Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island
315 Forest Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10301
tmplisrael@aol.com
Rabbi Michael D. Howald                     Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey
Co-Presidents Jerry Gross and Alan Siegel
E-Shalom - JANUARY 2019
Temple Israel’s Electronic Bulletin
“Shalom, Welcome to Temple Israel....” is a phrase taught to us by Carole Lachman, a beloved, long-time congregant and bulletin editor who died in 2002. We named our bulletin in her honor and worked to realize her vision of Temple Israel as a community that welcomes the stranger and lets no one stand alone. As we move to a new version of this tradition of communicating with our Temple Israel family, we continue to forward Carole’s vision, love and devotion for our synagogue.
A Message from
Rabbi Michael D. Howald

This year, Tu B’shevat, the Jewish holiday sometimes called the “New Year for Trees” comes during the middle of January.  During a month when the trees of the American Northeast are bare of leaves and buds, we will celebrate Tu B’shevat as the time when fruit trees begin to bud in the land of Israel.  Tu B’shevat, however, is not just about anticipating the transition from winter to spring in the milder climate of the Mediterranean.  The holiday of Tu B’shevat also reminds us of the historical and mystical significance of the modern restoral of the land of Israel, both for those who live within its borders and for those who live beyond its boundaries.
            Until the rise of the Zionist movement in the 19 th century, Tu B’Shevat was a relatively marginal observance on the Jewish calendar.  The early Zionists saw in Tu B’shevat two themes worthy of elevation, the benefits of labor and physical activity in connection with agriculture and the desire to restore the land of Israel to what they imagined was its ancient pastoral glory.  The New Year of Trees, accordingly, became the “Festival of Trees” on which Jewish inhabitants of “the Land” planted trees in anticipation of the restoration of the state of Israel.  Beginning in the late 19 th century, accordingly, the modern observance of Tu b’Shevat became associated with the planting of trees in Israel, an activity with both agricultural and sacred value.  The Jewish National Fund (JNF) raised money for this purpose, often through coins dropped into blue metal boxes by Jewish school children all over the world who saw in the planting of trees, on both Tu b’Shevat and other days, the building up of the Jewish nation they hoped to soon achieve.
            The national effort to plant trees on Tu b’Shevat contributed to the creation of some of the now forested areas of Israel.  Just as in the United States, however, the 15 th of the Jewish month of Shevat (the meaning of the “Tu” in “Tu b’Shevat, which is spelled with the 9 th (ט)and 6 th (ו)letter [9+6=15] of the Hebrew  aleph-bet ) is not the optimal time for tree planting in Israel.  To supplement or even change the focus on the planting of trees on Tu b’Shevat itself, the kibbutzim movement in Israel reintroduced the idea of a structured meal on Tu b’Shevat consisting of fruits and wine from the land of Israel.  In doing so, the kibbutzniks adapted a mystical ritual seder from the 18 th century deeply steeped in the symbols and rituals of Kabbalistic Judaism.  The kibbutzniks who created the first 20 th century Tu b’Shevat seders largely dropped this mystical symbolism in favor of a ritual rejoicing in the agricultural richness of the modern land of Israel.
            Today, Tu b’Shevat is still an occasion to think about the planting of trees in the land of milk and honey.  The JNF promotes the purchase of trees on Tu b’Shevat to those who live outside the land of Israel as a way of establishing a connection to the land of our ancestors. Even if the planting may actually occur weeks after the 15 th of Shevat, a contribution to the JNF on Tu b’Shevat reminds us of the importance of trees to the environment as well as the significance of the land of Israel in our traditions and texts. As you would expect of the “People of the Book,” moreover, numerous Tu b’Shevat seder books are now published every year.  Some lean toward the mystical significance of the day and other emphasize ecology and concern for the world of nature.  No matter which message they emphasize, however, almost all Tu b’Shevat seders published today recall the restoration of the land of Israel by the hard work of planting and pruning done by thousands of early Zionist pioneers.  By including this message, the Tu b’Shevat seder of today remembers those who longed to see modern Israel as the land where each person would sit under their vine and fig tree and eat of the abundance of the Land.  As we observe Tu b’Shevat in New York City during the month of January, we can rejoice in this meaning even as we shovel snow off our driveways!

