Bulletin

Vassar T emple Where you belong Bulletinin Founded 1848 Volume 158 No. 5 May 2012 אחים ישראל Congregation Brethren of Israel

Sisterhood Shabbat on Annual Congregational Upcoming Events May 18th Meeting on May 23rd May 1 Joel Hoffman presents: The Bible Doesn’t Say That, p1 Please join us for our annual Sister- Plan to attend the annual meeting of May 3 Holocaust Lecture, p7 th hood Shabbat on Friday evening, May 18 the congregation on Wednesday evening, May 6 Lunch Box, p6 at 7:30. This is always an inspiring and May 23rd at 7:00 p.m. to participate in May 8 Sisterhood Donor Dinner, p3 uplifting spiritual experience, led by the May 15 Meditation Group meets, p7 the making of important decisions for the wonderful women of our Sisterhood and May 17 Holy Rollers, p8 temple. The agenda will include the pre- followed by an oneg of delicious desserts May 18 Sisterhood Shabbat & din- provided by our Men’s Club. sentation of the Founders Service Award ner, p 1 This year we will have a Torah to Melissa, Rachel, and Brianna Erle- May 20 Mitzvah Day, p 5 service, including “A D’var Torah from a bacher; voting on the slate of nominees May 22 Meditation Group meets, p7 Woman’s Point of View” by Doi Cohen. for officer and board positions; consider- May 23 Annual Congregational All Sisterhood Members are welcome ation of the budget for the coming fiscal Meeting, p1 to participate in the service. This is our time year; brief reports by the Rabbi and the May 26 Shavuot Study, p 8 to lead the congregation in worship and we President; and other matters. The official June 8 Temple Picnic Shabbat, pg 1 welcome readers (English or Hebrew). If agenda will be mailed to all members you would like to participate, please contact and will be posted on the temple website Sandra Mamis, chair of Sisterhood Shabbat. (www.vassartemple.org), so check it You can reach her at mamis@optonline. See the many opportunities to net or at 463-2678. We hope to see you on regularly. Refreshments will be available May 18th! at the meeting. make a diffeerence on Mitzvah Day on pages 5 & 6!

Heads Up! Shabbat Dinner on May 18th Temple Picnic Shabbat Something is on June 8 brewing Before the 7:30 p.m. Sisterhood “After Hours” on th th Shabbat service on Friday, May 18 , join Join us at the annual Vassar Temple Pic- Saturday, July 14 your temple family for a 6:15 Shabbat nic Shabbat on June 8, rain or shine (we’ll from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Vassar Temple! dinner in the social hall. The dairy dinner move indoors if inclement weather). Don’t get skunked! will include quiche with assorted salads, Teacher Recognition will take place. and pizza for the kids. The price for the Come and honor our hard-working Reli- complete meal is $10 for each adult and gious School teachers! $5 for children aged 5-12, while those Vassar Temple will provide the picnic, under 5 eat free. co-sponsored by the Vassar Temple Sister- In order to enjoy this lovely dinner, hood and Men’s Club. The menu will you must make your reservation by Mon- include Veggie wraps & salads, and pizza th day, May 14 the latest. Contact Wendy for the kids. Don't miss the fascinating Marcus at 226-2502 or masinc223@aol. RSVPs are a MUST so that we can or- presentation on Bible com. Checks made out to Vassar Temple der the right amount of food. Please RSVP translation by author, Sisterhood may be mailed or brought to by Monday, June 4 to Laura Brundage / translator, linguist, and the temple. [email protected] / 227-4312 our own Religious School Director, Dr. Joel M. Hoffman! Learn why "The Bible Doesn't Say That" on Tuesday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. at the temple.

1 Rabbi’s Message: WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

in the United States, one is an American, Saturday evening, May 26 and absolute insensitivity to history, ge- (admittedly, it is Memorial Day weekend) Do not say, ography, government, or even sports does marks the eve of Shavuot. This is the an- ‘when I have lei- not change that status. Yet, we tend to nual Festival commemorating the giving sure, I will study.’ have a low opinion of the ignoramus. Be- of Torah at Mt. Sinai. As such, Shavuot You may never ing an American, we feel, requires some is the holiday of knowing in order to be have leisure! knowledge about the U.S. How much a Jew. Each year, Vassar Temple joins What do you is hard to say, but something ought to be with Temple Beth El and Shir Hadash in need to know in known; probably at least something more marking the occasion with a Tikkun, a order to be a doctor? A lawyer? A chef? than you already know! study session. [Please check page 8 of A garage mechanic? The answer in every Finally, what do you need to this Bulletin for details.] I personally in- case is more than just something. The know in order to be a Jew? The answer is vite you to attend. If that is not possible, successful maintenance of virtually every roughly similar to American. One can be- then I especially invite you to engage –by profession requires more than a minimal come a Jew by virtue of birth, and there- yourself or with your family – in answer- amount of expertise. fore not need know anything. Yet, we ing the question: What more might I learn OK, now, what do you need to sense that being Jewish requires knowing this year in order to be a Jew? know in order to be an American? Techni- something. What is that something? At Rabbi Paul Golomb cally, the answer is nothing! If one is born least one thing more than you already know.

