December 2014 Shofar - Kislev/Tevet 5775

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Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

December Shabbat Service Schedule Shabbat Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4 – 36:43 December 5 7:30 pm

Human Rights Shabbat

Free Babysitting December 6 Fireman Tom visits the ECC.

10:30 am

Shabbat services

Shabbat Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 December 12 7:30 pm

JFC visits Temple Shearith

Israel in Ridgefield, CT December 13 10:30 am

Shabbat services

Shabbat Miketz, Genesis 41:1 – 44:17 Young Community Shabbat is a great success! Join us Fridays at 11:30 am.

December 19 7:30 pm

Shabbat services

Free Babysitting December 20 10:30 am

Shabbat services

Shabbat Vayigash, Genesis 44:18 -47:27 December 26 7:30 pm

Shabbat services

Youth Group enjoying a Thursday night at JFC.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

From the Rabbi’s Desk When Cantor Ben-David and I plan Shabbat and holiday services for JFC, we hope that being together and experience the service will transform all who worship with us, even for a short while. Using the torah portion of the week, an upcoming holiday, or events in Jewish history past and present, we try to make a connection with Jews around the world and with those who came before us. We want the words of our prayers to stay with us when we leave the sanctuary, influencing our thoughts and actions. While at JFC, we hope that all will learn some new aspect of our tradition, a new melody, or a new interpretation of our heritage at each service. Of course, it’s wonderful to gather with old friends and to meet the newer members of our congregation and community. Both of us look forward to the Oneg Shabbat as a time to catch up with members and to meet guests.

The Ritual Committee, Cantor Ben-David, and I have been thinking about new ways to engage our congregation in Shabbat prayer. In the months ahead, you will notice some changes. Hopefully you will be open to new experiences, and I hope that you will share your feedback with the committee, the cantor, and me.

Sometimes the chairs will be arranged in a different way to create a different type of atmosphere. Sometimes the cantor and I will walk into the congregation or even sit and pray with the congregation, rather than from the bima. We will try to incorporate some guided meditations or silence into certain parts of the

service. We will continue to introduce new melodies to the prayers we already know.

Don’t worry -- we are not totally changing the JFC minhag (custom)! Long-time members will still recognize most of the melodies, the structure, and the ruach (spirit) that we feel as a congregation. I do hope that you will be open to experimenting with some rituals and customs that may push the notions of what you typically think happens at JFC. If you have any ideas -- both before and after -- the services, please be in touch. We would love to hear from you.

We hope that these innovations will encourage you to see things from a different perspective, will cause you to change your views and actions after you leave the sanctuary, and will transform your life in a meaningful way. Looking forward to seeing you at Shabbat services soon...

Presidents’ Message--------------Page 3

Ritual Committee---------------- Page 7

Cantor’s Corner--------------------Page 4

Social Action ----------------------Page 8

Religious School-------------------Page 5

Ask The Rabbi-------------------- Page 9

Early Childhood Center-------- Page 6

3 Page Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road P.O.Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590 Phone: (914) 763-3028 Fax: (914) 763-3069

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

From The Presidents

by Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin

As JFC continues to explore the possibility of forming a union with Temple Shearith Israel (TSI), we and the Board of Trustees are committed to keeping JFC congregants informed of the status of the exploration, and to making transparency and candor two of the essential hallmarks of that exploration email: office@jewishfamilycongregation.org website: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org and of our communications. Because, as we’ve emphasized many times, the members of JFC will make the final determination about the path the commu----------------nity will take, it is critically important that we keep you apprised, so that you Rabbi will be able to make an informed decision.

