Congregation Kol Ami 252 Soundview Ave. White Plains, NY www.nykolami.org The Connection Published Monthly except July & August

Volume 63, No. 5 O Tevet 5772 O January 2012

Next Synaplex will be on February 10, 2012 A Plea for Peace from the Gazan Doctor Worship

SSEERRVVIICCEESS Nominating Committee Open Meeting

Friday, January 6 The Open Meeting of the Nominating Committee will be held on 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN THE WOODS in Gallery Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 7:30-8:00 pm 6:15 pm SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE in Main Sanctuary in the Schulman Chapel in the Woods.

Saturday, January 7 The members of the Committee are: SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel Board Members: 9:00 am Coffee and community Lauri Carey, Chair 9:30 am Study 10:30 am SERVICE : Bar Mitzvah of Max Brown Lori Abrams Laura Barzilai Edward Nerenberg with Lift in Chapel Non-Board Members: Friday, January 13 Leslie Heineman Martin Kahn Ben Kur George Lusk David Okun NEW MEMBER DINNER 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN THE WOODS in Gallery 6:15 pm SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE in Main Sanctuary Kol Ami's Inclusion Committee Saturday, January 14 This committee is here to assist any member or visitor with concerns SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel about accessibility, a specific disability or inclusion in our activities. 9:00 am Coffee and community Please contact any one of us to hear your concerns or suggestions. 9:30 am Study 11:00 am SERVICE Gene Kava, [email protected] 5:30 pm SHABBAT AFTERNOON SERVICE: Donna Klein, [email protected] or Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Styler in Chapel Rachel Feld-Glazman, [email protected].

Friday, January 20 SYNAPLEX 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN THE WOODS in Gallery 6:15 pm SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE Weekly Torah Portions for January in Main Sanctuary

Saturday, January 21 Week ending January 7, 2012 SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel Parashat Vayehi Genesis 47:28-50:26 9:00 am Coffee and community The final parashah in B’reishit, brings the first book of the Torah full circle. 9:30 am Study The family stories of patriarchs and matriarchs culminate in the blessings 11:00 am SERVICE of Jacob to his sons and grandsons. The centerpiece of the portion is a 5:30 pm SHABBAT AFTERNOON SERVICE : Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Gordon in sequence of twelve blessings, delivered by Jacob to each of his sons. Jacob Sanctuary brings his entire family together to hear his words.

Friday, January 27 Week ending January 14, 2012 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN THE WOODS in Gallery Parashat Shemot Exodus 1:1-6:1 6:15 pm SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE This week we begin the book of Exodus. In Hebrew, the name of the book in Main Sanctuary and its first parashah is Shemot , meaning “names,” referring to the names Saturday, January 28 of the Israelites who come to Egypt with Jacob. A new Pharaoh who does SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel not have direct experience with Joseph took control of Egypt. The Israelites 9:00 am Coffee and community are enslaved. Moses is born and in turn “gives birth” to the people of Israel. 9:30 am Study 11:00 am SERVICE Week ending January 21, 2012 10:30 am SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE : Parashat Vaera Exodus 6:2-9:35 Bar Mitzvah of Jonathan Silverman in Sanctuary God speaks to Moses, confirming the covenant that was made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The pleas of the enslaved Israelites have been Friday, February 3 heard by the Eternal, and God instructs Moses to promise them redemp - YAD BʼYAD FAMILY SHABBAT tion. God also commands Moses to speak to Pharaoh and demand that he 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN THE WOODS in Gallery liberate the people of Israel. Pharaoh refuses to release the slaves and God 6:15 pm SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE causes plagues on the Egyptians in order to change Pharaoh’s mind. in Main Sanctuary

Saturday, February 4 Week ending January 28, 2012 SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel Parashat Bo Exodus 10:1-13:16 9:00 am Coffee and community This parasha begins with a reiteration of God’s challenge to Pharaoh to 9:30 am Study change his behavior while at the same time making it more difficult for him 11:00 am SERVICE to do so; and it concludes with the freeing of the Israelites from bondage. 10:30 am SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE : God tells Moses and Aaron that the people must remember how God freed Bat Mitzvah of Annie Cohen in Sanctuary 4:00 pm HAVDALAH HISPANICA them from bondage.

