1 WEEKLY SERVICES FRIDAY . . . . . . .6:30PM SATURDAY . . . 9:30AM SUNDAY. . . . . . 8:30AM CONGREGATION SHAARAY TEFILA 68 Bay Street, Glens Falls NY 12801 (518) 792-4945 Fax: (518) 792-5966 E-Mail: [email protected]Website: www.shaaraytefila-gfny.org OFFICE HOURS: Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 AM -1:30 PM OCTOBER 2015 TISHREI - CHESHVAN 5776 BOARD PRESIDENT: Mark Hoffman GABBI: Mike Gersten RABBI’S MESSAGE October Bulletin - Clouds of Glory During the month of October, we will transition from the High Holidays and Sukkot to the beginning of the reading of Torah and with it a return to “normal” time. The Sefat Emet, the Hasidic rebbe of Ger who died in 1905, interpreted the words “yamim tovim” or holidays by elaborating the meaning of the Hebrew words, literally “good days” as meaning that we should “carry some of the light of the good days into the rest of the year. In fact, the prayers speak of “festivals for happiness, holy days and seasons for rejoicing” rather than ‘festivals of happiness and seasons of rejoicing,’ because these occasions are meant to generate happiness and rejoicing for the days that follow (Sefat Emet on Vayikra 23:44). How can we bring the work of the High Holidays with us into the rest of the year? The High Holidays focus on teshuvah, or repentance, the turning towards God’s purposes and away from our own - small, misguided or selfish priorities. Rav Hutner, a spiritual and scholarly rabbi who died in 1980, writes, “The world of teshuvah requires a total restructuring and rededication, in keeping with the creation of an entirely new world” (Pahad Yitzchaq on Sukkot). It is a new relationship we begin to form with God following repentance. The Talmud indicates that the people of Israel received the Ten Commandments on two different occasions. The second time was on the 10th of Tishrei, Yom Kippur (Taanit 30b). Immediately after giving Moses the tablets, God passed before Moses and declared the thirteen attributes (Exodus 34:5). It was necessary for God to teach Moses the thirteen attributes (which we have been saying from Selichot to Yom Kippur) at that point, as he gave him the second set of tablets. To quote Rav Hutner, “just as in the world of teshuvah, prayer takes on a new meaning and requires a new order of prayer, [i.e. the thirteen attributes that God teaches Moses] so does teshuva require a new acceptance of the Torah.” That Teshuva requires a renewed acceptance is fairly intuitive. Something about how we understood the Torah still allowed us to be misled and desire something else more than the mitzvot. If we are to have any chance at doing the mitzvot, our understanding must be made new. Our desires must be redirected. This second giving of the Torah is less about new content, than it is about a new spirit in which we receive that Torah. And this is what Sukkot does. The transition from the High Holidays to the rest of the year is provided by the unique theme of joy that we practice in the festival of Sukkot. The key phrase for Sukkot is VeSamakhta beChagekha, “and rejoice in your festival!” (Deuteronomy 16:14) Sukkot is a festival of unparalleled joy, a time to sit with family, to invite guests freely into one’s sukkah. In imitation of Abraham, who hosts strangers and discovers they are angels (a story we will read towards the end of this month), we are encouraged to invite people who are not yet a part of our community to join us in our sukkah. It’s a time for singing, sharing meals, and for being out of doors. The Talmud compares the skach which covers the top of the Sukkah to provide shade to the clouds of Glory, the Ananei haKavod that went with the Israelites through the desert (Sukkot 11b). In the Torah, those
During the month of October, we will transition from the High Holidays and Sukkot to the beginning of the reading of Torah and with it a return to “normal” time. The Sefat Emet, the Hasidic rebbe of Ger who died in 1905, interpreted the words “yamim tovim” or holidays by elaborating the meaning of the Hebrew words, literally “good days” as meaning that we should “carry some of the light of the good days into the rest of the year. In fact, the prayers speak of “festivals for happiness, holy days and seasons for rejoicing” rather than ‘festivals of happiness and seasons of rejoicing,’ because these occasions are meant to generate happiness and rejoicing for the days that follow (Sefat Emet on Vayikra 23:44). How can we bring the work of the High Holidays with us into the rest of the year?
