Mar 4, 2017 - This year we will be hosting the breakfast ourselves. .... Social Action, Adult Education, Israel Action &
SEPTEMBER 2011 MARCH 2017 AV / ELUL ADAR / NISAN 5777 44 West 66th Street / New York, NY 10023 ph 212-787-5347 / fax 212-595-3542
103 West End Ave / New York, NY 10023 ph 212-787-5347 /www.habonim.net fax 212-595-3542 www.habonim.net BUILDING A JEWISH COMMUNITY TOGETHER
BY WAY OF A NOTE TO VASHTI
CALENDAR Win-Win: Be Better, Be Happier
Dear Vashti, UPCOMING EVENTS
You may have never known this but I have always had a special fondness for you. Yea, I youpmhave been misviewed in the Wednesday, October know 12, 6.30 Services followed by Adult Dinner in theyou Sukkah traditional sources; have gotten a bum rap from our sages who connected you to Habonim Goes toNebuchadnezzar, Philadelphia! he who destroyed the First National Museum of American Jewish History Temple. But if you ask me, I’ve always found you to be honest, Sunday, September 18 point. upfront, direct and to the
KABBALAT SHABBAT bySERVICES Rabbi Joshua Katzan Friday, March 3, 6:00 pm
SHABBAT SERVICES Once again, they’re coming. Rosh TORAH FOR TOTS Hashanah/Yom Kippur, the “High Holidays” Every Saturday,tend 11:00 ama loaded experience. For some, it to be is a KATAN joyous time CONGREGATION & to celebrate with family and community. For others it is a conflicted time JUNIOR CONGREGATION Saturday, Marchas4,this 10:45 amwe once again ask ourselves is when the “big questions” BEIT MIDRASH ON SHABBATof life. The High Holidays are a period where we do well to focus on the Still time to register with Adina Rifkin March 11 – Dr. Mirele B. Goldsmith, Unlike Esther 5347 who hides her origins, passes for one of the locals, and Tel: 212-787 ext 100 question Psychologist/Educator/Activist of what it means to become a better Environmental only when pushed to the wall by Mordecai, steps up to take a place in March 18 – Rabbi
[email protected] Mark Somerstein person. the history of Jewish heroes. You, on the other hand, did not have it God and Gold: Reflections on Ki Tissa TheKenter ten days of Repentance between Rosh easy. There you Park were with a boorish, self-aggrandizing lush of a March 25 – Rabbi Kiddush in the Hashanah YomSeder Kippur, the Yamim Saturday, September 24, following husband, Ahashverosh. True, while heservices was throwing a major bash for Discussion of the and Pesach Nora’im, traditional period where we act on our self-assessments and all of the people of his multiple kingdoms, making sure they were well- is the SUNDAY MORNING MINYAN Congregation Falladequate Gala liquid refreshments, try you, to repairMarch the damage we’veMegillah caused to other people. We confess and fed and supplied Habonim with more than 12 (with Reading) 9:00 am (Pls note Celebrating Children's take responsibility for what we’ve done directly to the person we’ve wronged, too, were throwing quite aEducation little feast.at Habonim start time) Thursday, November 17, 2011 give back what we’ve March 26,taken, 9:30try amto change the disposition within ourselves And then, 6:30 - 9:00comes PM your moment. Summoned into the king’s presence, that may have led to our wrongful actions in the first place, and overall try to commanded to appearPlease wearingContact your golden crown (and apparently MONDAY EVENING MINYAN For More Information make amends. It’s a nice thing to focus on once a year: becoming a better March 6, 13, 20 & 27, 7:15 pm nothing else),atyou said, “No!” Flabbergasted, the king seeks person adviceby fixing Jonill Mayer 212.244.4880 our mistakes. or
[email protected] from the courtiers who see this as a major threat to the theory that MUSINGS WITH THE RABBI we benefit greatly10:00 from taking says roosters rule the roost, and ask what will happen to family However, values whereas Ongoing, Tuesdays, am responsibility and trying to SAVE THE DATE fix what we’ve broken, this is a reactive or “after the fact” response to our when other women hear of the Queen’s behavior. You are banished SISTERHOOD BOOK CLUB th April 27 -29, 2012 mistakes. It is what the rabbinic literature calls b’dei avad, or an ex posteriori and disappear from history until the 20 century when you are revived A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz First Ever Habonim Shabbaton Retreat! response to our bad behavior. in “Vashti’s Banquet” and reappraisals of the role of women in society. Tuesday, March 14, 7:00 pm at Habonim
Erev Sukkoth
Go know.
