Shofar Jewish Family Congregation December 2012/January 2013 www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
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From the Rabbi’s Desk Last fall, a small group of concerned members of our community began to meet to discuss the issue of domestic violence in this area. The matter was raised by a recent victim herself, and by some others in response to the triple murder-suicide that took place just before the blizzard of October 2011. The membership of the group consists of local clergy, the victim who got the ball rolling, representatives of the local police forces in the area, and domestic violence professionals from various agencies. We have met approximately once a month since then (except over the summer), and have planned some training events.
for the Reform movement. Other clergy from various Christian denominations, and another rabbi also spoke, and it emerged that in some churches and synagogues, there is a real inclination to discount the report of a victim, and to encourage her (the victim is usually a woman) to return to her husband (usually the abuser) in pursuit of what our tradition calls shalom bayit, peace in the home. Victims can be made to feel responsible for the violence, and shamed by their experience.
We are planning a training program for local clergy, which will be hosted here at JFC in January. In preparation, we recently watched a film made years ago to showcase the response to domestic violence from various faith traditions; the late Rabbi Julie Spitzer, who wrote her rabbinic thesis on this subject, spoke
can reach a clergy person right away if they choose to do so; we know that our role is simply to be supportive and to help get the victim the services she needs. We will have a list of local resources, with names and phone numbers, to help her in the imme-
The victim (whose privacy must be protected) who got the ball rolling by discussing with her clergy what had happened to her, reports that the local police The statistics from one of the towns around here were wonderful in their response to her, validating show that more incidents are being reported every her experience and helping her to deal with it. But it year, more of these involve weapons, and more of was not until she participated in a group for victims them involve calls to Child Protective Services as well. like herself that she came to understand what had It is a fact as well as conventional wisdom that in happened, and that she is certainly not alone. tough economic times, people seem less able to con- Our current goal is to establish a clergy on-call rotatain their emotions, and so it is quite scary to note tion, which will be provided to the local police offices that many of the incidents reported involve weapons. and to the domestic violence agencies, so that victims
From the Rabbi’s Desk Service Schedule Notes from the Editor High Holy Day Appeal Youth Group HHD Services Sukkah Setter-Uppers 7th Grade Food Drive Yom Kippur/President Early Childhood Center
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Kids Ask the Rabbi The Ritual Committee Support-A-Walk The Religious School Summer Camp Pix JFC Sisterhood Social Action Committee 2012 Confirmands Ask the Rabbi
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Page 2 Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road P.O. Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590 Phone: (914) 763-3028 Fax: (914) 763-3069 e-mail: jfc@bestweb.net
jewishfamilycongregation.org
Rabbi Carla Freedman jfc@bestweb.net Cantor Kerry Ben-David cantorbd@aol.com School Director Leslie Gottlieb lesliejo0312@gmail.com Early Childhood Center Director Jane Weil Emmer jfceccenter@gmail.com Temple Administrator Jolie Levy jfcoffc@gmail.com Board Of Trustees Polly Schnell, President 914-764-0321; Richard Mishkin, Vice President; Elisa Zuckerberg, Vice President; Hal Wolkin, Chief Financial Officer; Glenn Kurlander, Secretary; Robyn Cohen Michael Gitlitz Ken Levinsohn Robi Margolis Patterson Shafer Paul Storfer Suzanne Sunday Bonnie Wattles Richard Weiser and Jeanette Sanders, Past President Shofar Editor Jolie Levy Shofar Printer Copy Stop Royal Press
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
From the Rabbi’s Desk (cont’d) Victims Assistance Services, a diate situation, and for the longer term, Westchester government agency, has as she copes with this crisis in her life. several offices in the county, a 24-hour Meanwhile, please know that there are hot line (1-855-827-2255), and many wonderful resources in our area for vic- other services to offer. And Hope’s Door has both residential and nontims of domestic violence, and I can residential programs for victims of doprovide information to anyone who mestic violence. needs it. As in so many other situations, early intervention can make a big The first step, however, is recognizing difference to the victim, the abuser and that this scourge is present in our comtheir children, too. munities. If you didn’t know that before, you do now! (Continued from page1)
The JFC Men’s Club On October 30th, JFC's reinvigorated Men's Group held its first event hosted at Restaurant 123 in Vista. A group of us got to know each other over good food and conversations ranging from politics and health care to our families and JFC. We explored lots of possibilities for future Mens’s Group events designed to appeal to all. Throughout the year we plan on attending a local sports game (Boulders, Bluefish, Army, etc.), holding roundtables, hosting fun activities and helping JFC with social action and other activities as suggested by participants. JFC’s Men’s Group invites you to a special Bowling Event on January 24 at 7 pm at Spins Bowl in Mount Kisco. We’ll get together and bowl at this new and very cool venue located where Grand Prix is (333 North Bedford Road). About $20 buys you 2 games and shoe rentals and you can purchase any food and drinks they offer. Come hang out with other guys from JFC! We have to reserve lanes, so please RSVP to JFC.
