1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

WHAT ARE THE FUNNY LOOKING CODES?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER:
COVER:
COVER:
PROFESSIONAL COMEDY NIGHT
INTRODUCING CHAVUROT
PURIM
Worship
Sharing Shabbat
From Our Rabbi
ARZA
What’s Happening?
Our Director of Early Childhood
Our Director of Congregational Learning
Calendar for January - February
Our Director of Youth Engagement
Communal Worship Corner
Tikkun Olam - Social Action
Cycle of our Congregational Family
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to scan the code which will take you directly to the
applicable web page (yes, you MUST have a mobile
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Questions:
Contact Melanie Appelbaum at
[email protected] and she will be happy to help
you!
IS THERE A GRAPHIC ARTIST AMONGST US?
We are looking for a graphic artist to volunteer to
help us with our creative work.
If you are
interested or know someone who might be, please
have him/her contact Roberta Aronovitch at 914725-5175.
INTRODUCING CHAVUROT!
What are YOU interested in? We can create a group for you....
What are Chavurot?
Chavurot are groups of 5-10 like-minded congregants who meet to explore particular topics or
issues. The concept of Chavurot is ancient; SSTTE is rolling it out in a more modern form.
How do you get started?
First – we’ll try Chavurot on a pilot basis and fill Chavurah for:




Newly and Nearly Empty-Nesters
Lovers of Sports
Recently Retired; and
Jews By Choice
If (as we hope) the pilot proves successful, we’ll open the network up to more and more types of
Chavurot. YOU fill in the blanks and WE will facilitate the creation of a Chavurah just right for you.
It could be almost anything, from Parenting – to Politics – to Paddle Tennis (no … it doesn’t have to
start with a “p”).
What do I do next?
Please contact Valerie Greenberg at [email protected] for more information about joining one of
our pilot Chavurah, or about forming your own.
3
WORSHIP
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
5:30 p.m.
PJ Library Tot Shabbat Service
6:00 p.m.
Shabbat Dinner for Grades K-3
6:30 p.m.
Family Shabbat Service
8:00 p.m.
Chavurah Service
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
8:00 p.m.
Shir Shabbat Service
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
7:30 a.m.
Boker Tov
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
6:15 p.m.
Ma-ariv Service
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
10:00 a.m.
Shabbat BaBoker
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
8:00 p.m.
Shabbat of Simcha
OUR NEXT SHARING SHABBAT IS MARCH 13
You can be part of Sharing Shabbat too. Sign up by emailing [email protected] or online
by visiting this URL (bit.ly/sharingshabbat) or by scanning this QR code
New and repeat attendees are encouraged to join us – as hosts or as guests. If you have special
requests for dinner assignments, please let us know.
On 2 remaining Friday nights this year, our congregation will gather in each other's homes to share a
Shabbat dinner, some conversation & camaraderie while welcoming in Shabbat together.
Over 140 people attended Sharing Shabbat dinners at the homes fellow congregants in October and
January. Here is what your fellow congregants had to say:
"I'll be honest. I was hesitant to go to a stranger's home for dinner. But, a friend convinced me
to sign up. I am so grateful that I did! We all had a wonderful time. Please sign me up for the
next one!” - A guest
"My wife and I had a great time hosting Sharing Shabbat dinner. And it would seem our sharing
congregants had a good time as well! While we knew almost all of the folks at our table, we
didn't really know most of them very well. What a nice opportunity to get more of their story
and to share experiences as well as dinner.” – A host
Sharing Shabbat provided each host with a challah, the Shabbat blessings, and a short drash on the
week's Torah portion.
Mark your calendars for these remaining Sharing Shabbat dates:
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015
4
FROM OUR RABBI
All You Need Is Love
Valentine’s Day.
I know: Jews aren't supposed to mark the occasion. But come on...is it really all that terrible to take
one day out of the year to tell your significant other (or someone else that's special in your life) that you
love them?
LOVE IS IMPORTANT. According to the Beatles, "all you need is love." (Great Israel-related footnote to Beatles History:
the song was the UK’s representation in the very first worldwide live television broadcast. 400 million people tuned in on
June 25, 1967. That number would have been much higher, had the Soviets and their allies not pulled out at the last
minute - in protest of the West's support of Israel during the Six Day War, which had just ended.)
"All you need is love" is also a perfectly apt title for us this month, as we use the excuse of Valentine's Day to consider
what Judaism has to say about LOVE.
As it turns out, Judaism has quite a lot to say about the subject!
We begin, as always, with the Torah: “When a man seduces a woman, and lies with her, for the marrying-price he is to
marry her, as his wife. If her father refuses to give her to him, silver is to be weighed out.” (Exodus 22:15-16)
Here we have the classical Jewish approach to the subject: LOVE AS COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION.
In ancient times women were objects of (financial) value. They were "owned" by their fathers, until their future
husbands came along and "bought" them!
Thank goodness we no longer commodify women like that today! But the text is useful in establishing that one Jewish
way of expressing love for your partner is by “paying up.”
Think about the way that Valentine's Day in its least inspiring form is a Hallmark holiday. Some of us just go through the
motions for Valentine's Day - we buy a card and a (lame?) gift - just to get credit for a partner or loved one that we
'remembered them' on the holiday, even if there was nothing very significant behind whatever it is that was purchased.
Just like the Exodus passage: love is expressed by way of money spent.
Thank goodness that there are other expressions of love in our tradition!
Consider this poem, from the medieval Jewish poet par-excellance, Judah ha-Levi (1075-1141, Spain). He wrote:
My sweetheart's dainty lips are red,
With ruby's crimson overspread;
Her teeth are like a string of pearls;
Down her neck her clustering curls
In ebony hue vie with the night,
And over her features dances light.
