1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

Iyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5775
Vol. LIII No. 5
May/June 2015
3rd MJC Family Meeting
Our final meeting, facilitated by Rabbi Matthew Reimer, will take place on
Sunday, May 3rd at 10 a.m.
THE YIDDISHE GILBERT & SULLIVAN COMPANY
presents The Mikado
Sunday, May 17th, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Valley Stream Jewish Center,
Corona Avenue, Valley Stream
Tickets - $10 (includes collation)
shavuot services
First day
Second day
Saturday evening, May 23rd
Services followed by refreshments
Sunday morning, May 24th
Yizkor will be recited
Cheesecake!
Monday evening, May 25th
-
MJC Brings the Movies to You!
Sunday, June 14th, 2015
at 2:00 p.m.
in the Berger Room
Mammele
starring Molly Picon
Movie:
Yiddish with English subtitles
Annual UJA Brunch
Sunday
Sunday,, June 28th, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Honoring Lottie Tartell
8:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
president’s message
IT (STILL) AIN’T AS COMPLICATED AS YOU MAY THINK
Two years ago I wrote an article extolling the simplicity and personal enrichment derived from
attending services at the Malverne Jewish Center. I described how it served as an antidote to the
complexities of life we face every day and spoke about the feelings of accomplishment from
participating in the life of our shul, be it serving on a committee or just enjoying one of our
programs. The constant thread throughout my simple message was that MJC not only needs you
but that MJC can also play a very pivotal role in your everyday life.
Two years later I’m rolling out a similar message to address what I’ll refer to as a pall hovering
over our congregation like a storm cloud, threatening not rain, but essentially the essence of our
continued existence as a congregation. This so-called pall has manifested itself in diminished
attendance in not only our services, but our social events as well. Our enthusiasm in our shul, one of
the strong points of the past, no longer seems as robust as it was. Perhaps it was this past winter’s
lousy weather affecting attendance or the insecurity of not having identified our next spiritual leader
or some dissatisfaction with certain aspects of our religious services, but it’s obvious that
something is a little off kilter in how we view our shul. I sense there is something affecting our
affinity to our shul and maybe to each other which we need to deal with and come together as a
congregation or it will affect our ability to continue as a congregation.
Now, perhaps I’m being somewhat paranoid, delusional or just over-reacting to the lower
numbers I see at services and other events. If that is the case, please forgive my pessimism, but
let’s not totally dismiss the observations I’ve articulated. Let’s not ignore the lower attendance at
services and the tardiness that precludes our having a minyan earlier than when we do. Let’s not
lose sight of the fact that our wonderful array of programs are planned, run and attended by just a
few of us. Let’s not dismiss the lack of enthusiasm we show for celebrating and commemorating
important dates on the Jewish calendar as a Jewish community by not supporting the joint events
we hold with our fellow area synagogues.
Yes, we’re not perfect and I won’t deny that there are things about MJC that make us want to
stay away. But staying away will only contribute to our eventual demise as a congregation. We can’t
just let the things we don’t like about MJC overwhelm our dedication to our shul and our
determination to make it better for us and for our fellow congregants; our dear friends. Rather, we
need to come together as the congregation of the Malverne Jewish Center by joining with each
other and working hard to make it better. Succumbing to our ills will only lead to selecting the last
one to turn off the lights.
On a more positive note, for someone who fancies techie toys as much as I do, the concept of
simplicity might seem like an anathema, to be scorned like a smart phone without at least 64
gigabits of internal storage. However, in this case, simplicity may in fact be our friend. Yes, we are
presently in the midst of a soul-searching exercise with Rabbi Reimer, but that should not affect
how we feel about our shul and for each other. We obviously care for both very much and our
determination to continue as a congregation is steadfast. So I submit that we reinforce that
steadfastness with the very simple approach of coming to shul and actively participating in our
programs and those we hold jointly with other area congregations.
Sound over-simplified, maybe to the extent of being trivialized? Perhaps. But today’s life has
become so complex that it’s nice to have an oasis of simplicity. And frankly, the solution to our
(continued on page4)
Malverne Jewish Center
2
May/June 2015
services
Rabbi Meir S. Dvir
David Feldman, President
Every Shabbat morning at 9:30 a.m.
