5775 Tevet - Shevat January 2015 A Caring Community Rabbi Benjamin E. Scolnic www.tbsHamden.com 203-288-7748 [email protected] Sch edu l e o f Ser v i ces a r e on th e C al en da r - page 3 Attention TBS Musicians! Can you play an instrument of ten strings or a lute? Can you make sacred music upon the harp? Okay—Do you play the guitar? Violin? Piano? Any musical instrument? We’d like to introduce instrumental music to enhance our services. If you have a talent you’d like to contribute, get in touch with Deborah Wilkenfeld at 203-230-4804 or [email protected] Inter-Faith Blood Drive Reminder Where: Spring Glen Church When: February 25th, 2015 Time: 1:30pm – 6:45pm How: make an appointment by calling Barbara Stein 281-5548 1809 Whitney Avenue Hamden, CT 06517-1401 Why: you can save 3 lives by donating one pint. Endowment Fund Ideas Are you thinking of establishing a named endowment fund that has a restricted or special purpose? Why not discuss it with our Endowment Committee, in consultation with your attorney, accountant or tax advisor. Chair: Martin Bernstein, CPA. [email protected] Social Action Make A Difference…..Pick A Cause The Social Action Committee is committed to helping others in our community. Your help is needed and the need is great. We will use the funds to support the many organizations and agencies below. We are adding a new initiative to our ongoing programs, a "Mitzvah of the Month" program. Every two months we will focus on one collection that our Hamden residents really need that is identified through our work with the M.L. Keefe Center. Help in any way that you can Mitzvah of the Month: For the months of Jan. and Feb. we will continue to collect hats, gloves, and scarves for our Hamden School Children. (Continued on page 7) Rabbi’s Message Ghost Hunt A recent Bat Mitzvah, Hannah Reifler, asked me to talk at her ceremony about a Japanese television show called "Ghost Hunt." Ghost Hunt is an example of anime, a kind of Japanese cartoon. As unfamiliar as this was to me, I found that this show has its own kind of charm. My grandchildren and I sat through the first three-part episode without moving a muscle. Ghost Hunt follows the adventures of Mai Taniyama, a young Japanese girl who is a first-year high school student at a middle school that is housed in a new building. Nearby is the old abandoned schoolhouse; terrible things have happened to people who were inside or near this building. There is reason to think that it is haunted by ghosts. Mai becomes involved with the Shibuya Psychic Research center and its young manager, Kazuya Shibuya. Kazuya Shibuya is a great looking brilliant seventeen-year-old man who is very full of himself, very narcissistic. In Japanese, narushisuto means narcissistic. So Mai nicknames him "Naru". them. Each of them thinks that only he or she can rid the haunted schoolhouse of ghosts. They compete with each other and put each other down. A teenage girl claims that she is more "spiritually sensitive" than all of these professionals. There were times I laughed out loud at the narcissistic competitive attitude of these characters. And then I started to think how on one level, this show is not a girls’ horror story but a satire on religious people, especially religious professionals. Too many of us who are religious think that only we are spiritually sensitive, that only we know how to communicate with the Divine. And I thanked G-d at that moment for Judaism as I know it, an open, pluralistic, undogmatic set of approaches to the meaning of life. I was never taught that only we Jewish people have all the answers, or that only Jewish people go to Heaven, or that I have to believe in this or that. I have never thought that I am more spiritually sensitive than anyone else. I’ve never judged anyone’s spirituality or lack thereof. "Spirituality" is a big word these days, but in Judaism, spirituality can be translated into our lives in very (Continued on page 15) In Japan, according to this show, if you’re worried about ghosts, you don’t call the ghostbusters, you call in the spiritualists, all of whom seem to have paranormal abilities: the Buddhist monk; the shrine maiden; the celebrity teen psychic; and the Catholic priest John Brown. There are no rabbis in the group. The nickname "Naru" or "narcissist" could easily be applied to all of We would like to officially welcome… Roberta Durant to our TBS office staff. We would also like to welcome Leon McFadden who has taken over Charlie Turner’s duties TBS Officers 2014 – 2015 President .................................... Sy Kaplan ............................. Ritual VP .................................... Deborah Wilkenfeld ............. Membership VP.......................... Karen Mendelsohn ............... House VP.................................... Josh Weissman ..................... Education VP ............................. Doron Ben-Atar .................... Communications VP................... Deborah Braun ..................... Ways and Means VP .................. Brian Lakin .......................... Treasurer.................................... Fran Bernstein ..................... Financial Secretary .................... Fay Sheppard ....................... Recording Secretary ................... Andrea Smith ....................... School Treasurer ........................ Jack Weinstein ..................... [email protected] ............... 203-281-3349 [email protected] .......................... -230-4804 [email protected] ............................ -699-0535 [email protected] ..................... -271-1226 [email protected] .............................. -562.1800 [email protected] ......... -281-4791 [email protected] ................................. -606-3784 [email protected] ............................... -288-4354 [email protected] .............................. -784-4123 [email protected] ............................... -234-1512 [email protected] .................................... -881-2568 Office Staff Office Manager ............................Barbara Varga 2 Office Administrator ...................... Roberta Durant Tevet - Shevat 5775 Sun Mon Tue 2015 - January Wed Thu Fri Sat 28 29 30 31 Rabbi’s Bible Class 7:00pm 1 2 7:15pm 3 Secular New Last Wills Years 4 Kadima Noon – 1:30 pm 5 IT meeting 7:15 pm 6 7 8 Sisterhood Meeting 7:00pm 9 7:15pm 10 9:30am How It Started How It Started Rabbi’s Bible Class 7:00pm "Essential Speeches by Modern Jewish Thinkers"- with Rabbi Scolnic 9:30 am Yiddish Group 9:30am 7:00pm Hebrew School Shabbat 11 Talking Points Program- with Shira Rosenblatt 10:00 am 12 Board of Ed 7:00pm 18 19 13 Mens Club 7:00pm Adult Ed 7:00pm 20 Board of Directors 7:15 pm 14 Rabbi’s Bible Class 7:00pm 15 16 7:15pm 17 9:30am Calling Twice Lunch N’Learn Noon Bored of Ed "The Birth of Modern Israel" with Dr Martin Laskin Conversational Hebrew 7:00pm 21 Rabbi’s Bible Class 7:00pm 22 23 7:15pm 24 9:30am How Many Plagues? Lunch N’Learn Noon Conversations “Moses:the man and the myth” with Dr Henry Cohen Junior Congregation 10:00am Sisterhood Program 7:00 pm Yiddish Group 25 Kadima Noon - 1:30pm 26 27 Minyan Schedule 28 Rabbi’s Bible Class 7:00pm Sun 9:00am 7:00pm 29 Conversational Hebrew 7:00pm Mon-Fri 7:15am Rosh Chodesh 7:00am 30 7:15pm 31 9:30am Meetings Darkness Hebrew School Family Havdalah Program 5:00pm Mon-Thur 6:45pm President’s Message Thanksgiving night and our guests have gone, the table has been cleared, the dishes, pots and pans are washed, the leftovers have been put away, it is time for Eta and I to sit back and relax and think about what has happened this day. We are so thankful for all we have, our family, our friends, our health (sure we have our aches and kvetches, the knees are not working like they used to, but we are still upright and getting along). To show our appreciation for what we have, we chose to share our good fortune. We may not be able to give large money donations, we give what we can and so we give of our time. We serve on different committees and projects to help TBS going forward. You too, can show your appreciation for what you have by helping those who are less fortunate. Our social action committee has so many ways to give back; visit someone in a nursing home or call a shut in and brighten their day. Somewhere in this bulletin is a committee or fund you might want to join or give to. Tzedakah – charity is a very Jewish thing-a mitzvah. Sy Kaplan TBS President Meet the Kiddush Klub The Kiddush Klub is a group of volunteers who organize the Saturday morning Kiddush at TBS. Our goal is to enhance Kiddushim so that congregants can enjoy Shabbat together with delicious food and the opportunity to schmooze after services. We are thrilled with the increasing number of people staying for lunch each week. We are always in need of volunteers to help prepare Kiddushim. Assistance with shopping and/or food preparation will help us continue to provide enhanced Kiddushim. Looking forward to seeing you in the kitchen. In addition to preparing food for Kiddushim, the Kiddush Klub works with congregants sponsoring a Kiddush in honor of a special event, such as a Bar and Bat Mitzvah, baby namings, auf ruf. We have written an easy to use booklet to help congregants plan their events. Please consider marking a special event by sponsoring a Kiddush. If interested please call Eta. Bitayavon! (Hearty appetite) 203-281-3349 Eta Kaplan Get Well Soon We would like to wish a speedy recovery to: ● ● Susan Gruen Marla Beck Mah Jongg Players $8.00 standard print $9.00 large print High Holiday Pledges Checks Payable to: Sisterhood Temple Beth Sholom Mail to: Eta Kaplan 107 Sebec Street Hamden, CT 06517 Tel. 203-281-3349 Please order before January 17th Sisterhood benefits from every card sold! 4 Goldstein Family Andrea & Steve Joseph Eta & Sy Kaplan Mr & Mrs Larry Moses Hedy & Richard Weiner Condolences This month we would like to express our condolences to: ● Shira