Kol Hadash July-August 2012 by B'nai Jeshurun

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JULY/AUGUST 2012 • TAMMUZ/AV 5772

When a Tomato Was a Tomato

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We say in the Amidah ‘Melo kol haaretz kvodo’—the whole earth is filled with holiness. The week with the group at Mantana Azul was an experience of this truth. ”

BJoyous! BJHS Creates Mishloah Manot

Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein

I’ve been blessed in my life with two of the most amazing teachers you can ever have: my grandparents. I know that many of you feel the same about yours. I’ve heard your stories. Mine were extraordinary human beings. They understood the meaning of conversation, real dialogue, celebration, the joy of life, and people. They were really kind and loving. I received from them an incredible gem: unconditional love. No hidden agendas, no secrets, no negative baggage, just pure and unmitigated love. There were celebratory rituals in their home, not necessarily religious ones. Each Sunday the house was filled with friends, musicians, writers, psychoanalysts, and Jewish writers. It was called “the Temple” by these people because of what happened to them when they spent time there. As a child, I spent as much time with my grandparents as possible. I didn’t know it, but they were my rebbes. My grandmother taught me how to cultivate the land, how to plant tomatoes and lettuce, when was the right time to get the oranges and tangerines from the trees, and how to create a garden. I was so lucky to add the deep religious Jewish life to this spiritual foundation. In my adult life I realize that they knew something that most people work very hard to know. Today we all live very complex lives, pulled by multitasking, BlackBerries, iPhones, calendars, and a lack of time … There is no time in our busy lives for something that once was part of life. Everything is consumed by doing, and in this doing we separate ourselves from nature and our deepest selves, which are also part of the natural order, of the Ehad, the One. In that separation we are not even aware of what we have lost.

PHOTO: KRISTEN KERSEY

See page 5 for more photos and stories about the BJoyous! initiative this past Purim.

Remember when a tomato was a tomato, that had smell and taste? Today, we call it “organic”; in those days, they were just tomatoes, food was just food. We have separated food from its source, and so to have a glimpse of that taste we have created another category, separate from that which was once natural. In this separation, we have replaced conversation by texting and dialogue by emailing. Today we would call it “active listening” to stay in a conversation for three hours with somebody. In those days, it was what a real conversation required. Today we would call a “contemplative (continued on page 2)

Social Action/Social Justice. . . . . . . . . . . 4 Staff Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Youth & Family Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 High Holy Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 BJoyous!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Limud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Member Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Yom HaShoah. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Tribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Announcements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Contacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

inside: It Takes a Hevra.......................................................................................................... 4 Membership Renewal and High Holy Day Information 2012....................................... 7 “Meshuginah Manipulations” of Purim?..................................................................... 8 Michael and Lydia: Parallel Paths............................................................................ 11 The NEW www.bj.org................................................................................................ 13 Remembering Ronald Seitenbach............................................................................ 14

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

new voIce • KOL HADASH .

JULY/AUGUST 2012

When a Tomato Was a Tomato Rabbi Marcelo R. Bronstein practice” stopping and looking in silence; in those days it was just paying attention. Any big city has the energy of: “NEXT!” Not being present, running even if we are not in a hurry. This is why we of all people need desperately the blessing of contemplative practice that has unfolded in the Jewish world. Meditation retreats, workshops, classes, Shabbatonim, etc., are Jewish responses to this fragmentation. I know that meditation is not for everybody, but the awareness of the need to pay attention, of doing things with real kavannah, intention, and presence is for everybody.

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the group at Mantana Azul was an experience of this truth. Living together amidst the natural beauty; the warmth, gentleness, and the hesed of the Costa Rican community who created the place; and having the time for rich exploration of the inner life in a place where it was safe for the soul to come out helped us all to be able to open to the holiness that exists in the daily life of our own big city and our BJ community. Contemplative practice develops in and cultivates community. People can’t do it on their own, and many people at BJ crave this and want an opportunity to grow in practice.” Before the Amidah we say: “God, S’fatai tiftach, open my lips, U’fi Yagid tehilatekha, so will be able to pray.” It is a prayer to be able to be present and to pray. We all need d’vaikut, cleaving to God, to real conversations, to being and not just to doing, to produce. I honor the grandparents of the past and the present, those who have the time and intention to stop, look, and be. We need an active practice to reclaim what once was part of life. The Jewish tradition is filled with wisdom to help us return to what was a natural part of life. n

This truly is the garden of no time. We’ve prayed together, we’ve sat together, sometimes in silence. We’ve eaten together, sometimes in silence. We’ve moved together, sometimes in silence. We’ve been together. A time of prayer, a time of deep contemplative emotion. It’s been wonderful. — Jack Stern

Above: Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein, Sol Gonzalez, and Rabbi Rachel Cowan at the BJ Contemplative Retreat in Nature in Costa Rica.

Together with Rabbi Rachel Cowan, founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, we bring this awareness to BJ. Last year we started a new tradition, which is to have a contemplative retreat in nature. We are again leading a 7-week contemplative workshop at the 88th Street sanctuary. Of the retreat Rachel said: “We say in the Amidah ‘Melo kol haaretz kvodo’—the whole earth is filled with holiness. The week with

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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We Retreat Again January 20-27, 2013

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Nothing, nothing could have prepared me for what we have experienced during this week. Yesterday we learned an expression “solo bueno,” meaning “all is good,” and that is what is going on here. From the atmosphere, the beauty, our own community and the community that has embraced us ... even if we can bring a moment of all this back home, it has to be a good thing. Everybody should be able to experience this. — Suzanne Schecter

Planning for the next BJ Contemplative Retreat In Nature with Rabbis Rachel Cowan and Marcelo Bronstein has already begun and more information will be coming soon. We hope you will be inspired to join us. Please contact Naomi at ngoodhart@bj.org.

I am standing in God’s country. As the psalmist said, it is a testimony to the greatness of God that we’re in such a place of such purity and wonder. And I almost didn’t come because of the business of the life in New York. How grateful I am for the transformational experience. We are here to find ourselves, to celebrate life. — Alan Fischer

I decided to come to this retreat mainly because it was led by Marcelo and Rachel. But nothing, nothing prepared me for what it has been. The place, the group of people, and the content, and what has come out. It is an unbelievable place, and we feel so close to God ... maybe. — Marina Pinto Kaufman (below)

During the last six days I’ve learned to pray deeply from my heart. Something that I’ve always wanted to do, but could only do in small glimpses before. And this retreat has introduced me to a connection to my heart and to my soul in ways that I’ve always dreamed for ... or dreamed to find but have never been able to do before. — Paul Growald I had second thoughts about this trip because it really is somewhat out of my comfort zone. I’ve had a fantastic experience ... My commitment to BJ and the community is stronger than I could have ever imagined. — Judith Felsenfeld (above) ALL PHOTOS: RABBI MARCELO BRONSTEIN, EXCEPT BOTTOM RIGHT: JUDITH FELSENFELD.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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JULY/AUGUST 2012

Social Action/Social Justice

It Takes a Hevra

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By Debra L. Eder f it takes a village to raise a child, what does it take to raise awareness about the stereotypes we associate with aging? Over 110 people gathered on Thursday, March 22, 2012 to participate in the first in a series of workshops, titled “Aging Jewishly—The ‘A’ Word: Unpacking our Stereotypes, Fears & Hopes,” hosted by Panim el Panim’s Hevra on Aging in New York City.

