Rabbi Michael D. Howald

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein

Bryn Biren, Linda Brill, Sandy Mazzucco, Felicia Otto

Co-Presidents

The streaming links for selected services will be available to full members and ticket holders on request.

Tickets are available for non-members as well as relatives of members. Please call the Temple Office at 718-727-2231 for information on pricing. 

Effective August 2, 2022, Temple Israel's Covid Policy has been updated and is as follows: 

Temple Israel shall follow current New York State and New York City guidelines as applicable to Staten Island: Properly wearing a face mask is recommended at Temple Israel, but is no longer required. If you feel sick, we ask that you stay at home. If you have tested positive for Covid 19, as per the CDC guidelines, isolate for 5 days and wear a KN95 or N95 face mask when leaving your home at all times from days 6-10.

Temple Israel’s policy is aligned to the City of New York and New York State’s Covid 19 policy. When and if those policies change, we will follow the directions of both the city and the state.

The (Co-)President(s) of Temple Israel are authorized to impose additional measures as they deem necessary for the safety of the congregation, including the re-imposition of the vaccination/test criteria for entry into the building.

Addendum

Due to anticipated increased attendance at High Holiday Services and our goal of ensuring the health and wellness of all congregants, a Special Covid 19 Vaccination Policy will be in effect for High Holiday Services 2022. This policy refers to the following services: Rosh Hashanah (evev, first day, second day), Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre, morning, children's service, afternoon service, Yizkor and Neilah.

Adults and children 16 and up must show proof of vaccination or present a negative Covid test result taken within the previous 36 hours. Proof of vaccination/Negative Covid 19 test is to be shown upon entry (copy of certificate or phone app). Copies of proof may be submitted to the Temple office in advance of your arrival, if you have not already done so.

We thank you for your cooperation in maximizing the safety of our Congregants and our Temple during the High Holidays this fall.

Shabbat Morning

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

Meeting ID: 842 7725 0914

Passcode: 345339

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Earlier this year, Robin and I purchased a LOMI, a countertop composter that turns food scraps into nutrient rich earth you can use for potting plants or nourishing a garden. Using the device has opened our eyes about how much food waste even two people can generate and how much organic matter a city like New York generates for landfills. By using our LOMI, we hope to cut down, in our own small way, the amount of methane, a primary greenhouse gas, our trash produces and so contribute to the effort to reduce global warming. Over the months we have been using it, we have reduced our food waste to a large bag of rich soil we hope to use around the flower beds in our apartment complex.

         In some ways, preparing for the High Holy Days is like using a composter. Over the years, we develop many habits and practices that outlive their purpose. Maybe they involve behaviors we adopted when we were single that do not serve the needs of an ongoing relationship. Perhaps they consist of patterns of daily life that served us well when we were working full time but that serve no useful function after we retire. Or they may be ways of thinking about the world we developed before the Internet and the rise of social media. Some may retain their value or charm, but others may only blind us to the reality of a rapidly changing global society.

         As human beings, we tend to hold on to things long after their utility has ended. “I might need that old briefcase one day,” we think, so we put it into the attic or the garage rather than give it away. We do the same with outdated habits and ways of thinking. Rather than give them up, we try to preserve them even if they distort our ability to adapt to a changing landscape. By symbolically composting these no longer useful patterns of behavior and thought, we can potentially turn them into something that will nourish our future growth. Thinking of the change process the High Holidays encourage as “composting” reminds us that everything can be useful if we know what it is and how we can transform it into new soil where new habits and ideas can grow.

         Every year during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, our liturgy reminds us that personal change is hard. Even as we digest this message, however, the world changes constantly around us. In the words of writer adrienne maree brown (she prefers lower case letters), “we are in a fast river together — every day there are changes that seemed unimaginable until they occurred.”  In the “rapids” we face, perhaps more than any other generation who came before us, change is thrust upon us whether we wish it or not. Imagining this process, not as turning what was once precious to us into trash, but as converting it into something else we can use to nourish our future growth, can be a helpful and, hopefully, comforting way of conceiving of the central task of the Days of Awe.

         As we look forward to the start of 5783, I wish you a sweet and enriching New Year. May we all continue to thrive and grow and may the earth we create together sustain us for life in the year to come. L’shana tova! 

