KOL AMI Jewish Center & Federation New ideas of the Twin Tiers Congregation Kol Ami A different kind of Sukkot Jewish Community School When every Jewish household built a sukkah at home, a pandemic would October 2020 have made very little difference to their celebrations. Maybe fewer guests would have been invited for meals in the sukkah, and it might have been harder to obtain specialty fruits and vegetables, but the family had the suk- In this issue: kah and could eat meals in it, perhaps even sleep in it. Service Schedule 2 That is still widespread in Israel and in traditional communities here, but more of us rely on Sukkot events in the synagogue for our “sukkah time.” Torah/Haftarah & Candle Lighting 2 This year there won’t be a Sukkot dinner at Congregation Kol Ami and we Birthdays 4 won’t be together for kiddush in the sukkah on Shabbat (which is the first day of Sukkot this year). Mazal Tov 4 Nevertheless, Sukkot is Sukkot is Sukkot. It may be possible for you to CKA Donations 5 build a sukkah at home—an Internet search will find directions for building one quickly out of PVC pipe or other readily JCF Film Series 6 available materials. Sisterhood Opening Meeting 8 Even without a sukkah, we can celebrate the themes of Sukkot. In Biblical Israel it was a har- Jazzy Junque 8 vest festival, so maybe you can go to farm JCF Donations 8 stands and markets for seasonal produce. Baked squash is perfect for the cooler weather, Yahrzeits 9 cauliflower is at its peak—try roasting it—and In Memoriam 10 it’s definitely time for apple pie. Eat outdoors if the weather permits. JCF board members elected 10 The sukkah itself is an unstable, temporary structure that doesn’t provide Adult Education 10 much actual shelter, and that should awaken us to those in our community who have no shelter or inadequate shelter. Did you resolve during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to give tzedakah? At Sukkot, considering giving to a program that provides shelter for the homeless. In Elmira, the Second Place East shelter is administered by Catholic Charities. Congregation Kol Ami celebrates Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on the same day. Services, on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, will be on Zoom, and the morning service on October 10 includes Yizkor. Simchat Torah at home is a particular challenge, because the custom is to dance and march with the Torah scrolls together in the synagogue. To cele- brate at home, begin with an especially festive Shabbat dinner on Friday evening. Because the Torah is likened to the sweetness of honey, you might want a sweet dessert. Plum cake is a tradition of Austrian and German Jews, and fluden—pastry layered with several different fruit fillings—is also tradi- tional. Maybe you would like to open champagne for kiddush! For children, maybe the festival warrants an exception to the no-sweetened-drinks-at- meals rule. You probably don’t have a Torah scroll at home to dance with. Don’t let that stop you from dancing during the music in the Simchat Torah service—you can turn your camera off if you want. Maybe it would feel right to hug a chumash or Bible while you dance. For young children, the Reform movement sug- gests making candy Torah scrolls. Just take two rolls of candy such as Smarties, wrap a strip of col- orful paper around them, and tie with ribbon.
כל עמי–Congregation Kol Ami
from Cheryl Miller
Greetings! I hope that you, your to share with the boards of CKA, Sis- current policies for Member Use of family, and loved ones enjoyed the terhood, and JCF to determine fur- the Building as well as review re- High Holy Days and are remaining ther action. We had over 100 re- search and guidelines from multiple healthy as we welcome 5781. My sponses to the survey, which focused sources and present recommenda- year began very quietly, as all of my on examining our fundraising capa- tions to the Board. This is quite a children live out of town. I never bilities and resources. We have rec- challenge with the possibility of anticipated how much I would miss ognized that over the years the conditions to change so quickly; their presence back when we at- funds raised have decreased while however we aim to at least begin the tended services together (even costs have risen and the number of process of planning for the day that though I frequently found myself people available to volunteer has we can eventually open our doors “shushing” them!). When I first be- also been a challenge. The survey wide once again. came an empty nester, it was diffi- was designed to determine values, I always welcome your thoughts, cult to come to services by myself; interests, and abilities as well as concerns, ideas, or questions. My however it didn’t take long before I availability to contribute. The presi- cell phone number is 607-331-7475 felt very much at home because my dents of the three boards meet regu- or you can email me at cmil- fellow congregants wrapped me in larly and have already brainstormed [email protected]. Some of you their warm embrace. some actions based on the data; have my home number, which is no As the months of this pandemic however not all of the boards have longer in use. You may also reach drag on, we have had time to do met to review the data as of the time out to any of the Trustees or Officers things that in “normal” times would that I am writing this. of the Board. Their contact infor- have been difficult to accomplish. Another important item of busi- mation is in the new Membership The committee who worked on cre- ness that the Board has addressed in Directory. If you have not received ating, distributing, and analyzing the last couple of meetings is the yours, please call the office at 607- the results of the Jewish Community formation of a committee to deter- 732-7410. Survey spent many, many hours on mine when and how we will reopen the task. They have created a report the building. We will examine our
Shabbat Services All services are conducted online at https://zoom.us/j/234349277.
