Shofar Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
May 2010
From the Rabbi’s Desk This month, we will celebrate Shavuot, the second of some agricultural connections because of the use of the the two major festivals mandated by the Torah (Leviticus lulav and etrog in worship rituals. 23) for the spring {the Shavuot service will be Tuesday, Shavuot, coming 49 days after Pesakh, is the least well May 18 at 7:30 pm}. known of these festivals, and that is surprising, given that In ancient times, adult Jewish males were required to the rabbis turned it into a celebration of the revelation at present themselves at the Temple in Jerusalem prepared Sinai. After all, the central narrative presents the giving of to offer a sacrifice on each of the three Pilgrimage festithe Torah as the climax of the exodus experience. And all vals: Pesakh, Shavuot and Sukkot. of Judaism derives from Torah. Originally, it is thought by Bible and history scholars, If you think about Shavuot, you will quickly realize that each of these occasions was a harvest festival. Pesakh was there are no terrific songs associated with it. And though the early grain harvest time, and Shavuot was the later there is a tradition of eating dairy food on Shavuot, the grain harvest occasion; Sukkot was the general produce basis for that is rather weak (since the Israelites had just harvest season, as well as the latest grain harvest. And received the Torah with its dietary restrictions, they had no probably, when the Israelites arrived in Canaan, they found time to prepare meat appropriately, so they only ate dairy the local residents marking these occasions at these times. at that point), blintzes have never achieved the celebrated As the Israelites overtook the land and its peoples, they status of chicken soup with matzah balls. adopted the existing festival calen- Pesakh became the celebration of the exodus Without great songs and wondar and overlaid it with elements from Egypt, and Sukkot was commemorated ... derful food traditions, Shavuot has from their own history, to give it to remind us of the temporary dwellings that languished in contemporary obwhat we would now recognize as a our ancestors lived in during their forty-year servance. This may be especially “Jewish” flavour. true for Jews who question the trek from Egypt to the Promised Land. So Pesakh became the celebraauthorship of the Torah, and tion of the exodus from Egypt, and Sukkot was commemo- therefore doubt or completely reject the historical referent rated with little booths (Hebrew: Sukkot) to remind us of of the revelation at Sinai. the temporary dwellings that our ancestors lived in during In an attempt to rescue Shavuot from its diminished their forty year trek from Egypt to the Promised Land. status, the Reform movement made Shavuot the occasion And the rabbis, who came along later, identified Shavuot of Confirmation, a ceremony actually borrowed from Chriswith the giving of the Torah at Sinai. tian practice. Because children born to Christian parents While we lived in the Promised Land, the agricultural must be formally entered into their religion, and this is aspect of these festivals was clear and easily honoured. usually done in early infancy when the child cannot assent But after the dispersion of the Jews following the two re- to the practice, Christianity developed the concept of havbellions against Rome, the agricultural elements of these ing their children later “confirm” for themselves the relioccasions were dominated by the links to the central nar- gious choice made for them by their parents. rative of the Jewish people, the exodus from Egypt, the Jews, by contrast, acquire their Jewishness by virtue of sojourn in the wilderness, and the ultimate entry into the their biological connection to the religion of their mothers Promised Land. All three of the Pilgrimage Festivals took (and in Reform, also their fathers), so no “confirmation” on this Jewish colouration, though Sukkot has still retained (Continued on page 18) From the Rabbi’s Desk The President’s Message Donations to JFC Service Schedule Oneg Schedule Confirmation Invitation Early Childhood Center The Religious School
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Social Action Committee JFCAdults ECC Pictures RS Pictures JiFTY Anniversaries/Birthdays Ask the Rabbi Kids Ask the Rabbi
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JFC Classified Donations Form Summer Camp Reg Form Calendar
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URJ
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 lesliejo1960@gmail.com Early Childhood Center Director Fern Tannenbaum jfceccenter@gmail.com Temple Administrator Jolie Levy jfcoffc@gmail.com
Board Of Trustees Jeanette Sanders, Interim President 914-763-0311 Bill Pink, Secretary; Andrew Serby, Treasurer; Carrie Kane Mark Lavin David Marceau Richard Mishkin Polly Schnell Nita Weissman Elisa Zuckerberg and Johanna Perlman, Past President
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