Participants crowded around tables, and the 88th St. Sanctuary was abuzz with expectancy when Sylvia Vogelman, hevra co-chair, opened the workshop: “The Community Cafés last year provided a forum through which we were able to listen to the concerns of BJ members. We listened and we learned that BJ members needed practical information on Medicare, eldercare, legal documents, and much more. But the practical challenges

Her remarks invited us to consider the process of aging in terms of the inevitable losses as well as the resources that we have that enable us to bring wisdom and awareness to the journey ...“

around aging weren’t the only thing important to us. It is also important to prepare ourselves spiritually for the process of aging. We begin with Aging Jewishly to ground this educational series as the work of a Jewish community.”

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Rabbi Bronstein followed these opening remarks with a niggun, which awakened our receptiveness to the small-group discussion and text learning that followed. He shared a story about his recent sabbatical month in Nepal where he was present at a ceremony honoring elder Buddhist monks—noting that this experience stands in stark contrast to the way that Western culture treats the aging. Rabbi Rachel Cowan, the presenter for the evening, continued by introducing the concept of the “A” word. Her remarks invited us to consider the process of aging in terms of the inevitable losses as well as the resources that we have that enable us to bring wisdom and awareness to the journey—what do we gain or lose when we consider old age as decline versus a potentially rich stage of life? She encouraged us to examine some of our deeply held presumptions as we went forward with the evening.

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Participants then assembled in small groups to explore “What do we/our society associate with aging?” and to study Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel texts excerpted from his address to the 1960 White House Conference on Aging. Among the questions considered as part of the discussion was: How would your life look different if you viewed it as a journey to attain wisdom? A wide range of attitudes and comments were captured in the discussions and reported back to the room, including the following:

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People don’t listen to old people. I’m becoming invisible. Don’t retire: rewire. Maintaining links across generations contributes to my vitality.

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As I transition to being the senior person on my team in my work life, others look to me for guidance and advice, which is a source of pride. The divide across generations seems unsurpassable. What does it take to cross over? Aging is like a being on a train: It’s important to get off at each stop and look around.

A sustained hush filled the sanctuary as a long line of facilitators, who were also members of the Aging in NYC Hevra, shared insights from their groups. A member of the hevra noted afterward that the smallgroup sharing was really open-hearted and authentic. She felt almost a sense of relief to be talking about these issues. Another participant said that she felt more comfortable sharing her feelings about her own aging with the other small group participants than talking about it with her friends. At the end of the evening, Rabbi Bronstein led another niggun, and Rochelle Friedlich, hevra co-chair, delivered closing remarks. After the event, she added: “Seeing the support of the BJ community in the numbers of people who turned out tonight validates the fact that issues related to aging are widely felt by the congregation and reinforces our motivation to continue the efforts of the hevra.” BJ member Asya Berger noted: “This was an important event for BJ, and thanks to the Aging in NYC Hevra for organizing it. It was good to hear multiple perspectives and to share ideas on the process of aging and ‘saging.’ I applaud Panim el Panim for its leadership in addressing the many issues of aging which we all face.” Ruth Jarmul, BJ member, summed up her experience: “The evening made me even more aware about how precious the gift of time is. None of us can control our future, but we can control how we confront it. How fortunate I (continued on page 13)

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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STAFF PROFILES

“Newish” New Yorkers Join the BJ Leadership Team: Welcoming Lisa and Alyce By Steve Goldberg

ot six short months ago, I had the pleasure of joining a dedicated, committed and loyal team of BJ professionals. Together with our passionate and charismatic spiritual and lay leaders, we have the joy and privilege of building a vibrant, engaged, and expressive BJ community. Given the current transformational time in the life of BJ, one of my first tasks was to round out the full complement of a responsive leadership team. So for those of you who have not, I am thrilled for you to meet the newest members of this partnership, Lisa Steinberg and Alyce Gunn. Lisa Steinberg, who started as BJ’s Director of Development on March 5th, is a comparatively new New Yorker; coming here just four years ago from her beloved hometown of Philadelphia. It was in Philly that she amassed her 20+ years of experience in Jewish fundraising, working at the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia, Hillel, the ADL, the American Friends of Hebrew University and, most recently, as National Director of Major Gifts for B’nai B’rith. Lisa studied at Rutgers and Columbia University, and knew from an early age that she wanted to devote her life to Jewish communal service. “I’m a Judaism junkie,” she admitted. Her husband of just four years (“I’m still a newlywed,” she smiles), attorney Harold Steinberg, persuaded her to move here when they were married. As a Philadelphian, when she used to think about New York Jewish life, she thought about B’nai Jeshurun—an open place, with a devotion to music, spirituality, and socialjustice issues - so when the job opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance. She loves working at BJ, saying her job allows her to grow both professionally and Jewishly. She told her husband that if she was going to live in New York, she wanted to really explore and take advantage of all that it has to offer. And so together they have,

From left: Lisa Steinberg and Alyce Gunn.

attending innumerable music, dance, and theater performances. Lisa and Harold live in Park Slope. Next time you are at the BJ offices, please take the opportunity to introduce yourself to Alyce Gunn, our new Chief Financial Officer, and thank her for joining the BJ staff. You will note a great, confidenceinspiring handshake, not to be taken lightly as she guides us towards long-term fiscal sustainability. We are thrilled to have Alyce on board, but not for the reasons you would think. Sadly, she had to step in to take over Ron Seitenbach’s duties as CFO a mere week after his death, without the benefit of having even met him. Alyce grew up outside of Boston and came to New York City by way of Washington, D.C., where she worked as a privatization consultant. That job had her flying all over the world, and she used to think wistfully of moving to New York one day: “I thought other cities around the world seemed provincial compared to New York!” she says.

PHOTO: DENISE WAXMAN

She did move here eventually, continuing with consulting work (and travel) for a while until she switched to banking and finally nonprofit work at the Riverdale Y. From that job she came to us. She says that she appreciates the synagogue atmosphere, working with the rabbis and the rest of the staff, and really feels the spirituality in the work itself. Alyce has undergraduate degrees in finance and accounting as well as an MBA. Her husband, Michael, is a civil engineer, and they have two children, 10 and 13. They live up in Riverdale, and besides family vacations skiing and sailing, Alyce readily admits that her free time is largely taken up shuttling their busy kids to and from activities. Please join us in giving a warm BJ embrace to Lisa and Alyce. n Steve Goldberg is BJ’s Executive Director.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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YOUTH & FAMILY EDUCATION

Torah Amidst the Trees By Leah Loeterman t was a Thursday morning just after dawn in Summer 2003, and I remember standing in a circle of over a hundred campers and counselors in the freezing woods of Sequoia, California. It was time for the Torah service, and my Rosh Edah (unit head) brought out the Torah. There were no tables, no bima, no podium, no chairs—just us in the middle of nowhere. The Torah was undressed, then rolled out around the circle, everyone working together to hold up a small piece of the sacred scroll. Only at summer camp …

I was fortunate to have spent a total of 11 summers at Camp Ramah in California: eight as a camper, two as a counselor, and one as the Tikkun Olam and Tzedaka coordinator. I feel so blessed that I continue to be close friends with many people I met at camp, and I certainly miss the unique fun, activities, nature, learning, and community that only summer camp can create. As a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, I am thankful for those summers and experiences at camp, which played a large role in instilling in me a strong Jewish identity and sense of self.

