Asj Kue MARCH/APRIL 2011 • ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771

KOL H. ADASH new vo Ice asj kue MARCH/APRIL 2011 • ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771

The World of Piyut * at BJ RABBI J. ROLANDO MATALON

They bring us into the full A few years ago, I spent half of a 40-day sabbatical in a cabin on a farm in Vermont in the middle range of emotions and to a of the freezing winter. I used some of the time to study holy books, some practicing my oud (Arabic “ universe of nuance, grace, lute), and a lot of time exploring on my laptop the Hazmanah LePiyut/Invitation to Piyut website refinement, and elegance, as (www.piyut.org.il). What I discovered amazed me and filled me with deep joy: a trove of thousands of liturgical poems and devotional prayers in musical renditions from all over the Jewish world. well as a profound connection There are piyutim that follow the yearly cycle such as Shabbat songs and piyutim for holy days and to the roots of Jewish culture festive occasions, and piyutim that follow the human lifecycle, from birth—piyutim for brit milah and Jewish peoplehood. ” and for the birth of a daughter—through bar and bat mitzvah, to marriage. And there are psalms and songs of supplication.

Some of the best-known and most widely used piyutim, such as Lekha Dodi or Adon Olam, appear in dozens of melodies from all over the world, both old and contemporary. Other piyutim are used only by specific communities and appear in just one or a couple of melodies.

The poetic and musical creativity of the Jewish people during the past two millennia in various The Glee-ful BJ Hanukkah Play Diaspora communities, and at times also in the Land of Israel, has been enormous. Many of these textual and musical traditions have been lost, but since the founding of the State of Israel and the arrival of many of these ancient Diaspora communities to Israel there has been an effort to preserve, record, and restore as much as possible of the these traditions. There is currently a strong interest on the part of Israelis—both traditional and so-called “secular”—to rediscover and reconnect to this heritage as an essential part of Jewish identity and Jewish culture.

For the past few years we at BJ have been exploring the world of piyutim, in special classes and at services, in collaboration with Hazmanah LePiyut , which was founded in 2005 and is one of the leading projects in making the world of piyut accessible and alive. This collaboration has expanded BJ’s musical horizons, and it has been a productive and enriching experience.

PHOTO: MAX ORENSTEIN In our wish to share our experience and to introduce the world of Piyut to synagogues, schools See pages 12-13 for more about kids and music and communities throughout North America, we created a four-day experience in partnership at BJ. with Hazmanah LePiyut and with the generous support and guidance of the Charles H. Revson (continued on page 5)

* Piyut : from the Greek poietes , poet

Social Action/Social Justice ...... 2-3 Volunteering ...... 3 Piyut ...... 4 inside: Communications ...... 5 Our Stories ...... 6-8 Volunteering at BJ Goes Digital ...... 3 Member Spotlight ...... 9 The Transformational Power of Piyutim ...... 4 Staff Profiles ...... 10 Growing Up at BJ ...... 7 Announcements ...... 11 Youth & Family Education ...... 12-13 Mekusharim: Our Routes and Roots in New York ...... 8 Hakhnasat Or him ...... 14 Who’s Cooking in the Development Department ...... 10 Yom HaShoah ...... 15 Moving With the Music ...... 12 Contacts ...... 16

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 KOL H. ADASH new vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

SOCIAL ACTION/SOCIAL JUSTICE

Over 65 percent of New York City housing is occupied by renters, “ and we want to raise awareness Manhattan Together Hevra: about the struggles they face around affordability and quality Housing Team Neighborhood Walk-Through of housing.”

members of BJ are aware of the three-fold: 1) to identify buildings in the Four groups hit the streets of the West Side, m obstacles to living in or finding Upper West Side that might, in one form or spanning from as far south as 54th Street affordable housing in New York another, have potential for affordable and northward to 142nd Street. They City, particularly on the Upper West Side. housing, 2) to engage our members in collected information on 20 buildings that The Panim el Panim Housing Team aims to exploring the complex on-the-ground appear to be stalled in construction or are broaden our understanding of this problem processes of community development, and experiencing a low demand in renters. and enable BJ members to participate in 3) to explore what affordable housing means Though we targeted some properties in and contribute to the ongoing housing in connection with our personal stories. construction or with scaffolding in April of debates taking place in our city. The Housing last year, by the end of the afternoon groups Team would like to be a BJ voice in this We walked in the West 50s/60s, from were able to identify buildings that may be conversation and reflect the housing stories 9th to 11th Avenues, and what struck suffering delays or financial trouble with the we have heard in our congregation. us most was how much new longer-term goal of finding affordable units. construction there has been in just the On November 7, 2010, the Housing Team past five years or so and how much of it The next steps in this project include organized a neighborhood walk-through, is advertised as "luxury." researching the identified buildings, which consisted of several groups surveying discussions with neighborhood nonprofits, UWS streets for buildings or sites where an Most of these new buildings appear to and discussions with the City's Department opportunity for some form of affordable be rental only, and the few comments of Housing Preservation and Development housing might be implemented. No small we could get was that, 1), they are (HPD). HPD works with owners of distressed task! expensive, and 2), there are vacancies. sites and provides subsidies to projects in We did not get the impression that the exchange for a percentage of affordable We first heard about this idea by partici- buildings were in dire straits for any units. This program has great potential to pating in a similar event undertaking by East reason. There don't seem to be any broaden and enrich our neighborhood's End Synagogue which, like BJ, is a member buildings in the immediate area my housing base. The team also plans to of Manhattan Together, an organization that team walked with hope for anything pioneer a ”Faces of New York City Tenants” unites religious congregations and nonprofit close to affordability. campaign, which would involve a collection organizations on issues critical to the — David Smiley of recorded stories that highlight the diverse borough. The purpose of the event was experience of renters who build lives and raise families in New York City. Over 65 percent of New York City housing is occupied by renters, and we want to raise awareness about the struggles they face around affordability and quality of housing. The campaign would start with BJ members.

Most important, the Housing Hevra group needs your help. If you are motivated to address the complexities of what makes a diverse neighborhood, please join us to make the affordable housing initiative a reality. Feel free to email Josh Weisstuch at [email protected] or attend one of our meetings. n — Josh Weisstuch

Josh Weisstuch is a co-chair of the BJ Affordable Housing Exploratory Team and has been a BJ member since 2005. He is currently completing a two-year fellowship with the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and was recently engaged. PHOTO: CHANNA CAMINS Left to right: Josh Weisstuch, Sandy Krasnow and Rochelle Friedlich at the Walk-Through.