A different question we should ask ourselves at this time is: how can we QUEENS
crafting ourselves into becoming a better person along I have SISTERHOOD admired you from HAPPENINGS afar because you, perhaps moreproactively than strategize ADULT EDUCATION the way the fact,” miMarch lechat’chilah, anyone else, had an understanding of what makes for culture: the “before Wednesday, 8, 8:15before pm making mistakes? Fixing Membership Networking Pizza ourRieff mistakes after the fact is necessary, but not sufficient to living a life well ability to say, “No!” Lately, I have foundParty the teachings of Philip SHABBAT SERVICE Monday, 19, 7:00 Habonim do weMarch build ourselves remind meSeptember of you. According topm oneatreviewer [Scott McLemeelived. in the HowFriday, 17, 8:15 into pm being that “better person” we ($9.00 for non-members) generally Boston Globe, July 16, 2006], in his Sacred Order/Social Order, Rieff hope ourselves to become? PURIM “suggests that the Club sacred–order our basic intuition that some Big values October Book dateispending question,MA’ARIV and here’sSERVICE one response for the coming READING year 5772: To(for craftall) a & MEGILLAH are higher thanWall others and that there are forms of behavior that mustlife is to have a conscious approach to living. One method The Invisible by -Harry Bernstein good of Saturday, March 11, 6:30 pm be forbidden, at the cost of losing whatever makes human building beings ourselves into better people where everyone wins is to Be Happy. SUNDAY, March 12 more noble than Sisterhood inanimals. the Sukkah 9:00 am like MORNING MINYAN INCLUDING It may sound and feel an underwhelming insight. Of course happiness is Sunday, “The October 16 at of 11:30 am order are harsh. One of Rieff's demands the sacred MEGILLAH READING good! But on a moment’s reflection, we may be surprised at how little we Speaker from the West Side Campaign Against essential concepts for understanding culture is what he calls 11:00 am –working 12:00onnoon PURIM PROGRAM FOR NS Hunger think about intentionally our happiness in productive ways. its “interdicts," commandments. Rieff carefully avoided & RS FAMILIES Small charge for a light or brunch The radio talk show and commentator Dennis Prager wrote an saying just who or what gives those commandments, 2:00 pmpersonality PURIM CARNIVAL interesting book that is worth a read, Happiness is a Serious Problem. referring only to the “god terms" in any given culture the Speaker-Nutritionist/Member Reyna UPCOMING EVENT Although it is not supported as much studies, data,COMMUNITY and statistics (frankly, highest concepts for understanding the universe and our Franco ANNUAL HABONIM by 2nd NIGHT the book’s biggest weakness), his common sense proposals and in it. But need not be explicitly religious in SEDER Tuesday,place November 8 at these 7:30 pm at Habonim conclusions are worthApril thinking aboutpm and acting upon. One of his content. In short, every society is going to say ``Thou shalt Tuesday, 11, 7:15 conclusions: Being happy is a moral obligation. not..." on some very basic points - with particular emphasis SEPTEMBER (continued on p 4) on both 2011 sexuality and aggressive behavior, since these tend to induce chaos. Culture is, in essence, “a pattern of moral (Continued on p. 4)
MARCH 2017
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CONGREGATION HABONIM
MAZAL TOV
email:
[email protected] / www.habonim.net Rabbi Barry Kenter * Cantor Bruce Halev * Richard Kargauer *
ext 109 ext 107 ext 101
Rina Cohen Schwarz
ext 105
Tina Lobel
ext 108
Ann Obsatz
ext 123
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR NURSERY SCHOOL DIRECTOR
ASSOCIATE NURSERY SCHOOL DIR
OFFICE STAFF Kenny Altman Louise Rode Roy Ramsey Adina Rifkin
To Jessica & Matthew Chervin on the birth of their daughter Hannah Rose, sister to Jacob.
ext 103 ext 102 ext 106 ext 100
MAINTENANCE STAFF Matvey Khazanov ext 122 Jesus Gutierrez ext 122
PRESIDENT
David Feuerstein VICE PRESIDENT
Michael Harwayne VICE PRESIDENT
Richard Verner
VICE PRESIDENT
Stephen Berman TREASURER
Susan Grant SECRETARY
PAST PRESIDENTS Elaine Witkoff * Saul Sanders * Leo Asen John Keller * Carol Kahn Strauss Ralph Stein, MD z”l * indicates ex officio board member
To Paul, Janet & Brian Cord on the passing of Paul’s father, H. Stanley Cord.
TRUSTEES Jonathan Chariton Nita Gottesman Wendy Halperin Amy Kargauer Debra Karlstein Jennifer Kenter Maya Levy-Merdinger Marc Mehl Paul Millman Jeffrey Moelis Abigail Schlaff Howard Stoffer Joanne Tuckman Elisa Winokur
To Renate Elias and family on the passing of Stafford Nissim Elias.
