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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER:
Purim
Sharing Shabbat
L’Dor Vador Shabbat
Women’s Seder
Worship
Mazal Tov
Communal Worship Corner
From Our Cantor
What’s Happening?
Calendar for January - February
Connected Congregations
ARZA
Our Director of Early Childhood
Our Director of Congregational Learning
Our Director of Youth Engagement
Tikkun Olam - Social Action
Library Update
Cycle of our Congregational Family
Advertisements
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WHAT ARE THE FUNNY LOOKING CODES?
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7 - 11
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They are called QR codes. To scan the codes,
download "NeoReader" (or any QR code reader)
from the app store. Then use your mobile device
to scan the code which will take you directly to the
applicable web page (yes, you MUST have a mobile
device. This cannot be done from a desktop.)
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.
OUR NEXT SHARING SHABBAT IS MARCH 13
Our Sharing Shabbat “experiment” continues to yield outstanding results! Our second Sharing
Shabbat was on January 23rd. Seven SSTTE families hosted over 30 member families at their
homes for Shabbat songs, ritual, dinner, discussion, and general schmoozing – a great
turnout for a dark and cold Friday night in the dead of winter. And, as is the case with all our
Sharing Shabbats, we had Shabbat Baboker services Saturday morning (since there are no
services the Fridays of Sharing Shabbat), and the one on January 24 th was again well
attended. Our next two Sharing Shabbats are March 13 and May 8.
Please sign up if you’re interested in hosting or attending. Sign up by emailing
[email protected], OR call Elizabeth Rothstein at 914-874-5057 OR online by
visiting this URL (bit.ly/sharingshabbat) or by scanning this QR code
3
WORSHIP
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
WEDNESDAY,
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:15 p.m.
8:15 p.m.
MARCH 4
Purim Dinner
Megillah Reading
Purim Palooza Party
Purim for Adults continues
at Chat 19
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
8 p.m.
Chavurah Service
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Services & Bat
Mitzvah of Allison Moskowitz
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
Sharing Shabbat Dinner
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
10 a.m.
Shabbat BaBoker
10:30 a.m.
Shabbat Service & Bar Mitzvah
of Adam Taber
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
7:30 a.m.
Boker Tov
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
7 p.m.
L’dor Vador Shabbat with
Intergenerational Choir
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
6:15 p.m.
Ma-Ariv Service
Mazal Tov to Our B’nei Mitzvah
Allison Moskowitz
March 7
Allison is a 7th grader at the Edgemont Jr/Sr High
School. Some of her favorite activities include playing
sports such as soccer, basketball, and skiing. She has
been on the travel soccer team since 3rd grade and is
currently on the modified basketball team. She has
been fortunate to ski out in Utah and Colorado. The
mountains out west have the best powder with
challenging terrain. She also enjoys dancing. She has
taken tap in the past and takes hip hop, jazz, and
ballet at Central Park Dance. She plays 3 instruments
including the violin, piano, and the clarinet. She goes
to sleep away camp at Camp Wah-Nee. Some of her
memorable experiences were at camp. She has a
really unique palate for a 12-13 year old. She eats all
cuisine and will try anything that is different from
everyday things.
4
Adam Taber
March 14
Adam is a 7th grader at the Yonkers
Middle School. He is 12 years old
turning 13. Sometimes he likes to
draw and dance in his room. He is a
very intelligent pupil and always
seeking to learn. He is very role
following and makes lots of friends
fast. His favorite subject in school is
Science. It intrigues him, for instance,
divergent
boundaries,
example
divergent (separation).
For his
community service he created art walls
at his school.
COMMUNAL WORSHIP
“We’re All about that Bass! (and Tenor, Alto, and Soprano)”
Did you ever get the giggles in services? When I was little, our High Holiday services included
a professional choir that never failed to amuse my sisters and me, and even my mother. The
warbling sopranos would set us off, and our fits of stifled laughter became an annual tradition.
Hidden in the balcony, the choir was a disconnected, disembodied group of strangers.
I now sing in our temple choir.
This is not my childhood choir. Our choristers are temple members, with varying musical
backgrounds and motivations. Hal and Barbara Baron are professional musicians, others can’t
read music. Some participate at the expense of family time, others come with family: Richard,
Rebecca, and Micaela Primoff; Peggy and Mira Zelkowitz; Elaine Laurence and her son, our
conductor Zachary Goodman. We all like to sing, and we love to sing together.
Cantor Becker sets the tone and intention. She greets us at the start of rehearsals joyfully and
confident that we will be a meaningful addition to services despite rough beginnings. She
guides us cheerfully, without a single wince. She is not a perfectionistic, which is perfect. We
have fun and move in the general direction of learning the music. Eric Trudel, our wonderful
pianist, patiently plays and replays our parts.
