1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

TEMPLE
BETH
TZEDEK
621 Getzville Road • Buffalo, NY 14226 • (716) 838-3232
March 2015
Congregation Surprises Rabbi Netter
for Milestone Birthday!
On the morning of
Sunday, February 8, Rabbi
Netter and the students of
his Sunday morning Talmud
class were greeted by a sign
on the door to the Minyan
Café notifying attendees that
the room was closed due to a
problem with the heating.
The class was being moved
to the Lippa Family auditorium.
In actuality, the sign
was not notice of another
facility issue plaguing our
aging building, but rather
part of the elaborate ruse
concocted by Temple staff
and lay leaders to pull off a
large-scale surprise party for our spiritual leader on the occasion of
his 60th birthday! For the previous week planning had been in the
works for a congregation-wide celebration of the rabbi’s milestone
birthday, to take place in the Lippa Family Auditorium right after
Sunday morning minyan (when Talmud class would normally
meet). And, despite the difficulty in keeping secret a 500-plus person
conspiracy – attempts were made to invite all members and friends
of the synagogue by email or phone – the plan worked to perfection
and Temple Beth Tzedek was host to one of the most memorable
and haimishe events within its walls in recent times.
As Rabbi Netter was nonchalantly escorted to his relocated
“classroom” by past president and Talmud-class regular Janet
Gunner, well over a hundred celebrants waited silently inside the
auditorium. When Rabbi Netter opened the doors, we all shouted
“Surprise!” in unison as Safi, the rabbi’s wife, snapped photos. You
can see Rabbi Netter’s initial reaction above… Yes, it was a complete
surprise!
After Rabbi Netter took a few minutes to absorb the scene, as
groups of congregants and friends mobbed him to extend birthday
greetings, TBT President Leon Komm delivered some heartfelt
wishes on behalf of the congregation. Leon announced that the
synagogue had collected enough money from sponsors to treat
Rabbi Netter and Safi to an overnight stay in Toronto and still
contribute over $1500 to the Pulpit Fund – which Rabbi Netter
immediately indicated would be used to support summer scholarships for our youth, one of his most cherished causes. The students
of Gesher School then serenaded Rabbi Netter with rousing renditions of “Happy Birthday” in both English and Hebrew. Festivities
continued with a scrumptious brunch open to everyone, and
celebrants stayed and schmoozed for over an hour and a half.
Executing the surprise brunch party was a team effort requiring
the work of TBT staff and many volunteers, too numerous to list
here. Special thanks, however, are due to Leon Komm, who
co-chaired the event, threw his full support behind it, and arrived
early with his wife, Cindy, to help set up the auditorium; Janet
Gunner, the other co-chair, who organized the volunteer effort to set up
the auditorium so beautifully and made phone calls to invite those
Adar - Nisan 5775
members not on our email list; Einav Symons, who arranged for
Gesher students to paint the large congratulatory posters that
adorned the auditorium walls and to sing to Rabbi Netter; Jason
Chudzinski and Zach Shaffer, who catered such a wonderful
birthday brunch; and Pat Farrell, who came in extra early to assist
with facility set-up and to provide whatever custodial support was
necessary to make the event the success that it was.
Please see p. 5 for a listing of all the sponsors whose financial
support made this tremendous birthday surprise possible, and p. 6
for some more great photos from the event. May we go from
strength to strength!
From the . . .
Cholent
There are many births recorded in the
Torah, but not once are we given the date of
birth. We read about the births of Cain and
Abel, of Ishmael and Isaac, of Jacob and
Esau, of each of the twelve sons of Jacob.
Not once are we given the date of birth.
The first birthday celebration recorded
in the Torah is found in Genesis 40:20.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it is the birthday
celebration of the pharaoh of Egypt. We
know the ages of the Patriarchs at the time
of their deaths, but not their birthdates. And the narrative of the
most important birth in the Torah – the birth of Moshe Rabbenu –
neglects to tell us the date of his birth. It is not until the rabbis tell
the story that we learn that Moshe was born and died on the same
date, the 7th of Adar.
It is not until the modern period in Jewish history that the day
of one’s birth became significant. Traditionally, the Jewish attitude
to birth has been defined by the following discussion in the midrash
Kohelet Rabbah 7:4:
The day of a man’s death is greater than the day of his
birth. Why? Because on the day of his birth a man does
not know what awaits him in his life, but on the day of his
death his deeds are made known to everybody. Rabbi Levi
said: a parable. It is like two ships sailing the great sea.
One was leaving port, the other was entering the port. All
those aboard the ship that was about to depart were rejoicing; those aboard the ship that was entering the port were
not rejoicing. A wise man was there, and he said: ‘I see
here reversed things. Those aboard the ship that is about
to depart should not be rejoining, for they don’t know
what fate awaits her, what seas she will encounter, and
what winds she will meet; those aboard the ship that is
entering the port should rejoice, since they know that she
entered the sea in peace and came out in peace.’ Thus a
man, when he is born, his days are counted until he dies,
and when he dies, he is heading for eternal life. It is of him
that Solomon said: A good name is better than precious oil,
and the day of death than the day of one’s birth (Kohelet 7:1).
When a child is born, that child enters a world of great potential and hope. No one knows what lies in store for that child; what
technologies will be developed within that child’s lifespan? What
barriers will be eliminated in space and time? What unique
berakhah is that child bringing into the world? No one knows; we
can only hope.
