Temple Shalom Bulletin

Temple Shalom Bulletin
William and Charlotte Bloomberg Jewish Community Center
475 Winthrop St., Medford, MA 02155
Phone (781) 396-3262/3263
Fax
(781) 393-4864
www.templeshalommedford.org
January 2014/Tevet-Shevat 5774
Message from Rabbi David
One of the most remarkable success stories in Jewish
education in recent history is the Taglit-Birthright
Israel program. Since 1999, this program has sent over
350,000 Jewish young adults to Israel on free 10 day
tours. Even though this is just one 10 day trip,
researchers at Brandeis have found a positive and
lasting impact on the Jewish identities of the
participants. This includes those with little or no
previous Jewish education. For anyone 18 to 26 years
old, this trip is highly recommended.
Experience is the key to having a positive Jewish
identity. Children who have positive Jewish
experiences become adults who care deeply about
being Jewish. So what experiences, particularly
related to Jewish education, can we give our children?
Are some better than others?
For starters, it is important for children to be enrolled
in a regular program of Jewish education. Day schools
are a wonderful choice for some, while 96% of
non-Orthodox Jewish children attend a synagogue
religious school. Each week, our children have such
experiences in our revitalized religious school
program. Supplemented by Shabbat and Holiday
programs, these experiences of positive Jewish
learning will have a lasting impact.
Jewish summer camps also provide wonderful
experiences. My own youth was enriched by the
summer camp experience. I also had amazing
summers serving as the Rosh Agam (waterfront
director) at Camp Ramah in Palmer and Rosh Teva
(Nature) at a Ramah day camp. The intensity of living
in a totally
Jewish environment, even for a few weeks, has an
impact similar to visiting Israel. There are many
different Jewish summer camps to choose from,
including the excellent program of Camp Ramah
in Palmer. The Foundation for Jewish Camp runs a
"One Happy Camper" program that provides first
time campers a $1,000 grant for attending a Jewish
overnight summer camp. As I write this article,
the United Synagogue Youth is holding it’s annual
national convention in New Orleans. USY and the
Ramah camps are the crown jewels of the
Conservative movement. As our own children get
a little older, providing the youth group experience
will be important. Youth groups are where
children get to put their ideals into action and
begin to take ownership of their own Judaism.
Recently, our friends in the Reform movement did
something quite remarkable. At the Union for
Reform Judaism's (URJ) annual biennial last
month in San Diego, it was announced that a floor
of their Manhattan headquarters would be sold and
a million dollars from the proceeds would be
invested in youth programming. Hopefully the
USCJ would be inspired by this example. The
Jewish future depends on having as many
opportunities for our youth to experience the
power, joy and meaning of being Jewish,
something to think about as many of us begin to
make summer plans for our children.
-Rabbi David
If you will be attending one of the many wonderful events our synagogue offers at 7:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday,
please consider coming a little early and attending minyan at 7 p.m..
Help your fellow congregants say Kaddish for their loved ones.
Temple Shalom
Contact information
Temple Shalom Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rabbi Braham David
Temple phone………(781) 396-3262
Cell phone………….(617) 519-1827
[email protected]
Rabbi David’s Office Hours
Wed. & Thurs: 10 a.m. - 12 noon
Cantor Howard Stern
[email protected]
Service Schedule
Officers
Friday
7:30 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m.
Sunday - Thursday minyan 7:00 p.m.
President
David Sayres... …………….(781) 395-6283
[email protected]
All are welcome. Please join us!
Vice Presidents
Religious School
Steve Gold...……………….(781) 219-3940
Donna Miller………………(781) 729-6586
Treasurer
Gan Katan (pre-K) One Sunday per month
September - May
Kita Gan (K) Two Sundays per month
September - May
Kita Aleph (G 1)
Sundays, September - May
Kita Bet (G 2)
Kochavin (G3&4)
Sundays, September - May
Marcia Delatizky……..…….(617) 294-0562
Financial Secretary
Herb Sandberg……………..(781) 396-2441
Clerk
June Klein
Tot Shabbat (birth-age 6)
Second Saturday each month at 11 a.m.
