Temple Israel Doorpost - July 2016

July 2016

Sivan / Tammuz 5776

From the Rabbi’s Study…

On June 12th, 2016, a gunman entered Pulse Nightclub and opened fire, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others. It has been classified as the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Pulse is a popular gay nightclub and the evening was Latin night. The majority of the victims were gay Hispanics. Most of the victims were shot within the first eight minutes of the attack. After a three hour standoff, the shooter was killed by Orlando Police.

Our country reacted with amazing unity. People lined up at blood centers to donate both in Orlando and across the nation. People from every walk of life came together at vigils to mourn and show solidarity. With one voice, we declared “Barcheinu avinu kulanu k’echad (bless us our parent all as one).” Through our actions we demonstrate our solidarity as a human family. When one part of our family is under attack we are all under attack. In the general population, there is concern regarding safety and security. This concern has played itself out in the general Musical Shabbat: Cantor Shira Nafshi population, on the floor of the House of Representatives and in our presidential campaign. Many of you have expressed & Special Kiddush in Honor of these concerns within the context of our congregation.

Rabbi Senter’s 2nd Anniversary Congregants have offered to pay for a firearm and training Friday, July 1st, 6:15pm, Sanctuary if I would agree to carry a firearm. Other congregants have suggested uniformed armed security during religious ‘OLLI at Granite State’ Adult Education services and Hebrew School. There has been a request for Classes Led by Rabbi Senter removal of Temple Israel’s No Carry Policy and requests Tuesdays, July 12th & 19th, 4pm, Chapel for affirmation of the same. I have received requests that Ministerium, our local clergy association, make public Board Meeting statements regarding gun control. I have also been told that Tuesday, July 19th, 7pm, Board Room the problem lies in Muslim Clergy who do not condemn “radical Islamic terror.” Each of these concerns will be Shabbat at Strawbery Banke addressed in the context of this article.

Friday, July 29th, 6:15pm, Strawbery Banke Congregants have offered to pay for a firearm and Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Share training if I would agree to carry a firearm.

Saturday, August 6th, 9:30am, Sanctuary I am tempted to respond with the words of Dr. Hawkeye Pierce, (Alan Alda’s character from M.A.S.H.): “I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I'll even 'hari-kari' if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun!” The answer is Tuesday Afternoon 5:30pm somewhat more complex than Hawkeye’s response. A younger version of myself actually carried a gun. I spent Friday Night 6:15pm one year of my life volunteering in Israel. Most of that time Saturday Morning 9:30am was on Ofra a Yeshuv (settlement town) in the West Bank.

Followed by Kiddush Luncheon Continued on page 2

Continued from Page 1 Volunteers were offered weapons training as a pre-requisite to participating in the shmirah (security patrol). I was trained on the following weapons: Kalashnikov (Russian submachine gun), M16 (US semi-automatic) and the Uzi (Israeli submachine gun).

At various times I have carried each of these weapons as part of the shmirah (security patrol). Fortunately, I was never presented with the opportunity to discharge a weapon in any situation other that target training. I am not convinced that I would actually be able to pull the trigger. I’m rather convinced that my carrying a weapon makes me into a significant target and offers me very little self defense. I also believe that carrying a weapon is inconsistent with my role as a rabbi. This is evident to me from God’s response to King David’s lifelong ambition of building a temple. “You will not build a temple to my name, because you are a man of war,” 1 Chronicles 28:3. A gun-toting rabbi is not consistent with the compassionate image essential to the pastoral relationship.

Other congregants have suggested uniformed armed security during religious services and Hebrew School.

Decisions regarding security at Temple Israel are made by a security committee. While security measures are beyond the scope of my rabbinic duties, I would be saddened if we were to react to this tragic event by engaging armed security on a regular basis. It is questionable that such security will serve more than an aesthetic function. According to major media outlets, Pulse Nightclub had private security provided by an off duty Orlando police officer. His service revolver was no match for the gunman’s semi automatic weapons.

I have received requests that Ministerium, our local clergy association, make public statements regarding gun control.