We meet just five or six times. For the final rehearsals we are joined by a professional alto,
soprano, and tenor. With strong and accurate leadership of these sections, we can’t go too
wrong. We can always lip-synch! But since most of the music repeats each year, we have
become more confident as time goes on. I now know the music well enough to let go, and
more fully experience the joy of singing with the group.
The magic happens not when I’m singing full out and hearing my own voice, but when I hear
the collective voice of the altos and our harmony with the other parts. At times, it is thrilling.
In the morning service of 2013, we “opened” with “Ma Tovu”. Rich choral sections alternated
with Cantor Becker’s lilting melody. We savored the fullest sound we had ever created
together. As the last tones resonated in the sanctuary, a child shouted out: “Yay!!!”
That is the goal of communal worship: a shared experience that transports us, together, to a
higher place. The collaborative effort of the choir is in itself meaningful, as it creates
connections among the participants. When the congregation is then engaged in the music, we
are all connected.
Ma tovu: How goodly are thy tents, or loosely, how beautiful a community.
Yay!
Caryl Grueskin
5
FROM OUR CANTOR
When we think of Passover, a
few key images come to mind:
we think of telling the story of
our journey from slavery to
freedom, of a thorough cleaning
and cleansing of hametz, of the
recipes we can make with
matzah and of who will be coming to our
Passover seders this year. A less obvious
association is with the concept of order and the
way that Passover celebrates and challenges the
order in our lives.
In fact, the word seder means “order.” It refers
to the set structure of our ritual including the
Haggadah and the way we move through it on
the first (and second) nights of Pesach. The
seder helps us on our continual journey to
examine our world (i.e. to take a hard look at
the order we live with) and to free ourselves
from that which enslaves us or others today.
Order is paramount in the Haggadah—the first
thing we do when we sit down is to recite the
order of the night—but it is up to us to spend
time asking questions about that order as well.
We are allowed to interrupt the seder so that
we might make the words and rituals of Pesach
come alive for us in every generation. Our task
is to add our own commentary, poetry and
traditions to the order the seder offers us (To
this end, I would love to hear from you about
which is your favorite Haggadah to use and
why).
In addition, the Traditional cleaning that is part
of Passover helps us set up a new order in our
homes. We follow different rules for seven or
eight days, reminding ourselves that we are free
to choose the order that guides our lives. We
are no longer slaves, stuck in a society where
we are subject to an order that has been
imposed on us by a tyrant. Instead, we have
the autonomy to organize our days according to
the values that we hold dear.
At the same time and in stark contrast, the
story of Pesach contains hints that not all of the
order of our lives is within our grasp. In its
literal sense, the Torah is quite clear that God
was the catalyst
for the redemption of the Israelites. This event
becomes part of a larger narrative (some might
say, plan) that brought the Israelites out of
suffering for the purpose of taking on God's
commandments and making our world a better
place. While this is not an easy reading for
many of us to accept, most of us can
acknowledge that there is mystery in our lives,
elements that do not seem orderly but over
which we cannot exert any control. Sometimes
these are positive: indescribable love that exists
in the best of relationships, kindnesses that
come to us unbidden. More frequently,
however, they may be painful realities that
come in the form of illness or challenges that
life brings our way. On some level, Pesach frees
us from needing to have control over everything
or everyone in our lives even as it inspires us to
take control where we can and impose an order
that allows all to live with dignity and integrity.
This year we offer two opportunities to rethink
the order of our lives in preparation for Pesach.
The first is a Human Rights Seder on
Sunday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. (See page
18 for more information). This program will
offer us an opportunity to recognize and heal
the places in society where there is clear
disorder: the realms of human rights violations
throughout the world, human trafficking, and
domestic violence. The second is a Women's
Seder on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m.
(See page 9 for more information). This seder is
an opportunity to celebrate women in Judaism.
It will be a time to rejoice in the healing that
has been done with regard to the
marginalization of women in Jewish Tradition
while it will also provide the space to reflect on
the
areas
where
women
are
still
disenfranchised, unequal or “on the fringes” of
society.
May this Passover bring you time to reflect on
the order of your own lives and may it bring the
sweetness of renewal as well.
Chag Sameach! Happy Passover to all!
6
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE?
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BRUNCH
MARCH 15, 9:15-10:45 a.m.
We want to thank our dedicated
volunteers! Volunteers - be on the lookout for
your email invitation.
EVIL IN THE WORLD WITH
RABBI BROWN
MARCH 2, MARCH 30, APRIL 13; 12 – 1 p.m.
In Person or via Webcast / Conference Call!
RSVP: [email protected]
This is a 3 part provocative learning series in
which we will study the work of 3 contemporary
thinkers who each offer up a different response
to the notion of evil and suffering in our world.
Each session will be stand-alone! No pressure
to attend all if your schedule does not allow.
JOIN OUR
INTERGENERATIONAL CHOIR FOR L’DOR
VADOR SHABBAT!
