Temple Am Echad The South Shore Reform Congregation One People ~ One Place T H E B U L L E T I N

www.am-echad.org MARCH /A PRIL 2016

PURIM From the Rabbi’s Desk PALOOZA Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Congregational and Family Milestones A young adult’s affirmation of Jewish identity is an opportunity FOR ALL for celebration for the entire community. Leading us in worship, GES chanting Torah and Haftarah, and teaching about the weekly Torah A ! portion comprise the major tasks of this milestone on our youngsters’ journeys to Jewish adulthood. Yet, the ceremony is also recognition of years WEDNESDAY . of religious instruction, preparation and participation in our Temple community. MARCH 23 Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is both a child’s and his or her family’s public affirmation of Jewish identity and faith. As important as this occasion is for the child’s family and STARTING friends, it is also a significant moment in our congregational life, a moment we should all celebrate and take pride in. AT 6 PM The translation of the phrase bar/bat mitzvah literally means “son/daughter of the commandments.” On becoming a bar/bat mitzvah at the age of twelve or thirteen, the DINNER , responsibility for Jewish living begins to fall more squarely on the shoulders of the child rather than on his or her parents. The degree to which this takes place varies from family MEGILLAH to family but one example may be that the decision to continue with Jewish studies to READING , Confirmation is more of a mutual decision between a bar/bat mitzvah and his/her parents than was the decision to attend the earlier years of religious school. In another example, SHPIEL , becoming a bar/bat mitzvah allows a boy/girl to count towards a minyan, the group of SPECIAL ONEG ten Jewish adults required for offering prayers such as the Bar’chu and Mourner’s Kaddish . After becoming a bar/bat mitzvah, our youngest Temple members ought to take on the responsibility to join their parents in making shiva visits so that mourners may AND offer prayers at home after the death of a loved one. A third example of a Jewish IT S responsibility after becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is that of fasting on Yom Kippur. ’ Clearly, becoming a bar/bat mitzvah isn’t the end of participation in Jewish communal FREE !!! life, it’s only the beginning! Many would agree that the highlight of the b’nai mitzvah service is K’riat HaTorah, RSVP TO “the reading of the Torah,” which takes place during the Saturday morning service, but TEMPLE BY the bar/bat mitzvah and his/her family play a significant role in the Friday night service as well. The bar/bat mitzvah leads many of the Friday night prayers, including the candle MARCH 18 lighting and Kiddush , as well as the Bar’chu, Shema and V’ahavta . The child and their parents and grandparents participate in a moving ceremony in which the Torah is passed SOMETHING FOR l’dor vador, from generation to generation. At the Friday night service a multitude of EVERYONE !! (Continued on page 2)

Temple Am Echad is an open and affirming Reform congregation welcoming families and singles, persons with disabilities, Jews of all cultures, sexual orientations and gender expressions as well as Jews-by-choice and inter - faith families. It is our belief that the fabric of our Temple community will be enriched by your participation. From the Rabbi’s Desk (Continued from page 1)

Friday, March 4 __7 PM blessings are offered the child by the rabbi, family Family Shabbat Service members and the congregation, and the proud parents Saturday, March 5 _ 9:30 AM offer remarks about the meaning to their family of Tot Shabbat their son/daughter becoming a bar/bat mitzvah. The bar/bat mitzvah celebration continues with the PM Friday, March 11 8 Shabbat morning service and communal participation Shabbat Service Honoring Caring Community in that service is essential as well. Saturday, March 12 In the next few months we will have many Torah Study 9:30 AM opportunities to celebrate and rejoice as several of our Learner’s Service 10:30 AM youngsters become b’nai mitzvah. To be present on Friday, March 18 _ _ _ 8 PM these occasions is both a blessing and a responsibility. Shabbat Service I look forward to seeing many members of our community at both the Friday and Saturday b’nai Saturday, March 19 _ _ 10 AM mitzvah services. Shabbat Service/Bar Mitzvah of Justin Comack, B’shalom, son of Randi & Brian Comack ~ Rabbi Sandra Bellush Friday, March 25 _ _ 8 PM Shabbat Service Spring Bar/Bat Mitzvahs AM Saturday, March 26 _ 9:30 March 18/19 Justin Comack Torah Study April 1/2 Kira Grossman Friday, April 1 _ 7 PM April 8/9 Alexis Samelson Family Shabbat Service May 13/14 Carly Tucker May 20/21 Emily Pritzker AM Saturday, April 2 _ _ 10 May 27/28 Marty Candel Shabbat Service/Bat Mitzvah of Kira Grossman, daughter of Shari Braverman & Michael Grossman Friday, April 8 _ 8 PM GREAT CHALLAH BAKE! Gospel Shabbat Service Thursday, March 3 Saturday, April 9 _ _ 10 AM 6:30 PM Shabbat Service/Bat Mitzvah of Alexis Samelson daughter of Tara & Jordan Samelson Temple Ballroom Friday, April 15 _ __ 8 PM Shabbat Service All Welcome! Saturday, April 16 _ _ _ 9:30 AM $36 per person Tot Shabbat Reservations required Friday, April 22 5:30 PM For Information, call Shabbat Service (Note early time!) Shari Cooper 917-861-6174 Saturday, April 23 _ 9:30 AM Torah Study Name: ______Friday, April 29 Passover Yizkor Service 10 AM # People Attending ______Shabbat Service 8 PM Saturday, April 30 9:30 AM Amount enclosed _____ Bill my account ____ Torah Study

