Temple Israel Reform Congregation

of Staten Island

315 Forest Avenue

Staten Island, New York 10301

office@templeisraelsiny.org


Rabbi Michael D. Howald

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein

          

Bryn Biren, Russell Kaminsky

Co-Presidents

Temple Israel’s Electronic Bulletin

E-Shalom

FEBRUARY 2025

Shevat-Adar 5785

“Shalom, Welcome to Temple Israel....” is a phrase taught to us by Carole Lachman, a beloved, long-time congregant and bulletin editor who died in 2002. We named our bulletin in her honor and worked to realize her vision of Temple Israel as a community that welcomes the stranger and lets no one stand alone. This new version of the bulletin maintains our tradition of communicating with our Temple Israel family and continues to forward Carole’s vision, love and devotion for our synagogue.

CLICK ON ANY OF THESE IMAGES TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD FLYERS WHICH CAN ALSO BE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THIS BULLETIN.

FAMILY SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE

PLEASE HELP

PASSOVER SEDER

DREIDEL DRIVE

KUGELS & COLLARDS

GALENTINE'S DINNER

THEATRE TRIPS

SHALACH MANOT

PURIM DISCO BALL

ONEG SPONSORSHIP

CERTIFICATES

UNLOCKING THE PRAYERBOOK

TREE OF LIFE


Erev Shabbat Services take place IN PERSON. Live-stream links, for those unable to join us, will be e-mailed to all congregants, along with the Friday night Progam, every Friday. The Zoom link for Saturday morning Torah Study and Services can be found below. (Please check weekly News and Notes and the Friday Night Program for any updates or changes.)
CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY AND SERVICES* 

Shabbat Morning

Torah Study at 10:00 a.m. followed by Services at 11:00 a.m.


Meeting ID: 878 5582 6129 

Passcode: 778943


*Services  on Saturday, 2/15 will take place at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary

**PLEASE CHECK NEWS & NOTES AND THE FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM E-MAILS FOR STREAMING LINKS FOR FRIDAY NIGHTS AND FOR ANY CHANGES REGARDING STREAMING AND/OR ZOOM LINKS.

MOST FLYERS IN THIS BULLETIN CAN BE PRNTED OR DOWNLOADED BY CLICKING DIRECTLY ON THE FLYER.

AN ELECTRONIC VERSION OR COPY OF

MISHKAN T'FILAH

MAY BE PURCHASED FROM CCAR

CLICK HERE

AN ELECTRONIC VERSION OR COPY OF

MISHKAN T'FILAH FOR YOUTH

MAY BE PURCHASED FROM CCAR


CLICK HERE
A Message from


Rabbi Michael D. Howald



Like many of you, Robin and I watched the unfolding wildfire disaster in Los Angeles that began last week with shock and disbelief. Robin and I lived in West Los Angeles for about 20 years before coming to New York and many of the homes and business consumed by the fires were only a short drive away. Many of our Los Angeles friends were affected by the flames and smoke, some were forced to evacuate, and others lost their homes. The entire city is reeling from the enormous scope of the destruction, which continue to threaten new homes even as survivors sift through the rubble the flames left behind.


The Jewish community has begun to mobilize to respond to the enormous task of finding shelter for those who no longer have a roof over their heads and, in some cases, finding alternate places of worship after their synagogue either burned down or continues to be inaccessible due to the ongoing evacuation notices. Given the sheer scale of the disaster, surely one of the largest in our history, we can expect this effort to last for years, perhaps even decades. Below, I set forth some internet sites where you can give funds to assist in this effort to support the second largest Jewish community in Los Angeles. I hope you will consider doing so.


As you think about contributing funds, please also reflect on an ominous trend in our political life when it comes to responding to large scale disasters. In the past, when hurricanes struck, earthquakes shook or fires scorched, Americans didn’t ask what party governs the city or state affected or who most of the people voted for in the last election. Regardless of partisan considerations, those victimized by disasters were all considered part of our larger American family.  We didn’t ask whether they were left or right, or if they agreed with us on tax cuts or tariffs, we only wanted to know if they needed our help. If they did, we responded as a family does when one or more of its members needs a helping hand.


Today, however, we increasingly consider those who disagree with us politically part of someone else’s family. Today, we say out loud what would have been considered unthinkable a generation ago. “Let those who don’t think like me fend for themselves!’ The glee with which thousands of people online responded to the burning down of people’s home in Pacific Palisades, for instance, should be a wakeup call to us all about the consequences of the bitter rhetoric which increasingly characterizes American political and social life. If we believe that today there is a red America and blue America, and that these are two different families, then there is no America anymore.