Shabbat Evening Service 7:30 PM Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM Noteworthy Upcoming Religious Observances Friday, October 2 Friday, October 9 Sukkot and Shabbat Evening Service 7:30 PM Simchat Torah and Shabbat Evening Service 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 Saturday, October 10 Sukkot and Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM Shemini Atzeret and Shabbat Morning 9:30 a.m. Service with Yizkor
Weekly Torah/Haftarah Portions & Candle Lighting
October 2–3 October 9–10 October 16–17 October 23–24 October 30–31 6:28 p.m. 6:17 p.m. 6:05 p.m. 5:55 p.m. 5:45 p.m. Sukkot Shemini Atzeret/ Bereshit Noach Lech Lecha Torah Lev. 22:26– Simchat Torah Torah: Gen. 1:1–6:8 Torah Gen. 6:9– Torah: Gen. 12:1– 23:44 Torah: Deut. 33:27– Pr. I Sam. 20:18–42 11:32 17:27 Num. 29:12–16 34:12; Gen. 1:1–2:3; Pr. Isaiah 54:1–55:5 Pr. Isaiah 40:27–41:16 Pr. Zech. 14:1–21 Num. 29:35–30:1 Pr. Joshua 1:1–18
2 Kol Ami from Rabbi Oren Steinitz
Sermon from Rosh Hashanah morning most of us choose our career path must at least know what the H’s regardless of whether we wanted to stand for and make a serious com- Shannah Tovah! be major league baseball players or mitment to at least one of them. With the past six months so full of famous musicians when we were The fact of the matter is that liber- tragedy, anxiety, and dread, it is hard twelve, a surprising number of peo- al Jewish communities often see the to reflect and remember anything ple are happy to reject religion alto- rabbinate as the only option for a that happened in the year 5780 be- gether based on what they learned young person who wishes to take fore the arrival of COVID19 turned in Hebrew School. “It took me a long Judaism’s first two H’s – Head and our lives upside down. Do any of us time,” Douglas said, “to learn that Heart – seriously. Let us be honest remember the Monsey shooting you don’t have to be a rabbi [in or- about this; outside the large metro- during Hanukah? The Persian Gulf der] to be a Jew.” politan areas of New York City, crisis in January that almost escalat- The statement seems funny at Washington DC, Chicago and Los ed into a Third World War? The Mid- first. Maybe even ridiculous. Haven’t Angeles, the sight of a young person dle East Peace Plan that was an- we been told again and again that regularly showing up at services is nounced in early 2020? They all being Jewish is not something you so rare, so disorienting, that they are seem like a vague, distant memory can just stop doing? That anyone quickly assumed to be aspiring rab- right now. born a Jew, or who chose Judaism binical students. I will never forget Among these soon-forgotten later in life, will die a Jew, regardless our first Shabbat in Calgary, when events was the death of Jewish actor of how many bacon cheeseburgers we showed up at Friday Night ser- and philanthropist, Kirk Douglas they eat? I have often said that Juda- vices in a large Conservative syna- this past February. True, the death of ism is the Hotel California of world gogue. The average age of the dozen a 104-year-old man, who lived a full, religions – you can check out any or so elderly gentlemen who were productive life is hardly a tragedy, time you like, but you can never seated in “their seats” in the small and not something we would spend leave. However, if what Douglas chapel was well over seventy, and a lot of time contemplating while we meant is that you do not have to be the sight of a couple in their late are all surrounded by senseless a rabbi to be a serious Jew, then the twenties showing up at shul was deaths. To be honest, not being a statement is much more important clearly something they considered movie buff myself, I am not even than it may appear at a first glance. out of the ordinary. They gave us a sure I can name one film he starred The American Jewish community puzzled look, quickly asked if we in or directed. And yet, a quote from is full of proud Jews, and even en- needed to say Kaddish, and when we an interview with Douglas that I on- gaged Jews. Maybe even religious said no, went on to ignore us for the ly heard after his passing, has stayed Jews. A serious Jew, however, is rest of the twelve-minute service. with me ever since. something else entirely. Rabbi Har- Over the years they got used to us, In a 2008 talk with Rabbi David old Kushner famously wrote that: not before they started calling me Wolpe, who was Douglas’ Torah Serious Jews try [...] to bring holi- “rabbi” and recruited me to teach study partner for 25 years, Douglas ness into their lives by sanctifying Junior Congregation. Do we really recalled that when he was a young their everyday activities. They try to find serious Jewish practice so un- boy, he particularly excelled in his pattern their lives on the insights of appealing, that when we see some- synagogue’s Hebrew school, and Judaism, whether in a Reform, Con- one drawn to it, we must assume after his Bar Mitzvah the congrega- servative or Orthodox idiom. To the that it has to be a career choice? tion offered his family to pay for his non-serious Jew it does not matter Paul Solyn once told me that as Yeshiva studies in hope that he what style of synagogue service he far as Hebrew School students go, would become a rabbi. Douglas stays home from, or which defini- the rabbi can never be a role model freaked out. “It scared the hell out of tion of mitzvah he ignores in his dai- for Jewish practice. “Remember, it me,” he recalled, “because I didn’t ly practice. doesn’t count if you take your Juda- want to become a rabbi. I wanted to I would add to Rabbi Kushner’s ism seriously,” he explained, “it is be an actor!” definition an observation by the late your job.” Without a significant Douglas refused the generous Rabbi Neil Gillman: Judaism has number of “normal people” – people offer, and for a very long time drifted three H’s – Head, Heart and Hand. like their parents, siblings and cous- away from Judaism. “I