TEMPLE SERVICES
HONORARY TRUSTEES Arthur Falkenstein z”l Herman Lichtenberg z”l Peter Mayer z”l Marga Walter z”l
Nita Gottesman EDITOR
DEPARTMENTS & THEIR EXTENSIONS Adult Education 100 Membership Bookkeeping 102 Nursery School/Admissions Bulletin 100 Religious School/Youth Cemetery 100 & Family Programming Kiddush Sponsorship 100 Service Times & Location Life Cycle Events 100 Space Rental Maintenance 122
CONDOLENCES To Maureen Lande and family on the passing of Maureen’s mother, Irene Mielko.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS Neil Goldstein
To Karen and Jason Horowitz on the birth of their son Noah Spencer , brother to Michaela.
100 106 105 100 100
CONGREGATION HABONIM is a member of
Yahrzeit / Memorial Plaques Plaques are displayed outside the Sanctuary Tree of Life Leaves Commemorate special occasions or honor someone special with a leaf displayed on our entrance wall Prayer Books Book plate dedications for all occasions Facilities Rental Available for private parties Kiddush Sponsorships Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat Cemetery Plots Plots are available at Cedar Park Cemetery Paramus, NJ in the Habonim section For more information contact Adina Rifkin at
[email protected] or call 212-787-5347 Ext.100
Please send all donations and/or payments to: CONGREGATION HABONIM C/O KESEF ACCOUNTING SERVICES P.O. BOX 159 MONTVALE, NJ 07645-0159 It would be most appreciated and helpful.
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Please inform the Habonim office of all Life Cycle events in your family: births, deaths, anniversaries, awards, promotions and any other joyous occasion. Contact Adina Rifkin at ext 100 or
[email protected] MARCH 2017
The deadline for the April bulletin is March 16th. Please email articles, photos and ads to
[email protected]
2
Dear Fellow Members of Congregation Habonim, As Spring approaches, the holidays of Purim, followed shortly thereafter by Passover, are soon to be celebrated. In addition to the excitement of the holidays, I sense an increased air of excitement in our community - one that reflects in events happening in our building itself. In recent days and evenings we have experienced: the joys of family services with parents and children celebrating together to welcome Shabbat; a Sunday morning teaching and prayer session, in which Rabbi Kenter taught our children (and in some cases their parents) how to don tefillin and then led us in prayer; our children engaging in a Mega Challah Baking Event; a movie series featuring Jewish themed films; and, most recently, the Annual Nursery School Fundraiser which, despite a major snowstorm, was exceedingly well attended and a lot of fun. Congregation Habonim is increasingly taking a leadership role in the Jewish community. Last year we were one of several West Side Synagogues that participated in an Israel Bond Breakfast. This year we will be hosting the breakfast ourselves. Along with other synagogues, we are participating in a number of events reflecting our growing role in the larger Jewish community. Your Board of Trustees has increasingly focused on policies that reflect the community we are becoming. Recognizing that tzedukah is a core Jewish value, we have formed a Tzedukah Committee, co-Chaired by David Feuerstein and Paul Millman, which is developing guidelines for communal expressions of tzedukah and finding ways to integrate this into the curricula of our Religious School and Nursery School. Recognizing the mitzvah of appropriately treating the stranger, a precept repeatedly emphasized in our Torah, we have established a Building Bridges Committee under the coleadership of Jennifer Kenter and David Feuerstein, intended to (as its name implies) build a broader sense of connection with others in the outside community. Out of that initiative there is, as many of you noted, a new section in our website identifying events of Jewish interest, so that those of the Habonim community who wish to, can participate. Since in this day and age we need to be more structured in our marketing, we formed a new committee co-chaired by Debra Karlstein and Jean Hellering. The committee’s first innovation will introduce Habonim to the families of six area public schools. Over the next months, we will be arranging learning opportunities concerning the mitzvot of attending a shiva minyan to comfort the mourners and visiting the sick to comfort those who are ill. Check our website for updates so
MARCH 2017
that you can join us in learning the appropriate way to fulfill these great mitzvot. One of the biggest concerns that many congregants have and have expressed has to do with our building and when we would be “returning home.” Happily (as some of you have observed) construction has begun at the old Habonim site. We hope and expect to be able to give you more specific updates later in the Spring but, for the time being, we are all encouraged. Over the last year or so, many of you have asked how you can help Habonim. I am reminded of the old adage that the best way to help a nonprofit is by providing one or more of the three “W’s” - wisdom, wealth and work. If you have ideas that you think would be beneficial, please let us know. We can’t implement all of them either through lack of resources or the need to establish priorities, but a number of the things in which we are now engaged evolved out of the ideas and shared wisdom of our members. We can always use more money, the “wealth” component. While many have been very generous to Habonim, as the old adage says you can