President’s Message

It’s May One of the first sessions I attended how to use this type of message for explor- already. The was for new and incoming presidents ing issues, such as why bad things happen school year and (little did I know …), where Dale Glasser to good people, and discussing generosity other temple presented “Frameworks for Thinking about vs. destruction. There were several other activities are Issues”. The goal of the session was to examples, with a South Park sketch mak- winding down, distinguish between leadership and man- ing some additional points. I’ll save some and our yearly agement, and emphasize the importance of the other topics for another month. congregational of both. “Management is doing things I recently placed a request on the meeting will take right; leadership is doing the right things.” Temple Blog called “Suggestion Box.” I’d place on Wednesday, May 23rd. Mitzvah Part of the session required discussion like to reach out to all of you to get ideas Day preparation is in full swing, with an in small groups, which was the best part. for future events or activities that might amazing myriad of activities, allowing Our group had a good mix of participants, appeal to you. In general, the Temple Dutchess community Jews to participate in from the president of a small 90-member needs to establish a good balance of “fun- a host of very worthwhile projects. Next congregation, to one whose congregation raising” and “fund-raising” activities, but month will bring the annual outdoor Shab- has over 2,000 members! Interestingly, we the lack of fundraising (other than the very bat on June 8th. This year on that evening all had similar stories, similar problems, successful SCRIP program) has placed a we will recognize our Religious School just on different scales. Overall it was a lot of pressure on the Temple’s operating teachers and aides who have worked so worthwhile session, and great way to kick budget. Please use the link to VT Blog in hard to educate our children. off the conference. the upper right of our home page at www. In in looking back over the past few One of the most interesting sessions vassartemple.org, click “Comment,” and months, it occurred to me that I never I attended, “Scripture, Simpsons, South give us your input. had the opportunity to share some of the Park and Suffering,” examined a Simpsons Bob Abrams information that I learned at the Biennial. episode based on the Book of Job and We all know that Seth z’’l had shared the showed how the use of animated sketches excitement of the Biennial right up until his can appeal to younger folks. The Simp- untimely passing. I was hoping to share my sons is PG but “edgy enough to be cool.” thoughts in the blog, but got caught up in In many of its scripts, there are kernels of the events that followed. profound wisdom. The session explored

2 Worship Services Scriptural Readings Friday, May 4 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service May 4 & 5 Aharei-K’doshim Saturday, May 5 Leviticus 17:8-19:14 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 10:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Roland May 11 & 12 Emor Friday, May 11 Leviticus 22:17-23:22 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service with Rabbi Golomb and Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 cantorial soloist, Elisa Dugatkin May 18 & 19 B’har-B’hukotai Saturday, May 12 Leviticus: 25:39-26:46, 27:32-34 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 10:00 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Moore May 25 & 26 Bamidbar Friday, May 18 Numbers 2:1-3:13 7:30 p.m. Sisterhood Shabbat Service with cantorial Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 soloist, Elisa Dugatkin June 1 & 2 Naso Saturday, May 19 Numbers 5:11-6:27 9:00 a.m. Torah Study Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 10:00 a.m. New Paths Service Friday, May 25 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service Sisterhood Donor Dinner th Saturday, May 26 Erev Shavuot on May 8 9:00 a.m. Torah Study 8:45 p.m. Tikkun Study at Temple Beth-El The theme of this year’s Sisterhood Donor Dinner on Tuesday, Sunday, May 27 Shavuot May 8th will be “A Night in Havana.” The cocktail hour will begin 10:00 a.m. Yizkor Service at 6:00 p.m. and a delicious dinner will be served at 7:00. The Ev- Friday, June 1 elyn Kahn Award will be presented and our speaker will be Leslie 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service Offutt, associate professor of history at Vassar College, who will Saturday, June 2 discuss her recent trip to Cuba. Her “Reflections on Life in Today’s 9:00 a.m. Torah Study10:00 a.m. New Paths Service Cuba” are sure to be fascinating. Respond to your invitation now and support the Sisterhood while enjoying an evening with old and new friends. New Paths Service on May 19th

The New Paths service is an opportunity for Shab- Learn How to Lead a Shiva Minyan Using bat morning worship in a warm, innovative setting that Our New Prayer Book encourages interactive participation in discussion and prayer. We draw upon a rich variety of both traditional Congregants who would like to be able to lead a brief prayers and contemporary readings which can provide service in a house of mourning, using the new prayer book new paths toward spiritual growth for us as Jews in our we have just acquired for this purpose, are encouraged to contemporary world. come to temple on Sunday morning, May 6th at 9:00 a.m. for a helpful introduction to this booklet. Guidelines for Join us for New Paths in the sunlit East Chapel on its use will be discussed and participants will acquire the Saturday, May19th at 10:00 a.m. and stay for a brief knowledge and confidence which will enable them to bring informal kiddush afterward. For more information comfort to fellow members when they are bereaved. please contact Marian Schwartz at mschwa9882@aol. com or Rabbi Golomb at 454-2570 or rabbi@vassar- Please register in advance for this session by contact- temple.org. ing Ron Rosen, Chair of the Ritual Committee, at Rrosen@ alum.mit.edu or 454-4936. If you attended a previous train- ing using the old prayer book, you will need to attend this Pulpit Flowers session so you will be able to use the current prayer book, May 4 In honor of Rachel Roland’s Bat Mitzvah with love from her family. which is quite different from the one we had been using for May 11 In honor of Jacob Moore’s Bat Mitzvah with love from many years. his family. th May 18 Vassar Temple Sisterhood. At 10:00 a.m. on the same Sunday, May 6 , you can May 25 Donated by Elise Friedlich. learn (or brush up on) how to conduct a summer service at Anyone who wishes to honor the memory of a loved one or to temple. Contact Ron Rosen if you would like to lead the commemorate a special occasion can do so by sponsoring the congregation in worship this summer. Sanctuary flowers with a donation to the Shrub Fund. Just call Sandi Rugar at 454-2570. The donation to the Shrub Fund is $55. 3 Mazal Tov Thanks to our Vassar Temple Family In Remembrance