Jewish summer camp is a type of educational experience that looks very different than how we might normally think about Jewish education. Campers not only participate in their favorite (and many new!) summer activities, but also are given the opportunity to live Jewishly in a special setting. And that is what is so beautiful about Jewish camp: the genuine joy in living Jewishly. There is joy and fun in social justice, in prayer, in Israel, in nature, in learning, in Shabbat. Jewish camp is a unique setting where kids and teens develop a deeper connection and understanding of Jewish traditions, values, and culture through creative activities with a close community of their peers. Hebrew is everywhere, and campers and staff pick up the key words quickly. The dining hall is known by its Hebrew name, chadar ochel, the bunks are tzrifim, music time is shira. Jewish summer camps also have a special program whereby they bring Israeli staff to camp—as counselors, coaches, Israel educators, lifeguards, and more—to engage and educate campers in the excitement and appreciation of Israeli culture.

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Jewish camp is a unique setting where kids and teens develop a deeper connection and understanding of Jewish traditions, values, and culture through creative activities with a close community of their peers.”

Due to the overwhelming success of Jewish camp, a new trend in Jewish education now is an attempt to make our supplemental and day schools more like camp, bringing that special spirit into the classroom. This year it has been my pleasure to serve as the BJ Ramah Service Corps representative, to bring camp-style learning and experiences to the Hebrew School and larger community. By bringing this learning into the classroom, we’re not just engaging kids in Jewish learning that goes beyond the textbook and the blackboard, but giving them the opportunity to put Jewish values into practice and showing them how to live Jewishly. n Leah Loeterman is a third-grade BJHS teacher and a Ramah Service Corps representative. She is currently studying for rabbinic ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Top: BJHS student Sam Tecotzky (right) and friend take a beverage break at Camp Eisner. Right: The teen bunk at Camp Eisner enjoys some downtime, including BJ Teens Gabriella Ruskay-Kidd, Julia Tecotzky, and Grace Mehler (first, second, and third from left).

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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HIGH HOLY DAYS

Membership Renewal and High Holy Day Information 2012 A Note From the Membership Department … High Holy Day Information At BJ, we will do everything possible to make your High Holy Days comfortable and safe. We trust you will do your part by carefully reading the High Holy Day information on this page and on our website at www.bj.org/yamimnoraim. Reminders: 1. Entrance cards required for children aged 6+. 2. Reserved signs per family will be available and can be used until 11:00AM. 3. Special Needs and Ushering forms will be available online. Adult and Children’s Services will be held at: • 86th Street—Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew at 86th Street and West End Avenue • 88th Street Sanctuary—88th Street between Broadway and West End Avenue • Jazz at Lincoln Center—60th Street and Broadway Family Services will be held at Symphony Space, 95th Street and Broadway. Your location for High Holy Day services is assigned on a first-come first-served basis. ■■ The earlier you return your membership forms, the more likely it is you will be placed at your preferred location.

■■ Space at some locations fills up within a

few weeks, so please consider sending your location request via membership application as soon as possible. ■■ If your family and friends wish to be at

the same location, you must all renew at the same time. Entrance Cards • Entrance cards will be mailed July 25-August 31. Keep your cards in a safe place; requests for replacement cards will be subject to a reprinting fee. • In order for us to provide entrance cards for Rosh Hashanah, membership applications must be in our office and date-stamped by Friday, August 31. • In order for us to provide entrance cards for Yom Kippur, membership applications must be in our office and date-stamped by Friday, September 7. • Beginning Monday, September 10 entrance cards will ONLY be available for pick up in the B’nai Jeshurun office. Safety and Security at Services • Entrance cards are required for admission to all services, including Family Services. All three types of entrance cards will be accepted at the Family Service.

• Seating at services is first come, first served. Please arrive on time to assure seating; we cannot guarantee seats will be available for latecomers. Up to two seats may be reserved for family members until 11:00AM, and additional reserved seating will be available in the balcony of each location. • High Holy Day services this year will be open only to members with valid entrance cards. Members may also purchase entrance cards for their guests. • Due to space constraints, we unfortunately will not be able to accommodate a non-member line as we have been able to do in the past. • Children will not be permitted to be in any of the service locations unsupervised. Please make arrangements for your child when children’s services are not in session. Unsupervised children will be sent back into the main service to sit with their parents. To discuss membership dues or ask High Holy Day questions, please contact Belinda Lasky, Assistant Executive Director, at x224 or blasky@bj.org. n

Important High Holy Day Dates and Deadlines: September 2012 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Aug. 31 Deadline to request entrance cards for Rosh Hashanah

3 LABOR DAY

7 Deadline

16 Erev

17 Rosh

Rosh Hashanah Day 2

23 30

Kol Nidre

Rosh Hashanah

Hashanah Day 1

Yom Kippur

to request entrance cards for Yom Kippur

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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BJOYOUS!

“Meshuginah Manipulations” of Purim? By Ilene Rosenthal

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The community-building aspects of the project were remarkable. Around 250 BJ members purchased mishloah manot for friends and family.“

o, it’s mishloah manot. You know, when people give each other sweets and little gifts at Purim? Haven’t you ever seen or heard of this? No?”

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This Purim was a BJoyous! first for our congregation; the first large-scale, soupto-nuts Purim mitzvah initiative. A common and expected endeavor among many Jewish communities, the giving of mishloah manot is often an institutionalized effort that accompanies the Megillah readings and Purimshpiels. For many congregations, it is as much a part of their Purim landscape as the kids’ Purim play and our rabbis’ antics are for us at BJ. For several years, the rabbis have been looking at how other synagogues are framing the mitzvot of Purim and how BJ could adapt this ritual in a way that was true to BJ and its mission. They acknowledged that the mitzvah of mishloah manot was a missing piece of the Purim ritual at BJ, and so they determined that this would be the year to do it. Inspired by a West Coast congregation, IKAR, Rabbi Felicia Sol brought together a wonderful committee who shared ideas, assumed values such as low-waste, environmental kindness, and fair trade, and thus begat the BJoyous! logo and gift bag distributed on Purim.

The community-building aspects of the project were remarkable. Around 250 BJ members purchased mishloah manot for friends and family. The 1,500 mishloah manot packages were assembled with the help of Hebrew school children and the nearly 100 dedicated volunteers who came on a Sunday and assembled the bulk of the

PHOTOS: ABOVE, SHAHPAR NILI. BELOW: KRISTEN KERSEY.

