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 - APRIL 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
        
Many of us know that Passover takes place during the Hebrew month of Nisan.  In contrast, most of us do not know that the month of Nisan also includes another observance which begins on the second day of Passover.  In ancient times, as set forth in the Book of Leviticus, our ancestors would start bringing a ceremonial measure of barley, called an “omer” to the Temple on each of the 49 days between the 15 th of Nisan and Erev Shavuot (the 6 th of Sivan). The number 49 has special significance in Jewish tradition because it constitutes a week of weeks (7x7), a significant number in the story of creation and in the beliefs of the Jewish mystics.  According the rabbis of the Talmud, these 49 days also represent the length of the journey from Exodus from Egypt to the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.  According to Jewish tradition, accordingly, the “Counting of the Omer [Hebrew:  Sefirat HaOmer ]” represents a spiritual journey from slavery to freedom and from chaos to the giving of the law.
In the absence of the Jerusalem Temple, many Jewish communities have sought to imbue the counting of the Omer with daily spiritual significance.  The Jewish mystics, in fact, saw the Counting of the Omer as an opportunity for self-improvement through purposeful reflection on different aspects of character for a week of weeks.  They saw the number 49 as a subtle reference to the 7 “lower” aspects of God found in the mystical  sefirot , the multiple aspects of divinity’s inner life identified by the masters of Kabbalah.  While the mystics believed that God has 10 different  sefirot , they maintained that the upper three are beyond human comprehension.  During the 49 days of the counting of the Omer, accordingly, the kabbalists combine each of the 7 lower aspects of God in 7 different ways, resulting in 49 separate combinations.  Each combination presents different imagery and symbolism for us each to grapple with on our symbolic journey from Passover to Shavuot and from slavery to the giving of the Law.  If we study and reflect on each of these qualities during the Counting of the Omer, the mystics believed, we will be worthy to fully accept the Torah on the holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai.
The 7 aspects of God highlighted in this mystical counting of the Omer are  chesed (lovingkindness and grace), gevurah (strength and judgment),  tiferet (harmony and beauty),  netzach (endurance and prophecy, right-side) ,   hod (splendor and prophecy, left-side) , yesod (foundation and righteousness) and  malkhut   [sometimes also called  shekhinah ](God’s indwelling presence on earth).  The first week begins with  chesed  and combines each of the 7 aspects of God with lovingkindness through the course of the week, beginning with the  chesed of chesed,  then the chesed of gevurah, etc.  through all seven lower  sefirot .  The second week emphasizes  gevurah and goes through the same  sefirot in the same order.  This continues until all 49 possible combinations of  sefirot have been counted and contemplated.  By going through this count, the mystics believed, we unite within ourselves the divine aspects of God and prepare ourselves for accepting the Torah on Shavuot.  
The Internet contains many variations on this mystical counting scheme. Some are serious and some are humorous, including one called the “Counting of the Homer” based on the Simpsons (which can now be found on Facebook and Twitter).  We have no official text for the consideration of these 49 different aspects of character and self.  Reform Rabbi Karyn Kadar has a wonderful book entitled  Omer: A Counting which I highly recommend for those who are interested in learning more about the Counting of the Omer.  This year, in addition, I will offer a brief posting each day during the Omer on Temple Israel’s Facebook page supplying both the count and a brief spiritual meditation for each day’s combination of the  sefirot to assist in your reflection.  If you want to follow along, please make sure you have asked to join our Facebook page before the count begins on the evening of April 20 th .  May your Passover Seders this year be joyous and tasty and may your Counting of the Omer be meaningful!  

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

What is Temple Israel all about?  How important is it for people to belong to a Religious Institution?

This past month has provided answers to these questions.  We, as a Congregation, have experienced a roller-coaster like series of events that have brought us from the heights of happiness to the valleys of sadness and back again. We have supported our fellow congregants who have sustained losses of family members, shared in the joys of family Simchahs and celebrated a joyous Jewish festival .  In all of these situations, we have acted together as a unified Temple Family.  It was heartening to see long-time members as well as newer family members interact to provide one another with the support needed to overcome losses or celebrate happy occasions.  It is our continued desire that this will remain a cornerstone of our Congregation.

