first hebrew congregation of peekskill bulletin - september 2008

1www.FirstHebrew.Org 1September 08

Sept. 5…… 7:02pmSept. 12…… 6:51pmSept. 19…… 6:39pmSept. 26…… 6:27pmSept. 29…… 6:22pmSept. 30…… 7:22pm

Shabbat Service -- UptownFriday Evenings……………8:00 pmSaturday Mornings………...9:30 am

Daily Minyan -- DowntownMonday thru Friday……. 8:00 amSunday………………….. 9:00 am

First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill

Candle lightingElul 5768 - Tishrei 5769 / September 2008

Meetings and Events

Board of Trustees……….Tuesday, Sept. 2 @8:00pmSisterhood Breakfast…... Sunday, Sept. 7 @ 9:15amMen’s Club Meeting……. Sunday, Sept. 28 @ 9:15am

Hebrew & Nursery School Events

Nursery SchoolParent Orientation……Thursday, Sept. 4 @7:00pm

Hebrew School Opening Day………….Sunday, Sept. 7 @9:00am

Nursery School Family Picnic………… Sunday, Sept. 7

Tot Shabbat…………….. Friday, Sept. 12 @7:00pm

Hebrew School Open House --Meet the Teachers……Sunday, Sept. 21

Welcome party for Rabbi Paskind & Family………………… Sunday, Sept. 21 @4:00pm

Learner’s MinyanSaturday, Sept. 13 @10:30amSaturday, Sept. 20 @10:30am

B'nai Mitzvah……………..Mazel TovGabriella Rosen…………Shabbat, September 13th

Noah Ruff……………….. Shabbat, September 20th

Noah Roby……………… Shabbat, September 27th

Rosh HashanaTuesday, Sept. 30


First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill Uptown Synagogue 1821 East Main Street Telephone:................ (914) 739-0500 (914) 788-4657 Fax: .......................... (914) 739-0684 Nursery School Telephone:................ (914) 739-0504 Downtown Synagogue 813 Main Street Telephone:................ (914) 737-8155 Emails Congregation: ... [email protected] Rabbi Paskind:.. [email protected] Lisa Segal: ........ [email protected] Website:............ www.firsthebrew.org Rabbi’s Office Hours To be announced; please contact office.

Synagogue Office Hours Monday–Thursday: ... 7 am–12 noon & 1 pm–4 pm Friday:....................... 7 am–2 pm ______________________________ First Hebrew Congregation of Peekskill is affiliated with the United Synagogue of America, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, and Young Judaea ************************************

Please send additions, comments, suggestions,

corrections, .... to:

[email protected]

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

Directory Rabbi ......................................... Lee Paskind Educational Director ................. Jeffrey Wrightman ........................... [email protected] ............................ Lisa Segal...................845-778-4754Nursery School Director............ Barbara Kaufman President.................................... Jeremy Krantz ...................736-64551st Vice President...................... Mark Stern.........................739-49812nd Vice President .................... Alice Krochmal ..........845-528-16843rd Vice President ..................... David Kasdan....................737-8248Financial Secretary.................... Carol Gold Recording Secretary...............Ilene Zanchelli ............. 734-8107 Committee Chairpersons Bar/Bat Mitzvah...........Debby Bleiweis...................... 734-7623 Linda Treinish........................ 788-9798Beautification...............Daniela Rosen ........................ 734-7282Bikkur Holim ...............Daniela Rosen ........................ 734-7282Bingo............................David Shea…………………..734-8231 Mark Stern…………………..739-4981Board of Education Hebrew School.......Laurie Baskin ......................... 736-1227Buildings & Grounds ...Mark Stern………………... .. 739-4981Bulletin.........................Masoud Radparvar ................. 962-6702Capital Improvements..Mark Stern ............................. 739-4981 Bruce Lindenbaum................. 739-7159Cemetery......................Richard Zorn .......................... 671-7546Fund Raising ................Steven Cohen ......................... 734-2149 Andy Polay............................. 736-2055 Daniela Rosen ........................ 734-7282Gift Shop......................Arlene Kaufman..................... 232-5999 Alice Yasuna.......................... 737-7687Hospitality....................(to be announced) Library Committee.......Fran Olmsted...................845-424-4077Membership .................Frances Weiner ...................... 734-9602Men’s Club Co-Presidents

Steven Cohen ......................... 734-2149 Kenny Kissel .......................... 526-6557Programs ......................(to be announced) Publicity .......................Lili Kasdan............................. 737-8248Ritual............................Donald Feldman..................... 736-3417Social Action................(to be announced) Sisterhood President.....(to be announced) United Synagogue........David Kasdan......................... 737-8248Youth Director .............(to be announced)


Rabbi’s Message

All Dues Variance forms must be received by September 30, 2008. Any forms received after that date will not be considered for a reduction for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Dues Variance Committee

Get Well

First Hebrew wishes a speedy recovery to:

Susan Abrams Beth BeckerFran Bensky Morton BenskyJeanne Berger Selda BloomeLuz Corona Murray HalperinRose Herbst Louise LevyJerry Saltzman Mindy Spock

.

Babysitting

FREE Babysitting will be availableonce a month during the

Saturday Shabbat service.

We need babysitters!

We are offering ten dollars an hour from 9:30am-12:00ish.

For more information, please contact Alice Yasuna, [email protected]

Dear Friends – new friends, whom we have just met, and ‘old’ friends – whom we’ve known for months – by the time you read this I hope my wife Judy and I will have started to settle in Peekskill. As I am writing these words – we are surrounded by boxes on every side as we use every spare minute to pack. I’m doing a lot of thinking these days about cardboard and what it holds, about all the things we collect and keep. They are very special to us – but in their boxes, they all look the same. I can hardly tell the difference between pillows and books and sheet music.

The act of packing up is part of the process of transitioning. We’ve been getting ourselves ready for quite a while to become part of the First Hebrew family. We’re looking forward to getting involved in the congregation. And each time we visited, whether for a meeting, or to look for our new house, we were greeted so warmly by everyone we met. So we really do feel that we have friends at FHC already, and we are looking forward eagerly to meeting each and every one of you in the days ahead.