Many hands made light work of the mishloah manot assembly process. Depicted here are just a few of the many BJ members who helped to put it all together.

packages in just over an hour. Mishloah manot were delivered by volunteers to the homes of approximately 200 families who had experienced a birth or death in their family in the past year and to members over the age of 80 years; and what a delight to receive mishloah manot at the Megillah readings. JASA (Jewish Agency Serving the Aging) and Leket Israel, Israel’s national food bank, were the recipients of the proceeds from the mishloah manot sales (totalling over $18,000) as voted by the congregation via an email survey, and thus members also fulfilled the mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim (gifts to the poor). As with many first-time projects, we encountered many “glitches” with the mishloah manot, such as technical problems and confusion about the initiative. But by far, the most interesting accomplishment of this project may have been the introduction of the concept of mishloah manot to many BJ members. Although there are many who grew up with this ritual in their communities, or whose children participate now at school, we heard from many members that this was a ritual that had no previous place in their practice or experience. So, along with the

goals of database optimization, member participation, and tzedakah, we hope that next year when the rabbis kick off our mishloah manot initiative, everyone will know exactly what it is, how to say it, and why it’s so important to our community. n

Ilene Rosenthal has been a BJ member for 20 years. Ilene met her husband, Lou Geser, at BJ and their two girls Amelia and Cara, ages 15 and 14, are members of BJ Teens. Ilene has been involved with family education at BJ through her work as chair of the Hebrew school advisory committee, the Reimagine project and the recent mishloah manot initiative. She runs a marketing practice, White Space Marketing Group.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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The Rambam, Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, taught that on Purim one should spend more on giving matanot l’evyonim, gifts to the poor, than on sending mishloah manot, Purim gift packages. With this in mind, Rabbi Felicia Sol encouraged our community to raise $18,000 through the sale of mishloah manot and donations for matanot l’evyonim, so that we would be giving twice the amount of money for matanot l’evyonim that we spent on the mishloah manot materials. Thanks to all of the donors who contributed to mishloah manot (Purim gift packages) and matanot l’evyonim (gifts to the poor), we EXCEEDED our fundraising goal. Leket Israel, Israel’s national food bank and largest food rescue network, and JASA, Jewish Association Serving the Aging, were extremely touched to receive checks from BJ for over $10,000. Thank you so much for your generosity! Anonymous Rabbis Marcelo Bronstein, Roly Matalon, Felicia Sol, Hazzan Ari Priven, and their families Vicki and Bill Abrams Jonathan Adelsberg and Anita Sibony Sanford Antignas Robin Aronow Mitchell and Penny Arons Robert Arotsky Stephen Arpadi and Terry Marx Arlene, Alan and David Baily The Balin-Gertzman Family Lesley Baren Richard, Laura and Rachel Bass Ted Becker Rose Bell The Ben-Joseph/Einhorn Family Emily Benedek Asya and Ted Berger Mel and Barbara Berger Meredith Berkman Hanna and Isabel Berkowitz Naomi Berkowitz Alan Bernstein and Carol Bowen Andrea Bigelisen-Kopf and Drew Kopf The Birnbaum/Goldberg Family The Birnbaums Jeannie Blaustein and Peter Bokor Sheila and Norman Bleckner Susan Bodnar, David Schatsky, Ronen and Binah Galit, Sam, Max, Joshua, and Jacob Bordereau Elise Bornstein Micki Levin and Ed Brill Deborah Brissman Caron Brown Karin Bruckner and Allan Malz Jonas, Eduardo and Tomas Butelman Patricia and William Call Todd, Sasha, and Eden Chanko and Ami Weil Cecily Chester Aubrey Clayton and Melissa Goldman Elizabeth Cohen Madeline Cohen Marcia Coltun Lisa Courtney Robert Daley Debra Dash Stacie Deiner and Jeff Silverstein Gary Delfiner Susan Dess Helena Diamant Glass Carol and Steve Dikman Donna and Tom Divine Sylvia Dresner Anne Ebersman, Dan, Emma and Lara Caligor Peggy and Jim Edelson Shelley English, Jay, Joseph and Jackson Siegal

Susan Etra and Michael Yoeli Sue Fein Ruth Feldman, Jack Widman and Sam Aliza Felix Judith and Carl Felsenfeld Stephanie and Chick Finder The Fine/Schneider Family Herb Fischer, Karen Sussan, and Rachel Fischer Lynda Fisher Susan Fishman David Fitterman Fern and Danny Flamberg Robin and Ted Fleischner-Metzger Paul and Nancy Freireich Rochelle Friedlich Barbara and Joe Friedman, and Ellen, Sam, Maddie and Eliza Bender Deborah Friedman Jane Fuchsberg and Neal Spector Christina and Mike Gantcher Andy Garland Judy Geller-Marlowe and Glenn Marlowe Martha Kate Ginsberg and Dan Rosenfeld Judy Gitenstein Barbara Glassman and Arthur Rubin Barbara, Michael, Emily, Carly and Hannah Goldberg Dini and Michael Golden and Family Jerry Goldfeder Rachel Goldfine and Mark Highman Jenny Golub Sarah Goodis Harriet Goren Steven Morey Greenberg Nancy W. Greenblatt Jonathan Grossberg The Guttman Family Marlene Halpern and Irv Weitzman Bonnie Harwayne Miriam Herscher Mark Highman Jeffrey and Alison Horowitz Sofia Hubscher and Adam Wallach Josh Hurwitz Leslie Hyman Susan and Jonah Hyman Estelle Irwin Donald Isler Judy and Leon Jacobson Suzanne Jacoby Sarah Jaffe Ruth Jarmul and Irv Rosenthal Lauren and Daniel Juceam Les and Pamela Judd Nancy Kahn and Manny Friedman Shira Kahn Meer Marcia Kaplan David Katz Joel Kazis and Sara Nathan Denise Kennedy Beth and Jonathan Kern Robin Kerner Stephen and Dede Kessler

Daniel, Elissa, and Hazel Kestin Madelyne Kirch Hindy and Alex Kisch April, Paul, Gabe and Jonah Klausner Mark, Rachel, Sophie and Abbe Klein Anne Kohn and Chuck, Sami and Jake Gold Steven and Lynette Koppel Amy Korn Lorraine Korn Martha Kransdorf David Landau Julie Landau Susan Viuker Landau Gail Landis Ellen Landsberger Ruth and Ira Langer Belinda Lasky Donny Lee Helen and Harold Lehrman Mark, Marya and Eilam Lehrman Debbie and Rick Lerner, Matt, Jeremy and Daniel Bernice Levine Alice Lewin Ella Lidsky Wendy Linderman Suzanne Lipkin Michael and Debby Lissaur and Family Barbara, Danielle, Tamara, and Richard Litt Lauren and David Lochner Enid Lotstein Judith and Jules Love Mimi Lox Brian Lustbader Timothy and Jessie Reagen Mann The Mantel Family Dova, Stephen, and Matan Marder Friedgood Susan Margolis Linda and Bob Marshall Terry Marx Bena Medjuck-Bruckner Naomi Meyer Sandy Joy Michael Ian Miller and Annette Clancy Anne Millman and Allen Rokach Peggy Moss Nancy and Michael Mostow Leah Negrin Yim and Brian Neugeboren Sylvia and Mark Neugeboren Alexandra Newman Max and Sarah Orenstein Shelly Ostro Joanne Palmer and Andy Sherman Andrew Paris Ellen Perecman Lilli, Adam, and Emily Platt Amy and Robert Pollack James Posner and Jill Prosky Margaret Puddington Barbara, Stephen, Phoebe and Palmer Pyles

