Congregation A Traditional, Egalitarian, and Participatory Conservative Synagogue

IYAR/SIVAN/TAMMUZO 5770rZarua NEWSLETTER/VOLUME 22:4 MAY/JUNE 2010 Lights…Camera…Action…ISRAEL! Salute to Israel Day Parade, Sunday, May 23 P H

on’t miss it this year! Imagine O T O S

it’s springtime on Fifth Avenue B Y

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and Congregation Or Zarua E R R Y

members are marching north, S O L as a group, carrying signs and O M O D N singing aloud. Behind you is a sea of faces, signs and floats. Ahead are stream- ers, floats and people of all ages sporting color-coordinated T-shirts. You are there taking part in the Salute to Israel Parade. It is awesomely inspiring to march in this crowd. We are all one, each supporting Israel in our own way and yet together. This year we salute Israel’s creativity in drama, with “Lights…Camera… Action…ISRAEL!” as our theme. Save Or Zarua members marching north up the date of Sunday, May 23, 2010. More Principal Ilana Burgess (third from left) Fifth Avenue during the 2009 Salute to details will be available in Or Zarua and students from OZ’s Hebrew School Israel Day Parade. announcements and on the website. enjoying the 2009 parade.

ANNUAL MEETING, PICNIC Going Green: DINNER AND MUSIC A Jewish Response MONDAY, MAY 10, 7:00 P.M. Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, Tuesday night, May 18 Congregation Or Zarua’s 21st Annual Meeting on Monday, May 10 will begin rev Shavuot will begin at Or Zarua After the panel discussion, everyone at 7:00 p.m. with a festive picnic on with Minhah/Ma’ariv services is invited to Or Zarua’s annual Dairy the roof of our synagogue and a per- on Tuesday, May 18 at 8:00 p.m. Delights in the social hall, where a feast formance by the Or Zarua Klezmer in the sanctuary. Following the of ice cream and cheesecake will be Band. The business meeting at 8:30 Eservice, a panel of Or Zarua served in keeping with the tradition of p.m. will include reports from Rabbi members, led by Rabbi Wechsler, will dis- eating dairy foods on Shavuot. (A brief Harlan J. Wechsler, President Andrew cuss “Going Green: A Jewish Response” discussion of some Shavuot traditions Frackman and Treasurer Alan Nadel, in the Or Zarua library. can be found on page 13). as well as the election of officers and members of the Board of Trustees. Please make dinner reservations on MEET, GREET AND SEAT Ushers are needed for Shabbat services through- www.orzarua.org or by calling the out the year. Please email Janet Katz at [email protected] to add your name to our list synagogue office at 212-452-2310, of volunteers. You will be contacted by email only. Your help is greatly appreciated. extension 39.

1 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2010 President’s Message Congregation by Andrew J. Frackman

