pm Shabbat Service at Ridgefield

location

Shabbat Pinchas, Numbers 25:10 – 30:1


location. Champagne and

Strawberries Oneg Shabbat

7:30 pm Shabbat Service at South

Salem location

Shabbat Matot-Masei, Numbers 30:2 – 36:13

July 17 6 pm Shabbat Service at Ridgfield

location

Shabbat Devarim, Deuteronomy 1:1 – 3:22


location

Shabbat Va’etchanan, Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11

July 31 6 pm Bar-B-Que at South Salem

location. RSVP to office

before Monday, July 27

7:30 pm Shabbat Service at South

Salem location

Ruth Ossher presents the Manzares family with funds raised at the

Religious School Car Wash.

Leah and Nate celebrate at the Religious School end of year party.

ECC students Calvin and Ian plant in the playground garden.

Page 2 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar July 2015

From the Rabbi’s Desk

The below article was shared at the JFC’s Annual Meeting on May 31, 2015.

Do you remember the taste? You could smell it from over 100 feet away. The delicious, wafting odors

in the air created anticipation and excitement, a feeling of home and a sense of security, even with the

normal and tough struggles of daily life. I’m not talking about a Memorial Day BBQ last weekend, your

favorite dish that your mother or grandmother made for you, or even a meal at your favorite restau-

rant. I’m referring to the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic -- that we used

to eat … in Egypt.

In thinking about what I might share today as some words of inspiration, I remembered this story of our

ancestors, wandering in the desert and complaining to Moses. First they complained about water, then

bread, then they wanted what they had in the old days -- even while they were slaves in Egypt. Afraid

of the uncertain future, they not only reminisced about what they had, they wept and cried to Mo-

ses, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish that we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucum-

bers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic…”

It seemed like an appropriate passage to remind us about today, and then a mini-miracle happened. I

could not remember the verse in the torah, so I went to my concordance, trying to look up the word for

cucumbers -- then I realized that the current word in Hebrew (m’lafafonim) for cucumbers is not the

same as the Biblical word (kishuim). So then I looked up garlic (shumim) and found the verse -- Num-

bers 11:5, which happens to be in this week’s torah portion of B’haalot’cha!?! Amazing. Maybe a signal

for us today.

The story continues with Moses hearing the people weeping, and Moses calls out to God, “Why have You

dealt ill with Your servant, and why have I not enjoyed Your favor, that You have laid the burden of all

this people upon me? … I cannot carry all this people by myself, for it is too much for me.” God re-

sponds, “Gather for me 70 of Israel’s elders … and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, and let them take

their place there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will draw upon the spirit

that is on you and put it upon them; they shall share the burden of the people with you, and you shall

not bear it alone.”

In this period of challenge and uncertainty for our congregation, it helps to know that each of us does

not need to bear the burden alone. Each of us is like an elder of JFC, because the way our congregation

is structured gives power to every single individual. Some carry a bigger portion of the burden in areas

of volunteering or planning or organizing or finances. Every single person controls our destiny.

Later on in this week’s parasha, we learn about Eldad and Medad, who prophesied in the camp. A youth

ran out and told Moses, saying, “Eldad and Medad are acting the prophet in the camp!” And Joshua son

of Nun, Moses’ attendant from his youth, spoke up and said, “My lord Moses, restrain them!” But Moses

said to him, “Would that all God’s people were prophets.” Today we are prophets, determining the fu-

ture.

In next week’s torah portion, Moses sends out leaders to spy out the land across the border. Let us be

like Joshua and Caleb, or like Hal and Glenn, bringing back a realistic and challenging report, yet one

that is positive and forward-looking. Let us not dwell in the past, complaining and yearning for things

that either no longer are or looking back to only remember the tasty memories of the past. We have

work to do, we can support each other, and we can successfully settle in a new land, nurturing our souls

and growing as a community. I hope that we have your support and involvement. Our community

needs you as a Eldad or Medad, Caleb or Joshua. Thank you.

