Vassar Temple Where You Belong

Congregation Brethren of Founded 1848 - Bulletin Volume 164, No. 12 October 2018

רֵבָח ָךְל הֵנְקּו ,בַר ָךְל הֵׂשֲע

Find yourself a rabbi; acquire for yourself a friend. Upcoming Events Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Sages) 1:6 October 7 Lunch Box, p. 5 ~ 12 , p. 4 14 Tiny Temple, p. 6 Please join us to celebrate the installation of 14 CROPWalk, p. 7 18 Chai Noon Lunch, p. 6 Rabbi Renni S. Altman, DD 18 Book Club, p. 7 28 Rummage Sale, p. 7 Friday, October 19, 2018 28 Sisterhood Opening, p. 6 ~ 6:00 pm ~ Congregational Happy Hour enjoy a delicious buffet, wine and non-alcoholic beverages 7:30 pm ~ Installation Shabbat Service Save the Date With Rabbi Altman, Cantorial Intern Ilana Goldman and organist Joseph Bertolozzi Vassar Temple Gala 2018 Guest Speaker: Rabbi Jerome K. Davidson Poughkeepse Tennis Club Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Beth-El of Great Neck Sunday, November 4, 2018 National Coordinator of Leadership Initiatives, Hebrew Union College - Look for your invitation Jewish Institute of Religion in the mail Followed by festive oneg dessert reception Happy Hour and oneg hosted by the Board of Trustees and Rabbi Search Committee, sponsored by Vassar Temple Sisterhood

Please RSVP for Happy Hour to [email protected] or 845-454-2570 1 From the Rabbi’s Desk This year, reading. I invite you to join us Shabbat morn- join us for these and other activities we can refer to ings at 9:00am for an hour of learning and as we begin another year in the life at October as “Jew- engaging discussion as we study the weekly Vassar Temple! ish life after the portion. No prior knowledge of the holy days.” With Torah is necessary; all you need to bring is During this month we will also October 1st our yourself and an open heart! recognize another new beginning: our fall festivals draw relationship as rabbi and congrega- to a close with On October 10th, we will celebrate the tion. Friday, Oct. 19th will be a very the observance second month of the Jewish year, Cheshvan. with my Service of of Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah. The month Cheshvan has the unusual distinc- Installation. The installation of a new We will celebrate the completion of tion of being the only month in the calendar religious leader is a practice common another cycle of reading our sacred without a holiday in it. Thus, it earned the in churches which most text, the Torah, and immediately nickname Mar Chesvhan (mar means bitter). have adopted, as well. It is a public begin again at the very start with the Certainly, for rabbis and cantors (and many ritual that formalizes the selection of opening words of Genesis. leaders), Cheshvan is anything but this rabbi as leader of this congrega- mar. We rejoice in this simple month that tion; even more so, it is an affirmation Each year we return to these well- lets us breathe a sigh of relief from Tishrei, a of the brit, the sacred covenant that known stories with new eyes. The month that was overflowing with holy days of exists between a rabbi and her con- foundational stories of creation, of major import. During Cheshvan we get down gregation. I am so honored that my Noah, of our matriarchs and patri- to the basics of daily Jewish life. Without mentor, Rabbi Jerome K. Davidson, archs, enable us to explore the joys other holidays, we can appreciate more deeply with whom I worked so closely both and challenges of human relation- the sweetness of Shabbat, our weekly holiday at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck and ships that we encounter in our daily and day of rest. The children in our religious at the Hebrew Union College – Jew- lives. As we continue to grow, as our school will be able to delve into their core ish Institute of Religion, will be here lives change, as the world around us studies for the year on the themes of Torah, to serve as the installation speaker. I continues to evolve, these ancient Avodah (prayer) and Gemilut Chassadim do hope that many of you will be able stories continue to gain new meaning. (Acts of loving kindness). We as a congrega- to attend as together we celebrate this Indeed, it is another new beginning tion will have a number of opportunities to new chapter in the history of Vassar perform acts of tzedakah in our own commu- Temple which I look forward to writ- As is our custom at Vassar Temple, nity: on Oct 7th we have our first LunchBox of ing with you. we will now move ahead to the third the new year and the next, Sunday, Oct. 14th, year of the triennial cycle of Torah is the annual CropWalk for Hunger. Please Rabbi Renni Altman