never be too healthy, too thin or too wealthy. While I am sure that is a slight exaggeration, the reality is that as we start spending money to move back into what will be our permanent home, we will have less money earning interest and the expense of construction and moving will be significant. As previously explained, our current cash reserves should not be viewed as “free wealth,” but rather as earmarked funds for the necessary construction that will enable us to move back. We need your financial support to continue to provide the level of programming (and hopefully expand) we currently enjoy. The third “W” is work. We could always use more help. Some have asked, “How do I get more involved?” and the answer is simple, “Volunteer.” Please let us know through communications with the office, the areas in which you can be of help or in which you would like to participate. Some have expressed a desire to help but an inability to commit to major blocks of time, but nevertheless, a willingness and ability to commit to smaller projects. Please let us know so that we can engage you in a mutually beneficial way. Finally, come to services. We have expanded the opportunities from what had been our Friday night services and Shabbat morning services to now including twice a month Sunday morning minyan and Monday evening minyan. As a member of our community your attendance will be welcome. It will be helpful to those who need a minyan to say Kaddish. And, most importantly, you will probably find it enjoyable to be together with other members of our wonderful congregation. Thank you. Sincerely, Neil Goldstein, President
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BY WAY OF A NOTE TO VASHTI (continued from p.1) demands," as Rieff put it, ``in the face of infinite possibilities." As pointed out by McLemee, “Much of what the historian and social critic Christopher Lasch later wrote about the American ‘culture of narcissism’ was anticipated by Rieff during the 1950s, in the final pages of his book on Freud: ‘A culture in which everything can be said and shown," he wrote in 1968, ‘will produce, as night follows day, a society in which everything, no matter how terrible, can be done.’" Ah, dear Vashti, imagine what it might have been like to read the book of Vashti. Quite a different read. And no hamentaschen. So, how about if we simply recall your courage along side that of Esther? In the meantime, I think I’ll grab another hamentasch. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Barry Kenter
Haman Begging Esther for Mercy Rembrandt 1655
NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEEKS YOUR INPUT SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING Fridays March 3 5:32 pm March 10 5:40 pm March 17 6:47 pm March 24 6:55 pm March 31 7:02 pm
The Nominating Committee needs new board members! You are invited to submit your name, or the name of someone you think would benefit Habonim, by March 15th to any member of the committee. This is your opportunity to offer suggestions! Abigail Schlaff, Chair Mindy Abramson Susan Grant, Immediate Past Chair Richard Verner Deborah Winokur
Volunteer Opportunities at Habonim Volunteering at Habonim is a wonderful way to meet people and to feel good about being part of our community. Some of our many volunteer opportunities include: • Ritual - reading Torah, Haftarah, serving on the Ritual Committee. • Community Outreach - calling or visiting members who are ill or homebound, hosting members for Shabbat dinner, ushering/greeting at Shabbat services and other events. • Membership - event planning, fundraising, serving on the Membership Committee. • Communications & Marketing - help shape our newest committee just forming. • Administrative/Office - assist with mailings. • Social Action, Adult Education, Israel Action & Affairs, Religious School or Nursery School events, Sisterhood, and more. Contact Richard Kargauer at
[email protected], 212-787-5347 x101.
MARCH 2017
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FROM THE BOARD The Board has met twice so far this year and has discussed matters including: 1. Nursery School. NS Director Tina Lobel advised that there are already over 50 applications for next year, and more current students than in prior years are staying on. The Early Explorers program, led by NS Assistant Director Ann Obsatz, has expanded from four to ten children, and one new child has joined our Pre-K, bringing the total to sixteen. The NS chose the Clara Zeitlin Fund as the designated beneficiary of its February 9th fundraiser so there would be additional money for scholarships. The Board members decided to combine as a Platinum Sponsor of the event. Ms. Lobel asked the Board to spread the word that even the smallest donation will help grow both the NS and Habonim. The NS is working with the Religious School to strengthen the connection of the NS families to the RS and the synagogue as a whole, aided by the efforts of RS Director Rina Cohen Schwarz. As an example, the Community Havdalah services have enabled NS and RS families to meet and make connections. Board members suggested that the NS provide more information to the larger Habonim community, such as through the weekly emails. We also need to continue to find more ways to facilitate deeper connections between NS children and their families, and the greater synagogue community. 2.
Rabbinic Search Committee. It was reported that the Committee has received nearly 20 resumes and has been conducting interviews, primarily via Skype, with a number of candidates.
3.