Marcus L. Burstein, D.Min. rabbi@jewishfamilycongregation.org

Cantor Kerry Ben-David cantor@jewishfamilycongregation.org ---------------Director of Education Leslie Gottlieb lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.org Administrator Kathleen Sakowicz ksakowicz@jewishfamilycongregation.org Early Childhood Center Director Jane Weil Emmer jemmer@jewishfamilycongregation.org -------------------Glenn Kurlander Co-President Hal Wolkin Co-President president@jewishfamilycongregation.org Josh Blum, First Vice –President Polly Schnell, Second Vice-President Robyn Cohen, Treasurer Suzanne Sunday, Secretary executive@jewishfamilycongregation.org Karen Conti, Trustee Jon Glass, Trustee Mindy Hoffman, Trustee Robi Margolis, Trustee Paul Storfer, Trustee Bonnie Wattles, Trustee Richard Mishkin, Ex Officio board@jewishfamilycongregation.org Shofar Editor Bryan Wolkin Shofar Printer Copy Stop Royal Press

Here are some of the more important steps we’ve taken thus far, and will take in the next month or so:

- The Board of Trustees has decided to create a number of teams in respect of essential elements of our communal life, such as the religious school, ritual practices, music and identity, together with the functional areas necessary to running a synagogue, such as governance and operations. Some of these teams already have been formed; others are in the process of formation. The goal of each of these teams is first to identify JFC’s values, vision, defining attributes, strengths and weaknesses in the given area. Once a team has completed that effort, it will work with its counterpart team at TSI to assess compatibility and identify what the two synagogues might seek to create together in the respective area if there were to be a union, so that the combination draws on the strengths of each community to build a new, united synagogue that is stronger, more robust, richer and more sustainable than either could be in isolation. Please reach out to one of us or to a Board member if you’re interested in serving on one of these teams. Reflecting the driving importance of the religious school and the extent to which it reflects our identity, the Religious School Team has already held internal meetings and has met with its TSI counterpart. As we write in midNovember, the Ritual Team will be meeting with its TSI counterpart in the next few days.

- The Board is also in process of creating a Steering Committee consisting of a few Board members and a few congregants who are not currently serving on the board, to provide input to the Board in connection with strategic elements relating to the exploration of a union.

TSI is forming a Steering Committee for the same purpose and the two committees will coordinate efforts.

- We have reviewed JFC’s and TSI’s b’nai mitzvah schedules for 2015 and 2016 to identify where conflicts might exist and are working collaboratively with the leadership of TSI to address conflicts so that, if there is to be a union, no child will have to share her or his service with another.

Continued on page 9

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Cantor’s Corner

By Cantor Kerry Ben-David The Many Avenues of Prayer Arriving at my 30th year as an ordained cantor has prompted a time of introspection and a moment to pause and look back at my four years studying at Hebrew Union College and my subsequent 30 years in the cantorate.

For this column, I would like to share a few thoughts on a topic that, even after all of these years of leadership, still challenge me. It is the complex and quite often illusive attempt to create a Shabbat service that addresses the needs of the congregants who choose to come fairly regularly to our temple for a meaningful and satisfying spiritual experience.

There is nothing that I want more than to be able to draw each congregant into a truly relevant musical journey through the amazing liturgy of our Erev Shabbat Service. For, in fact, the music that is selected to “carry” the text forward must fit many parameters. Ideally, it is a familiar melody that has a positive history with the congregant. The key that I select (high or low to accommodate the voices of our members) and the speed of the melody should ideally fit the abilities of the person lifting their voice in prayer. The language (Hebrew or English) can also be an important factor in allowing the melody to actually enhance the meaning of the prayer. The need to offer fresh and interesting new melodies is, for some, but not all, a desirable part of a wellrounded prayer experience. All of these criteria carry significant weight with me when I put forth suggestions for each Friday night service. I have been privileged in recent months to attend services at several Conservative and Reform Congregations. In each instance, I had strong reactions to the avenues of prayer that these congregations seem to prefer.

