Dec. 2024 – Jan. 2025 H . eshvan-Kislev-Tevet-Shevat 5785
From Rabbi Lerner
Preparing for Death
Like many other religions, Judaism includes many unofficial superstitions. For example, during Yizkor, many people whose parents are still alive leave the sanctuary so they will not invite the “evil eye” – somehow putting their parents’ lives at risk. Death is scary, and understandably so; we do not want to do anything to hasten it – not for ourselves or others.
One result of this fear or these superstitions is that sometimes, we do not prepare for death. We don’t talk about it; we push it away to the recesses of our experience.
From my personal and professional experiences, I want to tell you that you should consider starting the process with yourself and your loved ones to plan, to plan for your death. It sounds hard and indeed can be on many levels, but it is a gift to yourself and your loved ones.
* * *
About ten years ago, my sister and I sat down with our parents and started to plan. We met in person or on the phone about once a month and, later, by Zoom. We discussed their retirement plans, their financial situation, where critical information was stored, and how they would downsize. We also discussed their dreams – where would they live? What were the things critical to them as they planned the next phase of their lives?
(continued on page 12)
Community-wide H . annukah celebration
Wednesday, December 18, 6:15-8:15 pm
• Gymnastics Troupe Performance
• Crafts and games for kids
• Gourmet Olive Oil Tasting
• Lots more!
Lexington Town-wide H . annukah Candle Lighting
Thursday, December 26, 6:00-7:30 pm
More details to come. Stay tuned!
Dinner & Movie
Tuesday, December 24 5-7 pm
All ages are welcome to our pre- H . annukah event featuring Chinese food and a viewing of Inside Out 2.
Racial Justice Shabbat
Weekend of Jan. 24-25
Guest Speaker: Jillian Harvey
First Director of Equity and Inclusion, Mass. Municipal Association
She will speak at Friday night services, after a home-cooked meal by David Landis, and on Saturday after kiddush.
Hodesh .
A Newsletter for Temple Emunah members
9 Piper Road, Lexington, MA 02421-8199 www.TempleEmunah.org
Bulletin Editor Linda Silverstein lindags@comcast.net
Socializing at Cafe Emunah (see next page for more details.)
President's Message
I must open with sincere gratitude. Thank you to Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Willis for beautiful services and insightful teachings during the High Holy Days, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simhat Torah! Thank you to Raveetal Celine, the office staff, custodians, and Susan Rubenstein for the intense preparations to prepare for, and host so many of us during the holidays. Our Security team worked even harder than during the rest of the year to prepare for, and execute those plans during the holidays to keep us safe – thank you! The Break-Fast was another major delicious and restorative event, planned and executed by the Landis family with support from many volunteers. Thank you to the Brotherhood for managing the set-up of the Garber Sukkah
Your Temple Board, legal team, and House Chair (Susan Rubenstein) are working as smartly, diligently, and as hard as we can to protect Temple Emunah’s interests. We need to minimize negative impacts to our ability to function both during and after the construction of the two abutting real estate development projects: one will add 46 condos to Piper Rd; the other will add 200 apartments in a large building to the open piece of land between Concord Avenue and the right side of our Temple building. The Concord Avenue development also abuts the Minuteman Condo Community. As we navigate these challenges, we will keep you informed and protect our interests as best we can. Please attend our Community Forum sessions, which are designed to facilitate bi-directional communication between Temple leadership and membership. Working together as a community will increase our strength and unity.
The work involved in managing the developments is drawing resources away from the Board’s strategic planning effort, but strategic planning will be continuing as best it can. We will also be sharing information on this initiative in our Community Forum sessions.
We are entering the time of year when meteorological darkness begins to deepen. After the year of darkness with the war in Ukraine and the wars in Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding countries, we need to come closer together for support. Most world cultures have holidays around this time that use candles, lanterns, lights and, of course, food and family get-togethers to bring light into the world. May the lights of H . anukkah herald an era of peace for our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
Arleen Chase, president@templeemunah.org
Ladle Fund / Around Emunah
The Ladle Fund
The Ladle Fund has begun the year supporting a variety of programs. Several community-wide events around the holidays were subsidized by the Ladle Fund and more are planned during the year.
Very successfully, the Ladle Fund has provided the funding for Cafe Emunah, the weekly barista-staffed coffee bar attended by a wide cross section of the Emunah community from school parents to minyan-goers to people in the building for lots of other reasons. We hope this is strengthening our community as it continues through the fall and winter.
The Ladle Fund has planned two brunches for our senior community, an extended kiddush of games and food with singing and learning, and a community “picnic” in the spring.
The Ladle Fund is open to receiving applications to support other programs. Please contact David Ezekiel to discuss any specific request.
Themed minyanim organized by Joelle Gunther have begun and more are planned through June.
Overall, the Ladle Fund continues to make an impact, seen and unseen. Through the vision of Fred Ezekiel, Temple Emunah members have myriad opportunities to come together to strengthen friendships and foster new relationships.
If our programming inspires you, please consider making a donation to the Ladle Fund.
David Ezekiel
What you put in the pot, comes out in the ladle!
BBQ & Barekhu
Over 200 attended this very successful program. The Kabbalat Shabbat following the BBQ was led by Rabbi Willis, David Srebnick, Zach Mayer, and Leon Gunther. The congregation was singing and dancing throughout the night.
Cafe Tel Aviv
Guest speaker Dr. Yaara Shilo (at right in photo) has been volunteering with children, educators, and families of evacuated families from Kibbutz Be’eri and other communities at the Dead Sea hotels. She brought to our community the story and voices of the children of Israel.
Left: Cafe Emunah has been serving espresso and lattes since September, drawing crowds of over 50. Funded by a grant from the Ladle Fund, the coffee cart is a buzz of activity for religious school parents as well as mah jongg and minyan participants.
Adult Education
Fall Adult Education Offerings
In the cold and the early darkness, winter is a good time to check out our many adult education opportunities. All of our regular programs are going strong, including:
• Meditation on Tuesday mornings at 8:30 am, with Rabbi Lerner and Barbara Neustadt (barbneus7@gmail.com) See below.
• Perek Yomi, which reads and discusses the Bible (for dates contact Larry Marin at lbmlbm@aol.com)
• Talmud Study with Dr. Isaac Ely Stillman (contact Louis Stuhl at lstuhl@verizon.net)
• Ivrit LaKol, which has several classes at different levels (contact Nancy Lefkowitz at IvritlaKolHebrew@gmail.com).
• The Bess Ezekiel Rosh H . odesh group, led by Amy Rosenstein (rosensteinamy@gmail.com) has an exciting schedule of discussion and events. In October, the group sponsored a Program on Breast Cancer Awareness. Coming up in December is a program of Poetry Readings, and looking ahead to February a Tu B’Shvat seder is being planned with the religious school.
In the next few months, watch for the following programs:
• Sunday, December 1, 10 am: Spiritual Walk with Meditative Jewish Poetry, led by Liza Halley. Participants are welcome to bring a poem to share. An easy walk will be selected; location to be provided with RSVP; walk is weatherdependent – if inclement weather, we will meet at the Temple.
Emunat haLev Meditation Institute
We have two weekly opportunities to meditate with our Emunah community: Tuesday morning 0n Zoom from 8:30-9:20 and Musaf meditation meets every Shabbat in person after the Rabbi’s D’var Torah. No meditation experience is needed!
The Tuesday Zoom link can be found in the Emunah calendar or in the weekly Emunah Happenings email. The format includes a guided meditation by Barbara Neustadt, sitting in silence, a niggun sung by Cantor Louise Treitman, and a teaching by Rabbi Lerner. There is also time for people to share their experiences.
All are welcome regardless of their meditation experience! Please contact Barbara Neustadt at barbneus7@gmail.com if you would like more information or have questions.
Barbara Neustadt barbneus7@gmail.com
• Thursday, January 2, 6 pm: Book Talk , “Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times,” by Jonathan Sacks, led by Grace Benveniste
• Wednesday, February 12, 6 pm: Tu B’Shvat Seder with Religious School
Our LIJS series, State of the Arts: Snapshots of Contemporary Jewish Arts and Culture , is underway. Local artists across multiple genres will discuss their work—what inspires and concerns them as Jewish artists and what is happening in their fields. Registration link: https://www.templeisaiah.net/form/lijs-state-of-the-arts.html
Mixed Media: Art, Activism & Antisemitism
Caron Tabb in Conversation with Laura Mandel
Wednesday, December 4 at 7:45 pm at Temple Emunah
Jewish Stories on the Stage with Dori Robinson
Wednesday, December 11 at 7:45 pm at Temple Isaiah
Jewish Stories on the Page with Joan Leegant
Wednesday, December 18 at 7:45 pm at Temple Isaiah
Our Shalom Hartman Institute course, Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism, has begun. You can still join these monthly seminar discussions. Contact Beth Whitman (bwhitman@templeemunah.org).
Wishing us all a H odesh Tov, a month of light in the darkness.
Sandy Goldstein and Terri Swartz Russell Co-chairs of Adult Education adulted@templeemunah.org.
Purchase Your Mah Jongg cards through Temple Emunah
Last year we raised $265 for the Temple Emunah Sisterhood by selling Mah Jongg cards. Price is $14 for the regular sized card and $15 for the large sized card.
League Membership (and the mailings from the league that come with it) are included in the price of card. Cards will ship to your home in late March/early April.
Orders must be in to Marci Hopkins (templeemunah mahj@ gmail.com) by February 1. Checks should be made out to Temple Emunah Sisterhood and can be mailed or dropped off at the Temple Emunah Office for Marci Hopkins/ Sisterhood.
At right is the QR code to pay electronically using Venmo.
Family Table
A Heartfelt Thanks to You: Our Temple Emunah Community
Members of Temple Emunah graciously purchased and brought boxes of rice and crackers to Kol Nidre services. You can see from the pictures at the end of this article that we filled the trunk of Nancy’s car as well as her back seat. The food was delivered to Family Table at Jewish Family & Children’s Services (JF&CS) after Yom Kippur. JF&CS was grateful for our donation and thanked us for our generosity not only at this time but throughout the year.
We have been participating in this tzedakah project for more than 18 years, both as contributors of food and as deliverers of groceries, to clients of JF&CS who benefit from monthly food distributions. If we actually stacked up all the boxes we donated over the years, we would see that we have given more than 18,000 boxes of rice and 18,000 boxes of crackers to our local community members. Now that’s certainly something we can all be proud of. Furthermore, we have had many reliable high school students, including the Curhan siblings, serve as our drivers over the years coming to TE and delivering the collected food to Waltham. We are thankful for the support of our Temple Emunah community in enabling us to meet our monthly commitment to JF&CS.
