Temple Family News Jan/Feb 2012

North Country Reform Temple ~ Ner Tamid

January/February 2012 tevat/shevat/adar 5772

Rabbi Dr. Janet B. Liss Student Cantor Faryn Kates

Phone: (516) 671-4760 • Fax: (516) 676-9180 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.ncrt.org

Page 2 North Country Reform Temple January/February 2012

Peggy FitzGerald, Jadzia Brown and I were privileged to be in Washington for the largest gathering of Reform Jews in our history for the Movement’s Biennial convention. One of the highlights of the convention was hearing President Obama’s address. Yes, he was at our convention in person and he spoke really well. He started by wishing us an early Shabbat Shalom and then launched into a discussion of the week’s Torah portion, pointing out the relevancy between it and our times today. He was personal, funny, spoke well to a targeted audience and drove home his commitment to seeing Israel remain a secure Jewish democracy with America being her strongest ally. His presence was truly electrifying and we were honored to listen to him. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the outgoing President of the Reform movement delivered his last sermon on Shabbat morning where he pointed out the many challenges facing us as Reform Jews today. He spoke personally using the religious paths his own children have chosen for themselves as an example of the difficulties we grapple with today. His children went to Jewish day schools, were

obviously raised in a Jewish home and his daughter and son-in-law are members of a modern Orthodox synagogue. His son has no desire to participate in synagogue life at this stage of his life. He is in his late 20’s. The Reform Movement is working hard to roll out a new youth initiative to engage our teens and their parents and it is looking for ways to create more entry points for people in the 20’s and 30’s to come into Reform Jewish life. The newly appointed incoming President of our Movement, Rabbi Rick Jacobs is committed to finding solutions to the problems and challenges we face. We are not alone. All branches of non-orthodox organized religion is struggling with ways to stay relevant and engaging. Around 500 people attended our Think Tank Session which began at 7:00 am on Friday morning to engage in discussions and have their input shared with others from many settings around the country including our own temple. By the end of March,

2012, Our Think Tank is hoping to produce a vision statement that will be turned over to the three organizations that comprise our movements to help set a direction for all of us going forward. It has been an honor to be one of 33 people working on this project during the last year. Another highlight of the convention was listening to Dr. Wendy Mogul, psychologist and author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and The Blessing of a B Minus, speak twice. She talked about the challenges faced by Jewish parents in raising children, particularly teenagers today. She is bright, dynamic and has real insight into adolescent development, the expectations of Jewish parents, the burdens Jewish parents place on their children, and on understanding teenagers. I am current reading the Blessings of a B Minus and I recommend this book to any parent who has teenagers or who is raising children who are 7 and older. It will give you valuable insight and perhaps help you understand your children’s behaviors and your own in relation to them. I must say that there is something magical about celebrating Shabbat with 5000 knowledgeable Reform Jews. The music of the Services was exciting and the spirit in the room was felt throughout the 5 days. I am sure that all three of us look forward to sharing with you what we learned over the coming months. January and February are very special months for us. In addition to everything that normally happens at the Temple, some of us will be traveling on a Jewish Mission to Cuba , others to Israel where we will celebrate Julia Ostroff’s Bat Mitzvah. During the Shabbat Services that follow these trips, I will speak about our experiences on both of these trips. Grace is looking forward to seeing where 3 of her grandparents are buried and seeing if she remembers anything about Cuba, having left there when she was five. We will be visiting several synagogues, a Jewish community center, a pregnancy center and a school. Each of the participants on the Cuba trip is required to bring 15 pounds of specific items to donate to the Jewish community in Cuba and make donations which will be distributed in Cuba. I found out at the Biennial that a number of congregations are sending missions to Cuba and several are running two trips in the same year because their trips were oversubscribed. I am excited about going. I hope to see you soon at Temple. Have a happy and healthy Secular New Year! Rabbi Dr. Janet B. Liss

Our President...Peggy FitzGerald Dear Congregants, I am very excited to be writing to you as your new President. I am so looking forward to serving this incredible community of ours. I love North Country Reform Temple because it so open, inviting, accepting, warm, fun, and spiritual. Our services are moving, our members are so welcoming, and our events are fun. Our Board of Trustees is an incredibly dedicated group who will assist me in continuing in our Temple’s mission. The Temple has been a very busy place the last two months. We’ve had a Tallit workshop, Thanksgiving