grew up, went Head – the serious study of Torah, ins – who are deeply invested in Ju- to college,” he said, “but my Judaism and all other Jewish texts that flow daism, children will not see Judaism stayed stuck in a 14-year-old boy’s from it; Heart – spiritual life, activat- as anything to be taken seriously. Hebrew schoolbook.” Only much ed by worship, ritual and prayer; A teacher in our Sunday school later in life he came to the conclu- and Hand – activism, through ethics, once told me that a student refused sion that while very few of us make acts of kindness, and social action. to believe that Hebrew was actually decisions about our adult lives based “Every Jew,” said Rabbi Gillman, can a spoken language. As far as this lit- on what we knew when we were major in one H; minor in a second H; tle girl (a smart, very capable stu- teenagers, religion seems to be an and will probably not get to the dent, by the way), Hebrew was noth- exception to the rule. Even though third H.” Nevertheless, a serious Jew ing but a collection of magical spells
October 2020 3 and incantations, and she could not can lead the prayers, blow shofar, that makes no sense at all. The High fathom why her parents insisted in and chant Torah. This was a sobering Holy Days are traditionally a time of wasting her time by forcing her to moment for those of us on the Left, heshbon nefesh – spiritual stock- engage in an something so incredi- when we tried to explain to them taking, and this is especially true bly useless. Something they them- that in communities like ours, the this year. Judaism has survived big- selves obviously had no interest in. reality is so different. ger crises than COVID, but that was The consequences of this attitude, I get it. I really do. As the fictional because throughout all our trials in my opinion, are disastrous for the Rabbi Jacob Schramm said, “Jews and tribulations, our people knew survival of non-Orthodox Judaism. want their Rabbi to be the kind of that even when everything else A religious community cannot pos- Jew they don’t have time to be.” We made no sense, Judaism remained a sibly survive if it is observed solely all lead busy lives, we all have hun- constant anchor in their lives. They by clergy. If the only people in a giv- dreds of other concerns, and not relied on Rabbis and scholars for the en congregation who are invested in everyone can be “into” Judaism in tough questions, but their daily rou- Jewish observance and – perhaps that way. However, if you suddenly tine was saturated with Judaism, more importantly – serious Jewish had the time, perhaps six months of wherever they lived, and regardless study are the rabbi, cantor and one forced quarantine, would you even of whether it was safe to practice or two loveable misfits, Judaism will know what kind of Jewish content publicly. Judaism was a way of life, quickly be reduced to no more than you could fill it with? not a set of specialty skills better left a spectator sport. Yes, I am painfully If the last six months taught us to professionals. They remembered aware of the irony of using this anal- anything, it is that Jewish life that is Parashat Nitzavim, that we read last ogy while you are watching me on a centered around a large building, week: a parasha that promises us TV, computer or mobile device…. occasional gatherings, and two or that As different Jewish community three Jewish professionals who “do “Surely, this Instruction which I leaders started planning what these Jewish” on the community’s behalf, enjoin upon you this day is not too High Holy Days are going to look will no longer work. We spent dec- baffling for you, nor is it beyond לא like – and by the way, we started ades pouring money into expensive reach. It is not in the heavens Neither is it beyond בשמיים היא! […] even earlier than you think we did – buildings that overnight became a significant number of voices from unusable. Within days, it became the sea, that you should say, ‘Who the Right end of the Conservative clear that the world as we knew it among us can cross to the other side movement, those who wished to will never be the same, and the Jew- of the sea and get it for us and im- keep avoiding the use of technology ish world is no different. All of a part it to us, that we may observe it?’ on Shabbat and Yom Tov, suggested sudden, two or three generations of No, the thing is very close to you, in that instead of conducting services Jews that got used to a Judaism that your [head] and in your heart, to in packed synagogues, we divide our happens only in a building, and on- observe it.” congregants into groups of ten or ly with the precise directives of a Simply put – they all knew that twenty, who would hold small, out- Rabbi, were robbed of their Jewish you don’t have to be a rabbi to be a door services by themselves. Surely, identity. Jew. they said, there must be enough We are still in the Wilderness. Still Shannah Tovah. people in every congregation who trying to make sense of a new world Birthdays Mazal Tov Eliana Steinitz Neila Goldwyn To David & Doris Siskin on the Arlene Rosenberg Lisa Goldberg birth of their 24th great-grandchild, Joe Gaieski Michael Halperin Miles Gregory Donk, born August Edwin L. Berman Dylan Douenias 12. The proud parents are Alex & Denise Kartzman Margo Golos Amy Donk. Rabbi Oren Steinitz Abigail Gifeisman Michael Lares Sue Braunstein To Charlotte & Marcus Kantz on their 50th wedding anniversary. Lindsay Novack Lee Kosow
Priscilla Weinstein Carol Braunstein To Margo Golos-Reines on the John Goldman Jerry Stemerman marriage of her daughter, Joy Robert Cohen Lea Champion Reines, to Craig Zimmerman. Nayda Gifeisman
PRAYER FOR THE ILL OR ILL AT HEART Adonai, You who blessed our ancestors, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob, Rachel, and Leah, send Your blessing to those who are ill of body and ill of spirit. Grant them Refuah Sh’lema, a complete recovery, and may healing come speedily. Amen.
