asj kue NEW VOICE MAY 2009 KOL HADASH IYAR/SIVAN 5769 .

Se Arregla Con Alambre (It Is Fixable With Wire)

RABBI MARCELO R. BRONSTEIN This is a very common expression in Argentina. It means that if we put our ingenuity to work, anything can be fixed. The most common metaphor for this is the picture of the mechanic working in his garage, hundreds of miles away from any city and possibility of getting auto parts, and a gentleman arrives Maybe we can do more with a totaled car and the mechanic says: Don’t worry, we can fix it with wire. with less because we can do it differently—because I grew up with that type of mentality; it became an amazing discovery for me later in life to know that things could be done with resources, help and planning. In those days, with constantly changing politi - we are bold enough to “ cal winds, planning was a luxury. To plan with too much anticipation would have meant a total discon - reshuffle the cards again.” nection with reality.

I remember when I came to the United States for the first time and I saw a TV set sitting out in the street, or a refrigerator. In shock I learned that people were paying the trash collector to take it: why? Because fixing it was more expensive than replacing it. We developed the culture of the disposable. To throw away became accepted; to change things, just for the sake of change became accepted; not fix - ing became accepted; to buy when we didn’t have the money to buy became accepted; to be in debt became a way of life. To play with the future became accepted. Today it is accepted to bail out the past, putting the burden on future generations. But we are beginning to pay for our social mistakes. We The Fourth Annual Concert are experiencing an earthquake. The structures are shaking in the present and they bring uncertainty of the BJ Musicians for the future.

Our BJ is part of this reality. Today we confront the need to reduce our budget, to reduce our spending, to reduce our programming. We will not be able to keep doing the same with less. This time calls for a recalibration of our values. We will have to fine tune what is important and what is not so important. We will all have to do our share to make our community work. We will have to relearn how to do things with fewer resources. We are looking into every crevice of our budget to decide what can be let go. We will have to be patient enough to postpone some programs. We will have to prioritize that which helps us to be together in order to pass this storm while holding on to each other in a more hon - orable and possible way.

This is a message that we need to understand. The majority of the world lives with this type of uncer - tainty, and much worse. They live with fewer resources and a lack of social and economical stability. In reality, we have yet seen very little of what others are experiencing. PHOTO: CYNDI SHATTUCK PHOTOGRAPHY Singing along onstage on March 15. The man that fixed it with wire was also the Hasid in the shtetl who was used to sharing what he had. We have the opportunity to get out of the individualistic ethos and move towards the community one. (continued on page 3)

Social Action/Social Justice ...... 2–3 Our Voices ...... 4 Staff Spotlight ...... 5 Communications ...... 6 Development ...... 7 inside: Community ...... 8–9 The Omer and Social Action ...... 2 MTM Rabbinic Fellowship ...... 10 Israel ...... 10 Secrets of the Sanctuary ...... 4 Announcements ...... 11 Staff Spotlight: A Long and Winding Road to BJ ...... 5 Youth & Family Education ...... 12 Membership Renewal Season, Once Again ...... 8 Committee Spotlight ...... 13 Donations ...... 14-15 Talkin’ ‘bout My Congregation ...... 9 Contacts ...... 16

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How Should We Count Our Days? For the social justice activists among us ... our eginning on the eve of the second have developed a model of environmentally preparation for receiving day of Pesa h, we are instructed by sound practices that is emulated by other con - the Torah can be linked to our tradition to count the days of the gregations, it represents a minuscule effect on “the values and spirit of Omer until the fiftieth day, which is the current state of our environment—the bulk when the first barley crop would be of the work is yet to be done. We need to tikkun olam (repair of harvested. This day is also the holi - advocate for cleaner air and water, safe and the world).” bday of Shavuot when the Jewish people sustainable agricultural practices, as well as received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. The counting of renewable energy sources. For Omer Week the most vulnerable amongst us by providing the Omer is a bridge between Pesa h and Two, let us renew our personal connection with homeless guests a calm, comfortable, safe envi - Shavuot—between a moment of liberation and the earth and also engage in the advocacy work ronment. We know that direct service is not an a moment of self-definition as a religious com - needed to stem the tide of our environmental end in itself. During Omer Week Five let us munity. It is an opportunity to deepen our com - degradation. Let us choose Life! devote our efforts to building strong partner - mitment to the tenets of Judaism and to close ships with communities that address homeless - the gap between ideas and action for the tikkun According to midrash, every Jew was present at ness and the lack of affordable housing. (repair) of the challenges we face in our world. the moment of revelation at Mt. Sinai. Each one of us shares equally in the covenant between In the ancient rabbis’ portrait of the world, each Traditionally, the counting of the Omer referred God and the Jewish people—regardless of our person was respected and perceived as a bearer to the sheaths of barley that were offered in the gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. of a divine spark. One could never be sure if Temple in Jerusalem. The idea of counting each During the Omer, we refrain from celebrating one of the beggars sitting at the gates of the day represented spiritual preparation and antic - weddings. However, during the middle of the city was the messiah, or if the prophet Elijah ipation for the giving of the Torah. So, how do counting, on Lag B’Omer, is a day of joyful was the stranger knocking at the door. If each we, as contemporary Jews commemorate this release, a time when many Jews marry. Yet, beggar might have been either of the two, then process of spiritual preparation? those who identify themselves as LGBT Jews no beggar could be coldly dismissed. Today, we are not able to experience this day of release. are willing to write checks and work for organi - For the Jewish mystics among us, each of the Omer Week Three should be dedicated to the zations that help poor people. We prefer, how - seven weeks of counting the Omer correlates to unrelenting advocacy and educational work ever, not to be “assaulted” by the raw sight of the seven kabbalistic Sefirot or emanations of required to guarantee that same sex couples destitute people who live on the edge. During the divine. For the social justice activists have equal rights to marriage. Omer Week Six, let us pledge to examine our among us (one is not mutually exclusive from behavior and attitudes towards the “other.” the other), our preparation for receiving the Our tradition holds that all human beings are Torah can be linked to the values and spirit of fashioned in the image of the Divine—even the It is time, once again, to work for government tikkun olam (repair of the world). stranger in our midst. The stranger is guaran - policies that will reduce poverty. But let us not teed the same divine protection under the law rely on the government, as benevolent as it may Our work for tikkun olam combines direct serv - as is extended to the native. The spirit of com - seem, to shield us from those who are less for - ice with community organizing campaigns passion and kindness, concern for the welfare tunate. During Omer Week Seven, let us recall which address the root causes of systemic and recognition of the stanger’s godliness is llu - the divine spark in all of us and act for econom - inequity. We use the Congregational Based minated in at lease eight passages of our Bible. ic justice. That spark does not diminish when Community Organizing model of activism to Omer Week Four is dedicated to the struggle of our bank accounts are empty. Remembering sustain our social justice efforts. Through this domestic workers who struggle for dignity and that should fire us into action. model, we cultivate relationships which decent working conditions under civil law. We strengthen our community and develop new join that struggle as Jews and as employers of In today’s understanding of counting the Omer, leaders. Omer Week One is dedicated to a domestic workers to make sure that there is we prepare ourselves spiritually to receive the deeper commitment to faith based social justice justice for the people who help keep our homes teachings of the Torah—the teachings that activism. and families in good working order. mandate us to create a society in which all peo - ple have the opportunity to sustain themselves. Initially, Shavuot was a celebration of the har - In NYC, there is a shortage of affordable hous - The oppressions of social injustice ought not vest—of the connection between humans, the ing. Combined with an economic depression, remain a permanent element of our world.  earth and God. BJ congregants are engaged in all of us could face difficulty in maintaining our — Bella Zuzel protecting our natural environment, reducing housing. For those where homelessness is our carbon footprint and ensuring an inheri - already a reality, the future looks very bleak. BJ tance for those who come after us. While we has been, for many years, committed to serving