Rosenblatt on the loss of her cousin, Rabbi Moshe Twersky Adult Education Rabbi’s Sunday Class: The next Sunday class with Rabbi Scolnic will be held on January 4th at 9:30am in the Sanctuary. Its title is "Essential Speeches by Modern Jewish Thinkers." The final class of this series will be held on February 22nd. Talking Points Program: On Sunday morning, January 11th, Shira Rosenblatt will moderate a session called "Talking Points." Attendees may bring up a Jewish-related discussion point for the group. It will take place in the Social Hall at 10:00am. New Lunch & Learn Series: On Thursday, January 15th at noon, in the Social Hall, Dr. Martin Laskin will begin his four-monthly-session series called: "The Birth of Modern Israel." Lunch will be served before Dr. Laskin speaks. If planning to attend the series, please send a check for $20 per person, made out to "The Adult Education Fund" to the Temple office by January 9th. Lunch & Learn with Henry Cohen: The fourth and final monthly session on "Moses: the man and the myth," will be held on Thursday, January 22nd in the Social Hall at noon. Lunch will be served prior to Henry’s talk. World-Wide Wrap: On Sunday morning, February 1st at 10:00am, the Adult Education Committee and the Men’s Club will join to host a breakfast, followed by a talk by Sydney Perry, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. Sydney will make a presentation on "The future of Jewry in the United States." Her talk is based on a recent Pew Report on the same subject. Yiddish Group: The Temple’s Yiddish Group meets every other Thursday in the Temple’s Library at 7:00pm. The group consists of people who are learning Yiddish. It is a relaxed and enjoyable way to learn. Questions may be directed to the group’s coordinator, Al Harary. Men’s Club The Men's Club voted to complete its commitment of $1,250.00 to the General Operating Fund. We also voted a payment of $972.00 to complete its commitment to the TBS Men’s Club endowment. We purchased 10 New Tables for the TBS Social Hall. They are guaranteed forever and are 6 feet rather than 8 feet and break in half so they are easier to handle. The Men's Club voted to buy 10 a year for 7 years rather than 5 years to replace our 8 foot tables. On Dec 21 the Men's Club sponsored a morning breakfast and talk on "Planning for the Cost of Healthcare Retirement" by Fay Sheppard. The Men's Club joined with the New Haven B’nai Brith and B’nai Brith Youth to prepare gift packages for the patients and nursing staff at the VA Hospital in West Haven. We then went around to all the wards and serenaded all who were at the VA on the night of December 24. The Men's Club is sponsoring a Sunday Morning breakfast on February 1. The Keynote speaker is Sydney Perry, and the topic is the PEW Report on the Future of Jewry in the US. The Men's Club is providing refreshments March 1st for the Z'Mirah Corale concert and sing along of Jewish music, including Hebrew folk songs, Yiddish and Ladino New activities for The Men's Club in the planning stages: ● "A day on the Beach" co-sponsored by LA Fitness, A day of Sauna, Whirlpool, Handball, Basketball and General Cardio under the supervision of one of LA Fitness personal trainers. ● "A welcome to spring in New Haven" Featured is a Hike and Bike of the Farmington Canal Trail. ● An afternoon of Wine Appreciation and Appetizers sponsored by Amity Wines of New Haven. ● A day of Berry Picking (and eating) co-sponsored with Bishop Farms of Cheshire and Guilford. ● A bus trip to New York to the World Trade Center and Museum. ● An after hour Bowling Tournament in Hamden. ● The beginning of an annual Men's Club Golf Tournament and Awards Dinner. We do good, we have fun, we need more participants. The next meeting of the Men's Club is scheduled for 7:00pm Tuesday, January 13 in the TBS Library Men’s Club President Mike Romeo 203-397-9484 [email protected] January 2015 5 Mitzvah Committee USY / Kadima It was a very cold day the Friday this month when we held our Mitzvah meeting, but it was warm for the residents who attended! Rabbi Scolnic led the service, including asking residents to participate with the readings. Then they were treated with gefilte fish and horseradish, carrots, challah, strawberries, melon, and a delicious cake. Lemonade and soft drinks are always a must. We had a large number of residents, guests and several newcomers who were warmly welcomed. If you are thinking of joining us for the 4 to 5 hours a month it takes to join us on this very worthwhile Committee – come and try it! I think you'll like it! Ellen Casper Committee member We are pleased to report on the progress of Temple Beth Sholom Kadima this year! We have 22 paid and active members as of December 1, 2014. The kids are having a blast and we are so grateful to the parents for their participation and support. Here's an update of what we've been up to since our kickoff event in October: In November, the Kadima group met to solve the "Mystery