Rabbi Marcus L. Burstein

Tammuz/Av 5775 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 3

Jewish Family

Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road

P.O. Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590 Phone: (914) 763-3028 Fax: (914) 763-3069

[email protected]

www.jewishfamilycongregation.org —————

Rabbi

Marcus L. Burstein, D. Min. [email protected]

—————

Director of Education

Leslie Gottlieb [email protected]

Early Childhood Center Director

Jane Weil Emmer [email protected]

Administrator Kathleen Sakowicz

[email protected]

—————

Glenn Kurlander, Co-President Hal Wolkin, Co-President

[email protected]

Josh Blum, First Vice-President

Suzanne Sunday, Second Vice-President Robyn Cohen, Treasurer

Richard Mishkin, Secretary [email protected]

Karen Conti, Trustee Jon Glass, Trustee

Mindy Hoffman, Trustee Robi Margolis, Trustee Paul Storfer, Trustee

Bonnie Wattles, Trustee [email protected]

Shofar Editor

Kathleen Sakowicz

Shofar Printer

Copy Stop Royal Press

After months and months of exploration, analysis, discussion, debate

and planning, the members of JFC and TSI have completed the first

critical step in building together a new synagogue that will be the heart

of our shared community.

We want to thank everyone who committed untold hours to getting us

here. From the legacy JFC community, we want to thank, first and

foremost, our beloved Rabbi, Marcus Burstein, for his characteristic

wisdom, vision and enthusiasm. Our shared community is so fortunate

to have him and Rabbi David Reiner as the energetic and committed co

-Rabbis of the new synagogue, and fortunate as well to have the en-

thusiastic and talented Cantor Debbie Katchko-Gray as our cantor.

We also want to thank Leslie Gottlieb and Jane Emmer, and all of our

dedicated teachers, for the critical role they have played in getting us

to this juncture, and for the even more important role they and the

additional teachers who will be joining the combined school from TSI,

will play in the new synagogue’s future success.

The support, commitment and dedication of our professional staff—

Kathleen Sakowicz, our Temple Administrator, and Carol Wakeman,

our Bookkeeper—were instrumental at every pass.

And while numerous lay leaders assumed immense burdens, all of

whom we thank sincerely, we would be remiss if we did not single out

three in particular for special thanks. These three people constitute an

important part of the lifeblood of JFC and will bring their immense en-

ergy to the new synagogue: Michael Salpeter, as co-chair of the joint

Ritual Committee; Karen Conti, as co-chair of the joint Education Com-

mittee; and Laurence Furic, for all the amazing work she has done in

connection with communications and our web presence.

We owe profound thanks to our dedicated Board of Trustees for their

courage and vision in putting us on the path to building the new syna-

gogue, as hard and painful as it is to say goodbye to the separate ex-

istence of this wonderful place we call JFC.

And finally, while we won’t name them one by one, we are immensely

thankful to all the members of the legacy TSI community who worked

just as passionately and selflessly as their counterparts at JFC to bring

us to this point.

Now, of course, we must take on the work of knitting together two

communities, much more similar than they are different, into one.

Many wonderful things have already happened on this score, and more

will follow in the weeks and months ahead. Between now and the High

Holy Days, we will hold more services together to continue the process

Continued on page 8

From The Co-Presidents By Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin


From the Religious School By Leslie Gottlieb

Real Collaboration

So here we are… two months from the start of school. As of today, our new school has yet to be named, but we

have gotten used to calling it the Collaborative Religious School. Although that name was originally chosen to

represent the idea of two programs merging into one, it actually has a greater meaning here.

Synonyms for collaboration include: teamwork, partnership, participation, association, working together… and sev-

eral others. To me-- and in my experience as an educator for 30+ years-- these words suggest a relationship that

goes beyond just a merger; these words and phrases help us to understand that in a strong school, teamwork and

cooperation among students, teachers, administrators and parents is essential. In our case as part of a

religious organization, we need to add the clergy as a critical part of the picture. Together, as a collaborative team,

great things can happen. Optimally, this is the relationship approach working at its best.

Teamwork, by one source, is defined as, "Work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinat-

ing personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole." Another source continues to define the term as,

The process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to achieve a goal. Teamwork is often a crucial

part of a business, as it is often necessary for colleagues to work well together, trying their best in any circum-

stance. Teamwork means that people will try to cooperate, using their individual skills and providing construc-

tive feedback, despite any personal conflict between individuals.”

