Shofar - October 2010 - Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Shofar Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

October 2010

From the Rabbi’s Desk I came to JFC on July 1, 1997, after serving the congregation of Plattsburgh, New York for seven years. So, on July 1, 2010, I completed 13 years of service to this congregation.

Our practice here is to call youngsters to the Torah as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah on or any time after their 13th birthday.

So it can be said that I am now in the Bat Mitzvah year of my service to JFC. (For the record, Bar/Bat Mitzvah happens at the age of 13 {according to Rabbi Yehuda ben Tema, as quoted in Pirkey Avot 5:24} and until the 1600s, this was not marked with any special celebration; it is the moment at which a youngster reaches the age of Jewish responsibility, from which time forward, that person is expected to fulfil all the obligations and privileges of Jewish adulthood).

It was decided that I should take this occasion seriously, and in celebration of it, I should chant Torah (which I normally read and translate), read two books and do some mitzvah projects, and then report on all this to the congregation, just as our Bnai Mitzvah students do.

So I have been busy preparing for this celebration, which will occur on Friday, October 15, 2010. The date was chosen because there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah the following morning; I did not want to encroach on any family’s simkha. Ruth Ossher graciously prepared a CD of Genesis 12:1-6 for me, and I put it on my iPod, just as the Bnai Mitzvah students do, and I have been listening to it, and learning it, as I run in the early morning. The Torah portion is Lekh-Lekha, and for various coincidental reasons, I know the text very well, so I don’t need to read it as I run!

I learned trope as a rabbinical student 25 years ago, and have not chanted since then. I am, as you surely know already, not very musical, and it would take me forever to From the Rabbi’s Desk Service Schedule The President’s Message Early Childhood Center The Religious School Social Action Committee Ask the Rabbi JFCAdults

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work out and then master the chanting of even a single verse, so I am grateful to have Ruth’s expertise as my company on my runs.

Our cantor and choir will participate in the service, and we’ll have some fun. I hope you will be present too.

I did not have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony when I was 13, because in our family at that time, it just wasn’t done. My own daughters were the first in our family to have that privilege. But I have been reading Torah since 1984, though I have never chanted in public before. I got a little practice for that on Rosh HaShanah, day 2, this year, when I read the maftir aliyah and chanted the haftarah blessings; I read the haftarah in English, which makes it more accessible to the congregation, I think.

In my role as rabbi, I have been privileged to work with many families, and to get to know lots and lots of the people who make this congregation the very special place it is.

This includes the many members of the Board of Trustees, the directors of our two schools, the teachers, the office staff, the volunteers who staff our many committees and enable the congregation to fulfil its mandates, and of course all the kids. I have been here long enough to officiate at the Bnai Mitzvah of some of the children who were in Nursery School here when I arrived. And I have been here long enough to officiate at the funerals of people who were my good friends. In its own way, that too is a privilege.

So I want to thank you for all the opportunities you have afforded me, and that is what I will do on October 15.

Updated RS Calendar Yahrzeit/Annivs/Birthdays JiFTY Kids Ask the Rabbi JFC Classified Donations to JFC Donations Form Calendar

Please join us for this simkha!

Friday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. page page page page page page page page

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

SERVICE SCHEDULE

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 Richard Mishkin, Co-President 914-764-8305; Jeanette Sanders, Co-President 914-763-0311; Mark Lavin, Vice President; Polly Schnell, Vice President; Bill Pink, Secretary; Andrew Serby, Treasurer; Carrie Kane David Marceau Beth Tessler Debra Verbeke Elisa Zuckerberg and Johanna Perlman, Past President

Shofar Editor Jolie Levy Shofar Publisher David Emmer

October 2010

OCTOBER Friday, Oct 1/Tishre 24

7:30 pm

Parshat B’raysheet Spencer Kaplan chants Torah Bat Mitzvah of Elana Kaplan

Saturday, Oct 2

10:00 am

Friday, Oct 8/ Heshvan 1

6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:30pm

Saturday, Oct 9

10:00 am

Friday, Oct 15/ Heshvan 8

7:30 pm

Saturday, Oct 16

10:00 am

Parshat Lekh-Lekha Rabbi Carla Freedman chants Torah Shabbat morning service

Friday, Oct 22/ Heshvan 15 Saturday, Oct 23

7:30 pm 10:00 am

Parshat VaYera Bar Mitzvah of Simon Mathias

Friday, Oct 29/Heshvan 22 Saturday, Oct 30

7:30 pm 10:00 am

Parshat Khayei Sarah Bat Mitzvah of Jackie Melinek

Children’s Shabbat For Me Children’s service Parshat Noakh Lisa Papernik chants Torah Bat Mitzvah of Abigail Gabor

PLEASE JOIN ME IN CELEBRATION OF MY 13 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JFC AT A SPECIAL SHABBAT SERVICE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010 AT 7:30 PM. YOUR PRESENCE WILL MAKE THE OCCASION MEMORABLE! RABBI CARLA FREEDMAN

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

The President’s Message

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by Richard Mishkin

Boy, time really seems to fly. It feels like only yesterday that I sat down to write my first message for the Shofar.