Interfaith Service, Chanukah Synaplex, family bingo night, and movie nights. We have many things going on and we are looking to offer more. If you have an idea for a social event or fundraiser, please share it with us. I suspect that we have a number of congregants who would like to become more involved in our happenings. Consider this an open invitation to volunteer. If you would like to serve on a committee, help out with Religious School events, assist the Rabbi or anything else, please, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I would like to thank Alissa Woska for her efforts in getting our Sisterhood reorganized and mobilized. Sisterhood is an auxiliary to the Temple that will engage our women as well as assist in Temple functions. Sisterhood is managing our Judaica shop. They had a pie sale fundraiser and a family bingo night, which were quite successful. They have many things planned for the upcoming months, so keep your eye out for their activities. Another group that is newly formed is our Youth Group-NoCTY. Valerie and Danielle Lynn are working diligently to engage our teens with meetings, activities, and NFTY events. The group is for 8th through 12th graders and is open to any member to participate. This group is very important to our community in keeping our teens engaged. I would like to see it continue to grow, and possibly expand to add a Junior Youth Group. Stay informed! Check out our website and open your “Weekly Updates” to keep up with all that’s happening. I look forward to seeing everyone in Temple!

Peggy FitzGerald, President


Student Cantor Faryn Kates During the week of January 7, 2012, Jewish communities around the world will be reading

from parasha Vayechi, the final chapters of the book of Genesis. Years ago, when I was

spending a summer studying at Pardes in Jerusalem, I was asked by a professor to do

some research on this parasha. After some time, I came across the following: “And when

the time approached for Israel to die, he summoned his son Joseph and said to him, ‘Do me

this favor, place your hand under my thigh as a pledge of your steadfast loyalty: please do not bury me in

Egypt.’” (Gen. 47:29) Why does Jacob ask his son to touch his thigh? The word for thigh is yerech, but in Biblical

Hebrew it is often used to describe the area of circumcision, the sign of the covenant between God and man. There

are similar passages throughout the Torah that use the word “yerech” or some derivation of the word, such as in

Genesis 32:26, Genesis 24:2-3, Exodus 28:42, and Exodus 32:27. Midrash Lekach Tov refers to the circumcision and

Jacob’s identity through Jacob’s fight with the angel, implying that when the angel wrenches at Jacob’s hip, he is really

touching Jacob’s thigh, looking for the circumcision and the symbol of the Jewish people.

When reading this parasha, I am reminded of the many struggles that we all face when defining our identities

and ourselves. We all cope and handle these struggles differently;; some find help from friends, others from

professionals, and some from posting videos on that various mass media sites available to us, such as you tube.

Although we may handle our identity struggles, we all share one very important characteristic: we are all like

our ancestor, Jacob, who struggled with his identity all his life. He wrestled his own demons because he was not first

born. He fought with his personal growth after living with Lavan for many years, losing his identity, and taking on the

values of Lavan. However, at the end of his life, Jacob comes to a full realization of who he is and the importance of

knowing where he came from. When Jacob asks Joseph to touch his thigh, he is reminding his son of his identity as a

Jew. I am always moved by this parasha, and inspired to continue to grow and evolve as a Jewish person.

It is important to take the lessons from Jacob’s life, from his identity

struggles and evolution, and apply them to our own lives in order to grow and

live life with a strong Jewish identity. In our own way, we should all remember

to touch the inner of our thighs to remind us of our identity and our covenant

with God.


Partners in Caring Under the auspices of Partners in Caring, a UJA funded program bringing together FEGS Long Island (the region’s Jewish human services agency) and synagogues, we are fortunate to have a social worker on staff at North Country Reform Temple. Hillary Lagnado, LCSW, will continue to be on our staff on a part-time basis. Hillary will be working with our caring committee to supplement their vast array of activities, with our Hebrew school and any group in the congregation that is interested in her services. Hillary will be available to lead or coordinate workshops on such topics as parenting, women’s health issues, school bullying, stress management, among many others. She will also be available to facilitate support groups on bereavement, divorce, as well as short-term individual and family counseling. For more information, please contact Rabbi Liss at 671-4760, or Hillary Lagnado, 499-7550 ext. 267.