During the month of Elul Jews begin to prepare for the High Holy Day season. It is a time for soul-searching and reflection to prepare for the Days of Awe, Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur. Selichot is observed at Temple Israel this year on Saturday night, September 17th. The prayers that we say on Selichot are general prayers of repentance, the word Selichot means “ forgiveness”. The Selichot prayer service mirrors the service that we find on the Day of Atonement. We begin and end the season of repentance asking for God to be compassionate , hoping that he will accept our prayers.

As we progress to the seventh month of the Jewish year,Tishri, we 

recite two special prayers. The first is Unetaneh Tokef , which is a medieval poem about the solemnity of the day. The other prayer, El Maleh Rachamim, is a prayer for the souls of the departed, who are believed to be watching over those living in crucial times.

Of course we hear the shofar, blasted everyday during Elul and on Rosh Hoshanah ( September 25th- 26th) when the horn sounds in earnest. We will gather to hear the sounds of the shofar, considered to be a great mitzvah. 

Join us at Temple Israel to begin the New Year by asking for forgiveness, by asking to be inscribed in the Book of Life, with the hope that we will be sealed in the Book of Life.

This is a time for us to come together, to pray together under one roof and to plan for the coming year. Know that each of us wishes you and your family a year filled with the best of health , with peace of mind and with the hope that our Temple Israel community will work together to make 5782, the 75th anniversary year of our synagogue, our best year ever.

L’ Shanah Tovah!

Your Co- Presidents

Bryn Biren, Linda Brill, Sandy Mazzucco, Felicia Otto

Dear Fellow Congregants,

Thank you to all of you who have already acknowledged your annual commitments by submitting appropriate payments.  Please be reminded that the initial date for honoring your commitment was Monday, August 15^th.  If you have not yet made your commitment submissions, please do so according to the template that is shown on the back side of your Membership Form.  In addition, it is important that you provide all requested information so that out Temple records may be updated to fully reflect your family’s status.

The preparation of Membership documents which will serve as your admission ticket for High Holiday Services is dependent on the honoring of your annual commitment.  These tickets will not be available to anyone whose commitment has not been satisfied.

For your convenience, membership tickets  (High Holiday Service Tickets) will be available for members in good financial standing to pick up IN PERSON on Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., following the Sisterhood/Brotherhood  Kick-off Meeting and first day of Religious School. Tickets will be  distributed in the area between the Social Hall and Sanctuary.    If you are unable to pick up your tickets in person at that time,  you may contact me at [email protected] to request that your tickets be mailed to your home address. 

Should you wish to have non-members or other family members join us at these Services, Guest Seating will be available according to the following fee schedule:

        Non-members:                  $234 per person

     Unaffiliated relatives of members:

                        Adult Family Members:    $180 per person

                        Adult Children:           $126 per person

                        Parent/In-law Parent:      $90  per person

Please feel free to contact me directly at 917-873-4739 should you wish to discuss any matter regarding your annual commitment.  Please leave your name and phone number if you are leaving a message.

Thank you in advance for your on-going support of Temple Israel.

Alan Siegel

Financial Secretary

Will you be away from Temple Israel during the High Holidays this year?  

If you would like to attend services at a Reform Congregation in another state, click here for a High Holiday Courtesy Seating Request Form.

The form will help you arrange for reciprocal seating at a URJ affiliated congregation when traveling during the High Holidays. Seating is available for members in good standing of Temple Israel and is at the discretion of the Destination Congregation.

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein 

Many members of the choir in this photo from 1993 now have children of their own! How many do you recognize? This year, Cantor Bernstein welcomes all children who love to sing to join the Temple Israel junior choir. We will rehearse once a month after Sunday school and sing at family Shabbat services, Chanukah and more! First rehearsal: Sunday, September 18 at noon in the sanctuary. 

For calendar updates click here.

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

MAZEL TOV TO:

RABBI & ROBIN HOWALD on the birth of their granddaughter and to Arline Bronzaft on the birth of her great -granddaughter  Sophia Huiya Bracha Howald to Kevin and Yvonne Howald

ROBIN & JOEL HERTZBERG on the birth of their granddaughter, Theresa Lynne;  

ANNA WU as she Is welcomed into the House of Israel;

AMANDA BROGLIO & MICHAEL DONOVAN on their wedding officiated by Rabbi Howald; 

BARBARA FEIGELMAN on her pending retirement

from JP Morgan.

CONDOLENCES TO:

 STEPHEN SINGER & family on the loss of his stepfather, Joseph Maldonado; 

KAREN GROSS & family on the loss of her nephew,

Matthew Kinsey;

Mindy Berkower, Howard Pisetzner and Karen Fried and their families on the passing of their father and longtime Temple Israel member DR. IRA PISETZNER.