s I begin my last year as the number of students, increase our visi- OrZarua president, I would like to share bility in the external community, and find A CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE with you some of my goals for ways to improve our connection with post- FOUNDED 1989 the next 12 months. By now b’nei mitzvah members of our Or Zarua you are familiar with my community. Of course, new development 127 East 82nd Street A mantra. Or Zarua occupies an important and outreach will require additional finan- New York, NY 10028 and unusual position in the spectrum of cial resources. phone: 212-452-2310 fax: 212-452-2103 Jewish communal life. We have remained Third, Rabbi Wechsler and I are look- www.orzarua.org true to our mission, and we should not ing at ways to bring greater joyfulness to hesitate to pursue it. We remain committed our prayer and to improve the musicality DR. HARLAN J. WECHSLER, Rabbi to Torah, Avodah, and G’milut Hasadim. of our Shabbat services. I firmly believe ANDREW J. FRACKMAN, President We cannot be afraid of being different this is one of the keys to attracting new HARVEY M. BRENNER, FTA, Executive Director from your typical Conservative synagogue. members; it is also important for our own Our founders intentionally created this spirituality. This has been a priority over ILANA BURGESS, Youth Education Director institution because of the need to offer a the past two years. Although we have CHARLES SPIELHOLZ, Newsletter Editor different experience. The success of Or made some important strides on this Zarua over the past 20 years confirms the front, we still have more to do. From my insight of our founders. standpoint, all options are worth con- Having said that, we should not hesi- sidering. Some of these are: 1) changing OZ Committee Chairs tate to reexamine some of what we do in nothing, recognizing the importance to our ADMINISTRATION Alan Ilberman an effort to reinvigorate and improve it. I community of Congregant-led davening and set out below what I view as the four top the high quality of our leaders; 2) hiring a ART GALLERY Bobbi Coller priorities or challenges for the community. full-time or part-time music director who AESTHETICS Aaron Shelden First, Rabbi Wechsler and I will be could lead some services and continue to BOOK DISCUSSION Reed Schneider meeting in May with the leaders of our build on what we have started with Joey BUILDING Diane Okrent High Holiday Services to re-examine those Weisenberg; or 3) hiring a hazzan for some services and consider ways to improve of our Shabbatot (if only to introduce CEMETERY Aliza Kaplan them. From this starting point, and with some variety into what can become rote). Mort Schwartz input from the Congregation, we should be The latter two options both require addi- HESED Stephanie Failla able to develop a range of possibilities tional financial support. I know that this is HEVRA KADISHA Vera Silver that will lead to the development of a topic that many Congregants feel strongly Gerry Solomon improved High Holiday Services. I also about. I see these strong feelings as HOUSE Janet Katz want us to reconsider the Alternate High providing an opportunity to develop new Holiday Services that are held on the first approaches to our Shabbat services. ISRAEL Aliza Kaplan day of Rosh Hashanah and on Kol Nidre. Fourth, we are going to aggressively LIBRARY Barry Feldman It is a wonderful service, as those of us investigate the possibility of establishing MEMBERSHIP Michael Schwartz who have attended know well. Years ago, I an Or Zarua nursery and preschool program. MINYAN Sheldon Adler was one of the initial proponents of trying Jewish nursery and preschool programs something different in a smaller minyan are attractive to young, committed Jewish PROGRAMMING Sara Stone for the High Holidays, but, given the small families. The absence of a nursery and PUBLIC RELATIONS Aaron Shelden number of participants, whether this is preschool puts Or Zarua at a competitive PURIM SPIEL Arthur Rosenbloom the best use of our leaders and of the disadvantage to other congregations that Bonnie Maslin available space, warrants discussion and offer such programs. Implementing a Tibor Feldman evaluation. nursery and preschool at Or Zarua will Barbara Sassoon Second, I have appointed a committee involve renting or buying suitable space. SCHOOL Betsy Dizengoff to review what we do in our wonderful Although it may not be something that Hebrew School, and to help Ilana Burgess, we can achieve immediately, I believe that TORAH/HAFTARAH Yaakov Shechter me and the Board prepare a strategic plan this is the time for us to begin a very WEBMASTER Jay Palmer for the school’s continued development serious investigation that will result in a If you are interested in serving on a synagogue over the next few years. Our Hebrew strategic plan for the development of the committee, please contact the office for the School is one of the best after-school pro- Or Zarua Preschool. committee chair’s email address. grams I know of. But we need to expand continued on page 5

2 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2010 A Fantastic Year of Programming by Sara Stone

r Zarua was filled with exciting In May there will be an Or Zarua panel work in curating Or Zarua’s art shows. programs during the past year: discussion on the environment for Tikkun This year was also about new pro- old programs as well as many Leyl Shavuot. And, finally, our annual meet- grams. First, there was our warm and won- new ones. Both the depth and ing will be preceded by the Tar Beach derful Family and Friends Shabbat Dinners, Obreadth of our programs have Picnic dinner on the rooftop of our syna- which offered everyone a chance to use been awesome, with attendance at many gogue. Dayenu! the synagogue as their “dining room.” events so overwhelming that some were Many on-going study programs were Congregants and their guests gathered sold out! We hope you attended at least offered: Talmud class with Rabbi informally to share a traditional Friday night one of these programs, while some of you Wechsler; the Me’ah Graduate Study dinner. Look for this event again next year! were able to participate in many of them. course; the OZ book club; Marc Ashley’s Another exciting new program was Most of Or Zarua’s traditional programs Oral Law Course between Pesah and Synaplex 2010 on Lag B’Omer, May 2. continued. We began the year with our Shavuot; and Hebrew and Torah reading This cornucopia of events was designed to “Welcome Back” Kiddush in September. classes with Mark Somerstein. welcome the community to Or Zarua with a We had an evening of study with Rabbi full day of activities showcasing all that Silber for the High Holidays. Sukkot was here were also two very special our Congregation has to offer. celebrated with meals in our beautiful Shabbatons. At the first one, Next year our traditional programs will rooftop sukkah. The annual membership Lucette Lagnado, author of The return. There will also be new and unique party was hosted by the Glanterniks. Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, events to enliven our lives. We welcome the There was a festive Hanukkah dinner. Tspoke movingly of her childhood support you provide by sharing your ideas Congregation Or Zarua’s annual birth- in Cairo and subsequent life in the United for programs and attending those of interest day party was highlighted by a discussion States. During the same Shabbaton, to you. Since none of our programs is self- led by Dr. David Roskies, who presented Joey Weisenberg led our singing with many supporting, we also need your financial sup- the commemorative Lucy S. Dawidowicz new melodies which he had taught to port. We were fortunate this year to have Lecture. The annual Super Bowl Party Congregants in a series of classes before many generous sponsors. We hope you too raised funds for kosher food banks, as did the weekend. Our second special will become a sponsor so that we can con- the best-ever Purim Spiel. Our beautiful Shabbaton was devoted to inspirational tinue offering such a broad array of activities. Second Seder was conducted by Rabbi study with Rabbis Elie Kaunfer and Ethan The Program Committee has already Wechsler. There was a moving Yom Tucker from Yeshivat Hadar. begun planning for next year. Because the Hashoah service with the participation of Continuing our tradition of special art holidays are so early, there is lots of time OZ Youth, musicians, and women of the exhibits, the Art Gallery Committee put for interesting and exciting programs in Congregation. Observance of Yom together “From Jaffa to Java.” The exhibit the fall. Please watch for announcements Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, was opened in our social hall with a delicious on the OZ website, via email, by special followed by a joyous celebration of Yom Kiddush lunch. Special thanks to Bobbi invitation, and in the Or Zarua newsletter. Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Coller and her committee for all their hard See you next fall!