Rabbi Michael D. Howald
A Message from
Co-Presidents
Jerry Gross & Alan Siegel

Our snowbirds have flown, and others are escaping the cold with vacations.  But as we enter the secular New Year, our solid core of stalwart congregants remain to fill our sanctuary and social hall and exciting days are ahead.

We are grateful to Sisterhood and to Brotherhood, the Avis Foundation, and to all the members of our Caring Community who consistently keep things going, at a whirlwind pace, at Temple Israel. Our congregation has established an important presence in the community, in Staten Island and beyond, because of the work of our dedicated congregants and clergy.

We look forward to the New Year of the Trees, or Tu B’Shevat. This year, it will be accessible to everyone as we celebrate the elements of Tu B’Shevat at the Oneg on January 11.  And if it is Tu B’Shevat, it is time for Shabbat Shira – the Sabbath of Song.  On January 18, our astounding Student Cantor will lead our Choir, our Junior choir, Rock of Israel and some individual soloists will participate in the celebration of the Song of Sea, marking the parting of Red Sea.   Mark your calendars now!
 
And even as Winter settles in, there are signs of Spring. Purim Shpiel rehearsals begin this month.  Brooke Lopez has many parts available for your thespian talents, so look for the announcement about a casting call, or just be at Temple at noon on any Sunday in January.
 
May your (secular) New Year’s resolutions be important and easy to keep (like coming to Shabbat services and supporting Temple Israel’s initiatives.)
 
Jerry & Alan
 
P.S. – Don’t forget to meet us at the Looney Bin on January 19!

Jerry Gross and Alan Siegel
Co-Presidents
Notes from Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey
What an exciting time! Now that 2018 is behind us, we are gifted another year to leave our mark on the world, to explore our passions, and to live our best lives. I'm excited for 2019 to be a year filled with my passion, lots of music-making and communal singing. However, in order to make that happen, I need YOU! Our adult choir is as exciting as ever and is tackling lots of new, gorgeous music. Still, we really need some additional voices, especially in our alto and tenor sections. With my background in choral music, I am just loving having fun in rehearsal and watching the music transform from notes on a page into moving, energized prayer. The dedication of the adult choir continues to amaze me. 

I am also having a lot of fun with our newly restored junior choir! They just had their debut performance in services in December and were absolutely incredible. It was so moving for me to see young children participating in prayer. When I was a kid, it was music ithat drew me into my faith both in the synagogue and at camp. I only wish I had had an opportunity back then to participate in any sort of Jewish choir. When I had wanted to start one at my synagogue as a teen, I was denied the opportunity. I'm excited now to pass it forward and engage the next generation, l'dor vador. I also hope to see the choir grow, so if you have any children interested in joining, please let me know. 

This busy January month is a musical one indeed because it contains Shabbat Shira, the Shabbat of Song. This special Shabbat is named so because it is the week we read parashat Beshalach where we recount the crossing of the Sea of Reeds out of Egypt. In this portion, we chant the Song of the Sea, Shirat HaYam, the song that Moses and Miriam sang, which has a very special melody. In fact, there are two different musical traditions for the chanting of this melody. Sephardim use a special melody for the entire song, while Ashkenazim use a different melody only for a few specific verses within the song and alternate between that melody and the normal Torah cantillation. This is an especially important portion for me because it was my bat mitzvah Torah portion. It seems only fitting that the first time anyone ever heard me sing (including my parents) was at my bat mitzvah on the Shabbat of Song. 

Here at Temple Israel, we too are marking this important portion with a celebration of music, prayer, and dancing with timbrels. January 18 will be a very special musical service, with lots and lots of exciting music. I will be joined on the bima by our adult choir, junior choir, soloists, and the Rock of Israel band. I will also be chanting Shirat HaYam from the Torah. You won't want to miss it!