The President’s Message by Jeanette Sanders JFC is our temple and the more involved music on Friday evenings, special festival you are the more you feel it truly is yours. observances and on the high holidays. We JFC is here to serve us, and we need to be have an active youth group that dedicates cognizant of all the ways we are served so itself to social action projects and has many that we remember to give back and support student mentors who teach our younger our temple at every opportunity both when children in religious school. We offer adult we are asked and even when we are not. social activities, mommy and me classes, Our temple is here to serve our needs as special programs with interesting speakers Jews in a larger suburban community. It is and famous Jewish authors. a place to celebrate the miracle of life, as Our monthly newsletter and website our rabbi frequently performs baby namkeep us connected to each other and inings for our congregants at regular Shabbat formed about all the activities taking place. services. It is where we bring our toddlers We have an active committee of adults to early childhood programs. In those pro- which facilitates opportunities to be ingrams, we build a foundation of friendships volved in social justice programs, such as for our children and ourselves as we settle the midnight run, blood drives, cancer into our roles as parents. awareness and research fundraising walks. Later, our temple is where we educate We participate in highway cleanup and colour children in all the facets of Judaism lect food for the local community center. In from practicing rituals and observing festi- the event of illness our congregants visit val celebrations, to the study of our culture the sick, make meals for families in crisis and history. Our religious school teachers and are often in attendance to make a mineducate the young and the old in reading yan at shiva for our members. Hebrew and prayers and teach them the Our temple facilitates all these things for difficult tropes required to chant their torah us. We don’t always take the time to count and haftorah portions. It is where we have all the ways the temple fulfills this extenthe most outstanding and dedicated relisive but incomplete list of meaningful and gious school director, internationally recog- important needs. nized teachers, and committed and inspirI am sure that at some point in the very ing clergy to help prepare for the b’nai near future, our temple will call on you to mitzvah of our sons and daughters where demonstrate your commitment, either by we proudly sit amongst our family and attending a fundraiser, volunteering on a friends from near and far to celebrate their committee, making a donation, reaching hard work and accomplishments. out to another member who is having diffiOur rabbi leads our endless supply of culties or being part of a minyan. At that young adults and our ever-curious adults in moment when you are called upon, please the study of torah every week and chalkeep in mind what our temple does for us lenges us weekly to find meaning in how we and return the favor. live our lives as she discusses the weekly Many thanks for all that you have done parsha at Friday evening services. Our can- and for all that we know you will do in the tor and choir fill our sanctuary with joyful future.
Donations to JFC Last Month General Fund Bruce and Gail Fischberg David and Jane Emmer
In Memory Of Murray Fischberg In Memory Of Melvin Moss
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Shofar Editor Jolie Levy
Norman and Gladys Remler Leonard and Ellen Chess
Simcha Leaf Thomas J. Minnock/Gail L. Ascher
Shofar Publisher David Emmer
In Memory Of Melvin Moss In Recognition and Appreciation of Rabbi Carla Freedman In Honor Of the B’nai Mitzvah of Morgan & Daniel Minnock
Memorial Plaque The Wallach Family
JFC-URJ Camp Fund Lawrence and Leslie Gottlieb
In Memory Of LeRoy Ronald Levin
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
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SERVICE SCHEDULE Friday, April 30/ Iyar 17
7:30 pm
Saturday, May 1
10:00 am
Kindergarten/First Grade Service Parshat Emor Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Strongin
May 7/ Iyar 24 May 8
7:30 pm 10:00 am
Parshat B’har/Bhukotai Bar Mitzvah of Sean Kaplan
May 14/ Sivan 2
6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm
May 15
10:00 am
Wee Ones Pizza Dinner Wee Ones Service Parshat BaMidbar Sue Kaufman chants Torah Bat Mitzvah of Talia Kaufman
Tuesday, May 18/ Sivan 6
7:30 pm
Shavuot Yizkor Confirmation Ruth Ossher chants Torah
Friday, May 21/ Sivan 9 Saturday, May 22
7:30 pm 10:00 am
Parshat Naso Bat Mitzvah of Ariel Goodstein
Friday, May 28/ Sivan 16
7:30 pm
Parshat B’ha-a-lot’kha Michelle Blum chants Torah Bar Mitzvah of Sam Blum
Saturday, May 29
10:00 am
ONEG HOSTS May 7
Laurence Furic Steven & Melissa Goodstein
May 14
Andrew & Dayna Kaplan Edmond & Debra Verbeke
Please find a substitute if you cannot host your assigned Oneg.
May 19
Please contact the JFC Office with the names of the new hosts.
May 21
BOARD HOST David Marceau (203) 438-2177
David & Carrie Kane Drew & Mindy Hoffman David & Elisa Zuckerberg Stuart & Elaine Feldman Douglas & Susan Kaufman
May 28
Robert & Emily Rauch Robert & Barbara Strongin
Please contact your Board Host if you have any questions.
CHOIR If you are interested in joining the choir, or for more information, please contact Kathy Storfer at kstorfer@aol.com We welcome all adults 13 or older!