Finances. The Board discussed the synagogue’s financial status, and authorized one or more capped transfers from the income generated by investment of the proceeds of the sale of the Congregation's former building, as the Executive Committee determines from time to time is necessary to make up for short falls in the Congregation's operating budget for the current fiscal year. This amount is only a portion of the income generated from the sale proceeds, and no principal will be touched. The Executive Director reported that he intends to make such a transfer in mid-February and will report promptly to the Board any time he does so in the future. Alison Fried was approved as Co-Chair, with Treasurer Stephen Berman, of the Finance Committee. In addition to other work, the Committee will begin to construct a strategic, long-term budget with a view to the return to 66th Street. The Board has begun to reexamine the synagogue’s dues structure.
4.
Security. The Board discussed current security protocols and recent local guidance.
5.
Building Bridges Committee. The Co-Chairs, Jennifer Kenter and David Feuerstein, of this new Committee MARCH 2017
reported that the Committee is working on programming to help the community address some of the issues raised as a result of the recent presidential election and its aftereffects. The Board established a policy in which Habonim would inform members of Jewish-related activities in the area, such as the January Women’s March. 6.
Israel Committee. Chair Howard Stoffer informed the Board that the UJA will hold an Israel Bond event at Habonim this year, on Sunday, May 21st. We will send invitations to our members.
7.
Nominating Committee. In accordance with the amended By-Laws, at the request of Nominating Committee Chair Abigail Schlaff, the Board approved her two selections for the Committee, Deborah Winokur and Mindy Abramson, both parents of school-age children. They join Richard Verner and Susan Grant, Immediate Past Chair, to constitute the full Committee. Ms. Schlaff encouraged suggestions for potential candidates for Board seats and noted that the entire membership will be asked the same via notices in the Bulletin and the weekly emails.
8.
Marketing/Membership/Communications Committee. The Board approved the President’s selection of Debra Karlstein and Jean Hellering as Co-Chairs of this new Committee. The Board discussed past marketing and communications efforts at Habonim, which included the use of both internal (members) and outside professionals. It was agreed that the Committee would: (i) look for members who have relevant expertise, (ii) reach out to several external professionals, and (iii) not spend any money until it is approved by the Board. The Board also discussed improving all aspects of communications with members, including the Bulletin.
9.
Tzedakah Committee. Paul Millman, as Chair of this new Committee, explained that its purpose is to make contributions to outside charitable organizations. He proposed that Habonim set up a fund that would match member donations, up to $10,000 per year; these donations would go to three to five fully vetted organizations (which could be both Jewish and those that support Jewish values) selected by the Nursery School and Religious School. The matching funds would come from the income generated by investment of the proceeds of the sale of the Congregation's former building. The Board approved this proposal.
10.
USCJ* Proposed Amendment to its Standards for Congregational Practice. The Governance Committee Chair, Susan Grant, discussed the recent proposed resolution to amend the USCJ’s Standards for Congregational Practice to enable member congregations to determine whether and, if so, how to act in regard to non-Jews who are a part of a synagogue's community (generally those married to a Jewish spouse and those in the various stages of exploring Judaism), all within the current parameters of Halacha. The USCJ, while leaving the response up to !5
B’NEI MITZVAH
ASHER ZEMMEL MARCH 4, 2017 PARSHA TERUMAH
Asher Zemmel attends Fieldston School and is in the 7th grade. He loves fencing, traveling, reading, skiing and baking. He is an avid fund raiser and you may well have encountered him on Columbus Avenue selling various treats he has made for many good causes. During the summer he attends Raquette Lake Camp in the Adirondacks. His Bar Mitzvah is on March 4, 2017. His Torah portion is Terumah, which describes the building of the Tabernacle for the Ark when the Israelites were in the Sinai desert. He is looking forward to celebrating his Bar Mitzvah along with his older brother Zachary and younger sister Dahlia. The service will take place in the auditorium at Ethical Culture, where Asher went to school prior to Fieldston.
PRESTON SICKLE MARCH 11, 2017 PARSHA TETZAVEH Preston Sickle is a 7th grader at Booker T. Washington Middle School (MS54). He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing flag football and attending Villanova basketball games. His parsha is Tetzaveh and his haftorah is a special one since his bar mitzvah is the Shabbat before Purim. For his mitzvah project, Preston is spending time with senior members of Habonim to bridge the generations in our congregation and learn about the history and family trees of our members. Preston has always enjoyed talking with adults and he brings joy and companionship to those he visits.
MATTHEW AARON COHEN DECEMBER 21, 2017 PARSHA VAYESHEV On December 21, 2016, under a bright Judean sun, Matthew Aaron Cohen had his Bar Mitzvah at Masada. The service was carried out after Matthew and his family ascended the Snake Path approach to the fortress. The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Jeffrey Bearman. In attendance were Matthew’s parents, Wendy and Eric, as well as sister Ariel. Matthew read Parsha Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1-11, as his Torah portion. The family visited numerous other sites in Israel in the following weeks, including the Western Wall, Safed and Tel Aviv.