The twinkling stars enthroned above
Are sisters to my dearest love.
We men should count it joy complete
To lay our service at her feet.
But oh what rapture is her kiss!
A forecast 'tis of heavenly bliss!
The term "romance" typically refers to chivalric love...where one partner extols the virtues of the other, and reveals the
depths of their feelings...perhaps making promises of fidelity for all time.
I love this poem (pun intended) because ha-Levi uses such beautiful language to praise the one that he loves. (My one
criticism: he praises his lover's physical attributes...Surely we live in a day and age where we understand that beauty and
attraction is more than skin deep?)
Using Valentine's Day to tell our partners how we feel about them, and what they mean to us - that seems to me to be
an incredibly Jewish thing to do. (continued on p. 6)
5
FROM OUR RABBI
(continued from p. 5)
But, Jewishly-speaking, love is not just about commercial transactions. And it is not just about declaring our romantic
love for someone else. Judaism also believes that love is something that describes the relationship between us and God.
Love is an expression of theology.
The authors of the Bible (I'm thinking here specifically of the Song of Songs) use romantic love between two partners as
a deeply profound metaphor for the love that exists between God and the Jewish people.
My teacher, Dr. Avivah Zornberg, picks up on this, when she writes: “Powerfully, the Israelites’ choice to receive the
Torah is portrayed as a personal, almost an eccentric moment of desire. Objectively, Sinai offers the human being little
of what he naturally seeks in […] life... Unaccountably, however, the Israelites are [magnetically] drawn to the
imagination of Sinai which, to them, offers substantial [alluring] shade and sweet fruit.”
Love as theology. What an amazing, and specifically Jewish notion, of thinking about love on this Valentine's Day.
Wishing all of you a February 14 filled with love, whether you find it by purchasing or receiving a box of chocolates; or
whether you celebrate or discover romance in your life; or whether, most significantly, you become newly aware of the
loving presence of God in our world, and in your midst.
With Regards,
Rabbi Jeffrey Brown
P.S. - My Valentine's Day gift to you: one of my favorite radio shows/podcasts is called “Radiolab.” Check out the piece
at http://goo.gl/eEfe72
AN ELECTION CRITICAL TO THE REFORM MOVEMENT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!!!
VOTE ARZA BETWEEN NOW AND APRIL 30TH!
ARZA is the official link between our American Reform movement, Union of Reform Judaism, and the Israel Reform
movement. ARZA supports Israel and champions activities that further Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic
Jewish state.
WHY SHOULD I VOTE IN THE ELECTION?
A vote for ARZA is a vote for supporting and funding our values. Let's promote our egalitarian, pluralistic,
democratic vision of Reform Judaism in Israel. An ARZA win is the most effective way for the Reform movement
to influence policy and shape the society of Israel. The election determines:
• The amount of funding that the Reform movement receives in Israel and the diaspora. Because the
election is held every 4 years, it could affect over $20 million for Reform institutions in Israel & the United
States.
• The reform movement's influence within Israeli institutions, government bodies & appointments
WHEN DOES VOTING TAKE PLACE?
Voting began in January and will continue to April 30, 2015. Registration and voting can be done on the website
(www.reformjews4israel.org) or by scanning this QR code:
If you need a paper registration and ballot, please call us SSTTE at 914-725-5175 to get one sent to you.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
To be eligible to vote you must be:
 At least 18 years old sometime in 2015
 Jewish
 A citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America
6
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SSTTE?!
WOMEN OF SSTTE
WOMEN’S SEDER
BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 at 10:30 a.m.
All Women of SSTTE members and congregants are invited to attend.
Cantor Becker will be our guest speaker for our after meeting
program. Bring a brown bag lunch; we will supply coffee and cake .
WOMEN OF SSTTE SPRING TRIP
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
It’s traveling time again. We will travel by luxury coach bus to Essex
Connecticut where we will enjoy a delicious brunch buffet at the
Griswold Inn (the oldest continuously operating Inn in the United
States). Following brunch, we will take a ride on the Essex Steam Train
to the Essex Riverboat for a trip up and down the Connecticut River.
Cost is $110 per person for Women of SSTTE members and their
spouses and $120 per person for non-members. Join us for this great
day and bring your friends. Let us know of your interest by emailing us
at [email protected] or leaving a message in the Synagogue office.
IS THE WOMEN OF SSTTE DUES BOX CHECKED OFF & PAID
ON YOUR SSTTE INVOICE?
The Women of SSTTE are strong supporters of our congregation and its
programs and we urge all women in the congregation to pay your dues.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 at 6 p.m.
Join with the Women of SSTTE for
the return of our popular Women's
Seder. A "must attend" for all
generations. This is an interactive
event and includes a delicious
dinner.
If you are interested in serving on
the committee please email us at
[email protected].
MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Follow in the footsteps of Ruth
Gershon and play in our Spring Mah
Jongg tournament.
Ruth was a
winner, now it’s your turn. For $50,
you will have a light breakfast, a
delicious lunch, and the opportunity
to play many rounds of Mah Jongg
and win cash prizes. Watch the
weekly emails, visit the website…
bit.ly/ssttemj OR SCAN THIS
CODE TO BE TAKEN TO THE
WEBSITE:
Even if you cannot attend all of our programs, your support is important
to what we do. Be sure to check the Shalom and the Temple website and
weekly emails for information on future programs. If you have any ideas
for programs or suggestions email us at [email protected].
SAVE THE DATES AND WATCH FOR MORE
INFORMATION IN THE SYNAGOGUE EMAILS
APRIL 28 – Women of SSTTE and Brandeis Group join together for a
presentation of the Movie “Anita”, a documentary about Anita Hill and her
impact.
MAY – Plant Sale
SHABBAT PARTICIPATION
Women of SSTTE participate in each
Friday evening Shabbat Service. It may
be Candlelighting or reading a prayer
(in English).
