Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah Temple Beth O’R/Beth Torah Non-Profit 111 Valley Road, Clark NJ 07066 Organization 732-381-8403 U.S. Postage Paid Rahway, NJ [email protected] PERMIT No. 166 www.bethorbethtorah.org
Change Service Requested IYAR 5774 MAY 2014
Steven Stern, Spiritual Leader Howard Silverman, President Jonathan Phillips, Executive Vice-President GAME SHOW GALA! Mailed May 1, 2014 Sunday, May 4 at 5 PM An outrageously fun evening with Simply Streisand your favorite TV games shows! Sunday, June 29 at 5 pm Enjoy delicious Super Heroes with all the trimmings catered AWARD WINNING TRIBUTE ARTIST by Deli-King of Clark! Yummy desserts! CARLA DEL VILLAGGIO Don't miss out on the fun. Reserve now. Presents an elegant, exciting show that leaves audiences spellbound! Tickets are only $28 for members, $33 for non-members, and $10 for children under 12. Evening includes ♦ dinner and dessert You can be the next Winner!!! ♦ silent auction of fabulous goods & services For tickets call the temple office by Thursday, June 19. Simply Streisand Tickets: members $30, non-members $35 Sunday, June 29 at 5 pm PATRON $360: 2 admission tickets for the show, dinner & dessert; preferred seating; bottle of wine; Barbra Streisand AWARD WINNING TRIBUTE ARTIST CD; 2 raffle tickets & a photograph with entertainer CARLA DEL VILLAGGIO SPONSOR $180: 2 admission tickets for the show, dinner & dessert, preferred seating & 2 raffle tickets Presents an elegant, exciting show that leaves audiences spellbound! Evening includes ♦ dinner and dessert ♦ silent auction of fabulous goods & services Details on the back cover
12 From the Cantor
"This is my modest gift to the son’s passport list Israel as his place of birth. According to Jewish people who have always legal experts, the case involves a number of very significant dreamt of biblical love, constitutional issues. But what interests me most is not the friendship and of peace among perennial friction between the various branches of our all peoples. This is my gift to that government. Rather it is the degree to which governments people which lived here and institutions make policy based not on propriety and thousands of years ago among reality, but on the basis of an attempt to placate those on the the other Semitic people." Marc world stage holding the most radical and extreme Chagall, Jerusalem, February 6, viewpoints. We have unfortunately seen this phenomenon 1962 increasingly in recent years.
On my trip to Israel in February, I had hoped to visit Yom Yerushalayim will be observed on the 28th of Iyar, Hadassah Hospital and view the famous Chagall windows, which falls this year on May 28th. It commemorates the but unfortunately there was not enough time. I wish I had reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 following the Six Day made time, because today I just finished reading about the War. There are surely many issues, including those related great passport debate. As you may know, the U.S. Congress to the Holy City, that will have to be resolved if there is in 2002 passed a law that required any U.S. citizen born in ever going to be peace between Israel and her neighbors. Jerusalem to have the right to have his/her passport stamped That is to be left for the parties involved to settle. That the with Israel as the birthplace. This was intended to nullify birthplace of a baby born adjacent to the grand, artistic the policy of the State Department that directed that only masterpiece of Chagall needs to be debated in the hallowed Jerusalem be listed as the place of birth, a policy designed halls of our nation’s highest court is, however, unfortunate to affirm the U.S. position of neutrality on the question of and sad. sovereignty over the city. On the subject of Jerusalem, I am pleased to have been able One might conceivably be excused for understanding the to invite Rabbi Jonathan Porath to join us for our upcoming rationale behind the State Department’s position as regards Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat on May 30 and 31. I met the Old City, but is there any question at all regarding him briefly while in Jerusalem where he now resides, and Israeli sovereignty over Western Jerusalem? Is there any as many of you know, he served our community in Clark question about whether a baby born at Hadassah Hospital or from 1975 to 1984. Among other topics, he will be Shaare Zedek was born in Israel or not? According to the speaking about life as a resident of Jerusalem. I hope you State Department it seems there is, and since the executive will join us for this very special Shabbat. branch of our government is now in conflict with our legislative branch, the Supreme Court has been asked to Shalom u’vracha, adjudicate. Cantor Steven Stern
A suit has been brought by Ari and Naomi Zivotofsky, U.S citizens whose son Menachem Binyamin was born at Shaare Zedek in 2002 and who claim the right to have their
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION! What’s Up for Shabbat in May? TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOTH Men’s Club Shabbat - Saturday , May 3 A NIGHT OF LEARNING Dress Down Shabbat— Come casual for our Shabbat services on Friday and Saturday, May 9 & 10. TUESDAY, JUNE 3, @ 7:30 P.M.