We have specific rituals that tradition developed over the centuries to mark the yahrzeits of our loved ones: lighting a yahrzeit
candle, saying kaddish three times on the day of the yahrzeit, giving
tzedakah in their memory as an elevation of their souls. But we have
developed no rituals for birthdays. In Pirke Avot we are taught that
each decade of life brings its own developmental characteristics. At
the age of 60 one attains ziknah, which literally means “old age.” It
is true that at the age of 60 the body is beginning to slow, it is more
difficult to toss around a football, it is more difficult to remember
things, it is more difficult to blow out candles. But ziknah also
means “wisdom.” Presumably by the age of 60 one has accumulated
enough life experience to know the difference between the trivial
and the important things. Presumably one has learned that loving
relationships are more lasting and more fulfilling than personal
achievements. Making a living is not as important as making a life.
2 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
POT
I can now attest that we should have rituals for birthdays. Now
I see the significance of birthdays. You have all taught me that. On
the day of my 60th birthday I was completely surprised when I
walked into the Lippa Auditorium to find a few hundred of my
closest friends who had arranged a marvelous celebration of my
birth. The sight of so many people was emotionally overwhelming.
It was all I could do not to cry. The beautiful brunch, the cake with
the candles, the messages from our Gesher students, the signs and
cards, the donations – I cannot adequately thank all of the people,
far too many to name, for what it took to pull this party off. There
are not enough words in the English language that can be combined
to fully express my gratitude. So allow me to just stumble through
this, and please know all the feelings I am trying to express when I
say thank you, thank you, thank you.
May we be blessed to share many more simhas together. See
you in shul.
Perry Netter, rabbi
PLEASE CONSIDER SERVING ON OUR
TBT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Each year our membership elects trustees to fill openings
on our thirty-member board during our annual congregational
meeting. Our board nominating committee will be meeting in
March to nominate a slate of candidates for board approval in
April and then congregational approval in May. We are seeking
synagogue members to serve on our board who are passionate
about furthering our extraordinary synagogue mission and
helping to ensure Temple Beth Tzedek flourishes and endures
beautifully. We have key decisions before us impacting our
present and future. If you would like to be considered for the
important work of our kehilla through service on our board
please contact TBT board chairperson Janet Gunner at (716)
536-0454 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Thank you!
BOYZ’
IN
THE
HOOD
(BROTHERHOOD)
MAZEL TOV!
Karen & Alan Wexler
TBT’s Brotherhood is getting back in the swing of things,
with a new group of energized members and an enthusiastic
start to the calendar year. And we want YOU to join us.
More than 20 men gathered for great refreshments and
good company to watch an NFL divisional playoff game in
January at the Amherst Pizza and Ale House in Getzville. (P.S.,
this was BEFORE Deflate-gate!) We shared laughs, caught up
with each other, filled up, and enjoyed a good game. And we
made new friends with guys who have not been Brotherhood
members before, some of whom are not even members of
TBT! Yasher Koach to Dr. Gil Wolfe on coordinating this
event.
Then, in early February, TBT Brotherhood joined with
TBT’s Gesher School, Congregation Shir Shalom’s school and
The Men’s Group at CSS for the annual World Wide Wrap, an
international program sponsored and promoted by the
Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs. TBT and its predecessors
have participated in this Conservative Movement program for
years as FJMC members, but this was the first time for CSS,
and what a wonderful collaboration between not only the two
synagogues but also the two men’s clubs. We’re already talking
about other opportunities for teaming up and supporting each
other, so stay tuned. Congrats to Einav Symons and Hope
Bongiorno, the respective school principals, for coordinating.
And on Feb. 22, we hosted a TBT-catered bagel brunch in
the Lippa Family Auditorium, with special guest speaker
David Schiller discussing the two sides of Israel’s economy, in
a discussion titled “The Start-Up Nation… And Those Left
Behind.” The success of Israel’s technology-oriented business
community is well-known – many of its publicly traded
companies are on Nasdaq – but David’s presentation showed
even more about how the economy works for some, but not
for others. Well done, David!
on the engagement of
their daughter,
Dara Wexler
to
Doug Dubow
2015/5775
Passover Schedule
Thursday, April 2
Search for Leaven (Bedikah
Hametz)
Friday, April 3 Fast of the Firstborn
7:00 a.m.
Shaharit (morning service),
Siyum, and Breakfast
6:00 p.m.
Minha Ma’ariv (evening service)
First Seder in Homes
Saturday, April 4
9:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
First Day Pesach
Shaharit (morning service)
Minha Ma’ariv (evening service)
Second Seder in Homes
Sunday, April 5
9:00 a.m.
7:45 p.m.
8:45 p.m.
Second Day Pesach
Shaharit (morning service)
Minha Ma’ariv (evening service)
End of Yom Tov
This month, on March 8, Daniel Kotzin will host the first
meeting of our new book club, featuring a discussion of Amos
Oz’s book, A Tale of Love and Darkness. Please RSVP to
Daniel at 688-3584 if you plan to attend. Thank you, Daniel!
Monday through Thursday, April 6 through 9
7:15 a.m.
Shaharit (morning service)
6:00 p.m.
Minha Ma’ariv (evening service)
Coming up, keep an eye out for possible poker or game
nights, a visit to a pool hall, a scotch and steak night, our endof-the-year BBQ with Gesher School, and the annual Bisons
game and BBQ with Membership Committee, tentatively
slated for August.