of the Missing Bar Mitzvah Cake". They did a great job interviewing our different witnesses and figuring out the mystery. Additionally, they made beautiful Chanukah cards that the Mitzvah Committee distributed to Arden House residents in December. On December 7, we took our first field trip of the year to SkyZone in Wallingford. Everyone had a great time jumping together on the trampolines. Our next event will be in the social hall on January 4. Watch your emails and Temple Tablet for details. Additionally, some of our Kadima kids will be attending their first ever regional overnight on January 25. It is never too late to join the fun. We welcome any fifth, sixth or seventh grader to join us at any time. TBS Joint Youth Group Coordinator Jen Weissman and Stacy Swartz [email protected] Sholom Committee To have your Condolence, Get Well, and Community Corner notice listed in the Bulletin, The Sholom Committee asks that you call Marla Beck at 203-287-8428 by the 10th of the month so it can be included in the upcoming month's issue. Our Monday meeting was a fun time for all. We played "Jewish Trivia – A – Z". The only problem was it took us a half hour just to get from "A - Actors and Actresses – Jewish" to "B - Breads -Jewish. Everyone never realized just how many people of the Jewish faith were, and still are in show business. We ended the program in order to have what turned out to be the main event - "Babba's Soup". My sister Arlene (with the help of her husband Marty) once again treated us to her delicious vegetable soup. Arlene and Marty schlepped two huge pots of the soup, oysterettes and mini éclairs from Fairfield to 6 This is a wonderful way to inform members about events such as births, engagements, graduations, marriages, and milestone birthdays or anniversaries; and wishes for a speedy recovery. It is also a way to notify the congregation of the passing of a family member. Hamden for all to enjoy, and enjoy they did! Fresh fruit along with a slice of Ann Niebloom's wonderful apple cake (also a favorite of everyone) ended an enjoyable and most tasty afternoon. Chairperson Barbara Stein – 203-281-5548 Ongoing Programs Bags for Toiletries: Lois Buslovitz continues to make lovely cloth bags for patrons to use to store their toiletries. If you have any fabric you can donate, please send into the TBS office and Lois will pick up the fabric on Fridays. Thank you to those who have been sending fabric. Keefe Community Center: We are very pleased to now be working with this Hamden agency. We are currently collecting diapers, baby wipes and any other baby products that can be placed in a box in the hall labeled "Keefe Center". Randy Berns will be coordinating the collections. Contact her at 203-248-0286. Knitting Project: For many years a group led by Helene Meltzer has been knitting hats, scarves, and mittens for local area agencies in need. Helene has plenty of yarn but is looking for volunteers to knit. If you like to knit and want to help out, please contact Helene Meltzer at [email protected] Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen: Sign up to help prepare and serve meals to the homeless in downtown New Haven. Please contact Jackie Weiss for more information at 203-265-6744. Place donations in the hallway bins if you are able…if not, donate to the Diane Kaplan Social Action Fund. We will do the shopping for you! Each month items will be collected and brought to the local agencies. It’s easy to make a difference! Social Action (Continued from page 1) Make A Difference…..Pick A Cause Fresh Fruit Program: Sign up to deliver 24 pieces of fresh fruit to local women's and children's shelters. Each month a volunteer brings the fruit. Sign up for the New Year 2015. Contact Deborah Wilkenfeld to sign up. [email protected] Military Care packages: Give 2 the Troops would appreciate chocolate candy bars, and non-perishable snacks. Please no granola bars. Contact Fran Parness at 203-484-9506. New Reach (Formerly New Haven Home Recovery): We are collecting socks and underwear for the children and women (all sizes). They can also use hats and gloves in all sizes for children and women especially during this time of the year. Please place these items into the box for New Reach. Contact Fran Parness at 203-484-9506. Toiletry Collection for Homeless: We continue to collect toiletries for the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen. The basket has been filling with your generous donations each week. We still can use small containers of shampoo, lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Many thanks! Contact Jackie Weiss at 203-265-6744 Our committee thanks you for your continued support. Chairperson: Marge Drucker 203-248-1046 [email protected] Community Corner ● Judy & Jerry Oppenheim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Puppeteers (no Strings attached) I need you, I need you, what more can I say! The children will be happy. It’ll make their day. So knit them some puppets you’ll be glad you did. The hospital will have one happy kid! Call Lois Buslovitz 203-288-1901 Grocery Cards Thanks to all of you who bought grocery cards to give as gifts to your employees for Thanksgiving and holiday gifts during December. Remember grocery cards make good gifts at any time! Grocery cards are sold at the Temple office during regular business hours. You can get them on Sundays when Hebrew School is in session. The following people have them: ● ● ● Elliot Alderman ........ 