PLEASE JOIN US at our
2009 Jewish Family Congregation Confirmation Service
Shavuot, Tuesday, May 18 7:30 p.m. MAZEL TOV TO ANDREW BLUM JESSICA SHEPTIN NOAH SKLARIN JULIA ZUCKERBERG
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
Early Childhood Center By Fern Tannenbaum
I was recently inspired by the Rabbi to read the first book of the“Rashi’s Daughters” trilogy, Joheved, by Maggie Anton. In fact, the author herself came to JFC! Yes, it was a good read, but it was more than that. It broadened my perspective of history and Judaism as it took me on a trip through time to eleventh century France. By using descriptive language the author made the Middle Ages come alive and drew me into the day to day lives of the Jewish people who lived at that time. Although I had studied European history in high school and know much about Jewish culture, I still gained new information about the Jewish people of that era who lived in France. I learned about their food, culture, religious life, trades and politics. For me and for other adults or older children who have prior knowledge, reading and interacting with text creates new understanding. For young children who are inexperienced and for whom the printed word is mostly spoken, it is more essential that they gain knowledge and vocabulary from first hand experiences. Puppets, felt board figures, props and even stories help but nothing can compare with seeing and interacting with subjects up close. How can our school create for our children the same kind of high quality learning experience an adult can receive from reading a book? The answer is by going on school trips. Although our school has taken trips before, this year we have added even more. Of the many places that were visited we have especially enjoyed our trips to learn about art. Exploring different art materials helps our children to plan and organize their ideas while learning pre-writing skills. By going to see the work of professional artists, they broaden their horizons and learn that art can be stimulating, complex, decorative and cultural. Through our school membership with the Katonah Museum of Art our students have visited this museum for three different exhibits. The first exhibit explored artwork which used clothing as its medium. The second one offered a very traditional display of nineteenth century paintings from the civil war era. The last exhibit the children saw was a fascinating display of different types of puppets. Each visit showed the children what the human imagination is capable of and encouraged them to try some of the simpler techniques they saw. In the fall our Yellow Room children did not just read about how apples grow, they went to the apple orchard, explored the apple trees and picked their own apples. Last month our Yellow and Blue Room children visited the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk Connecticut. As much as the children enjoy learning about fish and aquatic life, they have increased their understanding and their vocabulary from just that single experience. Add to that adventure water experiments, stories and activities done in the classroom and the children have a greater knowledge of sea-life from the anemone to the shark. This month our entire school is going to visit Muscoot Farm. It will be a wonderful opportunity to culminate the school year by enjoying the beautiful farm grounds and well kept animals. Many children read farm animal stories but never have the opportunity to see cows, sheep, goats, horses, chickens, pigs, turkeys and even a donkey up close. They sing “Old MacDonald” but never hear the sounds the animals ac-
tually make and see them eat and live in their natural surroundings. This is the children’s opportunity to see up close what they have only read about and increase their comprehension of farm life. These excursions are never taken without class preparation and follow-up. Books, and materials are used to help prepare the children for what they will experience and class projects extend their new understanding while reinforcing their new vocabulary. It is impossible to teach the children about everything in the few hours they are with us each day. However, we can help them to gain greater appreciation of different topics and a deeper understanding of subjects that are of particular interest to them. By taking trips, we are able to provide concrete experiences that support our curriculum and enable our children to learn even more. There is one other trip the children took and we did not even leave the school. As we studied about Israel last month for Yom Ha-atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, we boarded an “El-Al” plane and took off for the beautiful country of Israel. We landed in Tel Aviv, did Israeli dancing and visited a café for pita bread, hummus, and Israeli salad. We then continued our visit by going to the Kotel in Jerusalem and inserting our prayers into the cracks of the Wailing Wall. Finally, we went on an archeological dig in the Negev Desert. Although we landed at JFC in time to go home for lunch, this simulated experience felt like a real trip. It may not have been as comprehensive as an actual visit to Israel, but this pretend excursion helped to make what we studied become more real. I will never be able to go back in time to medieval France no matter how much I wish to meet Rashi and his daughters. Nevertheless, we can give our ECC children real life experiences so they can build their knowledge of the world around them. May I wish you all your own rich journeys wherever they may take you.
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
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The Religious School by Leslie Gottlieb
As I write this from my office on a Monday afternoon, there are two seventh graders sitting in the rabbi’s office next door to my own—not because they are in trouble or anything like that. In fact, Monday is the only day the rabbi is actually off, but I am using the space closest to my office to overhear one grade seven student-- who was Bat Mitzvah here just a few weeks ago—tutor another. Hayley Verbeke is helping Kerry Schwartz (who will be Bat Mitzvah in the fall of 2010) review Reader’s Kaddish (they encouraged me to use their names!). This is the stuff I live for, really. Matthew Emmer, a second year Student Mentor, is down the hallway with Sam Blum and Morgan Minnock reviewing the ending haftarah blessings. Our teachers cycle out students each week to practice in a smaller setting. Matthew even brought in his iPOD to share a different melody for them to hear in an effort to engage them on this too springy-sunny day so late in the school year. Hilary Clinton was right: it takes a village.
