Temple Torat Emet TEKIAH January—February 2018 14 Tevet — 13 Adar 5778 A Word From Our Rabbi Dear Friends, I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy some of the wonderful events we have shared the past few months. I was incredibly moved by the installation weekend, as well as Volunteer Shabbat and Veterans Shabbat, and look forward to creating more moving experiences together. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen, both through leading and attending. We are approaching Tu B’Shevat, the holiday of the trees, this Janu- ary. As a child, I always celebrated by planting a tree in Israel with JNF; as I have grown up, I have learned more about the ecological message of Judaism. The classic midrash in this regard is that on the sixth day of creation, God took Adam and Eve on a walking tour of the Garden, and God said, “be very careful with my creation, for if you ruin it, there will be nobody to fix it.” As we celebrate the trees and all of creation, we can also challenge ourselves, ask ourselves how well we have taken care of God’s creation, and how we could do a better job trying to leave the natural world a better place than we found it. The next few months will be bustling with activity, and I am looking forward to celebrating together. When Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Jews go from Egypt, Pharaoh asked “who is going?” Moses’ reply was that “we will all go, young and old; we will go with our sons and daughters, our flocks and our herds, for we must observe the Lord’s festival” (Shemot 10:9); Pharaoh refused, and Moses went ahead with the plague of locusts. How can we, as a community, include our young and old, our sons and daughters? Often it feels like we must decide: do we run a program for the kids or adults? Of course, we want to serve everybody, but how do we decide where our focus is? Moses’ message is: to celebrate a feast, we must do it together. Why is this so important? On one level, if we exclude the children, we exclude the future. All of us will die at some point, and the children are the ones we rely on to keep Judaism alive. On a deeper level, we can all enrich each other’s lives; I am missing out if I do not get to know a 2-year old congregant, or a 102-year old congre- gant. Finally, I believe we are a community, and a celebration is only complete if the entire community celebrates. (Continues on page 2) (Continued from page 1) We have many upcoming programs where we will celebrate together, young and old, with our sons and daughters. On January 19, we will have separate services for families and adults, but we will also have a congregational dinner where we can all celebrate together, and get to know one another. On Purim, as well, we will have separate family and traditional megillah readings, and a unified congregational meal. We also have started a program where some of our older congre- gants are going into the preschool to read to the children. I am excited about this experiment, and believe it will enrich all our lives. Blessings on you and your family, Rabbi David Siff President`s Message In achieving our desire to grow as an intergenerational congregation, I am pleased to invite you to many varied programs and services that will take place at Temple Torat Emet in the coming months. On January 12, 2018 (the second Friday of the month), we will begin to conduct our monthly Kabbalat Shabbat Festive Musical Services featuring Cantor Emil Berkovits and the SWAT Band. Another opportunity to celebrate together will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at our annual Tu B`Shevat Seder. On Friday, February 9, 2018, we celebrate the first of our Family-Friendly Kabbalat Shabbat Services, led by Rabbi David Siff starting at 6:00 pm. This Service is specifically designed for families with young children. A buffet family-style dinner, open to the whole congregation and its affiliates, prepared by members of our congregation, will follow from 6:30-7:30 pm. This will provide an opportunity for everyone to celebrate together with an intergenerational dinner. There will be a charge of $8 per person and $25 per family for this dinner. Please watch for further publicity. Reservations will be limited. The Kabbalat Shabbat Festive Musical Service will take place at 7:30 pm featuring Cantor Emil Berkovits and the SWAT Band. “PURIM IS HERE!” On Wednesday evening, February 28, 2018 we will have a special Purim Service and celebration. This will include a joyous Megillah reading service for both young and old again with a family friendly reduced cost buffet style light meal to follow. Watch for further announcements regarding times and cost. On Thursday, March 1, 2018 we will have a Happy Purim Service and Megillah reading