Vassar Temple Where You belong

Congregation Brethren of Israel Founded 1848 Bulletin Volume 163 No 11 July/August 2017

Super Sandra, SCRIP Meister

Reminder:

August 1st is the deadline for submitting articles to the September Bulletin!

The August calendar will be available at the end of July.

Vassar Temple Sisterhood Our SCRIP meister, Sandra, on her maiden SCRIP trip. Keep an eye out for her!

Noon Lunch

Tuesday, July 18th at 12:00 noon of course! Dutch treat! We will be waiting for YOU at Shadows- on-the-Hudson, 176 Rinaldi Blvd, Poughkeepsie! Hope you can join us! To RSVP, contact Perla Kaufman at [email protected]. Last minute guests are welcome. From the Rabbi’s Desk

Summer Reading List: High Holy Day Edition

accounting of the soul. It is important to take There are also some wonderful secular this time to reflect on our lives. Otherwise, Rosh books out there about living your best Hashana can sneak up on us, and the language of life, and many of them relate to how we the High Holy Days can be jarring. affect change in our lives, even when we I hope you had time to enjoy one of the sum- feel stuck. mer vacation titles I offered last month. As we I’m currently reading Designing Your approach the Days of Awe, I’d like to offer you Life, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, some of my favorite titles about self-improve- which uses the elements of design think- As I write this, Shavuot has passed, ment in general, and the High Holy Days in ing—both authors are engineers—to help Religious School is over, and we are particular. us get “unstuck” in addressing challenges about to move into our summer service • This is Real and You are Completely Unpre- and moving towards the life we want. schedule. Hebrew School and b’nai pared, by Alan Lew. Lew, a self-described David Brooks’ The Road to Character mitzvah are replaced by weddings and “Zen Rabbi,” guides us through the spiritual asks the question: how do you want to be time at URJ Crane Lake Camp. Instead journey of the High Holy Days, starting remembered? Brooks explores the lives of leading Shabbat services (thank you with Tisha B’Av—which commemorates the of several historical figures who lived lay leaders!) I am already imagining destruction of the Temple—and ending with with integrity and made a lasting impact how High Holy Day services are going Sukkot. As the title suggests, Lew encour- on their communities. to look, sound, and feel at Vassar Temple. ages us to look at this entire season as an op- I highly recommend Gretchen Rubin’s This year, the transition to Mishkan portunity to confront the very real challenges many books on cultivating happiness and HaNefesh looms particularly large. of sin, forgiveness, mortality, and change. good habits, starting with The Happiness Cantorial Student Laura Stein, Joe, and • Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Project. I appreciate how Rubin lays I are already hard at work determining Days, by Kerry Olitzky and Rachel Sabath. out strategies for incremental change, how we will navigate this new machzor, This guided journal offers a prompt for encouraging us to focus on one area of choosing readings and melodies that will every day of the month of Elul, based on the our lives at a time, rather than trying to make this a meaningful season of reflec- themes of Psalm 27—traditionally recited fix everything at once. tion and repentance. The Ritual Commit- every day during this period—and other After taking some time to relax, tee is committed to making everything teshuva-related texts. read, and reflect, we can look forward to run smoothly, from the printing of tickets • Divrei Mishkan HaNefesh, edited by Edwin entering the year 5778 on higher spiritual to the handing out of prayer books! Goldberg. This collection of essays walks ground! We all have work to do to prepare us through how our new machzor was cre- for the High Holy Days. By the end of ated. The contributors to Mishkan HaNefesh Rabbi Leah Berkowitz August, we will already be in the month reflect on the decisions they made and how of Elul. During Elul, we are called upon they envision a High Holy Day experience to engage in cheshbon hanefesh, an for the 21st century Reform Jew.

Mitzvah Day Thank You’s From Our

President Many thanks to: Perla Kaufman, our rep on the committee and official Mitzvah Day Photographer; to those who cap- Summer is here. That brings tained projects: Craig Gittelman, Rabbi beautiful warm days and also lay led Paul Golomb, Alan Kaflowitz, Ron Friday night Shabbat services. Each Rosen, Jasmaine Russo, Nancy & Dave Friday evening at 7:30, a member or a Samson, Gil & Arlene Seligman; to group of members of our congregation Kurt Quackenbush, and our religious will lead us in prayer. Experiencing a school director and her staff, all of whom different perspective of Friday night helped supervise projects that day; and worship each week is enjoyable and most especially to those without whom enlightening. none of the projects would have come to The Ritual Committee and the indi- fruition: all our Temple members, young viduals or groups who lead the service and old-er who donated cake mix, cereal, put in a lot of time, energy and wisdom socks, money, time, and/or sweat equity to make the Shabbat service meaning- to make each and every project a resound- ful and enjoyable. ing success. Interested in helping with Have a wonderful and safe summer Mitzvah Day 2018? Just contact socialac- and please come and participate in the [email protected] . Vassar Temple Friday night shabbat services.