2 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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering at BJ Goes Digital

hat makes a community a want and see what might w community? At BJ, the answer is be of interest. always “the people.” The individuals who comprise our community Among the opportunities are a reflection of the city at large—who we you will find are skills- are, what we represent, the wealth of based activities, office interests and diversity of backgrounds that support, involvement with our members embody. the young families community, music and art Volunteers are a particular source of pride programs, social for the BJ community. Numbering more than action/social justice one thousand, their talents range from projects, life cycle cooking meals to leading shiva minyanim, initiatives, and holiday- from strategic planning to visiting the sick. related activities. Some opportunities are for It is with great pleasure that we introduce ongoing activities like the community to a brand-new online committee work. Others volunteering system. This user-friendly tool are for one-time needs, like the AIDS Walk You, as one of our thousand community we call “Nadiv: BJ’s Volunteer Match” or work on special projects in the BJ office. volunteers, deserve to be recognized. premiered on our website in January at Please join us at services on Shabbat, April www.bj.org/volunteer. It allows you to find An exciting feature of this platform is the 9, for a very special aliyah for BJ volunteers, volunteer opportunities based on your Volunteer Spotlight. Each week you will find followed by a kiddush in your honor. We will unique interests, skills and availability. For a new article highlighting a particular share stories about how meaningful it is to example, if you want to volunteer on a volunteer. With this feature we have the contribute volunteer time as a member of Tuesday evening with adults, it will display chance to recognize some of the members this community and how Nadiv: BJ’s volunteering at the shelter. Users can simply of our amazing and dedicated BJ community. Volunteer Match can serve as a tool to help browse or create an individual profile and It will also help members of the community you find the perfect volunteer opportunity receive email alerts about suitable upcoming to get to know each other a little better. whenever you want. n opportunities. Or you can just visit when you — Belinda Lasky

An Amazing Spirit of Philanthropy

apers are flying, phones are Coffee is symbolic of taking care p ringing off the hook. The of people and tending to their pressures of deadlines are “ souls.” —Marty Rosenblatt looming. A story just broke, and chaos ensues across the office. Coffee, coffee, stand right in the middle of his office. His coffee. It’s all anyone can think about. It’s all care and attention to detail extended to even everybody wants and needs. This scene from the most seemingly insignificant of items, the NY Post office was a familiar one to including signs to inform drinkers from Arthur Rosenblatt, a printer, and the brother where their coffee had come that day. For of long-time BJ member Marty Rosenblatt. Arthur, Marty explains, providing food and Tucked away at the bottom corner of lower drink was not just about providing Manhattan, there was a severe lack of coffee sustenance. It was about taking care of shops within walking distance of the Post’s people. This is why Marty decided to honor office. As a chef and general lover of good his brother’s memory with a generous food and drink, Arthur knew a good cup of donation to purchase coffee for the BJ/SPSA coffee was integral to a productive work day Homeless Shelter. This gift is especially well and decided to make some changes. Each received by the shelter because they are not day he procured delicious coffee from often able to purchase coffee due to rules Balducci’s (a gourmet grocer) and set forth by state funding. n distributed it and snacks at a concession — Ariel Schneider Arthur Rosenblatt at the offices of the the NY Post.

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 3 KOL H. ADASH new vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

PIYUT These piyutim are not the next new, exciting musical phenomenon in “prayer. Rather, they connect us with our creative liturgical past and help The Transformational Power of Piyutim us revitalize that to which we are already deeply devoted. ” n Friday nights, there is nowhere I They serve as vehicles for complete the moment, for a specific goal. New tunes o would rather be than the 88th presence, and they beg us to bring our can seem intimidating or alienating at first, Street sanctuary. The room buzzes complete selves to the music—to demand yet the piyut project can open us up to the with excitement, and the service releases that we include our thoughts and feelings. kind of transformation that only transpires me from my week’s stress. The familiar amidst the unfamiliar and unexpected. words and music unite, and I feel uplifted—a These piyutim are not the next new, exciting part of something bigger than myself. musical phenomenon in prayer. Rather, they Through prayer and education, we seek to During the week, I strive to be in control of connect us with our creative liturgical past transform both ourselves and others; in this life’s details. But then the Kabbalat Shabbat and help us revitalize that to which we are process, creativity is crucial. We ought to service moves me; it enables me to step already deeply devoted. Piyutim can be a reflect on the creative elements of our own aside and to make room for those important window to asking important questions about tradition to inform and inspire today’s parts of my life over which I have far less the meaning of prayer in our lives. innovations in Jewish education and tefilah. control. We cannot manage our This creativity emerges from the blurring of relationships with God and our community Piyut is an adventurous undertaking for any boundaries between Jews and their the same way we monitor our inboxes. community. The cacophony of voices, communities—from Ashkenazi and Sefardi, Prayer is open-ended and unpredictable. rhythmic variances, ornamentations, and to religious and secular, and to old and new. accents placed on unexpected syllables can I believe that piyutim can empower us to seem more complex and hectic than our reclaim and to transform the “hows” of typical Friday-night melodies. It was for this prayer as well as the “whys”—in synagogue reason that we participants often found and in our classrooms. ourselves asking the question, “What is the

Scenes from the At the November Invitation to Piyut North Invitation to Piyut North America retreat, 1 I was able to access this America retreat. Right: “Friday night” feeling during the week. I Yair Harel, director of found myself asking: What about these Hazmanah LePiyut Israel, spiritual practices opens me to a greater leads the group. possibility of religious experience? I was PHOTOS: ADAM COHEN PHOTO already familiar with many of the texts of the piyutim, and I had only just met the other I feel blessed to be a part of the community participants. I quickly identified the at BJ, and I am looking forward to many melodies as the thread of meaning woven more prayer and learning experiences here, through the text; these tunes string the continuing to ask important questions about texts together, yet they leave room for spiritual practice and exploring the ways in moments that can be articulated best in the which we can continue this conversation in absence of words. our community. n — Shoshi Rosenbaum The words of the prayers provide the foundation—they are filled with a unique best or most authentic way to sing and use Shoshi Rosenbaum is the cantorial intern at power that is framed and contextualized by this material?” Both Yair Harel and Ebn BJ, and she attended the Invitation to Piyut their musical settings. The melodies we Leader 2 reminded us that in prayer and North America retreat in November. Shoshi is learned on the retreat create a rich space piyut, the critical question is not about what currently studying at Yeshivat Hadar in their for spirituality. These tunes evoke emotion. is right—it is about deciding what is right in year-long fellowship.

1. For more information about the retreat itself, read Rabbi Matalon’s article on page 1. 2. Yair Harel is the director of Hazmanah LePiyut in Israel and co-director, with Rabbi Matalon, of Invitation to Piyut NA. Rabbi Ebn Leader is director at Hebrew College’s Rabbinical School and its beit midrash, and an Instructor in Rabbinics.

4 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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue COMMUNICATIONS

Streaming Piyut: Invitation to Two Sites

usic is integral to BJ. This issue The piyut is the chain of m features stories about the heritage of the culture of awesome Invitation to Piyut Retreat the people of Israel from that took place in November, and most of its foundations and the articles touch on the many roles that throughout its layers. music “plays” here. It is a most appropriate The melody of the heart time to feature the Invitation to Piyut website and the longing for all and to announce that BJ’s own music is now that is good in the people available again to stream on the BJ website. of Israel and its tribes. The Invitation to Piyut site is a treasure trove — Ephraim Hazan for those who love music.

