1 Page
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
July Shabbat Service Schedule Shabbat Balak, Numbers 22:2 - 25:4 July 4 Shabbat at Home Please stop by the office to pick up a Shabbat-at-Home kit. Shabbat Pinchas, Numbers 25:10 - 30:1 Confirmands at Shavuot Service
July 11 7:30 pm Shabbat service Shabbat Matot, Numbers 30:2 -32:42 July 18 5:30 pm Family service 6:00 pm BBQ and sing-a-long 7:30 pm Shabbat service Free Babysitting Shabbat Masei, Numbers 33:1 - 36:13 July 25 7:30 pm
Confirmation class visits New York City
ECC graduation celebration
Summer Fun at JFC
Shabbat service
2 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
From the Rabbi’s Desk Gathering together in prayer for Shabbat and Holidays is one of the primary ways our community shares the joy of our tradition and marks the Jewish calendar. Our cantor provides us with a great and varied musical repertoire of traditional melodies and contemporary tunes. Members of our congregation eagerly participate with great ruach (spirit), and members of all ages lead various parts of the service from time to time. When our worship concludes, we gather to share food and friendship, stories and sustenance.
Friday evening or Saturday morning. During these services, we will also learn a little bit of the weekly torah portion, so we will continue to be connected to the greater Jewish community. Please join us for Shabbat services in July to learn a little more about the special prayers and melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat. After sharing and learning, we plan to incorporate more of them into our Friday night services during the year. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Cantor Kerry and I try to craft prayer services that are (ideally) meaningful and transformative. We hope that time spent at JFC for Shabbat and holidays will bring a little Shalom -- wholeness and peace -- to your world, even if for just a short while. We balance many competing aspects while designing a service -- JFC customs and traditions, introducing new melodies and rituals, a sense of diversity and and a sense of comfort -- all while leaving time to gather socially after the service without the experience becoming too long or onerous in our busy lives. Starting Friday, July 11, we will try something new for Friday evenings in July. We will focus on Kabbalat Shabbat -- the special psalms included in Friday night services. Rather than read from the torah, we will spend extra time learning the structure, Hebrew, meaning, and melodies of these prayers. (Please see the Ask the Rabbi column in this Shofar for more on Kabbalat Shabbat.) Based on feedback from our congregation, we may continue this trial into the month of August. After Labor Day, we will return to reading or chanting torah every Shabbat, either on
Presidents’ Message--------------Page 3
Ritual Committee---------------- Page 7
Religious School-------------------Page 4
Sisterhood-------------------------- Page 8
Early Childhood Center-------- Page 5
Ask The Rabbi-------------------- Page 9 JFC in the community----------Page 10
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
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
From The Presidents
by Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin Co-Presidents’ Message
In last month’s message, we noted that, as we prepared for JFC’s Annual Meeting, and as our one-year term as co-Presidents was drawing to a close, we had email: office@jewishfamilycongregation.org website: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org been reflecting on all JFC had accomplished within the past year (JFC, as you know, operates on a fiscal year basis and, like most synagogues, its year runs ----------------from July 1 to June 30). We characterized the year that is about to end as one Rabbi in which we had witnessed a truly transformative spirit take hold within our Marcus L. Burstein, D.Min. special community: a spirit of revitalization and rededication; of renewed, enrabbi@jewishfamilycongregation.org hanced and broadened community; of heightened energy and more ambitious Cantor possibility. Kerry Ben-David cantor@jewishfamilycongregation.org
We reflected on the largest and most significant change that had occurred within the year: the first change in rabbinical leadership at JFC in seventeen ---------------years. In that regard, while we noted the deeply fond memories of Rabbi Director of Education Leslie Gottlieb Freedman that many of us have, we emphasized how fortunate we were to lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.org have found Rabbi Burstein to be our new teacher, spiritual guide and mentor. It’s worth noting again that maintaining organizational stability at times of Administrator transformative change can be extremely challenging, but Rabbi Burstein has Kathleen Sakowicz ksakowicz@jewishfamilycongregation.org helped JFC not just weather the change but emerge from the transition with a sense of excitement and possibility. 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 Richard Mishkin, Vice-President Polly Schnell, 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 board@jewishfamilycongregation.org -------------Shofar Editor Bryan Wolkin Shofar Printer Copy Stop Royal Press