Karen Radkowsky Pene Raphaely Keren Raz Efrem Reis Jonathan and Micki Reiss Nirdi and Nurie Relis The Richter/Sissman Family Julie, Phil, Talia and Orli Adam Roffman and Shira Wallach Shoshi Rosenbaum The Rosenthal-Geser Family Sarah Rosenthal Wendy and Joseph Rosner Yechiel Sam Roth Noel, Amy and Bella Rubinton Renie Rutchick and Judith Trachtenberg Dennis Sandler Eva Sax-Bolder and Larry Bolder Lisa Schalop Ellen Schecter Suzanne Schecter and Todd Ruback Amy, Jake, Max and Hannah Schrader Peninnah Schram Glenda, Raymond, Laura and Julia Schwarz Daniela Sciaky and Reed Corderman Harriet Seller Marie Sevy Kim Shafer and Isaac Finkle Jacqueline Sheirr Melanie Sherman Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner Philip Silverman Ellen Small Sandy and Joel Soffin David and Lisa Solomon Karen Soren and Richard Pena Janet, Gil, and Harry Spitzer Carol Stella Richard Stern Dvorah Stoll Len and Barbara Sugin Danielle, Paul and Liam Taubman The Tecotzky Family Alice, Ezra, and Charlotte Tiven-Gottesman along with their parents, Sally and Rachel Michael Tobin Cara Unowsky Margie Vandow and Richard Fields Sylvia Vogelman Cindy Wachenheim and Hal Bacharach Amy Wachtel Elain, Barry and David Waldman Mim Warden Len Wasserman and Abigail Moore Judy and Marty Weinberg Mimi Weinberg Emily Weiss Alex Wittenberg Joyce and Marc Yassky Holly Zabitz Julie Zuckerbraun

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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LIMUD

Lunchtime in Heaven By Shari Kenner or the past few years I’ve attended Rabbi Felicia’s lunchtime Midrash classes, and have discovered that lunchtime can provide more than just physical nourishment. We studied Pirkei D’Rebbe Eliezer and the Mekhilta D’Rabbi Yismael, on the creation narrative, the trials of Abraham, the exodus, revelation, etc. The Midrashim were fascinating—they filled in the story, broadened the picture, and presented intriguing suggestions as to what really may have happened in between the Torah’s sometimes concise depictions of episodes it describes.

From left: Rabbi Felicia Sol, Nina Horak, and Mimi Lox at the lunchtime class.

Sitting in class, the noontime sun shining through the windows, I saw the texts came alive. They drew me in, filled my head with visions. Real personalities, like Moshe and Avraham, with complex motivations emerged, people who, while not perfect, strove to reach their potential and draw near to G-d. Beautiful stories, such as how G-d brought Adam to life by breathing “the breath of the soul of His mouth” into Adam. The description of Rebbe Eliezer from Pirkei D’Rebbe Eliezer captivated me, replete with deep psychological insights and tales of how he yearned to learn Torah even after being raised by a father very different than him. Pirkei Avot tells us: “Turn it (Torah) over, turn it over, for everything is in it. See with it, grow old … and do not depart from it.” These classes helped me become more able to “see with it.” The pictures it painted, the thoughts it engendered, made me see the texts and the world differently. Learning Torah stretches our minds, our horizons— helping us see through new eyes.

Another wonderful aspect has been the class participants. A core group returns yearly, and new people join each class. Their comments are interesting, and despite our different perspectives on the texts, a connection and cohesiveness have developed between us. There’s something special about learning Torah with the same people, the same wonderful teacher, and new individuals year after year. We’ve enjoyed the classes so much we persuaded Rabbi Felicia to add additional sessions each time! This fall we embarked on a new path. Instead of Midrashim, we studied the weekly Torah portion through the eyes of the Slonimer Rebbe’s “Netivot Shalom.” He was a Hassidic Rebbe who lived in Israel and was a contemporary of ours; he died in 2000. He used his commentaries on the parasha to write about faith, humility, simplicity, divine service, Shabbat, and more. What jumped out of his pages for me was the beauty of Torah, Shabbat, and the potential each of us has to reach profound heights of spirituality. We discussed many topics including the mitzvah of recreating ourselves every Rosh Hodesh, seeing how miraculous everything around us is, the importance of every individual, the need for unity among Jews before we could receive the Torah, the sanctity of Shabbat, and the on-going process of redemption. I walked out of every class awed by his powerful words, and as I went back to my day-to-day life, felt changed by the experience. As seen in the Slonimer, Torah is not only intellectual, but also an emotional and spiritual pursuit. It evokes the gamut of feelings inside us, lets us examine them in relation to text and in relation to ourselves and each other. It’s a profound way of connecting to what we cannot see—the spiritual, and G-d—and stretching our perceptions of these too.

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As seen in the Slonimer, Torah is not only intellectual, but also an emotional and spiritual pursuit. It evokes the gamut of feelings inside us, lets us examine them in relation to text and in relation to ourselves and each other.”

From left: Nancy Greenblatt, Amy Korn, Lorraine Korn,and Barbara Edgal.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, in The Earth Is the Lord’s, tells us the following about learning Torah: “... knowledge was not a means for achieving power, but a way of clinging to the source of all reality. … The aim was to partake of spiritual beauty, to attain … self-purification. Carried away by the mellow, melting chant of Talmud reading, one’s mind would soar high in pure realm of thought, away from this world of facts and worries, away from the boundaries of here and now, to a region where the Shekinah listens to what the children of men create in the study of His Word. There was holiness in their acumen, the cry ‘my soul thirsteth for G-d, the living G-d.’ … They were able to feel heaven in a passage of Talmud.” n Shari Kenner has been attending, lovingly, BJ for about the past 13 years. She is a social worker who works with people with developmental disabilities and psychiatric diagnoses and writes occasionally. She is indebted to the Rabbis and other teachers who have spoken at BJ for expanding her understanding of the beauty of Judaism, and to the community and her friends in it for adding to her life on so many levels.

PHOTOS: DENISE WAXMAN

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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PURIM

Michael and Lydia: When Their Parallel Paths Finally Crossed at BJ By Martha Kate Ginsberg eet Lydia Forster-Brock and Michael Davis, both long-time B’nai Jeshurun members. The two have lived within three blocks of each other for most of their lives, but it took the BJ Purim celebration two years ago for them to finally meet.