4 Kol Ami CKA Donations Congregation Education Fund In memory of Frances Kantz by Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund In memory of Sheldon Herman by Marcus & Charlotte Kantz In memory of Shirley Malick by Ron & Kathy Herman In honor of Beth Herbst’s conver- Maddy & Larry Dolkart In memory of Jeff Etkind by sion to Judaism by Cheryl Miller In appreciation to Rabbi Steinitz Cynthia Huling Hummel In honor of Vickie Mike’s conver- for his support and guidance on sion to Judaism by Cheryl Miller Beth’s conversion and officiating General Fund In memory of James Theisen by their wedding by Lee & Beth In memory of mother, Beatrice Carole Hoffman Herbst. Shapero by Carole Hoffman In memory of Gerald Theisen by In memory of M. Scott Rosenheck In honor of Marcus & Charlotte Carole Hoffman by Kathy, Jeff & Calvin Rosenheck Kantz 50th wedding anniversary In memory of James Theisen by Gil by Cheryl Miller Kate Stein Music Fund & Harriet Sweet In memory of Nick Wheaton by In memory of Julia David by Beth In memory of Gerald Theisen by Marcus & Charlotte Kantz Wladis Gil & Harriet Sweet In memory of Arthur Kantz by Marcus & Charlotte Kantz Mary Ellen Hunter Fund Sisterhood Kitchen Fund In memory of Harold Stemerman In memory of Nick Wheaton by In memory of Sandra Ashendorf by Myra & Jerry Stemerman Marcus & Charlotte Kantz by Ina & Mike Kushnir In memory of Marcus Stemerman Get well wishes for Miriam Jacob- by Myra & Jerry Stemerman Prayer Book Fund son by Lee & Anita Adelsberg In memory of Cousin Haskell Rubin In honor of their 50th wedding by Edwin L. Berman anniversary by Marcus & Charlotte In memory of Morton Sadinsky by Kantz Edwin L. Berman In memory of Nanette Barcus by In memory of Jean Hempstead by Sisterhood Marjorie Hamilton & Lee Kosow In memory of Sandra Ashendorf In memory of Sidney Hoffman by by Sisterhood Carole Hoffman In memory of Dorothy Jacobson In memory of Ralph Moritz by by Sisterhood Vivienne & JJ Evanoff
Community Kitchen Save the Date
YACHAD
Generous volunteers from CKA and JCF prepare and serve lunch at the Elmira Community Kitchen on the first Thursday of every month. Our next dates are Rev. Michael Dowd October 1 and November 5. Mondays Reclaiming the Evolutionary If you can help, please at 7:30 PM Purpose of Religion contact Gil Sweet. Cooks, food-preparers, shoppers, servers... you name it, we Wednesday, November 11 need you! Cash donaƟons 7:30 PM may be made through the JCF.
