Kol Beth Shalom The Bulletin of Temple Beth Shalom February 2021 19 Shevat - 16 Adar 5781 Volume 91, No. 2 RABBI’S REFLECTIONS by Rabbi Geoffrey A. Spector Inside . . . President’s Perspective ...... 2 Cantor’s Column ................. 3 B’nai Mitzvah ....................... 3 of the month Member Milestones ............. 3 Sisterhood Spotlight ............ 4 Men’s Club News ................. 5 Preschool News . .................. 8 Family Programming ......... 9 Religious School................ 10 in Review Tikkun Olam ....................... 11 Yahrzeits ............................ 12 TEXT .................................. 13 Kadima ............................... 14 Donations ......................... 15 Temple Beth Shalom 193 East Mount Pleasant Ave. Livingston, NJ 07039 973-992-3600 Fax 973-992-7087 www.tbsnj.org מדברי הגות של הרבhad a good friend in New Orleans who was both a skilled thoracic surgeon and the Vice President for Medical Affairs at a prominent hospital in the city. His workdays were long and arduous, filled with many administrative tasks in addition to the critical work he performed in the operating room. As adept as he was at his vocation, from time to time, despite his best efforts, he was unable to save the life of a severely ill patient. Such losses hit him hard each time, for he was not only a brilliant surgeon but an uncommonly caring and compassionate person. He once told me that on difficult days, when he felt overwhelmed and battered from experiences at the hospital, he would come home and get into his hot tub. While soaking in the warm soothing water, he would take hold of a small, laminated note that he once received from a grateful patient who credited him with saving his life. That little bit of praise and appreciation from a former patient was enough to help wash away his temporary feelings of sadness and anxiety. I am sure that many of the brave and noble physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers in our midst have experienced countless exasperating and heartbreaking days during this pandemic, as they tended to severely ill patients who ultimately lost their battle with COVID-19. But I am also sure that those who survived the virus will never forget the diligent and compassionate medical caregivers who treated them. The intense gratitude of even a handful of such patients who were blessed to regain their health is a potent elixir of strength for those on the front lines of the Corona War. We all crave to be appreciated and know that the good deeds we perform are meaningful and are recognized by others. Although we may fall short again and again, the times when we do succeed --- when we make a positive and lasting im- print on the lives of others --- serve as healing balms of comfort for us in moments of despair. This is true for all of us, no matter our profession or our station in life. After Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, the contents of the wallet he carried in his pocket that fateful night at Ford’s Theater were stored away in a safe deposit box for later inspection. It was not until 1976 that these items were rediscovered and care- fully examined. Among the items in Lincoln’s wallet were eight newspaper clippings that all had one thing in common: they were all laudatory of the president. Lincoln, whose birthday we celebrate this month, became a revered and beloved figure in American history. But during his lifetime, Lincoln was often assailed and criticized brutally by his contemporary detractors, especially in the press. When he found an article that praised him, he clipped it and put it in his wallet. I imagine that every so often, when the going got really rough, Lincoln probably took out those articles, read them, and smiled to himself. At least some people loved him. Jewish tradition places a great emphasis on the important practice of Hakarat ha- tov, recognizing the goodness of other people. We see that principle at work in the I continued on page 2
Transcript
Kol Beth ShalomThe Bulletin of Temple Beth Shalom
February 2021 19 Shevat - 16 Adar 5781 Volume 91, No. 2
RABBI’S REFLECTIONSby Rabbi Geoffrey A. Spector
Inside . . . President’s Perspective ...... 2
Cantor’s Column ................. 3
B’nai Mitzvah ....................... 3 of the month
Member Milestones ............. 3
Sisterhood Spotlight ............ 4
Men’s Club News ................. 5
Preschool News . .................. 8
Family Programming ......... 9
Religious School ................ 10 in Review
Tikkun Olam ....................... 11
Yahrzeits ............................ 12
TEXT .................................. 13
Kadima ............................... 14
Donations ......................... 15
Temple Beth Shalom193 East Mount Pleasant Ave.Livingston, NJ 07039973-992-3600Fax 973-992-7087www.tbsnj.org
הרב של הגות מדברי
had a good friend in New Orleans who was both a skilled thoracic surgeon and the Vice President for Medical Affairs at a prominent hospital in the city. His workdays were long and arduous, filled with many administrative tasks in addition to the critical work he performed in the operating room. As adept as he was at his vocation, from time to time, despite his best efforts, he was unable to save the life of a severely ill patient. Such losses hit him hard each time, for he was not only a brilliant surgeon but an uncommonly caring and compassionate person. He once told me that on difficult days, when he felt overwhelmed and battered from experiences at the hospital, he would come home and get into his hot tub. While soaking in the warm soothing water, he would take hold of a small, laminated note that he once received from a grateful patient who credited him with saving his life. That little bit of praise and appreciation from a former patient was enough to help wash away his