Congratulations to Joanne Vassar Temple shares in the grief suffered and Bob Dyson on the birth of their The Mamis and Evans families by the family of: grandson, Jacob Harry Dyson. Proud extend our profound gratitude to all parents are Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dyson. those who have offered support as we • Kurt Similes, father of Sandra mourned the loss of our father, grand- Mamis, grandfather of Steven and Congratulations to Didi Barrett who ran father and great-grandfather, Kurt Rachel Mamis a successful campaign for state assembly. Similes. Your words of condolence, • Ann Solomon, sister of your physical presence with comforting Murray Solomon hugs, and your contributions of food helped ease our grief. At times of loss • William M. Rothstein, our Temple family takes on monumental father of Meredith Kaflowitz, significance, serving as a reminder of father-in-law of Alan Kaflowitz, how wonderful it is to belong to Vassar grandfather of Haley and Aaron Bar/Bat Mitzvah Temple. Kaflowitz Celebrations Everyone is welcome at the service and • Joshua Lowe Posner, brother of Kiddush as we celebrate with Bar/Bat We Need Your Help! David Posner Mitzvah families at Vassar Temple. To It’s awful to be the last to know that someone has been be called to the Torah in May: hospitalized, needs a visit May 5 at 10:00 a.m. or needs some other kind of Rachel Roland, daughter of Mark & help. Refuah Shelemah Shaari Roland We are, once again, asking that you ….to our Temple member, Tamara May 12 at 10:00 a.m. be the eyes and ears in the lives of our Jacob Moore, son of Danah & Jeremy congregational family. Federal patient Gruszko, who was recently hospital- Moore privacy regulations limit the information ized. that hospitals make available to clergy and volunteers. We are encouraging you to contact Please Help with this Bar the Temple office when a congregant Mitzvah Project is admitted to a hospital and wishes to have Rabbi visit during the hospital stay. Our goal is to meet the needs of all our Dear Vassar Temple Community: congregants and we can only do this with Vassar Temple Blog As a part of my becoming a Bar your help. Be sure to check out the Vassar Mitzvah, I have taken on a Mitzvah Temple blog regularly at Project to help others in need. As you http://vassartemple.wordpress.com/. know, a mitzvah is a commandment to do Keep up with the latest reflections and good in the world. My family and I have join the conversation! spent time helping out at the Lunch Box soup kitchen in Poughkeepsie these last few months. This is a place that people can come to for a free meal and fellow- ship. I am collecting non-perishable food items so that they can be given to people in need. Vassar Temple Bulletin, published monthly If you would like to donate, there is Publisher: Marianne Abrams a specially marked box for my food col- Editor: Doi Cohen lection in the hall, near the regular Can Technical Support: Bob Abrams Jam box. I plan on delivering the items to the Lunch Box the week of May 14th. Articles for the June bulletin must be submitted to Thank you very much. the temple office by May 1. Sorry, we cannot take Sincerely, Bulletin articles over the phone! Jacob Moore Articles may be sent to Sandi Rugar via e-mail , at [email protected] or faxed to (845)452- 5161. The editor reserves the right to edit articles for style, accuracy and length.