Wishing everyone a year filled with many blessings. May your hearts be elevated in song!

B’shir,
Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey
Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz
Co-Presidents
There has been so much going on in Sisterhood this past month, that we’ve decided to simply give you a photo summary....Enjoy!
We are especially grateful to:
  • our team of Gelt Girls (and Guy) who worked so hard to put together our beautiful and record-breaking Chanukah Gelt Mosaic;
  • to Shariann and Jeffrey Ganz and all our Latke makers and table setters, for putting together an amazing Chanukah/New Member Shabbat Dinner;
  • to Nina Rohan, Susan Freedman and those who assisted in putting together and delivering our traditional Sisterhood welcome gifts to all our new members;
  • to Linda and Larry Hanibal and all who assisted with our semi-annual Rummage Sale; and,
  • to Pamela Rogozin for organizing and all who helped cook, boil, cut, chop, frost, and package so that Temple Israel could provide holiday meals to Project Hospitality and El Centro clients.

We hope to see you at our next General Membership Meeting on Sunday, January 6th at 10:00 a.m. In addition to our regular business meeting at which we will be forming our Nominating Committee for next year’s officers and directors, Rabbi Scott Kalmikoff will present a special program about Jewish Family Trees ! (How appropriate for the month of Tu B’Shevat!) Bring yours, if you have one, or get ready to start this exciting project.

Don’t forget to join us for lots of laughs on January 19th at The Looney Bin . Reserve NOW! See the flyer below for details.

In Sisterhood,
Shariann Ganz & Jodi Siegel
Co-Presidents
Did You Get A Bottle Of Wine Or Liquor For The Holidays That You Know You Will Never Drink?
Donate It To Sisterhood For Our
Baskets Of Cheer Raffles!
We’ll Be Happy To Take It
Off Your Hands.
Just give it Claire Guttsman at our meeting on 1/6.
THE BROTHERHOOD
Temple Israel – Reform Congregation of Staten Island
I hope that the entire congregation enjoyed receiving our Temple Community Chanukah Card. Special thanks to Joanna Meltzer for designing, and printing the card for the Brotherhood. It was truly beautiful and added a special touch to our Festival of Lights. The Children’s Chanukah Party was once again a huge success. Thanks go out to all that  helped make this event possible. Our next meeting will be January 27 at 10:00A.M. 

Looking ahead, we will be planning many events as the year progresses including the Men’s Passover Seder, The Yellow Yom Hashoah Candle Project and much more. Details will become available once they are finalized.  Please consider joining our group. 

Brotherhood dues are only $45 and it covers many of the events and celebrations that we sponsor for the Congregation, and the children of our Temple. Please consider joining our group because together we can make a difference. A quick reminder, that if you are a new member to our Temple family your membership for the first year is complimentary.

Brotherhood is a vital affiliate organization to the Temple and I strongly ask that everyone become a member. We hold monthly meetings to take care of business, but more importantly to offer a bonding experience with your fellow men of the Temple Family. 

Please share your ideas with us to enhance the Brotherhood experience.

Yours in Friendship and Brotherhood,
Jeff Ganz

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY 2019
F or calendar updates click here .
To print a copy of this calendar, click here .
Mazel Tov
Stewart & Susan Marks on the engagement of Phillip to Lori Beth Brenner.
Rochelle Maltz on the marriage of her son Jonathon to Elisheva Ackerson.
Mazel Tov to our organist Elona Migorov on the birth of her granddaughter, Adina Leah Yakubov.

