I remember that day well. My kids were small. We had a cute but tiny playground near our apartment. The see-saw was our favorite activity. And then suddenly one day it was gone. Gone. As in disappeared. No more. It just vanished. Fear of lawsuits I heard. Well I think see-saws are good. They taught us some of the most basic lessons of life from an early age. What goes up must come down. Be nice to everyone while you are up, because it is only a matter of time until you are down again! But don't dwell too much on your sadness when you are down, because eventually you will rise back up again! Your tush hurts? So does mine. Get over it! Alas those who were too young when the see-saws were removed to absorb all these lessons are now in our colleges and universities, being exposed to ideas and arguments that often challenge their assumptions and beliefs. Instead of allowing those with challenging, non-conformist ideas a platform for speaking and discussion, too often the response is to just shut down the dialogue. Where colleges were once expected to embrace the idea of critical thinking and debate, a new spirit of group think and conformity has emerged. And pro-Israel and Jewish students are in the center of the most swirling anti-Semitism of a generation. Professors attack them. Speakers are disinvited out of "security concerns." Those who are actually allowed to show up get shouted down and the event is then usually cancelled. I blame it all on the see-saws. Or rather, more on their profound absence and the lessons they could teach us. We are coming into the month of Av, the month marked by sadness over the three weeks of slaughter in the streets leading to the destruction and burning of our Holy Temple on the 9th of Av. The first week of Av is marked by deep sadness, leading to Tisha B'Av, marked by acute sadness. And in the second revolt against Rome, the city of Betar fell in 136 CE, and 580,000 fellow Jews were massacred on that day. The Crusader massacres of the Jewish communities of the Rhine began in 1096 CE on Tisha B'Av. The expulsions from Spain and later from Gaza were also on Tisha B'Av, as was the start of WW1, which led to the tragedy of the Holocaust, where one third of our people were wiped out. But then in our calendar, less than a week later, we celebrate Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av, where Jewish singles came together to find love and build together their figurative home in Israel, a bayit ne'eman b'Yisrael. This spirit of rebuilding is our secret to survival, because just as the moon wanes but then waxes, and as the see-saw dips but then rises, so too do the fortunes of our people! The tears and sadness of the Holocaust a few short years later gave rise to the joy of our reborn state of Israel and of our return to the land of our ancestors. We bless Sandra as she departs from our midst and finds joy and happiness and fulfillment in Eretz Yisrael, in Yerushalayim, its eternal capital!
In my first Newsletter bulletin message, I want to start by saying a sincere and heart-felt Thank You to Sandra Alfonsi for having led this shul for the past four years. Under your leadership, we have watched Temple Israel grow and become a real home for Jewish residents and visitors to Monroe County. It is with mixed feelings that we say Good-bye and Yi-Yashar Kochachech (Thank you to Rabbi Melman for the correct feminine gram-mar!) As Sandra exits Stroudsburg for a new stage of her life in Israel, she should be assured that our doors will always welcome her home as we will look forward to future visits and updates. Mazel Tov to Sandra and her Administrative Board on a job well done. Thank you to all the Executive Board, Trustees and Committee members. For those remaining in their positions, thank you for your commitment and I look forward to working together with you. For those leaving those positions, I thank you for your service and hope that you will continue to serve the Temple in some capacity, in any way.
Now – to the business at hand. Transition of leadership always has some bumps and we will get through them with patience, professionalism and understanding. Together with the Executive team of Barry Tremper (VP), Sam Newman (2nd VP), Tom Wolf (Treasurer), Herb Rosen (Asst. Treasurer), Barbara Rosenberg (Secretary) and Previous President Suzanne Tremper, along with all the Trustees and Committee members, we will work diligently with the sole mission to make Temple Israel a meaningful and welcoming center for the Jewish community. In particular, I want to make outreach to young families and new residents a priority. Without bringing in younger and new members, there is no future or regeneration. What makes the building beautiful is not just new floors, a welcoming lobby and new carpeting, but the people, especially the young ones, who enter through those front doors.
I’ve raised four sons in this shul and my best memories were the times when shul was hustling and bustling with Hebrew School students, whether during the week or during holidays. I made lifetime friends that stem from those days, whether they live now in Stroudsburg or in Chile. Our children remain connected because of those shared Jewish experiences. Those seeds were planted early on at Temple Israel and nurtured over the past thirty years. Take an active part in making this happen. Come to services. Celebrate holidays. Meet new friends. Reach out to Jews in the community that have separated from their Judaism. Return to Temple Israel and join us again. Participate. Bring new and creative ideas for programs. Your opinion and concerns matter.
My dearest Aunt Bertha, z”l, once told me about the “pintele yid” - that little tiny spark that resides within the heart of every Jew. It’s there, just waiting to be ignited. That is our mission, our obligation. Who’s in?
