1 SHALOM Shalom Congregation Eitz Chaim Monroe Woodbury Jewish Community Center 1465 Orange Turnpike/P.O. Box 183 Monroe, NY 10949 (845) 783 - 7424 http://eitzchaim-monroe.org Rabbi Alex Salzberg Tevet—Shevat 5775 January 2015 Women’s League Shabbat Parashat “Va’eira” January 17, 2015 May You Go From Strength to Strength! Sisterhood invites all Eitz Chaim women to participate in this wonderful Shabbat! Have you ever wished that you could learn a little more and be a part of our service? Now’s your chance to chant from the Torah, try the Haftarah, present a D’var Torah, lead Shacharit or Musaf services or have an Aliyah! If you don’t want a speaking part, we also need volunteers to open the ark and help prepare the kiddush! For more info, contact Karen Celidonio, our Women’s League Liaison, at [email protected] 2 SHALOM Healthy Snack Program Update Yahrzeit Announcements After much delay this year’s Healthy Afterschool Backpack Program is underway again. The first week, only 4 students had signed up to participate by by the second week, 3 more students had signed up bringing the total to 7 students. At this time there are 27 students participating. For those of our members who have not participated in the two years since the inception of this program, here is a summary of our activity. The program provides healthy after school snacks for qualifying students in the Kindergarten and First Grade of the Sapphire Elementary School in Monroe. Qualifying students are the same as those who are in the free lunch program. We provide snacks for the whole week, seven days, and try to make those snacks healthy, avoiding sugar if possible. We rotate families responsible for purchasing and packing the bags each week. Generally we deliver the packed bags on Monday morning and the children are asked to return them the following day. The school returns the empty bags to us on Friday and the responsible families have to pack the bags by Monday morning. Candle lighting is the evening before the listed date. We welcome new and old participants. Contact Jerome and Paula Spector for a sign-up calendar. You can reach them by email: [email protected] or by phone: 845.610.3548. Thanks, Jerome and Paula. Hebrew School Check out our Hebrew School’s amazing website: http://www.eitzchaimhebrewschool.com/ January 1 - Diane Soss observes the yahrzeit of her mother, Rhoda Kowal (10 Tevet) January 4 - Sally Levine observes the yahrzeit of her father, Albert Levine (13 Tevet) January 5 - Beth Marks observes the yahrzeit of her mother, Teresa Marks (14 Tevet) January 6 - Ben Ostrer observes the yahrzeit of his mother, Rita Ostrer (15 Tevet) January 8 - Carlton Levine observes the yahrzeit of his father, Alfred Levine (17 Tevet) January 9 - Kiki Nelson observes the yahrzeit of her mother, Beatrice Goldstein Nelson (18 Tevet) January 10 - Paula Spector observes the yahrzeit of her mother, Jean Lazerson (19 Tevet) January 13 - Jack Berman observes the yahrzeit of his mother, Dorothy Berman (22 Tevet) January 15 - Joan Hecht observes the yahrzeit of her mother, Evelyn Levine (24 Tevet) January 18 - Sheldon Cohen observes the yahrzeit of his father, Joseph Cohen (27 Tevet) January 19 - Samira Galler observes the yahrzeit of her mother, Semha Balass (28 Tevet) January 20 - Warren Miller observes the yahrzeit of his wife, Beth Miller (29 Tevet) January 22 - Bruce Fischer observes the yahrzeit of his mother, Beverly Fischer (2 Shevat) January 24 - Carlton Levine observes the yahrzeit of his mother, Gladys Levine (4 Shevat) January 29 - Rodger Friedman observes the yahrzeit of his mother, Miriam Friedman (9 Shevat) January 29 - Bruce Fischer observes the yahrzeit of his grandfather, Azriel Fischer (9 Shevat) January 31 - Samira Galler observes the yahrzeit of her aunt, Sabiha Ezra Balass (11 Shevat) January 31 - Bruce Fischer observes the yahrzeit of his grandfather, Max Root (11 Shevat) If you have any Yahrzeit dates that you would like announced, please send the information to Steve Moses [email protected] or call him at 427-2704. 