Rabbi Michael D. Howald

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein

Bryn Biren, Russell Kaminsky

Co-Presidents

NOVEMBER 2024

Tishrei-Cheshvan 5785

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TREE OF LIFE

Shabbat Morning

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

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 Our High Holy Day services at Temple Israel truly require a cast of hundreds! Over the course of the services, which officially begin with Selichot on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana, and continue until Yizcor on the morning of Simchat Torah, at least half of the entire congregation participate in some way, some multiple times, over the course of these services. Some read Torah or Haftarah, some sing in the choir, some carry our scrolls, others offer prayers or volunteer to open the ark. Still others usher, or man the desk checking tickets. This summary, in addition, does not even include the many long hours spent determining honors, sending letters, rehearsing with the choir, and making the hundreds of telephone calls required to ensure that our services during this important holiday period happen as seamlessly and as efficiently as possible.

All these efforts make the High Holidays feel and sound special. The Rabbi and the Cantor are the most prominent faces during the Days of Awe, but it is really all the volunteers, the ritual committee, the senior choir, the readers of Torah and all those who agreed to play a part in the services who made it all possible. Both Cantor and I want these services to be as meaningful and beautiful as possible but there is no way we could do this enormous task all on our own! Every person who volunteers to assist in these services makes it possible for Cantor and me to maintain the traditions of Israel and Temple Israel without being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of such an enormous undertaking.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank the Cantor who worked so hard and sang so well, the choir who sang so beautifully, the readers of Torah and Haftarah that made it possible for our congregation to hear the ancient language of our people, the ones who carried Torah into the midst of the congregation and assisted in its removal from and replacement in the ark. I am debt to everyone who read from the prayer book, who stood in the back and watched over the congregation, to those who polished the silver on our Sifre-Torah and prepared the sanctuary for the services to follow. My most sincere thanks to our lay leadership who prepared the way for our services in so many ways, large and small, and particularly to the Ritual Committee who labors so expertly and with so much dedication to secure and assign volunteers to the many roles the High Holy Days at Temple Israel requires. The High Holy Days could not have happened without each and every one of you and I am so grateful for all that you do, often in the background.

In the schema of Torah trope, one of the most common trope is a munach, a helper trope that often precedes a more significant cantillation mark. The name of the trope comes from a word in Hebrew that means “rest.” On rare occasions, a verse has two munachs in a row. In such a circumstance, the first munach is called a “heralding munach,” a musical notation that requires a series of elevated notes that call attention to the words that follow. Singing is not my strong suit but, on this occasion, as I consider our High Holy Day services for the year 5785, imagine me singing a heralding munach to celebrate every one that played a part in our services from Selichot to Simchat Torah. Only in this case, instead of looking forward, I look back at what we accomplished together, and I sing your praises! Kol HaKavod to every one of us! Now let us agree not to do this again until next year!

Another Note from

Rabbi Howald

This October 7th, we observed the first secular Yahrzeit of the awful events in Israel in 2023, in which over 1200 Israelis were murdered and over 250 taken hostage. Since then, Israel has been engaged in the multi-front war against the perpetrators of this modern program, Hamas, and against Iran's proxies in both Lebanon and Yemen. One of our bat-mitzvah and confirmation students, Ma'ayan Feldman, shared her feelings on the heart-breaking anniversary of the attacks on October 7th and both her parents and I wanted to share these powerful words with the congregation. Here they are:

It's hard to put into words how I feel today on October 7th.

To say that I'm heartbroken is an understatement. Never in my worst nightmares would I believe that a full year would pass and the horrors in the Middle East would continue, worse even now. In the quiet moments, in the loud ones, and the busy, my heart seizes at the thoughts always in the back of my mind. The same one's I’ve had for a year; 

When will I be able to enjoy myself again? I am happy, but am I allowed to be? I am here, safe and sound. But my family isn't. My friends aren't.

The people of Israel aren't. The innocent civilians in Gaza arent. This does not sit right with me. It cannot sit right with me. No matter what side of the war you're on, your life has been affected . No matter what side of the war you’re on, terrible things have happend to the ones you love, and those you've never met. No matter what side of the war you’re on, you simply cannot support Hamas, nor support their terrorist agenda. If there is one thing we should all agree on, Hamas has brought only sorrow. The once-bustling Israeli neighborhoods now lay silent and heavy with grief.