Friday, April 10
9:00 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
Seventh Day Pesach
Shaharit (morning service)
Minha Ma’ariv (evening service)
Saturday, April 11
9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:52 p.m.
Eighth (last) Day Pesach
Shaharit
Yizkor (approximate time)
Minha Ma’ariv (evening service)
End of Yom Tov
Let’s keep the conversation going, and make something
happen. Above all, let’s have fun. Call or email me to be part
of something new.
Jonathan Epstein
(716)430-5838
[email protected]
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 3
GESHER
What a wonderful February we had, with a winetasting Havdalah and a great Tu B’Shevat seder and Tefillin
workshop with our friends at Congregation Shir Shalom.
Despite our weather, Sisterhood is alive and well. On
February 21, Sisterhood led the Shabbat service and sponsored the Kiddush afterward. Many thanks to Jane Leve, Ilene
Scheib, Rachel Anderson, Janice Gelfand, Michelle Davis,
Julie Van Vliet, Rachel Sokoloff, Linda Steinhorn, Judith
Bronstein, Helen Ablove, Elaine
Baren, Rusty Zackheim, June
Feurstein, Helen Bergman, Judith
Epstein, Lisa Wallenfels, Carol Davis, Linda Boxer, Esther
Trachtman, Myra Werbow, Ruth Norman, Janet Gunner,
Sharon Kostiner, Lynn Birnholz, Evy Berman, Elaine Brothman, and Jeannette Levin. A special thank you to Rabbi
Netter and Cantor Spindler for their cooperation and input.
Michael Smith, the Associate Director of City Mission,
our guest speaker, was very informative. Our partnership with
City Mission and Cornerstone Manor and the Rummage Sale
is a wonderful tzdekah project for Sisterhood and the
community.
March brings with it the joys of the month of Adar as
we get ready for the community Purim carnival on March 8.
Students will be dismissed after our program with
Outstretched Arm on Sunday morning so that they can
join the fun at Shir Shalom.
Reminder: If you have not yet ordered your
hamantashen , please do so as soon as possible.
Wishing our students, their families and the
congregation a happy Purim !
Einav Symons
CELEBRATE PURIM
PLEASE JOIN US TO HOST OUR ANNUAL
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
KESHER OUTSTRETCHED ARM
Sisterhood is again having it's Passover Flower Sale.
Gloria Fenston is our Chairlady. Bouquets are $18 and she is
more than happy to take orders. She can be reached at 8866839.Thank you, Gloria for your continued success in this
fundraiser!
PURIM CELEBRATION
FOR JEWS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Dates to remember: March 24, our book review by Edith
Fine. The book is entitled,"An Officer and a Spy". April 26 &
27- Women's League is holding a spring conference at Congregation Beth Sholom in Dewitt, New York. We encourage
everyone to attend. Please contact the conference chair, Ilene
Sheib at 875-3499. June 11, the past Presidents are planning a
"Sophisticated Ladies Night Out". More information to
follow.....
COME IN COSTUME!
MAKE SOME NOISE! HAVE FUN!
Linda Steinhorn, our scholarship chair, will be gathering
her committee soon to evaluate applications . Applications
will be available in the office. More info next month.
Please patronize our Judaic shop. We have lovely gift
ideas and a variety of religious items.
Linda Linsky, Bobbie Vishner, and myself are available for
private appointments.
See you in Shul!
Carolyn Kershanbaum
4 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
SUNDAY MORNING, March 8, 2015
10:15 ~ NOON
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
Be a part of something special and beautiful. Join the
Temple Beth Tzedek community hosting a celebration of
Purim under the leadership of Rabbi Perry Netter. Hear
the Megillah read by Cantor Mark Spindler. Enjoy
delightful Purim music with Ruthie Merlin at the piano.
Experience the best of Klezmer music by the band West
of Odessa—musicians Roberta Levin and Alan
Sisselman—guaranteed to touch your soul. Listen to a
Purim presentation lovingly prepared by our Gesher
School students. Stay for lunch—our Purim Seudah, so
you can visit with friends and nosh some delicious
hamentashen.
Volunteers are needed! Please meet at the synagogue
Sunday morning at 9:15 to help with the set up.
Bring boxes of pasta to shake as noisemakers during
the Megillah reading to blot out the name of Haman,
then contribute them to the food barrel to blot out
hunger in WNY.
Contact Lynne Birnholz ~ 689-6837 or Sharla
Bleichfeld ~ 688-5296 for more information.
SIMCHA SHABBAT
(A celebration each month of birthdays and anniversaries
in our Temple Beth Tzedek family)
Thank you to the following for contributing
to the January 24th Simcha Shabbat kiddish
celebrating January & February events
ANNIVERSARIES
Carin & Ed Case
Sarah & Ted Chertoff*
Ursula & Gerhard Falk*
Shirley & Larry Magil
Rebecca & Jeff Oshlag
Elinda & Ed Reich*
Marcia & Leonard Saran (December)
BIRTHDAYS
Anna Ablove
Judy Baron
Sarah Bernstein
Linda Boxer
Matthew Boxer (by Linda & Larry Boxer)
Ed Case*
Judy Davis
Ayelet Forrest
Liat Forrest
Raymond Greene
Marty Kerker*
Lance Mark*
Jeff Oshlag
Rena Rose
Stephen Stern
Linda Steinhorn
Ella Waldman (by Linda & Larry Boxer)
Gabriel Waldman * (by Linda & Larry Boxer)
Hannah Wallenfels
Lisa Wallenfels*
Bea Wohlfeld*
SPECIAL SIMCHA
Birth of great-grandson, Parker Ian Levin,
by Frank and Jeanette Levin
Next Simcha Shabbat is April 18, 2015
celebrating March and April events
*indicates a milestone year
For more information or to be a participant,
please contact
Linda Boxer (284-1534 or [email protected])
or Kim Jones in the Temple office (838-3232, ext. 100).