I’m also very interested to learn about the community. The best way I know how to do that is to

listen to what each of you can tell me about it. I want to know what you think FHC has that works and what could work a little better, what it needs, and what the larger Peekskill area needs as well.

I promise to do my best to connect your name with your face as quickly as possible. Please be patient with me. In order to get to know you as soon as possible we’re exploring having some informal get-togethers. More on those soon.

In the meanwhile, please feel free to call and chat, or drop in, or share your concerns or problems with me any time. I’m always glad to schedule some time to get together for something that’s important to you. Together I hope we can continue to build FHC into the place we all want it to be.

I close for now with warm wishes of hatzlahah, Much success, for Rabbi Claudio and Ann Kupchik and family, and wishes for all of us to enter the New Year ahead renewed and refreshed and ready to do the work of our Creator. From my family and myself, I wish you and yours Shanah tovah um’tukah, a Sweet New Year.

Lee S. Paskind


President’s Message

As Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are fast approaching, we join together in reaffirming our commitment to Judaism and to our FHC congregation.

As we prepare for this important Jewish New Year, we welcome Rabbi Lee Paskind, his wife Judy and their family to become part of our extended Jewish family. With a new year and a new Rabbi our expectations are high and we have great hope that with new spiritual leadership we can address our present and future challenges with real solutions.

Our first order of business is to come together as a family, to work together to shape our future. Over that last year we have accomplished many things that we all can be proud of. Together, with our spiritual, professional and lay leadership we have an opportunity to move forward, to shape the future of FHC, Conservative Egalitarian and Judaism in Northern Westchester. Together we can make FHC the place to raise our Jewish children, renew and uplift our spiritual soul, educate ours mind, help the FHC community and the community at large, and enjoy the company of our Jewish neighbors and develop friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.

Our second order of business is to grow our community. We must reach out and develop

new friendships and bonds with our Jewish neighbors, acquaintances and friends and grow FHC. The process has begun with the efforts of our Membership Committee headed by Frances WeinerBut we all must reach out to prospective members and embrace them in the hopes of rejuvenating FHC. The challenge is there, but hopefully with our new team, together we shall have greater success.

The third and final order of business is to relax and enjoy FHC. Many generations of past and current congregants have worked long and hard to make FHC what it is today. Our facilities, including the physical buildings, the land, the cemetery, the investments made, etc. provide FHC members a level of amenities and benefits not usually found in a congregation of our size. We are truly blessed with what we have and what can be our future.

So, as we prepare to celebrate the Jewish New Year and atone for our sins, let us also take stock of who we are, where we have been and where we can be. Let us all take a collective deep breath and corresponding sigh, recharge our personal batteries and get to work, together.

Shalom.

Jeremy Krantz, President

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students

Please send your biography to [email protected] at least 5 weeks prior to the first day of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah month to be placed in the Bulletin.

MAZEL TOV

• To Sheryl & Matthew Baker on the engagement of their daughter Sandi Baker to David Schassler. A July 24, 2009 wedding is being planned.

• To Sandy & Gary Stein on the engagement of their daughter Robin to Adam Garber. A 2009 wedding is being planned!


First Hebrew Congregation will call the following to the Torah as B’Nei Mitzvah at our regular Saturday morning-uptown services, 9:30 a.m. We welcome all members of our community to join in these simchas. The families welcome all those attending to join with them at the Kiddush following services in honor of the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

Shabbat, September 13th – Gabriella Rosen, daughter of Daniela & AndrewRosen

Shabbat, September 20th – Noah Ruff, son of Martha & Gary RuffShabbat, September 27th – Noah Roby, son of Fran & Lester Roby

September B'nai Mitzvah………..Mazel Tov

Message from the Hebrew School Principal,Dear Parents, Students, and Congregants

I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing summer. I am both honored and excited to continue my role as principal of the Hebrew School. As it is now time to embark on that wonderful journey that is the new school year I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back and extend a special warm welcome to all new students and their families. I have been working with the faculty to prepare for the opening of classes and am certain that they will, as always, warmly embrace and guide your children as they experience their individual paths to Judaism throughout the school year.

This will be a year of change. Some of the changes minor such as the way we name our classes, as outlined in the parent manual, others more complex such as the way we structure our curriculum, teaching methodology, and programming. Some also involve changes in faculty. All of these changes share the common goal of making Jewish education more accessible, meaningful, and enjoyable for our children, their parents, and the entire community while continuing to preserve the best of what has made our school so successful. I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with Rabbi Paskind, our talented and devoted faculty, our profoundly dedicated board of education, our children and parents, and all members of the community as we refine and implement our vision of life long Jewish education.

Please note that our first day of Hebrew school for all classes Gan - Zayin (K-7) is Sunday

September 7th starting at 9a.m. Our first Hebrew High school session will be Tuesday September 9th.

I especially look forward to meeting all the Hebrew school parents on Sunday September 21st. That morning during school hours we will hold an open house during which time parents will have the opportunity to meet their children’s teachers, learn about the school’s curriculum, and get to know other parents in the school community.

While chatting with a friend of mine in Israel we were discussing the meaning of "a land flowing with milk and honey". Crossing the border from Jordan back to Israel was a stark reminder of that conversation. G-d gave the people a land with the potential to make it a thriving paradise but the implementation was upon them. The miracles of the modern state of Israel are countless yet there is much yet to be done. The same holds true for Jewish education. We have been given the tools and the guidelines it is up to us to study and implement them in a way that gives new meaning to our lives as Jews every day while building a better world both local and global, as well as constantly remembering and studying the centrality of Israel to the Jewish people.

With many new and exciting programs planned and as always a renewed seriousness of purpose I look forward to an enjoyable and rewarding school year.

Bi’Shalom and Shanah Tovah!