In this Issue CONGREGATION Salute to Israel Day Parade ...... 1 Or Zarua Crafts Club ...... 7 OR ZARUA Tikkun Leyl Shavuot...... 1 Monthly Calendars ...... 8 Annual Meeting and Rooftop Picnic...... 1 Alisa Doctoroff Honored ...... 10 OFFICE HOURS President’s Message ...... 2 Book Discussions...... 10 Monday through Thursday A Fantastic Year of Programming...... 3 Blintzes and Branches on Shavuot...... 10 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Hebrew School Registration...... 4 Schechter Manhattan Annual Benefit ....11 Or Zarua Youth Programs ...... 4 Weekday Minyan ...... 11 Friday 36th World Zionist Congress...... 5 Newsletter Distribution Update...... 12 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Family and Youth Activities...... 5 Grave Matters...... 12 The Or Zarua office is closed Saturday A Note from the Editor ...... 6 Twilight in the Garden of Good and Evil..12 and Sunday as well as on Jewish and Or Zarua Diary...... 6 The Vonce Who Stole Purim...... 13 federal holidays. Or Zarua Cemetery ...... 6 Or Zarua Community...... 14 AIPAC Policy Conference in D.C...... 7 May/June Checklist...... 16 3 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2010 Or Zarua Hebrew School Registration School begins on Monday, September 13, 2010

ebrew School Registration has for students studying for their Bar/Bat an accredited Jewish Day School up to the begun. If you are a returning Mitzvah. They will also be involved in hesed time of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Attendance student, you will receive your activities. Students will learn the meaning at one of these programs will insure the registration in the mail. If you of their Torah portion and haftarah as well child’s Hebrew proficiency and provide Hare new to the school or as the meaning of the prayers recited on them with a foundation of knowledge that Congregation, please contact Ilana Burgess. Shabbat. Once a month they will go to B’nai is critical to their growth and development Second through sixth grades will Jeshurun to help prepare meals for the as lifelong Jews. meet on Mondays and Wednesdays; homeless. This is an important activity that The first day of Hebrew School will be Kindergarten will meet on Tuesdays; and teaches the students to care about the less Monday, September 13. To register or for first grade will meet on Thursdays. fortunate people in the community. additional information, please contact Seventh grade, which will meet on Please note that all children must be Ilana Burgess at 212-452-2310, extension Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is designed enrolled in our Hebrew School or attend 15, or email [email protected].

Or Zarua Youth Programs RABBI WECHSLER Reflections on the past year TEACHES ON

r Zarua Youth had a fabulous many Kadima/USY programs that exempli- SIRIUS XM RADIO year. Our children enjoyed our fied our children’s dedication. You may Sundays at 3:00 a.m. standard programming, includ- recall the weekend of that horrible rain ing overnight stays in the storm. Our Chocolate Seder was sched- and 11:00 a.m. Orooftop sukkah, the burning of uled for that Saturday night, March 13. abbi Wechsler is on SIRIUS XM the hametz just before Pesah vacation, Considering the number of official RStars Radio twice each Sunday. and a variety of Kadima and USY programs announcements asking people to stay Subscribers sponsored by Congregation Or Zarua. home during the storm, and seeing the to SIRIUS A new and exciting program involved large number of broken umbrellas littering Radio can Or Zarua children in the service. Shabbat the city’s sidewalks on my way into Or access the Hayeled was a weekend event dedicated Zarua, we thought the program was going program, to the children of OZ. Starting on Friday to be a failure. “Rabbi night, the service was performed by Sarah Fortunately, I was very wrong. Wechsler Klagsbrun using the melodies from Camp Instead, we had many children show up Teaches,” on Channel 102, and XM Ramah in the Berkshires. A large number for the Chocolate Seder on that stormy Radio subscribers can tune in to of students participated in a very lively night. We studied the Haggadah, sang Channel 155. Non-subscribers to Kabbalat Shabbat service. The next morn- songs and discussed the Exodus from SIRIUS Radio can obtain a free, three- ing, Shabbat services were mostly led by Egypt. Of course, since it was a Chocolate day trial at www.sirius.com. Or Zarua students enrolled in either our Seder, we ate strawberries instead of Hebrew School or one of the many Jewish karpas. And those strawberries were Day Schools in our area. Torah portions dipped in chocolate instead of salt water. were read by our post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah And the wine was chocolate milk. As you teens. Our beautiful sanctuary was full can image, the children had a great time. HEBREW SCHOOL CALENDAR of families with children and many We are planning another round of Congregants. events and functions for Or Zarua’s kids During the Siddur Ceremony, we were next year. We look forward to welcoming May 2010 all delighted to see the Or Zarua Hebrew our returnees as well as the children of Mon 17 B’nai Jeshurun, 6 p.m. School third graders receiving their first our new members. Tue 18 Shavuot (no classes) siddur and telling us why they are so Wishing you a healthy summer. Wed 19 Shavuot (no classes) proud to be Jewish. —ILANA BURGESS Thu 20 Shavuot (no classes) I would like to describe one of our Mon 24 Last week of classes