Hebrew School Welcome back to the second half of our school year. I am proud of both our students and our staff. As you have seen from our monthly newsletters, our students are learning a lot and our teachers are striving to engage them and teach them in ways that make them want to be here. In January and February we have both the 1st and 3rd grade Mishpacha Family Education Program and the 1st Grade Shabbat Service and Dinner. The 6th Grade has its Shabbat Service and we have the second Tallit workshop in February. Please check the dates on the next page and mark your calendars. We will also be having a special program for Tu B’shevat, the holiday that celebrates the birthday of the trees and gives us an opportunity to bring environmental awareness into our curriculum. Watch your email for information about the Purim Shpiel. We invite parents and children to come and take a role in our Purim Shpiel. If you like to act, sing and have fun, you will want to join us. For those of you who are new to our Temple, each grade has one family education program a year when parents are invited to join their child for a program of learning during class hours. It is important that a parent, grandparent or another adult relative come that day to learn with your child. Check the school schedule and please plan on being here so that you get to experience the program with your child. Rabbi Liss


Hebrew School Calendar

SNOW INFORMATION- in case of inclement weather, we follow the lead taken by our surrounding schools on Tuesdays. If classes are cancelled, there will be no Hebrew School. If it starts snowing during the day and night activities are cancelled, we will also cancel. If the weather is bad on a weekend, we will let you know if there is no school by a phone call or email. You can call the temple and the recording will also let you know if we are cancelling. If the electricity is out, there will be no school. You can always email me at [email protected] or call me at 671-4760 if you have any questions.

JANUARY 2012

Sunday, 1 No School

Tuesday,3 Hebrew School

Sunday, 8 Hebrew School

1st Grade Mishpacha

Tuesday, 10 Hebrew School

Sunday, 15 No School


Friday, 20 6th Grade Dinner & Service 6:15



Sunday , 29 Hebrew School


FEBRUARY 2012


3rd Grade Mishpacha


Friday, 10 1st Grade Dinner/Service 5:30

Sunday 12 Hebrew School 6-7 Grade Tallit Workshop



Tuesday, 21 No School




Tu B’Shevat “The New Year of the Trees”

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 The name Tu B’Shevat is derived from the Hebrew date of the holiday, which occurs on the fi eenth day of Shevat. "Tu" stands for the Hebrew le ers Tet and Vav, which

together have the numerical value of 9 and 6, adding up to 15. This is the season in which the earliest blooming trees in Israel begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. We mark Tu B’Shevat by ea ng these fruits including

grapes, figs, olives, pomegranates, and dates.



Photos by Alissa Woska

. Women of Reform Judaism We have a wonderful group of ladies at the Temple! It has been my pleasure getting to meet many of you and to know you better. They are a supportive, energetic, and talented bunch. We have had several events over the past couple of months and I am happy to say that they have been quite successful – and fun too. We have been having our regular monthly meetings on the first Sunday of each month (just remember that the January meeting will be on the 8th due to New Years) and there has been a good turnout. Then again, what’s not to like about bagels, coffee, and nice conversation? For our January 8th meeting at 11am, we are planning to have a crafty breakfast. There will be bagels, coffee and tea, of course. But we are also going to have a crochet and knitting morning. If you do not know how, we will teach you. If you know how, then we hope that you will share your expertise. Our goal is to be able to do a yarmulke project for the spring. I have patterns to make them and I think it will be a lot of fun. Plus, we will be all the rage at Friday night services! We will be hosting an SAT prep class at the Temple to teach students strategies for taking the test, study techniques, and how to cope with anxieties. The class will meet 3 times in February and will be open to the public. So if you know any 10th or 11th graders, or even a 12th grader who wants to squeeze in just 1 more try, tell them that we have a class for them. Wondering what we have been up to lately?