As the chairman of the Ministerium, I have received requests from both congregants and colleagues. It is important to understand that the Ministerium is a diverse group with varied opinions on this issue. As a group, we have chosen to take a neutral position on this issue. On a personal level, I believe that there is no magic bullet to address the issue of gun violence. I believe that part of the answer will be found in dialogue between the “pro-gun” and “pro-gun control” camps. As a culture, we need to preserve our second amendment rights and protect the population by creating uniform common sense legislation. This legislation will only be a piece of the puzzle. We need to examine the accessibility of mental health treatment and other societal factors that aggravate and contribute to gun violence in our country.

I have also been told that the problem lies in Muslim Clergy who do not condemn “radical Islamic terror.”

I agree, every religious leader must denounce all forms of violence. This is particularly true when such violence is perpetrated and / or sanctioned in the name of religion.

Here in the Seacoast, we are blessed with Imam Mohamed Ibrahim who has been a consistent voice denouncing terrorism. He has repeatedly and publicly spoken on the issue.

There has been a request for removal of Temple Israel’s No Carry Policy and a request for affirmation of the same.

Imam Ibrahim is not alone. Within hours of the 9-11 attack, the Imam of the largest mosque in New Jersey organized a fatwa (religious decree) denouncing the terrorists. The fatwa was posted in mosques throughout the metropolitan NY area. Yet it did not make the news in any major way. It was overshadowed by reports of Muslims dancing in celebration of 9/11.

Our security committee advises me that this is a nonissue, as Temple Israel is a gun-free school zone by federal statute. This is because our preschool is a state licensed facility. This matter has been researched by two attorneys specializing in criminal law.

It is tempting to paint the entire Muslim community with one brush. We need to realize that there are as many expressions of Islam as there are expressions of Judaism. Radical Islam is a significant threat in a difficult time. This being said all of Islam should not be

2

Continued from Page 2

each week it is reinvented on Tuesday at 5:30.

judged by the actions of radicals like ISIS and their followers. In reality main stream Muslims have to be concerned about radical Islam as much, if not more than the general population. More than 80% of those killed by radical Islam are Muslims.

Shabbat morning and Friday night each have their own communities of participants, though these communities are very expandable, encompassing all who choose to attend and often embracing visitors.

The Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and their families become a very welcome part of the Shabbat morning community during their year of preparation, enriching the Shabbat morning service with their young voices and earnest attention, and then they move on, replaced by the next year’s class. The Shabbat attendees learn who likes to sit where in the shul, how each of the regulars recites the Torah blessings (loudly or quietly, melodically or in a monotone), and which of the catered lunch items are the most popular.

May we be blessed to see the realization of the blessings of scripture. “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.� May our grandchildren grow up in a world devoid of such tragic headlines.

Forming a Temple Community

By Fran Berman, President We often speak about Temple Israel as a holy community, but what does that really mean? It is one thing to look around at High Holidays and see families, seniors, couples, singles, visitors, and congregants praying together -- and that make us a holy community. We are drawn together by our common wish to observe the most sacred of our holidays Jewishly, within a Jewish community. We are one large community on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, praying as one.

But at other times in the year our community is made up of many segments, like a patchwork quilt. The school community gathers for its annual events (Kabbalat Shabbat dinner, school opening day and convocation, Purim carnival). Each grade forms its own community around religious school classes and special Shabbat services led by the students in that grade throughout the year.

The Tuesday minyan is a community that meets weekly, davening together during a brief service, then visiting with each other before heading back to their separate lives. The minyan welcomes all comers, and some folks join for the year following the loss of a direct family member as they come to say kaddish each week. Others show up when they have a yahrzeit, on the anniversary of their loss. The minyan community expands and contracts according to the vagaries of the calendar and the weather, but

Each committee at Temple Israel is its own small community, drawn together by common interests.

Committee members build personal connections while working together to make our shul function smoothly.

Other temple groups form to study and learn together, or to accomplish a specific project within the temple.

About 15 committees and groups are open for business and looking for new members. And there is room for new groups to form around other interests such as Jewish arts, Yiddish culture, parenting issues, social action, Israel advocacy, and more.

