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, Felicia Otto

Co-Presidents

Temple Israel’s Electronic Bulletin

E-Shalom

SEPTEMBER 2023

Elul 5783 - Tishrei 5784

“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.

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 Mornings

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


Meeting ID: 816 2485 7827

Passcode: 609375


**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.

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



As I write this article, Robin and I are coming to an end of a wonderful vacation in Alaska. Alaska is often called “the last frontier” and it’s easy to see why. Alaska is 12 times bigger than New York and has millions of acres of mountains and forests inaccessible by roads and hundreds of miles from the nearest cellphone tower. For many Alaskans, the wilderness is a large part of the reason they either came to the state or elect to stay here. Just as during the westward expansion of the lower 48 during the 19th century, the wilderness of Alaska in the 21st century represents freedom for many and a chance for a new start in a place where almost anything is possible.


The wilderness also plays an important part in the faith of Israel, particularly during the High Holy Days. The majority of the Torah takes place in the wilderness and one of the 5 Books of Moses is even named “In the Wilderness,” in the original Hebrew. In the Hebrew Bible, the wilderness is both an actual place and a metaphor for the period of the Israelites’ transformation here about eight from slavery to freedom. In the wilderness of the deserts of Sinai and the Negev, the habits of servitude are burned away, and the people finally emerge from the desert 40 years later ready to take responsibility for their own lives. The wilderness teaches the Israelites self-reliance and the consequences of bad choices. The wilderness is, as the folklorist Arnold van Gennap puts it, a “liminal space,” that transforms the people of Israel from a group of disparate and often conflicting individuals into a mighty nation.

 

The High Holy Days, at their core, are another kind of liminal space. Beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, the 10 “Days of Awe” are moments outside of regular time. Just like the Israelites journey through the wilderness, this period of reflection takes us out of the familiar and, by doing so, increases the possibility of real change in our habits and perspective.


Think back to the times when we become reflective and receptive to change. Tragedy certainly brings reevaluation of our patterns and goals. The death of a loved one or a major health challenge often cause a profound reassessment of our plans and way of life. At another end of the spectrum, our journeys away from home often trigger intense introspection about our work-life balance and the fixtures of our ordinary existence. The further away we go, either by distance or by landscape, the deeper the contemplation. That’s why, particularly for city dwellers, a trip to the wilderness can provoke such a deep reexamination of our assumptions and choices.


Traditionally, Judaism advises us to regard Rosh Hashanah as the day of our birth and Yom Kippur as the day of our death. This metaphor doesn’t always work as a spark for reflection. Some even find it threatening and off- putting. If this traditional metaphor doesn’t work for you, consider the analogy of a journey to the wilderness. In Hebrew, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks points out, the word midbar, wilderness, has the same root as the word dabar/davar, meaning “word” or “thing.” It has the same letters as medabber, “speaking.” In the wilderness, the Torah was revealed to the people of Israel and they heard a Voice that changed the trajectory of their lives. To be “in the wilderness” means to be radically attuned to the possibility of that sound and its message. When the season of inward reflection begins in the middle next month, accordingly, may we all find ourselves, metaphorically, in a beautiful wild valley ready to ascend the heights that surround us and give them a name and a meaning that will reorient our lives for the better! L’shanah Tovah! 


Rabbi Michael Howald   

A Message from the Co-Presidents

Bryn Biren

Felicia Otto


Rosh Hashanah is celebrated on the first day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The month is Tishri. Why does the seventh month mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year? God, speaking to Moses in Leviticus 23:24 imagines celebrating a holiday as a type of Sabbath for the soul: “You are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.” Seven has always held a very special place in Judaism. We know that the blasts ring out from the shofar, which blows to awaken each of us from spiritual slumber and to encourage us to repent. Casting away sin, tashlich, was a custom that we believe began in the 13th century in Germany. 


On Rosh Hashanah we recite two very special prayers. The first is Unetaneh Tokef, which is a medieval poem about the solemnity of the day. The other prayer is El Maleh Rachamim ( read between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) which prays for the souls of the departed, who are believed to be watching over us.


