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- - CHRONICLES - -
DECEMBER
2009 —KISLEV 5770
FALL 2009 – ELUL/TISHREI 5769-5770
JULY 2009 ............. TAMUZ 5769
SPRING 2009
— IYAR 5769
DECEMBER, 2008 ----KISLEV 5769
SEPTEMBER
2008 ... ELUL 5768
DECEMBER 2009 —KISLEV 5770
HAPPY HANUKKAH
and other wonderful news!...
Our Temple’s Hanukkah celebration will begin at 5 PM on
Friday December 11, at the Long Wharf where we will light the first
candle on the Mega-Menorah, a joint effort of the Temple and Charles
Egosi’s Sag Harbor Inn (owners of the Menorah). Afterwards, we will go
directly to the Temple and begin our festivities with a Shabbat/Hanukkah
Service at approximately 5:45 pm. As always, there will be FOOD...latkes
and soufganiot... the traditional Hanukkah fare. Therefore, we need
latke makers to bring their wares. We also need people to bring salads
and other stuff to go with these goodies. Please let Margaret know what
you will bring...631-725-0904.
After we eat,
we’ll sing Hanukkah songs, tell Hanukkah stories and play Hanukkah games
(including dreidel spinning). So come with kids and grandkids, prepared
to "gamble" the night away.
Of course we
all know the other wonderful news...that Rabbi Morris, his wife, Dasee
and their most adorable son Tamir will be with us full time beginning
this spring. This should put a smile on everyone’s face as it will put
our Temple in a whole new league. Functioning full time means lots of
new programs and ideas which both Rabbi Morris and Dasee will be sharing
with us very soon. And Tamir will play happily, being lovingly watched
over by congregants of all ages.
We can’t look
toward the future without a brief mention of the past. Our High Holiday
and Festival services were all very beautiful, meaningful to everyone,
and very well attended. Simchat Torah was especially fun for all since
we not only danced with the Torah –but with Tamir! During that evening’s
service, Temple members were called to the bima for Aliyahs representing
their decades. Since Joshua Gruenstein, age 10, was the only one
representing the under 20 age group -he had the Aliyah for two decades,
despite not having yet been a Bar Mitzvah...a most unusual honor for him
and his family. The following morning, his sister, Jessica read
from the Torah. At an earlier service, members of the Hebrew School
participated in theYom Kippur afternoon service.
Someone found
and sent us a blog from a woman who attended Yom Kippur services and
blogged..among other things...."It is a warm and welcoming place for a
wandering Jew like me". Nice tohear!
MESSAGE FROM RABBI
LEON A. MORRIS...Dec.09
As we
approach Hanukkah, I’d like you to know about an ancient debate between
two famous Rabbinic schools of thought –Hillel and Shammai. It presents
two options for the way candles are lit on the Menorah, both of which
would allow someone from the outside, looking into the window of the
house, to know which night of Hanukkah was being celebrated.
Shammai
suggested that one light eight candles the first night, seven the second
night, and so on, decreasing by one light each night of the
festival...culminating in one light on the 8th night of
Hanukkah. His justification for this position was that it corresponded
to the decreasing number of festival offerings on Sukkot (the much older
Biblical holiday on which Hanukkah was based).
Hillel, on
the other hand, proposed doing it the way we do it today: one light on
the first night, two on the second, continually increasing the number of
lights until there are eight on the last night of Hanukkah. It is
Hillel’s explanation for this that is most pertinent to us. Hillel said
one should increase the number of lights each night because in
matters of holiness one should always increase and not
decrease.
This is an important message for us to incorporate into our observance
of Hanukkah –to re-dedicate ourselves to increasing, and not decreasing
in the areas of life that are most special and most distinctive.
Hanukkah challenges us to increase the time we spend with our families,
the acts of kindness we do for others, the amount of Tzedakah we give
and the amount of time we volunteer. Hanukkah urges us to take on an
additional mitzvah in our lives –to take an additional class about
Jewish life or to attend synagogue more than we did the year before.
For our congregation, Hillel’s injunction seems quite
timely. We are a congregation that continually increases in
matters of holiness. We are developing new ways to coordinate our
efforts in visiting the sick and have in place a team of
volunteers to help families in the immediate aftermath of the death of a
loved one. Also, artists among us are coordinating efforts to add
an aesthetic dimension to our synagogue life.
Nothing could
be a bolder statement of our desire to increase than the Board’s recent
decision that the time has arrived for us to become a fully functioning,
year round congregation with year round rabbinic leadership.
That decision
meant far more than just inviting me and my family to move to Sag
Harbor. Rather it meant an increasing ability to see our yet unfulfilled
potential....what we can become...what kind of community we can be. It
reflected the vision of increase...more members, more programs,
more services, greater responsiveness to our members, and, hopefully, a
deepened sense of Jewish identity and spirituality for all. Hillel would
be proud of Temple Adas Israel’s recent decision to move forward!
IN THE NEWS...
Rabbi Leon
Morris, was one of the first scholars named to the new Hartman North
American Scholars Circle by the Shalom Hartman Institute in Israel. This
elite group of prominent Jewish leaders was "created to provide new
ideas and responses to the moral and spiritual challenges facing
contemporary North American Jewry", said Donniel Hartman, son of the
Institute’s founder, and a member of its Israeli faculty.
He represented both TAI and the Skirball Center, as one of only 17
members of the 2009-2010 Scholars Circle all of whom are from
prestigious learning centers including Columbia, Yale, Princeton,
Stanford , Brandeis, Oxford and Temple Universities, Hebrew Union
College and Park Avenue Synagogue.
The Shalom
Hartman Institute, a pluralistic research and leadership institute
founded by Rabbi David Hartman,"is at the forefront of Jewish thought
and education and empowers scholars, rabbis, educators and lay leaders
to develop new and diverse voices within the tradition, laying
foundations for the future of Jewish life in Israel and around the
world."
"I am honored
to have the chance to study with such respected colleagues in a program
only the Hartman Institute could envision," Rabbi Morris said
"I look
forward to sharing ideas that are developed with my congregants and
students."
Mazel Tov to
Mark Mahoney (son of Bonnie Mahoney) who recently earned his
Eagle Scout Badge. He was featured in an extensive interview in The
Sag Harbor Express where he described the Eagle Scout process and
his own route to the award. Mark was honored on October 18 at an
installation ceremony during which Rabbi Morris delivered the Invocation
and Benediction, and Dave Lee sang our National Anthem in his still
quite British accent.
Kudos also to
Temple Board member Jerry Cohen, who was featured in Real Estate New
York for his work as Chairman of the Board of The Realty Foundation,
an organization that offers a lifeline in the form of bridge assistance
for those who have fallen on hard times.
HAPPY HANUKKAH TO ALL!
MESSAGE FROM
PRESIDENT NEAL FAGIN...
By now you should have received letters from me and from
Rabbi Morris and Dasee Berkowitz explaining that we are now a year round
Temple, with our first full time rabbi. Dasee will serve us part time,
as an educator, while continuing her consulting practice. This momentous
change was well thought out, since it means a significant increase in
our expenses. Before finalizing this plan, we reached out to many of you
asking for a three year pledge of support to help us with our finances.
We received a lot of pledges, yet we are still $30,000 a year short of
what we need to sustain our new status. If we missed any of you, who are
able to help, please e-mail me:
Sometime after the beginning of 2010 we will announce
plans for an increase in dues. Also in the works is a major fundraiser
early next summer. We are confident that our decision to move forward
and provide our community with a full time synagogue is right, and that
all of you will help in some way.
I always hate to solicit donations...but right now, in
addition to the above, I am also looking for one or more of you to
underwrite the purchase of 40 very comfortable chairs to be used as
additional seating for members during the High Holidays, to make them
feel like they are in the sanctuary. These chairs will match those we
added a few years ago... beechwood with navy blue upholstered seats. The
cost for the lot is $5400.00. Please help!
I look forward to hearing from many of you soon and to
share all the joy that has come our way.
RONA KLOPMAN
REPORTS...
I am happy to tell you that Temple Adas Israel’s first
Israeli Film Festival at the Bay Street Theatre was well attended. The
audiences especially appreciated the discussions following the films,
led by Prof. Richard Gambino. We are looking forward to offering four
more exceptional films next year.
Sixteen students are participating in the new Judaism 101
class, learning the basics of Judaism on Thursday evenings. It is a
mixed class including Temple members and new students. The classes are
friendly and non-judgmental and explore the fundamentals of Jewish
traditions, customs, holidays and life cycle events. The Jewish
understanding of God, essential Jewish texts and ethics are part of the
20 session course. Rabbi Morris attended a class during Sukkot to
demonstrate the lulav and etrog. He was delighted with the group, since
it fulfills a need for leaning about Judaism within the community.
I’d like to share (with her permission) a few excerpts
from a letter I received from one student, Lindsey Jaffe...a Jew with a
non-Jewish fiancé. ..." we are really enjoying the class and the sense
of community it is providing for both of us...we are so grateful to you
for teaching this class at Adas Israel... I am also grateful for the
other students and a chance to build relationships with these wonderful
people...and a temple so full of history... this network of family,
values and tradition has given me a spiritual connection... it is
something I hoped the class would help my fiancé understand... it is
beyond my wildest expectation...you have created this place for us and
it is such a gift..."
DAVE LEE
REMEMBERS...
As the weather gets cooler I am reminded of a crisis we
had back in the 1950's –- the dim and distant past. It was close to
Hanukkah and we were planning a party to celebrate the festive occasion,
and sing Hanukkah songs.
Our heating system consisted of an oil burner, installed
in an old coal furnace, that heated the shul through a grate in the
sanctuary floor. It was very inefficient at best --but it died
completely just a few days before our party was scheduled.
We had very little money and went to see the local
plumbing firm, R.C. Barry & Sons, on Main Street where we bought a new
oil fired insert to be installed in our old coal furnace. Then we had to
figure out how to pay for it. I remember clearly the price of the
job...$650.00 and that was with a healthy discount. We raised
what we could, about $275.00, and Hap Barry, the store’s owner allowed
us to pay off the balance over a few months, which we did. Nettie
Rosenstein (Gert Katz’s Mom), Ruth Rossuck, Mae Kelman (it was nice to
see her in shul for the holidays), Vera Lee and Mary Matles ran a card
party, as I recall. By the way, we had the furnace back in working order
by Hanukkah, we had a good party and the furnace not only lasted 8 days
for our local Maccabees, but for a long time thereafter. When we bought
the empty lot next to the shul and built our extension, we put in a gas
fired furnace to provide heat for both the new addition and the
sanctuary. The heating -related job on our current agenda is to abandon
the old, buried oil tank by draining it and filling it with special foam
to prevent polluting the ground. Happy Hanukkah to all!
HEBREW SCHOOL NEWS...Leah
Oppenheimer
Jewish
education is at an all time high at TAI this year! In addition to our
regular program, now serving 18 children and their families, we have
several other offerings. The Bat Mitzvah class meets twice a week,
Mondays as usual and Wednesdays to focus on Torah reading and liturgy.
The five girls, Rebecca Dwoskin, Zoe Diskin, Zoe Vatash, Rachel Pepper
and Clara Oppenheimer, are an inspiration to the other students as they
actively move into synagogue life with Tzedakah projects and
participation in Friday night services.
One of our
new programs is Beit Boys for those who missed regular Hebrew
School but who strongly desire a Bar Mitzvah. In 90 intense minutes
these young men learn Hebrew, Tora in assisting at services. Stay tuned
for more from these high energy students and their families. I believe
they are ready for active participation in Temple life.
The
Parents Circle is our other new venture. Using a curriculum from the
Jewish Outreach Program, this 12 week series of classes offers families
comprised of a Jewish and a non-Jewish parent intensive training in
building a Jewish home. So far these families have learned about finding
holy moments with their children, and framing
issues Jewishly. Our first Parents Circle Shabbat, Dec. 4th
examined the "December Dilemma".
Look for our
students at Shabbat services; don’t miss the Hanukkah party December 11th
or the TuB’Shevat Seder on January 29. Be a part of the web of mitzvot
that is Jewish living.
ROSH CHODESH NEWS... FROM
GAIL GAMBINO
The Temple women's Rosh Chodesh group celebrates a year
and a half of monthly gatherings this December. We welcomed two new
members during the summer and are always pleased when another Temple
member joins us.
We inaugurated three annual events this past year
beginning with a summer picnic; then our second annual women's Mikveh,
which was beautifully led by Dasee Berkowitz; and we also celebrated the
East End harvest.
Perhaps stating the obvious, our meetings combine
refreshments, reflection, learning, sharing and deepening friendships.
Celebrating the Harvest allowed us to share some wonderful local food,
to cook for one another and to experience a sense of gratitude for the
unique place in which we live. We also spent some time looking at
member-suggested themes for our meetings.
Under the umbrella of the significance of each month, we
are developing a very interesting and challenging list of ideas which
will serve as the core of our curriculum. For November's meeting, Eileen
Moskowitz offered an intriguing and complex subject: The Nature of God
in Reform Judaism. As she did last year, Eileen provided interesting
research and a thoughtful and provocative outline for our discussion.
Margaret Bromberg requested that we take a look at The Nature of Prayer
which we integrated into our larger topic and focused on more personally
in our circle of sharing.
It has been my goal to heighten abstract concepts with a
personal reality and to integrate the study of Judaism within a larger
secular, spiritual realm. We have reflected deeply upon the concept of
balance--in Judaism and in our lives philosophically and
psychologically. Our meetings will continue to reflect that...two
examples of how we nurture one another... Myra Peskowitz is recuperating
from surgery, so in November we took our monthly gathering to her. We
will move to Sue Fisher's new "digs" in December to celebrate and bless
the Mezuzah we gave her. Our discussions are thoughtful, our sharing is
candid, our laughter is abundant and our connections are heartfelt.
Please contact me, <Bdwybaby@optonline.net> if you would like to join
us.