2 President’s Message Lifelong Learning In January, Rabbi Bellush and I had the opportunity to spend two days Adult Ed together in Chicago at the URJ Shallat Rabbinic Transition Program and Learning Center Retreat. This program, generously underwritten by the Shallat-Rapaport Foundation, was an opportunity for Wednesday, March 9 at 7:30 PM Rabbi Bellush and me to step back and assess our develop - ing partnership, and review our mutual vision for Am Professor Stanislao Pugliese Echad. Rabbi/President teams from all over the U.S. and will speak on the Canada joined us. We learned from each other and from specialists in the field of rabbinic transition and synagogue “Vatican and the Holocaust” management. I couldn’t possibly share with you everything we learned during those two very busy days but I wanted Professor Pugliese holds the position of to share a few key takeaways. Professor of History at Hofstra University and is 1. The relationship between a rabbi and a synagogue’s Queensboro Unico Distinguished Professor of leadership is a sacred one, and requires time and nurturing. Italian American Studies. Rabbi Bellush and I committed to working on our relation - He is also very well known in our own ship by setting aside time every week to check in with each community as the facilitator of the Foreign other, to always be honest with each other and, when nec - Policy Association Great Decisions Program at essary, to grant each other forgiveness. the Hewlett/Woodmere Library as well as being 2. Change, while often difficult, is inevitable. People don’t react to the change itself, they react to how the the author of many publications, including change and, more importantly, the transition is managed. several on Italian/Jewish issues such as “The At Am Echad we’ve seen our share of changes. Some of Jews of Italy.” them have been managed well, others could have been ______handled better. As we move ahead, our goal is to manage upcoming changes and there will be more in a way that Programs with Rabbi Sandra Bellush respects where people are at along the continuum - from Three Wednesdays at 7:30 PM those who are resistant to those who are unsure to those March 30, April 13 & April 20 who are ready. 3. Listen, listen, listen. It’s critical to get input from We celebrate March as congregants as we continue to discover who we are as Temple Am Echad and who we want to be. Toward that Women’s History Month end, we have had some successful informal meet and greet when Rabbi Bellush will begin a sessions with Rabbi Bellush which have resulted in some series of discussions about very helpful and informative feedback. But that’s not “Lesser Known Women enough. We would like to know what you wish and hope of the Hebrew Bible.” Temple Am Echad could be. So I’m asking each and every one of you to complete the following sentence and email it Gentlemen in our congregation, to [email protected]: “At Temple Am please feel welcome to attend this Echad, I wish...” I can’t guarantee we will grant everyone’s informative Biblical seminar. wish but I look forward to hearing your thoughtful and creative ideas. Micky Friedman & Paul Kantrowitz, Adult Ed Co-Chair L’Shalom , ~ Lisa Burch

Get fit! - Sit or Stand! with Instructor Andrea Wool Wednesdays at 10:15 AM ~ March 2 to 16, April 13 to May 18 Members: $6 per class, Non-Members: $8 per class Take one! Take all!

3 The first time might be a bit scary or unfamiliar but soon Membership Minute you will be amazed at how easy it is to raise that hand, So we are entering the Spring of the make that suggestion and have a role in getting an idea off year and by the time you are reading this, the paper and into actual practice. Try it! You might like it hopefully the weather has begun to coop - and we know that we all will be the winners of this erate and we are over the worst of our involvement. You, your children and the rest of the mem - winter weather. But weather notwith - bers of Temple Am Echad will be the grateful recipients. standing, we have all been busy at Temple ~ Greta Kantrowitz, Membership Vice President trying in every way to plan events and schedule activities that will engage and entice our members to dip their toes into the water of Monte Carlo Night synagogue life and join us on the journey to spirituality. Oh what a night!! On Saturday, November 21 at We had a successful paint evening in February where Temple Am Echad, the lights were bright, the seats were many of our religious school parents joined together to filled, the drinks were flowing, the food was being share, laugh, enjoy and get to know each other a little served, the cards were dealt, and the music was rocking better in a different setting in our synagogue. We have had the house! Our ballroom was turned into a casino, some different kinds of Shabbat celebrations that resulted compliments of Casino Classics. A Silent Auction and in our children participating in a new way in their Judaism, raffles galore lent an air of excitement to those wonder - ing what they could win. welcoming them on the bimah so they become more com - This very successful event could not have taken fortable with this sacred place. We have spent some special place without the hard work of so many. At the very least, Sabbaths honoring our Feed the Hungry Group and we want to list our committee, our sponsors and our honoring the people who have made Bingo become a major donors. One always runs the risk of leaving out a reality at Temple Am Echad this past year. name and if we did, we apologize. There were many Purim is always a holiday that becomes a night to contributors and workers beyond this list and we thank remember at our synagogue. This year will be NO excep - you for answering the call and helping to make this night tion! On March 23, we will be having a special Purim as successful as it was. celebration with the reading of the Megillah along a spe - Committee Members: Marc Bendeth, Lisa Burch, Shari cial night of fun for the entire family. Cooper, Larry Diamond, Irene Drantch, Linda Friedman, Speaking of things to remember, get ready for the April Geanacopoulos, Pat Glass, Rob Himmelstein, Community Seder that we have planned for the second Steve Honig, Donna Levy, Elaine Levy, Joanne Lewin- night of Passover on Saturday, April 23. This has become Jacus, Jean Marion, Sheila Plotkin, Gina Schatzberg, a tradition at Temple and each year we marvel at the num - Dave Schrager, Barbara Stern ber of people who attend as well as the great feedback we Table Sponsors : Marc & Ronnie Bendeth, Steven & receive about the evening. It’s a time to connect with your Ellen Blaustein, David & Lisa Burch, Lisa Burch and own family and with your Temple family at the same time. Barbara Stern, David & Eileen Calman, Avery & Julie We have space for only so many, so as soon as we begin to Eden, Pat Glass and Greta Kantrowitz, Rob & Abby take reservations, respond quickly to reserve your space at Himmelstein, Barry & Sheryl Mallah, Men’s Club, this special “Holiday Table.” Stephen & Jane Miller, Alan & Sheila Nussbaum, Alan & We are looking forward to so many things in the Andrea Paskoff, Elliot & Christi Pritzker, Sisterhood, David & Carolee Smalbach, Norman & Doris Tipograph, future months. One is our Women’s Seder that will take Marty and Roberta Zaslansky place at Oceanside Jewish Center on April 6. This event enables us to celebrate the holiday in a unique and spiritual Entertainment Sponsor: Steve & Laney Honig way with women from many organizations and congrega - Dessert Sponsor: Bruce Silverman tions. We strive to get you involved. Maybe you’d like to Vodka Bar Sponsor: Steven & Penny Hochberg come with your children to a family Shabbat Dinner or hol - Craps Table: Bob & Jodi Linsky iday celebration. Maybe you’d like to take an opportunity to discuss some interesting current events in the news at Premium Sponsors: Avery Eden, Fathead, Joanne Lewin-Jacus, Kombert Caterers, Andrew Marc, our Salon. We welcome suggestions as to what YOU Marinara, Myron Marinbach (MCM Diamond would like to do. That would be the true definition of mem - Company), Raymour & Flanigan, Smitty’s Superette, bership in Temple Am Echad, putting your input into the Vincent’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria programs, activities and events that we are planning. Take the chance to make yourselves heard and see those results And, of course, a special thank you to all who in action when you participate in an event that you have attended for making this such a wonderful event! helped to orchestrate. So we ask again: GET INVOLVED. ~ Julie Eden and Laney Honig

