THE MESSENGER

“Offerings of the Heart”

The names of our

Torah Members

are inscribed on the

sculpture in our

Community Room.

ETERNAL LIGHT MEMBERS

These members provide financial assistance and synagogue membership for families who are enduring

financial hardship, as well as a full religious education for their children.

CHAI MEMBERS

These members provide financial assistance and membership for

families who are enduring financial hardship.

Our Torah Members These generous individuals have voluntarily chosen to support our Synagogue at a higher level of dues

than is required, in order to help other Jews who are less fortunate and in need of assistance.

Anonymous

David Korn

Stephen & Merilee Obstbaum

Joni Rosen

Ann Rosenberg

Myrna Weissman

Mordechai & Suzanne Warshavsky

Mercy Cohen

Lior & Andrea Elrom

Harvey & Barbara Fishman

Regina Friedman

Seymour & Nancy Green

Renee Gruenspecht

Marvin & Shirley Kochansky

Daniel Kraut & Eve Kohut

Joseph Lempel

Irwin & Karen Meyers

Joseph & Tikva Ofeck

Abraham Ravid

Seligman & Phyllis Rosenberg

Sheila Scherl

Norm & Florence Silverberg

Michael Glantz & Heidi Skolnik

Barry & Barbara Sussman

Charlotte Winter

From the Rabbi’s Study

Notes from the Cantor

Sisterhood

4

6

7

Donations

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Calendar

8

9

11

2019 President’s Council 2020

GUARDIAN LEADERS Gifts of $25,000 or more

*

Reggie Feuerstein

Congregation Sons of Israel

Steven & Suzette Kolitch *

The President’s Council was established to recognize and honor our “Leadership Donors”

who contribute $1,250 or more to our Kol Nidre Annual Fund.

These generous individuals are the “Financial Guardians” of our synagogue.

BENEFACTORS Gifts of $5,000 - $9,999

Sisterhood

PATRONS Gifts of $2,500 - $4,999

Anonymous (2)

*

Seymour Blechman

Alvin & Nili Cohen

Loren & Lori Wasserman

BUILDERS Gifts of $1,750 - $2,499

Anonymous

Renée Gruenspecht

Joni Rosen

SUSTAINERS Gifts of $1,250 - $1,749

*

Anonymous (3)

Mark & Audrey Altschul

Martin & Rochelle Carus

Milton & Doryne Davis

Ira & Anna Erlichman

Regina Friedman

Alice & Arnold Grodman

*

Ruth Korn

Jerome & Barbara Margolin

Stephen & Merilee Obstbaum

Joseph & Tikva Ofeck

Marvin & Judith Platt

Terry Plawker

Leo & Mary Rettig

Richard & Nancy Schiff

Laurie Singer

Gregory & Nancy Vorbach

Myrna Weissman

Ellen Yuder

*

*

FOUNDERS Gifts of $10,000 - $17,999

Estate of Ken Feldman

Anonymous Gary & Lisa Maier *

CHAI-FOUNDERS Gifts of $18,000 - $24,999

(* Indicates a Charter Member since 1995)

SAVE THE DATE!

Congregation Beth Israel of the Palisades

and Congregation Gesher Shalom/ JCC of Fort Lee

Cordially Invite You To Attend Our

Second Night Passover Seder Thursday, April 9th, 6:30pm

Conducted by Rabbi Kenneth Stern and Rabbi Eric Wasser

King Achashverosh was Finnish

with his disobedient wife Vashti.

"You Congo now!" he ordered her.

After she had Ghana way, the king's

messengers went Roman the land to

find a new queen. And India end,

the beautiful Esther won the crown.

Meanwhile, Mordechai sat outside

the palace, where the Chile Haman would Czech up on

him daily. "I Haiti you because you refuse to bow to

me!" Haman scolded Mordechai. "USA very stubborn

man. You Jews are such Bahamas! If you keep this up,

Denmark my words ---- I will have all your people

killed! Just Kuwait and see, you Turkey!"

Mordechai went into mourning and tore his clothes - a

custom known as Korea. He urged Esther to plead with

the king. The Jews fasted for three days and grew very

Hungary.

