Fromrabbi Holtz's Study
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TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM BulletinAPRIL 2013 VOLUME 89 ISSUE 8 4SCHEDULE OF SERVICES TUESDAY, APRIL 2 9:00am Conservative Service for 8th Day of Passover with Yizkor From Rabbi Holtz’s Study4 FRIDAY, APRIL 5 6:00pm Family Shabbat Dinner (RSVP Required) 7:00pm Family/Youth Group Shabbat Service Dear Friends, The folk music boom of the 1960’s, along In the past, I have re- with the growing popularity of Jewish sum- SATURDAY, APRIL 6 mer camps led to a generational change in 9:00am Conservative Shabbat marked about the odd musical expectations. Young people expect- Service with Kiddush emotional roller-coaster ed less performing and more participation, 11:00am Sophia Gold, daughter of that the Spring holidays Elana and Andrew Gold, will be called take us on: the joy of Passover is followed and they wanted the melodies to make that to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah by the grief of Yom HaShoah, which is itself possible. Cantors now had to master song- leading along with their other skills. FRIDAY, APRIL 12 followed by the happy excitement of Israeli 7:30pm ARZA Reform Shabbat Service Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut). In By the 1980’s, cantors themselves began three short weeks, we go from liberation to asking for new synagogue responsibilities. SATURDAY, APRIL 13 despair to rebirth and renewal. It is a micro- They wanted to do more than be in charge 9:00am Conservative Shabbat cosm of the journey of our own lives, and of the music; they wanted to be seen as Service with Kiddush also of the history of the Jewish people. what they were - fully-trained clergy, will- 11:00am Joshua Blass, son of Peter and Beth Blass, will be called to the This Spring however, we get to add an ad- ing and able to teach, visit hospitals, lead Torah as a Bar Mitzvah ditional joyous event. On April 20th, just life-cycle events, and more. The training of rabbis and cantors together at Hebrew FRIDAY, APRIL 19 a few days after Yom HaAtzmaut, we will Union College encouraged a reevaluation of 6:00pm Reform Shabbat Service gather for the Gala Celebration for our very the relationship between the two and the 7:30pm Reform Shabbat Service own Cantor Goldberg. It is a well-deserved development of clergy partnerships. SATURDAY, APRIL 20 honor and it promises to be a spectacular evening; I hope you will be there. (By their It is in this spirit that Cantor Goldberg 9:00am Conservative Shabbat Service 11:00am Adam Zerman, son of very nature, galas are not inexpensive - and I work together. Our responsibilities Jared and Amy Zerman, will be called to please call me if I can be of help) at TBA are shared. We are, I believe, the the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah The entire concept of the cantorate has longest-serving rabbi-cantor partnership in Westchester. She came to TBA straight from FRIDAY, APRIL 26 changed tremendously over the past cen- school, and throughout her 19 years with 7:30pm Reform Shabbat Service tury. At one time expected to be only prayer leaders (shaliach tzibur), some 19th and us she has continued to grow in all areas of SATURDAY, APRIL 27 20th century cantors took cantorial art to her cantorate. She is deeply involved in all 9:00am Conservative Shabbat Service aspects of synagogue life, and I value both 11:00am Jake Weintraub, son of Mark new heights. Their music was intended to her skills and her perspective. I am sure you and Allison Weintraub, will be called to be listened to and appreciated, and con- share my feeling that I cannot imagine TBA the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah gregational singing was sometimes actively discouraged. Some cantors left the Jewish without her. It is for all of these reasons FOR FUTURE FRIDAY NIGHT world entirely (eg. Al Jolson), while others and more that we are honoring her on April SERVICE DATES AND TIMES, continued to pack sanctuaries while be- 20th, and I know that you will not want to SEE PAGE 16. coming crossover stars in the secular music miss it! world as well. Rabbi David Holtz Temple Beth Abraham 25 Leroy Avenue Tarrytown, NY 10591 Notes from Tel: 631-1770 Fax: 631-7872 www.tba-ny.org Cantor Margot E.B. Goldberg4 Directory Clergy/Senior Staff Rabbi David K. Holtz [email protected] ext. 17 Cantor Margot E.B. Goldberg [email protected] ext. 11 Director of Temple Operations Stuart P. Skolnick [email protected] ext. 13 Educational Director Pamela Barkley Shalom! Under the strengthen their alliance with it. [email protected] ext. 22 pasionate guidance The religious character of Yom Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Paul Siegel of Marla Peers our Ha’atzmaut is still in the process of Office Staff: Israel committee has really taken off Administrative Asstistants to Clergy Melissa Baer