They both grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and attended B’nai Jeshurun services with their families. Both came to Hebrew School at BJ. That’s where Michael became Bar Mitzvah, as did Lydia’s brother, but her Orthodox father did not believe in girls being Bat Mitzvah, so Lydia did not. Both attended Joan of Arc Junior High School as well as Pratt Institute—Lydia for fashion design and Michael for graphic design—but a slight age difference kept them from meeting.

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the “intellectual fireworks” at the pulpit of Rabbis Marshall Meyer and Roly Matalon that really sold him. And Michael was able to reconnect with old friends from his childhood, including the old gang from the 1966 BJ Hebrew School production of Fiddler on the Roof—a group that remains tight to this day. His Jewish practice has fluctuated through the years, but his connection to Judaism has always been intense. In fact, as a Jewish artist, he’s struggled with how his representational oil paintings fit into the Jewish world, given the traditional prohibition against making graven images— an interesting quandary.

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For the past several years, both have found themselves again living within a few blocks of each other, dining at the same restaurants, going to museums, attending BJ Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday nights ...”

balcony, Lydia on the main-floor-section-onthe-left with the “40+ Havurah.” They even had some mutual friends, but still the two never seemed to cross paths … until that February evening in 2010. After the Megillah reading, the DJ took over and the celebration turned dance party. It was a 1940’s swing tune that finally brought the two together on the dance floor. They both love to dance and were thrilled to find someone else who did too. Two years later, a couple ever since, Lydia and Michael have become regular fixtures in the NYC swing-dance community. Michael continues to paint in his free time while working at an ad agency doing photo retouching. Lydia is an avid museum-goer (and was even a buyer for the American Museum of Natural History gift shops). And on a Friday evening when they are not on the dance floor, you may just find the two of them sitting together up in Michael’s regular spot on the balcony. n

As young adults, both drifted from BJ for a while. Lydia worked in the fashion world for about 10 years before studying gemology and then later became a buyer in the jewelry business. She found her way back to BJ once she married and started a family. Her son (now a 23-year-old Columbia Law School student) followed in her early footsteps, attending BJ’s Hebrew School as well (though he had the additional experience of becoming Bar Mitzvah). Lydia’s marriage ended, but she did find a welcome community within BJ and has made many friends through the “40+ Havurah,” of which she was one of the early members.

Michael Davis and Lydia Forster-Brock

Meanwhile, Michael had moved to Atlanta for a job in a graphic arts studio. When he finally found his way back to New York, he started “shul shopping” to find his Jewish community. The social activism mission at B’nai Jeshurun was a huge draw, but it was

PHOTO: JOSHUA ROSENBERG

Martha Kate Ginsberg has been coming to BJ since 1991. She serves as co-chair of the Capturing Our Stories committee, is on the Education and Communications committee, and is a sleepover volunteer for the shelter.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION 5772

What It Means To Read the Names By Nancy Wolkenberg Greenblatt

small woman, her hair pulled back tightly in a neat bun, a beautiful silk scarf embracing her shoulders, she presented with an elegance that overshadowed her diminished physical stature. By her side stood a dignified gentleman, his three-piece suit reflected the traditions of his early European lifestyle. I came to know Sabina and David Reicher, longtime BJ members, in 1985. They had survived the Holocaust, which had decimated their families, including David’s wife and children.

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It is in the tradition of l’dor v’dor that I anticipate continuing this reading throughout my lifetime.”

In dramatic contrast, my great-grandparents fled Eastern Europe pogroms in the 1880’s. Although I lost no family in the Holocaust, I vividly recall World War II and my parents’ involvement in RESCUE CHILDREN. Children figured prominently in my relationship with the Reichers. Sabina, who was childless, eagerly followed the life-cycle events of my children and grandchildren, whom she had come to know at BJ services. She shared with me her early history, which included the numbers on her arm and the horrors of being a Mengele victim. She and David traditionally read the names of their lost family. David passed away; Sabina was afflicted with dementia, her elegant presentation never compromised. Myriam has allowed me the annual privilege of reciting the dozens of names of the Reicher and Hollander families to honor their memories. It is in the tradition of l’dor v’dor that I anticipate continuing this reading throughout my lifetime. n

Nancy W. Greenblatt, mother of three, grandmother of four, has been a BJ member since 1985. She was a clinical social worker for 35 years and retired as the Executive Director of the Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation.

Gibor By Bob Gruenspecht

t was a special privilege for me to participate in this year’s Yom Hashoah commemoration. As I do every year, I approached the day with the somber awe of a child of Holocaust survivors. My parents were only children themselves (13 and 10) when they escaped Nazi Germany merely seconds before the gates slammed shut on their lessfortunate relatives and fellow Jews. So, I was particularly moved to have received the honor of holding a Sefer Torah as the names of the martyrs were being read.

But this was not just any Sefer Torah. It was a Holocaust survivor itself; a sacred scroll that had been desecrated along with the other Nazi atrocities … but not destroyed. Rather, it was miraculously rescued and eventually found its way to us at BJ to become a revered member of our community. And here the two of us were—in our sanctuary—listening to other survivors and their offspring recite the names of martyrs. I found myself holding this Gibor—this true Hero—perhaps a bit too tightly and, quite involuntarily, gently caressing and stroking it as name after name of the perished was recited. As the proceedings continued, I found myself channeling the testimony that only this witness resting on my lap and in my arms could give. When the last name was read, I made a promise to continue to be available to listen attentively to more of this special Sefer’s tales. As it was respectfully and lovingly returned to its place of prominence in our Ark, my heart sang a particularly melancholy version of Am Yisrael Chai. n Bob Gruenspecht, an active BJ member, is the child of Holocaust survivors who escaped Germany as children only to meet and fall in love in Washington Heights. His father returned to fight in Europe and become a highly decorated warrior. His mother keeps the flame alive through devotion to her synagogue and her 11 great grandchildren.

Names

PHOTO: DENISE WAXMAN

By Siân Gibby

hen you listen to the reading of the Names, you hear a lot of unusual names, but very often you hear the same ones repeated. Ruchel. Israel. Moshe. Chana Rivka. Over and over. About midway through tonight’s reading at BJ, I looked at the line of people reading the names (of whom I had been about the sixth or seventh) and realized that it was possible that I was the only person reading whose family had been completely untouched by the Shoah. No one in my entire clan, stretching back generations, lost anyone they loved in pogroms or in the Holocaust. This realization hit me with a slight shock, as I understood suddenly what an honor I had been given (by Miryam). And it occurred to me, about names, that seven years ago G-d stopped thinking of me as “Sian” or even “Sianivach” (my childhood nickname), and started calling me, in His mind, “Shira bat Avraham v’Sarah.” That is my real name now. And when my own death comes, be it by natural causes or, G-d forbid, by the murderous agency of man, the Angel of Death will seek me out and will summon me by my Hebrew name, just as he did for all of my 6 million brethren. Like each one of them, I will die a Jew. But for now, our task is Life, and to use our life to serve G-d. Teach us to use all of our days, so that we may attain a heart of wisdom. — Psalm 90. n

Siân Gibby is copy editor for the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and Tablet Magazine. She has been a BJ member for eight years.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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COMMUNICATIONS

It’s All About the User: The NEW www.bj.org By Denise Waxman

he bright faces of three BJ teens at an AIDS Walk welcome visitors. Right above them is a menu.