In his classic essay, Kol Dodi Dofek (“listen, my beloved knocks’), Rav Solovietchik draws a distinction between an encampment and a congregation. The encampment, he teaches, is ‎created ‎out of a desire for self-defense and thrives on fear. A congregation, a nation, in contrast, is a collection of ‎individuals with a single ‎past, a common future, shared aspirations, and a collective destiny. This idea is expressed succinctly in the Hebrew phrase:  Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh (“all Israel is responsible for one another.”). This is also the principle that underlies our desire to help those in the Los Angeles Jewish community devastated by the wildfires, no matter their political affiliation or denomination.


A secular version of this ancient Jewish belief used to unite all Americans. Its weakening in this age of partisan division presages a potential devolution of America from a “nation” to a mere encampment, divided by fear and united only to face a common enemy. When the definition of common enemy includes those who voted for the other candidate, then the future of the nation itself is increasingly in peril.


To be a Jewish American is to belong to two large families, one framed by faith and ancient tradition and the other determined by commitment to the powerful modern idea that people from many places and creeds can still forge a single nation.  As we consider how to respond to those who have suffered from the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles, and as we remember that our community was once the recipient of aid in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, I hope you will give generously to one or more of the funds set forth below. It’s what family does.


https://www.jewishla.org/wildfire-crisis-relief/  Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Wildfire Crisis Fund



https://secure.lafoodbank.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5260&mfc_pref=T&5260.donation=form1&utm_source=pmax&utm_medium=google-ads&utm_campaign=disaster-relief&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aK8BhCDARIsAL_-H9k0-5d1uzl5YT4czvMGXjZOlbQCBNDevIdB3XHt7rvv6jIFsxV8ZvMaAh

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Disaster Relief Fund


https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-communities/disaster-relief

California Fire Foundation, Wildfire and Disaster Relief


Rabbi Michael Howald   

A Message from the Co-Presidents

Bryn Biren

Russell Kaminsky

This is a very important time of year and there are many important Temple opportunities. 


We constantly make the congregation aware of the fact that we are a volunteer organization. Our only paid employees are the Rabbi, Cantor, Lara and our custodians. The rest of us volunteer our time and knowledge. However, what we produce is incredible. Visitors to Temple Israel have remarked that what we offer also most every day of the week is unparalleled. We offer religious, educational, and social activities year-round.


When a new person joins the adult choir, the Membership committee, any committee, it brings new life and perspective to the group. It gives the individual an inside look at the Temple’s operation. It is also a bonding experience and a confidence booster. The person is now a part of our synagogue.


On Sunday, February 9th we have our Congregational meeting. A committee will be organized to reach out to the congregation to find individuals who are willing to step up and be part of our backbone, our volunteers.


Your age is not a determinant. We are looking for everyone, every age, people who are willing and have new and fresh ideas. Think about becoming more involved. If you are contacted, ask questions, think about involvement and consider this as an opportunity to “give back, and be part of something great!”

We need and want YOU!


Sincerely,

Bryn Biren & Russell Kaminsky

Co-Presidents


"Shir chadash, Sing a new song," sang the Psalmist. For Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of song, on the first Friday in February, our choir is singing a new song: "Amen Sheim Nora." The refrain means "amen to the awesome Name." Sam Gornstein, Anne Young and I are looking forward to singing this exuberant Sephardic melody in Buenos Aires with more than 100 members of other Reform congregations and their cantors on the American Conference of Cantors tour of Argentina this month. Our trip is going to be awesome, and we look forward to sharing our experience with you.  


Also this month, we are gearing up for my favorite time of year, Hamantashen-noshinzeit, a.k.a. Purim! Our first Purimspiel rehearsal will be on February 2. The theme this year is the 1960's, a time of groovy vibes, yet also a time of great division in our country. Which side are you on: folk music or disco? Stand up for what you love in A Completely Unknown Megillah, written by Nobel Laureate Robert Zimmerman.  


Be happy, Adar is coming!


Love, 

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

10-11:15 am- SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL

12-12:15 pm-JUNIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL

12:15-12:30 - FIRST PURIMSPIEL REHEARSAL!!!

ALL ARE WELCOME!!