4 5 Cantor’s Corner Men’s Club Moments Why sing? What does singing do for Although Men’s Club is having me or for anyone? What is it about a very good winter, we, like every - music? I suppose that after all these one, are looking forward to spring. years, I could write a lengthy dissertation Many thanks to Josh Stein for to try and answer those questions. lining up the speakers for our dinner But first, I wanted to let you all know meetings. They have been informa - that our wonderful Volunteer Choir will be participating in a Temple Choir tive and entertaining. A big thank Festival on Sunday, April 3 at 2 PM at Temple Avodah in you to Rob Himmelstein for again Oceanside. Admission is free and, of course, we would arranging a Blood Drive at Temple. We were happy to see love to have some of our “home town fans” in the seats. so many come out to give blood. This is a much needed You’ll get to hear seven choirs in all. service in our community. Now, I want to get back to the questions at hand. On March 23 we are helping to sponsor the Purim Rather than trying to wax poetic, I thought I would pass on Shpiel. Put the date on your calendars now to come and some interesting commentary sent to me over a period of enjoy the Shpiel as many of your friends perform. There time on Facebook. While I don’t have attributions for most will be something for children and adults of ALL ages. of them, they are all very much worth sharing. As usual we will be having our Men’s Club dinner Music - The other Non-Addictive, Mood-Altering Non-Substance. Ask your doctor if music is right for you. meetings on the second Tuesday of both March and April. Common side effects include but are not limited to uncon - Please look for the dates, times and speakers in the weekly trolled head bobbing, toe tapping, finger snapping, selec - Temple Blast as well as on available flyers. tive hearing impairment and persistent melody flashbacks. We are proud to say that we will be having our Men’s “I would teach children music, physics, and philoso - Club Shabbat on Friday April 15. Any member of Men’s phy but most importantly music, for the patterns in music Club is welcome to join us as we lead services for the con - and all the arts are the keys to learning.” (Plato) gregation. This is something we all enjoy doing and we Singing in a choir is an absolutely unique experience. encourage others to volunteer to join us as well. We are It is one of the most important things in the world. Where happy to say that we will have a dinner at Temple prior to else do you have everyone doing the same thing at the services so that we can all celebrate Shabbat together. same time without the use of special equipment and for a greater purpose, and no one is sitting on the bench? Look for more information on this in April. According to scientific research, singing improves ~ Steve Honig and Bill Stein your mood, releasing the same hormones and chemicals that are released during sex or when eating chocolate! Spring Clothing Drive Singing gives your lungs a workout, stimulates circulation Sunday, April 10 ~ 9 AM - 11:30 AM and releases muscle tension. Singing in a group builds community and creates empowerment, well-being, and We’ll be in the Temple parking lot collecting clothing confidence. Singing clears the sinuses and respiratory and household goods to be donated to nearby shelters for tubes. And, singing is wonderfully therapeutic, helping to battered women, children, and the homeless. Kindly pack - release stress and other factors that interfere with your age and label your contributions (men, women, children) happiness. to make distribution easier. Donations should include sea - Singing in a choir is cheaper than therapy, healthier sonal clothing, outerwear, shoes and toiletries. than drinking and more fun than working out. Volunteers are needed to collect and make deliveries Well my friends, I say Amen to all the above! If this in the local area. sounds a bit like an advertisement, perhaps it is. Could you benefit from singing in a choir? I’ll bet you could. Don’t This is a wonderful and greatly appreciated commu - forget that, along with the Temple Choir Festival, we’ve nity service! Thank you in advance for your support. got Gospel Shabbat coming up on April 8, and Peter, Paul June Resnick, 593-1230 Sandi Simons, 599-4837 & Mary Shabbat on June 3 … and you could be singing in all of them! Think about it. As another anonymous source said, “ I don’t sing in the car. I perform.” Sisterhood Book Review All the best, as always ~ Cantor Jerry Korobow Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 PM

Temple Choir Festival ~ Temple Avodah The Nightingdale Sunday, April 3 @ 2 PM by Kristin Hannah A Musical Extravaganza Discussion to be hosted and led by Don’t Miss It! Rita Kerner