Shabbat Yeladim (ages 6-9)
Second Saturday each month at 11 a.m.
Board of Directors
Deborah Varat
Lisa Skorownek
Moshe Pritsker
Kelly Hamilton
Rebecca Kurowski
Arnie Baer
Helaine Saperstein
All past presidents
Newsletter Deadline
Office Secretary
Submissions and donations for the
February bulletin are due January 15. Please
make sure your information is included by
getting it to us on time!
Laurie Lydon……………….(781) 396-3262
[email protected]
Next Board Meeting
Please email all information to
[email protected]
The next Board meeting will be held on
January 16 at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Newsletter Editor
Tamar Siegel
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Message from the President
This month I want to highlight three groups of exciting programs at Temple Shalom. The first is our
programming for children ages 0-6. Now I know I've written and spoken about this before, but we've done
such a great job creating programming (Tot Shabbat, Story Time, etc.) that not only have we attracted to
Temple Shalom many new families with young children, but we've gotten the attention of CJP (Combined
Jewish Philanthropies), which is giving us a grant to hire a Young Families Outreach Coordinator. This person
will be helping us evaluate the needs in our community, reach out to Jews in the greater Medford area, and
create and implement new programs. Besides being nice to be recognized by the larger Jewish world, this
grant will free up some volunteer time for another growing segment of our community, families with children
ages 7-10.
We now have about a dozen children in the 7-10 age range. Partially this is because if you wait long enough,
children who are 0-6 years old miraculously get older. But it’s also because that our Hebrew School, Shabbat
Yeladim, and family fun programs have attracted new families with older children to our community. As
you'll read in this bulletin, we are starting a monthly family Friday night service so that our children can
participate with the rest of our community in welcoming Shabbat. This service, while modified slightly to
make it more accessible for children is, of course, for the whole community. I hope you will join us.
One’s Jewish education doesn't end with Hebrew School, so the last set of programs I'd like to mention is a
series of talks given by Temple Shalom members that has been organized by our Adult Education Committee.
It’s fun and educational to have fellow members talk about a variety of relevant subjects from history to art to
the environment to genealogy. If you have a topic that interests you and would like to share your expertise,
please contact Paulette Buchheim ([email protected]).
Temple Shalom has many more programs than those highlighted here. I hope you will look through the
bulletin or the website and participate in any that interest you. Of course, there may be programs you would
like to see that we don't offer. Have no fear, creating these programs is easy but we need your help. If you
have an idea that you'd like help bringing to fruition, please contact the appropriate committee chair or let me
know and I'll be happy to help.
B'Shalom, David
Introducing Temple Shalom’s Family Friendly Kabbalat Shabbat (Shabbat Mishpacha)
On the third Friday of each month (beginning January 17) we will start services at
6:30 p.m. to make it easier for some of our younger members to learn about and enjoy
Friday evening Shabbat services.
This will be a full service for children and adults with a little learning, some more
accessible language, and the opportunity for everyone to get involved. Of course, there
will be singing, a few words of wisdom, and everyone's favorite oneg at the end.
Please join us in welcoming Shabbat together as a community.
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Celebrate Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for Trees.
Temple Shalom will host a Family Tu B'Shevat Seder and
light dinner on Sunday, January 12 at 4 p.m.
We hope you can come.
Tu B’Shevat marks the coming of Spring, our relationship
to the Land of Israel, and our responsibility for the
environment.
RSVP to [email protected] or call the
office at 781-396-3262 by Tuesday, January 7.
$5/adult, $3/child, maximum $15 per family.
Please send your check to the office when you register.
Pizza and Bingo...the perfect combination!
Temple Shalom Dor Hadash invites the entire community to play
bingo and make your own pizza.
Sunday, January 5, 3:30-6 p.m.
Enjoy bingo with prizes for all ages,
then come in the kitchen to make your pizza.
$10 per adult, $5 per child under 13. max $25 per family
Questions? Contact Kelly Hamilton at [email protected]
RSVP to [email protected]
or call the office at781-396-3262
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Havdalah Pajama Party!
