sinai news march-april 2015
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Congregation Sinai Milwaukee Newsletter, March-April 2015TRANSCRIPT
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SINAI NEWS
Rabbi David B. Cohen Cantor Lauren Phillips Rabbi Emeritus Jay R. Brickman Director of Youth Education Barb Shimansky, MSW Director of Administration Karen Lancina Program Coordinator Jen Friedman
Assistant to Rabbi and Cantor Karen Hintz School Administrator Jeri Danz Bookkeeper Ilene Wasserman Sinai News Nicole Sether Congregation Sinai 8223 N. Port Washington Road Fox Point, WI 53217
414.352.2970 414.352.0944 (fax) www.congregationsinai.org
March-April 2015 Adar-Iyyar 5775
A bi-monthly publication Issue 24, Volume 1
March Membership Madness
The Road to Sinai!
Kids & Family
Events
Shabbat & Holiday
All Ages
Friday, March 13 Itsy Bitsy Sinai (0-4) 5:30 PM Shabbat ShaPizza 5:30 PM Shabbat Unplugged Service 6:15 PM Sleep Under Kids Oneg 7:15 PM Kids come in PJs! Adult Oneg Wine Tasting & Chocolate 7:15 PM
Sunday, April 26 Itsy Bitsy Sinai (0-4) 10:15 AM Songs, stories and crafts! Religious School Open House 9:30 AM
Sunday, March 1 Purim Carnival 9:30 AM Follow the Yellow Brick Road Come in costume!
Sunday, March 15 Brotherhood Coffee w/ author Liza Wiemer 10:00 AM All are welcome!
Tuesday, March 17 Social Action Film The Tribe 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 22 In the Rabbis Study 10:00 AM with guest Hannah Rosenthal, President/CEO Milwaukee Jewish Federation
Friday, April 17 Israeli Rockin Shabbat Service 6:15 PM Israeli Congregational Dinner 7:30 PM
Wednesday, March 4 Megillah Reading & Purim Spiel in Shushan and Oz! 7:00 PM Munchkins & Hamentaschen to follow
Friday, March 20 Social Action Shabbat 6:15 PM featuring WI State Representative Mandela Barnes
Sunday, April 12 3rd Annual Women of Sinai Membership Appreciation Brunch 10:00 AM
Thursday, March 26 Sinai in the City 7:00 PM for young professional Jewish adults Four Cups of Wine & Then Some
Sunday, April 12 Passover Immigration Seder 3:00 PM with Voces de la Frontera, The Jewish Community Relations Council and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Community
& Social
Share Sinai with friends and give them the gift of a one
year free membership. Details on page 3.
Lifelong Learning
Sharing
Sinai
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Shabbat Schedule 2
Rabbis Corner, Reflections 3
Cantors Notes 4
Presidents Message 5
Create a Jewish Legacy 5
Casino Royale 6-7
Builders & Founders 8
Lifelong Jewish Learning 9-12
Purim 13
Whats Happening 14-16
Passover Readings 17-18
Brotherhood 19
Women of Sinai 19-20
Chesed, Library News 21
Social Action Committee 22-23
Scene at Sinai 24
Supporting Sinai 25
Israel Committee 25
Calendars 26-27
In the Sinai Family 28
Contributions 29-30
Those We Remember 31
In this issue
Shabbat Ki Tasa Exodus 30:11 - 34:35
March 6 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
March 7 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Jordan Arenzon Bat Mitzvah 10 am
Shabbat Vayakhel Exodus 35:1 - 40:38
March 13 Shabbat Unplugged 6:15 pm
March 14 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Vayikra Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26
March 20 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
March 21 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Tzav Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36
March 27 MCRC Shabbat Service @ Emanu-El 5:30 pm
(No Service at Sinai)
March 28 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Pesach Exodus 12:21 - 12:51
April 3 No Shabbat ServicesErev Pesach April 4 Torah Study 8 am
Pesach Morning Service 9:30 am
Shabbat Pesach Exodus 33:12 - 34:26
April 10 Pesach Morning Service w/ Yizkor 9:30 am
Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
April 11 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Shmini Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47
April 17 Rockin Israeli Shabbat 6:15 pm Israeli Style Congregational Dinner 7:30 pm
April 18 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
Shabbat Tazria Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59
April 24 Shabbat Service 6:15 pm
April 25 Torah Study 8 am
Morning Minyan 9:30 am
March-April Shabbat/Holiday Service Schedule
Page 2 March-April 2015
Sharing Sinai
Bring your friends and family into our congregational family!
Share what you love!
We are proud to offer you the opportunity to bring your friends and families into the amazing community that is Congregation Sinai.
Know someone interested in checking us out?
Please contact our Program Coordinator, Jen Friedman at (414) 352-2970 or [email protected]. Shell give you a token to share with your unaffiliated friends or family. Good for a one-year membership at Sinai.
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Page 3 March-April 2015
Exercise your right to vote!
Rabbis Corner
Not a news cycle goes by without prominent head-
lines about the state of Israel. Some are inspiring; some are
quite worrying. As American Jews, we are often reduced to
sitting on the sidelines watching as history unfolds.
From time to time, however, we have a chance to
participate in shaping Israel's future. One such opportunity is
upon us right now: Voting in the World Zionist Conference
elections.
What is the World Zionist Congress? It is
the legislative body of the World Zionist Organiza-
tion (WZO), which itself was the shadow govern-
ment before the state of Israel was declared in
1948. Usually, such provisionary assemblies dis-
solve once an official government emerges. In
the case of Israel, this body continued to exist.
Among its other functions, it decides how monies
contributed by the Diaspora should be spent in
Israel.
The WZO has played a major role in the
growth of Reform Judaism in Israel over the past decades.
This is because liberal Jews in the Diaspora have voted in
large numbers in the periodic elections. As money began to
be funneled to Reform Jewish institutions, bypassing the
political morass of the Knesset and it's budgets, reform syna-
gogues have begun to emerge all over the state. Reform Ju-
daism, once the home of mostly foreign-born Jews, is now
populated by native born Israelis who are excited and in-
spired to find an alternative to the hegemonic orthodoxy that
is, quite often, the object of frustration.
Participating in the vote is easy. One just has to reg-
ister online and then vote online. When we vote for ARZA the Association of Reform Zionists of America we increase liberal Judaism's representation among delegates from the
Diaspora (of which I am one). In the past few elections, ARZA
received more votes than any other party which translated
directly into increase funds for reform institutions in Israel.
What positive effect can this have? Increasing sup-
port for liberal Judaism in Israel means not only that reform
institutions are subsidized. It also means that a political
world view shaped by reform Judaism becomes a stronger
voice in the national debate on a variety of issues every-thing from the nature of the relationship with Diaspora Jewry
to how reform Jewish values affect is Israelis' view of the
security situation and how best to move forward. Though we
may feel otherwise, we are not powerless to affect the future
decisions made by the state of Israel in a whole
variety of policy matters. Our vote helps increase
the strength of liberal Judaism's voice in the Jew-
ish state. Last year, the WZO distributed more
than four million dollars to reform institutions in
Israel. That translates into more is Israelis who
have been and will be touched by the pluralistic
views of Reform Judaism.
While the news from Israel has been a
source of concern over the past years, we don't
have to sit on the sidelines. The state of Isra-
el, along with America and Europe, is a major
stage on which the future of the Jewish people is currently
being shaped. We have the capacity to help build an Israel
reflecting values of inclusion and religious pluralism. An in-
crease in such values will affect every aspect of Israeli life,
from the conduct of foreign-policy to the treatment of Israel's
minorities. Don't be a passive observer. Join in the Jewish
people's most important project.
To register and vote, go to reformjews4israel.org
before the end of voting, April 30th. Then let me know you
voted. I want to know that Sinai is to be well represented.
Rabbi David B. Cohen
The first thing I do on arising each morning
is to recite MODEH ANI. For those who do not know
Hebrew, I suspect that God is equally pleased with
an approximate English translation. I give thanks before You, Lord our God, for having returned my
soul to me in compassion; great is your loving kind-
ness. The importance of this prayer is to compel us to the realization that each moment of life is a
gift rather than an entitlement. Rather than ques-
tion God when there is suffering, illness or untimely
death, we should pose the question of entitlement,
i.e. by what right are we privileged to be granted:
Reflections
life, talent, awareness? If these are entitlements,
we are devastated when their presence is less than
anticipated. If they are gifts, afforded to us for no
merit, rather the abundant compassion of a most
generous deity, we are capable of experiencing less
than optimal circumstances without being devastat-
ed. When our cup happens to be full or overflow-ing, as is so often the case, we should be sufficient-
ly moved by gratitude to give expression to these
sentiments with such a prayer as MODEH ANI.
Rabbi Jay Brickman
Please see page 25 for information on
voting options for ARZA.