Families once full, and carefree now face an empty chair, a haunting reminder of loved ones, lost to the brutality of war

The weight of sorrow hangs thick in the air, as communities come together in mourning, holding onto the hope that someday, the cycle of violence will give way to peace, and the promise of a brighter future will once again shine through the darkness.

You may call me a crazy genocidal colonizer. A delusional Zionist. Oh well, I'm more than confident and comfortable in my beliefs to not let your words get to me.

BRING OUR HOSTAGES HOME. NOW!

Bryn Biren

Russell Kaminsky

       There are a few things in life that are really touching. We get jaded as we grow older. We have seen so much, been to so many places, attended so many events. Oftentimes we look forward to an occasion only to be disappointed. It may be over the top, or the people are just going through the motions and there is no feeling.

        Attending a Bat or Bar Mitzvah is not one of those times. This year at Temple Israel we are lucky enough to be able to celebrate this life cycle event with nine students. If you think that they are all the same and you would really prefer to sleep-in on a Shabbat morning you are mistaken. Each and every one is different, each one has a different feeling.

       I have been lucky enough to have attended many, in my own family and those in the congregation. I have been witness to a number of them that never should have happened. The student had special needs, or the student was so frightened to speak publicly that a Bar Mitzvah service seemed impossible, or there was a family member whose health was so precarious that the ceremony was not even certain.

      There is something wonderful about watching a parent present the tallit to his/her child telling the history of the passing of the tallit in their own family. There is something so special about the Torah being passed from generation to generation - seeing the grandparents kvelling because they were able to be present on this very special day. What is often so special is listening to the parents address their child at the conclusion of the service. Many of the most unemotional, controlled men have been reduced to tears during that speech. The singing by Cantor Bernstein of beautiful music and words of “L’Chi Lach” by Debbie Friedman is my personal favorite. That song creates a collage of my own family memories for me. I cannot explain the exact feeling, but I never tire of the song or the experience of seeing others react to the music.

      We are a congregation that is here to support one another in good times and bad. The Bar/Bat mitzvah service is the best of times. It is a celebration and one that you should attend.  Look for this year’s schedule and come. You do not need an invitation. Everyone is welcome. It is well worth your time!

Sincerely,

Bryn Biren

Co-President

At the close of this year's Yom Kippur children's service, the junior choir sang a blessing for the new year written by Ellen Allard:  "May you be blessed for a good year, for a sweet year, for a healthy year. May you be written in the Book of Life, g'mar chatimah tovah!" As I looked out at the glowing faces of parents and children listening to the beautiful voices of our youngest choir members, I saw once again how sweet singing has the power to warm hearts. 

This is the best time ever to join our Senior or Junior choirs! No long rehearsals preparing for the High Holy Days, just the joy of singing together for Shabbat! The Senior Choir usually rehearses on one Sunday morning and one Tuesday evening per service. It is fine to make just one of the two rehearsals. The Junior choir meets at noon after Sunday school on one Shabbat a month, and children are welcome to "join the choir" without the Sunday rehearsal just by coming at 6:30 p.m. before each family service. 

Let me know if you have any questions about singing with our choirs, so that you too can "Sing a new song to the Eternal!"

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein 

We will welcome Shabbat with our friends at

The Brielle Assisted Living

on Friday, November 1

at 3:30 p.m.  

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US!

JUNIOR CHOIR

Friday, November 1

Junior choir warm-up at 6:30 pm for 7 pm Family service

JUNIOR CHOIR REHEARSALS

Sundays 11/3 at 12 noon

New members are always welcome! 

SENIOR CHOIR

Saturday, 11/2- 9:45 Warm Up for 10:30 Service

Bar Mitzvah ofJordan Padilla

Friday, 11/22- 7 pm Warm up for 7:30 Service

SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSALS

Sunday, 11/3 - 10:00 am

Tuesday, 11/19- 7:00 pm

(for Shabbat Service 11/22)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER 2024

TISHREI-CHESHVAN 5785

For calendar updates please check the Temple website.

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

MAZEL TOV TO:

REBECCA & DUANE HAND on the engagement of their son Kyle to Chelsea Ortiz.