6 Chai Tea WRJ/Sisterhood You are cordially invited to a Chai Tea Party with As I sit here and watch the snow fall, my Sisterhood in the Temple Am Echad Ballroom heart warms thinking of all the exciting Sunday, March 6, 1 - 4 PM . Couvert: $18 events Sisterhood has coming up. Cheer up! Malverne Mel said only 6 more weeks till We’ll get dressed up and Spring! have some tea, We are so fortunate to have the future Oh what fun this party will be! Leader of WRJ Northeast District, Vivian Hats Welcome! Blumstein, in our Sisterhood. We hosted the NE District Please mail reservation and check Day on January 30 and it was a wonderful day with (payable to Sisterhood) to Temple, attn. Chai Tea Shabbat services and a luncheon with an interesting panel For info, call Sue Hoffman, 569-6103 or discussion on Interfaith Partners. Our own Lucille Karp Alane Rubel, 295-9583 was one of the panelists. Game Night on January 19 was a huge success, thanks I can’t wait to get dressed up in in large part to Carole Schrager and Mickey Friedman. my “party best” for a Tea Party! More than 50 women enjoyed challenging each other to Name______Phone______mahjong, canasta and scrabble. February brought an evening of Glassware Art. We picked out a piece of glass - Sisterhood Getaway ware such as a wineglass or mug, then painted it while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. February 28 and 29 April 1-3, 2016 brings Trash to Treasures, a great opportunity to clean out your house and then shop for new treasures! Jewish Women and Humor You can never say that Sisterhood women are not Join your sisters for a weekend “ladies!” We will be enjoying “Chai Tea” at Temple on at the Townsend Manor Inn Sunday, March 6 at 1 PM . Sign up now so you can have a “spot of tea” with us. Then we are planning a fun time at For information, please contact Film Night on March 19. What could be better than think - [email protected] ing of the summer, while there’s snow outside! We’ll be watching “The Flamingo Kid” which was filmed in our own backyard at Atlantic Beach. Before you know it, it’s going to be Getaway Weekend. If you have never experienced it, try it, you’ll love it. We go out to Greenport and have a ball while participating in meaningful workshops. Lord and Taylor has another Charity Day on April 6 so you will have another chance to Shop and Save. It’s such a fun day, seeing each other, getting a makeover and getting bargains. We even save on makeup and perfumes. And that same evening, we will be participating with 5 other organizations on a Joint Women’s Seder at Oceanside Jewish Center. Don’t miss this great experience celebrating Passover with Jewish women. Speaking of Passover, join us on Sunday, April 24 at 9:30 AM for a fabulous Passover Brunch, sponsored with the Men’s Club. Take some time to share the holiday with your Temple family. It’s also time for our Spring Clothing Drive. We will be collecting new and gently used items to donate to those less fortunate in the Temple parking lot on Sunday morning, April 10, starting at 9 AM . Save the Date for our famous Sisterhood Spring Dinner on May 19. It’s an event we ALL look forward to. Stay warm and stay safe. ~ Susan Stein

7 Purim Passover April 22 - April 29 March 24 Our tradition teaches us that the Passover Seder is celebrated by the Purim is meant to be a learning experience for children of all reading of the Scroll of Esther, known in Hebrew as the ages, from 1 - 100. Our questions are more important that Megillat Esther, which relates the basic story of Purim. the answers. As you prepare to sit around the Seder table, Under the rule of King Ahashuerus, Haman, the King’s we’d like to offer you some additional questions to help prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of connect the past, present, and future of our Passover Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin traditions. Mordechai, who ultimately save the Jews of the land from What is your chametz ? As we prepare for Passover we destruction. The reading of the megillah is typically a get rid of anything that contains chametz - any food prod - rowdy affair, punctuated by booing and noise-making uct made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or their when Haman’s name is read aloud. derivatives, which has leavened (risen) - and traditionally Purim is an unusual holiday in many respects. First, we abstain from chametz throughout Passover. Actual Esther is the only Book of the Bible in which God is not chametz is relatively easy to identify. What chametz in mentioned. Second, Purim, like Chanukah, is viewed tra - your spiritual life are you going to clean out this year? ditionally as a minor festival, but elevated to a major hol - What are our plagues? We read in the Haggadah that iday as a result of the Jewish historical experience. Over God sent 10 plagues upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians to the centuries, Haman became the embodiment of every convince them to let the Israelites go. What are our con - anti-Semite in every land where Jews were oppressed. temporary Plagues that are reminding us to cherish our The significance in Purim lies not so much in how it freedom and make sure more people are free? began, but in what it has become - a thankful and joyous What enslaves you? Each year at the Passover Seder we affirmation of Jewish survival against all odds. read that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. One of the central purposes of the Seder is to remember what it (reformjudaism.org/calendar/purim-1) means to be enslaved. What enslaves you today? What is your matzah? The Israelites had to pack to leave Egypt at a moments notice without time to bake bread and let it rise. What is the most essential to you today - what would you be taking with you? The Youth Corner Why? In this day and age, living in a world of seemingly Spring is just around the corner and endless choices, what are your reasons for celebrating with it comes warmer weather. But things Passover in a world of choice? are also heating up for youth programs (reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/passover/passover-ques - events! tions-whole-family) We’re getting ready for this year’s Purim events on Wednesday, March 23, with a shpiel and party! Registration is currently open for the NFTY67 Youth Kallah, open to 6 th and 7 th graders. This year’s event will be at URJ Kutz Camp on April 1-3. Two weeks later is the NFTY-NAR Spring Kallah at Eisner Camp, April 15-17. Early bird registration ends March 17 so be sure to sign up to get the best rate! The spring Kallah is a special event as it is open to teens in grades 8-12. Partial list of services offered: Look out for information about our ONESY Shul-In, • Support Groups happening May 13-14. • Information and Referral Services Temple Am Echad Youth Programs are open to all • Short-Term Counseling students in grades 8-12. We would love to see you come to some of our events. Check the weekly e-blasts for more Confidentially contact: information or contact me via e-mail Pamela Lerner, RLCSW, Director of Social Work at the [email protected]. Friedberg JCC: ~ Jared Berry [email protected] or 516-634-4010