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Page 4 March-April 2015
Purim is coming, which means its time to put on a show! The Purim spiel, which comes from the Yiddish word
for game or play, is a tradition that has been associated with Purim celebrations since at least the 15th century.
These early spiels were often silly monologues based on
rhymed summaries of Megillat Esther or other sorts of funny
sermons. Their purpose was twofold: to entertain
and to teach.
Purim is a holiday that naturally lends
itself to disguised merriment. The Megillah fea-
tures many characters whose identity, natures, or
intents are hidden: Esther hides her Jewish iden-
tity and later tricks the king into saving her peo-
ple; and Haman hatches a secret plan to annihi-
late the Jews. It has all of the elements of prime-
time drama, with a healthy dose of comedy
thrown in.
One of the major customs of Purim is to
enjoy a festive meal (in Hebrew, seudah) in celebration of the
holiday. In the 16th century, the Purim spiel found its way into
private homes and served as a way of entertaining guests
between courses. Both amateur and professional actors
were used. Often, Yeshiva students were recruited to join in
the fun. These events were also used as fundraisers a tra-dition which continues to this very day!
The earliest Purim spiels did not necessarily relate
directly to the Purim story. Instead, they often served as a
commentary on Jewish life at the time. In the late 17th centu-
ry, Biblical themes were incorporated into these skits. Some-
times they would relate directly to Purim the Achashverosh Spiel was a popular spiel that reenacted the Book of Esther.
Other popular themes included David and Goliath, the Sacri-
fice of Isaac, and Joseph and his brothers.
Some of these Biblical spiels had a tendency to-
wards profanity or satire. Hamburg banned performances of
Purim Spiels in 1728 because of vulgarity, and a printed
copy of an Achashverosh Spiel was burned in Frankfurt
around the same time. Despite the controversy, a trend to-
wards performing the Purim Spiel in a public place became
more popular around this time, evolving into longer dramas
with musical accompaniment and larger casts.
Darius Milhauds 1925 opera, Esther de Carpentras, offers a glimpse into a late 18th century Purim celebration in
the Comtat Venaissin region of France. In the opera, the Jew-
ish leaders of Carpentras seek the permission of
the Catholic Cardinal to hold a Purim spiel. He
consents, secretly planning to force the conver-
sion of all the towns Jews while they are gath-ered together. In a clever plot twist, the young girl
playing Esther (whose real name, Hadassa, was
the Biblical Esthers birth name), mistakenly gives her plea for Ahasuerus to save the Jews to the
Cardinal himself. The Cardinal is touched by Es-
thers beauty and religious faith and gives the Jews the right to stay in Carpentras.
The burgeoning popularity of the Purim
Spiel in Europe gave way to the development and popularity
of Yiddish theater a form of entertainment that could be enjoyed all year round. Both the Purim Spiel and many Yid-
dish theater pieces are beloved for their self-effacing Jewish
humor and their ability to appeal to audiences of all ages.
Following last years tremendous success of Despicable Megillah, this years Congregation Sinai Purim celebration will take you over the rainbow and down the Sinai
Brick Road with a family-friendly Wizard of Oz theme. Well do a preview performance before the Purim Carnival on March 1,
followed by a full-length version interspersed with our Megil-
lah reading on March 4 at 7pm. We hope youll join us for some merriment, hamentaschen, and of course, munch-kins!
Chag sameach,
Cantor Lauren Phillips
Cantors Notes
The Spiels the Thing
WRJ MIDWEST DISTRICT KALLAH 2015: The Art of Being Jewish May 1-3, 2015
Olin Sang Ruby Institute Camp, Oconomowoc, WI Together we will celebrate Shabbat and the Arts. Participate in AWESOME WORKSHOPS in Quilting, Music, Cook-ing, Dance, Drama, Scrapbooking, Knitting, Cross Stitch, Crochet, Needlepoint, Photography, Music, Flower Arrang-ing, Bead Stitching, Storytelling, Dancing and More! Give yourself the Gift of 24 hours away with your Midwest Sis-ters. BONUS! Stay Saturday night at no additional charge. Saturday Night Dinner and Sunday Morning breakfast are included. We will have an Art Auction to benefit the YES Fund, Movie, and of course Mah Jong and Canasta, FUN!
Sinais own Cantor Lauren Phillips will be teaching The Art of Jewish Music - a little singing, a little history, a lot of fun.
Some workshops have limited capacity, so hurry for best availability.
Contact Carol Berger at [email protected] to register.
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Page 5 March-April 2015
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their
home." ---Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of
Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
At the high holidays, we experimented with offering
live streaming on the internet of our religious services and
were profoundly surprised with the response. Over 100
unique visitors took advantage of this service and when you
consider the number of member families at Sinai, thats a pretty high percentage. Which opens the door to some
questions. Live Streaming is becoming a common practice
in Reform congregations, particularly because it welcomes a
new audience and helps people feel part of a community. For example, congrega-
tion members who are traveling, ill or oth-
erwise unable to attend services can still
participate in the worship experience. Sim-
ilarly, streaming allows extended family
and friends (who, perhaps, live out of
town) to join in the celebration or recogni-
tion of various lifecycle events of their
Presidents Message
loved ones. Being able to watch worship
services online lets people with limited wor-
ship opportunities in their area engage Jew-
ishly, and its also a low-risk way for pro-spective members to test out our congre-gation. Streaming is here to stay, and what-
ever a congregations reason for doing so, its important to stream in compliance with current copyright laws. What weve learned from other congregations is having a writ-
ten policy is helpful, because the intent of streaming is to
show the service and the service leaders, not to identify spe-
cific members. So, were interested in your thoughts on this subject. Please contact Dan Elias at [email protected].
I look forward to hearing from you.
Bshalom, Dan Elias and Andy Gollin
WHERE THERES A WILL, THERES A WAY
Do you have a will and have you already designated Congre-gation Sinai as a beneficiary?
Do you have a will and have you considered making a Legacy commitment to Congregation Sinai?
No will? There is still a way to help Congregation Sinai!
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please call one of our Legacy team members: Rabbi Cohen, Larry Glusman, Judi
Ketten or Karen Lancina and they will be more than happy to help
and guide you to becoming a Legacy Donor.
CREATE A JEWISH LEGACY NEWS
As of January, the Milwaukee Jewish Community has received
over $5 million in Legacy commitments. As of February 1st, Con-
gregation Sinai is only 5 Legacy commitments away from our year
one goal of 18 commitments! What does this mean, you ask? If
we reach our goal this year, Congregation Sinai will receive a
$10,000 unrestricted donation from the Harold Grinspoon Foun-
dation for our accomplishment. In fact, if we are successful in
receiving at least 18 Legacy commitments this fiscal year and
next, we will receive a $10,000 donation for each year.
The Create a Jewish Legacy program is a new and unique oppor-
tunity to help Congregation Sinai and the broader Milwaukee Jew-
ish Community to create endowment funding for the present and
for the future. Wont you join the Legacy Circle too?
June 24th!
A Community Wide Celebration for all of
our Legacy Donors. Watch your mail for
additional information.
Create a Jewish Legacy
Congregation Sinai Legacy Donors Join us for a Shabbat Dinner honoring you!
Friday, April 24th
7:30 PM following services
Please RSVP to:
https://sinailegacydinner.eventbrite.com
by April 20th.
Save the
Date!
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Page 6 March-April 2015
Casino Royale
Save the Date! Saturday, May 9, 2015
Casino Royale! in honor of Sinais 60th Anniversary
Professional Casino Games, Raffles, Silent Auction, Food, Drink & FUN! Adults only
Dear Friends of Congregation Sinai, In May of 1955, Congregation Sinai took its first steps on the road to becoming a dynamic, warm and caring community. As we begin to plan and celebrate Sinais 60th Anniversary, we hope you will celebrate with us. On May 9, 2015, we are hosting our first Casino Royale. This will be a night to remember with professional casino games, raffles, silent auction, food, drink and much enjoyment. Sinai is thrilled to host this funraising event to sustain the many programs of our thriving congregation. Below are some opportunities to help Sinai solidify our future for genera-tions to come. We truly appreciate your support. Casino Sponsors We are counting on you to help us have a successful fundraising event by attending Casino Royale. Please also consider sponsoring the event. The opportunities below will allow you to support Congregation Sinai further while en-joying a fantastic evening of entertainment. There are two levels of sponsorship. All Donors and Patrons will have their names/businesses prominently displayed for the entire evening, an ad in our Program Book and tickets to Casino Royale.