What an important and special time of year it is for each of us. We have a New Year approaching with a chance for a new start. We want, and need each of you, to join us in working to create the Temple Israel that you want. We are here to see that our synagogue functions well and to encourage new leadership and participation. We have a vision for Temple Israel and we want to hear what you want in the future. Joining Sisterhood and Brotherhood, the Membership Committee, the Adult Learners Committee, the Religious School Committee, the Caring Community, the Adult Choir or any of our other committees will give you a voice in what happens here. It will also connect you with other congregants and form friendships that you have not had in the past. You can make US stronger. Feel free to contact us at any time to increase your level of participation.


We wish each of you a HAPPY AND HEALTHY 5783! We look forward to seeing you at Rosh Hashanah services on September 15th-16th and Yom Kippur services on September 24-25th.

L’SHANAH TOVAH!

 

Bryn Biren & Felicia Otto

Co-Presidents


During the month of August, our dedicated choir members, our wonderful organist, Elona, and I have been rehearsing for the High Holy Days. Not only do we refresh our memories of the melodies and harmonies, we delve into the meanings of the prayers.  


The melodies for the prayers that are only heard during the Days of Awe, such as Avinu Malkeinu and Kol Nidre have tremendous power to move us, evoking a connection with the Jewish people and tradition that goes beyond words. Did you know that prior to the publication of Gates of Repentance in 1978, the Reform machzor (High Holy Day prayer book) did not contain the text for Kol Nidre? The legalist text nullifying personal vows was deemed inconsistent with the values of the Reform movement. Even though the Kol Nidrei prayer was not in the prayer book, many Reform congregations began the evening service of Yom Kippur with an instrumental or choral arrangement of Kol Nidrei anyway.  


Almost 60 years ago, a Canadian communications theorist named Marshall McLuhan penned the phrase, "The medium is the message." He wrote that "societies have always been shaped more by the nature of the media by which [people] communicate than by the content of the communication." Although McLuhan was thinking about the influence of television on society when he wrote that phrase, as today we might think of social media, the Kol Nidre melody is also a great example of the medium, in this case, the melody, being more powerful than the message of the prayer.  I just can't imagine the evening of Yom Kippur without the ancient, haunting Kol Nidre melody. At Temple Israel we are blessed to have Vincent Moncada playing the Kol Nidrei melody on 'cello, as well Elona playing the organ and the beautiful voices of our choir members as we usher in the Sabbath of Sabbaths, Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish Year.  


To learn more about the history of the Kol Nidre melody:  


https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/yom-kippur/sounds-kol-nidrei


While it may be daunting to consider joining the choir -- perhaps you don't read music, or understand Hebrew -- please know that you will be in very good company, and you will learn along with the rest of us. 


Shana tova u'm'tuka! May 5784 be a year of blessings and love for all.  

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein 


SENIOR CHOIR

Tuesday, August 29- 7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 5- 7:00 pm

Sunday, September 10- 12 noon

Tuesday, September 12- 7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 19- 7:00 pm


JUNIOR CHOIR

Friday, September 1, 6:30 p.m. warm-up for

7 p.m. family service



ROCK OF ISRAEL

Sunday, October 1 - 10:00 am

Rehearsal for Simchat Torah


On Friday, September 1,

at 3:30 pm,

we will meet at the Brielle

to sing Shabbat songs and sound the shofar. 

All are welcome! 

145 Friendship Lane (off Brielle Avenue)

Meet in the Chapel


7 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SELICHOT

Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, a time of prayer, self-reflection, and repentance.


HISTORY
CUSTOMS, SYMBOLS, TRADITIONS
SELICHOT
BLESSINGS
RECIPES
WHAT IS IT?
SUGGESTIONS FOR A BREAD-FREE TASHLICH

Day of Atonement

HISTORY
CUSTOMS & RITUALS
BLESSINGS
THE FESTIVAL
HISTORY
CUSTOMS & RITUALS
BLESSINGS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2023

ELUL 5783-TISHREI 5784

For calendar updates please check the Temple website.