JANET GROSSMAN
REPORTS...
The first Maureen’s Haven program for the homeless in our
area has just started in the East Hampton Methodist Church. Since the
program runs on Friday evenings, we can’t be there physically, but we
can always help with our donations of goods and money. As one of the
Hebrew School’s Tzedakah projects, the students are collecting packages
of underwear for those who spend the night at the program. Scarves,
gloves and winter hats are also needed. And, since there is no shower,
they need disposable cloths for bathing- -three per person for each
bath. These cloths are available at WalMart; it is estimated that 125
packages will be needed for the season. If you wish to donate any of
these items please call Margaret at the Temple: 631-725-0904. The
"guests" at Maureen’s Haven will be very appreciative. Thank you!
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT...Margaret Bromberg
Although we used to have a dormant season when our "busy
season" came to an end after Simchat Torah, things around Temple Adas
Israel now are anything but dormant. No time to hibernate as we are
still sorting out and straightening up in the wake of the Fall Festivals
while preparations for Hanukkah are underway.
In addition
to special events, like the Hanukkah Party, our year round commitment to
provide a Shabbat worship experience every Friday also requires
attention and a dedicated core of prayer leaders and "followers" - the
followers every bit as important as the leaders! Myra and Dan Peskowitz,
Dave Lee, Leah Oppenheimer, Margaret Bromberg and Ann and Perry Silver
have accepted the responsibility of leading prayers and we anticipate
that Annette and Harry Heller, having recently returned from Israel,
will share some impressions with us in on a Shabbat evening in the near
future.
Once a month we spend a Friday evening at the home of a
member; and when Student Cantor Donna Mashadi spends Shabbat with us, we
share a meal at the synagogue after the Shabbat service. The Fagins and
the Lees have hosted very successful Shabbat gatherings in their homes
and we look forward to a Hanukkah Shabbat at the home of Allen and
Beverley Fein. Later in the winter, the Zaretskys and the Schwabs will
be our hosts. We need homes for our February and March gatherings, both
on the 26th of the month.
During one of
the workshops at a recent Bikkur Cholim Conference, I listened as we
were encouraged to be sure to engage the talents of all volunteers as
there is a "job for everyone".
I would like
to add a twist to that by suggesting that each member of Temple Adas
Israel think of what he or she might do to participate and support our
Community. There truly is something for everyone and it doesn’t have to
be work... attending a Friday night service is a very important
contribution!
Myra
Peskowitz is recovering from surgery at home. We wish her a full and
speedy recovery.
We will miss
the company and support of Sheila and Jerry Adelberg who will be in
Arizona and California until March. We wish them easy travels and a safe
return.
CALLING ALL
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL COOKS...
Myra Peskowitz informs us that preparations are in the
works for a cookbook containing recipes suitable for the Temple’s Pot
Luck Dinners. These can be dishes you’ve already made for a Temple
dinner –or other recipes appropriate for such an event....vegetarian or
fish... NO MEAT, PLEASE. You may e-mail your recipes to Myra at: More
about this in our next issue. And, while you’re writing your recipes,
why don’t you include a snappy title for this cookbook and we’ll come up
with a suitable prize if a winner is chosen from the submissions.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS...
We are
delighted that the following new members and their families have joined
us and we look forward to meeting all of them soon: Jackie Berg, Faith
and David Diskin, with daughters, Jade and Zoe; Dr. Ira Blaufarb, Dr.
Richard Blum, Marvin and Diana Chudnoff, Robert Fleischer and Susan
Raanan, Rhonda and Arnold Finkelstein, Todd and Shanna France with sons,
Henry and Abraham, Judy Greenwald and James Kyprios, Judith Hollander,
Fred and Greta Kahn, Steve Levy, Wendy Marks, Jolie Parcher and Perry
Burns with sons Baxter and Kai Parcher-Charles; Ellen Ruby, Karen and
Irving Schwab, Shirley Silver, Susan and Bruce Steger and Lorne and Luke
Weil.
REMINDER...
the Bat Mitzvah class is collecting coats for the homeless, to be
distributed by the Southampton Tire Center. PLEASE bring wearable winter
coats for men and big boys to Temple NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 11th.
There is a bin outside to drop them in. That will be a perfect Hanukkah
Mitzvah!
**************************************************************
PERSONNEL
RABBI LEON A. MORRIS: 212-508-0981
<Leon@adultjewishlearning.org>
Student Cantor DONNA MASHADI
<primadonna55@yahoo.com>
ADMINISTRATOR: MARGARET BROMBERG
<adasisrael11963@optonline.net>
PRESIDENT: NEAL FAGIN -631-835-2902
<CaptainFagin@aol.com>
VICE PRESIDENT: ALAN LEAVITT -
<Leavittny@aol.com>
SECRETARY: DAVID J. LEE
<Davelee_11963@yahoo.com>
TREASURER: HOWARD CHWATSKY
<HowardChwatsky@aol.com
HEBREW SCHOOL DIRECTOR: LEAH OPPENHEIMER
<Loppenhe@optonline.net>
EDITOR, THE CHRONICLES: LEDA C. GOLDSMITH
<Leda.gpg@verizon.net>
BOARD MEMBERS: Jerry Cohen, Don Doctorow, James Dwoskin, Barbara
Freedman, Jonathan Nash Glynn, Leda C. Goldsmith, Janet Grossman,
Richard Hemley, Donald Katz, Howard Maisel, Richard Shapiro.
Honorary Board Member: Sylvia Lieberman
Associate Board Members: Margaret Bromberg, Mindy Cantor, Leah
Oppenheimer, Phyllis Silver, Sandy Slipp
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL
Elizabeth Street & Atlantic Avenue...P.O. Box 1378
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0904
e-mail: <adasisrael11963@optonline.net>
website<www.templeadasisrael.org>
FALL 2009 – ELUL/TISHREI
5769-5770
HIGH HOLIDAYS
CELEBRATED...
Our annual
High Holidays schedule starts on Saturday September 12 at 9 PM with a
dessert reception to celebrate Selichot, (in preparation for the High
Holy Days), at the home of Leah and John Oppenheimer, 8 Marsden Street,
Sag Harbor. Services will follow at the Temple.
FRIDAY SEPT.
18...8 PM, Rosh Hashanah Evening Service
SATURDAY
Sept. 19...10 AM...Rosh Hashanah Morning Service...followed by outdoor
Kiddush
3PM...Family
Service and program for school age children with Rabbi Morris; for
children 0-5 with Leah Oppenheimer. Apples and Honey for All!
SUNDAY Sept.
20... 10 AM... 2nd day Rosh Hashanah morning service
3PM...Taschlich at Havens Beach
FRIDAY SEPT.
25...8 PM...Shabbat Shuvah services
Saturday
Sept. 26...10:30AM Torah Service, Study
SUNDAY SEPT.
27...6:20 PM Fast begins
8 PM KOL
NIDRE/Yom Kippur Evening Service
MONDAY SEPT.
28 ...10AM...Yom Kippur Morning Service
2PM...FAMILY
SERVICE
3PM ...Avodah
Service (Dramatic Reading of original Yom Kippur Ritual)
3:45 PM
Mincha (Afternoon Service)
5:45 PM
Yizkor (Memorial Service)
6:30 PM
Neilah (Concluding Service)
7:30 PM Final
Shofar Blast (all children are asked to wear white and join the Rabbi on
the bima). Havdalah Break the Fast follows. Everyone is invited to
participate.
FALL FESTIVALS...
Sukkot will
be celebrated on Friday evening October 2 at 5:30 PM beginning with
"Pizza in the Hut" followed by a service at 6:30 PM. On Saturday morning
October 3, the Shabbat/Festival service will begin at 10:30 followed by
Potluck lunch in the Succah.
Friday
October 9 at 6:30 PM join us for a Shabbat/Simchat Torah Service and
Celebration. Come dance with the Torah. Shabbat morning Simchat Torah
Service will be held on Saturday October 10 at 10:30 AM; Yizkor will be
recited.
MESSAGE FROM RABBI LEON A.
MORRIS... (Fall 09)
Last year I
received a flier promoting an event for young Jews in Manhattan. The ad
said "Celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Glam and Glitz!" The details read:
"Come dressed in your New Year’s best (no T-shirts or sneakers) and
dance the night away." Well, um, what can I say? While I tend to buy a
new necktie each year, I think the organizers of that event had
something else in mind entirely: Rosh Hashanah as New Year’s Eve.
Rosh
Hashanah, literally "the head of the year" is known in the Hebrew Bible
as Yom HaZikkaron (the Day of Remembrance), Yom HaDin (the Day of
Judgement) and Yom Teruah (the Day of Blasting the Shofar). The
comparisons between Rosh Hashanah and New Year’s Eve can teach us a
great
deal -- not
only about two strikingly different days, but also about two very
different approaches to joy and celebration.
The joy of
New Years Eve is light, frivolous, a bit wild; Rosh Hashanah is about
deep joy, about celebrating the opportunity for reflection and the
ability to start over again with a clean slate.
Both are new
beginnings. But whereas New Year’s Eve is often marked by resolutions
that tend to fade away by mid-February, Rosh Hashanah is about resolving
to live differently and working to incorporate real and lasting change
into our lives.
Whereas, on
New Year’s Eve we wish one another a "Happy New Year", on Rosh Hashanah
we wish one another a "shanah tova" – a GOOD year in which we should all
be inspired to allow our goodness to predominate in the days and months
ahead.
As for the
"glam and glitz" of New Year’s Eve, this is exactly what we hope to
leave at he door, and to enter these Days of Awe with an awareness of
our true selves.
Shana Tovah –
a good year to you and your families. A year of greater goodness for all
of us; for the people of Israel and for the world.
HEBREW SCHOOL and FAMILY NEWS
from LEAH
OPPENHEIMER, Hebrew School Director
There will be
a Family Open House and Preparation for Rosh Hashanah on Sunday
September 13 at 3PM. The Fall session of the Hebrew School will begin on
Monday September 14 at 3:30 PM.
Our Hebrew
School students are increasingly involved in the community at large. We
proudly report that graduates Nick Dwoskin and WuQing Hipsh both
volunteered this summer, sharing their talents and time at the Food
Pantry and the Children’s Museum, respectively. School families and
students were also deeply involved with the Israeli Scouts at the Jewish
Center of the Hamptons. The Peppers, Dwoskins and Oppenheimers all
provided housing for one or more students ( (Lorrraine Pepper did repeat
duty!)
Many of our
students -- Emily Schutz, Rachel Pepper, Rebecca Dwoskin, Clara
Oppenheimer, Zoe Vatash-- attended the "Experience Israel" Program as
well as the Youth group. Graduates Nick Dwoskin, Kye Vatash , Hank
Oppenheimer and Jeremy Pepper assisted with Junior Youth group and will
continue to do so during the winter. We are also deeply grateful to
Shelley Lichtenstein and her staff at the JCOH for generously sharing
their resources with us.
We are very
excited about several new programs.- The playgroup will recommence in
October, and we have started our new family week-end program, to be held
one Sunday a month in the winter. This year, for the first time ever,
Bnei Mitzvah students will be attending Hebrew School twice a week, to
reinforce their prayer and reading skills. A huge thank you to Howard
Maisel for his generous donation of a copy machine. I won’t miss my
hours by the copy machine at the Variety Store.
Our goals are
to further enrich our B’nei Mitzvah program; to build feeder programs
for the school; to expand family education and to strengthen ties
between school families and the synagogue
A sweet,
healthy, Happy New Year to all.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE NOTES...
Sunday
October 18 at 11 a.m. author Barbara Berg will speak at the Temple on
contemporary women’s issues. She will also touch on the role Jewish
women have played in human rights advances. Her books include The
Women’s Movement and Young Women Today, The Crisis of the Working Mother
and The Remembered Gate; Origins of American Feminism. Program
Committee chairperson, Sandy Slipp asks members to contact her at<>
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NEAL
FAGIN...
with
suggestions for either Friday night or Sunday speakers during the coming
seasons. The President and Board thank Sandy for her Board service and
are glad to have her remain active in as an Associate Board member.
It is that
time of the year again...a time for reflection. As we look back on our
past winter and "high" seasons we see a lot of change and innovation.
Our Israeli Film Festival was initiated using Bay Street Theatre as a
venue; the films were well attended. Prof. Richard Gambino led three
fascinating lecture/discussions on great Jewish philosophers, also well
attended. Rabbi Morris, along with musician Richard Fraiman rolled out
"Shabbat Shaboom" at Havens Beach on several Friday afternoons and the
rabbi also held Mincha services with wine and cheese on Saturday
afternoons.
After a
hiatus, the Scholar in residence program was re-introduce and Barbara
Freedman reports that "Mishael Zion was a big success...the group was
sizeable and responsive... and all agreed that Mishael is a great
teacher and is especially good at creating a quality of intimacy in the
group, enabling people to participate easily.
These
programs have drawn an increasing number of both members and guests.
These increased numbers make it even more essential this year that our
"Members Only" policy in the Sanctuary during the High Holidays be
strictly adhered to. If you bring a guests or family members who are not
members of the Temple please make sure they are seated in the adjacent
room.
Include the
Fall Festivals of Succot and Simchat Torah in your holiday agendas.
Everyone has a chance to dance with the Torah and have a sip of
Slivovitz...it is not your grandfather’s drink anymore!
During the
High Holiday services our Annual Appeals will include asking for your
help for:
A new Sukkah
twice the size as before
A newly
designed, updated website
A stand to hold
the Torah Cover, Crown, etc.
New carpeting
Please e-mail
me if you would like to participate in the services... we want to make
sure you are included:
CaptainFagin@aol.com
Come early, stay late and
enjoy our very special Temple.
SYLVIA LIEBERMAN...
Coincidentally, Rabbi Morris, Dasee and Tamir were visiting Sylvia the
same day your editor paid a call. Sylvia looks well and is happy to be
back in her Southampton home by the bay, albeit briefly.