Call me. Let's talk.
Merle
Page 4 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
July Yahrzeit List
July 1 Tammuz 18 Nathan Ptashkin Ben Rosenblum
July 2 Tammuz 19 Bessie Greenberg
July 3 Tammuz 20 Anna Katz Abe Rosenston Michael Schecter
July 5 Tammuz 22 Joseph Blassberg Jack Brody Leo Goldberg
July 7 Tammuz 24 Bessie Pollack
July 8 Tammuz 25 Elaine Alt Harry Edelstein Elizabeth Malbin
July 10 Tammuz 27 Dora Hertz Israel Melman Irving Parnes Irene Rothstein
July 11 Tammuz 28 Yetta Elisweig Chana Porcelan Larry Schneider
July 12 Tammuz 29 Samuel Barton
July 13 Av 01 Ida Binder Manus Rabinowitz
July 14 Av 02 Ann Odzer Weisbrot
July 15 Av 03 Raphel Max Reader Rebecca Sommer
July 16 Av 04 Clementine Abeloff Dorothy Helman Abraham Klein
July 17 Av 05 Mary Goldstein Robert Levokove Freida Solomon Louis Zubow
July 19 Av 07 Rubin Binder Frida Grosser
July 21 Av 09 Lester Abeloff Samuel Rubin
July 22 Av 10 Rebecca Soler
July 24 Av 12 Louis Silverman Frederick Starr Rose Wilkins
July 25 Av 13 Louis Cohen Dr. Seymour Pollan
July 26 Av 14 Edwin Krawitz
July 28 Av 16 Mary Trofimov
July 30 Av 18 Charles Schaffer Herman Schwartz
July 31 Av 19 Rita E. Katz
Page 5 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
August Yahrzeit List
August 15 Elul 04 Edward Rosenzweig Sally Steinberg
August 16 Elul 05 William Friedman Isaac Kassel
August 17 Elul 06 Meyer Boyers Rose Fuchs Max Goldman
August 18 Elul 07 Fritz Breslauer Arleen Jolley Barbara Krawitz
August 19 Elul 08 George M Cohen Dorothy Horowitz
August 20 Elul 09 Mindy Solomon Daniel Zadoff
August 21 Elul 10 Roberta Bernbaum Ber-ton Burros
August 22 Elul 11 Beverly Armel Maxwell H. Cohen
August 23 Elul 12 Sadie Rosenthal
August 24 Elul 13 Soy Kleinfeld
August 25 Elul 14 Sadie Katz Harry Koshar Harold Laffer
August 26 Elul 15 Seymour Katz
August 27 Elul 16 Harry Sherman
August 29 Elul 18 Samuel Zager
August 30 Elul 19 Isabel Levy
August 31 Elul 20 Jack Glucroft Minnie Westheimer Ruth Zacher
August 1 Av 20 Sadie Effross Norman Krolick Abram Richmond
August 2 Av 21 Jennie Goldman
August 3 Av 22 Leonard Grey
August 4 Av 23 Lester Brown Jennie Cohen Annie Sperling
August 5 Av 24 Phillip Costanza Leon J. Koster
August 6 Av 25 Phyllis Abramson Harry Heller Jerome Karver Alvin Mandel
August 7 Av 26 Leonard H. Berman Ruth Gittleman Harry Sagofsky
August 8 Av 27 Norman L. Garber Kurt Wimer
August 9 Av 28 Harry Bogatz Neal Goodman Simon Hoffman
August 19 Av 29 Norman Rosenthal
August 11 Av 30 Ethel Berkman Arnold Levine
August 12 Elul 01 Sylvia Blassberg Isadore Rakowitz
August 14 Elul 03 Edith Cabelly Joshua Costanza
Page 6 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
Thank you to the following for their generous donations:
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Anonymous Diane Suba
Yahrzeit Donations
Art Glantz in memory of family members Sam Newman in memory of his beloved mother, Ida Newman
Camille Breslauer in memory of her beloved husband, Tom Breslauer Howard Farber in memory of Joseph Farber
Leigh Stelzer in memory of Elsie Stelzer Eileen Karpe in memory of her beloved husband, Irving
Ronald and Susan Vogel in memory of Ruth Vogel
General Donations
Sam and Maryjane Newman
Sponsored Kiddush Luncheons
Sam Newman in memory of his beloved mother, Ida Newman Linda Feliciano in honor of her family
Rabbi Melman in memory of his beloved mother, Esther Melman
Yizkor Donations
Art Glantz
Page 7 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
If you are celebrating a milestone year, whether it be birthday or anniversary, please let me know so others may celebrate with you. Contact: Lucinda at the Temple Office (570) 421-8781
July Anniversaries
July 12 Michael and Olivia Newman
July 26 Benjamin and Donna Schecter
July Birthdays
July 01 Shawna Blake
July 02 Marcie Rabinowitz Marilyn Hertz
July 13 Donna Waite Russell Bear
July 14 Selena Mills Sandy Magnes
July 15 Analise Arvelo
July 18 June Farber Mary Jane Newman Esther Graves Suzanne Tremper
July 19 Barth Rubin
July 23 Amy Moulton
July 27 Maura Bear
July 29 Steven Krawitz
July 30 Danny Cahn Illise Arvelo Chad Tall
July 31 Robert Porcelan Myra Trumpaitzky
Page 8 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
WE ALL HAVE SIMCHAS AND NACHES IN OUR LIFE CELEBRATE AND COMMEMORATE WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING...