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-- NOTES FROM THE EDITOR -JFC IS CHANGING TO BI-MONTHLY ISSUES OF THE JFC SHOFAR as follows: Dec/Jan; Feb/Mar; Apr/May; June/July; Aug/Sept; and Oct/Nov. Each issue will be in your hands by the first day of the first month, with the exception of Dec/Jan. You will have this one in your mailboxes by the end of next week.
IN THIS ISSUE… YOU WILL NO LONGER FIND a calendar on the back page. JFC has switched to an active, on-line calendar. You may view it on our website at any time, and it will always be current. YOU WILL NO LONGER FIND our Oneg hosts listed in the Shofar. Oneg hosts will be posted on our website under the corresponding Friday night. Please see page 5 for more information. YOU WILL NOT FIND recent donations made to JFC. The High Holy Day appeal donations are still coming in, and we’d like to list them all together. Watch for them in the next Shofar!
WHAT’S NEW AT JFC: WE HAVE A NEW OFFICE ASSISTANT/BOOKKEEPER—CAROL WAKEMAN! Please introduce yourself the next time you call or visit JFC. Carol hours are: Mondays/Wednesdays: 9:30—2:30 Tuedays/Fridays: 8:00—1:00 PLEASE JOIN US IN WELCOMING CAROL TO OUR FAMILY! Don’t forget we are now potable — you may drink from any of our faucets. Feel free to fill your water bottles as well! We will slowly be removing the water coolers. Our front steps were redone! We now have nice, new bluestone! We have been doing some redecorating in our entryway. You may find the Midnight Run bins underneath the tablecloth. Thank you for all of your contributions.
SISTERHOOD BOOK CLUB:
“Moloka’i,” by Alan Brennert JAN. 16
BLOOD AND BONE MARROW DRIVE: JANUARY 20 12:00-6:00
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
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JANUARY SERVICE SCHEDULE Friday, Jan 4/ Tevet 23
6:30-7:15 pm
Shabbat Service for Very Young Children
Saturday, Jan 5
10:00 am
Shabbat Morning Service
11:00 am
Lunch n Learn
7:30 pm
Parshat VaEyrah
Friday, Jan 11/ Shevat 1
4th Grade Service Saturday, Jan 12
10:00 am
Bar Mitzvah of Justin Sobel
Friday, Jan 18/ Shevat 8
7:30 pm
Parshat Bo
Lisa Papernik chants torah Bar Mitzvah of Jonathan Gabor
Saturday, Jan 19
10:00 am
Friday, Jan 25/ Shevat 15
6:00 pm 7:30 pm
Saturday, Jan 26
10:00 am
Shabbat Morning Service
Friday, Feb 1/ Shevat 21
7:30 pm
Parshat Yitro
Tu B’Shvat Seder/Pot Luck dinner*** Parshat B’shallakh Shabbat Shira 6th Grade Service
Congregant Drash Welcome New Members Oneg Saturday, Feb 2
10:00 am
Shabbat Morning Service
*** bring a veggie or dairy dish to share with 6 people….our theme is Middle Eastern, in keeping with the celebration of Tu B’Shvat. JFC will supply the fruits of the Land of Israel. This will be joyful…do come! It’s a seder so there will be 4 cups of wine, of course!