If you would like to
volunteer to be a representative, please
email us at [email protected].
JUNE 3 – Spring Luncheon at Crabtree’s Kittle House
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
OCTOBER 15 (EVENING) – Welcome Back Event.
The Women of SSTTE will conduct the
Shabbat Service. Our guest speaker
will be Denise Levine, president of the
Northeast District of the Women of
Reform Judaism.
OCTOBER 25 – On the Chocolate Trail. Spend a delightful Sunday
afternoon having lunch and decadent chocolate desserts while Rabbi
Deborah Prinz tells us about the role Jews played in the Chocolate World.
7
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SSTTE?!
BOOK DISCUSSION WITH CANTOR BECKER
PROFESSIONAL COMEDY NIGHT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 9:30 a.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015
Sponsored by SSTTE Brotherhood
Doors open at 7 p.m.
Show starts at 8 p.m.
$54/person;
$500/table of 10 or $600 for table of 12
$60/person at the door
A portion of the proceeds to be donated to a
charitable cause.
In The Courtyard of the Kabbalist by Ruchama King
Feuerman
RSVP TO [email protected]
As the publisher describes the narrative:
"An eczema-riddled, middle-aged former Lower East Side
haberdasher, Isaac Markowitz, moves to Israel where he
becomes, much to his own surprise, the assistant to a
famous old rabbi who daily dispenses wisdom (and soup)
to the collection of seekers gathered in his courtyard. It
is there that he meets Tamar, a young American woman
on a mission to live a spiritual life with a spiritual man,
and who sees Isaac as that man long before he sees
himself that way. Into both of their lives comes Mustafa,
a devout Muslim, deformed at birth, unloved by his own
mother, a janitor who works on the Temple Mount, holy
to both Muslims and Jews.
When Isaac, quite by accident, runs into the crippled
custodian going about his work and suggests that he is,
by cleaning this holy site, like a Kohain, a Jewish high
priest, Mustafa is overcome: This Jew is the first person
in his life who sees him as someone worthy. In turn,
Mustafa sees Isaac as someone wise who can help him.
When Mustafa finds an ancient shard of pottery that may
date back to the first temple, he brings it to Isaac in
gratitude. That gesture sets in motion a series of events
that land Isaac in the company of Israel's worst criminal
riff raff, put Mustafa in mortal danger, and Tamar trying
to save them both."
As these characters - immigrants and natives; Muslim
and Jewish; prophets and lost souls - move through their
world, they are never sure if they will fall prey to the
cruel tricks of luck or be sheltered by a higher power.
This is an event you won’t want to miss! Three
professional comedians are coming to SSTTE!
Skip the drive to NYC, skip the expensive parking
and join us! For more details, check our website:
bit.ly/shalomcomedynight OR
RSVP to [email protected] OR
SCAN THIS CODE TO BE TAKEN TO THE WEBSITE
AND RSVP ONLINE...
JOIN OUR
INTERGENERATIONAL CHOIR!
This year, for the first time, we will gather
singers of all ages to join together for a
L’DorVaDor (from generation to generation)
Shabbat on March 20th at 7 p.m. In
preparation, Cantor Becker is inviting singers of
all ages to participate in 3 rehearsals:
SUNDAY, MARCH 8 & 15 at 11 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 at 6 p.m.
No prior experience necessary. If you love to
sing, join us for this fun, musical adventure
PURIM!!
Enter this URL into your browser…http://bit.ly/ssttepurim OR Scan this code for the latest
information…
SUNDAY MARCH 1, Carnival: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for Kindergarten through 6th graders
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
6 p.m. – Celebratory Purim Dinner
6:30 p.m. - Congregational Megillah reading
7:15 p.m. - Purim Pallooza – A Purim Party for Teens & Adults with fun & silly entertainment
8:15 p.m. – For those over 21, the festivities continue at Chat American Grill, 1 Christie Place,
Scarsdale
8
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SSTTE?!
JUDAICA
The Jewish people have a glorious legacy of laws and
traditions that have endured for over 3,000 years. The
cornerstone of Jewish life, through the ages, has been the
home which we fill with symbols and adornments, ritual
objects which serve to remind us of our heritage and
identity.
Items associated with specific holidays and
observances – Menorahs for Chanukah, Sedar Plates for
Passover, Kiddush Cups and Candlesticks for Shabbat –
become part of our lives and an inspiration for our children.
The Gift Shop at the synagogue is a source for all your
Judaica needs. In addition to the symbols of the holidays,
we carry an inventory of tallesim, yarmulkes and tallis bags
for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, challah boards, covers and
knives, mezzuzahs, jewelry, figurines, photo albums,
books, and many gift items.
Our prices are discounted below retail, and the proceeds
help to fund important projects of the synagogue. So, why
not investigate our shop for your Judaica needs and for
gift-giving. Enjoy convenient shopping, as you support the
synagogue.
Call Mitzie Stein - 914-723-0138 – or the synagogue office
to arrange an appointment.
SEE US FIRST!
REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER STARS!
STUDY SEMINAR: The Torah
Commentary of
Dr. Avivah Zornberg
4 REMAINING SUNDAYS, 9:30 – 11 A.M.
March 8, April 19, May 3, June 7.
Avivah Zornberg is one of the world’s pre-eminent
contemporary teachers of Torah. She travels widely
to lecture in Israel, Britain, and the United States.
But her scholarship is best appreciated via her
writing.
Rabbi Brown looks forward to introducing you to her
rich and thought-provoking approach to the study of
our sacred literature.
Each of the sessions will be “stand alone”, meaning
you should feel free to attend one, or all of them.
Everyone is welcome!