October 2020 5 Jewish Center and Federation
from President Marcus Kantz
N ot Unusual gate, and don’t break any of the harder step: going out of your way O vertly Ordinary rules that are intended only to keep to help people you don’t know, just R easonably Routine us safe and alive, then we’ll all live because it looks like they could use M oderately Mundane to see another day, a day when Nor- the help, like offering to carry a A bove Below Average mal will be like the old Normal that package or bag, or holding traffic L ess than a Lot we thought was oh-so-boring but while someone slow crosses the then will seem like Nirvana in silver street, or offering to reach for some- In any other month of any other slippers. thing high on the shelf for someone year, that word “Normal” would just So how do we get from now to with difficulties, or even just verti- be a boring description of a run-of- then? I have a few thoughts. First cally challenged. Of course, some the-mill event, one that just hap- and foremost, when you ARE out people will not expect such help and pens every year, and we maybe and about, doing your required may be disturbed. Just say sorry and wave a limp flag. But this year is not shopping, or picking up food, or walk away. Don’t feel like a failure, any other year. This is the year of maybe even eating someplace other it’s just one of those things. Really, the Corona Virus, a year like one than home, try to be overtly and no harm, no foul. that almost none of us has ever seen extremely friendly, saying Hi, I’m Now, it’s your turn to think of before. Fortunately, almost all of us (Me), what’s your name? and may- some very little steps you can take are of routine health, we have pretty be coming up with an additional to help make other people’s lives much what we need, and we can sentence of small talk, indicating more normal, to make it seem more even get out a little bit into the that yes, we’re wearing masks, but like we’re all just in this together, world. No one is attacking our hous- we’re not Zombies and we’re not doing the best we can. Maybe even es. No one is stealing our kids. Al- enemies, but we’re all in this togeth- write it down when you get home most no one is doing anything in- er. But if you’re not comfortable go- and let me know about the kinds of tentionally to harm us. And even ing that far, or after the first time, simple things you’ve come up with Mother Nature is not wreaking hav- people seem troubled by it, then just for making our collective lives seem oc upon our houses and our lives. settle on a smile and a Hi. People more normal. If I get enough sug- It’s just those microscopic bumpy can see your smile in your eyes eve- gestions, I’ll include ‘em next spheres that float through the air ry single time. month. with the greatest of ease, just look- Second, when someone is overtly The High Holidays have come and ing for a place to live and propagate. friendly or decent toward you and/ gone. It’s a new year, a time for re- And our lungs just happen to be or anyone else, try to acknowledge it birth. So, let our re-birth be the re- such a place. right then and there. It’ll make that birth of normalcy, whether Mr. Of course, if we all wear our person feel great, and you too. Then, Covid likes it or not. masks and wash our hands and when you’re getting so those behav- Be well everyone. keep our distance, and don’t congre- iors are second nature, comes a
Red Cow Film screening scheduled The Jewish Center & Federation will is a figure of authority and a mentor offer a free, in-home screening of the for many people in their Jerusalem feature film Red Cow from October religious community. Benny be- 31 through November 2. comes increasingly critical of her Red Cow is a 2018 film from Israel. father’s religious, utopian national- The title plays on the Biblical com- ism and then there’s Yael, the self- mandment concerning the “red heif- confident young woman who has set ber 31, through 10:00 p.m. on Mon- er” (in many translations), but it also off a whirlwind of longing and emo- day, November 2. refers to 17-year-old, red-haired Ben- tions in her. Avigayil Koevary pow- It’s in Hebrew with English subti- ny, who feels as trapped as her fa- erfully portrays the defiance and tles and runs about 90 minutes. For ther’s treasured calf. desire of a young woman in Tsivia login information, please email ex- Benny’s mother died giving birth Barkai Yacov’s debut feature film. [email protected]. to her, and she grew up alone with Home viewing will be available We’ll also meet to discuss it over her caring yet patriarchal father. He from 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Octo- Zoom on Wednesday, November 4.
6 Kol Ami from Executive Director Paul Solyn