We hope to greet many of you at our Temple-wide activities during the coming months as we celebrate Holidays and Shabbats together.  Please be sure to join with us as we continue to build a healthy and cooperative community of congregants who are dedicated to the mission of Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island. 

We offer our best wishes to each and every one of our members.  Encourage your unaffiliated friends to join with us in our future events. 

We wish you a beautiful, peaceful and happy Passover.

Jerrold Gross and Alan Siegel
Co-Presidents
Notes from Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey
Growing up, the sound of the seder in my family was people taking turns reading in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Ladino as well as some terribly out of tune singing in Hebrew and Ladino. My family created their own Turkish Sephardic Haggadah we used for many years until the schmutz overtook them. I would be referred to as Mrs. Afikomen Lady, for having found the afikomen so many times. I think of my whole family screaming out “Yuhuluhuluhulu” after making the Hillel sandwich at the end of the first part of the seder. 
The taste of Pesach in my mind is the lechuga (lettuce) and schmurah matzah dipped in the mushy, date-rich charoset I hated as a child. My mom and I made it a point to always make our own chunky Ashkenazi-style charoset because we liked it better. I also savor the Rosh Hashanah seder foods my family makes at both Rosh Hashanah and Pesach seders because we love them so much: prasa (leek patties), espinaka (spinach patties), and buñuelos (essentially fried matzah meal dough with sugar sprinkled on top). I also can’t forget matzah ball soup. My mom one year made matzah balls that were like rocks and the entire family still won’t let her live it down.
Each year, I think about how rich my family’s tradition is and how I can incorporate some of my culture into new settings, since now I am the one leading seders and am the one passing on tradition. I bear the torch of my family’s legacy. Much of what I grew up with is different than others’ traditions, and I find it so meaningful to continue learning about all of the rich traditions people have that are unique to their families and congregations. I am so looking forward to spending Pesach together for the first time this year and learning from each other and singing together loudly before and after we stuff our faces.

Wishing everyone a Pesach sameach,
Student Cantor Jen Benrey
Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz
Co-Presidents
Recently,  a former congregant visited Temple Israel for a service. She and her husband had been members for many years but had moved away. She spent some time in the lobby, finding the leaves she had dedicated on our Trees of Life, looking at the plaques and ritual objects and “window-shopping” in our Judaica showcases. Before she left, we had a chance to chat.  Her last comment to me before leaving was, “Nobody does it like Temple Israel. ”  

Sisterhood has always taken pride in the events we plan, the Temple Israel traditions and rituals for which we have become caretakers and in the way all of our activities are presented. We are careful to preserve some of our “old ways”, even though “the way it’s always been done” may not be the easiest or most convenient method of doing something.  We adapt to the changing circumstances of our times, yet when we add new events or ideas, we continue to maintain certain standards and work within the guidelines and policies of our Temple and our Sisterhood Constitution. 

But, none of our events, dinners, initiatives, or traditions magically happen! There’s a lot of hard work that goes into everything Sisterhood does for our Temple and Community. And much of this work is done by a very small group of dedicated women (and men) who care deeply for Sisterhood, Temple Israel and the Staten Island Jewish community.

So, the next time you eat a delicious cookie at an oneg, think about the people who shopped for it, brought it to temple, put it on a platter and set up the table.  When you sing the candle blessing at services on Friday night, remember that someone in Sisterhood spent months searching for just the right candlesticks for our sanctuary and someone else carefully cleans them and gently puts them away each week. When you buy something from our Judaica shop, keep in mind that a group of women spent hours carefully selecting merchandise which would be appropriate for our congregants and their families. When you brag to your friends about the incredible Shalach Manot gift you received on Purim, tell them about the small group of women who spent hours packaging all those items for everyone who came to services that night.  When you sit down at your table at our Community Passover Seder,  notice that every single piece of silverware was counted and washed by a Sisterhood member and that every plate, napkin and glass was set up on your table by one of her sisters.  When you come to your next Sisterhood meeting, remember that someone else was there earlier than you so that you could have coffee and something to eat and an attendance sheet to sign and an agenda to pick up. The next time you consider attending an event, think about the people who planned it, the person who created the flyer and the volunteer who is keeping track of the reservations.

