Temple Israel of Great Neck Where tradition meets change Voice a Conservative egalitarian synagogue New President: ‘Bright Future for Congregation’ by Marc Katz, Editor for himself and the congregation. “It is a If you had asked Burton Weston if he’d wonderful way to contribute your time and become a synagogue president ten years efforts and besides, I have a good feeling ago, five years ago—even last year—he about the future for Temple Israel. would have said “no way, not me!” “There is one constant about our He said he never anticipated or congregation: it is an incredible expected to be Temple Israel’s community of people who come president—but the affable and together to share simchas and sorrows. seemingly always smiling Great Neck- The Temple is comprised of a lot of based attorney who has been a good folk, people with good hearts and member of the congregation along with souls. And,” he added, “there are a lot his wife, Joyce, for the past 40 years— of very smart people here.” was unanimously elected to lead the congregation in June and took office at Mr. Weston had served on the the start of last month. Executive Committee during the past administration as a vice president, and “It is an interesting challenge,” he said previously on the Board of Trustees recently while reflecting on what lies ahead New Temple Israel President Burton Weston —Continued on page 6 Cast of Netflix Hit ‘Shtisel’ Coming to Temple Israel by Marc Katz, Editor “Shtisel,” the Israeli-produced television drama series thrilling Jews around the world, is coming to Temple Israel. Members of the cast and the writer- co-creator will be discussing the show in the Grand Ballroom on Thursday, September 12. The program will feature the cast and writer in conversation, show clips of the show, answer audience questions, and preview “surprise cuts” from the program that did not make it to the final shows. The series, streamed online by Netflix, is about a fictional Jewish family living in Geula, Jerusalem. It is set in a religious and internet-free neighborhood which follows strict haredi customs. Violating the norms can cause chaos within families. A sensitive, loving portrayal of —Continued on page 6 The cast of the popular Israeli TV series “Shtisel” will discuss the show on September 12. Vol. LXII, No. 1 August 2019 Tammuz/Av 5779 Men’s Club Planning a Busy Year Shabbat Out-of-the Box A Voice Guest Column by Marc Langsner From the President by Burton Weston EDITOR’S NOTE: Marc Langsner is key to the many activities planned by the There is certainly no law that says Men’s Club during the year. The past president of the congregation arm has prayer must be within four walls with a served as the group’s program chair for the past eight years. He outlines the club’s roof over our heads. Indeed, there is no planned activities in this Voice Guest Column. more sacred prayer site than the Kotel. The Temple Israel Men’s Club is one The Men’s Club meetings include a Prayer outdoors, with the sun up or of the arms of our synagogue, serving dinner, a business meeting, a guest setting, with a gentle breeze hitting your our congregation for more than 60 speaker and activities including our face, can be the best reminder of God’s years. We are a diverse group of men popular “Scotch and Seder Night” led greatest natural gifts, and provide a of all ages and our mission is to serve by Rabbi Stecker, “Vodka and Latkes” direct spiritual connection. our members, our congregation, led by Cantor Frieder, and a Texas and our community through social Hold’em/Backgammon tournament. One of the best prayer experiences I can remember was part of a ...our mission is to serve The events that the Men’s Club Shabbaton that Rabbi Adelson our members, sponsors for our congregation include conducted with the EmpTI Nesters our congregation an Opening Breakfast and the Word affinity group several years ago with and our community. Wide Wrap, where our members assist a Shabbat outdoor service under a congregants with the mitzvah of putting events, avodah (service and prayer), on tefillin, lead the Sunday morning There is…no law that says kehillah (community participation), service and serve a breakfast. Rabbi prayer must be and tzedakah (charity). Beginning this Roth brings Religious School students within four walls September and through June of next to the World Wide Wrap to both learn with a roof over our heads. year, 25 meetings, programs and and participate. We also label and place events have been scheduled including pledge