*Grand re-opening of the Judaica Store with loads of new products. If there is something you are looking for and don’t see it there, just ask us. We can special order items for you.

*We helped cook for the Religious School’s pancake breakfast. *We baked for the Oneg for the Community Thanksgiving service. We had tons of delicious

goodies for the over 200 people that came. *We helped with the Holiday Boutique & Book Sale. *We have had 2 pie sales – for Thanksgiving and for Chanukah. *Temple BINGO night was a HUGE success! We had over 50 people come and everybody went

home a winner. Great times with great friends! If you are still thinking about joining our Sisterhood, please come and see what we are all about. We would love to have you join us. Remember, without you, we are one member short! Hope to see you at our next event. I wish you and your family a joyous New Year! Alissa Woska


Next Book Club Mee ng: Thursday, January 12th 7:00 p.m. The Book Thief by: Markus Zusak

The Book Club will meet on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m.


Dear Contributing Members of the Temple: Thank you so much for your generous donations of turkeys and toys at holiday time, and food donations throughout the year. We continue to exist because of all that you do to help us with our mission to feed the hungry with dignity and respect and to go beyond. You brought joy and happiness to families who have so little and made it possible for them to celebrate the holidays. I am thanking you on behalf of the Steering Committee, the volunteers, and all the individuals and families who are in need of help. We are very important to the surrounding communities. We cannot express our appreciation and gratitude enough for your on-going concern, compassion, and generosity. Wishing all of you happiness and peace throughout the New Year. Sincerely, Estelle Moore President of the Steering Committee North Shore INN

Do a Mitzvah!

There are Many Ways to Support Your Temple:

Donate to one of our many Funds: -Choir Fund

-Rabbi’s Discre onary Fund -Prayer Book Fund

-Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat

And many more!

Call the Temple office for more Informa on.

Thursday Nights at the Movies $5.00 Per Person

Popcorn & Drinks Will be Served

Thursday, January 26th, 7:30 p.m.

Yoo-Hoo Mrs. Goldberg From Aviva Kempner, maker of The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, comes this humorous and eye-opening story of television pioneer Gertrude Berg. She was the creator, principal writer, and star of The Goldbergs, a popular radio show for 17 years, which became television’s very first character-driven domestic sitcom in 1949. Berg received the first Best Actress Emmy in history, and paved the way for women in the entertainment industry. It Includes interviews with

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actor Ed Asner, producers Norman Lear (All in the Family) and Gary David Goldberg (Family Ties), and NPR correspondent Susan Stamberg.


TEMPLE LIBRARY NEWS

May I share two of my favorite books from your Temple Library? Both are “children’‛s “ books, but I find they are full of simple, refreshing wisdom and I am always rewarded when I reread them. OLD TURTLE by Douglas Wood is graced with the watercolors of Chang-Khee Chee, The text unfolds in simple phrases. When all creatures could speak and understand each other, there arose an argument about who is God. The argument grew louder and louder until -STOP-said Old Turtle (who hardly ever said anything, never smiled and certainly never argued with God) He began to speak, predicting a new family of beings, strange and wonderful, of many colors, shapes and ways of doing things, whose thoughts would soar to the skies, whose feet would walk the earth, strong yet tender. These people would, he predicted, forget they were messages of love and hope, a prayer from the earth. They, too, would begin to argue, begin to hurt and kill each other, until - STOP - they would begin to listen, to hear, to see God in one another and in the beauty of the earth. And then Old Turtle smiled. The luminous illustrations combine techniques and concepts from eastern and western traditions, adding a significant dimension and depth to the meaningful message. Another beautifully illustrated book is TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON: Verses from Ecclesiastes, by Leo and Diane Dillon. These verses encompass the full arrange of human emotional experience from the wonders of birth to the unanswered questions of death. They remind us that the mysterious flow of happiness and pain is ultimately beyond our control. As humans, we seem to seek the reassurance that there is a time and purpose to our lives and the world around us. Each of sixteen Biblical verses is presented in a single phrase on a page, each illustrated with a different style of art. The art work includes illuminated manuscript from Ireland, tomb murals from Egypt. wood block prints from Japan, pre-conquest Mexican screen fold pictures meant to be read backward and forward, classical Greek vase painting, Mughal dynastic prints form India, mural painting from a kiva in the Kuaua Pueblo of the 14th century, Thai figures, Chinese silk painting, Russian icon painting. Australian aboriginal bark painting, stone-cut art from the Inuit, etc. All times, all places, all cultures have wrestled with the idea that there is a time and a purpose to everything. Wisdom tales, Biblical stories, folktales all enrich our minds, enliven our thoughts and shape our culture. Have you read WHILE STANDING ON ONE FOOT by Nina Jaffe and Steve Zeitlin?. You know the one about King Solomon and the two women arguing over a baby. Jewish people have always had to think fast in dangerous and dire situations. These wisdom tales recount some ingenious ways to escape danger through cunning and cleverness. It urges the reader to match wits by imagining what “you would have done”. Then you can read how the story resolves. There are seventeen tricky situations. RACHEL THE CLEVER by Joseph Sherman provides five large categories to group his stories of magic, ghosts, cleverness, doing the right thing, the Wise Men of Chelm and a sampling of riddles. “Once upon a time…” could there be more magical words? Through these stories, there is an emphasis on the need for keeping a good sense of humor. How true. January and February are perfect months for trying something different in your Temple Library. Chris Ghent, Temple Librarian