The Connection 2 January, 2012 Worship You Have to Let Go…

ou have to let go of hate if you Palestinian doctor to complete a formal resi - you in 2007, I realized want to be free." dency and receive a staff position at an Israeli that I had found a faith “Y hospital, where he continued to treat both leader who embodied This quotation is from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Israelis and Palestinians. In January 2009, those higher values of of England (Chief Rabbi of the United during the three-week-long war in the Gaza reconciliation and under- trip and a mere four months after losing his Hebrew Congregations of the Common- S standin g so admired by wealth), extracted from an interview togeth - wife, Nadia, to cancer, an Israeli tank mistak - the prophet of Islam." er with the Dalai Lama. It ended an article in enly fired two shells into Dr. Abuelaish's home, killing three of his daughters and his Beginning in January, our “Facing the the last issue of Reform Judaism , a magazine niece. His new book is part Legacy of September 11th Ten Years Later: sent to all the households of our congrega - I Shall Not Hate Jews and Muslims in America” series will tion and Reform congregations across North of his ongoing work to create a lasting peace meet on four Thursday evenings (1/26, 2/9, America. He mentioned it in the context of between Palestinians and Israelis. 3/8, and 3/22) from 7:30-9:00 pm at Kol interpreting a verse from Deuteronomy, "Do Ami. During these winter months, we will not hate an Egyptian, for you were a stranger The March Synaplex features Dr. Sayyid have the chance to study about Islam with in his land." Rabbi Sacks adds, "Had the Syeed, the National Director of the Islamic Muslim teachers: Imam Shamsi Ali of the Israelites continued to hate their enemies, Society of North America’s (ISNA) Office for Islamic Cultural Center of New York, Dr. Moses would have taken the Israelites out of Interfaith and Community Alliances. ISNA Kareem Adeeb of the American Institute for Egypt, but he would not have taken Egypt and the URJ (the Union for Reform Judaism) Islamic and Arabic Studies in Connecticut, out of the Israelites. They would be slaves to have partnered together to create a curricu - and Zead Ramadan of CAIR New York their past, slaves to their feelings of pain, lum of study for Jews and Muslims and to (Council on American-Islamic Relations). injustice and grievance. This is what we have address concerns of both anti-Semitism and These evenings have been inspired and cre - to repeat, day after day, in this difficult, dan - Islamophobia in the United States. As 5,000 ated by members of our Interfaithful gerous, 21st century. You have to let go of Reform Jews gathered in Washington DC in Committee and I hope that as we learn from hate if you want to be free." mid-December, we also celebrated the 16 year tenure of Rabbi Eric Yoffie as president these courageous teachers we also will learn more about what we share as great religious The months of January, February and March of the URJ. Dr. Syeed was among those traditions, and perhaps more about the will open up for us many opportunities to whose tribute was printed in the honorary uniqueness of our own. learn with and from Muslims—American journal: "There was a time when Muslim Muslims, Palestinian Muslims and others. and Jewish communities in America had no So, a Happy New Year. I hope that 2012 Our featured speaker at the February 10th formal communication with one another, begins for us as a community with wisdom, Synaplex is Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. Called a and the only things we knew about each insight and new ways to see our world and Palestinian Martin Luther King, Dr. other were filtered through negative stereo - our place in it. Abuelaish, an obstetrician/gynecologist and types and demonized caricatures. It was dif - fertility expert, was born in the Jabalia ficult to find partners in this environment Refugee Camp. Through sheer determina - who would step forward and choose a path Shira tion and hard work, he became the first of reconciliation and dialogues. When I met

The L'Dor Va'Dor (Capital Campaign) Committee is thrilled to announce that we are now just shy of having raised 3.4 million dollars for our project!!!

At this point, design decisions are being made based on our pledges and so we are all making a concert - ed effort to meet with and engage as many congregants as possible. When you get a call, we hope you will agree to meet with us and hear about our exciting plans for our soon-to-be beautifully renovated and congregant-friendly sanctuary and grounds.