temporary feelings of sadness and anxiety. I am sure that many of the brave and noble physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers in our midst have experienced countless exasperating and heartbreaking days during this pandemic, as they tended to severely ill patients who ultimately lost their battle with COVID-19. But I am also sure that those who survived the virus will never forget the diligent and compassionate medical caregivers who treated them. The intense gratitude of even a handful of such patients who were blessed to regain their health is a potent elixir of strength for those on the front lines of the Corona War. We all crave to be appreciated and know that the good deeds we perform are meaningful and are recognized by others. Although we may fall short again and again, the times when we do succeed --- when we make a positive and lasting im-print on the lives of others --- serve as healing balms of comfort for us in moments of despair. This is true for all of us, no matter our profession or our station in life. After Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, the contents of the wallet he carried in his pocket that fateful night at Ford’s Theater were stored away in a safe deposit box for later inspection. It was not until 1976 that these items were rediscovered and care-fully examined. Among the items in Lincoln’s wallet were eight newspaper clippings that all had one thing in common: they were all laudatory of the president. Lincoln, whose birthday we celebrate this month, became a revered and beloved figure in American history. But during his lifetime, Lincoln was often assailed and criticized brutally by his contemporary detractors, especially in the press. When he found an article that praised him, he clipped it and put it in his wallet. I imagine that every so often, when the going got really rough, Lincoln probably took out those articles, read them, and smiled to himself. At least some people loved him. Jewish tradition places a great emphasis on the important practice of Hakarat ha-tov, recognizing the goodness of other people. We see that principle at work in the
I
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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE In order to get an article into Kol Beth Shalom in time for publication, it should be submitted four to six weeks before you read this. So, I’m actually writing this in early January. In the beforetime, pre-COVID, that was not a dif-ficult task. I would look at the calendar and be able to let you know what would be happening. After all, part of my job is to be a cheerleader and to try to spread the word of all the activities and good work that we are doing at TBS. Even though many things are still uncertain, I do still look at the calendar for inspiration. As you are reading this February article, I know that we are experiencing the depths of winter. However, with each passing day, the amount of sunlight increases and soon we will be seeing the early tender shoots of springtime. The hardness of win-ter is fading. And with it, I am praying that we are seeing or soon will be seeing the slow and steady decline of this dastardly pandemic as vaccinations become more widely available. Normally with springtime, I am also beginning to think about preparing for Purim. For some years now, I have been saying that I should come in costume. Yes, I usually wear something a little wacky to mark the occa-sion. But I had thought that, as president, I would finally be courageous enough to go all out. Of course, at this
time, it still seems unlikely that we will all be together in the sanctuary for Purim. And, in my mind at least, Purim marks the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, as it was the final holiday before the initial lockdown. I always thought that Purim was an odd holiday. It does perfectly fit the saying: “They tried to kill us, we sur-vived, let’s eat!” But in another way, this holiday is out of step with all of the others. In the stories of all the other holidays, God is the central character. He redeemed us from bondage (Pesach); He forgives our sins (Yom Kippur); He gave us the Torah (Shavu’ot); and we followed Him in the wilderness (Sukkot). Even for Hanukkah, we recite how God delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, and the many into the hands of the few (not to mention the miracle of the oil). But in the story of Purim, God never makes an explicit appearance. There is no boom and thunder of a miracle from on high. It is human agency alone that appears to take center stage. Esther and Mordechai seem to save the Jews from Haman’s malevolent designs. God is nowhere to be found in the Book of Esther. God is only alluded to, hidden, waiting to be found. The message of Purim is a profoundly modern one that whispers to us, “Don’t be
Geoffrey A. Spector, Senior RabbiSimeon L. Cohen, Assistant Rabbi
Perry S. Fine, CantorSharon A. Knoller, Cantor
Henry Butensky, z’l, Cantor Emeritus Neil Weidberg, Executive Director Leah Beker, Director of Education
Randi F. Cohen, Preschool Director
OFFICERSPresident ..................................................................... Jay Jaffe Executive Vice President ............................. Marshall SaundersVice Presidents ........................................................ Brian Fern Mattye Gandel Alison Handler Andy Muser Melvin Zirkes Treasurer ..................................................... Marshall Saunders Financial Secretary ......................................... Paul Brownstein Recording Secretary ................................................ Amy Black
KOL BETH SHALOM COMMITTEELaura Siegel, Editor
Dee Cohen, Amy Ramer, Adina Viezel, Editing Committee
Kol Beth Shalom is published monthly, except July and August, by Temple Beth Shalom,