We are grateful to the following sponsors whose
generous contributions made Rabbi Netter’s 60th
Birthday brunch celebration, birthday gift, and
donation to the Pulpit Fund possible:
Helen Ablove
Jim & Leslie Kramer
Kevin & Risé Kulick
Mort & Natalie Abramson
Dana Kurtzman
Bob & Judy Alessi
Dan & Sheree Lamendola
Rachel Anderson
Roberta Landberg
Anonymous
Jane Leve
Barry & Judy Baron
Larry & Cookie Levin
Helen Bergman
Harold & Arlyne Levy
Steve & Fern Bernstein
Shai & Michal Lewis
Bruce & Sharla Bleichfeld
Marian & Steve Lustig
Eva Blum
Jerry & Eileen Markzon
Jeff & Leah Blum
Irv & Ruth Merlin
Larry & Linda Boxer
Jay & Rebecca Mesnekoff
Mel & Elaine Brothman
Armand & Lori Morrison
Joel & Judy Brownstein
Ruth Norman
Ed & Carin Case
Glenn Pincus & Janet Gunner
Allan & Karen Cooper
Iris Danziger & Kirsten Moysich Harvey & Roz Podolsky
David & Lisa DavidsonCarol Davis Sylvia Polakov
Lance & Michele Pozarny
Eric & Judy Davis
Jan Presser
Cantor Emeritus
Ed & Elinda Reich
Gerald & Belle DeBruin
David & Tina Ribakove
Ed & Evelyn Drozen
Jonathan & Amy Rosen
Joseph & Nancy Enis
Ina Sanders
Jonathan & Judy Epstein
Harvey & Helaine Sanders
Stuart & Jane Fischman
Herb & Ina Scheer
Leonard & Cheryl Franco
David & Beverly Schiller
Harold & Janice Gelfand
Harvey & Nancy Schiller
Alan & Charlotte Gendler
Irv & Doris Sellers
Sam & Dorothy Golden
Michael & Sharon Serota
Alan & Marcia Goldstein
Alan Sisselman & Roberta Levine
Murray Gunner
Barbara & Michael Sitrin
Lee Guterman & Lisa Benson
Howard & Helene Smallen
Fredric & Donna Hirsh
Cantor Mark & Leona Spindler
Harvey & Myra Horowitz
Jim & Linda Steinhorn
Rick Jacobson & Sheri Poole
Avi & Viola Sterman
Renee Joffe
Steve & Debbie Stern
Lawrence & Marlene Joseph
Andy & Einav Symons
Beatrice Kaiser
George & Lisa Wallenfels
Jean Kaiser
Bernie & Helen Weinstein
Beth Kassirer
Aaron & Wendy Weisbrot
John & Renee Kennelly
Allan & Myra Werbow
Marty & Shelly Kerker
Joel & Elinor Weiss
Gerry & Carolyn Kershanbaum
Alice Weit
Leon & Cindy Komm
David & Christine Wolf
Harriet Konovitz
Joe & Rusty Zackheim
Ariel & Sharon Kostiner
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 5
Celebrating Rabbi Netter’s 60th Birthday ~ February 8, 2015
Hamantashen Baking
6 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
SISTERHOOD
PESACH FLOWER SALE
PLEASE JOIN THE TBT SISTERHOOD ONCE
AGAIN AS WE WELCOME SPRING.
JUST AS THE ISRAELITES WERE FREED FROM
BONDAGE IN EGYPT, HOPEFULLY,
OUR FLOWER SALE WILL FIND US FREE FROM
SNOW-BONDAGE IN WNY.
OUR FLOWER SALE FOR PICK UP IS FRIDAY,
APRIL 3, 2015 FROM 9-4 @ TBT.
ORDER DEADLINE: 3/27/15
OUR FLOWER BOUQUETS
ARE $18.00 THIS YEAR.
WE SAY "CHAI" TO YOU AND "HI" IN PERSON
ON APRIL 3RD!
Please send your check for payment
made out to TBT Sisterhood to:
Gloria Fenston
508 Richmond Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222.
Any questions, please email bfenston@netzero or
telephone: 886-6839.
David Burstein, O.D.
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Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 7
UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH 2014 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
On December 21, 2014 seven teenagers from Temple Beth
Tzedek traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for five days of fun, food,
friends, religious, social action and social programming with
their peers from around the county at the USY International
Convention. Over 750 high school students attended this
event, and all had an amazing experience. Students
participated in large group and small group sessions, saw a
concert, listened to keynote speaker Jessica Abo, learned about
the civil rights movement in the place where it all began, and
experienced the sights of Atlanta. Some of our participants
also had the chance to reunite with the groups of kids that
they had traveled with this past summer on their Ramah
Seminar and USY Pilgrimage trips to Israel. Below are their
impressions of their experiences in Atlanta.
