chronicle february-march 2016
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A Message from the Rabbi RABBI MICHAEL S. FRIEDMAN, SENIOR RABBI
Our world, our nation and our community now live in fear that Islamic extremists could strike anywhere, at any time. They have long threatened Israel. Nowtheir reach extends worldwide,across boundaries both politicaland social.
As Rabbi Shai Held has noted, when we are scared it is easy to let the pendulum swing too far in either direction. In this climate it is especially important for us to clearly state who and what we stand for.
First, let us not overlook the crisis within Islam. Theworldwide Muslim community faces essential questionsabout the nature of Islam. Will Muslims allow their faithto be dominated by those who would use hate and aggression to impose an intolerant theocracy upon all?
On the other hand, let us not make the mistake of declaring Islam itself to be irredeemably violent, or of writing off all Muslims as evil. Let us remember that every religious group has its extremists, Judaismincluded. That said, there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world; the vast majority of them want the samethings we do: to live peaceably with their neighbors, to provide for their children, to live a life of goodnessand peace.
Thus we religious pluralists have an important role toplay. Rabbi Lawrence Kushner once said of the ReformJewish community, “We don’t take the Bible literally,but we do take it seriously.” We live fully in the secularworld, yet we hold on to the important values of Jewishlife that guide us. And while extremists try to tear downthe secular world they despise, we try to bring meaningand depth and purpose to those who, like us, are firmlyplanted in modernity.
Let us demonstrate to all religious people that we can be proudly Jewish, daily living our conviction thatJudaism is the best path to a good life. Let us defendthe right of others to do the same – peacefully.
Upcoming Events
Shabbat CelebrationsWEEKLY SCHEDULE• Kabbalat Shabbat6:30 pm on Fridays
• Meditation & Reflection8:30 am on Saturdays
• Shabbat Morning Minyan9:00 am on Saturdays
• Torah Study10:00 am on Saturdays
• Shabbat Morning Service11:15 am on Saturdays
SPECIAL SHABBATS• FIRST FRIDAYS at Temple IsraelFebruary 5 starting at 5:30 pmMarch 4 starting at 5:30 pm
Adult Jewish LearningA TASTE OF TORAH • January 31 at 4:00 pm
ADULT JEWISH LEARNING SERIES• Moses Mendelssohn: Father of Reform Judaism? with Allan ArkushFebruary 7 at 10:00 am
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH WRITER’SBOOK GROUP • Book TBDMarch 10 at 12:00 pm
MONDAY MORNING MATTERS • Mondays at 10:30 am
Early Childhood CenterNO SCHOOL• Winter break: February 15-19• Staff Professional Development: February 22• Good Friday: March 25
PICTURE DAYS• March 23 and 24
Fine Arts Showcase with Cantor Jack Mendelson• Film: A Cantor’s TaleMarch 27 at 11:00 am
• The Cantor’s CouchPerformance by Cantor Jack MendelsonApril 10 at 3:00 pmWestport Town Hall
Purim Festivities• Temple Israel Schpiel & Carnival March 20 at 11:00 am
Religious SchoolNO SCHOOL• Winter break: February 14-22
CHESED CLUBStudents in grades 8-12
• Social Action Day at TIFebruary 28 at 9:00 am
• Breakfast Run PreparationMarch 13 at 11:00 am
FAMILY PROGRAMMING• 4th Grade Family ConnectionLet’s Do It: God and our MitzvotFebruary 28 at 8:45 am
• 5th Grade Family Connection Homeward Bound: Immigration to AmericaMarch 27 at 8:45 am
MADRICHIM TRAINING• March 28 at 5:30 pm
SPECIAL EVENTS• 3rd Grade Hebrew Naming ProgramFebruary 8 at 5:00 pm
• 5th Grade Jewish Museum Trip March 6 at 9:00 am
Youth EventsE@T AT TEMPLE ISRAELReligious school students in grades 2-6
• 2nd Grade at 5:30 pmFebruary 1, March 7
• 3rd Grade at 6:00 pmMarch 14
• 4th Grade at 6:00 pmFebruary 4, March 10
• 5th Grade at 6:00 pmFebruary 2, March 8
• 6th Grade at 5:30 pmFebruary 2, March 8
KATANTYStudents in grades 2-4
• Movie NightFebruary 6 at 6:00 pm
• Activity at Purim Schpiel and CarnivalMarch 20 at 11:00 am
MITYStudents in grades 5-7
• Video Game TruckFebruary 7 at 11:00 am
• Shul-InMarch 19 at 6:00 pm
TISYStudents in grades 8-12
• SNLFebruary 27 at 5:00 pm
• Color WarMarch 12 at 1:00 pm
Adult Jewish Learning SeriesA TASTE OF TORAH SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 AT 4:00 PMTake part in Fairfield County’s annual community-wide afternoon of adult Jewish learning. Select from a variety of courses led by rabbis, cantors and educators from various synagogues. Taste of Torah is free and open to the community. For more information visit www.tiwestport.org/atasteoftorah.
