Annual Cantor’s Concert

Presented by Cantor George Mordecai

Honoring

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein

June 8, 2014

Temple Beth El 350 Roxbury Road

Stamford, Connecticut

Temple Beth El Honors

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein

for their dedicated service to Temple Beth El

We are pleased to honor Harriet and Seymour (Sy) Weinstein for

their many years of service to our congregation. Together they

are main stays of Shabbat morning and morning minyan services.

Sy leads morning minyan and Harriet organizes the

congregational participation. Sy chairs the High Holy Days

Committee while Harriet organizes the seating of the leadership

on the bimah during services.

Harriet serves as chair of the Finkelstein Mitzvah Garden

committee helping to organize the planting and sharing of

flowers and vegetables.

Currently the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Temple Beth El,

Sy is completing his 12th year as a trustee and his seventh year on

the Executive Committee.

June 8, 2014 One of the most underrated of our great ancient sages was a guy named Shammai. He is most often contrasted to Hillel, the glitzy superstar whose opinions were almost always followed. Shammai most often comes off as the un-Hillel, the other one, the Washington Generals to Hillel’s Globetrotters. But Shammai played a very important role in Jewish history. He taught us how to argue. Although he almost never beat Hillel in a halachic face-down, his primary goal was always to keep the Jewish people unified, after the argument was over. So, for instance, his students continued to marry those from Hillel’s camp, despite their deep differences. As result, the Talmud always includes Shammai’s arguments on the page, even when Hillel’s won the day. As we look at the sorry state of Jewish unity today, we yearn for more Shammais. The Talmud records relatively few sayings of Shammai. But one is very telling: “Say little and do much.” You might have guessed by now that Sy Weinstein’s Hebrew name is Shammai. Sy has never been our most vociferous congregant. He prefers to stay in the background, even as an officer, helping us in understated but substantive ways. He has worked hard for unity and consensus and as our expert parliamentarian, he has safeguarded the legitimacy of key decisions. He is a man who pursues justice, but quietly. He says little but does so, so much. Harriet and Sy were a match made in heaven, because she is a female version of Shammai - also much preferring to stand in the background. In fact, on Fridays, she literally stands in the back, as she welcomes people to our morning minyan while Sy leads. Harriet has done so much to beautify our garden – another unnoticed, behind the scenes effort. I had the pleasure of watching her plant with students from our Religious School a few weeks ago – a real labor of love. Now is our chance to thank them both for their many years of service. I am so glad we are doing this, because it makes clear that we value the quiet contributors every bit as much as those who get the headlines. Everyone matters. We need more Shammais – and more Sys and Harriets too. But for now, we’re just glad to have them! We’ve also been so fortunate to have Cantor Mordecai with us for these past four years. I join with everyone in thanking him for all his efforts and wishing him and his family well. L’Shalom,

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

RABBI JOSHUA J. HAMMERMAN TEMPLE BETH EL STUDY 350 ROXBURY ROAD (203) 322-6901 X307 STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902 E-MAIL: rabbi@tbe.org