No one is asking for thanks or for any special recognition for these and all the other things Sisterhood does.  Everyone one of us does it because we think of it as privilege to serve our congregation.  We don’t have to do anything, but we get to do everything! That’s the only magic! What would make it even more magical is if you would join us and become involved in all that Sisterhood has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, April 7th at 10 a.m. for our General Membership Meeting. Our program will be:
“EVERYTHING YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED KNOW ABOUT
SHABBAT SERVICES BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK!”
Please come join the discussion.

In Sisterhood,
Shariann Ganz & Jodi Siegel
Co-Presidents
PASSOVER RAFFLE
Enter for your chance to win this traditional yet innovative addition to your Passover Seder table.
This magnificent Seder Plate
created by Israeli artist Lily Shohat
is being raffled off at our upcoming Sisterhood meeting on Sunday, April 7th.
Raffle tickets can be purchased from Blanche Ricci.
1 for $5 or 3 for $10. 
THE BROTHERHOOD
Temple Israel – Reform Congregation of Staten Island
Our Purim Carnival which was held on Sunday afternoon March 24 immediately following Religious School was a great success .Games, prizes, food and hamentashen made for a fun Family Afternoon. 

Our Men’s Passover Seder will be Sunday afternoon April 14 at 12:30. Flyers have been mailed out and can also be found in the Temple lobby.  This is a chance for the men of the congregation to get together not only to celebrate Passover but share in our experiences as Men and how we can better connect to our heritage. Reservations are encouraged. The Yellow Yom Hashoah Candle Project is coming your way immediately preceding Yom Hashoah. When you receive your candle please be so kind as to offer a contribution to help defray the cost. We as the Jewish people must never forgot and educate our children of the importance of that very dark time in our history. 

We are coming close to the end of our year. Please look out for information on our Paid-up Membership Breakfast as well as our annual End of Year Men’s Night Out. Details are forthcoming shortly.

Nominations for the officers and directors of Brotherhood will take place over the next few months so please plan on attending those meetings. 

Brotherhood is a vital affiliate organization to the Temple. Together we are strong and make a difference to our Temple Family.  

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

Yours in Friendship and Brotherhood,
Jeff Ganz

Congratulations to Jack M. Freedman whose poem, Tzaddik ,
has been accepted for publication in the
Central Conference of American Rabbis Quarterly Journal.
Jack has given us permission to publish it here first!

Tzaddik

Thirty-six tzaddikim

One of them
is Mashiach

I only know
complexity
from those
attempting
to fulfill
a complex

In Gematria :

number 35
loh
meaning “nothing"

number 36
ohel
meaning “brightness"

Within this void
shines an Aleph

One leader emerging
One light emanating
One longing erased
Services
on the
1st Friday of each month
will now begin at
7:00 p.m.
No Shush Shabbat will begin at 5:45.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL 2019
F or calendar updates click here .
To print a copy of this calendar, click here .
Mazel Tov
Nina & Jim Rohan on the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth to Jereme Safier.

Joanna Meltzer as she is welcomed into the House of Israel upon the completion of her conversion to Judaism.

Rochelle Maltz on the birth of her grandson, Andrew Keith Maltz to David and Alicia Maltz.

Janice Gross and Larry Flaum on the birth of their grandson, Alexander Semeiks to Jenna Silberman and Jeremy Semeiks.

Daniel Meltzer on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Condolences
Fred & Andrea Simon on the passing of their son-in-law, Edward Miner.

Get Well Wishes to
Joyce Kantrowitz, mother of Linda Hanibal, recuperating from broken ribs.

Thinking of You
Susan Weinman

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 .
Click on flyer to download or print.
Click on flyer to download or print.
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!
There are new times for No-Shush Shabbat and the Family Service both held on the first Friday of the month.  The Family Service will begin at 7:00 PM starting on April 5 th .  No Shush Shabbat will start at 5:45 PM that same evening.  The goal of these changes in time are to make these Services more accessible to our younger families.