Jeffrey Wrightman


Message from Sisterhood

FHC Babysitting Clearing House

Who of us with young children isn’t looking for a few good babysitters? FHC will continue to list the names of our teenagers (and others) who would like to baby-sit for other families in the congregation. Of course, you will need to pay these sitters! FHC will provide this service purely as a convenience to its members and will take no responsibility for the individuals who offer their services here for pay.

Email your names and telephone numbers to: [email protected]

Babysitters now available:

Marli Kasdan.........Jessie Meadvin.....Ariel Rosen............Jamie Spock……...

Sisterhood e-mail List

If you would like to be included on Sisterhood’s e-mail list, please send your e-mail address to Fran Olmsted at [email protected]

Remember Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop

for gifts, talitot, teffilin, yarmulkes, books, videos, and song cassettes

Call to make an appointment—

Arlene Kaufman 232-5999Alice Yasuna 737-7687

Visit us on the Web:

www.FirstHebrew.Org

“May He who blessed our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless this entire congregation…”(Siddur Sim Shalom). We recite this prayer every Shabbat during the Torah service. This seemed like a fitting way to begin this special article, in which we welcome Rabbi Paskind and his family to our family at First Hebrew Congregation.

What could be a more appropriate time to welcome Rabbi Paskind but now, the season that marks the approach of the High Holidays and Rosh Hashanah. Every year at this time I remember shopping for the new clothes and new shoes that I would wear to synagogue with my family. I remember the arrival in the mail of the New Year cards from family and friends wishing us Shanah Tovah. This is a season of new beginnings, of wishing each other a sweet year. This is a time for our Sisterhood and our congregation to be focused on the sweetness of this new beginning for all of us.

May Rabbi Paskind and his family look back with fondness on the steps of their journey that brought them here. May we also look back with fondness on our memories. But let us all be open to creating new memories together, to entering the new year of 5769 in peace and friendship. We invite all returning and new Sisterhood members to join us on September 7, 2008 for our first meeting of the year. Rabbi Paskind will be our special guest.

Shalom and Shanah Tovah, Mindy Steinholz Spock Sisterhood Executive Board

Message from Men’s ClubI want to start by expressing my hope that

you all had great summers! Last year, I wrote at this time that from my perspective, the summers keep flying by ever faster and that although it is becoming harder and harder, I still view summer as a time to try to attend more to leisure activities and put the rigors (at least some) of modern life on the back burner. I guess this summer proved that summers now fly by faster than ever. However, what doesn’t change is that now that September has arrived, it’s time to gear up again for activities here at FHC!

This time of year presents a new opportunity for all of us to generate positive energy and a commitment to get involved in the multitude of activities that are available at FHC. In case you don’t know, the Men’s Club meets one Sunday morning each month right after Hebrew School drop off for a great breakfast and a chance to socialize. Some months we have planned activities or programs. I welcome all of you guys out there to come join us at our Men’s Club breakfasts this year and to get involved in planning and implementing our programs and activities for the coming year.

Steven Cohen,Men’s Club Co-president


Sisterhood Meetings 5769 (2008 – 2009) @ 9:15am

Sunday, Sept. 7………….. General meeting Sunday, Oct. 5 ……………General meeting Sunday, Nov. 2…………… General meetingSunday, Dec. 14…………. Joint meeting with MCSunday, Jan.11……………General meetingSunday, Feb. 1…………… General meetingSunday, March 1…………. General meetingSunday, April 19…………..Joint meeting with MCSunday, May 3…………….General meeting

Men’s Club Meetings 5769 (2008 – 2009) @ 9:15am

Sunday, Sept. 28………….General meeting Sunday, Oct. 26………….. General meeting Sunday, Nov. 23…………. General meetingSunday, Dec. 14…………..Joint meeting with SisterhoodSunday, Jan.25……………General meetingSunday, Feb. 8…………….Downtown SynagogueSunday, March 8…………. Purim CarnivalSunday, April 19…………..Joint meeting with SisterhoodSunday, May 31………….. BBQ

=====================================

Men’s Club Breakfast meeting

Sunday, Sept. 28 @ 9:15am

Parking Spot

Moishe is driving to work. He's late for a meeting, looking for a parking place and can't find one.

In desperation, he turns towards heaven and says, "G-d, if you find me a parking place, I promise that I'll eat only kosher, respect Shabbat, and all the holidays."

At that moment, a place opens up just in front of him.

He turns his face up to heaven and says, "Never mind G-d, I just found a spot."


SISTERHOOD OF FIRST HEBREW CONGREGATION OF PEEKSKILL1821 E. Main Street Peekskill, NY 10566

Dear Congregants, We are asking you now to participate in our annual BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE which will be used in our synagogue for Yizkor on Yom Kippur, and may be used on Shemini Atzeret, Pesach and Shavuot when Yizkor is recited. Recorded in the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE will be the names of departed ones in whose memory a contribution is sent to Sisterhood in support of our synagogue. On the form below, you can list the names of those loved ones you would like to record in our BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE. Please print or type the names to minimize the possibility of typographical errors. PLEASE NOTE: Unless you request otherwise, all memorialized names will appear in alphabetical order, and all those paying tribute will be listed by the name(s) printed on the “REMEMBERED BY” line below. It would be helpful if you could return the listing immediately, but NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. Please note that the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE is not associated with any permanent memorial plaques in the synagogue. We can print in the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE only those names that are sent to us with your donation. Wishing you an enjoyable summer in good health, and with kindest regards. Phyllis Stern Sue Ellen Silber

739-4981 788-4144 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please include the following names to be printed in the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE 2008 _______________________________ ________________________________ Name departed Name of departed ______________________________ ________________________________ Name departed Name departed ______________________________ ________________________________ Name of departed Name departed If you want the names to be listed in other than alphabetical order, please indicate the order by numbering the names. Please use a separate piece of paper for additional names, and attach it securely hereto. I/We enclose $_______(minimum of $5 PER NAME of departed, please , NOT PER LINE – Joe Doe= $5; Joe and Joan Doe, even if written on one line= $10) as a donation in memory of our beloved departed whose names are to be printed in the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE. Make check payable to Sisterhood, FHC and mail with this form to the address above. Please write BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE on the envelope. Thank you. REMEMBERED BY:_________________________________________________________ Your name(s) Full address__________________________________________________Phone:_________


B i n g o

Important Note: Your 2008–2009 dues include a $200 family surcharge and $100 singles surcharge for Bingo. If a member family meets its two-bingo requirement during the year, the family will receive a $200 credit. Similarly, if a single member meets his/her one-bingo requirement during the year, he/she will receive a $100 credit.