GET WELL WISHES TO: 

DEBBIE CHERNOFF recovering from surgery;

KAREN FREY-GAMORON recovering from a broken foot; 

SUE & JACK FREEDMAN AND  ALICIA BASKIN recovering from COVID; 

GENNIE LOPEZ recovering from a fall;

HARRIS TOPEL, brother of BLANCHE RICCI;

CLAIRE GUTTSMAN healing from a fractured tibia.

THINKING OF YOU: 

SILVIA GORNSTEIN, JOE GAMORAN

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:

 RIAN SILVERMAN and her son Nolan;

ANNA WU.



September 2, 2022

Sylvia Chazanoff

Mary Freedman

Solomon Jacob Gross *

Mina Dashman Katz *

Evelyn Ruth Konigsberg *

Louis Schlefstein *

Royal Slamow *

Phyllis Vaccarelli

Sidney Wolchok

Louis Henken

Samuel Flaum

Gertrude Newhouse Diamond *

Helen E. Frey

Jack Goodman

Marc Kopstein *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Karl Jantof

Erich Weber

Albert Chambre

Noakh Wajntraub

Jetta Wittenberg

September 9, 2022

Norman Sorkin

Robert T. Lane *

Tom Sparacio

Harold Landowne

Boris Reznikoff

David Schmeidler *

Harry Avis *

Leo Diamond *

Irving Reznikoff

Sarah Miriam Gross *

Martin Lavender

Harold Pappert

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Regina Gruskowiak

Wolf Tiger

Elie Decremer

Galka Lesczynska

Karl Wischmann

September 16, 2022

Albert Kaufman

Sidney Goldberg *

Miriam Sugerman-Rosenblum

Martin Goldstone

Joseph Newman *

Lewis Schwartz

Sol Sparber

Isidore Janatofsky *

Dr. Melvin Victor *

Mark Heitowit *

Emanuel Leef

Marivic Lipton

Jacob Rosenberg *

Arthur Duskin *

Abraham Gamoran

Lewis Werb *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Gisela Tanberowa

Jean Loussant

Henryk Kajzer

Sally Blech

Arminne Lowenstein

September 23, 2022

Solomon Davidson *

Harriet Kramer

Sedge Levee *

Milton Silberlight

Jeffrey Tenzer

Florence Weinstein *

Samuel Gootenberg *

Charles Hirsh

Abraham Mendelsohn

Max Reiman *

Irving E. Rothaus *

Frances Lipston *

Herman Gross

Michael Berlyand

Florence Harrison

Fannie Kruger Levy *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Ischorowic Retscher

Hans Bloch

Esther-Hinda Hampel

Mali Brender

Wilhelm Sölch

September 30, 2022

Samuel Elman *

Jorge Vinocur

Virginia Menna

Carol Schwimmer *

Millard Siegler *

Edith Fazio

Stuart Schorr

Sidney Simon *

Joseph Steinberg

Louis Benjamin *

Sylvia Selig

Albert Mulnick

Joseph Gershansky

Irving Lieberman

Victor Pessah *

Lillian Winer *

Mary Borack *

Loretta Grossman

Ruth Sommer

Pauline Spector *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Karl Zinncken

Sandorne Garai

Hubert Bergemann

Jean Mora

Haim Schmelzer

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 [email protected] to set up an account. 

Click directly on flyer to print or download.

At this time of year when we “throw away our sins” during Tashlich, we have a perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at ourselves and commit to being better individuals.  

September and October will be months of renewal.  With Rosh Hashanah on September 24-25 and Yom Kippur on October 4-5, we have an opportunity to start the New Year with a clean slate.  

We will have a “Break the Fast” after the last sounds of the shofar are blown on October 5 in the social hall as we begin the year 5783.  We hope you will be able to join us!

We have so much to look forward to.  On October 15, Temple Israel will enjoy Pizza in the Hut at 5 pm and Sippin’ in the Sukkah at 7 pm.  

Please see the Calendar in this E-Shalom for all our activities.  Don’t miss out!    

One of our first meetings is our Sisterhood/Brotherhood Joint General Membership Kickoff when we meet at Temple on (Sunday) September 11, which will mostly be a social meeting. Unfortunately, this is also a day we remember those who were tragically lost 21 years ago.  However, when we meet as sisters, Temple Israel creates an environment for our entire Sisterhood community to repair the world. 