193 E. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039.The synagogue’s website is www.tbsnj.org.
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הנשיא של הראות-מנקודת
beautiful and joyous hymn Shoshanat Yaakov that is sung after the reading of the Megillah on Purim. The text praises the heroes of the Purim story, Esther and Mordecai, and it vilifies the evil Haman and his wicked wife Zeresh. All that is to be expected. However, the hymn concludes with this curious addendum: “Let Harvonah also be remem-bered for good.” Who was this minor character singled out for a special honorary commendation? Harvonah was one of King Ahashverosh’s advisors who drew attention to the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai’s execution. That sight so outraged the King that he ordered Haman’s execution instead. The author of the Purim hymn chose to accentuate even the small part played by Harvo-nah in delivering the Jewish people from the hands of their enemies. William James once said, “The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” This month, as we observe Presidents’ Day and Purim, let us remember the contents of Lincoln’s wallet and the charac-ter of Harvonah. Let us remember all the heroes who have helped us survive in ways both great and small. To all of them, we say thank you for your goodness, may God bless you, and may our gratitude always bring comfort to your hearts.
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B’nai Mitzvah of theMonth
Mazal Tov to our b’nai mitzvah and their families:
Emerson GellinFebruary 6
Daughter of Alaina and Drew Gellin
David Sambol February 27
Son of Justin and Jane Sambol
JUDI and ALAN ENGLANDER announce the birth of twin grandsons,
Ethan Bennett and Wyatt Henry, born to Andrew Englander and Lisa Collins
SCOTT and REBECCA ROSEN announce the birth of a daughter, Stephanie Ryan.
TBS President JAY JAFFE is the grandfather.
Preschool Director RANDI COHEN and RICHARD COHEN announce the birth of a granddaughter, Lily James Cohen,
born to Eric and Kathryn Cohen.
MEMBER MILESTONES
afraid. Even if God sometimes feels far away, he is actually near at hand.” People in partnership with God can and do make the world a better place. That is the message of Purim, and that is the message at Temple Beth Shalom. At TBS, the volunteers, clergy, teach-ers, and staff work every day to make our world a better place, and provide opportunities for us all to have richer, deeper connections to each other, to the community, and to Torah, Israel, and the Jewish people. So, in the spirit of Purim, on which the day was trans-formed from one of grief and mourning to one of feasting and merrymaking, God willing, one day soon this pandemic will end and we will be able to celebrate together in person. Chag Purim Sameach!
Jay JaffePresident
NEXT BULLETIN WILL BE IN MARCH Bulletin Deadline is Monday, February 1st
Copy will not be accepted after that date to ensure timely publication.
Liturgical Publications, Inc., the printer for our Temple bulletin, would like to thank our present advertisers for renewing their ads. For those interested in placing a new ad, this is your opportunity. To reserve a space for the new publication year, please contact the TBS office at 973-992-3600 or [email protected]. Keep in mind, our advertising sponsors make this bulletin possible.
CANTOR’S COLUMN
Purim 2021. Ma Nishtana…How is this Purim different from all others? Let me count the ways! Even in normal times, Purim may be the most con-flicted of Jewish holidays. It is freilich, to be sure, with costumes and masks, Megillah readings, grog-gers, Purim spiels, and the exchange of sweet good-ies (mishloach manot). It is a holiday with something for everyone. Yet, beneath the frivolity, is a serious undertone, a message that resounds at the heart of our diaspora experience. It is the only one of our holidays that takes place exclusively in the diaspora, and its core message highlights the precarious place of Jews as a minority community. If not for the bravery of Mordechai and Esther, and the quiet hand of Hashem, whose name is nev-er mentioned explicitly in the Megillah, but whose presence is felt, the forces of evil might have wiped out our people. Purim teaches us, even in the best of times, and in the most hospitable of environments, nothing is to be taken for granted. This year, the ultimate irony… We celebrate Pu-rim and the Megillah reading on Zoom, wearing not just our Purim masks, but a second one as well, to keep us safe from an invisible enemy. We pray and hope that, next Purim, we may be able to gather as a community, in our TBS sanctuary, to celebrate Purim together as one! Have a freilich and safe Purim!
We had an amazing time being creative at our January Board & Brush event! Thanks to Allison Ritter and Brooke Alper for planning such a unique program, and to Board & Brush for the at-home kits and instruction. We continue to find creative ways to stay connected and bring all of us together through this pandemic! We had so much fun at our December Sisterhood family donut-decorating event! Check out the photos below:
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Sisterhood families enjoyed our family donut-decorating event!
If you are not getting our weekly emails, please contact Eileen Vider ([email protected] or 917-670-6389).
Contact information and details about all of our programs can be found at
www.tbsnjsisterhood.membershiptoolkit.com/home. Please visit the site to find out everything happening in Sisterhood. We would like to be a resource and outlet for you. Through this difficult time, we have found that
leaning on each other and the bits of social interaction we are able to have through Sisterhood have been extremely
positive for all those involved! We have so much to offer, so please do not forget about all of the programs that support your temple.
Tribute Cards We are excited to bring on two new volunteers to help
with tribute cards. Thank you Lynda Starr and Carolyn Moses for
helping out! You can purchase cards for any occasion: $5 each or 6 for $25.