Esther approached the king and asked, "Kenya Belize

come to a banquet I've prepared for you and Haman?" At

the feast, she invited her guests to a second banquet to

eat Samoa.

PURIM MESSAGE

The king asked, "Esther, why Jamaica big meal like

this? Just tell me what you want. Unto half my United

Kingdom will I give you." Esther replied, "Spain-full

for me to say this, but Haman is Russian to kill my

people."

Haman's loud Wales could be heard as he carried

Honduran this scene. "Oman!" Haman cried bitterly.

"Iraq my brains in an effort to destroy the Jews. But

that sneaky Mordechai - Egypt me!!!"

Haman and his ten sons were hanged and went

immediately to the Netherlands. And to Sweden the

deal, the Jews were allowed to Polish off the rest of

their foes as well. "You lost your enemies but Uganda

new friend," smiled the king.

That's why the Purim story Israeli a miracle. God

decided to China light on His chosen people. So now,

let's celebrate! Forget all your Syria's business and

just be happy. Serb up some wine and Taiwan on!

Happy Purim!!!

We had a memorable visit to the YIVO

archives on February 26!

1) Ledger Book from Block 8 at Auschwitz

2) Wooden cover of a Rosh HaShannah book

presented in appreciation to the head of the Lodz

Ghetto administration (Judenrat), Chaim

Mordechaj Rumkowski, 78 years ago.

3) & 4) Illustrations from the book along with the

signatures of the nearly 20,000 students who were

in Rumkowski's charge.

5) Archivist Jessica Podhorcer talks to our group

about the autobiographies (handwritten originals

are on mats on the table) submitted in the 1930's as

part of a series of competitions that YIVO

sponsored. The winner of the last contest was

supposed to be announced on September 1, 1939,

the day that Germany invaded Poland....

1) 2)

3 & 4)

5)

On the Road with the Rabbi to the MET

Esther in the Scroll and on the Canvas

March 19th

11:00 am $25/person space limited

A Post Purim Visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art led by Dr. Aaron Koller.

Your fee must accompany your reservation

Priority given to shul members

PURIM: A MULTI-GENERATIONAL CELEBRATION—OUT OF THIS WORLD Purim . It was usually done by a “Badchen.” The term

“Badchen” is derived from the Aramaic “Badah” (to

make merry), designating a comedian, jester, buffoon or

entertainer.

The “Purim Shpiel” was where many

famous Jewish entertainers developed

their talents. When Yiddish theater

started to flourish, many people

participated in Purim by gravitating

towards the Yiddish stage. These

names have been known to some of us

for more than half a century. They

include: Molly Picon, WEVD Radio

personality Zvee Scooler, Celia Adler,

contemporary Chassidic performer Lipa Shmeltzer,

Fyvish Finkel and my favor ite, Moyshe Oysher.

Come fulfill the injunction of Megillah Esther (Chapter

9 verse 22) “to observe (Purim) as days of feasting and

merrymaking.” Enjoy the special songs associated with

Purim, and lets not forget the Hamantaschen.

Remember Passover is only 30 days away!

A Freilach’n Purim 2020

Let me begin by stating that Purim

is not just for kids!

On Purim, Jews around the world

will hear and read along with the

Megillah

of Esther.

It will be

read near

the end of the Ma’ariv service

on Monday evening, March 9th

and again during the Shacharit

service the morning of March

10th.

I love the raucous, giddy and silly fun that Purim allows

us to have. Erev Purim is an evening when we see so

much energy coming from people of all ages! This

holiday, in the company of our fellow congregants, can

become valuable, perhaps in a personal way. It allows

us to establish a bond with our fellow worshippers as

we make connections that become significant.

Long before television or comedy clubs, the Jews of

Eastern Europe developed a way to laugh and make fun

of themselves and the world outside of the shtetl on

Sale of Hametz

(Please submit no later than March 26, 2020) I/We authorize Rabbi Kenneth Stern to act as my/our agent to sell all of my/our

Hametz (food items, cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery) that may be located in

my/our home(s), office(s) or car(s).