Also, please note, that Passover is almost here.  The first night of Passover is Friday night April 19 th .  Sisterhood will, once again, be holding a Community Seder that night led by Rabbi Howald and Student Cantor Benrey starting at 6:00 PM. Reservations are required.  Please look for the registration flyer found elsewhere in this Bulletin and in the Temple Lobby.  There is no Erev Shabbat Services that evening.  The First Day Passover Service is Saturday April 20 th at 10:30 AM following Torah Study at 9:30 AM.  The Seventh Day Passover Service including Yizkor is Friday, April 26 th at 10:30 AM followed by KFP Dairy Dish to Share Lunch.  Also, Brotherhood is sponsoring a Men’s Seder on Sunday April 14 th at 12:30 PM at Temple and there is a community Women’s Seder at the Bernikow JCC on Monday April 15 th .   Please see the Ritual Co-Chairs for further information.

Purim was celebrated on Wednesday March 20 th .  We thank Brooke Lopez and the “Not Ready for Purim” Players of Temple Israel and crew for the Purim Shpiel, Sisterhood for Shalach Manot Gifts, Hamantachen and groggers and of course Rabbi Howald and Student Cantor Benrey for the joyous observance.  We also thank Brotherhood for the Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 24 th .  Fun was had by all.

Looking ahead Yom Hashoah will be observed at Temple Israel on Thursday May 2 nd at 7:30 pm ( new date ) .   Please note the Community Yom Hashoah Observance will be held at the Bernikow JCC on Sunday May 5 th .  Doors open at 6:00 PM, Program starts at 6:30 PM.   

We look forward to seeing you often at 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 March:
Paul Bierman,Alan Brill, Linda Brill, Barbara Feigelman,
Sue Freedman, Barbara Fried, Libby Gershansky,
Claire Guttsman, Dennis Guttsman, Beverly Mazer, Judy Pessah, Blanche Ricci, Pamela Rogozin, Alina Shetyenberg, Jodi Siegel, Jennifer Straniere and Philip Straniere,

Nina Rohan
 Ushering Chair
HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO DEDICATE ONE OR MORE OF OUR
25 NEW CHILDREN’S PRAYERBOOKS
JUST CLICK ON THE FLYER, PRINT IT, COMPLETE IT AND MAIL IT TO THE TEMPLE WITH YOUR CHECK!
NOTE: Due to the Community Seder on April 19, Yahrzeit for those names will be read on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 20.
APRIL 5, 2019
Estelle Dichter *
Steve Nison 
Louis Siegel *
Max Baruch *
Paul Leder 
Edith Miller 
Florence Soloff *
Edward Marcus *
Alan Trontz 
Falik Bronzaft 
Sidney Sheren *
Stanley Benjamin *
Bertram Bronzaft 
Israel Pisetzner *
Rose Sugarman 
Mitchell (Melech) Gordon *
David Gornstein
And we remember from the Holocaust:
ITSEK VOLFSON
YITZHAK WAJSBERG
HAIM BERLINER
ARON FELDNER
JOZEF TURKSMA

APRIL 12, 2019
Esther Burger *
David Feldhamer *
Aida Josel Brouse *
Earl Gross 
Betty Liebowitz *
Murray Mazer 
Albert V Rosen *
Ira Bankofsky *
Sol Lubin 
Emanuel Sugerman 
Clara Vinocur 
Michael Doria 
Frances Friedman 
Helene Sparber 
David Behar *
Leona Feitelson *
Paul Martin Gross *
Sara Pappert
And we remember from the Holocaust:
JOZEF BUYCKX
EVA DUKESZ
NIKOLAI LAKEJEW
ERICH MENDELSOHN
KARL SCHIMMEL
APRIL 19, 2019
Due to Passover, these names will be read Friday 4/12 & Saturday 4/20
Herman Schnittman *
Albert David Soren *
Evelyn (Lynne) Benjamin *
Mary Goldberg *
Edythe Kahn 
Hy Schorr 
Shirley Shapiro *
Seymour Barris 
Dora Flaum 
Bertha Schlefstein *
Charles Ira Salzberg 
Rubin Sheren *
Rhea Greenspan 
Maurice Scher *
Lynne Steinman *
And we remember from the Holocaust:
BENIMIN OFMAN
ANTONIUS DE BRUIJN
ZOFIA GUTOWSKA
SZYSTA FRANTIREK
MICHAL KUSINSKI

