Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island 315 Forest Avenue Staten Island, New York 10301 tmplisrael@aol.com

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Rabbi Michael D. Howald                      Cantor Elizabeth Flynn President Bryn Biren

E-Shalom - JUNE 2018 Temple Israel’s New 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.

Congratulations on your Ordination CANTOR ELIZABETH FLYNN !!!!

Watch the entire beautiful ceremony (or skip ahead to 1:20:19 just to see our own fabulous Cantor’s special moment) .

A Message from Rabbi Michael D. Howald          This month we begin reading the book of Numbers, called B’midbar in Jewish tradition, a name that means either “in the wilderness” or “in the desert” in Hebrew. The desert was regarded by our ancestors as a domain apart from civilization, a place of danger and terror, as well as allure and fascination. The anthropologist Victor Turner called this extraterritorial domain, the liminal space, the interval between one defined place and another.  In this interval, as much a state of mind as a physical site, both the landscape and the human heart can move from one vista or condition to another.  A mystical spirit pervades the desert of the Book of Numbers.  In this mystic threshold between the iron furnace of Egypt and the Land of Milk and Honey, the people of Israel experience the grandeur of creation and come to the threshold between things as they were and things as they will become.             Our Sages ask why the Torah was given in this place of stillness and broad vistas. Rabbi Shai Held of New York’s Mechon Hadar proposes an interpretation which, in his words, forces us to confront some of the most basic questions of Jewish theology about pluralism, universalism, and tolerance. Quoting the Mekhilta, an ancient collection of stories about the Hebrew Bible, Rabbi offers an important teaching about the significance of the desert as the place where the Jewish people received the Torah. “The Torah was given in a free place,” says the Mekhilta, “because had the Torah been given in the land of Israel, the Israelites could have said to the nations of the world ‘You have no share in it.’ Since it was given in the wilderness publicly and openly in a place that is free for all, everyone wishing to accept it can come and accept it (Mekhilta De-Rabbi Ishmael, Ba-Hodesh 1).” The Torah was given in the desert, and not in the land of Israel, in other words, to make it universally available to all peoples, whether Jewish or not. This reflects an important thread within rabbinic thought that holds that the Torah was intended for all peoples and that, one day, the Temple would be a house of prayer for peoples.  (See, e.g., Isaiah 56:7). As we begin the reading of the book of Numbers this month, we take this opportunity to reflect on the significance of this Torah portion and its lessons for our own lives and perspectives.             As you may know, a series of protests along the demarcation fence in Gaza in the last month have resulted in a number of Palestinian deaths, culminating in 60 Palestinian deaths on the same day on which the United States opened its official embassy in the city of Jerusalem for the first time. Rabbi Josh Weinberg, the president of Arza, the Association of Reform Zionists of America, wrote in the aftermath of these two events that, together, we may walk a tightrope between two conflicting feelings.  We may rejoice over Israel’s strength and continued existence, but we may also mourn the loss of life in Gaza.  We may mourn these deaths even as we acknowledge that Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel.  We may mourn these deaths even as we admit that that no sovereign nation would allow its boundaries to be stormed by a hostile group of rock throwing and, in some cases, gun firing protestors.  As Rabbi Weinberg put it: “We are a people susceptible to attack and the target of ire, hatred, and resentment. But as we turn back to Sinai, we also know that we are a  goi kadosh –a holy people – called to act with great moral clarity and even, at times, restraint.”             That lesson is reaffirmed by the beginning of the reading of the book of Numbers on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot, the festival where we celebrate the giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai. This juxtaposition is intentional. The Jewish liturgical calendar is set up to ensure that each year, we start reading Numbers just before Shavuot. The giving of the Torah in the desert, in the threshold between one place and the other, reminds us that, in the words of the Hebrew University scholar Marc Hirschman “the giving of the Torah in the desert—a no-man’s land—[is] a clear signal that the Torah was not the property of one nation but was intended for all peoples.” The Torah and its teachings affirm that we all claim descent from common stock, that we are all made in the image of God and that we can only weep over the deaths of those created from the same dust and ashes that form our bone and sinew. As we enter the holiday of Shavuot this month and look forward to reading the book of Numbers through the summer, may this lesson remind us that, in the words of our prayer book, “in every place where suffering weeps, the Jew weeps…for Israel’s promise is the universal promise (Mishkan T’filah page 41).”  May the people of Israel one day see this promise fulfilled! B’Shalom, Rabbi Michael Howald