Ambassador Program Launched New members won’t feel like “strangers in the land of Egypt” when they walk into North Country Reform Temple. We recently launched an Ambassador Program connecting existing members with new members, so they can quickly become integrated into our Temple community. Our ambassador families will regularly contact their assigned new member family, inviting them to participate in Temple life, welcoming them at services and events, and educating them about committees, classes and activities. We want our new members to experience the warm, welcoming, and friendly community that we have at NCRT. If you’re interested in accepting the privilege of getting to know new members and helping them become more included, please contact Peggy FitzGerald at (516) 641-7950 or [email protected].

Thank You to Our Volunteers!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered at the Glen Cove Hospital reception desk on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.


Charlotte Abelson

Patti Belasco

Sari Berkowitz

Irene & Marty Fogel

Connie & Mark Glowatz

Marcia Kotkin

David Marx

Elaine & Jerry Weinstein

Myra & Len Zaremba

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

January/February Yahrzeits 2012: 5772

January 6 Beatrice Berler Janet Diamond Rebecca Garber- Edelstein Alan Macnow Bronia Myer Jerome Pedolsky Sylvia Rome Jechiel Schachner Sidney Schertzer Anna Shapiro Elsa Moss Siegel Stanford Stanley Erna Stern Harry Troeger January 13 Mary Goldowitz Stephen Kovacs Herman Saxl Louis Schwartz Miriam Schwimmer Sol Shoor Lena Sunshine Betty Wasserman Frances Wilpon

January 20 Michael Bakst Joshua Biblowitz Charles Fromm William Remmlinger Joyce Schlosberg Golda Szulman January 27 Esther Abelson Adele Balfus Rachel Gormezano Mildred Hochman Sylvia Kovacs Jane Noonan Gary James Notice Max Obel Samuel Rosen Mac Schoenfeld Philip Schwartz Barbara Silverstein Joseph Sorett Sid Stoller Benjamin Weir February 3 Adrianne Blinkoff Guido Cabib David Fried Ben Friedman Beatrice Gittler Laura Heiman Bernard Marx Mae Richer Albert Sperber Barbara Tabor

February 10 Barry Bloom Gloria Cappel Nathan Evenstein Edwin Friedman Mary Goldstein Diana Green Ruth Kantrowitz Lydia Khouri Harry Kuper Paul Levin Selma Marx Mack Pomerantz Matthew Saltzman David Shapiro Steve Tanenbaum Beverly Yaffee Max Joseph Yagoda February 17 Pearl Ackerman Martin Isaac Bettan Robert Alan Cappel Barnet Cohen Frederick Simon de- Beer Jr. Eli Gormezano Freide Kopel Louis Miller Mary Rothstein Aaron Schachter Sarah Schertzer Sherman Tankel Rose Weir