Since each JFC congregant comes from a very different background and often has very strong preferences based on past experiences, I accept the fact that finding a perfectly balanced service for all is still a work in progress. Perhaps, that is the beauty of prayer: we are each searching for our own avenue. Hopefully, that will bring us to a special place of spiritual refuge and strength. My ongoing job continues to be finding ways to allow the music of our Shabbat service to help each of you move effortlessly on your personal avenue of prayer.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

From the Religious School

By Leslie Gottlieb

is that we are asked to teach some very weighty matters (pun, most definitely intended).

“How much Force power can Yoda put out? What would happen if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light? If every person on Earth aimed a laser pointer at the moon at the same time, would it change color? How long could a nuclear submarine last in orbit?” If these questions sound strange in the context of a synagogue newsletter column, just think for a moment about the kinds of questions our teachers, Cantor and Rabbi answer on a regular basis that are just as surprising. Remember, at the Religious School we are answering questions about history (always subjective according to who is providing the narrative), the universe and its creation (from a scientific and religious perspective)… and so forth.

The questions that led off this article come from a real professor’s experience as he tried to engage his college students studying physics. Randall Munroe is also a “doodler of xkcd” and author of “What If?”-- a book that addresses science questions. To interest his class with respect to the potential energy created when an object is lifted in space-- because acceleration and energy is created when the object falls-- he thought of a better way to introduce the equation since many of his listeners seemed, well, checked out. Thus, the Yoda question was posed by Munroe and he worked through the math using the Star Wars concept to which each student could easily relate.

Professor Munroe often performs to audiences at places such as New York Comic Con alongside William Sanford Nye—also know as Bill Nye the Science Guy. Their approach is to engage audiences, a challenge we face as teachers everywhere. What makes our task at JFC’s Religious School more like that of the professor’s

What is Gd? Where does Gd live? How old is Gd? Is Gd a boy or a girl? Which of the two Creation stories is true? Did Gd write the Bible or was it many writers, a redactor and so on? Why don’t all Jews adhere to The Documentary Hypothesis? Was Ishmael or Issac the son actually being referred to in the Akedah story-also known to Jews as the Binding of Issac? Is there a heaven? Hell? What do we do with books that we no longer need that bear Gd’s name? These are actual questions JFC Religious School students have asked at school services over the years.

I think the point is clear that we have been given more than just the task of teaching Hebrew through prayer for our young charges. Also, don’t forget for a moment that we have young adult teachers who are also faced with these questions that provoke enormous consideration before being answered in an open and nonbinding way. That is a real challenge each and every lesson and you never really know what kind of unusual question will arise from left field—at any given time. As Reform Jews who make choices through education, our answers matter (second intentional pun).

The teachers (and clergy) at the JFC Religious School are truly inspired people who take all of this very seriously. Of that I am certain. The best approach, of course since we are Jews, is to answer questions with a question and so we use that tack to put the responsibility of considering reasonable options back into their court—with a few thoughts relating to the teachings of Judaism tossed in for good measure.

As parents, we are faced with these odd questions from our kids almost as soon as they are able to speak.

At three or four years of age, our oldest son wanted to know—as we drove home from Long Island one evening-- why the moon was following us home? He stared out the car window the entire trip and wanted a real answer. If you think about it, we are helping to create real thinkers and future dreamers when we have these kinds of elevating discussions wherever they occur.

I am grateful to the students who invent these challenging questions and put us on the spot. These Continued on page 9

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

From The Early Childhood Center

by Jane Emmer

Last year Chanukah was very early; some years it is very late… this year it is right on time. We are in school for most of the 8 day festival and we have the opportunity to celebrate with the religious school on Thursday, December 18. We will also celebrate on Friday morning December 19 with a special fun morning activity. It seems that this is not a holiday that is short on family traditions, but I would like to suggest a new tradition to add to your Chanukah this year. This is a project started in California called “The Fifth Night Project.”