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You Are What You Eat? Putting Ethics Back Into Kashrut

n recent years, it has become increas - York State. Although every worker, regardless HaYosher is about affirmation. It is our way to ingly difficult to simply eat in America. of their documented status, is guaranteed cer - acknowledge and support owners and man - We are bombarded with studies about tain rights and protections by law, there are agers who are committed to doing the right obesity, articles about organic food, and almost no mechanisms to guarantee the thing. Restaurants with the Tav HaYosher books about the connection between enforcement of those laws. Therefore, it is our promise to protect their workers’ basic rights— ifood and environment. When we eat or shop, responsibility as consumers to assert our sup - the right to pay; the right to time; and the right we consider nutrition facts and farming prac - port for those who prepare our food. to dignity and a safe work environment. By tices in addition to taste. However, when we supporting restaurants that have the Tav, we think about where our food comes from, how are able to express our commitment to these often do we stop think about from whom it workers as well. comes? It was at BJ that I learned, from a very young Until last summer, I confess that I also lacked a age, that it is not possible to be a good Jew certain mindfulness about who was providing without being a good person. This lesson has my food. While I was always abstractly thank - driven me forward in my pursuit of justice in ful to those who served me in restaurants or general, and especially in my pursuit of ethical made the food I bought in the supermarket, kashrut. It is impossible to make sure that they were not at the forefront of my mind when everything I eat has been prepared in a way I was making my decision about what to eat. that would make me comfortable ethically. However, my inability to change everything will However, the immigration raid at the not stop me from protesting where my voice Agriprocessors plant in Postville, Iowa, in May In Masekhet Shabbat in the Babylonian Talmud, can be heard. forced me to consider my personal stake in we’re taught, “He who has the power to protest those who prepare my food. As a Jew and as a against wrong in his house and does not do so, This is the moment to reclaim what it means person, I cannot, in good conscience, allow the is responsible for [the transgressions of] every to eat with mindfulness. BJ’s partnership with food I eat to be marked as acceptable, as holy, one in his house… and if he is such a great man Uri L’tzedek on the Tav HaYosher is an as kosher, while knowing that those who pre - that his word would be respected in the whole amazing opportunity to take responsibility for pared it for me were denied their basic right of world, he is punished for [transgressions of all] those workers who are in our proverbial human dignity. mankind.” Each one of us has a hand in what household. Please help us by standing up happens around us; we cannot claim that we and affirming your support for those cannot It is out of this feeling that my commitment to are not responsible simply because we are not stand up for themselves. Learn more about the Tav HaYosher campaign for ethical kashrut the perpetrators. Silence most often implies the campaign on the Affiliates page of was born. The Tav is, first and foremost, about consent. the BJ website, www.bj.org, or at protecting those who serve us on a daily basis, www.uriltzedek.webnode.com/tav-hayosher /.  often without a second thought from us. However, speaking out is not only about high - — Rachel Rosenthal Surveys have repeatedly shown serious abuses lighting the negative. It should also be about of workers in the restaurant industry in New calling attention to the positive. The Tav

Se Arregla Con Alambre RABBI MARCELO R. BRONSTEIN continued from page 1

We are in the Shavuot season, the moment of cally nothing at hand? What are we left with if were living with the wrong values and the giving and receiving the Torah. I can’t imagine we don’t have our possessions? wrong attitude. Moses going to receive the Torah in a private jet or a limo, or taking his assistants. Maybe we can do more with less because we The desert is a place of great revelations and can do it differently—because we are bold opportunities. Let’s not be afraid; let’s be Philo of Alexandria in his Decalogue asks the enough to reshuffle the cards again. together and take the challenge. We’ll get out question, “Why was the Torah given in the of this storm stronger than before.  desert?” It is a great question. Why in a place It requires a paradigm change. Philo says that of barrenness with no resources, no tools, basi - we needed to cleanse ourselves because we

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The Secret Door to the Past

n the January issue of the Kol Hadash I named for her grandfather Harry. “One Friday asked readers to send me their recollec - night, when we turned to face east for the tions of the sanctuary and of people Amidah,” Samara said, “I noticed the name commemorated on the plaques, windows Hattie King on one of the windows. We’d been or Torahs. Thank you to those who staring at that window for months and I real - ishared their stories and put me in touch with ized that Hattie was a perfect variation of others. I spoke with Lesley Rubinger, who joined Harriet. Now Harriet has a cute nickname BJ in August 2008 and whose grandfather, inspired by the BJ sanctuary.” Charles Rubinger, a real-estate executive, nego - tiated the deal for the land where the current I heard from Carol Silberfeld, whose grandpar - building was built—and dedicated in 1918. “I’ve ents became members of B’nai Jeshurun in heard that there’s a picture of my grandfather 1922 and who herself was named at BJ. “We shoveling the first bit of earth when construc - left the city when I was 3 1/2,” Carol wrote to tion began,” Lesley told me. “He was president me. “I remember going to services once when I of the Board of Trustees, and my grandparents was about 10 or 11, so I have memories of the had a pew in the very front, with a plaque on it.” sanctuary with the old ceiling. My first return to Lesley’s grandparents are commemorated by a services was Marshall Meyer’s last service.” lovely stained-glass window on one of the Carol wears, on a chain around her neck, a doors leading to the sanctuary, depicting Rosh medal her father gave her, the Dora L. Morrison PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK Hashanah. Medal, with the inscription: Awarded To Albert H. Silberfeld, For Progress in the Study of Pearl, of blessed memory, were daughters of I spoke with Samara Minkin, whose twin daugh - Hebrew, B’nai Jeshurun Religious School, June Rev. Jacob Schwartz, cantor of B’nai Jeshurun ters, Stella Mae and Harriet Lynn, were named 1930. “Each year one medal was given to a boy from 1914 (when the synagogue was located on at BJ on December 13, 2008. Samara told me and one to a girl,” Carol wrote. “The same year the west side of Madison Avenue, between that she and her husband, Trent Gegax, often sit my father got the medal Shirley Schwartz Flax Sixty-Fourth and Sixty-Fifth Street) until his in the same spot for services. After their daugh - was the girl. She is Bobbye Goldstein’s sister passing in 1953, and Lottie G. Schwartz, who ters were born, on July 22, 2008, Samara want - and Freddy Goldstein’s aunt.” Shirley and served as sisterhood president virtually all the ed to think of a nickname for Harriet, who was Bobbye, along with sister Eleanor Schwartz (continued on page 13)

When I Found Myself in Times of Trouble

t was April 1995 and the financial diffi - attend Morning Minyan on the actual date of turned into two, then three, and then I, too, culties of the health care institution I his yahrzeit as a way of honoring his memory. I became a regular. I was a little concerned that was working in had been mounting for knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but it was the way I came dressed would be a problem months. Layoffs were inevitable— something I wanted to do. He had attended since all I could manage at that time was to everyone knew it—but when the day Minyan every day for as far back as I could throw on a pair of sweats. But I was always finially came and I was one of the ones let go, I remember, beginning in 1965 when he was say - warmly welcomed, and I too began to connect was in a state of shock. ing kaddish for his mother. He continued to with people I otherwise would never have met. attend almost every day for the rest of his life. Minyan got me up, got me out of the house, As the months went by, quickly at first, but then He ran it for many years, greeting newcomers, and connecting with people. Often there were more slowly, I found myself sleeping later and calling out the pages, and keeping the regulars breakfasts after the service marking special later, and being less productive in my job from talking too much during the service. It occasions—an upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the search. But in January 1996 things started to was a special, quiet time for him, a place where end of saying kaddish, a birthday or anniversary, turn around. Let my tell you why. there were only a handful of people and close and eventually even someone getting a new job! relationships were formed that lasted through - You see, my father’s yahrzeit falls in January, out his life. It was community at its best. In loving memory of my father, James Fein z’’l, and it is what brought me to BJ in the first on his 18th yahrzeit.  place. This year, instead of going up for an It was now my turn to experience the beauty of — Sue Fein aliyah on Shabbat morning, I was going to the morning minyan. That single morning