As a reminder, there are approximately 70 collection sites including synagogues, Jewish day schools, and community centers from around Greater Boston, the South and North Shore Areas that donate food to Family Table on a monthly basis. There are more than 600 families who receive food on a regular basis. The organization of this program runs like clockwork under the supervision of JF&CS staff Bernice Behar and Lisa Katz.
Food is distributed throughout the month including two Sundays in Waltham, one Sunday in Canton, and one in Marblehead, covering more than 100 towns. On Sundays volunteers pack and deliver the groceries to clients who aren’t able to drive or lack transportation. There is also a weekday distribution in Waltham for clients who are able to visit the pantry in person.
There are hundreds of volunteers that give of their time to Family Table on a monthly basis. They pack more than 3,000 bags of groceries and make more than 4,000 deliveries to people who otherwise would go without the food provided. The dedication of the volunteers makes a significant difference in providing healthy food, Jewish holiday items, challah, candles, and a warm and caring contact to those in need.
Temple Emunah is blessed with congregants who regularly pack and deliver food and who have made personal connections with clients over the years. Some of our congregants bring their children and grandchildren with them to experience the wonderful feelings of giving to others.
For more information you can email familytable@jfcsboston.org, visit www.jfcsboston.org/familytable.org or call 781-693.5593.
Todah Rabah, Michelle and Mark Abramson, mhabramson@gmail.com, markabramson619@gmail.com, 781-861-7152
Nancy Lefkowitz, nancylef@gmail.com, 781-696-2085
Temple Emunah Coordinators of JF&CS Family Table
Only 4 spots left!
Our trip to Spain and Morocco with a pre-trip option to Portugal (departing Oct. 26) is almost sold out. This journey, designed for adults of all ages, will take you to Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Cordoba, Grenada, and Malaga. From there, we will head to Morocco to explore the richness of Moroccan Jewish life in Marrakech and its surroundings.
Price includes internal flights during the trip but not the trans-Atlantic flight. When prices are announced in December, you will have the opportunity to book on our group flights or you can book flights on your own. For the complete itinerary, pricing and the link to registration, go to our trip website at https://makorjourneys.com/journey/temple-emunahroots/. Email Elissa Oppenheim at eoppenheim@templeemunah.org with questions or to get on the waiting list.
Preschool
Preschool Highlights
It has been an amazing couple of months at Billy Dalwin Preschool! The school year kicked off with a purposeful Back to School night and has continued with fun, relationship building, lots of adventures, and meaningful holiday celebrations anchored by weekly Friday Shabbat Sings and Mindful Havdalot Mondays. Creating a sense of community is more important than ever. Our school is part of Temple Emunah, the town of Lexington, the greater Boston Jewish Community, and so on. We are a small piece of the global community and when people walk through our doors, they will be met with lots of love, respect, and openness. This is how I have felt as the leader of this amazing school when I enter any of these spaces. I want to give a heartful Todah Rabah to everyone who has welcomed me so heartily!
Our first Kabbalat Shabbat was simply wonderful, and we are so excited to make it a regular event! We are opening this event to all families with young children at Temple Emunah and Temple Isaiah and love building our community this way! From a preschool friendly prayer service with dancing
and singing, to a delicious kid-friendly meal, we sent home happy and tired children!
Celebrating the H . agim with the children is so special as it allows us to see the wonder and amazement through their eyes. From learning about the shofar with Rabbi Lerner, to shaking the lulav and smelling the etrog, children have the best observations. They loved connecting the shofar to a ram and were so excited to learn that the lulav represented our own spines. We spent as much time as possible eating snack and lunch in the Garber Sukkah. We loved to see so many families at our High Holy Day services this year.
Bee update! Our bees are quite prolific and continue to be self-sufficient as they prepare the hive for winter. Currently, the Queen is banishing the drones so she doesn’t have to feed them during winter. Come springtime, she will hatch more drones and activity will resume. The children will begin putting the garden to bed in the coming months. They are harvesting potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes, and melons! They will use the crop of nasturtiums for natural dyes and will dry the lavender for Havadalah spice bags. How special is it for the children to be able to eat and create from our own garden? Luckily, exploration in Teva doesn’t stop for winter!
In addition to learning about and celebrating the many H . agim , the children have been enjoying visitors: yoga, storytelling, gym class, and an interactive animal presentation. We are looking forward to much more play and learning during the winter!
Laura Cohen-Gordon, Director lcohengordon@templeemunah.org
Preschoolers enjoyed celebrating Jewish holidays, exploring nature, learning yoga, and more in recent months!
Library
Winter Library News
The Library has been a lot more fun this fall, as the younger classes were able to visit us, listen to a book, and borrow something that interests them. We had visits from Gan, Kitah Alef and Bet, and Kitah Gimmel. When one of the Gan children heard that they could get a book, she sadly said she hadn’t brought her purse. She was delighted to learn that she could take a book out, return it, and then borrow more - all with no charge.
Also, we have noticed that featuring the new books on special shelves has made it easier for people to find a book to borrow.
Here are some of the latest additions to our collection.
Children
The Boston Chocolate Party, by Tami Lehman-Wilzig
Dear Mr. Dickens, by Nancy Churnin
The Greatest, by Veera Heranandani
Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust, by Elisa Boxer Puppy for Hanukkah, by Nancy Parent
Two New Years, by Richard Ho Youth
Dreidel of Dread: The Very Cthulhu Hanukkah, by Alex Shvarts-man; Graphic Novel
A Dreidel in Time: A New Spin on an Old Tale, by Marcia Berneger
Adult Nonfiction
The Gates of Gaza: A Story of Survival, Betrayal, and Hope in Israel’s Borderlands, by Amir Tibon
Irena’s Gift: An Epic WWII Memoir of Sisters, Secrets, and Survival, by Karen Kirsten
The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton, by Andrew Porwancher
One Day in October: Forty Heroes, Forty Stories
Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life, by Joshua Leifer 10/7: 100 Human Stories, by Lee Yaron
Toni Stechler, Marci Hopkins, and Shana Macks (emunahlibrary@gmail.com)
Temple Emunah Library
Shana Mack reads to Kitah Gimmel
Below: Students visit the Library and choose books to borrow.
Religious School / Youth
From the Director of Congregational Learning
We have had a wonderful first few months of Religious School and Youth Programming. We’ve had a Shabbat dinner and an overnight at the shul for our 9th-12th graders, a day at Kimball Farm for our 3 rd-12th graders, and another at Davis Farmland’s Corn Maze for our 3 rd8th graders. We’ve celebrated the High Holy Days, with services and programs for all our youth, Sukkot, with Pizza in the Hut for all age groups, Simhat Torah plus a delicious Shabbat dinner at the Lerner-Levin home. We’ve heard from our youth about their summers at Jewish overnight camp and we’ve held our annual Camp Fair. By the time this bulletin goes to publication, we will have also had our grades 3-12 retreat for which registration is currently at 57.
One highlight of October was our October 7 Commemorations. All of our children and students, in grades K-12, took time to commemorate October 7. Our kindergarten through sixth graders met in two separate groups to remember the day. Each group made Kalaniyot (Anemones) to plant a garden of hope. Our seventh through twelfth graders went deeper to learn about the events of October 7 and how Israelis are coping. They were also presented with avenues to reach out to families of hostages and those who have lost loved ones to send words of comfort.
This December we look forward to celebrating H . anukkah and participating in outdoor winter fun, like ice skating and skiing. We also look forward to two Shul-ins in January, one for grades 3-4 and one for grades 5-6.
As we enter the darkest times of the year, let’s remember, “Don’t let the light go out.”
B’shalom, Me’ir Sherer
Director of Congregational Learning msherer@templeemunah.org
TEMPLE EMUNAH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Temple Emunah hosts a kindergarten through twelfth grade Religious School for children and teens. Children in Gan (kindergarten) through Kitah Zayin (grade 7) attend our Kindergarten through Seventh Grade program. Children in Kitah Het (grade 8) through Kitah Yud Bet (grade 12) continue with us and attend YAD (Y’mei Dalet), our Wednesday night program.
Dec.-Jan. Religious School Calendar
NO Re ligious School Sun., Dec. 1 (Thanksgiving weekend)
RS & Youth Program Sun., Dec. 8, 9:30-11 am Committee Meeting
Gr. 5 B’nai Mitzvah Orientation Sun., Dec. 15, 10-11 am
NO Re ligious School Sun., Dec. 22 – Wed., Jan. 1 (includes YAD)
NO Re ligious School Sun., Jan. 19 (MLK weekend)
TEMPLE EMUNAH YOUTH PROGRAM
Temple Emunah hosts three age-based youth groups: USY Chaverim (Grades 3-5), USY Gesher (Grades 6-8) and Sr. USY (Grades 9-12). In addition, we run Shul-ins and Retreats. See next page for details of upcoming events.
Religious School children commemorating October 7 with a garden of Kalaniyot (anemones)
Fall Youth Day at Kimball Farm
USY Chaverim and USY Gesher at Davis Corn Maze
Sukkot treat
Israeli dancing at the Religious School
Sisterhood
Wow! Sisterhood is off to a wonderful 2024/25 calendar year. On October 22, we had our Taco Tuesday Paid-Up Membership supper in the sukkah, with 85 attendees. Our make your own taco bar, margaritas, and dessert were enjoyed by all. Dr. Anne Lapidus Lerner spoke to us in the sukkah about the evolution of the women’s role in the sukkah – which was quite intriguing. Guest speaker Jenny Brown discussed writing her historical fiction novel: The Whisper Sister.
In November I had a non-invasive surgical procedure to deal with an issue that resulted from my March surgery. I hope that by the time you read this article I will be fully healed and back to the “old Janet pre-March 2024.” This has been a long journey, and amazingly, I keep plugging along and making sure that all my volunteer roles and commitments at the synagogue continue without disruption.
On January 4, Sisterhood is partnering with the religious school to sponsor the K-2 family Havdalah program.
We are thrilled to announce that we are bringing back our “Emunah Café Lunch and a Movie” program on Tuesday, January 7, at 12:00 pm and a second event scheduled on Tuesday, February 4. Details of the films being shown and lunch menus will be announced in late December.