Kerry
Hayley
Morgan
It’s not like our grade seven teachers, Ruth and Linda, who are downstairs right now with the better part of their classes, are not worth mentioning straight up in paragraph one. We are so proud of what they do. These two experienced Grinspoon-Steinhardt national teaching award winners don’t need a pat on the back or a public display of affection—so to speak—although we can’t say enough good things about their dedication. It’s just that as adults working here, they have their own motivation for being here that differs from the others I mentioned. Our younger-than-eighteen-set at JFC, whether we are talking about students or Student Mentors, have their own unique perspective on why being here is important—or not, in some cases. The rabbi and I work hardest of all to inspire this group of individuals. Most often we succeed in motivating our charges, many of them all the way through the high school years, but now and then we need some extra back-up from you, the parents. After all, we are all in this together one could argue. Take, for example, our STARS program. To remind you, the Religious School has had this incentive program in place for our students in grades K-six for about eight years. All one has to do to become eligible for our late spring STARS party held on a Sunday morning each year is to attend (during the course of the school year) the same number of Friday night Shabbat services at JFC as the grade they are in (kindergartners need to attend one only). Sounds fairly easy with a service available every week of the year, no? This year, to help make it a little easier still for families, we made four Shabbat services worth double the number of points.
This means that a fourth grader, for example, only had to come to two carefully chosen services throughout a ten month period. Not too hard, right? For our students, attendance at services helps to tie together what it is they are learning at Religious School (especially in grades four and up). Parents who attend services with their children enrolled in the school get to see the benefit of their family commitment to the Religious School program as they watch their youngsters reading from the siddur—and sitting in the sanctuary with more familiarity and ease than older family members, in some cases. It’s incredible to see what they have learned in their short lives here thanks to the towering efforts of our teachers. We are all lucky it seems. When the STARS program first began, we had in attendance at the annual event roughly eighty percent of the kindergarten through grade six students eligible to attend. The parties each spring were a smash with standing room only. One year we had a magician, clowns the other years… and always fun food, art projects and the biggest jumper/bouncer made available on our lawn for the young and old to jump on. It was the place to be—even if the date coincided with Mother’s Day. One year, we gave out long-stem roses to the moms to thank them for sharing their day with us. But just the other day at our Sunday service, the rabbi asked the kids how many of them thought they could make it to the STARS party. Keep in mind, the party itself, upon reflection, offers a truly fun time; even our high school mentors show a powerful desire each year to attend. Parents love it, too. Everyone has a great time by all standards, so I don’t think this reward for a job well done is not in keeping with what kids think is fun. We had to look at that carefully. The frustrating part is that some students can’t seem to find the time to attend services—especially in the fall and spring when sports take over—or they need help making the trip over to Friday night services at JFC. We need your help. If it’s too late for this year, make the commitment together for next year! The party this year is on Sunday, May 16th from 10 AM to 12 PM. Parents need not stay. We have it all under control. We will return them to you worn out and happy—and that is a promise. For our fourth through sixth graders, making the commitment all year adds another bonus; you get to miss class the day of the party as a way to say we know you put in the time somewhere other than in the classroom in order to learn. We are trying very hard to say thank you. Someone today commented to me that we should make services mandatory for our students younger than grade seven in where students are required to attend twelve Shabbat services at JFC. Some schools do have requirements like this. Should you be required to participate at that age and grade level? It’s a thought -- but we still feel tied to the idea of motivating them and by giving them a choice. Encourage them we must-- and I need your help. With this Shofar edition in your hands only two weeks before the STARS event, there is not much time this year to make amends. But there is always next year…. I promise from this end to give it all I’ve got and I know for certain that I speak for Rabbi Freedman, as well. We’ll meet you halfway; we’ll be the ones waving you on!!! Thanks.
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
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The JFC Social Action Committee by Jeanette Sanders On April 17th, the Social Action Committee conducted another midnight run. Once again it was a large-scale, collaborative effort of many congregants and also members of the South Salem Presbyterian church who solicited donations of clothing, toiletries, shoes, packs and food for the run. Thanks to Polly Schnell, Robert Rausch and Sue Kaufman for driving. Thanks to Barbara Boies for her soup and to all the b’nai mitzvah families who participated in meal preparation. Thanks to the folks from South Salem Presbyterian Church who collected supplies, prepared meals and participated in the run. Next Midnight run is scheduled for June 12th. As always, your donations are much appreciated. However, there is really no current need for women’s clothes. The items below are in especially short supply: Men’s jeans ● Men’s backpacks ● Men’s sneakers New men’s underwear ● New men’s tube socks Belts ● Hooded zipper sweatshirts ● Blankets Razors ● Shaving cream ● Deodorant Washcloths ● Toothpaste/toothbrushes We are accepting donations for the fall and winter runs next year, so if you are giving away a man’s jacket, hats or gloves, please keep us in mind. We package the toiletries in gallon-sized Ziploc bags, so donations of those are welcome as well. Cases of water are also always welcome. Financial donations in support of the midnight run help us to purchase toiletries that we are short of and new socks and underwear.