The High Holidays focus on teshuvah, or repentance, the turning towards God’s purposes and away from our own - small, misguided or selfish priorities. Rav Hutner, a spiritual and scholarly rabbi who died in 1980, writes, “The world of teshuvah requires a total restructuring and rededication, in keeping with the creation of an entirely new world” (Pahad Yitzchaq on Sukkot). It is a new relationship we begin to form with God following repentance. The Talmud indicates that the people of Israel received the Ten Commandments on two different occasions. The second time was on the 10th of Tishrei, Yom Kippur (Taanit 30b). Immediately after giving Moses the tablets, God passed before Moses and declared the thirteen
attributes (Exodus 34:5). It was necessary for God to teach Moses the thirteen attributes (which we have been saying from Selichot to Yom Kippur) at that point, as he gave him the second set of tablets. To quote Rav Hutner, “just as in the world of teshuvah, prayer takes on a new meaning and requires a new order of prayer, [i.e. the thirteen attributes that God teaches Moses] so does teshuva require a new acceptance of the Torah.” That Teshuva requires a renewed acceptance is fairly intuitive. Something about how we understood the Torah still allowed us to be misled and desire something else more than the mitzvot. If we are to have any chance at doing the mitzvot, our understanding must be made new. Our desires must be redirected. This second giving of the Torah is less about new content, than it is about a new spirit in which we receive that Torah. And this is what Sukkot does.
The transition from the High Holidays to the rest of the year is provided by the unique theme of joy that we practice in the festival of Sukkot. The key phrase for Sukkot is VeSamakhta beChagekha, “and rejoice in your festival!” (Deuteronomy 16:14) Sukkot is a festival of unparalleled joy, a time to sit with family, to invite guests freely into one’s sukkah. In imitation of Abraham, who hosts strangers and discovers they are angels (a story we will read towards the end of this month), we are encouraged to invite people who are not yet a part of our community to join us in our sukkah. It’s a time for singing, sharing meals, and for being out of doors. The Talmud compares the skach which covers the top of the Sukkah to provide shade to the clouds of Glory, the Ananei haKavod that went with the Israelites through the desert (Sukkot 11b). In the Torah, those
clouds represent God’s direction; the perfect synchronicity of God’s command, and the people’s action to fulfill that command, even in terms of where they would camp each night. But Rav Hutner points out that “the clouds of glory are not merely clouds of protection, but clouds of forgiveness … which restore a special relationship of closeness to God.” Rav Hutner points out that the skach, like the clouds of glory bring us of the special joy of being forgiven. Though joy accompanies every mitzvah, there is a special joy that comes with Sukkot, that reflects the peculiar joy that was experienced in the Temple (Rambam, Hilkhot Lulav 8:12 & 15).
This month we contemplate the role of joy. The joy of repentance, and the joy of receiving Torah once again with a new perspective, a new desire to live for what is truly valuable. This is a month for the happiness of Torah. May the joy of Simchat Torah follow us throughout this year. As we enjoy dwelling in the Sukkah, let us hear the teachings of Torah with new ears and with hearts reverberating in joy.
Stephen Slater
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
As I write this message, we are between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Thanks to Cantor Isaac Yager for bringing extra beauty and majesty to our services with his special musical skills. Thanks to all who are participating in our High Holy Day services, especially Mike Gersten and Pinchas Shabbat, who have kept our services running smoothly year after year. A special thank you to Sunny Buchman who called so many of you about your High Holiday honors and readings. Mazel Tov to her as well on her granddaughter's wedding in Israel.
Thank you also to Dolly Morrissey and her team of volunteers, Charlotte Miller, Sharon Aronson, Cher Hoffman and Laura and Elizabeth Fram for preparing flower arrangements for our Rosh Hashanah fund raiser and to Dolly, Cher, Kim Butler and Bonnie Yanklowitz for delivering the flowers.