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Roma Serdtse: Handy and Happy Over the years he has done so much more to enhance and ne month after Roma Serdtse tion on to Marshall and Roly, and a shidduch contribute to BJ, including began his job as Director of was made. Roma has been at BJ ever since, designing and building bookcases Facilities at BJ in 1991, the ceiling and has been instrumental in shaping aspects “ and the ingenious collapsible of the sanctuary crashed to the of BJ that members accept as givens. oground, and thus began his long tenure with arks for the High Holy Day us. His path to BJ began a long time earlier. Of Marshall and Roly, Roma says: they gave services. He also tends, in a him the warmest welcome, “took care of me a personal way, to BJ’s members, From the time he was young, Roma wanted to lot,” and “made me what I am today.” They and has close ties with get to the big city. Starting out in a small vil - are, simply, “family.” lage in the Crimea, he attended high school in many of them.” the largest nearby city. Later, he went to His recollections of the early years are of con - Moscow for college, where he studied stant work preparing the Church of St. Paul mechanical engineering, with a specialty in and St. Andrew (SPSA) for BJ worship and natural gas and petroleum tanks, the latter of dealing with the aftermath and restoration of which he learned to design and maintain. But the BJ ceiling, both of which took years to New York was the place he dreamed about. complete. At SPSA pigeons had been flying in He read the journal “America” regularly and, in through openings in the stained-glass windows 1979, sought permission to leave with his wife during services for years and their droppings Maya. were everywhere in the cavernous space. Roma put up chicken wire and undertook the It took many more years to pass through the year-long process of cleaning, repair, and gauntlet that was the USSR emigration improvement. During some very long days, he process. By the time Roma and Maya were went home in the evening only to sleep, and able to leave, in 1988, they had a 4-year-old came right back to BJ in the morning. Roma daughter, Yanna. The three spent several started this work alone, but now he supervises months in Italy, and then Austria, before a team of ten Russian and Polish maintenance receiving the paperwork allowing them to men, who work hard to make the BJ facilities come to New York. The family settled in and events run smoothly. Between the sanctu - PHOTO: DENISE WAXMAN Brooklyn, where Yanna picked up English as ary, the Church of SPSA, and the BJ office, that only a 4-year-old can, while Roma, who knew involves a lot of coordination. Clever and tal - Roma Serdtse, Director of Facilities at BJ no English, and his wife, who knew a little, ented (what he calls “handy”), over the years studied and worked. he has done so much more to enhance and “Anytime I would like to do it, it’s ready for contribute to BJ, including designing and build - me.” For a few years, Roma ing bookcases and the ingenious collapsible worked the night shift at arks for the High Holy Day services. He also What makes him proudest? Looking around an assembly line in Long tends, in a personal way, to BJ’s members, and BJ and seeing all that he has accomplished, he Island, but this became has close ties with many of them. says, but more importantly, he emphasizes, particularly difficult when seeing people who recognize him and smile. his daughter earned a It doesn’t sound like Roma has rested much He smiles back. Roma is a happy man.  scholarship to attend the since that ceiling crashed 18 years ago. He — Denise Waxman Heschel School. After a spends his time off with his wife Maya and vis - full night of working, he would make the iting their daughter Yanna and her 4-year-old exhausting round-trip drive to transport her to son, Abraham. New York City is still the place school in Manhattan. So he posted a notice on he wants to be; “any other place looks boring.” the Heschel bulletin board that he was looking He takes pleasure in knowing that it is full of for work on the Upper West Side. Marci Grau, life and offers things to do 24 hours a day, a former president of BJ, passed his informa - even if he doesn’t get to very many of them.

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Linking In to B’nai Jeshurun—New York City Getting a Picture of BJ: Introducing a New s its name suggests, LinkedIn is tools it offers to do their own thing. BJ mem - about being connected with other bers can choose to create a private subgroup Photography Policy people, and through them, to others. for a committee. They may even choose to do Over 100 members have joined the some of their planning within LinkedIn, or Photos of BJ activities and events have anew B’nai Jeshurun—New York City LinkedIn another online tool built for that purpose. BJ is been taken over the years by professional group so far and we hope you will join the just the facilitator; the group belongs to the photographers, staff, and members who group too. Membership in the group is strictly members. contributed them to BJ. They were typi - limited to current members in good standing. cally used in printed materials produced All requests to join are screened in the BJ office, • To volunteer at BJ by BJ for the community like the Kol and the list will be purged at least annually. But We will be posting many volunteer opportuni - Hadash , the Kol Jeshurun , the Guide to the the BJ group belongs to the members. ties in the BJ office, at services and events on BJ Community , and various other brochures the BJ LinkedIn group pages. BJ is also tighten - and publications. What is LinkedIn? ing its belt in these difficult times. Our hope is LinkedIn is an interconnected network of expe - that many members will answer these calls and While there has been no rienced professionals from around the world, help us maintain and improve the services we legal bar to doing any of representing 170 industries and 200 countries. offer. these things when the You join as an individual and can then join one events and activities are or more groups. To join, you create a profile that • To connect to the larger community open to the public and they are summarizes your professional expertise and BJ is only one of many groups on LinkedIn. used, as we intend, solely for editorial and accomplishments. You can then form enduring There are other Jewish groups, school groups, promotional materials, we are also sensi - connections by inviting trusted contacts to join company groups, and formal and ad hoc organi - tive to the concerns of members about LinkedIn and connect to you. Your network con - zations of every kind. You may want to reach privacy. We have thus always tried to sists of your connections, your connections’ out further. Or you may not. It’s entirely up to obtain consent from subjects prior to pub - connections, and the people they know. you. lication. This has often been difficult and time-consuming after the fact, even with The B’nai Jeshurun—New York City group will So what’s not to like? the limited photographs used. connect you to all BJ members who chose to Many people still find the idea of putting infor - join and will help you stay informed and keep mation about themselves out there for the BJ is interested in obtaining and using in touch with people that share your connection world to see strange. It can seem scary or cold. more photographs of BJ activities. We to BJ. Many others find it to be completely unneces - want to improve our internal membership sary to their lives. People also have legitimate database and make it easier to use by Why Join? concerns about privacy of the information they adding pictures of all members. We want • To find employment post. Or worries that they will be inundated to publish pictures of our staff, board We know members who are seeking employ - with unwanted emails or invitations to connect. members and committee members to ment will benefit from another set of connec - make them more recognizable and avail - tions, and from the support of BJ. Members Many concerns are addressed by LinkedIn able to the BJ community. We also want can post job opportunities for the group only; You are providing information about yourself for to regularly publish fresh photos on the BJ ask and answer each others’ questions; make the world to see. But you have a great deal of website to enhance its appearance and to other resources, like job advice articles and site control over what is seen and by whom. Many communicate to the world and prospec - links, readily available; and make introductions of your concerns have been addressed by tive members who we are. Finally, to people in and out of the BJ network. LinkedIn and you can read all about it on their we want to find ways for the many website before joining. photographs that members take of BJ • To meet other BJ members activities to be voluntarily shared with LinkedIn will allow BJ members who have not The choice is yours the community. met in person to learn a little about other mem - That is why BJ has made it clear in the bers and find out what they have in common. invitations it has extended to all members that Therefore, the following policy is now in These “introductions” can lead to the more joining is purely voluntary. We encourage effect regarding the use of photography personal connections to each other and BJ members to educate themselves about these and the use of photographs at BJ activi - which we seek to foster. matters before joining. To learn more about ties. The policy, we believe, strikes a fair LinkedIn. visit www.linkedin.com and search balance between the goals and mission of • To strengthen BJ committees and groups within HELP. We hope to see you there .  (continued on page 7) Social networking groups like LinkedIn aren’t — Denise Waxman controlled by anyone. Individuals can use the