APRIL 26, 2019
Estelle Gootenberg *
Larry Littman 
Bert Meyerberg *
Dora Selmon 
Malvina Goldberg *
Murray Lee *
Samuel Richter *
Cornelius Bregoff *
Edith Gloates *
Irving Smith 
Carl Berkowicz 
Glenda Kalish 
Sallie Klaw *
Etylda Berkowicz *
Klara Berkowicz *
Joseph Kerstein *
Abraham Pollak *
Markus Pollak *
Rosa Pollak *
Sofia Pollak *
Rose Schneider 
Jennie Blumenthal *
Abraham Cohen *
Naomi Newhouse Jablons *
And we remember from the Holocaust:
JOSEF BOERGER
MOSHE HARTH
GEORGIA BONNOT
ISTVAN GROSZ
BORUKH OFMAN
* 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.
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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. 
Friday, April 5
FAMILY SERVICE AT 7:00 P.M.
CELEBRATION OF
FEBUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Friday, April 12
ADULT CHOIR SINGS
ONEG SPONSORED BY
LIBBY & IRA GERSHANSKY AND
LINDA & LARRY HANIBAL
IN HONOR OF SHABBAT ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR
45TH ANNIVERSARIES.

Friday, April 19
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER
NO SHABBAT SERVICE
WHICH EREV SHABBAT SERVICE IS RIGHT FOR MY FAMILY?
Spring is on it’s way!

GREEN THUMB COMMITTEE
forming now!

If you’re interested in planting and gardening to help beautify our Temple grounds, please contact Alan Siegel at ajsiegel1@aol.com
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.
Click on Flyer to download or print.
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
Wednesday
APRIL 10
6:45 p.m.

The Choir will be singing at services on
FRIDAY, APRIL 12
If you would like to join the Temple Israel Adult Choir, just come to any rehearsal...and all the rehearsals that follow!
The open Library hours will be
Wednesdays
3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
and
Sundays
9:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.  

Thank you to JR Rich for the many beautiful books that he donated.

If you have any books you think would be appropriate for The Rabbi Marcus Kramer Memorial Library, please bring them for us to see.

Steve Scher
Chair
Hear ye! Hear Ye!

Night at the Races (May 18 th ) is a family fun evening. Kids and adults ride horses (sort of) to the role of the dice.    Everyone gets to bet on their favorite jockey and make money for Temple Israel.  Think cruise line races.
Guess what?  You can actually sponsor one of our eight races. If you sponsor it you can name it. Name it after your company, grandchild, family pet, etc.  Only $20.
Just click on the flyer above to print or download.

Rhonda Trontz-Allen-, Karen Frey-Gamoran, Lissa Winchel
Co-Chairs  
T emple Israel’s religious school students have been happily busy at their studies this month learning about Purim. Many of our students participated in the Troll-tastic Purim spiel, led by the incomparable Brooke Lopez, who also teaches our littlest students in Kitonim. The rest of our students celebrated with the congregation and were wowed by the amazing service. 
Our students’ next big holiday event will be the model Passover Seder, which will be held during religious school on Sunday, April 14 th .  It will be a fun and educational assembly. Parents should be on the lookout for Sign Up Genius emails about how to contribute and volunteer. 
Religious school classes will not be held on Sunday, April 21 st , Wednesday, April 24 th , and Sunday, April 28 th , during the Passover holiday. Chag sameach and enjoy your family time. 
A gentle reminder to parents: Our religious school students are required to attend a certain number of Shabbat services, correlating to their grade. If your family hasn’t met its service attendance goals yet, please try to do so before the end of the academic year. Please note that April, May, and June first Friday Family Services will be held at 7pm (check the calendar on the website for full details). 
The Committee on Religious School is already looking ahead toward academic year 2019-2020/5780. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, May 19 th , when we will meet at 10am to make some key decisions for the coming year. 
If you have any questions, ideas, or would like to get involved, feel free to reach out to me at  ti.si.school.bd@gmail.com

B’shalom, 
Jennifer Cortijo
Chair
Committee on Religious School



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Tikkun Olam, to heal the world, is one of the basic tenets of Reform Judaism.  Therefore, the work of our Social Action Committee is important to us, to identify more closely with our faith, to the community and to show others what is important to us.  There are many activities at Temple Israel that you can take part in to help our community.
Click ad for a list of participating restaurants!
SOCIAL ACTION IS ALMOST OUT OF FUNDS!!!!  PLEASE DONATE TO THIS IMPORTANT MITZVAH!!!  WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE HELPING FEED THE HUNGRY OR ASSISTING THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT YOUR DONATIONS!!!!  THANK YOU FOR HELPING IN ANY WAY YOU CAN!!!
 