But that’s reality in 2010. Time does fly. There are more distractions, choices and things we need to do each day and everything comes at us much faster. It’s easy to lose focus and let our priorities be set by what is happening around us and not by our hearts. It might be interesting if we could jump off and watch our lives go by for a few moments but then, maybe we wouldn’t be able to get back on where we jumped off.

I don’t have any magical solutions or answers to the issue of “so much to do – so little time,” but I do think that asking questions may help. We need to ask ourselves what our priorities are as human beings, as sons, daughters, spouses, parents, Jews, and as non-Jews? We need to ask ourselves what our priorities are in the workplace? Do we strive to be the best OR to do the best that we can? To whom do we listen for advice?

I am intrigued when I hear new agents in my real estate office asking fellow agents, some of whom have not sold a house in two years, for advice. I’m available to them almost 24/7, but yet they will turn to the closest ear.

So what should we do – where should we start? Discover the people who, through their actions, not just their words, have shown the ability to stay focused and get it done. Meet their kids and shake hands with them; they will look you in the eye. Watch them and see how they are always part of the small group who do most of the work; whether it is here at JFC, as a parent in school, as the one who hosts the family get-togethers, as a coach, a driver, as the one who visits the sick, attends a funeral, as the one who always has a nice word to say or a smile to share.

These are the people who simply show up, on time, get the job done and ask “Is there anything else I can do.”

These people don’t seem bothered by how fast time flies – they embrace it.

We have something in our midst that is a gift. We have the opportunity to be part of a community – a Family – where values are high and action is a tradition. When you

come to JFC, look around and you will see families who are truly concerned with making every situation the best it can be for everyone, not just themselves. Take this opportunity in the New Year to think about your priorities. What is really important to you? I am reminded of a personal story about my son, Sam: Sam was a competitive travel hockey player, and at the end of summer league was asked to join the Long Island Gulls, a AAA team of 12 year olds, who played out of New Hyde Park in Long Island. Two of his friends were also recruited and, as you can imagine, this was about as good as it could get for a 12 year old - like being asked to play for the Rangers. The team was scheduled to play tournaments in Canada, Boston, Up-State NY and wherever else they could find good competition. They also practiced three times a week – in New Hyde Park. The dilemma: how does a 12 year old prepare for his Bar Mitzvah in April, continue to do well in school, fish, play tennis and have some good old pre-teen fun while commuting to Long Island 4 or 5 times a week? He went to the coaches and told them his predicament and explained that he really wanted to be on the team but he would only be able to come to one practice a week and miss some Saturday morning games because he was preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. It was a great year – the Gulls won a championship and Sam’s Bar Mitzvah was amazing.

We can always find ways to make things work if we set our priorities early on. By helping each other, by example or by deed, we can avoid going so fast we only see a blur.

Make use of JFC; let the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members help you. And while you are at it, support the congregation so that we can continue to be there for our Family and future families. As your copresidents, Jan and I urge you to make a difference and lighten the load for those who are carrying it.

Shalom.

CHOIR The choir will meet in the Garden Room on October 11 to rehearse for the service on the 15th.

JFC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Lisa and Jonathan Buchman of Cross River and their children Maxwell and Amanda

If you would like to join the choir, or for more information, please contact Kathy Storfer at kstorfer@aol.com We welcome all adults -- 13 or older!

AND WE WELCOME BACK Alison Ganis and Brian Besterman of South Salem and their daughter Julia

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Featuring acclaimed live entertainer Allan Sherer Buy tickets at JewishFamilyCongregation.org $95/person if purchased by October 15

October 2010

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

On-line Auction Opens October 4 www.JewishFamilyCongregation.org Bid Early!

Bid Often!

Weekend Getaways, Jewelry, Event Tickets, Vacation Homes, Gift Baskets, Sports Memorabilia and more‌!

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

Early Childhood Center

By Fern Tannenbaum

My family is constantly complaining that they are always eating the same things for dinner. They want something new. Yet for Rosh Hashanah dinner, they still wanted the same apple noodle pudding and taiglach that we have year after year. Some things should stay the same, other things should change. This is because people crave both stability and novelty. It is very much the same for young children and here at the Early Childhood Center we provide this balance. We do this to give the children what they want, but also because research has proven that young children need to have consistency as well as surprise to aid a child’s development.

School began only a few weeks ago. For many of our children this was their first experience attending nursery school, while for others it was a big change from their care free summer. Knowing how difficult this change is, the teachers strive to create a classroom that reflects the children’s interests, to post their names in many places and to establish definite and consistent routines. Science has proven that children can best attend and learn when they are relaxed and happy. When children are able to anticipate what will happen next in their day, whether it is circle time or going outside to play, they feel in control of their lives and comfortable in their environment. Therefore, every class has a schedule which is followed daily. Announcements of transitions are given in advance and the children, with their relaxed composure, are open to discovery and learning.

