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The Rabbi's Column:
What Happens After B'nei Mitzvah?
by Rabbi Dr. Julie Hilton Danan
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Many of you may know that every month I lead a parent-child education program for all the B'nei Mitzvah class families. We do things like go on hikes, volunteer or learn to put on tefillin. B'nei Mitzvah at PCS are very meaningful and moving, thanks to our wonderful teachers, dedicated volunteers, dynamic Hebrew School director Galit Sperling, and fantastic Tutor/B'nei Mitzvah Chair Ed Sperling. I'm glad that B'nei Mitzvah at PCS are such a meaningful and transformative process for our kids, and their parents along with them.
Now it's time to have equally meaningful and involving programs for teens after seventh grade. As we always say to our students, B'nei Mitzvah is not an end in itself. Jewish education does not end in junior high. B'nei Mitzvah should be about "becoming" - becoming an active young adult member of a community and a people. When I was writing my book for Jewish parents a few years ago, I learned that research indicates that "continuation of Jewish studies through high school is considered by some researchers to be one of the critical predictors of adult Jewish identification and observance."
At a recent B'nei Mitzvah parent-child program that Galit and I co-led on "Putting God on the Guest List" (based on a book by that name that all the parents receive), the students were asked to share their questions about the process. One of them wrote, "What happens after Bar/Bat Mitzvah?" I'm afraid that we still haven't answered that question satisfactorily, but I hope that in 2018 we will be able to do so. I'm proud that we have realized a lot of goals since I came to PCS over two years ago. But one of my most cherished goals has yet to come to fruition: to develop a teen program, including an education program (along the lines of the Reform movement's confirmation classes) and a youth group for our teens.
Last year we were off to a good start as we hired Julia McCarthy to be our part-time youth director, and she led monthly programs for our teens. We joined a cohort of other synagogues to learn and do teen programs. About 10 teens joined Julia and me for dinner last spring (funded by a mini-grant from the Westchester Jewish Teen Learning Initiative), and we planned an even fuller program for this year that would focus on monthly programs on Judaism and the environment. When Julia left over the summer to start a full-time position, we were in the middle of major budget cuts and other changes, and were simply not able to get this new program going this fall. I regret that and apologize to our teens and parents for the setbacks on our plans.
Fortunately, we are getting back on track. After our recent PCS service afternoon at the JCCA, five PCS teens -
Isaac Gordin, Sydney Schulz, Miranda Miller, and Jordan and Molly Galin - m
et with me and board member
Laurie Hirsch Schulz at Jean-Jacques to "reboot" our program for the spring. We decided to maintain our focus on Judaism and the environment/ nature for this spring, while also engaging in service and social programs. Later some of us connected with Aydin Mayers, our PCS member and song-leader who is a regional and national leader in the BBYO (B'nai Brith Youth Organization) movement. He encouraged us to restart a BBYO Youth Group as one of our teen offerings. PCS board member Robin Berman, a high school teacher, has kindly volunteered to be the adult advisor for that teen-led group.
Our first teen program for 2018 will be on Monday, January 15, participating in a county-wide MLK Teen Service Day with J-Teen at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale (see flyer below). Students are encouraged to bring friends (Jewish or not). Carpools need to be arranged from PCS. Please sign up now! PCS participants will meet at PCS on that Monday at 9:30 am to carpool together, returning to PCS at 1:30 that afternoon. Registration and parent permission slips are required - all available on this site: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-day-disaster-relief-with-the-afya-foundation-tickets-39730658469. If you have questions, please contact the PCS office.