203-281-3489 Felicia Rumanoff ...... 203-272-2155 Toby Gillman ............ 203-288-8991 ● Stu Miller .................... 203-668-7683 ● Michelle Murphy ......... 203-248-3746 Our profit helps keep our dues down. Help us to help ourselves. Any questions, call Toby Gillman. January 2015 7 ISRAEL MATTERS! Publication of the Israel Affairs Committee of Temple Beth Sholom 1809 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517-1401 Issue Number 87 January 2015 Poll: Number of Israelis Viewing Obama as 'Positive' or 'Neutral' Drops Sharply Briton Hailed as 'Godfather' of IDF Reburied in Israel The ashes of a British World War One veteran who became a Jewish hero were reburied after a ceremony at a museum near the city of Netanya. Born in 1867, John Henry Patterson gained hero status in Israel for leading Jewish fighters during WW1, becoming a passionate Zionist. Attending the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him the "godfather" of the Israeli army. Mr Netanyahu's father was a friend of Patterson and the PM's brother, Yonathan, was named in honor of him. Before commanding Jewish soldiers, Patterson was a big-game hunter in Africa. For his role in WW1, Patterson is credited as being the first commander to lead Jewish forces on to the field of battle for two millennia, making him an important figure in the history of Zionism. The Jewish Legion, which Patterson commanded, was the basis for what became the Israel Defense Forces, said Netanyahu. In his later years, Patterson worked for the creation of a Jewish state. He died in 1947. One of his fellow fighters, Zeev Jabotinsky, who became a leading Zionist, said: "In all of Jewish history we have never had a Christian friend as understanding and devoted." The remains of Patterson, and his wife, were laid to rest at Moshav Avichail, a museum established by Jewish Legion veterans. According to his grandson it was one of his final wishes to be interred alongside men he commanded. [bbcnews] 8 The percentage of Israelis who believe President Barack Obama has either a "positive" or a "neutral" view of Israel has fallen steeply in the two years since his visit to Israel in the spring of 2012, according to a Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) survey released during December. Of the respondents, 37 % said Obama has a "positive" position toward Israel, and an equal number said he had a "negative" attitude toward the country. Another 24% said he was "neutral." In 2012, some 51% of the respondents of a similar BESA poll said Obama had "positive" attitudes toward Israel and another 32% believed he was "neutral." The telephone survey, released in advance of a recent BESA conference on America's standing in the world, was conducted from November 16-21 among a proportional sample of 529 adult respondents by Magar Mochot. The poll reflected a 4.5% margin of error. According to the survey, 52% of the respondents believe Obama's policy regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict has been "bad," while 50% disapproved of his policies toward Iran and 47% said the same about his policies regarding Islamic State. Some 65% of the respondents said America's position in the Middle East has been weakened or seriously weakened since Obama took office in 2009, while 24% believe America's position has remained unchanged and 11% think it has gotten stronger. Along with thinking that the US position in the region has been weakened, some 68% believe America's standing in the region influences Israel's position. Likewise, 63% believe that if American involvement in the Middle East was reduced, it would have an adverse impact on Israel. Close relations with the US was ranked second overall among the most important factors for Israel's security, with Israel's military power ranked first. Ninety-one percent believe close relations with the US are important. While 62% of the public believes peace with the Palestinians is an important determinant of the country's security, some 48% say the same thing about the settlements. Somewhat counter-intuitively, Iran was listed after terrorism, the IsraelPalestinian conflict and radical Islam as a significant or very significant threat to Israel's existential interests. Nevertheless, some 53% of the public believes Israel should attack Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to stop its nuclear pursuit, while 47% are opposed. If the US disapproved of (Continued next page) (Continued) such