By Labor Day
she will return to her new home base in Atlanta. On the day we saw her,
Sylvia was being lovingly attended to by two handsome grandsons and her
daughter, Carol. Daughter Lynn, who has been with her constantly, had
gone to NYC to see a show. Sylvia would appreciate hearing from
congregants who may write to her at: 8952 Roswell Road, Apt. 218,
Atlanta, GA 30350.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT...
At one of the monthly Mincha services on Saturday
afternoon in Temple we read a prayer by Richard Levy in which he
references the offerings brought to the ancient Temple...spices and
foods... and goes on to state "Most precious in our day is the offering
of time". This line has so many meanings in the context of Temple Adas
Israel and particularly in the context of the operation of the
organization. So much of what we do, and of what we hope to do, going
forward, depends upon gifts of time.
In recent
months, we have improved our appearance with the replacement of window
blinds and slight "upgrade" of the downstairs bathroom, been involved in
the return and repair (due to faulty binding) of all 200 of our Siddurim,
replaced a table in our kitchen with a nicer looking, more functional
rolling cart and added a tallis rack to our furnishings.
We have
enhanced our Shabbat observance with "Shabbat Shaboom", Oneg Shabbat
celebrations of B’nei Mitzvah, anniversaries and weddings, with flowers
on the Bima , with Saturday morning and Mincha Services and with S’udot
Shlishit.
We have been
enriched by an Israeli Film Festival, lectures and classes, the
teachings of scholars and the on-going Rosh Chodesh group. We are
continuing to grow as we endeavor to learn how to put into action our
desire to be a caring community.
Summer is a
time of "flourishing" - the harvest is at or close to its peak. Temple
Adas Israel is flourishing as well and as we look forward to and prepare
for the High Holidays, it is my hope to recognize and value the many
gifts of time which are reflected in our Temple life and to encourage
members who have only minimally made use of this gift to maximize its
options by participating in one of our varied offerings and to become "offerers"
as well.
Margaret
Bromberg
MAH JONGG...from Gail Gambino
Eight really
smart, highly motivated TAI women joined forces to learn the basics of
Mah Jomgg during the summer. I have loved playing and was finally able
to venture into teaching beginners. The group learned to love the sound
and look of the tiles and they were quick to pick up the fundamentals.
Many mistakes, lots of laughs and one month later...Voila! Eight more
women had joined the ranks of Mah Jongg "mavens". We all had a very good
time, indeed, and hopefully will continue to play and enjoy the game
together in the coming months.
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM......
Rona Klopman
will teach Judaism 101, a 20 session course in basic Judaism for
adults, on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00, at the Temple, beginning
on September 17. Subsequent sessions will be held Sept. 24, October 1, 8
and 15; November 5, 12, 19, and December 3 and 10. A winter break
follows and the class resumes at the end of March. Cost for TAI members
is $100 for singles; $120 for couples. For non-members it is $120 for
singles and $150 for couples. Materials are included. Come explore
Judaism and get an overview of Jewish rituals, spirituality, history and
thought. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in Judaism in a warm,
stimulating, accessible forum. This course may have special interest to
inter-faith couple. Call the Temple at 631-725-0904 to register.
REAL ESTATE HISTORY from DAVE
LEE...
One day, back
in the 50's, I was outside the Temple fixing a window and got into a
conversation with the owner of the empty lot next door. His name was
Philip Harboy and he lived across the street. The lot was overgrown and
undeveloped; a five foot fence, about two feet from the Temple,
separated the properties.
At first our
conversation was general -but I thought I’d plant a seed for the future
of the Temple. We had very little in our treasury at the time, so I
casually mentioned that someday we’d like to buy the property for the
Temple’s future growth. We then discussed its value -both to him and to
the shul- and settled on a fair market price of $1500 for the 75' x115'
lot. Unfortunately Mr. Harboy was killed in a skating accident that
weekend. I attended his funeral during the week that followed. Two weeks
later, his widow, Florence, called to thank me for the flowers we sent ;
she told me her husband had informed her of our handshake agreement and
said she would abide by our deal.
It is amazing
how things happen... in twos. One of our members at the time, Dr. Harry
Diner, who had a dental practice in Queens, gave us the building in
which he had his office. He allowed us to sell it and keep the proceeds.
We were very fortunate that the dentist who was renting the building
wanted to buy it -so we sold it to him; bought the empty lot next to the
shul and put the rest of the money in the bank. These two events enabled
the Temple to expand its facilities; building the present Rabbi’s
office, rest rooms, and the expansion space, used during the year for
social events, and during the High Holidays to enlarge the sanctuary.
Maybe the fact that they lived during our "growth" period, with all of
its ups and downs, endears some of our older members to the shul and
explains our pride.
By the way, I will be
giving a tour of our Historic Shul during HARBORFEST on Sunday September
13 at 2 PM. DL
WANTED...SPONSORS FOR FRIDAY
ONEGS...
Sponsors are
needed for Friday night Onegs Shabbat...providing a wonderful way to
honor your loved ones, celebrate important simchas or just to give your
fellow members a warm reception. There are two ways to Sponsor an Oneg...(1)
to contribute $250 to the Temple and the whole thing will be taken care
of including purchasing, serving and clean-up. Or, (2) You may
contribute only $100 to cover the cost for wine, paper goods, challahs
and service, and you purchase or provide whatever you would like
to serve. To arrange a date, contact Margaret Bromberg:
adasisrael11963@optonline.net
MAZEL TOVs
..all around
to the Bromberg family... Minna Bromberg, PhD, has been appointed
Rabbinic Resident at Kesher Zion Synagogue in Reading, PA. During Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur she will serve in Sag Harbor as spiritual leader
of the Conservative Synagogue of the Hamptons. Her brother Simon
Bromberg married Catherine Schiavoni on July 19th. They
were welcomed into the TAI community at Shabbat evening services August
16.
IN MEMORIAM...
TAI lost two
valued members recently. ALAN KLOPMAN died on August 4th;
funeral services were held at TAI on August 6. Ironically, Alan had been
an active participant in Rabbi Morris’s emerging "nichum aveilim"
(comforting mourners) committee. He, along with his wife Rona, was an
active and generous supporter of the Temple and was one of those
instrumental in arranging for the Temple’s first Film Festival last
year. The thoughts and prayers of the Congregation go out to Rona and
their children, David and Leah.
FRED BAUM
lost his long battle with cancer on August 10. He died, as he wished to,
in his beloved home in the Springs. According to his wishes, he was
cremated and his ashes were strewn in the bay. The family plans a
Memorial Service in the late fall. Condolences from the entire Temple
family go out to his widow, Joan; to daughter Jennifer and her family
and to son, Kenneth.
ROSH CHODESH reported by GAIL
GAMBINO...
Our Rosh
Chodesh group will welcome Fall as we immerse ourselves in the magnitude
and meaning of the High Holidays. We will look at each Holiday through
the prism of religion, ritual, culture and personal reflection. Through
learning, discussion and personal sharing the Holidays are illuminated
by our own narratives and experiences.
A highlight
of this Holiday season is our 2nd annual Rosh Chodesh "MIKVEH" conducted
by Dasee Berkowitz. It will take place on Sunday Sept.27th, at 11 am, at
Havens Beach instead of our usual September meeting at my home.
Living on the
East End, we will also place our Fall gatherings in an environmental
context of warm, soft air and surrounding waters and a bountiful
harvest, which we will share with one another, and delight in until
Thanksgiving. Fall marks a year and several months that we have been
together, studied, had fun, shared life stories, supported each other
and grew in friendship. We thank Dasee for introducing Rosh Chodesh to
our Temple women.
Looking
ahead, we will do some thinking and planning as a group in order to
expand our themes, topics and areas of interest as they relate to the
religious significance of each month. I then plan the monthly curriculum
with a volunteer group member in charge of a particular topic. Our
meetings generally have at their center a moral or ethical focus.
We will
finally dig into a terrific program Myra Peskowitz discovered last year.
Mussar is a Jewish practice for self-improvement. Its focus and
guidelines mesh well with the monthly themes of our meetings. We are
looking forward to an exciting year of gatherings and as always, happily
welcome new members. Please think about joining us at our next meeting.
Contact Gail Gambino, 631-725-2943 or REEL
JUDAISM...Our Israeli Film Festival resumes on Sunday, September 13 at
11 AM at the Bay Street Theatre. The film is NOODLE, about an El
Al flight attendant who becomes entangled with an abandoned Chinese Boy.
Come and enjoy the movie, coffee and bagels and interesting conversation
about the film. The suggested donation for the film and refreshments is
$8.
NEW DIRECTORS ELECTED...
At the Annual
congregational Meeting on August 9th, three new members of
the Board were elected: Jerry Cohen, Richard Hemley and Richard Shapiro.
Re-elected to the Board were Secretary David Lee and Treasurer Howard
Chwatsky and members Barbara Freedman, Leda Goldsmith, Donald Katz and
Howard Maisel. Leah Oppenheimer, Hebrew School Director, and Sandy Slipp,
Program Committee Chair were named Associate Board members. The
Nominating Committee was chaired by Ann Chwatsky along with Myra
Peskowitz. Jerry Cohen says "Our family have been members since 1990 and
have enjoyed many High Holiday services, lectures and concerts...Our
clergy have been consistently top quality and a great part of this small
community...spiritually we consider TAI our home and want to preserve it
for generations..."
*******************************************************
PERSONNEL
RABBI LEON A. MORRIS:
212-508-0981
Student Cantor DONNA MASHADI
:Primadonna55@yahoo.com
ADMINISTRATOR: MARGARET
BROMBERG
PRESIDENT: NEAL FAGIN
-631-835-2902
VICE PRESIDENT: ALAN LEAVITT:
Leavittny@aol.com
SECRETARY: DAVID J. LEE
TREASURER: HOWARD CHWATSKY
<>
HEBREW SCHOOL DIRECTOR; LEAH
OPPENHEIMER
<>
EDITOR, THE CHRONICLES:
LEDA C. GOLDSMITH
<>
BOARD
MEMBERS: Jerry Cohen, Don Doctorow, James Dwoskin, Barbara Freedman,
Jonathan Nash Glynn, Leda C. Goldsmith, Janet Grossman, Richard Hemley,
Donald Katz, Howard Maisel, Richard Shapiro.
Honorary
Board Member: Sylvia Lieberman
Associate
Board Members: Margaret Bromberg, Mindy Cantor, Leah Oppenheimer,
Phyllis Silver, Sandy Slipp
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL
Elizabeth Street & Atlantic
Avenue -P.O. Box 1378
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0904
<>
adasisrael11963@optonline.net
JULY 2009 .............
TAMUZ 5769
SUMMER PROGRAMS...
July 3 at 5
PM marked the start of a new Shabbat program called SHABBAT SHABOOM for
"children of all ages" . Rabbi Morris is conducting a 30 minute service
at Havens Beach on alternate Fridays through August 14. It will consist
of songs, stories and celebration, with assistance from Richard Fraiman
who sings and plays guitar.
Two other new programs are on tap for the summer: Gail Gambino teaches
MAH JONGG (for members only) at the Temple on Tuesdays in July from
11:30-1 PM. Registration for new participants is required for this class
that began July 7. Register for these classes at
<bdwybaby@optonline.net .
Leah Oppenheimer and Sara Ford also began a program called Healing
Through Dance on Tuesdays at 6 PM. For more information call Leah at
631-725-9456.
On Friday July 17 following 8 PM Shabbat services, Morris Dickstein,
Distinguished Professor of English at the Graduate Center of the City
University of New York will speak on Why So Many Jews Have Become
Writers. Prof. Dickstein is senior fellow of the Center for Humanities
which he founded in 1993. His latest book Dancing in the Dark: A
Cultural History of the Great Depression will be published in September.
Other books includeMirror in the Roadway: Literature and the Real World,
Gates of Eden; Double Agent: The Critic and Societyand Leopards in the
Temple. Recent essays have been published in the New York Times Book
Review, the Washington Post, The Nation, The Chronicle of Higher
Education.
TAI's Scholar in Residence program will be held the weekend of July
31-August 1.
Shabbat
dinners will be on Fridays July 24 and August 28h following early
Shabbat services at 6:30 PM. Reservations needed for July 24...$18 pp.
Pot Luck on August 28...no reservations required.
Rabbi Morris will also be joined on several Shabbatot by his interesting
friends...the first of whom was Caryn Green, founder of the Crossroads
Center in Jerusalem, a facility working with at-risk English speaking
youth.
...MESSAGE FROM RABBI
LEON A. MORRIS...
Our "high
season" got off to a wonderful start. There has been a flood of activity
throughout May and June. We have celebrated four B'nai Mitzvah, launched
our new format of Saturday morning Torah study (complete with a
20-minute Torah service), celebrated the festival of Shavuot with a
dinner, late-night learning and a sunrise service, and joined together
for the first of our monthly "Mincha (afternoon service) and cocktails."
As this goes to print, we are preparing as well for the first of our
children's Shabbat celebrations at Havens Beach, titled "Shabbat Shaboom."
As you know, Dasee and I have organized a series of Shabbat afternoon
discussions in our home to explore in greater depth several areas of
community-building that arose last summer. These include developing
volunteer structures to help families in the shadow of a loss, visiting
the sick, serving inter-faith families, and incorporating the arts into
the life of the congregation. The first of these conversations took
place on June 20 around the theme of "comforting mourners." As has been
the case with almost everything this summer, the attendance was very
strong, and there is a momentum and energy to serve our community which
is truly inspiring.
This energy and involvement is infectious. And just as there is such a
diversity of offerings from our synagogue (from services, to study
sessions, cultural programs, lectures, women's groups, and more), so too
are there numerous ways to get involved and to serve according to your
particular interests. Increasingly, being a member of Temple Adas Israel
is so much more than just paying your dues. It's about community,
togetherness, connection and service.
I look forward to seeing you this summer at one of the many programs
reflective of such qualities. SHALOM!