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

7:00-8:30 PM- SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

6:30 PM- SENIOR & JUNIOR CHOIR WARM-UP FOR 7 PM SHABBAT SHIRA SERVICE


SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

12:00 PM-PURIMSPIEL REHEARSAL


SUNDAY, MARCH 2

TBD-PURIMSPIEL REHEARSAL


SUNDAY, MARCH 9

11:00 AM - 12 NOON - ADULT PURIMSPIEL REHEARSAL

12 NOON - FULL CAST PURIMSPIEL REHEARSAL


TUESDAY, MARCH 11

6:30 PM - PURIMSPIEL DRESS REHEARSAL


THURSDAY, MARCH 13

6:30 PM - EREV PURIM

(CALL TIME FOR SPIELERS TBD)


CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SHABBAT SHIRA

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2025

SHEVAT-ADAR 5785

For calendar updates please check the Temple website.

To print or download a copy of this calendar, click here.

MAZEL TOV TO:

THE BAVER FAMILY on the occasion of CHARLIE BAVER being called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.



CONDOLENCES TO:

BEVERLY MAZER and the entire Mazer Family on the loss of her husband HOWARD MAZER.


Harold Wolchok and Family on the loss of Elaine Wolchok, former member of Temple Israel.



GET WELL WISHES TO:

JERRY GROSS

SANDY MAZZUCCO


THINKING OF YOU:

PHYLLIS ELRICH

SUE FREEDMAN

HOWARD MAZER

BARBARA MENNA

RUSSEL KAMINSKY


Good & Welfare and your privacy.........

 

We feel it is a congregation's sacred duty to provide support to its congregants. Some of our tools are pastoral care provided by Rabbi Howald and notifying your friends in the congregation when you have a happy Mazel Tov occasion or your family is burdened with illness or loss. We are willing to publish this information in our Good & Welfare e-mails and for Rabbi to contact you, but we need your help. 

 

When contacting the office or Rabbi about these events, please let us know if you wish the information sent out to the congregation or if it should remain confidential. WE WILL NOT PUBLISH INFORMATION AS A PRESIDENTIAL DONATION OR A "SUDDEN & SERIOUS" EMAIL UNLESS WE ARE TOLD THAT IT IS OK TO DO SO. If you are having a friend or family member contact us, please let them know your wishes.

 

A reminder: Please do not leave family emergency information only on Rabbi Howald's or Lara's office voice mail as these are not checked during non-office hours. For a family emergency, please call Rabbi's special line -- (718) 447-5810

 

Thank you

February 7, 2025

Dr. David Silverman *

Maurice Silverman

Kalman Weis

Martha Leef

Sandy Slamow*

Rabbi Marcus Kramer *

Alexander Meltser

Harry Nison

Caroline Stern*

Robert Henken

Dr. Harvey I. Sonnenblick

Stanley Waldman *

Abraham Cohen*

Richard Diamond*

Lucille Feldman

Solomon Eugene Hirsh*

Hela Mydlarz

Robert Ricci

Leo Bleiman

Edward C. Frey, Jr.

Maurice Quartin *

Marie Dub*


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Albin Schwarz

Richard Guenzburger

Menakhem Liman

Feiwel Bugajski

Alois Seifert



February 14, 2025

Irving Blackman

Murray Ginsberg

Solomon Feldman 

Minnie Harris

Henrietta Hershfield

Rose Soren Jablon*

Anita Jurikson

Ruth Tiger

Joseph R. Carlton*

Eleanor Goldberg

Morris Lewis

Howard Rosenblum*

Milton Weiss

Max Yanowitz*

Charles Baver*

Rosella Cohen

Barbara Freedman

Josie Machol*

Simon Schwartz*

Gerald Silberlight

Joseph Andrews

Bella Leder

Abraham Lipson*

Barbara Pisetzner

Mary Wolodiger*

Tillie Yanowitz*


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Josef Rappaport

Anton Teuch

Jola Kredsman

Imrene Faber

Johann Lutz


February 21, 2025

Nathan Goldberg *

Robert Harper

Allan Weissglass 

Paul Jurikson

Dr. David Machol*

Evelyn Richman*

Evelina Shapiro

Leonard Winer *

Walter Hanibal

Joshua Kemeny

Nancy Kerstein

Jerome Fried*

Esther Grossman *

Jacob Rabin *

Freda Rosenblum*

Philip Siberberg

Amy Smith

Charles Kaner

Dorothy Siegel*

Marcus Soloff*


And we remember from the Holocaust:

André Aubergeon

Alfred Lorant

Kazimierz Mintzberger

Kalina Frydman

Franz Nagel





February 28, 2025

Morris Heitowit*

Anna Rodale

Abraham Tailsman

Beatrice Adler

Joseph Sitler

Thomas McGovern

Ruth Mulnick

Ida Silverman *

Barney Sher*

Sarah Samith

Sylvia Polonsky

Jacques Pessah*


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Israel Gel

Zwi reiss

Arthur Meyer

Bela Hoffmann

Shimkah-Bunim Justman





* These names are on our Memorial Wall.