The Tzedakah of the Month For
MAY is
“NothingbutNets” a United Nations organization dedicated to purchasing and distributing insecticide-treated bed nets to protect disadvantaged Africans from Malaria. www.nothingbutnets.net Selected by the
JFC Social Action Committee
Bottom row (L-R) Talia Kaufman, Morgan Minnock, JT Bowensmith, Daniel Minnock, Jacob Rauch, Matthew Kaufman, Jan Sanders, Polly Schnell, Lee Allen, Lauren Allen, Carol Herd-Rodriguez, Gail Ascher, Sue Kaufman, Robert Rauch, Curt Shulman.
SOME QUOTES FROM RECENT MIDNIGHT RUNNERS: Robert Rauch, who attended the run for the first time with his son Jacob, a veteran midnight repeater, said: "I really enjoyed my time on the Midnight Run and definitely would like to be a part of another one or the next one. My favorite part of the run was working together as a team and seeing how our efforts paid off to the people that we met. I also enjoyed the stop by Central Park where we really spoke to people and learned about their lives. I chose to participate in the Midnight Run because my son Jacob had participated in one in the fall and he wanted to do it again, so I agreed to go with him and I am truly thankful that I did." Lee Allen from the South Salem Presbyterian Church, who assisted us with collections and distribution on this run, said: "The most memorable thing for me was watching the young people interact with the homeless. I have worked intermittently with the homeless for well over 20 years, but for the kids it was probably their first or second encounter and I think they were great. I would be happy to participate again and I would recommend the experience to others. “ Want to help? Call Debra Lavin (232-0756) or Jeanette Sanders (763-0311)
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
JFC Adults Are you a book lover, story teller or connoisseur of creativity? Do you secretly harbor the desire to write? On Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 pm at the home of Doris Hettmansberger we will have the pleasure of listening to Shelley Forrester read from her book in progress, discuss the writing process and answer all your questions. The best way for me to describe Shelley and her book is to let her do the talking, third person: “Shelley Forrester has been writing since she was seven years old when she demanded more rights like her two older sisters had, and her mother agreed by insisting she start sending condolence cards to the family of old Jewish relatives she barely remembered. When asked how she could write something personal about someone she hardly knew, her parents told her stories about each newly departed great aunt and twice-removed cousin who escaped from Eastern Europe and lived in America during the depression. Her interest in people and their stories was born and has made a 30-year career out of understanding American consumers, writing reports on what motivates people to buy soap, soup and coffee and presenting new business opportunities to companies like Colgate Palmolive, Campbell's Soup, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. “Although Shelley has written every obligatory thank you note for birthday and Chanukah money, love letters from college, and writing assignments through graduate school, she didn’t keep a diary as a young girl, primarily because her parents didn't allow closed doors or locked drawers and their three daughters never learned to respect each other's privacy. “It wasn’t until her birthday in January 2000 when her therapist gave her a copy of Julia Cameron's, The Artist's Way as her guide that she started journaling every day.
May 2010
By Jeanne Shanin, Adult Program Coordinator Shelley still writes every morning from 6:00 – 7:00, but her female inspiration has changed, it’s now her mother. “Hours after her mother died at Stamford Hospice Residence in August 2008, Shelley was sitting alone on her red writing couch when she felt her hair being pushed back and a cool sensation next to her right ear as she heard her mother whisper, "You already write everyday about your feelings, and about strangers for a living so why not write our story. I know you're still angry with me for not loving you enough and feeling sorry for yourself that you couldn’t help mend my broken heart when your sister died. So write, it’s good therapy. Write whatever you want, you’re going to anyway. I’d ask you not to write about your dad's naked yoga practices or sister’s choice of mashugana men if I thought you’d listen.” “With encouragement from her grief counselor Katherine Silvan, Shelley has been writing with abandon since her mother died. Again her mother whispered in her ear, “I agree it’s good to write your true feelings, but honestly, you’ll need a better title for your book than “Goodbye and Good Riddance.” As much as she loves the company, Shelley knows she needs more than her dead mother whispering in her ear, and now attends “Write Yourself Free” workshops with Patrick McCord of the Editing Company and a band of witty women every week in Westport. “Always one to do what her mother asked, sort of, Shelley is writing “Dying to Know You”, the story of her relationship with her mother through a happy childhood, family loss, reconciliation and rebirth. She likes her mother in her current state, they’re shopping together again and are getting along famously. Kaynahorah” You are warmly invited to meet Shelley and listen to some of her childhood tales. For more information, write jfcadults@gmail.com or call (914) 763-5650.
Todah Rabbah from the Religious School to… All of the walkers and kickers who attended the May 2nd events at JFC (TIKVA Walk and JNFSderot Kickball Game from 9 AM-12 PM)) and thanks for all the donations!!
The JiFTY (JFC) Youth Group for planning a great Shul-In scheduled for May 1-2
Karen Blum for her continued support and encouragement
The Class Parents for the 2009-10 school year who made a real difference
Max Lerner (Holocaust speaker) for talking to our
Tutoring High School and Middle School SAT and ACT Prep.