A Message from President Bryn Biren It is incredible to me that this is my final President’s message to the congregation. The years have flown, although some of the days were very hectic and long. What was most amazing was that I would wake up in the morning with everything taken care of, and in a matter of minutes there were building contract and congregant issues and urgent decisions that had to be made. During the past four years I have learned that each person has his or her personal agenda. Each person sees the picture from the individual’s point of view. I may have had one agenda, the congregant had another. The job of the President is to try to create the third agenda, the one that serves the congregant and also represents the values of our synagogue. At times this is not easy. I have been told that I should develop a thick skin, to just let things go. In that respect I have failed. On the last day of this job I will care as much about the feelings of each member of Temple Israel as I did on the first day. As congregants, you should know that the job of President is difficult, time consuming, at times painful, but I have no regrets at all. When I look at the Memorial Wall in the sanctuary I know that my father and my brother would feel great pride that I was entrusted with this job. My main concerns in 2014 were first the people, and second the building. I leave the office in 2018 with the very same priorities. I challenge our members to put aside their own agendas, realize that we are all working to secure the future of Temple Israel, and work together. Getting a perspective on what is really important and what are just petty details would be so wonderful. I will continue to devote myself to the Avis Foundation, to continue as a member of our Board of Trustees, and to work so that Temple Israel will grow and young families may enjoy the many life experiences that I have enjoyed here. My greatest joy will be sitting in the sanctuary on the days that my granddaughters, Genevieve and Freda, become Bat Mitzvah in the Temple that their great grandparents helped to found in 1948. L’ Dor Va Dor! Sincerely, Bryn Biren President

TO OUTGOING PRESIDENT BRYN BIREN FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR TEMPLE ISRAEL.

Notes from  CANTOR Elizabeth Flynn

T o my Beloved Temple Israel Community: It seems absolutely impossible, but the time has come that very soon we will have to say goodbye. It is difficult, if not nearly impossible, for me to fully express, either in word or in song, how much my time with this congregation has meant to me. Within a blink of an eye three years have passed and, during that time, you have all helped me transform from being an enthusiastic but nervous third-year cantorial student who could do little more than lead Shabbat evening services and teach a Sunday school music class to a fully ordained, confident, skillful and competent spiritual leader. While it is true that my studies at HUC have also helped me achieve this transformation, the truth is that the majority of the growth I have achieved has been through practical application of my studies. I could not have experienced that without you so generously welcoming me into your congregation and into your lives. Over these past three years, I have celebrated and mourned with you. I have led you all in prayer, guided you through lifecycle events, taught your children and watched them grow into enthusiastic members of the Jewish community. I have learned to juggle personal struggles while celebrating professional joys.  Most importantly, I feel I have found solid footing in my role as spiritual guide, musical leader, and teacher. I am grateful beyond words for everything you have all given me-- from your trust to your spiritual well being. I truly would not have become the cantor I am without my time with this amazing community. I can only pray that I have touched your lives and helped you all even a fraction of the amount that you have helped and moved me. There is so much more I would like to say. I will try to find the words to do so over these next few weeks that we have remaining together. For now I will leave it at this simple, yet all-encompassing statement: Thank you all so much. Sincerely, Cantor Elizabeth Flynn

Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz Co-Presidents

Our end of year message in last year’s June Bulletin was so well received. we hope you won’t mind just a few updates to reflect Sisterhood’s work during the 2017-2018 year. ______________________________________________________ Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes How do you measure, measure a year?                                                (Jonathan Larson, RENT) As we reach the end of our third year as your Sisterhood Co-Presidents, we ask ourselves a similar question….How do you measure Sisterhood’s Year? In the number of old jokes, egg creams, pretzel rods and  laughs and smiles during our  “Old and Not So Old Jews Telling Jokes” in October? In the number of edits to our calendar because we keep adding events throughout the year? In the hundreds of pieces of new silverware that were unpacked and washed and put away? In the miles driven and steps taken so we could attend this year’s URJ Biennial? In the awards and acknowledgements our members receive because they go “above and beyond”? In the amount of colorful matzo crumbs generated from our Matzogram Fundraiser? In creative cookie designs we learned at our “Sweetness & Love” Cookie Decorating Event? In the amazing support we received from those men who have chosen to become “Friends of Sisterhood”? In the organizations which benefited from our bi-monthly Tsedakah collections? In interesting and motivating programs presented at our monthly meetings? In the amount of cookies, cakes, fruit platters and cups of coffee at our beautiful weekly onegs? In the number of new tablecloths we purchased?  In the number of Chanukah candles which lit up our Chanukah/New Member Dinner? In hours of planning and set up for the Chanukah/New Member Supper, Tu B’Shevat Event, Passover Community Seder? In the number of times we update our SH membership list in order to add our new members? In the ‘Thank You’ notes and letters we receive from congregants and organizations? In the number of people who helped prepare meals to be served at local shelters? In conversations with custodians about correct set-ups for all events? In pounds of rummage sale items packed and unpacked and then packed up again to be shipped off for further donation? In the number of Shabbat Gift Bags presented to our new members? In Purim groggers and Simchat Torah flags? In the amount of steps taken at the Gift Show to find beautiful items for our Judaica Shop? In the delight of our members as they received the most extraordinary and creative Shalach Manot gifts thoughtfully designed by our chairpersons? In the gifts purchased at our Judaica Fair? In the number of tablecloths laundered each week? In thousands of cups, plates, utensils we consistently provide for use by our entire congregation? In the names printed on our annual community New Year’s Card designed by a talented Sisterhood member? In phone calls and e-mails arranging for assistance with Sisterhood events? In traditions and rituals we try very hard to uphold at our Temple? In Shabbat and Yom Tov candles and blessings? In potato latkes, seder plates, apples, nuts and raisin packages? In contributions to the Youth, Education and Special Projects Fund of WRJ? In bottles of wine and juice for our Shabbat Kiddushes? In Raffle tickets sold for our fundraising events? In yards of aluminum foil and plastic wrap used for meals and platters and donations? In the number of tables filled with our members as we honor our members at community events? In all the Good & Welfare reports sent out to our members? In stamps for hundreds of mailings? In the Tanakhs, texts and Torah Commentaries given as gifts to B’Nai Mitzvah and Confirmation Students? In the number of times the words “thank you” are spoken? In the dozens of cookies carefully selected for each Oneg? In money raised at fundraisers to support all that SH does for our Temple? In the thousands of dollars spent on Journal Ads honoring our members and clergy? In the steps taken as we walk together to fight Breast Cancer together? In the tens of thousands of dollars we donate to our Temple? In the women who happily pay their dues for next year at our End of Year Dinner this year? In the writing and reading of the detailed minutes of every meeting? In the women who are always there for each other in times of need? In the arguments that take place because we all care so much? In the number of opening and closing prayers which sometimes bring tears to our eyes because of our love for our sisters? In the dues we pay to Women of Reform Judaism? In the laughter heard at our End-of-Year celebratory dinner? In SH members who sit on every committee at our Temple? In the number of hours put into planning a very special Sisterhood Installation Service? In the thousands of minutes spent in meetings or preparing for meetings or cleaning up from meetings? In communications between Florida and NY so everyone can stay in touch all year? In the birthday and anniversary celebrations each month? In the hours spent in cars driving to temple while schlepping boxes and packages and children and supplies? In the number of edits of a monthly bulletin article? In phone calls and e-mails to order kitchen supplies or oneg bakery and fruit orders? In the time spent preparing budgets and financial reports? In the polishing of the silver as we ready ourselves for the High Holidays? In the number of Sisterhood checks written? In the bagels and salads and pounds of lox and hours spent preparing breakfast for our monthly meetings? In the pride we feel when our own daughters become members of our Sisterhood? In the careful thought of a nominating committee who works hard to make sure SH will continue to thrive? In the hours upon hours of time the women of Temple Israel dedicate to making sure Temple Israel is there for us now and in the future? So, how do you measure a year in the life of the Sisterhood of Temple Israel? You measure it in love. Thank you all for another amazing year in the history of the Sisterhood of Temple Israel and for having enough faith in us to allow us to continue to lead Sisterhood for another year. In Sisterhood, Shariann Ganz & Jodi Siegel Co-Presidents

DATES TO REMEMBER Friday, June 8th - 8:00 p.m.-Temple Board Installation Service Tuesday June 12- Sisterhood End of Year Dinner -7:00 p.m. (Scroll down for Flyer ) Friday, June 15th - 6:00 p.m. Bring a Dairy Dish To Share Dinner Honoring Cantor Elizabeth Flynn and 8:00 p.m. - Sisterhood/Brotherhood Installation Shabbat Service

THE BROTHERHOOD Temple Israel – Reform Congregation of Staten Island brotherhoodpresident.ti.si@gmail.com

This month we held a Dinner meeting. We all got to share some good conversation and enjoyed a light Italian meal. We then moved on to the business portion of the meeting where the slate of Officers and Directors were voted upon unanimously. Our Paid up Breakfast offsite will be held on June 3 at 10:00 A.M. at the Dakota Diner. I hope to see everyone there. Our end of year Men’s Night Out will be held June 20 at 7:00 P.M. at Café Bella Vita in Dongan Hills. A flyer is available in this E- Shalom to make your reservations.   As our year comes to a close I would like to thank each and every Brotherhood member for participating in making this year a great one. We had a record number of members this year. Your support financially, spiritually and or just a helping hand made a world of difference. I would like to welcome all of the new families to Temple Israel this year and invite them to participate in all of our events. This year I have reinstituted the idea of giving Tzedukah in the name of something you are grateful for at the start of each meeting. This month we decided to send our Tzedukah to the American Diabetes Association. 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 JUNE 2018

F or calendar updates click here . To print a copy of this calendar, Click here. click here .

