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

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Happy Independence Day!

Rabbi Michael D. Howald                     Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey Co-Presidents Jerry Gross and Alan Siegel

E-Shalom - JULY 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.

TO OUR TEMPLE, BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD OFFICERS, TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS!

A Message from Rabbi Michael D. Howald          Through the remaining weeks of June and July we will be reading the Book of Numbers. Chapter 10 of Numbers sets forth God’s command to make two trumpets of hammered silver, to summon the congregation [the “ edah”  in Hebrew] and to cause the camp [the “ machaneh” ] to journey.” (Num. 10:1–2). Rav Soloveitchik, the late Rosh Yeshiva at the Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, saw in those two trumpets a metaphor for two major reasons that human beings form groups, whether those groups are nations, communities or congregations.  Using this metaphor, he wrote his famous essay “ Encampment and Congregation ” contained in his book Kol Dodi Dofek: Listen, My Beloved Knocks. The first reason human beings come together is to confront a common enemy. When we share an adversary, we often band against them for mutual protection and survival, much as primates have done since they first evolved in the savannahs of Africa. This is the organizing principle of the  machaneh , the camp, which journeys and settles together to combine the strength of many against threats to safety and continuity.  The camp comes together because of outside pressure and is primarily reactive: What are our threats? How will we survive? Who will defend us?          Human beings also come together for a second reason.  We join with others when we share a common set of aspirations for the future, a future we cannot achieve alone. This is the unifying vision of the  edah , the congregation, that comes together around common principles and a shared vision for the future   Destiny is the foundation of the Congregation. The edah, the congregation, proactively works together from the unity of a shared vision and imagines a future obtainable by deliberate action founded on principles more enduring than simply reacting to the present crisis or challenge. According to Rav Soloveitchik, the camp is bound by the  brit goral , the covenant of fate, which binds us together by reason of common history and heritage. The congregation, on the other hand, is bound together by the  brit ye’ud , the covenant of destiny, defined not, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks points out, by what other people do to us, or by what they think about us, but by the principles and ideals we chose for ourselves and the aspirations for the future we share.  The Jewish people began with a covenant of fate in Egypt, Rav Soloveitchik writes, and accepted a covenant of destiny on Mt. Sinai.  In Egypt, we were only in camp, at Mt. Sinai, the people of Israel became a congregation.          Thousands of years later, fate and destiny still call to us. One calls us to journey together as a Jewish minority amid a majority still struggling to understand how much we have in common.  With the rise of antisemitism, both here and abroad, we need each other more than ever for mutual support and protection.  This is the covenant of fate we share.          The other covenant, the covenant of destiny, brings us together, not out of fear but because of a shared vision of what a congregation, acting together, can accomplish based on the shared principles of faith and tradition.  As we end one school and fiscal year and look forward to another, we know we will have cause to answer the call of both trumpets, to both journey and gather, together. As we respond to the demands of fate and gather the strands of destiny that will propel us into the next decade of the 21 st century, may both the covenant of fate and the covenant of destiny remind us of all we share and all we can achieve together.  Rabbi Michael Howald

A Message from Co-Presidents Jerry Gross & Alan Siegel

We are grateful to our Congregants for their support throughout the year and for their participation in many of the wonderful activities that have taken place sponsored by Sisterhood, Brotherhood, our re-energized Fundraising Committee, Adult Learning and our Membership Committee.  Temple Israel is a vibrant and thriving home for Reform Judaism in the Staten Island Community. We have been up-lifted by the recent Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Kaminsky and offer our congratulations to the Kaminsky Family.  We also shared in the ‘nachas' of the families of our Confirmands, Phineas Larson, Landon Levine and Noah Miller, as they demonstrated a wonderful level of thoughtfulness as they presented their D’Var Torahs.  Each of them spoke of the important instruction and support they received from both Rabbi Howald and Student-Cantor Benrey.  The attendees in our Sanctuary were impressed by their maturity and spirituality. We celebrated the dedication and achievements of Bryn Biren at or annual Gala Brunch. As we look forward to our Summer season, we can assure you that the activities continue!  We remind you that Erev Shabbat Services will be taking place ‘ In-the-Round ‘ in our Social Hall.  Please be sure to attend and enjoy the casual setting throughout the Summer.  We are eagerly anticipating Brotherhood’s Annual Barbecue on July 14 th and hope that many of you will join us for good food and camaraderie.   Please stay current with our many activities by reading the electronic communications sent from the Temple Office.  And, as always, please feel free to contact us should you need assistance with any family matters.   We wish you a healthy and relaxing summer and look forward to welcoming you back to next year’s many new and exciting activities.  Jerrold Gross and Alan Siegel Co-Presidents

Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz Co-Presidents

O n Tuesday, June 11, Sisterhood celebrated another wonderful year at our annual "End of Year Dinner" beautifully organized by Nina Rohan, Sue Freedman and Judy Lee. As part of the presentations, we continued one of Sisterhood’s newest traditions: “The Presidents’ Awards”. These awards are presented to those Sisterhood members who consistently go above and beyond, and selflessly serve Sisterhood for the benefit of our congregation or our community. In our inaugural year, we recognized 6 wonderful women, Deanna Feder, Blanche Ricci, Claire Bleiman, Libby Gershansky, Debbie Chernoff, and Linda Hanibal. Last year, the number of our award winners increased to include Fern Barris, Terry Baver, Karen Gross, Larry Hanibal, Sue Freedman, Nina Rohan, Judy Lee and Claire Guttsman.  We are happy to continue this new tradition this year by recognizing those of our members who have made significant contributions to  Sisterhood this year.  Each of them was presented with a framed print from the  Proudly Jewish Series  from  Voices & Visions .  Each print contains a powerful quote and beautiful image, which symbolizes the contributions and special values that each of our recipients represents. We are happy to share the presentations with you here

Susan Sontag was an American writer who once described herself as suffering from attention surplus disorder, because of her focus and concentration. She said that the easiest thing in the world for her was to pay attention.  She understood the power of silence.   Silence creates a space for thought.  It acknowledges that a quick answer may not always be a right answer. It acknowledges the mystery that words no only describe but also limit our understanding of the univers. Sontag said, “Silence remains inescapably a form of speech.” Our next recipient is almost always silent yet has been a consistent and dedicated Sisterhood officer for more years than we can remember.  She also very quietly takes care of business.  For her steadfast and quiet work as our Financial Secretary, this award goes to BEVERLY MAZER .

The image of a blowing wind threatening a tree which reads “It’s when the winds blow the hardest that you need the deepest roots”,  is inspired by Psalm 1.  The Psalm compares a righteous person to “a tree planted by the rivers of water” which bears abundant fruit and whose leaves do not wither. One of the risks which a tree faces is a lack of water, which causes the leaves to shrivel and the tree to die.  Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks compares this to education.  Learning is water. Without knowledge you don’t feed the roots and the leaves eventually wither and die.” He says,  “We are a religion whose heroes are teachers, citadels are houses of study, and the passion is for education.”   For all of her efforts in creating unique and stimulating programs for our Sisterhood and for honoring us by returning to her own roots at Temple Israel, this Presidents’ Award is presented to our Co-Vice President of Programming, CHERYL LEVINE.

In Pirke Avot, Rabbi Tarfon says, “It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not fee to desist from it either.” The Jewish religion teaches that this world, God’s creation, is intended to be perfect.  But we know that the present state of the world is so far from perfect.  How can we possibly achieve tikkun olam, a truly repaired world?  The answer is a covenant, a loving partnership between God and humanity.  We commit our lives to improving the world. WE work steadfastly, faithfully, advancing step-by-step, until we get there. Rabbi Tarfon teaches us that we cannot be arrogant and think that we can finish the job alone.  The job requires partnership. For always being a willing partner and for stepping up to assist whenever needed, this award is presented to SANDY FEUERSTEIN.

“Most of the things worth doing in the world were declared impossible before they were done.”  When he wrote this, Louis Brandeis was speaking from a place of intimate knowledge. Obstacles did not frighten him. He knew that only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.   Sometimes, finding place for yourself when you become a new member of long-standing congregation may seem impossible, but our next recipient figured out that by jumping right in and volunteering to chair an event is the quickest and best way to become a part of the family.  For making herself invaluable and doing what she thought at first to be impossible, we present this award to FELICIA OTTO.

Blu Greenberg is an American author specializing in modern Judaism and women’s issues.  She has been active in the movement to bridge Orthodox Judaism and Feminism.   In speaking about her own experiences and her realization that even in orthodox Judaism, women should have equal access and power, she said, “Once I had tasted the fruit of the tree of knowledge, there was no going back.” Similarly, once one steps foot in the kitchen of Temple Israel and offers to help, there is no going back.  So, for without hesitating to offer a helping hand and a loving heart, from her very first moments as a member of our congregation and for becoming such a beloved part of Sisterhood so very quickly, we present this award to SILVIA GORNSTEIN .

“A miracle cannot prove what is impossible; it only confirms what is possible.”  This statement by Maimonides may seem surprising, since he is known as a great rationalist.  However, what he is really saying is that miracles can be found in what is possible. Our liturgy has us thanking God for the miracles that are with us every day.  We thank God for the unique experience which is human life.  For what is miraculous, Maimonides teaches us is not just what can be, but what already is.   So, for consistently maintaining the miracles of our long-standing Sisterhood traditions year after year, most especially our Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast and our Passover Community Seder, this award goes to JENNIFER STRANIERE.