RSVP: [email protected]
or Call 914-725-5175
BOOK CLUB LED BY RITA KASHNER
SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – 9:45 am to noon
Book is “Homesick” by Eshkol Nevo
For more information about where they will
meet, please call Carolyn Streicher
914-725-5781
UNITED INTERFAITH FOOD BANK
FOOD PACKING & SORTING
For more information about our programs, please call:
Jody Glassman, Director
Jocelyn Gross, Assistant Director
[email protected]
914-723-3001
MAZEL TOTS
FEBRUARY VACATION MINI-CAMP
Monday-Thursday, FEBRUARY 16-19,
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
We have a packed agenda. Join the fun!
Ages 2 through Kindergarten
$50/child/day or $180 for all four days. Call Jody
with any questions. You can register online at…
bit.ly/ssttevacacamp or SCAN HERE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 – 9 A.M.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 – 7 P.M.
For more information, contact:
Elli Wharton: [email protected] OR
Larry Eidelberg: [email protected]
Food of the Month is Canned Fruit
SSTTE SENIORS
Lunch at Pagoda Chinese Restaurant
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1 PM
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant, 699 Central Park
Ave., Scarsdale. For reservations, RSVP to
Maxine Jacobson at 914-476-4136 or
[email protected]
Coffee and Conversation
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1 PM at SSTTE
Everyone is welcome to attend and bring a
friend.
9
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SSTTE?!
CONNECTED CONGREGATIONS UPDATE
Dues or Choose
Thank you to those who joined us for Community Forums: Dues or Choose during December.
We look forward to exchanging ideas during Community Conversations in the next few months.
Please visit our website under community/connected congregations for more information and to join
the on-line conversation/blog!
bit.ly/connectedcongregationsblog OR SCAN HERE TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE BLOG
For those who were unable to attend the meetings, discover what it means to
become a Connected Congregation:
Our vision is to re-imagine Scarsdale Synagogue as a congregation that deeply understands the
meaning of community by prioritizing relationships and shared values, and aligns all aspects of our
institution in service of the community. We can imagine a Jewish community where our congregants
feel a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for each other, and are empowered to contribute
their ideas, energy and resources.
Our goals are to:
• Explore and articulate what it means to be a member of our synagogue community
• Establish the importance of a new membership/financial model for the future existence of a vibrant
synagogue life
• Reinforce the value of connecting to Jewish life through a synagogue
To reach these goals we will be asking ourselves some questions:
Why are we part of a Jewish Community?
Spiritual and intellectual growth?
A deeper sense of belonging to something larger?
Meaningful personal relationships?
For each of us the answers to these questions may be different and have likely changed as our lives
have changed. Many of us are in different places on our Jewish journey now than when we joined
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El last year, ten years ago, 25 years ago or earlier.
Our next step will be a series of community conversations in the spring to discuss all ideas in greater
detail.
For more information, please feel free to contact the members of our Connected Congregation team
or visit the website: bit.ly/ccsstte or scan this QR code:
Rabbi Brown: [email protected]
Donna Vitale Ruskin: [email protected]
Cantor Becker: [email protected]
Mark Hoffman: [email protected]
Ellen Jancko-Baken: [email protected]
Scott Rothstein: [email protected]
Gary Katz: [email protected]
Roberta Aronovitch: [email protected]
Harvey Tessler: [email protected]
10
OUR DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
January was a great month! Two new classes started on January 5 th. Our Toddler
Program taught by Shannon Feldman and Diane Litvak and our 3-Day 2’s taught by Liz
Margolin, Elizabeth Schoetz, and Sushma Shadaksharappa. The children are already
becoming comfortable with their teachers, their new friends and their classroom
routines. The children are just adorable and have their own special way of spreading
joy.
If you would like to spend some time with our children, we’d love to have special
guests visit. We’re looking for people who would like to come and read a story, bake
or cook with the children, help to teach a craft or run an activity. Your time
commitment could be as little as 20 minutes or as much as one hour. If you are interested, please call me.
We’re already making plans for this June’s Mini-Camp. Mini-Camp is an exciting camp-like experience for children
born between January 2010 and December 2013. The children will have a variety of activity periods each day
such as cooking, sports and games, music, nature, creative movement, carnival, puppet shows, science, and
more!! Our Mini-Camp program will be in session Monday through Friday - June 1st through June 24th. For those
children currently enrolled in Mazel Tots, the Mini-Camp program is already built into their schedule so there is no
need to register. For anyone else interested, please call for more information.
Just a reminder, if you have not yet seen our school and are interested in a space for next year, please call to
arrange an appointment. Please feel free to call to learn more about our Summer Stars Summer Program. If you
have any other questions about Mazel Tots, please call the Nursery School Office (914-723-3001).
Jody Glassman, Director of Early Childhood
FAMILY/TOT SHABBAT
FEBRUARY 6
Temple for Tots provides a great way for families to
spend time together! The program is specifically
designed for children up to six years of age and
their families. The children are active participants
and are able to get an up-close and ageappropriate look into our religious traditions.
PJ LIBRARY & BOOK FAIR BENEFITING
SSTTE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015, 4 P.M.
RSVP online here...bit.ly/familytotshabbat
Barnes & Noble in Yonkers
Please join us as PJ Library illustrator Ann Koffsky
tells us how books are illustrated. Snacks will be
provided. Come early and shop at the book fair at
the store. 10% of the proceeds will go to SSTTE.
Look for the flyer and vouchers in the
weekly synagogue emails.
OR SCAN THIS CODE...
FEBRUARY VACATION MINI-CAMP
The Service is so lovely and hearing the children’s
voices is so heart-warming. Remember Temple for
Tots is not limited to Temple members. So, we will
be happy to welcome your family and friends!