Mark Metzger Summer Services are Special at Vassar Temple! Scriptural Readings

Over the summer we will present weekly Friday night services led by a wonderful July 1 Chukat Num. 19:1- series of specially trained lay leaders. The services will be held at 7:30pm in an intimate 20:13; Judges 11:1-33 and relaxed setting in the air conditioned social hall. Each will be a complete service including kaddish, will be enhanced with music, and will reflect the unique perspec- 8 Balak Num. 22:2-38; tive of the leader. Afterward, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy light seasonal refresh- Micah 5:6 – 6:8 ments (often ice cream), and of course to socialize and share news with friends. Be sure to join us! In advance, we thank those who have volunteered to serve as lay leaders 15 Pinchas Num. 23:27- over the summer: 30:1; Jeremiah 1:1 – 2:3 June 30 David & Susan Hecht 22 Matot-Masei Num. July 7 Ron Rosen 30:2-31:54; Jeremiah July 14 Linda Cantor & Ed Rosenberg 2:4-28, 3:4 July 21 Andi & Paul Ciminello July 28 Shira Teich & Emma Arnoff Aug. 4 Sandra Mamis & Richard Levien 29 Shabbat Chazon Aug. 11 Joel & Claudia Kelson D’varim Deut. 1:1-2:1, Aug. 18 New Paths participants;oneg in honor of the celebration of Isaiah 1:1-27 of the Schwartz’s wedding anniversary Aug. 25 Ben Krevolin Aug. 5 Shabbat Nachamu Sept. 1 David & Susan Hecht Va’et-chanan Deut. 3:23-5:18; Isaiah 40:1-26

12 Eikev Deut. 7:12-9:3; Isaiah 49:14 – 51:3 New Paths Services 19 Re’eh Deut. 11:26- Join us at the New Paths sabbath 12:28; Isaiah 54:11- morning service Saturday, July 29th at 55:5 10:00am in the informal, intimate setting of Vassar Temple’s East Chapel. The 26 Shoftim Deut. 16:18-18:5; moving liturgy of the New Paths prayer Isaiah 51:12 – 52:12 book includes both traditional and con- temporary writings, mostly in English, and participants may bring supple- mental materials to share. Each New Paths service, whether lay led or rabbi led, provides a unique and thoughtful shabbat morning experience. A brief mini-kiddush follows. During August, some regulars from New Paths will lead a Friday night service on Aug.18th. For more information, please contact Marian Schwartz at [email protected] or the Temple office at 845-454-2570.

Weekly Classes Summer 2017

Torah Study will be held every Teacher Recognition during the June 16th BBQ-Picnic Saturday during July and August at Shabbat Service (held indoors due to inclement weather) 9:00am (call to confirm 8/19; no class 9/2). No Tuesday Talmud Study dur- ing July and August. Condolences to… Mazel Tov to… New Members Dan & Susan Albinder on the wedding of Susan Colodner and family on the loss their daughter, Alisha Albinder to Jesse of her father, Manual Darwin; Comac; Please welcome the following new members to our Vassar Temple family: Jen Dahnert and family on the loss of James & Allison (Pearlman) Ravener on their friend, Joan Kostick Andrews; their 1st anniversary; Jo Schaffel and Dan Scherer Howard Himelstein and family on the Derek & Johanna (Tanzman) Kosciolek loss of his wife, Emily. on their 1st anniversary; VTS Donor Dinner and 2017 Evelyn Kahn Award Michael & Sarah (Ritter) Marino on their st 1 anniversary; Sisterhood held our annual Donor Dinner in the th Temple’s social hall on May 9 . Beautifully orga- Refuah Shelemah Dave & Fern Wolf on the marriage of nized by Marcia Tanzman, the forty or so women their daughter, Jennifer, to Robert Parish; in attendance enjoyed a wonderful meal and con- versation as well as a very interesting presentation Carol Nectow, recovering from a recent Jennifer Wolf on graduating medical about mindfulness and ways of coping with stress hospitalization school in the Gold Humanism Honor So- by Shelley and Dr. Ron Tatelbaum. ciety and beginning a residency in Fam- Another highlight of the evening was the pre- ily Medicine at Greater Lawrence Family sentation of the 2017 Evelyn Kahn Award. This We need your Help! Health Center in Lawrence, MA. award is given annually by Vassar Temple Sister- hood in recognition of a member who always goes We are, once again, asking that you above and beyond for Sisterhood. This year’s be the eyes and ears in the lies of our recipient was Lisa-Sue Quackenbush. congregational family. Federal patient A past president of Sisterhood, Lisa-Sue has al- privacy regulations limit the information ways cheerfully undertaken any task asked of her. that hospitals make available to clergy In addition, over the years she has been involved and volunteers. with almost every Sisterhood committee and has We are encouraging you to contact chaired many of them. For all her wonderful the Temple office when a congregant is admitted to a hospital and wihes to Rummage Sale Success contributions to the Vassar Temple Sisterhood, we were pleased to be able to honor Lisa-Sue with have Rabbi visit during the hospital stay. Our goal is to meet the needs of all our On April 30th Sisterhood ran this very special award. congregants, and we can only do this with another successful Rummage Sale. your help. Thank you to everyone who donated merchandise – we raised over $2,000! We also want to thank everyone who volunteered their time either sorting, setting up or working at the sale: Roni Stein, Lisa Sue Quacken- bush, Ellen Danziger, Ann Hartman, Vassar Temple Bulletin Patty Ann Clark, Perla Kaufman, Judy Rosenfeld, Claudia Kelson, Lisa Published Monthly Rubinstein, Nadine Zaritsky, Joyce Publisher: Marianne Abrams Gally, Charlene Rosenthal, Kassie Editors: Sue Lesser and Lerman, Jasmine Russo and Joan Donna Loshin Reifler. Carol Nectow Everything went very smoothly and Technical support we appreciated everyone’s efforts. Pulpit Flowers & understudy Bob Abrams We are looking forward to our next No Flowers during summer months unless spe- sale in the fall – date to be announced cially ordered. Articles for the September Bulletin must be shortly. submitted to the Temple office byAugust 1. Anyone who wishes to honor the memory of a Articles may be sent via email to Ann Lerman and Ronni Jarvis loved one or to commemorate a special occasion [email protected]. The editors Rummage Co-Chairs can do so by sponsoring the sanctuary flowers reserve the right to edit articles for style, with a donation to the Vassar Temple Sisterhood accuracy and length. Bimah Flower Fund. The donation to the Fund is $55. Just call the Vassar Temple Office at 454- 2570. COLLEGE NEWS!

UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE STUDENTS STUDENTS Danielle Abrams Evan Gally Jessica Susser Danielle has completed all of her academic Evan has completed two years at Jessica is finishing up her master’s de- requirements for her Ph.D program in Clinical Dutchess Community College studying gree at University of Toledo. She plans Psychology at Georgia State University and is engineering science. In the fall he will be on completing her thesis in August. currently working on her dissertation. She is also attending Clarkson University and will submitting internship applications for next year. be pursuing a Bachelors degree in civil Rachel Susser engineering. Rachel Erlebacher Rachel is still in grad school at the Royal Academy of Music, London. She will Marissa Gally Beginning this Fall, Rachel will begin graduate be back in the States for 8 weeks in July school part time at Georgetown University study- and August, working at Apple, Cuper- Marissa graduated (Spring 2017) with nd ing Public Policy. While she will continue to work tino; then back to London for her 2 year a Bachelors degree in Family and Child at the USDA in the Office of Budget and Program there. Studies: School Settings from Montclair Analysis full time, she looks forward to starting State University in New Jersey. Marissa the next chapter of her life! will begin persuing her Masters degree Ilana Wolf this summer in Elementary and Special Jennifer Greenberg Education. She is excited to find out Ilana finished her fifth year in a six-year her student teaching placement for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Jennifer graduated from George Washington upcoming school year! Ithaca College. She completed a clinical University’s Milken School of Public Health internship at Wingate at Ulster, a skilled with a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology. David Greenberg nursing facility. Ilana continues to be Jennifer plans to stay in the DC/MD/VA metro active in the Challah for Hunger Organi- area with hopes of finding employment as a data David graduated from the University of zation on a national and local level. analyst or research assistant. Albany’s College of Engineering and Ap- Jennifer Wolf plied Science with a Bachelor of Science Michelle Silverman in Computer Engineering. David has ac- cepted a full-time position in Computer Jennifer graduated from Wayne State Michelle has just earned two masters degrees Engineering with IBM Poughkeepsie. University School of Medicine in De- from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College: troit, MI with her Doctor of Medicine one a Master of Education and the other a Master Degree. She will be doing a four year of Arts leading to her PhD in School Psychology Residency program in family medicine at now being worked on. Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA, working with an immigrant popula- tion. From the Ritual Corner

I recently met with our sofer, Neil Yerman, as he repaired one of our Torahs. Since my bar mitzvah I’ve been called to the Torah many times. Until last month I’d never sat at length with a sofer and an open scroll. I helped roll it. I felt the parchment and the let- ters. I could feel the difference where Neil had cleaned; I could smell the parchment where the repairs had been done. Neil taught me about keeping our scrolls healthy. I saw the column in the Torah where the scribe arranged the words in the shape of a Cohen’s hands, as the passage actually contains the priestly blessing. I was overwhelmed and awed by all of the history in front of me. I had an opportunity that day to touch, learn from and commune with that scroll. I’ve gained a new appreciation for Torah. It is literally a living document. Vassar Temple’s 2017 Torah restoration project is almost complete. You, too, should have a chance to commune with our scrolls. Please join me on Sunday, October 29th with our sofer as we finish the restoration of the last of our scrolls during Religious School. Students will do cleaning and lettering under Neil’s direction. You, too, can and should participate. This is a fundraiser; proceeds will replenish our Eternal Torah Fund. The requested donation for adults will be $50 or $100 for par- ticipating in cleaning or lettering/crowns respectively.