The goal of The Fifth Night Project is to encourage Jewish families with preschool age children to set aside the 5th night of CHanukah- to skip the gifts for their children and instead teach them the importance of giving to those in need. Ideally, parents would take their child(ren) to the store to select a toy or book that they think another child would enjoy and donate it to an organization for less fortunate children. It is never too early to introduce the concept of tzedakah.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

From The Ritual Committee

By Michael Salpeter, Chair

Each year on Simchat Torah we begin reading once again from the book of Genesis. Many of us know the interesting stories from this book of the Torah, beginning with the creation and ending with the death of Joseph. In between we meet the familiar personalities of the forefathers and foremothers – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and their children. What comes to mind in the writing of this article happens in just the second parashah of the year – Parshat Noach. Most of us have some knowledge since childhood of the exploits of Noah in saving his family in the face of destruction of all the other inhabitants of the earth.

In addition to reading the literal words of the Torah, over the centuries commentators have written interpretive explanations for gaps that may have appeared in the bible. One such midrash pertains to Parshat Noach, specifically concerning Noah’s wife. Five separate times in this parashah Noah’s wife is mentioned, yet she does not have a name. However, in the midrash Bereshit Rabbah, Noah’s wife is identified as Na’amah. We are probably all aware of the collection of pairs of animals Noah took onboard the ark in order to repopulate the earth when the flood waters recede, however these creatures would have perished had not the plant population been replanted. It is said that prior to the deluge, Na’amah collected seeds of all plant species in order to respread them over the dry earth.

It was said that Na’amah wore an apron containing many small pockets and placed the seeds into these small pockets to keep them safe. She planted a garden on the ark to preserve the plants for the 40 days of rain. When the rains stopped, she gathered the seeds once again and put them in the pockets of her apron, to be replanted around the earth.

As a celebration of Na’amah, one of JFC’s dedicated members Suzanne Sunday has created a fantastic quilt depicting Na’amah, complete with the pockets for her seeds. Suzanne has created a number of artistic pieces for JFC in the past, and this particular one takes its place among the others in terms of a combination of deep meaning and beauty. Next time you are in the building, ask to see this wonderful artwork which celebrates one of a number of understated women of the Torah. Also, thank Suzanne for her generous contribution to the ruach (spirit) of our community.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Ask the Rabbi Can Jews be Cremated?

Traditional Jewish practice frowns on cremation, since we are neither supposed to speed up nor slow down the natural process of decay after death. Like cremation, embalming to preserve a body is traditionally prohibited in Jewish law.

The Bible contains several references to cremation. The First Book of Samuel relates the story of cremating King Saul and his sons who died in the battle of Gilboa (31:12ff), but from the rest of the story we can assume that their bodies were already in a state of decay when they were discovered. Several passages in the Torah and Tanach seem to point to cremation as a way to punish someone who has committed a crime, including Lev. 20:14 and 21:9 among others.

The verse in Genesis 3:19, “... Until you return to the ground -- for from it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” provides the proof text traditional rabbis used for prohibiting cremation. Some rabbis consider cremation to be a pagan practice that harkens back to a funeral pyre, and since we are not supposed to imitate non-Jewish customs, burning one’s remains is forbidden.

A difference of opinion exists as to whether or not to permit the burial of the ashes of cremation in a Jewish cemetery. While most Orthodox authorities prohibit their burial, some permit it. Early Reform rabbis dealt with this question soon after the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) was founded. Without going into the long explanation and history of the issue, the early reformers wrote in a 1891 decision: “Be it resolved that, in case we should be invited to officiate as ministers of religion at the cremation of a departed co-religionist, we ought not to refuse on the plea that cremation is anti-Jewish or irreligious.”

In 1980, the CCAR Responsa Committee revisited this question and offered the following note to the 1891 responsa: It is nine decades since the first Executive Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis called for a scholarly discussion of “Cremation from a Jewish Standpoint.” A resolution was adopted two years later (1893) and remains unchallenged policy within our Conference. “Resolved: That in case we should be invited to officiate as ministers of religion at the cremation of a departed coreligionist, we ought not to refuse on the plea that cremation is anti-Jewish or irreligious.”