Knowing routines are very important to young children as they provide the reassuring structure which helps them realize their class is a comfortable place to which they belong. Yet, if every day was exactly the same the children would not be provided with enough stimulation to encourage them to learn more. There must be change to create interest as well as to increase learning. In the classroom the teachers regularly change what the children see and play with. The science table during the high holidays which displayed apples now shows different colored leaves. The dramatic play area that included a miniature sukkah last week now features a pine cone centerpiece for the fall season. The stories are new and even the music is different. Suddenly the children need to find out why. As they question and wonder they are acquiring new vocabulary, new concepts and new skills. The children will observe the different pine cones, counting, comparing and contrasting them. They will also discover why leaves change color. Instead of visiting the sukkah as they did last week, the children now walk the grounds of JFC searching for the signs of fall and gathering up the trees’ fallen treasures that they find. In addition, the children begin to learn about

society’s response to autumn from raking leaves to putting on warmer clothing.

Some changes in the classroom come naturally from changes in the environment. Some changes may come from the children themselves as they bring their own interests about cars, rocks, animals and more into the classroom. However, in order to keep the children engaged and expand their knowledge base, we plan unique opportunities for learning with trips and special visitors. Last week our four year olds went with their parents and teachers to pick apples at Stuarts Farm. Although the children studied apples and learned much from books, the experience of picking their own apples taught them more than any pictures in a book would be able to convey.

On October 20th we will be generously visited by a most important person, “Fireman Tom” Ritchey from the Vista Fire Department. He will be bringing all of his equipment including his huge fire truck. Seeing and touching a Firefighter’s truck and equipment brings questions and answers but more importantly, it offers a real life learning experience. We have many trips and activities scheduled, perhaps too numerous to mention in this article, but all of them will broaden our ECC children’s minds. These enriching experiences will also spark wonder and curiosity which are the keys to encouraging further learning.

Fall is certainly upon us. Although we may yearn for those warm summer days, the fresh fall air and beautiful changing colors invigorate us. The seasons provide us with constant change and surprise. However, the changing colors of autumn come every year and comfort us with their predictable yearly schedule. Our children at the ECC also benefit from this balance of change and consistency. With comfort and stimulation our children learn freely and excitedly. Like the seasons, at the ECC, the more things stay the same, the more they can fascinatingly change and the children just love it.

Still haven’t checked out this awesome shopping card program?

It’s so EASY! Tons of vendors you already love!

And, of course, you’re helping JFC. Call the JFC Office for details!

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

The Religious School

by Leslie Gottlieb

Jews talk about a kehillah kedosha, a holy community.

I think we have one at JFC but there are always things we can do to foster a better tie among our members. It is essential for everyone to feel involved in some way.

Through the efforts of JFC’s board member, Polly Schnell, many of you have already felt her recruitment energy and we are all better for it. For the Religious School, we are a community of learners and the kids themselves, led by their teachers and mentors, create an energy all their own that happens when they are together. There is a connectedness that one cannot ignore.

The Jewish community, at large—and I mean all of it, cannot always see eye to eye or create harmony within itself at times. Several months ago, the National Council of Young Israel, the parent Orthodox body, threatened to expel one of its members—a synagogue in Syracuse, NY. The council denies that this is the case. Everyone seems to be arguing about new rules issued to congregants and legal issues that could result in the synagogue owing back dues to the council. What a mess. Reading into it a little, I learned that some of those new rules include: that synagogue presidents must be male and Jewish from birth, that family memberships may not be granted if a spouse is not Jewish, that women’s prayer services are prohibited, that women may no longer read the Megillah during a prayer service, and so forth.

I was the product of a Young Israel affiliation until I moved away from home. My grandfather, with whom we lived, helped to build the shul that began in the basement of the Rubins’ home next door. We had folding chairs and an ark that rolled around the room—especially handy for basement floods!! When we finally purchased a building, my grandfather spent his retirement funding the shul and keeping the place in order. That included daily visits for prayer and overall maintenance. He was the best at repairing old siddurim—not that I as a woman ever had the occasion to hold one during a worship service. That stuff (sitting behind a mechitzah, or curtain, without a prayer book) stays with you, sadly. Fortunately, I found that I could be a woman and enjoy all the rites and passages of being Jewish, just not at a Young Israel. So when you look at that list of rules, be happy you have found a sort of paradise on earth at JFC. At least that’s the way I feel. I always try to inspire our female student cohort with stories from my past hoping that they will feel pride in their standing at a Reform synagogue.