CONDOLENCES TO:

NINA ROHAN & FAMILY on the loss. of her sister, Felicia Littman.

GET WELL WISHES TO:

FRED SIMON recovering from shoulder surgery;

JEFF BIRCH recovering from orthopdeic surgery; 

PAMELA CARLTON recovering from epidural procedure;

SUE FREEDMAN recovering from a hospital stay.

THINKING OF YOU:

HOWARD MAZER

BARBARA MENNA

RUSSEL KAMINSKY

WELCOME RETURNING MEMBERS:

FRANCINE GALVEZ

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

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Sidney Don

Israel Kantrowitz

Thea Silberman *

Beatrice Don

Seymour Wolinitz *

Martha Sugar

Claire Silberlight

Hon. Royal Radin *

Charles Wiesner

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Haya Tuchmajer

Jakob Glikman

Kurt Libochowitz

Jacob Lagne

Tula Ofman

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

Allen Scher

Ida Popkins-Feuerstein

Ruth Sher *

Mathew Guttman

Louis S. Berlin *

Estelle Hyatt

Rose Talisman

Edward Brandt *

Leslie Klein

Robert Kurlander

Lillian Lipsitz *

Gabriel Topel

Carol Harmon

Frances Marcus *

Catherine Howald

Golda Kramer *

Adelaida Pujol

Annette Mogol Scheiner *

Harry Dembiner

Jack Zuckerberg

Jennie Dembiner

Herman Neiman

Jean Neiman

Gertrude Pisetzner *

Marvin Aroll

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Priva Gennth

Wolf Brauner

Klara Lowenstein

Kazimierz Owsianowski

Kazimierz Kanclerz

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Mary Schwarz *

Helen Kitoff-Bey

Sylvia Rodman

Joyce Grossman

Deborah Gornstein

Mildred Cohen *

Harry Cohen

Joseph Hershenson

Max Heit

Joseph Korman

Sarah Cohen *

Ira Taub *

Jacob Feldman

Abraham Miller

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Mira Bindeglid

Karl, Ziemssen

Józef, Sliwa

Max, Feldberg

Judith, Kinsbergen

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

Helen Diamond *

Emma Meyers

Marilyn W. Lipsitz

Sophia Axelrod *

Morris Cohen

Marion Vogelman

Edward Fine *

Adele Salzberg

Herbert Gross *

Joy Paula Duskin

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Walter Kurt, Schwabe

Lajos, Czisper

Henri, Valade

David, Vajda

Leopold, Sommer

NOVEMBER 29, 2024

Nellie Beck

Eleanor Rosenblum

Richard B. Marcus *

Ann Docteroff *

Ida Cohen

Tobie Schaeffer

Michael Slamow *

Jay Wolodiger

Faye Radin-Ferretti

Anna Janatofsky

Michael Rosch

Arkady Menkin

And we remember from the Holocaust:

David, Hahn

Arnoldne, Polacsek

Franz, Sigmund

Carolina, Bilderbeek

Jacob, Franken

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.

Dear Fellow Congregants,

Thank you to all that have honored your annual commitments to Temple Israel this year. If you have not done so yet and need to make arrangements, please contact me at your earliest convenience @ JPerezRabin@gmail.com.

Also, in an effort to keep all account information current, please be sure to provide any updates/changes to email addresses and/or phone numbers for all included family members.

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.

HIGH HOLY DAY AND FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION

At Temple Israel, it is our goal to share the honor of participating in services from the Bimah with as many congregants as possible. 

During Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, 111 congregants came forward to read, open the Ark, have Torah honors or sit on the Bimah. They were: Joseph Aronson, Akiva Astman, Talia Astman, Dr. Victor Avis, Kim Avis, Jillian Ballow, Larry Ballow, Stephen Baver, Terry Baver, Bryn Biren, Alan Brill, Linda Brill, Lee Brooks, Hannah Brown, Nolan Buono, Jay Chazanoff, Maxine Checchi, Aria Donovan, Jay Duskin, Deanna Feder, Barbara Feigelman, Ma’ayan Feldman, Scott * Feldman, Lester Feuerstein, Sandy Feuerstein, Dr. Lawrence Flaum, Sue Freedman, Miriam Friend, Scott Fuller, Shariann Ganz, Dr. Ira Gershansky, Libby Gershansky, Hon. Joel Goldberg, Maurice Goldstein, Susie Goldstein, Sam Gornstein, John Greenbaum, Janice Gross, Jerrold Gross, Karen Gross, Claire Guttsman, Dennis Guttsman, Jory Guttsman, Larry Hanibal, Linda Hanibal, Rachel Hanibal, Timothy Harrison,  Dr. Fred Hecht, Robin Howald, Russell Kaminsky, Elliot Lee, Judy Lee, Michelle Lee, Randy Lee, Jayden Lenner, Cheryl Levine, Samson Liebovich, Brooke Lopez, Genevieve Lopez, Esther Magid, Susan Marks, Richard Marlieb, Beverly Mazer, Salvatore Mazzola, Sandy Mazzucco, Joanna Meltzer, Gabriella Michaeli, Isabella Michaeli, Jerry Mulnick, Linda Mulnick, Arielle Otto, Austin Otto, Sofia Pappas, Ilene Pappert, Judith Pessah, Jacqueline Rabinowitz, Chad Rachman, Elliot Rachman, Blanche Ricci, Eric Ricci, Pamela Rogozin, Nina Rohan, Susan Sappin, Bryan Sarfati, Evelyn Sarfati, Nora Sarfati, Sarah Sarfati, Judy Scher, Steven Scher, Daniel Shagenov, Alan Siegel, Jesse Siegel, Jodi Siegel, Rian Silverman, Su Ellen Silverman, Inez Singer, Remy Smith, Debra Smith-Levine, Mavis Smook, Michael Smook, Shari Stein Ballow, Philip Straniere, Ann Targownik, Rhonda Trontz-Allen, Lori Weintrob, Moriah Weiss, Rebecca Weiss, Luigia Wiesner, Anne Young, Anita Zuckerberg and Bob Zuckerberg,

At Temple Israel, music is an integral part of our spiritual experience. Cantor Bernstein led the choir with our organist Elona Migirov. The choir members are Bryn Biren, Scott Fuller, Sam Gornstein, Judy Lee, Beverly Mazer, Judith Pessah, Pamela Rogozin, James Rohan, Jodi Siegel, Mavis Smook, Shari Stein-Ballow, Luigia Wiesner and Anne Young, and we will have the pleasure of listening to them throughout the year on selected Shabbats. On Kol Nidre, Cellist Vincent Moncado added his talent to the evening.

Several times through the holidays, we heard the sound of the shofar. This year, the blasts were rendered by Jillian Ballow, Lee Brooks, Scott Feldman, Samson Liebovich, Austin Otto, Chad Rachman, Eric Ricci and Su Ellen Silverman.

Our ushers help maintain the dignity of the service. Under the direction of Nina Rohan, the ushers for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur were Steve Baver, Terry Baver, Marnie Blit, Alan Brill, Larry Flaum, Matthew Ganz, Joyce Goldring, Jerrold Gross, Claire Guttsman, Joanna Meltzer, Joanna Meltzer, Chad Rachman, Blanche Ricci, Jesse Siegel, Inez Singer, Phillip Straniere, Rhonda Trontz-Allen and Lissa Winchel.

We also want to thank Brooke Lopez and the School Committee for running the children’s activity room on Rosh Hashanah morning.

After Yom Kippur, our attention turns to Sukkot and Simchat Torah. 

Everyone looks forward to dancing with the Torah. Under the direction of Cantor Bernstein, the members of Rock of Israel provide the music. We thank Larry Ballow, Alex Lenner, Jerry Mulnick, Anne Young, Mike Allen, and Neil Winchel for lending their talents.

Other participants in the Sukkot and Simchat Torah services were Libby Gershansky, Julia Lenner, Blanche Ricci, Sarah Sarfati, Brooke Lopez, Felicia Otto, Shariann Ganz, Jodi Siegel, Shari Ballow, Anita Zuckerberg, Bob Zuckerberg, Linday Hanibal, Sal Mazzola, Claire Guttsman, Jerry Gross, Rhonda Trontz-Allen, Linda Brill and Alan Brill.