**LOVING STATEN ISLAND
On Sunday March 17th, Temple Israel hosted the  Loving Staten Island dinner, which is an interfaith program bringing together members of our community who want to enjoy a bring a dish to share meal and special programs with those from our community who have different religions.  Rabbi Howald led an activity where everyone paired up and made friendship bracelets together.  We had a decent size group and plenty of food and learned things about people we may not have known before.  Religious leaders told stories from their religions and helped us all to learn more about a religion other than our own.  Thank you Rabbi Howald and the Loving Staten Island group for a very successful and enlightening evening!
BACKPACKS
Through the generous donations of some of our members we are getting close to filling our backpacks for next year!!  If you would like to be a part of this wonderful mitzvah please donate to Social Action and indicate that you are donating for the Backpacks.  If you would like to attend the graduation where the backpacks are given out just let me know!!
FOOD PREPARATIONS
We had a very successful food preparation event on the morning of March 17 th  when volunteers from our congregation helped prepare a delicious meal for the hungry. Although we had a small group we were able to prepare food, ice cakes, and finish up around noon.  Thank you to all of the helpers who came that morning. The Social Action committee wouldn’t be a success without the volunteers who do all the work!!!.  We will let you know when the next food prep is scheduled. Thank you again to all those who helped with this important Mitzvah.
DIAPERS
Did you know that neither WIC nor food stamps cover the cost of baby diapers?  In order to help, we provide packages of diapers to Project Hospitality to be distributed to mothers of infants.  Please buy diapers or make a donation to Social Action to support this cause.
DONATIONS  
Of course, none of the things Social Action does could be accomplished without your generous donations.  We have been able to feed thousands of people less fortunate than ourselves and hope to feed thousands mor e,  thanks to you!    We have given hundreds of backpacks to children who might otherwise not received them, and hope to give hundreds more, thanks to you!  We have diapered hundreds of babies helping hundreds of families, and we hope to help hundreds more, thanks to you!  Please help us continue our important work for our community by donating both your time (for food prep events if you are available) and funds.  Thank you so much for your support!

Pamela Rogozin
Social Action Chair
The Adult Learning Committee is having a busy spring. We are reading "The LemonTree" by Sandy Tolan. We will be discussing it at our May meeting.

On April 6th we will be attending "The Immigrant”, a play being presented at the George St. Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ.

We will be visiting Wagner College on April 11th at 11am to hear a talk by Lori Weintrob, Director of the Holocaust Center, on Holocaust Heroines. This will be followed by lunch in the Faculty Dining Room. The cost for this event is $18 per person.

On May 21st we are so excited to be presenting "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean" with additional funding by the Avis Foundation. This program will take place at the Noble Museum. You are invited to visit the museum, beginning at 6pm, with the talk starting at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free to all Temple members.

We are also planning a tour of Urban Glass, followed by lunch at Juniors Restaurant in Brooklyn in May.

Please rsvp to any or all of our events by contacting Cheryl at  cherylmlevine@gmail.com , or Judy at  judithpessah@gmail.com .
Cheryl Levine
Judy Pessah
Co-chairs
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Last month we sadly said a farewell to Isabelle Slamow, mother of Susan Marks, mother-in-law of Stewart Marks, mother of Michael Slamow and mother-in-law of Dr. Patricia Hunt-Slamow, grandmother of Phillip and Rachael Marks. Our sadness unfortunately continued with the passing of Edward Miner, son-in-law of Andrea and Fred Simon, husband of their daughter Karen, father of Stephany, Brandon, Keenan and Cody. 
Thank you to all of our congregants who helped with the Shiva for the Marks family and for your heartfelt concern for the Miner and Simon families. May these families find comfort among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may their memories be a blessing.
To those who are recovering from illness or surgery we wish you all the best of health.  
If you need assistance, please let us know.  As always, we hope that you, our congregants, will continue to support our Caring Community with your donations that help cover the costs of food, paper goods, tolls, parking, etc. used to assist those of our Temple Community that need assistance. Our committee assists congregants who need help with a Shiva, rides to doctors when they cannot get there themselves and meals when necessary, among many other things.  Thank you all for your generous donations.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy month!!
Pamela Rogozin
(917)607-0782
Caring Community Committee Chair
No Shush Shabbat Volunteers Needed