EREV SHABBAT SERVICES

_________


Friday, February 7

SHABBAT SHIRA


ISLAND-WIDE SCOUT SHABBAT


FAMILY SERVICE


Service at 7:00 p.m.

ADULT CHOIR SINGS

In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)

ONEG SPONSORED IN HONOR OF SHABBAT BY THE RACHMAN FAMILY IN HONOR OF ELLIOTT BEING CALLED TO THE TORAH AS A BAR MITZVAH AND BY

THOSE CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES IN FEBRUARY

_________


Friday, February 14

Service at 7:30 p.m.

In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)

ONEG SPONSORED IN HONOR OF SHABBAT BY SISTERHOOD

_________


Friday,February 21


ADULT CHOIR SINGS

Service at 7:30 p.m.

In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)

ONEG SPONSORED IN HONOR OF SHABBAT SISTERHOOD


_________


Friday,February 28

Service at 7:30 p.m.

In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)

ONEG SPONSORED IN HONOR OF SHABBAT BY SISTERHOOD

*SATURDAY MORNING

TORAH STUDY

Torah Study

Saturdays at

10:00 a.m.

Service to follow at 11:00 a.m.


*ON SATURDAY 2/15 TORAH STUDY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 9:15 am

AND SERVICES WILL BE HELD LIVE IN THE SANCTUARY AT 10:30 am

Click here to join  Saturday Morning Torah Study and Services on Zoom!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DONATIONS MADE EASY!

The Advance Payment Program allows members to pay in advance for Friday night program ads. Members usually deposit $100 (or less in some cases) and when an ad is placed, $5 is deducted. When the balance gets low (usually to about $10) an e-mail is sent reminding the member that they should consider adding money to their account. 


You may, if you wish, pay in advance for Friday night program announcements. For more details contact the Temple office or contact Deanna Feder at  dfeder19@aol.com to set up an account. 

DEDICATE A LEAF ON OUR

TREE OF LIFE

Click on the image below.


girl_pile_of_books.jpg

DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BOOKS FOR DONATION!

TEMPLE ISRAEL BENEFITS FINANCIALLY!

Dear Fellow Congregants,

 

Thank you to all who continue to meet your membership commitments throughout the year. If you have not done so yet and need to make arrangements, please contact me at your earliest convenience @ JPerezRabin@gmail.com.

 

As you reflect on what Temple Israel means to you, we encourage you to think about whether you are able to increase your financial commitment to Temple at any level. Doing so enables us to assist families in various ways.

 

Again, thank you for your on-going support of Temple Israel.


Jacqueline Rabinowitz 

Financial Secretary

Please consider becoming a member of our

KAVOD SOCIETY.

It helps to make membership available to all our families. Speak to our Financial Secretary to upgrade your membership.






Greetings fellow congregants and welcome to February! Winter is half over and we are approaching a climactic moment in the Exodus story in the Torah cycle. 


Temple Israel held a successful family service on the first Erev Shabbat and we were very proud to call Charlie Baver to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 25. Both services were wonderful ways to kick off the secular year.


Upcoming this month we are looking forward to our second B’Mitvah of the year on Feb. 15, when we call Elliot Rachman to the Torah. Elliot will also present his Bar Mitzvah Project during the Shabbat Shira Family Service on Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of Song, remembers when Moses and Miriam led the Israelites in a song praising G-d for our redemption from Egypt and splitting the sea for us. Please join us to rejoice in song with the Adult and Junior Choir that evening.


During the last Ritual Committee meeting on Jan. 6, we discussed plans to give the High Holiday Torah covers a little TLC and address any repairs they need. Anne Young, who created them, has offered to make the repairs. 


Plans for the Purim Shpiel and service also started to take shape. 


Please mark your calendars for April 4, when we will have a special Saturday morning family service. It is important that our young students and those approaching B’Mitvah are familiar with Shabbat Morning Torah service: its choreography, prayers, and especially the joy of hearing the readers.


To further aid our congregants and guests in participating during a Torah service, Rabbi has plans to record videos of the prayers and how to handle the scroll during hagbah and gelilah, the lifting and dressing of the Torah.


We are continually grateful to Jim Rohan for his musical leadership on the Friday nights when Cantor Bernstein is not with us.


Please join us for our February services and simchas as your presence brings warmth to the sanctuary, especially needed in the Winter doldrums.