Now this may seem like an organic explanation on the surface. Of course, people should work and play well togeth-

er. But this idea of building strong relationships sits at the foundation of all successful organizations-- from the fam-

ily to the boardroom and beyond. For a school to function very well, and not simply to function, hard work and the

rewards that come with it are easily generated for all concerned when the driving force is real personal interest from

all parties. If there is a sense of trust, passion, and great care given and received, the outcomes can be so magical

that sharing this feeling becomes ineffable.

I am confident that after a few issues of adjustment for all concerned we will move into a very comfortable place, so

to speak—for those new to Religious School and for families from both schools because certain aspects will be differ-

ent. Old friends will meet, and new friendships will unfold between all of our students and their parents.

Continued on page 8


From the Early Childhood Center By Jane Emmer

The end of another great year at The Early Childhood Center


From the Ritual Committee By Michael Salpeter

For the past six months the members of the ritual committees of Jewish Family Congregation and Temple Shearith Israel have been meeting jointly to begin planning for a potential union of the two syna-gogues. Now that the union has been approved by the membership of both synagogues, we are going for-ward with plans to celebrate the High Holy Days at the TSI site, as well as a full line-up of special summer services for the months of June, July, and August. Although Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur plans are not firmed up at the time of the writing of this article, you will be kept informed as we solidify the service line-up.

For the summer we envision conducting two Friday evening barbecue’s followed by services. Over the past several years, these services have been some of the most highly-attended, and we look forward to participation by members of both congregations. We also are planning some services beginning at 6PM followed by an extended themed social event, giving us all the opportunity to catch up with old friends, as well as forging new friendships with our new fellow congregants.

The rabbis and the members of the ritual committee are excited about the rich opportunities that the un-

ion can bring about. Please join us this summer for a series of relaxed and enjoyable Shabbat evenings.

Check our website in the coming weeks

for High Holy Day Information.

www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

Scheduling Weddings or Funerals with Rabbi

Burstein

Rabbi Burstein wants very much to be with you during

significant life-cycle moments. Please speak with him before

setting any dates or times for weddings or funerals. Don’t be

disappointed to learn he is not available at the time you’ve

already arranged, bring him “into the loop” at the very

beginning of your planning.


Ask the Rabbi

What is the Tanach?

Tanach can also be spelled Tanakh, and stands for the three sections of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish Bible,

or Jewish Scriptures. This abbreviation includes the beginning letter of each section of the Hebrew Bi-

ble: “T” for Torah; “N” for N’vi’im (Prophets); and “CH/KH” for Ketuvim (Writings). [The letters kaf and

chaf are the same letter, with the only difference being a dagesh, or dot, in the middle of a chaf to

make it a kaf. Hebrew grammar ensures that a kaf rather than a chaf almost always begins a word,

thus the change from “CH” of Tanach to Ketuvim (and not Chetuvim).]

The Torah consists of the Five Books of Moses -- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuterono-

my.

The Prophets section of the Bible often is divided between the Early Prophets and the Larter Proph-

ets. Early Prophets include the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings; Latter Prophets include

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, as well as the 12 Minor Prophets. A few of the 12 Minor Prophets include

the books of Joel, Amos, Micah. All haftarah readings come from the Prophets section of the Bible --

after reading from the Torah section on Mondays, Thursdays, Shabbat, and holidays, the haftarah is the

“concluding” Biblical selection of the morning on Shabbat and holidays. Traditionally, the only time to-

rah is read is in the morning and on Shabbat afternoon; a haftarah reading only occurs in the morning.

The Writings section of the Bible contains 13 books, including Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. One subdivi-

sion is the group of books called the Five Scrolls (Chamesh Megillot), each of which is read on a certain

Jewish holiday. The Five Scrolls include Ecclesiastes (Sukkot), Esther (Purim), Song of Songs

(Passover), Ruth (Shavuot), and Lamentations (Tisha B’Av).

In total, there are 39 books in the Hebrew Bible, although some Jews count the 12 minor prophets as

one book and combine other books as well for a “total” of 24 books.

Jews do not refer to our Holy Scriptures as the “Old Testament,” since this is a Christian term that sig-

nifies the “Old Testament” was superseded by the “New Testament.” Although the Christian Scriptures

include the Jewish Scriptures, the order of the books is changed. Some verses are changed or omitted,

and the reference to chapter and verse can be slightly different as well.