ROBYN LIPPA
Once a year, USY gathers for its International Convention
(IC). It is five days of learning, friends, and fun. Over 700
USYers from all across North America come together. This
year’s convention was in Atlanta, Georgia (#ICATL). There I
reunited with my friends from past ICs and Ramah programs,
including my trip to Israel, and made many new friends. In
Atlanta, we celebrated Hanukkah, did community service
projects, and visited Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin
Luther King Jr. National Park site, and explored the Civil
Rights Museum. Our community service project was cleaning
up Freedom Park. We even visited Coca Cola World and had
the chance to try all 32 flavors of Coke! Overall it was
a fantastic trip!
JOEY KRAMER
This past winter break I was lucky enough to attend the
International USY convention in Atlanta Georgia. This was
my second conference as I attended the one last year in New
Orleans. IC is more than just a convention. I was only there
for five days, but it seems like I was there for an eternity. The
people that I met, the community service that we completed,
and the everlasting friendships that I made have changed my
life forever. People always ask me why I waste my winter break
learning about Judaism. I always have the same response:
because I love USY. What IC is describes perfectly why I love
USY so much. Every single Jewish teen there is going through
the same hardships and bumps in life that I am. Whether it’s
school, friends, or identifying with your religion everyone is
going through it. That’s what makes IC so amazing. I am able
to connect with everyone there so easily, and can talk to them
and be open with them as if I have known them my whole life.
JARED WALLENFELS
This year International Convention was hosted in Atlanta,
Georgia. Over 750 Jewish teens gathered there from all over
the country. International Convention is an experience that
every USYer should experience. It is a great time to meet new
people while getting involved in Jewish things. During IC, we
did community service by picking up trash across a park. Also
every day there is a chance to participate in different kinds of
services such as Davening in the Dark and Yoga. Some other
great things at IC were the dance in the Coca-Cola factory and
listening to speakers such as Reverend Williams and Jessica
Abo. I also love seeing friends I have made at previous
conventions. I am lucky to have been able to attend two
International Conventions so far, and I can't wait to go again
next year.
LEAH KRAMER
I recently attended the International Convention for my
Jewish youth group, United Synagogue Youth, this past winter
break. It was my second time attending the IC and it was
incredible, just like the first one. I was able to reconnect with
old friends, make new friends, make new memories, learn
about my Judaism, learn about civil rights in the place where
it all started (Atlanta, GA), do community service and more.
The International Convention for USY not only was a fun
experience but an amazing learning experience as well. I am so
thankful I am able to be apart of such an incredible organization.
ERIN LIPPA
This year I went to International Convention in Atlanta with
USY. I got to reconnect with some of my friends and learn
about the city's history and how Jewish leaders were involved
in the Civil Rights Movement. One of the places we got to
visit was the Coca-Cola factory and I tried most of the flavors.
My favorite flavor was root beer. We also went to the Ebenezer
Baptist Church where we heard a friend of Martin Luther
King Jr. speak to us about his experiences with the Civil
Rights Movement. During this experience I met new people,
made new friends and learned about the history of Atlanta. I
can't wait to go to International Convention next year in
Baltimore!
8 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
LAUREN WALLENFELS
I had so much fun at IC Atlanta this year. It was great to be
able to reunite with all of my friends from USY on Wheels
from the summer of 2013 and all my friends from USY
Poland/Israel Pilgrimage this past summer. We had an amazing
community day where we helped clean up a park and learned
all about the civil rights movements from events that
happened in Atlanta in the past. Hearing Jessica Abo speak for
the second year in a row was definitely a highlight. I am so
thankful to have been able to go for four consecutive years and
I am sad that this was my last year, but I am glad that it was so
much fun and so memorable.
L to R: Joey Kramer, Leah Kramer, Jared Wallenfels, Robyn Lippa,
Erin Lippa, Mason Botwin, Lauren Wallenfels.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS THE FOLLOWING
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK CONTRIBUTIONS
Charles and Molly Amsterdam Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of
Muriel Narotsky
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Joshua Ribakove
Becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Charles and Molly Amsterdam Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Nelson Himmelfarb
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Jack Friedes
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Joseph Bengart Library Endowment Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Arthur Bengart
Steven Bengart
Anne Bernstein Memorial Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Sheila Goldberg
Herschel & Mimi Balsom