4 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2010 The 36th World Zionist Congress OZ member Rabbi Robert R. Golub to represent MERCAZ USA

ongregation Or Zarua congratu- ment of the State of Israel in 1948. lates Rabbi Robert R. Golub, Rabbi Golub has lived in Manhattan one of 145 American Jewish with his wife Judith since 2001. Ordained representatives who will be by the Jewish Theological Seminary, he Ctraveling to Israel in June to has been the professional director of attend the quadrennial World Zionist MERCAZ USA since 1995. Congress. MERCAZ USA is the Zionist organiza- A member of Or Zarua since 2001, tion of the Conservative movement, the Bob has been elected a delegate on voice of Conservative Jewry within the behalf of MERCAZ USA, the Zionist organi- World Zionist Organization, the Jewish zation of the Conservative movement. Bob Golub and his wife Judy at Agency for Israel, the American Zionist The 36th World Zionist Congress, Mt. Meron, Israel. Movement, and the Jewish National Fund. set for mid-June, comes 113 years after Founded nearly 30 years ago, MERCAZ’s Theodore Herzl, the founder of the modern tion of the Jewish people. The delegates mission is to support religious pluralism Zionist movement, gathered about 200 at the meeting decided to create the in Israel and strengthen the connection Jewish leaders from around the world in World Zionist Organization, which led the between Israel and the Diaspora. For more Basel, Switzerland, to discuss the condi- campaign that culminated in the establish- information, go to www.mercazusa.org.

Family President’s WWW.ORZARUA.COM and Youth Message G Listen to recordings of recent guest presentations at Or Zarua by Professor David Roskies of JTS, continued from page 2 Activities Rabbi David Silber of the Drisha Institute, Professor James Kugel I have identified what I see as the of Bar Ilan University, and Professor May four significant challenges that go to core Ruth Wisse of Harvard University. characteristics of our community. The Monday, May 3 • 4:00-6:00 p.m. Board and I cannot address them without G HEBREW SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE Hear Rabbi Wechsler’s Selihot the support and participation of the entire lectures on Rabbi Abraham Isaac Wednesday, May 5 • 4:00-6:00 p.m. Or Zarua community. By support, I do not Kook’s teachings on teshuvah. HEBREW SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE mean only financial, although financial G Introduce yourself to the Or Zarua support is critical for some of these Monday, May 10 • 6:30 p.m. Hebrew School’s programs and ideas. We will be reaching out to the com- USY AND KADIMA classes for children in kindergarten munity to elicit your views on these and Lecture and Discussion: through high school. other matters. I welcome and encourage Jewish Ideas on Tattoos constructive participation from G and Body Piercings Download melodies for many of Congregants who may have expertise in Or Zarua’s prayer services. Saturday, May 15 • 10:30 a.m. these areas. G View descriptions and schedules JUNIOR CONGREGATION I look forward to confronting these for all Or Zarua events. for 2nd grade and older. Service led by challenges with you over the remaining students, teachers and parents. 12 months of my term. G RSVP for Shabbat and holiday Saturday, May 22 • 10:00 a.m. lunches and dinners, classes, OZY TEEN-LED SERVICE lectures, and programs G Saturday, May 22 • TBA Check service times USY AND KADIMA G Sign up for the daily minyan Annual Casino Night G Tune into the OZ Klezmer Band

5 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2010

A Note from the Editor TALMUD CLASS An update on submissions Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. in the OZ Library e have had a change in based on interest to our community and, plans. The OZ newsletter of course, space limitations. Articles are This year, we are studying the fourth will publish a summer subject to editing. Significant editing chapter of Baba Metzia, which covers issue covering July and changes will be discussed with the con- disputes over financial matters. The August. The new deadline tributor. Please submit written material in fourth chapter deals with fraud, from W the subject of price fixing, to truth in dates are as follows: doc, txt, or rtf form. Try to avoid docx. You may also submit written material in the advertising. As well, the use of language May 27 July/August body of the email message. to mislead becomes, by association, July 29 September/October Photographs are always appreciated. a related issue that is discussed. September 27 November/December High resolution photographs (4" x 5" at November 24 January/February Classes are taught by 300 dpi or 4 MB minimum) reproduce the January 27 March/April RABBI WECHSLER best; therefore, you are strongly encour- The Or Zarua Newsletter welcomes aged to submit high-resolution photo- No prior knowledge of Talmud, Hebrew contributions from members of our com- graphs. Please submit photographs as or Aramaic is required. munity. Any contribution should relate to a jpgs. synagogue program or function, the Submit all material via email to me at Conservative movement, or the life of our [email protected]. community. Publication guidelines are —CHARLIE SPIELHOLZ OZ Cemetery Gravesites for Members