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

MAZEL TOV TO:

SHIREL & LINCOLN RICHMAN on the birth of their daughter, Aliyah Emet;

BARBARA FEIGELMAN on the engagement of her daughter Jill to Ramez Kafrouni.



CONDOLENCES TO:

THE HANIBAL FAMILY on the loss of Linda's mother, JOYCE KANTROWITZ; 

THE GANZ FAMILY on the loss of JEFFREY GANZ, former Temple Israel President, Treasurer, Board Member, and President of Brotherhood;

The Family of DR. STANLEY SOREN, former member of Temple Israel.

LINDA BRILL and BARBARA FRIED on the passing of Howard Pisetzner. Howard was the son of our late members Dr. Ira & Barbara Pisetzner, a cousin of Linda Brill, and the brother of Barbara Fried’s daughter-in-law, Karen;

Former member RONIT JOSEPH and family on the passing of her son, Daniel. Joseph Rowan.



GET WELL WISHES TO:

ALEXA SHPERLING

EMIL, son of office manager, NILAJA TROY, recently hospitalized.

JERRY GROSS

NINA ROHAN



THINKING OF YOU: 

DR. ALICIA BASKIN, JOE GAMORAN,

SILVIA GORNSTEIN.



Due to Holiday services, some names will be read on a previous Shabbat as indicated below