8 Mazel Tov! Merit Scholarships It’s time for Justin Comack to become a Temple Am Echad offers its Bar Mitzvah! Justin will be called to the youth various merit scholarships made avail - Torah on Saturday, March 19, much to the joy able each year through the generosity of Temple of his parents, Randi & Brian Comack, and families. You may apply for more than one scholarship. To his brother, Harry. His very proud grandpar - be considered for a scholarship, you must submit an appli - ents, Doris & Mack Hoffeld and Renee & cation to the Scholarship committee. The committee must Joel Comack, will also be there to celebrate receive all applications by Friday, April 29 . this important occasion. • LOUIS GANZ SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a student Justin is a seventh grader at Lynbrook South Middle entering or studying at the Hebrew Union College. School. He enjoys running, playing baseball, wrestling, and • LILLIAN GOLDSTEIN SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to spending time with friends and family. He also enjoys music Temple Am Echad confirmand or one who is enrolled in and currently attends The School of Rock in Rockville our High School and has given outstanding service to Centre. His favorite subjects are social studies and math. Temple by involvement in the primary grades of our Justin hopes to live a successful and healthy lifestyle. He Religious School. would like to continue running and run a half marathon one • MATTHEW KARP MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP is day. He would also like to continue to be creative, help the awarded to an upper school student who is a regular par - environment and do charity work for sick children. ticipant in and has demonstrated a continuing commitment to our Temple Youth Program. Kira Grossman will become a Bat • S. LOUIS MIREL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP is Mitzvah on Saturday, April 2! Celebrating this awarded to a confirmand of our Temple who is pursuing a special occasion with her will be her very course in Judaic studies at an accredited college or univer - proud parents, Shari Braverman & Michael sity any place in the world, either taking a major or minor Grossman, and her sister, Julia. Kira’s grand - or Rabbinic Studies or, at the discretion of the Scholarship parents, Judi & Richard Braverman and Jane Committee, taking at least two courses of Judaic studies. & Arthur Grossman, are so excited to be there to support her on this momentous day. Kira is in the seventh grade at Woodmere Middle Camp Grants School. She is a high honor roll student who recently was selected as a winner of the school’s History Fair and a winner of the school’s Science Fair. Kira enjoys running on the school cross-country team and playing on the school basketball team. Kira also enjoys playing lacrosse, playing the flute, ice skating and playing with her dog, Reese. The Scholarship Committee also offers financial Kira would like to become an attorney or an archaeol - assistance to the young people of our Temple for their par - ogist and travel the world. She hopes that a cure for cancer ticipation at various camps and summer programs spon - is found someday soon. sored by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). We urge you to consider and apply to these camps and then apply for Alexis Mia Samelson is becoming a Bat grants to programs such as Camp Eisner, Crane Lake, Mitzvah on Saturday, April 9! Her very proud Camp Kutz or trips to Israel sponsore by the North parents, Tara & Jordon Samelson, and her sib - American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). lings, Hailey and Chase, are excited for this The application must be completed and returned to the special day. And her grandparents, Nancy & Temple office no later than April 29. A separate application Gary Peters, Wendy & Michael Schoenfeld should be filled out for each program. Applications and and Lois & Martin Samelson, along with her brochures for URJ Camps are available in the Temple great-grandparents, Paula & Adam Neuman-Nowicki, will office. These grants are made possible through the Helen all be there to support and celebrate with her. and Sam Hoffberg Religious School and Youth Scholarship Alexis is in the seventh grade at Lynbrook South Fund, Men’s Club, Sisterhood and individual donations and Middle School. She loves to dance and perform. She is part contributions. of a competition team. She also enjoys skiing. Her favorite Applications for Merit Scholarships and Camp subject in school is math. Alexis hopes to attend college Grants are available in the Temple office. Questions and become a doctor or lawyer. She hopes that one day may be directed to Julie Eden or Pat Glass, there will be a cure for cancer. co-chairs of the Scholarship Committee. 9 Saperstein/Bernstein Religious & Hebrew School The following article was written by our we can donate used clothing, we can plant trees for Tu 6th grade students in the Religious and B’Shevat, and we can give tzedakah . We should remember Hebrew School. This article reflects part what Abraham Joshua Heschel said to do and “take a leap of our 6th grade curriculum where of action.” We can all help improve the world. students study the importance of Jewish values. Here they have focused on an individual who has emphasized these val - ues striving to make the world a better place. Research was done through a variety of sources including books, discussions and iPads/Internet. A special thank you to the 6th grade teachers, Jenny Eckers and Michelle Karfinkel, for leading this group of students. ~ Melanie Schoenberger

Abraham Joshua Heschel Helped Encourage Tikkun Olam By the Sixth Grade

Can you make a difference in the world? Yes, every - The 3rd Selma Civil Rights March. one can. It all starts with Tikkun Olam . Pictured here are John Lewis; an unidentified nun; Tikkun Olam means “to fix or heal the world.” A man Ralph Abernathy; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Ralph named Abraham Joshua Heschel encouraged people to do Bunche; Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel; Frederick Tikkun Olam . Heschel was a big inspiration to other peo - Douglas Reese. ple. Heschel was a professor and an author. He was also Heschel later wrote, “When I marched in Selma, my someone who protested injustice in a nonviolent way. feet were praying.” Heschel marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, Alabama to protest how blacks were being treated. However, in a recent movie about Selma, he was not shown marching in the front with Martin Luther King, Jr. Why is this a big deal, you may ask? It is a big deal because people should know that Jews participated in the Social Action Civil Rights Movement and that Heschel encouraged them and others to take action and improve the world. Abraham Temple Am Echad Activists ! Joshua Heschel said, “A Jew is asked to take a leap of Now that Spring is coming, it is time action rather than a leap of faith.” Many Jews who lived in to collect Passover Provisions for our the South were afraid that their synagogues would get neighbors in need. Boxes will be in bombed or their businesses would be boycotted if they Temple’s lobby awaiting your donations of protested in the Civil Rights Movement but many Jews Passover nonperishable food. Please give generously and still participated. let’s join together to enable all to be able to partake in this Martin Luther King believed that Heschel’s speeches holiday. encouraged religious leaders to join the Civil Rights The boxes will be in the lobby until April 15. Movement. Heschel said, “By whatever we do, by every It is not too early to think about our last fundraiser of act we carry out, we either . . . reduce or enhance the power the year that will be the walk to support the Sunrise of evil.” He also said, “We must continue to remind our - Camp. It will be held on June 5. selves that in a free society, all are involved in what some Thanks for all of your generosity. are doing. Some are guilty, all are responsible.” These ~ Jean Marion powerful quotes explain how he encouraged people to heal or fix the world. For example, if one person pollutes, they are guilty and we might even think that they should clean it up. But everyone may get sick, so we all need to help Come Grow With Us clean it up. Another example would be instead of using money on something you want, you should spend it on get - ting food and water for people that need it. We can recycle,

