September 2014 Shofar - Elul 5774/Tishrei 5775

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Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

Shabbat Ki Tetze, Deuteronomy 21:10 - 25:19 September 5,

7:30 pm

Shabbat service

Free babysitting Shabbat Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8 September 12 7:30 pm

Shabbat service

Board Installation

Cantor Kerry and Batyah Ben-David at “New York Supports Israel” rally

September 13 10:30 am Shabbat service including Elyse and Heather Sherr’s B’not Mitzvah Selichot Shabbat Nitzavim/Vayelech, Deuteronomy 29:9 - 30:20 September 19 7:30 pm

Shabbat service

Free babysitting September 20 10:30 am Shabbat service in cluding

Zachary Brand’s Bar Mitzvah

8:00 pm Selichot service with TSI location Jane and Leslie can’t wait for the school year to begin!

Rosh Hashanah

September 24 7:30 pm

Evening service

September 25 10:00 am

Morning service

10:30 am

Youth service

1:30 pm

Tashlich, Lewisboro Town Park

2:45 pm

Children’s service

September 26 10:00 am

Day Two Morning service

Shabbat Shuvah, Ha’azinu, Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52 All smiles at religious school!

September 26 7:30 pm

Shabbat service

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

From the Rabbi’s Desk Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Opportunity

A parent recently contacted me to speak about the possibility of becoming a bat mitzvah as an adult. I loved the request for two reasons -- one, it gave me a chance to get to know this member and her family better; and two, it made me think about the chance to lead an adult b’nai mitzvah class at JFC. Just so everyone is on the same page, a tiny Hebrew lesson...

A bar mitzvah is a “son of the commandment(s);” a bat mitzvah is a “daughter of the commandment(s);’ b’nai mitzvah are several people (men and women) who are “children of the commandment(s); and b’not mitzvah is two or more “daughters of the commandment(s).” With or without a ceremony, a Jewish person is responsible for their religious actions at the age of 13 and one day. The ceremony is a way of publicizing and celebrating this taking of responsibility.

Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah at JFC usually entails that our students learn to lead a few prayers of the daily service, explain their torah portion and how it relates to their life today, and chant a minimum of 10 verses from the torah and a few verses from the week’s haftarah (the reading from the Prophets section of the Jewish bible).

I understand that adults in the past have become b’nai mitzvah at JFC, but that usually was an individual ceremony. When studying with a

small group, there are several advantages. Most importantly, the members of the class get to know each other (and their families, if applicable). It becomes quite easy to contact a peer in the class to attend a Shabbat service or other program at JFC or another congregation, if one does not want to go alone. There is encouragement and a sense of understanding among the students, and others share in their discoveries. Of course there is a chance to study with a buddy. Finally, questions other students ask and life experiences others share enrich the lives of all those in the class -- including the teacher!

If you are interested in becoming a bar/bat mitzvah as an adult because you never had the opportunity as a younger person or because you joined the Jewish community as an adult, please be in touch with me by e-mail. Based on responses and availability, I will try to come up a schedule that meets either during the day, on a weeknight, on Sunday morning, or some combination of these dates and times. My initial thought is that the class would meet twice each month; Hebrew instruction would be separate from our meetings, and that can be arranged individually based on level.

Additionally, IF we have a class, I will try to advertise in advance the subject of each session, and ANYONE -- regardless of whether or not you became a bar/bat mitzvah at 13 -- is welcome to join us.

I look forward to hearing from you and to learning together.

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

Annual Report---------------------Page 8

Cantors’ Corner------------------- Page 7

Social Action ----------------------Page 9

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

Youth Group-----------------------Page 9

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

Ask The Rabbi-------------------- Page 10

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

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

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

From The Presidents

by Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin Co-Presidents’ Message

As we write this message, we’re well into August, and it’s hard to believe that so much of summer is already behind us. Before we know it, our children will be email: office@jewishfamilycongregation.org website: www.jewishfamilycongregation.org back at school, the morning air will turn crisp and cold and the High Holy Days will be upon us. Blink once and it will be Sukkot; twice and it will be Hanukkah.

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

In the corporate world, we’ve already begun next year’s budgeting process, and soon the jockeying for dollars to spend on our individual 2015 initiatives will begin. At work, at home, the wheel turns. And it seems to spin faster and faster all the time. So fast, indeed, that we don’t always have time to ask where are we going—where is this wheel taking us? As Yogi Berra said, if you don’t know where you’re going, you might end up someplace else.

The JFC Board has spent a good deal of time over the last several months asking where, as a community, we should be going. The vision—one that still is emerging—emphasizes greater connectivity, both locally and globally; deeper engagement; enhanced relevance; more energy.

In a world where the pace of change seems to accelerate every day, all institutions must work to remain relevant, and synagogues are no different. Indeed, synagogues all over the country are coming to the conclusion that traditional models no longer resonate with an increasingly diverse Jewish community. In the coming months, we will continue to experiment with new ways to deepen the connection we all feel to JFC. As we continue to challenge ourselves as a Board about where JFC needs to go in order to remain vibrant, meaningful and vital, we ask you to think along with us. As we challenge ourselves to foster greater connectivity, think about the old joke about the Jew who is shipwrecked on a deserted island. After 20 years of complete isolation, a passing ship spies his fire one night and comes to rescue him. When they come ashore, his rescuers are eager to have a tour of his island and he’s happy to oblige. They pass a large, spacious hut he’s built and a member of the rescue party asks what it’s for. “This is my house; as you can see, I have a room where I take my meals, a study and a bedroom that’s cooled by the tropical trade winds.” The rescuers admire the old man’s ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Eager to see more, twenty yards away or so they come to another hut, which has a Star of David fashioned out of driftwood over the entrance. “That’s my synagogue,” he tells the rescuers; “studying Torah and praying has brought me tremendous comfort these last two decades.” Intrigued, the rescuers ask to see more of his island.