September 2, 2023

Vera Armstrong

Lena Goldberg *

Sarah Miriam Gross *

Mary Krisburg *

Rose Lippman

Sylvia Chazanoff

Mary Freedman

Evelyn Ruth Konigsberg *

Louis Schlefstein *

Sarah Miriam Gross *

Solomon Jacob Gross *

Phyllis Vaccarelli

Albert Kaufman

Samuel Flaum


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Stanislaw Binkowski

Ferenc Pulitzer

Leon Kaczorek

Toba Libskink

Stefan Kowalski


September 9, 2023

Gertrude Newhouse Diamond *

Helen E. Frey

Jack Goodman

Marc Kopstein *

Miriam Sugerman-Rosenblum

Sol Sparber

Robert T. Lane *

Tom Sparacio

Iris Hershenson

Harold Landowne

Boris Reznikoff

David Schmeidler *

Harry Avis *

Leo Diamond *

Iris Hershenson

Irving Reznikoff

Martin Lavender


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Jakob Nawckowitsch

Emil Wagner

Sima Braun

Riza Vidor

Franz Budlowsky




These names will be read at the Sept. 8 & 9 Shabbat services

September 16, 2023

Harold Pappert

Charles Hirsh

Irving E. Rothaus *

Sidney Goldberg *

Martin Goldstone

Florence Harrison

Joseph Newman *

Lewis Schwartz

Samuel Elman *

Isidore Janatofsky *

Dr. Melvin Victor *

Mark Heitowit *

Emanuel Leef

Marivic Lipton

Jacob Rosenberg *


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Sara Dachner

William Kramer

Frimet Zeligfeld

Klaas Kruit

Ludwig Simon


September 23, 2023

Arthur Duskin *

Abraham Gamoran

Sidney Simon *

Lewis Werb *

Solomon Davidson *

Harriet Kramer

Sedge Levee *

Joseph Gershansky

Irving Lieberman

Milton Silberlight

Jeffrey Tenzer

Florence Weinstein *

Samuel Gootenberg *

Abraham Mendelsohn

Max Reiman *

Pauline Spector *

Frances Lipston *

Herman Gross

Irving Spector *


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Ludovic Tauguy

Gitla Schultz

Jetje Velleman

Löwe Stolicki

Mondi Weschler


These names will be read at the Sept. 22 & 23 Shabbat services

September 30, 2023

Michael Berlyand

Fannie Kruger Levy *

Searle Selmon

Jorge Vinocur

Rebecca Henken

Virginia Menna

Carol Schwimmer *

Millard Siegler *

Edith Fazio

Stuart Schorr

Joseph Steinberg

Louis Benjamin *

Sylvia Selig

Albert Mulnick

Mollie Hirsh

Victor Pessah *

Lillian Winer *


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Arpad Stern

Franz Seiner

Karol Kantor

Farkasne Revesz

Joseph Borecki


These names will be read at the Sept. 22 & 23 Shabbat services

October 7, 2023

Mary Borack *

Loretta Grossman

Ruth Sommer

Laura Don

Dr. Lewis Gross

Irving Grossman

Howard Bierman

Rose Rosen

Helene Werb *

Rubin Levine *


And we remember from the Holocaust:

Eigl Brin

Hans Goldscheider

Zelda Werthajm

Clara Freundlich

Genese Miliunski




* These names are on our Memorial Wall.

EREV SHABBAT SERVICES

_________


Friday, September 1

FAMILY SHABBAT SERVICE


Service at 7:00 p.m.

In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)

ONEG SPONSORED IN HONOR OF SHABBAT BY

THOSE CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES IN SEPTEMBER.


_________


Friday, September 8

Service at 7:30 p.m.

In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)


_________


Friday, September 15

EREV ROSH HASHANAH

Service at 8:00 p.m.

(TICKETS REQUIRED)


_________


Friday, September 22

SHABBAT SHUVAH

Service at 7:30 p.m.


In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)


_________


Friday, September 29

EREV SUKKOT

Service at 7:30 p.m.


In Person and

via Live-Stream

(link to be sent via e-mail)


SATURDAY MORNING

TORAH STUDY ***

Torah Study

Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.

followed by

Services at 11a.m.

Via ZOOM


***THERE WILL BE NO TORAH STUDY ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16. PLEASE JOIN US FOR IN-PERSON ROSH HASHANAH MORNING SERVICES.

Click here to come join August  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 dfeder19@aol.com to set up an account. 

MOST FLYERS CAN BE DOWNLOADED FOR PRINTING BY CLICKING DIRECTLY ON THE FLYER.

Dear Fellow Congregants,


Thank you to those who have already acknowledged and/or settled their annual commitments. If you have not yet made your commitment submissions, please do so (or make arrangements) as soon as possible. 


For your convenience:  the High Holiday admission tickets for accounts in good standings will be available for pick up in-person on Sunday September 10th (following the Sisterhood/Brotherhood Kick-off Meeting) from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.


Tickets will be distributed in the area between the Social Hall and Sanctuary. If you are unable to pick up your tickets in-person, you may contact me @ JPerezRabin@gmail.com 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 347-631-9802 (via text or voicemail) should you wish to discuss any matter regarding your annual commitment. 


Thank you in advance 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.


L’Shanah Tova.  

We will have in-person High Holy Day Services starting on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September 15th at 8:00 PM.  


As we continue our preparations for the Days of Awe, we are finalizing the Memory Book, adjusting and distributing High Holy Day honors, polishing the Ritual Silver with the assistance of Sisterhood on September 5th,, refreshing the Bimah Flowers and dry cleaning the White Torah Covers in time for Selichot.


Selichot, a prelude to the High Holy Days will be observed on Saturday evening September 9th starting at 7:00 PM and includes light refreshments, a study session: “Can Nations Repent? Exploring the limits of Repentance in an Unapologetic Age.”   This program will be based on Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg’s new book “On Repentance and Repair” led by Rabbi Howald and Cantor Bernstein, followed by Havdalah and the Selichot Service.  Please join us at this first Holy Day observance. We look forward to seeing you at Temple for Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Shuvah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah.  The specific dates and times of all Services are found elsewhere in the Bulletin.  Please be sure to order your own personal Lulav and Etrog Sets by September 18th, by using the flyers also included in the Bulletin.  

 

We welcome back Cantor Bernstein as summer ends. Both Rabbi Howald and Cantor Bernstein will be leading the Family Service on September 1stat 7 PM.  We also look forward to the September Birthday/Anniversary Celebration. Cantor will be at all our High Holiday services. Congregant Jim Rohan has agreed to be our musical leader on the dates when Cantor Bernstein is not here.