Evening Sponsors Evening signage, full page back color cover ad (4.5 x 7x5), 8 tickets Appetizer and Cocktail Sponsors - Evening signage, full page ad (4.5 x 7x5), 6 tickets
Dessert and Entertainment Sponsors - Evening signage, 1/2 page ad (4.5 x 3-3/4), 4 tickets Patrons Tabletop signage, 1/4 page ad (4.5 x 1-7/8), 2 tickets
DONOR PATRON 1. Evening Sponsor - $5,000 1. Craps Table - $400.00 2. Appetizer Sponsor - $3,000 2. Roulette - $400.00 3. Cocktail Sponsor - $2,500 3. Poker - $200.00 4. Dessert Sponsor - $1,500 4. Black Jack - $200.00 5. Entertainment sponsor - $1,000 5. Bingo - $200.00
If you are interested in being a sponsor, please complete & return the form on the next page no later than Monday, April 6 th.
Silent Auction and Raffle Donations In addition, we are also accepting donations for items or services - for our silent auction and raffle. All silent auction contributors will receive recognition in our Program Book. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please complete and return the form on the next page no later than Monday, April 6th. We hope that you will participate by attending the evening, being a sponsor or donating to the auction or raffle. Please use the reverse side of this page to indicate your level of sponsorship or an item for donation. Should you have any questions please contact Marlene Lauwausser at [email protected] or (414) 721-6304. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on May 9, 2015 at Congregation Sinais Casino Royale!
Sincerely, Marlene Lauwasser and Shelly Seesel
Co-Chairs, Sinai @ Sixty
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Page 7 March-April 2015
Casino Royale
Casino Royale May 9, 2015 Sponsor/Auction Donor Form
Casino Sponsors
Evening Sponsors Evening signage, full page back color cover ad (4.5 x 7x5), 8 tickets Appetizer / Cocktail Sponsors - Evening signage, full page ad (4.5 x 7x5), 6 tickets Dessert / Entertainment Sponsors - Evening signage, 1/2 page ad (4.5 x 3-3/4), 4 tickets Patrons Tabletop signage, 1/4 page ad (4.5 x 1-7/8), 2 tickets
DONOR PATRON 1. Evening Sponsor - $5,000 1. Craps Table - $400.00 2. Appetizer Sponsor - $3,000 2. Roulette - $400.00 3. Cocktail Sponsor - $2,500 3. Poker - $200.00 4. Dessert Sponsor - $1,500 4. Black Jack - $200.00 5. Entertainment sponsor - $1,000 5. Bingo - $200.00
Donor or Company Name: ______________________________________________________ (As it should appear for display)
Sponsorship: (please indicate donor or patron level) _________________________________ Amount Enclosed (please make checks payable to Congregation Sinai) __________________________________ Contact Person (if different): ________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________Email: ________________________________________________________
Advertising: I understand that all ads will be black and white and All COPY READY ads should be emailed in a JPEG or PDF format to [email protected] by April 6, 2015 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silent Auction or Raffle Item Donation Item or Service Donated: __________________________________________________________________ Detailed Description: ______________________________________________________________________ Donor Stated Value: $__________Restrictions: _________________________________________________ Donor or Company Name:__________________________________________________________________ (As it should appear for display) Contact Person (if different): __________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________Email: _______________________________________________________ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donor Signature: ________________________________________date__________________ Please mail all Sponsorships, Auction/Raffle donations AND this form must be received by April 6th.
Congregation Sinai Attn: Casino Royale 8223 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53217
Congregation Sinai is a 501c3 organization. The fair market value of your contribution will be tax deductible. You will receive a letter of receipt for your contribution.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- For Office Use Only Item received by: ____________________________________date: _____________________ Date Receipt Sent: ___________
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Page 8 March-April 2015
Builders and Founders Program
Anonymous (2)
James & Joni Ansfield In Memory of our parents, Dr. & Mrs. Carl Diamond zl and Dr. & Mrs. Maurice Ansfield zl Simon Arenzon & Dorothy Bein-Arenzon
Margery Becker In Memory of Irvin M. Becker zl
Avi & Andrea Bernstein
Seth & Jori Broidy In Honor of Rabbi David Cohen & Cantor Lauren Phillips
David & Judith Coran
Fred & Ellen Eckman
Dan & Lisa Elias
Judy Flegel
James & Ellen Flesch
Jeffrey Frank
Michael & Joan Friedman
Jane Gellman
Gordon & Jennifer Goldbaum
Ruth Goldmann In Memory of Allen Goldmann zl William & Idy Goodman
Robert & Kristin Hieb
Alan & Jodi Holman
Milton & Sarah Hwang
Jeanne Jacobs In Memory of Alfred Jacobs zl Marc & Cynthia Kartman
Jay Larkey & Lois Malawsky
Marvin & Marlene Lauwasser In Memory of our beloved Joe & Shirley Aaron zl
Douglas & Patti Levy
Joan Lieberman
David & Madeleine Lubar
Joan Lubar
Sheldon & Marianne Lubar In Honor of our family and Country John & Kathryn Mann
Alan Mendeloff
Daniel & Amy Newman
James & Ellen Nocton
Nick & Janet Padway
Vicky Padway In Memory of William A. Padway zl Jim Phillips
Bruce & Jami Ross
Robert & Lauri Roth
James & Lori Salinsky
Mildred Schapiro
Brian & Deborah Schermer
MCRC Shabbat Friday, March 27 at 7:30 PM at Congregation Emanu-El Bnei Jeshurun Are We A Community of Justice? Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center (RAC) of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) will speak on this subject at the an-
nual Metropolitan Conference of Reform Congregations (MCRC) Shabbat.
Rabbi Pesner, also Senior Vice President of URJ, has been named by Newsweek as
one of the most influential rabbis in America. A founder of the Campaign for Youth Engagement
as well as Just Congregations, his expertise lies in developing strategies and encouraging
action by clergy and lay leaders in the areas of interfaith, economic justice, marriage equality and other human rights.
In an interview with the Forward, Pesner said he sees Reform synagogues as natural locations for regional activism
based on the Just Congregations model. The RAC will be a partner in the transformation of synagogues to be more impactful in local communities and to engage people in Jewish life. According to The Times of Israel, the RAC was pivotal in the drafting of the 1964 civil rights legislation and in
advocating on behalf of Soviet Jews in the 1970s and 1980s. Pesner stated shortly after his appointment in January of this year that the RAC will focus on racial tensions and economic issues. As I look at the tragedies in Ferguson and Staten Island, I fear that they are emblematic of what is happening in too many communities nationwide. Among our top priorities to
address the racial disparity all too present in our society will be pushing for action in the new Congress to protect voting rights
and to end racial profiling. Rabbi Steve Fox, CEO of the Central Conference of American Rabbis believes Rabbi Pesner has a demonstrated ability to unite diverse voices from within our Movement and with others in pursuit of our common purpose. MCRC members include lay leaders from CEEBJ, Congregation Shalom, Congregation Sinai, Congregation Emanu-El of
Waukesha and Beth Hillel Temple of Kenosha.
A heart-felt and sincere thank you to our Builders and Founders participants. Without your generosity
(financial and otherwise) we would not be the Sinai that we all love and value.
Robert Schlossmann In Honor of my grandchildren (Mari, Dara, Benjamin, Mariah & Bria)
Richard & Michelle Seesel
Muriel Silbar
Ronald Sinclair & Judith Ross In Memory of our parents zl Oyvind & Susan Solvang In Memory of Marcia & Israel Siegel zl, Joseph & Lottie Lubar zl, Jeffrey Siegel zl & Joe Lubar zl
Peter & Jodi Sprinkmann
Thomas St. John & Micaela Levine
James & Nancy Stillman
Ruth Stroiman In Memory of Ted Stroiman zl Scott Tisdel & Stefanie Jacob In Honor of Cantor Lauren Phillips Merle Wasserman
Mike & Jill Weinshel
Phyllis Wiggins In Honor of my great nephew, Kyle Andrew Thomas, for being promoted
to Sergeant in the USMC and in
Memory of my parents, Charles &
Everlean Wiggins zl
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Lifelong Jewish Learning
Page 9 March-April 2015
Young-at-Hearts Senior Singles Group
Young-at-Hearts is a social group for those looking to connect and make new friends in a social setting. This is not a
grief group, or matchmaking group, but a social group intended to bring together people who may be divorced, lost a spouse
or just want to regain the fun in life! Young-at-Hearts conducts monthly meetings and then often go to lunch together at
Maxfields. Outings and activities include: card games, lunches, dinners, sporting events, mah jongg, theater etc. Young-at-Hearts is open to all Jew-
ish seniors in the community. Meetings are held at Congregation Shalom,
7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point.
Next meetings: Dates: Wednesday, March 11, Wednesday, April 8
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am followed by lunch at Maxfields To sign up for a meeting contact Jen Friedman at
[email protected] or call 352-2970.