Andrea Seiden, Chairperson The Connection 3 January, 2012 Worship/People Ritual Riches: Tu b’Shevat he “roots” of Tu b’Shevat can be found in In current times, Tu b’Shevat is considered to our own inseparable ties with the earth. The Tthe third book of the Torah. In Leviticus be a Jewish Arbor Day or “Earth Day” that fourth fruit has a tough skin on the outside 19:23-25, the Israelites are told, “When you teaches about Judaism’s attitudes towards but sweet fruit within (mangos, bananas, enter the land and plant any tree for food, you responsible stewardship of God’s creation. avocados, or sabra) and symbolizes the mys - shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it Some observe this holiday by planting trees tery of the world and the Torah. shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten. In the and promoting environmental activism. It is Another tradition, developed by the fourth year all its fruit shall be set aside for jubi - also traditional to eat fruit associated with the Kabbalists, is the Tu b’Shevat Seder . The lation before God; and only in the fifth year may land of Israel. Another custom is to eat a new seder begins with the recitation of the you use its fruit—that its yield to you may be fruit or to eat from the “seven species” The Shehecheyanu, thanking God for bringing us increased.” In the fifth year—and all subse - “seven species” mentioned in Deuteronomy to this joyous time of celebrating rebirth and quent years—the farmer would be able to 8:8 are wheat, barley, grapes (vines), figs, change. Modeled on the Passover Seder, the harvest the crop for his own use. pomegranates, olives and dates (honey). Tu b’Shevat Seder includes eating fruit and drinking four cups of wine. These cups of In order to determine how the “birthday” of The new fruits of the season fall into four wine contain varying percentages of red and a tree could be marked, the early Rabbis categories. The first, hard on the outside and white wine, possibly representing the shift - established the 15th day of the Hebrew soft on the inside, symbolizes the protection ing of the four seasons. The seder may also month Shevat as a general "birthday" for all that the earth gives us and reminds us to include readings on trees and fruit from a trees, regardless of when they were actually nourish the strength and healing power of range of Jewish literature. planted. By this time, the majority of the our own bodies. These include walnuts, annual rainfall has usually fallen in Israel, coconuts, or almonds. The second fruit is However you celebrate Tu b’Shevat , it is a providing a healthy, water-logged soil in soft with a pit in the center (such as olives, time to reflect on our connection to the land which to plant new trees. The holiday, Tu dates, peaches, apricots, etc.) and symbol - of Israel, as well as to the land and nature b’Shevat, derives its name from its date. “Tu" izes the life-sustaining power that emanates throughout the world. Happy Birthday Trees! is the pronunciation of the Hebrew letters from the earth. It reminds us of the spiritual (tet + vav) that have a numerical value of 15; and emotional strength that is within each of Ritual Riches is a monthly column written by and the holiday occurs in (b’) the Hebrew us. The third fruit is soft throughout and is members of the Worship Committee. We hope month of Shevat. This year Tu b’Shevat falls completely edible (figs, grapes, and raisins) you will find these articles interesting and on February 8th on our calendar. and symbolizes God's omnipresence and informative.

From Our Co-Presidents d

e have just returned from the URJ Movement—and this does not begin to We hope you all e m a l

Biennial in Washington D.C, and to paint a full picture of the depth of the expe - experienced the e

W M a say that we were inspired by this gathering of rience. That is why we have requested the blessings of fami - l e i r a

over 6000 committed Reform Jews is not input of the Kol Ami congregants, clergy and ly and friends M y b

nearly enough. We learned, prayed, enjoyed staff who attended with us so that they can during Hanukkah o t o h contemporary and classic Israeli and Jewish share their impressions of the Biennial, in and wish you a P music, participated in Shabbat dinner for the February Connection. Printing dead - happy, healthy, 4500 people, heard first-hand from lines and other such realities preclude pre - peaceful 2012 President Obama, were energized about the senting these testimonials now, but we know filled with the blend of gratitude, hopeful - URJ's new Campaign for Youth Engagement that the heartfelt reflections will be worth the ness and joy that permeated the Biennial. and the optimistic forecast about the Reform wait! Ronnie and Mark

From Our Director of Membership and Developmen t hope you have received Ami during services with a special blessing. ers, and other new members who have Iyour invitation to be our Services will be followed by Shabbat dinner. joined Kol Ami this year. guests at the New Member After dinner, adults will have the opportunity Shabbat Service and Dinner to study with Rabbis Milgrom and Weiner Please RSVP by January 9th to which is going to be on while our children make sandwiches and [email protected] or call me at Friday, January 13th at 6:15 snacks for the hungry and cards for those 949-4717 ext. 115 pm. who are ill and at home or in the hospital. Janet We look forward to welcoming you to Kol Come and get to know our clergy, lay lead -

The Connection 4 January, 2012 People

THE INTERFAITH CONNECTION and WESTCHESTER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE

present a community event in honor of

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR .

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012 at 4:00 P.M. MUSIC OF FREEDOM

HOSTED BY CONGREGATION KOL AMI 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Performances by local religious and spiritual groups • Choral Prayer & Ceremonial Taiko Drums of Shinnyo-En Buddhist Temple • Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion Church Inspirational Choir • Choir of Memorial United Methodist Church • A Nasheed performed by Hufsa Khan and Anoosh Khan • The Part-takers of Little Mount Zion Holy Church • Choir of Congregation Kol Ami

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AFTER THE CONCERT NO ADMISSION CHARGE. THERE WILL BE A FREE-WILL OFFERING. TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

For information contact MLK Institute 914-949-6555 or [email protected]

The Connection 5 January, 2012 Schools

The Connection 6 January, 2012 Schools

The Early Childhood Program of Congregation Kol Ami Invite all families with young children to A Havdalah and Sh'ma Pajama Party!

Join Nan Blank and Cantor Mo Glazman Saturday Afternoon, January 7, 2012

Enjoy the Sweetness of Havdalah with Family and Friends! Crafts, Family Learning and Snack Come in your Pajamas!

Admission: Please bring a new pair of Children’s Pajamas to be donated to the local family shelter.

Reserve your place today by calling Nan Blank at 949-4717, choice 4 See You There!