JANUARY YAHRZEITS Nathan Bell Robert Belsky Douglas Birdsall Jeannette Cohen Stephen Crown Ruth Davis
Joseph Elias Helene Fuchs Julius Fuchs Theodore Garfiel Zelda Jacobs Helene Kutscher
Bernard Raider Paul Reimer Gerda Simon Louis Steinhorn Arnold Treitman Helen Worster
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
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The President’s Message by Polly Schnell
Dear JFC Family:
Rock Shabbats, and most recently, our packed-house Chanukah wrap and celebration (where not a single The Board recently gave the Congregation a detailed latke was spared). If you have not come recently, I picture of our status, in both financial and nonfinanwelcome you to join us and see what other members cial terms, including our ongoing search for a new of our JFC family have discovered -- a warm, welcomrabbi. Since then, the Rabbinic Search Committee has ing and joyful Jewish family, celebrating our cultural identified a third candidate for on-site interviews and religious connection. Celebrating each other. which took place the week of December 3. You will hear more about your key role in this rabbinic search And so I want to thank all of the people who so genprocess in January. Putting all of this important work erously give their time and energy -- so many of our to the side, I want to share with you some of my per- congregants -- for all that you are doing. Everyone sonal thoughts about where we are and where I hope who, working together, is helping to confront our and believe we are headed. challenges and make sure JFC flourishes and thrives. Everyone who is making JFC the warm and welcoming I won’t minimize our challenges. There are many. place we all want it to be. And I want to encourage What I want to share with you is my strong sense of a those of you on the sidelines to jump in when you see newly re-energized spirit around JFC these days. It is your moment. Over the past few months, not a day exciting and infectious. It is coming from new memgoes by (just about) without somebody who has long bers and established ones. You even see it in nonbeen in the shadows of JFC stepping up to bring their members as was evident from the Lady's Bazaar that various strengths to the JFC table. Finally, I want to was spearheaded by several women who do not even recognize those of you who just simply show up and belong to JFC. I feel like you cannot even make your partake in all that JFC has to offer; to ensure a strong way through the temple lobby these days, between and continuing Jewish communal presence in this latka sales, bake sales, challah distribution, sheckel beautiful neck of the Westchester/Fairfield County shop, holiday gifts, hordes of children running about, woods that make up our common home; to share in adults connecting . . . . And it is a good thing. A great the solace and comfort in difficult times and the joy in thing. JFC is the place to be. An extended home. A happy times; to make JFC the place where we can Jewish home. A Jewish family. give back to our community and together engage in It resonates in the Sisterhood, bursting at the seams Tikkun Olam (repairing our world), while strengthenwith new members and events; the newly rejuvenat- ing our bonds with one another. ed Men’s Club; those working so hard on upcoming We are on a path to strengthening JFC. It is a path we fund-raising events such as Comedy Night and a are taking, as described in our prayer book (when Spring Gala; your generous support of our High Holy searching for the Promised Land), by "joining hands Day appeal; the hard and dedicated work of my Board marching together." Thank you for joining hands and colleagues; and the vibrant participation in our evermarching together for JFC. I hope you had a happy expanding catalogue of committees like Social Action, Chanukah and wish you and your family a very happy Ritual, Membership, Marketing, Nominating, Search, and healthy 2013. Financial Planning, Fund-Raising, Religious School, and more. Warmly, The excitement and enthusiasm is also evident in the growing numbers who are attending our warm and meaningful Shabbat evening services, our special Shabbat dinners and New Member Shabbats, our
Polly Polly F. Schnell
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Kids Ask the Rabbi Question: We are learning the Hebrew letters and vowels in Religious School. But I got confused because our book says that the two dots (ed: the two horizontal dots, called the “tzairai” , usually pronounced “ai” as in “able”) make the same sound as the three dots (ed: three dots configured like the
pawn shop sign, called the “segol”, usually pronounced “eh” as in”egg”). Which is right? Answer: Unfortunately, both are right.
In fact, the difference in pronunciation that you mention is accurate. And as long as Hebrew was not a language used in active daily life… from about 586 BCE till the late 1800s CE…it wasn’t hard to preserve the difference in the pronunciation of the two vowels. But since 1881, Hebrew has been revived as a spoken language in daily use, and as you know, it is the language of the modern State of Israel. When a language is in active use, its speakers tend to smooth over some of the internal distinctions, just to make it easier to say. If you think of a language as a series of hills and valleys, you can understand that it is easier to cross the land if you smooth out the hills and valleys and make it all flat. And that’s what native speakers of a language tend, over time, and without planning, to do. So if you listen to Israelis speaking Hebrew, you will certainly notice that they speak very fast (which can make it hard for an American student to understand), and you will also notice that they tend to smooth out some of those hills and valleys. They will pronounce the word saifer (book) as sefer.. They pronounce sheva esrai as shva ‘srai. There are many examples of this business of smoothing out the sound of the language, a product of the language being in active use.
