HaKol
The Voice of the
Pelham Jewish Center
November 2022/Cheshvan-Kislev 5783
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Leadership Messages
Rabbi Benjamin Resnick
Education Director
Ana Turkienicz
President
Steve Martin
HaKol Editor
Barbara Saunders-Adams
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Congregant News
& Donations
Book Notes
Barbara Saunders-Adams
Upcoming Programs
Marjut Herzog
Food For Thought
Share a Simcha
Tributes & Donations
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Towards the beginning of Tractate Berachot, the Talmud reports a remarkable teaching in the name of R. Shimon bar Yochai: “From the day that the Holy One Blessed Be He created the world until the moment that Leah said, ‘This time I will express gratitude to the LORD...’ (Bereshit) 29:35) no one ever thought to say thank you to God.”
The context of Leah’s expression of gratitude (which we will read in shul in a few weeks), is the birth of her fourth child. Grateful for the blessing–and perhaps the first time in human history that anyone was so moved–she says, “I will call him Yehudah,” a name which means thanksgiving and which will one day be bestowed upon an entire tribe. Leah could not have known as she sat, exhausted and grateful, on the birthing stool, but we were not destined to become the Avrahamim or Yosefim or the Mosheim or even (for most of our history) the Yisraelim. We would become the Yehudim, the Jews, the thank-you people.
For me, the most poignant aspect of R. Shimon bar Yochai’s teaching is that it took so long for anyone to offer thanks. Rashbi, a rabbi of ancient Rome, would not have been aware that the universe was already several billion years old by the time Leah gave birth to Yehudah. But, even by a traditional reckoning, the upshot of his comment is that it wasn’t until two-thousand years after God said “Let there be light” that anyone thought to express gratitude. It is a striking idea and, in many ways, a dispiriting one.
It is also, I think, quite astute. Human beings are not always particularly good at hakarat hatov–recognizing the good. In fact, scientists have suggested we may have evolved to do precisely the opposite. Our instinct towards survival makes us hypersensitive to danger, inclined to search it out always and everywhere, which is why “doomscrolling”–endlessly seeking out bad news on the internet–was among the Oxford English Dictionary’s words of the year in 2020. But there is likewise a great deal of research that suggests gratitude increases felicity–that happiness and flourishing can be the result of thankfulness, an insight which gives rise to the overexposed (but still important) aphorism that it is not happy people who are grateful but grateful people who are happy.
It takes a great deal of courage and vision to affirm that, for all the abiding troubles of the world, life is, by many metrics, better now than it has ever been. Similarly, it must have taken a great deal of courage and vision for Leah, still unloved and unappreciated, to adopt a posture of gratitude. As Jews–as Yehudim–we bear the inscription of that vision, a vision that Leah managed to achieve despite eyes that were, as the Torah tells us, dimmed with tears. So it always is. And while we need not ignore the problems all around us (quite to the contrary), neither should we remain enslaved to them.
Each and every morning, in Leah’s memory, we are asked to greet the sunrise with “modeh ani”--”Now I give thanks...” And each and every year, we American Jews join with millions of others to do just that on Thursday in November. Like Leah’s story, the story of Thanksgiving is fraught and imperfect. But it is not only fraught and imperfect. It is also a time of gratitude and fellowship and rejoicing.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rabbi Benjamin Resnick
Ben
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Education Director
Ana Turkienicz
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“So just sing a song for peace,
don't whisper a prayer
Just sing a song for peace, in a loud shout”
(The Song for Peace, Yaakov Rotblit, 1969)
It’s the night of Saturday, November 4, 1995.
Our family is driving home after spending a beautiful Shabbat with our cousins up in Katzir, a small village in the North of Israel. As we arrive home, we turn on the TV for the evening news. I cry out in shock: someone just shot Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin at Kikar HaMedina in Tel Aviv! I fall down onto a chair, incredulous. Our children, who were already in their rooms, getting ready to go to sleep, rush out to the living room. They never heard me crying.
We cannot believe the scenes running through the screen. From our window, we can see lights going on in every apartment in our neighborhood. We have no words to explain to our own young children, Yoni (5), and Hilá (7) what had just happened in our country. And most importantly, why did this happen? We simply have no words.