4 Religious School Director’s Column

I write this just Shavuot is the “time when the Torah was ery can also be enticing because it is certain. before Passover, which given to us.” Shavuot celebrates the Ten Additionally, myopic memory can force us to means you will read Commandments, Torah, and God’s Word. If long for a return to succulent foods we never it during the magical Passover is a flamboyant celebration of pos- had and magnificent feasts that never were. period of transforma- sibility, Shavuot is an understated celebration The “good old days,” we usually call it, or tion known as the Omer. of reality. The Omer is the time when we a “return to simpler times,” like our child- Seven weeks of seven move from one to the other. hood (when we weren’t even free to leave the days long, the Omer is house because we didn’t drive), or the ‘50s the period between the springtime holiday of And to judge by previous attempts, we (never mind that women were Passover and the summer holiday of Shavuot. haven’t always had an easy time of it. Ac- cording to the book of Exodus, what did we practically slaves), or the shtetl (the pogroms Passover is so easy to relate to, and not do as newly freed Jews after Almighty God notwithstanding). Worse, we sometimes la- just because of the universally attractive mes- freed us from Egypt? We built an idol in the ment true loss. Egypt wasn’t all bad, just as sage of freedom. The holiday comes after form of the Golden Calf and worshiped that there were great parts to our childhood, the the darkness of winter has begun to yield to false god. Oops. Before that theological ‘50s, and the shtetl. the light of summer that brings the world to travesty, what did we do as we stood poised life again. In place of bare trees and shrubs, to leave Egyptian bondage behind? We tor- So once each year, we take seven weeks blossoms appear on the Earth, as the Song of mented Moses with bitter, ironic complaints: of seven days to consider where we have Songs recounts. The time of singing is here! “There weren’t enough graves in Egypt, been, where we are, and where we’re go- so you brought us to the desert to die?” we ing. What parts of slavery still keep us from Shavuot, by contrast, often slips under our taunted. Oops again. enjoying our freedom? What fictions of the cultural radar unnoticed. The other two great past block our path to the future? What bitter Holidays --- Sukkot and Passover --- both last Similarly, in the book of Numbers, we memories taint the sweetness of the present? about a week. Shavuot is but one day long. read that as a group journeying in the desert And what fears of the future lead us astray? And most people don’t even know what it toward the Promised Land we were still These are not easy questions, so it’s a good stands for. Sukkot has decorative booths, and pathetic whiners (prompting Rabbi Ammi thing we have a new chance each year to comes amid the brilliant foliage of the fall. Hirsch of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue to confront them. Let’s make a date to meet on Passover has the Seder and freedom to mark observe that this book is so “us.” We haven’t Shavuot and compare notes. the world as it blooms anew, to say nothing of changed a bit!) We remembered the suc- the wonderful animated film, Prince of Egypt. culent foods and magnificent feasts that we But for now, we’re trekking through the No one ever made a major motion picture out were forced to leave behind in Egypt, and we desert, freedom behind us, the promised land of Shavuot. longed to return. Oops yet again. ahead. Have a good trip.

Except that that’s not quite true, because A pattern presents itself. Freedom is en- Dr. Joel M. Hoffman while Sukkot is the “time of our happiness” ticing, but it is also scary. So, bizarrely, slav- and Passover is the “time of our freedom,”

Be a Part of Mitzvah Day on May 20th

Hundreds of volunteers from the teers between 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Poughkeepsie area include Eden Farm Village area’s Jewish community will unite to in Putnam County, Gomez Mill House Jewish perform service projects to benefit over 15 Special projects are planned for reli- historic site in Orange County, Astor Home in local charitable and non-profit organizations gious school age children and teens, from Rhinebeck, and a unique project in Southern on Dutchess County’s 13th annual Mitzvah environmental projects to cookie baking to Dutchess. Day, Sunday, May 20th. There are indoor and a real family favorite: helping out at nearby outdoor projects to appeal to every interest Briggs Farm (and visiting with the animals See the listing and descriptions of most and age from tots to senior citizens, activities in between chores). The PJ Library project local projects on the Mitzvah Day registration ideal for individuals, families and groups, at designed for children age 2-8 will take place form which will be in the May issue of The sites in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Ulster in the Early Childhood wing of the JCC Voice and which will also appear online after st Counties. Mitzvah Day will take place rain from 10:00 a.m. to noon, where the young- May 1 at www.jewishdutchess.org. You can or shine, as we have alternate projects lined est volunteers will hear a story about mitzvot also volunteer, or get any questions answered, up in case of inclement weather. and then craft gifts for those in need in the by calling Linda Tafapolsky at Jewish Family community. Services at 845-471-9817 or e-mailing jfs@ The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a jewishdutchess.org . free celebratory bagel breakfast and sing- Projects for older children and adults run along at event headquarters, the Jewish the gamut from stuffing envelopes and filling At Mitzvah Day we will be collecting Community Center (JCC), 110 South Grand gift baskets to cleanup at an historic Jewish items to fill gift baskets for residents of a teen Avenue, Poughkeepsie, where everyone cemetery to painting picnic benches. Plant shelter and boxes of breakfast cereal for hun- will have an opportunity to register and get flowers, serve a meal to neighbors in need at gry children (please think of them when you directions to their project sites, with a variety the Lunch Box, or wash cars to raise money shop), as well as used computer equipment of projects also taking place right at the JCC for a local food pantry. At the JCC you can (see related articles on pages 6 and 8). itself. Most projects begin at 10:00 a.m. and write a letter to cheer an Israel Defense Forc- Article is continued on page 11. run until completed. A complimentary lunch es soldier, wash windows, or prepare a garden buffet at the JCC will be available to volun- plot. Some featured project sites outside the 5 Cereal Counts!!! Collection Again This Spring