With the encouragement of Terri Swartz Russell, we have planned two kugel bake-offs on Shabbat, February 1 and 8. Members of our community will prepare their delicious recipes in the synagogue kitchen and they will be served at the kiddush. Further details on how to participate will be sent in January. (I’m sure the word around town will be how fun and delicious these kiddushim were)!
On Sunday, February 16, we will have our signature dinner and a movie event featuring the film “Nafkot Yearning,” a fascinating look at an isolated Ethiopian Jewish community through the lens of an Israeli anthropologist and activist who travels to Ethiopia to meet and document this hidden Jewish group. Following the film, we will enjoy an Ethiopian meal
prepared by members of the Sisterhood. Many thanks always to Joelle Gunther for spearheading this event, planning the menu, enlisting volunteers, and making sure the process goes smoothly.
I am pleased to announce that our 2025 Light of Torah honoree will be Estha Blachman.
Estha will be honored at our Torah Fund event on Sunday, March 9. This year marks the 83 rd anniversary of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. Sisterhood is a major contributor to the Torah Fund which is part of Women’s League. The theme of this year’s pin is, Am Yisrael Chai – All people of Israel live. Am Yisrael Chai is an expression of Jewish solidarity for the Jewish nation and the continuity of the Jewish people. We help ensure the future of worldwide Jewish communities through our support of the five Conservative/ Masorti institutions of higher education.
Further details of the event will be announced later this winter.
L’shalom, Janet Goldberg, Sisterhood President janet.goldberg2@verizon.net
Eleanor S Neumann Judaica Shop
Open 8:30 am to 12:30 pm every Sunday of religious school. Enter opposite the preschool door in main entrance lobby.
Come browse NEWLY arrived items, Shabbat, holiday, & kids’ items, H . anukkah candles & menorahs, mezuzot & kosher scrolls, and gifts for all occasions. We’re local and all purchases help Sisterhood support Emunah!
The Paid-up Membership Supper in the Sukkah was a huge success! (More photos on next page)
Brotherhood
As we reflect on the High Holy Day season, we are filled with gratitude for the spirit of brotherhood, service, and commitment that brings us together as a community. During these sacred days, members of Temple Emunah Brotherhood worked tirelessly to support and elevate our observances and traditions, reminding us all of the strength and unity that come from serving side by side.
One of the more visible expressions of our Brotherhood’s dedication to Temple Emunah was the building of our sukkah, this past Sukkot. Constructing this beautiful, temporary structure took teamwork, devotion, and hands-on effort. Together, we created a warm and welcoming space for our community – a place where families and friends could gather under the stars, celebrate Sukkot, and connect more deeply with one another and our faith. The sukkah serves as a reminder of both our shared history and our commitment to sustaining our traditions, and it’s the collective effort of our Brotherhood that makes it possible.
Our members also dedicated their time and attention to assembling the Yizkor books, which played an important role in our memorial services. These books allowed us to honor the memory of loved ones, ensuring that their legacies remain close to our hearts. Preparing the Yizkor books is a labor of love, and the dedication to detail in this task reflects our respect for those we have lost and our desire to preserve their memories with dignity.
On November 10, we came together at the annual Keeper of the Flame event to celebrate and recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community. Established in 2001 by the New England Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) and recently renamed after our very own Mo Diamant z”l, the Keeper of the Flame is the highest recognition a Brotherhood can offer one of its members. The award allows each synagogue’s Men’s Club or
Brotherhood to honor one of its greatest contributors, someone who inspires us to rise to a greater purpose. Metaphorically, these “Keepers of the Flame” illuminate the darkness to keep the fires of brotherhood and community burning. This year, we are thrilled to recognize Buzz Hausner as Temple Emunah’s recipient of this prestigious award. Buzz’s unwavering dedication, warmth, and commitment to service have left a lasting impact on our community. His involvement with the Brotherhood is nothing short of exemplary, and he is a familiar, friendly face at our minyan, attending regularly with dedication and humility. His consistent presence and support are an inspiration to us all, making him a true embodiment of what this award represents, and we are proud to honor him for his contributions.
Though the High Holy Days may be over, our journey together is just beginning. Brotherhood at Temple Emunah is about more than the events we host – it’s about the friendships we form, the traditions we uphold, and the legacy we build for future generations. Each member’s contributions, whether large or small, help to weave the fabric of our community and strengthen the bonds that connect us.
Ben Bloomenthal, Brotherhood President brotherhood@templeemunah.org
Paid-up Supper was attended by 85 Sisterhood members.
Buzz Hausner was honored at the recent Keeper of the Flame event.
Rabbi’s Message
After that, we started to speak about death. First, we discussed what kind of interventions they wanted based on various medical scenarios. These are not easy conversations, but they are really important. My sister became my mother’s healthcare proxy, and I became my dad’s. Tragically, I was needed for this when my father was on a ventilator, dying from COVID.
Over time, we also discussed their eventual deaths.
Where would they buy burial plots?
What did they want their funerals to look like?
How did they want to be remembered?
My dad started to write his obituary.
It was not perfect; we did not finish everything, but we started writing things down and planning.
Over my years as a rabbi, I cannot tell you how often someone would pass away without making arrangements. Sometimes, graves had not been acquired, planning was not done, and the mourners were left to sort everything out.
They were coping not only with their grief and often sudden loss, but they were confronting numerous decisions that had not been sorted out. The logistics around death can be overwhelming. Financial planning is also critical. For example, family members often cannot access the funds needed for the funeral in a timely fashion, and probate can take years.
My recommendation is to plan.
In this column, I will review the major aspects of planning for death. I hope this will encourage you to start having these frank conversations with your friends and loved ones at any age. Rabbi Willis and I are available to help with the spiritual dimensions of this journey.
First, talk about logistics, including finances. Talk to your children, siblings, family, and friends about the basics of your life, from your passwords to where your IRA is. Things like where the key to your safe deposit box is and the code to your phone and computer are incredibly helpful. It took us several years to get into my dad’s computer. These little details may
seem trivial, but after spending a year engaged in – what I call “forensic accounting” – after my father died, I can tell you that they are not. And beware of scammers who prey upon the elderly and, sometimes, use a death to engage in sophisticated tricks to steal your identity and resources.
* * *
Second, sit down and think about your life. Recently, a member of our shul shared with me an article about writing your own obituary regularly - as an exercise. Not only is this helpful, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to think about how you want to be remembered.
As the author, Kelly McMasters, wrote, “In the documentary Obit, about the obituary section of The New York Times, the reporter Margalit Fox says, ‘Obituaries have next to nothing to do with death and
(continued from page 1) absolutely everything to do with life.’ It seems dreadfully unfair that we wait until after our deaths to write them and never get to read them ourselves. Writing your obituary while you’re still alive can offer clarity about your life and, mercifully, if you find something lacking, you still have time to revise.
“My mother’s obituary exercise taught me the practice and value of holding death close, so I could remember to live.”
Just as the High Holy Days can be a reset to think about how we are living our lives, we can utilize writing our own obituaries to consider the changes we want to make in the years to come.
* * *
Third, talk about where you want to be buried. This can be complicated. Do you want to be buried where you lived or where your children live? Sometimes, those two places can be far apart.
If you want to be buried in our area, purchasing a plot in our Temple Emunah cemetery is a good choice. We have a section at the Beit Olam East in Wayland, a 15-20-minute drive from the shul. It is a beautiful area arranged in the shape
Rabbi's Message
of a Magen David. We are expanding and adding more space for those who are interested. Of course, there are many other Jewish cemeteries in the Boston area.
In addition, we have plots available for Emunah members who have partners who are not Jewish. While services may not be of another religion, they are non-sectarian, and Emunah clergy officiate at these ceremonies. For more details, please see this Rabbinical Assembly article.
While we do not recommend it, we will also officiate at burials in dedicated Jewish sections of non-Jewish cemeteries. We do not encourage this because many challenges occur at these cemeteries. While there may be a Jewish section, the staff is often not well-versed in Jewish burial practices. For example, cemeteries do not provide enough earth for us to do a proper Jewish burial. This is the case in the Jewish section of the Westview Cemetery of the Town of Lexington. Also, these cemeteries are used to performing burials a week or so after death (as often occurs in the Christian tradition), but they are not always available for a burial on a shorter timetable (a value in our tradition). Some of these cemeteries do not have as many hours of availability - some are not open on Sundays or are available only in the morning, making burials more complicated.
Finally, it should be noted that the tradition stressed that the Jewish community must maintain and own our burial grounds. Here in Massachusetts, we are blessed to have the JCAM (the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts) which manages and maintains many cemeteries including ours with great care.
Over the millenia, Jewish ownership of burial grounds helped us maintain them and ensure that these sacred grounds were not desecrated. This tradition reflects the profound Jewish belief that in death, as in life, we are bound to our community, heritage, and faith.
If you own plots in a different cemetery and would like to be buried in ours, please be in touch so we can help you make that move.
Fourth, think about your tombstone, your favorite charities and the service itself.
Do you want a simple tombstone? What are the requirements of the cemetery you are using? Are there symbols you want on it?
A quote?
Would you rather leave these choices to others? What other ways can your death inspire acts of generosity and kindness in the world?
What causes do you want people to support with donations in your memory? In place of flowers, donating tzedakah is recommended. To what causes would you like to donate?
Pre-purchasing a plaque on our Temple Emunah memorial boards allows you to have a place in our sanctuary. I cannot tell you how meaningful it is for me to see my father’s plaque every Shabbat morning.
What charities do you want to include in your will and estate planning? Even by setting a small amount aside, you can make a big difference. Here at Emunah, we also invite you to join our Ner Tamid Society—these are members who have included Temple Emunah in their estate planning. There are many options for how you can help and possible tax benefits for doing so; for details, contact Elissa Oppenheim in my office.
I remember reading my father’s email to me about his funeral service. He wanted us to sing “Am Yisrael H . ai - the Jewish people lives” as we carried his coffin, his aron, from the shul where he had served in Manhattan to the hearse. It was the height of COVID-19, and we could not have the funeral in the shul. So, outside, in front of the shul, we had a short ceremony and sang Am Yisrael H . ai on First Avenue and 14th St. It was not exactly what he wanted, but given the constraints, we felt we had fulfilled his wishes.
Letting your loved ones know what you want your service to be like can be extremely helpful. Who would you like to speak? What do you want to highlight? What songs or psalms would you want to be recited or not to be recited? Would you like the service at the graveside or at Temple Emunah?