3 SHALOM Eitz Chaim Community Shabbat Dinner Join the Kosher Empty Nesters and Rabbi Salzberg for a delicious Shabbat dinner after services on: Friday, January 9th $20 /adult Please RSVP in advance. (Unfortunately we cannot accommodate walk-ins.) Send your check made out to: MWJCC Sisterhood To: Sisterhood MWJCC PO Box 183 Monroe, NY 10949 SISTERHOOD “BIRTHDAY-GRAMS”: A GREAT WAY TO WISH ALL YOUR EITZ CHAIM FRIENDS HAPPY BIRTHDAY! For a $36 donation to Sisterhood your name will appear on every synagogue member’s birthday card (both men and women) during the upcoming year 2015! Don’t worry if you can’t remember the dates because Sisterhood will do it for you! We will also announce the birthdays in the Shalom to remind you when cards were sent out. To be included, hurry and make checks payable to MWJCC Sisterhood Send checks to the office with a notation for “Birthday-Grams!” Eitz Chaim Sisterhood PO Box 183 Monroe, NY 10949 Sisterhood is looking for Kiddush sponsors for the weekends Rabbi Salzberg is at Eitz Chaim. Sponsor for a special occasion or just because. Do it with another family or friend or two from the congregation. We really need your support in order to continue our beautiful tradition of sitting down together to enjoy lunch with the congregation after Saturday morning services. Please contact Paula Spector to reserve your date. Thank you for sponsoring the Kiddush: Dec 27th—Stilton Family Jan 3rd: Karen and Bruce Fischer in memory of Bruce's mother Beverly. Jan 10th—The Sasson Family Jan 24th—The Schack Family Feb 7th—Hebrew School 4 SHALOM November & December Donations : Mazel Tov’s / In honor of: John & Karen Celidonio – In honor of Rebecca Pomerantz' Bat Mitzvah In honor of Barbara Fromowitz Aliyahs and Mishaberach Mishaberach: Barbara & Robert Fromowitz – Recitation of Mishaberach In honor of the cookbook committee: Judi Berman, Bonnie Brunner, Ronnee MacDonald & Celia Goodman for a job well done! David & Bonnie Brunner - Get well wishes for Karen Celidonio's mother, Barbara In honor of Ben Ostrer Rita & Gerry Wincott - Aliyahs & Mishaberachsh Yasmine & Adam Kalkstein - In honor of birthday of Art Finkel Doris & Steve Rubinsky - In honor of Ben Ostrer Ida & Rochelle Marshall - Good health for Michael Schulman Yizkor / Yahrzeit / In memory of: Jack & Arlyne Berman - Ava Kravitz' father Bonnie & David Brunner - In memory of Ava Kravitz' father, Edward Rosen In memory of Jacques Levine In memory of Nancy Levine's mother, Arlene Jerome & Paula Spector - Yahrzeit in memory of Paula's father, Barnet Lazerson Yahrzeit in memory of Jerome's father, Henry Spector John & Ronnie MacDonald - In memory of Edward Rosen, father of Ava Kravitz Brenda Winkler Goldfarb - Irene Winkler, mommy's yahrzeit Shari Bakst - In memory of Ava Kravitz' father Alan Witrock - Yahrzeit in memory of my beloved brother, Gerald Witrock Richard & Sherry Teller - Selma Teller Yahrzeit Rita & Gerry Wincott - Yahrzeit of brother George Lassen Dr. Bruce & Karen Fischer – Yahrzeit – Celia Root Leonard Schwartz - Yahrzeit for my beloved father, Martin Schwartz Jack & Arlyne Berman - In memory of Judy Ronay's mother, Susan Ronay Stuart & Harriet Greenberg - Yahrzeit - Sandra Goldberg & Nettie Greenberg Convertine Rochelle & Ida Marshall - In memory of Harley Matsil's brother, Gary Matsil Jerome & Paula Spector - In memory of Ava Kravitz's father, Edward Rosen In memory of Judy Ronay's mother, Susan Ronay In memory of Judy Ronay's mother, Susan Ronay In memory of Shirley Pinkus' sister In memory of Jaques Levine Ida & Rochelle Marshall - In memory of Ava Kravitz' Jack & Arlyne Berman - In memory of Harley Matsil's brother, Gary Matsil father, Edward Rosen Barbara & Robert Fromowitz - In memory of Ava Kravitz' father, Edward Rosen In memory of my mother, Ida Feldman To Judy Ronay in memory of your mother, Susan Ronay In memory of