Another hungry summer is coming but wide cereal box drive by dropping off Pantry; Community Action Partnership Cereal Counts!!! 2012 means a truck- cereal boxes at the Jewish Community Pantries in Dover, Beacon and Red load of good morning health is also on Center, 110 Grand Avenue, Poughkeep- Hook; and senior housing sites. its way for children in our community. sie. On Mitzvah Day morning, May Every summer children lack access to 20th, help stack and count the boxes and Questions about CEREAL school-based free breakfast programs. load them into a truck for delivery to COUNTS!!! 2012? Contact Nancy Daily breakfast has potential physical food pantries and area food distribu- Samson, CC Coordinator, or Max Sam- and mental health benefits for every- tion sites in Dutchess County, including son, CC Student Captain, at 473-5909 one in the family that you can help Hudson River Housing/Hillcrest Shelter; or [email protected]. Remem- provide by donating boxes of hot and Dutchess Outreach; the pantry at the De- ber: every box counts!!! cold cereals. partment of Social Services; The Reach Out Pantry; Beulah Baptist Church Thank you in advance for your From now through Sunday morn- support! ing, May 20th, join the annual county-

You Can Help with the Lunch Box on May 6th

Vassar Temple members go to the Lunch Box, located in the Temple kitchen beforehand during hours when the Temple in the Family Partnership Center on North Hamilton Street is normally open. The 5th grade is a small group and would wel- in Poughkeepsie, each first Sunday of the month during the come additional helpers at the Lunch Box that Sunday between school year to provide, prepare and serve a nutritious and 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. If you can donate food and/or come tasty mid-day meal to our hungry neighbors. This year we and help, please contact parent captain Robin Peritz as soon are seeing as much as a 30% increase in the number of guests as possible at 227-0160 or [email protected]. Your coming to the Lunch Box, so it is more important than ever financial contributions to Vassar Temple with “Community that our congregants support this effort. Perhaps you can Tzedakah Fund” on the memo line help purchase the addition- contribute your time, some food, used dinnerware as de- al food needed for this ongoing project. The Lunch Box can scribed below, or make a financial donation to help meet the also use more coffee mugs, dinner plates and metal forks, all increasing needs of our community. th th in good condition, so if you have any of these to donate please On Sunday, May 6 , our 5 grade is sponsoring our contact Marian Schwartz at [email protected] . participation and is preparing a meal featuring a frank and bean casserole. They would appreciate donations of 3 lbs. of all-beef franks or 1 dozen pieces of fresh fruit (bananas are a favorite). The food may be labeled “for Lunch Box” and left

Donate Used Computers, Etc. on Mitzvah Day, May 20th

The Help Kenya Project will and printer cartridges are all in demand. related peripherals on Mitzvah Day. again be collecting used computers at The computers do not have to be in Equipment donations to the Help the Jewish Community Center, 110 S. working order; they will be repaired and Kenya Project are tax deductible Grand Avenue, Poughkeepsie, on Mitz- refurbished. The Help Kenya Project will and receipts will be issued. So help vah Day, Sunday May 20th. Instead of also accept printers and scanners, but the clogging our local landfills or cluttering printers and scanners must be in working yourself, help our environment, and our basements, the computers will be order to be accepted. help students in Kenya by donating put to good use by students and school Due to space restrictions both on the your unwanted computer equipment libraries in Kenya. As an additional delivery truck and in the JCC, computers on Mitzvah Day. If you would like boon to the environment, the Kenyan will be accepted by reservation and pre- to be part of the committee working students will plant a tree in recognition approval only, and only on Mitzvah Day on this project, please contact Linda of each computer donated. (no prior drop-offs). Check the May issue Tafapolsky at jfs@jewishdutchess. Computers from the year 2000 of the Voice or the on-line Mitzvah Day org or at 845-471-9817. and on, using Windows 98 or later registration for at www.jewishdutchess. operating systems, plus related cables, org after May 1st for instructions on how keyboards, speakers, computer mice, to sign up to donate your computer and

6 Seder at Temple

A most successful first-night seder at the temple on April 6 was organized by Sandra Mamis and enjoyed by over 90 attendees Men’s Club Lunch Box Thanks

The Vassar Temple Men’s Club prepared and served lunch for about 160 people at the Lunch Box on April 1st. Our volunteers included Bob Abrams; Joel and Linda Babas; Jeff Brenner; Paul Ciminello; Ed Garber; Alan Kaflowitz; Joel Kelson; David Lampell; Amanda, Danah, and Jacob Moore; Jeffrey Ollendorf; Kurt Quackenbush; Bob Ritter; Dave Smith; Howard Susser; and Dave Wolf. The Abrams, Brenner, Garber, Hecht, For more pictures of the Kaufman, Kelson, Krevolin, Lampell, Lipschutz, Moore, Ollendorf, seder, see the Vassar Temple Quackenbush, Ritter, Rosenfeld, Smith, and Wolf families website’s Photo Gallery donated food for the meal.

Volunteering at the Lunch Box is a wonderful way to enjoy the com- pany of fellow temple members while performing a mitzvah. Many thanks to everyone who contributed their time or donated food for this event.