Piyut—a musical instrument, where the musician is the poet who strums on the You can find piyutim commemorating life- The downside is that only a limited selection words, and the listeners are drawn with cycle events: wedding, birth of son and of the content (which, in addition to the piyut bonds of love and grasp it as though it daughter, becoming bar or bat mitzvah, texts, includes articles about traditions of were a magic wand. piyutim for holidays and festivals, and the people of Israel, the music of the piyut — Aviad Akiva piyutim presented in contemporary world, personal commentary, and performances and arrangements. There is a contemporary cultural criticism) is in piyut of the week and the month, the top 12 English. Fortunately, the music speaks to Its goal is to give “the widest possible view piyutim, a “Send a Piyut” service, a website the heart and does not require translation to into the world of piyut from the distant past radio station that allows you to listen to the move us. Fully translating the site is, I note, until today.” It offers hundreds of piyutim piyutim in uninterrupted succession, and on their ambitious agenda. and thousands of recordings from all the more. Jewish traditions, from East to West, in a You’ll be especially interested to visit when searchable archive of piyutim and melodies The piyut decorates the prayers, the life you learn that all 18 piyutim and mizmorim as well as of texts and melodies not cycle and the yearly cycle, every place that were taught in the Invitation to Piyut in classically defined as piyutim—including where the sigh of the heart overpowers North America retreat can be found on the selections from psalms or traditional Jewish the mind. When words do not suffice site right now! Eventually they will all be on prayers. Each piyut has two central pages: and the melody is called for, and where the BJ site too, but if you want a peek into an in-depth look at the piyut (background, that which is fixed yields its place to the future head to www.piyut.org.il/english . n commentary, and explanation), and a range that which is renewed. — Denise Waxman of melodies and performances of the piyut. — Avigdor Shinan For some a score is available.

The World of Piyut RABBI J. ROLANDO MATALON continued from page 1 and Avi Chai foundations. Eighty rabbis, Sephardic, North African, and Middle There will be a lot more piyutim at BJ in the cantors, synagogue musicians, and Eastern communities, which have been coming months and years. The piyutim will educators gathered last November for a largely overlooked—we sang, we allow us to encounter and penetrate the retreat at the Pearlstone Center near experimented. Most important, we subtleties of prayer: the inner spirit of the Baltimore. The group included the BJ discovered that the piyutim can open the words, their rhythm and cadence, here their rabbis, hazzan, musicians, rabbinic fellow, door to new possibilities in the experience power, there their softness, the silences, the and cantorial intern, as well as seven and expression of prayer: They bring us into array of emotions they evoke in us. And they leaders of our partner congregations in the full range of emotions and to a universe will bring our prayers, Shabbat, holy day, Israel and seven of our rabbinic fellowship of nuance, grace, refinement, and elegance, and life cycle celebrations to new levels of alumni. It was a glorious experience of as well as a profound connection to the depth and meaning. n learning and reflection. We prayed, we roots of Jewish culture and Jewish learned about the characteristics of the peoplehood. main piyut traditions—particularly of the

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 5 KOL H. ADASH new vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

OUR STORIES

We had our weekday ritual: take the Broadway trolley (at a cost of a nickel) Returning Home down to 89th St., disembark, and head right to Murray’s Delicatessen to “select a pickle from one of the barrels out front.” t was 1985. She was excited, the grandeur of what went on inside. I know I never learned to read Hebrew script i enthusiastic, and persuasive as wonder if that perception was reinforced by or Hebrew without vowels. We studied the she encouraged me to “come to the presence of our rabbi, Dr. Israel history and people of Palestine; its 1948 services with this new rabbi at a synagogue Goldstein, himself a towering and imposing configuration is indelibly etched in my mind. on the Upper West Side.” “She” was Judith figure, over 6 feet in height and speaking in More important than that is the spirit of the Stern Peck, a friend, a proven visionary, and a deep, formal British accent. The environment, the energy of the building, and a moving force behind convincing Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer to come to New York and revitalize the moribund Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (CBJ*). I went to services on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. Walking into the sanctuary I felt the warm embrace of a familiar, though now shabby, environment and the silent greetings of old friends: Cantor Jacob Schwartz (Freddy Goldstein’s grandfather), Jacob Sincoff, the Oltarsh family (Mona was in my Hebrew School class), Harry F. Spier, the Silver family, all memorialized on the stained glass windows. It had been almost 40 years since I was last at B’nai Jeshurun, but the beauty and majesty of the sanctuary remained. I recalled the throne-like chairs positioned on the bimah on which sat the presiding religious figures of my youth: Rabbi Dr. Israel Goldstein, Associate Rabbi David H. Panitz, Jacob Sincoff, president of the synagogue and likely the president of the Above: Confirmation Class of Men’s Club. (President of the Sisterhood 1948, inclduing Nancy W. was not a prominent figure in the 1940’s.) Greenblatt. Right: Confirmation The formality of the services resonated in Class of 1950, including Nancy’s my memory, as well as the required black sister, Wynne Wolkenberg Miller. robes and tzilindair hats worn by clergy. community room to the left My first introduction to CBJ was in 1943, in on entry and the chapel the middle of World War II, following our remain as I remember family move from Brooklyn to the Upper them, the elevators then West Side. My sister Wynne, 7 years of age, as now, cavernous. and I, age 9, were enrolled in the B’nai Jeshurun Religious School, attending two Memory has my teachers afternoons and every Sunday morning. We as primarily older women. had our weekday ritual: take the Broadway My “baby” brother, Warren, trolley (at a cost of a nickel) down to 89th z”l, recalled several years St., disembark, and head right to Murray’s ago one “Miss Adler who PHOTOS: HARCOURT-HARRIS Delicatessen to select a pickle from one of always wore black, had her the barrels out front. We munched walking black hair pulled back into a bun.” I more the constant activity. There were oh, so down 89th St. before classes in what was vividly recall two young, handsome men many classrooms, and the gym, the then known as the Community Center who I now realize were rabbinic students at ballroom, rabbis’ offices, the synagogue Building. JTS! Seymour Siegel was one, and David and religious school offices, the bridal room Kogen, the other, went on to become Vice- on the second floor, and that secret Even as a young child I experienced and Chancellor of the Seminary in the 1960’s. passage-way from the school building into appreciated the beauty of the building and Memories of what I learned are vague. I do the rabbis’ robing room in the sanctuary! (continued on page 7)