MOSES MENDELSSOHN: FATHER OF REFORM JUDAISM?WITH ALLAN ARKUSHSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 AT 10:00 AMKnown as the “German Socrates,” MosesMendelssohn wrote on metaphysics, aesthetics and ethics, but is also consideredthe first philosopher of Judaism in moderntimes. Although he upheld principles of traditional Judaism, Mendelssohn is oftenhailed as one of the founders of the Reform movement. Was he a man whowanted to preserve the old order or a
man who sought to pave a way toward a new kind of Judaism? For more information visit www.tiwestport.org/adultjewishlearning.
Purim FestivitiesPURIM SCHPIEL AND CARNIVALSUNDAY, MARCH 20 AT 11:00 AMWith an award-worthy schpiel and a carnival full of games, it’s bound to be a Purim to remember at Temple Israel!
Fine Arts Showcase with Cantor Jack Mendelson
FILM: A CANTOR’S TALESUNDAY, MARCH 27 AT 11:00 AMGrowing up in Brooklyn, Cantor JackMendelson witnessed the dwindling days of the Golden Age of chazzanut, a traditional cantorial chant. Examine chazzanut past, present and future through the prism of Mendelson’s career, featuring interviews with Jackie Mason and Alan Dershowitz.
THE CANTOR’S COUCHPERFORMANCE BY CANTOR JACK MENDELSONSUNDAY, APRIL 10 AT 3:00 PM AT WESTPORT TOWN HALLJourney through Cantor Jack Mendelson’s youth, as he recountsgrowing up in the 1950s in Borough Park, Brooklyn. The son of aloving deli owner and an overbearing mother, Cantor Mendelsonpaints a picture of a bygone day in Jewish America when Jewswould flock to synagogue to hear the golden voices of cantors, as if it were a concert hall. He recounts a childhood riddled withanxiety and doubt, mixed with joyous memories of music and celebration, all told with the expertise and comic timing of a master storyteller and performer.
FiRSt FRidAYS at temple israelFRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 AND FRIDAY, MARCH 4The FIRST FRIDAY of each month is a Shabbat not to be missed.Whether you're a family or a senior, single or partnered, young oryoung-at-heart, there's something for you at FIRST FRIDAYS. Visitwww.tiwestport.org/firstfridays for more information.
5:30 - 6:00 pmTot Shabbat Sing AlongStarring Cantor Dan & our rabbis
6:00 - 6:30 pmShabbat Pizza PartyCrafts, food, and fun
6:30 - 7:30 pmCongregational Shabbat ServiceSoulful music and inspirational worship
7:30 - 8:15 pmCommunity DinnerAn opportunity to connect with your Temple family
8:15 pmAdult ProgramChanging monthly to engage and inspire
9:00 pmDessert ReceptionA sweet way to end the night
Featured events
ADULT JEWISH LEARNING
Ruth-Anne and Bob Perliss in memory of Lucille Barrett
Ruth-Anne and Bob Perliss in memory of Elsa Nad
Ruth-Anne and Bob Perliss in appreciation ofTorah Study Group
Temple Israel Book Group in memory of Lucille Barrett
ASSISTANT RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Robert and Elsa Rubenstein in memory of Sue and Rabbi B.T. Rubenstein
Betty Heller and Family in memory of Charles Heller
Eileen and Carl Glickman in memory of Carl Morris
Judith Rafael in memory of my parents, Gustav and Miriam Rich
Jody and Joel Beck in honor of Henry Beck on the occasion of his bar mitzvah
The Families of the Religious School thank you for educating, engaging and caring for our children! Happy Chanukah!
Sally Michlin in memory of my mother, Essie M. Michlin
CANTOR SKLAR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Robert and Elsa Rubenstein in memory of Sue and Rabbi B.T. Rubenstein
Carl and Eileen Glickman in memory of Tessie Carsman
Stanley Nayer in memory of Esther Nayer
Perry and Nanette Gandelman in memory ofMorris Gandelman
Linda Mandel and Arnold Lewis in honor ofNaomi Fenster’s bat mitzvah
Jennifer and Eric Blankfein in honor of Michael Blankfein's bar mitzvah
Ed and Melissa Diamond in honor of Peter and Gen's wedding
The Sobelman Family in memory of Risha Granat Shaw, mother of Jessica Bram
Judith Rafael in memory of my parents, Gustav and Miriam Rich
Jody and Joel Beck in honor of Henry Beck on the occasion of his bar mitzvah
The Families of the Religious School thank you for educating, engaging and caring for our children! Happy Chanukah!