Anne Bernstein Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Phyllis Barish
Herschel & Mimi Balsom
Adrian Weissfeld
Herschel & Mimi Balsom
Building Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Dr. Howard Yalowich
Rachel Yalowch
Edith & Joel Cohen Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
In Loving Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Aunt Louise Coploff
Rita & Lenny Weiss
Sylvia & Louis Cooper Fund
In Honor of:
Josh Fried
becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Helen Ablove
Sylvia & Louis Cooper Fund
In Memory of:
Edgar May
Rose & Harold Gandel
Sigmund Carsell
Harold & Rose Gandel
Sanford Cohen
Harold & Rose Gandel
Rueben Kaiser
Harold & Rose Gandel
Irwin Davis Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Carol Davis
Buddy Miller
Ilene Scheib
Cantor Gerald DeBruin Music Shelf
In Memory of:
Ida Schaer
Harold & Arlyne Levy
Education Fund
In Honor of:
Birth of Dana Ruth Schwartz
Armand & Lori Morrison
In Appreciation
Colin & Alyssa Strang
Josh Ribakove
Becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Janice & Harold Gelfand
Education Fund
In Memory of:
Miriam Paine
Aaron & Wendy Weisbrot
Jennifer Werbow
Armand & Lori Morrison
Anne Lippa
Elaine & Mel Brothman
Floral Fund
In Honor of:
Bea Wohlfeld's Special Birthday
Gert Schwab
Floral Fund
In Memory of:
Anne Lippa
Linda & Joel Paull
Jerry Frank Memorial Garden Fund
In Honor of:
Birth of Mia Blake,
Great-Granddaughter of Mary Harari
Ida & Daniel Serure
Birth of Mia Blake,
Granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harari
Ida & Daniel Serure
Jerry Frank Memorial Garden Fund
In Memory of:
Jennifer Werbow
Shirley & Larry Magil
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Honor of:
Thank you to everyone
for kind wishes, donations & prayers
Myra Horowitz
Birth of Parker Ian Levin
Ruth & Howard Schwartz
Ethan Milich Induction
Into Sweet Home High School Honor Society
Bruce & Sharla Bleichfeld
Jan Presser
Josh Ribakove Becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Bruce & Sharla Bleichfeld
Sandi Ida Miesik Glickstein Kesher Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Sondra & Marshall Lipman
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Esther Merrick
Joe & Rena Merrick
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Dorothy Strauss
Jan Presser
In Observance of the Yahrzeits of
Jay & Rebecca Rudberg
Bruce & Sharla Bleichfeld
Johnnie Williams
Jerry & Eileen Markzon
Mark L. Josephson Torah Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Leigh Brownstein
Esther Brownstein
Kassirer Family Minyan Room Fund
In Honor of:
Ben Hirsh's 98th Birthday
Judy & Barry Baron
Kassirer Family Minyan Room Fund
In Memory of:
Sherwin "Bud" Miller
Judy & Bob Alessi
Dvorah Joseph
Michele & Lance Pozarny
Kiddush Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Chaim Grossberg
Sidney Grossberg
Buddy Miller
Janice & Harold Gelfand
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 9
WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH THANKS THE FOLLOWING
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK CONTRIBUTIONS
Richard S. Kulick Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of Tillie Kulick
Peggy & Deborah Kulick
and Jennifer Rosenbaum
Pulpit Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Loretta & Norbert Schecter
Lenore Marx
Jennifer Werbow
Mendy & Edith Fine
Klein - Amdur Library Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Jane & Stu Fischman
Peter & Yanina Sermyazkho
Tamara Castro
Martin Sanders Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Nelson Himmelfarb
Ina Sanders
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Irene Hirschfeld
Lillian Hirschfeld
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Thelma Magidson
Lillian Hirschfeld
Lippa Family Auditorium Maintenance Fund
In Memory of:
Reuben Kaiser
Anne & Warren Lippa
Barbara & Jack Yellen
Anne Lippa
Ina & Herb Scheer
Alan & Karen Wexler
Bea & Bob Saffer
Mark & Leona Spindler
Marlene & Lawrence Joseph
Gerry & Joanne Nover
Myra & Allan Werbow
Annette & Sanford Rosenberg
Cookie Weil
Sally and William Malkinson Scholarship Fund
In Honor of:
Anna Post Receiving Kadimah Honor
Barbara & Irwin Ginsberg
Henrietta Steinberg Music Fund
In Memory of:
Ida Schaer
Elaine & Mel Brothman
Pulpit Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Janice Gelfand
Jane Leve
In Appreciation of Honor
Carol Davis
Ethan Milich Induction
Into Sweet Home High School Honor Society
Cantor & Mrs. Mark Spindler
In Appreciation
Debbie Stern
Rabbi Netter's 60th Birthday
Esther Trachtman
10 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
Buddy Miller
Helen Ablove
Jim Resig, Sr.
Mark & Leona Spindler
Miriam Paine
Mark & Barbara Rodman
Johnnie Williams
Mark & Leona Spindler
Anne Lippa
Loretta & Norbert Schecter
Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Murray Gunner
Elinda & Ed Reich
Birth of Parker Ian Levin
Lee Lippa
In Appreciation of Ellen Lippa
Joe Zackheim
Speedy Recovery of Muriel Narotsky
Elinda & Ed Reich
Speedy Recovery of Jim Steinhorn
Phyllis Sigel
Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Ina & Herb Scheer
Bruce S. Rein Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
Paul Jacobson
Henry Peita
Herman S. Rekoon Scholarship Fund
In Honor of:
Rabbi Netter's Kindness
Joe Buch
Synagogue Renovation Fund
In Memory of:
Nelson Himmelfarb
Joe Sterman & Sylvia Weiss
Jack Friedes
Edith & Mendy Fine
Anne Lippa
Joe Sterman & Sylvia Weiss
James P. Resig, Sr.