Weekday Evening Minyan - Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.
May 16 - Celebration of Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Reunification Day
at Shabbat Services
Shabbat & sHAVUOT candlelighting
MAY
May 1st
May 8 th
May 15th
May 22nd
May 23rd
May 24th
May 29th
-
JUNE
June 5th
June 12th
June 19th
June 26th
7:33 p.m.
7:39 p.m.
7:48 p.m.
7:54p.m.
9:01 p.m. (1st night Shavuot)
9:02 p.m. (2nd night Shavuot)
8:00 p.m.
-
8:08 p.m.
8:09 p.m.
8:12 p.m
8:13 p.m.
Installation of Officers and Trustees
Shabbat, June 13th, 2015
Officers
President
Vice President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
-
Dave Feldman
Carl Dropkin
Stanley Wallach
Bernard Schwam
Francine Eisner
Trustees (2 year term)
Lidia Barishnikow Gloria Berger
Harris Dinkoff
Susan Dropkin
Ruth Hyman
Cecile Vinik
Amy Zuckerman
Program notes
MJC-ers have enjoyed Succot lunch, Chanukah celebration, Tu’BShvat observance, a most
jolly Purim party (you really missed Herb and Carl in a rare duet if you weren’t there!), and our
terrific “Shabbat Across America gathering on March 13th.
I want to thank those who always respond with help even without being asked-but
especially Linda Brodsky without whose organizational skills, culinary capabilities and efficient
command of the kitchen our celebrations would not be so successful. For the Shabbat dinner
preparation, I bless Gloria Berger and Mim Castleman for setting up the tables to such elegance.
Looking forward to seeing all our members at Shavuot services-you will be rewarded with
our tradition of delectable cheesecake! The program committee (Dave Feldman, Mildred Castleman,
Ruth Hyman, Sue Dropkin, Arlene Lynn, and Rabbi Dvir) labors all year to create and present these
events, and your attendance is our reward.
Pat Sachs, Chairperson
May/June 2015
3
Malverne Jewish Center
president’s message
(continued from page 2)
doldrums ain’t that complex, so why not rely on the simple approach? Come, participate, and enjoy
your friendships of many years. That’s it! Simple! And the results we can expect? A stronger
Malverne Jewish Center, personal spiritual enrichment, a sense of accomplishment and in many
cases, a lot of fun. These are results which will not entail complex soul-searching or trying to follow
gobblygook instructions in order to operate that new coffee maker you just purchased or having to
know anything more about Windows except that they need to be cleaned every so often.
Our shul has a lot to offer and I invite and encourage you to take advantage of its programs and
become involved in making them even better. Nothing complicated here, just the simple notion that
the more you become part of MJC the more you will take from your participation and the more your
participation will benefit our shul as a whole. So, take a respite from today’s crazy complexities and
enjoy the simple pleasures that your shul has to offer. Check out the listing of events contained in
this Newsletter and commit to attending or even working on at least one of them. It’s really that
simple.
I’ll close this article with a quote that led off that article on simplicity I wrote two years ago and is
still very relevant today, maybe even more so:
“At the beginning of ‘Walden,’ Henry David Thoreau makes a concise case against the
complexity of modern life. ‘Our life is frittered away by detail. An honest man has hardly need to
count more than his ten fingers, or in extreme cases he may add his ten toes, and lump the rest.
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!’ he writes. ‘Let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a
thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts thumb-nail….Simplify,
simplify.’” [When Simplicity is the Solution, by Alan Siegel and Irene Etzkorn, Wall Street Journal,
March 30-31, 2013]
It’s that simple!
Dave Feldman
MJC BOok club
The most recent meeting of the MJC Book Club took place on Monday,
April 20, 2015. The book up for discussion this time was Love and
Treasure by Ayelet Waldman. It is a tale about the history of the
Hungarian Gold Train in the Second World War.
by
Our discussion was led by Linda Brodsky. Overall we liked the book and
we gained a greater understanding of life in the European community in the
Sue Dropkin
first half of the twentieth century.