an attack, the number of Israelis who would support it drops from 53% to 45%, while those who would oppose it if the US objects jumps to 55%. Nearly 75% of the sample believe the US would come to Israel's aid in the "moment of truth, and a similar number feel the US is a loyal ally of Israel. While 58% attribute US support of Israel to Israel's role as a strategic partner, another 37% said it was due to the clout of American Jewry. Regarding American Jewry, 79% said they believe US Jews feel close or very close to Israel. Yael Bloch-Elkon, who co-directed the poll, said it indicates that "despite the fact that Israelis are deeply disconcerted about President Obama's Middle East policies with regards to Israel-Palestinian affairs, regional uprisings, and Iran – the Israeli public remains one of the most pro-American communities in the world. Overwhelming majorities view the US and Israel as having similar strategic interests in the Middle East, see the US as Israel's loyal ally, and as a friend that will come to Israel's aid in times of trouble." [JPost] Orthodox Union 'Adopts' Family of Murdered Druze Officer The Orthodox Union (OU) was moved by the story of Zidan Seif, the 30-year-old Druze police officer who was murdered by terrorists during the recent attack at the Jerusalem synagogue in Har Nof when he tried to stop their attack in which they murdered four Jews. Rabbi Avi Berman, Director General of the Orthodox Union in Israel, recently visited the Seif family home in the town of Yanuh-Jat in the Galilee. Rabbi Berman told the family of the strong desire on behalf of Jewish communities from the United States to thank them for their son's heroics and express their sympathy, and added, "Dozens of rabbis, donors and members of the communities asked me to come here and thank you on their behalf to your wonderful family who raised a man who sacrificed his life for others." Zidan's family told Rabbi Berman of their son's special character and how he always wanted to help those in need. Towards the end of the visit, Rabbi Berman told the family members that OU had decided to help out the family as much as possible, including commemorating Zidan's name. Rabbi Berman told the family that he served with Druze in the IDF and always knew there was a close bond between the two peoples "but the story of Zidan's death added a special feeling that is now stronger than any previous knowledge," he added. [Ynetnews] January 2015 Congress Enshrines Israel in a New Class of Ally With the recent passage of the US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, Congress created a new legal category of partnership specifically for the State of Israel. Declared a major strategic partner – a designation held by no other country – the law seeks to establish a new framework within the category that will enhance cooperation across industries, with a focus on defense technologies. The designation is an upgrade for Israel from "major nonNATO ally," the country's legal status as a US ally since 1988. The president is authorized, the law reads, to "share and exchange with Israel research, technology, intelligence, information, equipment, and personnel that will advance US national security interests and enhance US-Israel scientific cooperation." The law calls for an expanded role for Israel with NATO. Now headed to President Obama's desk, the Act was authored by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), Ted Deutch (D-Florida), Ed Royce (R-California) and Eliot Engel (D-New York), and Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-California) and Roy Blunt (R-Missouri). The House vote was for a Senate version of the bill. Both senators Barbara Boxer and Roy Blunt, who sponsored the Senate bill, hailed the House's vote. Hill aides said they expect the president to sign the Act into law. The White House declined to comment following the Act's passage. "Israel is a bright light in a very, very dark region," Eliot Engel said on the House floor shortly before the vote. "This legislation names Israel as a major strategic partner, demonstrating that our relationship is not transactional. It's not assistance-based," said Engel. In addition, Engel said the bill will "build on our robust defense cooperation … ramp up US-Israel collaboration on cybersecurity, expand US-Israel energy cooperation, and reaffirm our commitment to Israel's … qualitative military edge." The president is given new authorization to grant assistance to cooperative efforts on energy, water, homeland security, agriculture and alternative fuel technologies. The act also authorizes an increase of $200 million in the value of U.S. weapons held in Israel, to a total of $1.8 billion. This stockpile, intended for use by U.S. forces in the event of a crisis, can also be used by Israel in the event of an emergency with Israel reimbursing the U.S. for any weapons used. "A Hamas plot to kill scores of Israelis was just uncovered, while a regime in Tehran