Our school curriculum helps to bind us as a community, as well, in a way. Ours (you can view it all on the JFC website!) helps to build upon itself year after year beginning in kindergarten and although there is some overlap (holidays that we all share year after year, etc.), we look to our teachers to keep it all fresh and age appropriate. It is a full-fledged written curriculum with goals set for every grade and in this way we make sure

that from kindergarten through the high school years, each age group has certain elements set aside that covers all of what we intend for them to know within the framework of our school schedule. In this way they all share a common bond. They are a community of learners focused on a singular goal: to learn about their Jewish past, present & future! In that effort, they emerge as individuals with separate and distinct Jewish identities.

Interestingly, the Israel Religious Action Center of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism published an article from the June Haaretz edition (Jewish newspaper) written by Or Kashti that discusses a new educational model for Israeli students. Some of you may find this surprising. I did. One would think that all Israeli students would know or be taught what is in the new manual.

“The educational curriculum in state-run institutions for this coming school year will include a new subject: Jewish culture and tradition. Initially, the subject will be taught in grades 6-8 for a period of two hours per week, and then expanded to additional grades.

The new subject will include lessons on Jewish culture, the Hebrew calendar and ‘the Jewish people's connection to the Land of Israel.’ In addition, students in the sixth grade will be required to learn the weekly Torah portion; students in seventh grade will be taught the order of prayers in the Jewish liturgy; eighth graders will undergo instruction in Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Fathers ); and ninth graders will delve into Theodor Herzl's novel ‘Altneuland.’

‘Six books from the Jewish-Zionist bookshelf will be taught throughout these years and students will have direct encounters with complete classical works,’ said Professor Benjamin Ish-Shalom, who heads the educational steering committee in charge of administering the new coursework.”

It reminds me of my trip to Yad Vashem last summer.

All of these new Israeli soldiers (dozens of them) were piled into the museum to view it for the first time. It is viewed as vital for new Israeli citizens/soldiers to take in Jewish history and especially the Holocaust -- as most of them lived the majority of their lives in other places and never had the exposure to the history of the Jewish people. I never thought of that but I am glad that someone did. It is the right thing for them to learn just what it is they are fighting to preserve.

On a trip to Europe this summer, our son Zachary went (to honor a request of Michael Salpeter, chair of the JFC Ritual Committee) to find out as much as he could about the community where our Czech Torah scroll originated— a town called Brno that you have heard the rabbi talk about on many occasions--- and on Yom Kippur morning most recently. He met twice with the director (Continued on page 28)

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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5771 HIGH HOLY DAYS

Many thanks to ALL who helped with the High Holy Days.

Thanks also for all the food donations!

A very special thanks to Michael Salpeter, Ritual Committee Chair, for all his hard work.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

JFC HIKING CLUB JFC Hiking Club announces its first event (open to all ages) Saturday, October 9th (rain date: Sunday, October 10th) Fall foliage hike at Overlook Mountain and Fire Tower Interested parties should meet at Goldens Bridge train station on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. (carpooling to be arranged there) This is a moderate level hike ( approx. 5 - 6 miles) Proper footwear for day hike recommended (no open-toed shoes) Dress in layers; bring lightweight raincoat and hat Bring water & lunch, snacks, camera Questions or concerns: contact Alan Sanders at alasanders@aol.com

2010/11

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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October 2010

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JFC Social Action Committee We will be holding our annual Blood Drive on Veterans’ Day, Thursday, November 11. We have had a fantastic turnout in the past and made significant donations to the local Blood Banks. This year, we'd like to see even more JFC members participating. If you would be interested in volunteering either beforehand to help organize the event, make phone calls, or on the day of the blood drive, please let Debbie or Jeanette know.

We will be doing only one Midnight Run in the fall, the dates will be set soon. We encourage the new B'nai Mitzvah class to consider coming on one of the fall runs -- it is a moving experience and it would be great to get a jump on your Mitzvah projects! We would also appreciate bag dinner - making from the B'nai Mitzvah families. Several families could get together to coordinate a number of

The Tzedakah of the Month For

OCTOBER is

“MIDNIGHT RUN” Selected by the

JFC Social Action Committee

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by Debra Lavin

B'nai Mitzvah families to make bag dinners and take responsibility for all 60-90 dinners! Let us know if you're interested-- taking charge of coordinating all the meals would make a great mitzvah project, even if you cannot come on the run itself.

We are again in need of donations of gently used men's clothing (we do not need women's or children's clothing). The following are always needed: Men's Jeans Backpacks Sneakers Ne Belts Midn xt Hooded zipper sweatshirts Run: ight Oct. Blankets 2!

Winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves New men's jockey-style underwear New white athletic socks Toiletry items: Disposable razors, mini shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mini-deodorant, washcloths.

(We have enough shampoos and soaps for now, thanks to Ed Verbeke and many others!)

Gallon-size zip-loc bags Cases of water bottles Financial donations in support of the midnight run help us to purchase toiletries and the new socks and underwear.

Want to help too? Call Debra Lavin (2320756) or Jeanette Sanders (763-0311)

SUPPORT-A-WALK -- OCTOBER 3 On Sunday, October 3, members from JFC will participate for the 3rd year in Support Connection's annual Support-A-Walk at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights.