THE TORAH COMMENTARY OF
DR. ZORNBERG WITH RABBI BROWN
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 7 P.M.
3 REHEARSALS:
SUNDAY, MARCH 8 & 15 at 11 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 at 6 p.m.
4 REMAINING SUNDAYS, 9:30 – 11 A.M.
March 8, April 19, May 3, June 7.
This year, for the first time, we will gather singers
of all ages to join together for a L’Dor VaDor (from
generation to generation) Shabbat. The worship
will be enhanced by a choir and instrumental
ensemble consisting of children and adults. We
believe that every member of congregation will find
meaning in this multi-generational experience!
In preparation, Cantor Becker is inviting singers of
all ages to participate in the 3 rehearsals.
No prior experience necessary. If you love to
sing, join us for this fun, musical adventure. Email
Cantor Becker at [email protected] or scan
this QR code to register online…
bit.ly/ladorvador
Visit the website for complete details at
http://bit.ly/3responsestoevil
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
OR visit
BOOK DISCUSSION WITH CANTOR BECKER
Once We Were Brothers
April 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that
struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and sixty years
coverage in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival,
and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit. RSVP: [email protected]
7
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE?
JUDAICA
Each year, with the reading of the Haggadah, we
celebrate the festival of Passover, as we recount the
story of the Israelites’ exodus out of slavery, from
Egypt into the Promised Land, over 3,000 years ago.
We commemorate our struggle for freedom by
observing the Seder with matzah, wine, traditional
foods and the singing of the stirring “Dayenu” and
“Chad Gad Yo”. It is a time for families and friends to
get together and rejoice in the triumph of good over
evil.
This year Passover arrives on April 3rd. In order to
serve your holiday needs, the Judaica Shop will be
open on:
SUNDAY, MARCH 22nd, from 9 a.m. to Noon
In our cases in the main lobby we have on display for
sale a large assortment of Seder and Matzo Plates
and Covers, Afikomen Bags, Haggadahs, Cookbooks,
Jewelry and various gift items. Our merchandise, as
always, is priced below retail and, most importantly,
your purchases benefit the synagogue.
We look forward to seeing you on March 22nd, or if
this date is not convenient, call Mitzie Stein – 914723-0138 – or the synagogue office at 914-725-5175.
P.S. If you need a specific quantity of Haggadahs,
please let us know in advance so that we can order
them.
SSTTE SENIORS
Lunch at Pagoda Chinese Restaurant
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1 PM
Pagoda Chinese Restaurant, 699 Central Park
Ave., Scarsdale, NY. For reservations, RSVP to
Maxine Jacobson at 914-476-4136. In case of
inclement weather, the luncheon will be
postponed one week. Check with the SSTTE
office at 725-5175 for further information
Coffee and Conversation
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1 PM at SSTTE
Everyone is welcome to attend and bring a
friend.
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
WEST SIDE STORY
REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER STARS!
For more information about our programs, please
call:
Jody Glassman, Director
Jocelyn Gross, Assistant Director
[email protected]
914-723-3001
8
THURSDAY, APRIL 23 at 11:30 a.m. at
Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway
Plaza, Elmsford, NY
Join us for the Westchester Broadway
Theatre’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s
exciting ground-breaking musical “West Side
Story”.
Cost: $65 per person (includes lunch,
gratuity, and performance and free on
premises parking). Limited number of seats
available.
RSVP: Call Barbara Baron at (914) 584-7902
or email her at [email protected]
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE?
WOMEN OF SSTTE
BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 at 10:30 a.m.
All members are invited to attend. Sarah Metzger, our new Director of Youth
Engagement will be our guest speaker for the after meeting program. Find
out some of the wonderful things our youth are doing and how we can help.
Bring a brown bag lunch, we will supply coffee and cake.
WOMEN’S SHABBAT
FRIDAY, APRIL 17th at 8 p.m.
Join with us when the Women of
Scarsdale Synagogue will conduct the
Shabbat Service. Our guest speaker
will be Denise Levine, president of
the Northeast District of the Women
of Reform Judaism. A special Oneg
Shabbat will follow the Service.
WOMEN’S SEDER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 at 6 p.m.
Bring your daughters, bring your mothers, bring all the women you know to
the Synagogue. You will spend a wonderful couple of hours with other
women and participate in the return of this popular program for all ages.
This is an interactive event and will include a delicious catered dinner.
Watch your email for all the details.
RSVP here…bit.ly/womenseder OR scan this code
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/person for
Women of SSTTE members and their spouses and $120/person for nonmembers. 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. All reservations must be accompanied by
a check to be confirmed.
SAVE THE DATES AND WATCH FOR MORE
INFORMATION
TUESDAY, 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 – Women’s Night Out – Join with us at a local Salon for manicures,
chair massages, wine, cheese, and schmoozing. Details and exact date to
come.