President’s Message L’Shana Tovah to an more people to get engaged in the various ac- Fundraising as a priority has led us to amazing congregation! As tivities at the Temple and to bring other people identify that it is critically important that we move into 5779, I want into the mix. I believe activities will bring in we recognize that we need to do effective to share with you my focus new members and retain the members that we fundraising to support the Temple. We for this year at Vassar Temple. have by providing programing that meets ev- are learning more and more the value of I believe that we have four eryone’s needs. Please remember to check our doing a number of smaller fundraisers important priorities: Membership reten- Temple calendar often and watch for the weekly throughout the year that are technically tion, acquisition of new members, social reminder for special events. “fun-raisers.” When congregants are action and fundraising efforts. Through feeling connected and having fun at the these priorities we generate energy, a I begin the year with self-assurance and confi- Temple, they tend to engage others to sense of community and accomplishment dence that this year will be filled with great op- come with them the next time around. for Vassar Temple. We cannot do all of portunities for us. I do recognize that our lives the amazing things that we do without are jammed packed with things that we have to If you have ideas that you would like the countless number of hours that the do, and, I am asking you to engage more if you to share with me, email me at Vassartem- volunteers put into the Temple and com- have been distant, and if you are already on a [email protected] or let me know munity. committee, engage new and seasoned members on Sunday during Religious School when to get involved. Please place Vassar Temple I am available for in person conversation. We have a very strong Member- on your life’s list of priorities. Every time you ship and Engagement Committee that join a committee, volunteer on a social action Thank you for everything you have works hard to bring in new members project, support the Religious School, bring done to support Vassar Temple, and I am and has done a great job attempting to something in for an oneg, you will positively looking forward to seeing you and work- retain members that leave for various impact the environment at Vassar Temple that ing with you this year. L’Shana Tovah! reasons. That said, we do have a strong we have grown to love. vibrant congregation and we really need See you at Temple…Alan Kaflowitz 845-392-8660 2 October Worship Services Scriptural Readings

5th 7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Service with Rabbi Altman and Oct. 6 B’reisheet Genesis 5:1-6:8; organist Joseph Bertolozzi Isaiah 42:5 – 43:10 6th 9:00am 13 Noah Gen. 11:1-32; 10:00am New Paths Service Isaiah 54:1-55:5 12th 7:30 pm Shabbat Noach Service with Rabbi Altman and organist Joseph Bertolozzi 20 Lekh L’kha Gen. 16:1-17:27; 13th 9:00am Torah Study Isaiah 40:27 – 41:16 19th 6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat Happy Hour 27 Vayera Gen. 21-1-22:24; 7:30 pm Shabbat Evening Service and Rabbi Installation II Kings 4:1-37 with Rabbi Altman and organist Joseph Bertolozzi 20th 9:00am Torah Study 10:00am New Paths Service

26th 7:30pm Shabbat Evening Services with Rabbi Altman and Opportunities organist Joseph Bertolozzi 27th 9:00am Torah Study to Sponsor Our Cantorial Musicians