In a small shul like ours, it is possible to get to know many of the other members, but the people we get to know best are those in our smaller community, which is defined by the activities we engage in. I have been lucky enough to be part of many of the communities listed above at one time or another. It is on these communities that my affiliation with Temple Israel has been built. The smaller communities have helped me form friendships that go beyond the walls of Temple Israel. They have also taught me that Temple Israel is made up of very diverse and interesting individuals and families. It is my hope that each of you takes part in at least one of these smaller communities at some time in the year. By joining with others in our community, you will not only add to the life of Temple Israel, but you will also add to your own life, opening the door to new interests, friends, and insights.

3

Education Greetings from the Education Committee! Summer is here and while the Hebrew School students take a well earned respite from their studies we are turning our attention towards Adult Education and Youth Group activities for the upcoming year. We are already hearing about book discussion groups and lectures in the works for next fall. Keep your eye on the Doorpost and Temple calendar for updates soon.

If you have suggestions on Adult Education events or, better yet, have a topic that you would like to consider presenting, please let us know. Thank you to all that make these events happen. The Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Grammar and Reading course, as an example, ran from September to May this year thanks to Kathryn Mulhearn.

Of course, a huge thank you to Noa Bourke and all of the Hebrew School staff for a wonderful and very active school year which ended on convocation day, June 5th. If you were able to attend the ceremony and saw the Phil Kliger led "We are Temple Israel" chant (to the tune of "We are the Champions") you were able to get a little taste of how much fun our students can have while learning.

The Temple has witnessed many of the Bar and Bat Mitvahs which are scheduled this year. If you have been to services on these special weekends I think you'll agree that the prayer leading by our B'Nei Mitzvot, as well as the chanting of the Haftorah and Maftir have all been excellent. It brings our Temple great joy when we see these events and to see the skill and focus which our Young Adults demonstrate brings special pride and Nachas to our congregation. To all the students, teachers, and tutors, we offer a special “Mazel Tov”!

Best, Sam, VP Education, samuelberg@gmail.com

Ritual

4

The solstice has come and gone and I hope you are enjoying a relaxing summer. Just a reminder that the start time for Friday night services is 6:15PM as of July 1st. The service runs about 50 minutes and is

followed by an Oneg Shabbat. Come join us for a refreshing way to welcome Shabbat!

Although things slow down some after the B’nei Mitzvot season, planning for the High Holidays is well underway. In mid July, you will receive a registration form and information about the Yizkor Memorial Book of Remembrance. The custom of publishing the book was reintroduced last year and was a great success! It is a wonderful way to remember relatives and friends and is an important part of our fundraising activities. My thanks to those who participated last year and I hope you will do so again. For those who missed last year, I hope you will take the opportunity to join us as we create this book of communal remembrances.

B’Shalom, David Olken

Adult Education Join us in the chapel on two upcoming Tuesdays for Adult Education classes led by Rabbi Senter and open to the public through the course offerings of OLLI. Science and the Bible: Are They an Either Or Proposition?

Member Class Fee: $15 Tuesday: 7/12 4-5PM Many believe that the biblical narrative and science are mutually exclusive. This class will explore an approach that attempts to reconcile the ancient texts with the current scientific approach.

New Hampshire's Historic Jewish Community Member Class Fee: $15 Tuesday: 7/19 4-5:30PM Gain understanding through this audio visual program that will explore the history of New Hampshire's oldest Jewish community. Portsmouth's Jewish community traces its roots to the 1693 arrival of New Hampshire's first Jewish residents. Learn how a community of immigrants built a vibrant Jewish community that thrives to this day. The class will conclude with a guided tour of Temple Israel's historic building built in 1827.

Tree of Life: Have you noticed the beautiful Tree of Life in our sanctuary? Did you know it was created by one of our own congregants? Many leaves are still available. Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, New Baby‌ Honor the mitzvah of a loved one today. $180/each

Memorial Lights Remembering our dear departed is an important Jewish tradition. A beautiful way to memorialize our loved ones in perpetuity is with a plaque in our sanctuary. Memorial plaques can be reserved or ordered for $250.