URGENTMESSAGE — NEW POLICY: If you are unable to attend on your scheduled Bingo night, IT IS YOUR RESPONSBILITY TO GET A REPLACEMENT.

Thank you for your continued cooperation!!!! Workers should report to Bingo by 6:15 pm and are expected to stay until at least 10:00 pm

FHC WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO SCHEDULESeptember – October 2008 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COOPERATION! AUGUST 27TH – Peter Korngold ...............Jeremy Krantz................ Alice Krochmal ............... Carol Kuczinski .............. SEPTEMBER 3rd - Dawn Kuszel ..................Jay Levy.........................Bruce Lindenbaum......... Rochelle Madenberg ...... SEPTEMBER 10th - Joseph Martin ................Lori McDonald................ Roberta McKeon ............Michael Meadvin ............ SEPTEMBER 17TH - Steven Memis ................Mindy Krazmien ............. Jay Miller........................ Ilene Moskowitz ............. SEPTEMBER 24TH - Renee Nachamie ...........Michele Newberger ........ Roshi Newman............... Ben Newman ................. OCTOBER 29TH – Fran Miller ...................... Larry Miller ..................... Charles Newman ........... Edith Nissenblatt ............

NO BINGO ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS

OCTOBER 1ST – 2ND Day Rosh Hashanah OCTO ER 8TH – Kol Nidrei OCTOBER 15TH – 2ND Day Sukkot OCTOBER 22ND – Simchat Torah

Why are we asking you to donate your time to helping out with Bingo? It generates approximately $20,000 in revenue per year to our operation of the synagogue. The time commitment is only about three hours on a Wednesday night. We now start Bingo at 6:30 pm so you and our customers can get home earlier. If you are opposed to fulfilling your obligation as a member, then pay the $200 Bingo assessment immediately and let Lisa know to take you off the Bingo list. As a member in good standing it is your obligation to participate in this fundraising activity. If the congregation chooses not to continue providing Bingo to the community and forfeiting the OPM (other people’s money), then the congregation will need to be assessed accordingly to raise the $20,000, or determine what services will be cut. Do your part of fundraising and show up for your assigned Bingo night. Bring a book or magazine to read (there is time when you are waiting). If you come late, it is still better than not coming at all. Or, if you choose, send the $200.

Help support our Hebrew School when you shop online.

Visit the congregation’s website:

www.FirstHebrew.Org for details.

Bingo’s new Night: Wednesdays


GERSHORN KURSHEEDT, Institution Builder In 1848, Gershorn Kursheedt of New Orleans

wrote to Rabbi Isaac Leeser of Philadelphia, “I have but one ambition in life, and that is to elevate the character of our people in the eyes of God and man.” Historian Kenneth Libo observes that “no American did more in his day to build Jewish congregational life at home...and raise funds for the Jews of Palestine than Gershern Kursheedt.”

Born in 1817 in Richmond, Virginia, Gershorn Kursheedt had a distinguished Jewish pedigree. His grandfather was the first American-born rabbi, Gershorn Mendes Seixas of New York, and his parents were Rabbi Israel Baer Kursheedt and Sarah Abigail, daughter of Gershorn Mendes Seixas. The seventh of Israel Baer and Sarah Abigail’s nine children, Gershorn is reported to have absorbed “a passionate love of Jewish learning and a proud concern for Jewish causes from both his parents. He was challenged to put both of these commitments to work when he moved to New Orleans at age 21 to work in an uncle’s retail business.

The Jewish community of New Orleans established its first synagogue, Shanaria-Chasset, in 1828, ten years before Kursheedt’s arrival. By that time, the young congregation had fallen to precarious depths. A German-Jewish periodical reported that Shanaria-Chasset’s rabbi, Albert “Roley” Marks, was disgracing the community.

“This stigma in the ranks of the Jewish ministry eats whatever comes before his maw, never keeps the feast of Passover, indeed, has none of his boys circumcised....At Purim, the book of Esther could not be read since....the rabbi-reader was preoccupied with his duties as (part-time) fire chief. When challenged by a pious member of the congregation, the rabbi, beside himself with wrath, pounded the pulpit and shouted, “By Jesus Christ, I have a right to pray!” After his death the rabbi’s widow, a Catholic, was restrained only with difficulty from putting a crucifix on his grave”.

Considering the situation at Shanaria-Chasset hopeless, Kursheedt helped organize a new congregation, Nefutzotyh Yehudah, which elected him its first president. To fund construction of a synagogue for the congregation, Kursheedt

turned to one of New Orleans’s wealthiest menJudah Touro, who until that time had only weakly identified with his Judaism and done very little philanthropically to help his fellow Jews. Kursheedt turned Touro into a practicing Jew and America’s first great philanthropist.

Kursheedt persuaded Touro, who was unmarried and childless, to use his fortune to continue the Jewish traditions so beloved by Touro’s father Isaac, hazzan of the synagogue in Newport. Kursheedt convinced Judah Touro to purchase an abandoned neoclassical church in downtown New Orleans and renovate it into a 470-seat sanctuary. On the advice of Kursheedt and Isaac Leeser, Touro funded the salary of Rabbi Moses Nathan to serve the congregation. Kursheedt made all the arrangements for dedicating the building in 1849 and, according to historian Bertram Korn, the ceremony had a deep impact on Touro. After the dedication, Touro “seemed to have returned to Judaism,” Korn observed, “in a most determined way. He attended services regularly, built a schoolhouse next to the synagogue in 1851 and provided rooms there for Gershorn Kursheedt to live.”