Lecture on the Holocaust at Sisterhood Lunch Box Meditation Group to Meet Beth-El on May 3rd a Success in May

“A Faith Betrayed? German The annual Sisterhood-sponsored The Jewish Meditation Group will Churches During and After the Holo- Lunch Box, this year held on March th th meet on Tuesday evenings, May 15 caust” will be the subject of the Effron 4 , went just wonderfully, with plenty and 22nd from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. under lecture at Temple Beth-El on Thursday, of food and plenty of help! Thank you the leadership of Linda Cantor and Ed May 3rd at 7:30 p.m. The speaker, Dr. to Lisa-Sue Quackenbush, Sisterhood Rosenberg. Both beginners and those Werner Steger, is Professor of History President, who also served as Lunch experienced in the practice of meditation and holder of the Greenspan - Handel Box captain, and to everyone who con- are welcome, and synagogue affiliation is Foundation Endowed Chair in Holo- tributed to the success of the day: Mari- not required. caust and Genocide Studies at Dutchess anne Abrams, Jen Dahnert, Perla and Community College. Chuck Kaufman, Marsha Lowry, Stan At each session there will be a sitting Marcus, Danah, Jacob and Amanda meditation, a walking meditation, either While acknowledging the role Moore, Amy Horn Oclatis, Kiley and chanting or a short reading, plus time for individual Christians played in rescu- Kurt Quackenbush, Judy Rosenfeld, questions and sharing. Please RSVP to ing Jews, the talk will examine the Lisa Rubenstein, Marian and Ralph the Vassar Temple office at454-2570 or role church institutions leaders played Schwartz, Mary Solomon (our shopper) [email protected] if you plan to during the years of mass killing. Spon- and Melissa Wall. attend any of the sessions. sored by The William & Sadie Effron Lecture Fund of Temple Beth-El, the presentation is open to the public free of charge 7 Thanks from the Fishkill Holidays Through a Jewish Food Pantry Lens: Mother’s Day