my brother, Joel Fromowitz In memory of Gary Matsil -In memory of Annette Sokoloff Harley & Alyse Matsil - In memory of Ava Kravitz' father, Edward Rosen Robin & Stan Alterman - In memory of Gary Matsil, brother of Alyse & Harley Marty & Diane Soss – Yarhzeit donation Sharon Jennings - In memory of Susan Ronay In memory of Gary Matsil In memory of Annette Sokoloff Continued on next page —-> 5 SHALOM Vicki Fuller - In memory of Gary Matsil Jack & Arlyne Berman - Yahrzeit Dorothy Berman & Irving Gottlieb Stanley & Joan Hecht - Yahrzeit Donation Shari & Frank Palermo - In memory of Harley Matsil's brother, Gary In memory of Ava Kravitz's father Lola & Efraim Jaronowski - Yahrzeit Henryk Jaron, Efrain's father KNIT KNIT--IN FOR CHARITY Sisterhood’s Women With Wool Knitting Club is sponsoring an afternoon of knitting, movies and refreshments. We have a lot of donated wool (special thanks to Henry and Samira Galler!), needles you can borrow or buy and plenty of easy patterns. We are knitting baby blankets and hats to donate to WIC (Women, Infants and Children). You can start your project with us and finish at home. Completed work should go to Sheila Ornstein. Please try to come: Sunday, January 11th , 2:00 pm RSVP to: Sheila Ornstein (928-6244) or [email protected] The next Shalom Deadline is January 10th 5th for the February Issue Please send articles as a MS word file to Sheila at: [email protected] Please donate your unused toiletries to the battered women’s shelter. There is a basket set up in the rear lobby. Sponsored by Jewish Family Services. Thank You!! 6 SHALOM MWJCC Sisterhood invites you to: Books to Birds’ Nests A Tu B’Shevat Program Sunday, February 1, 2015 2 PM @ Eitz Chaim Recycle a hard covered book (new or old – not too thick – at least 250 pages) and bring along holiday fruits (figs, dates, raisins, grapes etc.). We’ll supply the drinks and instructions. Enjoy an afternoon of friendship while we save a tree and make homes for baby birds. RSVP by 01.16 to Jane Kleiman @ 845 783 3110 7 SHALOM IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR PURIM Send Eitz Chaim members your wishes for a Happy Purim by supporting Sisterhood’s Mishloach Manot gift bags (your family name included in the enclosed greeting card). Send your $36. Donation, (made out to Sisterhood MWJCC), to Karen Fischer by February 23rd. ------------- ----------------cut here -------------------------Name for card listing: _______________________________________________ Amount included: Mail to: $36.00 Purim Fundraiser, c/o Karen Fischer 14 Midland Avenue, Central Valley, NY 10917 Questions … contact Karen @ 845 928 8115 or [email protected] HAG SAMEACH 8 SHALOM Eitz Chaim USY is kicking off the New Year with… Cupcake Wars January 10, 2015 7-9 pm. Congregation Eitz Chaim 1465 Orange Turnpike Monroe, NY 10949 Cost: 1 Non-Perishable Food Item RSVP to Heidi Cowen (845) 891-6298 [email protected] 9 SHALOM Let’s Celebrate! Ida is 100 years young! Join us for an afternoon of food, frolic, dancing and fun as we honor our wonderful, Ida. February 15, 2015 2:30 PM Congregation Eitz Chaim In lieu of gifts, Ida requests that you make a donation to Sisterhood MWJCC. Please RSVP by Feb 1st to: Rochelle Marshall 845.783.2495 or [email protected] “Ida is 100” Poster Board items are needed. Send photos, greetings to Rochelle at: 298 Cromwell Hill Rd, Monroe, NY 10950 10 SHALOM SHOP AT THE EITZ CHAIM GIFT SHOP FOR ALL YOUR JUDAICA NEEDS! SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS. TELL THEM YOU SAW THEIR AD IN THE SHALOM 11 SHALOM this trail of tears. At almost every stage of the emotional encounters between Joseph and his family in Egypt, Joseph weeps. The Hebrew School and Gan Shalom have been reThere are seven scenes of tears: enrolled in the Box Tops For Education program. It The first occasion is when the brothers came before started in December 2012. At that time our school ID, him in Egypt for the first time: which