Through Sisterhood’s work, we demonstrate support and sustenance for each other.  As a result of our dedication and commitment, we bring out the best in each other, in ourselves, and in our world.  Together we continue the good work of Sisterhood by sharing our time and our skills with each other.

As co-presidents, we would like to see a focus on a mentorship program through which we can cultivate the wisdom and experience of our sisters, who have been members for much of their lives and are willing to teach the ideals of Sisterhood to our youngest and newest members.  We need to ensure that this chain of tradition carries forward to our current youth and congregation members and into the future. We know you are women who are busy with families and careers and personal obligations, but it is usually those busy women who open themselves to the necessity of taking at least some small part in the continuation of these contributions to Temple.

Sisterhood is a member of the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), the women’s affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Our Sisterhood dues support WRJ.  This is the time to join or renew your membership in Temple Israel’s Sisterhood, which provides you with the opportunity to put your talents and gifts to use for many causes, both large and small. Your membership enriches your life as well as that of the entire congregation.  And of course, you don’t want to miss our lovely paid-up membership breakfast on November 20th.

Please remember to fill out the survey emailed to you and return it to [email protected].  It is anonymous and would be very helpful in providing activities and events that are engaging and that you enjoy.  If you wish, you can answer the questions on a separate screen and then send the survey answers to Fern. You can print or download a copy of the survey here:

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all those who provided home-baked and store-bought goods for onegs last month and who set up, cleaned, and put everything away. Due to their efforts, our August onegs went very smoothly.  Thank you, Felicia Otto, Silvia Gornstein, Bryn Biren, Pamela Carlton, Marnie Blit, Nina Rohan, Sandy Feurstein, and Maxine Cohen. We hope we did not forget anyone. 

Thank you also to Silvia Gornstein for her hard work in ordering and sending out the beautiful Community New Year’s Card to the many members who participated.  Thank you also to JD, Judy Lee’s child, who created the beautiful and colorful design we used this year.

Blanche Ricci and Deanna Feder did a super job of taking orders for the lovely honey bags (more than just honey) and will be preparing them for distribution soon. Thank you!

Our gift shop sells Judaica items, including jewelry, for all the holidays and simchas. Only a portion of our available items are on display in the Temple foyer. For assistance with gift shop needs, appointments can be arranged by contacting Blanche Ricci at [email protected].

L’Shanah Tovah to you and your family,

Anita Zuckerberg, Pam Rogozin, Judy Lee

Sisterhood Co-Presidents 

CLICK ANYWHERE ON FLYER TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD.

Brotherhood at Temple Israel continues….

Welcome to all past and future members of the Brotherhood of Temple Israel.  We look forward to welcoming you at the first meeting of the year, a shared Breakfast meeting with Sisterhood on Sunday, September 11th.  We will be having a brief meeting following the Breakfast and will engage in the annual cleaning of our stream prior to the Tashlich Service.

Our annual building of our outdoor Sukkah will take place on Thursday evening, October 6th, in preparation for our religious school children to decorate it on Sunday, October 9th, as part of their school activities.

Please stay tuned and prepare to become an active member of the newer and stronger auxiliary organization. We are planning to have a dinner for Brotherhood members on Sunday, October 23rd at 5pm, at Bocelli’s Restaurant.  Please mark your calendar!  We look forward to sharing good times with each other.  Your support will be greatly appreciated.  Feel free to contact us to offer your service and confirm your participation.

Alan Siegel and Bob Zuckerberg

JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AS WE WALK TOGETHER ON

SUNDAY,

OCTOBER 16th.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CAN BE SENT TO SISTERHOOD.

FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION, CONTACT INEZ SINGER AT [email protected]

The membership committee met on August 11, 2022.

We are finalizing plans for the Special Shabbat on September 16^th welcoming Cantor Bernstein back to Temple Israel. We have decided to set an RSVP with a final date to ascertain the amount of members planning to attend. We have also obtained the list of members who left Temple. We will reach out and invite them to this Shabbat.

The committee is panning more events for the year. Be on the lookout for exciting programs which hope to reach inter-generations of our Temple.

If you have ideas to present to the committee, please send them to [email protected]. We are happy to entertain ideas that are exciting for the year to come.

Sandy Mazzucco and Claire Guttsman

Membership Committee Co-Chairs

Every Voice Every Vote Campaign

Now that the Primary Elections are over, our attention turns to the General Election on Tuesday, November 3rd.

