2013 Fall Newsletter Rabbi’s Message Hagim, I say TODAH--THANK YOU. Carie Carter A midrash teaches that the day will come when there will Gratitude is on my mind as we leave "Zman no longer be a need for ritual sacrifices of any kind. But Simchateinu"--"The Season of Our Joy", knowing even in those days, one offering will remain, the Korban full well that one cannot find true Simcha, real joy, Todah--the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving--for there will without a sense of gratitude and appreciation for ALWAYS be a need to give THANKS. what one has. But I also know that gratitude is not something that comes easily for most of us. It is a I've been thinking about this teaching quite a bit lately as quality we must work to develop. It is easy to want I look back on the Yamim Noraim, the phenomenal more, to be aware of that which is lacking in our lives, but to be able to say dayeinu ("I have enough") power of the High Holy Days when we essentially gather for a month, singing and praying, learning and dancing and to truly feel grateful for what we have takes together. I am filled with deep gratitude to this conviction and effort. community for creating a space where the power and the joy of the holidays could truly be felt. I am grateful to Strengthening our appreciation for the gifts which our cantor, Judy Ribnick, whose song and soul guided us are ours is something we have the opportunity to do so beautifully throughout the Days of Awe. I also want during this quiet month of Heshvan, as we look to express sincere thanks to the members of the Avodah forward to the next highlight of the Jewish calendar, committee for their tremendous efforts in helping to namely Hanukkah, or this year, as it is known, organize and energize our services from the first apple of Thanksgivukkah. Yes, one of the fun facts of 2013 is that the first day of Hanukkah, our Festival of Rosh Hashanah to the last dance of Simchat Torah. Thanks as well to the PSJC staff that worked for hours on Dedication in which we are commanded L'hodot u- end to make things run smoothly, and to all those who l'hallel--"to give thanks and to praise" for that which volunteered your time and energy to lead services, to read is ours--coincides with the holiday of Thanksgiving. Torah, to chant Haftarah, to teach and to sing, to usher, This, as you may have heard, is the first time the organize, and coordinate, to schlep and to shop. To all Jewish and Gregorian calendars have converged in those who stepped forward to lend a hand during these this way since President Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a holiday in 1863. And it is the last time it will happen until the year 79,811. So, as we INSIDE THIS ISSUE approach this once-in-79,961-year occurrence, may we remember the great commentator Rashi's Rabbi’s Message 1 teaching (BT Shabbat 24a): "All the matters of 2 President’s Corner Hanukkah were essentially established for Hodaah, for praise and acknowledgment". As we approach 4 A Note from our Executive Director this convergence of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving, 5 A Message from our Education Director may we use the days leading up to these holidays as an opportunity to cultivate our sense of gratitude, to 5 Security Update focus not on what is lacking from our lives but to give thanks for all that we have. Introducing ShulCloud 7 11 Thank you! - Rabbi Carie Carter Park Slope Jewish Center Quarterly Update 1 MAZAL TOV! President’s Corner There has been much to celebrate Ruth Kaufman Babies Mazal Tov to Rabbi Jeni Friedman and Noah Brozowsky It was wonderful to celebrate the High Holidays and on the birth of their son Osias Nathan Brosowsky and to the holidays through Simchat Torah with all of you and to Friedland-Zelko family on the birth of their grand-daughter, be able to greet everyone at the top of our new Nina Zelko Kalish, daughter of Shayna and Ari Kalish. entranceway! Bnai Mitzvah Celebrations this Fall and Winter I am in complete awe of the time and energy expended Hannah and Maya Gmach Isaiah Klein-Cloud by Rabbi Carie Carter as she balances the spiritual and Emma Rose Klein Matthew Neretin emotional needs of so many in our congregation Alana Leeds Elana Nussbaum-Cohen throughout the entire year as well as in tactical ways Zoe Sarullo Isaac Dubow and in programming. During the High Holidays Rabbi Carter and Cantor Judy Ribnick make a terrific team Weddings that elevates us to new spiritual heights each year. Rachel Roseman and Daniel Merker Rabbi Carter’s leadership and divre Torah and Cantor Rachel Efron and Linda Gaal