seeks to acquire a nuclear warhead and the missiles to deliver it. All this while ISIS is at Israel's front doorstep," said Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "That is why the legislation is so important." [Arutz Sheva] 9 WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS All donations must be in by the first day of the month. This will enable us to get them in the next bulletin. Any donations received after the first, will go in the following month's bulletin. Please write checks for each type of fund (i.e. RDF - Mitzvah Fund Isaiah Fund - Yahrzeits - Each Endowment Fund). If you combine all your donations on one check, your check must be deposited into the RDF and checks for each fund are written from the RDF for deposit. It is time consuming and confusing. YAHRZEITS Memory of Matilda Brandt ●Amy Ruhlman Memory of Shelley Brenner ●Stephen Brenner Memory of William Cohen ●Rhoda Cohen Memory of Bella Danilowitz ●David Danilowitz Memory of Mendel Eidinger ●Sarah Backer Memory of Elly Engel ●Renate Hoffman Memory of Lillian Cutler Epstein ●Rhoda Cohen 10 Memory of Ida Evans ●Carol & Joel Evans Memory of Melvin Kipperman ●Andrew Kipperman Memory of Louis Gitlitz ●Sandra Kaplan Memory of Morris Krall ●Donna Greene Memory of Mary Goldberg ●Alan & Bonnie Goldberg Memory of Morton Krass ●Philip Krass Memory of Sara Gradis ●Betty Sumner Memory of Rhea Molaver Kravitz ●Zelda Cooper Memory of Jennie Greene ●David Greene Memory of Abraham Leder ●Selma Krinick Memory of Sigmund Gursky ●Elaine Kagen Memory of Tillie Leder ●Selma Krinick Memory of Elizabeth Hamburger ●Ruth & Sherman Zudekoff Memory of Albert Miller ●Sid Miller Memory of Paul Hornreich ●Carol Hornreich ●Howard, Dina & Paula Hornreich Memory of Anna Miller ●Marvin Miller Memory of Abraham Hurwitz ●Amy Ruhlman Memory of Steven Hurwitz ●Amy Ruhlman Memory of Philip Kaplan ●Mark Kaplan Memory of Mollie Katz ●Harold Katz Memory of Albert Katzman ●Evelyn & George Seltzer Memory of Janice Kipperman ●Andrew Kipperman Memory of Nathan Mondschein ●Seymour Mondschein Memory of Ann Moss-Berland ●Nancy Moss-Racusin Memory of Issie Moskowitz ●Julius Moskowitz Memory of Harry Perkes ●Janet Perkes Memory of Carol Rebhun ●Donna Greene Memory of Anna Robbins ●Carol & David Robbins Memory of Joseph Ronai ●Stephen Ronai Memory of Pearl Wilkenfeld ●Deborah Wilkenfeld Memory of Larry Rosen ●Blossom Rose & Family Memory of Gladys Zuckerman ●Fran & Martin Bernstein Memory of John M. "Jack" Katz ●Cheryl Chase & Stuart Bear Memory of Rebecca Rosofsky ● Rosofsky Family Memory of Max Zuckerman ●Fran & Martin Bernstein CEMETERY FUND Memory of Karen Rubin ●David Greene Memory of Paul Ruhlman ●Amy Ruhlman Memory of Lawrence Seltzer ●Evelyn & George Seltzer Memory of Harold Shlensky ●Carol & David Robbins ADULT EDUCATION FUND Memory of Rick Schrager ●Ann Niebloom Speedy recovery of Greta Rosman ●Al Harary Donation ●Al Harary DONNA ALLINSON FUND Memory of Herbert Watstein ●George Watstein Memory of Rick Schrager, son of Roy & Hermene Schrager & brother of Debbie Goldberg ●Sheryl & Marc Sadinsky & family ●Edie & Burt Slossberg Memory of Tema Watstein ●George Watstein Speedy recovery of Ellen Nathanson ●Edie & Burt Slossberg Memory of Louis White ●Sandra White Honor of Steven Sosensky’s receiving Keeper of the Flame 5775 ●Sheryl & Marc Sadinsky & family ●Edie & Burt Slossberg Memory of Marcia Steele ●Kenneth B Steele & Susan M Croog Memory of Harold Wilkenfeld ●Deborah Wilkenfeld January 2015 PHILIP & GLADYS BEAR MEMORIAL FUND Memory of Lawrence Seltzer ●Sharon Seltzer HEBREW SCHOOL FUND Appreciation of our son Michael starting Hebrew School at Temple Beth Sholom ●Jeanine Olschan & Isaac Shweky Honor of our wonderful Hebrew School teachers & staff ●Lauren & Bill Ortman and Joey & Jeremy Hassett PETER HERELD MATCHING FUND Memory of Anita Caplan, mother of Stuart Caplan ●Toby & Sim Gillman Honor of the High Holiday services ●Matvey & Sofya Rodov 11 Honor of the marriage of Michael Seltzer & Lauren Sims ●Eta & Sy Kaplan ISAIAH FUND Memory of Dr Ronald Bessel ●Lauren & Bill Ortman Memory of Mildred Kaufmann, mother of Carol Robbins ●Les & Bernice Margolis ●Lauren & Bill Ortman Memory of Rick Schrager, son of Hermene & Roy Schrager ●Ruth & Sherman Zudekoff Memory of Pearl-Ellen Shure ●Lauren & Bill Ortman 12 ISRAEL BOND FUND Memory of Milton I. 