Where are we? On the new BJ website which debuted in May. My daughter jokes that my favorite place to shop is the Container Store. I do have a weakness for things with slots, dividers, tacks, clips, and sections. While I fall quite short on the actual organization of my things, it is nevertheless something I aspire to. I’m aware that it is a bit of a paradox. I like to think of it as creative tension. The problem is that there are simply so many things to learn, think about, do, and manage. The reader and doer in me tends to overwhelm the organizer. One of the joys of the current age is the ability to put things, at least digital ones, in more than one place at a time. And thus to find things in more than one way. One of the challenges of the age is that there is so much more stuff. Which brings me back to the new BJ website. It too, has a lot more “stuff” (content) than the old web site did, including helpful forms, new calendars,

audio tracks, pictures, articles, valuable links, and inspiring quotes. So, while making it beautiful, fresh, interesting, and relevant was a main goal, making things findable, and usable, once they were found, was the most important job. For me, the task was heaven-sent. A team of BJ staff and consultants, including most critically, BJ member Dan Kestin, worked together over the course of the last year to put the new site together and managed to get it up in time for the new membership season. Featuring bright colors, beautiful photos, more (and better) content, and useful functions, it is a significant step up from where we were—but really just a first step. There is much more to do to enrich the content with BJ’s rich record from the past and new information and resources. Among other things on the wish list are a membersonly area and a more robust volunteering

tool. Since a website’s development never ceases, it is a work in progress. Now comes the fun part: hearing from members about what works and what doesn’t, what’s missing and what can be improved. There will be periodic surveys that will help us find that out. So, check it out, and tell us what you think. n Denise Waxman is BJ’s Director of Communications.

It Takes a Hevra continued from page 4 am to share life’s journey as part of the BJ community.” The Aging in NYC Hevra’s educational series, which began with the workshop on March 22, will continue throughout the year with presentations and discussions on topics including Medicare, eldercare home care, long-term planning, and caregiving challenges. Check upcoming issues of the KJ for information about the relevant dates and times. In addition, the hevra is taking on an advocacy campaign related to improving access to quality and

affordable eldercare home care. Through a partnership with Domestic Workers United (DWU) and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), the hevra plans to initiate a dialogue between eldercare workers and care recipients, families and concerned BJ members. Through this dialogue we will uncover our shared values and aspirations for what eldercare and eldercare work should be, grapple with the challenges that we all face, and take steps toward reimagining together what best practices should be. Members of all ages are encouraged to join our efforts, supported

by Channa Camins and Larissa Wohl, staff of the BJ Social Action/Justice department. Note: By the time this article comes out, the hevra will have sponsored two additional workshops, one on May 17, Planning for Long-Term Care, the second on June 18 dealing with Medicare and Medicaid. n Debra L. Eder and Stephane Guez have been members of BJ since 2009. She is also involved with the Hevra Kadisha and the Rosh Hodesh Women’s Group.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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TRIBUTE

Remembering Our Supervisor: A Tribute to Ronald Seitenbach As BJ’s Director of Finance and Administration for 10 years, Ron Seitenbach cared deeply about the BJ community and had personal relationships with members and colleagues. His death from cancer on March 8, 2012, was a loss for the whole community. We invited his staff to reflect on their experiences working with him.

lthough it’s been a month since the untimely passing of our Supervisor Ronald Seitenbach, the hurt I feel is still very new. From the moment I walked into BJ just about seven years ago, Ron was amazing. Most supervisors in his position wouldn’t have that much time for small talk, but not Ron. He made it a part of his day to find out just how you and your family were doing. Ron wore many hats. He was your Supervisor, Friend, Father, and let’s not forget “Football Guru.” Everyone who knew Ron also was very familiar with his love for football; his team was the New York Jets! Until recently, we never knew just how much he loved to host Super Bowl parties and he was often called by family and closest friends as “Fuzzy.” Had we known we would have had great laughs with that one! As a humble soul, Ron’s door was always open to anyone who needed him but, not just about financial questions or your occasional plea for a larger budget for a program. But you could go in and close the door and have a

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He made it a part of his day to find out just how you and your family were doing. Ron wore many hats. He was your Supervisor, Friend, Father, and let’s not forget ‘Football Guru.’ “

conversation with Ron and come out feeling better about whatever you had on your mind. Battling cancer never stopped him from helping or caring for others, and most of all it never stopped him from giving an exceptional service to BJ. He will forever be missed. — Shakeara Hatchett Shakeara is the Receptionist at the BJ office and a dedicated member of the staff.

I am often told I am a very good writer and yet when asked to write about Ron and what he meant to me as a boss and a human being I am stumped for words. You see, there are so many words to describe Ron. He was always so humble and self-effacing. He always had a kind word for everyone and such an even temper. What amazes me the most is that we never argued, and my husband says his one regret is not having had the time to ask Ron how he managed that. Having worked with Ron for 10 years, it is a true testament to his good humor and even temper that never a harsh word passed between us. Let’s face it; we spend so much of our time at work, and during stressful times it is only human for personalities to clash, but that wasn’t Ron’s way. He would always preface a request with “when you have the time” or “when you have a moment.” I guess he realized that life is indeed too short to rush through it or to waste with petty arguments or resentments. What he also taught me is that people are what’s important and not whatever job we have—that is always secondary, but people who are important to us … that is what truly matters. Let’s just say he mattered a great deal to me. Thank you for your patience and generosity and your kind spirit. I miss you every day, and I only hope that I learned all the lessons you have taught me. — Marilyn Perez Marilyn is the Accounting Analyst in the Finance Department. n In Ron’s memory, we are collecting personal messages and reflections from BJ members, friends, colleagues, and others to include in a special book that will be presented to Ron’s family. Please be in touch with Belinda Lasky at blasky@bj.org to submit your message PHOTOS: LEFT, HARRIET R. GOREn. CENTER, DENISE WAXMAN.

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The Kol Hadash is published every other month. We would love to print your stories and articles about BJ! For submission guidelines, contact communications@bj.org. All material is the property of B’nai Jeshurun and cannot be reprinted without permission.

The Kol Hadash is printed using soy-based inks on 50% recycled paper by an online, eco-friendly printer at a substantial cost saving compared to traditional printing methods. Designer: Harriet R. Goren

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Condolences (through May 25)

Mazal Tov To the following members and their families on their B’nai Mitzvah (May and June): Gabrielle Levine Policano Benjamin Klafter Marisa Brail Ezekiel Heller Nathan Finkle

Zachary Wakefield Joshua Blank Gaby Sunderland Mika Forman-Yossifov Talia Barnoy

To the following members and their families (through May 25):

The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved member Amiram (Arnold) Lipton, and we extend our sincere condolences to his wife Judith, their children Jonathan and Gillian, and their entire family. The community of B’nai Jeshurun extends sincere condolences to the following members and their families: • Alison Pepper on the death of her mother, Henrietta Roslyn Hochman Pepper.