Condolences To
Alan Brill on the passing of his mother, Pearl
George Kurlander on the passing of his mother, Rose
The Maltz family on the passing of Alan Maltz

Get Well
Susan Weinman
Susan Freedman
  Pamela Carlton
Muriel Schlefstein

If you have any questions about your membership or if you know a potential new member please contact our Financial Secretary Jennifer Straniere at  tmplisfinsec@aol.com .
EASY fundraising
  1. Go to Smile.Amazon.com
  2. Select "Change Your Charity"
  3. Type in “Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island"
  4. Click Search
  5. Click Select
  6. Order as usual.
  7. Temple Israel benefits!
The Ritual Committee wishes everyone a Happy Secular New Year 2019 and hope that all had a joyous Chanukah.  Thank you to Brotherhood for the Children’s Holiday Party on December 2 nd and Sisterhood for the Holiday Fair on November 18 th , the Chocolate Gelt Mosaic building on November 30 th and follow-up Chocolate Gelt Sale after the Children’s Chanukah Party, and, of course, for the Chanukah/New Member Dinner on Friday night December 7 th prior to the Chanukah Shabbat Service.
We thank Pamela Carlton and Muriel Schlefstein for leading Saturday morning Services on December 8 th .
This year Tu B’Shevat will be observed at Temple Israel on Friday night January 11th, 2019 at the Oneg following Shabbat Services.  Come and taste the fruits and foods that are associated with this Holiday.  The Student Observance will be held in Religious School on Sunday January 13 th .
Shabbat Shira will be observed on Friday night January 18 th .  Read elsewhere in this bulletin about Student Cantor Benrey’s special plans for this observance.
Mark your calendars for Erev Purim on the 20 th of March which will include the reading of the Megillah and the Purim Spiel directed by Brooke Lopez.   Also, please note that the first night of Passover is Friday night April 19 th .
We look forward to seeing you around Temple.

Linda Brill and Jeffrey Ganz
Co-Chairpersons

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:
   Thank you to the following congregants for their assistance with ushering during services as well as for honoring the congregation with their presence on the Bimah in November:
Paul Bierman, Bryn Biren, Libby & Ira Gershansky, 
Irwin Magnus, Beverly Mazer, Joanna & David Meltzer,
Blanche Ricci, Alina Shetyenberg, Jodi Siegel and
Rhonda Trontz-Allen.

Nina Rohan
 Ushering Chair
Tu Bishvat or the "New Year of the Trees" is Jewish Arbor Day. The holiday is observed on the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shvat. Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu B'shevat that is similar to a Passover seder. Today, many Jews hold a modern version of the Tu Bishvat seder each year. The holiday also has become a tree-planting festival in Israel, in which Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends. 
For additional information, click on the following links:
JANUARY 4, 2019
Michael Pisetzner
Morris (Moses) Eichler
Robert May
Isaac Schreiber *
Linda Schulman
Samuel Sheirr *
Florence Spungun
Shirley Bankofsky *
Louis Barnet *
William Garfunkel *
Marian Lee *
Telva Nison
Jerome Sommer
Bertha Dicker *
Olga Lieberman
Albert Melniker *
Norman Silverman *
Lydia Doris Weiss *
Phyllis Zimmerman
Rita Guttsman
David Morse *
Arlene Rich
Abraham Schwartz *
Maynard Selmon
Selma Blumin *
Paul Kussner *
And we remember from the Holocaust:
CÉSARE SARTORI JOSEPH BLUMENSTEIN TIBOR MARK SALLY HANAUER ALFRED KRAMER

JANUARY 11, 2019
Samuel Shapiro *
Sarah Tatt
Meyer Axelrod *
Claire Biren
Tina Goldstone
Molly Rosenbaum
David Aronson
Barnett Kadin *
Irving Schwimmer *
Benjamin Feitelson *
Edward Kitoff *
Herman Lippman
Nathan Nadel
Dorothy Smith *
Lawrence Applebaum
Stanley Miller
Mord Reuben *
Rose Dunn *
Amelia Schmeidler *
Sandy Slamow *
Harry Docteroff
And we remember from the Holocaust:
JAKOB ARON SANDOR SCHICK BOLESLAW SZENZEL ALFRED GOLDSTEIN CHASKIEL RESMAN
JANUARY 18, 2019
Ruth Applebaum
Joseph Klauber *
Abraham Cohen *
Alvin Myron Mulnick
Leo Bleiman
Robert Koren
May G Stein *
Paula Brandt *
Daniel Lewin *
Florence Lustig *
Barry Lee
Joseph Stern *
Eileen Carlton *
Anna Dichter *
Louis Wolinitz
Marie Rosati Checchi
Joan Kass *
Rose Roth *
Nathan Sappin *
And we remember from the Holocaust:
MARIAN SMIETANSKI PAUL STRÄK DANIEL RYCKEBUSCH TADEUSZ RAKOWSKI EVA KAHANNE WEISS