Many thanks to Gossett Nursery for donating so many beautiful flowers and plants for our High Holy Days!
And that makes it difficult for us to teach to you. Should we teach you the traditional distinctions, so that you will learn the “correct” pronunciation, or should we equip you to understand the way the language is spoken in actual use? Clearly, we are trying to do both. That might make for some confusion as you are learning, but when you go to Israel and hear Hebrew around you, you will appreciate our effort to cover both the traditional approach and the modern language in actual use. Hang in…it will get less confusing as you advance in your Hebrew studies!
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JFC ONEGS NEED YOUR HELP ALL JFC MEMBERS: Oneg Shabbat (literally “Joy of Sabbath”) is a wonderful and welcoming weekly tradition at JFC. After enjoying a Friday evening service, we get together in our temple’s Oneg Room to nosh and catch up with congregation friends. Each Oneg is to be hosted by two congregation members/families, and that’s where we’ve been having difficulties lately. EACH MEMBER IS ASKED TO HOST ONE ONEG SHABBAT WHEN YOUR LAST NAME COMES UP ON OUR ROTATING ALPHABETICAL LIST (roughly every 18-24 months). We try to give you as much notice as we can but have found that more than a few months is too much. For the past several months, many of our oneg hosts have been unavailable. This leaves those attending Friday night services without the benefit of the “Joy of Sabbath” after the service. PLEASE REMEMBER that oneg hosts are to find their own replacements if they are unavailable. We’d like to help with this as much as we can. February 1, 2013, JFC will list the last names of the oneg hosts on the website calendar. If you are unsure when your oneg is, you may simply check the calendar. If you are unavailable, you will be able to look ahead and see who is scheduled in the future and may be able to switch with you. PLEASE BE SURE TO LET THE OFFICE KNOW IF A CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE SO THE CALENDAR MAY BE UPDATED. The Board Host will also be available to help. Information about the things you’ll need to do to co-host the Oneg is also on our website. It’s really quite easy, and you’ll have help: At 7 p.m., the JFC Board-Member-of-the-Month will meet you at the temple to help you set up. At 7:30 p.m., you’ll be asked to light candles in the sanctuary at the start of services. About 9:30 p.m. (when the Oneg typically ends), you and the Board-Member-of-the-Month will tidy up (which takes about 15 minutes), and the Board Member will lock the building for the night. That’s it! It’s simple and fun, and takes relatively little time to do. And most importantly, your involvement helps continue a JFC tradition we can all enjoy—one of many that fosters the warmth and sense of community our congregation offers. If you have questions about hosting an Oneg, please call the JFC Office at 914-763-3028 or ask one of the Board members. We will be happy to help you. In advance of your participation, thanks for your effort! PLEASE HELP MAKE SURE THIS WONDERFUL JFC TRADITION IS NOT LOST.
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JFC Religious School Kids Knesset collects soup and beans for the Katonah Community Center of Northern Westchester at our Walk of Hope event held in November.
Todah Rabbah From The Religious School to… The Class Parents for helping to organize the Chanukah parties in December The Religious School Committee and Carrie Kane for their ongoing support Karen and Andrew Blum for shopping for the school The Kids Knesset and their families for The Walk of Hope event and the delivery of the food to the Katonah Community Center of Northern Westchester
January 6 is Pajama-Bagel Day! Wear your PJ’s to Religious School!