* * *
Finally, funerals at Temple Emunah or those officiated by Temple Emunah rabbis, rabbinic interns, or covering rabbis require three essential elements you may be less familiar with.
One is tohorah. This ritual dates back to Mishnaic times two thousand years ago, when our rabbis considered how the met (the deceased) should be prepared for burial. This beautiful ceremony is performed by a group of dedicated volunteers who lovingly wash the body carefully, treating it with great respect—the same way we would treat someone still alive. We do not speak frivolously; we recite words of honor. We do not pass objects over the body, which would indicate that we are ignoring that the body is a holy vessel, even in death.
The rituals are beautiful and reflect the best of our tradition’s notion of hesed— of love. Members of our Temple Emunah community founded the Greater Boson Hevre Kadishah (Burial Society), and many of the volunteers who engage in and lead this sacred work come from Emunah. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, please be in touch.
(continued on page 14)
Rabbi's Message
Due to modernity, many Jews have lost touch with this ancient tradition, and it will be up to us to learn about it and pass it on to future generations. I encourage you to speak with one of the leaders or volunteers of the H evra or attend a training session so you can learn more about this ancient act of kindness.
The tohorah ritual is very different from the burial preparations the state requires. In that case, one person in a funeral home prepares the body alone without these traditions and the same respect.
The second requirement is takhrikhin – the white shroud. The rabbis taught that we come into and leave the world as equals. We do not take our possessions with us; similarly, we do not show off our wealth by being dressed in a fancy suit that only some can afford.
All of us are equal in death; thus, we are all dressed in the same clothing.
Tradition states that we are all to be dressed like the Kohein Gadol, the High Priest—in holiness, wrapped in sacred garments, and covered with a blanket of spiritual love.
Often, we lovingly wrap the body, the met, in the tallit they wore during their lives. This serves as another way to surround the met in a blanket of spiritual love.
A final tradition is to place some earth from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem in the aron. According to tradition, this custom originated because those buried in Jerusalem will be resurrected first, and who would not want that? And if you cannot get buried there, at least you can take some of its earth and bring it with you!
Nowadays, it serves as a reminder of our spiritual homeland and Jerusalem – heavenly and earthly – in our faith.
The third standard is a wood coffin. Just as we must be buried in the earth and not above it, the met cannot be placed in a metal coffin. The most unadorned pine box is preferred as it matches the value of equality, but we will work with any all-wood casket.
I want to mention non-traditional forms of burial. Many people have asked about cremation. Judaism does not support cremation. This understanding has been passed down for thousands of years and does not accord with k’vod hamet – the
laws of respecting the deceased. Judaism wants us to return to the earth naturally and not through fire. Given the Shoah, some Jews also have other negative associations with cremation. Many of us, including me, are concerned about the environment and are working to update burial options. Choosing between natural burial and cremation involves weighing the environmental impacts alongside personal, cultural, and logistical considerations. Natural burial often emerges as the more eco-friendly option for those prioritizing minimal ecological impact due to its lower carbon footprint and resource use.
We are currently working on using eco-pods, burial containers made from 100% recycled paper, and a non-toxic hardener. Ecopods come in two sizes and are suitable for natural burials, and we hope to have them as an option in the near future. They obviate the need for a liner, which some cemeteries require.
If you have other needs or want to discuss a non-traditional Jewish funeral or memorial service, please meet with Rabbi Willis or with me to discuss options. We all have our own needs, and we try to accommodate everyone within the scope of tradition.
As a community, we are here to assist you with Jewish traditions surrounding death—before, during, and after. Every few years, I offer a course entitled “Jewish Approach to Dying, Death, Consoling, Mourning, and Remembering” that can help you prepare for this final journey. Until I offer the course again, I will gladly share the syllabus. Please contact Elissa in my office for a copy, and if you want to take this three-session course, let us know so we can schedule it accordingly.
I hope this is helpful as you prepare for death. Don’t procrastinate; I recommend thinking, discussing, and planning earlier in life.
I hope this piece helps you start that conversation. Planning for death can make for a better life.
May we all be blessed with healthy lives and be remembered for good.
As the festival of H . anukkah draws near, may glimmers of light flow into our world,
Rabbi Lerner
Facilities
Facilities Update
It’s been a busy couple of months for the House, Landscape and Beautification committees, who completed several important projects.
In preparation for the arrival of Rabbi Willis and her husband, Zach Mayer, we thoroughly cleaned, painted, made necessary repairs, and upgraded the electrical capacity in the kitchen of the parsonage on April Lane. We also made improvements to Rabbi Lerner’s house, repaving the driveway and installing a security system.
In the synagogue itself, we repaired the light fixture over the main lobby and installed new ceiling tiles in the social hall. We installed new heavy-duty carpeting in the custodial storage room, edging on the bimah slopes to improve visibility, and a toddler toilet in the pre-school. The building also passed annual inspection!
To improve traffic management including those involved in the construction at neighboring properties, Stuart Jacobson, Ed Lidman, David Russell, and Zachary and Alan Sherman added “No Turn Around” signage at the property line and painted “Enter” and arrow stencils on the pavement near the parking lot entrance and exit to clarify traffic flow.
Thanks also to Ed Lidman and Jeremy Marin for continuing to eliminate Japanese knotweed and poison ivy and for developing the pollinator garden near the main entrance and the garden at the bottom of the parking lot. Thanks to Joelle Gunther for watering daily throughout the summer.
The list of completed projects continues: cleaned, repaired, and painted the shed; installed new locks in the Social Hall bathrooms; added new spotlights to the solar canopies; refinished the round tables; added 3 new AEDs; and much more.
In the near future, working with the Security Committee, we will replace the Founders’ Hall doors for improved access and security; add permanent bollards at the front entrance and other locations; and reinforce doorframes and install push bars on the Sanctuary, Wolk Chapel, and Aula doors.
Please join us in thanking all the members of the House, Landscape and Beautification committees for their efforts. We especially thank Susan Rubenstein for her tireless time and effort in coordinating and often working on these projects, almost every day. We also thank executive director Raveetal Celine and the synagogue’s custodial team for keeping the
building clean and functioning and for all the set ups and take downs throughout the year.
Much is being done behind the scenes to continually maintain and improve our physical spaces. If you are interested in getting involved coordinating or participating in Houserelated projects, please contact us.
David Goldberg, Susan Rubenstein, and Alan Sherman
Shabbat Dinner for Parents & Families of University & College Students
Friday, December 6 5:30 pm services, 6:30 pm dinner
more details to come
Coat Boston – Help Children This Winter
Coat Boston is accepting donations of new (unworn) winter outerwear and handmade scarves that they distribute to Boston children. Last year they received over 4,000 requests and were able to provide 750 coats.
Temple Emunah is participating in this effort. Coats can be dropped off at Coat Boston, Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, through December 9. Volunteers will sort and distribute donations during the second week of December.
You can also make a financial donation at www.coatboston. org or select a coat from the Coat Boston Amazon Wishlist.
Thanks to our volunteers and our custodial team for their hard work!
Dec 1 / 30 H . eshvan
(no yahrzeit listings)
Dec 2 / 1 Kislev
Robert Bresnick
Grandfather of Laura Jarbeau
Marcia Bleyaert Krueger
Mother of Kim Lovy
Martin J. Shapiro
Father of Eric Shapiro
Dec 3 / 2 Kislev
Mildred Kluger
Grandmother of Yael Schwartz
Isiah Lutwak
Stepfather of Susan Lutwak
Fred Rantz
Brother-in-law of Stan Pomeranz