Saturday, January 18 at 5 p.m.
Come say 'goodnight' to Shabbat
Wear your PJs, bring lovies and loved ones! Say goodnight to Shabbat and
enjoy a light supper together. We will enjoy dinner together, perform
Havdalah and then do a craft.
RSVP by Friday, January 10 to the Temple Office at 781-396-3262
or to [email protected]
The cost is $5 per adult and $4 per child,
with a family maximum of $15, payable in advance.
Havdalah is the short, sweet service that signals the end of Shabbat It is a
family friendly, multi-sensory service, filled with the warmth of
candlelight, wine, sweet-smelling spices and song - a beautiful way
to move from Shabbat into a new week.
Sunday, January 26, Temple Shalom Social Action Committee will once again
be hosting the Medford Family Network Free Swap program in our auditorium.
The MFN provides free family education programs, play groups, parenting classes and so
much more to anyone who lives or works in Medford. The Free Swap happens four times a
year and services hundreds of local families. You are invited to be a part of this amazing
program by donating gently used clothing for children of all ages (no adult clothing,
please), toys, books, baby equipment. A donation box is in the synagogue lobby.
If you live or work in Medford, you are also invited to come between 3-4:30 p.m. on
January 26 and take anything that you need for your family, absolutely free.
If you would like information about volunteer opportunities for this event, or have questions
about donations, please contact Tamar Siegel at [email protected]
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Shopping with gift cards is an easy way to support our synagogue every time you shop. We
offer a great variety of brands in addition to your weekly gas and grocery purchases. From
dinning and entertainment to home improvement and beyond, we have all your shopping
needs covered. Buy a gift card from one of these national retailers through our scrip program
and then start shopping! Email Tamar Siegel at [email protected] to sign up.
From the Board of Directors
Each month, the Board of Directors meets to discuss issues facing the synagogue and often makes important
decisions that affect life at Temple Shalom. Here is a recap of the December board meeting.
The Board voted to accept a grant from Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) in the amount of
$5,000. Tamar Siegel, Rabbi David, and David Sayres have been working closely with a representative from
CJP who approached the synagogue about this grant. The money must be used to support outreach as well as
development and promotion of programs geared towards children aged 0 to 6. It is likely that some of the
money will be used to fund help with outreach to Jewish families in the area by someone outside the
congregation. In addition to attracting more new families, the hope is that this new assistance will free up
some of our volunteer time to begin strengthening our offerings for children aged 7 to 10 and beyond.
The Ritual Committee has decided to try offering a family-friendly service on the third Friday evening of
every month beginning in January. The service will include an earlier start time (6:30 p.m.), the usual English
texts translated in more contemporary language, and some short commentary by the clergy about particular
prayers and practices throughout the service. The committee encourages feedback about this latest attempt to
provide services that cater to everyone's needs and desires, and to increase attendance at services among adults
and children.
The conversion of our heating system hit a new snag recently when it was discovered that the gas line running
from the street to the building is for residential heat and will not support our system. Charlotte Potak and
David Sayres have been working diligently to get NStar to rectify this right away, securing a permit for the
work specially through City Hall. The problem is likely to cause a delay, but hopefully not a significant one.
Board meetings happen the third Thursday of every month (unless it's a holiday) at the synagogue. The
minutes of meetings are available to any member and can be accessed through the website. Meetings are also
open to members. If you're interested, come on by!
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Temple Shalom Adult Education Committee invites you to a talk by
Deborah Varat
Rescheduled for Sunday, January 19 at 10 a.m.
"Modern Art in Germany in the 1920s, and the Jews that Made it Possible"
When we think of the great artists of the Modern era, names like Manet, Van Gogh, Cezanne,
and Picasso come to mind. None of these artists were Jewish, but the supporters who made
their careers possible and built their reputations were – the dealers, gallery owners, publishers,
and collectors. This was especially true in Germany in the period following World War I,
when Jews enjoyed unprecedented access to the intellectual and cultural realms from which
they had long been excluded. This presentation will look at a few such Jewish impresarios in
Germany at this time and the central role they played in supporting Modern Art during this
most celebrated of cultural moments.