with a breakfast to follow. Mark your calendars! Keep the happy spirit of Temple Torat Emet alive, as we participate in, and support these events. Looking forward to celebrating together with you, Anschel O. Weiss President TOV TEAM Happy, healthy holidays to all. The Tov Team thanks everyone who graciously replied to our request for additional people able to make phone calls and/or visits. Our objective is to continue to grow the team, and assist with these 'mitzvot' among all. We are always striving for new ideas as well as additional warm individuals with friendly voices who are smiling, upbeat men and women. Your team also needs your eyes and ears so we can be advised of home-bound, ill or just plain lonely people. We will gladly meet with you to offer some suggestions on how to keep conversation open. Sincerely, Bette Nissenberg co-chair Ceil Grossman co-chair 2 Board Briefs The Temple Torat Emet Board of Directors addressed the following items of interest and took the following actions at its meetings on October 26, 2017 and November 30, 2017: Personnel/ Administration - Get well wishes have been extended to our preschool director, Stephanie Rubin, as she continues her recuperation. - The rabbi was officially installed on December 2nd. Thank you to Sharon Cadoff and her committee for successfully or- chestrating Rabbi Siff's Installation Shabbat. The event included a well-attended Kabbalat Shabbat dinner, Shabbat services with community representatives followed by an extended Kiddush, and a family-friendly Seudah Shlishit. - The Nominating Committee for next year's board slate is soon to be formed. - The Constitutional Revision Committee is moving to complete their review by March or April. Facilities - Infrastructure needs and repairs continue to be addressed. Flooring in the preschool wing is scheduled to be replaced due to flooding damage. Air conditioners continue to need repairs. Roof leakage has been detected and must be addressed. Light fixtures in the ballroom have been cleaned. Some tiles need to be replaced. - The front entrance sign will be completely redesigned. The process had been delayed due to issues requiring the verification of the donors. Some logistic and technical issues remain, but the process is now underway. - Congregants are kindly reminded not to turn left upon exiting the campus. The left-hand turn lane remains closed and tick- eting will be enforced by the sheriff's office. Education - The preschool readers program will soon begin. Fourteen congregants have volunteered to read stories to preschoolers in Torah Tots. - Kadima participated in the NF walkathon for neurofibromatosis. - HIP students conducted their own Shabbat service in the Wasley Chapel, concurrent with services in the main sanctuary, on October 21st. Ritual - The Board will welcome Kaskeset singers from Binghamton on January 5-6th for a musical Shabbat that is sure to please congregants. - Rabbi Siff and Cantor Berkowits will both be on vacation December 30th and January 6th. - A Cantor Search Committee is soon to be formed and begin the process of exploring options within the constraints of our budget. The option of a full-time cantor is extremely remote. Financial/ Fundraising - Cabaret III ticket sales are moving fast. All tickets must be paid by February 5th. The refinancing of the mortgage is complete; however, a complete budget review is in process and may necessitate a congregational meeting to discuss the findings. Membership/ Social A wine and cheese reception is being held for Sarah and Richard Sandler as they re-locate, January 4, 2018, starting at 3:30pm. Reservation required. Security The process of upgrading our security system is underway, with several behind-the-scenes measures already taken. Staff members have received active shooter training. Additionally, paperwork with Homeland Security has been issued and will be completed to meet the requirements of the grant. Alyssa Rudinsky, Recording Secretary Please save the date: March 5, 2018 Congregational Meeting. Discussing a six-month review and projection for the next six-months. 3 Membership Committee Make Your Presence Felt at Torat Emet On November 18, 2017 we took time, during the Shabbat morning service, to acknowledge and celebrate our wonderful vol- unteers. Yes, Temple Torat Emet (TTE) has a small, terrific and hard-working professional staff. However, they can’t do it all. There is so much that needs to be done that requires member participation. It is our volunteers who “lean in” and devote their time; and, by doing so, help keep the TTE family running smoothly. Without our volunteers we could not serve this congregation’s many needs. We have listed here many, but not all, of the various committees of the Shul.