Signature(s) ____________________________________________________________

Print Name(s) __________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________

Please Note: It is customary to accompany this authorization with a donation, which will be used

to help provide provisions for the poor. Those wishing to do this should enclose a check in any

amount made payable to: Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund.

Our Mishlo’ach Manot Project is going very well!

Our volunteers are ready to assemble the packages on

Thursday, March 5th and make deliveries on Sunday,

March 8th.

So far the financial support of our congregation has

been excellent!

Our synagogue is the major recipient of the profits

from this endeavor. In next month’s column we hope

to list the causes in Israel and the US that we also

support.

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

We extend our deepest sympathies to the

family of Alma Katz.

She and her husband, Bill, regularly attended Shabbat

services, congregational dinners, our Rabbi’s trips,

lectures and Sisterhood Book Club meetings. They

will be sorely missed.

Purim Celebration

Sisterhood urges everyone to join the JCC of Fort Lee and Congregation Beth Israel of the Palisades

Monday March 9th at 7:30pm for the Megillah reading, costume parade

and refreshments.

The Celebration will be held at 1585 Center Avenue, Fort Lee.

Sisterhood Book Club

Tuesday, March 17th - 1:00pm

The Lost Girls of Paris

By Pam Jenoff

Refreshments served

Our reserved books are available

at the Fort Lee Public Library.

Book Club will be held at

301 Bridge Plaza North

Chairpersons

Kathy Grazian & Naomi Altschul 201-592-0463 201-568-9274

Books, Books, Books

Please join the Sisterhood Book Club, which is

in its eleventh successful year. We are a group of

enthusiastic avid readers (men and women) who

enjoy lively book discussions. The book

selections deal mostly with Jewish content but

some are of a secular nature.

Look for the current flyer in the synagogue

office or on the table before services at 1585

Center Ave Fort Lee.

DONOR IN HONOR OF

Hennie Ostrower

Marilyn Saposh

Alice & Arnold Grodman

Mary & Leo Rettig

Iris Coleman

Iris Coleman

Madelyn & Richard Danoff

Karen & Mark Halpern

Andrea & Lior Elrom

Sisterhood

Alice & Arnold Grodman

Larry Lesh & Terry Gottlieb

Iris Coleman

Iris Coleman

Iris Coleman

Martin Lesh’s 80th Birthday

Harry Richman

Get Well Elsie Zielberger

Get Well Marilyn Saposh

Our Sages taught:

The giving of tzedakah is as great as all

the other mitzvot together —

Bara Batra 9a

THANK YOU TO OUR SYNAGOGUE CONTRIBUTORS

Our condolences to . . .

The family of ]

GERTRUD BUCHLER

~ The family of

]

JEROME GOLDFISCHER

~

REVA STRASFELD

On the loss of her husband ]

WALTER STRASFELD

~ The family of

]

ALMA KATZ

DONOR IN MEMORY OF

Bill Katz

Bill Katz

Sherry Fishman

Franco’s Mother

Franco’s Mother

Cynthia Freeman

Cynthia Freeman

Cynthia Freeman

Cynthia Freeman

Cynthia Freeman

Cynthia Freeman

Donations listed were received in January

Siddurim have been

dedicated by:

Sylvia Gosberg in memory

of her mother Ellen

Schoenfeld

Marjorie Kalman-Kutz in

memory of her mother

Florence Kalman and her

father Max Kalman

301 Bridge Plaza North Fort Lee NJ

Jewish Community Center of Fort Lee Gesher Shalom

SUPPORT CONGREGATION GESHER SHALOM’S

TWICE DAILY MINYAN

Includes breakfast & conversation!