he Or Zarua section of Beth El Cemetery is located in Washington Or Zarua Diary TTownship (Bergen County), New An occasional column Jersey, just ten miles away from the George Washington Bridge. Beth El Cemetery is well maintained and land- he fellow next to me on the turned the page. Now, the groom, still in scaped with trees and shrubs. The ceme- Lexington Avenue No. 6 subway the kilt outfit, had a tallis draped on his tery’s design provides a serene and beau- was leafing through the pictures shoulders, and he and his very pretty tiful final resting place that reflects the in what seemed to be an infor- bride were standing under a chuppah. Tmal wedding album. Of course, “Oh,” I said, “A Jewish wedding. Who I couldn’t resist looking and noticing that in the couple is Jewish?” “We both are,” groom and all the men in the wedding the man responded. He then introduced party were wearing kilts. We chatted and I me to his wife, who was sitting next to complimented him on his pictures (he was him. “She’s from New York and I’m from the groom) and how great he and his Glasgow. We were married recently and we friends looked in kilts. When he spoke, his made up this album to send to my grand- Scottish burr was obvious. parents in Scotland.” In one of the pictures, I thought I saw I wished them a mazal tov and smiled a kippa on the groom’s head, but quickly for the rest of the day. decided I must be seeing things. He —JOANNE FEIERMAN A view of the Or Zarua section of the cemetery beyond the stone threshold.

values and aesthetics of Congregation Or Zarua. Gravesites within the Or Zarua sec- OR ZARUA IS ON FACEBOOK! tion are available for sale solely to mem- bers of our Congregation. Burial is limited Join our Facebook community! Follow us at www.facebook.com/orzarua for more to persons of the Jewish faith. If you are events and news. interested in buying gravesites in the Or Zarua section, please contact the syna- gogue office at 212-452-2310, ext. 14.

6 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2010 OZ in DC: AIPAC Policy Conference by Arthur Rosenbloom

ongregation Or Zarua sent its first delegation to AIPAC’s annual Policy Conference held in Washington, D.C., on March C21-23, 2010. The Conference attracted a record- breaking 7,000 delegates from every state in the country, Western Europe and Israel, including 1,300 high school and college students of many races and faiths. The delegates heard from many speakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; former Prime Minister Tony Blair (who as the Quartet’s representative, has been traveling both in and out of the Middle East in the service of promoting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process), and Professor Alan Dershowitz. Speakers from both sides of the aisle stressed that the Members of Congregation of Or Zarua who attended AIPAC's annual Policy Conference divisiveness so evident in today’s politics in Washington D.C., on March 21-23, 2010. First row (from left): Arthur Rosenbloom, ends where Israel’s security is concerned. Evelyn Kenvin, Terry Edelstein, Susan Kopelowitz, Janet Katz and Rabbi Harlan Wechsler. Also featured were breakout sessions Second row (from left): Roz Goldberg, Simon Katz, Alan Bandler and Edward Kopelowitz. with leading academics, journalists and Missing from the photo, but present at the Policy Conference, was Brett Cohen. others on topics ranging from threats to peace in the region to regional economic returned as a champion of its rights. delegates spoke to members about for- issues. AIPAC’s Congressional Dinner was In traditional fashion, the Policy eign aid to Israel (a $3.0 billion package attended by more than 50% of the House Conference Conference culminated with this year for defense purposes), stronger and Senate as well as diplomats from lobbying trips by the delegates to Capital sanctions on Iran and a declaration calling around the world, bringing the total dinner Hill, resulting in a record number of more for the State Department to reaffirm the group to around 7,500 people. Seated at than 500 lobbying visits. Armed by a strong bonds between the U.S. and Israel. OZ’s table at the dinner was preparatory session that described both And as for Or Zarua—let’s be back at Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from lobbying techniques and the issues on next year’s Policy Conference in even Brooklyn who, having visited Israel, which the members would be lobbied, greater numbers!