We will send them out for you. Contact Judy Sackstein (973-992-1691),
([email protected]). Proceeds support the Ami Cohen Scholarship Fund.
Torah Fund Your contribution strengthens and perpetuates
the Conservative Movement.For information contact Dee Cohen
([email protected] or 973-960-4353). Checks of any amount must be made out to
“Torah Fund.” Credit cards are accepted as well. Participants who donate $180 or more will
receive a Torah Fund pin delivered to their homes.
ScripPurchase gift cards while contributing to the Ami Cohen Scholarship Fund. We have limited numbers of
ShopRite, Kings, and Aron’s gift cards valuing $50 and $100. Spend what you would normally spend, and give back to Sisterhood! Contact Rebecca Konstandt ([email protected] or 973-992-1487) or contact the
TBS office (973-992-3600) to have the cards brought out to the parking lot for you.
A: The Men’s Club is dedicated to involving men in Jewish life through social, educa-tional, religious, and civic activities. We are affiliated with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, a group of over 270 clubs with over 25,000 members in Conservative/Masorti synagogues around the world.
Q: How do I get involved in Men’s Club activities?A: There are many ways to get involved in our
activities and make new friends. Simply come to one of our events. We welcome you to join and support Men’s Club…you’ll be glad you did!
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Check out the Men’s Club website at: tbsmensclub.org for all notifications, up-dates and signing up for dues.
January Wrap-UpThanks to Rabbi Cohen for his wonderful
Talmud on Tap virtual presentation last month.
February Upcoming Events Monday, February 1: Talmud on Tap with
Rabbi Cohen (Virtual)Sunday, February 7: World Wide
Wrap (Virtual)
Any questions? Contact Barry Schwartz, Men’s Club President, at [email protected].
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The TBS community is thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Neil Weidberg. Neil comes to TBS after having spent the last 15 years in the luxury travel industry, initially as Director of Operations and then as President of a company focused on private travel to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Before that, Neil spent six years as the Director of Israel Programs for Young Judaea, the old-est Zionist youth movement in the United States. Neil and his wife Miriam live in the Riverdale sec-tion of the Bronx with their daughter Talia, age 15, and son Micah, age 12. Miriam is a Conservative Rabbi; she works at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School, a Jewish day school in Manhattan, where she is a learn-ing specialist in the high school. The Weidbergs are active members of the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel in Riverdale. Micah is hard at work preparing for his Bar Mitzvah this coming October. As an active member of Young Judaea, Neil at-tended their senior leadership summer camp for teenagers. Upon graduating high school, he spent the next year on Young Judaea’s gap year program in Israel, experiencing first-hand the richness of life in the Jewish State. Neil is as excited to join TBS as we are to welcome him to this important role for our synagogue. He feels very fortunate to have found a position where he can both serve the Jewish community and make good use of his experience managing business operations, fostering growth, and improving communications. As Neil said: “I have been an active member of my syna-gogue for 20 years and I know how important syna-gogue life can be to a family. I look forward to devel-oping relationships with TBS members and working hard to create a wonderful Jewish experience for everyone.” You can reach Neil at the TBS office (973-992-3600) or at [email protected]. Feel free to reach out to him and extend your personal welcome to TBS.
NEILWEIDBERG TBS Executive Director
... that you can pro-vide financial support to TBS, helping to preserve and strengthen our synagogue, even after death? Naming TBS in your will or as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy is a great way to help shape the future for your children and grandchildren’s generation and establish a legacy. Want to know more? Contact the TBS office at 973-992-3600 or [email protected] for more information.
Did You Know?
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Tribute to Matthew Halpern An amazing evening was had by all on December 19 as we toasted Matt and bid him farewell after a lovely Havdallah service. He will be missed, but we wished him good luck in his future in south Florida. There were more than 175 Zoom windows and what a tribute to Matt! The rabbis, cantors, TBS President Jay Jaffe, and several past presidents who had worked with Matt thanked him, in well-deserved and glowing terms, for his dedication, atten-tion to detail, and friendship, not only during this very difficult year, but also over the prior four years during his tenure as Executive Director.