PERMANENT RABBI SEARCH COMMITTEE The Rabbinic Search Committee is continuing to receive resumes from applicants (almost 20 received at the time of the bulletin deadline). The committee began the interview process by Skype in January and continues to interview candidates from around the country. While we continue to review new resumes as they come in, we have also begun meeting with a number of selected candidates in-person at Habonim. The committee will keep the congregation informed about the process. The search committee is also happy to announce that Michael Harwayne is now a cochair along with Janet Cord and Tony Robins. MARCH 2017
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Following months of planning and preparation on the part of the Parents Association, the Nursery School community enjoyed a wonderful night of fun and festivities as we gathered to celebrate together and honor the Nursery School teachers. We had a wonderful turnout of Nursery School parents and teachers, our clergy - Rabbi Kenter and Cantor Halev, Habonim Synagogue President - Neil Goldstein, Executive Director Richard Kargauer, Board members, and other members of the Habonim community. We are so grateful to the Synagogue Board Members for their support and generosity. We toasted the teachers, reflected on the many ways that they make the Nursery School a special place, enjoyed delicious light fare, chatted with friends, bid on great silent auction items, and raised additional funds to support the Nursery School’s Clara Zeitlin Fund. Special thanks to all of our parents who gave so generously of their time, in particular: Mindy Abramson and Amy Saks our PA Co-Chairs, Beth Bornstein for taking beautiful pictures, Rebecca Baron for her donation of flowers, our MC Russell Rivera, members of the Nursery School Committee, and all the class parents. Your combined efforts helped create the evening's success.
interview process, allowing them to experience, on a personal level, the warm and welcoming community here at Habonim! For our final event of this admissions season, we will be hosting an Open House for the parents of children accepted to our school for 2017/18. Many thanks to all our parents who have enriched this process with their involvement. We are delighted with the success of our Early Explorers Program for our youngest learners (18-24 months) and happy to report that we will be offering it again for the 2017/18 school year beginning in September. Please email Associate Director, Ann Obsatz, for more information at
[email protected]. February also marked the beginning of preparations for Purim! Get ready for groggers, noisemakers, lots of jesters, Queen Esthers and other festive costumes, culminating in the Family Reading of the Megillah and the Purim Carnival on March 12th. Please join with other families to celebrate our deliverance from the evil King Hamen by playing games, eating hamentaschen and rejoicing with our children and community.
February was also the month in which we completed all of our admissions visits. It was very helpful to prospective parents to have the opportunity to speak with current parents during the
Warmly, Tina Lobel Nursery School Director
HAVDALAH SERVICE
IR!
BOOK FAIR!
arch
Sunday, March
- 2
,
ooks for
12th, noon - 2 pm Please come and shop for books for all ages; help the NS Monday, BOOK FAIR! and RS classrooms fill their wish lists; support Habonim! March 13th, If you are able to volunteer any time at all, even an hour will 8:30 am h etbd! l p ! , o n e i t h e r d a y, p l e a s e c o n t a c t : Sunday, March 12th, noon-2 pm
[email protected] Monday, March 13th, 8:30am-tbd! Volunteers needed to help set up, from 10:30 am on Sunday, all ages; help and to handle sales. Please come and shop for books for all ages; help
ll their wish lists; sup-
MARCH 2017 any time at all, on
the NS and RS classrooms fill their wish lists; support Habonim! If you are able to volunteer any time at all, on
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BOARD REPORT (continued from p.5) 1.
2.
each synagogue, is seeking to motivate synagogues to appreciate and value non-Jews who participate in synagogue life and to encourage that participation. Further guidance on how to consider next steps will be provided by the USCJ if the resolution passes. The Board decided to vote in favor of the resolution. Events. RS Committee Chair Wendy Halperin urged everyone to attend Community-wide Havdalah. Susan Grant announced that cable channel NY1 is scheduled to do a piece on our three 100-year old ladies (Eva Bergmann, Lilo
Grant and Irma Levy). The plan would have them attend a NS Rock Shabbat and participate in the singing, candle lighting, and blessings with the children, clergy and staff. 3.
Shiva Community. Susan Grant has begun assembling a group of dedicated members who will pay shiva calls at the homes of members, both to be of support and to ensure that there is a minyan. She was encouraged to publicize this effort in the wider Habonim community.
* United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism Respectfully submitted by Susan Grant, Secretary
WORLDWIDE WRAP LEARNING TO WRAP TEFILLIN
MOVIE NIGHT AT HABONIM
NURSERY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
MARCH 2017
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“Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha” When the month of Adar arrives we should increase our joy! That is the very spirit pervading the Religious School of Congregation Habonim through the hallways, into the classrooms, and right into the souls of our students!
artwork depicting the scenes from each chapter to help folks visualize the action of the heroic story of Purim.