In this generation of the Holocaust we are sensitive to terrible images associated with the burning of a body.

Rabbis may, therefore, choose to discourage the option of cremation. The practice remains permissible, however, for our families.

Ashes of a cremation should be treated with respect as human remains. They may be interred in our cemeteries, subject to the rules of the cemetery.... The ancient Jewish preference for burial within a person’s personal property … may be honored more easily in the case of ashes than in the case of a body, according to some State laws, but we still favor use of a Jewish communal cemetery or mausoleum. Because a building in which the ashes of a Jew are permanently entombed might well seem to a Cohen to be like a cemetery which he would hesitate to enter ... we oppose keeping ashes in a home.

If you have a Jewish question you would like to have answered, please send it to Rabbi Burstein; the answer may be printed in an upcoming edition of the Shofar.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Continued from page 3 - Presidents Message

- We have held three JFC congregational meetings and, as we write, will hold a fourth shortly. The purpose of these meetings is to give you an opportunity to discuss your observations, hopes, needs, concerns and fears. From our perspective, these meeting have been extremely valuable, and a number of very good ideas have been developed as a result.

- We are planning combined Shabbat services with TSI to be held at JFC and to be held at TSI in the next few weeks to give the members of each synagogue a strong sense of what a typical Shabbat observance at the other synagogue is like. We also are planning joint services led by clergy from both synagogues, so that we all can begin to see the possibilities for a combined service.

- We are planning many other shared events and celebrations to give the congregants of each synagogue the opportunity to get to know one another better.

To sum up, although much has been accomplished, we’re still at a relatively early stage in the exploration. Personally, we are extremely encouraged by what we’ve learned about TSI, their values and their hopes for a united community. We’ve been heartened by our ability to work together collaboratively and respectfully to address sensitive and challenging issues. At all times, the leadership of both synagogues has been driven by one supervening principle: the necessity of ensuring the survival of a rich, thriving and robust Jewish community in our area of Westchester and Fairfield counties. We’re extremely optimistic about the prospects for achieving that goal.

Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin

Continued from page 4 - From the Religious School demanding thinkers are making the teachings we offer real-- and whether or not the answer is truly tangible in nature, we are providing a space in which they can register their thoughts and ideas. We are all better for it! There are few things better in life than a Socratic debate when everything is on the line. And this is the true beauty of an emergent curriculum-- and that is what we possess at JFC.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014 Long-time JFC member and teacher

Rona Salpeter

is available to help with: babysitting, house sitting, animal care—& all jobs requiring a loving caring individual!

References are available upon request.

Contact Rona at # 914-643-8176.

Easy ways to Support JFC  Become a Sustaining member. your generosity will enables JFC to provide memberships to families and individuals facing financial difficulties.

 Donate to one of the many JFC funds. https://www.dropbox.com/s/xiy0z2mezxoop9x/DonationsContributions.pdf

 Volunteer for one of our committees - a great way to support JFC and help the community  Shop at Amazon through Jewish Family Congregation website, which gives us a commission on all purchases. This is a convenient way to support JFC and a convenient way to shop. http://www.amazon.com/?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&link_code=hom&tag=jewishfamil0e-20

 Shop at DeCicco Market and tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC will receive a rebate from your purchases.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Join our congregation December 5, at 7:30 pm as we join with nearly 200 other communities in the US and Canada to celebrate Human Rights Shabbat, a project of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.

Now in its seventh year, Human Rights Shabbat is an opportunity to study human rights in Judaism, to learn about contemporary human rights issues in the United States and Israel, and to commit ourselves to action.