Mazel Tov This year’s Adult Confirmation Class Robin Howald, David Meltzer, Nina Rohan, Jodi Siegel and Luigia Weisner. Jennifer Straniere on being honored by the Wagner College Chai Society. Cantor Elizabeth Flynn on her Ordination on May 6th. Karen & Jerry Gross on the birth of their grandson, Ian Alexander Gross. Matthew Ganz recipient of the College of Staten Island's Dolphin Award. Welcome New Members Jason and Felicia Otto and their children Austin and Arielle. Condolences Inez and Steve Singer and family on the loss of Steve’s brother, Gary. Barbara Feigelman on the passing of he brother-in-law Stuart. Cantor Elizabeth Flynn on the passing of her great aunt. Get Well Shirley Wolinitz, founding member of the congregation and mother of Bryn Biren, recovering from orthopedic surgery. Thinking of You Rebecca Hand

The Annual AVODAH Awards were presented at the Annual Congregational Meeting held on Wednesday, May 23. Temple Israel began presenting Avodah Awards over fifteen years ago. The initiative was started by Terry Baver, who continues to spearhead the initiative each year. "As we read in Deuteronomy, 'a community is too heavy for anyone to carry alone.' Each year, we honor congregants whose willing hands and loving hearts sustain our congregation. There are many jobs done for our congregation that don't get recognized and are often taken for granted by all of us. Some jobs are big, some small. All make our congregation more loving and joyful, and they enable our congregation to function and to grow. Bringing leftover food to Project Hospitality, making sure there is an annual Brotherhood Bar-b-que, volunteering in our religious school, creating the temple quilt hanging in our social hall, playing the harmonica at our services, representing us at community events, singing in the choir, directing the Purim Spiel, making sure the sisterhood has all the paper goods it needs, providing food for our oneg shabbats, .....these are just some of the work our honorees have done for each of us over these many years. The awards are our way of saying "thank you".  Terry Baver made the following presentations. A temple Bulletin matters. It doesn’t just communicate information about services and meetings. It holds a community together, it communicates its core values and its mission; it connects congregants to each other. Our Temple Israel Bulletin has been beloved and read by generations of congregants. For many years it was edited by Carole Lachman. In the last year of her life, everyone knew that the monthly Bulletin would appear late in the month but we all knew Carole wanted to keep editing it till her last breath even if she couldn’t always manage it on time. And she did, even up to the last month of her life. She edited it throughout her illness and we continue to honor her by the name of the Bulletin. A number of congregants scrambled to take it over after Carole’s death. Eventually Susan Marks took over the work of creating and editing the Bulletin. She did an extraordinary job for many many years. But the world was changing. Everyone was increasingly getting information and news online. Our younger members were reading all their newspapers on line. Congregations were beginning to move to E-Bulletins. Change is hard. Some of us felt very wedded to the physical Bulletin. We were uncomfortable giving it up and weren’t sure how an E-Bulletin would work. Enter JODI SIEGEL . Jodi was already a volunteer extraordinaire for our congregation. Co-President of Sisterhood, long time member of our Ritual Committee, Choir member, long serving co-chair of our annual Gala and volunteer for whatever other jobs needed to be done, Jodi had the vision for the E-Bulletin, the confidence in it, and the willingness to do the work to make it happen. So with some reluctance, and some trepidation, the Board voted to move to an E-Bulletin. And we can all now say, “WOW”. With very few blips the E Bulletin appeared. It is beautiful. Jodi can even track which articles are read! For her vision and dedication to transitioning our congregation to having an E-Bulletin, we present Jodi Siegel with an Avodah Award. ----------------------------- LINDA BRILL is, as Bryn says, a very special breed of her own. The word selfless comes to mind. When there is a need Linda volunteers, without hesitation. She adjusts her schedule, and never, ever expects or needs recognition for what she has done. She has been often honored at temple but there always seems yet another job she has taken on that we feel needs appreciation and acknowledgement.  We often have situations at temple when our secretary, Lara, cannot be in the office. But our Temple office needs coverage. It isn’t just the paperwork that needs to get done. People call or stop by in need of help, advice, information or sometimes just a warm friendly connection. When this need arises, the temple president sends out e-mails and asks for help. Linda responds with a “ yes”, again and again and again. As a past President of Sisterhood, past President of our Temple and the long-time Chair of the Ritual Committee Linda is one of the pillars of our synagogue. Those jobs are visible and important . But Linda does all the jobs...the big ones and the little ones. The jobs that have “position” and the jobs that just have work that needs to be done. There can’t be enough praise for her dedication and service. For covering for Lara in the Temple office whenever the need arises, and managing that work with her usual grace, warmth and intelligence, we present Linda Brill with an Avodah Award.  ----------------------------- The Torah states that each of us is created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. Yet there are still those with developmental, emotional, intellectual and other disabilities who do not have the opportunity to participate in the richness of Jewish communal life because barriers still exist. Under the leadership and vision of Blanche Ricci, we long ago worked to make our temple accessible to those with physical disabilities. And now, with the leadership and vision of JUDY SCHER , we have worked to make our services accessible to children with developmental disabilities. Judy runs a mothers’ support group for mothers with special needs children. The moms told her about a church that had a " No Shush" service for their families. Throughout the years, these moms reported that they did not even feel welcome with their children at church. But they now did. So, Judy spoke to Rabbi Howald who was quite receptive to the idea of having a “No Shush” Shabbat experience here at our temple. We began to hold our own “No Shush” Shabbats in November 2016. The parents were most appreciative and comfortable, and Rabbi, according to Judy, was really good and sensitive with the children and their parents. Judy knew she would be unable to cover the commitment herself. So, JOANNA MELTZER and INEZ SINGER said, “hinneni”...”I am here”. They were involved from the beginning and, according to Judy, “terrific” with the children. Inez has a Special Ed background and she was already a volunteer at the Head Start downstairs. Judy asked Joanna to make the initial flyer and, typical of Joanna, she just stayed to continue with the work. She and Inez and Judy have been a presence at these services. Rabbi tells the children a story, the children have the opportunity to walk around the sanctuary holding their small stuffed torahs and the children even have “calming shawls” (their version of a tallit) to help them stay focussed. Inez and Joanna and Judy have worked with the children and their families, enabling these families to have a beautiful shabbat experience. For their work bringing “No Shush” shabbats to families in our communities, we present Judy and Inez and Joanna with an Avodah Award.  ----------------------------- Passover is the most beloved of Jewish holidays, even among secular Jews. It is the most widely observed ceremony in Jewish life and it takes on a new significance in every generation. For more than three millennia Jews have paused each spring to steep themselves in the history of our forefathers and foremothers and to relate our historical narrative to our children. In this way, our identity has been renewed and preserved. Passover is traditionally a holiday celebrated at home, and not at the synagogue. But we at temple Israel have had a long tradition of holding a community seder. Our community seder has meant so much to so many people. Some come because they have no family of their own living close by. Some have come because they were not comfortable creating all the rituals themselves. Many come because they think of the temple family as their family, and want to celebrate passover together. JENNIFER STRANIERE has created and run these community seders for us for years and years. While she does have a committee, everyone agrees she is our own personal Passover Wonder Woman. She shops, boils the eggs and always insists on making the charoses herself. She works with the caterer, the waiters, and confers with Rabbi throughout the process. She makes sure all the ritual objects are on all the tables, and that the room looks inviting and beautiful. And remarkably, she personally prepares vegetarian dishes for our vegan attendees, including a vegetarian matzo ball soup. Jennifer’s commitment to making sure we have a community seder every year at temple Israel has meant so much to so many people. Some come alone; some come with their whole family; all come to be a part of a loving community and partake of the meaningful ritual that means so much to us all. For her remarkable years of dedication to making sure our community has a Passover seder where all are welcome, we present Jennifer Straniere with an Avodah Award.  To read the the reports presented at the meeting,  click here .