February 24 Sara Epstein Alfred Gittler Regina Glass Sam Goldman Shirley Lavender Beverly Lerner Elliott Marion Barbara Witkin Wood


January 1 Michael Bader 1 Stacy Benne 4 Robert Appel 5 Sarah Deutsch 6 Lily Mansfield 6 Glory Mayreis 6 Jesse Mayreis 6 Daniel Shuster 8 Carly Kleinwaks 9 Glenn Bradford 10 Steven Bailey 10 Jagger Gillman 12 Adira Schiff 14 Marisa Frank 14 Skip LeBlang 14 Maurice Levin 15 Julie Mendik 17 Hannah Geller 18 Jesse Marksohn 19 Ernest Kovacks 20 Candi Blau 20 Kerry Fierstein 21 Cole Korponay 21 Gregg Lerman 22 Manuel Abelson 22 Sabrina Briefel 22 Sara Demarino 23 Erika Koeppel 23 Audra Roth 24 Natalie Macnow 24 Jeremy Schiff 24 Emma Wallach 25 Susan Bloomfield 25 Harris Fox 27 Evan Fierstein 28 Eric Bailey 28 Rhoda Finer 28 Hannah Mitzner

28 Nada Tannen 29 Jonah Biblowitz 29 Neil Caplan 30 Kaitlyn LeBlang 30 Isabel Berliner 30 Kenzie Cohen 30 Jus n Pedolsky 31 Corri Wolf

February 1 Ruby Lerman 1 David Marx 2 Evan Siegel 3 Michele Israel 3 Ye a Sherman 4 Ian Lavender 5 Jaqueline Leon 5 William Rosencrans 6 Jeffrey Briefel 6 Jill Gleicher 7 Lewis Biblowitz 7 Jade Kessler 8 Terry Glassman 8 Marlene Ostroff 10 Jeffrey Blinkoff 10 Ethan Bradford 10 Ralph Epstein 10 Catherine Stern 11 Judith Mitzner 12 Nicolle e Appel 12 Bre Benne 12 Ma hew Grinberg 12 Sophie Rosen 13 Dakota Kessler 16 Steven Ross 17 Paula Frome 17 Saul Katz 18 Andrei Barasch 18 Jeff Beiser

18 Benne Felder 18 Lisa Lerner 19 Isabel Wallach 20 Deborah Davidson 20 Paul Smith 21 Barbara Richer 22 Elaine Greenberg-

Yacovone 22 Noah Peretz 23 Caryn Coville 23 Celia Stark 24 Jed Kaiser 25 Leonard Tannen 26 Jake Bleiweiss 28 Hannah Arnholt 28 Andrew Kahn 28 Russell Launer

YOM HULEDET SAMEACH TO OUR

BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS


Yahrzeits Cathy Stern in memory of Emanuel Stern; Florence & Bernard Flaton in memory of Selma Goodman; Eloise Halpen in memory of Henry Cutler; Jeremy & Elaine Weinstein in memory of Moses Weintstein; Jay & Carol Goldstein in memory of Pauline Schillin; Jeremy & Elaine Weinstein in memory of Norma Dicker; Marcia Kotkin in memory of Leonard Nadel.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Jerry Freiwirth with thanks to Rabbi Liss for officiating at Marcie’s Funeral.

Hebrew School Scholarship Fund Myra & Len Zaremba in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Harris Fogel.

Other Funds Garden Fund: Dari & Robert Kleinwaks in memory of Muriel Feldman

Social Action: Sharon & Ed Wigutoff in honor of GC Chamber of Commerce Honorees

Bob & Amy Tabor

Susan Bruckman Fund: Leslie & Joe Saxl in memory of Leonard Nadel

Choir Fund: Jadzia & Donald Brown in memory of Leonard Nadel

Library Fund: Barbara Marder in honor of many hours of reading pleasure.

Religious School Fund The Herzog Family; Maxine & Dean Mayreis in memory of Edward Mark; David & Barbara

Sloane in memory of Marcie Freiwirth.

Prayer Book and Spiritual Fund Rhoda & Arthur Finer in memory of Bert & Marcie Freiwirth; Michael & Michele Israel in

honor of Harrison Israel’s Bar Mitzvah.