The NewCAJE conference this year estranged from nature. There are Veganism or as close as we can come was held on Zoom instead of in Bal- two reasons. First, in the nineteenth to it is the most effective way to re- timore, as originally planned, and century, it was typical to view Juda- duce carbon emissions, but a certain instead of lasting four days plus the ism and Jews as existing “in history” amount of meat and dairy produc- Shabbat weekend, it spanned an more than “in nature.” tion is probably the most productive entire month. With no travel ex- That idea came from the Wissen- use of some, but not all, land. penses, twice as many people as schaft des Judentums (Science of Juda- I also discussed what we should usual registered. ism) movement, which sought to teach in religious school: a Judaism I presented two sessions. One was apply the methods of secular aca- that is as much rooted in nature as Shabbat Torah study, which I’ve led demia to the study of Judaism—a in an invisible spiritual realm, and at NewCAJE for several years. Be- radical idea at the time. Although that values practices such as the cause some registrants didn’t use the anthropology and sociology could sh’mitah (sabbatical) year, which for- Internet on Shabbat, Torah study have contributed much, those disci- mally applies only in the Land of was held on Friday afternoon. The plines were not well-established in Israel and is effectively circumvent- only Shabbat worship services we universities at the time, and history ed there. Modern agriculture has could have together were Kabbalat was the tool most readily available. other ways of not depleting or de- Shabbat, before sunset on Friday. Judaism became all history, all the stroying agricultural land, and we The other was “Lo alecha hamla- time. should think of them, as well as of cha ligmor: theology and climate Second, we had become a largely other environmental practices, as change.” The Hebrew phrase means urban people. Since then both Zion- Jewish religious duties. “It’s not up to you to finish the ism and Jewish environmentalism work,” and continues “but you are have brought back a focus on the not free to desist from it.” natural world, but they aren’t the This is the way, I think, that we dominant forces in Jewish religious PJ LIBRARY have to look at climate change. No life. individual can do very much to mit- The main part of the presentation Free books and igate it, and no country is solely re- dealt with developing a consistent sponsible—but each of us must do theology of eco-Judaism. Part of it music for what we can. came from Rabbi David Seidenberg, Jewish children Climate change is not inherently a who argues that the Torah contains theological problem in Judaism. No a blueprint for sustainable living in stream of Judaism objects to science, the (ancient) Land of Israel. ages 6 months–8 although some ultra-Orthodox com- For example, the animals that are years munities have no great interest in it, kosher are those that could subsist and no contemporary expression of through grazing and foraging on http://www.pjlibrary.org/ Judaism tells its adherents to take land not suitable for cultivation. communities/ no action other than prayer. This maximized resources in dry, What makes it a theological prob- hilly country by not diverting as elmira–twin–tiers/317 lem is that it has become one in much grain into the feeding of ani- American society. Some of the prob- mals as modern practice does. ages 9–12 years lem stems from the denominations Another aspect of Jewish eco- that view the theory of evolution as theology is establishing that all life http://www.pjourway.org antithetical to the Bible, and some of forms have moral standing. In the NOW EXPANDED TO it comes from those that have adopt- past it was possible to adopt an an- ed anti-climate positions as a matter thropocentric view in which every- AGE 12 of political allegiance. thing in the world existed solely for I began by examining the princi- human benefit. The belief still exists pal theologies of modern American within Judaism even though Mai- Judaism to see which could be start- monides argued against it centuries ing points. In summary, those draw- ago. ing on human experience of nature, A more responsible Jewish view such as the teaching of Rabbi A. J. still allows human use of natural Heschel, and on science, following resources—we could not otherwise the lead of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, survive—but only to the extent that are the most productive. All, howev- the biocycle as a whole is not irrepa- A project of the Jewish Center er, are possible. rably harmed. & Federation and the An issue that already existed in In everyday terms, it might mean Harold Grinspoon Foundation Jewish environmentalism is that we that Judaism should limit the eating have let Judaism become somewhat of meat to Shabbat and Yom Tov.
October 2020 7 By popular demand Got junque? J.D. Iles returns to Sisterhood To Jazzy Junque workers and donors