• Laura, Andrew, and Sienna Slabin on the birth of their son and brother, Leo Ellison.

• Bob Owens and Evie Klein, and their children Augusta and Henry Owens, on the death of Bob’s mother, Fritzi Owens.

• Wendy and Joseph Rosner on the naming of their daughter, Naomi Brooke Rosner.

• Robert Gruenspecht on the death of his aunt, Inge Levine.

• Ilana Harwayne-Gidansky and Saul Hymes, Samuel HarwayneHymes, and Bonnie Harwayne on the birth of their daughter, sister, and granddaughter, Miriam Rose Harwayne-Hymes. • Gail and William Cohen on the birth of their grandaughter, Bella Eve Schroeder. • Abby, James, and Laurie Oestreich on Abby’s marriage to Daniel Ziluca. • Karen R. Adler for being honored by Moving Traditions at their Bat Mitzvah Coming of Age celebration. • Ricki and David Lieberman for David’s film Magic Camp being accepted at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival in California. • Eitan Lewittes, his parents Avi Lewittes and Lara Prince, and his siblings Daniella and Orly on Eitan becoming a Bar Mitzvah in Chicago. • Joanna Samuels for being honored by Drisha Institute for Jewish Education for her work at Advancing Women Professionals in the Jewish Community. • Rachel Rosenthal on her graduation from Drisha’s Scholar’s Circle. • Dorothy and Jeannette Winter on the naming of their greatgrandniece, Lily Brooke Hoffman.

• Holly Schneier, Sanford Cohen, and their children Joanna and Alexander Cohen on the death of Holly’s mother, Esther Schneier. • Joy Fleisig on the death of her mother, Helen Fleisig. • Diane Glass and her son, Nathaniel, on the death of Diane’s mother, Miriam Glass. • Eli and Ariel Kaminsky on the death of their grandfather, Alvin Kaminsky. • Eva Sax-Bolder, Larry Bolder, and their children Amalia and Anessa on the death of Eva’s father, Kurt Sax. • Fern, Daniel, and Allison Flamberg on the death of Fern’s father, Paul Kestenbaum. • BJ staff member Larissa Wohl on the death of her grandmother, Hindy Wohl.

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• Wendy and Matt Waxman on the birth of their daughter, Rosalie Temma. • Rabbi David Vaisberg, Miriam Palmer-Sherman, Joanne Palmer, and Andrew Sherman on David’s ordination from HUC. • Rabbi Leora Frankel, Andrew Sage, Miriam Sage, Jules, Susan, and David Frankel on Leora’s ordination from HUC. • Cantor Julia Katz, Children’s Service Leader, on her ordination from HUC. • Charlotte Rashti and Richard Cooper on the naming of their daughters, Felicia Hanna and Abigail Sara. • Judy, Allan, and Belinda Lasky and Alissa and David Rogers on the birth of their grandson and nephew and son, Jacob David Rogers.

• Anne Kohn and Chuck Gold for being honored by Beit Rabban Day School at their annual benefit. • Katja Goldman and Michael Sonnenfeldt on being honored at The JCC in Manhattan Annual Benefit. • BJ staff member Jacob Shemkovitz on his wedding to Allison Holtman. • Amy Levine Murray and Jerry Kohn on their marriage. • BJ Rabbinic Fellow Adam Roffman on his marriage to Shira Wallach. • Susan and Jules Frankel, Leora Frankel, Andrew Sage, Miriam Sage, and David Frankel on David’s marriage to Donielle Lavintman.

synagogue: 257 W. 88th St. • office: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • tel : 212.787.7600 • fax : 212.496.7600 • website : www.bj.org

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 530 New York, NY

2109 Broadway (Ansonia) • Suite 203 • New York, NY 10023

new voIce • KOL HADASH . YNAGOGUE: S 257 West 88th Street OFFICES: 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), #203 Main Telephone Number 212-787-7600 Fax Number (2109 Broadway) 212-496-7600 Website www.bj.org Rabbis: J. Rolando Matalon Marcelo R. Bronstein Felicia L. Sol Hazzan and Music Director: Ari Priven

Committees & Services: Accounts Payable........................227 Accounts Receivable...................237 Adult Education Information..... 233 Bar/Bat Mitzvah..........................223 Bikkur Holim...............................233 BJ Reads.....................................391 Communications.........................275 Community Programs................255 Conversion..................................261 Daily Minyan................................232 Development & Donation Information.........228

88th Street Rental.......................255 Family Activities: Hotline............318 Hakhnasat Orhim........................255 Havurot.......................................255 Hevra Kadisha . ......................... 233 Homeless Shelter......212-339-4250 Interfaith Committee ................ 379 Kiddush Scheduling....................255 Kol Jeshurun...............................275 Kol Hadash..................................275 Life Cycles...................................233 Lunch Program...........................338 Mekusharim................................224

Membership Information............224 Ralph Bunche School Partnership........................... 301 Social Action...............................259 Teen Programming.....................253 Torah/Haftarah Reading.............232 Tze’irim ..................................... 250 Ushering.....................................233 Visiting Groups............................250 Volunteer Information................255 Youth & Family Education..........225

Director of Events: Guy Felixbrodt, x255

Board of Trustees: Jeannie Blausteinº President

Debbie Lerner Henry Meer Bernie Plum Jack Stern Judith Trachtenberg Emily Weiss Anna Winderbaum Michael Yoeli

Director of Development: Lisa Steinberg, x228 Director of Communications: Denise Waxman, x275

BJ Rabbinic Fellows: Jonah Geffen, x262 Adam Roffman, x261

Chief Financial Officer: Alyce Gunn, x226

Cantorial Intern and Teen Educator: Shoshi Rosenbaum, x242

Director of Facilities: Roma Serdtse, x258

Executive Director: Steve Goldberg, x266

Assistant to Rabbi Matalon and Executive Director Steve Goldberg: Monique Rucker, x234

Assistant Executive Director: Belinda Lasky, x224 Director of Education for Youth and Family: Ivy Schreiber, x225 Director of Social Action/ Social Justice: Channa Camins, x259

JULY/AUGUST 2012

Assistant to Rabbi Bronstein and Hazzan Priven: Naomi Goodhart, x240 Assistant to Rabbi Sol: Sarah Guthartz, x233

Jonathan Adelsbergº Chair Sally Gottesmanº Vice President Joel Kazisº Vice President Robert Buxbaumº Vice President Irv Rosenthalº Treasurer Andrew Littº Secretary Katie Boyar Anne Ebersman Nancy Freireich Moshe Horn Sofia Hubscher Franklin Kern

Honorary Trustees Virginia Bayer* Ted Becker* Frederic Goldstein Marcy Grau* David Hirsch* Richard Janvey* Robert Kanter Joan Kaplan Susan Kippur* Sara Moore Litt* Naomi Meyer Judith Stern Peck* Stephen Stulman General Counsel Richard Kalikow º Executive Committee Member * Past President