Or Zarua Crafts Club Contribute to mitzvah projects or work on your own

r Zarua Crafts Club members www.sanctuarystitchers.org. Stitcher’s program. We are looking to rein- completed their second blan- The next meetings of the Or Zarua force the ranks of our knitting circle. It’s ket for the Jewish Board of Crafts Club will be held on Sunday, an opportunity to sit, share and create Family and Children Services’ May 16 and Sunday, June 6 at 10:15 with good intent—plus bagels. For more OSanctuary Stitcher’s program, a.m. in the Or Zarua library. information about the Crafts Club, email which was given to a child or teen living Come add to the camaraderie as we Terry Edelstein at [email protected]. in a JBFCS residential treatment facility. knit individual squares for another joint —TERRY EDELSTEIN To learn more about the program, go to OZ quilt for the Jewish Board’s Sanctuary

7 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2010 Alisa Doctoroff Appointed Chair UJA Board Leadership critical during these challenging times

lisa Doctoroff, long-time mem- during which time she oversaw the con- ber of Congregation Or Zarua struction of our synagogue building. and past president of the Immediate past president of the Board of Board of Trustees, has been Trustees of The Abraham Joshua Heschel Aappointed chair of the Board School, she continues to serve on its Board. of UJA-Federation of New York. She has Alisa's leadership skills and experi- been serving as chair of the UJA-Federa- ence will be critical to the continued suc- tion’s Commission on Jewish Identity cess of Federation programs, especially and Renewal and was former chair of the during a recession that presents particular philanthropy’s Israel Task Force. Alisa challenges to the UJA leadership. was president of the Board of Trustees of Alisa Doctoroff Mazal tov to Alisa on this prestigious Congregation Or Zarua from 1999 to 2002, honor.

OZ Book Discussions A review of the year’s reading

ur book selections in 2009- Indignation by Philip Roth, A Safe Haven: Congregants and their guests are welcome 2010 have included fiction Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel to join us for any or all of our discussions and nonfiction related to by Ronald Radosh and Allis Radosh, during the year. topics concerning the contem- and Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s If you find a good Jewish book over Oporary Jewish community in Economic Miracle by Saul Singer and the summer to recommend, please the United States and Israel. The books Dan Senor. contact Reed Schneider, the synagogue we read this year were: One More Year Our next book discussion will be held office at 212-452-2310, ext. 12, or email by Sana Krasikov, 1948: A History of the in the fall on Sunday evening, October 17, [email protected] with your suggestion. First Arab-Israeli War by Benny Morris, at 7:30 p.m. in the Or Zarua library. All —REED SCHNEIDER

Blintzes and Branches on Shavuot Why is it customary to eat dairy foods on the first day of Shavuot? mong the many explanations is that the custom derives from a verse in the Song of Songs, “Honey and milk shall be under Ayour tongue....” This is considered a reference to the sweet and nourishing Torah, which we received on Shavuot. A practical explanation is that the Israelites at Sinai, having just received the Torah, realized that any meat they had already prepared was not kosher, so they had to eat whatever dairy foods they had on hand. A symbolic explanation is that consumption of meat represents indulgence while consumption of dairy foods represents restraint, and the Torah is more accessible to those who exercise restraint and self-control. Why is it customary to decorate the synagogue with foliage on Shavuot? n addition to its association with receiving the Torah, Shavuot is an agricultural festival—the beginning of the wheat harvest (and Ithe end of the counting of the omer) and the beginning of the fruit harvest. The Torah itself refers to the holiday in terms of the first fruits that grow in the Land of Israel. During Temple times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival, and bikkurim—first fruits—were brought to the Temple as offerings. Bringing the fields into the synagogue recalls these ancient customs.

10 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2010 The Klagsbruns Honored Presented with the Schechter Manhattan Vision in Leadership Award

r. Samuel and Francine Rabbi Wechsler (center) Klagsbrun, founding members presented Samuel and of Or Zarua, were honored by Francine Klagsbrun with the Solomon Schechter School the Vision in Leadership Dof Manhattan. Rabbi Wechsler Award at the Schechter presented Sam and Fran with the school’s Manhattan Annual Vision in Leadership Award at Schechter Benefit on March 24. Manhattan’s Annual Benefit Dinner on March 24. Sam and Fran have long pro- vided inspirational leadership and tireless support to Schechter Manhattan as well as to Or Zarua. Sam is a founding mem- P H O

ber of Schechter Manhattan’s Board of T O S

B

Trustees, and Sam and Fran are the Y

B R

proud grandparents of current Schechter E T T

D

Manhattan students Eliana and Benji Committee since inception. Jane, the school E U T S

Weinstein, and future Schechter Manhattan psychologist at SAR Academy, chaired C H student Ari Weinstein. Schechter Manhattan’s Education Committee Rabbi Larry Sebert, the spiritual for five years and has been actively involved leader of the Town and Village Synagogue, with Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. and Dr. Jane Davidson, daughter of Or The Annual Benefit Dinner, co-chaired Zarua members Pat and Dr. Alan Davidson, by Or Zarua member Sharon Seiler, were also honored as the 2010 recipients raised funds for Schechter Manhattan and of Schechter Manhattan’s Vision in Jewish its students, many of whose families are Education Award. Rabbi Sebert served members of Congregation Or Zarua. on the Steering Committee that led to the Photos courtesy of Brett Deutsch of founding of Schechter Manhattan and Deutsch Photography, New York City, has chaired the school’s Rabbinic Advisory www.deutschphoto.com, 212-810-2148. Francine and Samuel Klagsbrun