Local historian J.D. Iles returns to the Sisterhood of CKA to speak at the opening meeting on Thursday, October 1. His topic will be “The Newtown Battlefield and the Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy.” The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom, at https:// As I write this, it is late August and zoom.us/j/234349277. as far as I know, CKA has not yet All paid-up members and honorary members of Sisterhood will be eligi- decided when and how the Braun- ble to win one of the fabulous door prizes. Don’t miss the fun! stein Community Room will be reo- pened. Maybe it will be this year, or maybe next, but we will rise again. Please, if you are able, save your JCF Donations really good stuffthat you have set Membership Susan & Mike German aside for us. Some folks have suggested that Faith & Jim Gray we rent a storage space. After Member Liz Walton & John Goldman checking online, this appears to be Anonymous Beth & Lee Herbst an expensive idea. Perhaps you Benzakina Babayev Susan King have unused space in a garage or Deborah Wolfe & Mark Banach Anders Korn basement that we could use tempo- Gail & Richard Gerard Debbie & Jonathan Kravitz rarily? Please call Tina or me if you Phyllis & Douglas Holtgrewe Marcia & Terry Lenhardt do. Cynthia Huling Hummel Cheryl Miller Until we meet again for fun and Sheila & Jeff Katz Christopher Morse finding treasures, Anita Adelsberg Shelly & Martin Kerker Margo Bliven & Richard Rosenberg Marcia Kesten Geoffrey S. Rubin Hillary Krill Andrea & Jeff Rubin Parashat Kol Ami Rachelle Lerner Susan & Alan Seltzer Harriette & Gerald Lindsay Weekly Torah Study Sharon & Scott D.Moore Bronze Magen David Nancy Nicastro Maddy Dolkart Erica Nichols Rosalyn & Richard DuBois Judy Prentice Daniel Hawtof Carol Rubin Jeffrey & Calvin Rosenheck Lev Shugol Myra & Jerry Stemerman Karey Solomon & William Passmore Silver Magen David Judith Komer Gloria & Ron Friedman Tivon Meir Jennifer Verity Gold Magen David Anonymous with Maggid Paul Solyn Benefactor The family of Carol & Edwin Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Anita & Lee Adelsberg Braunstein https://zoom.us/j/234349277 Beth Dollinger & Alan H. Angell Suzanne & Tom Hesselson Rabbi Miriam Biatch Kristine & James Perle October 11, 18, and 25
Beverly & Jeffrey Dann
8 Kol Ami Yahrzeits October Tishrei 14 Muriel Rubin 26 28 David Cohen 10 1 Charles S. Friedman 13 14 Irving Korn 26 28 Morris Pose 10 1 Harry Ginsburg 13 14 Sallie Berger 26 28 Rose Dann 10 1 Donald W. Berry 13 14 Manford Rosenbloom 26 28 Naomi Thebner 10 1 Kenneth Hamilton 13 14 Archie Sadinsky 26 28 Esther Glantz 10 1 Frieda Jacobson 13 14 Etta Rubin 26 29 Sheldon Golos 11 2 Esther Rachel Barcus 14 14 Ruth Fineman 26 29 Anita Kohn 11 2 Theodore Rachlin 14 14 Lewis Rabinowitz 26 29 Shirley P. Rubin 11 2 Joseph Aronson 14 15 Irving Jacobson 27 30 Irving Tabb 12 2 Arthur Spielberg 14 15 Sandra Metivier 27 30 Rose Tarshus 12 3 Alan Colodny 15 15 Ernest Printz 27 30 Barney Fidelman 12 3 Abraham Malinowitz 15 15 Freda Lindner 27 30 Gary Schochet 12 3 Kalmon Jacobson 15 15 Samuel H. Semel 27 30 Eleanor Granoff 12 3 Lt. Donald B. Rubin 15 15 David Rubin 27 31 Harry L. Baker 13 4 Sol Sloan 16 16 Bert S. Eiges 28 31 Fanny Dickstein 13 4 Abraham J. Nathenson 16 16 Erna Mayer 28 31 Marshall Barrett 13 4 Stuart Luther 16 16 Freda Helman 28 31 Lena Fisher 13 5 Irving Herman 17 16 Charles Holtgrewe 28 31 Sophie Semel 13 5 Charles Kahn 17 16 Ida Yavis 28 31 Falk Sherman 13 5 Kurt Wohl 17 17 Joseph Roberts 29 5 Al Schlussel 17 17 Jeffery I. Ratner 29 Names of Confederate soldiers 5 Riva Gutterman 17 18 Hyman Goldstein 30 buried in Woodlawn National 5 Max Cohen 17 18 Norman R. Earle 30 Cemetery are included above. 5 Morris Gutterman 17 18 Samuel Meisel 30 7 Arthur Kantz 19 18 Herman Laskow 30 7 Doris Spielberg 19 18 Arthur D. Robinson 30 7 Lena Kahn 19 All information for the November 8 Chris Alimonti 20 October Cheshvan issue of the Kol Ami must be sub- 8 Lorie Gerstel 20 19 Rose Pisetzner 1 mitted to one of the organization 9 Mark P. Lavine 21 19 Elizabeth W. White 1 offices by November 9. Please be 9 Julius L. Berger 21 19 Nellie R. Johnson 1 sure that all dates are on the JCF 9 Abraham Barkus 21 19 Nellie I. Gross 1 calendar. 9 Dorothy Sigel 21 20 Razel Pisetzner 2 9 Jennie Resbeck 21 20 Rabbi Jacob Marcus 2 Office hours 9 Julia Weiss 21 20 William Pearl 2 Congregation Kol Ami: Monday– 10 Ruth Birman 22 20 Sondra Firestone 2 Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 10 Louis Simon 22 20 Maurice Leonard Epstein 2 Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 10 Samuel Stern 22 21 Joseph Goodman 3 Jewish Center and Federation: 10 Anne M. Weinstein 22 22 Florence Bernstein 4 Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 10 Charles Duchovny 22 22 Joseph Berelovich 4 p.m., and by appointment. 10 Mary D. Rosenzweig 22 22 Zipora Goldberger 4 10 Shalom Stern 22 23 Hattie Friedman 5 Hospital Visits & 10 Ida Cohen 22 23 Bernard Michael Komer 5 Mi-shebeirach List 11 Mary Weiner 23 23 Leo W. Greenberg 5 11 Theodore Harold 23 24 Esther Barcus 6 11 Isaac Cooperman 23 24 Julius Johnson 6 Due to HIPPA, no hospital can 12 Molly Horwitz 24 25 Samuel Ellison 7 divulge names of patients un- 12 Louis Jacobson 24 25 Ray Klein 7 12 Max Paul Winnick 24 26 Amelia Miller 8 less a release is signed. Upon 12 Molly Horwitz 24 26 Bertha M. Glaser 8 hospitalization, please com- 13 Hyman Nagler 25 26 Anna Slepian 8 plete necessary paperwork so 13 Dorothy Fidelman 25 26 Rachel Epstein 8 13 Rena Rinde 25 26 Anna Wladis 8 that the CKA office and Rabbi 13 Hilda Roseman 25 26 Celia Shapiro 8 Oren Steinitz will be notified, 13 Harry Bucholtz 25 26 Abraham Golos 8 or call the CKA office. 13 Ben Solomon 25 28 Joseph Sittenfield 10