TEMPLE TRANSITIONS During the month of June, the new Executive Officers and Board of Trustees for 2018-2019 take office and at the end of the month the new Officers of our Affiliate Organizations also change. We are grateful to all those who have accepted the responsibilities of leadership in our Congregation and we are grateful to the Nominating Committees for all their hard work.

Your Temple Israel Membership Package will be arriving shortly. We ask that you check the due date for the submission of your annual commitment and contact Financial Secretary Jennifer Straniere (through the Temple Office) if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to your on-going partnership with Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island.

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.

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June is now upon us and we are starting to wind down for the summer months.  But for the Ritual Committee we are anticipating ‘our busy season’.  We along with Rabbi Howald will be planning for the High Holy Days which come early this year.  The preparatory service of Selichot will be observed during Labor Day Weekend on Saturday evening September 1 st .  Although the High Holy Days are technically not early, it feels that way. Please watch your e-mail and snail mail for information about the High Holy Days and the subsequent Festival days as well as information about the annual Memory Book. In the meantime, we congratulate Adam and Harrison Zafrani and their family as each will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday morning June 9 th .     We also congratulate Robin Howald, David Meltzer, Nina Rohan, Jodi Siegel and Luigia Wiesner our Adult Confirmands of 5778. We as a congregation celebrated their accomplishment at the beautiful oneg they hosted following the Erev Shavuot Service on May 19 th . In addition, we thank Jerrold Gross for leading the Friday Night Service with Cantor Elizabeth Flynn on May 11 th when Rabbi was with his Taste of Judaism class in Manhattan. Finally, but certainly not least we congratulate Cantor Elizabeth Flynn on her ordination on May 6 th . We will miss her as she will be leading a new congregation in song and prayer in Delaware.  Please join with the congregation on June 15 th when she will be thanked and honored for her three years of Service as Student Cantor of Temple Israel. Jeffrey Ganz and Linda Brill Co-Chairpersons Ritual Committee _________________________________________________________ THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE:   We thank the following congregants for their assistance with ushering during services as well as for honoring the congregation with their presence on the Bimah since the last E‑Shalom: Paul Bierman, Deanna Feder, Barbara Fried, Izzy Greenspan, Molly Greenspan, Claire Guttsman, Beverly Mazer, JR Rich, Susan Sappin, Maurice Schlefstein, Muriel Schlefstein, Alan Siegel, Jodi Siegel, Inez Singer and Rhonda Trontz-Allen. Jerry Gross & Nina Rohan , Ushering Co-Chairs Jeffrey Ganz and Linda Brill , Co-Chairpersons Ritual Committee