Ribnick’s voice provide inspiration to us during the Days of Awe. Our Executive Director, Casey Baker, Congratulations to Jason Hutt for the positive press and made sure the i’s were dotted and the t’s were crossed NYC premiere of his documentary film Sukkah City. and our Facilities Manager, Patrick Francis and his Congratulations to Ezra Goldstein, who was highlighted team made sure our synagogue was in tip top shape. In in The Forward as the Oracle of Literary Brooklyn addition, we are excited about the energy provided by Community. Roland Lewis has received a fair amount our new Director of Youth Education and Family of press time in the NY Times and on NPR for his role as Programming, Aileen Heiman. head of the nonprofit Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. We want to share important events as we rejoice in good times, and send We have SO much to celebrate! comfort to those who are ill or in need. Please let us know if there is Sometimes it seemed that Gaudi's church in Barcelona information you would like us to include in the newsletter or weekly flier. – the one that’s been under construction for over 130 committee meetings and the all-important rental years - was the only construction project to have lasted longer than ours. The blue wall came down earlier in income. We have seen our downstairs space the summer - and our front entrance is usable for the transformed into a gorgeous party space for our auction first time in at least a decade and not only that, it’s and for b’nai mitzvah celebrations and brit milah and beautiful! How did you like being able to walk up baby namings. Our space is getting great use! those stairs into shul for the High Holidays?! Here’s the thing: In the way that we are a casual community - We encourage everyone – new and not so new - to though, yes, we do clean up nicely - we did not make participate in our activities and volunteer in your areas luxury renovations; it was about making our space of interest and make your mark. We need you None of usable and safe and now we have the benefit of using what happens at PSJC – ensuring there is a minyan for and enjoying them. Managing our construction project a family sitting shiva, pulling off a fun and financially has been very challenging, and would have been successful auction, the Finance Committee, our various impossible without the constant support of volunteers - communications including quarterly newsletters, our this year that’s mostly been Michael Snyder and Day of Service and social action programs, our Israel Jonathan Hurwitz, but key volunteers for this effort committee, Adult Ed, Hebrew School, etc – can happen include Esther Schwalbe, David Nachman, Tori Rosen, without the efforts of the entire PSJC community. What as well as Rabbi Carter and our Executive Director, occurs here at PSJC that appeals to you, what Casey Baker. capitalizes on your strength or provides a new learning or growth opportunity for you? Volunteer! Is there But everyone in our congregation has benefited from something you’re looking for that you haven’t heard this project, making summer services bearable in the mentioned? Help make your mark! Are you a graphic heat, creating comfortable classrooms for Hebrew or website designer? Do you have hidden talents? Can school, Talmud study, book groups, Board meetings, you help make wonderful things happen at PSJC? President’s Corner continued on page 3 Park Slope Jewish Center Quarterly Update 2 President’s Corner continued from page 2 There are many ways in which to contribute: end, we have created a Finance Committee consisting of both Board and non-Board members to Plan and execute an event, teach a class, usher. review the fiscal position of the synagogue and Visit or make a meal for someone who is sick or just provide recommendations to ensure we have a responsible budget that also supports the spiritual had a baby. Join our Hevra Kadisha. needs of our community. This has been achieved Become part of the Building, Adult Education, by some belt tightening, cost savings and Israel, Membership task forces (to name just a few). efficiencies. Additionally, our renovated space has Sponsor a kiddush for a specific milestone or simply attracted a number of one-time rental opportunities in gratitude for everything you have. for meetings and simchas, some of which have had the added benefit of leading to new members. And Pull off a fundraising event, help us find and write we have increased the number of on-going rentals, grants and otherwise help us pay off our mortgage. which leads to a steady and dependable income source for PSJC.