Morris Shindell
Father of Paula Dangel
Dec 4 / 3 Kislev
Leslie Asher
Grandfather of Ryan Asher
Nathan Cutler
Father of Krana Rosen
Warren Munash
Uncle of Carolyn Keller
Samuel Perlmutter
Father of Burt Perlmutter
Dec 5 / 4 Kislev
Helen Drellich
Mother of David Drellich
Gloria Karoll
Mother of Doreen Karoll
Harold Richman
Father of Elise Richman Ezekiel
Dec 6 / 5 Kislev
Marilyn Zwerdling Burstyn
Mother of Don Burstyn
Ruth Chernoff
Mother of Barbara Galler
Alan T. Paller
Brother of Joan Bines
Aaron Sacks
Uncle of Marc Sacks
Betty Schwartz
Mother of Ruth Antonoff
Dec 7 / 6 Kislev
Lawrence Domash
Father of Aliya Domash
Richard Michelson
Husband of Barbara Michelson
Father of Eric and Jerry Michelson
and Rhonda Solomon
Goldie Pressman
Mother of Bob Pressman
Anita Sperling Roos
Mother of Dan Roos
Allen A. Stein
Father of Sharon Stein
Dec 8 / 7 Kislev
Ruth Bosin
Sister of David Laredo
Charles Kress
Father of Arthur Kress and Cheryl Lowenthal
Henry Licht
Father of John Stayn
Isaac Schub
Father of Irina Zeylikman
Norton Seltzerri
Father of Judy Zola
Dec 9 / 8 Kislev
Jutta Fader
Sister-in-law of Linda Laredo
Bessie Liberman
Mother of Robert Liberman
Minnie Palant
Mother-in-law of Barbara Palant
Joanna Rawlings
Sister of Bob Frankel
Jack Rinker
Father of Barbara Hantman
Alfred Simon
Father of Susan Stering
Abraham Tuzman
Father of Judith Kliger
Dec 10 / 9 Kislev
Elizabeth Hollander
Mother of Charles Hollander
Rose Lowenthal
Mother of Shelly Lowenthal
Fannie Pearl
Grandmother of Shirley Moskow
Arie Shapira
Father of Aithan Shapira
Carole T. Sigel
Mother of Sherri Sigel
Sylvia Rinker Zuckerman
Mother of Barbara Hantman
Dec 11 / 10 Kislev
Alberta Chase
Mother of Arleen Chase
Dorothy Lider
Mother-in-law of Marty Thrope
Suzette Weyl
Mother of Guy Weyl
Dec 12 / 11 Kislev
Marion Feldman
Mother of Bobbi Tornheim
Harriet Rosenberg
Mother of Mike Rosenberg
William Schwartz
Father of Ruth Antonoff
Dec 13 / 12 Kislev
Evelyn Silver
Mother of Alan Silver
Frieda White
Sister of Phyllis Blumberg
Yahrzeits
Dec 14 / 13 Kislev
Linda Abromson
Mother of Leslie Sherman
Harold Ingram
Uncle of Sandra Levine
Joseph Rothstein
Brother-in-law of Marvin Menzin
Norman Tavan
Father of Steve Tavan
Dec 15 / 14 Kislev
Louis Ablove
Grandfather of Mike Ablove
Abe Bobrow
Father of Mark Bobrow
Olav Cook
Father of Christopher Cook
Esther Cooper
Mother of Sheila Frankel
Herbert Glantz
Father of Carol Glantz
Grete Hirsch
Mother of Susan Menitoff
Roberte Levy
Grandmother of Guy Weyl
Clifford Librach
Husband of Miriam Librach
Father of Max Librach
Abraham Shnidman
Father of David Shnidman
Rita Speier
Mother of Susan Garsh
Dec 16 / 15 Kislev
Paul Bain
Father of Sue Wilner
Minnie Becker
Mother of Dave Becker
Grandmother of Bob Becker
Stephen Fish
Husband of Phyllis Fish
Michael Gampel
Father of Sonia Mirkin
Rose Glantz
Mother of Freyda Zieff
Harvey Solomon
Uncle of Phyllis Fish
Elsie Goldenberg Zabelle
Mother of Elaine Wiesen
Max Zelermyer
Father of Mark Zelermyer
Dec 17 / 16 Kislev
Tina Brooks
Mother of Ted Brooks
Gayle Golden
Sister of Mark Zelermyer
Ella Kaufman
Grandmother of Laura Jarbeau
Howard Menzin
Brother of Marvin Menzin
Jennie Reubenstein
Grandmother of Howard Reubenstein
Rachael Sonkina
Mother of Irina Zeylikman
Shirley Zorn
Grandmother of Amy Goldminz
Dec 18 / 17 Kislev
Sunny Greenspan
Mother of Jennifer Hurwitz
Elsie Wiesen
Mother-in-law of Elaine Wiesen
Dec 19 / 18 Kislev
Sarah Davis
Sister of Mark Lichtenstein
Michael Klein
Grandfather of M. Jane Epstein
Cecelia Moskowitz
Mother of Elyssa Towers
Faye Rosenbaum
Wife of Ronald Rosenbaum
Dec 20 / 19 Kislev
Charles Bernstein
Grandfather of
Matthew Stephenson
Celia Foster
Grandmother of Craig Foster
Gertrude Kravetz
Mother of Janet Hollander
Dec 21 / 20 Kislev
Kathy Brailove
Sister of Paul Chernick
Ruth Beatrice Jacobson
Mother of Lori Weinronk
Grandmother of Tova Weinronk
Helen Lerner
Grandmother of David Kuznick
Dec 22 / 21 Kislev
Fanette Cantor
Mother of Barbara Palant
Ethel Evenchick
Grandmother of Ann Chait
Gladys Fine
Mother of Thomas Fine
Andrew Hasenfeld
Brother of Robin Hasenfeld
Robert M. Natkin
Father of Lissa Natkin
Don Picarro
Friend of Harvey Lowell
Dec 23 / 22 Kislev
Carol Chomsky
Sister-in-law of Sylvia Schatz
Wendy Clayton
Wife of Aaron Clayton
Mother of Elianna Clayton
Harriet Eisenstein
Mother of Davette Abkowitz
Rose Friedhaim
Grandmother of Ryan Asher
Norman Halperin
Husband of Minna Halperin
Father of Robert Russman-Halperin
Louis Shapiro
Grandfather of Bob Gordon
Dec 24 / 23 Kislev
Henry Dan
Father of Ervin Dan
Mildred Ettelson
Mother of Linda Kimerling
Esther Green
Mother of Georgia Weinstein
Ruth Katz
Mother of Joyce Nelson
Louis Shapiro
Grandfather of Robert Gordon
Dec 25 / 24 Kislev
Michael (Mike) G. Hirsh
Father of David and Susan Hirsh
Esther Lipszyc
Grandmother of Doronit
Shlank-Bloomenthal
Dec 6 / 25 Kislev
Irwin Bernstein
Father of Brian Bernstein
Gabriel Diamant
Father-in-law of Lisa Diamant
Herman Greenbaum
Grandfather of Ellen Laderman
Betsy Kardon
Mother of Len Kardon
Seymour Moskowitz
Father of Elyssa Towers
Bernard Olshansky
Stepfather of Catharyn Gildesgame
Celia Pearlstein
Grandmother of David Geller
Samuel Porton
Grandfather of Martin Thrope
Mary Yaffee
Mother of Jane Singer
Dec 27 / 26 Kislev
Phyllis Nerenberg
Mother of Anna Nerenberg
Alan Zimmer
Brother of Barbara Wissoker
Dec 28 / 27 Kislev
Israel Diamond
Father of Mark Zelermyer
Lewis Levitt
Husband of Reva Levitt
Father of Rana Hebert
Barbara Talansky
Sister of Ruthy Rosenbaum
Martin Zolondick
Father of Steven Zolondick
Dec 29 / 28 Kislev
Elliot Case
Father of Miriam Librach
Rudolphe Moos
Father of Eveline Weyl
Dec 30 / 29 Kislev
Steven Jay Bang
Nephew of Charlotte Kupiec
Herbert Turney
Father of Linda Skolnik
Dec 31 / 30 Kislev
Henry Brown
Father of Wendy Damsky
Lilah Groisser
Mother of Susan Lipson
Bess Jacobs
Mother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Jan 1 / 1 Tevet
Saul M. Bergman
Father of Naomi Kielar
Sam Greenberg
Grandfather of Sharon Smith
Walter Tauber
Brother of Stephen Tauber
Jerry Zimmerman
Brother of Bobbi Perlmutter
Jan 2 / 2 Tevet
David Bruss
Father of Kenneth Bruss
Victor LaVallee
Grandfather of Jillian Pesin-Fulop
Carol Lipson
Mother of Steven Lipson
Irving Robinovitz
Grandfather of Melissa Foster
Elsa Winthrop
Mother of Adam Winthrop
Jan 3 / 3 Tevet
Lillian Frankel
Mother of Bob Frankel
Israel Greenberg
Grandfather of Julie Greenberg
Rose Simon
Mother of Susan Stering
Jan 4 / 4 Tevet
Barbara Pineles-Grossman
Mother of Steven Grossman
Moshe Yosef Schwarzberg
Father of Henry Schwarzberg
Samuel Sheldon
Father of Allen Sheldon
Jan 5 / 5 Tevet
Mary Cherny
Grandmother of Miriam Boucher
Saul Soffar
Father of Cindy Jacobs
Esther Tibe Stoler
Mother of Sue Wacks
Max Wieselthier
Uncle of Alice Gordon
Jan 6 / 6 Tevet
Beatrice Foster
Mother-in-law of Gloria Foster
H. Bernard Liberty
Uncle of Terri Swartz Russell
Cynthia Kovey Powell
Sister of Gail Taylor
Jean-Philippe Weyl
Brother of Guy Weyl
Bertha Wissoker
Mother-in-law of Barbara Wissoker
Jan 7 / 7 Tevet
Betty Levitt
Mother of Alisa Billings
George Peretsman
Stepfather of Ellen Baum
Hannah Rotner
Aunt of Alice Gordon
William Russell
Father of David Russell
Melvin Schreibman
Father of Phillip Schreibman
Minnie Seiden
Grandmother of Suzanne Cooper
Jan 8 / 8 Tevet
Lorraine Abkowitz
Mother of Susan Abkowitz
Henrietta Canter
Mother of Mark Canter
Ruth Hurwitz
Mother of Daniel Hurwitz
Israel Kornitsky
Father of Rosalind Segaloff
Barnett Laderman
Grandfather of Ellen Laderman
Harry Rotenberg
Grandfather of Elliot Lovy
Barry Seidman
Husband of Valerie Seidman
Harold Sharff
Father of David Sharff
Kenneth Tucker
Husband of Marsha Tucker
Jan 9 / 9 Tevet
Barbara Blachman
Mother of Ed Blachman
David Fader
Brother of Linda Laredo
Amalie S. Katz
Grandmother of Kate Hermann-Wu
Esther Milgram
Mother of Marsha Stark
Max Rosenbaum
Father of Ronald Rosenbaum
Yahrzeits
Abraham Wolk
Father-in-law of Deanna Wolk
Jan 10 / 10 Tevet
Samuel Babchuck
Grandfather of Laura Jarbeau
David Blau
Grandfather of David Kuznick
Leo Bressler
Father of Lawrence Bressler
Benjamin Chessman
Father of Daniel Chessman
Michael Damsky
Father of Scott Damsky
Harriet Lake
Mother of Debbie Sheldon
Harold Miller
Father of Sandy Miller-Jacobs
Jan 11 / 11 Tevet
Betty Levison
Grandmother of Julie Levison
William Palant
Father-in-law of Barbara Palant
Marc Weinstein
Brother of Cliff Weinstein
Jan 12 / 12 Tevet
Joan Feuer
Mother-in-law of Charles Rosenbaum
Victoria Leipner
Mother of Carol Srebnick
Allen Misiph
Father of Natalie Gornstein
Harold Osher
Father of Judith Osher
Jan 13 / 13 Tevet
Nathan Alpert
Father of Irwin Alpert
Irwin Andler
Father of Larry Andler
Robert Fisher
Father of Art Fisher
Anna K. Narva
Mother of Betty Friedman
Barney Pearlman
Father of Valerie Seidman
Jan 14 / 14 Tevet
Yolanda Bleich
Grandmother of Lauren Bleich
Eva Brostoff
Mother of Carolyn Lichtenstein
Hugh Flynn
Father of Maureen Kaplan
Hiram Paley
Uncle of Ann Ben-Horin
Benjamin Rubinovitz
Father-in-law of
Phyllis Rubinovitz
Esther Sherer
Mother of Me’ir Sherer
Jan 15 / 15 Tevet
Ruth Flink Ades
Mother of Stephen Ades
Stuart Fay
Father of Aaron Fay
Victor Harris
Father of Elizabeth Pressman