Chad Rachman, Nina Rohan, and Jodi Siegel


Chad Rachman, Nina Rohan, Jodi Siegel

Co-Chairs


__________________________


Thank you to the following congregants for their assistance with ushering during services or for honoring the Congregation with their presence on the Bimah in January:

Charlie Baver, Bryn Biren, Deanna Feder, Joanna Meltzer, Felicia Otto, Jackie Rabinowitz, Pamela Rogozin, Nina Rohan, Judy Scher,

Alan Siegel and Judith Sobel


Nina Rohan

Ushering Chair

Jonathan DeVito's Mitzvah Project


Please help Jonathan complete his Mitzvah project in assisting homeless veterans on Staten Island. Jonathan is participating in an FDNY program with collection of new towels/blankets for homeless veterans on our Island. If you are able to donate one of these items, either text his mother Remy (917-538-1279) and she will pick up what you can donate from you wherever you are. Remy and Jonathan will also be at Hebrew School on Sundays for in-person collection. 

SUPPORT TEMPLE ISRAEL'S GIRL SCOUT TROOP #5309


It's that time of year again! Cookies are on sale from 1/15-2/15. Cookies will be hand delivered after March 1st. Prices are $7.00 a box. At this time Girl Scouts of Greater NY is not offering free shipping. Please note that this is the LAST YEAR Girl Scout S'mores will be sold. (Don't want the cookies...donations can be arranged!


For more information or to place an order, contact Fern Barris


AN OPEN LETTER TO THE WOMEN AND MEN OF TEMPLE ISRAEL WHO HAVE NOT

BECOME MEMBERS OR FRIENDS OF SISTERHOOD

 

Sisterhood of Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island has long been recognized as an accomplished group of women, intrinsically involved in all aspects of the life of our synagogue. For the past 77 years, Sisterhood has been instrumental in supporting our Temple, our Temple Family and our Community. 

 

Whether we are preparing and serving at Oneg Shabbats and Kiddushes for services and special occasions, organizing a dinner or luncheon for a festival service or a community seder, organizing rides and assistance or providing meals to members in need, preparing a home for shiva, planning a fund raiser, putting together Purim Shalach Manot bags, maintaining a Judaica Shop with beautiful items for the convenience of our members, creating a congregational New Year’s card, making sure that our children enjoy themselves at Chanukah Pajamakah or welcoming new members with a personally delivered Shabbat basket of wine, challah, mezuzah and prayer kit, our Sisterhood is committed to supporting the entire congregation of Temple Israel.

 

Over the years, Sisterhood has been there to help provide items needed by our synagogue. In addition to our annual financial commitments of thousands of dollars, we have purchased new window treatments for the social hall, funded new wireless microphones for the sanctuary and contributed to the cost of the new carpeting. We have contributed towards the purchase of new High Holiday Machzors and the framing of Confirmation class pictures. We make sure that there are candles to light on the Bimah every Friday night. We continue to supply all necessary paper goods, linens and kitchen supplies, provide wine and challah for every Kiddush on Friday nights and Saturday Morning Bar/Bat Mitzvah Services and Baby Namings, cover the cost of all unsponsored onegs, and take care of laundering all linens for the social hall. We refresh and replace the flowers which beautify our Bimah.

 

But our commitment does not stop there; we are also deeply committed to our community. Sisterhood has donated time and materials to knit and crochet with residents of Sunrise Living and Eger Nursing Home. We sponsor monthly visits with our Cantor and Choir to share Shabbat and Holidays with the residents of The Brielle Assisted Living. We prepare meals which feed hundreds at Project Hospitality and support those in need by donating food, money, clothing, hygiene products and volunteers wherever there is a need. We give monthly Tsedakah to charitable organizations around the world. We participate in fundraising activities and walks for Breast Cancer Awareness, Autism Speaks, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The American Heart Association, disaster recovery efforts, among others.

 

Our sisterhood is a proud member of Women of Reform Judaism, which allows the women in our sisterhood to be a part of the community of tens of thousands of like-minded women, who advocate with one voice and prove that we, as women of Reform Judaism, truly are stronger together.  We annually set aside funds to send representatives from our Sisterhood to WRJ/URJ Assemblies and Conventions so that they can learn from and network with other sisterhoods in order to help our own organization grow for the benefit of Temple Israel.

 

Some of the many wonderful reasons to become a member or Friend of Sisterhood:

•  We are a diverse membership of unique women, ranging in age from twenty-something to 90-something. Some of us some work, some of us are retired. Some of us have children or grandchildren, some of us don't.

•  It's an opportunity for you to meet new women, make new friends, catch up and stay connected with long-time friends.