While there is a somewhat solemn atmosphere to the High Holidays, especially Yom Kippur, we will have a lighter mood as we celebrate Succoth, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Please make every effort to attend these services. Stephen Slater will be here to lead services for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Simchat Torah evening services on Monday October 5 should be especially enjoyable for our youngsters.
If you haven't already, please let Laurie, Kim Butler or myself know your preferred class times on either a Wednesday afternoon or Sunday morning for individualized religious and Hebrew instruction for your children or grandchildren. In addition to individualized instruction, we will be planning some joint educational, religious and social events during the coming year and will keep you informed on times and dates.
In the near future, we will be planning special Friday night services entitled, “Jewish Journey” services for those who are at various stages of exploring Judaism. These may be appropriate for non-Jews who have a sincere interest in Jewish life or for Jews who would like to explore more about Jewish practice and spirituality outside the structure of the traditional Saturday morning services. Please contact me if you have an interest in such services or would like to help with planning.
Please join me in welcoming our newest member, Toby Goldstein and his sons Isaac and Ezra.
Mark Hoffman
SYNAGOGUE NEWS AND ANNOUNCMENTS
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KOSHER DELIVERY The deadline to place your order for the local Kosher Delivery is on Monday October 12th. The Deliver will be on Tuesday, October 20th.
Call 1-800-727-5674 to place your order.
Congregation Shaaray Tefila and Sisterhood express their deepest condolences to the Radin and Gottesman Families on the passing of our member Norman Radin. Norm passed on Saturday, August 22, 2015 (Elul 7, 5775).
Congregation Shaaray Tefila and Sisterhood express their deepest condolences to the entire Elliott Families on the passing of member,
Eleanor Elliott. Eleanor passed from this earth on Sunday evening, August 30, 2015 (Elul 16, 5775)
Congregation Shaaray Tefila and Sisterhood express their deepest condolences to the entire Binns Families on the passing of Ronald Binns and Sheldon Binns. Ronald passed from this earth on Sunday, August 16, 2015 (Elul 1, 5775), and his father Sheldon passed on Saturday, September 12, 2015 (Elul 28, 5775).
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR
OCTOBER
Sunday, October 4, 2015 Erev Shemini Atzeret. . . . . No Evening Service
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 Simchat Torah Shacharit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 AM Dancing with the Torah
The times listed are very approximate
Join us to celebrate Simchat Torah with prayer and dancing on
Monday October 5, 2015 at 6:30 PM and on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 9:30 AM
Join us on Saturday Morning, October 10th for services with visiting Rabbi Jeff Ronald from Temple Beth El.
Board Meeting:
October 19, 2015 at 7 PM
CONGREGATION MEETING:
Monday, November 16th at 7:00 PM Please make every effort to attend.
THANK YOU TO SUNNY BUCHMAN for sponsoring the Break Fast in in honor of her granddaughter Noa Kimelman and Chen Sina who were married on September 17th.
Very special thanks go to all those of you who helped make the beautiful break-the-fast at the close of Yom Kippur possible. Thank you to everyone pitched in to do the preparation, helped with the clean-up and/or contributed various delicious dishes:
Our thanks, also, to Norman and Sylvia Kudan who provided us with the gorgeous floral centerpiece.
We are very grateful to you all.
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Best Wishes to the Following Members for
a Very Happy Anniversary:
Dr. Mitchell & Robin Cohen October 2
43rd anniversary
Dr. Samuel & Roberta Gottesman October 14
3rd anniversary
Francine & Andy Torra October 19
46th anniversary
Herb & Michele Levin October 21
15th anniversary
Congregation Shaaray Tefila and Sisterhood Send Their Very Best Birthday Wishes to the Following Members and Friends:
Olivia Cohen Neil Lebowitz October 2 October 4
Malachi La Rock Vera B. Koble October 6 October 12
Dolly Morrissey Ben Aronson October 15 October 19
Bunny Palmer Nancy Kudan October 21 October 22
Taylor Havens Dr. Julie Mark Cohen October 25 Azariah LaRock
October 28
Boaz Marmon Dr. Samuel Gottesman October 29 October 30
Ruth Shapiro October 31
Congregation Shaaray Tefila would like to say a very special thank you to Price Chopper, Golub Foundation, Binley’s
Florist, Lasting Impressions, and Wal-Marts for their generous donation to our Floral Centerpiece Fundraiser. Please remember to patronize them!