Simcha Shabbat—We will celebrate all birthdays and Join us at the Bayit anniversaries in the month of May on Saturday, May (117 John Street) 24. Come for a blessing and share your simcha with your TBO/BT family! for an enchanted evening of prayers, Toray study, and dairy desserts. Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat - Friday & Saturday, May 30 & 31 RSVP 732 381 8403 [email protected]
2 11 Nancy Kelner delivered the following D’var Torah on a recent Shabbat morning From The President April "I had the honor of giving the D'var Torah on Saturday, April plan also involves telling the neighbor’s wife that you saw your 26, and was asked to submit it for our Temple neighbor in a bar, being a little too friendly with the barmaid. H a p p y B i r t h d a y ! Shalom, Bulletin. Hope you enjoy it.” Bam! Now you’ve violated Commandment # 9, also, “You Bonnie Altman Karen Langer Nancy Kelner shall not bear false witness.” Holy cow! A double violation! As I write this note to you on a Jerome Baron Benjamin Margulies Shabbat Shalom. I’d like to say a few words about today’s Torah Well, I think you get the idea. Envy can be a slippery slope. glorious April day when the temperature should reach 50 Alex Cammy Helene Miller portion. But is it realistic to expect us to, let alone command us to, not Nikolai Cherenkov Ian Muhlgeier be envious? Are we talking thought-control here? I decided to degrees (only 47 now), I can just Today’s parshah is Kedoshim. It begins: “And the Lord spoke to feel the collective excitement that Ilana Dorsch Arthur Purdy Moses saying, Speak to the entire congregation of the children of check the Internet to see what scholars had to say. Here’s what I Ellen Gietter Shirley Ratner found in Wikipedia regarding Maimonides’ interpretation of winter has (hopefully) finally Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your G-d packed its bags and that summer Bernice Gola Benjamin Saks am holy.” It goes on to repeat many of the Ten Commandments this commandment: will soon be here. I feel the inner William Hausler Joseph Weiner and lists many other things we should and should not do. ‘Maimonides viewed the prohibition of coveting as a fence or joy to be outside. Acknowledging Lorraine Itzkowitz Norma Weinshanker boundary intended to keep adherents a safe distance away from One of the Ten Commandments I didn’t see in the parshah is the this change in seasons also gives Malvina Kohn tenth one, “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall the very serious sins of theft, adultery, and murder. me the opportunity to reflect on the winter that has just Happy Anniversary! not covet your neighbor's wife, his manservant, his maid-servant, ‘Desire leads to coveting, and coveting leads to stealing. For if passed. We had our challenges with cold temperatures, ice his ox, his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's.” the owner (of the coveted object) does not wish to sell, even and snow. Through it all we remain active and a vibrant Alan & Wendy Mandelbaum I am fascinated by the word covet. Definitely a word you don’t though he is offered a good price and is entreated to accept, the community. Michael & Laurie Saks hear much in conversation today. If I saw the word covet for the person (who covets the object) will come to steal it, as it is written (Mikha 2:2) [Micah 2:2], 'They covet fields and (then) Your Temple Board still strives to have interesting, exciting Jay & Esther Schlesinger first time, as a retired secretary, my first thought would be TYPO! and entertaining programs to keep us active. It would be (And those of you who type know that the R and the T are next to steal them.' And if the owner approaches him with a view to Joel & Barbara Seltzer impossible to truly communicate my respect and admiration each other on the keyboard.) Maybe G-d meant ‘cover.’ And that reclaiming his money or preventing the theft, then he will come Allan & Rayna Warner for all who serve on your Board. What they have leads – sorry, can’t help it - to the joke about covering your to murder. Go and learn from the example of Achav [Ahab] and neighbor’s ass. Navot [Naboth]. collectively done for our community would be impossible to express in just a few short words. We have two upcoming Our own Jon Henry Barr Well, we know every word of the Torah was chosen carefully, so ‘Maimonides’ admonition to learn from the example of Ahab and Naboth refers to the narrative in 1 Kings 21 in which King programs -- "Game Show Nigh" and "Simply Streisand". has been selected by the we know that G-d meant ‘covet’ after all. But what exactly does Please come out, you will have an entertaining evening and New Jersey State Bar Association’s that mean? The online dictionary I checked said that envy, Ahab of Israel tried to convince Naboth the Jezreelite to sell help support Our Home, Our Shul. Municipal Court Practice Section as jealousy and covetousness are all very similar. But there must be him the vineyard Naboth owned adjacent to the king’s palace. a difference, otherwise the Torah would have said ‘You shall not Ahab wanted the land to use as a vegetable garden, but Naboth I am looking forward to seeing you. this year’s Municipal Court Practice envy’ or ‘You shall not be jealous of.’ And that could be a refused to sell or trade the property to Ahab saying, “The Award recipient. Jon Henry has been LORD forbid that I should give up to you what I have inherited Shalom, the municipal prosecutor in Clark problem, because now it sounds like G-d is telling us how to Howard Silverman, think. Isn’t it hard enough to follow the first nine from my fathers!” Ahab’s wife Jezebel then conspired to obtain and Kenilworth for many years and Commandments, which are actions, without also being told how the vineyard by writing letters in Ahab’s name to the elders and is the president of the New Jersey Prosecutors nobles in Naboth’s town instructing them to have two we should think? Association. He has been a speaker for the New scoundrels bear false witness claiming that Naboth has cursed CONGREGATION MEETING Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education and Here’s how I see it. Think of envy, jealousy and covetousness as both God and the king. After Naboth was subsequently stoned MONDAY, MAY 19 AT 7:30 PM serves as a volunteer emergency medical three levels of the same thought. Envy is the first level, yellow to death, Ahab seized possession of Naboth’s vineyard. The text technician. Mazel Tov! alert, if you will, when you look out your window, see a new car describes the LORD as very angry with Ahab, and the prophet SLATE OF OFFICERS & TRUSTEES FOR 2014-2015 in your neighbor’s driveway, and say, “Nice car. I wish I had a car Elijah pronounces judgment on both Ahab and Jezebel.’ FISCAL YEAR WILL BE PRESENTED like that .” Jealousy is the second level, orange alert, when you look out your window, see a new car in your neighbor’s driveway, So - what does that all mean and what are we supposed to learn Combined Morning Minyan and say, “Nice car. I should have a car like that. He doesn’t from it? I think the lesson is that G-d doesn’t want to control our thoughts, G-d wants us to control our thoughts. And as In the month of May minyan will be held in deserve it.” Covetousness is the third level, red alert, when you Clark. look out your window, see a new car in your neighbor’s driveway, hard as that may sound, I believe we wouldn’t be asked to do it School Days and say, “Nice car. I wish I had a car like that. I deserve a car like if G-d thought we couldn’t do it. After all, don’t they say that Monday & Thursday – 6:50 am; Tuesday, Wed., G-d doesn’t hand us anything we can’t handle? The Hebrew School and Yaldeinu 's curricula for & Friday – 7:00 am; that. I want that car. “ April added much learning about Passover--the And Bam! Next thing you know, you’re making plans to steal it. If “we are the masters of our words before they are spoken,” prayers, the story, the Haggadah, the special foods, Sundays & Holidays - 9:00 am in Clark. then surely we are the masters of our thoughts before they lead Violating Commandment #10 has led to violating Commandment etc. Many of our families joined our Temple family at Evening