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
5:30
6:00
6:30
8:00
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
PJ Library Tot Shabbat Service
Shabbat Dinner for Grades K-3
Family Shabbat Service
Chavurah Service
Monday-Thursday, FEBRUARY 16-19,
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
We have a packed agenda. Join the fun! Ages 2
through Kindergarten - $50/child/day or $180 for
all four days. Call Jody with any questions. You
can register online at…bit.ly/ssttevacacamp
OR SCAN HERE TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO
OUR WEBSITE
11
OUR DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
OUR TRIP TO THE JEWISH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM IN BROOKLYN, NY
Imagine if you could enter Abraham and Sarah’s tent. Or stop by the well where Rebekah
and Isaac met. Or walk through and experience the cycle of the Jewish holidays. About
30 of our students in 2nd - 5th grade SSTTE Religious School did all of this and more
during our trip to the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, NY on January 11. We
encountered our matriarchs/ patriarchs, followed the Israelites’ path out of Egypt,
crawled through challahs, and even searched for chametz (leavened foods) in a
Passover cupboard! There was even time for a Jewish craft and a Jewish trivia game
show! One student remarked, “This trip helped me create pictures in my mind…(about
Judaism).” Still another told his parent, “I wish every day of religious school could be like this one!” What a
day of experiential learning, fun, and bonding for our students. We graciously thank the Rabbi Stephen A.
Klein Youth Fund for making this trip possible
JEWISH WAX MUSEUM BY THE 4TH - 6TH GRADE COMES TO SSTTE
Our 4th - 6th grade is taking part in a Jewish history unit which we plan to culminate in a visit to the Jewish
wax museum on FEBRUARY 11. We are learning about significant periods in Jewish history such as the
Biblical/Prophetic period, Rabbinic, Spanish Inquisition, and American Jewish history. During each time period,
we are exploring Jewish historical figures who faced choices / challenges of this time and how the choices they
made exemplified Jewish values. Our unit will culminate in the trip to the Jewish wax museum on Wednesday,
FEBRUARY 11 as our students will “become” a Jewish historical figure of their choice and give a brief speech
about his/her life. Watch for more details about this exciting exhibit coming to SSTTE soon!
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
FEBRUARY 1
Tu B’Shevat Seders in SSTTE Sunday
school, 9 - 11 AM
FEBRUARY 4
Tu B’Shevat celebrated in 4th - 6th grades
FEBRUARY 6
K-3 Shabbat Family Dinner and Service
with student participation
FEBRUARY 11
Jewish Wax Museum during SSTTE
Religious School
FEBRUARY 15 - 22
Mid-Winter Recess / No SSTTE Religious
School
FAMILY/TOT SHABBAT
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
5:30 p.m
PJ Library Tot Shabbat Service
6:00 p.m
Shabbat Dinner for Grades K-3
6:30 p.m
Family Shabbat Service
RSVP online here...bit.ly/familytotshabbat
OR SCAN THIS CODE...
Learning about Respect for
Parents through an interactive
maze
Celebration of Shabbat
through a giant Kiddush Cup
SSTTE students in front of the Jewish Children’s
Museum in Brooklyn, NY
12
CALENDAR
~ February 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Sat
3
Tikkun Olam
Food Packing &
Sorting
9 a.m.
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi
Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Senior’s Lunch
At Pagoda
1 p.m.
Talmud
8 p.m.
4
Mussar Study
with Cantor
Becker
7:30 p.m.
8
9
Book Discussion
with Cantor
Becker
9:30 a.m.
K’tanim Event
11 a.m.
NFTY 6 Event
2 p.m.
PJ Library
Author
Visit/Barnes &
Noble
4 p.m.
10
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi
Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Jewish Literacy
with Rabbi
Klein
8-9:30 pm
11
12
Women of SSTTE Boker Tov
Bd. Mtg.
7:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
15
16
NFTY Convention NFTY Convention
in Atlanta
in Atlanta
Mazel Tots
Vacation MiniCamp
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
17
NFTY
Convention in
Atlanta
18
Mazel Tots
Vacation MiniCamp
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
19
Mazel Tots
Vacation MiniCamp
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
20
Shabbat of
Simcha
8 p.m.
21
22
SCARTY JR
Bowling
24
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi
Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
25
Mussar Study
with Cantor
Becker
7:30 p.m.
26
27
Ma-Ariv Service
6:15 p.m.
28
Shabbat Baboker
Morning Service
10 a.m.
Professional
Comedy Night
7 p.m.
Mazel Tots
Vacation MiniCamp
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
PRESIDENT'S DAY Senior’s Coffee
OFFICE CLOSED
& Conversation
1 p.m.
Tikkun Olam
Food Packing &
Sorting
7 p.m.
12 noon
23
5
Fri
1
2
SCARTY JR goes
Rock Climbing
12 p.m.
6
7
PJ Library Tot
.
Shabbat Dinner
5:30 p.m.
Shabbat Dinner
6:00 p.m.
Family Shabbat
Services Grades
K-3 6:30 p.m.
Chavurah
Service
8 p.m.
13
NFTY
Convention in
Atlanta
14
NFTY Convention
in Atlanta
Shir Shabbat Svc
8 p.m.
13
COMMUNAL WORSHIP
~ March 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
2
Evil in the World
with Rabbi
Brown
12 p.m.
3
Tikkun Olam
Food Packing &
Sorting
9 a.m.
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Senior’s Lunch
at Buon Amici
1 p.m.
Talmud
8 p.m.
10
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
4
5
Purim Dinner
6 p.m.
Megillah Reading
6:30 p.m.
Purim Palooza
Party
7:15 p.m.
Purim for Adults
Continues at
Chat 19
8:15 p.m.
6
7
Chavurah Service Shabbat Service
8 p.m.
& Bat Mitzvah of
Allison
Moskowitz
10:30 a.m.