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Katz ●Arthur & Abby Kleinberg ●Margaret LaVin ●Cindy & Peter Lazaroff ●Susan & Ned Levinson & Family ●Hinda Massey January 2015 13 RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Memory of Kenneth Applebaum ●Al Harary Memory of Edward Bershad ●Lynda & Arthur Greenberg Memory of Sadie Broder ●Joan Pearl Memory of Anita Caplan ●Carol & Daniel Katz Memory of Ethel Cohen ●Rosalie Garcia Memory of Sol Cohen ●Rosalie Garcia Memory of Joe Garcia ●Rosalie Garcia 14 Memory of Arthur Eden, husband of Ann Eden, father-in-law of John Levy & grandfather of Perri Levy ●Lauren & Bill Ortman Memory of Elayne Greenberg ●Lynda & Arthur Greenberg Memory of Maralyn Klatzkin ●Betty & Ed Litto ●Roberta & Les Smernoff Memory of Ilene Meyers, sister of Barbara Shore ●Vally Coggshall Memory of Ann Niebloom’s brother ●Phyllis Grenet Memory of Rabbi Moshe Twersky, cousin of Shira Rosenblatt ●Fran Parness Memory of Harold Paschkes ●Vally Coggshall Memory of Leonard Pearl ●Joan Pearl Memory of Rick Schrager, brother of Debbie Goldberg ●Betty & Ed Litto ●Fran Parness ●Carol Scharf ●Garcia Family Memory of Mildred Shlensky Kaufmann, mother of Carol Robbins ●Karen & Howard Newman ●Howard & Linda Sadinsky Memory of Louis Weiss ●Estelle Weiss Memory of Marlene Caplan Wendt ●Carol & Daniel Katz Appreciation of Temple Beth Sholom ●Fred & Bernice Gillman Speedy recovery of Shira Rosenblatt ●Fran Parness Honor of the Bar Mitzvah ceremony of Justin Elliot Flaks, grandson of Hyla & Ivan Chasnoff ●Lynda & Arthur Greenberg ●Betty & Ed Litto Appreciation of Rabbi Scolnic ●Eve Gold ●Donna Greene ●Parness Family ●Cindy & Peter Lazaroff ●Hinda Massey ●Ellyn Ross ●Artie & Reena Seltzer Honor of the Temple recognition & sukkah plaque for Julius Hyatt ●Mitch & Joanne Hyatt Honor of Ann Niebloom’s special birthday ●Phyllis Grenet (Continued Rabbi from page 2) natural ways. Here is a story that illustrates what I mean. There was a Jewish man who was an Army combat helicopter pilot for 12 years. He fought in Operation Desert Storm -- the Persian Gulf War of 1991. While he was in Saudi Arabia, he was prohibited by military order from outwardly showing that he was Jewish. That meant he could not wear a Star of David, a mezuzah or a Chai pendant. He was even advised to remove the word Jewish from his dog tags! The reason? To protect Jewish soldiers should they be captured by the Iraqis and also because the Saudis were sensitive that non-Muslim soldiers were on Saudi soil defending the holiest sites in Islam: Mecca and Medina. December rolled around and this soldier received an envelope marked Top Secret! The big secret? There was going to be a Chanukah party! The Jewish soldiers in his division and the neighboring division were invited. A dozen other Jewish soldiers gathered in the middle of the Saudi desert about 300 kilometers from anywhere to celebrate Chanukah. The man says: "I'm not an observant Jew, I'm not a religious guy, I'm not even sure I could say the blessings over the candles. But when a Jewish chaplain arrived after driving across an empty desert to be with us, lit the menorah candles with us, said the blessing and then served us potato latkes and gefilte fish, it was one of the most powerful spiritual Jewish experience of my life...in part because I was there in Saudi Arabia with my fellow Jews." Now you might not think that this is a story about spirituality, but it would be your spiritual narcissism showing. This is not spirituality as in a mystical experience where you feel transported out of your body, or when you January 2015 Honor of the birth of Noah Shure, grandson of Jimmy Shure ●Lauren & Bill Ortman Honor of Howard & Dale Spaner’s anniversary ●Howard & Linda Sadinsky Honor of Amanda Steinberg’s Bat Mitzvah ceremony ●Howard & Linda Sadinsky Thanksgiving donation ●Jeffrey & Ellen Davis feel one with nature, or when you commune with ghosts like the characters in Ghost Hunt. This story is a real-life example that says that for Jewish people, being Jewish and Spirituality can overlap and happen simultaneously. I don’t know much about Japanese anime, but what animates Jewish people, the meaning of life itself, is being with other people. By the way, does the Torah have any ghost stories? Maybe. Jacob is on the bank of the river and some mysterious stranger comes and wrestles with him all night. And when dawn is about to break, the stranger needs to go. Some commentators think the stranger is G-d, some think it’s an angel. But it is interesting that the stranger needs to go before the sun comes up. Is it some kind of demon or dark spirit that only comes out at night? Jacob himself thinks that he wrestled with G-d, and his name becomes Israel, Yisrael, the one who wrestles with G-d. But to read the Torah in a Jewish way is to be open to all possibilities. So my grandsons and I are watching Ghost Hunt, and we are open to what’s going to happen. We’re not sure if there are ghosts or not, or if any of the characters are more attuned than others, even though we think it’s the main character Mai who is really the one who feels the most. We have this openness to what’s going on in this world, and we think that there’s more to this world than meets the eyes. We’re watching, and thinking, and each of us will decide what we believe. For us, that’s what it means to be Jewish. Rabbi Scolnic 15 Temple Beth Sholom 1809 Whitney Avenue Hamden, CT 06517-1401 203 288-7748 16 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage PAID North Haven CT Permit No. 2
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