* Before “BJ” became shorthand for our community, “CBJ” was commonly used. 6 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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue Growing Up at BJ

an you imagine a time when students. This is still one of my c children’s services at BJ had only proudest moments. about seven children in attendance? When the teen trip was to Felicia’s parents’ A few years later, BJ brought house in Connecticut? When BJ went weeks Felicia on as the Director of without a bat mitzvah? When I tell people Children’s Programming, and she that I grew up at BJ, the natural assumption began working with the BJ is that BJ then was just as it is now. While Council of Teens (a much earlier the soul and spirit of my childhood BJ iteration of BJ’s current teen remain, so many things have changed and program). One of our first improved as the community has grown. activities was to have a retreat, which Felicia allowed us to plan. Growing up at BJ taught me to be We journeyed to Felicia’s parents PHOTO: IRV ROSENTHAL passionate about prayer and Jewish house and had an intense From left, Adam and Simon Arenson and Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal. “text, to commit in significant ways weekend. Nothing went most importantly for me, to seek out to trying to change the world, to undiscussed, unanalyzed, or unplanned. As rabbinic mentors to guide me. I draw on the engage in the community ...” a result, sha harit lasted into the afternoon. experiences that were meaningful for me as At the end of Shabbat, Roly and Marcelo I shape the educational experiences of the When I was a child at BJ, we had Junior came over, and we all made pizzas together, children and families at IKAR in Los Congregation each week. This was not with the rabbis showing off their pizza- Angeles. BJ is never far from my mind and Junior Congregation as it now exists, where dough-throwing skills. It allowed me and my my heart. n children lead prayers and the room is full. fellow teens to see our rabbis as people, not — Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal Junior Congregation was those seven just figures up on a bimah whom we only children, of various ages, praying together in saw on Shabbat. Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal is the Director of one of the back rooms. We would discuss Children and Family Programming at IKAR, the the prayers, play games, talk about the The experience of growing up at BJ spiritual community started by MTM Fellow weekly Torah portion, and, since we were a profoundly shaped the kind of person and Rabbi Sharon Brous. She worked in the Youth small group, we learned to read Torah. I the kind of Jew that I am today. Growing up and Family Department at BJ and has remember being about 8 or 9 and standing at BJ taught me to be passionate about celebrated most of her major life cycle events in the Parlor at SPSA with the Torah open to prayer and Jewish text, to commit in with the BJ community. She lives in Los parashat Lekh Lekha and reading for my significant ways to trying to change the Angeles with her husband Adam Arenson and parents and my fellow Junior Congregation world, to engage in the community, and, their son Simon.

Returning Home continued from page 6 1948 was a seminal year for me. I was one ancient hope, To return to the land of our the teachings and spirit of B’nai Jeshurun of of 15 girls who were the Confirmation Class fathers, To the city in which David camped,” the 1940’s has had a lasting impact on many of 5708. Amazingly, I can identify more than but rather, “To be a free people in our land, of its youth. half in the photograph. We decided to The land of Zion and Jerusalem.” continue as the Confirmands League, My love of the traditions of Judaism and my meeting for regular study on Shabbat People and names from the past: My dear childhood desire to become a more learned afternoons at the home of Rabbi Panitz. It sister, Wynne Wolkenberg Miller, Jew began in my childhood home, at my was a wonderful and enlightening Confirmation Class of 1950; my beloved first shul, the Young Israel of Flatbush. It experience to see my rabbi as a family man brother, Warren S. Wolkenberg, z”l, Bar was cultivated as a young teen at B’nai in his home environment. (I remember his Mitzvah Shabbat Bereshit 1956, Jeshurun and has been nurtured since 1985 eldest son, Jonathan, who became a Confirmation Class 1957; Bret (Skippy) at BJ … inspired by Marshall, Roly, Marcelo, chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy, as a Schlesinger (artist whose painting of the BJ Ari, Felicia, and my fellow BJ community. I baby in the crib!) I graduated from Religious bimah adorns our cards) was my sister’s am blessed. n School and was awarded the Israel classmate and remains a BJ member; — Nancy Wolkenberg Greenblatt Goldstein Leadership Award. As president Skippy’s older brother, Jimmy, and I spoke of the Confirmands League I was invited to from the bimah on Homecoming Shabbat in Nancy W. Greenblatt, mother of three, participate in the Leaders Training December 1951: he about his experience at grandmother of four, has been a BJ member Fellowship, a new group sponsored by JTS, a secular college, and I about my since 1985. She was a clinical social worker which I continued for a couple of years. Of experience at Brandeis University, the first for 35 years and recently retired as the greater importance was the establishment Jewish-sponsored college in America. Executive Director of the Rita J. & Stanley H.

of the State of Israel and learning new Jimmy has gone on to become a Jewish Kaplan Family Foundation. words to “Hatikvah” … no longer “The communal leader on Long Island. Clearly,

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 vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

OUR STORIES

Mekusharim: Our Routes and Roots in New York

he BJ Membership Committee developing a range of exciting and of some questions we plan to address in our t proudly announces the birth of a innovative programs that will create first year are: How did each of us get here? new community member: a new meaningful opportunities for the 55+ers to From where did we come? What committee whose name is Mekusharim, gather for learning and fun. We will sponsor experiences do we share in common? How meaning “connections.” The goal of big events and smaller group events that do we explain routes and roots? Mekusharim is to connect older adults to will allow for more intimate get-togethers. each other and to the community through a We launched Mekusharim on January 11, schedule of activities throughout the year. The theme of our inaugural year is “Our 2011 with the film “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Mekusharim evolved after a series of focus Routes and Roots in New York.” Samplings Goldberg,” a documentary about pioneering groups last year at which members of the (continued on page 14) community aged 55 through 85 enthusiastically shared their experiences, ideas, and concepts. The result is Mekusharim, which will provide social, Judaic, and learning experiences in a variety of formats for the entire BJ community, focusing on the 55+ crowd. Similar to Tze’irim (for 20s/30s) and Bekef (35+), we are coordinating programs that will be interesting, fun, and offer opportunities for you to socialize with old friends and make new connections as well.

Co-chaired by Sheila Bleckner and Nancy PHOTO: JACOB SHEMKOVITZ Greenblatt, the Mekusharim committee is From left: Sheila Bleckner, Nancy Greenblatt, Sarah Guthartz, and Arline Guinn.