Together, the old man and rescuers walk down a path leading away from the synagogue and shortly come to a third hut; it too has a Star of David over the entrance. One of the rescuers says, “hey, I thought you said that other hut was your synagogue; what’s this building?”

Continued on page 14

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Cantor’s Corner

By Cantor Kerry Ben-David

Supporting, Remembering, Preparing On Monday, July 28 my wife Batyah and I attended the “New York Stands with Israel: Community-Wide Rally” at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the United Nations. It was a powerful statement of broad support for Eretz Yisrael at this challenging time. A broad spectrum of Jewish leaders, both political and religious, addressed this very large and supportive audience. It was an emotional statement of solidarity. For both Batyah and me, it had even greater significance, since within the previous week, we had spoken to our daughter Sheera, with her two sons in tow, from a bomb shelter in Jerusalem!

On a more optimistic note, I came across a very encouraging article written by BBC correspondent Chris Bowlby about the role and encouraging symbol that some Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe are beginning to play as educational focal points in teaching our youth to learn, in a cemetery, from the past, as they prepare for the future. One of the cemeteries chosen was that of Brno, the Czech Republic. Mr. Bowlby’s article, “Hopes for the future in Brno’s Jewish Cemetery” was well documented and quite optimistic. At the site of the Brno cemetery, reclamation is clearly well underway and pictures of some restored headstones are shown. Certainly, considering our direct link to Brno and the weekly reading of twelve names from the master list that is now a permanent part of our Yahzeit Remembrance each Erev Shabbat Service, this article brought tears to my eyes. There is a Brno Jewish Tourism Information Center and tours are available. Most weeks our congregation sees the Brno Torah Scroll (on permanent loan to us) circle our sanctuary in the hakafah before “K’riat HaTorah,” reading of our Holy Scroll!

JFC welcomes the month of Elul with a special ritual, the sounding of the shofar. Elul serves as a month of preparation for the High Holy Days each year. This year we will be adding the age-old observance of “S’lichot” (special prayers for forgiveness) to our rites of preparation for the Days of Awe. It will be observed on Saturday night, September 20. After Havdalah, the “S’lichot” service is frequently a blend of the musical themes that will lead and inspire us during the High Holy Days and prayers and readings selected for their theme of “return and contemplation.” Of course, the sound of the shofar will be prominent during the evening. One of the services that I encountered on the internet ended with these thoughtful words: “Return to the land of your soul. May these Days of Awe bring you discernment, transformation, and blessing!” “Kein Y’hi Ratzon!” “May It Be God’s Will!”

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

From the Religious School

By Leslie Gottlieb

I was struck by the title of an article I saw in The Times Sunday Review section last month. It is titled, No Time to Think. As a mother and educator the idea that our children are experiencing a world in where they do not even have time to think is truly frightening. “One of the biggest complaints in modern society is being over-scheduled. Ask people at a social gathering how they are and the stock answer is ‘super busy,’ ‘crazy busy’ or insanely busy. Nobody is just ‘fine’ anymore.”

We shouldn’t fool ourselves to think it’s just our children who are at risk; adults are probably more guilty in this respect. Just go to any restaurant and watch parents and their children sitting around the dinner table—everyone with a cell phone out, engaged elsewhere and failing to interact because of the constant distraction each is facing. Recently at The New Canaan Diner there were four young adults seated together and three were using their phones and the other was reading a newspaper. Who could blame him? We are never alone anymore, not any of us. In a post-911 world it may feel safe to be able to reach out to anyone at a moment’s notice, but it all comes at a great cost.

With laptops and phones following all of us even on vacation, even sacred family time is in jeopardy and everyone feels the distance among us growing. The idea that our children have too little time to think is a very negative pathway—one that we need to address as individuals and a community. We all need to take responsibility for this pervasive problem. At the Religious School we are using the time we have with our students to create a real space for thinking and keeping the focus on learning without all the distractions.

Kate Murphy, a journalist from Houston who frequently writes for The Times continues in her article, “It could because human beings, when left alone, tend to dwell on what’s wrong in their lives. We have evolved to become problem solvers and meaning makers.

What preys on our minds when we aren’t updating our Facebook page or spinning class, are the things we haven’t figured out—difficult relationships, personal and professional failures, money troubles, health concerns and so on. And until there is a resolution, or at least some kind of understanding or acceptance, these thoughts reverberate in our heads. Hello rumination.

Hello insomnia.” Although children may be less affected by this phenomenon, it is developmentally stagnating for their brains if they are not to be able to explore

the world in an unguided way through play. Being on a sports team led by adults in a totally structured way does not help them understand the hierarchy and responsibilities of leadership and teamwork. Trial and error for individuals is actually a good thing as it turns out. Maybe growing up before the advent of cell phones was not a bad thing at all? “Researchers have learned that an idle mind is the crucible of creativity,” therefore we need to strive for more empty moments so that we can fill them with ideas and thoughts that could not possibly arise if they were crowded out by activity and the noise of our busy lives.