June 8, 2014 Jewish musical traditions from around the world reflect the rich cultural exchange that has unfolded over the centuries between Jewish communities and their host cultures. Here in America and in Israel, Jewish music, both sacred and secular is informed by the sounds, tones and textures from a variety of cultures. This is not unique to our time and place; in fact, what we think of as quintessentially Jewish music, whether it be Ashkenazic, Sephardic or Middle Eastern, does not sound so dissimilar from Gypsy, Balkan and Eastern European music in the case of Ashkenazic music, or Arabic music in the case of Middle Eastern and Sephardic. What is unique in the historical moment we inhabit is the reality of the global village and its impact on Jewish music in particular. Never before have we had such access to music from all over the world at our fingertips, and in major urban centers, like New York, are all kinds of interesting collaborations unfolding like never before. The Epichorus is one such expression of this musical trend. Rabbi Zach Fredman who was drawn to Middle Eastern music and the oude, (Arabic string instrument) teamed up with Al Sarah, a Sudanese born singer and songwriter, along with Shir Yaakov-Feit, a well known singer and composer of sacred Jewish chant, and other phenomenal musicians from Israel and America to explore the convergence of Middle Eastern, African and contemporary Jewish musical styles. The result is truly magical and it is my honor and privilege to bring them to Temple Beth El. We also honor two very special people this year. Sy and Harriet Weinstein are constantly working for and supporting the Temple. They do this selflessly, whether it is conducting morning minyan on a regular basis, supporting our Shabbat morning minyan and donating their time to the Board and various committees. I have bonded with Sy over the last four years, as we both run together off the bimah to escape the barrage of candy after the Haftarah blessings of the b’nai mitzvah, but seriously, I am always inspired to see Sy davening with us on a Shabbat morning, quietly praying with such intense kavanah (spiritual focus). Harriet loves to sing and her passion for Jewish music is also evident at services and when she leads the musaf service. I am so happy to be able to dedicate tonight’s program to the both of them. B’Shalom, Cantor George Mordecai

CANTOR GEORGE MORDECAI

Temple Beth El E-mail: cantormordecai@tbe.org 350 Roxbury Road Study (203) 322-6901 x 303 Stamford, CT 06902 Fax: (203) 322-0532

Mazal Tov

to

Harriet and Sy Weinstein

as we honor your

commitment and dedication.

“May you go from strength to strength.”

Penny and Michael Horowitz

SOPRANO

We honor our friend

and fellow Board member

Sy and his wife Harriet Weinstein

for their commitment to a strong,

vital Jewish present and future.

We salute you for all you have done

in the past and will continue to do.

Temple Beth El Board of Trustees

MEZZO SOPRANO

We salute Harriet and Sy Weinstein

for their dedication and commitment

to Temple Beth El

The Board of the Beth El Cemetery Association

MEZZO SOPRANO

Bi-Cultural Day School wishes a Mazal Tov to

Harriet and Seymour Weinstein

Thank you for your dedicated service to Temple Beth El.

Your commitment is an inspiration to us all.

Robert Zitter Jacqueline Herman President, Board of Trustees Principal, Head of School

2186 High Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT 06903 ● PHONE (203) 329-2186 ● FAX (203) 329-0464 ● EMAIL office@bcds.org

Bi-Cultural Day School is a recipient agency of United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, UJA/Federation of

Greenwich, the UJA Federation of Westport-Weston-Norwalk, and UJA/Federation of Eastern Fairfield County

Teaching minds. Reaching hearts.

MEZZO SOPRANO

With best wishes from your auditors

FRIEDBERG, SMITH & CO., P.C. Certified Public Accountants

855 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone (203) 366-5876 (203) 359-1100

Fax (203) 366-1924

E-mail contact@fsco-cpa.com

www.fsco-cpa.com

DAVID M. ZIEFF, C.P.A.

JOHN P. McCARTHY, C.P.A.

RICHARD P. OFFENBACH, C.PA.

WILLIAM H. VAN ALSTYNE, C.P.A.

JOSEPH ROSENMAN, C.P.A.

THOMAS R. DURAND, C.P.A.

ROBERT J. SCHLESS, C.P.A.

SANDRA D. CALLANAN, C.P.A.

MEZZO SOPRANO

MEZZO SOPRANO

MEZZO SOPRANO

We thank

Harriet and Sy Weinstein

for their years of dedicated service

to Temple Beth El.

Sisterhood of Temple Beth El

MEZZO SOPRANO

Thank you

to

The Epichorus and Cantor Mordecai

for singing our “unsung heroes,”

Harriet and Sy Weinstein.

Thank you to the Weinsteins

for all you have done for

Temple Beth El.

Eileen H. Rosner

MEZZO SOPRANO

Harriet and Sy,

Congratulations on a well-deserved honor.

You are an inspiration to all of us.

Our thanks for all the work

you do to support our synagogue.

Enjoy your day.