David Hecht Ritual Committee Chair [email protected] From the Religious School Director

Mitzvah Students in Vassar Temple through classes. our Madrichim Program (teen aide). The word The Mitkadem Hebrew program will Madrich (Madrichim is the plural) means leader. continue being used in our Hebrew We plan to bring our post-Bar and Bat Mitzvah School on Wednesday afternoons and students back to serve as leaders and role models now that our students are familiar with to the younger students. Included in this position the curriculum, I expect them to continue are workshops to help the teens reach their full to master the prayers we use on Shabbat potential in this role. We have also engaged a morning, gaining fluency and under- One of the first tasks I had as the Youth Group advisor who will also be here on standing with each new level. Education Director was to introduce Sunday mornings and will hold Youth Group For those of you (adults and youth) myself and share a little bit about my meetings/gatherings following Religious School interested in learning Hebrew through plans in the Summer Bulletin. This was on specific Sundays. We want to encourage our Mitkadem Program this summer, a daunting task because there were so our teens to create for themselves (with help) a I am offering FREE Hebrew classes. many things I wanted to share, espe- vibrant Youth Group. Beginning on Tuesday, June 6th we’ve cially my excitement for the coming Our teens will also be encouraged to par- been meeting at the Temple 5:30-7 pm. school year. Looking back on the year, ticipate in the Gesher High School Program. Knowledge of the Hebrew letters and I am heartened about the relationships Although the Wednesday night classes take place vowels is required. This program is de- I have created in the School as well as at Temple Beth El, this is a program for ALL signed for students to work at their own the larger Vassar Temple community. I Jewish teens in our community. After speaking pace and works for students on many am also very pleased with how well our to a number of this past year’s participants, I was different levels. Students can begin at Mitkadem Hebrew program has become struck by how excited they were by the topics any time over the summer but an RSVP integrated into our school curriculum. that they were engaged in. Students are given an to [email protected] is required And, I am grateful and inspired by our opportunity to choose their classes and to learn to make sure we have materials. (Due dedicated teachers and Religious School from amazing teachers. If you know of anyone to my summer travel plans, some classes Committee. interested in the Gesher Program, have them may be changed or canceled – so please Recently Rabbi Berkowitz and I met email Rabbi Berkowitz or me (Julie Makowsky). RSVP to sign up for the class.) to discuss plans for the coming school This year the Religious School will include I wish you all a wonderful summer, full year and, although we have not final- field trips. We plan to kick off the school year of rest, relaxation and extra time for Jew- ized everything, there are some exciting with a family program at a local farm coopera- ish learning! things that we are working towards mak- tive and in the spring we are planning a trip to ing happen this coming school year. I am the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. In ad- bursting to share them with you. dition, we will be holding a few Shabbat morn- Julie Makowsky We will be involving our post-B’nai ing family programs in lieu of Sunday morning

Let’s Help the Children Learn

As you are probably aware, 86% of ford. The fundraiser for school supplies will Just bring your tax-deductible check the children, right here in Poughkeepsie, run through the months of July and August. in any amount to the Temple or mail it come from economically disadvantaged We are currently working with Morse to: Vassar Temple, 140 Hooker Ave., homes. And we all know how important Elementary School located on Mansion Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Checks should education is, especially to these chil- in Poughkeepsie, which has over 500 students, be made out to “Vassar Temple” with dren so that they will be able to make a and will assist children in additional schools if “School Supplies” on the memo line. brighter future for themselves and for possible. Last year through your generosity, we Please help the children learn by donat- their own children. raised enough to not only provide basic school ing to this project today. Money collected To help these children succeed in supplies to Morse, but also to provide supplies in the tzedakah box by the stairs dur- school, we at Vassar Temple are collect- for their art teacher. We also made a donation ing July and August will also go toward ing money to help provide them with the to the high school teen closet to be sure all school supplies for the children. school supplies they will need during high schoolers have access to such essentials as the coming school year, and which a deodorant, tooth paste and underwear. Vassar Temple Social Action Committee great many of their families cannot af- [email protected] Reform Jewish Voice of New York Lobby Day