We thank Brotherhood for always providing the much-anticipated Ice Cream Oneg following Erev Simchat Torah Services and Sisterhood for all the refreshments provided to our congregation during the holiday season.

We are grateful for the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Howald and Cantor Bernstein throughout these services.

Very special thank to Jerry Gross for keeping track of all this information.



Chad Rachman, Nina Rohan, Jodi Siegel

Co-Chairs

Ritual Committee

There is so much going on in Sisterhood it’s hard to keep up.

The details for all our upcoming events can be found on the flyers in this bulletin.

Join us for Bingo, meetings, member events, programs, game nights, and holiday sales, and dinners.

We hope you will attend, support, donate and participate.  Without you, nothing is possible. With your support we are able to do so much for our community and our Temple.

If you are not already a member of Sisterhood, you can easily make your membership official by paying your yearly dues of $45. (Friends of Sisterhood are $36.) Just contact Karen Gross (karenjg33@gmail.com) or Sandy Feuerstein (bartenda23@aol.com) to make your arrangements.  We would love to have you join us at our “Paid-Up Members Event” on  Sunday, November 17^th  so that we can say “Thank You” for your support.

We are so grateful to everyone who helps make our Sisterhood strong by contributing their time, abilities and love to all our projects, programs and activities.

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We are thankful for you.

Jodi Siegel and Shariann Ganz

Sisterhood Co-Presidents 

Photos from Some Recent Sisterhood Events

SISTERHOOD'S UPCOMING CALENDAR

Join us for Canasta, Mah Jongg

or any other game of your choice!

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

We are moving ahead with our Membership drive and have a 100% increase in membership.

Our joint Brotherhood/Sisterhood breakfast on September 29 was quite successful with many of our members enjoying the repast while suggesting interesting ideas for the year ahead.

We coordinated with the Parent School Committee for a strong turnout for the Sukkah set up.

We also helped with the “Sipping in the Sukkah” and “Pizza in the Hut” and appreciate the efforts of Shariann Ganz & Jodi Siegel.

We were pleased to continue our tradition of providing and serving the Simchat Torah ice cream oneg.

Brotherhood is sponsoring a Bingo night with Sisterhood on Saturday evening, November 9. We have been collecting donations and gift cards for the event and look forward to it being a successful evening.

We have arranged for two theater trips to Wagner College and have reserved seats for City of Angels on Saturday night, November 23, 2024, and Once Upon A Mattress on Sunday afternoon March 16, 2025.  Please see & use the flyer tear-off (in News & Notes, November’s E -Shalom & the Temple lobby) to order your tickets.

Bob Zuckerberg

President

November kicks off with our Family Shabbat Service the very first day of the month at 7:00pm on Friday, November 1. Come join us and hear the junior choir sing and students participate with readings and candle lighting. Our specialty challahs will be back with an apple sugar crumb challah at our Motzi following the service. 

Last month we celebrated our first students of the month for this school year. We enjoyed hearing why their teachers nominated them. Mazel Tov to those students: Talia Astman, Hannah Brown, Abby Hart, Alexander Sherer, Adina Sussman and Rebecca Weiss. Each student received certificates of recognition and a gift card from the school committee. Our next students of the month service will take place on December 6. 

In preparation for Sukkot, the school families came together to decorate the Sukkah and enjoy “Sundaes in the Sukkah” afterward with a visit from our local ice cream truck. Thanks to Sisterhood and Jodi Siegel for providing many decorations and to all of the families who made their own decorations. Thanks to Sarah Sarfati who facilitated a large portion of the project. 

The school donated our first round of Tzedakah from September to Sydney Weinberg’s Bat Mitzvah project raising money for children with cancer through Memorial Sloan Kettering. Tzedakah will continue to be collected this month and every month. 

Thank you to all of the families for making the start of the year so effective! See you at school!

Thank you!

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.

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 and discussed several new initiatives for the year.

The Membership Committee has worked with the Religious school and the “Buddy” Program began on Sunday October 20 at 9:00 AM with a second program scheduled for Sunday November 24 at 9:00 AM.

We will be working to design a new flyer describing Temple Israel that would include information on the variety of programs and the diversity of the congregation of the Temple. We will use it to share with the community.