HEBREW SCHOOL NEWS...
reported by Leah Oppenheimer, Hebrew School Director
Each year
Hebrew School hits its stride somewhere around Passover and suddenly
kids are learning so quickly and co-operating together so well that all
the work seems effortless. My fervent wish is that our students remember
this organic feeling of living and learning together in harmony: the
pleasure and the comfort, the intellectual and emotional stimulation.
We did have an exciting spring. Our Peace Festival featured six
speakers, many of them parents, talking about how they build communal
peace through their disciplines. The children had many questions about
the different professions that were as varied as nursing, the law,
politics and the arts. Serving God happens wherever Jews live and work.
We finished the year with a Shavuot celebration and a presentation to
the Synagogue of a Jewish Calendar Mandala painted by the students. We
dedicated six Bat Mitzvah students; yes all girls, marking the beginning
of their Bat Mitzvah year.
Mazel Tov to this year's B'nei Mitzvot: Ali Schade, Baxter Parcher and
Sydney Katz and their families. You all worked so hard, and achieved so
much. Adin Doyle's will be celebrated in October. We also celebrated the
Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Snyder in June.
Over the summer we will start a once a month Sunday Program for weekend
families, and evaluate the curriculum of our Toddler programs. Thank you
to our congregation for all your support. With your help, these children
are learning to love service and becoming grounded in Jewish community.
SCHOLAR IN
RESIDENCE...JULY 31-AUGUST 1 Mishael Zion, this year's Scholar was
born and raised in Jerusalem. A gifted teacher, he is a Fellow at the
Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning and has taught Jewish Thought
at both the Hartman Institute and Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, in
Jerusalem. He is currently a student at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
Rabbinical School in Riverdale, NYC.
He is the author of HaLaila HaZeh: The Israeli Haggadah in Hebrew and A
Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices (English).
On July 31 at 8 PM Mishael will speak on How To Treat the Other -Two
Jewish Approaches. On Saturday August 1 at 10:30 AM his topic will beHow
to Criticize and When Not to Bother and on August 1 at Seudah Shlishit,
5 PM he will talk aboutFinding the Good in Others -and in Ourselves. The
overall theme of the weekend is Me and My Neighbor -Life is with People.
FROM PRESIDENT, NEAL FAGIN...
It is so
wonderful to see so many things going on at our Temple. We have
activities for all ages from the youngest children on up through couples
celebrating 50th (and more) wedding anniversaries. We have attracted a
very diverse group of members.
Our Hebrew School, besides educating children, is reaching out to
unaffiliated families. Many of these families are mixed marriages. It is
so important that the Temple become part of their lives.
We recently celebrated 3 Bat Mitzvahs and 1 Bar Mitzvah. Even though the
young people were not my children, I could feel the glow of happiness
that their own families felt. As members of our congregation, I invite
each and every one of you to attend one of these celebrations. They are
open not just to the immediate families of the celebrants, but also to
our entire Jewish community.
This past Spring we initiated a Jewish film festival thanks to the
Klopmans and the Gambinos. We saw three excellent Israeli films and
Professor Richard Gambino led excellent discussions after each one. Most
of those who attended became engaged and involved in both the movies and
the discussion. THIS HAPPENED, RIGHT HERE IN SAG HARBOR AT BAY STREET
THEATRE. We will show two more films in the fall. We hope you'll come
and enjoy them. with us.
As you know, Andrea and I were honored at the annual cocktail party. I
want to thank all of you for coming and also for honoring us with your
donation to the Hebrew School. It is a great cause.
Please, please read the Temple's calendars when you receive them. There
is something for everyone. What is more Jewish than learning how to play
Mah Jongg at the Temple???
NEEDED...A FEW GOOD SINGERS....
Our student cantor, Donna Mashadi would love to have a choir for the
High Holidays...so, if y ou have some music reading ability and enjoy
singing, your presence and your voice are needed! Rehearsals are Friday
evenings from 6:45-7:30 before Services...the first was on July
3rd...but it is never too late to join in! Please contact Donna at <primadonna55@yahoo.com>
or 562-881-2979.
MAZEL TOV ...to Shelly and David Neumark who celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary recently!
HAVE YOU PAID YOUR DUES
YET?
If not, please do!
ROSH CHODESH...reported by
GAIL GAMBINO
As Rosh
Chodesh sails into summer, we welcome back our expanded group. Dasee and
I look forward to co-leading our monthly gatherings, through the High
Holidays. We will continue to focus on each month's celebrations,
holidays, rituals and themes as they relate to our own lives.
Our overriding attention is given to discussion of the rich and complex
tapestry of Judaism in all its spiritual, ethical, historical, religious
and psychological dimensions. Through exploration and sharing, we
continue to deepen our bonds with one another, finding joy and comfort
in sometimes painful and serious contexts. A summer highlight will be
the inauguration of our First Annual Rosh Chodesh picnic supper on
Sunday July 26th at 5 PM, celebrating the month of Av. We always happily
welcome new members to the group. You may contact me at 631- 725-2943 or
<bdwybaby@optonline.net>
FROM THE DESK OF HISTORIAN
DAVE LEE...
During the
spring several groups visited our shul; they are always quite surprised
by my stories of our 125 year history. They are most fascinated by the
carving over the Orin Kodesh. Did you know that it was hand carved by
some of the charter members while the shul was being built? Another of
our treasures of interest to visitors is our small Torah. It was given
to our congregation by Teddy Roosevelt when he broke camp at Montauk
after a period of rest when he returned to NY from Cuba (after the
Spanish-American War).
Two of the changes we made as our Temple began to be used more regularly
was replacement of the coal furnace with a gas furnace and removal of
the outhouse which "graced" our back yard in favor of modern plumbing.
Our Siddurim back then consisted of a collection of members' own prayer
books from every country in Europe. We had no rabbi then, and some of us
led services the best we could. The prayers sounded like the mixed
speech at the Tower of Babel. We had Russians, Germans, Litvacs, etc.
all davening from their own books as they "shockelled" back and forth
passionately. We auctioned off the aliyahs -but when we tried to collect
it was to no avail since we were a very poor congregation.
It is wonderful to view our activities today and see how we have
evolved...especially to see all of the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. With our
current, active congregation our future certainly looks a lot brighter
than it did when I became a member in 1948. Our student cantors have all
found good positions and we are very fortunate to have Rabbi Morris as
our spiritual leader.
FROM ADMINISTRATOR...
MARGARET BROMBERG
The
Administrative Corner of the Temple has been very busy as evidenced by
our e-mail and snail-mail volume. Membership statements have been sent
(please let us know if you did not receive one!) Checks are coming in.
THANK YOU! There was also a wonderful response to the Cocktail party
invitations... the guest list was more than 100!
But numbers,( the way we often attempt to measure the success of
religious Services and programs) do not tell the whole story. In our
efforts to build community we have added opportunities to participate in
meaningful observance of Shabbat. The monthly Mincha service comes at a
lovely time of day in our Shul... as the sun is in the west... and
gathering for some brief moments of prayer with fellow congregants
really helps reinforce the idea of Shabbat, even for the many of us who
find it difficult to set aside a day for rest and study. Of course, wine
and cheese and a chance to socialize with like- minded souls are a
delightful added incentive.
A second addition to our Shabbat observance has been Seudah Shlishit
(third meal on Shabbat), during which members of the congregation gather
with Leon and Dasee to consider how we may enhance our endeavor to
become a community of people who care for each other in necessary and
meaningful ways. The first area of concern we addressed was how to
comfort mourners. Though we acknowledge the inevitability of death, it
is not easy to speak about and plan for the particular needs presented
when a death occurs. In our conversation, we determined that local
funeral directors should be contacted about their ability to provide for
Jewish families. They need to know that our members, and others in the
community, may need some information and guidance that will suggest a
path, or at least the first few steps, to follow when a death occurs.
The next Seudah Shlishit, on August 1, 2008, is part of our
Scholar-in-Residence weekend and should give us opportunity to continue
to explore our desire to become a Caring Community. Later in August, we
hope to consider ways we can support members who become ill.
While we have been able, over the course of the last eighteen months, to
use email and telephone to improve communication, there is understanda
ble concern about the occasional need to provide an immediate response.
"Modern technology" has sometimes made things a bit too immediate,
nonetheless, we shall try to harness it to our advantage and welcome
communication from members about ways in which our community can respond
to needs.
IN OUR THOUGHTS...
We all miss
Sylvia Lieberman and look forward to seeing her again. Her daughter told
us that hopefully Sylvia will be coming back to our area during July and
will be living in her own home surrounded by family at all times. While
she may not be able to get to Temple, she would welcome visits from dear
friends as well as cards and letters. But please call first to make sure
the time is right and Sylvia is up to receiving. The phone # in
Southampton is 631-283-2734...the address to send cards is 77 East Shore
Road, Southampton, NY 11968.
SOCIAL ACTION...reported
by JANET GROSSMAN
For years,
Maureen's Haven, a program for homeless adults initiated in 2002 by the
Peconic Community Council, has been very successful from Greenport to
Riverhead to Southampton from November 1 to April 1. Now, it is being
extended from Sag Harbor to Montauk.
From my work in the Food Pantry, I know we have homeless people here in
Sag Harbor. Also, Reverend Jim Cardone, of Old Whalers' Church, has
observed homeless people putting down cardboard to sleep on in the
cemetery next to the church. I have heard of others who sleep in cars or
vans -- people who were middle class until recently.
The East Hampton Methodist Church will start hosting homeless
individuals twice a month in November, and it looks like First
Presbyterian/Old Whalers' Church will also be a host church once a week.
However, the Community needs to show a lot of support in the form of
volunteers, supplies, and financial contributions, before the Board at
Old Whaler's Church will commit.
Hopefully, during the summer our synagogue can provide inflatable
mattresses and pillows, sheets and pillowcases, blankets or sleeping
bags, small towels, and small packages of toiletries for about 20
people. Perhaps some of us will be able to contribute all the supplies
needed for one homeless person overnight. I'm also hoping that those of
us who are here in the winter months will be able to help provide dinner
for the guests and volunteers, as well as breakfast and a bag lunch for
the guests one night per month at Old Whalers' Church. Please contact me
at 631-725-5132 if you can help out in any way.
In the event that the church can't find enough support from the
community and decides not to run the program, Maureen's Haven will
certainly be able to use the supplies elsewhere at other host houses of
worship. The East Hampton Methodist Church could use our help, for
example. We will be enabling a truly worthwhile program to grow.
GOOD THOUGHTS AND BEST
WISHES...
to FRED BAUM
who has been fighting courageously against the demon cancer; and to JOAN
who has been valiantly attending to him.
SPEEDY RECOVERY...
to Annette Heller, Alan
Klopman and Marlyse Silverberg.
CONDOLENCES TO...
Marilyn and
Alan Zaretsky...Marilyn's mother, Gertrude Schwab died in Florida on
June 13. The congregation extends sympathy to the family.
And to... Andrea, Neal and Jill Fagin on the death of Andrea's mother,
Frances Ginsburg, who died in Florida, at the age of 97, on June 27.
ANNUAL MEETING...
The Temple's
Annual Meeting and Election will take place on Sunday morning August 9
at 10:30 AM. Candidates for Board membership, to be voted on at that
meeting (or by proxy if you are not able to attend), are: Jerry Cohen,
Richard Hemley and Richard Shapiro. Watch for your ballot in the mail
-but also please try to attend the meeting.
NICE NEWS...
Nancy and
Craig Karlebach's daughter, Nicole, graduated from Boston College Law
School May 22 and received the award "For Outstanding Promise pf
Professional Achievement." She worked in Sarajevo at the State Court of
Bosnia Herzegovina's Special Department for War Crimes during her third
year and will now work at the Schulte, Roth and Zabel law firm.
Their son, Jared Karlebach graduated in 2008 from Skidmore and is now
Assistant Women's Tennis Coach there. He worked at Wilson Sporting Goods
last summer, winning the "Wilson Intercollegiate Tennis Association
National Promoter of the Year Award. He recently returned from a Taglit
Birthright trip to Israel.
ONEG SHABBAT SPONSORS
WANTED...
... a perfect
way to commemorate simchas... ..or just to celebrate our weekly
holiday... Shabbat. To reserve your place on the Calendar, call or
e-mail Margaret Bromberg. You can do as little (just pay and we'll
provide the food) or as much (delight us with special treats) as you'd
like...Just do it! And you'll have our heartfelt THANKS.
*************************************************************
PERSONNEL
RABBI LEON A. MORRIS: 212-507-0581; 917-304-5089
<Leon@adultjewishlearning.org>
STUDENT CANTOR DONNA MASHADI: 562-881-2979
<primadonna55@yahoo.com>
ADMINISTRATOR MARGARET BROMBERG:
<adasisrael11963@optonline.net>
PRESIDENT NEAL FAGIN: 631-835-2902
<CaptainFagin@aol.com>
VICE PRESIDENT ALAN LEAVITT:
<Leavittny@aol.com>
SECRETARY DAVID J. LEE: 631-725-0429
<Davelee_11963@yahoo.com>
TREASURER HOWARD CHWATSKY:
<HowardChwatsky@aol.com
HEBREW SCHOOL DIRECTOR LEAH OPPENHEIMER:
<Loppenhe@optonline.net>
CHRONICLES EDITOR LEDA C. GOLDSMITH
<Leda.gpg@verizon.net>
BOARD MEMBERS: Don Doctorow, James Dwoskin, Barbara Freedman, Amy
Fischman, Jonathan Nash Glynn, Leda C. Goldsmith, Janet Grossman, Donald
Katz, Howard Maisel, Leah Oppenheimer, Sandy Slipp. Honorary Board
Member, Sylvia Lieberman. Associate Board Members, Margaret Bromberg,
Mindy Cantor, Phyllis Silver
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL
Elizabeth Street & Atlantic Avenue
P.O. Box 1378
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0904
e-mail: <adasisrael11963@optonline.net>
website<www.templeadasisrael.org>
SPRING 2009 — IYAR 5769
WELCOME...THE NEW SEASON...