The Art of the Jewish Short Story with
Rachel Baum, UWM April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12
7:30 - 9:00 PM
What makes a short story
Jewish? What characterizes the work of Jewish authors? Well ex-amine a blend of older and con-
temporary classics from authors like Philip Roth, Cynthia Ozick, Na-
than Englander, Thane Rosen-
baum, Steve Stern, and Elisa
Alpert. The stories engage with
issues of Jewish identity, historical memory, religious
issues, and more. Join us to explore a literary cornuco-
pia filled with surprises and delights.
RSVP by April 12 at:
https://jewishstoryrachelbaum.eventbrite.com
In the Rabbis Study Special Guest: Hannah Rosenthal on
Global Anti-Semitism Sunday, March 22, 2015
10:00 AM
Hannah Rosenthal, President and
CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, has
spent her career successfully advocating for
Jewish causes. Prior to joining the Federation, Hannah served as
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the U.S.
State Department. She also served as Executive Director of the
Chicago Foundation for Women, the Jewish Council for Public
Affairs and the Wisconsin Womens Council. Hannah is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-
Madison and studied for the rabbinate in Jerusalem and Califor-
nia. She has long been active in public policy in Wisconsin, serv-
ing in support roles to a Wisconsin State Representative and a
Wisconsin Member of Congress, as well as heading a Wisconsin
state agency and a regional federal agency. Hannah is also a
former member of the Madison Jewish Federation Board of Di-
rectors.
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Ongoing Adult Learning
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Page 10 March-April 2015
Lunch & Learn
Pirke Avot
Day: Mondays, beginning September 8th
Time: 12:00 PM
Facilitator: Rabbi David B. Cohen
Pirke Avot (Sayings of our Ancestors) presents
nuggets of wisdom from the most famous rabbis
of the Talmud. Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Hillel and
many more teach such essential texts as "If I am
not for myself who will be for me? If I am only for
myself, what am I? And if not
now, when?"
Bring a bag lunch and join us as
we begin learning Pirke Avot!
A Modern Rabbis Approach to the Bible
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 9:30 AM
Facilitator: Rabbi Jay Brickman
Rabbi Brickman is a trained Jungian, a
philosopher, and a practitioner of Tai Chi.
If you havent studied with him now is the time!
Through the Eyes of Women
Day: Fridays
Time: 9:30 AM
Facilitator: Dr. Sherry Blumberg
Using the Torah: A Woman's Commentary as a
text, we are discussing the Torah, verse by verse
using critical questions, feminist readings,
modern midrash, traditional
commentaries and women's poetry.
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Day: Saturdays
Time: 8:00 AM
Facilitator: Rabbi Jay Brickman, Rabbi David B.
Cohen
Verse by verse, line by line, word by word, the
Torah comes alive!
-
School News
Page 11 March-April 2015
Lifelong Jewish Learning
I am about to make what many have found to be a
shocking statement when I have said it in the past. But I am
going to say it here anyway. I really do not like Pesach.
As many of you scrape your chins off the floor, I will
explain. I find the excessive rituals of Pesach to be a little
over-the-top. This is not to pass judgment on
those who choose to partake in these activities they simply dont work for me. Cleaning the edges of my stove with a toothpick? Im all for spring cleaning, but I have limits. A dinner centered on the children where one does not even eat for the first two hours? I find it difficult to believe that
young children have ever been able to sit quietly
for that long without whining about where their
food might be. But mostly, I have always struggled
with this paradox: we are celebrating our freedom,
yet we cannot eat anything that we typically find
enjoyable.
Now, perhaps I have greater challenges in this area
than many since I have a tree nut allergy, which does not
make it conducive for me to consume many Kosher for Pe-
sach food items. Even so, I have gotten creative in recent
years trying to figure out meals that pass the thou-shalt-not-
leaven test, yet still feel very little satisfaction in the act of
eating during this one week of the year. Again, this does not
feel like freedom it feels restrictive. We are a people who largely celebrate with food,
and Pesach is THE celebration of our story. In fact, this story
is so wonderful that we tell it several times throughout the
yearly Torah cycle. So why hamper that celebration with a
limited food selection?
Perhaps this is meant in part to help us be mindful
of our freedoms. If we need to think about everything we
eat, it makes us appreciative in a way that we typically are
not during the rest of the year. That first bite of pizza once
Pesach ends is heavenly, right? When else does pizza taste
THAT good? (Unless its real New York pizza, but thats a whole different category. And I know this is another blasphe-
mous statement, living in Chicago and all.) And if we are thinking about our food consumption, maybe it will lead us
to think about the ways in which we consume other items,
as well. We do live in a time of freedom, and we often take
that for granted by purchasing things that we dont neces-sarily need, but have the ability to buy. This extends back to
food while it is certainly a necessity, we tend to go beyond what is needed, whether in quantity or just in being selective
about eating those foods that we most enjoy. I am certainly
guilty of this I dont actually NEED to go to Starbucks, but I do so nearly every day. In places where food is not so plenti-
ful including many food deserts here in the United States people are not so concerned about liking their food as they are in assuring they have enough food to maintain their
health.
I recently read another interpretation of the relation-
ship between matzah and the celebration of freedom during
Pesach. This is an old rabbinic teaching, but one I had not
previously encountered. The idea derives from the symbolism
of matzah being flat. This is supposed to serve as a reminder
that we are also flat to recall our time as slaves and re-gain a sense of humility so that our freedom does not, in es-
sence, go to our heads. We should not rise to the point where we think we are better than others, or let
our freedom inflate our sense of self. Once a year,
we are humbled to recall that we are no better
than anyone else. This helps us re-establish an
appropriate idea of our respective places in the
world, and that we are each one of many who
share this planet together.
Will these ideas help make Pesach a
more pleasant experience for me this year? I am
not sure. It will definitely give me new insights to
ponder at the seder table. I hope it might do the
same for you, as well.
Barb Shimansky, MSW
Director of Youth Education
Mazel Tov to Sinais Jewish Educator Award recipients! Marjorie Laing, Sinai Teacher
Jeri Danz, Sinai School Administrator
-
Page 12 March-April 2015
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Questions about any of our youth group programming?
Contact Barb Shimansky at: [email protected]
School News
Teen Social Justice Event Sinai Teens are invited for an afternoon of Social Jus-
tice on Sunday, March 22. We will meet in the Worship
and Learning Space at noon for a great meal and a
screening of the film Food, Inc. followed by a conver-sation about food justice. RSVP by March 19 to Barb:
4th Grade Family Learning Please be sure to join us on Sunday, March 8th
for our 4th Grade Family Learning Program,
The Many Faces of My Jewish Family. We will meet from 10 AM -12 PM
(immediately
following Tefillah).
See you there!
Sleep Under Oneg All school-age Sinai friends are
invited for a Sleep Under Oneg on Friday, March 13 at 7:15 PM,
right after Shabbat Unplugged!
Stories, games, a special snack,
and more! Come in your PJs and
enjoy the fun of a sleepover without staying the night!
Teens we need your help to make this a successful event! Interested in helping out?
Contact Barb: [email protected]
Spring Break begins
on Sunday, March
29 and runs through
Sunday, April 5.
There will be
no Kulanu on
Tuesday, March 31
or Tuesday, April 7.
Mitkadem will be
in session during
Pesach on
Tuesday, April 7
and Thursday,
April 9. We ask
that you do not
send any snacks with your children on
these days unless they are fresh fruits and
veggies in order to comply with kashrut
in our building during Pesach. If you have
concerns about this request, please
contact the school office.
Teens: Mark your
calendars for a
Havdallah event
on Saturday, April
18. More details
to follow!
NFTY-Northern Spring Kallah is
open to all Sinai 8th-12th graders!
This amazing event is April 23-26
in Kenosha.
Watch your email for more info!
-
Page 13 March-April 2015
Purim
Follow the Sinai Brick Road to a joyous Purim Carnival!
Congregation Sinais 2015 Purim activities will take you over the rainbow!
When: Sunday, March 1, 9:30 AM 12:00 PM
Well begin with a shortened version of our Wizard of Oz Purim Spiel, followed by our festive Congregation Sinai Purim Carnival. This will
serve as a teaser for Wednesdays full-length extravaganza!
Where: Congregation Sinai
What: Come in any costume for the parade! (Wizard of Oz costumes
encouraged, but not required)
Who: Families of all ages! Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun.
Bring your friends and introduce them to Congregation Sinai!
Family Megillah Reading and Purim Spiel
When: Wednesday, March 4, 7:00 PM
Where: Congregation Sinai
What: Fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the Megillah and journey
to the Lands of Sushan and Oz as the Purim story is told
through the eyes of Dorothy and her friends. Both Haman and
the Wicked Witch of the West have triangular hats coinci-dence? Youll have a feeling that youre not in Milwaukee any-more!
Who: Adults and children of all ages.
Munchkins and Hamentaschen Oneg to follow!