Cantorial students Jenna Mark and Ilana Gold- Meet Rabbi Altman man and Cantor Jacob Niemi will provide cantorial coverage for the High Holy Days and Rabbi Renni Altman joined Vassar near Vassar College on: a number of Shabbat and holiday services this Temple in July. She is continuing to look Thursday, October 11th from 7:00-9:00pm, coming year. for opportunities to connect with our and Sunday, October 21st from 1:00-3:00pm members at services as well as at smaller • Jenna will be our cantorial intern for the get-togethers. If you want to attend one of these events, let Intergenerational Shabbat weekend on Jan. me know. You will enjoy some quality time 25-26. So additional gatherings are being with the Rabbi while enjoying a bit of a • Ilana will be our cantorial intern for a planned by the Membership/Engagement nosh. Space is limited in order to allow for number of post-HHD Friday nights and Committee to take place over the coming thoughtful interactions; we will do our best Fri.-Sat. dates, approximately once a month. months at the homes of members who to accommodate all who are interested in Ilana will be with us on and Simchat have agreed to host the events we are attending. Torah, Rabbi Altman’s Installation service, calling: “At Home with Rabbi Renni Alt- and a number of other dates. man”. We want everyone to participate! Please contact me, Sandra Mamis, by • Cantor Jacob Niemi will join us on the email at [email protected] or phone weekends of Nov. 9-10 (Bar Mitzvah) and The next two scheduled events are both 914-456-3524. Dec. 14-15 (). at homes in the town of Poughkeepsie Please consider helping the Temple defray in- terns’ travel expenses by sponsoring Jenna, Ilana or Jacob for a Friday night or weekend when one of them will be at Vassar Temple. Sponsorship opportunities for many of the 16 Friday evenings and 7 weekends are available for $200 and $350, respectively. Please contact Bob Abrams at [email protected].

3 Seth A. Erlebacher Religious Study Groups at Vassar Temple School News Our religious school year began different Torah stories, basic concepts “Torah Study,” which examines passages in the midst of the holy days and our of prayer and principles of tzedakah from the week’s torah portion or haftorah, students were actively engaged in that they will also be able to put into will be led by the Temple’s Rabbi Renni celebrating the New Year, the fall har- action. Once students have achieved S. Altman, D.D., at 9:00am every Satur- vest festival of Sukkot and our annual basic Hebrew letter recognition, they day. “The : Modern Ideas from an celebration of Torah, Simchat Torah. move into the Reform movement’s Ancient Text,” taught by Senior Scholar Now we turn our attention more fully Mitkadem Hebrew program, designed to Rabbi Paul Golomb, will be held the second to our core Jewish studies and Hebrew. enable students to progress at their own and fourth Tuesdays of the month (Oct. 9 & Our Jewish studies curriculum is based pace under the guidance of our Hebrew Oct.23) at noon. on the Reform Movement’s Chai Cur- teacher. Students’ education will be riculum, designed to follow the teaching enriched by learning contemporary Jew- All are welcome to come, learn and join “The world stands on three things: On ish songs with our music and by tefillah in the lively discussions at both classes--no Torah, on Avodah (worship) and on each week. I encourage parents to join previous training required! No charge to Gemilut Chassadim (acts of loving us for tefillah at 11:30 each Sunday attend. Questions? Contact Rabbi Alt- kindness). Through grade appropriate morning; of course, you are most wel- man at [email protected] or Rabbi lesson plans, the students will study come to come and visit anytime (please Golomb at [email protected]. just let me know in advance).

Shabbat Noach: Oct. 12th Endangered Species Help Trim-a-Thanksgiving a trustee on the Cheetah Conservation Fund located in Namibia, Africa. For the CAN JAM bin this month, We will welcome shabbat with a 7:30pm ser- our youth will be preparing Thanksgiv- vice, and at 8:15pm, Ms. Bari will give a com- ing baskets for local families in need. pelling presentation on the plight of endangered We have a special need for the follow- species and the implications for us all. She ing non-perishables: will share with us a unique holistic approach to Shabbat Noach, the sabbath when we conservation as the key to the future of any spe- CANNED GOODS: read from the Torah about Noah’s ark, cies...humans included. Plenty of time will be cranberry sauce will be observed here on Friday, Oct. allotted for your questions and discussion, and gravy th 12 with a program featuring special our oneg will follow. sweet potatoes/yams guest, Pola Bari. Jewish ethics teach vegetables that we have a moral responsibility to provide for the welfare of animals, and BOXED GOODS: Shabbat Noach provides the perfect instant potatoes, opportunity to highlight the important Stove Top-style stuffing mix role animals play on our planet. Pola Bari is a local artist who draws Thank you for helping! her inspiration from felines, especially big cats, and is the founder of the Chee- tah Conservation Fund NY Chapter and