formation, and is still subject to debate. this year. With opportunities to hear Laura Kirschner There is not yet an accepted “tradition” [email protected] ext. 19 speakers and watch movies dotted on of how to celebrate this holiday and Bookkeeper Toby Marrow our calendar, our commitment to Israel only time will tell whether certain cus- [email protected] ext. 14 is taking center stage. This month there toms, foods, prayers, and melodies will Facilities Supervisor Larry Murray are two opportunities to join your TBA be linked in the Jewish mind with this [email protected] ext. 25 community in celebration of Israel and Asst. Facilities Supervisor Jaime Valencia holiday, as with holidays that emerged [email protected] ext. 26 her Independence. Yom HaAtzmaut, many centuries before Yom Ha’atzmaut. Religious School Assistant Diana Faustino Israel’s Independence Day, is celebrated For Jews around the world, joining with [email protected] ext. 10 on the fifth day of the month of Iyar. Israelis celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut has Office Volunteers: That is the Hebrew date of the formal become a concrete link in the Jewish Harriet Bettman Librarian, Beulah Tishelman establishment of the State of Israel, connection to the land of Israel. Melissa Baer Ellen Zive when members of the “provisional gov- TBA Board of Trustees ernment” read and signed a Declaration Here at TBA we are offering two ways Officers of Independence in Tel Aviv. to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut. First, President Allison Fine join us on Friday, April 12 at 7:30pm First Vice President Elliott Cohan According to www.myjewishlearning. for ARZA Shabbat. ARZA, the Asso- Treasurer Leonard Hyman com: Other than the official ceremo- Recording Secretary Mark Polisar ciation of Reform Zionists of America, nies, Israelis celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut Committee Chairs “strengthens and enriches the Jewish Adult Education Melissa Baer in a variety of ways. In the cities, the identity of Reform Jews in the United Board of Education Audrey Gelfand nighttime festivities may be found on States by ensuring that a connection Fundraising and Development Jennifer Schwartz the main streets. Crowds will gather to with Eretz Yisrael is a fundamental part House Neil Bruckner and Vic Weinstein watch public shows offered for free by Israel Marla Peers of that identity.” They have invited all of Member Services Jennifer Povman the municipalities and the government. us to come together in celebration and Ritual Jodie Lane Many spend the night dancing Israeli support of Israel. Rabbi Holtz and I are Tikkun Olam Olga Prince and Jane Silverman folk dances or singing Israeli songs. creating a special service that evening Trustees During the daytime thousands of Israeli with readings and songs about Israel, a Gayle Aaron Lori Kaufman Loren Ratner families go out on hikes and picnics. Kevin Brown Kimberly Marcus Mel Savitch sermon about Reform Judaism in Israel, Army camps are open for civilians to Karen Filler Rick Misrok Risa Swersey and a taste of Israel to follow. Second, David Greenspoon David Pomeranz visit and to display the recent tech- on Monday, April 15 at 6:00pm join Candle Lighting for April 2013 nological achievements of the Israeli us for our Yom HaAtzmaut celebration Monday, April 1, 2013 8:01pm Defense Forces. Yom Ha’atzmaut is con- including a short service, informational Friday, April 5, 2013 7:05pm cluded with the ceremony of granting presentation, and then Israeli dinner Friday, April 12, 2013 7:13pm the “Israel Prize” recognizing individual and dancing. Friday, April 19, 2013 7:20pm Israelis for their unique contribution to Friday, April 26, 2013 7:28pm the country’s culture, science, arts, and There is much to celebrate this year as Torah Reading for April 2013 the humanities. Israel turns 65 and we hope that you Apr. 5-6: Shmini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47 will join us for all of it! Apr. 12-13: Tazria-Metzora, Leviticus 12:1-15:33 For American Jews, celebrating Yom L’shalom, Apr.19-20: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Ha’atzmaut has been a way to express Leviticus 16:1-20:27 solidarity with the state of Israel and to Cantor Margot E. B. Goldberg April 26-27: Emor, Leviticus 21:1- 24:23 4 PAGE 2 From the Director of Education4 Pamela Barkley The 2013-2014 school year is just around the corner. Very soon I will be busy creating No matter what the answers to these questions are, registration packets for all of you to I encourage you to share them with me. I have been fill out for the 2013-2014 school year. working with a team of teachers, lay leaders and clergy to And of course, I hope there is not improve our school and create new and enriching paths for Please jevenoin ao questionur 12th that gr ayourde rchildrens will be coming back learning.