No Shush Shabbat is a half hour Shabbat service conducted by Rabbi Howald the first Friday night of each month for special needs children and their families (ages 4-14 are welcome). It has been highly successful and has been on going for about two years. A number of congregants have been our permanent “ helpers” at these services, and it is time to expand our pool of volunteers. Primarily the task is to be present to aid Rabbi with some behavior management and help serve the challah and juice at the end of the service. Of course the parents are present so primary responsibility is to also be role models during the service.  We have established very positive relationships with these  children and families a number of whom have joined our synagogue. It is open to the entire Staten Island Jewish community not just Temple members.
If you would like to be part of our volunteer corps please contact Judy Scher @  Drjudysi@gmail.com . It is a pleasant and rewarding experience for anyone who has experience with special needs children or would like to learn (young adults interested in this field are welcome).
Also, if you know anyone in the community who would benefit from this experience who are not Temple members, please let them know about this special service.
Thank you
Judy Scher, Joanna Meltzer, & Inez Singer
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FRIDAY, APRIL 5
NO SHUSH SHABBAT - 5:45 p.m.
FAMILY SHABBAT SERVICE - 7:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL -9:30 a.m

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12
EREV SHABBAT SERVICE - 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13
KATE’S HOME IN THE HARBOR (Grades 2-8)
(RSVP required)

SUNDAY, APRIL 15
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL -9:30 a.m
MODEL SEDER - 11 a.m.
BOWLING BONANZA - 4:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
HEBREW SCHOOL - 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19
COMMUNITY PASSOVER SEDER- 6:00 p.m.
(reservations required)


TEMPLE ISRAEL FAMILY ACTIVITIES

The month of March was a very busy one for our Temple families. We gathered at the SI Children’s Museum on March 9th, toured the exhibits, made puppets, danced and enjoyed dinner together. On March 17th we were amazed by the incredible Mike the Magician in our Social Hall and enjoyed pizza after the show.

The highlight of the month was the fantastic Purim Shpiel that included so many of our children and their parents. Who knew that we had so many incredible TROLLS in our congregation? Kudos to each and every one of our actors and their very talented director, Brooke Lopez.

On March 23rd, we began the first of three theatre workshops at Wagner College. The children are being taught by Michael Ferman, member of SAG and Actor’s Equity, who has 40 years of theatre experience.
The month ended on March 30th with the Noble Museum program
“ Young Jack’s Voyage”, that enabled our children to be 19th century sea captains, steer the ship and work in the galley.

On April 13th, from 4:00-6:00 PM, we return to the Noble Museum to learn about the history and function of lighthouses by meeting Kate Walker, keeper of New York Harbor’s Robbins Reef Lighthouse from 1890-1910.

We encourage our Temple Israel families to attend Family Erev Shabbat services on the first Friday of each month at the new, earlier time - 7:00 PM.

There will be no I- Shabbat (Interactive Shabbat ) service in April. Instead, bring your entire family to the Community Passover Seder that takes place on Friday, April 19th at 6:00 PM. Registration is required and must be done well in advance! This is a very special Seder, including a complete service conducted by Rabbi Howald, a delicious meal and singing along with Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey.

If you of any family interested in joining Temple Israel contact Terry Baver at 1(718)490-4428 or Bryn Biren at 1(718)447-6225. We will immediately reach out to them.
Looking forward to seeing you at all of our activities!

-Bryn Biren
Click on flyer to download or print.
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Are you stressed?
Do you want to build your core strength?
Join us.

Thursdays 7:15-8:15 p.m.
April 4, 11, 25

Sundays 6:00-7:00 p.m.
April 7, 14, 28

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...
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