-
Page 14 March-April 2015
Whats Happening
Start with Shabbat ShaPIZZA! Friday, March 13, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Come with the family at 5:30 pm and lets start Shabbat together with a simple and easy pizza. Help us welcome our Itsy Bitsy Sinai families too. Craft projects will be available
for kids. Just $10.00 for a family (up to 4 people, $2.00 each additional person).
Register at http://marchshabbatshapizza2015.eventbrite.com by Tuesday March 10.
Stay for Shabbat Unplugged! Friday, March 13, 2015 6:15 - 7:15 pm
A Camp-like Shabbat experience for families of ALL AGES. Join us as we sing and pray together
with Rabbi Cohen, Cantor Phillips and special guests Marc & Wendy Cohen. Join us in song and
prayer. A memorable moment for the entire family!
Finish with a Sleep Under Oneg! 7:15 - 9:00 pm
All school-age Sinai friends are invited to join us for a Sleep Under Oneg. There will be stories, games, a special snack, and more! Come in your PJs and enjoy the fun of a sleepover without staying the night!
A Shabbat for kids and their families!
Kids - come in your pajamas!
(Birth - 4) Itsy Bitsy Sinai
Itsy Bitsy Sinai Shabbat! Friday, March 13, 2015 5:30 pm Join us for a Shabbat experience great for Itsy Bitsy families! Enjoy a pizza dinner with crafts and fun! Please see above for details.
RSVP at: https://marchshabbatshapizza2015.eventbrite.com
Itsy Bitsy Sinai Sunday, April 26, 2015 10:15 am open house bring your friends! Share Sinai with your friends and bring them along and even give them the gift of a
free membership! We will learn about Israel, sing songs and make Israeli flags to carry
later that day at the Walk for Israel!
RSVP: https://itsybitsysinaiapril2015.eventbrite.com
We value every member at Congregation Sinai even our youngest! Led by Rabbi Cohen and Cantor Phillips, Itsy Bitsy Sinai (birth-4) includes Sunday morning holiday and
Jewish value programming filled with songs, stories and crafts. We want our youngest
children to look forward to seeing synagogue as a place of joy and laughter and fun.
We strive to help parents connect to others with similar aged children, to develop
bonds that will enable them to share their Jewish journeys together.
ADULTS! Adults we will have a special Oneg plan for you!
Join us in the Worship & Learning Space for a Wine Tasting and Chocolate Oneg!
-
Israeli Rockin Shabbat Friday, April 17th, 2015 at 6:15 PM Last chance to see the band until fall!
Join us for Rockin Shabbat Israeli Style. We will incorporate popular Israeli melodies into our worship service.
Guest Speakers - Amit Zahavi, Milwaukee Shlicha and Shin Shins Itamar & Shani will discuss their roles and objectives for our Jewish community.
Stay for a terrific catered Israeli Dinner! See below for details.
Page 15 March-April 2015
Whats Happening
Israeli Congregational Dinner! Friday, April 17th at 7:30 PM
Celebrate delicious Israeli cuisine with family and friends!
Join us for Rockin' Shabbat filled with song and music. You won't want to miss this Shabbat experience. Great for all ages! Roll into Dinner for a delicious meal! Conversation for adults, with activities for kids! This will allow for a leisurely dinner for all. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine to share!
Please RSVP by April 14th at: https://rockinshabbatdinnerapril2015.eventbrite.com
Early Bird Cost (by April 14): Adults: $10.00 * Children 12 and under: $7.00 * Children 3 and under: Free
Post Deadline (by April 16): Adults: $12.00 * Children 12 and under: $8.00 * Children 3 and under: Free
Day of/Walk in: Adults: $15.00 * Children 12 and under: $10.00 * Children 3 and under: Free
If you will be attending the dinner and intend to pay by cash or checkplease RSVP
to [email protected] and we will enter your information. New Eventbrite info
-
Page 16 March-April 2015
Whats Happening
Sinai In the City!
What does it mean to be a young, professional Jewish adult in 2015? Are you looking for a point of entry
into metropolitan Jewry? Do you have a child or know someone affiliated or unaffiliated - that is looking to meet other young Jewish professionals? Look no further.
Join Cantor Lauren Phillips for a unique alternative Shabbat and Holiday experience downtown for young
professionals. Well utilize media, music, current topics, and alternative venues to worship, share, and get to know each other. This is a chance to meet like-minded Jewish adults to schmooze, eat, share in a
little Torah and a lot of conversation! Come be a part of Judaism in a meaningful way that is relevant to
you and your life. Young adults and grad students 20s and 30s, singles, couples, married all are welcome!
Thursday, March 26 Four Cups of Wine and Then Some 7:30 PM - Watch your Enews for location
For more information contact Cantor Lauren Phillips at
[email protected] or 414.352.2970
RSVP to: [email protected] by Monday, March 22.
Chaverim Purim Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Join us in preparing and serving a
light meal to the members of
Chaverim, the adult special needs
Holiday Program. Congregation
Sinai always looks forward to hosting
Chaverim.
Interested in this important mitzvah? Contact Jen
Friedman at [email protected].
The Chaverim Adult Special Needs
holiday program is a program of
The Harry and Rose Samson
Family Jewish Community Center
in cooperation with the Milwaukee
Jewish Federation.
Volunteers
Needed!
Save the Date! Cantor Lauren Phillips will sing the National Anthem at the Brewer game!
May 31st at 1:30 PM Sinai will join the fun! Details to follow. And its Bud Selig bobblehead day!
-
Page 17 March-April 2014
asso
ve
r is
fo
un
de
d o
n t
he
th
em
e o
f so
-
cia
l ju
sti
ce
. R
ea
din
g t
he
Je
wis
h s
tory
of
red
em
pti
on
co
mp
els
us t
o e
rad
ica
te in
-
justi
ce
in
th
e w
orl
d t
od
ay,
pa
rtic
ula
rly
tho
se
rela
tin
g t
o h
un
ge
r, h
om
ele
ssn
ess, o
pp
ressio
n,
an
d r
ed
em
pti
on
.
HU
NG
ER
: In
th
e B
ab
ylo
nia
n T
alm
ud
, w
e a
re
tau
gh
t:
Eve
n t
he
po
ore
st p
ers
on
in
Isr
ae
l m
ay
no
t e
at
un
til h
e r
eclin
es, a
nd
th
ey
mu
st
no
t
giv
e h
im le
ss t
ha
n f
ou
r cu
ps
of
win
e.
Th
is is a
rem
ind
er
tha
t it
is im
pe
rati
ve
to
ta
ke
ca
re o
f
eve
ryo
ne
in
th
e c
om
mu
nit
y, e
ven
th
e p
oo
rest
pe
rso
n. Th
e r
eq
uir
em
en
t th
at
eve
n p
oo
r Je
ws
be
pro
vid
ed
wit
h a
mp
le w
ine
a
nd
pre
su
ma
-
bly
wit
h a
ll o
f th
e h
olid
ay
s ri
tua
l fo
od
s a
nd
p
racti
ce
s
le
ad
s t
o t
he
exp
ecta
tio
n t
ha
t Je
ws
sh
ou
ld h
elp
th
e p
oo
r a
nd
th
e h
un
gry
no
t
just
du
rin
g P
asso
ve
r b
ut
thro
ugh
ou
t th
e y
ea
r.
HO
ME
LE
SS
NE
SS
: P
asso
ver
als
o s
erv
es a
s a
pa
infu
l re
min
de
r th
at
the
Je
wis
h p
eo
ple
we
re
se
en
as s
tra
nge
rs in
th
e la
nd
of
Egyp
t a
nd
sp
en
t 4
0 lo
ng y
ea
rs o
f w
an
de
rin
g in
th
e w
ild
er-
ne
ss w
ith
ou
t a
ho
me
. Th
ese
ele
me
nts
of
the
Pa
sso
ve
r sto
ry r
em
ind
us o
f cu
rre
nt
issu
es
of
imm
igra
tio
n a
nd
re
fuge
e c
on
ce
rns, a
nd
th
e
me
mo
ry o
f b
ein
g d
isp
lace
d in
sti
lls in
us a
de
-
sir
e t
o e
rad
ica
te h
om
ele
ssn
ess in
th
e m
od
ern
era
.