Although our
"official" 2009 season does not begin until Rabbi Morris returns on May
15, we got off to an early and successful start with Reel Judaism,
at the Bay Street Theater...the first offering of our Israeli Film
Festival, Walk on Water, was very well received. The next film,
Campfire, will be shown at Bay Street on May 3 at 11 AM. The
suggested donation for the film, coffee and bagels is $8.00.
TAI joins
with the other East End Jewish Congregations in celebrating Israel’s
Independence Day on April 26. Each venue will offer its own program;
TAI’s, to be shown at the Temple at 1:30, is a free showing of
Visions of Israel, which was originally produced by and seen on the
Public Broadcasting System. Rona and Alan Klopman were responsible for
organizing all of the films being shown.
On Sunday,
May 24th, Dr. Richard Gambino, Professor Emeritus at Queens
College, will give the first of two talks about Jewish Philosophers and
their respective relationships to Judaism past and present. His first
talk will be on Baruch Spinoiza (1632-1677); the second, on June 14,
will be on Martin Buber (1878-1965). Both will be at TAI at 11 AM.
Prof. Ralph
Buultjens, expert on international politics, will make his annual
appearance on Friday evening June 26; watch your Calendar and weekly TAI
e-mails for his topic.
On Sunday
June 28th at 5 PM the Temple holds its annual Members’
Cocktail Party. This year it will be at the new home of Ann and Howard
Chwatsky and will honor our Presidential couple -Neal and Andrea Fagin.
This event is always fun...don’t miss it!
Other
programs in the works at the time of publication include Shabbat dinner
on a Friday in July; a Pot Luck Supper in mid-August and a talk by Prof.
Morris Dickstein, a widely published author on American culture and
literature and a reviewer for the NYTimes Book Review. He is
Distinguished Professor of English at the Graduate Center, City
University of New York.
There will
also be a Scholar in Residence weekend (date tbd) during which we will
study with the scholar at Friday night services and Saturday Torah
study, with a late afternoon session including a "seudah shlishit" in a
member’s home. The scholar is a young Israeli man, Mishael Zion in the
U.S. to study at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. He is" warm,
engaging and has a strong scholarly presentation" according to Barbara
Freedman who took a class with him.
<>
Message from RABBI LEON A.
MORRIS...
Dear Friends,
Dasee, Tamir
and I are eagerly awaiting our return to Sag Harbor in mid-May. The
congregation has had its most active winter season to date, and we’re so
inspired by the many ways in which our community continues to grow,
enlightened by wonderful lay leadership. Here are a few highlights from
our exciting Summer 09 program:
We will have
an "early" Friday night service at 6:30 PM on the last Friday of each
month. We found that this time is better for a significant sector of the
congregation who find it hard to attend at 8PM.
Beginning in
July we will offer a Family Shabbat celebration on the beach every
other Friday at 5 PM. More information at a later date.
Building on
the successful pilot we tried last summer, we will have "Minchah"
(afternoon service) and Cocktails" once a month -a half hour service
that includes reading the Torah followed by summer cocktails, wine and
cheese. Please contact me if you’d like to sponsor one of these Saturday
programs to honor or memorialize a loved one.
On Saturday
mornings when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah, our regular Torah study
will continue weekly, with one enhancement – we will begin each week by
reading the Torah. Participants will have an opportunity for an aliya
and to see the Torah read up close, in an intimate setting. After this
20 minute service, we will recite kiddush and continue to enjoy
refreshments throughout the class that follows.
Finally, this
summer we will continue to devote ourselves to strengthening a sense of
community and making our synagogue a house of God. We’ll build on the
meaningful conversations begun last summer, about enriching the life of
our congregation with a series of conversations on topics of specific
interest to various members. These will be held on select Shabbat
afternoons at our home on Bay Street over a "Seudah Shlishit" (light
afternoon meal). Dates to come soon. Topics will include:
*Helping
console mourners and assisting with Shiva
*Interfaith
families
*Artists
interested in applying their talents to enhance congregational life
*Those
interested in (or already) leading services during the winter.
*Visiting the
sick in hospitals and at home
I look
forward to sharing these experiences and many others in the months
ahead.
L’Shalom,
<>
HEBREW SCHOOL...
We’ve had a
winter of wonderful, intense learning. We celebrated Tu B’shevat at my
house with a beautiful Seder of fruits and vegetables. We lit candles,
drank wine and helped our children make connections between the dark
bleakness of winter, the inevitable return of spring and our family
choices to improve the world. Our children gave their ideas of a perfect
world... a place where there is enough for everyone to eat, a place
where animals are happy, and a place where everyone lives without
fighting. The evening was touching and beautiful.
Purim was
different this year…following our school tradition of keeping things
light but learned, we skipped the carnival and did Purim Jeopardy,
pitting parents against students in their knowledge of Purim lore…the
students won of course. Aiden Doyle took the prize, and won a beautiful
mezuzah from the Jillery collection (thanks to Jill Fagin for all your
contributions to the School). The men and women of our congregation also
created a beautiful midrash on the character of Esther/Vashti, a tribute
to feminine courage. It will hang downstairs in the Social Hall.
Finally, Donna Mashadi gave a beautiful reading of
the Megillah
in Hebrew. ..and parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors took turns
reading the English from our school created scroll. Once again my
Hamantaschen fell apart while baking, but we all munched on cookies that
tasted good!
Finally, we
held our model Seder... it was like all other model seders in almost
every way except that our students know that for every ancient plague in
the land of Egypt, there is a modern plague faced by some child in our
country or even here in Sag Harbor: unemployment: hunger: life without
good water: homelessness: war: no schools: HIV/AIDS: gun violence. The
kids compiled this list and we, their parents and teachers, strongly
believe they will help make the changes they wish to see.
I am also
happy to announce that each week the Holiday PlaySpace at TAI gains a
new member. Take a look at our upgraded small classroom and see the
wonderful toys contributed by the Doyle and Levine families. Our little
group sings, cooks, listens to short stories about the holidays and
incorporates the spirituality of early childhood learning into their
parenting. If the temple has an extra shine, it is because baby energy
has its own special blessings.
I could not
finish the School column without mentioning our four B’nei Mitzvot. They
regularly help at Friday night services...each one with a unique soul
and understanding of God’s creation. Our investment in these children
gives us kids like WuQing Hipsch who teaches at the school each week
with other junior teachers like Kye Vatash and Nick Dwoskin...and
Nathaniel Oppenheimer who volunteered for two weeks in Zambia tutoring
kids and adults in math and computers...and Zach Fischman who shares his
dramatic talent with his school community. Jeremy Pepper assisted at
services during the winter and Stephen Solow is devoted to Junior Soccer
League.
If anyone in
the congregation would like to make a meaningful donation to our School
, we could use a working copy machine that copies multi-page documents.
New is NOT necessary. Thanks in advance.
LEAH
OPPENHEIMER, Director
<>
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NEAL
FAGIN...
I have been away most of the winter. The first
weekend in April was my only visit to the Temple in the "quiet" season.
Amazing! There were more than 40 people at the Pot Luck dinner and most
stayed for Shabbat service led by our student cantor Donna Mashadi.
Saturday morning Donna led a Torah study class. On Sunday our Reel
Judaism Israeli film festival kicked off at Bay Street Theater. This
project was led by Rona and Alan Klopman, assisted by Gail and Richard
Gambino. They screened many films and chose the best. The series began
with Walk on Water which engaged the attention of the audience,
many of whom stayed for the lively discussion moderated by Prof. Richard
Gambino. We all enjoyed coffee, (donated by Java Nation) bagels
and Danish and the opportunity to socialize before and after the
screening.
Just as the
Temple has become "full time", the Fagins have become full time Sag
Harbor residents. We worked hard to get the house ready for our first
Passover in our new home. All of us who live out here, or have second
homes here, should stop and think how lucky we are to be in the Hamptons.
The above is
a prelude to the letter you will receive with your Dues bills. To help
pay for our ever increasing expenses, we must increase our dues by
$50.00. That brings us to $400 per person; $800 per family. We realize
these times are not great. If any of you have a problem paying your
Temple dues, please pay at least Chai ($18.00 per person) or whatever
you can. We know you’ll resume paying the regular dues when you are
able. For those more fortunate among us, we are establishing a
SuperChai category. We are asking those who can afford it to pay
$1800.00 per person. We NEED your help in making up for those having
trouble – and for the increased expenditures that come with being a full
time congregation with a Hebrew School.
I hope that
each of you has had a memorable Passover. I’m looking forward to
greeting everyone soon. Remember, this year in Temple Adas Israel, next
year in Jerusalem!
<>
LOST – AND FOUND!
Last fall
Rabbi Morris was contacted, through the Jewish Museum, by Myra and Ira
Miller of Tenafly, NJ. It seems Ira’s grandfather, Rabbi Israel Aaron
Millner had served as TAI’s rabbi. The Millers (name had been changed
from Millner, date unknown) were moving and found two bronze relief
plaques -one of the rabbi, the other of his wife and wished to give them
to our Temple. They were sculpted by the "internationally known
sculptor" Joseph Nicolosi. Also found was a TAI program from 1959 in
which tribute was paid "In Loving Memory of Rabbi Israel Aaron Millner
1909-1912."
Board member
Sandy, and Sam Slipp live near the Millers and picked up the bronze
pieces which are now at TAI ready for display. In the "small world"
department, conversation between the Millers and the Slipps revealed
they were all students at Cornell around the same time.
<>
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT from
MARGARET BROMBERG...
Temple life
was very active during the winter, with each month, December through
April, following a pattern of Shabbat observances including a monthly
Shabbaton when student cantor Donna Mashadi was with us. With the
Potluck meals that began each of the Shabbaton weekends, we were never
sure of what would be on our dinner table...but there was always a
wonderful array and both body and soul were nourished. Twice monthly
lay-led services were enriching as the lay leaders each brought their
own special approach to welcoming Shabbat. The interaction of leaders
and congregation was meaningful to all. Thanks to congregants David Lee,
Myra Peskowitz, Gail Gambino, Ann and Perry Silver, Leah Oppenheimer,
Jerry Adelberg, Rona and Alan Klopman, Barbara Freedman and the young
people of the congregation as well, for accepting and fulfilling this
responsibility.
My own "life
cycle" event – retirement from employment as a social worker– has
resulted, as planned, in my spending more time in the Temple building
being concerned with the affairs of Temple Adas Israel. Being able to
pay more attention means that several beautification projects have been
identified and, with the help of Leah Oppenheimer, Ann Chwatsky and
Andrea Fagin, they have been accomplished, hopefully making our
surroundings even more pleasant. Please look around the next time you’re
in Temple, perhaps you’ll notice what we have done. Maybe you can even
suggest other ways in which to make our "home" more welcoming.
<>
DAVE LEE REMEMBERS...
A little more
about our past...as we began our growth spurt in the early sixties we
had to make a decision about which branch of Judaism to embrace. Our
options included Orthodox – which was not really a possibility since
very few of our members could read Hebrew and generally they had a more
liberal outlook.
So we then
had to choose affiliation with either the Conservative movement or the
Reform Union of American Hebrew Congregations (since renamed Union of
Reform Judaism) because we found it desirable to have a national
affiliation.
After
considerable discussion the decision was made that for the benefit and
continued growth of our congregation, and the availability of trained
religious leaders Reform Judaism was the best choice.
Every time we attend services and reflect on the clergy that graces our
bima, our choice is reconfirmed. We have been remarkably fortunate to
have had both student and ordained rabbis and talented student cantors
officiate at our Shabbat and Holiday services and Life cycle events.
Most of our Rabbis, including Rabbi George Lieberman
(whose lovely widow Sylvia worshiped with us until she moved down
south), Rabbi Paul
Steinberg and
our beloved current Rabbi Leon Morris have come to our shul through
Hebrew Union College -Jewish Institute of Religion. Rabbi Arthur
Gilbert, whose Haggadah we still use, was from the Reconstructionist
College. In retrospect, I think we chose our affiliation wisely.
<>
ROSH CHODESH... from
GAIL GAMBINO
Our monthly
gathering of women braved frigid temperatures, snow and sometimes
daunting ice-covered driveways. Fortified with wine and refreshments,
together we kept the home-fires burning with lively discussions,
learning, wonderful sharing and growing friendships. We happily welcomed
three new members this winter, and as we welcome back our entire group,
we hope to see new faces in the coming months. In substance, our monthly
meeting continues to honor the Jewish Calendar with each month's salient
features and celebration of Jewish women heroes as well. We have also
expanded our discussions to include universal moral and ethical
questions. They have included, Jewish Identity, Pain and Pride, The
meaning of light in our lives, The Power of Faith and The various Facets
of Freedom, to mention a few.
Members
volunteer to co-lead our discussions, enriching the experience with many
perspectives. New on the horizon, prompted by a suggestion by Dasee
Berkowitz and inspired by Rabbi Morris's series of "town meetings" with
the congregation, our Rosh Chodesh group will spear-head the formation
of a "Caring Committee". In the time-honored tradition of Bikur Cholim,
grounded in moral and spiritual obligation and a reflection of good and
kind interpersonal relations, this committee will offer a formalized way
of meeting congregants' needs during difficult times. Rosh Chodesh will
form a nucleus of volunteers who will respond to a variety of needs and
crises.
I have
outlined a preliminary structure for this and will work with Dasee and
Rabbi Morris and Margaret Bromberg and Myra Peskowitz in its eventual
implementation. We will report to the congregation regularly as we move
forward with what we hope will be an important contribution in
connecting us more meaningfully as a community. With more than a nod of
gratitude to Dasee Berkowitz for offering Rosh Chodesh to TAI, we
continue to grow, support and nourish each other as we reach out to our
Temple family.