Vassar Temple members Andi Cimi- support of the New York Votes Act to make voting nello, Marge Groten and Howard Susser more accessible to New Yorkers; support of the joined other Reform Jewish Congrega- Reproductive Rights Health Act and the Compre- tions in Albany on Monday, May 8th hensive Contraceptive Coverage Act, and opposi- for a Lobby Day organized by Reform tion to the Education Affordability Act, which Jewish Voice of New York State. The would provide extremely generous tax credits to event was attended by approximately those making donations to private and parochial 30 people. The morning session was schools. devoted to training the participants on In the afternoon we meet with Assembly- the issues on the organization’s agenda man Frank Skartados, a staff person working for the day of lobbying and on lobbying for Assemblywoman Didi Barrett (a Vassar techniques. Presenters included the Co- Temple member) and a staff person in Senator chairs of Reform Jewish Voice; Assem- Sue Serino’s office to discuss all of the issues blywoman Pat Fahey; staff from NYS on the day’s agenda. We all felt the event was Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s very worthwhile and encourage Temple mem- office and a legislative assistant from the bers to take the opportunity—either in Albany or Religious Action Center, in Washington locally—to lobby our State legislators on issues DC. identified by Reform Jewish Voice of New York. We were asked to advocate for: Speak to one of us if you are interested. support of measures that curb the grow- ing influence of money in politics; Marge Groten

The 2017 Consultation on Conscience

On April 30th Rabbi Berkowitz and I organizing. I started to equip my social justice and realized that we had settled ourselves traveled to Washington for the bien- toolbox. outside of John McCain’s office and the nial Consultation on Conscience at the On the last morning, 800 of us climbed into Senate Armed Services Committee room. Religious Action Center of Reform buses and went to the historic Sixth and I Street No one minded our picnic. What an Judaism. The theme of Consultation - Synagogue, where we were addressed by legisla- incredible privilege to live in a country attended by a record 800 participants tors including Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio where we can wander freely in the seat of – was The Urgency of Now, in reference who, when advised to moderate to more centrist government. That’s OUR office. to Martin Luther King’s 1967 remarks. positions to advance his career, chose to remain The message we heard in every venue I am delighted to share the highlights of at the moral center and invite others to move was this: We the people ARE the gov- this amazing experience. the political center to that place; Representative ernment. When we stand up, it makes a The focus of Consultation was crimi- Joseph Kennedy III of Massachusetts, who cried difference. When we stand up as a faith nal justice and immigration reform. when he spoke about the rights of individuals and community guided by our ethics, the I first learned the difference between has courageously stepped into the fray despite the impact is even greater. We are wanted; social action – direct service that we unimaginable tragedy that has befallen his family; we are welcome; we need to keep show- provide for others in need – and social Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York, who ing up. justice, which is action that addresses spoke of his Yeshiva education and the impact of Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the the underlying root causes of those Judaism on his choices; and Representative Jacky URJ, said, “Judaism without social jus- needs. Over the course of three days, Rosen of Nevada, a freshman representative who tice is not Judaism.” The URJ has taken we heard incredible speakers such as is the immediate past president of her synagogue clear positions on many issues, reflecting Anat Hoffman, Director of the Israeli and cut her political teeth on the temple board. the teaching of Deuteronomy: “Justice, Religious Action Center, and Reverend Finally, we moved to Capitol Hill, where Rabbi justice, you shall pursue.” We look Cornell Brooks, head of the NAACP. and I participated in lobbying at the offices of forward to having a conversation with We attended a morning service with Senator Gillibrand and Representative Maloney. you in order to identify the injustices that 800 people and networked with repre- We had prepared talking points covering back- keep us all up at night, to find common sentatives from local congregations. I ground and statistics on each issue, relevant Jew- ground where we can pool our energy for attended workshops about the impact ish ethical teachings, personal stories, and specif- the greater good. I invite you to join me of climate change on vulnerable groups ics of the legislation that the URJ is supporting. in showing up. and the mechanics of community Stopping in the Senate office building for a quick takeout lunch, we sat down to await our group Susan Karnes Hecht Contributions