OP
PR
ES
SIO
N A
ND
SLA
VE
RY
: A
t P
asso
ve
r, w
e
rea
d:
Th
is y
ea
r w
e a
re s
lave
s. N
ext
ye
ar,
ma
y w
e a
ll b
e f
ree
. J
ew
s a
re c
om
ma
nd
ed
to
be
dir
ectl
y p
rese
nt
in t
he
Pa
sso
ve
r sto
ry, re
me
m-
be
rin
g w
ha
t it
wa
s lik
e f
or
the
Ch
ild
ren
of
Isra
-
el to
be
sla
ve
s in
th
e la
nd
of
Egyp
t. T
his
pe
r-
Th
e m
ak
ing o
f w
ar
Th
e t
ea
ch
ing o
f p
reju
dic
e, h
ate
an
d v
io-
len
ce
De
sp
olia
tio
n o
f th
e e
art
h
Pe
rve
rsio
n o
f ju
sti
ce
an
d g
ove
rnm
en
t
Fo
me
nti
ng o
f vic
e a
nd
cri
me
,
Ne
gle
ct
of
hu
ma
n n
ee
ds,
Op
pre
ssio
n o
f n
ati
on
s a
nd
pe
op
les,
Co
rru
pti
on
of
cu
ltu
re,
Su
bju
ga
tio
n o
f scie
nce
, le
arn
ing, a
nd
hu
-
ma
n d
isco
urs
e,
Th
e e
rosio
n o
f fr
ee
do
ms.
* *
* *
*
Pic
k Y
ou
r D
efi
nit
ion
Of
Sla
ve
ry/F
ree
do
m:
1)
No
ma
n c
an
pu
t a
ch
ain
ab
ou
t th
e a
nk
le o
f
his
fe
llo
w m
an
wit
ho
ut
at
last
fin
din
g t
he
oth
er
en
d f
aste
ne
d a
bo
ut
his
ow
n n
eck.
(Fre
de
rick
Do
ug
las,
form
er
sla
ve, W
ash
ingto
n,
DC
, 1
88
3)
2)
We
ha
ve c
on
fuse
d t
he
fre
e w
ith
th
e
fre
e
an
d e
asy
. (
Ad
lai S
teve
nso
n,
Pre
sid
en
tia
l co
n-
ten
de
r, 1
95
6)
3)
It is o
fte
n s
afe
r to
be
in
ch
ain
s t
ha
n t
o b
e
fre
e.
(Fra
nz
Ka
fka
, Th
e T
ria
l, P
ragu
e,
19
25
)
4)
To
be
lib
era
ted
, th
at
is e
asy.
To
be
a f
ree
pe
rso
n,
tha
t is
ve
ry h
ard
. (A
nd
re G
ide
, F
ren
ch
au
tho
r, 2
0th
ce
nt.
)
5)
Lib
ert
y m
ea
ns r
esp
on
sib
ilit
y. T
ha
t is
wh
y
mo
st
me
n d
rea
d it.
(G
eo
rge
Be
rna
rd S
ha
w,
Iris
h p
layw
righ
t, 2
0th
ce
nt.
)
6)
No
ne
are
mo
re h
op
ele
ssly
en
sla
ve
d t
ha
n
tho
se
wh
o f
als
ely
be
lie
ve
th
ey
are
fre
e.
(Go
eth
e, G
erm
an
po
et,
Fa
ustu
s,
19
th c
en
t.)
7)
No
hu
ma
n b
ein
g is f
ree
wh
o is n
ot
ma
ste
r
of
him
se
lf.
(Ep
ice
titu
s,
Gre
ek p
hilo
so
ph
er,
Ro
me
, 1
st
ce
nt.
)
so
na
l e
xpe
rie
nce
is a
mo
tiva
tio
n t
o e
xam
ine
the
cu
rre
nt
inte
rna
tio
na
l sit
ua
tio
n a
nd
wre
stl
e
wit
h c
ase
s o
f in
justi
ce
, o
pp
ressio
n,
an
d m
od
-
ern
-da
y sla
ve
ry.
Th
us,
Pa
sso
ve
r p
rovid
es u
s a
n
op
po
rtu
nit
y to
ra
ise
aw
are
ne
ss o
f co
nte
mp
o-
rary
exa
mp
les o
f sla
ve
ry a
nd
op
pre
ssio
n
thro
ugh
ou
t th
e w
orl
d, su
ch
as h
um
an
tra
ffic
k-
ing,
the
se
x tr
ad
e, a
nd
eve
n d
om
esti
c v
io-
len
ce
, w
hic
h t
rap
s v
icti
ms w
ith
in t
he
ir h
om
es,
lim
itin
g t
he
ir f
ree
do
m a
s s
ure
ly a
s if
the
y w
ere
en
sla
ve
d.
* *
* *
* *
Yo
u c
an
in
co
rpo
rate
so
cia
l a
cti
on
th
em
es in
to
you
r P
asso
ve
r o
bse
rva
nce
in
th
e f
ollo
win
g
wa
ys:
Up
da
te Y
ou
r S
ed
er
Pla
te w
ith
Fa
ir T
rad
e C
ho
c-
ola
te o
r C
oco
a B
ea
ns: Th
e f
air
tra
de
mo
ve
-
me
nt
pro
mo
tes e
co
no
mic
pa
rtn
ers
hip
s b
ase
d
on
eq
ua
lity
, ju
sti
ce
an
d s
usta
ina
ble
en
vir
on
-
me
nta
l p
racti
ce
s.
We
ha
ve a
ro
le in
th
e p
ro-
ce
ss b
y m
ak
ing c
on
su
me
r ch
oic
es t
ha
t p
ro-
mo
te e
co
no
mic
fa
irn
ess f
or
tho
se
wh
o p
ro-
du
ce
ou
r p
rod
ucts
aro
un
d t
he
glo
be
. F
air
Tra
de
ce
rtif
ied
ch
oco
late
an
d c
oco
a b
ea
ns a
re
gro
wn
un
de
r sta
nd
ard
s t
ha
t p
roh
ibit
th
e u
se
of
forc
ed
la
bo
r. T
he
y ca
n b
e in
clu
de
d o
n
the
se
de
r p
late
to
re
min
d u
s t
ha
t a
lth
ou
gh
we
esca
pe
d f
rom
sla
ve
ry in
Egyp
t, f
orc
ed
la
bo
r is
sti
ll v
ery
mu
ch
an
issu
e t
od
ay.
* *
* *
*
Re
cite
a N
ew
1
0 P
lagu
es
As w
e r
ecit
e t
he
10
pla
gu
es G
od
se
nt
up
on
Egyp
t, w
e p
ou
r o
ut
10
dro
ps o
f w
ine
, le
sse
nin
g
ou
r jo
y in
me
mo
ry o
f th
ese
ha
rdsh
ips u
po
n t
he
Egyp
tia
n p
eo
ple
. W
ha
t p
lagu
es s
till a
fflict
us
tod
ay?
P
Pas
sov
er S
oci
al J
ust
ice
Ad
dit
ion
al R
ead
ing
s
-
Page 18 March-April 2014
Th
e S
ecre
t In
Su
ffe
rin
g
If
yo
ur
ow
n s
uff
eri
ng d
oe
s n
ot
se
rve
to
un
ite
yo
u w
ith
th
e s
uff
eri
ng o
f o
the
rs, if
yo
ur
ow
n im
pri
so
nm
en
t d
oe
s n
ot
join
yo
u w
ith
oth
-
ers
in
pri
so
n,
if y
ou
, in
yo
ur
sm
alln
ess, re
ma
in
alo
ne
, th
en
yo
ur
pa
in w
ill h
ave
be
en
fo
r
na
ugh
t. [
...]
I h
ave
wa
lke
d t
ha
t lo
ng r
oa
d t
o
fre
ed
om
. I h
ave
tri
ed
no
t to
fa
lte
r. I h
ave
ma
de
mis
ste
ps a
lon
g t
he
wa
y. B
ut
I h
ave
dis
co
ve
red
the
se
cre
t th
at
aft
er
clim
bin
g a
gre
at
hill, o
ne
on
ly f
ind
s t
ha
t th
ere
are
ma
ny
mo
re h
ills
to
clim
b.
I ca
n r
est
on
ly a
mo
me
nt,
fo
r w
ith
fre
e-
do
m c
om
es r
esp
on
sib
ilit
ies, a
nd
I d
are
no
t
lin
ge
r, f
or
my
lon
g w
alk
is n
ot
yet
en
de
d.
N
els
on
Ma
nd
ela
Ba
sic
to
hu
ma
n e
xiste
nce
is a
se
nse
of
ind
eb
t-
ed
ne
ss
of
ind
eb
ted
ne
ss t
o s
ocie
ty, o
f in
-
de
bte
dn
ess t
o G
od
. W
ha
t is
em
erg
ing in
ou
r
age
is a
str
an
ge
in
ve
rsio
n. M
od
ern
pe
op
le b
e-
lie
ve t
ha
t th
e w
orl
d is in
de
bte
d t
o t
he
m; th
at
so
cie
ty is c
ha
rge
d w
ith
du
tie
s t
ow
ard
th
em
.
Th
eir
sta
nd
ard
pre
occu
pa
tio
n is: W
ha
t w
ill I
ge
t o
ut
of
life
? S
up
pre
sse
d is t
he
qu
esti
on
:
Wh
at
will life
w
ha
t w
ill so
cie
ty
ge
t o
ut
of
me
?