Love,

Liz and Scott Krowitz

Congratulations Harriet and Sy

on your well deserved honor!

Thank you for your many years

of service and dedication to Temple Beth El.

Betsy and Peter Kempner

ALTO

Thanks to both of you for all you’ve done, and all you

continue to do, to make TBE the wonderful place that it is.

Your continued commitment to TBE is invaluable.

It has been a privilege to know you all these years.

We wish you both the best for the future.

Lois Stark and Gary Lessen

ALTO

Much joy to a wonderful warm couple

Harriet and Seymour

Milton Mann

TENOR

Thank you TBE for our honor

and a special thanks

to the performers.

Harriet and Sy Weinstein

Congratulations Harriet and Sy

Thank you for all that you do!

Sue Frieden

Dear Harriet and Sy

and Cantor George

May you always go from

strength to strength!!!

Congratulations on this

wonderful concert!

Fran and Gerry Ginsburg

To Harriet and Sy

Thank you for giving so much

of your time in so many

meaningful ways

to our Temple.

Grecia and Ron Gross

1066 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583

TEL: 914.472.2240 FAX: 914.472.2215

EMAIL: davidgellman@seasonsny.com

TENOR

In honor of

my brother and sister-in-law

Sy and Harriet Weinstein

Shirley Buxenbaum

Sy and Harriet

You represent so much that is

good about Temple Beth El.

We honor the commitment

and devotion you have shown

for so many years and look

forward to many years of your

leadership and guidance.

The Pomerantz and Feinberg Families

Thank you Sy and Harriet

for all that you do for

Temple Beth El

and the greater

Stamford community.

Dana and Carl Weinberg

Our best to Cantor Mordecai

and our thanks to Harriet and Sy

for their dedication to Temple Beth El

Beverly and Allen Kezsbom

Harriet & Seymour Weinstein

in appreciation for your devoted

service to our congregation

Sheila and Gordon Brown

Thank you for your years

of dedication to TBE.

Amy and Mel Bloomenthal

BARITONE

♫♫♫

♫♫♫

♫♫♫

Dear Harriet and Sy,

Temple Beth El can always count on you.

Thank you for your continuing support

at daily minyan, holiday services and,

of course, Shabbat.

Carol and Allen Krim

Yasher Koach

to

Harriet and Sy

Best wishes

to

Michal and George

Denise and David Greenman

Harriet and Sy Weinstein,

Thanks for all you do for our community.

Mazal tov on this well deserved honor!

Marsha Colten and Robert Cohen

To our long-time friends,

congratulations on being honored

for your dedication and work

for Temple Beth El.

Myra and John Graubard

Dear Harriet and Sy,

Well deserved!

Mazel Tov!

Suzanne and Norman Stone

Harriet and Sy

Thank you for your “service” to TBE.

Todah Rabah

Cantor

For all your splendid melodies.

Gail G. and Stephen Trell

BARITONE

Mazel Tov and thank you for all you do.

Sharon and Jeff Turshen

♫♫♫

Cantor George Mordecai

Thank you for your service to Temple Beth El

and good luck in the future.

Mary C. and Alan Silberman

Yasher Koach Harriet and Sy

Miriam and Steve Sosnick

♫♫♫

♫♫♫

Honoring a wonderful community couple

Harriet and Sy Weinstein

Cheryl and David Wolff

Mazel Tov

to

Harriet and Sy

Mia and Lonny Weinstein

BARITONE

♫♫♫

We salute Harriet and Sy for their service,

leadership and commitment

to Temple Beth El.

Lieba and Steven Lander

Thank you to Harriet and Sy

for all you have done to enhance

the TBE community!

Beth and Brad Boyer

Thank you to Harriet and Sy

from

Your Friends

at the Morning Minyan

♫♫♫

THE EPICHORUS

Best wishes from…

Jerry Jacobs

Sari and Alan Jaffe

Jennifer, Harris, Ilana and Madelyn Meth

Kathy and Jeff Paseltiner

Linda Simon

Nicole and Ron Zussman