Continued from 3—Co-Presidents’ message

of building relationships and community. We will also begin to combine processes to prepare for an

eventual move of JFC’s administrative operations to the Ridgefield building. Our High Holy Day services

will be held in the sanctuary in the Ridgefield building—our new sanctuary—led by Rabbi Burstein, Rabbi

Reiner and Cantor Katchko-Gray. After the High Holy Days, we expect that all our services will be joint,

with most services held in our new sanctuary, and some to be held in the South Salem building from

time to time.

Given the planned move, as one would expect, the South Salem building is being listed for sale and you

may soon see a “For Sale” sign near the entrance to the building’s driveway. Because we are initially

listing the property as a commercial listing, you will not find the listing in any of the on-line residential

realty websites.

We noted at our annual meeting, at which the Union was approved, that our future is not pre-ordained

and that while the steps we have now taken to date are important, there is much more to achieve.. And

we called on all our members to stay involved, no matter how they voted, because it is only through

continued engagement that we have a chance to shape what the new synagogue will become.

We renew that call now. We continue to need your help to build the future we all envision; to have a

meaningful, dynamic, sustainable Jewish presence in our community. We have a wonderful chance to

make this dream a reality, but it won’t happen without you.

Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin

Continued from page 4—Religious School

This is an exciting time for us all. For JFC families, a leap of faith is required—no pun intended here at

all—for us to pack up and leave our ritual and spiritual home to venture to a new land. The Israelites

did it and look where it has led us as a people. We all live in the Diaspora, and it matters less where we

hang our coats than where we feel like we are at home. Families move all the time. Family members

sometimes stay as one unit or travel from place to place to be together—especially at holiday times. A

location is important in some respects. Just look at the price so many pay to live in and near Jerusa-

lem. But we are a resilient people, and together we can make this merger a success. But to be a true

collaboration, we will need to work as a team and support each other—especially at the beginning phase

when so much will feel new to us all. That’s why this is an opportunity for a new beginning for a future

we can all look to create together.

Kein yehi ratzon! May this be God’s will.

Have a happy and safe summer.

Religious School and Early Childhood Center

WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS!

Please visit our website at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org For more information and to register online.



Maxwell Andrade

K. J. Aufsesser

Ellen Barth

Stephanie Blum

Jeremy Fischer

Samuel Fischer

Jacob Furic

Jasper Gitlitz

Tim Gordon

Dr. Alice Gottlieb

John Grzymala

Spencer Hellinger

Lydia Hellinger

Laura Kaplan

Elizabeth Klotz

Deborah Kurlander

Linda Lederman

Ian Leitner

Eliza Lichtman

Ruby Lichtman

Karen Lustig

Francesca Polinsky

Nicole Rose

Max Sanders

Gordon Schnell

Quoya Schnell

Sierra Shafer

Cheryl Shainmark

Curt Shulman

Beth Sklarin

Davey Stark

Maya Stark

Susan Stillman

Eliza Wein

Dr. Jay Zaslow

Please call the JFC Office when any relevant information arises or changes so all Birthday, Anniversary and

Yahrzeit listings are accurate and up to date.

BIRTHDAYS

Have you considered celebrating significant birthdays and

anniversaries with a leaf on our Simcha Tree of Life?

Call the JFC Office for details.

Please Support Our Advertisers

Rheba Alpert

Susan Aufsesser

Annette Belsky

Lillian Benjamin

Shirley Berk

Henry Block

Josephine Blumberg

Ruth Drawec

Richard Dutka

Helen Eydenberg

Minnie Fremed

Jonas Kardish

Charles Karsch

Milton Kempler

Sheldon Kempler

Lillian G. Kutscher

Abe Lederman

Herbert Markham

Anita Mishkin

Morris Pottish

Hannah Rabinowitz

Max Schattner

Fannie Schoenholz

Edith Sherr

Hyman Sherr

Hannah Vandervelden

Arthur Zucker

YAHRZEITS

Neil & Holly Alexander

David & Phyllis Amerling

Joshua & Michelle Blum

Gary & Paula Levine

Matt Polinsky & Tina August

Greg & Ginger Schwartz

Richard & Beth Sklarin

Jeremy Tubbs & Daniela Goldman

ANNIVERSARIES




Collaborative Religious School Summer Lunch & Learn All Registered & New Students Welcome

Save the Date: Thursday, August 20, 2015 Location: 46 Peaceable Street, Ridgefield, CT

Join us for lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm…parents & siblings, too!