services are held every day at 7:30 to actions we will regret. The next time we catch ourselves #8, You shall not steal. the First Night Seder and put into practice all of what gazing enviously at someone else’s handbag or house or pm in Cranford. Suppose you’re a single guy, and you notice your neighbor’s wife grandchildren or anything else that doesn’t belong to us, let’s they had learned!! is a very pretty woman, and you think to yourself, “How did my resolve to stop, take a breath, and say to ourselves, “What a nice idiot neighbor get himself a beautiful woman like that? I wish I house. I wish I had a house like that.” And then let’s take Classes resumed after the Passover break for both had a woman like that.” As time goes on, and you dwell more and groups on Sunday, April 27th. The end of the 2013- Stay in the Loop! another breath, and say to ourselves, “ But I don’t, and that’s all more on the neighbor’s wife, envy turns to jealousy and then to right.” 2014 school year for both classes will be on Sunday, covetousness. And Bam! Next thing you know, you’re making May 18th. Can you believe how fast time is Keep up with all our events plans to take the neighbor’s wife away from him. Violating Shabbat Shalom. flying???? by email. Contact the office Commandment #10 has led to violating Commandment #7, You Elaine & Thelma if you are not currently on our email list. shall not commit adultery. And if you’re very clever, maybe your 10 3 SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE SISTERHOOD BRUNCH MEETING The TBO/BT Family extends Mazel Tov to: I have lots of good news to report SUNDAY, MAY 18 @ 10 AM Florence Bernstein on the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter Gillian Alexa Miller from Sisterhood this month. First, ON MENTAL HEALTH WITH DR. ESTHER on Sunday, May 18th @10am, we The TBO/BT Family expresses condolences to: SCHLESINGER LEADING THE DISCUSSION will have a brunch meeting on Jayne Heidelberger on the passing of her mother Phyllis Cooperman “Mental Health Issues” with Dr. Lenny Weiner on the passing of his mother Rachel Weiner Esther Schlesinger leading the SISTERHOOD MEMBERS The TBO/BT Family wishes speedy recovery to: discussion. This is the rescheduled PLEASE NOTE!!! Jake Altholz, Sheldon Halper brunch meeting from February on the same topic. A special breakfast will be served. NEW DONOR DINNER DATE! We gratefully acknowledge the following donations made to Then, most of you should be aware by now that Donor THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014 AT 6 PM TBO/BT during the month of April Dinner, normally held in May will be held instead on June ( To make a donation in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion, call or email the temple office.) 12th. This was done so we could have some amazing Donor Dinner Committee Yahrzeit Fund Cantor’s Discretionary Fund entertainment! Harriet Rothschild in loving memory of William Finally, there is an update on the crocheted baby caps. Donated By In Memory of Rothschild, Leon Weinberg, Meyer Weinberg Our small group has made a dozen newborn hats, which are Golden Books Herbert Hymanson Min Hymanson Minyan Breakfast Fund being donated to the Pediatric Dept. at Shaare Zedek Rita Dubrow Faye Dubrow Harriet Rothschild in memory of Amalchin Zimmerman Medical Center in Jerusalem. I want to thank all the ladies MAZEL TOV: Marvin Edelman Abraham Edelman Sol Sern Memorial Fund who made this possible, including our instructors, Esther To: Ruth & Bernie Berkhoff on the engagement of their granddaughter Sarah Rothenberg to Evan Schonfeld Anonymous Schlesinger & Ellen Cohen. All of you did a fabulous job! Esther Rubinstein Morris Gutwilig From: Norma & Jack Weinshanker Gitta Harel Paul Hymanson Min Hymanson I plan on seeing many of you on May 18th! To: Myrna & Arny Young on their 55th Wedding Frances Burns Anniversary Stewart Sherman Aaron Sherman Joleen Fridson From: Norma & Jack Weinshanker Dr. Dennis Turner Henry Turner ONEGS & KIDDUSHES SPONSORED BY: CONDOLENCES: Claire Warech Charles Goldstein Congregation, Sisterhood, Men’s Club Judaica Shop News To: Jayne