THURSDAY, MAY 14 - Help the Women of SSTTE help our congregation.
Have lunch or dinner at California Pizza Kitchen on Central Avenue, present
the coupon (which you will receive from us) and they will donate a portion of
their proceeds from our meals to us to help us fund our many projects
benefitting our congregation. Watch the Shalom and emails for all the
details and your coupon.
MAY – Plant Sale
MAH JONGG CARDS
Are you a Mah Jongg player? Is
your mother, sister, best friend?
Join the Women of Scarsdale
Synagogue
in
helping
our
congregation by purchasing your
new Mah Jongg Card from us.
Cards are $8 for regular size and $9
for large size.
Email us at
[email protected] and let us
know how many cards you’d like to
order. Be sure to include your full
name and phone number in your
email.
MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT
SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Use your new Mah Jongg cards
(ordered from us, of course) and
follow in the footsteps of Ruth
Gershon. 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. Space
is limited so make your reservation
early. You can register on the Website
and send your check to us in care of
the Synagogue Office.
Scan this code to check the website for
all the details and to RSVP
visit bit.ly/ssttemj OR email
[email protected]
OR
9
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE?
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.
BLUEGRASS SHABBAT WITH NEFESH
MOUNTAIN
APRIL 24, 8 p.m.
Doni Zasloff & Eric Lindberg will join Cantor
Becker for a soulful Shabbat
MAMA DONI PJ LIBRARY CONCERT
APRIL 26, 10 a.m.
Mama Doni & Eric Lindberg are the leading Jewish
performers for kids and families! Don’t miss out
on this special event!
PURIM!!
It could be almost anything, from Parenting – to
Politics – to Paddle Tennis (no … it doesn’t have
to start with a “p”).
SUNDAY MARCH 1, Purim Carnival: 11 a.m.-12:30
p.m. for Kindergarten through 6th graders
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.
6 p.m. – Celebratory Purim Dinner
6:30 p.m. - Congregational Megillah reading
7:15 p.m. - Purim Palooza – 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
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
Enter this URL into your
browser…http://bit.ly/ssttepurim OR Scan this
code for the latest information…
LEARN HOW TO PLAY MAH-JONGG!
Anyone interested in learning how to play Mah Jongg?
Please call Randee Horowitz at 914-472-3420 or email
[email protected]
10
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE?
11
CALENDAR
~ March 2015
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
Purim Carnival
11 a.m.
Sun
2
Evil in the World
with Rabbi Brown
12 p.m.
4
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.
8
Study Seminar:
Torah
Commentary of
Dr. Zornberg
9:30 a.m.
Intergenerational
Choir Rehearsals
11 a.m.
9
Communal
Worship Cmte.
Mtg.
7:30 p.m.
3
Food Packing &
Sorting
9 a.m.
Study
Chavurah with
Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Senior’s Lunch
at Pagoda
Chinese
Restaurant
1 p.m.
Talmud
8 p.m.
10
Study
Chavurah with
Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
11
12
Women of SSTTE
Bd. Mtg.
10:30 a.m.
Governance Task
Force Meeting
7 p.m.
Connected
Congregations
7:30 p.m.
13
14
Sharing Shabbat Shabbat
Dinner Time
BaBoker
10 a.m.
Shabbat Service
& Bar Mitzvah of
Adam Taber
10:30 a.m.
15
Volunteer
Appreciation
Brunch
9:15 a.m.
Book Club with
Rita Kashner
9:45 - Noon
Intergenerational
Choir Rehearsals
11 a.m.
K’tanim Event
11 a.m.
16
Board of Trustees
Meeting
7:30 p.m.
17
Study
Chavurah with
Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m
Senior’s Coffee
& Conv.
1 p.m.
Mazel Tots Milk
& Cookie PJ
Party
6 p.m.
Food Packing &
Sorting
7 p.m.
Backpack
Buddies
8 p.m.
Jewish Literacy
with Rabbi
Klein
8-9:30 p.m.
24
Study
Chavurah with
Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
18
Intergenerational
Choir Rehearsals
6 p.m.
19
Boker Tov
7:30 a.m.
Brandeis Mtg.
9:30 a.m.
20
21
L’dor Vador
Shabbat with
Intergenerational
Choir
7 p.m.
25
Women of SSTTE
Seder
6 p.m.
26
Exploring
Advocacy
7:30 p.m.
27
Ma-Ariv Service
6:15 p.m.
Retreat for 6th-7th
Graders at Kutz
Camp
22
23
Project Hope in
place of Relgious
School
9 a.m.
Human Rights
Seder
11:30 a.m.
SCARTY JR.
Bowling
12 p.m.
29
Retreat for 6th-7th
Graders at Kutz
Camp
12
30
Evil in the World
with Rabbi Brown
12 p.m.
31
Study
Chavurah with
Rabbi Klein
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Thu
5
Governance
Task Force
Meeting
7 p.m.