11
12
Women of SSTTE
Bd. Mtg.
10:30 a.m.
13
14
Sharing Shabbat Shabbat
Dinner Time
BaBoker
10 a.m.
Shabbat Service
& Bar Mitzvah of
Adam Taber
10:30 a.m.
15
16
Book Club with
Rita Kashner
9:45 - Noon
Intergenerational
Choir Rehearsals
11 a.m.
K’tanim Event
11 a.m.
17
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m
Senior’s Coffee
& Conversation
1 p.m.
Tikkun Olam
Food Packing &
Sorting
7 p.m.
Jewish Literacy
with Rabbi Klein
8-9:30 pm
18
Intergenerational
Choir Rehearsals
6:00 p.m.
20
21
L’dor Vador
Shabbat with
Intergenerational
Choir
7 p.m.
22
SCARTY JR.
Bowling
23
24
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
25
26
Women of SSTTE
Seder
6 p.m.
29
Book Discussion
with Cantor
Becker
9:30 a.m.
30
Evil in the World
with Rabbi
Brown
12 p.m.
31
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
1
Purim Carnival
11 a.m.
8
9
Study Seminar:
Torah
Commentary of
Dr. Zornberg
9:30 a.m.
Intergenerational
Choir Rehearsals
11 a.m.
12 p.m.
Wed
Thu
19
Boker Tov
7:30 a.m.
Brandeis Mtg.
9:30 a.m.
Fri
Sat
SCARTY Purim
Shul-In
7 p.m.
27
Ma-Ariv Service
6:15 p.m.
28
Shabbat Baboker
Morning Service
10 a.m.
14
OUR DIRECTOR OF YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Shalom! Once again, the youth of SSTTE have been extraordinarily busy with youth programs
these past few weeks. The K’tanim/SCARTY Jr. Chanukah Party attracted more than 50
students, and the Iron Chef: Donut competition was a huge hit! The following week, eleven
teens took time out of their winter break to help feed the hungry at HUC’s soup kitchen. On
January 4th, SSTTE hosted the very first NFTY6 event in Westchester history, engaging 18
students from four different congregations (during their winter break, as well). We gathered in
the SCARTY youth lounge and fired up the pancake griddles for Harry Potter and the Pancake
of Secrets. A couple of our teens represented SSTTE at NFTY-NAR Winter Kallah and way
more of our teens helped out during our Midnight Run where we prepared over 100 meals for
people in need in NYC. I guess that brings you up to speed. So, what’s next, you ask? Well,
let me tell you, kind reader of the Shalom!
January 31, 6-11 p.m. – SCARTY teams up with ZEETY from Temple Beth Abraham and hits
the slopes, tube style! All 8th through 12th graders are invited to attend this awesome tubing
event at Campgaw Mountain in NJ. NIGHT TUBING??? THAT SOUNDS AMAZING! I know,
right? We’ll be catching a bus from Tarrytown at 6 p.m. How convenient is THAT??? Super
convenient. You’re welcome.
February 1, 12:30 p.m. – SCARTY Jr. will be rock climbing at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Pizza will
be served. Fun will also be served. This event is open to all 3rd through 5th graders.
February 8, 2 p.m. – Another Cliffs event!! This one is for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. For this
event, we’ll be partnering once again with Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown and Woodlands
Community Temple in White Plains.
February 13-17 – NFTY Convention, BBYO International Convention, and the URJ Youth
Summit! Thousands of Jewish teens and youth leaders from all over the country will join
together in Atlanta for several days of learning, fun, and comparably warm weather. Yay
Atlanta! Go [insert favorite Atlanta sports team]!
That’s all for now. If you have any questions about these events, feel free to send me a
message at [email protected]. Thanks for reading!
15
COMMUNAL WORSHIP
Like most everything worthwhile… it takes some effort to achieve. Like most everything of true value…
it takes some time to fully appreciate. But, over the years, I have learned to love the experience of
communal worship on Erev Shabbat. I may be nearly worn out by the demands of the work week,
almost too exhausted to leave my Shabbat dinner table to travel to shul, but the opportunity each
week to re-group, refresh, re-focus and re-connect brings a welcome sense of wholeness, of shleimut,
for which I am always grateful. I decompress. I connect. I invariably find a greater measure of
fulfillment.
“Reform Jews are considering Shabbat because they need Shabbat,” wrote Rabbi Eric Yoffie in 2007.
“In our 24/7 culture, the boundary between work time and leisure time has been swept away, and the
results are devastating…When work expands to fill all our evenings and weekends, everything suffers,
including our health…For our stressed-out, sleep-deprived families, the Torah’s mandate to rest looks
relevant and sensible.” It certainly does to me and has done so for many years.
The Shabbat observance Rabbi Yoffie envisioned does “not mean some kind of neo-frumkeit; it will not
mean the Shabbat of eighteenth-century Europe; it will not mean an endless list of Shabbat
prohibitions…It will mean instead approaching Shabbat with the creativity that has always distinguished
Reform Judaism. It will mean emphasizing the ‘Thou shalts’ of Shabbat—candles and Kiddush, rest and
study, prayer and community—rather than the ‘Thou shalt nots’… The glory of Reform Judaism has
always been its ability to reinvent itself to meet new spiritual situations… Shabbat, after all, is not just
a nice idea. It is a Jewish obligation and one of the Ten Commandments—indeed the longest and most
detailed of them all.” As our prayer book reminds us, “More than Israel has kept Shabbat, Shabbat has
kept Israel.”
Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the founder of the Reform Movement in America, introduced the late Friday
service in 1869 and transformed American Jewry by moving the major Shabbat worship service to
Friday night, thus accommodating Jews who had to work on Saturday. Because so many Jews had to
work on Saturday, it literally saved Shabbat for a large segment of the American Jewish community.