Heidelberger on the passing of her mother Phyllis Arny & Myrna Young in honor of their 55th Cooperman Bonnie Altman Bertold Dreifus Wedding Anniversary From: Julia & Yakov Vinokurov Hope everyone had a nice Pesach. Can Sheldon Halper Mollie Spatz To: Lenny Weiner on the passing of his mother Rachel Lorraine & Milton Loshin in memory of Dora Sattler graduation time be far behind? We have a From: Julia & Yakov Vinokurov Rayna Warner Simon Small nice assortment of picture frames, photo albums and photo Yuri Gorkin & Liya Tager in memory of Mira Beylina album/picture frame combos. We also have baby items Shirley Coppleson Shirley Lewitter Special Fund (lots of bibs!) and children’s tzedakah boxes, women’s Elaine Kolker Albert Unger jewelry and books for children and adults. Remember – if Donations to Special Fund can be made for any occasion for a minimum donation of $5.00. You Michael E. Miller Ethel Miller Thank you you want something you don’t see, let me know – we may have it! Nancy Kelner 908-272-9072 or [email protected]. will receive 100% donor credit. Anna Vaidman Semyon Margulis We would like to thank all our dear friends at To send a beautiful Special Fund card call: TBO/BT for the Purim Mishloach Manot, as well as Gene Berry (732-388-3453). Marilyn Weinstein David Weinstein good wishes for Myrna’s birthday and our Golden Books Ida Breitbart Minnie Melnick anniversary. May we always share good occasions. To send a Golden Book for any occasion, call: INCOME TAX INFORMATION Bess Berg Minnie Melnick Myrna & Arny Young Joan Oberman (732-381-4322) Sisterhood makes a 5% profit on all ShopRite and A&P Evie Shulman (908-276-6894) Adele Pressman Harry Pressman Jane & Sheldon Halper would like to thank everyone vouchers sold. Therefore you are entitled to claim that 5% for their calls and cards wishing Sheldon a complete Betty Needleman (908-389-0911). Carla Rockliff Richard Wolfson as a charitable deduction on your income tax. If you are and speedy recovery. Eva Silbert Leo Rogath Cards are sent for $3.00 and you will receive not sure how much donor credit (also 5%) you have $1.50 donor credit, or pick up a pack of 10 cards received for vouchers, please contact Esther Schlesinger Adeline Gesten Esther Lehner Join TBOBT as we march in the for $20.00 with $15.00 donor credit and send them (732-548-7132). yourself. They can be picked up from the office. Clark Memorial Day Parade! Please send checks to Esther Schlesinger Vouchers: (9 Pine Ridge Dr., Edison, NJ 08820) or call (732) ShopRite and A&P vouchers are available at Monday morning, May 26. 548-7132 for the amount owed. Sisterhood functions, and in the temple office. Details to follow.
4 9 From Dr. Michael Miller MEN’S CLUB SHABBAT Scholar-in Residence Shabbat TBO-BT MEN’S CLUB SHOMREI HA’ARETZ Saturday, May 3 Humans cannot survive without CLEAN water May 30-31 WATER CONSERVATION With the water pollution crisis in the eastern US and severe drought in the west, I'm sure you'll agree that now is the with Rabbi Jonathan Porath perfect time to focus on clean, safe and abundant water for all. Rabbi Porath served as rabbi of Temple Beth O’r Top 12 Tips for Water Conservation in the Home from 1975-1984 before moving with his family to Israel. 1. Calculate your water footprint. www.gracelinks.org/3404/water-footprint-calclator He will teach the following topics: 2. Replace showerheads. Install low-flow showerheads, rated 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less. 3. Install aerators. Screw aerators rated at 1.5 gpm onto your faucets. Friday night at services: NURTURING JEWISH HEARTS AND JEWISH SOULS 4. Use toilet tank banks. Reduce water used per flush with these flexible inserts placed in the tank. 5. Go WaterSense. This certification ensures your appliances are the most water efficient in their class. www.epa.gov/ Shabbat morning at services: LEAVING HOME AND COMING HOME: 30 YEARS ON ALIYAH TO ISRAEL watersense/ : THE LIFE AND DEATH OF RABBI AKIVA: A HERO FOR OUR TIME 6. Turn it off! Shut off water when soaping up, shaving, washing dishes or brushing teeth. If you let it run to warm up/ Shabbat after lunch cool down, collect it for other uses. Seudah Shlesheet: EXPANDING OUR JEWISH HORIZONS OR HOW TO LIVE PASSIONATE JEWISH LIVES 7. Wash dishes wisely. Scrape, don’t rinse, dishes before using the dishwasher. Plug up the sink/basin if washing IN CENTRAL NJ dishes by hand. 8. Wash clothes with less. Do only full loads of laundry, or lower the water setting to match the size of the load. Please RSVP by May 19 if you plan to attend the Saturday Kiddush or afternoon 9. Check for leaks. Each month check all appliances for leaks. Seudah Shlesheet. 