Well, if you missed Erev Shabbat Services on Friday, May 25, you did not get to hear the musical talents of Jaimie Blackman and James Rohan, and……  a chance to hear & greet our incoming Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey, who sang a few duets with Cantor. You never know what you will discover at Shabbat Services! DON’T MISS THESE UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES: FRIDAY, JUNE 1 - 7:30 p.m. 70th Anniversary of Temple Israel Erev Shabbat Service Address by Hon. Philip Straniere FRIDAY, JUNE 9 - 8:00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service Installation of The 2018-2019 Temple Israel Board of Trustees and Executive Officers FRIDAY, JUNE 15 - 8:00 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service Installation of The 2018-2019 Sisterhood & Brotherhood Officers and Directors Tribute to Cantor Elizabeth Flynn as she celebrates her last Shabbat at Temple Israel

June 1, 2018 Beatrice V Dubrin Morse * Gertrude Claire Gross * James A. Meyers * Lee Pessah * Ben Harris Eleanor Ecker * David Manger * Jesse Silverman * Samuel Elrich Beatrice Gollubier * Arthur Isaacs * Carol Lee Kaminsky Phil Kantrowitz Charles Levin * Julia Davis Stewart And we remember from the Holocaust: ZARA ARONSTEIN ERNONE EISENBERG MOTEL MIRSKI ALBERT ITZKOVITS FRANZ FILIPITSCH June 8, 2018 Doris Lipp * Ida Gross * Victor Gross * Eleanora Lesiak Reg Freedman Samuel Gamoran Stanley Leigh Harrison Louis Sugarman Murray Ganz Mildred Gold * Salvatore Menna Jack Berger * Ellen Pisetzner Louis Silverman * David Marks And we remember from the Holocaust: SALAMONNE HOCHWALD MARGIT SILBERMANN MEER ZAKS EMANUEL BAND ROSALIE VOS

June 15, 2018 Edward Hackett Dorothy Salmirs Kaner Abraham Weinman Gertrude Claire Gross * Paul Kutell Irving Chazanoff Victor Gross * Harriet Leimsider And we remember from the Holocaust: MARCEL NOEL FRIMETTA DOMP WACLAW MARKIEWICZ OLGA DAJC YITZHAK DANKEWICZ June 22, 2018 Mary Freedman Esther Snyder Julius Holtz * Marcia Klein Bea Levine Evelyn Collins Morris Gross And we remember from the Holocaust : MARTA SZUNYOG APOLON DIMANZOW ERNST GOUINIK BERTA SCHWARZ STANISLAW KUCHARSKI June 29, 2018 Louis Dichter * Aaron Kessler * Bruce Harper Steven Motelson * Oscar Liebowitz * Brian Robert Motelson * Jack J. Freedland Eli Grossman Bernard Samith Max Feuerstein Joseph Heiferman Howard Levine Jean Pollack * And we remember from the Holocaust: FRIMA SCHAECHTER ZALMAN LEW JOSEF HIRSCH LOUIS FORTUIN ZOFIA NABEL

* 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, June 1 Oneg sponsored in honor of Shabbat in celebration of those celebrating June Birthdays and Anniversaries. Friday, June 8 Oneg sponsored in honor of Shabbat on the occasion of the B’Nei Mitzvah of Adam Zafrani and Harrison Zafrani. 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.

SQUARE DANCE   On May 12, 2018 this committee hosted our Spring fundraiser, the Square Dance.  Our professional dance caller, Richard Stillman, proved to be an expert in getting guests onto the dance floor for a night of rollicking, energetic fun.  He also entertained us with his singing, banjo playing, rope tricks and even played Hava Nagila on bag pipes.  Now that had to be a first at Temple Israel.   We served fruits, vegetables, snacks and lots of wonderful desserts.  We had a 50/50 as well as twenty-three different raffles to choose from.  All in all, a profitable evening for our synagogue.   This Committee tries persistently to bring you enthusiastic experiences for your enjoyment.  Please show your support and remember when you do so you help our Temple Israel   Respectfully, Andrea Simon and Karen E. Frey-Gamoran Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs

The Religious School of Temple Israel holds its final session on Sunday, June 3rd. The boys and girls have completed a year using a departmental program. Rabbi Howald and Cantor Elizabeth Flynn worked with the older students. Teachers Shariann Ganz and Joanna Meltzer ( with the assistance of Daniel Meltzer) taught Jewish history, holiday festivals, Hebrew letters and the value of tzedakah and Tikkun Olam to our younger students. Each Sunday the entire school met at 9:30 AM for a 30 minute religious service. Classroom instruction followed from 10:00AM - 11:30 AM. The entire group met back in the sanctuary at 11:30 AM to learn festival songs and traditional Jewish music. The highlight of the year was the Purim Shpiel, directed by Brooke Lopez, derived from the “ Beauty and the Beast” theme.   The students also enjoyed “Storatelling" with Brooke, which incorporated stories from the Bible and acting. We hope that the children and their parents enjoy a well deserved summer vacation. See you on September 9th!