Weekday Minyan LIFE EVENTS AT OZ Your help is needed to strengthen the Or Zarua Minyan

embers of our Congregation are id you know that Or Zarua runs appropriate Torah portions are read. Msometimes faced with painful, a daily minyan every weekday Each morning, there are Congregants and and, in some cases, tragic events in morning? Shaharit, the morning guests who are reciting the Mourner’s their lives. If you know of a member of service, begins at 7:15 a.m., Kaddish. In order to accomplish these the Congregation who is coping with DMonday through Friday, except prayers, a minyan of 10 is needed. And to extended illness, hospitalization, or a on Rosh Hodesh and Hol Hamoed, when it ensure a minyan at Or Zarua we need your death in their family, please contact begins at 7:00 a.m. On Sundays, Shaharit help. If you want to be part of the minyan the synagogue office at 212-452-2310 begins at 8:45 a.m. Each morning, Barkhu on any given morning, all you need to do so that Rabbi Wechsler can be is said and the Amidah is recited with the is attend. If you want to help strengthen informed. Press extension 14 for the Kedushah. The weekly Torah portion is the Or Zarua minyan, please sign up for a executive director or extension 12 for read every Monday and Thursday. On morning or two each month by contacting the rabbi’s assistant. Rosh Hodesh and during Hol Hamoed, the Sheldon Adler at [email protected].

11 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2010

NEWSLETTER Grave Matters DISTRIBUTION by Gail Kraushar

UPDATE ho could have guessed is approached by Jewish families—many Plans for email distribution that a presentation to of them today immigrants from the former Or Zarua’s Hevra Kadisha Soviet Union—who cannot afford the istribution of the Or Zarua about the work of the costs of a private cemetery. A large part Newsletter will be heading to Hebrew Free Burial of their mission is also to reclaim the cyberspace in the very near W D Association would be so fascinating? Well, bodies of Jews—mostly elderly and alone— future. We will begin the process by Rabbi Wechsler, for one. Having hosted who end up in morgues destined for distributing the newsletter using two Amy Koplow, HFBA’s dynamic executive Potter’s Field, or wind up as cadavers in methods: a printed issue by mail and director, on his Sunday morning SIRIUS medical schools. Finally, Koplow some- an electronic version by email. Readers Radio program, he knew that her message times finds herself in negotiations worthy will then have the option of choosing to was not only meaningful and moving, but of “Let’s Make a Deal” as she tries to receive the electronic version only. also gripping and sometimes even amusing. convince families to give their deceased There are many advantages to dis- Addressing Or Zarua members at the a Halakhic burial rather than have them tributing the newsletter electronically. Zayin Adar brunch on February 21, Ms. cremated. In addition to a cost savings on print- Koplow opened by tracing Jewish burial To keep costs down at their Mount ing and postage, an electronic version societies in the U.S. back to the original Richmond cemetery in Staten Island as will allow the use of color photographs 23 Jews who settled in New York following well as at the filled Sliver Lake Cemetery and typography, a more timely distribu- their expulsion from Brazil in the mid- there, the HFBA relies on groups of Jewish tion, the inclusion of last-minute 1600s. To them, as well as to successive volunteers including schoolchildren to per- updates, and the possibility of provid- waves of Jewish immigrants, the ultimate form routine maintenance such as weed- ing links to register for events. expression of their connection to their faith ing or raking leaves; small grave monu- Please note that many of these was a proper Jewish burial. But the high ments are provided through donations to advantages will be incorporated over time. cost of dying, in addition to factors such its “Leave Your Mark” campaign. Mitzvot For example, two separate layouts of the as assimilation and indifference, have such as these which are associated with newsletter will need to be created in order meant that many Jews end up under the burying the dead, Koplow points out, are to produce a black-and-white print version auspices of the HFBA—more than 60,000 considered “Hesed shel emet,” the ulti- and a color electronic version. since its founding in 1888, over 325 in mate good deeds because they cannot be In the meantime, keep your eyes on 2009, and 40 this past January alone. reciprocated. After all, as she says in a your computer inbox as Or Zarua organ- On occasion the HFBA has to weed video which can be viewed on the Associ- izes to modernize its communications. out unqualified families seeking to take ation’s website, www.hebrewfreeburial.org, —CHARLIE SPIELHOLZ advantage of their low-cost burials. Much “Everybody deserves to be buried with more frequently, however, the Association dignity, no matter what their life was like.”