<>
MEMBERSHIP...MYRA
PESKOWITZ
In recent years there has been a steady increase in the
number of people who have found their way to Temple Adas Israel. They’ve
liked what they’ve seen and have become members. This year we are
looking for even more of these people. We have designated the May 3rd
Reel Judaism Israeli Film Festival screening at Bay Street as the
kick off event for our Membership Drive..
Membership information will be available and members will
there to answer questions about our Temple and the benefits of
membership. If you know of anyone who might be interested joining the
temple, please ask them to join us on that day and also please ask them
to contact me at
or at
631 -749 0580
for more information. Inviting potentially interested members to Temple
Services and activities is always a good way to start them on the road
to participation and membership.
<>
LIFE CYCLE EVENTS...
SIMCHAS!...Triple
Mazel Tovs to Gert and Don Katz and their family on the
achievements of their grandchildren. Sydney Katz, daughter of
Hank and Jayne Katz, will become a Bat Mitzvah at the Temple (where
her Dad was a Bar Mitzvah) on May 16. Noah Leavitt, son of
Susan and Alan Leavitt, receives a double degree from Columbia U.
and Jewish Theological Seminary in May and Noah’s sister, Jessica
Leavitt will graduate from Dwight School and plans to attend the
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
Mazel Tov
to Alma and Irwin Hyman on the birth of their grandson, Isaac
Milton H. Winters, who joins parents Diane and Ben Winters and big
sister Rosalie.
<>
IN MEMORIAM...
...the
congregation sends its heartfelt condolences and love to Rabbi Leon
A. Morris, Dasee, Tamir and his entire family on the death of his
father, Jay M. Morris on Feb. 2.
Our collective sympathy to Sue Fischer, devoted
companion of Dr. Joseph Berkeley who died in her arms on December
9. Dr. Berkeley practiced dentistry on the east end for many years. He
and his late wife were long time TAI members.
Bob Riskin eulogized his wife
Kiki: she was stricken with more illnesses than a dozen
women...and she fought back...she ran a business, raised two children,
created wonderful art, made friends, gave parties –and she was
funny!" We will all miss her.
Condolences also to Karl and Janet Grossman on the
death of Karl’s father, Herbert Grossman, on March 27.
<>
ON THE MEND...
Best wishes to Alan Klopman who is on the road to
recovery after recent surgery.
<>
CALLING ALL COOKS...
Another fabulous season of winter Pot Luck dinners has come to a close.
These dinners provide a wonderful way to build community and socialize
during the "quiet season" and have confirmed what great cooks we have in
our midst. Despite the mandate that all food be dairy or parve we’ve had
bountiful meals filled with gourmet treats. We’d like to compile a
Temple Adas Israel Pot Luck Cook Book so the joy of these
meals will not be lost. If you have ever contributed to any of these
dinners (or lunches) or if you have a recipe appropriate for a Pot Luck
dinner, please e-mail it to the temple or to me. We thank you in
advance.
<>
NEWS NOTES...
Gail (and
Richard) Gambino’s daughter, Erica Huberty, owner of Blossom
Haven Interior Design, was a featured designer in a Newsday
home makeover article. She was credited with decorating an Easthampton
"getaway" cottage on a budget.
Myra and
Dan Peskowitz’s daughter, Miriam Peskowitz, co-authored a new book
The Double Daring Book for Girls in bookstores now.
Artist
Joanna Lee exhibited several paintings in a two person show at the
Crazy Monkey Gallery in January and happily sold a canvas..
Margaret
and Mike Bromberg recently visited their daughter Minna in
Jerusalem. At the end of April, Minna, a 4th year
rabbinical student, will participate in Arava Institute’s annual 300
mile bike ride from Tel Aviv to Eilat to raise funds for environmental
and peace causes.
<>
SEDER...
The Second Seder, marking the unofficial beginning of our
Spring Season, is always a success. This year the "dining room" looked
beautifully springlike with tables lovingly decorated by Janet Grossman,
Seder planner extraordinaire, and her behind the scenes crew, Diane
Lewis and Gail Gambino. Everyone was immediately welcomed by
the appearance of the space, which truly set the tone for us to recount
the story of the Exodus and experience the joy of freedom.
<>
PERSONNEL
RABBI LEON A. MORRIS:
212-507-9581
<>
STUDENT CANTOR DONNA MASHADI:
8562-881-2979
<>
ADMINISTRATOR: MARGARET
BROMBERG
<>
PRESIDENT: NEAL FAGIN:
631-835-2902
<>
VICE PRESIDENT: ALAN LEAVITT
<>
SECRETARY: DAVID J. LEE:
631-725-0429
<>
TREASURER: HOWARD CHWATSKY
<>
HEBREW SCHOOL DIRECTOR: LEAH
OPPENHEIMER
<Loppenhe@optonline.net -
631-725-9456
CHRONICLES EDITOR: LEDA
C. GOLDSMITH
<>
BOARD
MEMBERS: Don Doctorow, James Dwoskin, Barbara Freedman, Amy Fischman,
Jonathan Nash Glynn, Leda C. Goldsmith, Janet Grossman, Donald Katz,
Howard Maisel, Leah Oppenheimer, Sandy Slipp. Honorary Board Member,
Sylvia Lieberman. Associate Board Members, Margaret Bromberg, Mindy
Cantor, Phyllis Silver
<>
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL
Elizabeth Street &
Atlantic Avenue
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0904
e-mail:
adasisrael11963@optonline.net
website:
www.templeadasisrael.org
DECEMBER, 2008 ----KISLEV 5769
BEYOND THE HIGH HOLY DAYS...
Reported by
Margaret Bromberg...
The High Holidays and Fall Festivals at Temple Adas
Israel this year were spiritually fulfilling for all who participated; a
true reflection of our caring community. I use the word "participated"
with intent, for it seemed as if all who attended were involved and
contributed to make the Holiday celebrations meaningful. A big THANK YOU
to our ushers; to those whose made appeals from the Bima and accepted
various responsibilities associated with worship services; and to the
numerous "behind the scenes" members of our Congregation.
Thanks also to Gail Gambino for her diligence in creating
and managing our name tags and for her ongoing nurturing of the Rosh
Chodesh group; to Myra Peskowitz, along with Ann Silver and Sue
Schneider for their attention to members "new" and "old" ; to Leda
Goldsmith for continuing to be the Communications arm of the Temple
and to everyone else in the congregation who has lent a hand in any
way.
We moved directly from Simchat Torah to weekly Shabbat
Services with lay-leaders as our guides. Each of our lay-leaders brings
a different approach to Friday evening services, but the gratification
of being together to welcome Shabbat has been expressed by all. We will
continue with one or two lay-led services each month through April.
Other elements of our Shabbat observances include: a once-a-month
week-end with Student Cantor Donna Mashadi as our prayer leader and
teacher and a once-a- month at-home Shabbat Service and Pot Luck meal.
In addition to Friday evening Shabbat Services, there
have been a number of special events: the Interfaith "not just books"
Book Fair on November 16 and the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer
Service on November 23, hosted this year by Cormaria Retreat Center on
the waterfront in Sag Harbor, just a "stone’s throw" from the site of
our Tashlich observance. The Hebrew Crash Course on December 7,
is fully subscribed and we look forward to our Chanukah Anticipation
Celebration on December 13 at 5 PM. (Homemade latkes are featured
and we are looking for latke makers, so please let us know if you can
make a batch!)
As we move into Winter, we will continue this format,
making it possible for those of us who are lucky enough to be in the
area year round to come together to welcome Shabbat, to study with the
Cantor and to celebrate TuB’Shevat on February 8 and
Purim on March 8.
Before you know it, Pesach will be here. We plan a
Passover Workshop for all on April 5 and you may mark your
calendars for our Second Seder on April 9, 2009. Everyone’s
participation is needed to sustain our Congregation. We welcome your
ideas and suggestions as well as contributions of your time and energy.
For more details please check the Temple website:
www.templeadasisrael.org
FROM RABBI LEON A.
MORRIS... (Dec.08)
Two of the most bandied about words of this past election
cycle were "hope" and "change." Initially, these words were the
distinctive and defining vocabulary of President-Elect Barack Obama.
"Change we can believe in". "The audacity of hope". The politics of
hope. But toward the end of his campaign, Senator McCain and his
advisors came to understand the appeal of such terms and adapted them to
their own campaign strategy. "Change we can believe in" became "For the
change we need."
It's really quite remarkable that the desire for change
and the theme of hope were so strongly expressed on the left as well as
the right. The fact that these campaigns relied on the appeal of such
words to the ears of the average American voter is significant, and may
itself be a sign of hope.
Our culture has generally equated hope with naivete,
inexperience, immaturity and youth. We have usually looked upon calls
for change with a certain degree of cynicism. This isn't an approach
that grew out of the last century. It's as old as Greek philosophy.
Aristotle wrote: "The young have exalted notions, because they have not
been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover,
their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great
things—and that means having exalted notions. They would always rather
do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral
feeling than by reasoning...."
But quite early on, Judaism offered a different message,
an alternative world view from Greek philosophy. A philosophy of hope.
Read these beautiful words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of
Britain:
"Western civilization is the product of two cultures:
ancient Greece and ancient Israel. The Greeks believed in fate: the
future is determined by the past. Jews believed in freedom: there is no
'evil decree' that cannot be averted. The Greeks gave the world the
concept of tragedy. Jews gave it the idea of hope. The whole of Judaism
– though it would take a book to show it – is a set of laws and
narratives designed to create in people, families, communities and a
nation, habits that defeat despair. Judaism is the voice of hope in
the conversation of mankind."
That voice of hope is expressed in ways both explicit and
subtle. It's such an ingrained part of our tradition that many of us
might not even notice it's there. When Moses asks God to reveal His name
at the burning bush so that he can tell the people who sent him, God's
response is "Ehyeh asher ehyeh," usually translated as
"I am what I am." But that is erroneous. The Hebrew is future tense – I
will be what I will be. Ours is a God whose very name points us toward
the future. What is truly divine is not what is, but rather what can be.
But that's just one story in the Torah. Think of the way
the entire Torah is written. Its entire narrative is preoccupied with
entering the land of Israel. The land is promised to Abraham toward the
beginning of the book of Genesis, and by the Torah's conclusion, the
people of Israel still remain just outside the land. Moses dies on the
other side of the Jordan. The rest of the Hebrew Bible concludes
similarly. The Takakh, the Hebrew Bible, concludes with the book called
II Chronicles. It ends with the Persian King Cyrus allowing Jews to
return to the land of Israel to rebuild their Temple and re-establish a
Jewish nation. The final word in the Hebrew is V'ya'al – and let
him go up. Here again, the narrative is not about where they are, but
about where they will be. The entire Bible is a story whose conclusion
has yet to unfold.
Or, as Harold Fisch has written, the Jewish narrative is
"the unappeased memory of a future still to be fulfilled." The "secret
of the Jews," Thomas Cahill explains, "is that Jews broke with
conventional notions of cyclical time, that were based on unbreakable
repetition, and invented the concept of linear time – that we change,
progress, that there is a past and a future, that there is a beginning
and end to history".
Jewish thought helped the world emerge from its global
repetition compulsion. Our conception of time signaled that change and
transformation are possible.
Hope is the ultimate religious emotion. It is the basis
of faith. We sometimes confuse "faith" for things of certainty. We
assume that someone with faith has little or no doubt. But faith is as
much about what we believe NEEDS to be true, as it is about what we
actually KNOW to be true. Hope is a necessity for life in this world.
The messianic impulse in Judaism – the belief in a
messiah who has yet to arrive – is the most concrete symbol that the
world can be different, that it will be different, that we can be
different, and that life can be different than we know it.
But our commitment to hope is not empty. Our belief that
change is possible is not without precedent. It's hard to have lived
during the past 60 years without seeing that hopes can be realized and
that almost unimaginable change can take place.
The establishment of a Jewish state after 2,000 years of
exile. Landing a man on the moon. The fall of the Berlin wall. The end
of Apartheid in South Africa. An African-American elected President of
the United States
This year we have so many hopes. Our personal hopes and
dreams, for ourselves and for our families. We express our people's
hopes for peace, for unity, for fulfilling our potential and living out
our ideals. We express theological hopes, that we will be united as a
single family of humanity, and that goodness will overcome evil.
Let us use this year to reconnect to the impulse for
hope, to restore our belief in change; to move beyond what is, and to
dream about what might be.
Adapted by
Rabbi Morris from his Erev Rosh Hashanah sermon .
THANKS TO...
Rona Klopman
not only for arranging and teaching the one-day Hebrew Crash Course on
December 7, from 9:30-3:30 sponsored by the National Jewish
Outreach Program, but also for providing lunch for the students as well.
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NEAL
FAGIN...(Dec.08)
The glow of
the Holidays and festivals is receding; but the Temple is still shining.
We have truly become a year round shul. Our many activities are
described throughout this publication. We are providing a Jewish
education to the children of our community as well as Shabbat services
and events for adults all winter. Our dues only pay for about half of
our budget and we therefore must count on contributions to make up the
difference. With economic conditions as they are now, the donations we
have received this year are greatly diminished. If each of you reached
out to one friend, and that friend joined the Temple, it would
contribute greatly to our finances. Following is an idea I ask you to
read about, and participate in, if appropriate for you.
"ECONOMIC
BAILOUT PLAN ALLOWS FOR TAX FREE IRA DISTRIBUTIONS TO CHARITIES." As
you may have heard, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008,
the historic $700 billion bailout plan, was recently approved. This plan
includes important provisions related to charitable giving, similar to
the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
If you are 70
½ or older, you can instruct your IRA Trustee to distribute funds
directly to Temple Adas Israel FOR TAX YEARS 2008-2009. You will not
have to report the withdrawal as income for tax purposes. This
contribution will count toward your mandatory withdrawal amount.
This is a
wonderful opportunity for you to make a current donation, large
or small, to Temple Adas Israel.
Please join
us during this winter for one of our activities. Remember J.P.G!
Join, Participate and (find a way to) Give!