Thank you to Remy Smith for being our prayer leader for the Erev Shabbat Services August 11th and August 18 when Rabbi Howald was away on vacation.  Thank you to Jim Rohan for providing musical leadership for the Erev Shabbat Services in the summer.  Thank you to Sim Lenner for her musical leadership in July when Jim missed a service. 


Saturday morning Torah Study (July and August) and Services (August) continued on the Zoom Platform. The lay leaders who led Saturday morning Torah Study in the months of July and August were Linda Brill, Maxine Cohen, Barbara Fried, Arnie Grossman, Judy Lee and JR Rich. Our Saturday morning Shabbat Services in August were led by Pamela J. Carlton with musical accompaniment by Dr. Ken Pickover.   


Please look to your e-mails, messages, Temple Israel’s New and Notes, our Facebook Page and this E-Shalom for additional information as it becomes available. 


We wish all a happy, healthy and sweet 5784.


Nina Rohan

Remy Smith

Co-Chairpersons

__________________________


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

Barbara Fried, Deanna Feder, Sam Gornstein,

Blanche Ricci and Inez Singer


Nina Rohan

Ushering Chair

September is a time of renewal with Rosh Hashanah on September 15 and Yom Kippur on September 24.  This is the time of year when we ask forgiveness and “throw away our sins” during Tashlich.  This period of prayer offers us an excellent opportunity to look objectively at ourselves and pledge to being better in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let’s begin 5784 with a clean slate.


Start the year off with an environment that repairs the world for our sisters and the entire community.  Commit to the ideals of Sisterhood for all our members as we strive to keep in mind Jewish values.


Our first General Sisterhood Meeting is our Sisterhood/Brotherhood Kickoff on September 10.  Please attend – we want you to be part of our Jewish community.  


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 worthwhile causes.  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 brunch on December 17.  Contact Claire Guttsman (speechrose1@msn.com) or Sandy Feuerstein (bartenda23@aol.com).  The September 10 Kick-off is an opportunity to pay your Sisterhood dues if you have not done so already.  


Thank you to Silvia Gornstein for her hard work taking orders for the beautiful Community New Year’s Card. Thank you to Judy Lee’s child who created the colorful, unique design we are using this year.  


We will have a “Break the Fast” in the social hall when Yom Kippur services are completed.   We hope you will join us as we usher in the New Year. 


On September 30, Sisterhood is planning to share Pizza in the Hut at 5:30 pm, Havdallah at 6:30 pm and Sippin’ in the Sukkah at 7 pm on the Temple patio.    Please contact Jodi Siegel (jsiegel23@aol.com) or Judy Lee (aninformedsource@aol.com) if you can help set up and clean up for the evening.  The cost is $14 a person for Pizza in the Hut.  The Sippin’ in the Sukkah portion of the evening is free of charge. (See the flyer elsewhere in this bulletin).


Thanks to all who donated home-baked or store-bought goods and fruit for the summer onegs.  Your assistance is very much appreciated! Please be generous with your time and help in making our Fall onegs a pleasant experience. Please contact Terry Baver (terrygbaver@gmail.com) or Judy Lee (aninformedsource@aol.om) to sign up for September, October and beyond. 


Sisterhood had been researching a cleaning service to deep clean the kitchen. The Sisterhood executive board has not yet decided on a date to begin.  Volunteers will be needed to empty and restock the closets.  We won’t be able to move forward with this until we have enough volunteers.


L’Shanah Tovah to you and your loved ones,

 

Pamela Carlton, Sue Freedman, Judy Lee, Anita Zuckerberg

Sisterhood Co-Presidents 

Join Sisterhood as we honor the memories of those we've lost Breast Cancer.


Make your donation to the American Cancer Society and walk with us on Sunday, October 22nd. Please give your donation checks to Inez Singer or leave them in the Sisterhood mailbox.