JANUARY 25, 2019
Edythe Kadin *
Mitchell R. Stein *
Bernice Hanibal
Melvin Sher *
Jack Freedman
Louis Kunofsky
Sam Lauter *
Sam Tannenbaum
Mary Wolodiger *
Morris Taub *
Roy Dumont
Jerome Fishman
Nathan Goldberg *
Nettie Barnet *
Martha Dickar *
Beatrice Litkofsky
Arthur Lomazow
Sophie Mulnick
Joseph Pollak *
And we remember from the Holocaust:
THERESE SEDLMEIER
YITZHAK BORZYKOWSKI
HANS MANDELIK
LEO KOHLER
NAFTALI-HERC LINDEN
* These names are on our Memorial Wall.
We are sorry if your name was inadvertently omitted. Please contact Lara at the Temple Office to update your membership information.


Friday, January 11
TU B’SHEVAT
SHABBAT & ONEG

Friday, January 18
SHABBAT SHIRA

Friday, January 4
Oneg sponsored in honor of Shabbat in celebration of those celebrating
January Birthdays and Anniversaries.

Friday, January 11
Oneg sponsored in honor of Shabbat and Tu B’Shevat
by Sisterhood.

Friday, January 18
Oneg sponsored in honor of Shabbat Shira
by Ellen Birch on the occasion of her special birthday.

Birthday, Anniversary, Birth, Engagement, Wedding, Bat/Bar Mitzvah?
CELEBRATE ANY SIMCHA and share your joy with the Congregation at Services on any Friday evening.
Sisterhood will tak e care of everything for you!
To sponsor an oneg, just Contact Sisterhood through the Temple Office (718)727-2231.
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The Sisterhood of Temple Israel would like to help you celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for you and your family.
You can share the joy of Shabbat and your birthday and/or anniversary by helping to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat on the Friday evening when we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for that month.
In addition to sponsoring the Oneg, the names of those celebrating appear in the Friday night program and celebrants are invited to the Bimah.
A contribution of $10 for birthdays and $18 for anniversaries is suggested to honor your special occasion and help the Temple at the same time.  
Letters are sent out early in the month prior and payment would be appreciated before the first Friday of the month of the celebration. 
Please consider becoming a member of our
KAVOD SOCIETY.
It helps to make membership available to all our families. Speak to our Financial Secretary to upgrade your membership.
Temple Israel Sisterhood Judaica Shop
EVERY HOLIDAY

EVERY LIFE CYCLE

EVERY SIMCHA

Just what you need and just what they want!
The only place on Staten Island for all your Jewish gifts.
Special Orders available.
Some featured items this month:
Contact branchtr@aol.com or call the Temple Office at 718-727-2231.

REHEARSALS
Wednesdays
January 2, 16
6:45 p.m.

The Choir will be singing on
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18
Shabbat Shira- The Shabbat of Song
If you would like to join the Temple Israel Adult Choir, just come to any rehearsal...and all the rehearsals that follow!
CLICK DIRECTLY ON FLYER TO PRINT OF DOWNLOAD
PLEASE SEE THE WEEKLY NEWS AND NOTES FOR THIS MONTH’S UPDATES.

If you have input regarding religious school or would like to be more involved, please feel free to email me at ti.si.school.bd@gmail.com.