As part of his commitment to the Jewish community of New Orleans, Gershorn Kursheedt organized the city’s Hebrew Benevolent Society, the forerunner of today’s Jewish community federation. A yellow fever epidemic in 1853 left the Hebrew Benevolent Society with responsibility for supporting 4 Jewish widows and 20 orphans. Kursheedt persuaded Touro to fund the construction of a home for Jewish widows and orphans.

Before the home could be built Touro died. Just before his passing, Kursheedt got Touro to write a will leaving most of his estate to Jewish causes. Touro’s bequests were at that time the largest ever left by an American citizen to charitable institutions. His estate of $200,000 provided funds for every existing traditional synagogue in America and $50,000 for the relief of poor Jews in Palestine. Until the very end, Kursheedt reported that he struggled to get Touro to provide for these

Cont. on next page


Everyone has a story to tell. Most of us would love to tell about our mom and dad, our bubie and zadie, a loved tante and fetta, people who fill our memory no matter how far back.

Won’t you let us in on your past? Send your precious memories to:

Edith Nissenblatt

One Lakeview Drive, Penthouse SixPeekskill, New York 10566or if you are on the Internet, send email to: [email protected]

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Share your memories

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If you are homebound and would like books from the First Hebrew Library, please contact Beth Shea at 734-8231 or the Bikkur Holim committee…

we are happy to deliver to you

Cont. GERSHORN KURSHEEDT

Jewish charities. After Touro’s death, Kursheedt wrote to Leeser, ”If you knew how I had to work to get that will made...you would pity me...(There were) arguments, changes and counter-changes in the sums for institutions, till my heart sickened.”

Despite these struggles, Touro named Kursheedt co-executor with Sir Moses Montefiore of a $50,000 bequest to the poor Jews of Palestine. Kursheedt traveled to England to meet with Montefiore, from whence the two men traveled to Jerusalem, where they could determine how best to use the Touro bequest. Montefiore proposed constructing a hospital, an idea to which Kursheedt instantly consented. When the two men returned to Jerusalem in 1857 they discovered that, in the interim, the Rothschild family had built such a hospital. The two men determined to build almshouses for the

“worthy” Jewish poor instead. The colony of houses became the first Jewish neighborhood outside the old walls of the city. Montefiore wrote to Kursheedt, “It must be a great happiness to you to know that with your great influence with the late Mr. Touro...you have been the means to directing the eyes and hearts of many of our Brethren toward the Holy Land and contributing to the welfare of our coreligionists now dwelling in that land of our Fathers.” Kursheedt had indeed achieved his “one ambition”: elevating the character of his people in the eyes of God and men.

I hope these wonderful articles from the AmericanJewish Historical Society continue to give pride andpleasure in the accomplishments of our people. Theyare designed to inform and build pride in our children andin ourselves.

Edith Nissenblatt, Sisterhood, VP/Education

Share your FHC memories;e-mail your pictures to: [email protected]

Visit us on the web: www.FirstHebrew.org


May their memory be a blessing to all===========================================================================

YahrzeitsThe following Yahrzeits will be observed during the months of Elul and Tishrei as noted on the memorial plaque in our sanctuary:

Condolences…

To the family of Rosalyn Roskin on her passing.To Rose Herbst and the entire Herbst family on the loss of their beloved Adolph.

“Hamakom Ienahem, May God comfort the mourners among all the mourners for Zion and Jerusalem”

Bertha Shafer..................Elul 2 Anna Heck ......................Elul 3 Harold "Rudy" Rudorfer...Elul 5 Frederick Laufer..............Elul 6 Marvin H. Radler .............Elul 6 Joseph Friedman ............Elul 7 Esther Newman ..............Elul 9 Ruth Siverstein Blair........Elul 11 Malka Rachel Winter .......Elul 11 Etta Zivia Rudick .............Elul 16 Willliam Brown ................Elul 20 Philip Fidler .....................Elul 21

Leo Blumberg ................Elul 23 Dorothy Laufer...............Elul 23 Samuel Poritzky.............Elul 24 Faye Benes ...................Elul 28 Seymour Strickberger....Elul 29 Pearl Ruback.............Tishrei 1 Lena Treiber ..............Tishrei 1 Hyman Lupion ...........Tishrei 6 Samuel Goldberg.......Tishrei 8 Morris Gaffen.............Tishrei 11 Herman Pomerantz ...Tishrei 12

Tzenah Scharfstein....... Tishrei 15Jacob Weitz .................. Tishrei 15Rosetta Hilburg............. Tishrei 17Lillian Ruth Mills............ Tishrei 18Joseph Selinger............ Tishrei 18Mildred Cohen .............. Tishrei 19Emanuel Ganeles ......... Tishrei 21Joseph Edward Drogy .. Tishrei 21Leo Mark ...................... Tishrei 23Julius Reiss .................. Tishrei 29

Date Converter

Av 30 ..... Sun 31-Aug Elul 1 ..... Mon 1-Sep Elul 2 ..... Tue 2-Sep Elul 3 ..... Wed 3-Sep Elul 4 ..... Thu 4-Sep Elul 5 ..... Fri 5-Sep Elul 6 ..... Sat 6-Sep Elul 7 ..... Sun 7-Sep Elul 8 ..... Mon 8-Sep Elul 9 ..... Tue 9-Sep Elul 10 ..... Wed 10-Sep Elul 11 ..... Thu 11-Sep Elul 12 ..... Fri 12-Sep Elul 13 ..... Sat 13-Sep

Elul 14 ..... Sun 14-Sep Elul 15 ..... Mon 15-Sep Elul 16 ..... Tue 16-Sep Elul 17 ..... Wed 17-Sep Elul 18 ..... Thu 18-Sep Elul 19 ..... Fri 19-Sep Elul 20 ..... Sat 20-Sep Elul 21 ..... Sun 21-Sep Elul 22 ..... Mon 22-Sep Elul 23 ..... Tue 23-Sep Elul 24 ..... Wed 24-Sep Elul 25 ..... Thu 25-Sep Elul 26 ..... Fri 26-Sep Elul 27 ..... Sat 27-Sep Elul 28 ..... Sun 28-Sep Elul 29 ..... Mon 29-Sep