Support Connection provides free personalized support programs for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. The walk is held to raise breast and ovarian cancer awareness with all proceeds benefiting Support Connection's free services. The three-mile mile walk begins at 10 am, with pre-walk activities starting at 9 am.

JFC already has a team formed - men, women, and children are all welcome! To join the team and help us raise money online, follow these simple steps: 1. Go to http://www.firstgiving.com/ jewishfamilycongregation 2. Click on "Join this Team" on the right hand side 3. Click on "Join Now" 4. Enter your email and password to create your account 5. Create your page and start fundraising!

Please let Debra Paget (dpaget@aol.com) know if you are planning on walking with the team.

If you can't walk with us but would like to make a donation to support our fundraising efforts, you can make donations directly on the team's home page: http://www.firstgiving.com/jewishfamilycongregation

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

The Early Childhood Center The Green Room (2’s)

The Blue Room (3’s)

The Yellow Room (4’s)

October 2010

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

. . . The Religious School . . .

The 7th Grade Food Drive

WOW! Great job!

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October 2010

ASK THE RABBI Question: Answer:

What makes some cheeses “not kosher”?

In a word, rennet.

Rennet is a coagulant used to change cheese from a liquid to a more-or-less solid state. And very often, the rennet used is from an animal that is not kosher, either because it is outright prohibited (such as a pig) or because, though it is permitted (a cow, for example), the animal was not kosher-slaughtered and butchered.

And people who follow the Talmudic dietary laws scrupulously will not eat cheese unless it comes with a hekhsher, a certificate of kashrut. This certificate covers both ingredients and production, so that the consumer can trust that the cheese was not produced in a facility or with utensils that are also used for other foods that are not kosher.

taken by the Conservative movement’s Law Committee (see Rabbi Isaac Klein’s A Guide to Jewish Religious Practices, p. 372-3).

The Reform Movement is less concerned with these matters, and most Reform Jews do not worry about whether a cheese has a certificate of kashrut.

It is interesting to note, nonetheless, that many cheeses today list “vegetable rennet” among their ingredients, which indicates that there are alternatives today to animal rennet.

But some cheeses, especially those from Europe, must be made the traditional way in order to be identified by their names, such as Brie and Parmesan. Thus, even if vegetable rennet is available, these cheeses will continue to be made with animal rennet in order to qualify as “authentic”.

So it is nice to know that, by the standards of the ConserHowever, many authorities today argue that because renvative movement, we can eat those cheeses without guilt! net comes from the completely dried wall of the stomach of (please note: I have used “Brie” and “Parmesan” as examan animal, it cannot be considered a food, and therefore is ples, and do not know whether rennet is used in their prono longer forbidden. This is apparently the position duction).

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

JFC  Adults Israel’s involvement in cinema dates back to the earliest days of the film industry. The first featurelength film in Hebrew was “Oded the Wanderer.” Its premier was on Chanukah, 1932 at the Eden cinema in Tel Aviv, according to The New Foundation for Cinema and Television.

Before and during the first years of statehood, films emphasizing the Zionist ideals of restoring a Jewish connection to the land, and personal, often heroic sacrifice for national survival, were the sole themes of Israeli films.

That all changed in the 1960s when a Hungarianborn Holocaust survivor, Ephraim Kishon, who wrote biting satires about Israel, turned to writing and directing films. His 1964 comedy, “Sallah Shabati,” dealt with the prejudice faced by North African Jews in Israel. Nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film category, it humorously portrays the foibles of a poor, unskilled Jewish immigrant from North Africa, played by Topol.

The late 1960s saw the emergence of a new force in Israeli cinema, the Kayitz (Hebrew acronym for Young Israeli Cinema) Group, influenced by the French New Wave film movement. During this period, and especially after the Six Day War of 1967, Israelis began taking a new, more personal look at society.

During the 1970s the so-called “bourekas films” became popular. Many Israelis looked to these homegrown farces (and some melodramas) for an escape from the tension of their lives. In no way sophisticated, and as unpretentious and insubstantial as the pastries that gave them their name, these bourekas films fit the bill.

In 1978 the Fund for the Encouragement of Quality Israeli Cinema was established. Not coincidentally, the second wave of Kayitz filmmakers emerged in the late '70s and early '80s. Their films dealt with the era’s explosive political and cultural issues and they continue to influence the direction of Israeli film today.

In the 1990s, Israeli cinema came of age in many ways. The expanded population and economy, along with a less defensive, insular perspective of Israeli

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By Jeanne Shanin, Adult Program Coordinator

society, have contributed to an explosion in both the quantity and quality of films. Students no longer have to go abroad to study filmmaking. The Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem, one of three film schools, was founded in 1990 and has been recognized 14 times as the world’s best film school by peer group competition.

Which brings us to the 21st Century and to JFC*Adults’ Movie Night this month.