Special thanks to Mattye Gandel and Sharon Fleishman for chairing this event, to Louis Maddalena for volunteering to be the Zoom master, to Sharon Fleishman for preparing a special video montage of Matt interacting with congregants at events over the years, and to Laura Siegel, who assembled a keepsake book for Matt with photos and heartfelt messages, which were submitted by many members. Thank you also to the following members and vendors who so generously made donations to TBS in Matt’s honor:
Kerry Goldflam & Eve Banilower Peter & Diane GotliebJeffrey & Ilene GreenbaumJeffrey & Laura GreifMark & Ilene GrossmanCraig & Marcia GrosswaldEric & Alison HandlerDouglas & Lawrence HarteMelvin & Linda JacobsJeffrey & Lisa KatzJoel & Rhonda KossHoward & Barbara KotelNoam & Donna KritzerGerald & Alicia KuschukJeffrey & Michele LandauMichael & Robyn LavemanHal & Anne LeedsDavid Legow & Sarit CatzDavid & Abby LevinsonAlan & Patti LowyMatthew & Elke LuftigLouis & Marissa Maddalena Howard & Marion MedowCaryn MittlemanStephen & Jill MontagAndrew & Jamie MuserStuart & Michelle NachbarJillian PincusMartin & Amy Pollack
Kenneth & Judy PowellBernard & Tina RabbinoMichael & Amy RamerMelvin & Janet RosenblumRichard & Jennifer RosenthalIrwin & Jill RuderferDavid & Caroline SchmiedZalman & Carol SchraderBarry Schwartz & Lisa MayerIan & Ilyse ShainbrownAlan & Phyllis ShandlerJason Sheller & Allison Trief-ShellerRay & Laura SiegelRobin SitverMatt & Erin SternthalTBS Men’s ClubTBS SisterhoodMichael & Rachel Tiger Eric & Marisa TuckerHarvey & Marta WeinbraubBernard & Rose WienerBarry & Margie WolfeDavid & Sharon ZemanMelvin & Esther ZirkesThe Feldman Agency Insurance JH Paper Company/Jeffrey HalperNeil Sullivan Associates, HVAC
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More than 175 Zoom windows were signed on to pay tribute to Matt and wish him well.
Tribute to Matthew Halperncontinued
Membership for a Lifetime: Lifetime Membership at TBS
As your family grows with the Temple Beth Shalom family, you establish strong roots that can last a lifetime. It’s no surprise that so many member families have been proudly part of Temple Beth Shalom for more than 30, 40, even 50 years! With those strong roots in place at Temple Beth Shalom, you may want to consider a mean-ingful opportunity that solidifies your connection to this sacred community while supporting the synagogue for years to come by becoming a Lifetime Member. For a single payment of $36,000, you will guarantee your family’s connection to Temple Beth Shalom for your lifetime and that of your spouse. Lifetime Membership is a beautiful expression of our commitment to Temple Beth Shalom and our strong Jewish community. For more information, or to become a Lifetime Member, con-tact TBS President Jay Jaffe ([email protected]) or Executive Director Neil Weidberg ([email protected] or 973-992-3600).
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PRESCHOOL NEWSAn January can be cold and dark but the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat, New Year of the Trees, at the end of last month reminded us that spring is near. We were so fortunate to be able to spend a lot of the fall months outside, both from the aspect of appreciating nature around us, as well as for health reasons. Celebration of this holiday allowed the children to reflect back on their fall experiences while talking more about what they can do to take care of our earth. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle were mantras heard around our hallways and put into action in each classroom. The holiday also provided another way for the children to connect to Israel. Tu B’Shevat is often viewed as Israel’s Arbor Day. Through art, music, picture books, and videos, the children saw what this holiday looks like in Israel. This, in turn, sparked conversations on things that are alike and different. It’s amazing what our Jewish holidays and heritage can teach all of us regarding living our best lives! Even in the cold, snowy weather, we hope to continue to spend time outdoors throughout the winter months. On a different note, early registration is now open until Febru-ary 14 for Camp Addye Summer 2021 and TBS Preschool Fall 2021. We are looking forward to offering another stellar season for both of these programs. Virtual tours and information are currently available. If you or anyone you know has an interest in the best Jewish preschool around, please contact me (973-992-6546 or [email protected]).
Randi CohenPreschool Director
Gimmel 3 comes in from the snow and admires the wonderful view of the
sanctuary on a sunny day.Spencer Schwartz, Talia Bachar, and Sophie Sackett make snow angels outside their classroom.
Gimmel 3 admires nature right in our own backyard (i.e. parking lot).
Andi Odett and Justin Chuven check out
the slide in the snow!
Gimmel 2 checks out the snow on the playground from the land and the air.
Bet 2 is ready for the weather!
Hayley Gorbaty proudly shares her
snow creation.
Aiden Elkins and Jacob Sandman practice their independent dressing
skills to suit up for the snow.
REGISTER NOW FOR FALL 2021Early Rates Expire February 14
• Toddlers, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds
• Half-day and full-day programs
• Developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Extended hours, both AM and PM
• Warm, nurturing environment with experienced teachers
• After-school enrichment offerings, including sports, art, music, dance, and more
For more information or a virtual tour, contact Randi Cohen, Preschool Director
We strive to accommodate all types of learners.For more information email [email protected]
WE ARE FAMILY!
We are planning some fun Family Programming events for the winter, in-cluding challah making and science and STEM programs. All information will be posted to the Temple Beth Shalom web-site. Go to www.tbsnj.org/family for de-tails about upcoming events. Do you have ideas for future programs? Please let us know! We welcome any suggestions. Contact us ([email protected]) if you would like to get involved on the Family Programming Committee.