6th graders and their parents last month
Rabbi Carla Freedman for the Maggie Anton books for the school library
Michael Horwitz, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., LMHC Professor of Academic Strategies Instruction (914) 533-1141 Mikewitz@aol.com
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
JFC Adults presents:
A Reading — and Conversation with author
Shelley Forrester Saturday
May 15 7:30 pm At the home of Doris Hettmansberger South Salem, NY Hours after her mother died at Stamford Hospice Residence in August 2008, Shelley was sitting alone on her red writing couch when she felt her hair being pushed back and a cool sensation next to her right ear as she heard her mother whisper, “You already write everyday for strangers at companies like Colgate Palmolive, Campbell's Soup, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters for a living so why not write our story? I know you're still angry with me for not loving you enough and feeling sorry for yourself that you couldn’t help mend my broken heart when your sister died. So write, it’s good therapy. (I’d ask you not to write about your dad's naked yoga practices or sister’s choice of mashugana men if I thought you’d listen.)”
RSVP jfcadults@gmail.com or (914) 763-5650, SEATING IS LIMITED
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
The Early Childhood Center Goes to Israel
. . . Creation Station . . .
May 2010
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
. . . The Religious School . . .
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
JiFTY
JiFTY's been up to tons of fun things! We are planning a lot more for the end of the year, board elections are on May 6th and our last Youth Group for the year is May 13th. It's gonna be loads of fun. Those of you who would like to run for board positions, please contact the person who has that position so you can find out what it takes to be them. See you there!
May 2010
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
YAHRZEITS Helen Bergson Blanche Burstein Linda Canno Milton Fayne Josephine Rothman Fuchs Abraham Goldfield Shirley Grossman Bella Koven
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BIRTHDAYS
Hattie Leff Claire Levens Shirley Monaco William Rubenstein Martin Simon Sadie Stein Arthur Sturm
Please call the JFC Office when any relevant information arises or changes so all Birthday, Anniversary and Yahrzeit listings are accurate and up to date. JFC can only list names/dates that have been reported to us.
ANNIVERSARIES Peter & Gila Acker Christopher & Barbara Boies John & Karen Conti Richard & Donna Fiammetta David & Amy Fischer Sam & Amy Friedlander Bryon & Victoria Friedman James & Robin Helburn Steve & Robi Margolis Russell & Debra Monaco Andrew & Diane Richman Kenneth Kurzweil & Suzanne Sunday Mitchell & Jodi Waxman Ken Okamoto & Nita Weissman
Tyler Alexander Larry Alintoff Daniella Amerling Phyllis Amerling Michael Benjamin Sheryl Benjamin Theodore Bloch Isaiah Blum Samuel Blum Robert Bolgar Alexandra Borden Jacob Breslin Max Burstein Melissa Clark Jonathan Clott Nathan Cohen Rick Cohen John Conti Abigail Dodes Alix Drawec John Exel Hayes Firestein Lloyd Fremed Molly Friedlander Laurence Furic Allison Glass Zachary Gottlieb Lowell Haims Micah Hansonbrook Harris Henshaw Theo Hornstein Sarah Horowitz Jackie Kalter Nathaniel Kaplan Matthew Kaufman Marc Kutscher
Jake Landau Lynne Landau Rachel Lauder Philip Levens Zachary Lobel Georgia Marceau Zachary Marine Jessica Meaney Lauren Miro Amanda Nesis Sierra Nesis Debra Paget Aaron Paulding Amy Feng Peck Danielle Pitkoff Rebecca Poser Diane Richman Rachel Roberts Talia Layla Salz Daniel Schepps Suzanne Schreier Jeanne Shanin Molly Silva Julia Simon Katelyn Sobel Debra Newman Solowey Daniel Storfer Emily Stutz Alana Valente Steven Vandervelden John Walls Alex Wattles Alexander Wattles Nina Weinberg Lauren Zeltzer
Please consider celebrating significant birthdays and anniversaries with a leaf on our Simcha Tree of Life. Call the JFC Office for details.