Fri
Sat
6
Chavurah Service
8 p.m.
SCARTY Purim
Shul-In
7 p.m.
7
Shabbat Service
& Bat Mitzvah of
Allison
Moskowitz
10:30 a.m.
SCARTY Purim
Shul-In Ends
28
Retreat for 6th7th Graders at
Kutz Camp
CALENDAR
~ April 2015 ~
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
Mazel Tots Closed Pesach BaBoker
10 a.m.
Chavurah Svc.
8 p.m.
5
Religious School
Spring Recess
6
7
Mazel Tots Closed Food Packing &
Sorting
Religious School 9 a.m.
Spring Recess
Religious School
Spring Recess
8
Religious School
Spring Recess
9
7th Day Pesach
Svcs. with Yizkor
7:30 p.m.
Religious School
Spring Recess
10
Shir Shabbat
8 p.m.
Religious School
Spring Recess
11
12
Book Discussion
with Cantor
Becker
9:30 a.m.
13
Evil in the World
12 p.m.
Exec. Cmte. Bd.
Mtg.
7:30 p.m.
14
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30 a.m.
15
Women of SSTTE
Board Mtg.
10:30 a.m.
16
Talmud
8 p.m.
Yom Hashoah
Commemoration
7 p.m.
17
Women’s Shabbat
&
Shabbat of
Simcha
8 p.m.
18
Shabbat Svc. &
Bat Mitzvah of
Emily Ferry
10:30 a.m.
21
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30 a.m.
22
19
Study Seminar:
Torah
Commentary of
Dr. Avivah
Zornberg
9:30 a.m.
20
Bd. Of Trustees
Mtg.
7:30 p.m.
SCARTY
Scavenger Hunt
3 p.m.
23
24
NFTY Spring
Kallah
Bluegrass
Shabbat with
Nefesh Mountain
8 p.m.
Food Packing &
Sorting
7 p.m.
25
Shabbat Svc. &
Bar Mitzvah of
Jason Older
4:30 p.m.
Jewish Literacy
with Rabbi Klein
8 p.m.
26
Mama Doni PJ
Library Concert
10 a.m.
27
28
29
Study Chavurah
with Rabbi Klein
10:30 a.m.
Women of SSTTE
& Brandeis Movie
1 p.m.
30
13
CONNECTED CONGREGATIONS / ARZA
CONNECTED CONGREGATIONS
Thank you once again to all those that attended the connected congregations forums in December. The
conversation is NOT over! In case you missed those meetings, please attend the next one:
March 11, 7:30 p.m.
As we seek to continue the dialogue in our community around the questions being raised by our Connected
Congregations project, we will be posting links to relevant articles in the shalom (our monthly bulletin) and the
weekly emails. So, keep a lookout for them!
For now, there is a provocative piece by Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch on the myriad challenges facing American Jewish
life today…... For the full article, take a look at this link bit.ly/ccpost1
or scan this QR code


Towards the end of his article, Rabbi Hirsch writes: “We can still prosper. Jews are survivors. We have
always found creative and innovative ways to overcome urgent challenges to our existence.” Do you
have any creative suggestions to share with the synagogue about ways that we might innovate our
way towards the future?
Once you have read the article, to what degree does the way that he paints American Jewish life
resonate with you?
Share your thoughts on the Connected Congregations blog at
bit.ly/connectedcongregationsblog.
For more about Connected Congregations, or to find out how you can become more involved in this project,
email the team’s Chair, Ellen Baken, at [email protected].
ARZA! Vote for Greater Religious Equality in Israel and for Funding for the Reform Movement.
MAKE ESTHER PROUD. VOTE TODAY!
It took Queen Esther quite a while to understand that she had to make her own Jewish voice heard. And luckily, Esther
did just that. She proceeded to save the Jewish people in her time. We celebrate that sacred moment during Purim,
which this year falls on March 4th and 5th.
We Reform Jews hope to stand tall, knowing we join with Queen Esther and make our unique voices heard for the future
of Judaism, and especially Judaism in Israel.
Your vote in the World Zionist Congress elections will strengthen Reform Judaism’s call for the values of religious
pluralism that we cherish and will grant the Reform movement influence in the quality of Jewish religious life in Israel.
When? NOW and through April 30, 2015
WHY? Help create a dynamic Reform Judaism in Israel, that includes the voices of women and men; those born Jewish
and those who have chosen Judaism. The results of this election will generate funds for education, youth work, social
justice and pastoral care for the Israeli Reform movement.
GET OUT and VOTE, ESTHER!! – I know I will.
How? Go to www.reformjews4israel.org/vote and register and vote ARZA: Representing Reform Judaism in Israel
slate online for the future of Israeli Jewish life OR by scanning this QR code, you will be taken directly to the website:
If you need a paper registration and ballot, please call us Scarsdale Synagogue at 914-725-5175 to get one sent to you.