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The Economic Crisis and BJ HAROLD GOLDMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BJ and its members, like every To manage this year’s budget with diminished ing well, what needed improvement and what individual, family, business and resources, we did not fill open positions, elimi - should be rethought or eliminated. Among not-for-profit in the United nated two jobs and have been hard at work several efforts that this has engendered is a States, have been negatively reducing and controlling expenses. As a result coordinated plan to help members volunteer impacted by the global of these efforts we anticipate ending the year, their time to BJ. economic crisis. June 30, 2009, with only a small, and manage - Harold Goldman able, deficit. We will also be sharpening and increasing our Of utmost concern to the Rabbis, Ari and staff fundraising efforts in the coming year based on has been the loss of jobs by members of the We started planning and working on the FY recommendations by the Funds Development community. The velocity of job loss began to 2009/10 budget which begins on July 1, 2009 Steering Committee. These efforts will be led increase rapidly in December and shows no earlier than ever before. The Finance by Erzsébet Ragyina, who was recently signs of abating. In response, we created an Committee met right after the first of the year appointed Interim Director of Development Employment Task Force whose mission was to to develop budget targets and priorities and the after Aviva Raichelson’s departure to devote help our unemployed or under employed mem - Executive Committee met twice, in February more time to her family. These plans are still bers cope with the emotional strain and get and March, to review these recommendations. in the works but I assure you that we will be their lives and careers back on track. We have The final recommendations were reviewed and making every effort to fill the gap. offered needs assessment groups, conversa - approved by the Board at its March 19 meeting. tions with the Rabbis, a job search advantage Finally, we are also developing a contingency event, and continue to provide job offerings The preliminary budget envisions a reduction in plan in case our revenue projections fall sub - and helpful resources at a new members-only expenses of more than $600,000 over last stantially below 10%. We have established a B’nai Jeshurun LinkedIn group and on our web - year’s budget (10%). It required a substantial restructuring task force charged with a com - site, www.bj.org/jobs.php. rethinking of operations. We did not approach plete rethinking of the synagogue in that event. this work from a view of doom and gloom per - BJ has also been affected by the crisis. It was spective, but instead tried to look for the Be assured that we are diligently working to no surprise that the Annual Kol Nidre Appeal opportunities this presented us with. We assure that BJ long remains a vibrant spiritual revenue did not match the budget projection examined all of the synagogue’s operations community.  which was based on the previous year’s results. with the goal of understanding what was work -

Introducing a New Photography Policy continued from page 6

BJ and the expectations of members while also • Photographs will not be permitted by anyone New and renewing members will be advised of simplifying the management and administration during religious services. this policy in the member application starting in of BJ’s photo resources. • The taking and use of photographs at the May, 2009. All members will, by joining BJ, be Hebrew School and at private Youth and deemed to have consented to these terms. The By joining B’nai Jeshurun, members will be Family events will be governed by the Director policy will also be posted in writing in all BJ deemed to have consented and given B’nai of Youth and Family in consultation with the facilities used by members and visitors, and be Jeshurun the irrevocable right to use pictures, Hebrew School Committee. periodically printed in the Kol Jeshurun and Kol photographs and video taken at BJ sponsored Hadash . Finally, BJ will make reasonable efforts events for editorial or promotional purposes in • Members may ask photographers to refrain to advise attendees at events of this policy. any media, including print, online, and video, as from taking their photographs before or well as any and all media now or hereafter during BJ activities. By advising you of this policy prior to its known, and will waive any right to inspect or • Proper names will not be associated with implementation we hope to enlist your approve the finished version(s), including writ - photographs of adults unless prior permission understanding and cooperation. Should ten copy that may be created in connection is obtained by BJ in writing. you have any questions, concerns, or therewith, without compensation. The consent • The names of children under the age of 18 will suggestions about this policy, please contact and rights granted in this paragraph will also not be published at any time. [email protected].  apply to all attendees at BJ events. — Denise Waxman • Requests by adults that photographs (of themselves or their minor children) be B’nai Jeshurun will adhere to the following limi - removed from the BJ website will be honored. tations on the rights granted to it.

PHOTO, TOP: DENISE WAXMAN

SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org 7 KOL H. ADASH NEW VOIC E•MAY 2009 Community

You Don’t Have To Be a Information About Your Membership Renewal Jewish Scholar To Host A Note from the Membership Department…. Shabbat Membership renewal season will soon be here! As of June 1, membership renewal applications for 2009-2010 will be available on our website, www.bj.org . BJ is acutely aware of the impact of the A few weeks ago I was invited to a Shabbat economic crisis on our community. We are flexible about your membership dues and assure you that tDinner that was being hosted as part of BJ’s no one will be turned away based on financial considerations. By recommitting to BJ, you’ll be part of Hakhanasat Or him (Welcoming Guests) the action for the exciting programs coming up this year. Stay tuned! initiative. The host confessed that he was not an expert in Shabbat observance and High Holy Day Information was concerned about “doing it right.” NEW THIS YEAR LOCATIONS ARE FIRST-COME, FIRST SERVED Well, to “do it right” takes just a few key • High Holy Day locations have changed to Your location for High Holy Day services is ingredients: better accommodate our membership and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. • An open door finances. • The openness to feeling joy • The earlier you return your membership • A willingness to share personal stories • Special Needs and Ushering forms will be forms, the more likely it is you will be placed • Challah and wine (and some dinner too!) available online. at your preferred location.

Following Shabbat services, about ten I Adult and Children’s Services will be held at: • Space at some locations fills up within a few weeks, so please consider sending your guests headed to a home that no one had • 86th Street: Church of St. Paul and St. location request via membership application ever been before where we were welcomed Andrew at 86th Street and West End Avenue into the warm glow of the Shabbat candles. as soon as possible. As our host was meeting his guests for the • 96th Street: Crenshaw Christian Center If your family and friends wish to be at the first time at this Shabbat dinner, he sug - East at 96th Street and Central Park West • gested that we all share a little bit about same location, you must all renew at the same time. ourselves with the others. What we discov - I Family Services will be held at the 88th ered about each other was the joy we all Street Sanctuary. felt about being part of the BJ community. ENTRANCE CARDS Entrance cards will be mailed beginning in Even though we all come from different I Special Needs seating will be available at • late July. backgrounds and places, some retired, the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew on 86th some married, some single, some parents, Street and the Crenshaw Christian Center East • In order for us to provide entrance cards for some grandparents, we all were happy to on 96th Street. Rosh Hashanah, membership applications share a few hours together, relaxed and must be in our office and date-stamped by grateful to our gracious host. Being together Thursday, September 3. gave us all the opportunity to get to know To receive a hard copy version of any forms each other just a little better and gave us ten or discuss membership dues, please contact • In order for us to provide entrance cards for new faces to greet at Shabbat services. Sarah Verity, Membership Associate, at x250 Yom Kippur, membership applications must or [email protected]. be in our office and date-stamped by So the next time you wish you had a place Thursday, September 10. to go for Shabbat dinner, consider hosting a Membership and High Holy Day questions few BJ members as your guests and should be directed to Belinda Lasky, Director • Beginning Tuesday, September 8, entrance together welcoming the joy of Shabbat into of Membership, at x224 or [email protected]. cards will ONLY be available for pick up in the your own home. It doesn’t take much and B’nai Jeshurun office. you may just find that you learn something new about yourself and others in the community. If you would like to welcome guests on Shabbat, contact Guy Felixbrodt, Community Initiatives Coordinator, What’s happening at BJ? You can now find out by following [email protected], and he will help you BJ activities on Twitter at twitter.com/bjnyc . with your Shabbat dinner.  — Andrea Newman