To the Vassar Temple Congregation: “Honor your mother and father” is one of the most well known mitzvot in the We cannot thank you enough for entire Torah. In the Ten Commandments your VERY generous donation to our Accept the Honor of Being a it follows only those relating to honoring food pantry. What a loving and caring Holy Roller on May 17th God and the Sabbath. In the Torah, we congregation you are!! find the thoughts and actions of our ma- The next Holy Rollers session will triarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel Our needs have tripled over the last intrinsically entwined with the lives of our take place on Thursday, May 17th at 7:00 2 years and we are sometimes over- Patriarchs. whelmed by the needs of our southern p.m. Before we unroll and re-roll the Much of Jewish practice is observed Dutchess neighbors. Thank you, thank Torah scrolls, Rabbi Golomb will talk in the home and the role of the mother is you ... about “Dressing the Torah: What is Done essential in handing down the tenets of to Make a Torah Attractive.” Judaism to her children, from generation The Fishkill Food Pantry to generation, both as a role model and as Scrolls that are used and aired regu- a teacher. Related to honoring our mothers larly not only last longer, but the letters is showing respect for senior citizens, and retain their original quality longer. YOU creating and supporting programs to pro- can be a caretaker of our Torah scrolls tect and further their physical, intellectual by joining your fellow congregants in and emotional well-being, the responsibility of preserving them. In this way, you can preserve not only the scrolls but the emotional connection Jewish War Veterans to the Torah you felt when you helped Schedule Meeting fill in a letter during our Eternal Torah The Jewish War Veterans, Post project. Remember: Everyone can be 625, will hold its monthly meeting on a Holy Roller at least once! May 14, 2012, at the Jewish Community Center, 110 S. Grand Avenue, Poughkeep- sie NY. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. This no longer includes breakfast. Donations Needed for River In the event of inclement weath- Haven Shelter er, announcements will be on Cumulus Radio: 101.5 WPDH, 1490 WKNY, Your donations are needed for a new 92.7/76.9 WRRV, 94.3/97.3 The WOLF, Mitzvah Day project to benefit teens and 1390/1340 OLDIES, 97.7 The Mix Mark young adults at the River Haven Shelter Bolger. in Poughkeepsie. Gift baskets containing For further information contact toiletries, grooming and personal hygiene Post Commander Ralph Schwartz at items for both men and women will be [email protected] or (845) 849- assembled on Mitzvah Day, so please put 0025. your new, unused contributions in the Marine in Afghanistan Enjoys collection box at the Jewish Community Our Hamantaschen Center between May 1st and the morning th Shavuot Study Session of May 20 . In addition to deodorant, th Sarah, a young Jewish Marine serv- toothpaste, shaving cream, shampoo, etc. on May 26 ing in Afghanistan who received some (regular or large size preferred but travel of hamantaschen we made at the Temple size okay), bath towels, wash cloths, and after we found out she was hoping some- socks are also requested. Join our community rabbis for a one would send the traditional treat for If you have items to donate but are Shavuot study program of discussion th her and her Jewish team mates to enjoy unable to bring them to the JCC, please and questions on Saturday, May 26 at on Purim, writes to all the Vassar Temple contact [email protected]. Temple Beth-El, 118 Grand Avenue, hamantaschen bakers: “I wanted to let To sign up to help fill the gift baskets on Poughkeepsie. Ma’ariv will begin at you all know that I got the cookies and Mitzvah Day, use the registration form 8:45 p.m. and refreshments and tikkun at they were wonderful :)! Thank you so found in the May Voice or online at www. 9:15 p.m. much. Everyone did a great job baking jewishdutchess.org., or call Linda Tafapol- these. Thanks for your support! –Sarah” sky at 845-471-9817. The theme for this year’s Tikkun Here is Sarah, enjoying the tasty treats. Leil Shavuot is “Are You What You Eat? Kashrut, Food and Jewish Identity.” 8 Everyone is welcome to enjoy traditional dairy holiday treats and join the discus- sion. Contributions RABBI’S FUND Dave & Fern Wolf Herb & Suzi Stoller Alan & Meredith Kaflowitz Charlene & Loren Rosenthal Ann Lacher Maury Lacher Nan & Jeff Genshaft IN MEMORY OF Andi & Paul Ciminello IN HONOR OF Cecile Arnold’s special birthday Seth Erlebacher Jane LaLone Herb & Suzi Stoller Margot & Kurt Similes Andi & Paul Ciminello IN APPRECIATION Marsha & Richard Lowry Steve & Linda Lant Sandra & Harry Mamis SUSTAINING FUND Erwin & Gary Schischa Elaine Lipschutz IN MEMORY OF Barbara Schischa Seth Erlebacher Janet Greenman & Robin ROBERT H. LIPSCHUTZ Peritz Rose Baum Kraut Nina & Nick Kraut SCHOLARS’ FUND Michael Rothenberg Perle Scope Adrian & Tamara Gruszko Meyer Bagun Nan & Jeff Genshaft IN MEMORY OF Miriam Genshaft Drs. Jack & Jean Hentel Benjamin Clarfeld Elaine Lipschutz Martin Turk Steven, Shelley, Herb & Suzi Stoller Sol G. Lipschutz Julie McGaulley Bob & Marianne Abrams Samantha & Stefanie Turk Tillie Schwartz Ruth Kapner Andi & Paul Ciminello Nathan Baum Nina & Nick Kraut Zoey Rachel Gillman Eric, Barbara, ANDY ERDREICH YOUTH Sidney Greenman Molly, Noah & Sophie Gillman EDUCATION FUND William M. Rothstein Janet Greenman & Robin Peritz IN MEMORY OF Martin Lowenthal Sandra & Harry Mamis Roni, Charles & Joseph Stein Ann Solomon Vivian & Ed Garber Michael Rothenberg David Morse Evelyn Partridge Richard Partridge Isador Albinder The Albinder Family Ralph Partridge Shirley LaLone Jane LaLone COMMUNITY TZEDAKAH FUND Steven & Margot` Peter Annemarie Teutsch Doi Cohen Delbert Lalone Esther G. Rheingold Irma Jacobs Cora F. Solomon Alan Solomon IN MEMORY OF Herman Jacobs Elizabeth “Libby” Horowitz Joseph H. Gellert Arthur L. Gellert Barry & Carole Horowitz & Family Ann Solomon Judy Harkavy & Stan Israel Kurt Similes Lew & Hilary Wrobel The dear parents and grandparents of the Muriel & Matt Lampell Marciano Family Linda & Joel Babas Marvin & Linda Skolnik Yahrzeits May 18 May 25 May 4 May 11 Josephine Lion Kahn Harold Jacobs Gertrude Levene Ida Albinder Jack Israel Goldner Flora Laks Mary B. Sparks Edward Moffit Edna Gibell Martin Frankel Joseph Markoe Martin Cohen Beverly Kelly Eva Revitz Samuel Cederbaum Marjorie F. Katz Leonard Margolin Lillian Kapner Ruth Myer David Lawrence Nathan Landau Ken Richter Irving D. Kraut Helen Danilin Klein Wolfson Samuel Sigalow Martin Gally Lloyd Rosenthal, Louis Lipp Alan Taylor Dr. Boris Czesler Samuel Schwartz Esq. Eugene Jacobs Charlotte Miller Charlotte Cohen Joseph H. Goodman Betty Prussin Mary Kovacs Kurt Lemberger William B. Erdreich Frankin H. Littell Levitan Paul Reznikoff Bernard “Paul” Charles Kagan Goldie Simon Shirley Kornhauser Lewis Troeger Buchalter Henry Feder Therese Lehman Stanley Shapiro Claire Troeger Moselle Bernice D Rabin Hyman Hoffman Stuart Chertock Samuel Satz David L. Golomb Betty Fein Louis Diamond Alvin Kaskowitz Wilfred Sumner Jack Rubinstein Lois Metlis James Burns Julius Laks Victor Collen David M. Horn Leo Morgenstern Naomi Berkowitz Leo Tauber Royden Parke Eugene Seigel Samuel Bronfeld Gertrude Lang Rabbi Abraham Hasselkorn Sarah Chernack Hyman Fink Else Willner Walter Kallman Selma Friedman Satz Sylvia Pearlman Rose S. Podell Samuel Blaine Bernard Lesk Jeanne Schwartz Eloise Ross Toby U. Cederbaum Memorial Board Plaques Honor the memory of your loved ones Raymond Mira with a plaque on the Memorial Board Norman Prisansky in the sanctuary. For information, call Ruth Browner Sandi at the Temple office at 454-2570. Ellen Rosenfeld Iris Krause Bertha Troeger Abraham J. Salit 9 Bernard Rheingold Eugenia Pearlstein Wonderful Purim Celebration

Rabbi Golomb began the March 10 The Purim spiel this year was called service with a hilarious reading of the “Purim in a Galaxy Far, Far Away” and Megillah. was written, produced and directed by Art Menken, who also played the role of Rabbi Obiwon Jacobi.