Communal worship on Friday night gave Reform Jews the chance to cleave to Shabbat when the
demands of modern American life made that difficult if not impossible.
I, myself, have become so accustomed to Erev Shabbat services that I sometimes dismiss the notion of
Shabbat morning services. But Erev Shabbat is not the only chance to enjoy the blessings of weekly
communal worship within our congregation. None of us at SSTTE should think that Shabbat morning
communal worship is only for the Orthodox, the Conservative, the Reconstructionist, and the family
and friends of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
Rabbi Brown and Cantor Becker, with exactly the type of creativity Rabbi Yoffie spoke of, have
introduced Shabbat Baboker for us to enjoy on many Shabbat mornings. The Shabbat Baboker service
reflects Rabbi Yoffie’s prescription for Shabbat. It begins with a prayer service, includes a meal and a
study session, and offers an opportunity to pray together, learn together and schmooze together.
Weekly communal worship at SSTTE is no longer simply a Friday night event. We now have the
opportunity to share the blessing of Shabbat Baboker morning services. Our clergy invites us all to
gather together to strengthen our connections to God and Judaism and to each other and they have
created a beautiful and effective Shabbat morning experience. Shabbat Baboker starts at 10:00 AM on
February 28, March 14, March 28, April 4, May 9, and May 30. All are welcome.
Stephen Gordon
16
TIKKUN OLAM/SOCIAL ACTION
2015 PLANNING
In addition to on-going programs (United Interfaith Food Bank, Care to Connect and all of the Tikkun
Olam our children already are involved with through SSTTE), we are planning for 2015. We would
LOVE input from you as to which of these programs and activities would be of interest to you. Based
on the feedback we receive, planning meetings will be scheduled for each program under consideration.
LOOK FOR EMAILS ABOUT THOSE MEETINGS AND/OR CHECK WWW.SSTTE.ORG
Winter/Spring 2015 Possibilities








Food Bank 10th Anniversary celebrations!!!
Parent/Child Social Action Activities on School vacation days and/or non-religious school
Sundays
Mishloach Manot gift baskets for Purim for fellow Congregants and/or housebound seniors
Passover human rights program: We have identified potential speakers both as to international
human rights issues and human trafficking in New York
Passover package delivery to housebound seniors
Yom Hashoah Candle of Righteousness: A brotherhood-sponsored program distributing yellow
candles for our Congregation to light on Yom Hashoah in remembrance
Earth Day group clean-up project
A Season Supporting a Common Cause: Congregants at SSTTE have founded, served on or
chaired boards and/or been profoundly affected by innumerable causes, issues and
organizations. We hope to identify clusters of common passions as a focus for Tikkun Olam,
Together through tzedakah, drives and/or hands-on projects for a few months or a season. For
instance, we know of at least four Congregants intimately involved with summer programs for
underprivileged or disabled children and are exploring whether that might be a good focus for
Congregational Tzedakah and other Tikkun Olam activities through the Spring of 2015.
Long term Planning Possibilities:





Backpack Buddies: Providing food - in backpacks - to children who might otherwise go hungry
over the weekend. Often head start students are beneficiaries of these programs. They are
assured of food weekdays through head start but can go hungry over the weekend. Food
obtained through a Food Bank can feed a family over a weekend for a few dollars per family.
Another Bone Marrow Donor Registration drive in a nearby Community: Gift of Life had an MLK
Initiative targeting people of color who are underrepresented in donor banks. Perhaps we could
organize a drive in a neighboring community to support this initiative and even partner with
other synagogues who have also trained volunteers from last years' YK drives.
Mitzvah Day 2015
Social Action Shabbaton weekend
Progressing from programs to Advocacy and ultimately to Social Justice: For anyone
particularly interested in Advocacy, there is a URJ Advocacy Training Program taking
place Sunday, February 8th from 9am - 3:30 pm at Congregation Kol Ami. Contact
[email protected] for information about registering. (continued on p. 18)
17
COMMUNAL WORSHIP
For those of you who may be curious as to how this list came about, some
of our guiding principles at this stage in identifying potential social action activities are: (1)
discrete but meaningful and impactful programs, (2) programs and activities that our members
can participate in together, building and strengthening relationships and our Congregational
community while helping to Repair the World, (3) activities for a broad range of
Congregational constituencies on those holidays, festivals and other occasions on which large
numbers of our members are expected to come to the Synagogue, and (4) causes, issues and
organizations that are meaningful to our Congregants.
(continued from p. 17)
CARE2CONNECT
Our Care2Connect committee has one main goal – to reach out and support fellow congregants
throughout various lifecycle events. Members of our committee are here for you, in good times and in
hard times, offering support and a helping hand when needed. Throughout the years, we have
provided words of congratulations for births, marriages and bar/bat mitzvahs, words of sympathy
when those among us have lost loved ones, and words of support when others are not doing so well.
New volunteers are always welcome! There are no meetings to attend or events to schedule on your
calendar. Just let us know what you are interested in doing, how often you are available and the best
way to reach you. There is no requirement for what you would need to do, we are happy to work
within your comfort level to help you get involved. Then, when a need arises that you are comfortable
with, our committee will be in touch. Whether you can help out once a month or once a year, it all
adds up to a more supportive and caring temple community! Tikkun Olam,Together.
Other services our network of member volunteers provide include:
 Providing/Delivering Meals to homebound members or families during a health crisis;
 Checking in via telephone with the ill, elderly and/or homebound;
 Visiting an ill or homebound member;
 Transportation to a doctor's appointment for an ill or non-driving member;
 Hosting a single or widowed member for a holiday meal;
 Transportation to services (when available) for an elderly or non-driving member.