R
ab
bi A
bra
ha
m J
osh
ua
He
sch
el
Yu
go
sla
via
to
Sa
raje
vo
P
art
on
e.
In 1
94
4, Y
ugo
sla
via
wa
s u
n-
de
r th
e c
on
tro
l o
f th
e N
azi
s. Th
e M
uslim
Le
-
he
bra
fa
mily
live
d o
n t
he
sa
me
str
ee
t a
s t
he
Na
zi h
ea
dq
ua
rte
rs a
nd
fo
ur
ho
use
s a
wa
y fr
om
the
Ka
bilio
s. Th
e K
ab
ilio
fa
mily
co
nsis
ted
of
a
mo
the
r, a
fa
the
r, a
nd
a t
hre
e y
ea
r-o
ld d
au
gh
-
ter
na
me
d T
ova
. W
he
n t
he
Na
zis a
rriv
ed
, th
e
Le
he
bra
s h
id t
he
Ka
bilio
s in
th
eir
att
ic,
bro
ugh
t th
em
fo
od
eve
ry d
ay,
an
d s
ave
d t
he
ir
live
s. A
fte
r th
e w
ar,
th
e K
ab
ilio
s m
ove
d t
o Isra
-
el. T
o e
xpre
ss t
he
ir g
rati
tud
e,
the
y re
gis
tere
d
the
Le
he
bra
s w
ith
Ya
d V
ash
em
in
th
e g
ard
en
set
asi
de
fo
r th
e
Rig
hte
ou
s G
en
tile
s.
Th
e
Le
he
bra
s w
ere
in
scri
be
d t
he
re,
on
e o
f th
e f
ew
Mo
sle
m f
am
ilie
s t
o b
e s
o h
on
ore
d.
P
art
tw
o.
In 1
99
2,
the
cit
y o
f S
ara
jevo
ca
me
un
de
r a
tta
ck
. M
ach
ine
gu
n f
ire
ra
ttle
d
thro
ugh
its
str
ee
ts e
ve
ry d
ay.
Bu
se
s c
arr
yin
g
ch
ild
ren
we
re s
he
lle
d.
A b
uri
al ta
kin
g p
lace
in
a c
em
ete
ry w
as in
terr
up
ted
by
gu
nfi
re.
To
va
Ka
bilio
, a
ge
th
ree
in
19
44
an
d n
ow
in
he
r e
ar-
ly f
ifti
es,
co
uld
nt
re
st k
no
win
g t
he
fa
mily
th
at
ha
d o
nce
sa
ve
d h
er
life
wa
s in
gra
ve
da
nge
r.
Sh
e w
en
t to
th
e Isra
eli a
uth
ori
tie
s a
nd
to
ld
the
m h
er
sto
ry.
On
Ju
ly 1
1,
19
92
, a
n E
l A
l
pla
ne
la
nd
ed
in
Sa
raje
vo
. Is
rae
li a
ge
nts
fo
un
d
the
Le
he
bra
s a
nd
bro
ugh
t th
em
ba
ck
to
Je
ru-
sa
lem
. To
da
y, t
he
y live
in
Re
ch
avia
, in
th
e
ho
use
of
To
va
Ka
bilio
.
If
yo
u liv
e lo
ng e
no
ugh
, yo
u s
ee
eve
ry-
thin
g.
Ra
bb
i Je
rry
Fis
he
r (i
n le
tte
r to
De
ar
Ab
by,
19
98
, a
da
pte
d)
* *
* *
*
Be
fore
Sin
gin
g D
aye
inu
, a
dd
th
is r
ea
din
g w
ith
its h
op
e a
nd
vis
ion
an
d c
ou
rage
!
We
sti
ll h
ave
a lo
ng,
lon
g w
ay
to g
o b
efo
re w
e
rea
ch
th
e p
rom
ise
d la
nd
of
fre
ed
om
. Y
es,
we
ha
ve
le
ft t
he
du
sty
so
ils o
f E
gyp
t, a
nd
we
ha
ve
cro
sse
d a
Re
d S
ea
th
at
ha
d f
or
yea
rs b
ee
n
ha
rde
ne
d b
y a
lo
ng a
nd
pie
rcin
g w
inte
r o
f
ma
ssiv
e r
esis
tan
ce
, b
ut
be
fore
we
re
ach
th
e
ma
jesti
c s
ho
res o
f th
e p
rom
ise
d la
nd
, th
ere
will sti
ll b
e g
iga
nti
c m
ou
nta
ins o
f o
pp
osit
ion
ah
ea
d a
nd
pro
dig
iou
s h
illto
ps
of
inju
stic
e
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til th
e t
ragic
wa
lls t
ha
t
se
pa
rate
th
e o
ute
r cit
y o
f w
ea
lth
an
d c
om
fort
fro
m t
he
in
ne
r cit
y o
f p
ove
rty
an
d d
esp
air
sh
all
be
cru
sh
ed
by
the
ba
tte
rin
g r
am
s o
f th
e f
orc
es
of
justi
ce
.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til th
ose
wh
o liv
e o
n
the
ou
tsk
irts
of
ho
pe
are
bro
ugh
t in
to t
he
me
-
tro
po
lis o
f d
aily
se
cu
rity
.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til slu
ms a
re c
ast
into
the
ju
nk
he
ap
s o
f h
isto
ry, a
nd
eve
ry f
am
ily
will
live
in
a d
ece
nt,
sa
nit
ary
ho
me
.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til th
e d
ark
ye
ste
rda
ys
of
se
gre
ga
ted
sch
oo
ls w
ill b
e t
ran
sfo
rme
d in
to
bri
gh
t to
mo
rro
ws o
f q
ua
lity
in
tegra
ted
ed
uca
-
tio
n.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til in
tegra
tio
n is n
ot
se
en
as a
pro
ble
m b
ut
as a
n o
pp
ort
un
ity
to
pa
rtic
ipa
te in
th
e b
ea
uty
of
div
ers
ity.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisf
ied
un
til m
en
an
d w
om
en
w
ill b
e ju
dge
d o
n t
he
ba
sis
of
the
co
nte
nt
of
the
ir c
ha
racte
r, n
ot
on
th
e b
asis
of
the
co
lor
of
the
ir s
kin
.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til fr
om
eve
ry c
ity
ha
ll,
justi
ce
will ro
ll d
ow
n lik
e w
ate
rs, a
nd
rig
ht-
eo
usn
ess lik
e a
mig
hty
str
ea
m.
Le
t u
s b
e d
issa
tisfi
ed
un
til th
at
da
y w
he
n n
o-
bo
dy
will
sh
ou
t,
Wh
ite
Po
we
r!
wh
en
no
bo
dy
will
sh
ou
t,
Bla
ck P
ow
er!
b
ut
eve
ryb
od
y w
ill
talk
ab
ou
t G
od
s p
ow
er
an
d h
um
an
po
we
r.
M
art
in L
uth
er
Kin
g,
Jr
-
Page 19 March-April 2015
Sinai Committees
Brotherhood
Acheinu (Mens Spirituality Group) Day: Sundays: March 29, April 26
Time: 8:30 - 10:00 AM
With: Joe Glassman, Mitch Colton, & Rabbi David B. Cohen Acheinu is sponsored by Sinais Brotherhood. Share nosh & discuss spiritual & practical matters concerning God, work, family & more.
Small Miracles From Beyond! Author Liza Wiemer will share her personal stories,
including some that were included in her recently published
anthology Small Miracles From Be-
yond. This anthology includes 50 true sto-
ries about deceased relatives coming to
loved ones in dreams to offer guidance and
warnings, the power of prayer, near-death
experiences, reincarnation, signs that loved
ones are watching over us and are our ag-
gressive intercessors.
Liza is a graduate of UW-Madison
with a degree in Education. She has had two adult non-fiction
books published and numerous short sto-
ries and articles. She is married, has two
sons and lives in Milwaukee. Her debut
young adult novel, which will be published
in October of this year, is titled HELLO?
Boswell Books will be at Sinai sell-
ing Small Miracles From Beyond, and Small
Miracles From the Holocaust, which is an-
other anthology, written by Yitta Halberstam
and Judith Leventhal, both with Milwaukee ties.
I know that many of you loved our conversation last
year on LIFE AFTER LIFE and I am confident that you will be
absolutely mesmerized by the stories that
Liza will present. We plan to leave plenty
of time for discussion; so please feel free
to share an insight or a story of your
own. Since Boswell Books is making the
trek north please bring cash or check if
you think that you are interested in pur-
chasing a book for your own personal col-
lection.
As always this Brotherhood event is free and is open
to all Sinai congregants; men, women, children, relatives ,
but sorry.no pets. Coffee, bagels, and snacks are always provided for your added comfort and enjoyment.