Tishrei 1 ... Tue 30-Sep Tishrei 2 ... Wed 1-Oct Tishrei 2 ... Wed 1-Oct Tishrei 3 ... Thu 2-Oct Tishrei 4 ... Fri 3-Oct Tishrei 5 ... Sat 4-Oct Tishrei 6 ... Sun 5-Oct Tishrei 7 ... Mon 6-Oct Tishrei 8 ... Tue 7-Oct Tishrei 9 ... Wed 8-Oct Tishrei 10 ... Thu 9-Oct Tishrei 11 ... Fri 10-Oct Tishrei 12 ... Sat 11-Oct Tishrei 13 ... Sun 12-Oct Tishrei 14 ... Mon 13-Oct Tishrei 15 ... Tue 14-Oct

Tishrei 16 ..... Wed 15-OctTishrei 17 ..... Thu 16-OctTishrei 18 ..... Fri 17-OctTishrei 19 ..... Sat 18-OctTishrei 20 ..... Sun 19-OctTishrei 21 ..... Mon 20-OctTishrei 22 ..... Tue 21-OctTishrei 23 ..... Wed 22-OctTishrei 24 ..... Thu 23-OctTishrei 25 ..... Fri 24-OctTishrei 26 ..... Sat 25-OctTishrei 27 ..... Sun 26-OctTishrei 28 ..... Mon 27-OctTishrei 29 ..... Tue 28-OctTishrei 30 ..... Wed 29-OctCheshvan 1 ..... Thu 30-Oct

Visit us on the Web: www.FirstHebrew.Org


You Shop…Stores Donate. Turn Purchasing Power

into Fundraising! Use Scrip for your monthly food, clothing and giftshopping and stores automatically donate money to FHC. Scrip is a store gift card issued by stores to help non-profits like FHC raise money. Each card purchased fromFHC Scrip looks and functions just like gift cards boughtat the store.

FHC Scrip now has WALMART, plus: iTunes Gap Build-A-Bear Gymboree Macy’s Barnes & NobleKohl’s JCPenney Bloomingdale’sShopRite Stop & Shop A&P

Movies, restaurants, & more!

The order form (next page) lists the percentage of sales donated by each store.Use the card within one year from the date of purchase. You will be contactedwhen your order is ready for pick-up at FHC during office hours: Monday -Thursday 7am - 4pm and Friday 7am - 2pm. To pick up during Hebrew School,please make arrangements with Scrip Coordinators Susan Cohen (734-2149) orLili Kasdan (737-8248).

Order by the end of the month for pick-up after the 10th Visa & MasterCard accepted on orders over $500


ONEGS• A belated Oneg for Mary Goldfarb in honor of her grandson Alex Goldfarb's birthday on June 25• A belated Oneg for Mary Goldfarb in honor of her granddaughter Aimee Goldfarb's birthday on July 28 Friday, September 5 Amy & Paul Burckhard in honor of their daughter-in-law Jessica’s birthday on September 9 Sharon & Martin Edelstein in honor of the wedding anniversary of Joseph & Susan Sanders on September 9 Friday, September 12 Mary Goldfarb in honor of her grandson Noah Roby’s birthday on September 12 Mort Bensky in honor of Fran’s birthday on September 14 The Burckhard family in honor of David’s birthday on September 15 The Schechter family in honor of Howie’s birthday on September 15 Friday, September 19 The Bleiweis family in honor of Alex, Rachel and Grace’s 16th birthday on September 19 Alice Krochmal in honor of Lisa Segal’s birthday on September 19 The Burckhard family in honor of their Mom, Mary Blackman’s birthday on September 20 Fran & Larry Miller in honor of Rona Domow’s birthday on September 20 The Ruff family in honor of Noah’s Bar Mitzvah on September 20 Marilyn & Freemont Reif in honor of their son Richard’s birthday on September 23 The Perlman family in honor of Richard’s birthday on September 23 The Becker family in honor of Scott’s birthday on September 24 Martin & Sharon Edelstein in honor of their son-in-law Joseph Tomaras’ birthday on September 24 Friday, September 26 The Calo family in honor of Danielle’s birthday on September 26 Mary Goldfarb in honor of her grandson Noah Roby’s Bar Mitzvah on September 27 Mike Seid in honor of his great grandson Zachary Hassan’s birthday on September 27 The Burckhard family in honor of Joshua’s birthday on September 29 Deborah Post & Jeffrey Stern in honor of their 20th wedding anniversary on October1

Donations:

Yahrzeit: Rachel Schild, Dr. Larry Behrman, Susan PasciollaIn honor of: Rabbi & Mrs. Lee Paskind - from Dr. & Mrs. Irwin RoseffIn honor of: the engagement of their granddaughter Rebecca Litchfield to Luke Thomas – from Ben &

Roshi NewmanIn honor of: the Bat Mitzvah of Maia Silber – from Mr. & Mrs. Bruce LaneIn memory of: Ronald Goldsand – from Carol GoldenblankIn memory of: Adolph Herbst - from Selda Bloome, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Trachtman,

Mr. & Mrs. David Nagelberg, Mr. Allan Laucheimer.In memory of: Dorothy Rubenfeld – from The Newburyport Chamber of CommerceCongregation

Betterment: David Luria

To sponsor the Bulletin,

contact Bon Venture @ 800-364-0684 or http://www.bonventure.net/


Krantz family meets former President ClintonI have been asked to post some pictures of

our family's special visit with President Bill Clinton. While these pictures have next to nothing to do with FHC, I do have a nexus with FHC to discuss. On July 1, 2008 our family met President Bill Clinton at his office in Harlem which fulfilled Noah's make a wish request to the Make a Wish Foundation. At the meeting we brought to President Clinton some presents. My lovely wife brought President Clinton baseball caps for the TS Alliance (which is the organization doing research to cure Noah's disease), and a baseball cap from the Make a Wish Foundation. Our family also brought him a personalized Buffalo Bills cap.