RABBI’S FUND Joseph Wrobel Lewis & Hilary Wrobel Floyd Fertig In Memory of: Margot Similes Harry & Sandra Mamis Linda Waldman Phyllis Ritter Mary Solomon Ellen Zelig Sanford Metlis Harry & Sandra Mamis Jonathan Muehl Sanford Metlis Beverley Metlis Eugene Jacobs Lisa Rubenstein & Rick DuVall Bernard Rheingold Irma Jacobs Sidney Slatter Cohen Doi Cohen SUSTAINING FUND Leonard Nectow Irene Weiner Lila Matlin In Honor of: Carol, Stuart & Barbara Nectow Hillard Mann Sandra Mamis’ amazingly Eugene Jacobs K. Lemberger Alan & Barbara Lemberger impressive Community Seder Fran Jacobs, husband Hon. Joseph H. Gellert David & Kathy Steinberg Douglass Woodward & Miriam B. Gellert Arthur Gellert Vassar Temple, for all it means and represents daughters Tessa & Richard Levien Molly Woodward LIPSCHUTZ FUND Pauline Abrams Bob & Marianne Abrams In Memory of: In Appreciation of: Dutch Kraut Nina Kraut & son Nicholas Irma Manheim Elaine Lipschutz Elisa Dugatkin and all her years of dedication Paul Kraut Nina Kraut & son Nicholas Dr. Arthur Lipschutz Elaine Lipschutz and beautiful music Reuben Lewis Polly Lewis Harry & Sandra Mamis Sol Present COMMUNITY TZEDAKAH FUND Sharing Seder with the community Debbie & Kevin Tierney In Honor of: Harry & Sandra Mamis & Brian Landesman T h e c o n fi r m a t i o n o f M a r i a h R o b i s h a w Rabbi Shoshana Hantman Edward Moffit, Jr. Kent & Kathy Mardon Doi Cohen R. Jonah Ritter Charlotte Cohen Joel & Linda Babas Sherrie Geisler Harry & Sandra Mamis Clair Moselle Dr. Jonathan Moselle Sylvia Soirefman Mark & Elaine Plansky Michael Wrobel Lewis & Hilary Wrobel In Memory of: Jack Quackenbush The Quackenbush family Maurice Margolin The Quackenbush family and Sandor Margolin Margaret Poston Gretchen Gould Gertrude Rosenthal Loren & Charlene Rosenthal Irving Schwartz Steve, Shelly, Samantha & Stefanie Turk Marie Robinowitz Jim & Maryann Robinowitz Cynthia R. Feldman Robert A. Feldman Lillian Lampell Ann Kahn Matt & Muriel Lampell

FUND FACTS: Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights?

This week I donned my “volunteer hat” and attended a fund raising meeting that, even in the greater scheme of my professional life as a fund raiser, was perhaps the most important fund raising meeting I’ve attended in a while. When I tell you the topic, you may groan; but please bear with me. . . .

The meeting was about the 2017 Gala (okay, groan…). But read on. This year’s Gala is going to be different from previous Galas. Borrowing from Passover, “Why is this Gala different from all other Galas?” In previous Galas, we have honored an individual or individuals for their achievements and/or contributions to our community. But this year, the Gala will honor all of us within Vassar Temple. As we prepare to enter our 18th decade of existence (yes, it’s true!), we will celebrate the countless ways our Congregation has distinguished itself over the decades and the profound ways our members – individually and collectively – have enriched the wider community. And in the process, we are going to all enjoy a fun and informative evening that will raise some critically important funds for the Temple (with opportunities to contribute at all levels).

More details will follow in the near future, so for now, mark Saturday, November 11th on your calendar, and plan to join us for a night that will truly be different from all other nights you have attended in support of our very special Vassar Temple.

Jennifer Sachs Dahnert Jewish War Veterans Migration, Exile, Refuge: Stories from the Hudson Valley Meeting: August 13th

This exhibition was put together by Vas- from their homes, archival materials from Vas- The Private Herman Siegel Post 625, sar College history department intern Nikki sar’s efforts in the 1930/40s to save European Poughkeepsie, of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America will hold a regu- Lohr, history department students, and Vas- Jewish scholars, Poughkeepsie Journal articles lar monthly meeting at 9:30am on Sunday, sar Refugee Solidarity. Serving as the inau- going back to WWI, as well as local artists’ August 13, 2017 at Congregation Schomre gural exhibition at the newly opened Glebe responses to the themes of migration, exile and Israel, 18 Park Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New House at 635 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, the refuge. York. There is an informal coffee and cake exhibit remains open until June 25, 2017. The exhibit creators see this project as the period of schmoozing that begins at 9:00am. Students interviewed a number of indi- beginning of a conversation and hope that lo- viduals from the area to preserve their stories cal students will be contributing to its success All persons of the Jewish faith who have of flight from violence and repression and in the future by sharing their own families’ served in any branch of the United States finding refuge in the U.S. On display are histories. armed forces (Active, Reserve or National also artifacts that people brought with them Guard), or who have family members who have served, are invited to attend and par- ticipate in the activities of this J.W.V. Post. As Congregation Schomre Israel is strictly kosher, no food or drink may be brought into the synagogue. For further information please contact the Presiding Officer, Rob Rubin, at [email protected].

