November 2020 Heshvan - Kislev 5781 1 EVAN ZUCKERMAN President
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A monthly publication of the Pine Brook Jewish Center. Serving the needs of our diverse Jewish community for more than 120 years. CANDLESTICK Clergy and Staff Mark David Finkel, Rabbi Menachem Toren, Cantor Dr. Asher Krief, Rabbi Emeritus Michelle Zuckerman, Executive Director Arlene Lopez, Office Administrator Karen Herbst, Office Administrator Mary Sheydwasser, Educational Director Lisa Lerman and Jill Buckler, Nursery School Co-Directors Robin Mangino, Religious School Administrator Esterina Herman, Bookkeeper Synagogue Officers Evan Zuckerman, President Michael Weinstein, 1st Vice President Jonathan Lewis, 2nd Vice President Betsy Steckelman, 3rd Vice President Seth Friedman, Treasurer Barry Marks, Financial Secretary Mike Singer, Corresponding Secretary Jay Thailer, Men’s Club President Fran Simmons and Ilene Thailer, Sisterhood Co-Presidents Religious Service Times Friday Evenings at 8:00 p.m. The family service is held on the first Friday of each month at 7:00 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m. from September though June. Saturday Mornings at 9:45 a.m. with preliminary prayers at 9:30 a.m. Emergency Contact Information Please use the following protocol in the event of an emergency or if you lose a loved one: Call the synagogue office at 973-244-9800. If the office is closed, call Rabbi Finkel at (973) 287-7047 (home) or (973) 407-0065 (cell). If you are unable to reach the Rabbi, contact Cantor Toren at (973) 980-7777 or Michelle Zuckerman at (973) 886-5456. RABBI’S MESSAGE RABBI MARK DAVID FINKEL Havdalah by the Light of the Moon Some years ago when I was returning home after my graduate year of study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, I took the opportunity to take a stop in Scandinavia (travel was simpler at that time). I got into a conversation with the concierge at my hotel in Stockholm about visiting the city at various times of the year. I mentioned that I would like to return, someday, during the Nobel Prize awards. The concierge said that it is a special time of the year, but the awards ceremony along with a number of other events are purposely scheduled during the winter, so that people do not go into seclusion (and sometimes depression) because of the long, dark winter nights. In fact, most of those evening winter events take place in well-lit indoor venues with light colored walls to try to compensate for the Scandinavian winter’s scarcity of daylight. As we compare and contrast various winter religious celebrations, a consistent theme of lights and candles runs through them. Even in the Talmud there is a strong disagreement between Rabbis Hillel and Shamai on how to light the Hanukkah candles and the psychological and spiritual implications of each Rabbi’s opinion. If we were to add in the pressure of remaining in our homes during the current pandemic, indicators point to this coming winter being especially tough. So for those who are looking for an excuse to get out of the house for only a short respite, read on… On the Saturday evenings in November and December, closest to the full moon, we offer: Havdalah by the Light of the Moon. We received many positive comments about our gathering outdoors for havdalah at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Granted the weather was warmer, and it was the culmination of the most powerful 25 hours of the Jewish year, but maybe trying it in November and December will bring back some warm memories. Congregants are welcome to bring their own mix of sweet spices and a havdalah candle (or 2 candles of any kind: it is considered meritorious to have multiple wicks, so that the week ahead will be extra bright), but more importantly: Come dressed warmly and wear a mask! November 14 and December 12, 5:30-6 PM by the giant menorah. It will also be live streamed. In the event of inclement weather, it will exclusively be live streamed. Those attending in-person need to register in advance. Rabbi Finkel PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE November 2020 Heshvan - Kislev 5781 1 EVAN ZUCKERMAN President During the summer, I was working with my mother and brother to clean out my childhood home since my mom was selling her house after forty-eight years. As we started to go through closets and files, I found a lot of documents from my childhood. We found very old albums, article clippings, and art projects from my grade school years. While I enjoyed looking through my middle school yearbook and seeing the progression of my hair loss over the years, there was a surprising discovery that we made in a closet in my father’s home office that has had a great impact on me. We noticed two albums in a corner on the top shelf. I pulled them down and we saw that it said “for Evan” on the cover of one and “for Lyle” on the cover of the other. I was a bit nervous to see what was inside. When we opened the albums, we saw family history going back to the mid 1800’s with pictures of my great-great grandparents all the way up to the birth of my children. My father, in his retirement, had started to document the genealogy of our family with pictures, history, dates of births and deaths, and occupations. I learned that one of my relatives came from Liverpool, England and was a professional boxer. I have since vowed that I will take over the torch from my dad and build out the genealogy and history of both my family and Michelle’s family. I know that this project will take many years, but I believe my father realized the importance of understanding and appreciating one’s family history, and I will honor his legacy by working to continue to document our family’s history. While the majority of both Michelle’s family and my family were fortunate to come through Ellis Island before the Holocaust (many before the turn of the century), some of Michelle’s extended family were still in Europe and did not make it out. Our ancestors found homes in America, settled into towns, and began to build lives and families here. My grandfather once said to me that while growing up during the depression was difficult, he was so grateful that he was in the United States and not in Europe in the 1930’s. As I looked through these albums, I realized that the lives in these books could have taken a very different path and that the books could have been much shorter. On November 9th and 10th of 1938, Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass” began the wave of violent anti- Jewish sentiment and pogroms in Nazi Germany. At this time, Nazi German authorities made it very clear to Jews that they were coming for us. The Los Angeles Examiner headline on November 23, 1938 said, “Nazis Warn World Jews Will Be Wiped Out Unless Evacuated by Democracies.” Unfortunately, most countries, including the United States did not open their borders to the Jewish population of Europe and we all know how history played out for our ancestors. It is so important that we never forget events like Kristallnacht. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are currently 21 hate groups in New Jersey that deny that the Holocaust ever happened. I am proud that our Religious School is sponsoring a meaningful Kristallnacht program on November 10th at 7:00 PM via Zoom. I encourage each and every one of you to attend the event so that we can ensure that we, indeed, will never forget. Please also be sure to read the weekly announcement emails and visit our website to see the many events and programs that we are running via Zoom and live stream. You can take adult education classes with Rabbi Finkel, do some cooking with Cantor Toren, hear compelling speakers and enjoy fun musical events with the Betty Crane Friendship Club, play BINGO, exercise, and enjoy additional programming with Sisterhood. Look for more fun and interesting programs and events coming your way throughout the year. I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. I know that I have much to be thankful for, even during this very difficult time in the world. Stay strong, stay well, and stay safe. Evan NURSERY SCHOOL LISA LERMAN and JILL BUCKLER Nursery School Co-Directors November 2020 Heshvan - Kislev 5781 2 The past month has been especially busy at PBJC Nursery School as the children enthusiastically continue to learn about and celebrate the holidays! Our halls and classrooms are filled with holiday stories, songs, marching with the Torah and visits to the sukkah where we even munched on apples and honey. In addition to all of the holiday excitement, we jumped right into our classroom activities. Fall is definitely here and there are signs of it everywhere we look! From squirrels to leaves to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, there are so many great learning opportunities and projects. We wish you could take a look at the creative artwork hanging from our ceilings and bulletin boards to see what we mean! The children are excited and already beginning to prepare for our very special Thanksgiving Feast. We will share the story of the pilgrims and taste some holiday treats. This month is Fire Prevention Month! The children have been practicing what to do in case of a fire… Just ask us to show you how to Stop, Drop and Roll. We are happy to announce that registration is now open for the Intro to Preschool class for children who will be 18 months old by January 1, 2021.This unique class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:00am.