2015 Rosh Hashanah Floral Centerpiece
Fundraiser Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time in arranging and delivering the beautiful flowers. We couldn’t have done it without you! A very special thank you to Dolly Morrissey for chairing this event, yet again this year.
Congregation Shaaray Tefila thanks each and every supporter of the synagogue for your very kind and generous donation to this
years’ Yom Kippur Appeal. Thank You to all of you who pledged or made donations we have made and exceeded our goal again this year!
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE
THESE CONTRIBUTIONS
BUILDING /GENERAL FUND
In memory of parents, Eva & Ben Kirschenbaum and grandparents, Celia & Simon Goldstein
From, Audrey & Alan Vogenberg
In memory of Eleanor Elliott From,
Roz Winston Michael & Gilda Siegel
Holly Pettiford Larry Greenberg
Linda & Steven Bush Miss Joyce Irwin
Rhoda Forrest and family Steven Parsons
Ronald & Judith Lyke Ronald & Arlene Baker
Alex Frank, Stacey Mandelbaum and family Florence Handen
Ruth Shapiro Arnold Mandwelle
In memory of Norman Radin In honor of the 100th birthday of Florence Saidel
From, Roz Winston
In memory of my beloved twin sister, Gloria Blickman Horwitz
In memory of my beloved husband, David Yunich From, Beverly Yunich
In memory of Norman Radin From, Hilda & Moe Schwartz
In memory of Ronald Binns From, Dolly Morrissey
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In memory of Eleanor Elliott In memory of Marcia Antis
In memory of Norman Radin In memory of Ira Jacobson
In honor of Ava & Marty Ashendorff’s anniversary In honor of Dan Korot’s birthday
In honor of Stacey Mandelbaum’s birthday In honor of Harrie Bobbin’s birthday In honor of Ruth Goldman’s birthday
From, Rose Rothstein
In memory of Janet Yulman From, Richard Yulman
In honor of Beth & Jerry Brezner’s 60th anniversary From, Myra & Fred Feldman
In memory of my grandmother, Rose Blomberg, of blessed memory in honor of her yahrzeit
From, Richard Blomberg
In loving memory of Solomon Wachtel From, The Basser Family
M/M SAMUEL ARONSON EDUCATION FUND
In memory of Eleanor Elliott In honor of the marriage of Sunny Buchman’s granddaughter, Noa Kimelman to Chen Sina
From, Barbara & Myron Rapaport
In memory of Eleanor Elliott From, Judy Korcz
In memory of Norman Radin In memory of Eleanor Elliott
In honor of Beth & Gerald Brezner’s 60th wedding anniversary
From, Sunny Buchman
RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUND
In memory of Ronald Binns From, Mitchell & Robin Cohen
SISTERHOOD FUND
In honor of Eleanor Elliott, our “Cookie Lady” From, Bonnie Yanklowitz
TORAH REPAIR FUND
In memory of Eleanor Elliott From,
Judy Shepherd Robin & Mitchell Cohen
In honor of Arnold Alkes birthday In honor of Ruth Goldman’s birthday In honor of Harrie Bobbin’s birthday
In memory of Norman Radin In memory of Eleanor Elliott
From, Norman & Sylvia Kudan
PLEDGES 5776
In memory of my beloved husband, Jerry and our beloved son, Bruce Rothstein
In memory of our parents, Harry & Shirley Rothstein and
Morris & Fannie Goldstein From: Rose Rothstein
In honor of our grandchildren, Brian, Ali, Jerry, and Alan
From: Norm & Sylvia Kudan
In memory of Art Aronson From: Judy Aronson and Family
In memory of the deceased members of the Alkes family
From: Arnold & Diane Alkes
In memory of Dr. Milton & Rose Greenberg In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Greenberg
From: Larry Greenberg
In memory of our parents: Robert & Rosalind Cohen
Irving Rapaport & Stella Rapaport-Fuld In memory of Morton Swinger,