In another article, Q: Why Does Everyone Hate the New Math, from the book, Building a Better Teacher: How Teaching Works (And How to Teach it to Everyone, written by Elizabeth Green—you wouldn’t, at first glance, think this article about negative issues surrounding Common Core education standards ties into the conversation about kids needing down time; however, the themes of both arguments do overlap.

As our society reaches toward education goals defined and redefined every few decades to help our kids stretch their minds—we are left with the fallout of a contrived idealism that doesn’t necessarily work for all of its constituents. There is a great deal of experimentation here and researchers are finding that those leading the charge, teachers in this case, have not been given proper instruction on what they are being asked to teach. The argument for opening up the minds of our children to create new approaches to learn math, for example, has not been fully realized and there is a lot of dissatisfaction on all sides. So this major governmental effort to give our children this new creative landscape is fraught with problems.

We are so devoted to finding new ways to educate our kids in classroom settings, and yet, we often neglect our children’s development in many ways by keeping them so programmed in their off time. We need to do better. Kids need time to think. So do their parents.

At the JFC Religious School we are constantly looking at the research and latest developments in education to understand how to make student experiences at Hebrew school meaningful-- and not just a way to fill up time for them. We realize we have been given a great responsibility and opportunity.

It appears that the education system in Japan has a lot to teach us. Their transition to new learning models Continued on page 13

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

From The Early Childhood Center

by Jane Emmer

Back To School Each morning during the school year, the driveway in front of the building at the Jewish Family Congregation Campus is buzzing with cars, purposeful parents, eager toddlers and happy faces everyone looking forward to another exciting and productive morning of learning, sharing, and growing with peers. This is the start of another school year at the JFC Early Childhood Center program, a preschool that has served young children for more than 15 years.

Children who attend the JFC encounter a quality developmental preschool program, engaging teachers and parents in developing the skills, values, and attitudes that help children grow to their fullest potential. The school promises a sense of community based on respect for others, cultivating a connection to Jewish values and tradition as well as welcoming families from all backgrounds.

The success of our school is attributed to the school’s teachers and staff. Our teachers and staff really care about each child and take seriously the trust that parents have placed in us. Just as their students do, the Preschool teachers are also continually learning. The Preschool faculty is characterized by stability and dedication. Most of the teachers have been with the school for more than five years, with some 15-year veterans on staff. Teachers participate enthusiastically in strengthening the school’s educational experiences.

The ECC is a developmental program with a play-based curriculum. We believe that play is the work of children. Through play, children explore the world and form connections and relationships between people and objects in their environment. These connections and relationships are the basis of more formal education and learning in the future.

This year we will introduce a weekly “community Shabbat.” We will welcome young families to join us to sing and nosh on Friday mornings (11:30-noon)... Rabbi Burstein will lead us in a Shabbat singa-long and we will offer a snack for all. Please check our calendar at jewishfamilycongregation.org for more information.

The goal of the JFC ECC is to provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for all our preschool children while recognizing and appreciating their individuality.

Parents interested in learning more about the preschool are encouraged to view our website and/or contact Jane Emmer at 914-763-3028 x 15.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

From The Ritual Committee

By Michael Salpeter, Chair

At this time of year, many of us place most of our energy into preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Often overlooked is the festival of Sukkot which begins 5 days after Yom Kippur and continues for 7 or 8 days, depending upon your custom. Here at JFC we have a number of ritual practices related to Sukkot which all members can take part in.

On Sunday October 5 (the day after Yom Kippur) we will gather together as a community to construct our sukkah. If you are a past participant in this activity or if you have never joined us before, please do so as we have an enjoyable time for the hour or so we are together accomplishing the construction.

Watch the future email blasts for exact time we will meet that morning. The children in the ECC and religious school also do a great job of decorating the sukkah to give it a more festive appearance.

You are also invited to fulfill the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah by bringing your family meal to the sukkah during that week. In addition on Friday evening October 10, we will have our oneg Shabbat outdoors in the sukkah.

On the final day of Sukkot is the celebration of Simchat Torah. In past editions of the Shofar we wrote about the various ways that we delineate the passing of another year. Simchat Torah is one of those festivals that indicates the start of a cycle, that is the conclusion of the torah by ending the Book of Deuteronomy, and starting to read from the Book of Genesis. This year our Simchat Torah celebration occurs on Wednesday evening October 15 at 7:30 PM. Our custom at JFC is to unroll the entire Brno torah scroll around the perimeter of the sanctuary, having it supported by all those attending. If you have chanted torah in the past year or two and wish to chant a few lines from your portion, please contact Rabbi Burstein to coordinate your reading. In addition that evening will be the the 7th grade service with the class hosting the oneg afterward. The Simchat Torah service is quite enjoyable and is appropriate for all ages, pre-school through adult.

The Rabbi and the members of the ritual committee and our families wish you a sweet new year and pray that we are sealed in the book of life for yet another year. L’shana tovah.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Presidents’ Annual Meeting Message: June 17, 2014 From our vantage point, we believe that, in most measures, JFC has had a very successful year. We’ve witnessed a truly transformative spirit take hold within our special community: a spirit of revitalization and rededication; of renewed, enhanced and broadened community; of heightened energy and more ambitious possibility. It’s been exciting to witness that.