Capturing Our Stories Ultimately we hope to hear about the dreams and realities hen a day passes, it is no longer B’nai Jeshurun is beginning an oral history of all who wish to record them.” w there. What remains of it? Nothing project to capture our stories. Judaism is a “ more than a story. If stories weren't story that has been discussed for thousands We chose the name “Capturing Our Stories” told or books weren't written, man would of years. As a people, we read the stories of for our community-wide effort to listen to, live like the beasts, only for the day. The our ancestors in the Torah every week. We record, and store narratives of the BJ whole world, all human life, is one long teach via stories. We sing and dance stories. community—memories of the past, story.” —Isaac Bashevis Singer Stories inspire us. activities and thoughts of the present, and hopes for the future. This ambitious venture Stories are important at BJ. We needs many volunteers from our community hear them during the High Holy to realize our goal of recording and Days, at shiva minyanim, preserving the lives of B’nai Jeshurun’s through Panim el Panim, at members, and we encourage you to committee meetings, participate. welcoming new members, and at many other times, we listen A multimedia archive will store the rich to and share these stories. spectrum of our stories. It will include There are so many stories! But anecdotes, life histories, photos of people we haven’t recorded our and artifacts; stories of BJ and its members stories—the stories of the young and old; people who have recently people of BJ. Over the years, joined, and those who have been part of our many have suggested that we community for a long time; tales of urban or PHOTO: JON WOOD preserve them. Like other suburban life; growing up religious or The Capturing Our Stories team. From left, first row: Peninnah things in life, this was a worthy secular; supportive or dysfunctional Schram, Harriet Abraham, Julie Lowy, Sarah Guthartz, Hillary Matlin. project that we said would begin families; immigrant life; holiday Back row: Rochelle Friedlich, Larry Daniels, Myriam Abramowicz, Toni one day. That day has arrived. Siegel, Susan Landau. (continued on page 15)

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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Helena Diamant Glass: Color Her Elegant

know Jews aren’t supposed to talk perfect match, right? In fact, she says that i about idols. Let’s face it, the last being in this epicenter of fashion has time Israelites got serious about an affected even her own self-expression idol, Aaron wound up in pretty hot water, through clothes. “At FIT, I see color and it was only the intercession of his combinations that I would never have put brother that saved him (and, incidentally, together! I always try to dress nicely, but us). being here has given me an edge; it’s opened my mind.” This isn’t that kind of an idol. Nor do I mean Do not get me wrong: BJ boasts American Idol. What I’m talking about is good, old-fashioned, “I wanna be like her quite a number of people who look some day” admiration. And I’m referring to “wonderful when they come to shul, Helena Diamant Glass. Even her name is people who really know how to put elegant! (It sounds like a character in a themselves together. But Helena Henry James novel, doesn’t it?) And I don’t possesses a variety of style that think it would be too much to say that hints at a classic European Helena is in a category of her own when it provenance.” comes to couture at BJ. Helena has always attended shul regularly, Do not get me wrong: BJ boasts quite a from the time she was a little girl in New number of people who look wonderful when Jersey Hebrew school. “I’ve always been a they come to shul, people who really know shul go-er,” she says. She grew up to PHOTO: BRAD PARIS how to put themselves together. But Helena become very active in the life of the shuls in. She particularly values the spirituality possesses a variety of style that hints at a she was a member of, including serving as our community thrives on and encourages, classic European provenance. Small president of a synagogue in the Village for a as well as the intellectual challenges it wonder, when you consider that her father number of years in the early ‘90s. But in offers. “Also,” she adds, “the diversity. There was a skilled dressmaker and tailor in 1997 she found her spiritual home here at are so many different kinds of people at BJ.” prewar Austria. This is a fashion sense that B’nai Jeshurun. She brought some visitors Like all true New Yorkers, in other words, she came by honestly. to the Friday night service she had heard Helena understands that beauty can be about and remembers that the church found most readily in the vibrant Helena’s parents, both Holocaust survivors, (where Kabbalat Shabbat services were held combination of intensity and variety. moved to this country (their baby girl was a at the time) was so crowded that she was year old when they emigrated) and settled in stuck at the back and couldn’t see whoever No surprise that her favorite place on earth New Jersey. Helena remembers how much was at the bimah. But she could hear what is Italy: the undisputed center of art and her father liked to make clothes for not only he was saying, and she was awestruck. Also style center of the universe. She has his daughter but also his wife. She recalls the music amazed her. traveled there 17 times so far, focusing on with particular fondness a green wool dress the city called La Serenissima, Venice. and matching coat “with a Persian fur The rabbi turned out to be Roly Matalon, and However, she adds, “My new great love in collar” that her father designed and she has gratefully benefited from his fond Italy is Sicily, which I visited twice last year.” produced for her when she was just 4. guidance and leadership ever since. She and her husband were soon regular attendees, Helena stands out at BJ: for her footwear When she became a teenager, Helena, and when her husband became ill, Roly’s and hosiery, her jewelry, her haberdashery wanting to pursue a career in academia, counsel, as well as the support of the with its understated timelessness, and for moved to the City. “And I never left it,” she community, helped her during that difficult her general savoir faire. (I am a hopeless admits. She studied at NYU, getting her time. fashion cause myself, but I nevertheless am undergrad and graduate degrees in German delighted that she and I share a love of literature and language. Helena eventually When I asked what it was that captivated her metallic shoes.) In Helena’s case, it’s parlayed her love of the workings of so about our synagogue, she says, “BJ just evident that her outward elegance speaks academia, as well as her burgeoning fashion changed my entire life. Although I’d had a eloquently to the fact of her general sensibility, into a faculty career position as a strong Jewish background, this was graciousness. If not an idol, then let’s call registrar at New York’s Fashion Institute of different.” Even with her busy work and her … an aspiration. n Technology, where she is responsible for 15 travel schedules, she manages to take every — Sian Gibby majors and 2,000+ students. Seems like a opportunity for study at BJ she can squeeze

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 vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

STAFF PROFILES

Who’s Cooking in the Development Department

urely no one can argue with the fact and sage or rosewater saffron ice cream, s that our development staff at B’nai she makes mouths water around the BJ Jeshurun is personable and office. Occasionally she takes pity and uncommonly good at their jobs. They bring shares her delicacies with the staff. intelligence, caring, and resourcefulness to their work, and we are lucky to have them Ariel Schneider, Social Action Program working to help us grow our congregation Assistant and Development Associate, hails into the future. Interestingly they also share from Ventura, California. After graduating a passion for food, albeit from slightly from U.C. Berkeley Ariel moved to New York different angles. City to participate in AVODAH: The Jewish Corps, through which she worked at an Erzsébet Arora, who recently was married emergency food program in Brooklyn and twice, first in Budapest, Hungary, on uncovered a passion for working on food September 23 and then in India on justice issues. December 18, is originally from Buffalo, NY, but she came to New York City from Geneva, “It’s like Americorps, but with a Jewish Switzerland, where she received her learning component,” she explains. She Masters degree in Economics and History. calls it the perfect way to learn about New PHOTO: DENISE WAXMAN York City. She quickly developed not only From left, Ariel Schneider and Erzsébet Arora. She took a part-time job in the Development knowledge about the city and its workings, Department in 2007 and a few months later but also about community organizing. and working on donor recognition events was asked to stay on full time as Senior (where, as at most BJ events, food is present Development Associate. After another year Fellow Californian and former Membership in abundance). Working on social justice and a half, in March of 2009, she was Associate Sarah Verity told her about BJ, issues and learning about the functioning of promoted to the position of Assistant which led to Ariel joining our staff in a non-profit from development and financial Director of Development. December of 2009 on a part-time basis to perspectives provide her a satisfying mix of assist Channa Camins and lay staff with BJ’s responsibilities. Her greatest love is travel. Erzsébet was a direct service programs (the BJ/SPSA Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco and also Homeless Shelter and the Judith Bernstein On the weekend you can find Ariel biking has lived in Hungary, France, Italy, Lunch Program) and a variety of other Social around Brooklyn in search of the most Switzerland, and Turkey. She speaks French, Action/Social Justice activities. She was also exciting local eateries. Italian, Hungarian, limited Arabic, and a the lead staff person in getting the couple of words of Hindi and Yiddish (the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) The BJ office staff are strongly urging Yiddish is thanks to BJ!). Cooking is a close project off the ground. In May of 2010 she Erzsébet and Ariel to collaborate on an second. When she shares the details of her became a full-time employee in order to office feast with CSA food. n latest culinary triumph, like homemade take on work in the Development — Denise Waxman pasta made with roasted hazelnuts, ricotta, Department, including processing donations