JFC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
JFC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
JFC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
RICHARD and JENNIFER CARTER
DANIELA GOLDMAN and JEREMY TUBBS of South Salem, NY and their son, ELI
EMILY KINGSLEY of Briarcliff Manor, NY and her son, JASON
of Ridgefield, CT and their children, ELLIE and ANDREW
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
THE 2010 JFC RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ART AUCTION -- Bid On Art Work Created By JFC Students -ALL STUDENTS IN THE CLASS WORKED ON EACH PIECE!! You may place your bid in our lobby, and it will continue on line. -- AUCTION ENDS JUNE 5 DURING CABARET NIGHT -3rd Grade
Kindergarten
4th Grade 2nd Grade
1st Grade
5th Grade 6th Grade
ASK THE RABBI Question: I noticed at a service recently that, when we sing the Shma, sometimes you close your eyes and sometimes you don’t. Why? Answer: The tradition is to close one’s eyes in order to concentrate more fully on the words (and their meanings, of course) when we sing the Shma in the beginning of the service, where it actually belongs in the order of the service. So that is what I do. And so do many congregants. The Shma is sung a second time, during the Torah service. Some say that this opportunity to sing the Shma entered our liturgy at a time when civil authorities believed that its recitation, which is followed by a salutation of God’s glorious kingdom (sic), signaled disloyalty on the part of Jews. These authorities came to our services to monitor this. So the proper mention of the Shma near the beginning of the service was suppressed, (or at least it was said silently), and the authorities would leave, satisfied that the “offensive language” had been removed. The text was then inserted into the Torah service, by which time the authorities were long gone. Then, with the passage of time, we were able to bring back the Shma to its proper place, following the Barkhu. But, as often happened with Jewish worship, we retained the insertion of the Shma into the Torah service as well as the earlier recitation (a parallel is the use of the haftarah to remind us of the theme of the weekly Torah portion while we were forbidden by the Greeks to read Torah; when the Maccabees defeated the Greeks and we returned to reading Torah, we retained the haftarah anyway). To differentiate between the original locus of the Shma in a service and the later insertion into the Torah service, the practice has become the closing (and perhaps covering of the eyes) near the beginning of the service and the eyesopen singing during the Torah service. So, people who watch carefully will indeed see me…and others…closing our eyes at some recitations of the Shma and not at other times. But it is not done randomly, and I hope this explanation makes some sense of the variations in practice.
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Page 17
Have you checked out The JFC Blog yet? Go to www.jfc. rjblogs.org
You are cordially invited to the Annual Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Awards ceremony, honoring
John and Barbara Stern for their outstanding service to the Jewish Family Congregation and
Hon. Samuel Fredman with the Rabbi Amiel Wohl Lifetime Achievement Award
Wednesday, May 12, 7:30pm
Jewish Community Center of Harrison 130 Union Avenue ~ Harrison, NY 10528
ASL interpreting will be provided Kosher Dairy Dessert Reception follows ceremony 914/328-7001 margo@wjconference.org http://www.wjconference.org
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
From the Rabbi’s Desk (cont’d) (Continued from page 1)
was deemed necessary. But our early leaders in the Reform movement recognized this as an opportunity to keep kids involved with Jewish learning past the age of 13, and so, Confirmation became a standard practice in the Reform tradition. At JFC, we invite our confirmands to speak to the congregation about what has influenced their Jewish identity. In contrast to the supervision the Bnai Mitzvah students receive in the writing of their speeches, this time, the 9th graders are on their own (I offer help only if requested). And year after year, we are moved and impressed by the things our teens say about their connection to their Jewish identity. Confirmation takes place on Shavuot because, according to our tradition, that is when Torah entered the life of the Israelites, and shaped their religious identity. That’s why we ask the kids to speak about their Jewish identity on Shavuot. We invite you to make an exception to your busy schedule, and come celebrate Jewish identity with us on Shavuot, Tuesday, May 18, at 7:30 pm. Ruth Ossher will do us the honour of chanting the Ten Commandments that evening. There will be (JFC’s traditional) ice cream sundaes provided by the parents of our four confirmands, Andrew Blum, Jessica Sheptin, Noah Sklarin and Julia Zuckerberg.
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May 2010
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
Page 19
Kids Ask the Rabbi Question: I am going to have a Bar Mitzvah rael. We also examine media reports to see
soon, and I thought that would finish my studies here; now I hear about something called “Confirmation Class”…what is that all about? Answer: Confirmation Class is the program offered by Reform Congregations to post -B’nai Mitzvah students. Though the curriculum varies from place to place, the emphasis generally is on applying Jewish values to everyday, real-life situations. The goal of this program is to show Jewish teens that our heritage has lots to offer when confronting what we think of as entirely modern issues. Both ancient and contemporary Jewish sources speak to the kinds of problems that young people face today…relationships, substance abuse, friendship issues, parentchild issues, values, sexuality and values, etc. In the class we offer at JFC, we also spend time learning about the political, religious and social issues that involve the State of Israel, and, through the reading of media reports, we consider how the rest of the world treats Is-
how Judaism is presented to the world at large, and how this might impact us as Jews. Long ago, the leaders of the Reform movement realized that ending a youngster's Jewish education with Bar/Bat Mitzvah is inappropriate, because as we get older, we are better able to understand and apply our culture’s values to the way we live now. As a parallel, imagine functioning in the adult world on the math you know now. Ask your parents how the world has changed since they were 13, and then consider what you will need to help you make sense of the world as it changes around you. Surely your religious heritage is an important part of that equipment. Come to a class or two, and see how we discuss these kinds of topics; I am certain that you’ll enjoy the experience! Confirmation Class meets from 6:15 to 7:15 pm on Thursdays. There is no homework, and the discussions are always lively!
You may purchase tickets and iPAD raffle keys on line at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org. Just click on “cabaret night.”