•  You can attend monthly meetings with educational programming to keep your mind sharp and continue learning, or you can skip the meetings and join us at services, onegs and other events.

•  You can contribute to community service projects to help others who are less fortunate by participating or making a donation.

•  You'll be able to create, plan and participate in many new and exciting programs.

•  You can be part of a larger Jewish Community, including WRJ.

•  Our programs and activities add an important dimension of fun and learning to our members.

•  We provide an outlet for the creative energy, talent and leadership skills of our members.

 

Sisterhood Membership is open to all female members of Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island. Our Friends of Sisterhood Category is for all male members of our congregation who would like to attend our meetings and programs or simply want to support what we do.

 

BUT WE GET IT!

Maybe you don’t want to come to meetings. 

That’s okay. 

Maybe you don’t want to become a part of this dynamic and diverse group of women dedicated to serving the needs of our synagogue and our congregation.

That’s okay.

Maybe you just don’t have time to spend with other members of our congregation at an occasional program or meeting or fundraiser. 

That’s okay.

Maybe you don’t want to help organize and plan events for our Temple. 

That’s okay.

Maybe you can’t help us out on a Friday night to set up and serve at a couple of onegs a year

That’s okay.

Maybe giving back to the community isn’t your thing. 

That’s okay too.

 

Please know that just contributing your dues amount and having your name listed as a member of the Sisterhood of Temple Israel would be enough to show that you support what we do and make us stronger. Dayenu!

Your levels of participation are up to you, but please remember that a dynamic, warm and inspired group of women awaits you. Whatever you choose, our Temple and our Sisterhood will benefit from your support. And it would be appreciated. 


Please join or renew your Temple Israel Sisterhood membership today. Make a difference in your community.

 

Simply fill out the form below and drop it off in the Sisterhood mailbox or mail it with your check for $45.00 to:

Sisterhood of Temple Israel, 315 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301, Att: SH Membership. 

For other payment options, please contact JSiegel23@aol.com.

 

If you are a new member to our congregation, we are thrilled to welcome you and your Sisterhood Membership is completely free of charge the first year.  Just complete the form below and send it back to us at the Temple or e-mail us at Sisterhoodti@aol.com.

 

There is a home for everyone within Temple Israel Sisterhood and we hope we can count on you to join us. We invite you to get involved, or simply support us so that we can make a difference!!

 

We look forward to working with you to make Sisterhood stronger and better than ever.

 

B’shalom,

Jodi Siegel and Shariann Ganz

Sisterhood Co-Presidents 

Click on the form below to print!

Join us for Canasta, Mah Jongg

or any other game of your choice!

Brotherhood at Temple Israel continues….Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

As we welcome the New Year, we would like to thank all those who participated in Temple, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and School Committee events.  As an update, we still have tickets available for the Wagner College Theatre matinee presentation of Once Upon a Mattress on Sunday, March 16.


Please be reminded that in preparation for the Temple’s Yom HaShoah observance, Brotherhood will again be sponsoring the distribution of the yellow memorial candles to be lighted on Erev Yom HaShoah, Wednesday, April 23rd. We believe that this commemoration takes on a special significance in light of the events of October 7, 2023, and the impending cease-fire and hostage release.  We hope that you will participate.


We are looking into a Staten Island minor-league baseball stadium game this Spring, as well as a series of Sunday morning Brotherhood events both on- and off-site.  Also,

please remember that you still have the opportunity to renew or initiate your membership in Brotherhood, which is open to all members of our Temple community.  As you can see, with your support, we will be able continue assisting with the many on-going Temple activities.


Bob Zuckeberg

Alan Siegel

Thank you to everyone who came out to Jimmy Max last month for our school's Dine In fundraiser. We appreciate your support!


Our school BINGO event has been postponed from January 26th to a new date of Sunday, February 23rd with a new time of 10:30am! School is not in session on this date so join us for bagels and Bingo! All are welcome! 

See you soon,



Felicia Otto and Brooke Lopez

Religious School Committee Co-Chairs

We are sorry if your name was inadvertently omitted. Please contact the Temple Office to update your membership information.

The Sisterhood of Temple Israel would like to help you celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for you and your family.
You can share the joy of Shabbat and your birthday and/or anniversary by helping to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat on the Friday evening when we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for that month.
In addition to sponsoring the Oneg, the names of those celebrating appear in the Friday night program and celebrants are invited to the Bimah.
A contribution of $10 for birthdays and $18 for anniversaries is suggested to honor your special occasion and help the Temple at the same time.  
Letters are sent out early in the month prior and payment would be appreciated before the first Friday of the month of the celebration. 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING AN ONEG, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FLYER BELOW AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE YOU ARE REQUESTING.


SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO SISTERHOOD VIA THE SISTERHOOD MAILBOX, OR GIVE IT DIRECTLY TO

SISTERHOOD CO-PRESIDENT SHARIANN GANZ.



YOU WILL THEN BE CONTACTED BY A SISTERHOOD REPRESENTATIVE WHO WILL HAPPILY ASSIST YOU WITH ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS & DETAILS.

The Membership Committee met on January 9 via Zoom. We continued discussion with Hillel group leader Rachel . A joint event has been proposed for Monday, February, 24th  at Temple Israel. It is hoped that this event will bring young professionals to Temple. Further discussion will involve Rabbi Howald prior to publicizing the event. The next Buddy program is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, at 9:00. We will follow the same format as previous programs with food, discussion and a winter-themed project. This program has been very successful with more children coming each time. We have reviewed ways to change up time and format. We are moving ahead with the redesign of our website with the goal of making it more current and user friendly. The next Kavod  program has been scheduled for Friday, April 4th at 5:30. A subcommittee will finalize all plans. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 27th at 7:30 on Zoom.

Respectfully submitted,


Claire Guttsman

Committee Member

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. For those who want to help, we encourage you to view the resources and donation page from the Jewish Federation Los Angeles.


Temple Israel Sisterhood Judaica Shop
EVERY HOLIDAY

EVERY LIFE CYCLE

EVERY SIMCHA

Just what you need and just what they want!
The only place on Staten Island for all your Jewish gifts.
Special Orders available.
Contact branchtr.ricci@gmail.com or call the Temple Office at 718-727-2231.
Contact Blanche Ricci at branchtr.ricci@gmail.com
 if you are interested in any Judaica Shop items.

Bryn Biren
Terry Baver
Avis Foundation Trustees

The mission of the Dr. Ronald Avis Foundation for Temple Israel Reform Congregation is:

…. to provide financial support for young families seeking membership in Temple Israel, and to attract new young families by providing learning opportunities, family programming, and social justice initiatives.

***********************************************************


Welcome to February


As we said in January….a reminder: we have scheduled two events for all your children.


In March, our children can cook and create Hamintashen with Chaya Segal who worked with our children making Challah. 


On April 27th, we have created a wonderful event at The Museum at Eldridge Street, where they will be seeing the beautiful Eldridge Street synagogue. 


On March 16th, our temple member, Amanda Donovan is going to be creating a wonderful “class” for little ones…ages 2-4. The little ones are all invited with their mom or dad. 


We look forward to seeing you all at the children’s services on the first of every month. We hope you all attend with your lovely children!


Please consider joining one of our committees at our temple. We are all volunteers! If you have any thoughts of what you would like to do for our temple, or ideas about things our families and children could experience, reach out to us any time!


Sincerely,

Bryn Biren and Terry Baver

MsBunny7@aol.com

terryqbaver@gmail.com

The story of the Dr. Ronald Avis Foundation for Temple Israel


Dr. Avis originally provided our wonderful Foundation to cover a portion of the membership cost for the first 6 years for young families with young children. Our congregation had been diminishing and he was looking for a way to help us all begin to grow. After meeting with Bryn and Terry a few times, more money was added so the families would also have the opportunities to experience programs for their children. Many wonderful events have been set up for the young families including museum visits, Chanukah cookie designs, a Challah class, a program at the Staten Island Holocaust Center, and many other experiences. The foundation has also helped cover the cost of the religious school teachers.


But then!!!! Covid happened!!!!!!


So the decision was made to use a portion of the foundation money to help all the temple members. The Avis Foundation began to create the zoom classes for the adults in our congregation. These classes are continuing and the foundation covers the costs of them all. The Avis Foundation also covered the cost of the 75th anniversary event. And the foundation is now working with Judy Pessah and the Adult Education Committee to help cover the cost of all the events and classes for the adults in the congregation. 


So: Our entire congregation has benefitted from the generosity of the Foundation. Thank you RON!!!!


Many thanks to Mark Meyer for his enlightening “Anthology of Art”. We hope to listen to him once again in the near future.


On January 15, after reading “The Women” by Kristen Hannah, we had a touching discussion of the traumatic, and heart wrenching experience of a young woman serving during the Vietnamese War, and her plight when she turns home.


On January 28 we enjoyed a presentation by Gabriella Rubin connecting Judaism with Poetry.