Jamie Ollins (443-386-7317) Alice Stein (347-256-7997)Family Programming [email protected]
Welcome to the JUNGLE
(Our Summer 2021 Camp Theme)
atTemple Beth Shalom’s
Camp Addye
Spend your summer with friends!
REGISTER TODAY,EARLY RATES
EXPIRE FEBRUARY 14!
Housed in our beautiful, safe, air-conditioned Philip J. Solondz Preschool
• 4-, 6-, 7-, and 8-week programs for Ages 2 – 4
• June 28 – August 20, 2021
• Exciting, theme-based curriculum designed with fun in mind
• Lots of outdoor, nature, and water play
• Lunch option available for 2-year-olds
• Engaging enrichments for 3- and 4-year-olds
• Toddler Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays for ages 13 – 23 months
For more information and a virtual tour, contact Randi Cohen,Preschool Director, at
ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL IN ISRAEL PROGRAM Our Kitah Hey (7th grade) students have an opportunity to learn with the NJ/NY Congregational Israel Studies Class with the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) program on Sundays! The first two units, “Israel’s Greatest Spies” and “The Great (and Complicated)Heroes of Israel,” were taught by AMHSI/JNF instructor Mordechai Cohen and have intrigued our older students.
RISHONIM Our Rishon program is back! Each year, we have had one or two Israeli teens come to our community for a year of education and outreach. These young ambassadors have typically completed high school and deferred military service for a year to come to our classes and create bonds between students and modern Israel. Of course, this year is a bit different. This year we have a Rishon from 5 years ago, Abraham Belilty, returning via Zoom from Israel, to introduce our students to the sights and sounds of Israel! This weekly program on Sundays is available to Kitah Aleph through Kitah Daled (3rd to 6th grades). Students who come to in-person classes on Sundays participate during class time and interact through our SmartBoards. Everyone else will use a Zoom link from home.
JTEEN JTEEN-GMW is the Jewish Teen Educational Experiences Network of Greater MetroWest. JTeen helps connect teens to unique, fun, and educational Jewish experiences, especially those provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. Once again, we have the pleasure of working with the director of JTeen, Yoni Glatt. As a former Marvel Comics employee, Yoni uses his unique perspective to engage our Kitah Daled and Kitah Hey (6th and 7th grades) students in topics ranging from Monsters in Judaism to Superheroes in Judaism and more! Yoni keeps students eagerly coming back for more and ends each session with a game of Kahoot!
INCLEMENT WEATHER As a general rule, whenever Livingston Public Schools are closed, Religious School will also be closed. Cancellation of Religious School classes due to snowstorms developing during midday will be announced, if circumstances permit, through the public schools’ public address systems. Otherwise, please check our Temple’s voicemail for any announcement of school closings. A OneCallNow program will also be used to call the home phone number of parents. If you are not at home, please listen to your voicemails.
Leah Beker Director of Education
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הספר-דשות ביתחסקירת
FEBRUARY SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Sunday 14 thru Sunday 21 ........President’s Week .................................................... No Classes
In addition to our regular hybrid classes, we have several ongoing online programs for our Religious School students:
Tikkun Olam (Social Action Committee)
Food Insecurity Food insecurity is a term we have heard more often this year, as families struggle to put food on the table. There are so many people in need right now. During the winter months, when you shop the supermarket sales, please consider buying extra items that can be donated (no perishables or glass). Please drop off the food items at the home of Kara Baltuch, 8 Mohawk Drive, for distribution to the various local food pantries.
________________________________________________
Please join the TBS community for “Cooking for the Community”
Sunday, February 7, at 4 pm • Sunday, March 14, at 4 pm • Sunday, April 11, at 4 pm
You will be provided with the recipe and list of the supplies you will need. If you’re unable to join the Zoom, please feel free to still make the meal at a time that works for you. We ask that all meals be made in disposable containers and covered with aluminum foil. The meals can be dropped off the next day, Monday, February 8, March 15, and April 12 between 8:00 am and 10:00 am at TBS.
We are looking forward to coming together with you and your families to help feed those who are in need. Please contact [email protected] to participate.
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It is proper to recite the Kaddish on the evening of the Yahrzeit, and on the following morning. Services are: Sunday-Thursday at 7:30 pm;Monday-Friday at 7:30 am; and Sunday at 9:00 am. Please check the Temple calendar for holiday service times and any changes.
Check your TBS emails for the Zoom login information for daily minyanim.
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As I sit down to write this, we are in the first week of 2021 and just completed reading the book of Genesis. In the final Torah portion of Genesis, Vayehi, Jacob, the last of our patriarchs, is on his deathbed, and Joseph takes his two sons, Ephraim and Menashe, to see their grandfather in order to receive their final blessings.