We still have some Sisterhood shirts available in memory of Jennifer Straniere. If you would like one, please contact JSiegel23@aol.com.

Brotherhood at Temple Israel continues….

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow


We hope that you enjoyed a safe and healthy summer with family and friends.


You may notice that the title of our article for this edition of the Temple’s Bulletin has changed.

As you are aware, our past president of Brotherhood, Jeffrey Ganz, passed away during August.  Jeff was a dedicated Temple Israel member, having served in many leadership positions as Temple president, Ritual Committee co-chair and Treasurer, a position he held for many years, both before and after his tenure as president.  We hope that his memory will serve as a motivation for your participation in Brotherhood and your support of its activities.  We send our messages of support to Jeff’s family as we share in their loss.


Please be reminded that we will be having our annual Kick-off Breakfast with Sisterhood on Sunday, September 10th, at 10am in the Social Hall.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend. After the breakfast and short meeting, we will gather to clean the stream and surrounding area in preparation for Tashlich which follows the Rosh Hashanah morning service.  (Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a pair of work gloves.)


Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 26th, when we will meet in the afternoon on the patio to set up our Sukkah in preparation for our Religious School children to add their decorations.  (Time to be announced.) Our Sukkah will also be busy on Saturday, September 30th at 5:30 pm for Pizza in the Hut and then at 7:00pm for Sippin’ in the Sukkah.  Join us all for this very pleasant and enjoyable annual event. Please check the flyer above for RSVP information.


THE BROTHERHOOD BBQ RETURNS! Please see the flyer below for information regarding this year’s BBQ activity on Sunday, October 15th.  This special event will be open to all Temple members and will be held on the Patio.  Please refer to the flyer for reservation information.  All are welcome.


We look forward to joining with you at the many activities taking place at Temple Israel.  

As always, feel free to contact either of us for any further information you may require.


With our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year,


Bob Zuckerberg and Alan Siegel




I hope that the summer has been restful and enjoyable for everyone. I am looking forward to seeing all families on Thursday, August 31st via zoom at 7:30pm for our mandatory school orientation and again on Friday, September 1st in person at 7:00pm for our September Family Shabbat. A special challah will be waiting for us to enjoy together following services. 


During our orientation families will meet the teachers, hear about our partnership with Tzedakah America for our B'nai Mitzvah students and hear about our new music program. The first day of religious school this year is Sunday, October 1st. 


During a Rosh Hashanah service on Saturday, September 16th, a children's room will be available for all religious school students from 10:00am-12:00pm with engaging activities about the holiday. On Yom Kippur on Tuesday, September 25th, the children's service will take place at 1:30pm. 


Looking forward to an awesome year! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.


Sincerely, 


Felicia

We are sorry if your name was inadvertently omitted. Please contact John at 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. 

The Membership Committee met on July 27th to discuss a few new initiatives for the coming year.

There is a possibility that we will have two new members joining the Committee, which will be finalized at the next meeting.

All present members will remain on the Committee for the upcoming year.

More information will follow once the next meeting takes place on Zoom on September 14 at 7:30 on Zoom.


Sandy Mazzucco

Claire Guttsman

hands_together_sand.jpg

Our Congregation has been going through a terribly sorrowful time. Our congregation has lost 3 precious family members.


Ruth Stein, who was an active member of our congregation for many years and whose daughter, Shari Stein-Ballow's voice can be heard as the choir sings for the High Holy Days. She is survived by her sister Norma Furman, her daughter Shari and son-in-law Larry, and grandchildren Fanya and Jillian, Alex, Max, Lacey, Jake and Zack and great-grandson Jordan. 


Joyce Kantrowitz, who's daughter Linda Hanibal and Son-in-law Larry are pillars of our Temple Community. She is survived by her son Mark (Meryl), her grandchildren Brian (Gayle), Cara (Charles), Rachael and Andrew (Meghan), and her great-grandchildren Sal and Jacqueline, Matana, Judah, Penelope and Eleonora. As an active member, Linda would often bring her mother to join us at Temple and she was always a welcomed face.