Kol Ami Early Childhood Program Warm, Nurturing and Enriching Registration for 2012-2013 Now Open First Friends: A Toddler Program 2, 3, 4 and 5-Day 2’s • 3, 4, and 5-Day 3’s • Morning 4’s Full & Half-Day 4’s • Extended Day Program for 3’s & 4’s

A Step Ahead! Our Pre-K program for children turning 5 from September through December Call for an appointment and tour today • Nan Blank, Director, at Ext. 107

The Connection 7 January, 2012 People Meet Our Members Tell us about some of your other activi - was raised in New City. Matthew’s ties at Kol Ami. mother still resides in Rockland County. Barbara has been involved with almost Jason is a second grader in the Ardsley every committee at one time or another. schools and Ryan is in preschool in She tells us, “I’ve been on the Board. I’m Ardsley. presently on the Worship Committee and co-chair of the Interfaith Matthew is head of account mainte - Committee. I’ve always been a regular at nance for HSBC. He is a SUNY Albany Friday night services and the Saturday graduate and has an MBA from Boston Lift.” She also studies Torah Friday University. Lisa graduated from Cornell mornings with the Torah Study group and works as a freelance writer and edi - and attends Rabbi Tom’s Tuesday’s tor with expertise in home design. She class, Wisdom of the Sages . She attends has been editor of several magazines, BARBARA BLOCK Carol Diamond’s class on Jewish writers having been editor of House Beautiful How long have you been at Kol Ami? which is held at Kol Ami and she attends Kitchens and Bath for about six years. She “Next spring, I will have been at Kol Ami classes at Temple Israel as well. has written four books, the last being for 45 years. I joined Kol Ami in 1967. I Your Dream Home. had three small children and Kol Ami— What advice can you give to newer then the JCC—was a wonderful fit.” congregants What brought you to Kol Ami? Barbara got involved immediately, “Give the temple a chance. Get Both Jason and Ryan were in the Kol attending a Wednesday afternoon bible involved. Find something that speaks to Ami preschool. We got to know other class with Rabbi Davis and enrolling her you. Remember that our clergy team is families, the rabbis and other staff mem - daughter Paula in a newly started Junior terrific and is receptive to new ideas. Tell bers. We felt their warmth and commit - Youth Group. Cantor Smolover noticed us what you would like to do if it is not ment. The clergy’s welcoming qualities that Paula loved music and was happy to presently available.” set Kol Ami apart. They, and other staff give her voice lessons. Paula is now a members, are quite approachable. rabbi in Santa Cruz, California and she Any last thoughts? also serves the musical needs of her con - “Kol Ami has been a tremendous source Tell us about your involvement at Kol gregation. Barbara’s son Steven also lives of strength for me. It can be the same for Ami in Santa Cruz and son Andrew lives in you.” Lisa was asked to write and edit the Washington D.C. Meet Our Members column of the Connection. She happily took on that Tell us a little about yourself? responsibility and continues to be “I was born and raised in the Bronx. Two involved. Holiday celebrations are of my children, Paula and Steven, were always fun for the family - Sukkot at born in the Bronx and my son Andrew Shira and David’s home or something as was born after we moved to Yonkers.” simple as candy for the boys after Rosh Then the family moved to White Plains Hashanah services. There are always where Barbara has lived for 44 years. wonderful stories for the kids and won - Barbara first worked as a bookkeeper derful music. and then as an office manager. After retir - ing she was asked to help a young cou - Any other Kol Ami activities that you ple and became their children’s nanny. would like to talk about? She continued as a nanny for three dif - The boys really enjoy Sundays at Kol ferent families for a total of twelve years. Ami. There is a lesson, a craft activity, snacks, Israeli dancing and a service. Do you have any hobbies you would like MATTHEW AND LISA SIGLAG The kids learn letters through dance. to tell us about? What a wonderful idea. “Music, for sure. I was a member of the Matthew and Lisa and their two boys, If you’d like to be a part of our “Meet the first Kol Ami volunteer choir and I am seven year old Jason and five year old Ryan, have been members of Kol Ami for Members,” section and tell your story, please still a choir member. I have gotten more contact Janet Hershey, the Director of and more interested in opera.” three years. Lisa grew up in Edgemont, where her parents still live and Matthew Membership and Development at 914-949- 4717, x115.