We want to continue the reflections we began last month. While we’re very proud of how JFC has weathered the change in rabbinic leadership and other accomplishments this year to strengthen and extend our community (e.g. successful High Holy Days Appeal, the History Project, Comedy Night, a wonderful Gala celebration and two joint communal services with our neighbor - - Temple Shearith Israel), the story is not all positive. As you saw if you reviewed the materials contained in the Annual Meeting package, JFC operated at a deficit this fiscal year and we project it will again operate at a deficit in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2014. While our balance sheet suggests strength, in part from our illiquid assets (the building and property), operating deficits cannot be sustained. Our membership ranks must grow, one way or another, or our operating deficits will eventually exhaust our endowment fund. There are many ways to give back to JFC for all it has meant to you and your family. Service on the Board can be extremely gratifying, but obviously it entails a commitment of time that many simply can’t make. Committee membership is another way to give back to JFC—one that typically involves a more circumscribed expenditure of time—and all our committee members provide immensely important service. In reality, nothing gets done without dedicated committee members. Of course financial support from those who are able to provide it is also essential. But the most important way in which everyone can give back is by seeking to help JFC grow membership. Each of us can try to reach out to friends and family and seek to bring them within our family and community. In order to once again thrive, JFC must retain its existing membership and build new membership. We have had success with the former but have much to Continued on page 12
4 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
From the Religious School By Leslie Gottlieb
“How can I know who I am until I see what I do? How can I know what I value until I see where I walk?” Psychologist Karl Weick asked these very questions while studying moral identity in children. So what creates moral character, and as a parent how can I help develop strong character traits for my children as they grow? I would like to argue that in addition to modeling this behavior at home, giving children a value-based, meaningful religious education can serve as an additional force for laying the foundation for a morally-driven life. If behavior and action drive character-- then practicing an ethical code is helpful here. As parents of the helicopter variety, many choose to constantly compliment actions rather than character as we guide our young children. According to Wharton professor Adam Grant, “Many parents believe it’s important to compliment the behavior, not the child—that way, the child learns to repeat the behavior.” He continues, “Praise appears to be particularly influential in the critical periods when children develop a stronger sense of identity.” If children are regularly exposed to actions of caring and giving and this behavior is modeled repeatedly, then the likelihood for imitation of this behavior increases. Research in this field is clear in that, “The most generous children were those who watched the teacher [in an experiment] give but not say anything,” according to Grant. Judaism is a religion based more on deeds than words in my mind, and within it we have all the parenting answers we could ever want or need. Can we really help to create caring individuals truly devoted to good deeds and committed to mitzvot, tikkun olam and tzedakah? The research implies that without doing, words alone will not stick to helping our children develop this sense of kindness. In the end Grant espouses, “If you don’t model generosity, preaching it may not help in the short run, and in the long run, preaching is less effective than giving while saying nothing at all.” That’s why it is so important when our school parents get involved, and they do, in what we are modeling and volunteer alongside their children. And remember feeling guilty as a child? Well, as it turns out, that is a good thing, a very good thing. Making someone feel guilty and sharing real disappointment with them is better, it turns out in studies, than
making someone feel shame. When children analyze their behaviors after disappointing someone they value, they establish and re-establish the necessary fuel to guide moral character. To analyze our own behavior at any age seems to be a good thing. If we create a standard of behavior for ourselves through self-examination and high expectations then empathy and kindness can result. “You’re a good person, even if you did a bad thing, and I know you can do better,” is, by the standards of psychologists Nancy Eisenberg and David R. Shaffer, a solid approach to training children to see themselves in control of their evolving character. A long-held educational/psychological theory shares this ideal that it is good to isolate behaviors from the whole child-- blaming these random negative