Nancy and Jeff Plotkin in appreciation of Cantor Sklar's patience, guidance and alwayscheerful disposition during the entirety of Jessica Plotkin's bat mitzvah education
Jessica Bram and Bob Cooper in memory ofRisha Granat Shaw
CARING COMMITTEE
Linda and Robert Roth in memory of Lorraine Brody
Lisa and Greg Lewin in memory of Stuart Friedland, father of Ed Friedland
Ronnie Aaron Hammer in memory of my mother, Gloria Aaron
Blitstein Family in memory of Ilse Freundlich,grandmother of Bryan Bierman
Blitstein Family in memory of Lillian Epstein,grandmother of Matthew Epstein
Blitstein Family in memory of Sheila Kreutzer, mother of Jill Orent
Eileen and Carl Glickman in memory of Rose Lax, grandmother of Marisa Schneider
The Buckman Family in memory of Susan Sheinbaum, mother of Andi Dinitz,mother-in-law of Andrew, grandmother of Sophie and Noah
The Buckman Family in memory of Arthur Dinitz, father of Andrew, father-in-law of Andi, grandfather of Sophie and Noah
Sam and Brian Ullman in memory of Mayo Stark, MD
Sam and Brian Ullman in honor of Mrs. Mayo Stark
The Dowell Family in memory of Rose Lax, grandmother of Marisa Schneider
The Gottlieb Family in memory of Rose Lax, grandmother of Marisa Schneider
Eileen and Carl Glickman in memory of Leah Yudkovitz
Betty Heller and Family with appreciation and gratitude
Diana and George Kleros in memory of Annette Winston
Barbara and Jeffrey Schwab in memory of Louis Schwab, husband, father and grandfather
Barbara and Jeffrey Schwab in memory ofSusan Sheinbaum, mother of Andi Dinitz
Barbara and Jeffrey Schwab in memory ofGeorge Wergeles, brother of Donald, brother-in-law of Nancy
Phyllis and Del Markoff in memory of Susan Sheinbaum, mother of Andi Dinitz
Ronnie Aaron Hammer in honor of the bat mitzvah of Audrey Bernstein
Geri and Merrill Stone in memory of Dorothy Satkin and Leonard and Claire Stone
CANTOR RICHARD B. SILVERMANMUSIC FUND
Richard, Amy, Sara Schafrann and Allie and David Ritter in loving memory of Marilyn K. Steiner
GiFts november 2015 – mid-december 2015
CAROL SCHOKE ROTHKE FUND FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Jim Schoke in memory of Carol Schoke Rothke
Jim Schoke in memory of Elayne Rich Schoke
CEMETERY BEAUTIFICATION FUND
William Mazo in memory of Doba Mazo
ELAINE GASTWIRT COLLEGE OUTREACH FUND
Marna and Stuart Novack in memory of Eva Novack
Marna and Stuart Novack in honor of ourgrandchildren in celebration of Chanukah
GENERAL FUND
Dan and Nancy Magida in memory of Stuart Friedland, father of Ed Friedland
Meg Magida in honor of Audrey Magida with lots of love
Howard Shaw in memory of Risha Granat Shaw,with gratitude to Temple Israel
GRANDPARENTS FUND
Dorothy Kohn in memory of Lui Krieger
Stephen and Barbara Raffel in memory of Milton E. Raffel
Grandma and Grandpa (Herb and Marie Rothschild) in honor of the Zeldes family for Chanukah
Craig, Ellen, Lindsey, Michael and Geoffrey Wolson in memory of our father and grandfather, Leslie M. Schulgasser
Stephen and Barbara Raffel in memory ofMathilda Raffel
Arleen and Sandy Block in memory of Rose Lax, grandmother of Marisa Schneider
LIBRARY BOOK FUND
Brooks Sumberg in memory of my father, Bernard D. Sumberg
LINDA P. DINITZ ART FUND
Sheila and Steve Israel in memory of Susan Sheinbaum, mother of Andi Dinitz
MELVIN AND RUTH P. ZIMMERS CONCERT FUND
Catherine Fine-Lustbader in memory of Sandra Fine
RABBI FRIEDMAN'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Robert and Elsa Rubenstein in memory of Sue and Rabbi B.T. Rubenstein
Jennifer and Eric Blankfein in honor of Michael Blankfein's bar mitzvah
Ed and Melissa Diamond in honor of Peter and Gen's wedding
Diane Ash in memory of Risha Granat Shaw,mother of Jessica Bram
Jon and Barbara Roth in memory of Tony Martin, father of David Martin
Lynne and Jerry Minsky in memory of Edward Lee Stein
Stu Speckman and Alicia Kennedy in memory of Sandra Kennedy and Della Speckman
Linda Mandel and Arnold Lewis in honor ofNaomi Fenster's bat mitzvah
Martin and Gladys Floch in memory of our son,Dr. Jeffrey Floch
Gerald Luterman in memory of David Luterman
Judith Rafael in memory of my parents, Gustav and Miriam Rich
The Families of the Religious School thank you for educating, engaging and caring for our children! Happy Chanukah!