New Paths Services

Join us at the New Paths sabbath to let the service get through us, rather morning services on Saturdays, October than getting through the service. Each th th 6 & 20 at 10:00am in the informal New Paths service, whether lay led or setting of Vassar Temple’s East Chapel. rabbi led, provides a unique and thought- The moving New Paths prayer book in- ful Shabbat morning experience. A brief cludes both traditional and contempo- mini- follows. For more informa- rary writings, mostly in English, and tion, please contact Marian Schwartz participants may bring supplemental at [email protected] or Rabbi materials to share. We seek personal Altman at [email protected] or meaning in the liturgy and take the time 845-454-2570.

4 Mazel Tov October LunchBox Needs We need your Help! to: Your Help! Susan & David Hecht on the engage- We are, once again, asking that you ment of their daughter, Samantha, to We are sponsoring LunchBox on Sunday, Oct. be the eyes and ears in the lives of our Travis Carpenter; 7th (Columbus Day weekend) and we need your congregational family. Federal patient help! privacy regulations limit the information Judy & Bob Creedon on the marriage of that hospitals make available to clergy their son, Christopher, to Sarah Handal. and volunteers. We need donations of: We are encouraging you to contact • 3 lbs. all beef hot dogs the Temple office when a congregant • 1 to 2 dozen pieces fresh fruit/bananas is admitted to a hospital and wishes to have Rabbi visit during the hospital stay. Members Helping Members Food donations can be dropped off at the Our goal is to meet the needs of all our Temple beforehand any time congregants, and we can only do this NEED A RIDE? Are you missing out on the building is normally with your help. activities or services at Vassar Temple open. Please LABEL all because you need a ride? Please call food “For LunchBox.” There Michelle in the office at 845-454-2570 will be a bin on the counter to let her know. We will try to con- just inside the entry to the nect you with someone who can take kitchen for non-perishable fruits. you, but remember that calling far in Please contact socialaction@vassartemple. advance greatly increases the likelihood org to let us know what food you are donating that we will be successful. and/or if you can volunteer to cook/serve/clean CAN YOU OFFER A RIDE? We know up at Lunc Box that day between 10:30am- you would like to help out a fellow 1:30pm. Temple member Ron Rosen and congregant but we just don’t know who members of the LunchBox staff will be there to you are. If on occasion you can offer orient and supervise volunteers. a ride, please call our office and let us know. Financial contributions for this project are gratefully welcomed, at any time, for any occasion, by check made out to ‘Vassar Temple’ with ‘Community Tzedakah Fund’ on the memo line.

October Bimah Flower Vassar Temple Bulletin Donations Published Monthly Publisher: Marianne Abrams October 5: Donated by Vassar Temple Sisterhood Bimah Flower Fund Editors: Sue Lesser October 12: Donated by Vassar Temple Sisterhood Bimah Flower Fund Donna Loshin October 19: Donated by Nadine Zaritsky Technical support October 26: Donated by Vassar Temple Sisterhood Bimah Flower Fund & understudy Bob Abrams

Anyone who wishes to honor the memory of a loved one or to commemorate a Articles for the November Bulletin must be special occasion can do so by sponsoring the sanctuary flowers with a donation to submitted by October 1st sent via email to the Vassar Temple Sisterhood Bimah Flower Fund. The donation to the Fund is [email protected]. The editors $55. Just call the Vassar Temple Office at 845-454-2570. reserve the right to edit articles for style, accuracy and length.