In New York City, the polls will be open from 6am - 9 pm.

The early voting period is from October 29th-November 6th.

This election is extremely important since those who are elected to various offices across our country will determine how our government is run far into the future. Please make sure that everyone in your family is registered to vote and votes either in person on November 3rd or via absentee ballot.

Tell 5 friends and have each of them tell 5 friends. This is how we can spread the word about the importance of showing up to vote and making our voices heard.

For more information, including polling places and absentee ballots go to https://vote.nyc

If you are interested in more information about how you can participate in voting efforts through the RAC, click on the link to the Every Voice Every Vote initiative here:

https://rac.org/take-action/every-voice-every-vote

The Torah teaches us to pursue justice which can only be achieved if everyone’s voice is heard. Watch for more information in future E-Shalom issues as well as in the weekly News ‘n Notes.

PUPPETS!

TOYS FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION

WARMIES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

AND SO MUCH MORE!

PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR HOLIDAY GIFTING!

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.

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

Temple Israel is going to be a very active place this year. Rabbi Howald and Felicia Otto have met, talked, planned, interviewed and hired some new teachers for our Religious school. Input has been gotten from the Parent Committee, suggestions are been implemented in our programming. 

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein returns to Temple Israel this month and will be looking for youngsters who would like to participate in the Children’s Choir. Looking ahead, she will also reaching out to children who would like to be part of our Purim Shpiel. Before you know it rehearsals will begin.

The Avis Foundation has already planned for Ceramics classes at Wagner College, for our older children (age 9 and above) on Sundays, 10/16, 10/23, 11/6 and 11/20, from 1:30-3:30 PM.

This year we will be partnering with the PJ Library. Temple Israel has been accepted to be part of their network. We will be notified about activities and materials available in our area. Polina Leibovich has stepped up to be our liaison to the PJ Library. For those of you who are not already signed up to receive the excellent books ( at no charge) each month, register at PJLIBRARY.org. There are two categories of membership- newborn to age 8 and ages 9-12. The books are a wonderful source of Jewish and ethical knowledge.

We have museum trips, Tot Shabbats, Cultureats and many other programs planned for this year. We want you to become involved.

Tell your friends and neighbors about Temple Israel and all that we have to offer. It is a New Year and the time that we want to welcome new children to our Temple family.

Sincerely,

Bryn Biren and Terry Baver

Judith Pessah will lead the discussion of “Lilyville, Mother Daughter and Other Roles I’ve Played” by Tovah Feldshuh, on September 7th at 7:30. (Zoom information will be sent) We will delve into the relationship we had with our own mothers, and will be asked to think about the following; “Did our mothers take on the role of “Gardener” or “Carpenter”? Did they plant and nourish the seeds , or did they hammer and shape? 

If you would like to join this book discussion, please contact Cheryl Levine.

Upcoming Events

Book Discussion—Wednesday, November 16, 7:30     “People of the Book”, by Geraldine Brooks, discussion led by Anita Zuckerberg.                          

 This novel discusses events surrounding the real historical past of Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the oldest surviving Jewish Illuminated texts.

Discussions with Judy Sher—“Our Families”,      November 3, 10, December 1, 7:30.      

Tentative Future Plans

A series of programs to help us to better understand our Sabbbath rituals, and other aspects of Judaism.

A discussion of Jewish Diversity, exploring the many worldwide locations where we find our people practicing our religion in diverse ways. (For some surprising insights on this topic, read “Under One Canopy, Readings in Jewish Diversity”, edited by Karen Primack, published by Kurland, Inc.).

A discussion of the “Jewish Catskills”.

Trips— A guided tour with The Lower East Side Conservancy. A visit to the Holocaust Center at Wagner College. 

Looking forward to Learning with you!

SAVE THE DATE

November 19, 2022 for our next FUNdraising event. 

Details to follow.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Co-Chairs

NEWLY ADDED:

BUY BUY BABY, TARGET & CARVEL!!!!

Click the order forms above to print or download.

ALL YOGA AND PILATES CLASSES WILL RESUME IN OCTOBER.

PLEASE CONTACT BRYN BIREN

FOR

INFORMATION.

Classes are for ADULTS ONLY.

Both chair and mat students are accommodated at each class.

For more information, contact

Terry Baver at 718-490-4428 or

Bryn Biren at 718-447-6225