The Israeli cinema has grown, received critical praise, gained respect, and won awards in film festivals around the world. Israeli films have been nominated for the Oscar the last three years in a row. The previous two nominees, “Waltz with Bashir” and “Beaufort,” both about war, share a common lineage to a re-energized Israeli movie industry fueled by a new generation of storytellers. This year’s nominee, “Ajami” was directed by young Israeli Jewish and Palestinian co-directors. The actors were largely nonprofessional, coming from the Israeli Arab neighborhood, Ajami. Its intertwined stories expose an Israeli underclass riven by drugs, crime and ethnic prejudice.

Trevor Johnston of Time Out said, “This is vividly challenging, utterly inclusive and heartfelt cinema” See for yourself on Saturday evening, October 23.

WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP A number of women in the congregation are going through separation and/or divorce, and Rabbi Freedman is offering a chance for these women to meet and share their experiences, and to be a support group for each other.

If you are eligible to participate, please put Tuesday, October 5 on your calendar; the meeting will begin at 7:30 pm in the Oneg Room.

Those who attend will determine whether they want to meet again, and whether they want a facilitator.

If there are men interested in a parallel group, please contact the rabbi to propose this.

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UPDATED

BLOOD DRIVE We will again be holding our annual Blood Drive on

Veterans’ Day, November 11.

PLEASE plan to donate blood. Call Debbie (232-0756) or Jeanette (763-0311) if you want to volunteer to help organize the drive or otherwise help out.

This is a significant community service that can save lives.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

Still haven’t checked out our Gift Shop?

Stop in and take a look! The items do change frequently!

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

Have you checked out the JFC Blog yet?

Go to www.jfc.rjblogs.org

This BEAUTIFUL bench was hand-made by our 6th Grade Class of 2010!

Can you believe it is STILL AVAILABLE? Interested? Please let us know!

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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.

YAHRZEITS Diana Bell Gerhard Bendix Jennifer Laurie Brainerd Mary Jacobs Bromfeld Samuel B. Cohen Leonard Dutka Eddy Fuchs Thomas Gabor Helen Garfiel Joseph Gordon Don Gould Anne Greenwald Sidney Islin Elias Jacobson

Esther Kalb Julius Leitner Dora Lichtbach Yale Ossher Florence Perl Dominic Romeo Anna Schattner Rachel Sher Philip Silverman Norma Sklarin Leon Spear Richard Stanley Jean Steinhorn

ANNIVERSARIES Brian & Jillian Chipman Jeff & Cyndi Dodes David & Jane Emmer Leonardo & Allison Junquera Kenneth Levinsohn & Ellen Strauss Robert & Emily Rauch Michael & Rona Salpeter Eric & Andrea Stegman Paul & Kathleen Storfer Jay Zaslow & Samantha Rai David & Elisa Zuckerberg

BIRTHDAYS Mark Albert Matthew Albert Frank Andrade Daniel Barson Anna Bellinson Daniel Bloch Caroline Boies Zara Clott Evan Dash Jonathan Elias Robby Feldman Catherine Fischberg Joshua Fischman Michael Fisher Joseph Furic Jonathan Gilbert Carolyn Goldman Noah Helburn Alexis Johnson Emily Kahn Sam Kaplan Sean Kaplan Debra Lavin Kyle Leitner David Levens Laurel Levinsohn

Phoebe Lichtman Stephen Marinucci Liana Mathias Simon Mathias Catherine Mishkin David Moss Leslie Moss Deborah Nelson Robert Rauch Andrew Richman Lauren Rose Jeanette Sanders Sarabeth Sanders Alan Schefer Polly Schnell Greg Schwartz Matthew Schwartz Amy Selig Andrew Serby Jennifer Sobel Daniel Stegman Eric Stegman Jeremy Tubbs Tyler Wallach Martin Weisberg

Please consider celebrating significant birthdays and anniversaries with a leaf on our Simcha Tree of Life. Call the JFC Office for details.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Religious School Forms

October 2010

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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JiFTY just had their end of summer party and it was a BLAST! Just to remind you guys, JiFTY's first official meeting is going to be October 7th. Make sure you’re registered and definitely make sure to come!!

The board would like to thank everyone who participated in the youth group-led youth services for the high holy days! We hope you enjoyed them!!

We have tons of new ideas and great programs for this year, we're all really excited, so you should be too!

JiFTY

By Zia Waldman

Youth Group Beach Party

(8th-12th graders) Thursday, September 23 Gilbert Street Beach, South Salem Many thanks to Karen Blum for arranging the beach for us!

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

Kids Ask the Rabbi Question: I heard you say on Rosh HaShanah

that you are going to chant Torah sometime in October. If you don’t have to chant when you read it, why do we {editor’s note: the “we” here is the Bnai Mitzvah class) have to?

Answer: I read Torah quite frequently, some-

times every Friday evening for weeks and weeks.

And I would have to work out the chant for each reading on my own. Alas, I am not very musical, and I do not read music, so working out the reading would take a lot of my time…and I have many things to do other than Torah reading every week.