Joseph rightfully assumes that his older son, Menashe, will receive the blessing from Jacob’s right hand and that his younger son, Ephraim, will receive the blessing from Jacob’s left hand, as was conventional at the time. So Joseph is shocked when his father reaches out his right hand and puts it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and puts his left hand on Menashe’s head, though he was the first-born. Joseph went in to see his father expecting one thing and he left having experienced something completely different. He expected that his father would bless Menashe as the first-born, and when Jacob ultimately blesses Ephraim, and not Menashe with his right hand, Joseph is rendered speechless. He is struck dumb. What a fitting image to capture the essence of 2020. Regardless of how savvy and knowledgeable we may be, last New Year’s Eve, no one could have foreseen that 2020 was going to be the year that it was. Joseph expected Menashe to receive the first-born blessing, and it was given to Ephraim. And last year, we expected to have a happy, healthy, and prosperous year, and what we got was 2020. While none of us knows what 2021 has in store, we certainly hope and pray for a much better year to come --- for a happier year, for a more prosperous year, for a healthier year. As we conclude the book of Genesis and enter these first months of 2021, we hope and pray for strength, for light, and most of all for healing. In terms of our TEXT programming, 2021 is off to a fantastic start! Last month, we had two amazing programs with sex educator and consultant Lindsay Fram. Lindsay spoke with us in an open, honest, and humorous way about the power and effects that slang and casual language can have, and about the very important distinction between “permis-sion” and “consent.” I also led a session about how the Jewish world has adapted to our new COVID reality, and ad-dressed the question of whether or not there is a Jewish obligation to receive the vaccine. Looking ahead, on Thursday, February 4, we will be hearing from Rabbi Elliot Matthias, founder of the Hasbara Fel-lowship program, who will teach us strategies for dealing with anti-Semitism on campus. On Thursday, February 11, we will have a CPR training session with our own TBS member and registered nurse Scott Rosen, and on Thursday, March 11, we will be taking a virtual tour of Tel Aviv with Israeli tour guide Josh Hartuv. For more information and to register for TEXT, please reach out to me ([email protected]). I’m looking forward to a much happier and healthier 2021 together!
Rabbi Simeon
TEXT Programming UPDATE
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KADIMAKadima celebrated Hanukkah with a virtual
donut-making event. Limor shared her quick-n-yummy recipe, making it a fun cooking experience with parents.
Everyone enjoyed sharing and eating donuts withtheir families!
Do you spend part of the winter in Florida? Maybe in Arizona or some other warmer loca-tion? If you will be out of the area for an extend-ed period of time during the winter, you can re-ceive your Kol Beth Shalom at your temporary address. To request a temporary change of ad-dress, contact the TBS office at 973-992-3600 or [email protected] and provide your temporary mailing address along with the approximate date when you expect to return to the Livingston area.
BIKUR CHOLIM FUNDIn Memory of: Sally Emert-Schmoll by Mara & Mitch Berkey Lauren & Jeremy Nachtigall
CHAI FUNDIn Honor of:Judi & Alan Englander on the birth of their grandsons, Ethan and Wyatt, by Vallery & Bob HeisteinMatt Halpern by Judi & Myron Coopersmith Susan & David Liebman on the birth of their grandson, Jack Austin, by the Baskies Family ETERNAL LIFE FUNDIn Memory of:Cora Averbach by Greta AverbachFlorence Blumenfeld by Judith Schatzberg Eleanor Clarich by Alice Rothstein Louis Cohen by Martin CorwinHenry Epstein by Audrey & Alfred Epstein Lillian Epstein by Audrey & Alfred Epstein Shirley Feldman by Marta & Harvey Weintraub Harry Gandel by Mattye & Bob Gandel Gusta Halpern by Mina Raskin Julius Halpern by Mina Raskin Elizabeth Heistein by Vallery & Robert Heistein Seymour Hochstadt by Harriet & Lee Crockett Beverly & Randy KanskyRuth Katz by Alice Rothstein Cantor Kenneth Koransky by Roy Goldberg & Mindy Zasloff Ray Konner by Dean Konner Leo Leff by Saul Leff Harold Lefkowitz by Constance Lefkowitz Louis Lefkowitz by Constance Lefkowitz Gloria Meyer by Phyllis & Sy Wegbreit Howard Raskin by Mina Raskin Estelle Roth by Alice Rothstein Stanley Rothstein by Alice Rothstein Richard Salov by Suzanne & Jerome LeenStephen Springer by Burton Schneck
Steven Weintraub by Geri & Richard Cohn Harriet Prussack Florence Salov Wolff by Suzanne & Jerome Leen
ETTA AND SAUL GANZ MEMORIAL FUNDIn Honor of: Matt Halpern by Susan & Howard Mandelbaum
GENERAL FUND In Honor of: Lauren & Michael Elchoness on the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Gabi, by Laura & Jeffrey GreifAndrew Muser on the acceptance of the Rabbi Geoffrey A. Spector Atid Award by Hedy & Paul Brownstein
In Memory of: Elliot Blafer by Randi Cohen Laura Greif Melvin Kraft by Kathy & Hy KleinmanAlan Jacobson Katz by Joya Comer Richard Marcus by Judith Marcus