Yahrzeits

JULY 7 JULY 21 AUGUST 4 AUGUST 18 AUGUST 25 Lloyd Fertig Dr. Alan E. Apfel Mae Berger Howard S. Abrams Anna Baum Anne Kahn Jerry Bass Hortense Feldman Dr. Harry Barbash W. Carlton Bernard Lillian Lampell Martin Brenner Walter B. Goldfinger Oscar Charwat Tillie Haber Lawrence L. Landau David Clearfield Helen Goldman Dorothy Rauh Fogle Morris Kaufman Hillard Mann Dr. Sidney S. Cohen Marjorie Gluck Jack Goldman Dr. Saul R. Kelson Edith Posner Minnie Schudroff Kurt Harlam Beatrice A. Goodman Anna Dick Kronman M. Fred Praeger Coleman Marjorie Lazarus Nettie Jacobs Max Matlin James Quackenbush Robert J. Creedon, Sr. Paul Liebman Edna Z. Kleiner William Miller Marie Robinowitz James Effron Melvin Matlin, MD Sarah Faith Mary Elizabeth Dora Rosenmann Helene Favor Hy Miller Krzywicki O’Donnell-Moore Winona Rosenthal Joshua Aaron Katherine Moffit Marion Lieberman Sara G. Rice Michael L. Solomon Himelstein Saul Norman Nectow Frances Myer Sarah Peles Samuels Samuel E. Trivers Flora M. Hoffman Margot Similes MaryLouise Parke Hyman Silverman Linda Fertig Waldman Herbert Klein Louis Temlock Jeanne M. Payne Melvin Stolack Michael Wrobel Dr Robert Kohan Jack Wiseman Bernard Reifler Frederick C. Tuchmann Cary Lutwin Louis I. Worona Lee Schwartz Paul S. Waxman JULY 14 Ethel Marcus Zerline Lehman Simon Tobias Wolfson Morton Bloch Sol Present AUGUST 11 Clara Abraham Stein Leon R. Bloom Ed Stoller Gloria Berlin Samuel Sumner Shirley Green Chertock Dr. Richard Slater Minnie Toroker Ida Cohen JULY 28 Cohen Mary Weiss Philip Cohen David Albenda Alexander D’Imperio Emanuel Zimmer Marshall Effron Meta Altman Eve Canter Goldberg Cynthia R. Feldman Fanny Bronfeld Evelyn Herman Gertrude Krugman Dr. Irving Dreishpoon Ruth Kapner Max Kapner Martin L. Dreyfuss, Dr. Burton Katz Henry Klein MD Aaron Reifler Merlin B. Lass Louis Gellert Anna Saperstein Minnie Lass Robert H. Lipschutz Muriel Weingart Edward Moffit, Jr. Lawrence Paradis Hyman Schwartz Cecelia Riechman Sylvia Reifler Silber- Gertrude Rosenthal man Irving Schwartz Max Uttal Adele Stern Charlotte Wechsler FREE Hebrew Class at Vassar Temple Tuesday evenings 5:30-7pm beginning June 6th

• Students of all ages and levels study together • Teacher guides you as you master the lessons • Prerequisite: Knowledge of Hebrew letters, vowels and simple phonetic Hebrew reading

RSVP to Julie at [email protected] Although you will not be required to attend each week, I will need to know how many people might be joining the class in order to have enough materials for all who are interested.

Students who have been part of the school this year are encouraged to continue their Hebrew learning and join this class.