8 SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org IYAR/SIVAN 576 9 • NEW VOIC E asj kue

To read the full report of the Community Building Initiative, Talkin’ ‘bout My Congregation… visit the BJ website, www.bj.org, and click on “Building a Better BJ.” e often say that BJ’s vision is to • Members value BJ as a Shabbat-centered, become a kehillah kedoshah, a spiritual community, and are not primarily holy community. But what this looking to BJ for secular, community-center These are the four proposals that were chosen means, in its essence, is not so programming. for prioritization: wmuch an ideal state of human relations, but • Most members report positive experiences rather the process of striving towards that ideal. when dealing with lifecycle/crisis issues at BJ. Online Tools for Community-Building: BJ will Over these past few months, BJ has embarked • Small-group activities at BJ are popular and create an integrated, user-friendly online sys - on a fresh round of self-examination to see how highly effective in creating strong bonds. tem for community building. Components may BJ members are building community. We have • Members are loyal and committed to BJ; include social networking, ways to self-organize also set out to create focused projects that there is a strong culture of participation and activities, bulletin boards for announcements, could foster a stronger, richer web of relation - an appetite for increased participation and discussion groups, blogs, etc. ships within BJ. leadership. Member Development System: This initiative was led by staff member Guy BJ will create a Member Austrian, together with a team of graduate Development System to bring students from NYU’s Wagner School of Public members more deeply into Service: Anna Marx, Wendy Paler, Jill Snider, the community through suc - and Ariella Weisz. At each step along the way, cessive levels of engagement. we published updates on a blog on the BJ We will renew a member- website. oriented, relational culture focusing on members’ partici - Listening and Learning pation. It will include use of From September 2008 to March 2009, we had individual meetings and house 40 one-to-one conversations with diverse We also identified opportunities for improve - meetings, as well as training, Jewish learning, stakeholders: members, board, staff, and rab - ment. Here are some of those: and leadership development for both staff and bis. We gathered input at 6 lay committee • Members who come to services alone often lay leaders. meetings. And in partnership with BJ’s feel lonely and excluded. Membership Steering Committee and • Services contribute to the perception that the Shabbat Pre-Onegs, Onegs, and Kiddushim: BJ Membership staff, we held 5 house meetings rabbis are the only leadership. will offer opportunities before and/or after involving 87 people. To be sure that all BJ • Members would like their involvement and/or Shabbat services every Friday and Saturday for members could give input, we conducted a presence to be recognized more. the community to connect and socialize. We survey that brought in 451 responses. • Although small-group and demographic- will occasionally offer optional learning or dis - based programming is popular, these must be cussion, but the main focus will be to gather Meanwhile, we took a look at how other con - balanced with community-wide activities. informally. gregations are dealing with similar challenges. • New members often feel adrift after the cycle We surveyed the growing body of literature on of orientations and new member programs is Immersive Community Experiences: BJ will megachurches, synagogue renewal, social over. revitalize and expand its current variety of psychology, and Jewish demographic trends. • Although members recognize the need to be retreats, trips, and Shabbatons, which are We also interviewed leadership at five leading, proactive, many want guidance in fostering proven successes. We will experiment with a innovative congregations from L.A. to Seattle to their involvement. BJ could also be more range of lengths, locations, and costs. New York. responsive to members and their ideas. What to Expect What We Found Proposals and Priorities Some of these projects are being piloted this Through our research, we heard members artic - Our team put forward nine proposals, along spring. Others will be prepared for rollout next ulate BJ’s tremendous strengths, which our with the findings above, in early March. On year, during or after the High Holy Days. Stay efforts ought to build upon. Here are just a few: March 11, about 25 BJ leaders came together in tuned! If you are interested in helping to • Members find Shabbat and holiday services the Sanctuary to choose four priorities from implement any of these initiatives, please spiritually uplifting and enjoyable. The rabbis among the proposals. Participating were about contact me at [email protected] or x310.  and hazzan received extremely positive feed - 20 lay leaders from the Board of Trustees and — Guy Izhak Austrian back for the spirituality and music at services. the Membership Steering Committee, as well as the Membership staff, Executive Director Harold Goldman, and Rabbi Felicia Sol.

PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK

SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org 9 KOL H. ADASH NEW VOIC E•MAY 2009 Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellowship

Offering Thanks to BJ RABBI ESTHER LEDERMAN

BJ was my spiritual home long before I was sad to be leaving. But the time has come to granted the privilege of becoming a Marshall T. offer up my thanks. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow. As a student at HUC, I always looked forward to the cleansing of a Thank you for the gift of demonstrating how a Friday night service at BJ. BJ was a place where synagogue community can truly thrive—with I could both engage with the world and find prayers, with Torah, with justice, and with love sanctuary from its sorrows. I felt compelled to and compassion be here, perhaps, like many of you. Thank you for the gift of Felicia, Marcelo, Roly and Ari—four of the best teachers I have ever Two years ago, I was given the privilege of serv - had. ing this community as a Fellow. As I told Roly Thank you to Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer, zichrono in an early conversation we had, the greatest PHOTO: TOM ZUBACK gift a rabbi can be given is to serve in a shul livrachah, for his vision. where s/he would want to be a member. I was Thank you for the blessings of the BJ musicians souls from hopelessness and the Jewish people given such a blessing. and their music that helps us to soar a little from irrelevance. The world is a little brighter higher each Shabbat. because of your presence on 88th Street. No However, as every BJ Fellow knows long before matter where I am in this world, I will be Thank you for allowing me to learn and to make we begin the job, our time at BJ must come to inspired by your example. mistakes, for letting me find my voice, and for  an end. Luckily, the blessing of this place will — Rabbi Esther Lederman reside with me throughout my rabbinate in the giving me the space to teach you my Torah. years and decades to come. I may be leaving Thank you to each of you for being my Rabbi Esther Lederman will be leaving BJ at the BJ, but a little piece of BJ will live in my heart teachers. end of June and moving with her fiancé, Jon forever. Most importantly, thank you for building such Tassoff, to Washington, D.C. where she will an amazing community. BJ is a place that saves become an assistant rabbi at Temple Micah . The truth is, I’m not ready to say goodbye. I’m

Israel In The Sultan’s Pool Looking Up

oing to Israel is like visiting home. Finally the concert was about to begin. First, At that moment, I looked up at the stars and In the summer of 1980, I traveled to Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek addressed us; everything came together—thoughts and Israel for two weeks with a tour then the Israeli Philharmonic, conducted by images of my mother and father being there group. One night in Jerusalem, Leonard Bernstein, took the stage. with me in spirit rushed through me. I never felt g when the schedule showed there so much at one with the Jewish people. Tears was free time, I decided to go to the But the most memorable part of the evening for welled up in my eyes. I had never before seen opening concert at the Sultan’s Pool, an outdoor me came at the beginning of the program after so many millions of stars, and the words of amphitheater. Thousands of us were crowded Bernstein had come to the podium. As he lifted God’s promise to Abraham came into my mind: together for the concert. While a few people his baton for “Hatikva,” we all stood up to sing “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, had brought folding chairs, the majority of the the anthem of “hope.” I realized that this was if thou be able to count them…. So shall thy people were sitting on the earthen ground. I, the first time I had actually sung “Hatikva” in seed be” (Genesis 15:5). too, was on the ground, although on a bed - Israel. spread I had “borrowed” from my hotel room. I was thrilled, excited, exhilarated. I almost The Sultan’s Pool area was actually a scooped Suddenly I felt the closeness of everybody. couldn’t sing, the experience so took my breath out sunken arena, and the ground was still Literally, the whole audience was standing away. And the stars were multiplied many heavily pitted with rocks and stones of all sizes shoulder to shoulder. With arms around my times over through the prism of my tears. At and shapes, none of them rounded. I can assure new friends standing next to me, we were hold - that moment I began to sing louder than I had you that it was not the most comfortable of ing onto each other. ever sung before, filled with hope.  “seats.” — Peninnah Schram

10 SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org IYAR/SIVAN 576 9 • NEW VOIC E asj kue Announcements

Mazal Tov Condolences (through March 20)

To the following members and their families on their b’nai mitzvah (March and April): The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved members: Robert Borkow Julia Pretsfelder Frances Greenberg, and we extend sincere condolences to her Corey Schiff Emmett Deinstag entire family. Sarah Marisa Joyce Jacob Tsesarsky Thomas Reiner, and we extend sincere condolences his wife, Julia Case-Levine Daniella Nevid Susan Viuker Landau, and their entire family. Rachel Sunderland Ben Zucker Ethan Cohn Mel Bradie Phillips The community of B’nai Jeshurun extends sincere condolences to the following members and their families:

Harriet Wolf and her entire family on the death of her beloved mother, Liese-Lotte Wolf. To the following members and their families ( through March 20): Robin Aronow, Dennis, Garrett, Nathan, and Drew Adler on the Shirley Dorfman on the wedding of her son, Jeffrey Dorfman, to Karen death of their beloved father, father-in-law, and grandfather, Cohen. Hyman Aronow.

Scott Allen on the birth of his granddaughter, Teagyn Molly Allen. Richard, Laura, Jessica, Joshua, and Rachel Bass on the death of their beloved mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, Doris Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner on their wedding. Bass.

Julie Sissman, Phil Richter and Talia Richter-Sissman on the birth of Amy and Molly Stevens on the death of their beloved father and their daughter and sister, Orli Caroline Richter-Sissman. grandfather, Irving Stevens.

Cindy Wachenheim on her engagement to Hal Bacharach. Hilda Chazanovitz and Harvey Stein on the death of their beloved mother and mother-in-law, Paula Lerman. Rebecca and Yitzhak Adika on the birth of their grandson, Hudson Issac Adika. Gary Smoke on the death of his beloved mother, Cynthia Smoke.

Merril Feinstein on the death of her beloved mother, Mae Feinstein Azrelsky.