Morning: Monday - Friday at 7:00 am

Evening: Sunday - Thursday at 7:45 pm

MARCH BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

1 Erika Krauss

1 Ira Smilovitz

2 Samuel Jivotovsky

4 Joseph Ofeck

5 Ann Bloch

5 Kenneth Eisenstein

6 Marlin Dickman

6 Regina Friedman

8 Nadia Fuentes - Uliss

10 Chase Barnett

12 Eloise Polinsky

12 Fred Wolodiger

14 Susan Davis

16 Helene Rabin

16 Joni Rosen

17 Avielle Jivotovsky

18 Richard Fasman

20 Brooke Leon

22 Erwin Dickman

22 Stuart Goldsmith

23 Marilyn Saposh

25 Laura Koszer

26 Marlene Perkal

27 Jack Reisner

29 Milton Davis

1 Shirley & Marvin Kochansky

11 Nancy & Seymour Green

14 Nili & Alvin Cohen

18 Beth & Howard Schefflan

26 Suzette & Steven Kolitch

26 Sally & Michael Seymour

30 Stuart Goldsmith & Jeffrey Gordon

30 Alice & Arnold Grodman

PLACE YOUR

AD HERE

Call Kathy Grazian

201-592-0463

BRIDGE OPTICIANS 301 Bridge Plaza North

Fort Lee, NJ 07024

201-944-6440

Harrison L. Rosenberg

Anthony Bravo David Mandel

Lila Mordoh Lisa Stein

Re-Inventing the Bible Thursdays at 10:30 am

Join Rabbi Stern as we discover the amazingly creative juices of the classical rabbis! They were masters at spinning yarns, embellishing narrative, and inventing out of whole cloth to really make the Bible come alive through what they called Midrash Aggadah.

Using Louis Ginzberg's one-volume The Legends of the Bible (you can buy a used copy online for less than $10), we will contrast the biblical text with these rabbinically enhanced narratives.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Daily Service Times Mon -Thur 7:00am & 7:45pm Friday 7:00am & 7:00pm Saturday 9:30am & Minchah Sunday 9:00am & 7:45pm

1 5 Adar 2 6 Adar 3 7 Adar

Sisterhood Board Meeting 1:00 pm

4 8 Adar 5 9 Adar

Rabbi’s Class 10:30am

Sisterhood Mishloach Manot Packing 11:00am at CBIOTP

6 10 Adar 7 11 Adar

Service 9:30 am

8 12 Adar

Daylight Savings time

9 13 Adar Purim Celebration at CBIOTP 7:30pm

10 14 Adar

Office Closed

Megillah Reading at CBIOTP 6:30am

11 15 Adar

12 16 Adar

Rabbi’s Class 10:30am

13 17 Adar

14 18 Adar

Service 9:30 am

15 19 Adar

16 20 Adar

17 21 Adar

Sisterhood Book Club 1:00pm

18 22 Adar

19 23 Adar On the Road with the Rabbi 11:00am

20 24 Adar Bible Study 11:30am

21 25 Adar

Service 9:30 am

22 26 Adar

23 27 Adar

24 28 Adar

25 29 Adar

26 1 Nissan

Rabbi’s Class 10:30am

27 2 Nissan Bible Study 11:30am

28 3 Nissan Service 9:30 am

29 4 Nissan

30 5 Nissan

31 6 Nissan

MINCHAH 6:30PM

KI TISSA

MINCHAH 6:15PM

6:43PM

MINCHAH 5:00PM

TETZAVEH

MINCHAH 6:15PM

VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI 6:50PM

VAYIKRA 6:58

PURIM

SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

All Shabbat Services (Friday evening, Shabbat morning and

Minchah) will be held at CBIOTP 1585 Center Ave Fort Lee.

Daily morning and evening services will be held at

301 Bridge Plaza North, Third floor.

5:35PM

Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth A. Stern

Cantor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Zim

Rabbi Emeritus . . . . . . . . . . . . . Irving Spielman

Messenger Editor . . . . . . . . . . . .Yael Gevertzman

Sisterhood

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethel Chesen

Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martha Shemin

Financial Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Bloch

Corresponding Secretary . . . . . . . . . Evelyn Davis

Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . Rochelle Carus

Men’s Club

President/Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Stern

Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marvin Kochansky

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Altschul

Vice Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Elrom

Wayne Koby

Richard Schiff

Ira Smilovitz

Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Insler

Secretaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Niles Burton

Iris Coleman

Joan Alter Ethel Chesen

Regina Friedman Hilda Froelke

Hugh Gilenson Seymour Green

Vera Kishinevsky Dan Kraut

Howard Schefflan Laurie Singer

Alan Stern Nancy Vorbach