Vassar Temple Social ACTION We always have a great deal of activities going on, and if you have any new ideas, we’d love to hear them! Year round we have: • CanJam: our non-perishable food collection and distribution program; • Talking Books: record one for a child, or anyone else, in the community; • Homeless Shelter Dinners and Gleaning • Lunch Box: During the school year we provide, prepare and serve meals at the Family Partnership Center; • Book Buddies and Tutors: There are opportunities at local elementary schools; • DCIC: sponsored interfaith story circles are held. Annual activities include: • Get Out the Vote • Protein Plenty, Souper Sale, Purim Pasta, Chametz to Table, Thanksgiving Baskets, Turkey Trot, and Cereal Counts Annual community events include: • DCIC Interfaith CropWalk Against Hunger (fall) • Dutchess County Mitzvah Day (spring, but planning starts in January) • On-Call Environmental Team • Refugee Resettlement Team • Advocacy Group Plus, our monthly tzedakah box collections benefit various worthy causes. And we are always ready to respond to human rights is- sues and national disasters that may arise. If any of these projects pique your interest, or if you have something new to suggest, we’d love to hear from you! Contact Marian Schwartz, Social Action Chairperson, at [email protected] or 845-849-0025. Cereal Counts Update Entering Mishkan HaNefesh: A New Thanks to Vassar Temple and donors We also so appreciate the energy and High Holy Day Experience throughout our county, 1,471 boxes grace of many volunteers of all ages who of cereal were provided to CEREAL helped us stack, pack the cartons and load This coming fall, Vassar Temple will COUNTS 2017, an annual all-county them onto a large truck for delivery. Many introduce Mishkan HaNefesh (Sanctuary of food drive hosted each spring. Friends hands and hearts make light work. the Soul), a new High Holy Day prayer book. donating boxes included individuals, Our county food pantries work very Anyone interested is invited to join Rabbi families, preschool, elementary, middle hard to serve the needs of our wider com- Berkowitz now to explore this beautiful new and high school communities, diverse munity throughout the year. The following liturgy, learn how and why this prayer book is faith organizations, businesses, staff and pantries will receive cereal boxes: Pleas- different from all other prayer books, and dis- officials of our county and government ant Valley Ecumenical Food Pantry, Beu- cuss how to make the High Holy Days more offices, the Dutchess County Legislature, lah Baptist Church Food Pantry, Dutchess personally meaningful for you. Classes will sports teams, women’s auxiliary groups, Outreach, Community Action Partnership be held five Shabbat mornings at 10:30am men’s service organizations, karate, other for their Poughkeepsie/Dover/Red Hook/ (after Torah Study Class). The first three hobby and interest groups. Beacon sites, Zion Episcopal Church, sessions are a repeat of the March classes As our central donation site this year, Hudson River Housing/Gannett House, for those who missed them. You can attend Temple Beth El graciously stored incom- the Morse Magnet Elementary School, any or all sessions: ing donations during the weeks prior to Interfaith Senior Housing and the Hyde 1. Exploring Mishkan HaNefesh: An Over- the final collection date for incoming Park Reach Out Family Worship Center. view of the New Prayer Book (June 24) boxes. Once again, Arnoff Moving & Children, families and adults of all ages 2. The Shofar Service: A New Approach Storage Company donated all the cartons will be availed the cereals through these (July 8) to hold the boxes; much appreciated. well organized and caring providers. 3. Avinu Malkeinu: Machzor and Metaphor Strong support from our online and Every box counts. Every box re- (July 22) print newspapers, radio and other media duces hunger, meals at a time. Well done, 4. Sin and Forgiveness in the 21st Century friends helped get the word out about this Dutchess County, well done. Have a (August 5) incredible community effort. We couldn’t beautiful summer. 5. Wrestling with Unetaneh Tokef (Au- do this without you all. gust 12) Nancy and Dave Samson For further information, please contact Rabbi Berkowitz at [email protected] or call the Temple Office at 454-2570.

Help Needed! Jewish Night at the Shelter

Vassar Temple is responsible for organizing dinners at the overnight homeless shelter in Hillcrest House the 4th Thursday of the month from July thru December. This involves volunteers from the congregation providing items on the month’s menu (sandwich fixings, lasagne, chili, etc.), which someone can transport there for you if necessary; a few people are also needed to serve. If you can sign up to provide a menu item or two for just one of our nights, it would be greatly appreciated. If everyone pitches in we will be able to fulfill our commitment, performing the mitzvah of providing a nice evening meal for up to 60 homeless men and women once a month for all six months. Although that night is designated “Jewish Night,” non-Jewish friends and neighbors are very welcome to join in as well. Please contact Judy Harkavy at (845)471-4973 or [email protected] to discuss when and how you can help with the meals. And many thanks to those who have been faithfully donating much-needed toiletry items--please continue to leave them in the shelter box in the East Chapel. Vassar Temple Bulletin 140 Hooker Avenue PRSTD STD Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 U.S. Postage 845-454-2570 Paid www.vassartemple.org Permit # 11 Newburgh, N.Y.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED DATED MAIL PLEASE Rabbi: Leah Berkowitz RUSH Rabbi Emeritus: Stephen Arnold Senior Scholar: Paul Golomb Religious School Director: Julie Makowsky Cantorial Soloist: Elisa Dugatkin Organist: Joseph Bertolozzi President: Mark Metzger 1st Vice President: Alan Kaflowitz 2nd Vice President: OPEN Secretary: Susan Karnes Hecht Treasurer: Len Greenberg Sisterhood President: Judy Rosenfeld Men’s Club Co-Presidents: Dave Samson & Dave Wolf Immediate Past President: Bob Ritter Youth Group President: OPEN July 2017

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9am Torah Study

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Office Closed 7pm Ritual 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Committee Service led by Ron Rosen 10:30am Entering Mishkan Ha Nefesh

9 10 11 2:00- 3:00pm 12 13 14 15 2pm PJ Library 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Summer Science Service led by Linda Club Cantor & Ed Rosen- berg

16 17 18 2:00- 3:00pm 19 20 21 22 12 Noon VTS Chai PJ Library Summer 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Noon Science Club Service 7pm Finance Cmte 10:30am Entering Mishkan Ha Nefesh

23 24 25 2:00- 3:00pm 26 27 28 29 7pm Adult Ed 7pm VT Board 7:30pm Shabbat Cmte meeting PJ Library Summer Meeting Service 9am Torah Study Science Club 10am New Paths 6pm VTS Exec mtg, offsite Meals at Shelter 30 31