Twilight in the Garden of Good and Evil A gathering of Conservative synagogue members at JTS, Tuesday evening, May 11

n historic evening of conver- with a sumptuous buffet as we stroll the Jewish Theological Seminary—will sation, learning and fun! On through the garden engaging in conversa- discuss their views on the nature of good Tuesday, May 11, four East tion with and meeting members of the and evil. Following the panel discussion Side Conservative congrega- four congregations. Then a panel of the there will be an opportunity for further study Ations—Congregation Or Zarua, rabbis from each of the participating con- in small groups with the learned faculty of the 55th Street Conservative Congregation, gregations—Rabbi Harlan Wechsler of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Park Avenue Synagogue and Sutton Place Congregation Or Zarua, Rabbi Jan Urbach You will not want to miss this won- Synagogue—will join together as a com- of the East 55th Street Conservative derful evening. RSVP by Monday, May 3. munity to examine the nature of good and Synagogue, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park There is a charge of $100 per person. evil at twilight in the garden of the Jewish Avenue Synagogue and Rabbi Alan For more information, please contact Theological Seminary at 3080 Broadway. Schranz of the Sutton Place Synagogue, Bonnie Gitlin Biondi at 212-678-8056 or We will start the evening at 6:30 p.m. joined by Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor of [email protected]. —SARA STONE

12 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MAY/JUNE 2010 The Vonce Who Stole Purim A Slick Shtick

n Sunday, February 28, 2010, musical riches of the shtetl, (“Mein Shtetele ening the town’s ability to produce haman- the OZ Players topped off Belz”), a cast of 34 players ranging in taschen for the broader community. In its Congregation Or Zarua’s age from single digits to septugenarians, fevered imagination, (and supreme dim- Purim celebration with Bonnie accompanied by a three-piece band, com- wittedness), the community fears that the OMaslin’s comedic romp, manded the stage. problem may lead to no Purim and its The Vonce Who Stole Purim, a lekvar-laced The plot features Sidelock Homes redemptive ability to free Jews from spoof in the style of Sholom Aleichem’s f/k/a Payas Bayas (Harry Trattner) and Haman’s depredations. portrayal of the narischkeits of Chelm. his faithful sidekick Dr. Vatsun (Julia The crime is solved by mixing two With parodies drawn from Broadway Blumenthal), who arrive in Chelm to find parts of farce with one part of morality play, (“What Do the Simple Folk Do”) to the its hamantaschen bakery pillaged, threat- resulting in a tuneful truffle enjoyed by all.

The OZ Players, a cast of 34 ranging in age from single digits to septugenarians, accompanied by a three-piece band, topped off Congregation Or Zarua’s Purim celebration with Bonnie Maslin’s comedic romp, The Vonce Who Stole Purim, on February 28.

WELCOMING GUESTS It is important for us as a community to greet guests and new members at our services to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Let’s all make more of an effort in this regard. If you are seated next to someone whom you do not know, please reach out and introduce yourself. We should be sure to do the same at our kiddushim. Making this effort is consistent with our culture and will repay dividends.

13 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MAY/JUNE 2010 May/June Checklist Remember these dates and deadlines

G Synaplex 2010 is on Lag B’Omer, Sunday, May 2. G Come to the OZY Teen-led Service on Saturday, May 22, 10:00 a.m. G Marc Ashley’s course, “We Are But of Yesterday: Yosef Yerushalmi on Jewish History, Memory and Meaning,” concludes on Sunday, G Kadima/USY’s Annual Casino Night is Saturday, May 22. May 2 during Synaplex 2010. G Join us for the Salute to Israel Day Parade on Sunday, May 23. G Learn about Or Zarua’s Hebrew School by attending an Open Watch for details. House on Monday, May 3 or Wednesday, May 5, 4 p.m. Contact G Register for Hebrew School. Contact Ilana Burgess at Ilana Burgess ([email protected] or 212-452-2310, ext. 15.) 212-452-2310, ext. 15 or email [email protected]. G USY/Kadima Lecture and Discussion: Jewish Ideas on Tattoos G The OZ Crafts Club will meet on May 16 and June 6. and Body Piercing, Monday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. G The year’s final Talmud Class with Rabbi Wechsler will convene G RSVP for Or Zarua’s Annual Meeting and Rooftop Picnic, Monday, on Wednesday, May 12, 8:00 p.m. May 10, 7:00 p.m., featuring music by Or Zarua’s very own Klezmer Band. G Sign up for the morning minyan. G Attend the gathering of Conservative Synagogue members G Join Or Zarua on Facebook. at JTS’s Party in the Garden, Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. by G Call the Or Zarua office (212-452-2310) if you have questions responding to your invitation. about or wish to sponsor any OZ program or event. G On Erev Shavuot, Tuesday, May 18, our Tikkun Leyl Shavuot G Have an idea or article for the OZ Newsletter? If so, please panel discussion, “Going Green: A Jewish Response,” will begin contact Charlie Spielholz ([email protected]). The deadline following Minhah/Ma’ariv, which starts at 8:00 p.m. A feast of for the July/August issue is Thursday, May 27. Dairy Delights will cap off the evening.

CONGREGATION OR ZARUA First Class 127 East 82nd Street U.S. Postage New York, NY 10028-0807 PAID New York, NY Permit No. 7998