This cannot happen in Israel, we keep repeating to ourselves. A Jew could not have done that to a fellow Jew. It’s not possible. We are crushed, shocked and shattered.
The news keeps getting more somber and dreadful - Rabin is at the hospital. The shot went through his heart. The doctors are coming out of the operating room, shaking their heads. Chief of staff Ethan Haber holds a bloodied piece of paper that was folded inside Rabin’s shirt pocket. He opens it on TV. It has the lyrics of the Song for Peace, the last words PM Yitzchak Rabin uttered before leaving the stage and fatally shot by
Yigal Amir, a law student from Bar-Ilan University. At 10:30 PM, after unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate, Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin is declared dead.
Our kids keep asking, How did this happen? Why did this happen? What will happen now?
Neco and I can’t come up with sensible sentences. We look for words. We wished we knew then what we know now - that achieving peace is a thousand times harder than going to war. We couldn't sleep that night.
The next morning, Sunday, is a regular working day in Israel. I need to go to work at the Municipal school where I teach. Coming into the teachers' lounge, I see my fellow teachers our principal, the staff; their teary red eyes meet mine, looking for an explanation. Our whole country is in mourning. We are reminded by the principal to be strong: we are the sounding board for our students. “Just stay strong”, she repeats.
As I enter my first grade classroom, I see my young students crying, holding each other. One little girl asks if she can sing a song for Rabin. She pulls out a piece of paper with the lyrics. It’s a song by Aviv Geffen, called “Livkot lecha” - to cry for you. Aviv Geffen originally wrote this song in 1993 for a friend who was killed in a traffic accident. It became famous for its chorus, “forever my brother, I will remember you”. The class knows the song and everyone joins the little girl, her angelic voice echoing their own unanswered questions. I sing with them, feeling grateful for the power of music and poetry, and we keep repeating the chorus to calm our hearts.
We talk about Rabin’s vision for peace in the Middle East, the reason why he sang the Song of Peace at the rally. We sing it too. Somehow, we try to go on and continue with the day.
We all knew something ominous just happened in Israel, but could not possibly imagine the impact that fatal night would have in the course of Israel's history. The next night, our family travels to Tel Aviv. We bring candles from home and join the vigil at Kikar HaMedina. Thousands of people are sitting shiva, hugging each other, lighting candles, and singing the Song of Peace.
Today, 27 years after that fatal night, Kikar HaMedina has changed its name to Kikar Rabin. There are plaques commemorating the events of November 4, 1995. Meanwhile, Israel has lost thousands of soldiers and civilians in wars and terrorist attacks. The peace never looked so far away.
On November 10, last Thursday, Roy Neumann, our Shinshin, Israeli emissary, taught about Yitzchak Rabin, z”l, and about his dream of peace in the Middle East. He asks our children what does the word “peace” mean to them. For Americans, who luckily never had to run for cover when a missile falls on your town or are not steeped into the reality of seeing soldiers all around, the concept of peace is really hard to describe. Roy does his best to flesh it out with our students. They raise their hands, and say: cooperation, freedom, quiet, happiness. Someone says: “no war”. Coincidentally, on the same day, we hosted two wounded soldiers from the IDF that came to share their life stories with our older children, on the occasion of Veterans’ Day.
I listen to their stories, of how they were wounded in battle, and remember how I hoped, when our son Yoni was born, that there would be “no more wars, no more bloodshed” like the mantra from the “Voice of Peace”, Abe Nathan’s legendary radio station.
It’s 2022. Rabin has been dead for 27 years. But the yearning for peace and for a resolution of the conflict in the Middle East isn’t dead. It’s alive and kicking, and we should all do all what we can to bring it to fruition. If not for us, for our children and grandchildren. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard. Because as the Song for Peace says, we need to “sing the song of peace, not whisper it in prayer, sing it out loud”.
That is Rabin’s legacy and must be ours as well. There is no other way. We tried wars. They don’t work. We should give peace a chance.