Our group discussed programs for the rest of this spring. For February, we will schedule a teen kickoff pizza dinner at PCS, date soon TBA. Later in the spring, we aspire to participate in the newly formed Pleasantville Interfaith Youth Group (organized through St. John's Episcopal Church) to experience a nature program with the Rewilding Institute, (
https://www.rewildingschool.com
) and to have one or more educational ecology programs led by a student rabbi from the Academy for Jewish Religion. We plan to charge a small amount for some programs to cover costs. The teens were also willing to lead a Shabbat service later in the spring. Finally, Laurie Hirsch Schulz and her daughter Sydney have been looking into a teen Shabbat retreat at Surprise Lake Camp. This is something we have been dreaming of for a long time.
Our goal for the spring is to establish an active youth group (hopefully BBYO) being led by the kids with educational components, AND in the fall to launch a high-quality, fun educational program, taught by me with the help of AJR student rabbis. I envision a set of rotating annual themes (Environment, American Judaism, Israel), with very participatory programs and exciting field trips.
If you have a teen son or daughter, please, please encourage them to come to the January 15 MLK service day and our other upcoming teen programs. We would also love to have them join our teen steering committee. The teens are young adults, and we want them to help plan their own events and goals.
Friends, a quality teen program is not an extra, a bonus or an afterthought. Teen education and involvement can be vitally important to our students, to our PCS community's future and indeed to the future of the Jewish people. It is also one of my personal priorities and values. Although we have hit some speed bumps along the road, this is one priority that I'm not willing to forsake, and I hope that it will be as important to all of you as it is to me. Please support our program. I welcome your involvement, and if you have any questions or ideas, don't hesitate to communicate!
Best wishes for a great 2018!
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HEBREW SCHOOL HAPPENINGS
by Galit Sperling, Principal
This December, the students of the PCS Hebrew School were excited to prepare for, and celebrate, the Festival of Lights - Hanukkah! Students of every age learned about Hanukkah in a myriad of ways: through history, modern-day application of Jewish values, arts and crafts, and more!
Below are photos from the traditional visit of Hebrew School students to the Atria in Briarcliff Manor, where we sang songs with senior residents and their families, and students handed out cards and gelt. Following this wonderful mitzvah, we came back to PCS for the congregation-wide Hanukkah party, where we decorated and spun dreidels, enjoyed a delicious latke competition, and lit a record-setting number of menorahs for the sixth night of Hanukkah!
The story of the Macabees' victory and the rededication of the Temple became quite relevant to our small community of Pleasantville on December 22, as we had our own
"re-dedication" in the community square on Manville Road. It was wonderful to see so many Hebrew School families and community members coming together to light up the night with hope, singing together around our town's new dreidel.
This winter brings several exciting class events to look forward to for our Hebrew School students and families - see below!
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Upcoming Hebrew School Dates:
Thursday, January 4: Classes Resume
Sunday, January 14 (MLK Jr. Weekend): No Classes
Friday evening, January 19: Kitah Vav (sixth grade) Class Shabbat Ritual Dinner
Saturday evening, January 27: Kitah Hey (fifth grade) Havdalah Service
Friday evening, February 2: B'nei Mitzvah Class (seventh grade) Shabbaton
Sunday, February 4 (Teacher Kallah): No Classes
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Musicians Karen and Aydin accompanying
our students at the Atria
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Hebrew School students at the PCS Hanukkah party
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Postcards from Eretz Yisrael*
Shalom!
Here I am with my friend Yedidya,
celebrating Hanukkah at his home.
We are standing alongside a hanukkiah made from a rocket that landed in Israel in July 2014.
This is my Hanukkah gift from my Bedouin brother, Hashem. It is made of Jerusalem stone and has a drawing of the Kotel on it.
Hashem is going to invite me to a Bedouin wedding. That should be an interesting experience. I do have a Bedouin outfit that I have worn for Purim. I guess it would be nice to wear it for another occasion.
L'hitraot,
Rachel
*Our correspondent is Rhea (Rachel) Wolfthal, long-time PCS congregant,
who made
aliyah to Israel in August 2017.