Hope to see
you soon!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS...
(Dec.08)
Reported by MYRA PESKOWITZ
The following
new members, who joined from June 2007 to October 2008, were warmly
welcomed at a special Sukkot Shabbat luncheon on October 18th.
Jerry &
Sheila Adelberg; Bob, Sharon and Jackson Bakes; Gerard and Mal Daffner;
Bev Dash & Debra Lobel; Jill Danis & Leonard Fichtelberg; Gerard Doyle
&Julia Cachere, Adin and Elia; Samuel Eber; Nathaniel and Ana Egosi;
Andrew & Sandy Farkas; Steve Frankel and Debbie Rudoy; Irwin & Alma
Hyman; Robert & Susan Kouffman; Bill Liebowitz & Alexandria Baer, Sam
and Tess; Susan & Jerrold Mann; Arnold & Regina Mittler; Eileen
Moskowitz and Mariah; Rhonda & Mitchell Rachlin; Ann & Alan Richer;
Carleton, Diane & Ali Schade; Sue & Stanley Schneider; Wendy Serkin,
Arnold & Toby Spitz; Meg Taylor; Ira & Barbara Trachtenberg; Lester &
Harriet Yassky and Alan & Marilyn Zaretsky.
IN
MEMORIAM... Sincere condolences to
Marilyn Goldberg Rothbart and Michael Rothbart and their
families on the death of Marilyn’s mother, Georgette Huberman.
HISTORIC NOTES FROM DAVE
LEE...
(Dec.08)
Over the
years, in an effort to provide the East End Jews with a shul where they
would feel comfortable, TAI changed its non-affiliated status to
membership in the Reform Movement’s Union of American Hebrew
Congregations...now Union for Reform Judaism.
Reform
innovations included the giving of aliyahs to female congregants, and
allowing them to sit with the men in the sanctuary. Vera Simms, a long
time member– ( with her late husband, Dr. Harold Simms) was given the
first aliyah. Years later, another of our members, Betty Friedan, was
very happy with this practice. Vera is still a dues paying member of TAI
and though we haven’t seen her in many years we wish her well.
Our entrance
was originally at the back of the building, up a hard to maneuver
stairway...and an even harder staircase to the women’s balcony. In the
early days many female members had trouble with the stairs and young,
strong men such as Don Katz and myself, carried them up on a chair.
We didn’t
have a parking lot back then and Atlantic Avenue was a two-way
street...on the High Holidays we had a traffic nightmare.
As we became
more welcoming, our congregation grew and we thought about expanding.
There was an empty lot next door and one day, while fixing a window, I
got into a conversation with the owner. I told him of our expansion
plans and made an offer of $1500.00 for his lot. We shook hands on the
deal. He was killed soon after our agreement –but he had told his wife
of our arrangement. After the funeral I got a call from her saying she
would honor his $1500.00 commitment.
Now, many,
many years later we have once again outgrown our facilities. Our Hebrew
School has gone far beyond what it was when my late wife Vera and I were
the teachers. Again, we are thinking of expanding. Look for more TAI
history in the next issue.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE NOTES...
(Dec.08)
Sandy Slipp,
Program Chairperson, reports that her Committee has met and discussed a
variety of ideas for the 2009 "high" season. There was a general
agreement that the 2008 programs were successful and that in addition to
formal events we should continue with the diverse Friday evening
services that have included speakers, dinners, celebrations and
child-centered programs.
One of the
proposals for 2009 was a Film Festival at Bay Street Theater; the
logistics are being explored. One set date is April 26th
at 4 PM for a film about Israel narrated by Itzhak Perlman.
Another
program idea includes two lectures by Richard Gambino -one on Spinoza,
the other on Martin Buber that would be offered one Sunday morning in
May and another in June.
The Committee
is looking into musical events, more formal Saturday morning services
alternating with Torah study; two Shabbat dinners and our Annual
Members’ Cocktail party on June 28th.
It is one
thing to talk about something; it is another to do it. Doing is what
gives our school its unique character. This fall our children are
learning to do many things: to help lead services: think about and
prepare food for our tables: raise money so that others may eat:
decorate beautiful Challah covers for their own families: care for
younger children at school. And they manage all of this in just the two
and a half hours per week we are in class! Not to mention ongoing Hebrew
lessons.
This year two
post B’nei Mitzvah students are teaching: WuQing Hipsh and Kye Vatash,
along with our great teachers Diane Schifman, Sue Lichtenstein and a
dedicated corps of parent volunteers. As you read this our November 16
Interfaith Book Fair will have taken place...given the great press it
received, our hopes for success were high. This Fair had the potential
of adding more wonderful books to the libraries of our students, our
friends from the First Presbyterian Church and our Temple. Thanks to
all: Linda Mintz, Faith Diskin, Joan Litsky, Leda Goldsmith, Maryann
Calendrille at Canio’s, and Carol Thomason and the Whaler’s Church for
making this event a reality.
Our B’nei
Mitzvah students have undertaken a lovely project this year. They are
raising money for an emergency lunch program at the CDCH Charter School.
During this time of great economic hardship for some, several children
routinely come to school without breakfast or lunch. Our students’
fund-raising will supply sandwich staples, milk, fruit and occasional
treats for those students. Kol HaKavod to Ali, Sydney, Adin, and Baxter,
their parents and Morah Sue.
On
December 13, at 5 PM we will celebrate Hanukkah early, with songs,
skits and games…and in January at a very special Shabbat we will
celebrate with the animals in our lives, marking our co-existence with
all living things, and our deep obligation to all of God’s creation.
Also in January we will inaugurate two new programs in our family
education continuum: ChevraMusic, an early childhood Jewish music
program, and the Mother’s Circle, a support and educational program for
non-Jewish women raising Jewish children. We are very excited about
these proven and research-backed programs.
May all of
our school and congregational community have a warm and safe winter!
Leah Oppenheimer, Director
P.S. We
are happy to report that the Book Fair was a success and we’ll be able
to supply food for the CDCH Charter school for about 3 months.
UNATANEH TOKEF...by
JOANNA LEE
When Rabbi
Morris asked me to comment on the Unataneh Tokef I agreed before I
stopped to think...what can I say? Can I describe the fear and awe that
come over me when I hear the words On Rosh Hashanah it is written, On
Yom Kippur it is sealed? Can I talk about the sheer dread I felt the
first time I heard these words and what followed -and realized that
meant ME!
I am not a
Jew of long standing, although I was born a Jew to Jewish parents, but I
had never heard those ominous words. Perhaps I was in a temple and they
were chanted –but they were not for me, or so I thought. Then I married
into this congregation and started to listen.
"Oh yes, God
intoned-– these words, this warning is for you. How could you doubt
it??!" And God went on: "I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. You’ve
got ten days to tell me ‘Why Not’". Ten days to explain, to justify my
life? Essentially, ten days to review the previous decades, to run my
past by a really savvy God who has heard it all.
So I wrote
out my life in 2 long columns, the Good Things and the Not So Good
Things.
How to
evaluate the lists? What was God looking for? I knew some really bad
guys who lived through decades of lying, stealing, chicanery, bad stuff
by anyone’s standard.
How are they
feeling today as they tote up both columns? Then suddenly I knew what
God wanted of me and of all of us. First of all, he wants us to figure
out what we’ve
done this
year that is praiseworthy and blameworthy. He wants us to take an active
role in evaluating ourselves, to get in the game. And then I figure, he
wants us to take on the pain of repentance as if it really makes a
difference – as if we could really do something about our past actions.
And then – I think he wants us to ask ourselves some simple questions
like:
What did I do
this past year that really matters? How am I going to define
"significance" this year and make my life one of significance? How am I
going to help repair wrongs, and act on my deepest convictions and
ideals?
And finally,
I think God would be proud to know that we are in the act of searching
our hearts, of identifying our deepest values and of trying to live
accordingly.
I think he
would reward us for that.
Delivered on
Rosh Hashanah morning September 30, 2008
WELCOME...
Cynthia and Seth Hemley welcomed Sabrina
Bryce into their family on September 11, 2008. Loving grandparents
are Susan and Richard Hemley. Mazel Tov to all!
ROSH CHODESH
MEETING...The next Rosh Chodesh meeting will be held Sunday December
28th at the home of Gail Gambino. Call Gail at 631-725-2943
for details.
Personnel
RABBI LEON MORRIS: 212-507-9581
STUDENT CANTOR: DONNA MASHADI P
ADMINISTRATOR: MARGARET BROMBERG
PRESIDENT: NEAL FAGIN: 631-835-2902
VICE PRESIDENT: ALAN LEAVITT:
<>
SECRETARY: David J. Lee: 631-725-0429
TREASURER: HOWARD CHWATSKY
HowardChwatsky@aol.com
HEBREW SCHOOL DIRECTOR: LEAH OPPENHEIMER -631-725-9456
CHRONICLES EDITOR: LEDA C. GOLDSMITH
BOARD MEMBERS: Don Doctorow, James Dwoskin, Barbara Freedman, Amy
Fischman, Jonathan Nash Glynn, Leda C. Goldsmith, Janet Grossman, Donald
Katz, Howard Maisel, Leah Oppenheimer, Sandy Slipp. Honorary Board
Member: Sylvia Lieberman. Associate Board Members, Margaret Bromberg,
Mindy Cantor, Phyllis Silver
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL
Elizabeth Street & Atlantic Avenue
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0904
e-mail: adasisrael11963@optonline.net
website: <www.templeadasisrael.org>
SEPTEMBER 2008 ... ELUL 5768
WELCOME TAMIR MICAH!!!
Tamir Micah
Berkowitz-Morris was welcomed into the world on August 4th by
his loving and ecstatic parents, Dasee and Leon. He weighed in at 7 lbs,
7 oz. and was 20.5 inches long, with just a touch of dark hair.
On August 11, he was named
Tamir following the Ashkenazi tradition, in memory of his great
grandmother Tillie Morris and Micah, in the Sephardic tradition, in
honor of his grandmother, Mozelle Berkowitz. The beautiful Brit Milah
ceremony combining both Ashkenazic and Sephardic prayer and song was
held in the magnificent Judaica Museum at Temple Emanu-el in Manhattan.
Today’s technical miracles
allowed this lovely event to be beamed via the internet to Rabbi Leon’s
parents in Pennsylvania, who were unable to attend; and to Dasee’s
grandmother and other family members in Israel.TAI congregants eagerly
awaited this most “blessed event” and adorable little Tamir will be
loved and cherished by all.
HIGH
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE...
We begin to get into the mood and prepare for the High
Holidays with Selichot, the Saturday evening before Rosh Hashanah. On
9/20 at 9 PM Board Member Jonathan Glynn will host a Dessert reception
at his home, 11 William Street. This will be followed by a 10 PM service
at the Temple, a block away.
Mon. 9/29...8PM Erev Rosh Hashanah
Tues. 9/30...10AM Rosh Hashanah Morning Service...Followed by
Outdoor Kiddush
3PM Family Program...for school age children, with Rabbi
Morris
For children ages 0-5 with Leah
Oppenheimer
Apples and honey for all
4:15PM Tashlich at Havens beach
Wed.10/1... 10AM Rosh Hashanah morning service, second day.
Wed. 10/8...6PM...Fast begins
8PM...Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur Evening Service
MESSAGE FROM
RABBI LEON MORRIS...September 08
In the traditional liturgy of Yom Kippur,
the Machzor (High Holiday prayer book) includes a prayer for the new
year that is meant to be a parallel to the prayer that the high Priest
offered when emerging alive from the Holy of Holies after performing the
elaborate Yom Kippur rituals. In the Sephardic rites, this is the
prayer:
May it be Your will,
Adonai, our God, God of
our forefathers
that it may be this
year coming upon us
and upon Your entire
people Israel
In any place they might be,
a year of light, a year of blessing,
a year of joy, a year of
delight,
a year of grandeur, a year of good
assemblies,
a year of song, a year of
gladness,
a year of goodness.
A year of dew and rainfall
for blessing,
a year of salvation, a
year of sustenance,
a year of study, a year of
tranquility,
a year of consolation, a
year of merriment,
a year of exultation, a year of
redemption,
a year of rejoicing, a
year of pride,
a year of the ingathering
of the exiles,
a year of acceptance of
prayers,
a year of favor, a year of
peace,
a year of contentment,
a year in which You will lead us proudly
to our land,
a year in which You will lead nations to
be ruled by us
a year [in which]
You will inscribe us for a
good life
a year [in which]
Your people, the House of Israel, will
not need each other for their livelihood –nor any other nation
You will withhold [any] plague or ruin
upon us,
and from upon your people, the House of
Israel, a year [in which]
no woman shall lose the offspring of
her womb.
This prayer, an alphabetic acrostic in
Hebrew, is
modeled after a shorter Talmudic prayer
and captures the hopes and dreams of Jews who lived in medieval times
when the Machzor was compiled. As we prepare for our 21st
century (58th century, actually) New Year, for what do we
hope and pray in this new year? What are the A, B, C’s of our dreams
for ourselves and our families, for the Jewish people and for the
world?
A year of valuing the unique gifts of
those who surround us;
A year in which we are more fully present
for those we love;
A year in which we grow in our capacity
to love;
A year of appreciating and not
denigrating difference;
A year of visionary leadership;
A year of breakthroughs in the search for
peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
And so much more...
The High Holidays require
preparation in the month before we gather for Rosh Hashanah. Let each of
us devote ourselves to beginning to write our own “prayer” for the New
Year; to begin to discover what it is we will strive for in the year
ahead
My wife, Dasee and our son
Tamir, join me in wishing you and your loved ones a shana tova
tikateivu.
High Holiday Schedule, cont...
Thurs. 10/9...10AM...Yom Kippur Morning Services
1 PM... Text Study
2PM... Family Service
3PM...Mincha (Afternoon Service)
5:15 PM... Yizkor(Memorial Service)
6 PM...Neilah (Concluding Service)
7PM...Final Shofar Blast...we ask all children
to wear white and join us on the bima.