Wishing everyone a happy, peaceful and safe Thanksgiving,
With much gratitude,
Ana
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As the days grow shorter and darker, and the clock turns against us, I stumbled upon this e e cummings poem that I commend to you:
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
Steve
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HaKol Editor
Barbara Saunders-Adams
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Dear Friends,
As I write this message, it's 70 degrees outdoors and leaves are swirling off the trees. On the Hebrew calendar we are in Mar Cheshvan, the "bitter" period without a Jewish holiday. Nevertheless, our calendar is filled with rich parshayot delineating the colorful origins of the Israelites. The American holiday, Thanksgiving, can be compared to the Jewish value hakarat hatov, recognizing and appreciating the good in the world.
At PJC there is a lot going on. This month's Community Service includes Soup Kitchen (November 17th) and Thanksgiving-in-a-Box (November 19-22).
Sunday, November 20, our Israel Speaker Series begins at 5:00 p.m. This lecture looks at Israel through the lens of arts and culture.
On November 21, there will be an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the PJC.
The next Book Group will be held online on November 30 at 8:00 pm. We will discuss The Ornament of the World by Maria Rosa Menocal which describes the period in Andalusia when there was tolerance and intellectual cross-pollination between the three Abrahamic religions. Yes, it's possible!
Adult Ed continues on Tuesday evenings with The History and Philosophy of Conservative Judaism. Wednesdays at noon you can join Lunch & Learn on Zoom. It is also possible to study in chevruta with Rabbi Resnick on a topic of your choice.
Find an activity or event that resonates with you. Come join us at The PJC!
Barbara
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The German Girl
by Armando Lucas Correa
What makes this holocaust novel unique is its focus on the fate of the ocean liner, The St. Louis, which was commissioned by wealthy German Jews to reach safe haven in Havana, Cuba. More than 900 refugees were aboard the ship, only 27 were allowed to enter Havana. The majority were swindled after paying for visas and round trip passage which was revoked by the Cuban president without explanation in May, 1939. According to Cuban authorities, "... this was just another ship with foreigners on it, who for some reason or other were insisting on settling on an island where work was scarce and the sun destroyed all willpower." The ship tried to dock on the Florida coast but was refused entrance.
Hannah Rosenthal is the attractive "German Girl" whose picture appeared on the cover of a popular German magazine. At age 12, Hannah believes that Jews are seen as "impure" - although she doesn't understand why they are tainted. Her parents, the beautiful Jewish socialite Alma and the dashing diplomat Max Rosenthal are considered celebrities on the ship which is run as a luxury ocean liner. Hannah and her exuberant pal Leo realize they are doomed when Leo overhears a conversation about hidden cyanide capsules. Only Alma and Hannah are privileged to land in Havana which they view as a temporary measure. Hannah says, "In Cuba they looked down on us; they lowered their eyes in confusion, as if trying to escape the embarrassment. They wanted to wash their hands to avoid feeling guilty." Alma epitomizes the wealthy, educated socialite Jewess who evokes both envy and hatred.
Fast forward to 2014. On her 12th birthday, Anna Rosen receives a strange package from an unknown relative in Cuba, her great-aunt Hannah. Its contents inspire Anna and her mother to travel to Havana to learn the truth about their family's mysterious and tragic past. The German Girl sweeps from Berlin at the brink of the Second World War to Cuba on the cusp of revolution to New York in the wake of September 11.
Despite too many coincidences, The German Girl is an engaging story which sheds light on how Jews were perceived around the world in this critical period.
Barbara
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Upcoming Programs
Marjut Herzog
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Greetings!
My goal is to recharge our community batteries and provide opportunities for you to find nourishment for mind, soul, and spirit.
Hanukkah is coming! We will light candles together at least three times that week so if you want to celebrate and you like Chinese food on December 24 - the PJC is the place for you. Keep your eye out for details. Contact me to help plan the celebrations.
The PJC has excellent ongoing programs including our monthly Book and Movie Club. This month we are reading The Ornament of the World by Maria Rosa Menocal.
Need a pick-me-up? Watch Rom-Com meets Hanukkah in The Wedding Plan on Amazon for December’s Israeli Movies.
A group of us will go see Leopoldstadt on Broadway and we will have a virtual discussion so all who have already seen it can participate.
Join us for the Women's Group, after services open to all who like to learn and laugh. November 19 we celebrate humor. December 10 we will share our favorite recipe or cuisine or food and talk about moms or women we look up to.