is 961171, became active. There are three proThe second occasion is when Joseph weeps on the grams that can add up to $60,000 per year for the when they brought Benjamin with them: school. One is the regular Box Top collection, two is The third occasion is when, after Judah’s impassioned speech, Joseph is about to disclose his identity: Bonus Box Tops, and the third is shopping online. An The fourth occasion is immediately after he discloses explanation of all there is found at www.BTFE.com. Imhis identity: mediately, we are collecting box tops, which equal 10 The fifth occasion is when he meets his father again after their long separation: The sixth occasion is on the death of his father: Sisterhood Book Club Club— —next meeting in Jan. The seventh occasion was some time after his father’s death when his brothers were afraid of Joseph’s revenge. Our next selection is: Enchantress No one weeps as much as Joseph. Fantastic tales of demons and the Evil Eye, magiThe seven acts of Joseph’s weeping have no parallel. cal incantations, and powerful attractions abound They span the full spectrum of emotion, from painful in Enchantress, a novel that memory to the joy of being reunited, first with his brothweaves together Talmudic er Benjamin, then with his father Jacob. There are the lore, ancient Jewish magic, complex tears immediately before and after he discloses and a timeless love story set his identity to his brothers, and there are the tears of in fourth-century Babylonia. bereavement at Jacob’s deathbed. But the most intriguing are the last, the tears he sheds when he hears The author of the acthat his brothers fear that he will take revenge on them claimed Rashi’s Daughters series now that their father is no longer alive. and the award-winning Rav HisMidrash deals with this issue, suggesting two reada’s Daughter: Apprentice has sons for the brothers’ fears. First of all, on the journey conjured literary magic in the back from the burial of their father, Joseph decided to land where “abracadabra” origitake a side trip to the pit where he’d been left to die in, nated. Based on five years of rewhich happened to be in the exact opposite direction of search and populated with charthe Grand Vizier’s palace back in Egypt. The suspicions acters from the Talmud, Enchantress brings a pivotal raised by Joseph’s foray to Shechem were substantiated era of Jewish and Christian history to life from the per- when the brothers soon discovered – explained by Midspective of a courageous and passionate woman rash – that Joseph’s previous generosity as a host had changed drastically. When Jacob was still alive, Joseph’s Our next meeting is Tuesday, January table had been the center of many family get-togethers. 13th at 7 pm at Alyse Matsil’s house: 3 Since father Jacob’s death, Joseph has not invited the brothers even once! And so the brothers understandably Camelback Rd, Chester. raise their concern – and Joseph weeps. The late Rav Joseph D Soloveitchik suggested that tears are often triggered by one’s deepest emotions, emoParshat Vayechi tions that the individual him/herself did not believe that he/she harbored. The staccato truah sound of the shofar Various figures in the Torah weep – Hagar, Abraham, Esau, Jacob. But by far the figure who weeps most is described by our sages as wailing and sobbing, and the Talmud suggests that this weeping shofar expresses often is Joseph, and although one could speculate that the innermost feelings of the individual. Indeed, the Hothe loss of his mother at an early age left him scarred ly Zohar maintains that weeping is a manifestation of and prone to tears, nonetheless the extent of his crying umka d’umka, the depth of the depths, the person’s most is unmatched by anyone in the Torah. His life is certainly not an easy one, and if he slept and wept, or wept profound sensitivities. Joseph has spent the last twenty-two years in Egypt. He and slept during his years in jail, we