5

Rabbi Senter’s Summer Office Hours Wednesday 10am-3pm

Thursday 10am-3pm

Friday 9am-12pm

Temple Summer Office Hours Monday 10-2

6

Wednesday 8:30-1:30

Friday 10-2

This past month the children of the Early Learning Center were busy preparing for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot, which is celebrated on the sixth day of the month of Sivan, corresponding this year to June 12th. Shavuot was first celebrated in ancient Israel as a pilgrimage festival, when newly harvested barley and wheat, and the first fruits of the season were brought to the Temple in Jerusalem. After the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E., the nature of Shavuot began to change, and is now associated with the receiving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, which also occurred in the month of Sivan, seven weeks after the Exodus.

There are many mitzvot and traditions associated with Shavuot (in addition to reading the Ten Commandments and the Book of Ruth), one of which is bringing food to those in need, Hazan et HaKol. Our field trip to the Seacoast Family Food Pantry and delivery of a wagonload of non-perishable food fulfilled this mitzvah, and was an eye opening experience for the children. Another Shavuot tradition is to eat dairy and food “shaped” like the Torah, since “the words of the Torah are as a nourishing as milk and as sweet as honey.” And you can just imagine the fun the children had making homemade blintzes slathered with Nutella!

Laura Sher Director, ELC

As our year came to a close, Elian and I bid farewell to four graduating students who are moving on to kindergarten. We are proud of all of our preschoolers. Each has acquired academic skills, social and emotional maturity, and a strong foundation in Jewish traditions, holidays and values, especially the value of G’milut Chasadim, incorporating kindness into ourdaily way of being.

Thank you to all of our preschool families for the gift of your children, and thank you to Elian Tackeff, my amazing assistant.

Wishing you a happy and healthy summer!

L’Shalom, Laura

7

Opportunity to Honor Our Veterans William Bradbard

Bill Hirshberg

Morton Nannis

George Brown

Solomon Israel

Harry Portman

Joseph Cohen

Ted Johnston

Milton Roberts

Maurice Dinnerman

Irving Katz

Sam Rottenberg

Herman Fink

Alan Koiles

Lawrence Salden

Bruce Fox

Abraham Lampert

Jordan Sandler

Max Freedman

Harold Lampert

Edward Shaines

Norman Freedman

Elias Leitman

Robert Shaines

Robert Freedman

Russell Levenson

Gerald Sher

Maury Friedman

Lionel Levitt

George Sherman

Bernard Frim

Bernard Levy

Harold Silverman

Harold Glaser

Morris (Mike) Levy

Joseph Steinberg

David Goldberg

Robert Levy

Leon Steinberg

Melvin Goodman

Leo Liberson

Sidney Trubowitz

Charles Gouse

Louis Mackles

Jay Wein

Herbert Greene

Michael Mittelman

Max Weisner

Charles Handleman

Morris Marcus

Israel Wiseman

Hans Heilbronner

Brian Moroze

George Zitomer

Herb Heller Due to an increased number of requests, the Cemetery Committee will purchase an additional Granite Bench which will be located adjacent to the bench in the Traditional (Kosher) Section of the Cemetery The emblems of the 5 Armed Forces will be engraved on the back section of that Bench.

A list of those veterans are printed above.

The Committee is requesting donations to be made in their honor to help fund this project.

Send donations to : Temple Israel Cemetery, 200 State Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

8

INSTITUTIONAL OPERATING ENDOWMENT FUND Arlene Koiles & Izzy Bratter in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Mickey Allen in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Renee Levy in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Helen & Holly Steele in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Gloria & Harold Moldoff in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Rachel Kurshan in honor of the retirement of Neil Kurshan from Huntington Jewish Center in NY, Leonard & Roberta Baer in memory of his mother Gertrude Baer, Phyllis Heilbronner in memory of her husband Hans Heilbronner, Dr & Mrs Stephen Rochman Advised Fund, Gloria Turner in memory of her father Julius Applebaum, Gloria & Harold Moldoff in memory of her grandmother Molly Fisher LIBRARY FUND Joan Hankin in memory of her mother Ida Gersh and brother Fred Gersh RITUAL COMMITTEE FUND Sharen Eidelberg-Spratt & Randy Spratt in memory of Goldie Schmidt—may her legacy and memory always be for a blessing, RABBI’S FUND Mickey Allen, Howard Steinberg in memory of his mother Rose Steinberg, David Olken in memory of his father Harry Olken