Of course, we’ve undergone an extremely significant change this fiscal year: the first change in our rabbinical leadership in almost two decades. While many of us continue to have fond memories of Rabbi Freedman, it is impossible to overstate how fortunate we are to have found Rabbi Burstein. Maintaining organizational stability at times of transformative change can be an immense challenge, but Rabbi Burstein’s exuberant energy, his personal warmth and unusual sensitivity and his wisdom and creative spirit have helped JFC not just weather the change, but emerge from the transition with an energizing sense of excitement and possibility. While these meetings aren’t typically about thanks, it’s appropriate to stop here and thank Rabbi Burstein for all he has accomplished this year.

As the year has progressed, it’s been wonderful to watch new members come into the fold, while long standing ones have renewed and deepened their bonds with one another. That sense of renewal and of revitalized commitment was very much on display at our Gala, which has become the high point of the JFC social calendar. The Gala has become a powerful acknowledgment of all that JFC is and the depth of our community, and we’re grateful to all those who worked so tirelessly to make it a success.

In very meaningful ways we have expanded the meaning and significance of community by joining in Passover and Shavuot observances we shared with our neighbors at Temple Shearith Israel. The need to broaden and expand our community in many different ways will be a continuing theme for the board of trustees in the year to come.

We’ve had other very significant accomplishments as well, in the form of a very successful High Holy Days Appeal, a fantastic Comedy Night and an extremely meaningful JFC History Project, that put us back in touch with our roots.

As proud as we are of all JFC has accomplished this year, of course the story is not all positive. JFC continues to face financial challenges. As we will discuss in greater detail when we turn to other parts of the Annual Meeting, JFC operated at a deficit this fiscal year and we project it will again operate at a deficit in the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2014. While our balance sheet demonstrates strength, in part from our illiquid assets (the building and property), these operating deficits simply cannot be sustained. Our membership ranks must grow, one way or another, or our operating deficits will eventually exhaust our endowment fund.

So what does that mean? Basically, it means we’re all in this together. There are many ways to give back to JFC for all it has meant to you and your family. But the most important way in which everyone can give back is by seeking to help JFC grow membership. Each of us can try to reach out to friends and family and seek to bring them within the JFC community.

In order to thrive, JFC must retain its existing members and build new membership. We have had success with the former but have much to do with respect to the latter, and, at the end of the day, the group that has the most impact with respect to organic membership growth is the congregation itself.

We all know the extraordinarily positive attributes that make JFC what it is. It’s a place where we worship together exuberantly in song and reverence, where we know and care for one another, where we receive comfort, solace, support and inspiration. It is a place with great spiritual, cultural and educational programs, where the bonds of community are strengthened. We need to bring these wonderful attributes to a broader community in the form of increased membership. We need to be honest with one another and recognize that growing our membership is a matter of existential reality if JFC is to have a long term future, and it is the congregation itself that must drive membership. The Rabbi can’t do it alone. Our educator’s can’t do it alone. The staff can’t and the Board can’t. But all of us can, and if we want JFC to have a long term future, all of us have to.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

From the Social Action Committee

By Debbie Lavin

The Social Action Committee will be moving into action in the fall! The Midnight Run will be scheduled for a Saturday night in December. We will need volunteers to attend the run, plus people to make bag dinners that day, and volunteers to help organize clothing during the months before. This is a great Mitzvah project for a B’nai Mitzvah student.

Please donate the following gently used MEN’S clothing and toiletries, we have a bin in the closet to the right of the oneg room door: Men’s jeans and pants Toothbrushes Hoodies and sweaters Toothpaste Long sleeve men’s shirts Disposable razors Adult winter coats Washcloths Men’s shoes Belts Backpacks NEW men’s underwear NEW men’s socks

We have scheduled our Blood Drive for November 11. We will need volunteers to donate blood! Plus, we will need help notifying previous donors by phone, email, or written cards. We will also need help putting up posters in the surrounding towns the week before. This is also a great Mitzvah project for a B’nai Mitzvah student.

All volunteers, please send email to DebbieLav@aol.com .

From the Youth Group

By Laurel Levinsohn

We hope everyone had a great summer! Now that summer is coming to an end, we are getting ready for Youth Group, and YOU should join! Youth Group is a fun experience for 8th - 12th graders, here at our temple. The Youth Group Board consists of 9 responsible high schoolers, that keep us involved with our temple.

We meet about twice a month on Thursdays, from 7:15pm - 8:15pm. These meetings aren’t formal and business like, like they may sound, but really they are a great time to hang out with friends and get to know more people of ages close to yours from our temple community! We eat, talk, play games, and yes, there is a little work involved. We plan the kids’ services, help organize involvements in our community, and more! Our first Group meeting is on September 18th. Come try it out!

-Laurel Levinsohn

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Ask the Rabbi How Many New Years are There?

A few weeks after you receive this edition of the Shofar, Jews around the world will gather to celebrate Rosh HaShana -- the “Head of the Year.” However, if you follow along during services or read about Rosh HaShana in the torah, you will realize that it is the first day of the seventh month of the year. This can be confusing, so here is how the new years of the Jewish calendar work...