I am excited about this presentation and hope that
you will mark your calendar and not miss this event!
Sincerely,
Jim Stillman Brotherhood president
Brotherhood Coffee Small Miracles From Beyond!
With Author Liza Wiemer
Sunday, March 15, 2015 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Women of Sinai
WOS Membership Appreciation Brunch An added bonus of the purse auction morning was that we welcomed 11 new Supporting Members to
Women of Sinai! All of our Supporting Members and
Women of Valor will be receiving an invitation to the
3rd Annual Membership Appreciation Brunch being
held on Sunday, April 12. We had so much fun last year
and look forward to doing it again! This brunch is free
to women who have paid their sisterhood dues this
year (5775). If you would like an invite to the brunch,
and you have not yet joined, it is not too late. Support-
ing Membership is $36 and our Woman of Valor level
is $72. Send your check to the synagogue ATTN: Wom-
en of Sinai and write "Dues" on the memo line. If you
would like to pay with your PayPal account, just email
[email protected] for instructions.
3rd Annual Women of Sinai
membership appreciation
Brunch
Sunday, April 12
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Free for WOS members - $36 to join.
Join us for a lovely morning
celebrating all of you!
Please RSVP by April 5 to
(414) 379-7878.
-
Page 20 March-April 2015
Women of Sinai Continued
Sinai Committees
SPONSORS & RAFFLE DONORS
Julie Griswold, Stella & Dot Stylist
Luci Boutique (Downtown & Mequon)
Lyly Nails (Fox Point)
PURSE DONORS
Carmel Sweet
Cheryl Duckler
Cynthia Kartman
Donna Davidoff
Idy Goodman
Jen Friedman
Jeri Danz
Joan Lubar
Jody Kaufman Loewenstein
Julie Lookatch
Laura Waisbren
PURSE AUCTION REPORT
The Women of Sinai Purse Auction was a great success! Congregants and community members spent the morning of
February 8th schmoozing in the Social Hall, enjoying mimosas & yummy treats, listening to the Tritones Jazz Trio, and bidding
on 68 purses of all different designers, shapes and sizes.
In addition, many attendees donated gently used professional attire and accessories to Dress For Success Racine, an
organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women.
Mazel tov to all of the auction and raffle winners. We hope you will enjoy your purchases. A very big thank you to eve-
ryone who made this event possible!
Lisa Elias
Mari Katz
Marlene Lauwasser
Micaela Levine
Pam Scheferman
Robyn Eiseman
Sandy Saltzstein
Shelly Seesel
SET-UP & EVENT VOLUNTEERS
Andrea Bernstein
Barbara Federlin
Barbie Blutstein
Mari Katz
Jen Friedman
Julie Lookatch
Pam Scheferman
Rachael Marks
Robin Arenzon
Shelly Seesel
Tedd Lookatch
NOSH DONORS Andrea Bernstein
Jenni Goldbaum
Julie Turetsky
Jill Weinshel
Julie Lookatch
Krista Brookman
Karen Partenheimer
Shelly Seesel
-
Page 21 March-April 2015
Chesed
Sinai Committees
Check out Sinais library ers young children after the brother and his wife have been killed in a terrorist bombing in Jerusalem. How they cope
with the grieving children and each other as their relation-
ship has suddenly undergone this major upheaval is the
subject for this impressive novel.
Gangersterland (F Gol) by Tod Goldberg is a fun
read for those of us at Congregation Sinai. A mafia hit man
has to leave town and go into hiding after having murdered
FBI agents. He winds up in Vegas with a new face and a
new identity. His new identity is Rabbi David Cohen of Tem-
ple Beth Israel. This is darkly funny as he finds himself quot-
ing the Talmud and Torah as he tends his flock. When Da-
vid Cohen asks his new boss why they chose this particular
new identity for him, he is told You ever see anyone named David Cohen getting jacked up on RICO charges? The differ-
ence is they got half the world trying to kill them all the
time. If you would prefer something about real criminals,
try Rich Cohens Tough Jews (364 Coh which, as the name suggests is about Jewish gangsters.
You might enjoy Elie Wiesels memoir And the Sea is Never Full; Memoirs, 1969- (B Wie) He describes how
when he turned forty he decided to become a militant using
words as his weapons. He has certainly accomplished
this. He has written over forty books, receiving many
awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize.
The ornament of the world: How Muslims, Jews,
and Christians created a tolerance in Medieval Spain (946
Men) by Maria Rosa Menocal describes the rich and com-
plex culture shared by three faiths, thriving in the face of
bigotry and enmity for seven hundred years, collapsing at
the beginning of the Renaissance which ushers in puritani-
cal forces repressing tolerance.
Come on in and cozy up with a good book!
Happy Reading,
Jayne Butlein
There are many great reads to find in Sinais library. J by Howard Jacobson ( F Jac) is a provocative fantasy with a
holocaust sensibility. J is a love story which takes place after
some unnamed event has occurred. No one knows anything
about their own history. The past exists in order that we for-get it. The characters have been arbitrarily given names, I would guess by some governmental body, and all the last
names are Jewish (no explanation for this) with determinedly
odd first names. This is not an easy read. I would suggest that
you have a dictionary nearby should you tackle it, but I felt it
was thought provoking enough to be worth the effort. Jacob-
son is a Man Booker Prize winner, for a previous novel, The
Finkler Question (F Jac).
Anita Diamants newest book, The Boston Girl (F Dia) started off a little Belva Plain-esque, but it turned out to be a
pleasant read about families, feminism and friendship. Many
of her relationships with her friends reminded me of many of
mine.
The Brotherhood of Book Hunters (F JER) by Raphael
Jerusalmy is an adventure book, beginning in 1463. There
are lots of plots, counter-plots and adventures. This is a book
about the importance of books. In talking about Jews, Jeru-
salmy says that books enabled the Jews to survive. For it was the same Talmud that was read--in Hebrew--in Peking,
Samarkand, Tripoli, or Damascus. As long as it was read, out
loud or in hiding, by a whole congregation or a solitary hermit,
they [the Jews] would be able to sail through any storm. Shanghai Deliverance: A Holocaust Survival 940.43
Sha) Story (is the story of Edith Shafer, a Milwaukee resident,
as told to Mary Murphy (my daughters neighbor). Edith Shaf-er was born in the Shanghai ghetto in 1941 where approxi-
mately 20,000 Jews went after escaping Nazi Germany. While
China allowed Jews into their country, they were forced to live
in restricted areas, which were overcrowded and impover-
ished.
In a much lighter vein is All I Know and Love ( F
Fra). Gerri Schmidman donated this book and she describes
it as juicy having all factors of a good read. A gay couple learns that one of them has become the guardian of his broth-
Love Sinai? Received a note, letter, phone call, visit or soup? Consider helping with acts of loving kindness and continue connections with congregants. We would like new ideas and more volunteers. Let us know you'll help. Contact Sinai or Amy Newman at [email protected] to join, volunteer, or share your ideas.
-
Social Action Committee
Page 22 March-April 2015
Sinai Committees
The Tribe Tuesday March 17, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Both humorous and thought provoking, The Tribe successfully
tackles an entire history of the Jewish culture in 18 minutes and poses
the questions What does it mean to be an American Jew today? What does it really mean to be a member of any tribe in the 21st century? It weaves together archival footage, graphics, animation, dioramas, and slam poetry to take audiences on an electric ride through
the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people.
Viewing will be followed by a discussion lead by Rabbi David Cohen.
Passover Immigration Seder Sunday April 12, 2015
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Congregation Sinai, in conjunction with Voces
de la Frontera, Jewish Community Relations Council,
and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will host an
"Immigration Seder" on Sunday, April 12th, from 3:00
- 5:00 p.m. Congregation Sinai has invited a wide
range of Milwaukee's ethnic and religious groups to
take part in the Seder.
The Seder is an exercise in edible education.
It's themes of freedom, justice and compassion are
as relevant today as they were 3200 years ago. The symbolic foods we eat are not only delicious; they
also point us toward the most enduring lessons in Biblical morality.
There is no charge for the Seder but RSVP is necessary. Please RSVP by Monday, April 6 to
http://sinaipassoverimmigrationseder2015.eventbrite.com
If you can help with this event please contact Rachel Buff at:
Volunteers
Needed!
-
Social Action Committee
Page 23 March-April 2015
Sinai Committees
Your contributions make a
difference: Much of the financial
support for our efforts comes
through the
Sinai Tzedakah Fund
Please consider this
Fund when making
your next
contribution in
honor or memory
of someone.
Our Sinai entry hall barrel holds items collected for Pathfinders.
Please donate!
*Toiletries
*Gently used or new clothing
Please join us for this exciting and stimulating
Social Action Shabbat
Friday,