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The Religious School Leslie Gottlieb, Director
Thirteen years ago – an age meaningful to all Jews but ple, and controlling differences in subjects’ backjust a coincidence here—Charles Bronfman and Migrounds and amount of Jewish education. Also it chael Steinhardt, generous Jewish philanthropists, seems that according to the research, Birthright parbegan the Birthright program that has touched the lives of over 200,000 North Americans. Now they have added to their historic commitment by helping to finance research to determine how the lives of the participating Jews have been impacted by the Birthright experience. As a parent who has seen two of three children visit Israel, one through a NFTY month-long program and one through a Birthright trip this past summer (sadly one of our kids just “aged-out” of the opportunity but hopes to go on his own), I am more than pleased that there are so many opportunities for young Jews to have this life-altering experience. But the question ticipants are delaying marriage to wait to meet a suitbegs… how does this experience change lives? The able Jewish partner or someone who would consider research is enlightening. conversion. “The reasons for Birthright’s impact remain unclear, although there are plenty of hypotheses circulating, relating to the power of an immersive ‘bubble’ experience and the friendships and social networks it fosters.” Interestingly, the URJ Eisner/Crane Lake campers use the same word, “bubble” to describe the world in which they live during summers spent at these and The research-- presented in The Jewish Week last other Jewish sleep-away summer camp programs. month—is from Brandeis University’s Cohen Center For some, this word “bubble” connotes a negative for Modern Jewish Studies and it is part of a larger insular vibe but the kids who describe it smile ear to three part research initiative. The interviews involved ear in doing so. There is a sense of community and 2,000 people and it compared those who are Birthsafety and love in this bubble—and a lot of tradition right alumni to those who applied but never made and ruach!! the trip (between the years 2001-2006). Those who I observed two Shabbat services at Eisner Camp this attended are… summer and will confess that it was an incredible ex 45 percent more likely to be married to someone perience. If we could turn the JFC Religious School Jewish, whether by birth or conversion (however, into a summer camp (something the Rabbi affectiononly 35% are married so far); ately accuses me of trying to do with our current pro 42% more likely to feel “very much” connected to gram in terms of having fun), this is the kind of place Israel; it would be. We are doing our best with our limited 23% more likely to view raising future children as exposure to the Religious School population-- one Jews as “very important”; that meets only once a week-- to infuse it with mean 22% more likely to indicate that they are at least ingful fun programming; as a former camp director “somewhat confident” in explaining the current this is a wonderful way for me to integrate education situation in Israel. with memory-building activities that will, with hope, According to the newspaper, the team of researchers create lifelong, engaged Jewish participants. “has been careful not to overstate Birthright’s impact: (Continued on page 14) limiting research to non-Orthodox subjects, for exam-
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The Religious School (cont’d) (Continued from page 13)
At one of those services I had the opportunity to meet and listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the URJ movement. I specifically use the word “movement” here because it suggests fluidity and transformation. His leadership so far, to me, makes Reform Judaism a living breathing thing. (You can get to know him if you go to the URJ website and listen to the posted conference call he led after returning from his trip to Israel during the latest crisis with Gaza.) For young adult Jews I feel he is an especially good role model and leader. Like those who are positively affected by the Birthright experience, those young adults who have met Rabbi Jacobs have expressed how much his enthusiasm brings to their lives. JFC has seen so many of its students go on to Birthright trips (Ellen Conti is off to Israel at the end of December!!) and it is always great to get reports back
long-gone from our school are going to find a way to connect to the holiday whether it’s with friends or family. Birthright trips, Jewish summer camps and Jewish congregational schools… all help to bring Judaism to life but it is when our kids get older (and here
research is still needed on the overall impact of all of those programs) that we learn whether it all reso-
from our kids who spent all of their lives as students at JFC learning about Israel. (Photos have been included here from Zachary Gottlieb’s recent trip because… well, those were the easiest to secure on short nonates. I’d like to think the Religious School impacts tice.) We hope all of young Jews, ages 18-26 will take our population for a lifetime. this terrific opportunity to go before the program changes or runs out of funding (not a current prediction, but you never know). At this season of the year as we celebrate Chanukah, I am hopeful that all of those JFC students who are