don’t know. But admittedly has mixed and even negative feelings about once his brothers arrive in Egypt in search of food, and his father’s house: after all, his brothers almost killed the plot unfolds of how the invisible Joseph garbed in the robe of a Grand Vizier gradually reveals to them his him and then sold him as a slave into Egypt, and his true identity, we continuously find him weeping, almost father certainly has to take a large share of the responas if the thread of Joseph’s identity is somehow linked to sibility for the tragic family dynamic. (Cont. on p.13) BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION 12 SHALOM Dial - A - Card Order a special, beautiful card for any occasion simply by calling Samira Galler at 783-3930 Cards are available for any occasion including birthdays, graduations, in honor of, in. Mail your donation (min. $8.00) check (made out to Sisterhood MWJCC) to her at: 5 Mercury Avenue, Monroe, NY 10950 Donations have been received from: Ida Marshall -In memory of Susan Ronay Z"L Rochelle Marshall: In memory of Susan Ronay Z"L Shirley Pinkus : In memory of Susan Ronay Z"L In Memory of Gary Matsil Z"L Henry & Samir Galler : In memory of Annette Sokoloff Z"L Paula and Jerome Spector : In memory of Annette Sokoloff Z”L Larry & Ava Kravitz : In memory of Annette Sokoloff Z"L B’KOR CHOLIM COMMITTEE Eitz chaim is a caring community. A B'kor Cholim committee has been formed to offer support to our Eitz Chaim family. If you or anyone you know in our congregation needs a call, a card, or a contact, please et one of us on the committee know. Beth Marks Moses [email protected] 845427-2704 Paula Spector [email protected] 610-3548 845- Nancy Rothstein [email protected] 845-783-7069 Rita & Gerry Wincott : in memory of Susan Ronay Z"L Sending prayers for a Refouah Schlemah to Michael Schulman In memory of Gary Isaac Matsil, Z"L Sending Mazel Tov to Shirley Pinkus on her 80th Birthday and wishing her lots of good health, joy and nachas In memory of Annette Sokoloff Z"L Sheila Ornstein : Donation in memory of Susan Ronay Z"L Margaret & Warren Meth : Sending condolences to Judy Ronay on the passing of Mom , Susan Ronay Z"L In memory of Gary Isaac Matsil, Z”L Harley's brother In memory of Annette Sokoloff Z"L Special Thank You Dear Sisterhood and Eitz Chaim Family, We were so grateful for the outpouring of support to our family during the recent Shiva for my beloved Mother, Susan Ronay, of blessed memory. Kindness and warmth were demonstrated through: donations, cards, visits, food and evening prayers of consolation. My dear Mother spoke of how happy she was that we belong to our caring Eitz Chaim family. Todah Rabah, Judy Ronay, Jeremy & Arielle Aronoff Gary Ronay & Family 13 SHALOM Parshat Vayechi—Continued from p. 11 Joseph tried to distance himself psychologically and emotionally from his past. He even gives his first-born son the name “Menashe” “for the Almighty enabled me to forget all of my toil and of my father’s house”. And so, Joseph believes that he has succeeded in cutting himself from what he now views as a dysfunctional familial situation. But this is not the real Joseph, the Joseph whose most formative years had been spent in the warm embrace of his father, Jacob, learning the family traditions and dreams, basking in the family celebrations and prophesies. And so when he is confronted by his brothers, and reminded of his father – he weeps, and his weeping teaches him that one never completely distances oneself from one’s “bet abba”, one’s parental home. His tears remind him who he really is – and so they prompt him to reveal himself to his brothers and to all of Egypt as a Hebrew and as the son of Jacob. After his father’s death, however, Joseph believes (at least according to the midrash) that despite his feelings for his father, he still has great resentment toward his brothers. G-d’s divine plan cannot exempt his siblings from the responsibility of their evil