actions as incidental rather than suggesting that the entire character of an individual is corrupt. You might say, “Yelling at your brother was not a nice thing to do-- rather than saying you’re bad because you yelled at your brother.” In this way we can make a distinction that avoids crushing the identity of a person who means well, but whose momentary decision or act was not in the best interest of another person. We must always remember to model the behaviors we try to instill. I reflect often on a situation when, once in a grocery store, I came upon a mother hitting her son across the arm repeatedly and at the same time scolding him never to hit his little brother. That punitive action and lecture will fail every time-- and the reasons are clear enough. At the Religious School and in our Youth Group, with leadership from teachers and our clergy, everyone helps to decide as a group on one or two worthwhile organizations to support throughout the school year. This year these charities included: R.O.A.R. (Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue), the Community Center of Northern Westchester, Shaaray Tefila of Bedford to help them run their annual seder for developmentallydisabled adults, Sloan Kettering’s Children’s Hospital, Feeding America, Taglit Birthright, Chai Lifeline, Jewish National Fund, Newtown Action Alliance (and the Jr. NAA), Invisible Children & Esther’s Aid (Rwandan relief efforts) and many others. In the classrooms and sanctuary at all age levels, when we talk about Torah and the characters in history who created the foundation for our ritual life, we think in terms of how these lessons can help us to improve the lives of others and how we can make a difference in our day. Continued on page 12
5 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
From The Early Childhood Center by Jane Emmer
Although this bittersweet day arrives every year--we are still never quite prepared for the emotions we feel saying goodbye to another group of 4 year olds and closing out the school year. We celebrated a wonderful year with songs, a slide show of precious moments and exciting memories. We had a school-wide indoor picnic with treats for kids and grown ups, too. We chatted, reminisced, laughed and got teary as we watched the children play together. They've all become so close--many of them have been together since they were wee two's! We had an extra special treat: Rabbi Burstein and his array of amazing balloon creations. Although the doors of the ECC have closed for the year--we have an open space in our hearts and minds filled with the joyous sounds and sights of this year. Some of us will move on to kindergarten, some will be back next year and some will be at camp which is right around the corner! Wishing you the best from the ECC!
6 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
7 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
From The Ritual Committee By Michael Salpeter, Chair
Recently I received an email which originated in France displaying photographs of 50 synagogues from around the world. As could be expected, these buildings vary greatly in their appearance. Some are startlingly modern in design such as Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, MI, which looks like a jet fighter plane or the Soho Synagogue in Manhattan having the appearance of an art gallery. There are some which are quite plain, as the small wooden structure in Gondar, Ethiopia. Quite a number of them are well-appointed with huge crystal chandeliers, like the West End Synagogue in Frankfurt, Germany or the Belz Synagogue in Jerusalem. Many others have designs from Moorish to indescribably strange. The synagogue in Curacao, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, still possesses a sand floor. Regardless of the appearance of a house of worship, what matters most is the ability of a Jewish community to come together as one to pray, study and socialize. Of course we here at JFC have two fairly different structures in which we worship. During most of the year, we utilize what was initially constructed to be a private home, while during the High Holy Days we look forward to coming together in our tent. The rabbi, the office staff, and the ritual committee have been busy since early May planning the events surrounding Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. One of the new ideas we hope to institute will be a congregationwide tent beautification project, where as a community we will design and construct an artistic panel depicting some aspect of the High Holy Days. Each year prior to Rosh Hashanah we hope to add to the previous year’s art work. This will be a project appropriate for all age groups within our congregation and will enhance our High Holy Day experience. As details develop, they will be communicated in our weekly email blasts. We are confident that creating this art for our tent will be an exciting event, and we look forward to widespread participation by our JFC family. To access the website of the 50 synagogues, please visit: http://www.imageslides.com/Misc/gallery/2767550-Stunning-Synagogues#6
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.