Judith and Carl Felsenfeld and their entire family on the death of their beloved brother-in-law, Stanley Greenberg.

Lynda Fisher on the death of her beloved mother, Anne Fisher.

Paul Klausner, April Stewart Klausner, Gabriel and Jonah Klausner on the death of their beloved brother, brother-in-law, and uncle, Marc Klausner. )

SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org 11 KOL H. ADASH NEW VOIC E•MAY 2009 Youth & Family Education

BJ Youth and Family: The Year in Pictures The Youth and Family department at BJ has been very busy this year. From teen service learning trips, to a Hebrew school retreat, to Purim and Hanukkah programs, to Hebrew school to Bim Bam for babies and toddlers, all kids and families in the BJ community have had a chance to connect and get to know one another. We had a great year and look forward to 2009-2010!  — Ivy Schreiber, Davey Rosen, Rebecca Rosenthal, Kerrith Solomon, Elana Ayalon, and Leora Frankel

PHOTOS: TOP LEFT AND RIGHT, DAN CALIGOR; ALL OTHERS: BJHS STAFF

12 SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org IYAR/SIVAN 576 9 • NEW VOIC E asj kue Committee Spotlight

Tasty Treats with Ledor Vador

he Ledor Vador Committee at BJ is ded - A well-known and respected authority on food, icated to continuing the connections Carol has spent years creating recipes for a between generations. We seek to keep variety of tastes and needs. She is the go-to our elders integrated in the BJ commu - person for everything about food at BJ, from the t nity, hoping other generations continue Lunch Program to the Community Seder. Carol to benefit from their wisdom and their living discussed her journey in becoming a food styl - histories. Our successful Intergenerational ist and then the author of numerous recipe Shabbat luncheons occur several times each books, including 1000 Vegetarian Recipes, which year, offering opportunities to learn, socialize, won the Julia Child Award and James Beard and share our stories. Our luncheon meals are Award. She admits, for example, that she really always followed by interesting and engaging doesn’t know how to cook a turkey, for as a programs that frequently feature the fascinating food stylist, whenever she had to prepare a stories and backgrounds of BJ community turkey for a photo shoot, she would simply members. cook theturkey for 20 minutes, thenplump it PHOTO: BELINDA LASKY with a blow torch and paint with brown gravy Carol Gelles and Henry Meer enhancer and food color. Carol and Henry recounted their Carol’s and Henry’s comments whetted every - experiences in different areas of Henry discussed his long fascination with food. one’s appetite for more discussion about food, the food industry, providing tasty Born and raised in New York City, even as a and a lively Q&A session followed, including morsels of fun, zesty tidbits of child he wanted to be a chef. His career was broad-ranging questions concerned with recent “ launched at two of Manhattan's best French revelations about food processing centers and insider knowledge, and certainly restaurants: La Côte Basque, where he rose to Kashrut to general food preparation at BJ. Bob food for thought. ” the position of sous chef, and Lutèce, where he Kanter also shared a recipe for latkes, written in worked with André Soltner. In 1994 he opened Yiddish, printed in a yellowed-with-age recipe Our speakers at the Winter/ Hanukkah Ledor the Cub Room and began integrating the expe - collection published by Manischewitz in 1939 Vador luncheon were BJ members Carol Gelles rience garnered at these Manhattan classics that belonged to his grandmother. and Henry Meer. As professionals and experts with his own sense of the city's quintessence. in food, Carol and Henry recounted their experi - This has continued with his ownership of City Thanks to the delicious presentations of Carol ences in different areas of the food industry, Hall, the prominent downtown restaurant, and Henry, this Ledor Vador luncheon was, providing tasty morsels of fun, zesty tidbits of where he is the chief chef. Henry discussed the once again, a splendid way for all generations of insider knowledge, and certainly food for details of planning and operating restaurants BJ to share a Shabbat afternoon.  thought. and his long association with and the impor - — Asya and Ted Berger tance of City Harvest, which collects excess food from all segments of the food industry to feed the hungry through the city’s community food programs.

The Secret Door to the Past continued from page 4

time from her husband becoming cantor in 1914 (which now houses the Early Childhood remains at all times mysterious and exotic, an until her passing in 1978. Division of The Abraham Joshua Heschel inspiring backdrop for prayer and now a safe School). I remembered that deliciously terrify - place to journey through the secret door to my And I have a memory of my own. When I was ing journey one recent Saturday after the com - past. I continue to research details of the BJ about four, just before my family moved from munity Min ha service, when the sanctuary was sanctuary and I hope very much that people Seventy-Ninth and West End up to darkened for Havdalah. The door is the one will continue to share with me their stories and Westchester, my older sister took me through a from which the rabbis and musicians emerge recollections.  darkened and spooky sanctuary one night before services but for that moment it was the — Judy Gitenstein through “the secret door,” as she described it, entryway to my past. The sanctuary in the dark [email protected] that at the time led to the Community House may not be as terrifying to me as an adult but it

SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org 13 KOL H. ADASH NEW VOIC E•MAY 2009 Donations (received between January 20 and March 18, 2009)