For more information: http://www.truah.org/resources/human-rightsshabbat.html

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

The JFC Religious School… with help from JFC’s Sisterhood & ECC… is hosting a

Community Chanukah Event All are welcome: ECC & Religious School Students Past & Present, Youth Group, JFC College Students, JFC members, Family & Friends

Location: Jewish Family Congregation, 111 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, NY Date: Thursday December 18, 2014 Join us for Holiday Activities, Dinner, Lighting of the Menorah and Chanukah Songs 4:15-6:00 pm—ECC joins the regular RS program for special holiday activities (RSVP to Leslie Gottlieb to participate in this program at lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.org) 6:00-6:30 pm—Dinner in the Oneg Room- Pizza, Latkes & Jelly Doughnuts 6:30-7:00 pm—Candle Lighting and Songs in the Sanctuary 7:15-8:15 pm-- Youth Group Party- JFC College Students are Invited To join us for dinner RSVP by Dec. 14 to Kathleen at: office@jewishfamilycongregation.org

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

ETHICAL WILLS What do you leave to your children besides your jewelry?

An ethical will is a document written to communicate values and wisdom, history, stories, and love from one generation to another. It preserves who you are and what matters most to you. It is a way for you to be remembered and to make a real difference. Ethical wills are spiritual in nature and communicate and preserve your values.

Please join Rabbi Burstein Sunday, January 11, 9:15 am —10:15 am as he discusses ethical wills and how to create them.

Topics include: 

How to decide on topics



How to organize and write what you want to say



How to prepare an ethical will



How to convey the ethical will

RSVP by noon Monday, January 9

There is no agony like bearing the untold

office@jewishfamilycongregation.org

story inside you. ~ Maya Angelou

914-763-3028

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Judaism and the Five Senses

Judaism and Chocolate With Rabbi Deborah Prinz Taste Saturday, January 31, 8 pm Event to take place at a member’s home close to JFC

Judaism and Chocolate With Rabbi Deborah Prinz Explore the surprising Jewish connections to chocolate in this astronomic and historical adventure through cultures, countries, centuries and convictions.

Rabbi Prinz’s book, The Chocolate Trail will be available for purchase. $10 donation requested For location and to RSVP contact the office by phone 914-763-3028 or by email office@jewishfamilycongregation.org by noon, Monday, January 26 Jewish Family Congregation, 111 Smith Ridge Road, PO Box 249, South Salem, New York 10590

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

JFC College Students Let’s Celebrate Chanukah together!

Join us December 18 Congregation Chanukah Dinner 6 pm Youth Group Chanukah Party 7:15 pm

January 11 College Student Brunch 10:30 am Please let the office know you will be attending by emailing office@jewishfamilycongregation.org

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

t e v a S

e t a D e h

JFC COMEDY NIGHT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2015

GREAT COMEDIANS LINED UP!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Donations Caring Committee Fund Elinor Klein - In memory of Arthur Klein General Fund Betty Goodman - In memory of Denise Fuchs Rabbi Discretionary Fund Michael & Rona Salpeter - In memory of Samuel Burgreen Michael Gitliz - In memory of Sheila Ravitch Gitlitz Lee Blum

December Shabbat Oneg Hosts Date Host Family 12/5/2014 John and Karen Conti

Edward and Martha Gordon 12/12/2014

JFC visits Temple Shearith Israel, Ridgefield, CT

12/19/2014

Steve and Shari Goldberg Allen and Ellen Goldstein

12/26/2014

Richard and Jennifer Carter Richard and Sandi Auerbach

Anniversaries Richard & Sandi Auerbach

Steve & Shari Goldberg

Jonathan & Iris Glass

Mark & Debra Lavin

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Don’t forget to stop in and check out the JFC Gift Shop!

If you are interested in purchasing anything, please let us know in the JFC Office.

Notes by

Nancy, Inc.

Nancy Silberstein Invitations and stationery at discount prices tel/fax: 914-232-0835 e-mail: notesbynancy@aol.com www.notesbynancyinvitations.com

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

MB TUTORING Hundreds of students helped to excel

Malcolm Brown MIT Chemical Engineer B.S., M.S.