8 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
From The Sisterhood By Amy Fishkin
JFC Sisterhood Celebrates Cindy Carson and Polly Schnell Amy Fishkin, Dawn Kessler, Marnie Levine, Nicole Rose, and Susan Shapiro The JFC Sisterhood is blooming this spring with festive celebrations and fond farewells. In early June, the Sisterhood gathered at Bernard’s restaurant in Ridgefield, CT, to bid a fond farewell to Cindy Carson who will be moving to the Boston area this coming summer. Cindy has served in many roles at JFC over the last several years. Members of the JFC Sisterhood came out on that rainy evening to celebrate and honor Cindy and the contributions she has made to JFC. Members spoke of Cindy’s dedication to JFC, as well as the caring, proactive way in which she helped bring the Sisterhood to life. Cindy, your contributions to JFC are numerous, and your presence on the Sisterhood Board, as well as at JFC, will be truly missed. We wish you and your family best wishes as you transition into life’s next adventure! On Sunday, June 8, 2014 the JFC Sisterhood came together for our first annual Spring Dinner. A new tradition has begun at JFC where we will be honoring women who have made lasting contributions to our JFC community. With over 45 members of the Sisterhood in attendance, summer salads, warm candles, and floral centerpieces decorated the garden room at JFC. The buzz of conversation filled the room as Sisterhood members met new friends, reminisced with old friends, and came together to celebrate and enjoy our sense of sisterhood and community. The room was filled with friendship, love, and laughter, as we learned more about one another and celebrated the women of JFC. Our annual Spring Dinner will be an event where we will be honoring women of our JFC community. The Sisterhood’s Spring Dinner will give us all an opportunity to celebrate a formidable JFC woman who has demonstrated continual dedication and courage on behalf of the JFC community. There are certainly plenty of women in the JFC community who fit the bill for such an honor. JFC is very fortunate to have many strong and capable women as part of its community. This year, we were particularly struck by one woman who took on a key leadership role during a time when JFC’s future was uncertain, unchartered, and filled with possibilities. We were proud to celebrate Polly Schnell as the first woman of honor at our annual Spring Dinner this year. Polly and her family joined JFC in 2001. Over the past 13 years, Polly, her husband, Gordon, and children Wynter, Rayn and Quoya have been active and involved in many aspects of JFC –specifically, the ECC, Hebrew School, Youth Group and Social Action Committee. In 2009, Polly took on a leadership position as a JFC Board member. As many of you know, in 2012, Polly stepped into the role of JFC President and helped usher the JFC community through a time of transition and change. She has volunteered countless hours, serving on numerous committees, such as the New Members Committee and Caring Committee. We honor Polly not only for her ongoing service to our synagogue, but for her courage to take on a leadership role at JFC, her courage to publicly support JFC, and for her unwavering faith and belief in JFC’s future. Polly was accompanied by her family at the Spring Dinner and many Sisterhood members spoke on Polly’s behalf. Stories were told that recounted Polly’s many warm and personal interactions with members of the JFC community. Members spoke of the caring and compassionate way in which Polly always listens with her whole heart. Polly was recognized for the way she asks critical and thoughtful questions and always maintains an open mind and an open heart to the possibilities that lay ahead for JFC. Polly was acknowledge for the way in which her quiet leadership and commitment to JFC has made a lasting impact on so many members of the JFC Sisterhood and larger congregation. The highlight of the evening was when Polly pulled out her own guitar and performed a beautiful, original song celebrating this special night. We are so fortunate to have someone like Polly as part of our JFC community, as a leader, active member, mother and friend. She embodies the spirit of generosity, hope and optimism that resides at the core of our JFC community. Thank you to Nicole Rose and Susan Shapiro for their visionary leadership and for the elegant Continued on page 12
9 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Ask the Rabbi What is Kabbalat Shabbat? Kabbalat Shabbat refers to the special additional service that we add to our Friday evening prayers to welcome Shabbat. “Kabbalat Shabbat” literally means “Receiving Shabbat” or “Welcoming Shabbat.” Mystics of 16th century Tzafat created this service -- they often would go into the fields as the sun set on Friday evening to “greet the Sabbath queen.” You may recognize this phrase from Lecha Dodi, one of the prayers that is part of Kabbalat Shabbat. The psalms added to the evening service include Psalms 95-99, the poem/song Lecha Dodi, and Psalms 9292. The seven psalms represent the seven days of the week and form a complete unit. Rabbi Arthur Green, former president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, writes that the five psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat are a literary unit within the Book of Psalms. “Their spirit of joy and exultation calls on the worshipper to rejoice in the presence of God that filled the world. Nature