By comparison, Bnai Mitzvah students prepare one reading for one occasion, and work with a tutor for six months to learn to chant the text. Your tutor prepares a CD of the chanted text for you, and you work together at learning one reading.

I have been listening to my CD (via my iPod) for about three months now…and I am almost ready to chant in front of the congregation. But I did not work out the chant myself, and that saved a lot of time.

While I have been learning my 6-verse reading for mid-October, I have also read Torah many times on a Friday evening, and I have heard others chanting in the High Holy Days melody, which is quite different from the regular Shabbat melody.

All that is very confusing for someone like me, who does not have musical skills.

The truth is that I wish I were able to chant, and to do it regularly. But there are others in the congregation who can, and that will include you, after your B/Mitzvah. I hope that you will choose to keep up the skill that you are acquiring this year, and to contribute to the beauty of our Shabbat services from time to time.

Perhaps I will return in other years to chant the little section I am working on right now…but the immediate goal is just to master the reading for this occasion.

I hope you will come to support my efforts on October 15.

WJCS Offering Free Workshops to Women Looking for Jobs With funding from the Leir Chartable Foundations, WJCS has launched Women-Helping-Women, a series of free workshops for women who are seeking jobs. Registration is required. Please contact W-H-W Project Director Lenore Rosenbaum at 761-0600, X308 or lrosenbaum@wjcs.com.

The following free, non-sectarian workshops will be held at Temple Beth Abraham, 25 Leroy Avenue, Tarrytown, NY. For directions go to http://www.tba-ny.org/aboutus/directions/ Thursday, October 14 9:30 - 11:30 AM Thriving While Unemployed – Although scary, being out of work can also be an opportunity to stop and look at your work life -- where you’ve been and where you want to go.

Tuesday, October 19 9:30 - 11:30 AM Navigating Your Career: Adapting Your Skills to the Current Market Trends — Learn strategies to effectively market the skills you want to transfer.

Wednesday, October 27 9:30 - 11:30 AM Persuasive Communication — Learn how to put your best foot forward, when you interview for a job or network.

Thursday, November 4 9:30 - 11:30 AM Getting Yourself Organized & Staying Organized -- Get insights, tips and suggestions for managing your job search and the steps you need to take to land your new job.

Tuesday, November 9 9:30 - 11:30 AM Landing Your Next Job via Networking — Learn why networking is the most effective way to secure your next job and how to have a breakthrough in your ability to create and leverage your own network.

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

JFC CLASSIFIED Furnished house in Goldens Bridge available for rent from November 1 to sometime in May. Rent and terms negotiable; references needed. Ideal for someone having house renovated, new to area looking for short-term lease, or looking to stay in area after selling house. Call Jeff Berg at 914-232-6806 or JeffreyFBerg@aol.com.

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. 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.

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

Stop in and take a look!

The items change frequently!

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

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

The Religious School (cont’d) (Continued from page 8)

of the Jewish Museum in Prague, Czech Republic (leaving his college grad buddies back at the hotel to wait for him!) and came away with a very long list (over 8,000 names) of Holocaust victims from this town and the places where they perished. There on the list were many names that could have been direct family members of mine and, in fact, Michael Salpeter’s (there were two Salpeters on the list). We are using a Torah scroll that came from a community that has disappeared from this earth. We honor them every time we read from it or carry it around the sanctuary—or kiss it as it passes us.

That connection to the people of Brno makes me feel that our two communities together make up a kehillah kedosha of a very special nature. We will continue that connection when the rabbi reads names from the yahrzeits list. She said it would take 13 years to complete the list aloud. So be it.

So as this school year continues to unfold, please do what you can to help foster a holy community at JFC. We are committed to that goal and in that effort we are starting a new student government program that begins this month. We will be writing a school constitution and a student contract for starters. These are the kinds of things that make kids active in and connected to their school community. Parents need to show the way and reveal to their kids that this is all very important to them and to the entire extended family. We need your help as a congregation--- and as parents of our school.

Todah Rabbah to…  Jolie and Kathleen in the office for helping to get school off to a great start  All of the class parent volunteers for this year  The JFC “new” and “returning” staff for all of their efforts to make this year a great one  The Youth Group for leading great HHD services last month

October 2010

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Donations to JFC Last Month General Fund Samuel Goldberg Harold Simkowitz

In appreciation of JFC’s hospitality at Leandra Fischman’s bat mitzvah In Memory of Morris Simkowitz

Prayer Book Kenneth Aufsesser Kenneth Aufsesser

In Memory of Eleanor Aufsessor In Memory of Lila Gordon

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Martin Weisberg Stephen Margolis Stephen Gelband Suzanne Sunday Suzanne Bujaj Irving and Corrine Katz

In Memory of Lila Gordon In Memory of Lila Gordon In Memory of Lila Gordon In Memory of Lila Gordon In Honor of Rabbi Freedman on the occasion of Isabella’s bat mitzvah High Holy Day Donation