The Mishnah is the body of Jewish literature that explains the torah. Written between 70-200 CE and compiled

by Judah HaNasi, it gives greater details to the laws of the torah. At the very beginning of the section dealing with Rosh HaShana, the Mishnah tells us that there are four Jewish new years. They are 1 Tishrei, 15 Shevat, 1 Nisan, and 1 Elul.

The first of Tishrei is Rosh HaShana. This new year is used for the reigns of kings. Regardless of when a king ascended the throne in the previous year, 1 Tishrei served as his anniversary commemorating the end of a year of his reign. According to Jewish tradition, the world was created on Rosh HaShana, and so it is the “Birthday of the World.” In the Gregorian calendar, Rosh HaShana usually happens in September.

The 15th of Shevat is also known as Tu B’Shevat. (Tu is an abbreviation of 15 in Hebrew gematria, the numerology system in which every Hebrew letter represents a number.) This is the New Year for the trees, and often occurs in January or February.

Nisan is the first month of the Jewish calendar. The torah states that “this month [Nisan] is for you the beginning of the months, it shall be the first month of the year to you.” The month of Nisan is the month our ancestors escaped Egypt and our slavery to Pharaoh. Just as spring brings forth new life in many forms, we began the first month of the Jewish year with new life in freedom. The beginning of Nisan usually falls in March or April.

The last Jewish new year mentioned in the mishnah is 1 Elul. This is the New Year for the tithing of cattle. The tithe for cattle had to be made from cattle born in the same fiscal year, between 1 Elul one year and the next.

Elul usually coincides with August or September.

While it may initially seem strange that there are four New Years in the Jewish calendar, we are familiar with several new years as well. A few examples include the calendar year, school year, the tax year, the fiscal year, our birthday, or anniversary. We also may celebrate the anniversary of moving, taking a new job, or the number of years of sobriety or subsequent to being cancer-free. Although we may not celebrate all these occasions together as a community, it is nonetheless important to mark them and their significance.

For all of us and for our world, may 5775 be a year of health and happiness, challenges and success, love and laughter. Shana Tova!

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JFAB

Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Jewish Family Alliance for a Better-World Community Action Group

Community action group for parents, children, family and friends Monthly meetings at Jewish Family Congregation First meeting: Thursday, October 2, 4:30-5:00 PM Thursday meetings during RS will take place regularly for those interested!

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

How can we create a better world?

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

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

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

September Oneg Hosts 9/5/2014 David & Phyllis Amerling Paul & Elizabeth Amerling

Richard Mishkin

9/12/2014 Debra Cohen Greg & Ginger Schwartz

Richard Miskin

B’not Mitzvah of Elyse and Heather Sherr

Richard Mishkin

Bar Mitzvah of Zachary Brand

9/19/2014 Sherry Levin Wallach Lowell & Nicole Haims 9/26/2014 Heath and Danielle Bender Robert Bolgar & Andrea Snyder

Hal Wolkin

Use the Shofar to say...

Happy Birthday, Get Well, Thanks, or I Remember...

Sanctuary Chair Plaque $150 Leaf on Simcha Tree $180 Memorial Board Plaque $450 General Fund Building Fund Caring Committee Fund Social Action Fund Ground Beautification Fund JFC-URJ Camp Fund Molly and Gregory RS Scholership Fund Rabbi Discretionary Fund Music and Choir Fund Religious School Director Fund Early Childhood Center Fund

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Continued from page 4 is working better than in our country, some would say. The writer puts it this way, “The teachers I met in Tokyo had changed not just their ideas about math; they also changed their whole conception of what it means to be a teacher. ‘The term teaching came to mean something totally different to me,’ a teacher named Hideto Hirayama told me through a translator. It was more sophisticated, more challenging—and more rewarding. ‘The moment a child changes, the moment he understands something, is amazing, and this transition happens right before your eyes,’ he said. ‘It seems like my heart stops every day.’ “ This wonder is what we need to recapture—but not just in the classroom setting. As this school year begins at JFC, we will keep these lessons clear in our minds-- up front and center as we teach your children. Now we need your help by giving them more time to be kids, kick around a ball, roll in the grass (although the fear of ticks is real), cook and mess up the kitchen, arm wrestle, play with the dog, and so on. We need to stop rushing our children into the car every two seconds-- with this or that sports equipment we can barely organize without a huge fuss, rushing because we are always late to everywhere.

We are the writers of the curriculum of our lives-- in most ways. Since we are the default role models for our kids, let’s put our phones away a little more often and leave the laptops in the hotel room-- if they find their way into your vacation suitcase. Think hard before you take it to the pool! Remember that adage… work hard and play hard? Let’s all learn to sit back, play hard-- or just daydream a little bit more in this new year.

L’ shanah tovah to all! May this year bring you peace, happiness and good health.

Notes by

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

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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“The first one is my synagogue,” the old Jew says. “This is the shul I don’t go to.”

In part, the joke is about the conflicted relationship some of us Jews may have with our synagogues; on a larger level, perhaps the conflicted relationship we may have with Judaism itself; and, larger still, perhaps from time to time even our conflicted relationship with Adonai.

But it’s also about our tendency to see the world reductively. Unlike the old man, we should never make the mistake of seeing JFC reductively—of seeing it as just a building where we go to worship, and where our children go to prepare for b’nai mitzvah. JFC isn’t just a building after all, as fond of our current building as we may be. JFC is, of course, a community. It’s all of us. Our shared culture; our communal memories and experiences; the ways we connect with one another; the support we give each other; the care we expend; the friendships we treasure.