10 daddy; Tyler - Tickle my sister to make her happy; Warren Early Childhood Happenings - I like sharing with Wyatt. One of the main goals of the Early Childhood Center The class is reminded of this wonderful concept dur - is to provide each child with basic knowledge of Judaism ing story time, playtime and at home too! We hope to fill through age-appropriate hands-on experiences relating to our buckets to the brim all year long. each holiday. We include stories, traditions, music, craft We are looking forward to spring time and all the projects and, of course, food. wonderful activities. Please come visit and see our Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day, marks the “new program in action! year of trees.” This is the season in which the earliest ~ Barbara Goodman, Director blooming trees in Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. To celebrate, the children created projects of beautiful flowering trees and spoke about the many things that trees provide. The culmination Caring Community of the holiday was the opportunity to taste a variety of “Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun fruits that grow on trees. from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies The next Jewish holiday to be celebrated in March is blanket our thoughts.” (Dodinsky) Purim. While making Purim costumes and crowns, the children will sing songs about all of the characters from Each Friday night the Temple Am Echad Shushan. Baking hamantashen, putting together Shalach bimah is adorned with beautiful flowers, Manot baskets, listening to stories about Queen Esther and sometimes sponsored by congregants cele - Mordecai, and designing groggers to use against Haman brating special occasions. Ever wonder what are just a few of the Purim activities the children will happens to them afterwards? engage in. A group of 24 volunteers, coordinated by Edie Mandel, Following Purim will be the arrival of Passover. The brings them to local nursing homes in the community: children will be learning the dramatic story of the struggle Oceanside Care Center, Grand Pavilion for Rehabilitation & for freedom through pictures, stories and song, all in an Nursing in RVC, Rockville Skilled Nursing in RVC, age-appropriate manner. As a result, the children will learn Woodmere Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, and how the Jewish people were freed from being slaves in Lynbrook Restorative Therapy & Nursing. Since so many Egypt. In all of the Early Childhood classes, the children congregants participate in this mitzvah, each person has the will prepare Haggadahs, Seder plates, afikoman bags, cups responsibility of transporting the flowers only once a semes - for Elijah and matzoh covers. To culminate this special ter. Edie prepares a schedule and rotation, and then she holiday, the two-year-old classes will have a special class sends out weekly reminders. Seder, and the 3 and 4 year-old classes will have a joint Some of the nursing homes divide the huge bouquets Seder led by Rabbi Bellush. into smaller groupings that are placed in common rooms and In addition to our Judaic curriculum, the teachers in patients’ rooms. Other nursing homes leave the big bouquets the ECC focus on character building. Thanks to Barbara intact. Most of the inhabitants of the homes are elderly peo - Alster, one of our Early Childhood chair people, the staff ple in wheelchairs or on walkers, and they positively beam was introduced to the curriculum “How to Fill Your when the flowers arrive. Bucket.” The Pre-K class of Mrs. Navasaitis, Mrs. Mason, The volunteers pick up the flowers during the weekend Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Romanelli and Mrs. Wyndham learned whenever it is convenient and bring them to the homes. If all about being Bucket Fillers! They learned how to fill there’s a holiday or a bar or bat mitzvah, the flowers are their buckets with good deeds and kind words. They then picked up afterwards. One congregant volunteered because painted tiny plastic cups and these are the words they put she wanted to bring her young son with her so they could into them: Averi - I help people feel better; Addison - I like share the experience of helping people. The task takes less to say, “I love you” to my mom; Andrew - I like to listen than an hour - a small investment of time for an enormous to my friends; Anthony - Be nice to my friends; Asher - feeling of a job well done. Edie notes, “It’s a simple “mitz - Say “thank you” to your friends; Ava Marie - Share my vah” that brings brightness and joy to toys with whoever doesn’t have any; Dominick - Say “I the residents and their families.” love you” to mommy and daddy; Eva - I like to say “I love If you are interested in joining this you;” Isabella - I like to be nice to my mom and grandma; group, contact Edie at 516-887-7633 or John - I play with my toys to make mommy happy; Kylie [email protected] . - I like to share toys; Lucia - Listen to your friends; Max - ~ Elyse Trevers I like cleaning up with my sister; Ryan - I like using nice words; Sailor - I like to say “thank you” to mommy and