Clarice Pressner
Mother of Bruce Dalwin
Arlene Redstone
Sister of Betsy Nissenbaum
David Speicher
Husband of Laurie Speicher
Gerald Stechler
Husband of Toni Stechler
Ilya Veksler
Father of Elena Gorlovsky
Jan 16 / 16 Tevet
Paul Abkowitz
Uncle of Susan Abkowitz
Rebecca Ackerman
Grandmother of Alan Musnikow
Henry Berger
Father of Robert Berger
Shaoul Ezekiel
Brother of Fred Ezekiel
Uncle of David Ezekiel
Dick Hess
Father of Pam Hess
Victor Himber
Husband of Judith Himber
Howard S. Katz
Brother of Joyce Nelson
Isadore Kornblum
Grandfather of Sandra Levine
Irma Mass
Mother of Charlotte Kupiec
Jack Schwartz
Brother of Ruth Antonoff
Norton Zieff
Husband of Freyda Zieff
Jan 17 / 17 Tevet
Herbert A. Behrmann
Husband of Vivian Cohen
Stepfather of Marcy Lidman
Meir Ben-Horin
Father of Gideon Ben-Horin
Henry Hasenfeld
Father of Robin Hasenfeld
David Liederman
Brother of Lawrence Liederman
Lou Sandler
Father of David Sandler
Jan 18 / 18 Tevet
Gershon Goldberg
Father of Richard Goldberg
Isadore L. Kovey
Father of Gail Taylor
Scott Meyerson
Brother of Roni Woods
Fanny Pildis Rubin
Aunt of Marilyn Tracey
Norman Seltzer
Husband of Dorothy Seltzer
Jan 19 / 19 Tevet
Patricia Gross
Sister of Charles Hollander
Elliott Keller
Father of Carolyn Keller
Abraham Kroopnick
Father-in-law of John Stayn
Meyer Waldman
Father of Jane Aronson
Bess Zimmer
Mother of Barbara Wissoker
Jan 20 / 20 Tevet
Samuel Foster
Grandfather of Craig Foster
Leonard Hurwitz
Father of Daniel Hurwitz
Jonathan Krant
Husband of Tamar Krant
Hyman Seiden
Grandfather of Suzanne Cooper
Marilyn Tarmy
Sister of Arnold Tarmy
Jan 21 / 21 Tevet
Margaret A. Garvey
Mother of Margaret Moses
Dorothy Kerstein
Mother of Larry Kerstein
Bessie Ledewitz
Mother of Phyllis Blumberg
Harold Heskel Mukamal
Father of Kenneth Mukumal
Jan 22 / 22 Tevet
Henry Delfiner
Husband of Barbara Delfiner
Father of Hannah Delfiner
Thelma Jacque LaVallee
Grandmother of Jillian Pesin-Fulop
Nathan Levine
Father of Debi Levine
Evelyn Myers
Mother of Michael Myers
Jan 23 / 23 Tevet
Harriet Blumenthal
Mother of Eileen Kahan
Harold Briskin
Uncle of Marsha Tucker
Barnet Lieberman
Father of Sylvia Schatz
Sylvia Rosenbaum
Mother of Ronald Rosenbaum
Steven R. Teitelbaum
Son of Madeline and Ken Teitelbaum
(continued on page 18)
Jan 24 / 24 Tevet
Rose Aptakin
Grandmother of Harvey Lowell
Suzan Davis
Mother of Gary Davis
Vicki Morgenstern
Daughter of Doris Morgenstern
Jan 25 / 25 Tevet
Beth Ann Baskies
Sister of Janet Hollander
Irving Feldman
Brother of Fred Feldman
Benjamin Ledewitz
Father of Phyllis Blumberg
Lila Rifken Pearlman
Sister of Valerie Seidman
Jean Presser
Grandmother of Ellen Mazow
Stella Schwarzberg
Mother of Henry Schwarzberg
Edith Wiland
Mother of Paulette Binder
Jan 26 / 26 Tevet
Frances Mahler Diamant
Mother of Lisa Diamant
Vera Unterberg Feigelson
Mother of Teddi Marin
Dolores Polakoff
Cousin of Lois Bruss
Jan 27 / 27 Tevet
Harry Friedlander
Grandfather of Louis Stuhl
Dorothy Ginsburg
Mother of Beth Levine
Linda Kahn
Mother of David Kahn
Rose Littman
Grandmother of Stu Jacobson
Jan 28 / 28 Tevet
Marion Barros
Sister-in-law of Sylvia Schatz
Anne Rebecca Feifke
Mother of Derek Feifke
Bessie Kaplan
Mother of Marlene Karshbaum
Clara Miller
Mother of Sandy Miller-Jacobs
Jan 29 / 29 Tevet
Frederick Bufe
Father of Janet Plotkin
Charles Cohen
Father of Norman Cohen
Lillian Pildus Escor
Mother of Marilyn Tracey
Grandmother of Michael Tracey
Jeffrey Lee Savitz
Father of Bennett Savitz
Yahrzeits
Lawrence Zirkin
Father of Sharon Zirkin-Dagan
Sylvia Zirkin
Mother of Sharon Zirkin-Dagan
Jan 30 / 1 Shevat
I. Joel Abromson
Father of Leslie Sherman
Edward Hattenbach
Brother of Esther Bass
Dorothy Keller
Grandmother of Carolyn Keller
Ruth Kroopnick
Mother-in-law of John Stayn
Lillian Lerman
Mother of Stuart Lerman
Gerard Moskowitz
Father of Naomi Brooks
Judith Sumner
Mother of Howard Sumner
Jan 31/ 2 Shevat
Saul Geller
Grandfather of Dave Geller
Judith Moskowitz
Mother of Naomi Brooks
Edwin Reder
Father of Rick Reder
Shlomo Rotman
Father of Tal Rotman
Keruv LGBTQ+ Inclusion Committee
The Keruv LGBTQ+ Inclusion Committee is pleased to share details about two important events.
In November, we hosted the State of Equality in Our Country program, which highlighted the growing threats posed by harmful anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the very real challenges facing our community. We encourage you to watch the program by using the link bit.ly/4euPbzf and the passcode wmAJ^8%m.
Looking ahead, June is pride month and we invite you to join us for Pride Shabbat on May 31. Our dynamic speaker will be Rebecca Minor, LICSW.
If you would like to join our committee, please reach out. We would be pleased to hear from you. (Lori.schechner@verizon.net; grossman20@gmail.com)
The congregation gratefully acknowledges the following contributions from Aug. 1-Oct. 31, 2024:
Abkowitz Family Israel & Camp Scholarship
Yahrzeit of:
George Rosen, beloved father of David Phyllis Seresky, beloved sister of Krana
David & Krana Rosen
Adult Education
In memory of:
Gene Achter, long-time member and beloved husband of Katherine Achter
Michael Buonaiuto & Sandy Goldstein
Yahrzeit of:
Abraham Solomon, beloved grandfather
Meli Solomon
Beautification
In memory of:
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Ralph & Helen Zelinsky
Margaretha Jacobson, beloved mother of Marc Jacobson and Sarah Lennon
Ron & Sandi Levy
Yahrzeit of:
Gertrude Dinner, beloved mother
Charleen Alper
Harry Richelson, beloved father-in-law
Irwin Alpert
Bereavement Fund
In appreciation/celebration of:
Susan Lipson
Elizabeth Pressman
Joel Alpert & Nancy Lefkowitz
The marriage of Chloe Peddle and Max Ades, grandson of Sandra Levine
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
In memory of:
Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Judith Barnes-Cochran
Margie Gilson, beloved mother of Steve Gilson and Lisa Hertel
Joel Alpert & Nancy Lefkowitz
Jacob Gilson
Sivan Alpert Ehrlich, beloved daughter
Joel Alpert & Nancy Lefkowitz
Alan & Beth Levine
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Arleen Chase
Judith Kliger
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Steven Seeche
Bess Ezekiel Memorial Fund
In memory of Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Joyce Weiser
Billy Dalwin Preschool
In celebration of the birth of Maia OcampoBrown, daughter of Julia Brown and Luis Ocampo Vargas and granddaughter of Jeff Brown and Rachel Haft
In memory of Donald Towle, beloved father of Jennifer Geller
Mitchell Feldman & Andrea Fribush
Yahrzeit of Glorine Schweitzer, beloved mother
Randi Silverman
Brotherhood
In honor of Buzz Hausner on being named Keeper of the Flame
Alan & Leslie Sherman
Dick Wissoker Memorial Species Fund
In celebration of the engagement of Jenny Skerker, daughter of Ronni and Paul Skerker, to Sam Heller
Stephen Quatrano & Doreen Karoll
Emunah Scholarship Fund
Yahrzeit of Esther Lutwak, beloved mother of Susan Lutwak
Ken Maser & Susan Lutwak
Family Education
In celebration of the B’nai Mitzvah of Ashley and Adam Tsymbal
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Family Table
In celebration of:
The marriage of Rebecca Zola, daughter of Judy Zola, to Yuval Drabkin
Arleen Chase
In memory of:
Sivan Alpert Ehrlich, beloved daughter of Joel Alpert and Nancy Lefkowitz
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Albert Dickholtz, beloved brother of Myra Marshall
Harry & Bonnie Levy
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Dick & Ellen Mazow
Harry & Bonnie Lev
Yahrzeit of Helen Miller, beloved mother of Bonnie Levy, mother in law of Harry Levy and fabulous boby of Aron and Lucas Levy
Harry & Bonnie Levy
General
In appreciation/celebration/honor of:
The staff of Temple Emunah for the assistance with the funeral and shiva of Margie Gilson
Lisa Hertel
The Golden Honor on Rosh Hashanah
Marty & Alice Gordon
The marriage of Chloe Peddle and Max Ades, grandson of Sandra Levine
Bob & Kathie Becker
David & Susan Shnidman
The engagement of Matthew Bressler, son of Larry and Risa Bressler, to Rachel Petit
Bob & Kathie Becker
The marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel Marcus
Allison Schwartz and Annie Aquila
R. Gail & Andrew Toorock
The marriage of MinWah Leung and Aaron Glieberman
The marriage of Skye Silverman and Lea Wegner
Laurel Brody
Steve Krich’s special birthday
Susan Goldblatt
Chatan Torah Adam Samansky
Richard & Amy Kargauer
In memory of:
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Bob & Kathie Becker
Ron & Sandi Levy
Ms. Rochelle Zohn
David & Linda Laredo
Laurie Speicher
Marty & Alice Gordon
Stan & Hilary Harris
David & Carol Srebnick
Linda Szus, beloved sister of Larry Bressler
Bob & Kathie Becker
Steven & Laura Krich
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Bob & Kathie Becker
David & Linda Laredo
Donald Towle, beloved father of Jennifer Geller
Bob & Kathie Becker
Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana
Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Roger & Elizabeth Borghesani
Sidney & Nancy Lejfer
Mickey & Allan Greenblatt
Joel Bresler & Judy Osher
Leonard & Carolyn Finn
Mary DiIeso