We discussed reaching out to the college students to schedule a meeting with some members of the Membership Committee to meet with the college administrators. We will talk to Phil Straniere and Alan Siegel about contacts at both colleges.

We discussed having a wine and cheese event on May 16, 2025 as an open house prior to Shabbat services for the congregation and invite the outside community. More information to follow.

We discussed the idea of announcing the names of guests attending Shabbat services so that congregants will recognize them more easily to encourage interaction at the Onegs.

The next meeting is November 14 at 7:30 on Zoom

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Mazzucco

Co-Chair

As most of you know, Social Action has been preparing a Christmas Day meal for those of our community in need for many years. This year we will again feed the hungry by coming together at 9:30am Dec 25th at Temple. Bring your favorite knife and your kids (who can frost cakes among other things) and join us in our efforts to prepare a holiday meal. 

Please help us with this wonderful Mitzvah!! 

Pamela Rogozin 

Social Action

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 November

We had wonderful services in October and we hope your children attended some of the family services. 

We are looking forward to the Challah making class on Nov. 3 and we also scheduled our Cookie Making Chanukah class on December 15 at 2pm at Cutest Cookies at 1300 Hylan Blvd.

We will be making events at museums and will let you all know when we have those dates.

We are hoping that you all begin to volunteer at our temple and join committees and begin to think about helping our congregation survive! We are a small congregation and all the work is done by volunteers! If there is any interest you have in being a part of a committee or any interest in providing us with the help we always need, reach out to us and we will help you do the kind of volunteering you would love to do.

We hope you all vote in November and it is also meaningful to bring your children with you. And we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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!!!!

Thanks to Judy Lee for leading us in the discussion of “Freud’s Mistress”, by Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman, on October 29.

We found out many things we had not learned in Psychology class!

“Jewish PIRATES of the Caribbean”

Presentation by Rabbi Johanon Bickhardt, former spiritual leader at the Jewish Fellowship at Hemlock Farms in the Poconos—Tuesday, November 12, 7:00 PM.

RSVP judithpessah@gmail.com. On Zoom (Link will be sent).

“An Afternoon of Poetry” with Jacob R. Moses and Douglas G. Cala

Sunday, November 24, 2 PM in the Temple Social Hall.

Please bring any poetry that you have enjoyed writing!

Coffee and cake will be served while we are being “poetic”.

RSVP—sfreedman9204@gmail.com

(Brought to you by Avis/Adult Learning)

We are working on Adult Learning plans for the new year. 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” if you would ‘love” to join us.

Some of our budding ideas for programs—

Furthering our knowledge of Jewish observance and practice.

(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.)

Conversational Hebrew

The evolution of Reformed Judaism

The Birth of Christianity and its effect on Judaism

Aspects of the Holocaust

A bus trip to “Jewish” Philadelphia

Viewing the play “Gene and Gilda” at the George St. Playhouse in New Brunswick, N.J., on December 15th.

If you wish to learn about Judaism and be entertained, on your own, click on https://www.you tube.com/.@FriedaVizelBrooklyn, for some interesting presentations. (Thanks to Fern Barris for the information)

Judith Pessah & Judy Lee

Adult Learning Committee Chairperson

The FUNdraising committee is having

a Night of Comedy at Temple Israel

on Saturday December 14, 2024.

Doors open at 7:30pm – Show starts at 8:15pm

The cost is $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Following the show please bring your own jokes to tell.  

Play a Jewish humor trivia game with your table mates.

Light refreshments will be served.  Please BYOB.

There will be raffles and a 50/50.

Please send your check by November 27, 2024 payable to Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island and mail it to Temple Israel, Attn: FUNdraising , 315 Forest Ave., Staten Island NY  10301

Please see flyer below.

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

Co-Chairs

Temple Israel was saddened in October by the passing of Felicia Littman, sister of Nina Rohan and Sister-in-Law of Jim Rohan, who died suddenly in her home in Maryland. 

Our Congregation was invited to express our sorrow at the home of Nina and Jim on Oct 25th and 26th and shared in a Shivah service for Felicia at Temple Israel to mourn her loss with her family on Sunday Oct 27th. May the family of Felicia Littman find comfort in the rituals of our people and among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Thank you to all those who helped with the Shivah. Our Temple is stronger because we are there for each other in times of need.

Pamela Rogozin

Chair