plot, and he rationally believes that he can now sever all connection with them. Once again his tears teach him that he has deep emotional ties not only to his father but to his brothers as well – and continues to live his life not only as Jacob’s son but also as one of his brothers tribes. We learn from all of this how we can never completely cut ourselves off from our earliest and deepest blood relationships – and how important it is to listen to the message of our tears. PLEASURES FROM THE GOOD EARTH An Eitz Chaim Sisterhood Cookbook Copies are still available. $18.00 per Cookbook **** A great gift for all occasions Checks should be made out to Sisterhood MWJCC. Call or visit the office to get your copy. 14 SHALOM SISTERHOOD BOARD 2014—2016 Birthday Cards: Kathy Falber – 782-0608 Sisterhood Co-Presidents: Historian: Judy Ronay – 492-2074 Linda Siegel – 782-5292 High Holiday Babysitting: Fran Gordon – 496-6114 Elaine Osterhaut – 928-6466 Vice President of Fundraising Aviva Zucker – 928-6906 Rochelle Marshall – 783-2495 Arlyne Berman – 783-2773 Rebekah Linkowski—917-204-9401 Israeli Affairs: Treasurer: Rita Wincott – 783-6572 Rochelle Marshall – 783-2495 Membership: Bonnie Brunner – 497-8321 Gail Sullivan – 774-2635 Ellen McNally—294-9047 Recording Secretary: Gail Sullivan—774-2635 Corresponding Sec’y: Isabelle Laufer – 783-5190 Yom Huledet to our Kiddush Committee: January Birthdays Paula Spector – 610-3548 Ronnee MacDonald – 782-0453 Diane Soss – 782-7018 Shalom Newsletter: Sheila Ornstein – 928-6244 Linda Siegel – 782-5292 Bonnie Brunner – 497-8321 Judaica Shop: Jane Kleiman – 783-3110 Karen Fischer – 928-8115t Sunshine: Adria Gross – 782-7132 Women’s League Liaison: Karen Celidonio – 928-2701 Education Liaison: Ilyse Grunes – 774-0816 Book Club: Alyse Matsil—238-3494 Rosh Chodesh Group: Beth Marks—427-2704 Jennie Ossentjuk—496-1892 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gifts: Barbara Vitelli -783-7275 Dial-a-Card: Samira Galler – 783-3930 Paula Neyman 1/4 Lea Morganstern 1/5 Judi Berman 1/6 Rebekah Linkowski 1/7 Eric Ossentjuk 1/9 Karen Pomerantz 1/9 Carlton Levine 1/10 Nancy Levine 1/11 Jason Steiker 1/13 Jerry Norman 1/17 Elaine Osterhout Schulman 1/28 Benjamin Osterer1/29 15 SHALOM Sisterhood Bereavement/Refouah Schlemah Fund Sisterhood has a bereavement fund that is used to provide meals for families during their time of shiva or recovery from illness. Donations to this fund are welcome. Please make your check out to: Sisterhood MWJCC and put “Bereavement/Refouch Schlemah Donation” on the memo line and send it to: Sisterhood MWJCC c/o Sheila Ornstein 19 Scaglione Court Highland Mills, NY 10930 A donation has been made by Shirley Pinkus in memory of Judy Ronay’s mother , Susan Ronay Z”L Women with Wool Tuesday's at 10:00 AM—12 noon In the synagogue library. One old friend is better than two new ones. Yiddish Proverb Needlework, knitting or crocheting. Free coffee will be served. For more information, contact Sheila Ornstein 845.928.6244 (We do not meet if MW schools are delayed or closed.) 16 SHALOM Monroe Woodbury Jewish Community Center PO Box 183 Monroe, New York 10949 Please Do Not Hold Dated Material CANDLE CANDLE LIGHTING LIGHTING April 2013 January 2015 JOIN US FOR Shabbat Light candles…………..Shabbat Light candles………..……..Ends Ends May 3 — 7:37 pm SERVICES May 4 — 8:42 pm AT Jan 4:19 pmpmJan 3 —11 5:23 pm pm May2— 10 — 7:45 May —8:51 Jan 9 — 4:25 pm Jan 10 — 5:30 pm Shavuot Light candles………..……..Ends Jan 16— 4:33 pm Jan 17 — 5:37 pm Jan 23— 4:41 pm Jan 24 — 5:45 pm EITZ CHAIM May 14 — 7:49 pm May 15 — 8:55 pm May 16 —8:56 pm Jan 30— 4:50 pm Jan 31 — 5:53 pm Shabbat Light candles………..……..Ends May 17 — 7:52 pm May 18 — 8:59 pm May 24 — 7:58 pm May 25 —9:06 pm Friday Night 6:00 PM Shabbat Morning 9:00 AM Sunday Morning 8:30 AM If you would like to arrange a morning or evening minyan for a yahrzeit call Mark Schulberg.
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