Break the Fast follows. Everyone is
invited to join us.
FALL FESTIVALS
Mon. 10/13: First evening of SUKKOT
4:30PM...Decorate Sukkah
5:30... Pizza in the Hut
6PM...Sukkot Evening Services
Fri. 10/17 6 PM... Early Shabbat Sukkot Service
Sat.10/18 10:30 AM...Shabbat Sukkot Morning Service with special
blessing to honor new members.
12 noon Pot Luck Lunch honoring
new members.
Mon. 10/20 6:30 PM ...Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Evening Service
and Celebration...Come dance with the Torah scrolls and each other!
Tues. 10/21 10:30 AM ...Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Morning Service
YOM KIPPUR ADVISORY...
Many Temples and
synagogues are suggesting that members who are taking medications check
with their doctors before fasting on Yom Kippur. Here at TAI we have
had members faint due to lack of food and water after taking required
medications -but not eating and drinking as needed. Health is of primary
importance and if fasting is not advisable for you ...it is wise to heed
the warning.
Rabbi Morris will gladly speak to anyone
with specific concerns or questions. .
MESSAGE
FROM PRESIDENT, NEAL FAGIN..
Like Paul Revere
shouted...the holidays are coming!!! Right on time this year, on the 1st
of Tishri!
We would like to have as many members as possible
participate in our services. If you would like to take part, please
email me, or Howard Chwatsky (addresses on the last page of this
edition) and we will do our best to give you a “role”.
As in the past, seating in
the Sanctuary is reserved for members only. If you come with other
family members, or friends and would like to sit with them, please take
seats in the first rows of the annex.
This past summer has been a wonderful experience at
TAI. So many services and events have evoked warm and wonderful
feelings. Can you imagine...we had two adult Bat Mitzvahs, Ann Silver
and Joan Litsky, in addition to the traditional 13 year olds’
celebrations. We have truly become a year round synagogue with
something for everyone throughout the year. I’d like to particularly
thank those who sponsored or helped bring us programming including
Barbara Freedman, Howard Maisel, Ann Chwatsky and Leda Goldsmith; and
those who organized (and cooked) Shabbat Dinner, Myra Peskowitz and
Andrea Fagin; as well as Allan Silver who led our Book Discussion group.
It would be wonderful
if each of you reached out and encouraged one person or family to
join our Temple. This could be one of
your Holiday pledges.
I am looking forward to
greeting you all during the Holidays. Shana Tova to
everyone!
ANNUAL MEETING...
The Annual meeting was
held August 3, 2008. President Neal Fagin was re-elected and Alan
Leavitt, formerly a member of the Board was elevated to Vice
President, with the resignation of Jeffrey Britz. Howard Chwatsky and
David Lee were re-elected to their respective posts of Treasurer and
Secretary.
James Dwoskin, a
Brooklyn native who moved to Sag Harbor with his family five years
ago, was elected to fill the vacant spot on the Board. His son was a
Bar Mitzvah at TAI last year and his daughter attends the Hebrew
School. He sells investment real estate all over the country.
Re-elected Board members were Donald Doctorow, Jonathan Nash Glynn,
Janet Grossman, Leah
Oppenheimer and Sandy Slipp.
Membership chairperson Myra Peskowitz reported an
increase in membership this year, most likely related to the number of
new permanent residents in the area. Treasurer Howard Chwatsky reported
on the Financial state of TAI which he pronounced was “in good
shape”.
HEBREW
SCHOOL NEWS from LEAH OPPENHEIMER, DIRECTOR
I believe that Hebrew
schools are mini-cultures that both mimic the formation of the larger
Jewish culture and push its boundaries just a bit farther. A Hebrew
school succeeds if students leave feeling that Beit Midrash (house of
learning) is a kind of home they can return to and feel connected. Our
students have proven this...our B’nei Mitzvot return and volunteer at
the synagogue and the school. One is now at a SUNY college majoring in
religious studies.
Our teaching method is
based on loving kindness. Every child is a treasure and each student’s
instructional plan is individualized according to his/her own ability.
Our goal is to develop in the students a sense of Jewish time and
behavior, relating every day to liturgy, history and Torah. Our growing
Hebrew School will be very busy this fall. During the Holiday season we
will be focusing on connecting the wonders of God’s creation and the
interconnectedness of life. During the winter, spring and fall we will
explore our place in God’s creation and what we have to do to fulfill
our part in God’s plan.
We will have a number of
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs this year; among them are Sidney Katz, daughter of
Jayne and Hank Katz (granddaughter of Gert and Don Katz); Adin Doyle,
son of Gerard Doyle and Julia Cachere; Baxter Parcher, son of Jolie
Parcher; Ali Schade, daughter of Diane and Carleton Schade and Rebecca
Kurz Snyder, daughter of Orin and Susan Kurz Snyder. These students and
their parents will be the first to participate in our enhanced B’nai
Mitzvah curriculum, newly revised by Rabbi Morris, Dasee Berkowitz, Sue
Lichtenstein and me.
On Sunday, September 21st at 10 AM we will go
apple picking at the Halsey Farm Apple Orchard in Water Mill. Families
can meet us there -or at Temple if a child needs a ride.
I will also be expanding
some of our school related activities, including programs for young
children and the non-Jewish parents of interfaith families. Stay tuned
for further information on these as the school year progresses.
GET WELL SOON... we wish a refuah sheleima to Sylvia
Lieberman, Georgette Huberman, mother of member Marilyn Goldberg
Rothbart; Jean Gottfried, mother of member Fran Gottfreid and
Rachel Dashevsky, niece of member Bev Dash.
MORE BABY NEWS... Alexa Corrine
Cole was born on August 13 to Dr. David and Amanda Cole. Amanda is the
daughter of Jeffrey and Sheila Britz
SEPTEMBER BAR/BAT MITZVAHS...
Alexander Hanson Lapin Protell son of Ruth
Lapin and David Protelll celebrated on September 13. Alex is a
sensitive boy, kind to everyone, a serious student with a sense of
humor; a Little League baseball star and fantastic dancer.
Gillian Chapman Blutt, daughter of
Margo and Mitchell Blutt celebrates on September 20. She is
an 8th grader at Brearley. A music lover, she sings with
bands and organized a large tag sale for her Tzedakah project, the
proceeds of which will be donated to “Little Kids Rock”, a children’s
charity.
REPORT
FROM MARGARET BROMBERG, ADMINISTRATOR...
Our efforts to
communicate more effectively with our Congregation really seem to be
paying off. The weekly emails initiated last year by Bonnie Mahoney
have been well received; hopefully this will become a two-way street.
At our “Town Meeting” in August we spoke of the desire to be a “caring
community” in response to both our joys and our sorrows. We welcomed
Tamir Micah Berkowitz-Morris with an Oneg Shabbat sponsored by Neal
Fagin and Howard Chwatsky. The Silver, Litsky, Blutt and Lapin-Protell
families have shared their Bar and Bat Mitzvah Simchas this way, and
we celebrated a 50th anniversary with Bev Dash and Debra
Lobel on September 5, 2008. One of the observations made at the “Town
Meeting” was that we sometimes question whether the “community” wants
to know about us...WE DO! We love celebrating birthdays, new homes,
graduations, safe returns from successful travels...any excuse to
celebrate will be just fine! We also want to be available when help
is needed and this is part of the two-way street. A call or email to
the Temple letting us know about an illness or loss will enable us to
respond in an appropriate and caring way.
Our Membership
Chairperson, Myra Peskowitz is sending Membership Cards to all paid
members. These will be helpful in facilitating High Holiday seating.
If you’ve paid your dues, but haven’t received your card, please let
us know. If you haven’t paid yet...PLEASE DO!
Even though our format changes after the Fall
Festivals, our Community remains vibrant. This year, student Cantor
Donna Mashadi will be with us one weekend each month and we will have
special events during each of her visits...in November an interfaith
gathering; at Chanukah, Tu B’Shevat,
Purim and in preparation for Passover (when we have our Traditional 2nd
Seder. Monthly at-home services and Pot Luck dinners will continue to
provide the warmth of extended family throughout the colder seasons.
On a “personal” note, in
addition to the gratification of growing Congregational relationships,
my relationship with our Rakefet computer program continues to evolve,
sometimes it’s love and joy...sometimes it’s NOT...but always we need
your response. Another two way street...if we are not addressing you
correctly, or you get a bill which doesn’t seem right – or for any other
reason, please be in touch so that our data base may approach 100%
accuracy.
NEWS NOTES...Mazel Tov to Board
Member Howard Maisel, whose daughter Jennifer Maisel’s new play,
THERE OR HERE premiered off off Broadway September 6 and will run
until 9/28 at the 14th Street Y Theater, 344 E. 14th
Street.
RABBI MORRIS has a letter in the September issue of
Commentary Magazine and an article in the September issue of
Sh’ma: A Journal of Responsibility.
DAVE
LEE’S MEMORIES...
Some memories of Temple Adas Israel’s activities from 1948, when I
joined the congregation:
At our Annual Meeting a
few weeks ago we discussed the need to expand in order to provide
better classrooms for our Hebrew School; more comfortable areas for
social activities; and office space to accommodate our ever growing TAI
family. During that discussion my mind drifted back over 50 years.
Our shul had a coal furnace at that time and it was
far from adequate for the job it had to do. A local plumbing and heating
firm in Sag Harbor was very good to us and allowed us to pay for a new
oil fired furnace over a period of time. That was our first move into
the 20th Century– albeit when it was halfway through. As I
recall, it was about 1950.
From then on, we were on a roll. After the High
Holidays we tried to collect on the Aliyahs we had auctioned off, but
were very disappointed to discover most of our congregation were
refugees from all over Europe and had no money. Many of our young people
moved away to take advantage of G.I. Bill opportunities.
At that time there
were a few local families left and together we started a plan to rehab
our beautiful building, which was, at that time, over 50 years old.
The Rosenstein, Katz, Matles, Kelman and Lee families,
together with the Spitzers and Mayers from Bridgehampton began a fund
raising effort. David Spitzer and Fred Mayer loaned us a large potato
storage building in which we ran a dance, which was quite
successful...though a bit dusty.
We used the money to remove the center bima; replace
the regular bima area and install new lighting. We also stabilized the
building which had settled (I’m sure you have noticed the tie-rods
across the sanctuary).
In later Chronicles
I’ll take you through more of what we did to assure that TAI was here
when most of you came into our “family”.
Meanwhile, best wishes for
a very happy, healthy and prosperous 5769!
PROGRAM COMMITTEE NOTES...
While the actually planning of the 2009 programs has
not begun, Program Chairperson, Sandy Slipp asks that members who have
ideas for specific programs, or would like to suggest a different type
of programing please email her
<
TAI had several successful and well
attended programs this year including the touching film,
“Praying With Lior”; Prof. Ralph
Buultjens; our former cantor, Dan Singer brought us Ragtime Sings the
Jews; Author Lucette Lagnado spoke to a full house when she
discussed her family memoir, The Man In The White Sharkskin Suit,
and Rabbi Joy Levitt, Executive Director of the Manhattan JCC spoke on
Daramasala and Jerusalem...the Diapora Experience. With your
help we can have another great season next year.
WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH NEWS...
The next meeting of the Rosh Chodesh monthly women’s
discussion group will be Sunday September 28 at 5PM at the home of Gail
Gambino,33 Seely Lane, SH. The group, facilitated by Dasee Berkowitz and
Gail will continue to plan for ongoing monthly meetings throughout the
winter.
Coinciding with the High
Holidays, the discussion on September 28 will focus on the meaning of
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Succot in our daily lives. If time
permits, the group may investigate the work of Dr. Harriet Goldhor
Lerner on “The Dance of Intimacy” and Selfhood as it relates to this
time of reflection and repentance.
Gail writes :”Dasee has
brought us a wonderful gift in Rosh Chodesh; an opportunity to gather
each month to study, explore ideas together, expand our knowledge and
get to know each other. We offer light refreshments, laughter, learning
and good company. We welcome all of the women in the Congregation and
invite them all to join us.”
FOR MEN ONLY...
Sunday October 5th at 10:30AM, prepare for Yom Kippur
with traditional ritual immersion. With the bay as our Mikveh,
symbolically wash away regrets and mistakes of the past year and emerge
as the new person you hope to be in the new year. The gathering will
start with some insights into Yom Kippur with Rabbi Morris, at his
home,133 Bay Street and will continue at Havens Beach. Bring a swimsuit
and towel. For questions and to RSVP, call Rabbi Morris at 917-304-5089.
*************************************************************
PERSONNEL
RABBI LEON A. MORRIS: 212-508-9581
STUDENT CANTOR:DONNA MASHADI:
primadonna55@yahoo.com
ADMINISTRATOR: MARGARET BROMBERG
PRESIDENT: NEAL FAGIN: 631-825-2902
VICE PRESIDENT: ALAN LEAVITT
SECRETARY: David J. Lee: 631-725-0429
TREASURER: HOWARD CHWATSKY
HowardChwatsky
HEBREW SCHOOL DIRECTOR: LEAH OPPENHEIMER
-631-725-9456
CHRONICLES EDITOR: LEDA C. GOLDSMITH
BOARD MEMBERS: Don Doctorow, James
Dwoskin, Barbara Freedman, Amy Fischman, Jonathan Nash Glynn, Leda
Goldsmith, Janet Grossman, Donald Katz, Howard Maisel, Leah Oppenheimer,
Sandy Slipp. Honorary Board Member: Sylvia Lieberman. Associate Board
Members:
Margaret Bromberg, Mindy Cantor, Phyllis
Silver
TEMPLE ADAS ISRAEL
Elizabeth Street & Atlantic Avenue
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0904 —www.templeadasisrael.org
email
<>
Phone
631-725-0904
On the web
www.templeadasisrael.org
TEMPLE
ADAS ISRAEL
P.O. BOX 1378
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
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