The month of Adar brings in the holiday of Purim, and wow, are we going to have fun with that! From the class lessons and activities to Community Tefillah to our Shabbat morning youth services, there are surely going to be many reasons to smile. The joy that Adar brings will be infused throughout the youth activities at Habonim.
Check out the calendar for all of the upcoming events, but here are a few highlights: Saturday, March 4 Shabbat Youth Services for all children Sunday, March 12 Purim Carnival, 12:00-2:00pm Friday, March 17 USY dinner at Habonim for teens from the Conservative synagogues across Manhattan. Watch your email for sign-up information. Monday, March 27, 5:40-6:00pm Open Community Tefillah for Grades 3-5 and their parents Tuesday, March 28, 5:30-5:45pm Open Community Tefillah for Grades K-2 and their parents
We are delighted to partner with the Sisterhood in helping them assemble the yummy Mishloach Manot packages for members of our congregation. This is a great way to get our children involved in the effort to fulfill this mitzvah of “sending portions” to our community. New this year, our students will help with the Matanot L’evyonim (gifts for the poor) effort. Look for the special enclosure in your Mishloach Manot. Our students will be creating visual scenes from the chapters of Megillat Esther. These will make their debut at our Congregational Megillah reading on Saturday evening, March 11. We hope you will all join us as our children display their
I wish one and all a very Happy Adar, and I look forward to seeing your smiles, hearing your Purim jokes, and sharing some Hammentaschen! - Rina Cohen Schwarz, RS Director
Some scenes from the Mega Challah Bake
MARCH 2017
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“Why is this night different from all other nights?” The Women of Congregation Habonim Or Olam East 55th Street Synagogue Sutton Place Synagogue
invite you to take a spiritual journey celebrating women!
PASSOVER WOMEN’S SEDER & DINNER led by Rabbi Rachel Ain (Sutton Place Synagogue) and Cantor Shiree Kidron (Or Olam) accompanied by Cantor Barbara Haimowitz
TUESDAY, March 28, 2017 Doors open at 6:30 pm Seder begins promptly at 7:00 pm
SUTTON PLACE SYNAGOGUE 225 East 51st Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues) New York City
Advance paid reservations required & must be received no later than March 17. $45 per female guest ($50 for reservation received after March 21) Questions? Call Marian Saltzman 212-688-4763 or contact Evelyn Gomer
[email protected] or call 917-523-7352 Please complete and tear-off reservation form below, and mail with your check, payable to: Women’s League of Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022. PLEASE PRINT
! I (We) will attend the Women’s Seder on March 28. Enclosed is $_______ for ___ female guest(s). Name________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tel No. (day) (______) ____________________________________ Tel No. (evening) (______) ___________________________________ Email address___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Synagogue affiliation: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have a seating or dietary request, please include a separate paper or write on back of this form. Please include your guest(s) name(s). Your check is your reservation.
MARCH 2017
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SISTERHOOD WLCJ CONVENTION!!! July 23 - 26, 2017 Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA Register today for one of the most memorable experiences of your life! Celebrate 100 years of Women's League for Conservative Judaism! Meet up with old friends and find new ones who share your love of Judaism, commitment to community and concern for our world. Gain sisterhood skills or enhance your personal knowledge, or both. Registration and additional information is available at www.wlcj.org WLCJ Convention Every 3 years, Women's League for Conservative Judaism has a national convention. I had the privilege of attending my first one two years ago, in July of 2014 (now they’ve gone to every 3 years, used to be 2), with fellow Sisterhood Board member Elisa Milkes. There are workshops on everything from Jewish ritual to running successful Sisterhoods to fun projects we could have. There’s food; there are items for sale (I bought “Mensch on a Bench” for my grandchildren at the last one!) from toys to Israeli giftware & food, to tallitot and more! There are social events in the evening run by each region. It’s a blast! This year, Convention is in Arlington VA, just outside of D.C., an easy-to-get-to place for us east coast people! ALL Women’s league members are invited and encouraged to attend - if you are a member of the Sisterhood of Congregation Habonim, that means YOU! Information about registration is at wlcj.org, or contact
[email protected] for more information. Maybe we can set up a couple of rooms for Habonim women! - Amy Kargauer
Save the Dates:
Mathilde’s Mentionables Providing new and gently used undergarments for women in need
March 11/12 - Please try to arrange to pick up your Mishloach Manot bags, if you haven’t already received yours! A Sisterhood representative will be at Habonim during Purim services both days, as well as during the Carnival on Sunday afternoon! March 14 (Tuesday) - Book Group discussion of Amos Oz’s A Tale of Love and Darkness 7pm, at Habonim; all members and guests are welcome to attend! March 28th (Tuesday)- See flyer in shul or in this Bulletin and send in your reservations for the Annual InterSynagogue Women’s Seder! Celebrate the women behind the Passover story, through seder and song, with full dinner. No cooking or cleaning required!!!