Having read several books about President Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton, I was aware of their affinity for Eleanor Roosevelt. As some of you may be aware, back in the 1950's Eleanor Roosevelt spoke at FHC downtown and gave a private speech/lecture about world affairs at that time. Someone with great foresight recorded her speech and during our recent cleanup of FHC, several copies of the recorded speech were found. I made

President Clinton and Senator Clinton a copy and at our meeting told President Clinton about FHC and that special private speech given by Eleanor Roosevelt. As Masoud was able to get the FHC Uptown 1957 event on You Tube, I would like to be able to get the Eleanor Roosevelt speech accessible to FHC. If anyone has any ideas (possibly a You Tubeaudio posting with pictures of Eleanor Roosevelt) let me know.

If anyone knows the date and/or year the speech was made, let me know. If anyone knows who recorded the speech let me know.

Anyway, the visit with President Clinton was, as MasterCard would say, "Priceless".

Shalom,

Jeremy


I wanted to pass along to the congregation a terrific exhibit we saw over the summer. We took my son and a few of his friends to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, and there is an exhibit there on MaccabiBasketball honoring Israel's 60th birthday! It's a wonderful exhibit and includes a brief but beautiful slide show of Israel's history. It touched me deeply since my son is playing Maccabibasketball this summer and my daughter is currently in Israel. It's a nice day trip – less than a 2 hour drive.

Dianne Perlman

==============================

Based on the information on the website (http://www.hoophall.com), the exhibit will be open, at least, until the end of 2008.

Summer’s Distinguished Visitor

Happy New Year


Tzahal Shalom Program for 2008 Begins on Sunday, 10/26/2008 and will run for ten days and will end on November 5, 2008

For ten days every October, Tzahal Shalom of Northern Westchester welcomes a delegation of active duty combat officers from the Israeli Defense Forces. Their mission is to connect with our community, to bring a bit of Israel into our homes, and to meet with seniors, adults, college students, teens and children. These IDF officers come from different military branches and are chosen for their bravery, their stories, and their ability to communicate in English.

While in Northern Westchester, the soldiers get a reprieve from active combat duty and a chance to see New York. Most importantly, they begin to understand the support they have from our community and return to Israel with a renewed spirit and great pride! In return, we get the gift of their presence and build relationships with these special individuals.

Soldiers are housed by host families in our community. Each soldier and host family also has a ‘buddy’ family that is involved with them during their stay. There are a multitude of ways for the community to get involved: host a soldier for dinner, host a parlor meeting, drive, attend outings, or join a committee.

While in our community, the soldiers attend various synagogue and community events as well as sightseeing in New York. They travel to West Point, go to the UN, see the Statue of Liberty, take in a Broadway show, and more.

More information available at:

http://www.tzahalshalom.org/


Rabbi Kupchik’sFarewell Dinner

June 7th, 2008


Rabbi Kupchik’s Farewell Dinner

On June 7th, 2008, First Hebrew Congregation bid a fond farewell to Rabbi Kupchik with a Farewell Shavout Service and Dinner, followed by a study session. We davened, ate, and studied in a celebration that contained 120 congregants, members of the Peekskill Pastor’s Association, and our local elected officials. Linda Puglisi, the Supervisor of the Town of Cortland; Mary Ford, the Mayor of Peekskill; Don Bennet, the Deputy Mayor of Peekskill; and George Oros, the Minority Leader of the Westchester County Board of Legislators all spoke and gave Rabbi Kupchik lovely framed certificates. Representative John Hall and State Senator Vincent Leibell couldn’t make the dinner, but did send letters and framed Certificates in their stead.

This farewell dinner was a true synagogue event. Congregants cooked, donated, decorated, and cleaned up for this bittersweet celebration. Arlene Kaufman cooked four noodle kugels, Sue Ellen Silber cooked two, I cooked six quiches, Sisterhood provided an array of wine, bagels,

hummus, pita, fruits, and veggies, cookies, and Men’s Club provided a wonderful ice cream cake for this dairy Shauvout meal. Daniela Rosen provided the tablecloths and floral arrangements, and helped to arrange and clean up. Mindy Steinholtz Spock and Jamie Spock provided the flowers for the bimah, Lisa Segal the office support, and Fran Olmsted the shopping, cooking, cleaning and the moral support to keep me from going entirely insane. I must also thankEstelle Fryburg for her generous donations for the spirits, and Shelley Kessler, Zhila Radparvar and Lisa Cohn for helping with the cleaning and straightening up. If I’ve forgotten anybody, please forgive me. Everybody truly came together to make this a successful event. I look forward to working with everybody again, for happier occasions.

I wish Rabbi Claudio Kupchik, his wife Ann, and sons Jacob and Simon a fond farewell, and wish them well for the future.

Shalom, Alice Yasuna Sisterhood

=================================================

Sisterhood Meeting

Sunday, Sept. 7 @ 9:15am

Drop off the kids and join us for the first

meeting of the year


First Hebrew Congregation“O p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r G i v i n g”

Chapel Seats(engraved brass plate on seat backs)First three rows...........................$1,500/plateSecond three rows……………....$1,000/plateLast row…………………………..$750/plate

MiscellaneousBricks (exterior near front entrance, for any life eventor message, engraved)…………………………….$150Classroom named for a family member................$25,000Library or lounge named for a family member….. $50,000Wall Plaques: please inquire

Other Donation IdeasGifts of highly appreciated stock or real estate—save onincome tax while avoiding capital gains taxes!Scholarships—for youth programs and camps and travelto Israel.===========================================Note: Recognition for all gifts will be provided in theBulletin (as well as on the particular item if warranted).