5 College Corner College Outreach: Helping This fall we will feature updates on Marissa Gally: Marissa graduated from Vassar Temple College Vassar Temple’s 2018 college graduates. Montclair State University with a Master’s in Students Keep in Touch If your child graduated from undergradu- Elementary Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities. Marissa will spend the next ate or graduate studies in 2018, please The Vassar Temple Sisterhood’s Col- email Melissa Erlebacher at mae62@ year teaching English outside of Mitzpe Ramon, Israel as part of the TALMA program. lege Outreach project sends holiday columbia.edu to let us know where they packages to Vassar Temple college graduated from and what they are doing Danielle Brundage: Danielle graduated from students. If you have a current college next! Here is an update on four of our Goucher College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in student, please email the following infor- graduates. Look for updates on additional English Literature with a minor in creative writ- mation to Melissa Erlebacher at mae62@ ing. She is now employed as a Donor Relations graduates in November! columbia.edu so that we can send them Associate at Yeshiva University in Manhattan. some holiday cheer and treats: Adam Rosenfeld: Adam graduated from We wish Adam, Sam, Marissa and Danielle a • Student’s name and address the Rochester Institute of Technology heartfelt Mazel Tov and lots of continued suc- • Year in school (RIT) in May with a Bachelor’s Degree cess! • School they attend in Microelectronic Engineering. He is • Parent’s name and email remaining at RIT to complete his Masters • Other pertinent information, such in Microelectronic Engineering. as food allergies, study abroad, or whether the school is on a trimester Sam Dahnert: Sam graduated from system. Colorado College with a BA in a self- designed major, Technical Performance, and is now working as a General Techni- cian with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, making his debut there in the Sisterhood Opening Program VT Sisterhood company’s 25th season. Chai Noon Lunch Join the Vassar Temple Sisterhood for good Thursday, October 18th food, interesting conversation, and great compa- ny at our opening program on Sunday, October 12:00 noon, of course 28th from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the home of Melissa At Christo’s Restaurant, 155 Wilbur Erlebacher at 27 Patricia Drive, Pleasant Valley. Blvd, Poughkeepsie Bring a finger food to share – either an appetizer Dutch treat! Good Food! Schmoozing! or a dessert! Watch your email for program Friendship! details. RSVP by calling Melissa at 635-9854 or by emailing [email protected]. This will be a buffet lunch. The cost is $15 and includes the meal as well as tax, tip and soda/coffee/tea. Hope you can join us! Please call or text Perla Kaufman at (914) 456-7309 or Tiny Temple Fun for Tots: Sunday, Oct. 14th email her at [email protected] to let her know you can come. Mark your . calendar now! See you there! Parents, grandparents, families and Spread the word! Tiny Temple is open to all children ages infant to 5 are all warmly regardless of temple affiliation, is always free of invited to Tiny Temple on Sunday, Oct. charge, and is sponsored by the Sisterhood. To th 14 from 10:30am-11:30am. This assist in our planning, please RSVP is the time of year grown-ups read to Emma Arnoff and Jas Russo at tiny- in the Torah about Noah’s Ark, and [email protected] . They will the perfect time for us to celebrate also be happy to answer any questions our animal friends at Tiny Temple! anyone may have about this wonderful Join in as we learn through fun free program and can put them on the activities, story and song. Every- Tiny Temple e-mail list. More informa- thing takes place in a relaxed and tion is also available at vassartemple.org friendly setting, and a healthy snack will or by calling the Temple office at 845-454-2570. be served.

6 Fall Rummage Sale: October 28th Book Club to Discuss The Women in the Castle on October 18th Start cleaning those closets of gently used items and packing your bric-a-brac; the Rummage Sale Vassar Temple’s Sisterhood Book Club will discuss The Women in the is coming very soon! We start collecting rummage Castle, an Amazon Best Book of April 2017 by Jessica Shattuck, set at the items on Sunday, October 21st. Bring all rummage end of World War II, in a crumbling Bavarian castle that once played host to the social hall. No rummage will be accepted to all of German high society. Three widows’ lives and fates become inter- after October 26th. Two evenings will be available twined amid the ashes of Nazi Germany’s defeat in a dramatic yet nuanced for rummage drop-off: Wednesday, October 24th and portrait of war and its repercussions. Eventually, all three women must th Thursday, October 25 from 6:00-8:00 pm. come to terms with the choices that have defined their lives before, during, When you bring your and after the war—each with their own unique items to the social hall, share of challenges. Written with the devastating please make sure you place items on the left side emotional power of The Nightingale, Sarah’s Key, of the room and keep the and The Light Between Oceans, Jessica Shattuck’s area in front of the stage evocative novel offers a fresh perspective on one of clear, as well as the rest the most tumultuous periods in history, exploring of the building! The sale what it means to survive, love, and, ultimately, to on October 28th runs from forgive in the wake of unimaginable hardship. 9:30am to 12:30pm; the bag sale starts at 2:00pm The Women in the Castle is available through the local library system, and ends at 5:00pm. For and in paperback. The meeting will take place on Thursday, October 18th questions or further information, you may contact at 2:00pm in the Community Room of Collegeview Tower, 141 Fulton [email protected], or the Vassar Temple Avenue, Poughkeepsie. Elaine Lipschutz will lead the discussion to which office. everyone is welcome. To RSVP or get more information, please contact *Please note: We CANNOT accept textbooks, old TVs or old computers, or heavily damaged goods. Linda Babas at 473-7931 or [email protected]. Your book sug- For large items, please contact us before you bring gestions for future meetings are always welcome. them! Volunteers are always welcome and needed!! CROPWalk Against Hunger Oct. 14th Many Ways to Help! DCIC Award Gala: October 24th