Kiley Quackenbush was Princess Esther-Leia in the spiel. Many more photos of the evening can be viewed at www.vassartemmple.org by clicking the Photo Gallery link on the left.

SCRIP News

A&P gift cards in $25 denominations are back in stock!

10

You can win a $100 Adams Fairacre Farms Gift Card !

Every $100 worth of Adams SCRIP

purchased in the months of May and June earns you a raffle entry, with the prize being a $100 Adams Gift Card.

Why shop at Adams? Because it is one of the best retailers around, with locations in Poughkeepsie, Wappingers Falls, Newburgh and Kingston! Winners of SCRIP Raffle At Adams you can find all your summer gardening supplies Named as well as a wide selection of fresh produce, fish, meat, dairy items, specialty items from around the world and prepared foods. If you bought SCRIP [gift cards] during the month of March, a raffle ticket When you shop at Adams with SCRIP [gift cards] was submitted on your behalf for every from Vassar Temple, you are supporting our temple and are therefore already $100 purchased. The prize: a $20 gift a winner! card to Pizza Hut! The following win- But now you have the chance for this special bonus. ners were chosen at random on April 1, 2012: The winner of the $100 Adams Gift Card Joanne Abraskin David and Marilyn Lampell will be chosen on Sunday, July 1, 2012 Lisa-Sue and Kurt Quackenbush You just have to participate for the chance to win! Linda and Marvin Skolnik Have questions? Contact the SCRIP Coordinator, Sandra Mamis: Thank you to all who support the [email protected] or 463-2678 Vassar Temple SCRIP Program, a vital source of revenue whose success de- pends entirely on your participation.

Sandra Mamis, SCRIP coordinator 463-2678; [email protected] Mitzvah Day continued from page 5

Mitzvah Day is planned and carried out by a commit- tee of volunteers, organized by Jewish Family Services (a division of the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County), and underwritten by a grant from the Bertha Effron Fund of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County. This year corporate sponsorship is being provided by Mercedes-Benz of Wappingers Falls; The Bagel Shoppe; Kraus-Ritter Insurance; and Arnoff Moving and Storage; and financial support from the community is always wel- come. So as Mitzvah Day fast approaches, find YOUR way to be a part of it!

11 Vassar Temple Bulletin 140 Hooker Avenue PRSTD STD Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601 U.S. Postage 845-454-2570 Paid www.vassartemple.org Permit # 11 Newburgh, N.Y.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Rabbi: Paul Golomb Rabbi Emeritus: Stephen A. Arnold Religious School Director: Dr. Joel M. Hoffman Cantorial Soloist: Elisa Dugatkin DATED MAIL Organist: Joseph Bertolozzi PLEASE RUSH President: Robert Abrams Vice President: David Lampell Secretary: Tamara Gruszko Treasurer: Brian Silverman Sisterhood President: Lisa-Sue Quackenbush Men’s Club Co-Presidents: Jeff Brenner & David Wolf Youth Group President: Rachel Erlebacher Immediate Past President: Sandra Mamis May 2012 Calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 June Bulletin 2 3 4 5 deadline 10am SEP CAN JAM Weekend 9am Torah Study 10am SEP 6:30-8:30pm RS 8-10 7:30pm Shabbat 10am Bat Mitzvah 12pm Talmud Pizza Service Rachel Roland 7pm The Bible Doesn’t Say That with Dr. Joel Hoffman 6 7 8 9 10 LAG BA’OMER 11 12

9am-12pm RS K-7 7:15pm Ritual Flyers Deadline 6:30-8:30pm RS 8-10 10am SEP 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Service 9am Shiva Minyan 10am SEP 10am Bar Mitzvah Training Session 12pm Talmud Jacob Moore 11:30am Lunch Box 6pm VTS Donor 13 MOTHER’S DAY 14 15 16 17 18 19

NO RS 10am SEP 6:39-8:30pm RS 8-10 10am SEP 6:15pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Dinner 12pm Talmud 7pm Holy Rollers 10am New Paths 7:30pm Sisterhood 7:30pm Meditation Shabbat Service Group Birthday Blessings 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 EREV SHAVUOT

MITZVAH DAY 10am SEP 6:30-8:30pm RS 8-10 10am SEP 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Service RS meets @ JCC 12pm Talmud 7pm Congregational 8:45 pm Tikkun Study @ Meeting Tiny Temple @ JCC 7:30pm Meditation Temple Beth-El Group 27 SHAVUOT 28 MEMORIAL 29 30 31 DAY NO RS 10am SEP 6:30-8:30pm RS 8-10 10am SEP Office Closed 10am12 Yizkor 12pm Talmud Service 7pm Board