The Dr. Ron Ronald Avis Foundation mission is to attract young families, and has been very successful thus far. Therefore, the Membership Committee has changed focus to engaging existing members and attracting unaffiliated baby boomers with a variety of efforts. The Membership Committee now includes the New Initiatives and Adult Education Committees. This restructuring will help to reduce demands on member’s time, reduce potential conflicts with events and allow a more coordinated approach to programs for both members and non.   The mission of the Membership Committee will now be engaged in 2 areas with sub-committees for each area:   Hospitality : welcoming of new members, personal engagement, outreach to less committed members, and monthly member ruach events. There will be the reinstitution of monthly Shabbat dinners, now called Shabbat Shalom Dinners. Dates selected will be coordinated with the Avis Foundation to allow new families to be part of these experiences, letting them grow more comfortable with the idea of a deepening commitment to temple life.   Chai Village-  A concept that houses a range of programming that would attract baby boomers. Among the options and offerings would be guest speakers, musical jam sessions open to the community, films, various series of classes offered by lecturers, a book club, political and/or current events discussion groups, etc.   A formal proposal with a budget will be submitted for Board approval. Funding may come from the Carol Lachman Fund as well as the Avis Foundation. All events will be free to Members with a fee for non-members. There will also be coordination with Sisterhood/Brotherhood and Fundraising to ensure a harmony of offerings.   The new Chair of Membership is JR Rich. The co-chairs of the Chai Village subcommittee are Cheryl Levine and Judy Pessah .  The Chair of the Hospitality subcommittee is yet to be selected.

CALLING ALL CONREGANTS WHO WANT TO DO A MITZVAH Quite a few parents of children in the Silver Lake Head Start are interested in English as a Second Language. The site coordinator, Jessica Fallon, has been trying to put together a class for these parents. Unfortunately, the organization she was working with needed a guarantee of 30 parents.  As so many of the parents work, it is very hard to put together a class of that size. Jessica is reaching out to us. Is there anyone who is interested in volunteering their time to conduct an ESL class at the temple? Whatever hours you can give, any day of the week, would be appreciated. Jessica has access to materials, text books, etc. Class size is dependent on who is available when you are. Obviously, the smaller the class, the better! Another option is for a congregant to call an ESL parent on the phone, at a mutually convenient time, to introduce them to conversational English.  You have the opportunity to truly communicate with the English Language Learner; “Hello, what is your name? My name is…., Today is….., I work at ……, where do you work? How many children do you have? What are their names? Are they in school?”  You have the opportunity to develop a relationship with the family. By calling on a regular basis, at least twice a week, they can learn English so much faster. And you can learn about the life of an immigrant in Staten Island. Anything you can do to help these immigrants acclimate to American society and culture would be welcome!  Please call Jessica Fallon during school hours at Silver Lake Head Start, 718-825-4488. Or feel free to call her on her cell phone at 917-853-1501 anytime. She is hoping to provide as many services to her clientele as possible. Pamela Rogozin and Barbara Tepper  Social Action Co-chairs

Chai Village (formerly the Adult Education Committee) is planning a trip to see Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, with sub titles, at the Jewish Heritage Museum on Thursday, July 19th at 1 pm. Please join us! If you're interested, or have any questions, please contact  judithpessah@gmail.com  or cherylmlevine@gmail.com  or call Judy at 917-748-0188. Cheryl Levine ad Judith Pessah Co-Chairs

We want to thank all those at Temple Israel who help when we ask. You truly make our Temple a Caring Community.  We have recently been asked to explain some things about our committee so I hope this will do.    At Temple Israel we take pride in our ability to come together to help our members in times of need. Whether it be for a Shiva, for an illness or for a hospitalization, we do our best to help our fellow congregants, our Jewish Family.  When illness or other misfortune strikes a member of our community, we try to help by arranging with volunteers to provide rides to doctors and hospitals, driving family members to visit patients, picking up needed items or asking members to cook for those who need to feed their families during an illness.  Caring Community is financially supported by the generous donations of many of our congregants and is often funded through a "pay it forward" mentality by those who have been helped. When a family suffers a loss, Caring Community is there to support the mourners.  Caring Community helps provide food after the funeral, or just for the family, within an amount budgeted by Caring Community for each Shiva. If the family was active in Brotherhood, Sisterhood or the Temple Board, additional food or refreshments may be sent to the family according to the policies of those groups.    When a Congregant loses a family member we try our best to help them in any way we can. If people (often including Temple members) are coming back to the house after the service we try to provide a repast for them. Sometimes we bring dinner just for the family. We discuss with the mourner what they want done and if it is within the budget for the Shiva, Caring Community supplies what is requested. If it is beyond that budget, we tell the family that we can supply what they want but they will have to contribute. Some people don't want much put out even when we offer, while others want a large amount of food available for anyone who visits. Sometimes additional food is provided by family or friends.  Often members of our Temple help to set up and clean up at a Shiva to take that burden off of the family so they don't have to worry about anyone but themselves. They help by putting things out that people bring or that the family has brought, keeping things tidy, setting up coffee, cleaning up at the end of the Shiva and doing what they can to make a difficult time easier for the bereaved. Caring Community does its best to help where we can.  So, if you go to a Shiva and there is nothing on the table, it is because the family wanted it that way. If there is a table overflowing, it is because the family wanted it that way and we supplied it but didn't necessarily pay for it. We do kosher or non-kosher as the family requests. We try to do what we can to help ease the difficulty our congregants are struggling with when losing a loved one.  May you all be blessed with health and happiness. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Rogozin and Barbara Tepper  Co-Chairs