Our next book club discussion is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2015.
Our next selection is Pepper, Silk and Ivory: Amazing Stories about Jews and the Far
East by Rabbi Marvin Tokayer and Ellen Rodman. The book is available through the Nassau
County Library System and is also available for Kindle users.
The Book Club has decided that we will read A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of
Vodka by Lev Golinkin for our August meeting. Additional information to follow.
The book club is open to everyone, and please bring a friend. Also if there is a book you
think would make for a great discussion by the group, please let me know.
Sue Dropkin
Malverne Jewish Center
4
May/June 2015
IN THE FAMILY
MAZEL-TOV TO:
Murray Greenspan on the marriage of his granddaughter Hillary to Matt Reiner.
Geri Alex Berger on her graduation from University of Buffalo with a BA in communications. Geri is
the granddaughter of Gloria Berger.
Eric Charles Heitner on his graduation from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s in Business
Administration. Eric will be continuing at Hofstra for his Masters. Eric’s proud Bubie is Barbara
Heitner.
CONDOLENCES TO:
Emilee & Dave Feldman on the passing of Emilee’s beloved father, Charles McGarvey, on April
8th. Condolences may be sent to Emilee at 33 Dolores Place, Malverne, New York 11565
We mark the passing,on March 4th, of our longtime member and friend
Helen Shorser
Condolences can be sent to her children Brad Shorser and Joanne Gentile
c/o Brad Shorser 1519 Clinton Place, River Forest, IL 60305.
THANK YOU NOTES:
Dear Friends,
Thank you for all your get well wishes, cards and donation during my recent illness. Healing does
occur faster when there are good wishes and prayers with you.
Mel Bernstein
To All Our Friends at MJC:
We’d like to express our sincere appreciation for the prayers and wishes of condolences on the
passing of our father, Charles McGarvey. It certainly meant a lot to our family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dave and Emilee Feldman
DONATIONS
GENERAL FUND:
Gloria Berger – In celebration of my granddaughter, Geri Alex’s college graduation. In memory of
John Olson.
Emilee & Dave Feldman – Get well wishes to Mel Bernstein.
Ruth Hyman – Best wishes to Suzann & David Mack in their new Hawaiian home. Congratulations
to Murray Greenspan on the birth of his great-granddaughter. Congratulations to Rosalie Meltzer on
the birth of her great-granddaughter.
Pat Sachs – Get well wishes to Mel Bernstein.
In honor of the marriage of Murray Greenspan’s granddaughter, Hillary, to Matt Reiner:
Gloria Berger
Mildred Castleman
Cis Vinik
In memory of Charles McGarvey, father of Emilee Feldman:
Jaci & Mel Bernstein
Mildred Castleman
Elaine Fleischman
Murray Greenspan
Lynn Myron & Jerry Seltzer
Lottie Tartell
Cis Vinik
HERMAN & MURIEL LEVINE JEWISH EDUCATION FUND:
Linda & Herb Brodsky – in memory of Charles McGarvey. In honor of the marriage of Murray
Greenspan’s granddaughter, Hillary, to Matt Reiner.
SELLING OF CHOMETZ
Gloria Berger
Dvora & Julie Bernstein
Ruth Hyman
Suzi & Bernie Schwam
Cecile Vinik
May/June 2015
5
Malverne Jewish Center
Yahrzeit
MAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
14
16
JUNE
Hilda Levy
15
4 Samuel Saal
18 Molly Heitner
Selma Duskin
19 Albert Gotlieb
6 Herbert Bender
Stuart Heitner
16
21 Millicent Freedman 7 Ida Tartell
Esther Honig
Sarah Kirsch
9 Fay Lazarus
Minnie Lewis
23 Lawrence Karlin
Muriel Levine
Mollie Levy
17
26 Ethel Brodsky
11 Richard Mack
Edward Goldstein
18
27 Sam Feldman
12 Abraham Linderman
B.L. Taft
19
29 Gussie Stopfer
14 Keila Barishnikow
Sylvia Belink
31 Harry Paluba
20
Nancy Vinik
22
Beatrice Rubin
23
Ada Schachter
24
May their souls be bound up in life.