10. Avoid the garbage disposal! Collect food waste in a drain trap. 11. Kick the bottled water habit, and begin serving tap water. To remove chlorine taste, use a large pitcher with a renewable filter. 12. Watering shrubs and gardens, Use a water timer and “weeper hoses,” drip irrigation. Coming soon! Spring Convention: May 16th—18th in The TBO/BT Graduation Shabbat Wandering Over – Going Home Somerset. will be held on Saturday, June 7th. Jewish Film Festival After living in New Jersey since February 1975, nearly equal to All those that are graduating from middle school, the same 40 years Moses wandered in the desert with our Wednesday, May 7—Aftermath ancestors, Helene & I will be going home to New York. We have Tuesdays, May 13 - the Zigzag Kid Action required: high school, college, trade school, graduate school sold our house in Hillside, and will be moving into a co-op in Wednesday, May 28 - The Lady in and medical school are invited to participate. Clear your calendar and plan now to attend Cedarhurst and to be near one of our fantastic children and their November, Life in Still family. We expect to move by the end of May, not being around Encampment August 19th to August 26th. Both Hebrew & English parts available. All films start at 7:30 p.m. and will be shown for Installation. Details to follow. It is an unbelievable week! at Rialto Theatre, Festive Kiddush to follow services. Shopping 2-4pm and Stocking the Kosher Food Pantries 4:30-5:30pm This is a bittersweet decision on my part, but one whose time 250 E. Broad St., Westfield. has come. Our granddaughter is nearly 5, and we have missed Happy Birthday to: If you have a family member that is graduating this too much of her life already, being 2 bridges away and nearly year, please contact Claudia Dorsch at always encompassing lousy traffic when we visit them or they Ilana D.—May 2 nd 908.756.0779 or [email protected] by April 1st. visit us. So we go home to New York, Helene from the Bronx and me Now you can support Your participation will be greatly appreciated. from Brooklyn. As we started our married life in Queens, as a compromise, now we compromise living in Nassau County the temple while you instead of the City of NY. But it is the right compromise. shop. I wish you all good health, much Mazel, only bright days and Got a Simcha? happiness. I wish for you what I wish for myself and my family. ISRAELI DANCE Sign in on AmazonSmile.com and Birthday? Anniversary? Graduation? And being near our granddaughter will certainly bring Helene & select "Clark Jewish Center" and Tuesday Nights me bright days & much happiness. New grandchild? Amazon will give 0.5% of your It’s been a pleasure. And so I leave you with this: beginners from 7 pm to 8 pm Host a Kiddush at TBO/BT BOCELLI - Time To Say Goodbye purchases to TBOBT. intermediate from 8 pm to 11 pm You can sponsor the entire Kiddush or be a co- sponsor with a donation of $18 or more. Michael E. Miller $10.00 per class/ $45 prepaid for 5 April 11, 2014 Contact Julia at 732-381-8403 x11 or Part of the proceeds go to TBO/BT. [email protected]. Led by Elyse Litt 732-396-8299
8 5
Metropolitan Klezmer performed to a full and appreciative house at the Over one hundred guests attended our largest ever TBOBT Annual Community Seder Sol Sern Memorial Program
Cantor Stern prepares the contract for the sale Arthur Purdy assists the Cantor in the burning of of hametz hametz remnants
Four generations of the Rubin-Leibowitz family participated in the morning services on the day of the Fast of the Firstborn before Pesach
6 7