Melrose B'nai Israel Emanu-El
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Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El A Conservative congregation, traditional and egalitarian, dedicated to perpetuating Judaism by supporting the religious, educational, social, and cultural life of our community. Volume LXI, Number 1 Elul-Tishrei, 5779-5780 Fall, 2019 WHY MELROSE WORKS by Rabbi Charles S. Sherman Over the last few years Melrose B’nai tradition and rituals that for centuries have provided Israel Emanu-El has experienced meaning to the Jewish people. Melrose understands significant growth. I know there are simply because something was “yesterday” doesn’t lots of reasons – our move to the mean it is irrelevant. We are dedicated to maintaining Old York Road corridor, an inviting as much as possible this celebrated and sacred past, space, the demographics of the while at the same time engaging the present. community, and a growing number While acknowledging our beautiful past and present, of people searching for a place to call “home.” we also look to the future. I am so excited to be with Digging deeper I think something else is happening my colleague, Cantor Stephen Freedman, for the Holy here. In my opinion, part of the reason for our growth Days, Festivals and selected Shabbatot. I am always is that we are providing an authentic response to many thrilled to meet new people coming to Melrose. I am so people who are uprooted spiritually. There is a certain proud and honored to be the rabbi of Melrose and comfort level in allowing the past – the liturgy, words, especially proud when people tell me how welcoming melodies, rituals and ceremonies – to inform the our community is and how friendly and warm. And present and the future. that warmth has made new people want to return time The sameness brings a level of comfort to many of and time again. us. There is a peace that comes with the continuity – My prayer for you and for me this year is a wish that knowing that the prayers we say, the words we recite, there be much in all of us: the grace, the elegance of the songs we sing, are the same or very similar to what mind, the loveliness of spirit, the rich capacity for love our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents uttered. and friendship; the heightened sense of empathy and I grew up in Philadelphia. My neighborhood, D and the eagerness to celebrate. the Boulevard, was home to a traditional conservative synagogue, B’rith Israel, where my family belonged. And even though it is no longer a synagogue, to this day when I drive down the Boulevard and I see the building, I pine for those days. I don’t think it’s just hollow nostalgia. I can still hear the voice of the cantor, the sound of the shofar; I can remember the faces of my friends who would stand on the front steps of the synagogue, people wishing each other “Gut Yontif.” Many of you, I imagine, understand my feelings and have your own warm memories of the synagogue you grew up in. While Melrose can’t recapture your synagogue of yesterday, we remain committed to (The Table of Contents for this issue can be found on the back cover.) President’s Report congregants who tirelessly give of themselves to our synagogue family. With this honor, we recognize their What an exciting time to start my term as President of unconditional service and commitment. Allen and Linda our congregation! There is much to share as we look ahead. utilize their professional resources as publishers to design We are delighted to welcome our new members – 60 as the posters, flyers and slides that promote our events so of this writing and counting! Many very well. Alan Berson spearheaded our enviable adult already participate in services and have education program for many years and now has graciously attended our summer events. Their taken over Len Cohen’s position as Minyan Chair, assuring energy and enthusiasm are contagious. that Morning Minyan continues as it always has at MBIEE. It has been a pleasure getting to know In celebration of Jewish Book Month, on Monday each of them. They bring to us a new evening, November 11, we are proud to present acclaimed perspective and fresh ideas. We look American-Israeli Modern Orthodox author, Naomi Ragen. forward to learning from and growing Among numerous others, her novels include, Jephte’s with them as we move forward. Daughter, The Sisters Weiss, and Sotah. Don’t miss this Our “little shul with the big heart” has introduced opportunity to hear her speak about her latest book, An Cantor Stephen Freedman to our community with two very Unorthodox Match (available for sale that evening). A special events following the jubilant Kabbalat Shabbat/ recurring theme in her fiction is injustice against women in Ma’ariv services he conducted with Rabbi Sherman. We the Haredi community. Mark your calendar! This is her filled the house each time! The celebration continued at exclusive appearance in the Philadelphia area as she tours both a Friday Night Light dinner in July and lavish dessert the East Coast. Details are forthcoming! reception