We and the Board invite you to join us in creating the vision of where JFC needs to go in order to keep up with the changing world around us and to ensure that the reach of our community expands, our relevance increases and our impact grows.

Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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2014-2015 JFC Religious School Check out the complete calendar on our website

First Monday

First Sunday

September 15

September 14

Regular School Day 9 am—12 noon 11:30 –12:00 pm service Parents welcome

HHD Food Drive: Monday, October 6, 4:15 pm Meet at JFC 6 pm pickup in Katonah at La Famiglia Note: Not a regular school day

Friday Shabbat Grade Services First Thursday September 18

7:30 pm Grade K & 1 May 1 Grade 2

March 13

Regular School Day

Grade 3

February 27

4:15—6 pm

Grade 4

January 23

Grade 5

December 12

Grade 6

November 14

Grade 7

October 15, Wednesday

5:30 –6 pm service Parents welcome 6:15—7:15 pm Staff Meeting

Simchat Torah

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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s rvice !

JEWISH FAMILY CONGREGATION e s r s o t f n k i o o Lo ble p u o d worth (Shabbat Together AND Religious School)

STARS 2014-5/5775

Attend the same number of services that corresponds to the grade level in which you are currently enrolled (kindergartners need to attend one service just like their first grade friends, 2nd graders need to attend 2 and so on…)

Check off the box on your S.T.A.R.S. form that corresponds to the service you attend.

(Be sure to also write a check in the square when it’s your class’ service and Oneg.)

Sign in each time you come. The Gr. K-6 register book is in the Youth Lounge.

Keep filling in the chart all school year long, and you may end up surprising yourself by attending more than the required number. Some services are worth DOUBLE POINTS! At the end of the school year, you will be asked to bring in or mail your form.

Those who make the commitment may attend the STARS party!!!

For those who complete the program, you are invited to join us on May 3 for the S.T.A.R.S. party.

Child’s Name:_____________________________ Child’s Grade:____________ (Please use one form for each child. ) September 2014/5774-5

□ □ □ □

5 12 19 26 October

□ □ □ □ □

3 10 17 24 31

12 19 26

Gr. 5 service Double Points Double Points

January 2014 2 9 16 23 Grade 4 service 30

□ □ □ □ □

February 6 13 Double Points 20 27 Rock Shabbat/Gr. 3 service Double Points

□ □□ □ □□

□ □ □ □□ □□ □ □ □

Grade 2 service Double Points Double Points

May

November 7 14 Grade 6 service 21 28 Double Points December 5

□ □ □ □□ □ □ □□ □□

March 6 13 20 27 April 3 10 17 24

□

1

Grade K/1 service

Grade services– 7:30 PM Oneg Shabbatothosted by grade parents Rock Shabbat– 7:30 PM

S.T.A.R.S. Party (Gr. K - 6) Sunday, May 3 10:00-11:00 AM (free) & Carnival Fundraiser- $$$ 11 AM– 1 PM STARS forms due by: 4/30 (but you may count 5/1)

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Jewish Family Congregation Religious School presents the‌

Kids Knesset

Student Government Program: Grades K-6 Just think‌you can volunteer to be one of two student representatives for your grade in order to help make important decisions about our school.

There will be several meeting dates throughout the school year (with the school director) and the other student representatives.

Meetings will be: Thursdays and Sundays during Religious School.

See calendar for exact dates.

You can also volunteer to help run many RS special events as a student leader!!

Volunteer by filling out this form. Submit it to Leslie Gottlieb or send an email to: lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.org Who should volunteer?

Anyone who believes that he/she can help to create and plan great programs for the school!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------Return this section or email information!

Name___________________________________ Grade in Sept. ___________

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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The 2014-15 JFC Religious School Presents‌

The K/1 Experience

New: Sunday mornings, 10:15 AM-12:00 PM, includes worship service led by the Rabbi and music Fee: Same as K/1 Thursday program (other option for families) Registration can be completed online at jewishfamilycongregation.org.

Go to Education/Religious School Registration.

Meeting Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Special Features: The Sunday program will feature several intergenerational opportunities with older students. (The Thursday program will feature cooperative cooking & craft projects with grade 2 students.) There are two curricula for K/1 so that students experience new material for year two in the class.

Instructor: Karen Blum, JFC K/1 & grade 4 teacher

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Jewish Family Congregation 5775 - High Holy Day Services - 2014 (Services take place in the JFC tent unless otherwise noted.)

TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SERVICES

SELICHOT Selichot

Saturday, September 20 location to be determined

ROSH HASHANAH

Rosh Hashanah Evening Wednesday, September 24 Rosh Hashanah Morning* Thursday, September 25 Special Services Youth Service (ages 7 -pre-B'nai Mitzvah) JFC Sanctuary Tashlich, location to be determined Children's Service (families with children under age 7) JFC Sanctuary Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Morning*Friday, September 26 JFC Sanctuary

YOM KIPPUR

Kol Nidre Friday, October 3 Yom Kippur Day* Saturday, October 4 Healing Service Concluding Services (Afternoon, Yikzor, and Neilah)* Special Services Youth Service (ages 7 -pre-B'nai Mitzvah) JFC Sanctuary Children's Service (families with children under age 7) JFC Sanctuary

* Childcare available in building

Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road/ Route 123 South Salem, New York 10590 (914) 763-3028 fax (914) 763-3069 office@jewishfamilycongregation.org

8:00 pm

7:30 pm 10:00 am 10:30 am 1:30 pm 2:45 pm 10:00 am

7:30 pm 10:00 am 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 10:30 am 2:00 pm

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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JFC Religious School Calendar 2014-2015 / 5775 S 7 14 21 28

M 1 8 15 22 29

September T W T 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

F

S

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

January S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 May T W T

F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S

M

Symbol Legend School Days NO School on these days

YG HHD Services

Rosh H. 9/25 10:30-11:30 AM Yom K. 10/4 10:30-11:30 AM

Leslie Gottlieb, Director of Education (914) 763-3028 Ext. 24

October W T 1 2 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 26 27 28 29 30

S

M T

February S M T W T 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26

F

November M T W T F

S

S

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

S M 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

F S 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

Open House February 26

March T W T F S 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31

S 7 14 21 #

December M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 April

S

M

T

Open House April 23

5

6

7

12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28

W 1 8

T F 2 3 9 10

S 4 11 15 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 29 30

Early Registration for 2015-16 February 11 to March 18—Discounted Rates!!

First Class Dates Parents invited 11:30AM –12PM

Mon., 9/15- Gr. 7 4:15 at JFC Gr. 7 HHD Food Drive Thurs., 9/18- K-3 4:15-6PM Parents invited 5:30 –6PM

Thurs.,9/18- Confirmation (6:15-7:15 PM) Thurs., 9/18- Student Mentor Program– SMP 3:30-6:00 PM Thurs., 9/18-Youth Group 7:15-8:15 PM

8/28-

Board Meeting 4-5 PM

9/15-Board

Meeting

4:45–5:45 PM

9/18 10/2 10/23 11/6 11/20 12/4 12/18

Chanukah party

RS Committee Meetings

RS Staff Meetings

Wed., 12:30-1:30 PM

Sept 18 Dec 4 Feb 26 May 21 7:00 pm Staff Dinner

Sept 10 Nov 5 Jan 14 Mar 25

NFTY/NAR Activities

Youth Group

Thurs., 7:15-8:15

Sun.9/14-Grs. 4-6 9 AM-12 PM

Thurs., 6:15-7:15

1/8 1/22 2/5 2/26 3/5 Purim Service,

3/19 4/16 5/7-

YG Party 6:15-7:30 PM

LTI NYC – 9/14 Fall Kallah– 11/14-11/16 Winter Kallah– 1/9-1/11 Albany Social—3/1– 3/2 Elections/NYC– 3/15 Jr.Youth Kallah– 3/27-3/29 Spring Kallah– 4/24-4/26 Gala—5/9

Kids Knesset Meeting Dates

Post Confirmation Meeting Dates

Sundays 10/9, 12/14, 3/8,

Nov 18 Dec 9 Jan13 Feb 10 March 10 April 14 May 17 - Trip

Thursdays 10/2, 12/11,2/5

lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.com lesliejo0312@gmail.com

Important Dates: Book Fair– Oct 19– Oct 26

Grade Services/Onegs 7:30 p.m.

Purim Carnival– Sunday, March 1

Tues., 6:00-7:15 pm

Grade 7– 10/15, *Wed 7:30 PM Simchah Torah Grade 6 11/14/14 Grade 5 12/12/14 Grade 4 1/23/15 Grade 3 2/27/15 (Rock Shabbat) Grade 2 3/13/15 Grades K/1 5/1/15

Schedule changes will be announced by email AND posted at (914) 763-3028 ext. 24 for weather-related closures

www.JewishFamilyCongregation.org

RS STARS Party & Carnival– Sunday, May 3

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Join JFC’s Youth Group JiFTY 8 -12 Graders…

We Need You!!!

First JiFTY Meeting: Thursday, September 18 7:15-8:15 pm Congratulations to our 2014-15 Youth Group Board President- Sam Blum Programming Co-VPs- Alex Ozols, Aaron Cohen Social Action Co-VPs- Ali Andrade, Zachary Kaplan Religious & Cultural Co-VPs- Jacob Furic, Gabe Zuckerberg Communications VP- Laurel Levinsohn Membership VP- Rachel Kalter

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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JFC Religious School Fundraiser- Challah Program --From Steve’s Bagels of Ridgefield-****************************** Want to make Shabbat a special time in your home?

A fresh-baked challah on hand can help distinguish Friday evening dinners from all the others.

--All proceeds go to the Religious School Fund— Challah will be distributed during our K-3, YG & Confirmation program on Thursdays. All school participants/congregants may register if Thursday pick up is possible. Each challah will be wrapped in a plastic bag so that it will be fresh for Shabbat. If your child is absent, we will hold it for you until noon on that Friday. If we do not hear from you, the items will be donated to that week’s Oneg Shabbat.