11 Todah Rabah ~ Thank You GENERAL FUND Denise Schwartz Jennifer Barna NAME: IN MEMORY OF: Martin Sicular Solomon Sicular Barbara & Bruce Alster Gertrude Alster Bruce Silverman Anita Miller Shirley Barbanel Greta Eisenfeld, Ida Eisenfeld Florence Steiger Aaron Steiger/Feed the Hungry Rhonda & Richard Barsel Adam Barsal, Harvey Good Carolyn Stein Danielle Newman Sylvia Bernstein Mollie Beitel/Feed the Hungry Marvin Tankel Toby Tankel Martin Bernstein Mildred Mendelson Leonard Ullman Beatrice Ullman, Sol Avnet, Ellen & Steve Blaustein Danielle Newman Tillie Avnet, Adolf Ullman, Virginia Boockvar Herman Boockvar, Edward Saskin Katie Ullman, Muriel Kritzer, Amy Chrein Gladys Tannenbaum Jessie Kritzer Warren Cooper Edna Weiner Edith Weinstein Joseph Schwartz Molly Curtis Gerald Curtis, Estelle Cormack Susan Weiss Sylvia Sprung, Ruth Weiss Iris Dorfman Leah Kelly Arline Wetreich Ross Wetreich, Gustave Wetreich Marvin Edelstein Judith Wachtel Roberta Zaslansky Ruth Bine Peter Farkas Leopold Farkas IN HONOR OF: Mel Frenkel Moritz Frenkel Barbara & Bruce Alster Alisa Reich*/Feed the Hungry Phyllis Frenkel Morton Stein, Daniel Stern Anonymous Ronnie & Marc Bendeth, Joan Frischling Reginald Frischling Installation Chairs Beverlee & Roy Garcia Cory Garcia, Charles David Bernstein Richard Berman Adult Education Seymour Gartenberg Anna B. Gartenberg, Anna C. Gartenberg Judy & Al Bernstein Susan & William Stein’s Peggy Grosman Myer D. Grosman Granddaughter’s wedding Sandra Guttentag George Guttentag Pearl & Jeffrey Greenfield Jack Roger’s Bar Mitzvah Aileen Hallow Bernard Hallow Greta & Paul Kantrowitz Al Bernstein*, Toby Stone* Leona Hilton Allen Hilton Deb LaFrance Caring Community Sheila & Stanley Hyman Ellen Himmelstein, Jason Plotkin Stan & Terry Lieber Temple Am Echad Leland Jacob Stanley Jacob Fay Messner Pat Glass/Feed The Hungry Jean Kirschen Celia Goldberg/Feed The Hungry Jess Osterer Feed the Hungry Enid R. Klein & Family Harriet G. Klein Arliene & Michael Reich Roberta & Marty Zaslansky’s Roslyn & Joel Kramer Danielle Newman Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah/ Jill & Stuart Krueger Irving Krueger, Jimmy Krueger Feed the Hungry Isabelle Krueger, Esther Davidson Edith & Stanley Sheidlower Phyllis Gartenberg Faith Leicht Max Ehrlich Carolyn Stein Stephen Miller’s Birthday Francine Levine Philip Fleischer/ Feed the Hungry, Murray Dolgov PRAYER BOOK FUND Ira Levy The Levy Family IN MEMORY OF: Claire Lipkin Ida Perlman, Barry Lipkin Rosalie Machalow Doris Slifkin Ann Liss Arthur Greenfield Peter Liss Seymour Liss SCHOLARSHIP FUND Laurie & Jerry Lucks Charles Lucks IN MEMORY OF: Jill Mandel Martin Kirschenbaum Harriet & Michael Dikman Leo Dikman Fay Messner Dora & Charles Friedman/ Gloria Haister Frances Ginsburg Feed The Hungry Barbara Stern Charles Saperstein Elsie Mosler Peter Rosenberg Rebecca Stern Elsie & David Napell Kate Napell The Storch Family Joseph Benroubi Carole Neely Alfred Light June Wollman Jodi-Ann Wollman Marge Nordell Lena Zirinsky/Feed The Hungry Randi Wollman Jodi-Ann Wollman Alan Nussbaum Henrietta Edna Nussbaum IN HONOR OF: David Penn Miriam Penn Sandy & Gene Alexander Elliot & Bonnie Yakov Perper Ella Veksler Nirenberg’s Granddaughter Sheila & Lenny Plotkin Danielle Newman Pat & Stu Glass Barbara & Bob Wortman’s Sima & Ronald Pomerantz Samuel Pomerantz Grandchild Helene Pomerantz RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Arliene & Michael Reich Lenore Kramer/Feed the Hungry IN MEMORY OF: Alane Marks Rubel Edwin Marks Blanche Beckmann Albert Beckmann Ken Rubel Walter Rubel Pearl Cande Lena Lupowitz Phyllis Schaffer Shepherd Schaffer/Feed The Hungry Shari Cooper & Family Tobie Howard Carole & Dave Schrager Gabriel Cohen, Avrum Schrager

12 Steven Hoffman Paula Hoffman Barbara Kornfeld David Kornfeld

TIKKUN HABAYIT Torah Portions IN MEMORY OF: March 2016 Sheila & Alan Nussbaum Harold Nussbaum Saul Rabinoff Shabbat, March 4/5 – 25 Adar I IN HONOR OF: Ronnie & Marc Bendeth Roberta & Marty Zaslansky’s Shabbat Shekalim, Parashat Vayak’heil Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah, Exodus 35:1-38:20 Toby Stone*, Al Bernstein* Haftarah: II Kings 12:5-16 Alan & Sheila Nussbaum Toby Stone* Shabbat, March 11/12 – 2 Adar II Greissman’s Wedding Parashat P’kudei, Exodus 38:21-40:38 TORAH PROJECT Haftarah: I Kings 7:51-8:21 IN MEMORY OF: Shabbat, March 18/19 – 9 Adar II Ronnie & Marc Bendeth Roselle Elfenbein’s Husband Shabbat Zachor, Parashat Vayikra IN HONOR OF: Leviticus 1:1-5:26 Ronnie & Marc Bendeth Eva Lewin’s Birthday, Haftarah: Esther 7:1-10, 8:15-17 Miriam Fine*, Ken Rubel* *Well Wishes Shabbat, March 25/26 – 16 Adar II Parashat Tzav Leviticus 6:1-8:36 Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23

Condolences: APRIL 2016 Judy Farkas on the passing of her brother, Walter Wiener. Shabbat April 1 / 2 – 23 Adar II Barbara Kornfeld on the passing of her husband, Shabbat Parah, Parashat Sh’mini David. Leviticus 9:1-11:47 Get Well Wishes: Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:22-36 Peter Liss Shabbat, April 8/9 – 1 Nisan Toby Stone Shabbat Hachodesh, Parashat Tazria Jonathan Wolfsohn Leviticus 12:1-13:59 Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-25 “HATZILU” MEANS RESCUE Shabbat, April 15/16 – 8 Nisan Shabbat HaGadol, Parashat Metzora Hatzilu provides food, finan - cial aid, social work intervention Leviticus 14:1-15:33 and assistance, and emotional Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24 support to needy Jews in the Nassau County area. It runs Shabbat, April 22/23 – 15 Nisan the largest Kosher food pantry on Long Island and needs Pesach Begins at Sunset on April 22 donations of money and food items such as cold cereals, Song of Songs is read canned fish, canned fruit, just to name a few examples. Please make every effort to join us in supporting this Special Reading for Pesach worthwhile organization by bringing in your non-perish - Exodus 12:37-42, 13:3-10 able food items. Haftarah: Isaiah 43:1-15 Shabbat, April 29/30 – 22 Nisan 7th Day of Pesach is April 29 Celebrate a Special Occasion Torah Portion—Exodus 14:30-15:21 Haftarah—II Samuel 22:1-51 Sponsor the Bimah Flowers Parashat Acharei Mot or a Friday night Leviticus 16:1-17:16 Oneg Shabbat Haftarah—Ezekiel 22:1-14 Call Laney Honig at 481-7150