Following lunch there will be two fun learning sessions for students entering:

Grades 2-4 & Grades 5-7 Students will attend one program & then switch to the other (12:00-2:00 pm)

Hebrew: Review & Games Culture: Israel & Holiday Review & Games

Please rsvp by August 18 by 12:00 pm to:

Leslie Gottlieb, Director of Education at: [email protected]

Long-time JFC member and teacher

Rona Salpeter

is available to help with:

babysitting, house sitting, animal care—& all

jobs requiring a loving caring individual!

References are available upon request.

Contact Rona at # 914-643-8176

mailto:[email protected]


July Oneg Shabbat Hosts

July 3 Martin and Hanky Kutscher

Roy and Patricia Lerner July 10 Jack Wilson and Marjorie Schiff Michael and Emily Wein July 17 Dawn Roberts Wendy Meyer

July 24 Richard and Beth Sklarin Susan Westlake July 31 Paul and Peri Stevelman

Steven and Judy Vandervelden

Mark and Debbie Lavin

Donations

General Fund

Doris Hettmansberger In memory of Harlan Hettmansberger and Indy Goldman

Glenn & Deborah Kurlander

Molly & Gregory Religious School Scholarship Fund

Drew & Mindy Hoffman In honor of Leslie Gottlieb and the JFC Religious School on the

occasion of Taylor Hoffman's Bat Mitzvah

Music and Choir Fund

Drew & Mindy Hoffman In memory of Cantor Kerry Ben-David

Michael and Emily Wein In honor of Ruth Ossher on the occasion of Emily Wein’s

Bat Mitzvah

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Neal & Karen Blum To thank Rabbi Burstein for the Adult B’Nai Mitzvah class

Leonard Gross In memory of Carole Alexander

Drew & Mindy Hoffman In honor of Rabbi Burstein on the occasion of Taylor Hoffman's

Bat Mitzvah

Michael and Emily Wein In honor of Rabbi Burstein on the occasion of Emily Wein’s

Bat Mitzvah

Religious School Discretionary Fund

Drew & Mindy Hoffman In honor of Ruth Ossher on the occasion of Taylor Hoffman's

Bat Mitzvah

JFC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Josh and Lindsay Omin of Goldens Bridge, New York

and their children Austin, Sophie and Charlotte

Brian And Sari Benson of Pound Ridge, New York

And their children Skyler and Riley


Confirmation Class

Students in grades 8 and 9 meet with Rabbi

Burstein weekly to continue their Jewish learn-

ing as a young adult after becoming bar or bat

mitzvah. In a discussion format with partici-

pation from all, we examine topics such as the

weekly Torah portion, holidays, current

events, ethics, and other topics of Jewish in-

terest. We study Jewish texts, both ancient

and modern, to appreciate the breadth and

depth of Jewish wisdom and how that wisdom

can help us in our lives today. At least one

field trip is planned each year with the input of

the students. This year we visited the Lower

East side of NYC, including the Tenement Mu-

seum and the Eldridge Street Synagogue.

Lots of fun at the Religious School Confirmation and Post Confirmation end of year trips

Post-Confirmation Class

This course is offered once a month and in-

cludes pizza dinner. The Post Confirmation

groups together 10, 11, and 12 grade stu-

dents. Rabbi Burstein engages students in in-

formal discussions to continue students’ con-

nection with our synagogue and their Jewish

identities as they grow into mature-minded

independent adults. The program is exciting,

thought-provoking and fun and ends with a

field trip to New York City. This year we had

lunch at Epstein’s Kosher Deli in Yonkersm

saw the “Lincoln and the Jews” exhibit at the

New York Historical Society, and visited the

Kehila Kedosha Janina on the Lower East side

of NYC.

Non Profit Organization

Postage PAID

White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Youth Group end of year party

Jewish Family Congregation and Temple Shearith Israel’s

SUMMER BARBECUE ~ FRIDAY, JULY 31 at Jewish Family Congregation, 111 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, NY

6:00 pm BBQ and Shabbat sing-a-long

7:30 pm Shabbat Service

RSVP before noon, Monday, July 27 [email protected]

914-763-3028

Make sure to check out our calendar for up to date events

at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

Documents

July 2015 - Tammuz/Av 5775