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The JFC Sisterhood by Cindy Carson The new Sisterhood has been abuzz with activity for JFC women and their friends - planning fundraisers, dinners and upcoming fun events. Speaking of buzz, our very first New Year’s honey sale was a huge fundraising success. With a little help from the beekeepers at Salinger’s Farm in Brewster, our JFC families were able to sweeten their holiday traditions even more, knowing their honey purchases also helped JFC. Happy Hanukkah! Continuing our drive to feed our Jewish bodies while doing good for JFC’s soul, the Sisterhood lined up Fairway latkes and applesauce for those of us who believe “Why fry when you can buy?” to nourish our holiday crowds. Yum! The Sisterhood Book Club is in full swing, with each of our three gatherings well attended. We’ve already read some great books - The Lost Wife by Allyson Richman, Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman and The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson. Our next page-turner is the historical novel “Moloka’i,” by Alan Brennert. Set in 19 th century Hawai'i, Brennert tells an extraordinary tale of a little-known time and place, while offering a deeply moving tribute to the resiliency of the human spirit. We hope to see you at Nicole Rose’s home on January 16 to discuss it. Our 1st Annual Membership Dinner on October 21st was a truly memorable occasion. Nicole Rose and Dina Rizant transformed the JFC sanctuary into an elegant four-star venue, thanks to their creative decorating skills. The Cutting Board in Ridgefield provided a gourmet feast, while our members brought the delectable desserts. It was a wonderful night connecting with new and old friends; we are very grateful to all who attended. THE SUCCESS OF THE SISTERHOOD DEPENDS ON YOU! Please become a member - it’s a great way to make friends and share good times, while supporting our JFC community. Just drop off your $36 membership fee to Jolie in the office and fill out our form. Cindy Carson Nicole Rose Linda Lederman Dina Zusel Ellen Goldstein Susan Greenberg-Shapiro
cindyfcarson@gmail.com rosetimes4@sbcglobal.net Lynled@aol.com drizant@hotmail.com ellenshurak@yahoo.com smgree@yahoo.com
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by
P
k d Bac eman D ar l u op “Bring
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
A Parent To Religious School”
Use the ticket below for…ONE parent !!!
*per Religious School child enrolled in our 4th-6th Grade program
Sunday, January 27th 9 AM- Noon There will be a bake sale in the lobby or you may bring your own healthy snack (snacks with no nuts, please). Very few extra chairs/space available… so bring a pillow or just enjoy the extreme coziness of the carpet!
Special Schedule for January 27th Ask your child to fill in this form for you. Class I- 9 AM-10:00 AM_________________________________ Snack Break- 10:00-10:20 AM (location)_________________________________ Class II- 10:20-11:30 AM_________________________________ Assembly in sanctuary- 11:30-12:00 PM
No rsvp necessary.
Ticket of Admission to JFC’s
“Bring A Parent To Religious School” This ticket of admission is good for …ONE parent !!! *per Religious School child enrolled in our 4th-6th Grade program
Sunday, January 27th from 9 AM- Noon
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ASK THE RABBI Question: In the congregation I was part of as a kid, the Oneg Shabbat was provided by a caterer, and the congregants were “taxed” to pay for the food and the services of a person who set up and then cleaned up afterward. Why doesn’t JFC operate this way?
more fun than the caterer approach. The parents of Bnai Mitzvah students host the Friday evenings for each other, so that takes a number of weeks off the list that other congregants are needed for. In addition, the parents of each Religious School grade host Answer: This is the system in some congregations, to the Oneg Shabbat after their children’s presentation, so that takes another six or seven dates off the list. be sure. But wherever I have encountered it, I have always felt that the table looked sparse and very un- So your name doesn’t come up all that often. interesting. Week after week, you’d see the same I hope that when it does, you will feel pleased to help cookies and cheese slices and cut fruit. There was out your congregation and to enable JFC to show its something sterile and unwelcoming about the experi- warm and welcoming style to guests and visitors, by ence of attending such an oneg, every time I have putting a bit of effort into what you serve and how done so. you stage it. The approach here at JFC (and also other congregations, of course) is to expect members to host an Oneg Shabbat on a rotational basis. We provide a suggested list of the kind of things people seem to enjoy after a service, and we provide the paper goods and plastic utensils needed, to make clean-up easy. We encourage people to make the table festive, and to offer food nicely displayed, just as they would at home. We think that hosting an Oneg Shabbat is an opportunity for members to meet other congregants, and it affords people the opportunity to exercise their hospitality skills. When I was a congregant, before I went to rabbinical school, we hosted the after-service food as we do here, and in those days, we mostly made things ourselves at home. Today, that is very unrealistic, and no one objects to store-bought goodies, as long as they are attractively presented. When I first came here 16 years ago, it was quite common to see bagels and spreads as the main offering at the Oneg Shabbat. But over time, people have stopped eating bagels after 9 pm, and seem happier with some sweets, cheese and crackers, hummus and pita, fresh and/or dried fruit, maybe some chips or popcorn; and, oh, yes…chocolate is always a big hit. We used to have coffee served every week, but people weren’t drinking that either, and so now we see juices and seltzer, most weeks. The idea of hosting an Oneg Shabbat is to make the experience more personal, more interesting and
Why do we ask you to do all this? Because JFC, like our building, is not institutional in flavour. It is part of the culture of this congregation to be more intimate and more engaging. And our people make that happen. Keep in mind that “Oneg Shabbat” means the delight of the Sabbath….and tempting foods are certainly a meaningful interpretation of that phrase.