The Connection 8 January, 2012 People

The Connection 9 January, 2012

Learning Experiences Adult Education

Please check the program listings in your Kol Ami phone and date book Wisdom of the Sages: Lunch and Learn for more details. with Rabbi Tom Weiner Every Tuesday, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm. Lively discussions of the world and our lives Hebrew Classes for Adults* COMING IN JANUARY: based on some of the most provocative and Pending sufficient enrollment fascinating Jewish learning texts. $150 per semester (scholarships available) Facing the Legacy of Sept. 11th: Introduction to Judaism $180 per semester for non-members Ten Years Later with Rabbi Shira Milgrom Jews & Muslim in America Tuesdays 8:00-10:00 pm. 1/10, 1/24 Wednesday Evenings Thurs., 7:30-9:00 pm First year of a 2 year program leading 1/26, 2/9, 3/8 &3/22 to Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah with Emily Fields Rabbi Shira Milgrom & guest teachers Advanced Beginners/Intermediate Weekly Torah: Parshat Hashavua: Martinis & Midrash 7:30 pm Weekly Torah Study Sat., 1/28 from 7:00-9:00 pm Every Friday from 10-11:30 am. Registration/fee required Led by Kol Ami members Sponsored by Women of Reform Sunday Mornings Judaism/Sisterhood with Emily Fields No class 1/1/12 Biblical Beauty: Ancient Secrets Parenting/Grandparenting Workshops: & Modern Solutions Blessing of a Skinned Knee Beginning Hebrew How Women of the Bible Created with Susan Davis, LCSW 9:00 a Timeless Beauty For parents of elementary school aged children. Sun., 2/5 from 9:00 –11:00 am Meets 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, Advanced Beginners With Rachelle Weisberg 9:30-11:30 am Free, registration required 10:00 Sponsored by Women of Reform Adolescent Parenting Workshops Intermediate Judaism/Sisterhood with Susan Davis, LCSW 11:15 am First and third Thursdays of month from 9:45-11:45 Discussion of parenting issues Intermediate/Advanced related to adolescents. Women’s Roundtable Breakfast with Alice Seidman 9:00 – 10:00 am with Rabbi Shira Milgrom Grandparenting Workshops Wednesdays, 7:45-9:00 am No class 1/1/12 with Susan Davis, LCSW NOTE DATE: Jan. 11, 2012, First Monday of each month, (Contact Alice Seidman at 953-8455 2/1, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2 9:15-10:45 am for further information) Kol Ami Reads Book Club First Wed. of each month 9:15 am in Room 20 Doris Dingott, 289-0869

Israeli Folk Dance with Shmulik Gov-Ari Wednesdays when Religious School is in Session Winter Jewish Film Festival $10 members; $13 non-members 8:00-8:30 pm Beginners Tuesday evenings • Jan 17, Feb 14, Mar 20 • In the Petschek Gallery at 7:30 pm 8:30-10:00 pm Open Dance The January 17th movie will be Current Events with Beth & Gene Kava “Sarah’s Key” Mondays, 11:00am-12:30 pm in Room 20 1/23 In the midst of researching an article about the roundup of Jews that took place in Examine a current issue of the day in depth. Will use readings, video or a guest speaker Paris in 1942, American-born journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) uncovers a sobering connection between her story and the home she shares with her boorish Kol Ami Genealogy Group French husband (Frederic Pierrot). Gilles Paquet-Brenner directs this gripping drama with Dr. Alan Steinfeld based on a bestselling novel of the same name that was inspired by actual events. First Wednesday of month, 7:15-8:30 pm. Next class 1/4/12

The Connection 12 January, 2012 Learning Experiences

CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONS 2012 Programs and Events Something for Everyone!

KOL AMI WOMEN ’S OASIS AT HOME Two Sessions Remaining — We begin to explore Honey from the Rock: An Easy Introduction to Jewish Mysticism by Lawrence Kushner An introduction to the ten gates of Jewish mysticism and how it applies to daily life.

Tuesday, February 7 7:30 –9:30 p.m. at the home of Lauri Carey Sunday, April 22 9:15 –11:00 a.m. in the Chapel in the Woods

We want you to keep coming and bring your friends $18.00 for individual sessions. Visit www.nykolami.org to register.

BINGO – A B IG BOLD BLAST ! Sunday, January 22- 4:30 p.m. – at Kol Ami (See page 19 for more information) Co-presented by Social Action/Congregational Relations in support of Kol Ami’s Social Action programs. Bingo, Dinner, Raffle, Prizes – Save the Date – A night of fun for all ages. Bring your family and friends!

AN EVENING AT THE WESTCHESTER JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL AT JACOB BURNS Let’s go together! Festival Dates: Wednesday, April 11-Tuesday, May 1 Kol Ami will join in one of the special events associated with the Festival. Details to follow.