Melissa and Doug Bernstein in honor of Audrey Bernstein’s bat mitzvah
Nancy and Jeff Plotkin in appreciation of Rabbi Friedman's guidance on the occasion of Jessica Plotkin's bat mitzvah
Mary and Dan Hoffman in memory of George Wergeles, brother of Don Wergeles
Indy and Seth Goldberg in memory of George Wergeles, brother of Don Wergeles
Jessica Bram and Bob Cooper in memory ofRisha Granat Shaw
Dick Rauh in memory of Lester Rauh
RABBI B.T. AND SUZANNE RUBENSTEINLECTURE FUND
Robert and Elsa Rubenstein in memory of Sue and Rabbi B.T. Rubenstein
RABBI ROBERT J. ORKAND FUND FOR TEMPLE ISRAEL
Dennis Poster in memory of Marion Poster
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND
Randi and Jeremy Vishno in memory of Joseph Merlin
Torah Study Group in honor of the bat mitzvahof Naomi Fenster, granddaughter of Linda Mandel and Arnold Lewis
GiFts november 2015 – mid-december 2015
Randi and Jeremy Vishno in memory of Estelle Witt
Jody and Joel Beck in appreciation of HarrietBlitstein for her love, support and guidance
SCHIFF/NAD SPECIAL CHILDREN FUND
Abraham Nad in memory of Irving Nad
STEINBERG LIBRARY FUND
Jane Malakoff in honor of Harold Steinberg's birthday
TEACHING TOLERANCE AND RESPECT FUND
Joyce Pauker in memory of my father, Harry Morchower
TORAH STUDY
Lisa and Tony Pesco in memory of Ruth Becker
Ken Mufson in memory of Sam Mufson
Bonita and Lenny Messman in honor of Bobbie and Bob Bernstein's granddaughter, Audrey (Chanah Gittel), becoming a bat mitzvah
Torah Study Group in honor of Bobbie and Bob Bernstein's granddaughter, Audrey (Chanah Gittel), becoming a bat mitzvah
Sandy, Arleen, Zack and Joshua Block in memory of Curt Block, father of Sandy
TZEDAKAH FUND
Jane Malakoff in honor of the 65th anniversaryof Gloria and Mike Stashower
Linda and Robert Roth in memory of Blanche Roth and Hy Zimmerman
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Craig, Ellen, Lindsey, Michael and Geoffrey Wolson in memory of our mother and grandmother, Evelyn Schulgasser
GiFts november 2015 – mid-december 2015
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
Elaine Gastwirt’spassion wasserving youth at Temple Israel.Established inher loving memory, theElaine GastwirtCollege OutreachFund enablesTemple Israel to send carepackages to our college students atChanukah, Purimand Passover.
“Receiving theChanukah packagefrom Temple Israel was such
an amazing gift! Since it was right around thetime of finals, it made me smile to know mycommunity at home was thinking about me. It also helped relieve a ton of stress and Icouldn't have been happier,” said DanielMuller, a junior at Brown University.
We invite you to contribute to the Elaine Gastwirt College Outreach Fund and help ourcollege students, like Daniel, feel loved and remain close to their congregational family,even though they might be far away.
b’nai mitzvah February 2016 – march 2016
BLAKE KATZMANSon of
Daniel & Rachel KatzmanFebruary 6, 2016
TYLER DEMBOSon of
Justin & Alison DemboFebruary 27, 2016
RILEY DEMBODaughter of
Justin & Alison Dembo February 27, 2016
JOSHUA MOSKOFFSon of
Greg & Amy MoskoffMarch 5, 2016
LAUREN SPHEERISDaughter of
Toly & Karen SpheerisMarch 5, 2016
MIKAYLA DANTERDaughter of
Lawrence & Fran DanterMarch 12, 2016
JESSICA KRIPKEDaughter of
Andrew & Ellen KripkeMarch 26, 2016
Shabbat Celebrations
KABBALAT SHABBAT6:30 pm on Fridays
MEDITATION & REFLECTION8:30 am on Saturdays
SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN9:00 am on Saturdays
TORAH STUDY10:00 am on Saturdays
SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE11:15 am on Saturdays
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