These two women had difficult but wonderful long lives and they leave behind a lifetime of memories, love and joy.


We also lost a member who was one of the most active members of our Temple and was lost too soon. We cannot thank him enough for his tireless efforts on behalf of our Temple and we hope his wish for our Temple to thrive, is always a reality. His smiling face which was practically a fixture at Temple Israel will be missed by us all. Jeff Ganz leaves behind his wife Shariann, sons Matthew and Bryan, his sister Helen Laufer and her family, as well as many other beloved family members and friends..



Our hearts go out to these families who have lost loved ones. May these families find comfort among the mourners of our people and may their memories be a blessing. 


Pamela L. Rogozin

Caring Community Chair

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.
Some featured Judaica Shop items this month:
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.

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

Sunday school begins on October 1st at 9:30. We WILL see you in September at all our holidays! Rosh Hashanah service on 9/16 begins at 10 and the Children’s Room will be open down stairs. So,  you can come and bring the children and at the end of the service they can come up to listen to the Shofar being played! They will love it.


On Yom Kippur, Tuesday September 25, there will be a wonderful Children’s service at 1:30. Please feel free to invite any families who are not temple members. All are welcome to come to this service. 


We have many plans for the coming year and if you have any ideas of experiences you would like your children to have, reach out to us. And if you are interested in joining a committee, speak to Bryn or Felicia. And, Don’t forget to join Sisterhood and Brotherhood!


Looking forward to seeing you all at our holiday services. 


Sincerely,

Bryn Biren and Terry Baver


Looking forward to a New Year—
Book discussions will be held the third Thursday of October, December. February, April, and June.
We will begin in October with “Madam, The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age”. By Debby Applegate.
This story of a rather “infamous” lady will be an eye opener.
Let us know if you have any book suggestions for the following months.
The programs that follow will be happily presented as a joint effort between the Adult Learning Committee and the Avis Foundation—
Alina Shteynberg will present “Cooking for the Holidays”Wednesdays, September 13 and 20, 7:30 PM, on ZOOM
Mark Meyer will continue his fascinating view of Art. Tuesdays, October, 10, 17, 24, 31, 7:30 PM, on ZOOM.
Quynh Nguyen will speak on “Nutrition and Aging” Tuesday, November 7, 7:30, on ZOOM.
Nilaja Troy, our office manager, will share some of what she has been studying, in a 3 part discussion of “Comparative Religion” Tuesday, December 19, “The Birth of Christianity “ Tuesday, January 2, “ Schism and Persecution” Tuesday, January 9, “Where Are We Now?” All at 7:30. (A decision will be made if the programs will be on Zoom and/or in person.)

Dr. Sherrie Baver, Ph.D. will talk about Jewish “Pirates of the

Caribbean”

Tuesday, January 30, 7:30, on Zoom.


A program on Jewish Diversity is under consideration. Do you want to learn about the variety of ritual in different branches of Judaism? Would those of you in our congregation whose Jewishness did not begin in America, like to talk to us? Would you like to hear about Judaism in parts of the world where you would not think it would exist? We are working on these ideas. Please share your thoughts with us.

Judith Pessah

Adult Learning Committee Chairperson












Please join the FUNdraising Committee for our Second Annual Games Extravaganza on Saturday October 28, 2023.

Doors open at 7:15pm, first game at 7:45pm.
Join us for a fun filled night, laughter guaranteed.
Enjoy some tasty snacks. Bring your own bottle (BYOB).
$20 per person prepaid (preferred)
$25 at the door.
Please see flyer below.

Questions Contact
Lissa: 917-846-5454
Rhonda: rhondata61@yahoo.com
Karen: Kefreygamoran@aol.com


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

Co-Chairs

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 
  • 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 
  • 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!

If you are not receiving this Bulletin via a direct e-mail and would like to, please contact us at TICOMMUNICATION@aol.com to be added to our mailing list.

CONTACT INFORMATION

718-727-2231

office@templeisraelsiny.org

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