Margaretha Jacobson, beloved mother of Mark Jacobson and Sarah Lennon
Albert & Judy Zabin
Margie Gilson, beloved mother of Steve Gilson and Lisa Hertel
Brendan Hertel
Sivan Alpert Ehrlich, beloved daughter of Joel Alpert and Nancy Lefkowitz
Anna Nerenberg & Marc Bernstein
Gideon & Ann Ben-Horin
Carol Pidgeon, beloved sister of Ellen Gaies
Liz & Avia Levin
Yahrzeit of:
Oscar Shefsky, beloved father
Stephen Shefsky & Laurie Yorr
Eleanor Slate, beloved mother
Jonathan Slate
Phyllis Shanes, beloved wife
Irwin Shanes
Samuel Liskov, beloved father of Judith Zabin
Albert & Judy Zabin
Karl Schudawa, beloved father
Margarethe Schudawa, beloved mother
Barbara Delfiner
Stanley (Steve) Brody, beloved father
Laurel Brody
Abraham Bornfeld, beloved father
Madeline Bornfeld, beloved mother
Michele Bornfeld
Genizah Fund
Yahrzeit of Bernie Jacobson, beloved husband
Margaretha Jacobson
Golda Dockser Fund
In celebration of the marriage of Ethan and Stephanie Puritz, son of Robin Neiterman and Adam Puritz
Amy & Ronen Marcus
In memory of:
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Amy & Ronen Marcus
Sivan Alpert Ehrlich, beloved daughter of Joel Alpert and Nancy Lefkowitz
Michael Buonaiuto & Sandy Goldstein
Yahrzeit of:
Golda Dockser, beloved mother of Amy Docker Marcus
David Marcus, beloved father of Rowen
Marcus
Amy & Ronen Marcus
Holy Book Fund
In memory of:
Sivan Alpert Ehrlich, beloved daughter of Joel Alpert and Nancy Lefkowitz and beloved daughter of Bonnie Alpert
Margie Gilson, beloved mother of Steve Gilson and Lisa Hertel
Cliff & Georgia Weinstein
Israel Committee
In celebration of:
the engagement of Matthew Bressler, son of Larry and Risa Bressler, to Rachel Petit
Steve Krich’s special birthday
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
In memory of:
Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana
Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Michael Buonaiuto & Sandy Goldstein
Dr. Andy Cutler and Katie Cutler
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Rick & Margo Reder
Robin Kahn
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Steven & Laura Krich
Richard Hochman & Esther RosenmanHochman
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Albert Dickholtz, beloved brother of Myra Marshall
Linda Szus, beloved sister of Larry Bressler
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Refu’ah Sh’leymah: wishing the best to Alan Silver
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Israel Trip Tzedakah
In memory of Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Yahrzeit of Murray Schweitzer, beloved father of Randi Silverman
Randi Silverman
Keruv Outreach
Yahrzeit of Lillian and Barnett Mazow, beloved parents of Richard Mazow
Dick & Ellen Mazow
Kol Nidrei Appeal
In appreciaion of:
Rabbi Lerner
Jeremy & Jody Kieval
Our Rabbis
Ken & Esther Hausman
Yahrzeit of:
Isaac Schub, beloved father
Rachael Sonkina, beloved mother
Isay Zeylikman, beloved father-in-law
Ethel Eizengart, beloved mother-in-law
Irina Zeylikman
Ladle Fund
In memory of:
Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
David Ezekiel & Elise Richman Ezekiel
Lisa Fishbayn Joffe and Jonathan Joffe
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Phyllis Rubinovitz
Garry & Eileen Feldman
Charleen Alper
Yahrzeit of:
Robert Stuhl, beloved father of Louis Stuhl
Louis Stuhl & Sheila Kojm
Marilyn Liederman, beloved mother of Stacey Mann
David & Stacey Mann
Harry Kovnat, beloved father
Susan Ezekiel
Donations
Frank G. Lichtenstein, beloved father of Mark Lichtenstein
Mark & Carolyn Lichtenstein
Leonard Srebnick, beloved father of David Srebnick
David & Carol Srebnick
Paul Alper, beloved husband
Charleen Alper
Lillian Sandberg, beloved mother
Saul Copellman, beloved father
Allen Mintz, beloved husband
Henry Mintz, beloved father-in-law
Ruby Mintz
Landscape
In appreciation/celebration/honor of:
The Temple Emunah Security Committee
Jerome & Sharon Smith
The engagement of Jenny Skerker, daughter of Ronni and Paul Skerker, to Sam Heller
Linda Skolnik, Simhat Torah
Adam Samansky, Simhat Torah
Jerome & Sharon Smith
In memory of:
Margie Gilson, beloved mother of Steve Gilson and Lisa Hertel
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Margaretha Jacobson, beloved mother of Marc Jacobson and Sarah Lennon
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Jerome & Sharon Smith
Yahrzeit of:
Greeba Case, beloved mother
Miriam Librach
Betty Smith, beloved grandmother of
Jerome Smith
Israel Smith, beloved father of Jerome Smith
Eve Smith, beloved mother of Jerome Smith
David Smith, beloved son
Jerome & Sharon Smith
Doris Solomon, beloved mother
Meli Solomon
Library Fund
In appreciation/celebration of:
Welcoming my foreign exchange colleague to Temple Emunah for the holidays
Howard & Lori Reubenstein
Steve Krich’s special birthday
Steve & Paula Dangel
In memory of:
Margaretha Jacobson, beloved mother of Mark Jacobson and Sarah Lennon
Cliff & Georgia Weinstein
Dick & Ellen Mazow
Yahrzeit of:
Hilda Stuhl, beloved mother of Louis Stuhl
Louis Stuhl & Sheila Kojm
Max M. Librach, beloved father-in-law
Miriam Librach
Joseph Reubenstein, beloved father of Howard Reubenstein
Pauline Wolf, beloved grandmother of Howard Reubenstein
Howard & Lori Reubenstein
Mo Diamant Holocaust Fund
In appreciation of:
The marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel Marcus
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Ann Berlin
Yahrzeit of:
Sidney Willins, beloved father of Edward Willins
Stanton Willins, beloved brother of Edward Willins
Alison Dick & Ed Willins
Peace of Mind Project
In celebration of:
The marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel
Marcus
Ari Lowell’s birthday
Harv Lowell & Carolyn Keller
In memory of Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Harv Lowell & Carolyn Keller
Rabbi Eliana Willis Discretionary Fund
In appreciation/celebration of:
Rabbi Eliana Willis and her guidance at a difficult time
Steven Gilson
Rabbi Eliana Willis
Lisa Hertel
Caron Bleich
Rachel and irwin Levin
Rabbi Eliana Willis for a moving and beautiful Neilah service
Sharon Katz
The installation of Rabbi Eliana Willis
Aaron P. Willis & Natalie Weiss
Jerome & Sharon Smith
In memory of their daughter, Sivan, with appreciation to Rabbi Willis
Joel Alpert & Nancy Lefkowitz
Yahrzeit of:
Florence Cooper Perelmab, beloved mother
Les Perelman
Evelyn R. Saulich, beloved wife
Michael Saulich
Robin Goldberg, beloved sister of David Goldberg
David & Janet Goldberg
Edward Kossoi, beloved grandfather of Richard and Elise Goldberg
Elise Goldberg
Rabbi Lerner Discretionary Fund
In appreciation/celebration of:
Rabbi Lerner for making their wedding day such a special and meaningful one
Aaron Glieberman & MinWah Leung
Rabbi Lerner officiating at their wedding
Lisa Diamant & Joel Marcus
Temple Emunah and Rabbi Lerner
Ralph & Sheila Schmeltz
Rabbi Lerner
Caron Bleich
Sherwin & Marsha Marks
Rabbi David Lerner and Sandra Levin.
Thank you for hosting Jonah!
Rachel Levine
David and Becky Landis for their contributions and support of our community and for David’s leadership with the GBIO
Lester Blumberg & Robin Hasenfeld
The dance on the Bimah on Rosh Hashanah!
Marty & Alice Gordon
Barbara Posnick and Marcy Lidman for all their work in organizing the High Holiday services and making them a success.
Marc & Naomi Sacks
The marriage of Aaron Glieberman & MinWah Leung and in appreciation of Rabbi Lerner and the Temple Emunah community
Chungchi Leung
The marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel Marcus
Sherwin & Marsha Marks
In memory of:
Their daughter, Sivan, with appreciation to Rabbi Lerner
Joel Alpert & Nancy Lefkowitz
Her beloved husband, Dennis, with her appreciation to Rabbi Lerner
Elana Markovitz
Rabbi Nathan and Marilyn Burstyn, Maeir Y Burstyn, and Robert and Annette Natkin
Don Burstyn & Lissa Natkin
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Norm & Linda Cohen
Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Ralph & Paula Atwood
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Daniel Sheff
Barney & Harriet Weinstock
Yahrzeit of:
Solomon Joseph, beloved father
Caron Bleich
Nathan Ribock, beloved father of Susan Shnidman
David & Susan Shnidman
Stephen Shapiro, beloved husband
Muriel Shapiro
Robin Goldberg, beloved sister of David Goldberg
David & Janet Goldberg
Anne Gold, beloved mother of Harriet Weinstock
Barney & Harriet Weinstock
Melvin Paynor, beloved father of Michael Paynor
Michael & Barbara Paynor
Elizabeth Kornitsky, beloved mother of Rosalind Segaloff
Rosalind & Harvey Segaloff
Mildred Martha Pillar, beloved mother
Bonnye Pillar
Religious School Fund
In memory of Gabriel Klein, beloved son of Susan Cohen and Michael Klein
Robin Kahn
Yahrzeit of Dr. Stanley Bleich, beloved husband
Caron Bleich
Sisterhood
In appreciation of Jenny Brown
Kathy Macdonald
Donations
In memory of:
Sidney Wolk, beloved husband of Deanna Wolk and beloved father of Howard, Jeffrey, and Robin Wolk
Joe & Myrna Fox
Margie Gilson, beloved mother of Steve Gilson and Lisa Hertel
Arleen Chase
Social Justice Committee
Shana Tova and Good Health to Ellen and Richard Mazow!