Deborah Varat, in addition to being a member of Temple Shalom, is a Professor of Art History and
Humanities at Southern New Hampshire University. German inter-war culture, and Jews in the art world
more generally, are two of her areas of expertise.
Rosh Chodesh
Tuesday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m.
at the home of June Klein
The Conservative Jewish Movement is "Egalitarian." What does this mean for you?
If you remember a time when women didn't count for minyan, sat separated from men, and
could not have an aliyah, how did it feel when these things changed? Can you imagine being
Jewish today with those restrictions?
Join us for a discussion of the many ways to be a Jewish woman.
For more information, email Beth Gold at [email protected]
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Temple Shalom Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Our next book selection is
The First Phone Call From Heavan by Mitch Albom
One morning in the small town of Coldwater, Michigan, the phones start ringing. The
voices say they are calling from heaven. Is it the greatest miracle ever? Or some cruel hoax?
As news of these strange calls spreads, outsiders flock to Coldwater to be a part of it.
At the same time, a disgraced pilot named Sully Harding returns to Coldwater from prison
to discover his hometown gripped by “miracle fever.” Even his young son carries a toy
phone, hoping to hear from his mother in heaven.
As the calls increase, and proof of an afterlife begins to surface, the town—and the world—
transform. Only Sully, convinced there is nothing beyond this sad life, digs into the phenomenon, determined to disprove it for his child and his own broken heart.
Moving seamlessly between the invention of the telephone in 1876 and a world obsessed
with the next level of communication, Mitch Albom takes readers on a breathtaking ride of
frenzied hope.
The First Phone Call from Heaven is a virtuosic story of love, history, and belief.
‫זמן סיפור‬
Books and crafts are geared for kids ages 2 and up
Sunday, January 5, from 11-11:45 a.m.
RSVP so there will be craft supplies for everyone: [email protected].
Saturday, January 11 at 11 a.m.
Songs, stories, crafts, prayer, and a Kiddush luncheon.
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From the Desk of
The Religious School Director
Andrea Katz
In January, our students will be celebrating Tu B’Shevat, Israel’s Arbor Day, in class by discussing the
significance of trees in Israel and sampling fruits and juices that come from trees. We encourage families to
plant a tree in Israel through Jewish National Fund at www.jnftrees.com. This is a great way to mark a
simcha, joyous occasion, and/or to honor the memory of a loved one. Jewish National Fund was the recipient
of the Religious School’s tzedakah fund from 5773. Please check out their website at www.jnf.org.
Please note that we will have school on May 11 (the Snow Make-up date on the School Calendar) because of
the school cancellation on Sunday, December 15. A reminder will be sent home in the spring.
Save the Date: Sunday, February 9 - Family Education Program, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Parents and students will
join together for the first part of the morning – details will follow! Kitah Aleph – Kochavim classes will
return to the classroom following the program.
Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy 2014, Andrea
Cantor Stern's Adult Education Class
Wednesday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m.
This month’s class continues with Part II of our exploration of Austrian Jewish composers,
including their arrival in Hollywood after World War II.
We will hear and learn about Schoenberg, Korngold, Bernstein, and perhaps others.
All are welcome with or without preparation.