In memory of Barbara’s grandparents: Louis & Faye Swinger
From: Barbara & Myron Rapaport
In memory of my parents, Clara & William Aronson
In memory of my grandparents, Samuel & Anna Aronson From: Sunny Buchman
In honor of our parents From: Melissa & Dan Korot
In memory of Dr. Milton & Rose Greenberg In memory of Harry & Theresa Greenberg
From: Larry Greenberg
In honor of Mark & Cher Hoffman In honor of Dolly Morrissey In honor of Elizabeth Fram In memory of my children,
Ephram, James, Tabitha, and Benjamin Fram In memory of my grandmother,
Elizabeth Kammerer From: Laura Fram
In honor of our children and grandchildren In memory of our parents
From: Joan & David Stern
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In honor of all those members and friends who celebrate Jewish Life at Shaaray Tefila
From: Anonymous
In honor of Sunny Buchman, Dolly Morrissey, Norman Kudan, and Bonnie Yanklowitz.
In memory of Morris & Fanny Mandwelle, Shirley Kanofsky, Paul Buchman, and
Jack Mandwelle From: Arnold Mandwelle In memory of our parents:
Clara & William Aronson and Esther & Harry Ziff
In memory of our siblings: Elinore & Kermit Greene, Miriam & Howard Hirsch,
Robert Aronson, and Paul Buchman
From: Barry & Barbara Ziff
In memory of Henrietta Lebowitz and I. Charles Lebowitz
From: Neil Lebowitz
In loving memory of our mother and grandmother, Eleanor F. Elliott
In loving memory of our father and grandfather, Allen E. Elliott
In loving memory of our sister and aunt, Ruth S. Elliott Lisman
In loving memory of our father and grandfather, Emanuel Fishman
From: Jeff, Audrey, Matthew and Alison Elliott
5776 Yom Kippur Donation From:
Jeff & Patti Schwartz Alex Frank, Stacey Mandelbaum and family
Arnold Abrams & Dr. Shelle Kelz Anonymous Ruth Shapiro
Lynn & Martin Meyer
In loving memory of my husband Daniel Beale, my parents - Eva & Isaac Alkes, and
grandfather-Morris Alkes From: Diane Beale
In loving memory of Robert J. Morrissey, Louis Chary, Thomas Michael Chary, and
Joseph & Anne Eddleton. From: Dolly Morrissey
In memory of precious parents, Abe & Ethel Levitt and my dear Aunt Freyda Barenholtz
From: Judy Korcz
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL:
OCTOBER 2015
This year Shaaray Tefila's education program for children is focused on individualized instruction. Our expectation is that this approach will be more effective and result in more learning in a shorter time frame. Religious school is scheduled to start formally Wednesday October 14. There is limited availability for instruction prior to this date. Please contact the office with your preferred time slots on either a Wednesday afternoon or Sunday morning in one of our two categories:
Basic Hebrew and Judaism Wednesday Sunday 4:00 PM 9:30 AM 4:15 PM 9:45 AM 4:30 PM 10:00 AM 4:45 PM 10:15 AM 5:00 PM 10:30 AM 5:15 PM 10:45 AM
Accelerated Hebrew and Judaism Wednesday Sunday 4:00 PM 9:30 AM 4:30 PM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 10:30 AM 5:30 PM
Students must have an instructor's approval to be in accelerated class. Students may start in basic class and advance to accelerated class depending on interest and behavior. Parents bringing more than one child registered for different times should supervise their children while waiting for class. Parents are encouraged to join their children and learn together in class. Periodically we will hold joint sessions for prayers and celebrations. Religious school is free of charge for member families. There will be a $50 charge per semester for non-members.