If you know...of a Synagogue member who is ill or in the hospital, call the office and let us
know. This way the Rabbi and Cantor can visit and Care2Connect can provide timely support. Don’t
assume that we know---we will only know if you tell us!
For more information, to volunteer or to let us know of a Congregant who could use our support, please contact
Christine Ginsberg at [email protected].
18
THE CYCLE OF OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY
IN REMEMBRANCE
The Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El recognizes with sorrow the passing
of:
Dr. Paul Elkins, husband of Judith Elkins
Howard Bertan, father of Michael Bertan
John Murphy, brother-in-law of Bernice Miller
MAZAL TOV TO
Sheldon & Roberta Aronovitch on the birth of their granddaughter, Calla Grace Ibrahim,
parents are Jorelle Aronovitch & Haz Ibrahim
Barbara Beaumont on her retirement from teaching in the New York City Public Elementary
Schools for 31 years
We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support Scarsdale Synagogue Temples
Tremont and Emanu-El by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones through
their generous contributions.
Cantor’s Discretionary Fund
DAVID & CHRISTINE GINSBERG in honor of the
Bar Mitzvah of their son, Sean Ginsberg
ARNOLD & MERYL GREENE in appreciation for
the unveiling of his mother
COLETTE GUERIG in honor of Cantor Chanin
Becker’s presentation
PAULA LESTER in memory of John Murphy,
brother-in-law of Berenice Miller
Chesed Fund
KENNETH KRAMER in memory of his wife, Judy
Kramer
General Tribute Fund
IRENE FRIED in memory of her father, Benjamin
Rosenstein
TODD GARVELINK & DEBORAH SCHENFELD in
memory of her father, Bertram Schenfeld
GERALD & STEFANI COHEN in memory of Albert
Rutberg, father of Joanne Klein; Jean Lovinger,
mother of Merri Arian Lovinger
DOROTHY GOLD in memory of her husband,
Peter Gold; her grandmother, Esther Tulshinsky
IRA & BARBARA GOLDMAN in memory of their
grandson, Clayton B. Goldman; her mother,
Estelle Hirsch Friedlander
DAVID & MICHELE GORDON in memory of Ted
Schuchat, father of Dan Schuchat
RONALD & KAREN KATTER in memory of his
parents, Herman & Edith Katter
HAROLD & FREDDA KWITMAN
MARK LUKASIEWICZ & LORI HARRIS
MARILYN MALOFF in memory of her brother,
Norman Hirschheim
BERENICE MILLER in memory of her mother,
Nuala Carragher; her father-in-law, Nathan Miller
DR. DAVID & NANCY MILSTEIN in honor of the
birth of Calla Grace Ibrahim, granddaughter of
Sheldon & Roberta Aronovitch
BARBARA MOHR in memory of her mother, Ruth
Goldberg
DR. FREDRIC & STACEY NEWMAN in memory of
his father, Harold Newman
IRVING & SHARON PICARD in memory of her
mother, Lillian Medoff Meyers
SANDRA PRAGER in memory of her husband,
Helmut David Prager
RITA REICH in memory of John Murphy, brotherin-law of Berenice Miller
DR. NEWTON & SUSAN SCHILLER in memory of
her father, Herman Levins; Albert Rutberg, father
of Joanne Klein
LEON & MARILYN SHEBSHAIEVITZ in memory
of her uncle, Fred N. Schall
SUCHERMAN CONSULTING GROUP in honor of
Mark Hoffman
19
THE CYCLE OF OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY
Holocaust Memorial Fund
STEVEN & LORRIE STRAUSS in memory of
Norman Dachs, father of Deura Bader
Interfaith Food Pantry
RICHARD BACHMAN & DIANE CHERR
BACHMAN in honor of Micah Avi Sharlein,
grandson of Rabbi Stephen & Joanne Klein; in
memory of Albert Rutberg, father of Joanne Klein;
Mark Fox, husband of Sylvia Fox
ROBERT & NORA GROBAN in memory of John
Murphy, brother-in-law of Berenice Miller
MARY BLUMENTHAL-LANE (HELPING HANDS
COMMITTEE) with thanks to Nora Groban, Larry
Eidelberg and Elinor Wharton for all that they do
Irving Gershon Talmud/Midrash Study
HARVEY & MARSHA TESSLER
Playgound Enhancement Fund
GERALD & STEFANI COHEN in honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of Sean Ginsberg, son of David &
Christine Ginsberg; in honor of the birth of Serena
Elders, granddaughter of Harvey & Susan Belkin
ED & BEVERLY PICKER in honor of the birth of
Calla Grace Ibrahim, granddaughter of Sheldon &
Roberta Aronovitch; in memory of Howard
Bertan, father of Michael Bertan
JOHN & TERRY STRATTA in honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of Sean Ginsberg, son of David &
Christine Ginsberg
20
Rabbi Stephen Klein’s Youth Initiative
GLENN & SONJA COOPER in memory of John
Murphy, brother-in-law of Berenice Miller
MICHAEL, ELISE & TODD RICHMAN in memory
of Timothy Richmond’s memorial
JOHN & TERRY STRATTA in memory of Albert
Rutberg, father of Joanne Klein
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
DAVID & CHRISTINE GINSBERG in honor of the
Bar Mitzvah of their son, Sean Ginsberg
Sisterhood Special Action Fund
RUTH GERSHON in honor of the Mah Jongg
Tournament
THOMAS & BETH QUINN in honor of the birth of
Calla Grace Ibrahim, granddaughter of Sheldon &
Roberta Aronovitch
PAUL & SANDRA ROTHSTEIN in honor of the
Bar Mitzvah of Sean Ginsberg, son of David &
Christine Ginsberg; in honor of the birth of Calla
Grace Ibrahim, granddaughter of Sheldon &
Roberta Aronovitch
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