North Fork Reform Synagogue Gazette Member of the Union for Reform Judaism January – February 2020 Tevet-Shevat-Adar 5780 What’s Inside On the Calendar On the Calendar Friday Night Shabbat Worship Services 8 PM From Our Rabbi From Our President Board Notes Programs & Events Birthdays & Anniversaries Jan 3 Oneg Host: Ellen Zimmerman Rabbi Host: Irwin & Kay Freeman Jewish Holidays 17 Oneg Host: Beverly Price; Rabbi Host: Margo & Andy Lowry Feb 7 Tu B’Shevat. Oneg Host: Barbara Sheryll; Hebrew School Rabbi Host: The Armine/Kleins Our Members 21 Oneg Host: Jerry Levin & Sara Zarem; Rabbi Host: Michael & Miriam Lastoria Book Club Corner Adult Ed at 4:00 PM at the homes of: Chef’s Corner Jan 4 Kay and Irwin Freeman 18 Margo and Andy Lowry In The News Feb 8 Community Room at Synagogue My Two Cents 22 Michael & Miriam Lastoria Book Club Jerry’s Reflections Jan 18 Enemies, A Love Story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, at the home of Fred Cohen, 405 Wendy Drive, Laurel. This is the story of Herman Broder who escapes death in the Holocaust by hiding for 2 years in a hay- loft in Poland. Now living in Coney Island with his second wife – and involved with another woman – www.northforkreformsynagogue.org Herman’s life is further complicated when he learns that his first wife has survived the Holocaust and in now in America. 1 www.northforkreformsynagogue.org From Our Rabbi Synagogue Officers Reform Movement Biennial Conference By Rabbi Danielle Weisbrot First, I’d like to extend a hearty mazel tov to the Armine-Klein family in honor of Paul Gilman President Ruby becoming a bat mitzvah on December 7. Those of us who were able to attend Margo Lowry Vice President the service – as well as those offering their support from afar – are all very proud! Kay Freeman VP, Treasurer I’d also like to share a recap of the Reform Movement’s Biennial conference which I recently attended in Chicago. Biennial brings Reform Ellen Love Secretary leaders – laypeople and Jewish professionals – to- Stephen Bloom Trustee gether to study, meet new people, and set the priorities of the Reform Movement (specifically in the US & Irwin Freeman Trustee Canada) for the coming years. As a 3-time attendee, I Barbara Sheryll Trustee can tell you it’s an amazing, educational, and energiz- ing experience. Per the URJ’s website, this year’s Ellen Zimmerman Trustee “5,000+ participants from 525 congregations hail Steve Hill Past President from 54 states and provinces, and 75 international congregations.” The hallways of the convention center featured large billboards with the names of each con- ****************** gregation in the Movement, and North Fork Reform Synagogue was no exception! . Mission Statement Some overarching themes of this Biennial were: celebrating the role of women clergy and lay leaders while also acknowledging the challenges many of us still face; The North Fork Reform Syna- discussing ways that congregations can be more welcoming to youth/millennials, gogue is a small, inclusive con- interfaith families, LGBTQ Jews, and Jews of color; full and consistent inclusion of gregation meeting spiritual, ed- people with disabilities; and the Reform Movement’s support of the State of Israel, ucational, social, and even when we disagree with the government’s policies. If, like me, you would like cultural enrichment needs of liberal Judaism to have a bigger voice and more funding in Israel, you can opt in our members in the Reform and vote Reform in the World Zionist Congress elections, beginning January 21 at Jewish tradition. We embrace https://arza.org/who-we-are/world-zionist-congress-elections/. families and individuals, Jews by birth or “by choice,” non- Biennial allows congregational delegates to vote on policy statements or initiatives Jews and Jews regardless of that have been proposed and discussed over the last two years. The Reform Move- ment has a long and proud tradition of doing what it believes is required to work ethnic or racial background, towards tzedek (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). At this 2019 conven- sexual orientation, or gender tion, three resolutions were approved: 1. a resolution calling for federal and state identity. We support the local governments to phase out private prisons; 2. a resolution encouraging education on community through outreach the opioid crisis and support for individuals and the families of those living with programs with special empha- substance use disorder; 3. a resolution advocating “for the creation of a federal com- sis on social justice issues. mission to study and develop proposals for reparations” – which can range from a ********************* formal apology to monetary payments – to redress the historic and continuing ef- fects of slavery on Black Americans. Each resolution also asks for Reform congre- Editors gations and organizations to support these efforts. Carol Brown, Editor-in-Chief I look forward to continuing the conversation about the learning, music, prayer, Kay Freeman comedy, and Reform Movement policy-setting that took place at Biennial – not to mention the “Jewish Geography” that had me run into THREE former student Joyce Friedland rabbis of the North Fork Reform Synagogue. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year, and a “fruitful” Tu BiShvat; see you at the Seder on February 7! Margo Lowry Ellen Zimmerman L’shalom, Student Rabbi Danielle Weisbrot 2 www.northforkreformsynagogue.org From Our President Acknowledge a Simcha, By Paul Gilman or a Loss; a birth, bar/bat I hope everyone is cozy and warm, and the holidays exceeded mitzvah, graduation, en- everyone's expectations. A special Mazel Tov to Ruby Armine- gagement, marriage, or Klein on her December 7 Bat Mitzvah. other event in the lives of family or friends with a On November 6 I watched, via webinar, the HUC Dr. Fritz Bam- berger Memorial Lecture, Freakonomics & American Judaism: Economic Incentives hand-inscribed tribute card That Help Shape American Jewish Traditions by Carmel U. Chiswick, Ph.D., Profes- from NFRS. sor of Economics, George Washington University. I would like to share a few “take-aways” from the lecture and its introduction by HUC President Andrew Rehfeld, still available on the HUC website. President Rehfeld described the journey of modern Judaism from “ritual to reason” which he explained in his October 27, 2019 inaugural address, “In my view, religiously progressive, Re- form Judaism is committed to the primacy of reason; the moral autonomy of the individual; and particularistic-universalism that drives our engagement with Torah, Avodah, and Yisrael—our texts, our ritual, and our People; in order to secure the Good, the Holy, the Right, and the Just.” By giving tzedakah, you support the synagogue while of- Prof. Chiswick discussed how all Jews have certain commonalities such as To- fering your congratulations or rah, Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot. Eco- condolences. We suggest a nomically, time can be considered a component of wealth and, as a group be- minimum donation of $18 comes wealthier, it has less time to devote to activities such as Temple partici- (chai). pation. The accessibility of Israel has led to a resurgence of Jewish lifestyles in American Reform Judaism such as kashrut which was previously relaxed. Contact Kay Freeman to send a card: 631-722-5712 Combat the winter doldrums by attending our Shabbat services and many sched- [email protected] uled activities. Please consider volunteering and donating to help continue our outstanding achievements as an intrinsic segment of the North Fork. Mail your check, payable to Paul North Fork Reform Board Notes Synagogue, Tribute Fund Nov 11 Board Meeting PO Box 1625 by Ellen Love Southold, NY 11971 * The new security arrangement is working well Include recipient’s name, mail- * The Oneg scheduled is updated and distributed. Susan Bloom is ing address, occasion, joining the Oneg Committee. donor’s name, address, phone * Paul Gilman will speak with the Church Pastor to resolve issues and the amount of the contri- regarding the renewal of our lease which expires June 2020. bution if you wish it included. * Kay Freeman reported on Finances and briefed us on the increased interest in purchasing space on the Memorial Plaques. * Ellen Zimmerman reported on the positive response to the cellist on Yom Kippur. * Margo Lowry noted that Rabbi Karol’s lecture on the perspectives of the af- terlife in Jewish literature was well attended. * Susan Bloom offered several ideas for programs: multi-media presentation by 3 www.northforkreformsynagogue.org Laura Guthrie (Woody’s daughter); Government and Religion (perhaps secur- Birthdays ing a speaker from the ADL). Barbara Sheryll suggested a program by Police Dept addressing the ‘active shooter.’ & * Kay announced our Cinematic Series and film suggestions were discussed. Anniversaries The next Board Meeting: January 19, 9:30 AM at Ellen Love’s. Simchas S Congratulations to Sylvia Pafenyk for her continuing work with young poets in our community with the 13th Annual Poetry Happy birthday to: For Peace at the Mattituck-Laurel Library Sunday, Nov. 24. Thanks to awards donor Jan. 23 Andrew Auerbach Fred Cohen. 24 Ruth Eilenberg 26 Vincent Ciappetta 27 Zachary Armine-Klein 30 Charles Levine Mazel tov to Rabbi Barbara and Marc Sheryll on son Greg's graduation from 31 Sandy Spitz the University of Rochester. Greg is now an Ensign in the Navy and transfers Margo Lowry to the Naval Base in Pensacola in January to begin flight school. His dream since 9th grade is to be a pilot which he will be after the Navy’s 2-year program. Greg's grandfather, a retired 1st Lieutenant, commissioned him into service. Congrats Feb. 9 Sheila Scharfman to the Sheryll family. 11 Howard Eilenberg 15 Sandy Hanauer Programs & Events12th Annual Foodie Tour Poetry for Peace 2019 by Sylvia Pafenyk For the 13th year, NFRS and Congregation Tifereth Anniversary wishes to: Israel in Greenport co-sponsored Poetry for Peace at the Mattituck-Laurel Library.