in August where we had the opportunity to I am grateful to a dedicated Executive Committee: individually welcome to our MBIEE family the Cantor and Immediate Past President, Ron Goldman; Vice Presidents, his lovely wife, Randy. David Berd, Rebecca Gellman, Sharon Sussman; Treasurer/ How fortunate we are to have him for Selichot, the High Acting Financial Secretary, Jay Rigberg; Secretary, Gene Holidays and select Shabbatot and festivals throughout the Rifkind; Presidents of Sisterhood and Men’s Club, Helene year. He radiates warmth and the joy of Judaism as he leads Katz, Margo Kuno, Ben Burrows, Mitchell Pinsly. We met us so beautifully in prayer. We are especially excited about through the summer and are tackling serious issues the dynamic collaboration between Rabbi Sherman and concerning security and financial sustainability in addition to Cantor Freedman. The High Holiday services promise to discussing programs, classes and special events we are proud be both enlightening and uplifting. to offer. What we discuss and the conclusions reached are To start off the New Year, on Tuesday, September 24 at then brought before the Board of Directors who 7:30 pm, MBIEE is proud to host comedy sensation, Avi thoughtfully review each issue. Under the guidance of Liberman. A documentary about his charitable endeavors in Mitchell Pinsly, we have been working on a security Israel, “The Land of Milk and Funny,” is being screened in protocol to be put in place before the High Holidays. A Philadelphia the Sunday before his appearance. In addition congregational meeting will take place to inform our to performing in clubs around the United States and on TV, community of the plan. For everyone’s comfort and Avi designed his comedy tours to serve as fundraisers for convenience, we offer this year valet parking. If interested, Israel, most notably in support of the Koby Mandell please call the office for details. Foundation. He has created emissaries for Israel by Indeed, these are exciting times at MBIEE! I am introducing Black and Latino comedians throughout the honored to be your President. It has only been two country. Please plan to join us and invite your family and months. Yet look at all that is happening! But stayed tuned. friends. Be prepared for a wildly entertaining evening! This We’ve only just begun! program is generously supported by the Lewis Lisman On behalf of the Executive Committee and Board of Distinguished Speakers Series. Directors, I wish you a year of fulfillment, meaning, peace For Selichot this year, we are presenting a most and happiness. inspirational and provocative program: Dylan and Rader, A Bob joins me in wishing you and your family Shanah Boy and His Dog. Jaime Rosenman Gordon will speak Tovah U’Metukah! about her young son Dylan, whose autism rendered him nearly noncommunicative. His life changed profoundly by Shalom, Fran interaction with Rader, his service dog. As each of us individually ponders the meaning of the New Year, this family’s story of hope under trying circumstances is both heartening and empowering. That evening as well, we present the LES Award to Allen and Linda Herman and Alan Berson, three Page 2 The Shofar Volume LXI, Number 1 October 2019—Tishrei-Chesvan 5780 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sept. 29 Elul (29) Sept. 30 Tishrei 1 (2) . (3) (4) (5) (6) 1 2 3 4 5 6:45am Minyan 7:00am Minyan 9:15am Services-Vayelech Erev Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah I Rosh Hashanah II Fast of Gedaliah 7:00am Minyan 5:45pm Kabbalat Shabbat 6:20pm Minhaj, Maariv, see High Holiday schedule) 8:45am Minyan 7:00pm Executive Candles 6:20pm Havdalah Committee 6 (7) 7 (8) 8 (9) 9 (10) 10 (11) 11 (12) 12 (13) 8:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan Erev Yom Kippur Yom Kippur 7:00am Minyan 9:15am Services-Ha’azinu 9:30am Decorate Sukkah 7:00pm Mah Jong See High Holiday 6:45am Minyan 5:45pm Kabbalat Shabbat 6:10pm Minhaj, Maariv, schedule Candles 6:09pm Havdalah, 13 (14) 14 (15) 15 (16) 16 (13) 17 (18) 18 (19) 19 (20) Erev Sukkot Sukkot I Sukkot II Hol Ha’Moed Hol Ha’Moed Hol Ha’Moed Hol Ha’Moed 8:45am Minyan See High Holiday 6:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan 9:15am Services Schedule 7:00pm Board Meeting 6:00pm Congregational 6:00pm Minhaj, Maariv, Dinner Havdalah Candles 5:59pm 20 (21) 21 (22) 22 (23) 23 (20) 24 (25) 25 (26) 26 (27) Hoshanah Rabbah Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah 7:00am Minyan 7:00am Minyan 9:15am Services-Bereishit 8:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan 5:45pm Kabbalat Shabbat 5:50pm Minhaj, Maariv, Candles 5:49pm Havdalah 27 (28) 28 (29) 29 (30) 30 Chesvan 1 31 (2) November 1 (3) November 2(4) 7:00am Minyan 8:45am Minyan 6:45am Minyan Rosh Hodesh Chesvan Rosh Hodesh Chesvan 6:45am Minyan 9:15am Services-Noach 5:45pm Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00pm Mah Jong 7:00am Minyan 7:00am Minyan 5:45pm Minhaj, Maariv, Candles 5:40pm 9:45am Atlantic City trip Havdalah 7:00pm Talmud Class Anniversaries, Birthdays, Mazel Tovs September Francine & Bruce Levin.