Adult Education Fund Dinnah Pladott in honor of the Stephen Morgan and Kelly William and Vicki Abrams in Stephen and Elsa Solender in Joseph Antenson and Lawrence Bikkur Holim committee and Tomblin in celebration of Beth honor of Nancy Freireich's honor of John Bonavita and Gifford in honor of John volunteers Siegel and Scott Weiner's birthday Harold Goldman's 25th Bonavita and Harold wedding Rose Alpert in honor of Cecil anniversary Goldman's 25th anniversary BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter Ren and Roseann Nardoni in Rodau's 80th Birthday Wendy Swain in memory of David Ettinger and Kathryn Fund celebration of Beth Siegel and Avodah Rae-Carole Fischer's husband, Calhoon Aaron and Carol Blanco in cele - Scott Weiner's wedding Lois Bender in memory of her Meir Bendavid Helena Diamant Glass in honor bration of Beth Siegel and Dana Pettingell and Margaret beloved Dad, Julius Bender Bernice Todres in memory of of Ruth Jarmul's special Scott Weiner's wedding Pettingell in celebration of Eliezer Chassine Merril Feinstein's mother, Mae birthday Tim Bleck in celebration of Beth Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's Hilda Chazanovitz in memory Feinstein Azrelsky Helena Diamant Glass in Siegel and Scott Weiner's wedding of Hilda's beloved mother, Bernice Todres in honor of John memory of Susan Landau’s wedding Leslie and David Rosenthal in Paula Lerman and in gratitude Bonavita and Harold beloved husband, Rosemary and Jerry Chiricolo in celebration of Beth Siegel and to Felicia, Yaffa, Penny and the Goldman's 25th anniversary Thomas Reiner celebration of Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's wedding BJ community Bernie and Marilyn Weinman in Thursday Lunch and Learn Scott Weiner's wedding Helene and Seymour Schechter Hilda Chazanovitz's friends at honor of John Bonavita and Class in honor and in appreci - Janet Cord in memory of Seymour's the UJA in memory of Hilda Harold Goldman's 25th ation of Rabbi Roly's Anthony Coscia in celebration beloved mother and father, Chazanovitz's mother, Paula anniversary wonderful teaching and of Beth Siegel and Scott Malka Yenta and Moisha Lerman Benjamin Zurier and Linda Richard Kalikow's generous Weiner's wedding Aaron Congregation Gates of Prayer in Movish and gracious hospitality Jeanne Fox and Stephan Irene and Herb Schon in honor of BJ Michael Zurakhinsky Andrea Bigelisen Riskin in DeMicco in celebration of celebration of Beth Siegel and Paul and Nancy Freireich in memory of Susan Landau's Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's Scott Weiner's wedding memory of Clara Nislick BJ Hebrew School Fund beloved husband, wedding Leon and Marilyn Sokol in Darrell Friedman and Felice Or Lauderly Thomas Reiner Myra and Larry Fender in cele - celebration of Beth Siegel and Shapiro Friedman in honor of Ivy, David, and Brady Schreiber Martin Schneider and bration of Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's wedding John Bonavita and Harold in honor of Rebecca Debra Fine Scott Weiner's wedding James and Lisa Wahler in Goldman's 25th anniversary Rosenthal's rabbinic ordina - Stan Hammerman in honor of Mary and Rick Fioretti in cele - celebration of Beth Siegel and Pauline and Henry Goldberg in tion from JTS Stan and Cheryl Hammerman bration of Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's wedding honor of Lilli Platt's birthday Bernice Todres in memory of Scott Weiner's wedding Joseph and Marlene Yacenda in Harold Goldman and John Helen Radin Memorial Zayin Harriet Goren's brother, John and Caren Franzini in cele - celebration of Beth Siegel and Bonavita Adar Annual Teaching Fund Seymour Goren bration of Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's wedding Joan Hochman and Christopher Sharon Anstey in honor of Bernice Todres in memory of Scott Weiner's wedding Steven Goodglass in celebration Reid in honor of John Bonavita Carol Gelles Rae-Carole Fischer's husband, Angelo and Donna Genova in of Beth Siegel and Scott and Harold Goldman's 25th Sylvia Dresner and Bronia Meir Bendavid celebration of Beth Siegel and Weiner's wedding anniversary Dresner in memory of Helen Scott Weiner's wedding Donna and Chuck Joseph in Radin Beba Bronstein Jewish Camp Beverly Gordon in memory of BJ Children’s Services Fund memory of Susan Landau’s Rae-Carole Fischer in memory Scholarship Fund her mother and father, Esther Ragini Ayyavari in honor of beloved husband, Thomas of her husband, Meir Bendavid Harriet E. Abraham and Herman Michael Jacoby Reiner Marcia E. Kaplan in memory of Beverly Gordon in memory of Dorothy Hilf in celebration of Susan Goldberg in honor of the Leonard and Abbey Kapelovitz her beloved mother, Phyllis Ronald Gordon Beth Siegel and Scott Weiner's birth of Eden Rivkah for a complete recovery for Kaplan Martin Rosenblatt and Sandra wedding Barbara Goldman Toby Waldman in memory of Cheiten Richard and Rosemary Kalikow Daily Minyan Fund Ellen Landsberger in memory of Helen Radin in celebration of John Bonavita David Ettinger and Kathryn Susan Landau's beloved hus - Rabbi Regina Lys Sandler- Bikkur Holim Fund and Harold Goldman's 25th Calhoon band, Thomas Reiner Phillips with blessings for Myra Harris and Robbie in anniversary Susan Fein in memory of her Or Lauderly in honor of The BJ Myriam Abramowicz memory of Susan Landau's Leslie and Chris Link in celebra - beloved father, James Fein Maintenance Team beloved husband, Thomas tion of Beth Siegel and Scott Bernice and Morty Levine in Eric and Debra Lerner Hevra Kadisha Fund Reiner Weiner's wedding honor of and in thanks to all of Morty and Bernice Levine in Rae-Carole Fischer in memory Harold and Helen Lehrman for a Gertrude Litowitz in celebration their friends who participated gratitude to Talya Gubbay and of her husband, Meir Bendavid complete recovery for Barbara of Beth Siegel and Scott in Morty's retirement party Susan Rosenthal Judith Kaufman in honor of Goldman Weiner's wedding Iris Markewich in memory of Paula Galowitz's birthday Morty and Bernice Levine for a Christopher and Jessica Mallo Etz Hayim Fund her father, Milton Grass Andrea Siegel in memory of complete recovery for Barbara in celebration of Beth Siegel Helena Diamant Glass in cher - Jeffrey and Shelly Peller Susan Landau's beloved Goldman and Scott Weiner's wedding ished memory of her beloved Marilen and Jordan Pitler in husband, Thomas Reiner Arthur and June Nislick in Rich and Becky Malysa in cele - mother, Regina Landwirth memory of Susan Landau's memory of Hyman Aronow, bration of Beth Siegel and Diamant beloved husband, Thomas Israel Trip Scholarship Fund beloved father and grandfa - Scott Weiner's wedding Helena Diamant Glass in honor Reiner Havurah Haverim Tovim ther of Robin and Dennis Robert and Suzanne Martin in of John Bonavita and Harold Elenor Radzivilover in honor of members Marshall Rubin, Adler celebration of Beth Siegel and Goldman's 25th anniversary Len Wasserman and Barbara Susan Fein, Jane Fuchsberg, Arthur and June Nislick in Scott Weiner's wedding Goldman Peter Khan and Carmen memory of Linda and Marc Robert and Lisa Moore in General Fund Ronnie Reden Moreno Simunovic, and Julie Luxemburg's beloved aunt, celebration of Beth Siegel and Harriet E. Abraham in honor of Martin Schneider and Zuckerbraun in memory of Leemarie Bernstein Scott Weiner's wedding Aviva Raichelson's service Debra Fine Harriet Goren's brother, to BJ Seymour Goren

SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org 14 IYAR/SIVAN 576 9 • NEW VOIC E asj kue