14
OUR DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
On February 12th, the 2’s, 3’s and 4’s participated in a “Hop-a-thon” to help benefit children with
Muscular Dystrophy. In addition to all the fun the children had hopping, they learned so many
lessons connected to the event. First and foremost-Tzedakah! It was truly a case of children
helping children! The curriculum leading up to the event helped to point out differences and
difficulties people have in various aspects of their lives. It was the perfect way to talk about
tolerance and acceptance.
Just a reminder, if you have not yet seen our program and are interested in school for next year or camp for this
summer, please call to arrange an appointment.
If you have any other questions about Mazel Tots or Summer Stars- feel free to call the Nursery School Office (914723-3001).
Jody Glassman, Director
COOKIES AND MILK PARTY!
TUES, MARCH 17th - 6:00 p.m.
Mazel Tots will come back to school in their pajamas
for some fun and a Cookies and Milk Party!
BLUEGRASS SHABBAT WITH NEFESH
MOUNTAIN
PURIM CARNIVAL
SUNDAY, MARCH 1 - 11AM – 12:30PM
Join us at the Purim Celebration. We will be reading PJ
Library Purim stories throughout the day. See p. 10 for
more details on Purim festivities
REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER STARS!
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 6:30 p.m.
Doni Zasloff & Eric Lindberg will join Cantor Becker
for a soulful Shabbat
MAMA DONI PJ LIBRARY CONCERT
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 10 a.m.
Mama Doni & Eric Lindberg are the leading Jewish
performers for kids and families! Don’t miss out on
this special event!
For more information about our programs, please call:
Jody Glassman, Director
Jocelyn Gross, Assistant Director
[email protected]
914-723-3001
UPDATE ON DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING POSITION
By now we trust that you have received the email and letter indicating that Rabbi Pein will conclude her
tenure as SSTTE Director of Congregational Learning on June 30, 2015. We hope that you will take time
between now and then to thank her for all of her efforts on behalf of our community.
Plans are already well underway as we give thought to the next chapter in the history of our Religious
School. Board Member and Religious School parent Joy Bertan has been appointed Chair of our Search
Team. Other members of the Search Team include Religious School parent Lori Hosp, Board member
Marilyn Shebshaievitz, Temple President Donna Vitale Ruskin, as well as Rabbi Brown and Cantor
Becker. We are also grateful that Executive Committee member Debbie Finn and Religious School parent
Dan Schuchat will be serving as informal educational consultants to the Search Team.
At the time of this writing (early February), we are in the process of reviewing applications from our
multiple postings and outreach, and look forward to finding a great match for our synagogue and
children. We look forward to keeping you updated in the coming weeks and months.
If you have questions about our process, thoughts about the future of our school, or suggestions about
qualities we should be looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Joy Bertan, Search Team Chair, at
212-698-7256.
15
OUR DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING
Our spring festivals of Purim and Passover are connected in many ways through the
themes of oppression and redemption, and also with the mitzvah or commandment to
help care for and feed others.
On Purim, we are commanded to send Mishloach Manot, or packages of food, to our
friends and family. On Passover, there is the mitzvah of “ma’ot hittim”, literally “wheat
money”, or donating funds to help the less fortunate celebrate Passover. During our
Passover Seder, we recite the following during the Maggid, the telling of the Passover
story, “This is the bread of poverty which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come
and eat. Let all who are needy come and celebrate the Passover…
Though each of us may fulfill these mitzvot on our own, we will have an opportunity to fulfill them as a
community on Sunday, March 22 through Project Hope, a project of the Bronx Jewish Community
Council. In place of SSTTE Religious School, we will meet at SSTTE at 9 AM, and then caravan down to the
Bronx to deliver food packages to homebound seniors. All families, religious school students, and congregants
are invited to join us on this outing that will brighten the day of an older Jewish adult during the holidays.
Please let us know if you plan to join us by emailing Rabbi Pein at [email protected]. We hope
to fulfill the mitzvot of feeding the hungry, caring for those in need, and honoring the elderly as a community
on March 22.
Important Upcoming Dates for SSTTE Religious School
MARCH 1
Family Purim Program and Purim Carnival
MARCH 4
Purim Megillah Reading (All Grades)
MARCH 22
Project Hope in place of SSTTE Religious school
MARCH 25
Women’s Seder / Alternative 4-6 grade religious school program
and Team Tikkun program
Project Hope Passover Package Delivery
SUNDAY, MARCH 22 – 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.
Volunteer with your friends and family this Passover and deliver food packages to lonely
homebound seniors. An hour and a half of your Sunday morning will brighten the day of
an older Jewish adult during the holidays!
Please RSVP to:
Rabbi Pein at [email protected]
16
OUR DIRECTOR OF YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
If any of you blinked at all in the last few weeks, you might have missed out on
some of the fun.