Ina Sanders
Jennifer Werbow
Ina Sanders
Johnnie Williams
Ina Sanders
Marlene J. Simms Memorial Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeits of
Annette J. Simms and Leonard J. Simms
Joyce Greenberg
Temple Fund
In Honor of:
Joshua Fried Becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Joan & Sam Weissman
In Appreciation
Ronnie Moore
Appreciation of Aliyah
Alvin Kaplan
Birth of Parker Ian Levin
Elaine & Jerry Schweitzer
Freda Brummer
Gary & Joyce Gafter
Bert & Sonya Breitbart
Margie & Seymour Suchman
Speedy Recovery of Eric Speier
Hanna Fink
Ruth Norman, Barb, John & Family
Speedy Recovery of Jim Steinhorn
Jane Leve
Temple Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Ilene Scheib
Debra Chernoff & Larry Rubin
Sonia Buchwald
Margaret Kane
Sherwin "Buddy" Miller
Marilyn & Irving Sultz
Vivian & Lisa Lazerson
WE ACKNOWLEDGE
WITH THANKS
THE FOLLOWING
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
CONTRIBUTIONS
Temple Fund
In Memory of
Barbara Strauss
Iris W. Rivo & David Buch
Louis Wolffe
Joan & Sam Weissman
Shirley & Cyrus Trossman Museum Fund
In Memory of:
In Observance of the Yahrzeit of
Martin Trossman
Sheila Trossman
The Werbow Family Fund
In Honor of:
Speedy Recovery of Myra Werbow
Mendy & Edith Fine
The Werbow Family Fund
In Memory of:
Jack Friedes
Myra & Allan Werbow
Jennifer Werbow
Donald & Erma Bader
Elaine & Mel Brothman
Laurence & Linda Boxer
Rachel Pincus
Ina & Herb Scheer
Sue Forrest
Helen Ablove
Sandy Perlmuter
Jonathan & Judith Gendler Epstein
Roberta & Marshall Freedman
Pam Buyer
Sylvia Polakov
Michele & Lance Pozarny
Tinka Lendner
Ruth Norman
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
Rusty & Joe Zackheim
Ina & Herb Scheer
Larry & Cookie Levin
Fern & Steve Bernstein
Judy & Bob Alessi
Beth Kassirer
Janice & Harold Gelfand
Steven Sanders & Family
6th & 7th Grade Gesher Class
Jerry & Eileen Markzon
Barbara & Jay Rosenbum
Judy & Bob Alessi
John Williams, Sr.
Janet Gunner & Glenn Pincus
CONDOLENCES
Sherwin “Buddy” Miller
father of Steven Miller
father of Amy O'Donnell
father of Judy Healy
father of Marge Quartley
brother of Tillie Lazerson
former husband of
June Feuerstein
John N. Williams, Sr.
father of David Williams
father of Demory Williams
father of Sylvia Smith
father of Pamela Carter
father of Zemria Davis
father of Stephanie Williams
father of Thomas Williams Sr.
father of Vinson Williams
Anne Lippa
mother of Barbara Yellen
mother of Warren Lippa
sister of Louis Lazar
Jacob Friedes
husband of Cynthia Friedes
father of Francine Blattner
father of David Friedes
brother of Ruth Schensul
brother of Albert Friedes
Nelson Himmelfarb
husband of
Dolores (Laurie) Himmelfarb
father of Naomi Cohan
father of Holly O'Brien
Maurice Cole
father of Shelley Fitt
father of Ellen Koudounas
brother of Syndney Cole
brother of Irving Cole
brother of David Cole
Esther Robbins
mother of Lynda Horn-Rosenblat
Lilli Silbiger
mother of Laurie Rothschild
brother of Alfred Haber
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK YAHRZEITS
Contributions are gratefully acknowledged for the following:
Mildred Abramowitz
Philip Albert
Boruch Aliots
Chayim Aliots
Gussie Aliots
Meir Aliots
Yidel Aliots
Yitzchak Aliots
Herman Alt
Robert L. Altman
Dr. Marvin Amdur
Zecharia Ben-Josef
Lottie Benjamin
George Benson
Seymour Bergman
Stephen Berman
Anna Brooks
Lily Cantor
Ralph Carrel
Theresa Nusbaum Civin
Hannah Cohen
Jerry Cohen
Rose Cohen
Jacob Cooper
Fay Danker
Solomon Danker
Ralph Davis
Irving Dickson
Lou Dozoretz
Sarah Drach
Ruth Dubbs
Lucy Dumanis
Zinoviy Dvinov
Rose Ehrlich
Gillian Epstein
Samuel Fenston
Irving Fineberg
Leonard Finkelstein
Jacob Forman
Rita Freedman
Sam Freedman
Nathan Gandel
Bracha Gavrilovich
Shachna Gavrilovich
Theresa Gellman
Samuel Gilbert
Harold Glickstein
David Gorsky
Sharon Shoom Greenbaum
Anne Goldenberg
Leah Gottlieb
Nathan Goun
Lillian Greenberg
Jacob Grichener
Tamara Grichener
Abraham Gunner
David Jainchill
Boris Joffe
Benjamin Kaiser
Ralph Kanel
Louis Katz
Max Katz
David Katzenelson
Louis Kleiman
Haskel Klurfeld
Milton Konovitz
Henry Kornmehl
Tillie Kulick
Bernard Kushner
Charles Landberg
Sylvia Lane
William Lazar
Anne Lazerson
Richard Lazerson
Samuel Levin
Aaron Lichtman
Fannie Lichtman
Frieda Lieberman
Harry Lipman
Esther Lubofsky
Mamie Magil
Dora Mankoff
Nathan Mankoff
Stuart Mann
Bertha Marcus
Ralph Marcus
Kurt Marx
Mathilda Marx
Clara Mednick
Fannie Mednick
Paula Messinger
Jeanette Meyers
Ala Mingal
Ivan Netter
Nate Norman
Samuel Ostrow
Dora Persky
Solomon Persky
Esther Popkin
Harry Presant
Tessie Presant
Leah Recoon
Jennie Rekoon
Morris Resman
Benjamin Rosenberg
Mildred Rubin
Rose Sacks
Samuel Sacks
Doris Sanders
Morris Schnittman
Abe Schrutt
Esther Schrutt
Leonore Schultz
Russell Seidner
Stanley Seligman
Rebecca Semerau
Esther Sens
Abraham Serure
Walter Serure
Lillian Shoom
Avrum Shuman
Ida Shuman
Irving Shuman
Philip Shuman
Margaret Siegel
Julian Silbiger
Maurice Slesnick
Shirley Soronson
Sylvia Sorotsky
Frieda Speier
Isidor Speier
Ida Stein
Pearl Sterman
Joseph Sternshein
Abram Stiller
Dr. Aloys Stiller
Gerald Stiller
Tamie Stiller
Pearl Stone
Alan Strauss
Bertha Sunshine
Miriam Tenzer
Hinda Tosk
Eva Trachtman
Jacob Trachtman
Ilona Wallenfels
Shirley Waxman
Morris J. Willer
Anna Wortman
Harry Zisselman
Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar - 11
TEMPLE BETH TZEDEK
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. POSTAGE
PAID
Buffalo, N. Y.