Harold and Helen Lehrman in William and Vicki Abrams in Sylvia Grau in memory of her Andrew Levy and Tovah Carl and Miriam Stern in memory of Rae-Carole memory of Harriet Goren's beloved husband, Seymour Feldshuh-Levy in memory of memory of Carl's beloved Fischer's husband, Meir brother, Seymour Goren Grau Tovah's beloved great- father, Julius Bendavid Livia Asher in memory of her Adena Greenberg and Shlomo grandmother, Ada Kaplan Emanuel and Elizabeth Stern in beloved mother, Helena Siroky Liran in memory of Rabbi Joel Levy and Barbara Blum in memory of Stephen Peck Judith Bernstein Lunch Isabel Berkowitz in memory of Sidney Greenberg memory of Philip Blum Sheila Thorne in memory of her Program her beloved father, Max Sheldon and Helen Gross in Barbara Linder in memory of beloved father, Leon Thorne Lois and Bernard Einhorn in Berkowitz memory of Susan's beloved her beloved husband Mim Warden in memory of her memory of Frances Greenberg Charles Borrok in memory of mother, Susan Gross Gertrude Litowitz in memory of beloved father, R. Earle Richard and Rosemary Kalikow his beloved mother, Gertrude Don Grubman and Deborah her beloved husband, Joseph Marcus in memory of Harriet Goren's Traub Stein in memory of Don's Litowitz and son, Robert Zelda Weiss in memory of her brother, Seymour Goren Irwin and Arlene Brandon in beloved father, Moe Grubman Litowitz beloved father, Benjamin F. Gertrude Litowitz in memory of memory of Harriet Goren's Sofia Hubscher and Adam Miriam Lox in memory of her Prensky Frances Greenberg brother, Seymour Goren Wallach in honor of Sofia's beloved father, Aaron Lox Mark, Diane, Liza, and Joshua Carole and Elyse Lurie, Rani and Irwin and Arlene Brandon in grandmother and grandfather, Enrique and Lucia Malamud in Weisstuch in memory of Bradley Walz for a complete memory of Arlene's beloved Sue Fleischman and Manny memory of Rafael Malamud Victor Weisstuch, beloved recovery for Gerald Hirsch father, Nathan Barnett Hubscher Robert and Iris Markewich in father and grandfather Robert Mandel and Lois Wendy, Ron, Marlene, and Saul Suzanne Jacoby in memory of memory of Robert's beloved Robin Willner in memory of Alexander in memory of Brodsky in memory of Frances her beloved father, Leonard father, Samuel beloved father, Samuel Willner Frances Greenberg Greenberg Galfin Susan Mason in memory of her Barry and Joan Winograd in Irma and Robert Radus in mem - Emily Campbell in memory of Shoshana Jedwab in memory of beloved father, Murray memory of Barry's beloved ory of Frances Greenberg Esther Lebowitz Ruth Jedwab Schaefer and beloved cousin, mother, Mary Winograd Amy Samuels in celebration of Susanne Catinella in memory Audrey and Joseph Kalaf in Lois Cullen Mildred Wood in memory of her parents, Susan and of her beloved mother, memory of beloved mother, Theodore Metzger and Robin her beloved mother and hus - Stephen Samuels Dorothy Ross Yonah Kalaf Fleischner in memory of Ted's band Maxine Skopov in memory of Bernard Cohen in memory of Richard and Rosemary Kalikow beloved mother, Ruth Metzger Brett and Dale Yacker in Frances Greenberg his beloved father in memory of Norman Kalikow Nancy Beal Mostow in memory memory of Brett's beloved Sylvia Dresner and Bronia and David Gerof of her beloved father, William father, Max Yacker, and Dale's Kiddush Fund Dresner in memory of Sylvan Andrea Kantor in memory of G. Beal beloved father, Norman Debra Fine Dresner, beloved husband and Cyril Kantor, beloved father Jerrold Nadler in memory of Kalikow father and grandfather Emanuel Nadler Brett and Dale Yacker in Music Fund Bart and Terri Eagle in memory Seth Kasten in memory of his Lilli Platt in memory of her memory of Brett's beloved Peninnah Schram in memory of of Estelle Eagle father, Sol Kasten beloved father, Abraham Platt mother, Bess Yacker her beloved father, Cantor David Eisikovits in memory of Jeffrey and Shelley Kehl Irma and Robert Radus in mem - Samuel E. Manchester his beloved father, Samson Florence Keller in memory of ory of Merril Feinstein's moth - Samuel and Phyllis Feder in her beloved father, Sam Glick er, Mae Feinstein Azrelsky Shabbat Oneg Fund memory of Hazzan Louis D. Stephen and Dede Kessler in Cecile Rodau in memory of her Michael Brochstein Feder memory of Dede's beloved beloved father, Edward Or Lauderly Ted Fisher in memory of parents, Jack and Lettie Mittleman Barbara Trevino and Debbi Glicksman Jane Rosenthal and Craig Shira Palmer-Sherman Harris's beloved father, Stephen and Susan Kippur in Hatkoff in memory of Craig's Memorial Fund Bernard Benjamin memory of Stephen's beloved beloved father Diane Fink in memory of Shira Richard Frank in memory of his father Lois Rappaport in memory of Palmer Sherman beloved father, Samuel Frank Stephen and Susan Kippur in her beloved mother, Margaret Jules and Susan Frankel in memory of Susan's aunt, Bebe Rappaport Teen Programming Fund memory of Jules' beloved Lavin Raymond Shanfeld and Lois Rachel and Mark Klein in honor father, Fred Frankel Hindy Kisch in memory of her Rappaport in memory of KOL HADASH of the BJ Teens and Kerrith Robin Fried in memory of her beloved husband, Dr. Edward Raymond's sister and mother NEW VOICE Solomon beloved mother, Sadie J. Sachar Jerome Siegel and Phyllis May 2009 Michael Yoeli and Susan Etra Friedland Amelia Korn in memory of her Harlem in memory of Harold Benjamin Zurier and Linda Victor Friedman and Victoria beloved father, Jakob Korn Siegel The Kol Hadash is Movish Schonfeld in memory of Marvin Lange and Ellen Alan and Riva Slifka in memory published every other Victoria's beloved mother, Metzger in memory of Artie of Alan's beloved mother, month (in 2009: January, Torah Fund Hildegard Schonfeld, and Lange, beloved father, father- Sylvia Slifka March, May, August, Susan Fein Susan Landau’s beloved in-law, and grandfather Elliot Sloane and Polly Leider in October, December). husband, Thomas Reiner Marvin Lange and Ellen memory of Elliot's beloved We would love to print Yizkor Fund Lawrence Goldberg and Eve Metzger in gratitude to Rabbi mother, Annette Sloane your stories and articles Myriam Abramowicz in Birnbaum in memory of Jack Roly Matalon Ellen Small in memory of Ellen's about BJ! For submission guidelines, contact memory of her beloved Birnbaum Harold and Helen Lehrman in beloved mother, Ruth [email protected]. parents, Mendel and Lea Susan Goldberg in memory of memory of Helen' s beloved Perlmutter All material is the property Myriam Abramowicz in honor her beloved boyfriend, Jeffrey mother, Beatrice Bernheim, David Solomon and Lisa Siegel of Congregation B’nai of Sharon Anstey, Glenn and Lang and Hal's beloved father, Louis Solomon in memory of Eugene Jeshurun and cannot Judy Geller-Marlowe, Sandee Jerry Goldfeder and Alice Yaker Lehrman Siegel be reprinted without Brawarsky, Donna Freireich, in memory of Alice's beloved Bernard Levin and Ronnie Carl and Miriam Stern in permission. Bella Rector, and Frances Gertrude Yaker DuBrow Levin in memory of memory of Carl's beloved Greenberg Deedy and David Goldstick in Bernard's beloved father, mother, Rosel Stern Editor & Designer: memory of Deedy's beloved Simon Levin Harriet R. Goren father, George J. Dorfman

SYNAGOGUE : 257 W. 88th St. • OFFICE : 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), Suite 203, New York, NY 10023 • TEL : 212.787.7600 • FAX : 212.496.7600 • WEBSITE : www.bj.org 15 KOL H. ADASH NEW VOIC E•MAY 2009

SYNAGOGUE: Committees & Services: Development Lunch Program ...... 338 257 West 88th Street Accounts Payable ...... 227 & Donation Information ...... 228 Membership Information ...... 224 Accounts Receivable ...... 237 88th Street Rental ...... 223 Ralph Bunche School Partnership ... 301 OFFICES: Adult Education Informatio n ...... 233 Family Activities: Hotline ...... 318 Shabbat B’Ya had ...... 255 2109 Broadway (Ansonia), #203 Bar/Bat Mitzvah ...... 223 Hakhnasat Or him ...... 255 Social Action ...... 259 Bekef ...... 255 Havurot ...... 255 Telephone Language Companio n ...... Main Telephone Number Bikkur Holim ...... 256 Hevra Kadisha ...... 256 212-721-9037 212-787-7600 BJ Reads ...... 391 Homeless Shelter ...... 212-339-4250 Teen Programming ...... 253 Communications ...... 275 Interfaith Committee ...... 379 Torah/Haftarah Reading ...... 232 Fax Number (2109 Broadway) Conversion ...... 264 Kiddush Scheduling ...... 255 Tze’irim ...... 264 212-496-7600 Daily Minyan ...... 232 Kol Jeshurun ...... 275 Ushering ...... 305 Deaf & Hard of Hearing ...... Kol Hadash ...... 275 Volunteer Information ...... 255 Website e-mail: [email protected] Ledor Vador ...... 224 Youth & Family Education ...... 225 www.bj.org phone: 212-628-7061 Life Cycles ...... 256

Rabbis: Associate Director of Development/ Board of Trustees: Sofia Hubscher Marshall T. Meyer (1985-1993) Interim Director of Development: Jonathan Adelsberg º David Karnovsky J. Rolando Matalon Erzsébet Ragyina, x228 President Joel Kazis Marcelo R. Bronstein Beth Kern Felicia L. Sol Senior Development Associate/ Susan Kippurº* Debbie Lerner Assistant to Harold Goldman Chair Andrew Litt Hazzan and Music Director: Elizabeth Stone, x233 Russell Makowsky Ari Priven Harriet Abrahamº Henry Meer Communications Manager: Vice President Andrea Newman Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellows: Denise Waxman, x275 Benjamin Ross Rabbi Esther Lederman Robin Fleischner º Marian Warden Ezra D. Weinberg Director of Finance & Vice President Administration: Honorary Trustees Executive Director: Ron Seitenbach, x226 Stephen Stulman º Virginia Bayer* Harold Goldman, x248 Vice President Ted Becker* Director of Facilities: Frederic Goldstein Director of Education for Roma Serdtse, x350 Debra Fine º Marcy Grau* Youth and Family: Treasurer David Hirsch* Ivy Schreiber, x225 Assistant to Rabbi Matalon: Richard Janvey* Sarah Guthartz, x234 Jeannie Blaustein º Robert Kanter Director of Social Action/ Secretary Joan Kaplan Social Justice: Assistant to Rabbi Bronstein Sara Moore Litt* Channa Camins, x259 and Hazzan Priven: Robert Buxbaum Naomi Meyer Naomi Goodhart, x240 Susan Etra Judith Stern Peck* Director of Membership: Jeff Feig Belinda Lasky, x224 Assistant to Rabbi Sol/ Rochelle Friedlich General Counsel Life Cycle Coordinator: Christina Gantcher Richard Kalikow Yaffa Garber, x256 Barbara Glassman º Executive Committee Member Barbara Goldman * Past President

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