Membership Outing to the Eldridge Street Museum

In January, all of the Membership committees and subcommittees ventured to the Lower East Side to visit the Eldridge Street Museum, followed by a sumptuous authentic kosher vegetarian Chinese dinner at a local restaurant.

PHOTO: LILLI PLATT

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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mazal Tov Condolences (through January 28)

To the following members and their families on their b’nai mitzvah (January and February): The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved member Andrew Benzaken and extends sincere condolences to his Daniel Lerner Robert Yassky wife, Hannah Benzaken, his children Micole and Jason Benzaken and their entire family. Maximilian Eckhart Julia Tecotzky Samuel Phillips Maxine Stern The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved member Jonathan Dolger and extends sincere condolences to his Amelie Ya Deau Noah Butcher wife, Jane Isay, his stepsons Dave and Josh Isay and their entire Juliet Sloane Maia Offitzer family. Jordan Levi Rachel Ladds The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved Adam Wagman Eric Pretsfelder member David Friedlander and extends sincere condolences to his wife, Edna Golandsky, his children, Amit and Galit Friedlander and their entire family.

The community of B’nai Jeshurun mourns the death of our beloved member Pearl Meyer, and extends sincere condolences to her To the following members and their families ( through January 28): entire family.

F Helen Hanan on the arrival of her granddaughter, Ruby Skye The community of B’nai Jeshurun extends sincere condolences to the Joseloff. following members and their families: Rae-Carole Fischer and Joseph Saltiel on their recent wedding. Alison Pepper on the death of her beloved father, Aimond Irwin Pepper. Anne Ziff on the birth of her grandchildren, Zachary Greyson and Annika Hope. Francine Collins on the death of her beloved aunt, Dubby Berlin.

Michael Simonson and Beth Lief on the engagement of their Jeffrey, Evan, and David Krasner, and Hilah Iaulus on the death of daughter, Jocelyn Simonson, to Mike Grinthal. Jeffrey's beloved father, Dr. Bernard Krasner. Jessica Hammerman and Isaac Peterson on the birth of their Sandra (Sandy) and Rabbi Joel Soffin on the death of Sandy's daughter, Ruby Anniq. beloved mother, Celia Stern. Sarah and Nick Zagar on the birth of their son, Lane Aryeh. Bruce Racond and Rachel Balsam on the death of Bruce's beloved Carmen Keels and Michael Becker on the birth of their daughter, father, Eugene Racond. Ella Rose. Naomi Goldberg Haas and Brian and Noah Kulick on the death of Eric Schneiderman on his inauguration as the Attorney General of Naomi's beloved mother, Bernice Goldberg. New York. Joyce Gottlieb on the death of her beloved cousin, Harvey Wolfgong. Jonathan Green and Hilary Thomas on the birth of their son, Devon Adam. Ronald, Marcia, and Benjamin Lissak on the death of Ron's beloved stepfather, Joshua Katz.

Marcia, Ronald, and Benjamin Lissak on the death of Marcia's beloved mother, Natalie Rosenfeld Kellner.

Judy Gitenstein on the death of her beloved uncle, Seymour Gitenstein. ) Duffie Cohen Baum, Simeon, Sabrina, and Gabrielle Baum on the death of Duffie's beloved mother, Ruth Sonn.

Sarah Durham, Craig, Abigail and Kate Winer and their entire family on the death of Sarah's beloved mother, Magi Durham Ziff.

Nilva, Steve, Isaiah, Alexander and Micah Dicker on the death of Nilva’s beloved brother, Luis Torres.

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 vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

YOUTH & FAMILY EDUCATION

Through music, BJ children of all Moving with the Music ages are learning tefilah (prayer) “and liturgy; the music is a vehicle n one week at the beginning of In a community with diverse interests, that helps them be more familiar i December 2010, I witnessed the music is one avenue through which children with the text and be more engaged following: and teens are able to find their avodat in their prayer experience.” kodesh, their holy work, and give back to the 1. Two Hebrew school students stood in community. A group of teens have program at BJ, believes music has a great front of their peers and families and each blossomed under the leadership of Jerry educational impact on our children. “It has led a challenging prayer at Junior Korman by participating as musicians for been tremendous pleasure singing with the Congregation. Family Services during the High Holy Days children at BJ. In Hebrew School, they have at BJ. Student musicians like Daniel Lerner, huge enthusiasm for the songs I teach, and 2. The 3rd- and 4th-grade choir from the Ben Korman, Aaron Priven, and Matan they share their voices freely. My hope is Hanukkah play charmed the community Friedgood can also be found providing that they share the music with their family with their singing of Hanukkah songs. musical accompaniment at Children’s and that they learn even more about being Services and Junior Congregation on Jewish from the songs we sing.” 3. My 2-year-old son, Brady, raced to the Shabbat. front of the room at Children’s Services And as a Jewish parent, I’ve seen my son’s for the first time to help Emily Walsh, Did you see the Glee-ful Hanukkah fascination with Andy Sherman’s guitar along with many other children, lead the production this year? Michael Kelberg, almost every Shabbat morning in Children’s Shema. writer and director of the BJ Hanukkah and Services. His music keeps my son engaged Purim plays, uses original music to draw for a longer period of time than he is usually able to sit still for one activity, and it draws him into the prayer experience. Andy, who has been playing music in the BJ Children’s Shabbat services for about the past 11 years, describes what happens there so well:

Music is an integral part of the children’s worship at BJ. It engages their imaginations and sense of fun, and (and this is essential) it establishes ritual for them. Of course establishing ritual is part of the business of religion, but my experience as a parent is that children are creatures of ritual. They like doing things a particular way and don’t take kindly to change. And so we establish Jewish ritual PHOTO: MAX ORENSTEIN Above and opposite page: scenes from the December 2010 Hanukkah play. in their lives through a set of songs and movements that we change and evolve That these moments took place at Youth and kids into the world of Jewish theatre and very slowly. It works in part because our Family organized activities gave me a acting. With more than 25 children who needs and the kids’ mesh so neatly. special sense of pride. I kvelled on more participate in each production, it’s a great That’s what the children get out of what than one level. opportunity to make Jewish education we do. What I get out of it is the sense of spring to life. A parent of a cast member joy and wonder and freshness that the All around us at BJ, music fills us, lifts us writes, “My child loves acting and singing … children bring to each time we are up, nurtures our souls, and helps us grow he takes [the play] very seriously and loves together, the connection with their and experience our Judaism in new ways. working with Jerry, Mira Rivera, and parents, and the fellowship I feel with my As Hazzan Ari Priven notes: “Through Michael and the other kids.” fellow musicians and service leaders. music, BJ children of all ages are learning tefilah (prayer) and liturgy; the music is a In addition to the plays and Shabbat Music helps us learn, it helps us grow, and it vehicle that helps them be more familiar participation, music permeates the helps us connect to ourselves, our with the text and be more engaged in their classrooms and halls of the Hebrew school community, and to Judaism. It is and will prayer experience.” as well. David Frankel, a BJHS music continue to be integral to who we are at BJ. n teacher who also leads the Bim Bam music — Ivy Schreiber

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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue Ten Years of Theater and Community

bout three years ago popcorn was Whether it is a parody for Purim or now an emails, making copies, meeting, face a finally banned from the family original show for Hanukkah, you can be sure painting, double checking things, etc., all in carnival prior to the Purim show. It to see Mira Rivera handing out glue sticks to preparation for the big shows! had become just too difficult for Roma and anyone willing to work on sets while she our beloved maintenance crew to keep choreographs a dance, Jerry Korman So, whether it is the kids auditioning and digging out all those kernels embedded in orchestrating the high notes, and me rehearsing, the parents schlepping, Arlene carpet. I mean, seriously; after the usually being louder than necessary. needing 88th Street for a wedding, our stampede of 500+ members, non-members, Jonathan Dershowitz, our legendary former members attending to cheer on the show, kids, parents, families, relatives, the cast, stage manager and now collegian, who still the office staff buzzing about, and of course the Rabbis and Ari, their families, the office asks about the show regularly, has passed our Rabbis addressing the masses on the staff, Roma’s guys Dmitry and Solomon his responsibilities to former Purim cast big day, pretty much everyone you know has (who love the show), celebrities, agents, member Felicia Kuhreich, whose pal Arielle a hand involved. Korman is always there to help set up lunch with her on It’s quite difficult to calculate the Sundays. friendships that have been made, the impact that the show has had on any Sarah Sternklar can be heard number of people, or how many popcorn asking if anyone needs anything kernels have been dug out of the carpet. But on any given rehearsal every season we get the old crew back, morning; and Gary Langer some new crew, those that return to help on shows up with some unique the production end, or some who move on to combination of cardboard, tape, their next venture. Regardless, the Purim and wood that somehow he and now Hanukkah wheel spins round and created into a newsstand, just a round for anyone who’s willing to jump on it. week prior to the show. Roma All this under the umbrella of the shul and can be expected to call me a our Judaism. If “it takes a village to raise a half dozen times before a child,” it takes a community to put on a Sunday rehearsal, if only for show. BJ should be proud. n clarification, and Aaron Priven — Michael Kelberg can pretty much do anything with ease at anytime including Michael Kelberg, a BJ member since 1996, the lights and the band. Oh, and directed the Purim Play for ten years and the there’s his dad now, Ari: yelling Hanukkah Play in 2010. He owns Blueye from the catwalks, asking if the Productions, a multimedia company. Michael, lights are in focus on stage. his wife Becky, daughter Lila, and beloved And who can forget Emily and dog, Lacey, live in South Jersey. Ivy and the office tree, sending

PHOTO: DAN CALIGOR managers, you name, it was just too much! They couldn’t handle it anymore. So, now you can only enjoy cotton candy sticks or blended fruit smoothies from our friendly neighborhood parent, Carolyn Desch, as she twists and shakes for you alongside the hired staff.

From its early days in 2000 when the cast tree was around 30 for Rabbi Anne’s “Harry Potter,” we’ve seen it grow to as many as 70 (now, that’s a lot of kids on stage) and level out at about 50+ regularly. If you have been fortunate enough to hang around on occasion you have seen some interesting sights.

PHOTO: MAX ORENSTEIN

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 vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

HAKHNASAT OR HIM

What Kind of Guest Are You?

t BJ we like to encourage people to accommodate you if they know your needs 6. Do you contact the host after the event to a host Shabbat dinners and other well in advance. You can also offer to say thank you? A thank-you at the door is events. To do this, the person who cook/bring something that you can eat and lovely, but a call, note (snail mail), email, or is hosting goes to a lot of effort choosing a share with the rest of the guests. If you are text in the next day or two lets the host know guest list, planning a menu, cooking (or allergic to pets you might inquire before you how much you really appreciated the ordering) the food, and preparing their R.S.V.P. evening. home for company. As a guest there are things you can do to contribute to the EXTREME GOOD GUESTING: success of the evening. Here’s a quiz to see 7. Do you offer to help with serving and/or if you are a good guest: cleanup? Offer to sit near the host and help serve the food, clear the table, or even wash 1. Do you R.S.V.P. within three days of the dishes. receiving the invitation? It’s important for the host to know how many people can 8. Do you reciprocate? If you do not attend. If you delay your response, it makes entertain, you can invite your host to meet it awkward to issue a late invitation to you for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just someone else in your place. If you are not coffee, and you can pick up the check. If you sure, let the host know that you received the do entertain, don’t forget to include your invitation and ask them when is the latest host on your guest list sometime within the you can get back to them. next six months. PHOTO: GILABRAND 2. Do you ask the host if they would like you 4. Do you arrive on time? Arrive within 5 to If you answered “no” to any of the questions, to bring anything? Or if you want to bring 10 minutes of the stated starting time; be you might want to polish up your etiquette something, do you tell the host what you are sure to allow extra travel time for the quotient. n planning to bring and see if that works for possibility of delayed train/bus service when — Carol Gelles them (“I would like to bring a bottle of wine; you leave your home. If you know you may would you prefer red or white?”)? be very late, call the host and tell them to Carol Gelles has been a member of BJ since start without you. 1992. She is an award-winning cookbook 3. Do you let your host know if you have author and loves to entertain. special food needs or your level of 5. Do you turn off all of your electronic kashrut? Most hosts are happy to devices? Be present and be prepared to participate in the conversation.