Permit No. 2434
Amherst, New York
TEMPLE OFFICE
SCHOOL OFFICE
838-3232
836-2660
Perry Netter
Mark Spindler
Gerald DeBruin
Joseph Enis
Allan Werbow
Einav Symons
Janet Gunner
Leon Komm
Jonathan Dandes
Lisa Davidson
Judith Davis
Lisa Wallenfels
Edward Case
Alan Goldstein
Rabbi
Cantor
Cantor Emeritus
Executive Director
Executive Director Emeritus
Education Director
Chairman of the Board
President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Mailing Address
621 Getzville Road
Buffalo, NY 14226
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday Shaharit Service 8:30 am
Weekday Shaharit Service 7:30 am
Friday Evening Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv Service 6 pm
Saturday Shabbat Service 9 am
Daily Ma'ariv Sunday through Friday 6 pm
Saturday Minha followed by S’eudah Shlisheet, Ma’ariv & Havdalah
PUBLICATION NOTE: The Shofar is published monthly by
Temple Beth Tzedek in Amherst, N.Y. All articles and other materials
submitted to the Shofar are the property of the Shofar and the
Shofar Editorial Board, which is responsible for and oversees the
publication. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit all
materials submitted for publication in the Shofar, in accordance
with the highest standards of professional publishing and consistent
with Temple Beth Tzedek’s Mission. All decisions about inclusion
and layout of materials submitted for publication in the Shofar
shall be made by the Editorial Board alone. The Shofar Editorial
Board consists of: Lisa Davidson, Barbara Sitrin, Joe and Rusty
Zackheim, and Joseph Enis.
March 7 - 5:30 pm
March 14 - 6:45 pm
March 21 - 7:00 pm
March 28 - 7:00 pm
MARCH 2015
SUNDAY
1
10 Adar
ADAR - NISAN 5775
MONDAY
2
11 Adar
17 Adar
Gesher in Session
Talmud Class 9:30 am
Outstretched Arm
Purim Program
10:30 am
Purim Carnival
at Shir Shalom
15
24 Adar
9
18 Adar
16
25 Adar
9 Nisan
10
19 Adar
17
26 Adar
Sisterhood Board
10 am
Gesher in Session
23
3 Nisan
24
4 Nisan
Rabbi’s Class
10 am
Gesher in Session
Sisterhood
Book Review
7 pm
Gesher in Session
Talmud Class 9:30 am
Women’s Health Symposium
10:30 am
29
12 Adar
Rabbi’s Class
10 am
Bloodmobile 3 – 7 pm
Board Meeting
7:30 pm
Gesher in Session
Ezrat Nashim
10:30 am
Adult Education
Movie & Dinner
4:30 pm
22 2 Nisan
3
Gesher in Session
Gesher in Session
Mishpacha
10:30 am
8
TUESDAY
30
10 Nisan
Gesher in Session
Outstretched Arm
Model Seder
10:30 am
12 - Temple Beth Tzedek - Shofar
31
11 Nisan
Gesher in Session
Pre USY
Chocolate Seder
6:15 pm
Officers meeting
7 pm
WEDNESDAY
4
13 Adar
Talmud Class
1:30 pm
Macaroni & Megillah
5:30 pm
1120 Adar
Weinberg Session
1:30 pm
House Committee
7:30 pm
18
27 Adar
Lunch & Learn
Noon
Talmud Class
1:30 pm
25
5 Nisan
Talmud Class
1:30 pm
House Committee
7:30 pm
THURSDAY
5
14 Adar
Megillah Reading
at Weinberg
2 pm
Finance Committee
7 pm
12
21 Adar
Refa’enu Service
7:30 pm
19
28 Adar
Adult Education
Committee
7:30 pm
26
6 Nisan
Youth
Education Committee
7:30 pm
FRIDAY
6
15 Adar
SATURDAY
7
16 Adar
Candle Lighting 5:52 pm
Jr. Congregation
10:30 am
Tot Shabbat
10:45 am
End of Shabbat 6:54 pm
13
14
22 Adar
23 Adar
Candle Lighting 7:00 pm
Jr. Congregation
10:30 am
End of Shabbat 8:03 pm
20
211 Nisan
29 Adar
Candle Lighting 7:09 pm
Youth Shabbat
Jr. Congregation
10:30 am
End of Shabbat 8:11 pm
27
28
7 Nisan
Candle Lighting 7:17 pm
FEBRUARY 2015
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
8 Nisan
Jr. Congregation
10:30 am
End of Shabbat 8:20 pm
APRIL 2015
M T W T F
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20 21 22 23 24
26 27 28 29 30
S
S
4
11
18
25