Allow me to fill you in on the awesomeness that you may have missed: A few
weeks ago, an amazing group of idealistic teens (19, to be exact), took time out of
their vacation to prepare meals, sort clothes, and distribute said meals and clothes
to the homeless of NYC during our Midnight Run event on January 18th. A couple of weeks later, we
broke records by having seventeen 3rd through 6th graders join us at the Cliffs in Valhalla to scale
some walls. We also went tubing in NJ with 20 people from different congregations. If that isn’t
enough, many of our K’tanim members watched the Lorax and celebrated Tu B’shvat in style by
making trees out of pretzel sticks, frosting, candy, and other delicious foodstuffs.
Let’s get excited for March (is it spring yet???)!!
MARCH 1ST – PURIM CARNIVAL!!! This is a fun event for the whole family! The SCARTY teens will run
the stations while grades k-6 get to play the games. Get ready to eat your weight in hamentaschen!
MARCH 1ST-2ND – NFTY Albany Advocacy Day. Teens will spend Sunday learning about a variety of
different social justice issues and preparing lobby speeches, and then spend all day on Monday in
Albany meeting with our state representatives.
MARCH
MARCH
MARCH
MARCH
MARCH
4
6-7
15TH
22ND
27-29
Purim Megillah Reading
SCARTY Purim Shul-in!
K’tanim/Mazeltots joint program
SCARTY Jr. Bowling Adventure!
JYG Kallah: a weekend retreat for 6th and 7th graders at Kutz Camp.
Contact [email protected] for details.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Metzger
Director of Youth Engagement
17
TIKKUN OLAM/SOCIAL ACTION
Many of you have heard the phrase, "Two Jews, three opinions." So, with that seeming truth
in mind, Tikkun Olam programming at SSTTE often tends to focus on more hands-on
programs that address symptoms more than delving into the potentially more controversial
causes. Last month, the URJ held a full day advocacy training program which a group of
SSTTE congregants signed up for and several of us attended. See below about attending a
meeting on exploring advocacy on March 26. Also, see p. 19 for information on Care2Connect.
As always, if there is something you are passionate about and would like to bring to the
Congregation, please share by emailing us at [email protected]
BACKPACK BUDDIES
March 17, 8 p.m.
Stay after sorting and re-packing for the
Interfaith food bank to discuss another
potential hunger program.
Backpack
Buddies programs send food home for
the weekend with head start children
whose families are otherwise at risk for
going hungry. The food is provided in
backpacks rather than grocery or other
bags
so
as
to
minimize
the
embarrassment to the children. Come
learn more and help us figure out if we
can get this program off the ground.
EXPLORING ADVOCACY
March 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Synagogue
If you are interested in hearing about last
month’s program and discussing if and
how our Congregation might want to
become involved in advocacy together,
please join us for this meeting.
One element of advocacy is education.
Last fall's well-attended reception at
SSTTE for Nita Lowey and Elliot Engel, cosponsors of international human rights
legislation, was an example of this. The
program was brought to us by one of our
Congregants, Andrea Kaplan, who is an
involved member of American Jewish
World Service, an organization advocating
for the passage of this legislation.
18
INTERFAITH FOOD BANK SORT
AND REPACK SESSIONS
March 3, 9 a.m.
March 17, 7 p.m.
Concerned about hunger, an issue our
Food Bank volunteers have been
working tirelessly to address for a
decade now. Stay after on March 17th
to learn about Backpack Buddies!
HUMAN RIGHTS SEDER
March 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
With Passover and our own story of
oppression and liberation coming up early
next month, we are organizing a Human
Rights Seder at Scarsdale Synagogue.
Lunch will be served. The program will
interweave some modified Seder elements
with
information
about
current
international human rights abuses (from
AJWS), human trafficking today in New
York as explained to us by NYS
Congresswoman Amy Paulin and about
domestic abuse from a representative of
My Sisters' Place. Come hear what they
have to say and perhaps take some of
what you learn back to your own Seder
table.
TIKKUN OLAM/SOCIAL ACTION / LIBRARY
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].
SSTTE LIBRARY
WHAT’S NEW IN THE LIBRARY
SPOTLIGHT ON INTERFAITH MARRIAGE, BAR/BAT MITZVAH,
TORAH STUDY, SPIRITUALITY AND THEOLOGY
‘Til Faith Do Us Part: How Interfaith Marriage is Transforming America by Naomi Schaefer Riley
Jewish on Their Own Terms: How Intermarried Couples are Changing American Judaism
by Jennifer A. Thompson
Putting God on Your Guest List (Young Adult and Adult versions) by Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin
The Mitzvah Project Book: Making Mitzvah part of Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Your Life
by Liz Suneby and Diane Heiman
Mitzvah Chic: How to host a Meaningful, Fun, Drop-Dead Gorgeous Bar or Bat Mitzvah
by Gail Anthony Greenberg
Text Messages: a Torah Commentary for Teens by Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin
Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Adult Guide to Building a Jewish Life
by Rabbi Edward Feinstein
Journeys to a Jewish Life by Paula Amanin
Dancing with God: Everyday steps to Jewish Spiritual Renewal by Rabbi Wayne Dosick
Doing Jewish Theology: God, Torah and Israel in Modern Judaism by Rabbi Neil Gilman
Does the World Need the Jews? By Daniel Gordis
Please feel free to check out these books from the library or stop in and browse the shelves. You can also
view the collection online on the homepage at www.sstte.org and look for the online catalog button.