Simcha Leaf Alan and Jeanette Sanders

In Honor of Sarabeth Sanders on her graduation from Princeton University May 2009

Sanctuary Chair Plaque Alan and Jeanette Sanders

A Donation from the Sanders Family

High Holy Day Flowers Theodore and Lisa Bloch/k Susan Eydenberg Westlake Doris Hettmansberger Kenneth J. Aufsesser Alan and Jeanette Sanders Laurie Wolkin Stephen and Roberta Margolis Joel and Laura Kaplan Joel and Laura Kaplan Joel and Laura Kaplan Rita Landman and Michael Gitlitz Allan and Alice Gottlieb Doris Hettmansberger Trudy L. Wood & Jack Goldberg Arthur and Lisa Katz Arthur and Lisa Katz Lorraine Malamet

In Memory of Lila Gordon In Memory of Judith R. Eydenberg In Memory of Harlan Hettmansberger In Memory of Eleanor Aufsesser In Memory of Lila Gordon On Behalf of the Wolkin Family In Honor of Lily, Talia and Mia Yustein In Memory of Ann Kirstein In Honor of Stella Kaplan In Honor of Alvin Kaplan In Memory of Sheila Gitlitz In Honor of Eva Schenk In Memory of Joseph Goldberg In Memory of Marvin Weber In Memory of Esther Weber In Honor of Annie Malamet and Emily Malamet

High Holy Day Cards Kenneth J. Aufsesser The Bloch/Block Family Trudy Wood & Jack Goldberg

Arthur & Lisa Katz The Sanders Family Rabbi Freedman & Jeanne Shanin

Doris Hettmansberger Stephen & Roberta Margolis Susan Eydenberg Westlake

Richard and Sandi Auerbach Kenneth J. Aufsesser Neal and Karen Blum Robert and Nancy Brown John and Karen Conti Rita Landman and Michael Gitlitz Phyllis Goldfield Roy L. Goldman Edward Gordon Doris Hettmansberger Rabbi Freedman and Jeanne Shanin

Theodore and Lisa Bloch/k Marjorie Karsch Arthur and Lisa Katz Emily Kingsley Mark and Debra Lavin John Grzymala and Linda Lederman Gary and Paula Levine Lorraine Malamet Stephen and Roberta Margolis Shelagh McLean Richard and Catherine Mishkin

David Moss The Salpeter Family Alan and Jeanette Sanders Susan Stillman Suzanne Sunday Steven and Judith Vandervelden Martin E. Weisberg Susan Eydenberg Westlake Laurie Wolkin

Memorial Donations

DONATIONS MADE DURING OR AFTER THE HIGH HOLY DAYS WILL APPEAR IN THE NOVEMBER SHOFAR.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

October 2010

Tishri/Cheshvan 5771

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Page 31

October 2010

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1

2

NO ECC

Gr. 7 9-9:45

Bat Mitzvah Of OFFICE CLOSED Elana Kaplan Service 7:30

Simchat Torah

Tot Shabbat

3

4

5

6

Gr. 4-6 Fire Drill

ECC Gr. 7 Fire Drill

ECC

ECC

Kids Knesset 10:10

10

Women’s SupJFC Auction port Group Creation Opens On-line Station 7:30

11

NO 4-6

NO ECC (Columbus Day NO Gr. 7 Weekend)

12

13

ECC

ECC

7

First Challah Delivery

8

K-3Class Photos ECC

Consecration of Children’s new students “Shabbat for 5:30 Me” 6:00

CC/SMP/YG Bd Mtg

Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat

14

15

K-3/CC/SMP - ECC What Are Your Fire Drill (CF?) Children Learning? 9:30 a.m. Kids Knesset

[K/L CLOSED]

COLUMBUS DAY OFFICE CLOSED

Creation Station

5:10

9 NO Gr. 7

(Columbus Day Weekend)

Bat Mitzvah Of Abigail Gabor

16 Gr. 7 Class Photos 10:45 (11:00 dismissal)

Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Gr. 4-6 Class Photos

ECC Gr. 7

ECC

ECC

K-3/CC/SMP YG

ECC

Gr. 7 9-9:45

Creation Station

Roadside Cleanup 9:15

B O O K

Service 7:30 Tot Shabbat

F A I R

24

25

26

27

28

Gr. 4-6

ECC Gr. 7 ECC Comm.

Mtg. 7:30

NO ECC BJE Prof. Day 10-PK 6-7:30

ECC

K-3/CC/SMP

BOOK FAIR

Creation Station

Bar Mitzvah Of Simon Mathias

29

30

Gr. 7 9-9:45 ECC NFTY Fall Kallah Bat Mitzvah of NFTY Fall Kallah - Eisner Jacquelyn Melinek Fabulous Service 7:30 Fall Festival 6:00-11:00 Tot Shabbat

31 Gr. 4-6 NFTY Fall Kallah

JEWISH FAMILY CONGREGATION

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