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Don che ’t for g ck out et to s It k t eep he JF top in s ch C Gi and If y f t a o n S pur gin hop cha u are g ! … .! let sing intere an the s JFC ythin ted in g Off ice , plea se kno w.
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
JiFTY
By Jessica Sheptin, Communications VP Hello my fellow readers! I hope you are staying warm on these cold winter days! Our youth group has been very busy these last few months. We’ve been raising tzedakah money, planning for our Hanukkah Party, and ordering t-shirts for all our youth group members. Our tzedakah money will go to an organization called Friends of Karen. This organization helps families who have children that have life-threatening illnesses. They provide financial aid, emotional support, and advocacy support. Our tzedakah will help Friends of Karen provide support to these families that have a child who is critically ill. On December 13, 2012, we will have our Hanukkah party! The Youth Group Chanukah party will feature: candle lighting, singing, enjoying Chanukah treats including latkes from The Sisterhood fundraiser... and a contest that includes teams trying to best decorate Sam Blum (Ritual & Cultural VP) into a human dreidel!! Youth Group 8-12 th graders and JFC grads welcome Grade 7 for all the fun!! Lastly, Sam Fischer, Andrew Blum, and I (Jessica Sheptin) planned brand new JiFTY t-shirts! We went through many designs and decided upon the drawing below. Be on the lookout for 27 of these amazing t-shirts! Happy Hanukkah and have a great New Year! -Jessica Sheptin, CVP
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December 2012/January 2013
The Ritual Committee Michael Salpeter, Chairman
Tu B’Shvat. Perhaps you have never heard of it. Perhaps you have heard of it but do not know its significance. Perhaps you know everything there is to be known about it. Regardless of which category you fit into, this year at JFC you will get the opportunity to learn about it first-hand. To start, it is a festival which gets its name from its occurrence on the 15th day of the month Shvat, the number 15 in Hebrew consisting of the letters tet vav. It is mentioned in the Mishnah as one of the four “new years” and it was the start of the cycle for tithing, as the fruits grown from that day forward were counted for the following year’s tithe. In recent times, it is recognized as an arbor day and traditionally trees are planted on this date. One of the more interesting traditions of Tu B’Shvat was begun by Rabbi Isaac Luria, the famous kabbalist, in Tzvat in northern Israel during the 17th century. He developed a Seder for this festival which has some similarities to the Passover Seder. No, there is no matzah eaten, nor is there any maror or charoset. There is however an abundance of different fruits and the drinking of four cups of wine. Types of fruits which are traditionally eaten fit into specific categories as follows:
Fruits with seeds on the outside, such as strawberries Fruits that have edible flesh but inedible skin, such as oranges and mangoes Fruits which have edible skin and flesh, such as dates, figs, apricots and peaches Fruits which have only edible seeds, such as pomegranates. Typically many of these fruits are eaten in their dried form. The cups of wine possess an interesting variation not seen during any other festival. The first cup consists entirely of white wine, symbolizing the winter. The second is mostly white wine with just a touch of red wine added in to symbolize spring. The third is mostly red wine with just a touch of white wine to symbolize summer, and the fourth is entirely red wine to symbolize the fall. This year at JFC, the Rabbi and the Ritual Committee have decided to conduct a Tu B’Shvat service and Seder on January 25, 2013. This will be preceded by a pot-luck Shabbat dinner at 6 PM with Israeli foods as the theme. You are encouraged to bring a dairy or vegetarian dish to share with six people, and enjoy food, the company of other congregants and songs. In addition, you might want to make a donation to the JNF to fund the planting of trees in Israel, or you may want to plant a tree in your own neighborhood yourself. I hope I will see you at our celebration of this joyous festival.
CHOIR If you would like to join the choir, or for more information, please contact Kathy Storfer at kstorfer@aol.com We welcome all adults -- 13 or older!
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
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Don’t forget: Each time you shop at DeCicco’s, just tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC gets a rebate from your purchase. It’s that easy! (You may still use your DeCicco’s card.)