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FRIDAY, JUNE 1 NO SHUSH SHABBAT (for Special Needs Children & their families) 6:00 p.m. FAMILY SHABBAT SERVICE 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, JUNE 3 FIRST FOREST EXPERIENCE HIKE AT HIGH ROCK PART (for young children) (RSVP Necessary...see flyer below) 1:30 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 15 BRING-A-DAIRY-DISH-TO-SHARE DINNER IN HONOR OF CANTOR FLYNN 6:00 p.m. (RSVP necessary to Shariann Ganz- fekete804@aol.com ) FRIDAY, JUNE 22 I*SHABBAT (Interactive Service for Young Children) For information and future dates for No Shush Shabbats, click here !

Are you stressed? Do you want to build your core strength? Join us. Thursdays 7:15-8:15 p.m. June 7, 14, 21, 28 Sundays 6:00-7:00 p.m. June 3, 10, 24 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

Join us to celebrate the 70 TH Anniversary of Temple Israel and help us honor those who do so much for our Congregation. IF YOU HAVE NOT MADE YOUR RESERVATION YET, PLEASE CONTACT jsiegel23@aol.com . We will be happy to have you with us!

All Past and Present Choir Members and Accompanists are being honored. If you have ever been a member of our adult choir, please join us for this special day! If you have not received an invitation or know someone who would like to receive one, please CLICK HERE to contact us . .

THE DR. RONALD AVIS FOUNDATION It is the first birthday of the Dr. Ronald Avis Foundation. On June 26, 2017 Ron Avis offered asked what our synagogue needed and we responded with the answer - New families. Thanks to his generosity and financial support we have had an extraordinary year. We have gained five families with eleven children, and we welcome another family on July 1st (the beginning of our financial year) with two more children. They are Felicia & Jason Otto and their children Austin and Arielle. We have discovered that word of mouth is our best method of advertising. We ask you to think of any young family that wants to raise their Jewish children in the Reform tradition. We welcome intermarried couples, same sex couples, and single parent families. In the coming year, the Avis Foundation will be offering greatly reduced membership fees that include membership at Temple Israel, High Holy Day tickets, Religious School, and many exciting courses and activities for children and adults. We are expanding our religious services to make them family friendly. We want the children to feel welcome and part of the religious traditions. In addition to the many classes we offered this past year we are beginning a Youth Band that will be led by a certified music teacher. We will happily reach out to anyone and will answer any and all questions. Just contact us at Bryn Biren ( MsBunny7@aol.com) or Terry Baver ( Terryqbaver@gmail.com ).  New families and new leadership are the future of Temple Israel. Help us to continue to be a vital synagogue! We are working to make that happen. __________________________________________________________

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Many thanks to Fern Barris, Jerry Gross & Joanna Meltzer for all their assistance with the E-Bulletin.

Contributions to Temple Israel as tributes, dedications or memorials are welcome.  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, scroll down to the bottom of 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...

CLICK HERE

TREE OF LIFE   Commemorate a special celebration or honor a family member or friend with a beautifully engraved leaf or stone on our Tree of Life.  Click here for details.

Consider DONATING A PRAYERBOOK in honor of or in memory of a loved one or in celebration of life cycle event. Select any of the prayerbooks used at Temple Israel for adults or children.

Click on the Prayerbook of your choice for the Prayerbook Donation Form!

For a printable version of this calendar, click here !

PLEASE PATRONIZE THESE BUSINESSES WHO SUPPORT TEMPLE ISRAEL. Be sure to mention that you saw their advertisement in our E-Bulletin.

Sunset Hill Laser & Electrolysis Fern L. Barris Hair Removal Specialist 891 Bard Avenue Staten Island, NY 10301 www.SunsetHillLaser.com (718)390-0531

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ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Our E-Bulletin is shared with the entire Temple Israel Family and the Staten Island Community. If you are a local business or community organization and you would like to advertise in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Temple Office at 718-727-2231 or e-mail TICommunication@aol.com.