Jennifer Cortijo
Chair of the Religious School Committee
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This month we accomplished a herculean feat!! We successfully cooked enough food to feed 125 people after finding out, at the last minute, that one of the project hospitality centers didn't have anyone to cook for them.  
Thanks to the hard work and wonderful cooking skills of many of our congregation we performed a great mitzvah and fed over 125 people a delicious and nutricious meal for the Christmas holiday. Bless you all!! See the Sisterhood article above for photos.
And thank you to those of you who may not be able help with the cooking, but help with financial contributions. Feeding those who don't have enough to eat is one of the greatest mitzvahs. I am so proud to be a part of our Temple Israel congregation who always does what they can to help with this mitzvah. 
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!!! 
Pamela Rogozin
(917)607-0782
Social Action Chair
Project Hospitality is in great need of new warm winter clothing for Staten Islanders in need. Please help us by bringing any of the following items to Temple Israel whenever you come over the next few weeks.
  • WOOLEN HATS, GLOVES, SCARVES
  • FLANNEL SHIRTS
  • SWEATPANTS
  • SWEATSHIRTS
  • SWEATERS
  • HOODED SWEATSHIRTS
  • SOCKS
Please leave your donations in the basket in the lobby.




  Adult Learning wishes everyone a happy and healthy 2019!

On Dec. 12th we visited the St. George Theater for a fascinating backstage tour of this historic Staten Island building. We followed that with a delicious lunch at Cargo 126. On Dec. 19th Deanna Feder, Blanche Ricci, Cheryl Levine and Judy Pessah joined a UJA trip to Queens to learn about the Bukharian Jewish community living there. We will report back to the full committee on the trip and discuss whether this would be a worthwhile future activity.
The next meeting will be held on Jan. 10th at 7pm at Pam Carlton's home. At 7:30pm we will discuss "After Anatevka" by Alexandra Silber. All are welcome.
On April 11th at 11am we will travel to Wagner College to hear a talk by Professor Lori Weintrob, Holocaust Center Director, on "Holocaust "Heroines." We will stay at Wagner College afterwards for lunch.
We are also planning other spring events, including a tour given by the Lower East Side Conservancy and a mini class in yiddish.
If you would like to participate in any of these events or have an idea for another activity please contact Cheryl at  cherylmlevine@gmail.com .

Cheryl Levine ad Judith Pessah
Co-Chairs
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Last month was a very sad month for our congregation. At the end of November the Korman family lost Joseph Korman, Temple Israel's first web master. In December three of our members lost loved ones including Alan Keith Maltz, former husband of Rochelle Maltz, Pearl Brill, mother of Alan Brill and mother-in law of Linda Brill and Rose Kurlander, mother of George Kurlander and mother-in-law of Harriet Kurlander. May their memories be a blessing.  

Thank you so much to Pamela Carlton who took over handling our Caring Community Committee while I was away for the entire month. Her hard work and caring concern are greatly appreciated. My sincere condolences to these families on their losses. 

Thank you to all those in our congregation who helped with the Shivas and any arrangements that had to be made on behalf of our bereaved members.
We could not accomplish all that we do without the support of our Temple Israel Community. We are a family and we do our best to help each other when we can, whether it be through helping with preparations or by contributing to the funds that support this good cause.

If you need help, or have lost a loved one, please contact the temple or call me. We will try to help in any way we can. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Pamela Rogozin
(917)607-0782
Chairperson
PURIM WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! LOOK FOR YOUR
ORDER FORM WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS!
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
NO SHUSH SHABBAT - 6:00 p.m.
FAMILY SHABBAT SERVICE - 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL -9:30 a.m
PURIM SHPIEL REHEARSAL - 12:OO p.m.
JR. CHOIR REHEARSAL - TBA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL -9:30 a.m
PURIM SHPIEL REHEARSAL - 12:OO p.m.
JR. CHOIR REHEARSAL - TBA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18
I*SHABBAT - 6:00 p.m.
SHABBAT SHIRA - THE SABBATH OF SONG - 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
PURIM SHPIEL REHEARSAL - 12:OO p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
STEAM WORKSHOP (Ages 5-8)
STEAM WORKSHOP (Ages 9-13)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL -9:30 a.m
PURIM SHPIEL REHEARSAL - 12:OO p.m.
JR. CHOIR REHEARSAL - TBA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