The annual Interfaith CROPWalk against Hunger will be held Sunday, Oct. Dutchess County Interfaith Council is excited to an- th nounce its first annual Gala Award Dinner, Wednesday, 14 with headquarters at Temple Beth El, 118 S. Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie. Oct. 24th from 6:00-10:00pm at the Poughkeepsie Grand Join us on what promises to be a beautiful fall day to walk all or part of a safe Hotel and Conference Center. The Rev. Dr. Kennon 6-mile route to raise funds to combat hunger locally, (Ken) Moody and Mrs.Mary Moody will be honored nationally and globally. Walk with Vassar Temple mem- with the first Rabbi Erwin Zimet Humanitarian Award. bers, walk with family, friends, or by yourself. Both have given exemplary service to the community, You may start any time between 10:00am and 2:00pm, including leadership in the annual DCIC CROP Walk for and all walkers should plan to finish by 3:30. Whether or Hunger, making it into the most successful CROP Walk not you can walk, you can help in other ways. On line, you can sponsor Rabbi in the Northeast. Altman and Vassar Temple members who are walking at https://www.crophun- gerwalk.org/poughkeepsieny/Team/View/65962/Vassar-Temple. There is also Keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton, a pledge sheet for sponsoring Rabbi on the bulletin board near the staircase. Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Bard College, Help is also very much needed at the registration table at headquarters the Scholar of Early Christianity and Judaism, and Direc- day of the event. Perhaps you can bake for, or patronize, a bake sale to be held tor of the Institute of Advanced Theology. There are at walk headquarters. sponsorship opportunities available, and tickets are $75 For more information and to sign up as a walker or to bake, please contact per person. For further information visit www.dutchess- Ron Rosen at [email protected] or just go to the team web page countyinterfaith.org or contact the DCIC at 845-471- listed above and sign on. To sign up to help at the registration table, please 7333 or [email protected]. contact Marian Schwartz at [email protected]. 25% of funds raised comes back to Dutchess Outreach and other agencies that combat hunger in our home community. The remainder goes to important anti-hunger projects and disaster relief efforts in the USA and abroad. Last year our local walk raised $60,000. Let’s top that this year, when the need is so much greater!

7 Contributions RABBI’S FUND In Honor of: In Honor of: In Honor of: Sally Schaffer James & Mary Ann Robinowitz Perla Kaufman receiving the Rabbi Altman Bob & Judy Creedon Edward Markum James & Mary Ann Robinowitz Arnold Award Gail D’Alessio for all the mitzvot she does Linda & Richard Cantor SUSTAINING FUND Elaine Lipschutz In Memory of: Perla Kaufman receiving the LIPSCHUTZ SCHOLARS FUND Marjorie Gluck Dr. & Mrs.David Gluck Arnold Award Andi & Paul Ciminello In Honor of: Melvin Matlin, MD Lila Matlin Doi Cohen Ed Garber’s birthday May Matlin Lila Matlin Elaine Lipschutz Celia Levine Lila Matlin TZEDEKAH FUND Saul Heiser Lila Matlin In Memory of: Dorothy Schmukler Florence Altman Rabbi Altman Joan & David Posner and Richard Wender Nettie Jacobs Irma Jacobs Sara G. Rice Irma Jacobs Albert D. Kahn Muriel & Matt Lampell Maurice Goldenberg David & Susan Hecht Mae Berger Rita Jacobson Dr. Nathan Bernstein Kathy & Kent Mardon