A new special project of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Mathilde’s Mentionables will be an ongoing Women’s League chesed project, named in honor of our founder, Mathilde Schechter. Members and sisterhoods are invited to collect women’s undergarments for local facilities and shelters, or in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods. All types of new and nearly new (clean) bras are welcome, including sports, nursing and mastectomy bras. To initiate this project, we will be collecting new and gently worn bras to distribute to women in homeless and battered women’s shelters in the Seaboard Region at Convention 2017.
Sunday, April 23rd - Annual Manhattan Sisterhoods Torah Fund Event - a luncheon to honor women from each synagogue. Our honoree this year is Ruth Murphy, who does so much for Habonim! Come help us honor Ruth, at Sutton Place Synagogue. Sign-in begins at noon, luncheon at 12:30. Luncheon couvert is $40 and donation to Torah Fund is also required. Flyers will be available soon! METS tickets!!! Again this year, Sisterhood has purchased a small block of Mets tickets to be sold first-come, first-serve. Sunday, May 7th, 1:00 game, Mets vs Marlins. Tickets $30 each. Bring the family, come join us! Contact Elisa Milkes at
[email protected] to reserve your seats NOW! - Janet Cord & Amy Kargauer CoPresidents
MARCH 2017
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NURSERY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
MARCH 2017
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Sale of Chametz For Passover all chametz – food forbidden during Passover (which essentially includes any content of wheat, barley, oats, spelt and rye) should be removed, destroyed, or given away from one’s possession before the holiday begins. Should there be a great financial loss in disposing of your chametz, or your chametz must otherwise remain in your possession, it may be securely stored and sold to a non-Jew. If you are to sell your chametz, you may appoint me as your agent to properly sell it on your behalf. Please complete the form below and return to Habonim no later than noon on Friday, April 7, 2017. Forms may be returned in person, by mail, by scan/email to
[email protected] by or by fax 212-595-3542. Please be sure to sign and date the form. _________________________________________________ I, the undersigned, empower and permit Rabbi Barry Kenter to act in my behalf as agent to sell all remaining chametz possessed by me as defined by Torah and rabbinic law, and to lease all places wherein said chametz may be found. This transaction will be in effect for the duration of Pesach which this year begins with sundown of April 10 and runs through 8:45 pm of April 18, 2017. Signature______________________________________ Date__________________________________________ Location in home where chametz is to be stored _________________________________________________
Join Us For Our Annual Community Seder on the 2nd Evening of Pesach TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017, 7:15 pm ~ with hors d’oeuvres followed by meal ~ Led by Rabbi Barry Kenter & Cantor Bruce Halev With joyful singing, storytelling and participation by children and adults / Reserved seating
• Adults (members) $80 • Children (under 12) $30 • Non-members $90
Assistance is available - please contact Richard Kargauer at 212-787 5347 ext. 101 or email
[email protected]
PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS BY MONDAY APRIL 3, 2017 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PLEASE USE THIS FORM to RSVP to Habonim’s Annual Community Seder COMMUNITY SEDER, SECOND EVENING OF PESACH, TUESDAY, APRIL 11 _____Members at $80
$________
_____Non-Members at $90
$________
_____Children under 12 at $30
$________
_____Gift to Passover Appeal
$________
_____ # Vegetarian dinners Total Enclosed:
$________
OR : Credit card #_________________________________ Card Type______________Expiration date________
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Address *We ask you to consider supporting Habonim with a donation, 10% of which will go to HIAS. HIAS protects vulnerable refugees and displaced people, helping them build new lives and reuniting them with their families in safety and freedom. Please make checks payable to Congregation Habonim. “This year we are slaves. Next year may we (all) be free people.” ___________________________________________________________ 103 West End Ave, New York, NY 10023 / 212-787-5347 / Fax: 212-595-3542 / www.habonim.net
MARCH 2017
Name:______________________________________Da ytime Phone:______________________________ Address:______________________________________ __________________________________________ Email:______________________________________ Please make all checks payable to Congregation Habonim and send payment and this form to 103 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10023. For more information, or to RSVP, or for special seating requests, please contact the Habonim office at (212)787-5347 ext. 100 or email
[email protected]. You can also register online at goo.gl/IE4H3I ! 13
TEAM HABONIM BUILDING A JEWISH COMMUNITY TOGETHER
THANK YOU TO THE SISTERHOOD OF CONGREGATION HABONIM FOR ITS GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE MONTHLY BULLETIN MAILING
CONGREGATION HABONIM 103 West End Avenue New York, NY 10023