itself joins in the symphony of praise as heaven and earth, field and forest, sea and rivers all seem to clap hands and enter the song and dance of joy. The coming of Shabbat fills us with a new vision, one that sees earth as freshly created and brimming with Divine radiance. This vision is a universal one. It invites all nations to join in our celebration of Divine presence.” Lecha Dodi is a hymn composed in 1529 by Rabbi Solomon Alkabetz of Tzafat. The verses of the song form an acrostic poem of his name, SHeLoMoH HaLeVI. The name of the song comes from Song of Songs 7:12, “Come, my friend...” -- and continues “...to meet the bride, let us welcome the presence of the Sabbath.” The poem is inspired by rabbis from talmudic times, who would go out to the fields to welcome Shabbat. It is customary to rise at the last verse, turn to the entrance of the sanctuary, and to bow to symbolically greet the Sabbath bride or queen. In Temple times in ancient Jerusalem, King Solomon made two gates for Temple entry -- one for the bridegrooms and the other for mourners. Members of the community would know how to appropriately greet those who arrived through each gate. Some congregations today maintain that custom, and mourners enter the sanctuary after the joyous melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat have ended to be a part of the rest of the evening service. Throughout Shabbat services in July (and possibly August), we will study the different psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat and some of their melodies.
10 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
JFC in the Community As a newly-converted Jew and a JFC member for two years, I was thrilled when Rabbi Burstein asked me to represent JFC at Westchester Jewish Council’s inaugural Leadership Development Institute. My husband and I have been so happy with our family’s experiences within the community, I felt that I could glean so much useful information and gain insight into challenges faced by other organizations in the county. Jewish Family Congregation has gone through many changes in the past few years, and we are on a path of renewal and rejuvenation. The chance to discuss new ideas to fortify the Jewish presence in Westchester County was exhilarating. The exchange of ideas and discussions I was able to participate in were extremely valuable. Our goal at JFC is akin to the goal of Westchester Jewish Council: to enhance the Jewish community of Westchester through focusing energies on building strong congregations. What an amazing experience! As a representative of JFC, I attended sessions with 15 other members from various synagogues and Jewish organizations across Westchester County. The list of topics that we discussed throughout our many sessions included: Meeting the Westchester Jewry/Demographic Studies Presented by Elliot Forchheimer, Executive Director of Westchester Jewish Council I was not familiar with the data and statistics of the Jewish demographics within the county. I was surprised to hear the numbers, specifically in Northern Westchester, are declining. As a larger community with other Jewish institutions, we need to find new ways to create a welcoming environment that encourages participation within our individual organizations. Creating an Organization that Engages its Members While Creating an Environment that Encourages Participation Presented by Rabbi Jeffrey Brown of Scarsdale Synagogues Temples Tremont and Emanu-El As a member of many committees, I know that JFC wants to have our members participate in our various committees as we build a strong community. Some questions that we can think about: What can we (JFC) offer as an institution? How do we promote what we do? How do we retain membership? Israel: How can Synagogues and organizations support Israel educationally, financially, and spiritually? Presented by Yoav Cohen, Westchester Community Shaliach (representative from the Israeli Government to Westchester County) This presentation addressed: What is our individual relationship with Israel and what is our institution’s relationship? What do we see in the future? Fundraising and Volunteerism -- “Making the Ask” This discussion focused on looking within to raise the support level through time and financial backing from our members and funds leaders. How can we effectively ask for the support of our members? How organizations have the greatest impact on their members and community and applying what we have learned. This program helped me clarify what I can do to make JFC stronger while supporting our members as they find their own path within JFC. One of the strongest messages I “took away” is this: We must practice “Adaptive Change.” This means that we must: -Operate in a different way than we do now -Identify the Problem and the Solution, which will require learning -Sacrifice some of the past ways we worked as a congregation -Remember that the solution will take time -Connect to people’s deeply-held values as Jews and as a community Again, I am so grateful for this opportunity. I would welcome the chance to speak to anyone individually about the exciting ideas and the rejuvenation of our JFC community. Dawn Kessler, Teacher, Mom, JFC Member
11 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
July Oneg Hosts 7/11/2014 Michael and Emily Wein Susan Westlake 7/18/2014 The Sisterhood 7/25/2014 Joel and Laura Kaplan Warren and Karen Lustig July Board Host: Robyn Cohen
Use the Shofar to say...