Rabbi’s Class – Back to the Sources
Sunday, January 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Everyone is welcome. No previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew is required.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CELEBRATE
To sponsor a Kiddush or Oneg for a special occasion in your family,
contact Harriet Sandberg at [email protected]
Or call the office at 781-396-3262
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January Yahrzeits
January 2-9/1-8 Shevat
January 17-23/16-22 Shevat
Nelson Gediman
Elaine Bernstein
Ethel C. Rubens
Joseph Tankel
Anna Miller
Bernard Weiner
Adele Schoenbaum
Minna Rubin
Bessie Abramson
Sophie Bluestein
Albert Melnick
Esther Levine
Stella Bornstein
Rose Landy
June Eisenberg
Miriam Hahn
Jordan Bluestein
Murray Wish
Edith Perlis
Faye Marks
Mary Risman
Bernard Bloom
Frances Snider
Lena Stanger
John Smoller
Dina Lefkowitz
Frank Koltow
Maurice Klickstein
David Wolfson
Morris W. Hahn
Bessie Abt
Harry Lerner
David Rubin
Leah Marks
Abraham Minkovitz
Sarah Dress
Nancy Wolfson
Isidore Weiner
Melvin Perlitsh
Henry Stone
Morris Short
Ella T. Yavner
January 24-30/23-29 Shevat
Florence Parker
Jan. 31-Feb. 6/30 Shevat - 6 Adar
January 10-16/9-15 Shevat
Jennie Rosenthal
Samuel Miller
Morris A. Rutberg
Ethel Rubin
Anna Small
Samuel Gordon
Hyman Darman
Josef Averbook
Jacob H. Shapiro
Samuel Cubell
Julius Witten
Ida Tepper
Isaac Kaplan
Celia Sherman
Abraham Barmak
Morris Landy
Buzz Rutstein
Annette Brown
Mollie Roscoe
Evelyn Bluestein
Merrill Siegan
Nathan Green
Fannie Zalcman
Bella Freedman
Diane Shuster
Beatrice Eckstein
Marion Finkel
Tobias Yavner
Harold Edner
Gertrude Raymond
Walter Potak
Ida Miller
William Tarlin
Laurie Bode
Bela Pogoda
Edward Camiel
Jack Farber
Please be generous and donate to the local Food Pantries.
The number of hungry families in Medford grows every month.
Please consider buying one extra non-perishable food item when you shop
each week and drop it in the collection box in our lobby.
During January, we would like to collect as many cans of soup as possible .
(We will, of course, gladly accept all other non-perishable items as well.)
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Donations to the Temple Shalom General Fund
Best of luck to Justin & Nadia Womack on their new home and adventure in Baltimore from David &
June Klein
Congratulations to Stanley & Dorothy Eckstein for their wonderful work on creating the “History of
Houses of Worship in Medford” from David & June Klein
In honor of Arthur & Myrna Freedman’s 50th Wedding Anniversary from Rita Sherman, Eli & Ceil
Cohen
Wishing Emilia Black a full and speedy recovery from Bernard & Marcia Arnofsky
In honor of our grandson Joshua Kornbleuth’s Bar Mitzvah from Melvin & Lucille Shneider
In honor of Helene Kravitz’s 80th Birthday from Melvin & Lucille Shneider
Mazel Tov to Jody Ardizzoni on the birth of new granddaughter Sofia Teresa Ardizzoni from Mark &
Elyce Pearlstein & family
Yahrzeit Remembrance Donations
In memory of A. David Risman from Robert & Eleanor Risman
In memory of Max Sherman from Rita Sherman
In memory of Lillian Eisenberg from Harvey Eisenberg
In memory of Marilyn Rubenstein from Paula Rigoli & Melvin & Lucille Shneider
In memory of Florence Parker & Lena Stanger from Mark & Elyce Pearlstein, Bruce & Sherrie Weinstein and
families
In memory of A. David Freedland from Sarah Freedland, Mark Freedland, Ruth Kurtz & Jean EllisLaBossiere
In memory of Rose Wolfson from Richard & Cheryl Wolfson
Donations to the Rabbi’s Fund
In honor of my Rosh Hashana hosts Henry Goldberg & Michael Smith, Rabbi David’s welcoming style
and Cantor Stern’s minor haftorah cadences from D J Yanow
Donations to the Sumner and Peggy Sinrich Playground Fund
In memory of beloved grandparents and great-grandparents Freida & Morris Sinrich from Philip, Deb.
Leah & Evan Sinrich
Congratulations to Nicole & Evan Sinrich on their new positions back in Massachusetts from Phil & Deb
Sinrich
Don’t forget to bring your bottles and cans with you when you come to synagogue
so we can turn them into cash for the religious school!
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Put your advertisement here!
Call the office for details: 781-396-3262
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