Mekusharim continued from page 8

actress Gertrude Berg and the making of City Hall Restaurant in Tribeca, and we will with and involved with each other and the her successful radio and TV series depicting enjoy tastings of some of the recipes many activities and learning experiences the life of a Jewish family in the Bronx in the described in this multicultural slice of life offered. We look forward to all of you joining 1930s-1950s. More than 100 people on the Lower East Side. Participants can the journey as we explore our ROOTS and attended this first event. After the film, we expect lively conversation and interactive ROUTES. We may even find long-lost broke out into small groups, representing experiences about immigration in New York relatives! n each of the five boroughs and hometowns City. — Sheila Bleckner and Nancy Greenblatt far and wide, to talk about our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and beyond. We hope to The concluding program for the year will be Sheila Bleckner and Nancy Greenblatt are stimulate interest among participants to in the spring. Keep your eyes peeled for longtime members of BJ and the co-chairs of then make visits to “their old ‘hoods!” additional information on the BJ website, Mekusharim. They’re excited about the www.bj.org, and in the Kol Jeshurun . direction of the new group and look forward to Our next event, on Sunday, March 13, is a engaging new leaders in the process. For brunch and book reading with Jane Mekusharim is a new addition to the more information about Mekusharim Ziegelman about her popular 97 Orchard: An multiple activities of the Membership programs, contact Sarah Guthartz at Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in Committee whose mission is inviting BJ [email protected] or Belinda Lasky at One New York Tenement. The event will be at community members to become familiar [email protected].

14 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 ADAR I/ADAR II/NISAN 5771 • new vo Ice asj kue YOM HASHOAH

Yom HaShoah 2011 at BJ

n May 1 we will once again come the JCC took on the vigil with a different Yom HaShoah Commemoration o together to commemorate Yom synagogue hosting the reading every year May 1, 2011 HaShoah, when the BJ beginning at 10:00PM through 6:00PM the 88th Street Sanctuary community, and their family and friends, following day. are invited to participate in The Reading Yom HaShoah service: 6:45PM and Hearing of the Names of those killed During the reading at BJ, two Torah scrolls The Reading and Hearing of the Names during the Shoah. This will take place that survived the Shoah are removed from Cultural presentation following the evening service at 6:45PM the aron and held by congregants and before the cultural part of the throughout the reading. Even if you do not commemoration in the sanctuary of the have your own names to read, we have survivors to disappear in order to claim synagogue at 88th Street. names, gathered from the BJ community that the Shoah never happened. n over the years, that need to be read, and — Myriam Abramowicz Since 1995, BJ began the all-night vigil by everyone is invited to receive names to reading names from Bnai Brith’s ”Unto read. Myriam Abramowicz, a BJ member since Every Person There Is a Name.” Three 1988, is a documentary film maker. She has years later Roly had the idea to broaden More than ever it is important that the administered the BJ Archives, is one of the the participation by creating a minyan of names be read and heard as the Holocaust gabbais during the Yamim Nora'im, and has synagogues from the Upper West Side, and revisionists are waiting for the last been involved in a host of other projects.

"And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (Yad Vashem), an everlasting name that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 56:5) Since 1955, Yad Vashem has worked to fulfill its mandate “tAo pDreseDrve PtheH meOmorTy oO f the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust by collecting their names, the ultimate representation of a person’s identity.”

In addition to the extensive resources it offers relating to Yom HaShoah and the collecting and reading of the names, the Yad Vashem website, www.yadvashem.org, makes available online a vast multimedia and multi-lingual collection of educational materials including video lectures, podcasts, slideshows, research publications, digital collections, a photo archive, library catalog, and online courses.

PHOTO: KYLE SIMOURD

Capturing Our Stories continued from page 8 celebrations; experiences with Marshall available to current and future BJ members Julie Lowy and Toni Siegel are longtime Meyer; Holocaust survivors and their as a medium to preserve and access our life members of BJ and the co-chairs of Capturing children; special new holiday dresses, the histories for now and future generations. Our Stories. They are are excited about the first Bar Mitzvah suit; the birth of a direction of the new group and look forward to grandchild; the death of a parent—to The initiative will be launched to coincide engaging new leaders in the process. suggest just a few. We welcome all the with Pesa h, a holiday when storytelling threads that weave together the history of makes up the fabric of our celebration. We KOL HADASH new vo Ice our members. will begin by interviewing the eldest March/April 2011 members of our community. Ultimately we The Kol Hadash is published every other month. Capturing Our Stories involves many tasks hope to hear about the dreams and realities We would love to print your stories and articles that will need the contribution of our of all who wish to record them. It will take about BJ! For submission guidelines, contact [email protected]. All material is the talented community. We invite volunteers to time and volunteers to reach everyone who property of B’nai Jeshurun and cannot be participate in this exciting endeavor by would like to be interviewed. To become a reprinted without permission. interviewing members, listening to the part of this adventure, contact Sarah stories, creating an archive, and helping plan Guthartz at [email protected] or Belinda The Kol Hadash is printed using soy-based inks on 50% recycled paper by an online, the organization and future development of Lasky at [email protected]. n eco-friendly printer at a substantial cost saving this long-term project. The archive will be — Julie Lowy and Toni Siegel compared to traditional printing methods.

Designer: Harriet R. Goren

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KOL H. ADASH new vo Ice • MARCH/APRIL 2011

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Rabbis: Program Director: Board of Trustees: Richard Kalikow J. Rolando Matalon Guy Felixbrodt, x255 Jonathan Adelsberg º Beth Kern Marcelo R. Bronstein President Debbie Lerner Felicia L. Sol Associate Director of Development: Henry Meer Erzsébet Arora, x228 Susan Kippurº* Samara Minkin Hazzan and Music Director: Chair Andrea Newman Ari Priven Communications Manager: Bernie Plum Denise Waxman, x275 Jeannie Blausteinº Benjamin Ross Marshall T. Meyer Rabbinic Fellow: Vice President Emily Weiss Rabbi Michelle Dardashti Director of Administration & Finance: Michael Yoeli Ron Seitenbach, x226 Joel Kazis Rabbinic Fellow: Vice President Honorary Trustees Jason Fruithandler Director of Facilities: Virginia Bayer* Roma Serdtse, x258 Stephen Stulman º Ted Becker* Cantorial Intern: Vice President Frederic Goldstein Shoshi Rosenbaum Assistant to Rabbi Matalon and Marcy Grau* Communications Associate: Debra Fine º David Hirsch* Executive Director: Sarah Guthartz, x234 Treasurer Richard Janvey* Harold Goldman, x248 Robert Kanter Assistant to Rabbi Bronstein Andrew Litt Joan Kaplan Assistant Executive Director: and Hazzan Priven: Secretary Sara Moore Litt* Belinda Lasky, x224 Naomi Goodhart, x240 Naomi Meyer Robert Buxbaum Judith Stern Peck* Director of Education for Assistant to Rabbi Sol: Gene Carr Youth and Family: Elizabeth Rosenbaum, x233 Anne Ebersman General Counsel Ivy Schreiber, x225 Rochelle Friedlich Richard Kalikow Assistant to Executive Director Christina Gantcher º Executive Committee Member Director of Social Action/ Harold Goldman: Barbara Glassman * Past President Social Justice: Jacob Shemkovitz, x256 Sally Gottesman Channa Camins, x259 Sofia Hubscher