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ACCOUNTING, TAX SERVICES & FINANCIAL STRATEGIES JONATHAN WOLFSOHN, MBA | CFP | EA | ATA | TAP President 352 Seventh Avenue, Suite 703 New York, NY 10001 153 Broadway Lynbrook, NY 11563 t: 516.887.7380 f: 516.599.8621 1175 W. Broadway Hewlett, NY 11557 [email protected] www.wolfsohn.biz Telephone: 374-4444 Fax: 374-4445 Wall’s Bake Shop

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14 TEMPLE AM ECHAD CALENDAR MARCH 2016 ~ A DAR I/A DAR II 5776 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Feb 28 Feb 29 1 2 3 4 5 9:30 AM AM 9:30 K-7 10 AM Trash to 4:30 PM 4-6 Gd. 10:15 AM Zumba 10 AM SSSH gp. 5:33 PM Tot Shabbat Religious School Treasures 6:15 7th grade & 12:30 PM Madrichim 2 PM Chai School Feed the Hungry . 12 PM ONESY Temple Tots 6:30 PM Shabbat Board Meeting 7 PM BINGO Dinner with RS 12 PM Trash to 7:30 PM 7:30 PM Treasures Sis. Exec. Board Sis. Board 6:30 PM Temple 7 PM Shabbat Meeting Meeting Challah Bake Family Service

6 7 8 9 10 11 5:40 PM 12 9:30 AM K-7 2 PM 4:30 PM 4-6 Gd. 10:15 AM Zumba 10 AM SSSH gp. 9:30 AM Religious School Temple Tots 6:15 7th grade & Torah Study Madrichim Chai School 12:30 PM 10:30 AM 10:30 AM Salon Feed the Hungry Learner’s Service 11:45 AM Purim Shpiel Rehearsal 6:30 PM Men’s 7:30 PM Adult Ed 7:30 PM 1 PM Sisterhood Club Dinner “Vatican and the Sis. Book Review PM 7 PM Men’s Club Chai Tea 7 PM BINGO 7 Film Comm. Holocaust” The Nightingale 8 PM Shabbat Bowling Mtg. Service

13 AM 14 15 16 17 18 19 9:30 K-7 2 PM 6:48 PM 10 AM PM AM 10 AM SSSH gp. Religious Schl Temple Tots 4:30 4-6 Gd. 10:15 Zumba Bar Mitzvah of Madrichim 6:15 7th grade & Justin Comack Caring Comm Chai School 12:30 PM Bakes 7:15 PM Feed the Hungry 12 PM ONESY Caregivers 7:30 PM Board Meeting Support group Choir Rehearsal 7 PM 1 PM Film Series 7:30 PM Sis. 8 PM 7 PM BINGO 8 PM Shabbat Sis. Movie Night “Touchdown Rosh Chodesh Admin Meeting “Flamingo Kid” Israel” Service

20 2 P1 M 22 23 24 25 6:55 PM 26 9:30 AM K-7 PURIM 9:30 AM Temple Tots 12:30 PM Religious School 4:30 PM 4-6 Gd. Torah Study Feed the Hungry AM Madrichim 6:15 7th grade & 10 SSSH gp. Caring Comm ONESY prog. 6 PM Purim PM wks with Rel Sch 7:30 Palooza Dinner 10 AM Spring 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 7 PM Megillah PM B’nai Mitzvah Mtg Sis. Exec. Bd. 8 7 PM BINGO Reading & 8 PM Shabbat 11:45 AM Purim 8 PM Men’s Club Temple Board Shpiel Service Shpiel Rel Sch Board Meeting Meeting 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 NO RELIGIOUS 7:03 PM PM 4:30 PM 4-6 Gd. 12:30 PM 10 AM SSSH gp. SCHOOL 2 10 AM 6:15 7th grade & Feed the Hungry Temple Tots Bat Mitzvah of Chai School Kira Grossman 7:30 PM Lesser Known Women of the 7 PM Family 7 PM BINGO 7:30 PM Hebrew Bible Shabbat Service Sis. Bd. Meeting

15 Temple Am Echad’s Community 2nd Night Seder Saturday, April 23 Led by Rabbi Sandra Bellush & Cantor Jerry Korobow Havdallah Service at 6 PM All Are Welcome! Enjoy a Traditional Family-style, Kosher-style Meal Reserve by Tuesday, April 12

For more information and reservation forms, contact Temple Office at 593-4004

Gospel Shabbat BINGO is helping Friday, April 8 at the Temple. 8 PM Join us for our annual We need you to help celebration of Reform Judaism’s commitment to social BINGO!! justice and the civil rights movement at this special musical Shabbat service. We’ll share upbeat liturgical Volunteer one Monday night a month and music, contemporary gospel and traditional, classic spiri - make a difference! tuals sung by Cantor Korobow, our volunteer choir and guest artists, The Voices of Victory , under the direction of Please email David Penn at Nigel Gretton, from St. John’s University. [email protected]

Temple Am Echad: A thriving home for Reform Judaism on the South Shore of Long Island

THE BULLETIN NON-PROFIT ORG. A M ONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF TEMPLE AM ECHAD 2nd Class Temple Office Phone: (516) 593-4004 PAID www.am-echad.org • e-mail: [email protected] Permit #537-900 Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism Lynbrook, NY 11563 Rabbi Sandra M. Bellush Jerry Korobow, Cantor Irene Drantch, Executive Director Melanie Schoenberger, Principal Barbara Goodman, Early Childhood Center Director Dr. Stuart M. Geller, Rabbi Emeritus Harold Saperstein, z”l, Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Abram VosenGoodman, z”l

OFFICERS Lisa Burch ...... President Donna Levy ...... Finance Vice President Greta Kantrowitz ...... Membership Vice President Bruce Silverman ...... Treasurer Larry Diamond ...... Assistant Treasurer Jack Gingold ...... Financial Secretary Pat Glass ...... Recording Secretary Susan Stein ...... Sisterhood President Steve Honig/Bill Stein ...... Men’s Club Presidents Matthew Panzer ...... ONESY President

Editors: Judy Bernstein, Susan Lukaske

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