OCTOBER YAHRZEITS

OCTOBER 5 OCTOBER 12 OCTOBER 19 OCTOBER 26 Jessie Barker Bernat Ackerman Morris Bronfeld Mollie Daniels Gertrude C. Clarfeld Lucilla Albinder Henry Cantor Leo Feinstein Daniel L. Cohen Sarah Pauline Benton Morris Fertig Tamar Grand Sadie Gross Margaret Ciminello Arthur Fink Jacob Haber Fannie Levy Jean W. Dampf Charles Finnerman Bernard Himelstein Michael Oremus Lisette Goldemberg Ida Goldberg Joshua Russell Karp Bessie Rabin Lisa Heidelberger Dr. Lawrence Gould Herman Katz Robin Rayfield Minnie Israel Lillian Greenman Charlotte Konick Haim Ribbi Norman Kramer Gertrude Hines Groten Amor Levy Jeanne Loth Rubin Marion Miller Dr. Barry G. Jordan Sidney Locke Mary Stolack Aaron Parish Max Eli Kosstrin Ida S. Miller Susan Doppelt Leo Klausner Monroe Robbins Pearlman Lisa Lemberger Bessie Rothauser Arthur Peritz Evelyn Locke Lawrence Schaffel Alice Slonim Susan Salit Lowe Lenore Schiffman Joseph Sparks, Sr. Ruth Muraskin Nathan Schmukler J. Ralph Stein Harold Posner Samuel Scope Dr. Martin Rabin Murray Sigalow Maia Scherrer Lawrence Slate Jean Strauss Ethel Solomon Abraham Swatlo George Tofel Sophia S. Wolfson Gertrude F. Troeger Abraham Zack

*Please note: Richard S. Cohen’s August 8th yahrzeit was inadvertently omitted from the August Yahrzeit page in the Bulletin. The Bulletin staff apologizes for this omission.

8 The Community Thanks YOU! Meet Our New Youth Group Advisor We received a wonderful thank you note from the Community Action Partnership for our donation of high protein foods we made We are pleased to welcome Magdalena to their four food pantries as a result of our annual Protein Plenty Schneiderman as our new Youth Group fundraiser at Vassar Temple. CAP C.E.O. Elizabeth C. Spira wrote, Advisor this year. Magdalena, a sopho- more at Vassar College, comes from “There’s no way to fully express our gratitude for your donation. the East End of Long Island where her Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County is continually family is affiliated with Reform congre- inspired by the dedication and generosity of donors like you who gation Temple Adas Israel of Sag Harbor. answer the call to give again and again.” She is the treasurer of the Vassar Jewish Union, has a strong background in sum- Thanks to everyone in the congregation for your support, to Jonah mer camp and has a love of arts and Ritter for taking on a leadership role in this important project, and crafts. Magdalena is looking forward to Irene for all the special bookkeeping involved. Vassar Temple to guiding our youth in their various truly cares about hunger! activities, having fun being together and performing acts of social justice in the Marian Schwartz, community. Social Action Chair