SISTERHOOD NEWS:
OCTOBER 2015
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OCTOBER ONEGS AND KIDDUSHES WILL BE SPONSORED BY:
Friday, October 2, Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot: Oneg sponsorship available
Saturday, October 3, Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot: Kiddush sponsored by J C Patrick in loving memory of Bea Berkowitz
Monday, October 5, Shemini Atzeret: Kiddush sponsorship available
Tuesday, October 6, Simchat Torah: Kiddush sponsorship available
Friday, October 9: Services at The Glen, Oneg sponsored by Sunny Buchman
Saturday, October 10: Kiddush sponsored by Congregation Shaaray Tefila and Sisterhood in honor of Dolly Morrissey’s 80th birthday
Friday, October 16: Oneg sponsorship available
Saturday, October 17: Kiddush sponsorship available
Friday, October 23: Oneg sponsorship available
Saturday, October 24: Kiddush sponsorship available
Friday, October 30: Oneg sponsorship available
Saturday, October 31: Kiddush sponsorship available
HONORABLE MENTCHEN:
Thank you to all the generous people who sponsored an Oneg or Kiddush in September:
Alan Vogenberg, Congregation Shaaray Tefila, Laura Fram, Mitchell & Robin Cohen, and
Sisterhood
SISTERHOOD APPRECIATES YOUR HELP
Please call Laurie in the office if you want to sponsor an Oneg or Kiddush for the month of October, 792-4945. If you want Lox, there is an extra charge. Thank you again for your donations and your sponsorship, and your help with preparations and clean-up.
SISTERHOOD GARAGE SALE
Thank you to ALL who donated any items and to those who helped work at the garage sale. Special thanks to Dolly
Morrissey, and Elizabeth & Laura Fram.
SISTERHOOD
GIFT SHOP NEWS
The Sisterhood Gift Shop is opened
during normal Office hours Monday through Thursday from 8:30AM – 1:30 PM.
The Gift Shop window and display case are
located in the Main Hall.
Gift Certificates are available!
Your purchases in the Sisterhood Gift
Shop helps support the Sisterhood and we
thank you for your patronage.
YAHRZEIT RECORD FOR
OCTOBER 2015
“The Memory of the Righteous is for a Blessing”
Please note that the Yahrzeit date is listed AFTER the name(s) of the deceased
Barney Goldstein Pearl Radin
Israel Weinstein Elizabeth Yaffee
Thursday, 10/1/2015 Tishrei 18, 5776 Louis Chary Harriet Peltin
Friday, 10/2/2015 Tishrei 19, 5776 Frances Kaye Daniel Levine
Saturday, 10/3/2015 Tishrei 20, 5776 Tzivia Lebowitz Jacob Suckman
Howard Silverman Saturday, 11/28/2015 Kislev 16, 5776
Nathan Henry Kudan Sunday, 11/29/2015 Kislev 17, 5776
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Havurah Vatik October Event Tuesday, October 20th, 11 - 1 P.M.
At Congregation Shaara Tfille, 84 Weibel Ave. in Saratoga
All area Jewish Seniors 55 plus are welcome!
The Lost City of Irving Browning
Filmmaker and archeologist Ira Meistrich will introduce the photographs of remarkable but little-known New York City photographer, Irving Browning, whose work captured the architectural and human character of NYC as it evolved during the 1920s and 1930s.
Mr. Meistrich has been immersed in the Browning Collection for 25 years; he welcomes the opportunity to share pictures and stories.
A catered lunch will be served
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONTACT TEMPLE SINAI at 584-8730, mailbox 4, or [email protected] by Oct. 14th if you are planning to attend, need to cancel your reservation or if you need transportation.
Havurah is grateful to its sponsors, First Niagara Bank and the United Jewish Federation