Oneg Fund Jadzia & Donald Brown in honor of the November B’nei Mitzvah of Pamela Otis & Harrison Israel; Leo & Debbie Israel in honor of Grandson Harrison Israel’s Bar Mitzvah and in memory of Louis

Blousman, Sam & Bella Israel; The Abramowitz Family; Stephen Bruckman in memory of Rosalind Bruckman.


Manny & Charlotte Abelson Mitchell & Regina Abramowitz Robert & Robin Appel Laurence Balfus Allen & Susan Bauman Jeff& Amy Beiser Patti Belasco Sari & Carol Berkowitz Stanley & Barbara Berkowitz Herman Berliner & Annette Schrader Amy Bettan Robert & Vicki Bialer Richard & Nili Biondi Jadzia & Donald Brown Stephen Bruckman Joseph & Susan Budd Edward & Donna Chernoff Caryn Coville Jean Dankman Carol Davidson & Peggy FitzGerald Deborah Davidson Tom & Ellen Deutsch Barrie Dratch Richard and Phyllis Edelstein Ralph Epstein & Mary George Louis & Sherri Federico Richard & Carol Feinstein David & Kerry Fierstein Arthur & Rhoda Finer Bernard & Florence Flaton Irene & Marty Fogel Edward & Lynn Fox Roberta Fox Arthur & Ruth Friedman Steven & Paula Frome Alan Geiss Alan Geller & Melisa Mindich

Marcia Getz Michael & Judy Glass Kevin & Terry Glassman Joseph & Jill Gleicher Mark & Connie Glowatz Shirley Goldman Leatrice Green James & Janice Greenberg Stephen & Susan Gross Jason & Freda Harris Julie & Robert Hert Judy & David Herzog Jillian Ingram Leo & Deborah Israel Michael & Michele Israel Mitchell & Kathy Jacobson Alan & Susan Kadison Stephen & Brigitte Kahn Geoffrey & Marcy Kaiser Lisa Koenig Steven & Ana Kolbert Marcia Kotkin Michael & Lori Kotkin Ernest & Rhonda Kovacs Robert & Maxine Lang Lee & Donna Launer Jeffrey& Joan Lavender Chuck & Ronnie Lavine Skip & Beth LeBlang Al & Lynn Leslie Maurice Levin David & Marilyn Levine Pamela Loher Rabbi Janet Liss & Grace Blank Scott & Marisa Macnow Barbara Marder Bart Marksohn & Jan Locketz David Marx Dean & Maxine Mayreis Todd & Julie Mendik

Andrew & Lauren Menzin Robert & Victoria Minowitz Alan & Judith Mitzner Stephen & Pam Otis Anne Partridge Sandy & Felicia Pomerantz Paul & Helen Rappaport Barbara Richer Alan & Cynthia Rosen Jack & Robin Ross Roberta & Joseph Rotberg Joseph & Leslie Saxl Michael & Ilana Schenk Wendy Silas Jeffrey & Amorita Snow James & Eloise Spector Paul & Kathleen Spivack Alan & Ruth Stearn Catherine Stern Walter & Donata Stern Gabe & Dorothy Sunshine Robert & Amy Tabor Leonard & Nada Tannen Alfred & Lane Todrys Jeremy & Elaine Weinstein Edwin & Sharon Wigutoff


Thank You For Your Generous Kol Nidre Pledges


Photos by Alissa Woska

ncrt committees Adult Education Marty & Irene Fogel This committee works with the Rabbi to develop classes and discussion groups on special topics. The committee also assists the Rabbi on Friday night programming and Interfaith programs.

Banquet

Wayne Smith This committee oversees the rental of the Temple

facilities, the panel of caterers, and the maintenance of equipment and supplies.

Budget

Myra Zaremba This committee works with the financial Secretary, Executive

Committee and Trustees to develop the budget for the forthcoming fiscal year, and in proposing new ways to generate revenue. It is also involved in planning for new program needs of the

Congregation, and evaluating the financial needs of these programs before presenting recommendations for Congregation’s consideration

at an Annual Meeting.