Lou Castleman
May they rest in peace. Amen.
28
Isaac Angel
Shepard Freedman
30
Anna Tessman
Jack Lazear
Max Castleman
Abraham Meltzer
Sol Dropkin
David Hazarian
Benjamin Waldman
Calvin Heitner
Ethel Pine
Sylvia Turner
Stephen Eisner
Mollie Yachnin
Joseph Schonberg
Horty Schmierer
Jerry Fleischman
Ralph Abels
Pearl Rubin
Yahrzeit Fund
Gloria Berger
Dvora Bernstein
Joel Brodsky
Elyse Besso
Richard Black
Mildred Castleman
Beth Freidman
Elaine Fund
Evelyn Goodman
Bernice Gotlieb
Eli Greenbaum
Ruth Hyman
Fleurette & Harvey Levine
Lynn Myron
Pat Sachs
Leonora Salley
Bernie Schwam
Diane Weiner
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THESE MALVERNE JEWISH CENTER FUNDS
ARE APPRECIATED
GENERAL FUND - supports the activities and operations of the Malverne Jewish Center.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND - funds are donated to worthy causes and individuals selected by the
Rabbi.
TZEDAKAH FUND -helps support both Judaic and secular programs. It can be donated to throughout the
year either through contributions to the pushke at minyan or by designating some of your contributions to this
fund.
HERMAN AND MURIEL LEVINE JEWISH EDUCATION FUND - established by the Levine/Brodsky
families. Funds are used for the presentation of educational and cultural programs at the synagogue.
MARTIN RADWELL MEMORIAL BOOK FUND - funds are used to purchase books and other
enhancements to the synagogue.
Malverne Jewish Center
6
May/June 2015
5775 Mitzv
ah project
Mitzvah
The Malverne Jewish Center is in its 10th year of committment to the needy of our community by
donating non-perishable, kosher, food items to The Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry in
Woodmere, run by UJA- Federation.
The following items are particularly needed:
√ Canned tuna,salmon
√ Coffee
√ Dry cereal √ Pasta
√ Instant Hot cereal
√ Fruit salad
√ Rice
√ Puddings √ Macaroni & Cheese
√ Canned or packaged soup (low sodium)
√ All juices (in plastic or cardboard containers)
√ Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard
√ Nutrition supplements, such as Ensure
√ Paper goods, health care products, dertergents, soap, diapers and baby wipes
Also needed are paper goods, health care products, detergents, soap, diapers, baby wipes, etc.
Please bring your donations to the box in the Bernie Berger Room and we will distribute them to
this worthy organization.
Thank you for your continued generosity.
Dave Feldman, Chairman
RABBI’S OFFICE HOURS
Rabbi Dvir will be in his office on the following
days:
Tuesday
10:30 am – 12:15 pm
Thursday
10:30 am – 12:15 pm
Sunday
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Everyone is invited to drop by with or without
an appointment.
CELEBRATE A SIMCHA at the MJC
It’s easy! Just call the office and tell Jaci what date
you’d like. A $50 donation will cover the cost of a
standard kiddush/luncheon. We do all the work. If
you’d like to add special items, it can be done at cost.
May/June 2015
7
Malverne Jewish Center
MALVERNE JEWISH CENTER
ONE NORWOOD AVENUE
MALVERNE, NEW YORK 11565
An Affiliate of IJ Morris
providing the most affordable graveside and chapel
services on long island with dignity and compassion
. advanced planning available
. centrally located to long island’s cemeteries
. chevra kadisha services
46 Greenwich Street
. transportation from any state
. monuments available in all cemeteries
. 100 percent service guarantee
. Hempstead . NY . 11550 . 516.486.1060 . www.jewishmemorialofli.com
Our Advanced Planning Counselors specialize in creating plans that cater to the different needs of all families.
participating member of The Pre Plan TM an FDIC insured fund for pre-paid funeral arrangements.
Malverne Jewish Center
8
May/June 2015