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So here’s how it works... AB is giving the ladies of JFC 2 complimentary mini services (yes free!) for our special evening. Their expectation is that we all purchase a gift card to either use for ourselves or gift to someone. In addition, 15% of the amount of the gift cards, will be given back to JFC Sisterhood. This is a pretty awesome deal!! Please join us for a fabulous night of pampering, fun foods and drinks! Call AB asap to book your appoint-ment. (203) 431-3994. RSVP: Dina Zusel (drizant@hotmail. com) to let us know you’re coming and whether you want to bring an appetizer or dessert.
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
Jewish Family Congregation Early Childhood Center Where Family is our middle name
THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM! Please visit our website at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
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Mother-Daughter Weekend for Moms and their Daughters in Grades 5-12 January 11-13, 2013 NOW OPEN TO CHILDREN IN GRADES 5-12 Scholar-in-Residence: Mara Yacobi The “Mother Daughter Weekend” is a unique opportunity for the women in your family to spend time away together, celebrating the bonds between mothers, daughters and even grandmothers. Experience a spirited Shabbat celebration including a rousing song session and Israeli dancing. Weather permitting, we’ll be outside hiking and challenging ourselves on our ropes course. We’ll roll up our sleeves for crafts and cooking and enjoy workshops led by Mara Yacobi, founder and director of JLove and Values, Bringing Jewish Values to Sexuality Education. Mara is a Youth Development Specialist and a leader in the field of adolescent sexuality and relationships, offering workshops that guide Jewish teens to make healthy choices based on Jewish values. Mara will lead sessions with moms, with girls, and with both together. The Mother-Daughter and Father-Son Weekends are $350 for 1 parent and 1 or 2 children. Additional adults attendees are $100 per person. A 3rd child or more is also $100 per person.
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
JFC Social Action Committee As you have heard, we needed to cancel the Blood Drive in November, due to the power/water outage in the JFC building. We have rescheduled the Blood Drive for Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. This is a very important community service and we want to make sure that we can collect as many pints of blood as possible, to save lives. We need volunteers to put in a few hours with a variety of tasks -- to make phone calls to past donors to remind them or to schedule appointments, to put up posters in neighboring areas, and on the day of the Drive. Also, if there is a B'nai Mitzvah student who would like to participate to use it as a Mitzvah project, they can plan with us to help with publicity, perhaps making calls to make appointments, and on the day of
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by Debbie Lavin the drive. Contact Debbie Lavin. You can now schedule your blood donation appointment ON-LINE. Watch for an email with the link very soon. If you can register your appointment online, we will have a better sense of whom we need to call to remind. Thank you in advance to donating your blood and/or your hour or two of time.
Want to help?
Contact Debbie Lavin debbielav@aol.com 914-232-0756 Dec. 15 Midnight Run We gave out food and clothing to about 80 homeless at four primary sites plus Penn Station at the end. Thanks to all the families who went on the run for making bag dinners plus Polly Schnell's family (list the kids please!) and Melissa Goodstein who made 8 gallons of yummy lentil and vegetable soup. Debbie and Mark Lavin helped organize the run and launch the group off on their journey.
Sobel family: Jennifer, Jonathan, Justin and older sisters Ashley and Katelyn (special extra thanks for picking up the Midnight Run van in Dobbs Ferry before the run); Shafer family: Patterson, Sierra, Aspen, Skylar and Lydia Strong and Cameron Calia (Sierra's friends); Cohen family: Adam and Aaron and older sister Reyna; Ally Andrade
A bunch of our terrific JFC kids were inducted into the National Honor Society last month at John Jay High School: Zander Bolgar ♦ Sam Ceisler ♦ Reyna Cohen Jeremy Fischer ♦ Philip Levens ♦ Katelynn Sobel JFC’s Jess Sheptin did a great job leading the ceremony as a 12th grade Honor Society member.
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
December 2012/January 2013
Religious School New Tzedakah Program for 2012-13 All classes/grades have chosen specific charities to support. Take a look!!!
Grades K/1
Grade 2E Somers
Grade 2R
Grade 3R Thanksgiving Drive
Grade 3L
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Grade 4- all Grade 5- all
Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue
Grade 6- all Clothing Drive
Grade7
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Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Rd/Rte. 123 P.O. Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590
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