THE DR. RONALD AVIS FOUNDATION

The Avis Foundation closed out the year 2018 with a resounding success. We are so very happy to say that we now have 15 wonderful, enthusiastic and involved families. Our newest members have volunteered at Temple events, have taken leadership roles and want to involved in the future planning of Temple Israel.
Our children attended 7 STEAM workshops at The Resource Room during the months of November and December. The last winter session at the Resource Room takes place on Saturday, January 26th when the boys and girls will face “The Gummy Bear Challenge”. We are planning for four more STEAM sessions in the Spring, including drone flying at Wagner College.
Please mark Saturday, March 9th on your calendars. Temple Israel will be taking over the Staten Island Children’s Museum from 5-7 PM. We are inviting families from the community who may be interested in joining our synagogue to attend that event. We will have entertainment and refreshments. Tell your friends to save the date.
In the next few months we will have activities at the Noble Museum, our children will be involved in the new Children’s Choir, everyone can participate in our fabulous Purim Shpiel, and there will also be a Fashion Show coming up in the Spring that will be very special and will involve our families.
You are the our best spokespeople. Please let your friends and family know about the wonderful opportunities that the Avis Foundation is providing. We are happy to welcome new families and making it very affordable if they join at the mid-year. Just call Terry at 1(718)490-4428 or Bryn at
1(718)447-6225 and we will immediately contact them.
Looking forward to an exciting 2019 with you and your family!

-Terry Baver & Bryn Biren
CLICK ON FLYER TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD
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Are you stressed?
Do you want to build your core strength?
Join us.

Thursdays 7:15-8:15 p.m.
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Sundays 6:00-7:00 p.m.
January 6, 13, 20, 27

Members: $15
Non-Members $18.
Bring your own Yoga Mat
Both sets of classes are for
ADULTS ONLY .

Both chair and mat students are accommodated at each class.
For more information contact
Bryn Biren 
1(718)727-2231
Contributions to Temple Israel as tributes, dedications or memorials are welcome  and are published in the weekly Shabbat program.

Donations can be dedicated to the general Temple Israel Fund or to any of the following specific funds: 

  • Adult Education Fund 
  • Building Preservation Fund 
  • Caring Community Fund 
  • Carole Lachman Memorial Fund
  • Choir Fund 
  • Estelle A. Gootenberg Memorial Fund (for Torah Repair/ Restoration) 
  • Gerald J. Lustig Memorial Fund (for Ark & Ark Doors) 
  • Liheyot Fund 
  • Membership Fund 
  • Prayerbook Fund 
  • Rabbi Marcus Kramer Memorial Library Fund 
  • Shoah Education Fund
  • Scholarship Fund 
  • Social Action

A $5.00 minimum donation is requested for these funds. Checks for donations to any of these funds should be made payable to Temple Israel.

PRAYERBOOKS may be dedicated in honor or memory of a special person or occasion. For specific prayerbooks and donation amounts, look for the Prayerbook icons found in this bulletin

Please make checks for Donations to the RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND payable to that fund.

Donations in any amount may be made to SISTERHOOD OF TEMPLE ISRAEL or BROTHERHOOD OF TEMPLE ISRAEL with checks made payable directly to the affiliate organization.

For a leaf on the TREE OF LIFE in honor of a simcha, please scroll down. 

For permanent MEMORIAL PLAQUES on our Family Memorial Wall or Original Memorial Wall, please call the Temple office at 718-727-2231.
To see list of all recent
Tributes and Program
Donations to Funds...
PLEASE PATRONIZE THESE BUSINESSES
WHO SUPPORT TEMPLE ISRAEL.
Be sure to mention that you saw their advertisement in our E-Bulletin.
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891 Bard Avenue
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www.SunsetHillLaser.com
(718)390-0531
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