Larry & Ann Chait
In celebration of:
The marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel Marcus
Lynn and Gary Schwartz
Steve Krich’s special birthday
Larry & Ann Chait
Dick & Ellen Mazow
In memory of:
Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
Stephen Quatrano & Doreen Karoll
Wendy & Jonathan Bernays
Evelyn Rose Benson, beloved mother of Rebecca Benson
Wendy & Jonathan Bernays
Reverse Tashlich
It is amazing how much fun you can have picking up trash with friends. It is a good feeling to have a positive impact on our environment. Even a small impact makes a difference. Finishing with ice cream (provided by Sisterhood at Pizzi Farm in Waltham) was quite nice! Thanks to Joelle Gunther and Annette Koren for co-chairing. For more information about Repair the SeaTikkun HaYam, go to: repairthesea.org
Yahrzeit of:
Ervin B. Miller, beloved father of Ellen Mazow
Abraham Presser, beloved grandfather of Ellen Mazow
Dick & Ellen Mazow
Special Needs
In celebration of the marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel Marcus
Javier Cevallos
In memory of Dennis Markovitz, beloved husband of Elana Markovitz and father of Raviv and Netana
Francis Anglin
Yahrzeit of Dorothy Lippman, beloved mother of Susan Mason
Marvin & Susan Mason
Thrope Memorial Fund
Yahrzeit of:
Phyllis Klein Thrope, beloved wife
Carol Thrope, beloved wife
Shirley Thrope, beloved mother
Martin Thrope
William Katz, beloved father
Leonard Katz
Wednesday Minyan Study
In memory of Marty Jacobs, beloved brother of Hal Miller-Jacobs
David & Janet Goldberg
Yahrzeit of:
May Botbol, beloved mother of Donna Jauvtis
Joseph Botbol, beloved brother of Donna Jauvtis
Benjamin Botbol, beloved brother of Donna Jauvtis
Donna & Harvey Jauvtis
Youth Fund
In celebration of the marriage of Lisa Diamant and Joel Marcus
Erica Schwartz
Yahrzeit of:
Melinda Robins, beloved sister of Jessica Baim
Eric & Jessica Baim
Howard Koffman, beloved father of Margo Reder
Rick & Margo Reder
1 30 Heshvan
Rosh Hodesh
Shaharit 8:45 am
Rosh Hodesh group 10 am
Parenting class 11 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
8 7 Kislev
Shaharit 9 am
Brotherhd. speaker 10 am
Parenting class 11 am
Oct. 7 movie (see below)
5:15 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
15 14 Kislev
Shaharit 9 am
FwYC Hanukkah program
9:30 am
Brotherhood meeting
9:45 am
USY Chaverim 12 pm
Wisdom Project 12 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
22 21 Kislev
Shaharit 9 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
December 2024 / H eshvan-Kislev 5785
2 1 Kislev
Rosh Hodesh
Shaharit 6:45 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
3 2 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
9 8 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm 16 15 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Shiva: The Poetry of Oct. 7 7:45 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm 23 22 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
10 9 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
17 16 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
4 3 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Spirituality of Shabbat Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Mixed Media (see p. 4)
7:45 pm
Talmud class 8 pm
11 10 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Spirituality of Shabbat Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Jewish Stories on the Stage (Isaiah) 7:45 pm
18 17 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Learning w/Rabbis 7:30 am
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Willis 12 pm
Community Hanukkah Celebration 6:15 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Jewish Stories on the Page (Isaiah) 7:45 pm
Talmud class 8 pm
24 23 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Dinner & Movie 5 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
29 28 Kislev
Hanukkah 4 (5 candles)
Shaharit 8:45 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
30 29 Kislev
Hanukkah 5 (6 candles)
Shaharit 6:45 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
31 30 Kislev
Rosh Hodesh
Hanukkah 6 (7 candles)
Shaharit 6:45 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Mazel Tov to Our December B’nei Mitzvah!
25 24 Kislev
1st Hanukkah candle
Shaharit 8:45 am
Spirituality of Shabbat Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
5 4 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Perek Yomi 8 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
6 5 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat Ma’ariv
5:30 pm
Shabat Dinner for Parents/Families of Univ. & College Students 6:30 pm
7 6 Kislev
Shaharit 9:30 am
Junior Cong. 11 am
Tot Shabbat 11 am
Musaf Meditation 11:30 am
Israel Now 1 pm
Minhah/Learning/Ma’ariv/ Havdalah 4 pm
Gesher/LUSY Fire & Ice 5 pm
12 11 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
13 12 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat Ma’ariv
5:30 pm
Religious School Oneg 5:30 pm
19 18 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Dessert/Discussion 8 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
20 19 Kislev
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat Ma’ariv 5:30 pm
14 13 Kislev
Shaharit 9:30 am
Naomi Mills B. Mitzvah
Niggun Saloon 9:30 am
Musaf Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/Ma’ariv/ Havdalah 4 pm
21 20 Kislev
Shabbat Service 9:15 am
Shai Rotman B. Mitzvah
Niggun Saloon 9:30 am
Musaf Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/Ma’ariv/ Havdalah 4 pm
26 25 Kislev
Hanukkah 1 (2 candles)
Shaharit 6:45 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
27 26 Kislev
Hanukkah 2 (3 candles)
Shaharit 6:45 am
Kabbalat Shabbat Ma’ariv 5:30 pm
28 27 Kislev
Hanukkah 3 (4 candles)
Shabbat Service 9:15 am
Musaf Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/Ma’ariv/ Havdalah 4 pm
We Will Dance Again delves into the October 7th terror attack at the Nova Music Festival, a celebration meant for music, life and love that turned into a horrific scene of violence. We Will Dance Again is told through the eyes of survivors, many of whom recorded their experiences on their cell phones as the massacre unfolded. It is a painful story of unfathomable tragedy, and also of bravery, sacrifice and heroism. Viewer discretion advised.
Sunday, December 8, at 5:15 pm
Falafel pockets and pareve desserts
Cost $12
Seating is limited to 40 people. Register at: https://bit.ly/3UOlguV
Shai Rotman, child of Kate & Tal Rotman (Dec. 21)
Naomi Mills, child of Andrea & Joshua Mills (Dec. 14)
5 5 Tevet
Shaharit 9 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
12 12 Tevet
Shaharit 9 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
January 2025 / Tevet-Shevat 5785
6 6 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
13 13 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
7 7 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
14 14 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
1 1 Tevet
Rosh Hodesh
Hanukkah 7 (8 candles)
Shaharit 8:45 am
Spirituality of Shabbat
Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
8 8 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Spirituality of Shabbat
Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Talmud Class 8 pm
15 15 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Spirituality of Shabbat
Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
2 2 Tevet
Hanukkah 8
Shaharit 6:45 am
Rosh Hodesh 6 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Perek Yomi 8 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
9 9 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
16 16 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
3 3 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat/ Ma’ariv 5:30 pm 10 10 Tevet
Gr. 5-6 Shul-in
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat/ Ma’ariv 5:30 pm
17 1 Tevet
Gr. 3-4 Shul-in
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat/ Ma’ariv 5:30 pm
4 4 Tevet
Shabbat Service 9:30 am
Junior Cong. 11 am
Tot Shabbat 11 am
Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/
Ma’ariv/Havdalah 4 pm
K-2 Hands-0n Havdalah 6 pm
11 11 Tevet
Gr. 5-6 Shul-in
Shabbat Service 9:30
Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/ Ma’ariv/Havdalah 4 pm
18 18 Tevet
Gr. 3-4 Shul-in
Shabbat Service 9:30 am
Tot Shabbat 11 am
Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/ Ma’ariv/Havdalah 4:15 pm
19 19 Tevet
Shaharit 9 am
USY/Gesher Skiing 10 am
Wisdom Project 12 noon
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
26 26 Tevet
Shaharit 9 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
20 20 Tevet
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Shaharit 7 am
FwYC MLK prog. 10 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
27 27 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
21 21 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
28 28 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Meditation 8:30 am
Parashat Hash. 4 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
22 22 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Spirituality of Shabbat
Observance 7:30 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Talmud Class 8 pm
29 29 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Spirituality of Shabbat
Observance 7:30 am
Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Willis 12 pm
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
23 23 Tevet
Shaharit 7 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
24 24 Tevet
Racial Justice Shabbat
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat/ Ma’ariv 5:30 pm
Racial Justice Shabbat Dinner 6:30 pm
30 1 Shevat
Shaharit 9 am
Ma’ariv 7:30 pm
Dessert/Discussion 8 pm
Israeli Folk Dancing 8 pm
31 2 Shevat
Shaharit 7 am
Kabbalat Shabbat/ Ma’ariv 5:30 pm
25 25 Tevet
Racial Justice Shabbat
Shabbat Service 9:30 am
Niggun Saloon 9:30 am
Meditation 11:30 am
Minhah/Learning/ Ma’ariv/Havdalah 4:30 pm
Catching parachuted dreidls was a highlight of last year’s Hanukkah celebration. Join us this year on Dec. 18.
Address Service Requested
Order Your Purim Mishloah . Manot
Place Your Orders Between January 14 – February 14
It’s a mitzvah to send Purim gift bags and it’s the Religious School’s biggest fundraiser!
We will deliver Purim bags to your friends, neighbors and relatives in our delivery area.You can also send Purim bags to Temple Emunah staff, Preschool and Religious School teachers and aides who will pick them up at Shul.
Those outside our delivery area who cannot pick up their bags will receive a card indicating that a donation to the religious school has been made in their name. If you have a valid email address in the Temple Emunah database, you will receive ordering instructions by email.You can also get a paper order form from the Temple office. Everyone is welcome to be involved in the mitzvah of creating and distributing Purim bags.
Ordering is through Shul Cloud. Please make sure your address information is up to date in the Member database and let the Shul know if you are not going to be in town during Purim.
Bags are $10/bag or you can send to all members, staff, and educational staff for $180.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 57433
Boston, MA
Mishloah . Manot Volunteers and Delivery Drivers
To volunteer to assemble the bags (March 2-6), go to: https://tinyurl.com/Packers2025
To help deliver bags (pickup is March 9; deliveries can be made March 9-14), sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/ Drivers2025
Kids earn one CJE credit if they help with the deliveries. TEENS: We will authorize community service credits for time spent delivering Mishloah Manot
Thank you for participating and for supporting your Religious School.
H ag sameah!
Nancy Capparelli, Marci Yesowitch Hopkins, and Jonathan and Jonina Schonfeld