PRESCHOOL DONATION FUND Maureen Sher in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother Sydney Cantor, Selma Freedman in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Roberta & Leonard Baer in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother, Ira & Veta Stone in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother HEBREW SCHOOL DONATION FUND Denise Levin in memory of her mother Shirley Vaughn Eilenberg SISTERHOOD FUND Myrna Siegel in memory of Howard Siegel KIDDUSH FUND Ruth Kletnick, Nancy & Mel Alexander in memory of Marlene Rubin’s brother CULTURAL ENDOWMENT FUND Shirley & Elliott Fishbein in memory of Debbie Fishbein, Jeannette & Bernard Goodman in memory of Maxine Fine, Ira Schwartz in memory of his father Arthur Schwartz PLAYGROUND DONATION FUND The Dobbins Family, The Hyett Family, The Kaner Family, The Lansberry Family, The Leff Family, The Martin Family, The Rubin Family, The Williams Family, The Yazgan Family, The Zollett Family

July 1st July 8th July 15th July 22nd July 29th

8:08pm 8:05pm 8:01pm 7:56pm 7:48pm

9

July Yahrzeits:

Sivan 25 / Tammuz 25

1 Irwin Benjamin

18 Maude Bierhans, Ted Johnston

2 Charles Slome

19 Fannie Zeidman, Benjamin Gurtman, Annie Klaiman

3 Dorothy Berlin 4 Harry Teitelbaum 5 Robin Gorsky Ackman 6 Robert Levy, Mary Goodman 8 Eli Levine, Mandel Shoer, Nathan Feldman 9 Benjamin Gegal, Raymond Katz, Philip Weinberg 10 Michael Anthony Smith, Phillip Moldoff, Evelyn Paul, Anna Poyourow 11 Beatrice Lisagor, Sam Fisher, Herman Windt, Ann Bradbard

20 Anne Cutler, Eva Gutin 21 Philip Cooper 22 Vivian Rous 23 Alvin Collier 24 Doris Chase, Lewis Meenes, Marsha Cohen 25 Julie Davidson, Morris Lampert, Louis Tober 26 Theodore Herzl, Jeremiah Berman 27 Sam Rosenfeld

13 Sadie Abramson, Evelyn Poster, Edward Shaines, Molly Singer, Susie Seidner

28 Tomy Levingston, Annie Pearlman, Henry Miller

14 Adele Goodman Hoeflich, Ethel Gold

29 Moses Goodman, Harry Bierhans, Leo Jacobs

15 Fae Briskin, Rose Lang, Dora Vetstein 16 Lionel Levitt, Fannie Green, Isaac Shamash, June Dinnerman 17 William Kline, Barney Levenson, Frieda Schertz

30 Faina Shumskaya, Samuel Rosenfield, Leo Sussman 31 Pearl Robbins

When you are observing a family member’s yahrzeit, please be aware that you are welcome to say Kaddish not only at the Friday night or Saturday morning service, but also at the Tuesday minyan at 5:30pm.

10

11

Temple Israel Portsmouth Board of Directors Fran Berman, President Barney Share, Immediate Past President David Olken, VP Ritual Robert Bradbard, VP House Sam Berg, VP Education Mel Prostkoff, Recording Secretary Matthew Herman, Financial Secretary Howard Rubin, Treasurer David Bachrach, Director Sue Goldin, Director Amy Hyett, Director Stephanie Ilberg-Lamm, Director Alan Lincoln, Director Ira Schwartz, Director Jennifer Sebeny, Director

Monday 10am -2pm Wednesday 8:30am-1:30pm Friday 10am -2pm OFFICE HOURS 200 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-436-5301

Temple Israel