New Program Opportunities
Let us know what appeals to your family!
Meshugah Chefs:
Brisket, Borscht, Borekas, Babaganoush and Babka! These are Just a few recipes our Meshugah Chefs will be sharing and cooking together.
First Friday:
We just returned to our delicious First Fridays schedule, and look forward to cooking Kugelmania and more together on December 1st and 2nd. RSVP for December 3rd.
Birthday Shabbat:
Come to synagogue to celebrate your birthday and get an honor and warm regards.
Or is it your child’s birthday? Join us for PJC Seedlings to receive a present on Birthday Shabbat! PJC Seedlings is a new parent-led program for parents or grandparents of kids ages
2-6 and their siblings. This program can help our youngest members and their families connect with each other and explore a Shabbat experience through stories and songs we will learn together. Come 11:00 AM on November 19 and December 10.
Cocktail Night:
I’m seeking hosts for a Shabbat afternoon and/or Saturday evening Cocktail party or wine tasting, for people in your age group or across generations. It’s a great winter activity.
Fourth Friday at a Congregant's Home:
Are you willing to host 2-4 people for Challah and Community? Meet for services then eat together on Fourth Friday night. Matching to a kosher home, vegetarian home, etc.
Westchester Jewish Community Events
On November 29, we and the Westchester Jewish community are invited to attend the Jewish Ethiopian festival of Sigd. Let’s go together and learn something new!
Marjut
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Mineged (From Afar)
by Rachel Bluwstein (1890-1931)
Attentive the heart. The ear listening:
Is anyone coming?
Every expectation contains
the sadness of Nevo.
One facing the other—two shores
Of a single river.
The rock of fate:
Ever far apart.
Spread your wings. See from afar
There—no one is coming,
To each his own Nevo
In a land of plenty.
Beyond Reach: Torah from JTS by Dr. Barbara Mann, Chana Kekst Professor of Jewish Literature
In the concluding lines of the parashah Haazinu, the term mineged (from afar) refers to the geographic fate of Moshe: he may view the Land “from afar” on Mt. Nevo, but will not be allowed to enter it (Deut. 32:52). Rachel’s poem above, titled with this word and written in Tel Aviv in 1930, depicts a situation of existential absence and desire.
Like other Hebrew writers of her generation, Rachel’s decision to write in Hebrew and not in her native tongue—in this case, Russian—was shaped by an ideological commitment to Hebrew as a language of national renaissance. Rachel’s poems are filled with biblical allusions; in this poem, the identification with the biblical figure emerges from a seminal moment of psychological crisis: the abrupt denial of a dream on the brink of its joyous fulfillment.
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"Share a Simcha" allows congregants to share their news with our PJC community. Please submit news about family members -- engagements, births, job updates, kid achievements, community acknowledgements and any other milestones -- to our Communications Director, Barbara Saunders-Adams.
. Mazal Tov to Scarlett Cepler who will be performing at Lincoln Center in the role of "Angel" in the New York City Ballet production of "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker!"
If you are interested in attending a performance, please email Mitch who will share Scarlett's performance schedule (there are two casts.) Way to go Scarlett!
. Yom Huledet Sameach! (Happy Birthday) Rabbi Ben Resnick, Maria Abeshouse, Karen Dukess, Jill Goldenberg, Esther Droller, Alicia Malkis & Ethan Bronner.
. Mazal Tov to Glyn Morgan and Mercedes Castiel on their 36th Anniversary
Simcha is a regular HaKol feature, so keep your news and updates coming!
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Donations to the PJC from...
- Neco and Ana Turkienicz
- Seth & Patricia Goldman
- Jason and Tracee Cohen
Donations to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund from...
- Omer and Sara Haberman
- Meryl Druckerman
- Susan Brenner
At any time, if you wish to pay by check, please make it payable to "The Pelham Jewish Center" and mail it to our bookkeeping firm at: The Pelham Jewish Center, P.O. Box 418, Montvale, NJ 07645.
All donations to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, at any time throughout the year, should be made payable to "The Pelham Jewish Center -- Rabbi's Discretionary Fund" and mailed directly to Melainie Williams at the PJC office. Thank you!
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