Happy Birthday, Get Well, Thanks, or I Remember... Sanctuary Chair Plaque $150 Leaf on Simcha Tree $180 Memorial Board Plaque $450 General Fund Building Fund Caring Committee Fund Social Action Fund Ground Beautification Fund JFC-URJ Camp Fund Molly and Gregory RS Scholership Fund Rabbi Discretionary Fund Music and Choir Fund Religious School Director Fund
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
12 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Continued from page 4 We may be teaching the alef bet and Jewish history-- but there is so much more going on at the JFC Religious School. As teachers (and I include the Rabbi and Cantor here), we are constantly trying, as leaders of developing minds, to model the best behaviors and practices so that children can see themselves individuals who possess strong moral characters. We are constantly modeling and rewarding kindness-- and gemilut chasidim. These children are our future in every way, and the path we create for them together is full of possibility, wonder and promise. We look forward to seeing all of our children and Youth Group members in the fall and over the summer, too. Safe travels to all!!! Todah Rabbah to‌ All the Religious School staff members, mentors, class parents, Youth Group members and its Board-- and all volunteers Rabbi Burstein and Cantor Ben David (our clergy) for their support, leadership and friendship. Jane, Kathleen, Carol, Laurence (our professional staff) for everything all year long. Karen Blum for her tirelessness this year and always-- and for her leadership in sending out holiday gifts four times this year to JFC students away at college—even overseas. Gifts this year were sent for the HHDs, Chanukah, Purim and Passover, and our K-6 students helped to prepare cards and gifts that added another layer of meaning to this effort. To Bryan Wolkin for his efforts in creating the Shofar all year long. To Hal Wolkin, Glenn Kurlander and the JFC Board of Trustees and the Religious School Committee for their ongoing support. To the members of JFAB (Jewish Family Alliance for a Better-world). Carol Wakeman (and her family) for her help this year in creating a meaningful program this year to bring together JFC and the Newtown community. Continued from page 3 do with respect to the latter, and, at the end of the day, the group that has the most impact with respect to organic membership growth is the congregation itself. JFC is a place where we worship together exuberantly in song and reverence, where we know and care for one another, where we receive comfort, solace, support and inspiration. It is a place with great spiritual, cultural and educational programs, where the bonds of community are strengthened. These attributes exist for members who choose to participate and become involved in one way or another and these attributes are available to benefit others you may know who are not yet members. It is a matter of existential reality that the congregation has to help JFC grow if JFC is to have a long term future. Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin Continued from page 8 way they brought the Sisterhood together for such a warm, inviting and festive evening! Thank you to Dawn Kessler, Marnie Levine, and all the Sisterhood members who contributed caring words in celebration of Polly, desserts, wine, and helped with set up and clean up. We look forward to sharing with you more about our upcoming Sisterhood events.
13 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 10:30 AM
Meet at the Gomez Mill House (the oldest Jewish dwelling in North America continuously lived in for nearly three centuries) in Marlborough, NY at 10:30 am for a guided one and a half hour tour. $9 Adults, $4 Children (please prepay at the JFC office)
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the property. Later, stroll on the Walkway over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY. Weather permitting.