Help Us Celebrate! The 36th Annual (Double Chai) Westchester Jewish Council Gala Saturday, February 11, 7:15 PM, honoring Tobi & The Honorable Martin Rogowsky and Joyce & Fred Claar Featuring an evening of fun and comedy with the Chicago City Limits plus the music of The New Relics kosher dietary laws observed Westchester Jewish Center, 147 Rockland Avenue, Mamaroneck ASL interpretation available upon request to [email protected] \For more information call the Westchester Jewish Council (914) 328-7001 [email protected] visit us at www.wjcouncil.org (Formerly the Westchester Jewish Conference) A proud beneficiary of UJA-Federation of New York

The Connection 13 January, 2012 Affiliates WOMEN OF REFORM JUDAISM BARBARA GRUBER SCHOLARSHIP FUND Kol Ami’s Women of Reform Judaism (Sisterhood) is involved in many facets In 2011, the Women of Reform Judaism awarded nine such scholarships. In of the Temple’s life. We are proud that for many years, we have been able to order for us to continue this valuable program, the Barbara Gruber recognize our graduating high school seniors in June when we award schol - Scholarship Fund requires replenishment through contributions. Donations arships. To be eligible, students must have become Bat/Bar Mitzvah, been in any amount are welcome and can be made to honor an individual, to com - Confirmed, continued their Jewish education through 12th grade in our memorate a meaningful experience, or “just because”. Acknowledgement Religious School, and performed community service. Our financial support will appear in The Connection. of these students is made possible through donations to our Barbara Gruber Scholarship Fund. We invite you to contribute to this worthy cause. Checks may be written to "The Barbara Gruber Scholarship Fund", WRJ, and left in the Women of Reform Judaism drawer in the Temple office. Any ques - The Barbara Gruber Scholarship Fund is named in loving memory of Barbara tions should be addressed to either Mimi Rogowsky at (914) 522-2723, Gruber who was an active member and leader of our congregation. Among mims.rog@verizon,net, or Sheryl Brady at (914) 761-8345, sxbrady@veri - her many contributions to our community, she was a President of our zon.net. Sisterhood, co-chair of many of our Holiday Boutiques, and the manager of the Judaica Shop. Barbara was married to Matt Gruber, the Executive Thank you for your support, Director of our synagogue for many years, and a resident of White Plains Your WRJ Sisterhood where they raised their three children.

Sisterhood News Martinis SAVE THE DATE: Sisterhood & Midrash: Join us as author Membership Rachelle Weisberger Dinner An intimate home gathering talks about her book for women, with Cantor Mo Glazman. Saturday, January 28th “Biblical Beauty: Ancient from 5:00-7:00 pm Secrets and Modern with Rabbi Shira Milgrom. Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Solutions”. Admission: Paid up Sisterhood Drinks, Snacks and Sunday, February 5 Lively Discussion Membership for 2011-2012. from 9:00-11:0 am. closing with havdalah, dessert and coffee. Your Sisterhood We will explore how Reservations required: membership of $40 women of the Bible created $18 with paid up a timeless beauty. supports socializing events Sisterhood membership throughout the year and $25 Guests and Please call Ilene Miller, Non-Members. provides funding for a vast 949-4717 x 111 array of charitable activities or email her at Contact Ilene Miller at [email protected] to throughout the Temple and [email protected] reserve your space. the larger community. or call her at Free. 914-949-4717 x 111.

The Connection 14 January, 2012 Affiliates Kol Ami Reads MITZVAH Book Club

KNITZ Unbroken We will be meeting on by Laura Hillenbrand January 4, 2012 Tuesday January 17 The Eye of the Leopard from noon to 2:00 pm. by Henning Mankell February 1, 2012 Serving the Jewish Community Join us. for over Sixty Years Knitters of all skill levels Newly decorated and expanded facilities All meetings, unless otherwise are welcome. announced, are on the first Wednesday of Attended parking for over 100 cars For further information, the month at 9:15am in Room 20 Independently owned and operated Come whether you’ve read the book or not; call Elaine Cohen, the discussion is always lively. 725-0248 or For further information., contact Doris Dingott, 289-0869, elwilco@verizon. [email protected] or Elaine Cohen, 725-0248, 2 Maple Avenue at. S. Broadway, [email protected]. Future Dates: White Plains, NY 10601 2/21, 3/20, 4/17, 949-0566 5/15, 6/19

The Connection 15 January, 2012

Bingo Bingo Bingo A Big Bold Blast! Presented by Congregational Relations and Social Action Dinner • Bingo • Raffle Prizes • Friends Support Kol Ami’s Social Action Projects Sunday, January 22, 2012 • 4:30 p.m. • at Kol Ami Adults $25 Children 2–12 $15 Children Under 2 Free Food Pantries are running low; please bring canned food for the needy.

Kol Ami’s Social Action Committee provides goods, services and money to those most needy including the elderly, the hungry, the sick, the poor and those fighting in our Military. We have helped those as far away as New Orleans, South Africa, Iraq and our beloved Israel and as near as local homeless shelters and nursing homes. We have knitted, sung, cooked, fed, clothed, painted, walked and collected. To continue to serve our community requires your support in time, money, and commitment.