SEND WARM THOUGHTS Give the Temple Office a call or send an e-mail to [email protected] and let someone know
you’re thinking of them. For a small contribution to the Hessed Fund, we will send a card wishing a Happy Birthday, Congratulations, Mazel Tov, Get Well or Condolences. A notice will
appear in this bulletin, as well. When you call, please leave all the information needed.
TREE OF LIFE AND MEMORIALS Add a leaf to the Tree of Life to celebrate births, birthdays, marriages, bar and bat mitzvahs, or
any other special event for a minimum contribution of $150. Remember loved ones with a Memorial Plaque at a minimum contribution of $600 for members, $850 for non-members.
Contact the Temple Office at 570-421-8781.
ENDOWMENT FUND It’s always a great time to make a contribution. Make your check out to “Temple Israel.”
Another thought to consider, remember Temple Israel in your will. Call the Temple office at 570-421-8781 or [email protected]
Honor or Remember Someone Special with a Bookplate
A bookplate can be placed in a Siddur, the weekly prayer book we use every Friday evening and Shabbat morning, or in a machzor, the prayer book which is used on the High Holidays. Remember a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, bnei mitzvah or any other occasion you want to note for a relative or friend. You can also place a dedication in someone’s memory. A nameplate with the donor, recipient, and occasion will be inserted. The minimum donation is $50.
Contact the Temple Office (570) 421-8781.
Do you need a Mi Sheberach Recited?
When you can’t make services, but would like a prayer said on behalf of someone important to you, please don’t hesitate to call the synagogue and leave a message
on the Temple answering machine for Rabbi Melman so that your prayers will be included in our services.
Page 9 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
Shabbat Oneg and Kiddush Luncheons
Some good reasons to sponsor a Kiddush luncheon or Oneg Shabbat:
It’s your birthday, or your friend’s or your mom’s etc. It’s a special anniversary — of a bar or bat mitzvah or wedding In memory of a loved one To celebrate special event Because you are a nice person who likes to support your favorite neighborhood shul
Friday Night Oneg $75.00:
Package would include a sweet assortment of Pareve desserts, fresh fruit salad along with beverages
Sponsored Kiddush Luncheon: Regular Kiddush: Challah, Bagels with cream cheese, plus 4 cold salads (e.g., egg salad, tuna, salad, fresh green salad, bean salad, fruit salad, pasta salad, macaroni salad, mozzarella ball salad, cucumber and tomatoes salad, herring, kugel), assortments of dairy desserts, beverages. $125.00 Deluxe Kiddush: the basic Kiddush along with Lox, white fish salad $150.00 You can sponsor alone, or can co-sponsor with other people! Please contact the Temple Office at 570-421-8781 or email [email protected] We need 2 weeks prior to the date you would like to sponsor the Kiddush or Oneg. Requests for special menu items must be discussed at time of booking and may include extra charges (i.e. delicatessen, hot food, special desserts)
Page 10 TEMPLE ISRAEL OF THE POCONOS Edition 645
FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE…..
we offer you a challenge!
We need everyone to help with this. Surely you know individuals and families who have no affiliation with a Synagogue.
Encourage them to become members of our Temple Israel Family!
If every family brings in one individual or family,
think of the possibilities!
At Temple events, be they regular Shabbat Services or a social occasion, introduce yourself to anyone you don’t recognize. You’ll make new friends
and assist us in enlarging our family.
YOU CAN BE PART OF OUR SUCCESS!!
For information please contact:
Temple Israel 421-8781
Please leave a phone number so that we may return your call.
PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF YOUR NEWSLETTER:
AUGUST NEWSLETTER: JUNE 22
Temple Israel of the Poconos is located at 711 Wallace Street in Stroudsburg. Friday evening services begin at 8:00 p.m. and
Saturday Shabbat Services begin at 9:30 a.m. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Temple Israel Newsletter, Edition 645, July 2018 published monthly at Temple Israel of the Poconos, 711 Wallace Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360. (570) 421-8781/[email protected]. For information concerning this publication contact Barbara Rosenberg, Editor, (570) 236-7544/[email protected]. Now on the web at: www.templeisraelofthepoconos.org