RSVP BEFORE NOON, TUESDAY, JULY 8 OFFICE@JEWISHFAMILYCONGREGATION.ORG 914-763-3028
JFC Out and About
A Day in Ulster County
14 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Jewish Family Congregation’s
FAMILY BARBECUE Friday, July 18
5:30 pm Family Service for all ages 6:00 pm BBQ and Shabbat sing-a-long 7:30 pm Shabbat Service with Free Babysitting
BRING A FRIEND OR TWO NO CHARGE WE SUPPLY: Burgers (beef & veggie)/buns, hotdogs/buns, potato salad, cole slaw, condiments and paper goods. YOU SUPPLY: Beverages and any other (kosher-style) food you’d like to grill. YOU MAY ALSO WANT: Lawn chairs/blankets Bug Spray Frisbees, etc.
R.S.V.P. by noon Thursday, July 17
Either call (914) 763-3028 or email office@jewishfamilycongregation.org with number of people Jewish Family Congregation * 111 Smith Ridge Road * South Salem, NY 10590
15 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Did you ever… Light Shabbat candles outdoors or pray barefoot on the grass? Share the warm glow of a summer evening at
Jewish Family Congregation And join us for
Shabbat in the Great Outdoors
Friday, August 15 Picnic 6:30 pm
Sing-a-Long 7:15 pm Service 7:30 pm RSVP by noon, August 8 call 914-763-3028 or email
office@jewishfamilycongregation.org
Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and your favorite picnic dinner. We’ll dine al fresco on our beautiful 10 acres of lawns and gardens. If it rains, we’ll picnic indoors.
At 6:30 pm, we’ll light candles, and say the blessings over wine and challah. Then we’ll eat, mingle and eat some more.
At 7:30 pm, we’ll have a brief but lively song-filled service, and then a tasty Oneg Shabbat (refreshments).
Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, NY Questions? Please call us at 914-763-3028 Www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
16 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Jewish Family Congregation 5775 - High Holy Day Services - 2014 (Services take place in the JFC tent unless otherwise noted.) TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SERVICES
SELICHOT Selichot
Saturday, September 20 location to be determined
ROSH HASHANAH
Rosh Hashanah Evening Wednesday, September 24 Rosh Hashanah Morning* Thursday, September 25 Special Services Youth Service (ages 7 -pre-B'nai Mitzvah) JFC Sanctuary Tashlich, location to be determined Children's Service (families with children under age 7) JFC Sanctuary Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Morning*Friday, September 26 JFC Sanctuary
YOM KIPPUR
Kol Nidre Friday, October 3 Yom Kippur Day* Saturday, October 4 Healing Service Concluding Services (Afternoon, Yikzor, and Neilah)* Special Services Youth Service (ages 7 -pre-B'nai Mitzvah) JFC Sanctuary Children's Service (families with children under age 7) JFC Sanctuary
* Childcare available in building
Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road/ Route 123 South Salem, New York 10590 (914) 763-3028 fax (914) 763-3069 office@jewishfamilycongregation.org
8:00 pm
7:30 pm 10:00 am 10:30 am 1:30 pm 2:45 pm 10:00 am
7:30 pm 10:00 am 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 10:30 am 2:00 pm
17 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
June 10, 2014
Dear Representative of Autism Speaks, Please accept a donation from our school’s tzedakah (justice) fund in the amount of $50 in honor of JFC Religious School student, Nate Fishkin and his wonderful family of Pound Ridge, New York. In May, the Fishkins hosted an incredible bake sale at our synagogue, which is their synagogue too, to raise money and awareness for Autism Speaks. The school happily purchased many of the homemade treats for our Youth Group end of year party to help the Fishkins meet their goal. We are very lucky and honored to have Nate in our program and the Fishkins as part of our congregation. Thank you and good luck.
Yours truly,
Leslie Gottlieb, Director of Education
Torah Chanters and Readers Wanted! On High Holy Days, our lay people at JFC take the lead in reading and chanting of our most ancient texts. If you are interested in chanting Torah or reading for the High Holy Days please contact Rabbi Burstein at: rabbi@jewishfamilycongregation.org as soon as possible.
18 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
On Saturday evening May 31, members of the JFC family met at Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem for our first picnic, hike and havdalah. At 6:30 pm, we gathered at the Big Pine campsite on the shore of Pine Lake and enjoyed picnic meals at this beautiful and serene location. After finishing our meals, we hiked together along a scenic trail along a stream, returning to our campsite in time to roast marshmallows over a campfire and enjoy a meaningful havdalah ceremony.