To make a reservation fill out the form below or visit www.nykolami.org Questions? Call Lauri Carey 472-8076 or Jill Abraham 472-5806. Deadline for Reservations: January 17, 2012. Bingo Bingo Bingo Sunday, January 22, 2012

I Yes, I would not miss this! # of Adults at $25 per person ______Total $ ______# of Children @ $15 per person ______Total $ ______

I No, I’m sorry to miss out. Enclosed is my contribution to sustain Social Action $ ______Name(s) ______Phone ______Email ______Please make checks payable to Congregation Kol Ami and mail to 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606. Social Action

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE Repairing the World — Tikkun Olam

THANKS to all who volunteered to help with the Project SHARE dinner held on November 22nd. The din - ner provided a Thanksgiving “family style” meal to nearly 600 homeless men, woman and children. This was the 3rd year that Kol Ami has hosted this dinner. Special thanks to NAN BLANK for organizing the candy bags and to JANE FRIEDBERG, PAUL AND ALL THE MAINTAINANCE STAFF.

BINGO IS BACK!!!!!- JANUARY 22, 2012 See page 11 for registration information. Volunteers are needed to help organize the event. If you are interested, please contact Wendy Greenberg or Jodi Klein.

EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION- We will be participating for the 5th year with UJA to collect non -perishable food for the Bronx Jewish Community Council Food Pantry. This pantry feeds 2,200 people monthly, a third of whom are children. We will be the sole supplier of food for February. The collection bin will be in the religious school hallway until January 26th. NO GLASS CONTAIN - ERS, PLEASE! Students in grades 7-12 who would like to help organize the collection and/or pack the food for the pantry on Sunday, January 29th can contact Ellie Klein at 472-4617.

WESTHAB’S 3RD ANNUAL YOUTHFEST- PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO FEBRUARY 16TH, 2012 AND WILL BE HELD AT THE TARRYTOWN MUSIC HALL DUE TO THE AVAILABLITY OF PERFORMER MATISYAHU. Anyone interested in helping with this event can email [email protected]

Wendy Greenberg Mikhailovich at 472-3377 or [email protected] or Jodi Klein at 472-4617 or [email protected]

MITZVAH CORPS COOKING FOR THE HOMELESS For Sunday Information: Nancy Marcus - 725-7231 Join us at Westchester Meadows, For Monday Information: Laura Green - 949-6113 Grasslands Avenue, Valhalla Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 2:30 pm Sundays at 11:00 am: 1/22, 2/5, 3/18, 4/22, 5/6, 6/10 as we sing songs accompanied by Paul Schwarz. Mondays at noon: 1/23, 2/27, 3/26, 4/23, Bring a little sunshine to the residents and make 5/21, 6/18. a difference in their lives. For more info call Ellie Fleisch 481-1479. If you are interested in chairing Monday Cooking for the Homeless in 2012, please contact Laura Green at 949-6113.

The Connection 18 January, 2012 Calendar is subject to change. To check listings, call the temple’s voice mail. January 2012 " Tevet 5772 For temple events, service schedule, and office hours, call ext. 137. For weather info, call ext. 145. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1234567

NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL OFFICE CLOSED ECP RE-OPENS RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 9:45 am Adolescent SYG TRIP TO RAC SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel NO HEBREW CLASSES 12:00 pm Wisdom of 9:00 am Book Club Parenting 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN 9:00 am Coffee & the Sages Class 6:00 pm Or Chadash, 7:45 pm Congregational THE WOODS in Community 7:30 pm WRJ meeting Children’s Choir Choir Rehearsal Gallery 9:30 am Study 7:30 pm Adult Purim Rehearsal 6:15 pm SHABBAT 10:30 am SERVICE : Bar Rehearsal 7:30 pm Advanced EVENING SERVICE in Mitzvah of Max 8:00 pm Intro to Beginners/Intermediate Sanctuary Brown with Lift Judaism Adult Hebrew 4:30 pm HAVDALAH IN 7:15 pm Genealogy PAJAMAS Group 8:00 pm Israeli Dance

8910 11 12 13 14 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 9:30 am Blessing of a 12:00 pm Wisdom of RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 9:30 am Grandparenting NEW MEMBER DINNER SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel 9 am: Intermediate/ Skinned Knee Class the Sages Class 7 :45 am Round Table Workshop 10:00 am Torah Study 9:00 am Coffee & Advanced Hebrew with 8:00 pm Men’s 7:30 pm Adult Purim Breakfast 7:45 pm Congregational 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN Community Alice Seidman Council/Brotherhood Rehearsal 6:00 pm Or Chadash Choir Rehearsal THE WOODS in 9:30 am Study 9 am Beginning Hebrew Meeting 8:00 pm Intro to Rehearsal Gallery 11:00 am SERVICE with Emily Fields Judaism class 7:30 pm Advanced 6:15 pm SHABBAT 5:30 pm SHABBAT 10 am Advanced Beginners Beginners/Intermediate EVENING SERVICE in AFTERNOON Hebrew with Emily Adult Hebrew Sanctuary SERVICE Bar Mitzvah 11:00 am Drama Club 8:00 pm Israeli Dance of Benjamin Styler in Rehearsal Chapel 11:15 am Intermediate Hebrew with Emily