October 2020 9 In Memoriam JCF board Our heartfelt condolences to Miriam and Larry Greene and their family on the death of Miriam’s uncle, Jim Theisen. members elected Zich’rono liv’rachah, may his memory be for a blessing. Four new members were elected to the Board of Directors of the Jewish Our heartfelt condolences to Miriam and Larry Greene and their family on Center & Federation at its annual the death of Miriam’s uncle, Gerald Theisen. meeting on September 15. The Zich’rono liv’rachah, may his memory be for a blessing. meeting had been postponed from June. Our heartfelt condolences to Martin Hempstead, Debra Chesman, Zach & Beth Herbst, Suzanne Hesselson, Madeline, on the death of mother and grandmother, Jean Hempstead. Ariana Levi, and Judy Prentice were Zich’rona liv’racha, may her memory be for a blessing. elected to three-year terms. Board members continuing in office are Our heartfelt condolences to David & Doris Siskin on the death of their ex- Irv Appel, Erin Doane, Teri Do- tended Siskin family member, Nancy Dee Sarner Kenney. Nancy, 72, was erksen, Dian Gerstel, Barb Luther, born in Corning, New York on October 20, 1947, to Julia Siskin Sarner and and Hilde Robbins. Irving ”Bob” Sarner. In 1959, when Nancy was 12 years old, she and her then Marc Hample was elected second 3-year-old sister Wendy suffered the loss of their mother, Julia Siskin Sarner, vice-president. Officers continuing to breast cancer. After 4 years, her widowed father, remarried, and Nancy, are Marcus Kantz, president; Lisa her sister Wendy, her new mother, Esther Sarner, and her father, Irving Goldberg, first vice-president; Stu- Sarner, moved to Syracuse, NY. In 2011, Nancy moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL, art Trock, treasurer; Terri Dobbs, where she renewed relationships with friends and cousins. Nancy is secretary; and Jeff Rosenheck, past survived by her only sibling, Wendy Sue Sarner Peitzer, brother in-law president. Haywood “Woody” Sterling Peitzer, niece Julia Shannon Peitzer and nephew David Elliott Peitzer, several cousins, and dear friends. Zich’rona liv’racha, may her memory be for a blessing. Adult Education Open to the entire community CKA Book Club Mondays at 7:30 p.m.: Talmud for Non-Talmudists, with Rabbi Oren Steinitz. October 18 and 26, online October 21, 2020, at https://zoom.us/j/234349277.
Bread Givers Sundays at 10:30 a.m.: Parashat Kol Ami (weekly Torah study) with by Anzia Yezierska Maggid Paul Solyn, October 11, 18, and 25, online at https://zoom.us/ November 18, 2020 j/234349277. Gateway to the Moon by Mary Morris Be a Friend
December 16, 2020 The Color of Water of Jewish Life!
by James McBride
January 20, 2021
Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman
Become a member of the All meetings are at noon online until further notice. Jewish Center & Federation Contact the CKA office for link. or renew your membership for 5781. These books are available online, Join or renew by mail, or online at the public library and in the at www.JewishElmira.org Jerome & Etkind Library at CKA.
10 Kol Ami Jewish Community Calendar October 2020
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 Community Kitchen CKA 7:30 pm CKA 9:30 am Shabbat & Sukkot Shabbat & Sukkot CKA Sisterhood Evening Service Morning Service 7:00 pm Opening Meeting w/ J.D. Iles Sukkot
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 JCS 9:30 am-12:30 pm CKA CKA Virtual 7:30 pm Shabbat & 9:30 am Atzeret/Simchat Simchat Torah Service Torah Service with Yizkor
Sukkot Atzeret/Simchat Torah 11 12 Columbus Day 13 14 15 16 17 JCS 9:30 am-12:30 pm CKA CKA 7:30 pm CKA 9:30 am Virtual 6:00 pm Exec. Board Shabbat Service Shabbat Service 7:00 pm Trustees JCF 10:30 a.m. Torah Meeting Study
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 JCS 9:30 am-12:30 pm CKA 7:30 pm JCF 7:30 pm Board CKA 12:00 pm Book CKA 7:30 pm CKA 9:30 am Virtual Talmud Class Meeting Club Shabbat Service Shabbat Service
JCF 10:30 a.m. Torah Study
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JCS 9:30 am-12:30 pm CKA 7:30 pm CKA 7:30 pm CKA Virtual Talmud Class Shabbat Service Shabbat Service
JCF 10:30 a.m. Torah JCF 10:00 pm Film Study screening begins Jewish Center and Federation Non–Profit Org. 1008 W. Water Street U.S. Postage Elmira, NY 14905 PAID Permit # 78
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Elmira, NY
Tina Wise Wise Tina Wise Tina Jankowski Fran
Administrative Assistant: Assistant: Administrative Assistant: Administrative Assistant: Administrative
[email protected] [email protected]
Charlotte Kantz Kantz Charlotte Kantz Marcus Miller Cheryl
President: President: President: President:
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Educator: Jeff Rosenheck Rosenheck Jeff Educator: Solyn Paul Dir.: Exec. Steinitz Oren Rabbi:
hElmira.org [email protected] [email protected] hElmira.org office@Jewis [email protected]
a 67 9–30 398–7310 (607) Fax
(607) 734–7735 734–7735 (607)
(607) 734–8122 (607) 734–8122 734–8122 (607) 734–8122 (607) 732–7410 (607)
a.org www.JewishElmira.org/school www.JewishElmira.org/school a.org www.JewishElmir www.KolAmiElmira.org
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