19
THE CYCLE OF OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY
IN REMEMBRANCE
The Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El recognizes with sorrow the passing of:
Marc Spiegel, cousin of Barbara Beaumont
Hillel Schiller, brother of Dr. Newton Schiller
MAZAL TOV TO
Melinda Billig and Family on the birth of her first grandchild, Lyla Eve Randall, daughter of Chiara Noetzel and
Creighton Randall
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
HAROLD & FREDDA KWITMAN in honor of
TOM RUSKIN & DONNA VITALE RUSKIN in
General Tribute Fund
memory of her mother, Sheila Pollack; her uncle,
Arthur Silvin; in honor of the birth of Calla Grace
Ibrahim, granddaughter of Sheldon & Roberta
Aronovitch
LEON & MARILYN SHEBSHAIEVITZ in honor
of the birth of Calla Grace Ibrahim, granddaughter
of Sheldon & Roberta Aronovitch; in memory of her
grandfather, Sam Taub
NAOMI SIWEK in memory of John Murphy,
brother-in-law of Berenice Miller
Cantor Becker and the committee for a wonderful
Women’s Retreat; in honor of the birth of Calla
Grace Ibrahim, granddaughter of Sheldon & Roberta
Aronovitch
RITA REICH in honor of Cantor Becker and the
committee for making the Women’s Retreat a
memorable experience
DR. PETER & PATRICIA SILVERBERG in
memory of her mother, Ruth Goldenberg
MILLICENT BASCHKIN in memory of her
husband, Bernard B. Baschkin
HARVEY & SUSAN BELKIN in honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of Sean Ginsberg, son of David & Christine
Ginsberg; in memory of Hillel Schiller, brother of Dr.
Newton Schiller
DR. DAVID & VERA ERWICH in memory of his
mother, Rose Erwich.
DOROTHY GOLD in memory of her mother, Evelyn
DiPisa
JOAN HAYWOOD in memory of John Murphy,
brother-in-law of Berenice Miller; in memory of Hillel
Schiller, brother of Dr. Newton Schiller
LISE MINOVITZ & ERIC FREY in memory of her
brother, Ethan Minovitz
DR. FREDRIC & STACEY NEWMAN in memory of
her grandmother, Beatrice Kandel
ALAN & RONNIE PARNES in memory of her
father, Louis Birnbaum
GERALD & LINDA PERETZ in memory of her
mother, Vivian Landauer
IRVING & SHARON PICARD in memory of her
father, Abraham Medoff; his uncle, Isidore Picard;
his mother, Claire Picard; his brother, Hans Picard
SANDRA PRAGER in memory of Leo & Elsie Prager
RITA REICH in memory of Hillel Schiller, brother of
Dr. Newton Schiller; her father, Sol Evenson
DR. MARCUS & JUNE REIDENBERG in memory
of his father, Leon Reidenberg
20
Interfaith Food Pantry
RUTH GERSHON in memory of John Murphy,
brother-in-law of Berenice Miller, husband of
Jennifer Carragher Murphy
Irving Gershon Talmud/Midrash Study
SHARI PRESS in honor of the birth of Calla Grace
Ibrahim, granddaughter of Sheldon & Roberta
Aronovitch; in honor of the birth of Lyla Eve Randall,
granddaughter of Melinda Billig; in honor of Marilyn
Shebshaievitz’s birthday; in memory of Albert
Rutberg, father of Joanne Klein; in memory of John
Murphy, brother-in-law of Berenice Miller
Rabbi Stephen Klein’s Youth Initiative
HARVEY & SUSAN BELKIN in memory of
Albert Rutberg, father of Joanne Klein
GLENN & SONJA COOPER in memory of Hillel
Schiller, brother of Dr. Newton Schiller
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
AUDREY APPELBAUM in memory of her
mother-in-law, Irene Appelbaum
Sisterhood Special Action Fund
HAL & BARBARA BARON in memory of Dr.
Paul Elkins, husband of Judith Elkins; in memory of
Hillel Schiller, brother of Dr. Newton Schiller
DR. HENRY & BARBARA GINSBERG in
memory of Dr. Paul Elkins, husband of Judith Elkins
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