2014-15 School Year: Cost- $143 ($6.50 each) 22 Thursdays/Dates of Delivery: October 2- April 22 ************************************** Please return by Thursday, September 18

2014-15 JFC Religious School Challah Program Student’s Name: _____________________________________ (last) (first) Grade:________ Thursday Religious School Teacher: __________________ or ___YG ___Confirmation Check # ___ Amount paid $_______

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

MB TUTORING Hundreds of students helped to excel

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

Prep

• SAT, PSAT & ACT

Math

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

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

Local Shopping

Each time you shop at DeCicco Market, 1 Cross River Plaza, Cross River NY, tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC will recieve a small rebate from your purchases.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Donations Caring Committee Michael and Rona Salpeter in memory of Joseph Salpeter General Fund Michael and Susan Stillman in memory of Arthur Zucker Music Fund Richard and Bobbie Cohlan in honor of Kerry Ben-David Rabbi Discretionary Fund Bobbie & Rick Cohlan in honor of Carter Oliver Hughes’ baby naming Sisterhood Rabbi Harvey Tattelbaum

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Rosh Hashanah Luncheon At Jewish Family Congregation Friday, September 26 1:30 pm

In celebration of the New Year 5775, the Ritual Committee cordially invites you to our Rosh Hashanah luncheon. Member Gary Levine of Bedford Bagels and Bakery will be catering again this year. We look forward to continuing the celebration of the New Year together.

$15 adult, $10 child RSVP before Monday, September 15 office@jewishfamilycongregation.org

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Please join us for

JFC’s Special 5775 High Holy Day Children’s Services

Rosh HaShanah

Thursday, September 25 at 2:30 pm * In the JFC tent *Join us at 1:30 pm for Tashlikh

Yom Kippur

Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 pm In the JFC tent

Location to be determined Don’t forget to bring bread

Friends and family are welcome as long as they contact our office in advance.

Our Children’s Services are designed especially for children age 7 and younger.

Please join us for special songs and prayers with

Rabbi Burstein and Cantor Ben-David

Jewish Family Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem NY 10590 914-763-3028 www.jewishfamilycongregation.org

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Ushers Needed For High Holy Day Services Contact the ritual committee to volunteer ritual@jewishfamilycongregation.org

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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Birthdays Susan Andrade

Mindy Hoffman

Alissa Auerbach

Pat Shafer

Allison Junquera

Sophia Barson

Jessica Sheptin

Elana Kaplan

Heath Bender

Marcia Sher-Kalter

Gregory Kaplan

Jeffrey Berg

Andrea Shulman

Zachary Kaplan

Ella Blum

Jonathan Storfer

Rachel Kurlander

Zachary Brand

Henriette Kutscher

Chloe Carson

Tyler Leitner

Jennifer Ceisler

Noah Falconer

Kody Shafer

Meryl Honig

Michele Auerbach-Sherr

Sarah Dash

Ginger Schwartz

Bonnie Wattles Gabriel Zuckerberg

Roy Lerner Sherry Levin Wallach Ruth Ossher

Sophia Firestein

Douglas Paulding

Bryon Friedman

Julie Portnoy

Abigail Gabor

Samantha Rai

Michael Gottlieb

Yahrzeits Edith Blumenthal

Stanley Gottlieb

Dina Leitner

Roslyn Rosenthal

Donna Ellen Brown

Sidney Greene-Simone

Rose Margolis

Stanley Slone

Emery Ceisler

Dorothy Himoff

Sol Pottish

Anita Stein

Murray Emmer

Max Kalb

Cathie Jo Raynor

Herbert Storfer

Gertrude Fischberg

Seymour Kalter

Cathy Jo Raynor

Leopold Weisberg

Dr. Joseph Fried

Sidney Kirstein

Harold Redman

Dudley Emerson Westlake

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

Anniversaries David & Jennifer Ceisler

Peter & Jamie Kaplan

David & Marina Fried

Jeffrey & Elizabeth Klotz

Michael Gitlitz & Dr. Rita Landman

Matthew Meister & Dafne Sanchez-Aldama

Drew & Mindy Hoffman

Andrew & Nicole Rose

Joel & Laura Kaplan

Easy ways to Support JFC ďƒž Shopping at Amazon through Jewish Family Congregation website gives us a commission on all purchases.

This is a convenient way to support JFC and a convenient way to shop. http://www.amazon.com/?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&link_code=hom&tag=jewishfamil0e-20

ďƒž Each time you shop at DeCicco Market, tell the cashier you are a JFC member before ringing up your order. JFC will receive a rebate from your purchases.

Thank You For Your Generous Support!

Babysitting is available for children 8 and under on the first and third Friday of the month from 7:30 - 8:30 pm. Please contact the office with any questions or to sign up.

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

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2014-15 EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER CHALLAH PROGRAM

baked by:Steve’s Bagels in Ridgefield As you enter JFC ECC each Friday morning the smell of

FRESHLY BAKED CHALLAH fills the air.

Would you like to make Shabbat a special time in your home? You can bring a

FRESHLY BAKED CHALLAH Challah will be available for pick up Friday mornings….

You do not have to have a child in the ECC to order Challah.

10/3/14 - 5/15/2015

(No challah on days off and Passover!)

PROCEEDS GO TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER CHECK SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO JFC ECC AND RETURNED TO JANE.

School year cost: $180

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Jewish Family Congregation Shofar

Elul - Tishrei 5775/ September 2014

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

Summer Fun Camp at JFC

Current Resident Or

September 12 ECC Back to School Picnic 10 am September 20 Selichot September 24 Rosh Hashanah September 26 Rosh Hashanah Luncheon

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