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ECP CLOSED 12:00 pm Wisdom of RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 9:45 am Adolescent SYNAPLEX SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel NO ADULT HEBREW OFFICE CLOSED the Sages Class 6:00 pm Or Chadash Parenting Workshop 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN 9:00 am Coffee & CLASSES MARTIN LUTHER KING, 7:30 pm Winter Jewish Rehearsal 8:00 pm Board of THE WOODS in Community 4:00 pm Martin Luther JR. DAY Film Festival movie 7:30 pm Advanced Trustees meeting Gallery 9:30 am Study King, Jr. Concert OBSERVANCE 7:30 pm Adult Purim Beginners/Intermediate 6:15 pm SHABBAT 11:00 am SERVICE Rehearsal Adult Hebrew EVENING SERVICE in 5:30 pm SHABBAT 8:00 pm Israeli Dance Sanctuary AFTERNOON SERVICE Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Gordon in Sanctuary

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9:00 am: Intermediate/ Advanced Hebrew with Alice 9:30 am Blessing of a 9:00 am ECP program RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 7:30 pm Facing the 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel Seidman Skinned Knee Class with Kodomono Kuni 6:00 pm Or Chadash Legacy of 9/11 THE WOODS in 9:00 am Coffee & 9:00 am Beginning Hebrew 12:00 pm Cooking for 7:30 pm Adult Purim Rehearsal course begins Gallery Community with Emily Fields the Homeless Rehearsal 7:30 pm Advanced 7:45 pm Congregational 6:15 pm SHABBAT 9:30 am Study 9:00 am Bar/Bat Mitzvah 8:00 pm Intro to Beginners/Intermediate Choir Rehearsal EVENING SERVICE in 11:00 am SERVICE Workshop 10:30 am SHABBAT 10 am Advanced Beginners Judaism Class Adult Hebrew Sanctuary Hebrew with Emily 7:30 pm Open Meeting MORNING SERVICE: 11:00 am Drama Club of Nominating Bar Mitzvah of Rehearsal Committee Jonathan Silverman in 11:00 am Cooking for the 8:00 pm Israeli Dance Sanctuary Homeless 7:00 pm MARTINIS & 11:15 am Intermediate MIDRASH t Hebrew with Emily 4:30 pm BINGO –A Big, Bold Blast!!

RELIGIOUS 29 30 31 Feb. 1 234 SCHOOL 9:00 am: Intermediate/ 12:00 PM Wisdom of RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 9:45 am Adolescent YAD B’YAD FAMILY SPIRITUAL LIFT in Chapel Advanced Hebrew with the Sages Class 7 :45 am Round Table parenting SHABBAT 9:00 am Coffee & Alice Seidman 7:30 pm Adult Purim Breakfast 7:45 pm 5:30 pm SHABBAT IN Community 9:00 am Beginning Rehearsal 9:00 am Book Club Congregational Choir THE WOODS in 9:30 am Study Hebrew with Emily 6:00 pm Or Chadash, Rehearsal Gallery 11:00 am SERVICE Fields 6:15 pm SHABBAT 10:00 am Advanced Children’s Choir 10:30 am SHABBAT beginners Hebrew Rehearsal EVENING SERVICE in MORNING SERVICE : with Emily 7:30 pm Advanced Sanctuary Bat Mitzvah of Annie 11:00 am Drama Club Beginners/Intermediate Cohen in Sanctuary Rehearsal Adult Hebrew 4:00 pm HAVDALAH 11:15 am Intermediate 7:15 pm Genealogy HISPANICA Hebrew with Emily Group 12:45 pm Joanie Leeds 8:00 pm Israeli Dance Concert February Connection Deadline

January 20, 2012

Congregation Kol Ami A Reform Synagogue (914) 949-4717 A Member of the Union for Reform Judaism Rabbis Shira Milgrom Tom Weiner 328-4549 684-6991

Cantor: Mo Glazman Exec. Director: Jane S. Friedberg Religious School Principal: Felice Miller Baritz ECP Director: Nan Blank Program Manager: Ilene Miller Director of Membership & Development Janet H. Hershey Co-Presidents: Ronnie Cohn Farley Mark Seiden

Rabbis Lawrence W. Schwartz* Emeriti: Maurice Davis* Mark L. Winer Cantor Emeritus: Raymond Smolover

*of blessed memory

Non Profit U.S. Postage PAID White Plains, N.Y. Permit No. 492 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606 / 914-949-4717 Fax 914-946-8143