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
Now Registering for Fall 2010
Limited Spaces Available for 2’s, 3’s and 4’s Don’t let your child miss out All registration forms are available on our website:
2010-2011 Religious School Registration All forms available now at: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org Registration periods: (rates increase each period) Early: Feb. 10-Mar. 17 Regular: Mar. 18-May 11 Summer: May 12-Aug. 31
www.jewishfamilycongregation.org Click on Education, then ECC
Have you seen our newly Reopened Gift Shop? It is across from the Oneg Room, and it has many Judaica items for all occasions. Stop in and take a look! If you are interested in purchasing any items, please let the JFC Office know.
ROADSIDE CLEANUP! We had a very well-attended Roadside Cleanup event on April 18th. Many thanks to the following individuals: Debbie Lavin ● Mark Lavin Rob Strongin ● Lila Gordon Alexis Johnson ● Ed Verbeke Marty Weisberg … and, of course, many thanks to Andrew Kaplan for organizing the event!
JFC CLASSIFIED THE JFC SHOFAR WILL NOW FEATURE A CLASSIFIED SECTION TO BE USED AS A FUNDRAISER. ALL ADS ARE A FLAT $18 AND MAY NOT EXCEED 50 WORDS. THEY WILL RUN FOR ONE MONTH ONLY. To place an ad, submit the text and your payment to the JFC Office by the 15th of the month. You may email the text to jfcoffc@gmail.com and either drop off or mail your check (payable to JFC). Credit card payments are also accepted.
Iyar/Sivan 5770
Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar
May 2010
Summer Fun At Jewish Family Congregation REGISTRATION FORM Summer 2010
Child’s Name:________________________Gender M/F_________Nickname:_______________________ Birth date:_______________________ Street Address:____________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:___________________________________________________________________ Home Phone:________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________ Fall 2010 my child will be attending: (check one) 3 year old class:________ 4 year old class: _______ Kindergarten: _______ School :______________________ Parent name:____________________ Daytime Phone:__________________ Cell:_____________ Parent name:____________________ Daytime Phone:__________________ Cell:_____________ Siblings
Name:_________________________birthdate:________________________________ Name:_________________________birthdate:________________________________ Name:_________________________birthdate:________________________________
Local emergency contacts: Name:__________________________ Phone#_____________________ Cell:_________________ Name:__________________________ Phone#_____________________ Cell:_________________ Child’s Doctor_______________________________________Phone#_______________________ Allergies:_________________________________________________________________________ Special Needs/Services (past or present): ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ My child will attend JFC Summer Fun: Camp hours are 9:30-12:15. Week of 6/28: _____________ Week of 7/5: _____________ Week of 7/12: _____________ Week of 7/19: _____________ Week of 7/26: _____________ Week of 8/2: _____________
3 day/5 day 3 day/5 day 3 day/5 day 3 day/5 day 3 day/5 day 3 day/5 day
(circle one) (circle one) (circle one) (circle one) (circle one) (circle one)
If we run camp week of 8/9 would you be interested?_____________ The fee for JFC Summer Fun is $210 per week/ 5 day, $180/3 day. A $50 per week non-refundable deposit is required with this form. The balance must be paid no later than April 15, 2010. If you have any questions, or would like more information please call:
May 2010 - Iyar/Sivan 5770 Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat 1 Gr 7 ‘10 9-9:45 am Bar Mitzvah Of Joshua Strongin JiFTY Shul-in
2
Grs. 4-6
3 ECC
4 ECC
Walk of Hope/ JNF Kickoff 9-12 pm
Gr. 7 Last Class
10 Pack Dinner out 6:30-8 pm
9
10 ECC
5 ECC
6 K-3/SMP/CC
7 ECC
Mini Hebrew School
Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
8 Gr 7 ‘10 9-9:45 am
Shul-in Pick up
Grs. 4-6
Board Mt
11 ECC
12 ECC
13 K-3/SMP/CC Last class Shekel Shop Blow out RS Summer Registration Begins YG party 6:308 pm
14 ECC
19
20
21 ECC
Shavuot Office Closed
Shavuot Office Closed
Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
Religious School Regular Registration ends Ritual 7:45pm
16 Grs. 4-6
17 ECC
STARS party 10-12pm Grs. K-6
23 Grs. 4-6 Last Class
18 ECC Service 7:30 Yizkor Confirmation Tot Shabbat
24 ECC
25 ECC
Shekel Shop Blow-out Sale ECC Comm Mtg 7:30 30
31 No ECC
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Memorial Day Office Closed
Children’s Svc 6-7 pm Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
NO ECC/ RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 26 ECC
27
28 ECC
Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat
Bar Mitzvah Of Sean Kaplan
15 Gr 7 ‘10 9-9:45 am Bat Mitzvah Of Talia Kaufman
22 Gr 7 ‘10 9-9:45 am Bat Mitzvah Of Ariel Goodstein
29 No Gr. 7 Bar Mitzvah Of Samuel Blum
Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Rd/Rte. 123 P.O. Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Non Profit Organization Postage PAID White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022