Looking Ahead


On Tuesday evenings, February 11, 18, 25, 7:30-8:30–Rabbi Scott Kalmikoff returns to us on Zoom to present—“UNLOCKING THE PRAYERBOOK—EXPLORING THE HEART OF JEWISH PRAYER”. Dive into the beauty and structure of the traditional Jewish prayer service in this trhee-part series.

RSVP to msbunny7@aol.com

Zoom link and flyer will follow.


On Tuesday evenings, March 4 and 11, at 7:30, on Zoom Lyssa Harvey and Rachel Barnett, authors of “Kugels & Collards” will present —SOUTHERN COOKING AND TRADITIONS. (See Flyer elsewhere in this bulletin.)


On Tuesday, May 6, 7:30-8:30, our new member, Michael Smook, will help us learn about— “Raoul Wallenberg-Righteous Gentile” and his life saving accomplishments during World War II.

More information on Michael’s interesting approach to this topic will follow.


We are working on Adult Learning plans. We would appreciate it if you think along with us. Please tell us what you are eager to learn about, suggest what you yourself may be able to teach us, and let us know of people who can present learning programs to us.

We would love to have you help us make arrangements for our programs. Please tell the “Judys”and Bryn and Terry, if you would ‘love” to join us.


Some of our budding ideas for programs—


We are hoping for a presentation by the delightful Rav Shoshana Mitrani Knapp, the present Rabbi at the Jewish Fellowship at Hemlock Farms. Waiting for later in the year to confirm the details.


Let us know if you have any ideas for arranging a bus trip to “Jewish” Philadelphia, possibly in April.


If you wish to learn about Judaism and be entertained, on your own, click on https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=frieda+vizel+youtube

for some interesting presentations. (Thanks to Fern Barris for the information)

Judith Pessah & Judy Lee

Adult Learning Committee Chairperson










Please save the date for March 15th 2025, for our PURIM DISCO BALL!

Join us as we celebrate Purim during this 70s-themed party with A DJ, light dinner, dancing, games, activities, and raffles!

All ages welcome!

Reservations are now being accepted. Please send your reservations ith payment to the temple office.

Please see attached Flyer.


Rhonda Trontz-Allen, Karen Frey-Gamoran, Lissa Winchel

Co-Chairs

hands_together_sand.jpg

It is with deep sadness we announce the recent passing of Howard Mazer.  He is survived by his wife, Beverly, daughter Janet and son Gary and his grandchildren, Samuel, Tyler, Brandon and Dylan. Beverly has been one of our most active members, serving on the Board of both the Temple and Sisterhood and as part of our Senior Choir in addition to helping our Temple Family in any way she could for many years. Our hearts go out to Beverly and her family at this difficult time.

May the family of Howard Mazer find comfort among the mourners in Zion and Jerusalem and may his memory be for a blessing. 


Pamela Rogozin

Chair


Contributions to Temple Israel as tributes, dedications or memorials are welcome and are published in the weekly Shabbat program.


Donations can be dedicated to the general Temple Israel Fund or to any of the following specific funds: 


  • Adult Education Fund 
  • The Jeffrey Ganz Building Preservation Fund 
  • Caring Community Fund 
  • Carole Lachman Memorial Fund
  • Choir Fund 
  • Confirmation Fund 
  • Estelle A. Gootenberg Memorial Fund (for Torah Repair/ Restoration) 
  • Gerald J. Lustig Memorial Fund (for Ark & Ark Doors) 
  • Liheyot Fund 
  • Membership Fund 
  • Maurice Schlefstein Fund for Minor Repairs and
  • Prayerbook Fund 
  • Rabbi Marcus Kramer Memorial Library Fund 
  • Shoah Education Fund
  • Scholarship Fund 
  • Rabbi Michael D. Howald Fund for Social Action and Tikkun Olam


A $5.00 minimum donation is requested for these funds. Checks for donations to any of these funds should be made payable to Temple Israel.


PRAYERBOOKS may be dedicated in honor or memory of a special person or occasion. For specific prayerbooks and donation amounts, look for the Prayerbook icons found in this bulletin


Please make checks for Donations to the RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND payable to that fund.


Donations in any amount may be made to SISTERHOOD OF TEMPLE ISRAEL or BROTHERHOOD OF TEMPLE ISRAEL with checks made payable directly to the affiliate organization.


For a leaf on the TREE OF LIFE in honor of a simcha, please scroll down. 


For permanent MEMORIAL PLAQUES on our Family Memorial Wall or Original Memorial Wall, please call the Temple office at 718-727-2231.


To see list of all recent

Tributes and Program

Donations to Funds...

CLICK HERE
CLICK ON THIS ICON TO TAKE YOU THERE!

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