Donations Caring Committee Michael and Rona Salpeter in memory of Phyllis Goldfield Grounds Beautification Fund David and Phyliis Amerling in memory of Helen Bergson Music Fund JFC Board of Trustees in memory of Phyllis Goldfield Religious School Fund John and Karen Conti in memory of Francis Horvilleur
19 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 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
Local Shopping
Each time you shop at DeCicco Market, 1 Cross River Plaza, Cross River NY, tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC will recieve a small rebate from your purchases.
20 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
21 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Ushers Needed For High Holy Day Services Contact the ritual committee to volunteer ritual@jewishfamilycongregation.org
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
22 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Birthdays Maxwell Andrade
Dr. Alice Gottlieb
Gordon Schnell
K. J. Aufsesser
John Grzymala
Sierra Shafer
Ellen Barth
Lydia Hellinger
Cheryl Shainmark
Stephanie Blum
Spencer Hellinger
Ella Shapiro
Alexander Carson
Laura Kaplan
Curt Shulman
Samuel Ceisler
Elizabeth Klotz
Beth Sklarin
Marnie Cohen- Levine
Deborah Kurlander
Susan Stillman
Jeremy Fischer
Linda Lederman
Eliza Wein
Samuel Fischer
Ian Leitner
Dr. Jay Zaslowt
David Fried
Eliza Lichtman
Jacob Furic
Ruby Lichtman
Jasper Gitlitz
Karen Lustig
Mia Goldberg
Benjamin Marceau
Sidney Goldberg
Nicole Rose
Kathleen Goldman
Max Sanders
Tim Gordon
Dory Quoya Schnell
Yahrzeits Susan Aufsesser
Richard Dutka
Lillian G. Kutscher
Max Schattner
Annette Belsky
Helen Eydenberg
Abe Lederman
Fannie Schoenholz
Lillian Benjamin
Minnie Fremed
Herbert Markham
Morris Schwartz
Henry Block
Jonas Kardish
Anita Mishkin
Hyman Sherr
Josephine Blumberg
Milton Kempler
Morris Pottish
Hannah Vandervelden
Ruth Drawec
Sheldon Kempler
Hannah Rabinowitz
23 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Anniversaries Neil & Holly Alexander
David & Dara Marceau
Paul & Phyllis Amerling
Greg & Ginger Schwartz
Joshua & Michelle Blum
Richard & Beth Sklarin
Gary & Paula Levine
Jeremy Tubbs & Daniela Goldman
A Big Thank You to: Linda Ann Coords, Trevor Farber, Paul Harney, Dan Hodges, Sheila Koumas, Pat Shafer, Sierra Shafer, and Bradly Widener. Pat’s employer Deloitte holds a yearly National Impact Day, and Pat was able to secure volunteers to clear the walking path damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Please be sure to take a stroll on the path sometime soon. Paul Amerling, Phyllis Amerling, Rabbi Burstein, Robyn Cohen, John Conti, Karen Conti, Amy Fischer, David Fischer, Brian Friedman, Laurence Furic, Dawn Kessler, Pete Kessler, Zack Kessler, Rita Landman, Mark Lavin, Michael Salpeter, Greg Schwartz, and Judy Vandervelden for all their help during the Make JFC Sparkle event. The building and property is looking terrific. Special thanks to Greg Schwartz for hosting all for lunch. The graduating seniors for donating a personalized bean bag chair for the Youth Lounge.
Easy ways to Support JFC Shopping at Amazon through Jewish Family Congregation website 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
Each time you shop at DeCicco Market, tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC will receive a rebate from your purchases.
Thank You For Your Generous Support!
24 Page
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Tammuz - Av 5774/July 2014
Non Profit Organization Postage PAID White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022
Post confirmation class visits Philadelphia
Current Resident Or
Upcoming Events: July 13 JFC Visits the Gomex Mill House July 18 BBQ Open House August 15 Shabbat in the Great Outdoors See inside for more details
Make sure to check out our calendar for up to date events at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org