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A presentation NOT for women only
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Please join us for this free lecture and discussion, sponsored by the
PCS Adult Education Committee:
"JEWISH WOMEN AND
BREAST CANCER"
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 7:30 pm
Presented by Dr. Rand Stack, this could be the one program
you don't want to miss. All are welcome to this free event,
which is not for women only.
For more info, e-mail Adult Education committee chair,
Click
here
for Dr. Stack's bio.
Pleasantville Community Synagogue
219 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY
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Please volunteer: Sunday, Nov. 20, 3-4:30 pm
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THE KENNEDYS IN CONCERT AT PCS!
Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 pm
In the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, the popular folk-rock band
The Kennedys
will perform at PCS to help support
Ezra Uganda.
The Jews of Eastern Uganda, about 2,000 in number, are devout in Jewish practice. They subsist almost entirely on small farming and raising goats for sale. The funds collected from The Kennedys' concert at PCS beyond our expenses will be donated directly to Ezra Uganda for the purchase of a plow and oxen.
The cost of admission is $20
(but of course any donations above that are more than welcomed and greatly appreciated!)
For more information or to RSVP and pay, please click
here
or copy and paste: https://the-kennedys-in-concert-at-pcs.cheddarup.com
This will be a wonderful night for a great cause.
Please join us!
If you'd like to help, please contact
Tikkun Olam/Social Action Committee chair, Leslie Mack, at
~~~
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Please volunteer: Sunday, Nov. 20, 3-4:30 pm
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
PCS participants will carpool to the following event together,
meeting at PCS at 9:30 am and returning to PCS at 1:30 pm.
Please RSVP, or if you can be a driver, please contact Laurie Hirsch Schulz at [email protected] or all the PCS office at 914-769-2672.
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Please volunteer: Sunday, Nov. 20, 3-4:30 pm
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Come to PCS to celebrate Tu B'Sh'vat and
ROSH CHODESH!*
Wednesday, January 17, 7:30 pm
at Pleasantville Community Synagogue
We'll have a mini-seder in honor of Tu B'Sh'vat,
the New Year of Trees, when we celebrate
the environment and appreciate
the fruits of the Land of Israel.
Lots of fun with lots of good food, wine,
and company!
To RSVP or for more information
call Marcy Gray at PCS at 914-769-2672 or
e-mail Robin Berman at
[email protected]
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*
Why do we celebrate the new moon every month?
The Jewish nation is often compared to the moon.
Throughout history our light has waxed and waned but even in the darkest times it has never been extinguished. This is one reason why, when the head of the new moon - the Rosh Chodesh - appears for the first time in the night sky, we celebrate. Come join us!
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Please volunteer: Sunday, Nov. 20, 3-4:30 pm
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Celebrate Tu B'Sh'vat
with the little ones!
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9:15 am-10:45 am
~ Arts and crafts ~ Snacks
~ Stories and books from PJ Library
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The event will take place at a member family's home around the corner from PCS in Pleasantville. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Marcy Gray in the PCS office,
[email protected]
, 914-769-2672.
~~~
~~~
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Pleasantville Community Synagogue
Progressive Dinner Invitation!
Saturday night, February 3, 2018
Enjoy an exciting evening progressing from one home to the next. Meet new people and have fun and great food in a relaxed, warm atmosphere!
- Meet for hors d'oeuvres at the home of Kathy Schuler & Jon Blackman.
- Draw one of our host names and proceed to their home for the entrée.
- Gather again with everyone for dessert at the home of Claire & Oren Cohen.
Sign up as a host or come as a guest
and bring an appetizer or dessert...
Please fill out the form below and send in with a check for $20 per guest (not required of hosts). Make checks payable to PCS and return to PCS, P.O. Box 148, Pleasantville, NY 10570.
Att'n: Marlo Klein.
Or
click on or copy and paste the link below to sign up online:
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Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________
Cell phone and e-mail:____________________________________________________
Would you like to host a dinner at your home? Yes____ No_____
If yes, how many guests can you accommodate?______
Are you able to host a Kosher or Vegetarian dinner? Which?