Prep

• SAT, PSAT & ACT

Math

• 7th & 8th Grades • High School sequence • Calculus

Science • Chemistry  Physics • Earth Science For further information, contact: Telephone: (914) 533-5468 E-mail: malcolmbro@aol.com Registered State tutoring. Serving Westchester and Fairfield

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JFAB

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Jewish Family Alliance for a Better-World Community Action Group

Community action group for parents, children, family and friends Monthly meetings at Jewish Family Congregation Thursday meetings during RS will take place regularly for those interested!

Come to the meeting, share your thoughts and get involved!

How can we create a better world?

Become an upstander Prevent bullying Prevent anti-semitism & hate Build relationships with other communities Work with the Junior Newtown Action Alliance Work on gun safety issues Make social media safe for everyone

Adult Chairs: Leslie Gottlieb, Dawn Kessler, Karen Blum, Michele Auerbach Youth Chairs: Heather Sherr, Elyse Sherr (Adults & Teens Welcome to Join!!!)

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Please join us Friday Mornings for Shabbat Song and Snack With your toddlers and babies!

11:30 am -12:00 noon RSVP - 914-763-3028

Rabbi Burstein will lead us in song and Shabbat fun! We will all gather together in the sanctuary at JFC at 11:30 am. After singing we will enjoy a snack prepared for us by the children in the Early Childhood Center.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

My Mitzvah Project – Operation Smile Toothpaste for Tots

By Karina Barth

Please help me collect 150 sample size toothpaste tubes to donate to Operation Smile.

I chose this charity for my Mitzvah project because they change the lives of poor children around the world who are born with deformed faces. Operation Smile provides free surgeries to repair cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Operation Smile is in desperate need of sample size toothpaste tubes to give to the kids after surgery, so they can keep their teeth healthy and show off their beautiful new smiles.

Every trip saves 150 kids and that’s why we need to collect 150 tubes.

Look for my collection bucket in the entryway at JFC. Please bring a tube or two over the next few weeks. If you don’t have time to buy a tube, then you can leave $1 in the bucket and I will buy one for you.

I know that the kids around the world would be grateful for your donation. I know I am. Thanks, Karina

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Birthdays Eric Andujar

Zoe Ozols

Danielle Bender

Richard Perlman

Karen Blum

Emily Sanders

Neal Blum

Lisa Sheptin

Cheryl Chess

Jacob Silva

Jo Drawec

Richard Sklarin

Jonathan Gabor

Peri Stevelman

Ariel Goodstein

Ellen Strauss

Tammi Jacobs Shulman

Bryan Wolkin

Erica Levens

Ella Zaslow

Kenneth Levinsohn

David Zuckerberg

Danielle Mazlish

Elisa Zuckerberg

Arel Meister-Aldama Zachery Ozols

Yahrzeits Leonard Benson

Arthur F. Karsch

Arlene Richner

Aaron Blumenthal

Frances Kempler

Ruth Rosenthal

Seymour Eslofsky

Jeff Lederman

Al Rubin

Ethel Feinleib

Isadore Lichtbach

Yale Rubin

David Sol Friedman

Belle Marcus Stern

Miriam Goldberg

Marvin Olarsch

Lauren Rousseau Sandy Hook School

William Goldman

Freda Ossher

Jack Himoff

Jacob Puteska

26 Sandy Hook School Victims Jack Sher Melvin Waxman

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Kislev - Tevet 5775/ December 2014

Non Profit Organization Postage PAID White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022

Rabbi Marcus Burstein and Ruth Osher perform during Religious School.

Current Resident Or

Upcoming Events December 5 December 6 December 12 December 18 January 11 January 31

Human Rights Shabbat Midnight Run Gun Violence Protection Shabbat Chanukah Event Ethical Wills Discussion Judaism and the 5 Senses

Make sure to check out our calendar for up to date events at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org