All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed bylaw. Please consult your tax advisor for specific advice ontax savings through charitable gifts.===========================================

Yahrzeit Plaques(memorial)In memory of a member……….............................$200In memory of a non-member………………………$300In memory of and purchased by a non-member...$500

Tree of Life(in honor of a birth, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, specialanniversaries, life events, in memoriam, etc.)Leaf…………….$100Rock……………$250Root……………$350Memorial Plate..$500

Books(plate on inside cover recognizes your gift and namesthose you wish to honor)Siddurim........... $35Mahzorim..........$25Chumashim...... $50

Library FundGeneral Fund Gifts (i.e., purchases at library discretion)Specific Purchase Gifts (i.e. book series or encyclopedia)

Bikkur Holim Committee

All those interested in joining our Bikkur Holim/Nihum Avelim committee and fulfilling the mitzvah of visiting the sick / comforting the bereaved, please contact Daniela Rosen @ 734-7282

Send TORAH FUND donation cards for all occasions

$3 per card w/envelope$25 per 10 cards w/envelopes

We have three additional new cards •Thank you •Thinking of you

• Sympathy

Call to have card sent — $3 per cardTorah Fund Chairperson —Shelley Kessler • 739-0781

Visit us on the web:

www.FirstHebrew.org


Kehilataynu Editorial Policy and Publishing Information

The synagogue bulletin is a place not only for news and information about FHC and its members, but also a forum for members to place information that may be of interest to their fellow congregants. We are happy to consider all articles submitted to Kehilataynu; however, we reserve the right to edit for style, and length. In addition, all articles submitted by FHC members are labeled as such and do not reflect the opinion of FHC or the Board of Trustees. Please keep the following in mind:Articles and announcements must be received in the FHC office by the last week of each month, five weeks before publication.

Email ListIf you’re interested in getting emails with the weekly announcements, please visit the website at www.firsthebrew.org. If you wish to contact the synagogue for any other business, please note that the e-mail address to use is [email protected]. To email Rabbi Paskind directly, use [email protected]

Did you know thatFirst Hebrew has a

website? Visit www.firsthebrew.org for synagogue information, articles, plus current and archived issues of the bulletin. The following month’s bulletin is posted shortly after it goes to the printer, so you can read it without having to wait for the post office to deliver it! You can even view a printable version of the current month’s calendar. Come check it out! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send email to [email protected].

Let Everyone Know How ProudWe are of Our Children!

The Board of Education would like to honor our wonderful Bar/Bat Mitzvah students in a special way!

We would like each student to submit a brief biography (5-7 sentences) to be placed in the synagogue bulletin. The biography could include information such as their Bar/BatMitzvah date, grade, school, outside interests, and should include a short description about his/her service project; you may also include a photograph if you like. The responsibility to write and submit this information belongs to the family of the child. Please do not cause unnecessary disappointment for your children when they don’t see their names in the bulletin with their classmates. The biography must be submitted to the editor FIVE WEEKS prior to the first day of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah month to ensure placement in a timely fashion. Any articles sent after that time will be placed in the next bulletin, which may be after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. Please submit the biography to the bulletin at bulletin@ FirstHebrew.org or you can mail or fax to the FHC office.

Please keep the following in mind:• Articles and announcements must be

received in the FHC office by the last week of each month, five weeks before publication.

• Please submit your article or announcement via e-mail to [email protected]. If you do not have a computer, and/or your submission is not available in digital format, you may fax, mail, or deliver your (typed) submission(s) to the temple office.

• Please provide original copies of flyers and photos (faxed copies are not suitable for reproduction)— they will be returned.

---------------------------------------------

If you are interested in assisting with publishing the Kehilataynu as editor, designer, writer, or any other capacity, please contact Lisa at the office or Masoud Radparvar at [email protected].

Articles for the November 2008 Bulletin are due by: Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Articles for the October 2008 Bulletin are due by Wednesday, September 3, 2008

To sponsor the Bulletin,contact Bon Venture @ 800-364-0684 or http://www.bonventure.net/


Jewish Holidays (5769)

Holiday Dates in 2008 - 2009

Rosh HaShana Tues - Wed, Sept 30-Oct 1

Yom Kippur Thurs, October 9

Sukkot Tues - Mon, October 14-20

Shemini Atzeret Tues, October 21

Simchat Torah Wed, October 22

Hanukkah Mon - Mon, December 22-29

Tu B'Shvat Mon, February 9

Purim Tues, March 10

Passover Thurs - Thurs, April 9-16

Yom HaShoah Tues, April 21

Yom HaZikaron Tues, April 28

Yom HaAtzmaut Wed, April 29

Lag B'Omer Tues, May 12

Yom Yerushalayim Fri, May 22

Shavuot Fri - Sat, May 29-30

Tisha B'Av Thurs, July 30


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FIRST HEBREW CONGREGATION OF PEKKSKILLUPTOWN * 1821 East Main Street * Peekskill, NY 10566DOWNTOWN * 813 Main Street * Peekskill, NY 10566

DATED MATERIAL -- TIME VALUE

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

Paid

White Plains, NYPermit No. 6677

Share your Simchas by Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat

SISTERHOOD invites you to join us in celebrating Shabbat by sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat. There are a million good reasons to sponsor an Oneg—birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, graduations, births, etc.In order to update our files, we are asking you to fill out this form. Even if you have been a sponsor, please take a minute and go over your list. If you have never sponsored an Oneg, now is the time to add your name and your loved ones’ names to the pages you see in the bulletin as well as having your SIMCHA announced from the Bima. Listings must be submitted TWO MONTHS PRIOR to the occasion in order to be printed in the bulletin. The cost is minimal—$6.00 for one Oneg, $30.00 for five Onegs, and $36.00 for seven Onegs (one is free)! Remember to fill out this form and mail it with a check made out to Sisterhood FHC to:Beth Becker, 6 Maple Court, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567==================================================================================I would like to sponsor _______Onegs.

My name as I would like to appear__________________________________________________________

Date of Event Honoree's Name(s) Occasion

1. ___________________________________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________________________________________

4.____________________________________________________________________________________

5.____________________________________________________________________________________

6.____________________________________________________________________________________

first hebrew congregation of peekskill bulletin - september 2008

Documents

pm meetings

pm4 pm

am2 pm

pm shabbat service

pm hebrew school opening

pm sisterhood breakfast

nursery school telephone

nursery school director