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL GARDEN FUND In Honor of: Judi & Alan Englander on the birth of their grandsons, Ethan and Wyatt, by Linda & Howard BermanRabbi Spector for his helpful assistance by Linda Berman
In Memory of: Melvin Kraft by Phyllis Rose and Fred Glicksman Steven Weintraub by Phyllis Rose and Fred Glicksman PRAYER BOOK FUNDIn Memory of: Gloria Meyer by the Wegbreit Family
RABBI SAMUEL L. COHEN MEMORIAL FUND:In Honor of:Judi & Alan Englander on the birth of their grandsons, Ethan and Wyatt, by Phyllis & Michael Zornitzer
In Memory of: Estelle Roth by Dee Cohen
SIMCHA FUNDIn Honor of: Judi & Alan Englander on the birth of their grandsons, Ethan and Wyatt, by Susan Halpern Barbara & Alan Kass Alicia & Gery Kuschuk Laura & Ray Siegel on the marriage of their daughter, Becca, to Dan Gold, by Anita & Barry Frank
STEVEN A. GELMAN YOUTH FUNDIn Honor of: Laurie and Yale Hauptman on the engagement of their son, Andrew, by Marc Gelman & familyLori & Bob Kaufman on the marriage of their son, Alex, to Marissa Goldstein, by Marc Gelman & family Ilyse & Ian Shainbrown on the bar mitzvah of their son, Max, by Marc Gelman & family
In Memory of: Howard Zimmerman by Marc Gelman & family
YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND In Honor of:Andrew Muser on his acceptance of the Rabbi Geoffrey A. Spector Atid Award by Amy & Jason Black Dr. & Mrs. David Ruchelsman on the birth of their grandson, Jordan Jack, by Dr. & Mrs. Michael Baskies
We gratefully acknowledge the following donations
Please visit www.tbsnj.org/support-tbs, or call the TBS office, for a description of each of the funds.
TRIBUTES -
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!רבה תודה
TBS INCLUSION COMMITTEE We are hoping you have been able to join TBS for the Friday night Zoom services which are now shorter in length. We are open to exploring new avenues of creativity for inclusion services, so if you have any thoughts on modifications we could make for this service, to be more inclusive for you and your family, please reach out to us. Please send an email ([email protected]) to let us know how you are and if there is anything we can do at TBS to help meet your synagogue needs at this time.
Gail StocksTBS Inclusion Committee Chair
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The Chesed Committee continues to reach out to our congregants in need.During the pandemic, we are still shopping for and calling our congregants to inquire how they are doing. The only
change that was made for safety reasons is that we are not currently driving our congregants to any appointments.I often think about kindness and how it has made such a positive difference in my life. Chesed and kindness go hand
in hand. It makes someone else’s life a little bit better by receiving while doing the same for the person giving. I think while we are all hunkered down in place through these challenging times, practicing chesed would be enriching to the soul as well as an opportunity to heal the world.
Here are a few ways to spread kindness:
• Call family, friends, and neighbors to stay connected
• Listen with patience
• Be positive, caring, and compassionate
• Give an honest compliment
• Send a card, letter, email, or text to someone to brighten their day
• Pray for someone and let them know
These are unprecedented times. It is time for unprecedented kindness! To join the Chesed Committee, please contact Caryn Mittleman ([email protected] or 973-632-3107). You can volunteer as much or as little time as you can share. All you need is a kind heart and a caring hand.
Please reach out to me with any emergent needs or questions.
Caryn MittlemanChesed Committee Chair
Chesed Committee Is Here to Help Our TBS Community“The highest form of wisdom is kindness.” ~ The Talmud
If Livingston Public Schools are closed:• All on-site activities scheduled until 6:00 pm will not take place. This includes Preschool and Relgious
School.
Please check the Temple Beth Shalom website (www.tbsnj.org) or call the TBS office (973-992-3600) for a recorded message regarding the status of evening minyan, meetings, and programs scheduled to take place after 3:00 pm.
If Livingston Public Schools have a delayed opening:• On-site meetings and programs will be held unless cancelled by their respective organizer(s).
If Livingston Public Schools have an early dismissal or cancel afternoon programming:• All on-site evening meetings and activities are cancelled.
Morning and evening minyan will continue to be held via Zoom.
For up-to-date information, go to our website (www.tbsnj.org), visit the TBS Facebook page, or call the TBS office (973-992-3600) for a recorded message with detailed information.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY(Revised for COVID-19 restrictions)
• Let others know you are grateful for them
• Let your loved ones know that you love them
• Offer to go food shopping for someone
• Make kindness contagious
• SMILE through your mask; others will be able to see your eyes shine
• Be kind to yourself; it all starts here.
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