HEROES AMONG US: A Quiet Pillar in the Community In the months since beginning to nized by Scenic Hudson, attended concerts being as modest as she is, her impact write the “Heroes Among Us” column, through the Howland Chamber Music Circle, is easily missed, which is why it gives I have had the privilege of highlight- registered to vote as a citizen of our com- me particular joy to celebrate Marge ing some remarkable members of munity, or enjoyed the beauty of the natural as this month’s “Hero Among Us.” our congregation and already real- environment that surrounds us in the Hudson Marge, in your quiet way, you are, ized a common trait among all of the Valley, through the various professional and indeed, a hero – and a role model – to individuals featured thus far; and this volunteer positions she has occupied with all so many of us. . . Thank you for all month’s subject was no exception. of these organizations and projects, Marge that you do for our community! The trait is modesty and Marge Groten Groten has touched your life. As unassuming embodies it. as she is petite, Marge is a person who those Jennifer Sachs Dahnert around her can count on to have an opinion If you have belonged to Vas- and stand solidly on her convictions, always sar Temple for any period of time, in the most thoughtful, understated, and gra- engaged with Sisterhood or served cious manner. on the Board, are a member of the Poughkeepsie Farm Project and/or at- In Marge’s presence, one feels the inevita- tended the annual Soup-A-Bowl event, ble positive influence she has on others. But have participated in activities orga-

Guest Cantor Jacob Niemi Cantor Jacob Niemi is currently completing a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, having just worked as a pastoral intern with Dorot (Hebrew for “generations”), an organization that serves the senior community in the Manhattan area. Jacob was ordained at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Reiligion (HUC-JIR) in New York City. During his time as a student, he was a cantorial intern at Port Jewish Center in Port Washngton, New York, and at Congre- gation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey. Jacob grew up near Orlando, Florida, and through his high school and college years, he was a B’nai Mitzvah tutor at his home congregation, The Congregation of . He attended Florida State University, where he was active in the Jewish Student Union, Hillel, and several choral groups. From FSU, he received a BA in Sacred Music in 2013. Jacob is an excellent guitar and ukulele player. He has a love for musical composing and arranging.

We welcome Jacob as a visiting cantor on two Shabbat weekends, in November and in De- cember. 9 Joel Kelson, Music Committee Vassar Temple Bulletin 140 Hooker Avenue PRSTD STD Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 U.S. Postage 845-454-2570 Paid www.vassartemple.org Permit # 11 Newburgh, N.Y. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Rabbi: Renni S. Altman DATED MAIL Religious School Director: Renni S. Altman Rabbi Emeritus: Stephen Arnold PLEASE Senior Scholar: Paul Golomb RUSH Organist: Joseph Bertolozzi President: Alan Kaflowitz 1st Vice President: Susan Karnes Hecht 2nd Vice President: Martin Charwat Secretary: Michele Sinn Treasurer: Brett Colbert Sisterhood President: Men’s Club Co-Presidents: Glenn Tanzman & Dan Teich Immediate Past President: Mark Metzger

October 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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10am Simchat To- 10am Senior Exer- 4:30pm Hebrew 10am SEP 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study rah Yizkor Service cise Program (SEP) Service 6:30pm Gesher at 7pm Ritual Cmte 10am New Paths TBE 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

11am LunchBox Office Closed 10am SEP 4:30pm Hebrew 10am SEP 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study Noach Service 3pm Sisterhood Columbus Day 12pm Talmud Study 6:30pm Gesher at Event with Rabbi Golomb TBE

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CropWalk

9am Religious 10am SEP 4:30pm Hebrew 10am SEP 6pm Happy Hour 9am Torah Study School 6:30pm Gesher at 12pm Chai Noon 7:30pm Shabbat 10am New Paths 10:30am Tiny Temple TBE 2pm VTS Book Service—Rabbi 7pm Sisterhood 7pm Finance Cmte Club Opening Event Installation 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Rummage Dropoff Rummage Dropoff Rummage Dropoff Rummage Dropoff Rummage Dropoff Rummage Dropoff

9am Religious 10am SEP 4:30pm Hebrew 10am SEP 7:30pm Shabbat 9am Torah Study School 12pm Talmud Study 6:30pm Gesher at 6:30pm Shelter Service 9am Hanukkah with Rabbi Golomb TBE Meal Judaica Sale 7pm VT Board Meeting 28 29 30 31 RUMMAGE SALE

9am Religious 10am SEP 4:30pm Hebrew 10School 6:30pm Gesher at 9am Hanukkah TBE Judaica Sale