cards on the seats for the High beautiful blue sky. Simply experiencing nine for Men’s Club members, nine for Holy Days, sponsor the Yom Kippur the setting, enjoying a sense of our congregation, and seven for the Break-the-Fast, a Friday Night Service informality but spiritual connection, and Great Neck community. —Continued on page 11 being part of a prayerful but communal experience left an impression on many This Land Is Also Your Land of us who still comment about it today. Many of you have enjoyed the Kabbalat From the Rabbi by Rabbi Howard Stecker Shabbat services we did last year and Deanna and I recently spent a week one form or another. “You come from this year at Steppingstone and Saddle up in Vermont with our son and his somewhere else. You have dual loyalty. You Rock Parks, respectively, in each case girlfriend. During the time we were there, are not one of us.” Even in places where under picture perfect skies. We intend our son, who works in a vineyard, was we have achieved a degree of success and to do more, starting with the Bar’chu supervising a group of workers who comfort, we have been made to feel that and BBQ—a halachically approved came to the United States from Bhutan. Friday night outdoor service and We must oppose cookout combining the spiritual and In speaking with some of them and doing the racism and xenophobia the communal. We have worked out some of his own research, he discovered that seek to prioritize the details of a Shabbat hike, which will that a sizable group of people left Bhutan one group’s belonging allow participants to enjoy the outdoors, due to persecution. They were persecuted over another. meditative moments and shared ritual. because they came to Bhutan from Nepal And, we would really like to develop a several generations ago and were never we are less “at home” than others. Shabbaton weekend taking us offsite and fully accepted as Bhutanese. So, they left allowing for an immersive experience. Bhutan and came to the United States, Our tradition teaches us, repeatedly settling primarily in Vermont and Ohio. and unabashedly, that our experience These are but a few of what I am sure of having someone else malign our are many ways to enjoy Shabbat a little “You’re not one of us. You don’t belong. legitimacy of belonging calls for us to bit differently. We would love to hear any Get out of here. Go back to where you speak out when others are so maligned. other ideas and thoughts you might have, came from.” So, in response to recent events, we other suggestions as to how we can share must not keep quiet when four members Shabbat together—a little bit outside our These are familiar sentiments and Jews of Congress, all citizens, three born traditional box. Of course, you can reach have heard them time and again in —Continued on page 8 me at [email protected]. 2 In Memoriam Upcoming Events at Temple Israel Temple Israel extends condolences to the families of: August 11 September 15 FRANCINE WURMAN Tish’ah Be’av Men’s Club Opening Breakfast stepmother of Ellen Birnbaum August 13 Septembet 19 Sisterhood “Lunch and Read” Noon Board of Trustees Meeting 8:15 P.M. DAVID KLINGER August 15 September 20 father of Alan Klinger Board of Trustees Meeting 8:15 P.M. Pre-School Shabbat 4:00 P.M. August 17 Sing-A-Long at Grace Avenue EBRAHIM MAYOURIAN Shabbat Walk/Hike 4:00 P.M. Jonathan Ielpi Park father of Flora Lalezarian in Kings Point Park September 21 and husband of Mohtaram Mayourian September 8 Selichot Welcome Back BBQ Noon September 22 SHLOMO SAMEYAH First Day of Religious School EmpTI Nesters 11:00 A.M. husband of Marcelle Sameyah, September 11 Trip to the Museum of father of Jeanette Ohebshalom 9/11 Memorial Service 7:00 P.M. Jewish Heritage and esteemed member of Temple Israel at Saddle Rock Bridge September 26 sponsored by the Men’s Club Men’s Club Meeting 7:30 P.M. SEYMOUR DEMBER September 12 September 29 esteemed member of Temple Israel “Shtisel” Program 5:00 P.M. Erev Rosh Hashanah May their memories be for a blessing. Daily Minyan Times Observe Tish’ah Be’av Fridays, August 9, 16, 23 & 30 & September 6 7:00 A.M. 6:30 P.M. A Sunday Commemorating the Destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE 8:15 A.M. 8:00 P.M. and the Second Temple (in 70 CE) in Jerusalem, as well as the Monday, August 5, 12, 19 & 26 Exile of the Jewish People. & September 9 6:45 A.M. 8:00 P.M. This solemn day reflects the greatest tragedies of Jewish Monday, September 2 history—including the Holocaust—but also serves as a reminder 8:15 A.M.