If you cannot host a dinner, please bring:
Appetizer________ or Dessert____________
Let us know if you have a special dinner request: Kosher ___ Vegetarian____
Any other special considerations (e.g., allergies)?____________________________________
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Coming Soon...
Tickets for the 2018 Westchester Jewish Film Festival will go on sale in mid-February for the annual festival that will run from March 13-29 at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville. This year's festival will feature 38 films, a robust mix of documentaries and narratives. Many of the films will be followed by speakers, audience Q&As, and receptions. For complete information, please visit
burnsfilmcenter.org
in February. For additional information and group sales, please contact Abby Popper at
[email protected]
or 914.773.7663, ext. 424.
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We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support
the Pleasantville Community Synagogue by remembering and honoring
their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions.
For information on making donations to PCS, including online donations,
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Fair Share /General Fund
Jan and Bernie Gordon
Teddi and Murray Stahl
Greg Cohen
Bruce Gutenplan
Peter Schaffer
Evan Kingsley
Eric Klein
Bernie Gordon
Richard Solomon
Oren Cohen
Leslie Mack and Robin Freedman
Susan and Alan Friedman
Erica Murkofsky and Michael Rhodes
Barbara Altman Bruno and Joe Bruno
The Ehrlich and Ponet families, in thanks to PCS for hosting the Brit Milah of
Levi Joshua Ehrlich, son of Shula and Nathan
Hebrew School Fund
Hedi and Ed Sperling, in honor of the yahrzeits of Hedi's beloved parents, Elizabeth (Blima) and Dov Weiss, and Ed's beloved mother, Margaret Sperling.
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JANUARY YAHRZEITS
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Fanny Goldman, grandmother of Dorian Goldman
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January 1
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Alexander Gordon, father of Bernard Gordon
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January 4
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Marvin Levine, father of Richard Levine
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January 5
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Edith Mayers, grandmother of Michael Mayers
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January 8
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Odon Vesei, father of Ann Vesei
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January 8
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Regina Fisher, grandmother of Dorian Goldman
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January 14
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Kenneth Wolf, father of Michael Wolf
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January 21
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Lillian Levine, wife of Richard Levine
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January 21
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Estelle Herman, mother of Diana Benattar
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January 23
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Joel Serebin, father of Ben Serebin
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January 24
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Aaron Netburn, father of Malcolm Netburn
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January 24
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Celia Lubelsky, mother of Janice Sandbank
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January 25
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Leslie Ogrin, father of Mara Cohen
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January 28
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Marion Gaines, mother of Jonathan Church
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January 28
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To all PCS members:
If you or another member suffer personal tragedy or loss or are otherwise in need of help, please immediately contact Rabbi Julie at (914) 769-2672 or [email protected], or to our Caring (Chesed) Committee Chair, Susan Friedman at (917) 846-3038, or [email protected].
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The PCS Yahrzeit Memorial Board is a beautiful and symbolic place to honor your loved ones while helping to support your synagogue. The anniversary of their passing will be commemorated with a light by their name plate. You will find the appropriate form for purchasing a memorial name plate by clicking
here.
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Pleasantville Community Synagogue Mission Statement
Pleasantville Community Synagogue is a welcoming Jewish community connecting people of diverse traditions and backgrounds who want to share a joyous spiritual and cultural home.
PCS officers and trustees:
Officers
President: Leyla Nakisbendi
Secretary: TBD
Treasurer: Oren Cohen
Vice President: Roberta Korus
Vice President: Richard Solomon
Board of Trustees
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Robert Marshak
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Leyla Nakisbendi
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Gregory Cohen
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Jonathan Goodman
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Amy Gutenplan
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Richard Solomon
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Sheila Major
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Rabbi Julie Danan
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Pleasantville Community Synagogue Newsletter
January 2018 14 Tevet - 15 Sh'vat 5778
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