Building and Grounds Dean Mayreis

This committee is concerned with the care, maintenance, and improvement of our Temple building and property.

Caring Committee Ruth Zipkin

This committee provides support for Temple members in their time of need and general outreach to temple members.

Fundraising Barbara Marder

This committee prepares and implements vital fundraising activities in the Temple.

Membership James Greenberg

This committee is involved with identifying and attracting new members to the Temple, and seeing that they are welcomed and integrated into the Temple family.

Public Relations

Walter Stern This committee works with the local media to disseminate Temple news.

and works with the Rabbi and the Board on all school matters.


ncrt committees Hebrew School Board Judy Herzog This committee helps set policies and requirements for the Hebrew School. The committee assists in registration of students and works with the Rabbi

and the Board on all school matters.

Mitzvah Team Lee Launer

This committee works to better our community by actively doing Mitzvot and is always seeking volunteers with hearts of kindness and compassion.

Ritual Committee

Jadwiga Brown This committee works with the Rabbi and the Cantor, in developing ritual and programs for creative services, special services, and holiday celebrations. It distributes, honors, and encourages participation in all religious activities at the

Temple.

Synaplex Paula Frome

This committee organizes our Synaplex Shabbat programs for adults and students to enhance our Shabbat experience.

Youth Group Valerie Lynn

This committee helps develop Junior and Senior Youth Group programs and works with youngsters while making appropriate arrangements for these activities, and developing congregational support

for the Youth Group.

Men’s Club Len Zaremba

This club is made up of men whose goal it is to listen and learn from all temple members and plan events of interest to everyone. With regularly scheduled meetings, the club members have a chance to meet, socialize and get to know their

fellow congregants.

Women of Reform Judaism Alissa Woska

This club is made up of women who meet, socialize, and work at fostering camaraderie among Temple members. They plan events of interest that contribute to the well being of the congregation.


Mazel Tov to NCRT’s B’ne i Mitzvah

Benjamin Aaron Rosen Son of Alan and Cynthia Rosen, brother of Sophie, and loving caretaker of cats Daphne and Rosie, becomes a Bar Mitzvah on January 21, 2012. Ben is a 7th grader at Locust Valley Middle School. He has been a high honor student for all five marking periods of his Middle School career. In addi on to his academic ac vi es, Ben plays String and Electric Bass in the orchestra and the select Jazz Band. He also enjoys sports and played soccer for his school team and for the Falcons United U13 team, division champs. His favorite sport is basketball and this winter, he is playing on two teams. During the summers, Ben a ends URJ Eisner Camp with his sister. This past summer Ben had an Israeli counselor named Tomer. When he isn’t a camp counselor, Tomer is a pilot with the IDF. This past year, he helped to fight the devasta ng fire in the Carmel Forest, the worst in Israeli history. For his Mitzvah project, Ben is par cipa ng in the Simcha Program of the Jewish Na onal Fund. With each of Ben’s invita ons, a tree will be planted in Israel as part of the reforesta on project in Carmel. Ben will be conduc ng a tree plan ng drive for this project at the temple in January. He will also have an opportunity to visit the JNF center in Jerusalem when he and his family will travel there with NCRT in February.


Julia Ostroff Daughter of Lawrence and Marlene Ostroff, becomes a Bat Mitzvah on February 25, 2012. Julia is a 7th grade Honors Student at Locust Valley Middle School. She has been playing the saxophone since the 4th grade and has par cipated in NYSSMA and All County Music Fes val. She also enjoys tennis, basketball and so ball. Instead of having a tradi onal Bat Mitzvah celebra on, Julia will become a Bat Mitzvah in Israel. For her Mitzvah Project, Julia will be collec ng money for the Israeli Guide Dog Center for the Blind. What will make this Mitz-‐vah even more meaningful is that Julia will have the opportunity to visit the founda on during her trip to Israel.




Have a wonderful New Year!

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NORTH COUNTRY REFORM TEMPLE 86 Crescent Beach Road Glen Cove, NY 11542 Phone: 516.671.4760 Fax: 516.676.9180 E-mail: [email protected] Visit our website at www.ncrt.org


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Documents

Temple Family News Jan/Feb 2012