In Deuteronomy we read that “Man’s life depends on the trees in the field.” We must nurture nature if for no other reason than our dependency upon it.  If we do not take care of trees, we will not be able to enjoy their shade, their fruit or their beauty.  If we are poor stewards of nature, it will not be around for future generations. Many commentators punctuate this verse with a question: “Is not a tree of the field like a human?’  People, like trees, need protection and care.  Some people are like the leaves of a tree; they are there for a season, and then they’re gone.  Some are like the branches.  They are stronger than leaves, but they have the potential of breaking away when the winds get rough.   Trees have many limbs and many leaves, but there are only a few roots. Roots are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen.  People who are roots are hard to find.  Their only job is to hold you up and help you be strong and healthy.  If you thrive they are happy.   They stay low key and don’t let the world know they are they.  And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.  Our next award winner is our root.  She is always quietly and steadfastly there to offer support, guidance, reason and perspective….and of course, to wash dish or two.  This award goes to one of Sisterhood and Temple Israel’s roots…. LINDA BRILL .

In Sisterhood, Shariann Ganz & Jodi Siegel fekete804@aol.com jsiegel23@aol.com Co-Presidents __________ DATES TO REMEMBER Monday, July 8th- 7:00 p.m.- Sisterhood Officers & Directors Meeting (Mandatory! Thursday, August 22 - 7 p.m .- Sisterhood Executive Board Meeting Sunday, August 25 - Summer Picnic Bingo - 3:00 p.m. September 14th - Sisterhood Shabbaton

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

We held our Paid Up Breakfast on June 23 at the Hylan Diner, a new venue for us. A good time was had by all. Summer is usually a quiet time for Brotherhood except for our Fantastic Family Barbeque  which will be held July 14 at 4:00PM. You should have all received flyers for this event and the flyer can also be found in this bulletin via the link. We would very much like to have everyone attend. Great food and being able to have fun with your fellow congregants is always a recipe for success.  This has been a very productive year for Brotherhood. I want to thank all of our Brothers who made this year successful and I look forward to another great year. We started the year with erecting the Sukkah for all of our Religious School Students to decorate and enjoy. We held our annual Simchat Torah Ice Cream Sundae Oneg. In December we provided the opportunity for every congregant to wish fellow congregants a beautiful Holiday Season with our Fantastic Chanukah Card and the children were delighted to be part of our Chanukah Party. Of course our always successful Purim Carnival was held in March. The Yellow Yom Hashoah Candle remembrance package was given out. We also shared in the gift for the Confirmands on Shavuot. Over the summer months Brotherhood will be busy planning for the coming year. We need your support please join us as we become even more successful next year. 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… Your in Friendship and Brotherhood, Jeff Ganz

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It is hard to believe we are starting a new year. The membership packets will be going out shortly and it will be time to renew your commitment to Temple Israel. Once you receive your packet you might have questions about your individual commitment. Please contact me at  tmplisrfinsec@aol.com  to review any questions or concerns you might have. Don’t forget to complete School Forms for any children attending Religious School and Hebrew School. Sisterhood and Brotherhood dues require separate checks payable directly to those organizations. If you are sending in post dated checks please make sure they are dated for the 15th of each month . Please remember that the last check should be dated no later than June 15, 2020. We urge you to consider upgrading your membership and becoming a member of the Kavod Society. The additional funding allows us to assist some of our other members. Looking forward to a wonderful year. Jennifer Straniere  Financial Secretary

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 2019

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

Mazel Tov to... This year’s Confirmands: Phineas Larsen, Landon Levine, Noah Miller All our graduates! The Kaminsky Family on Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah. Bryn Biren on being honored at our Gala. Jay Duskin on being sworn in as President of the Richmond County Bar Association. Get Well Wishes to... Maurice Schlefstein. Joyce Grossman, mother of Pam Rogozin, recovering from hip surgery. Thinking of You... Linda Scher  Susan Weinman Thank You...  The outgoing and incoming Temple, Brotherhood & Sisterhood Boards and officers. Your volunteer efforts help make Temple the community it is. The Adult Choir and Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey for all your work this year to enhance our services.

$$$ EASY fundraising

1.Go to Smile.Amazon.com 2.Select "Change Your Charity" 3.Type in “Temple Israel Reform 4.Congregation of Staten Island" 5.Click Search 6.Click Select 7.Order as usual. Temple Israel benefits!

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 .

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.

CONFIRMATION CLASS 5779 / 2019

During Erev Shavuot Services on Saturday, June 8, PHINEAS LARSEN, LANDON LEVINE AND NOAH MILLER were Confirmed. The following are their D’vrei Torah.

PHINEAS LARSEN Shabbat Shalom!  Thank you for attending this Confirmation service on Erev Shavuot for the Confirmation class of 5779.  This service marks the formal end of nearly a decade of my Jewish education here at Temple Israel.  However, this doesn’t mark the end of my Jewish education, it only marks the beginning. The beginning of a different stage of my learning about Judaism and the Jewish people.  Jewish education will always be a part of my life even if I am not sitting in a classroom.          Jewish culture is a very important value in my family.  Not only am I taught by my mother, I also tell my brothers and cousins Jewish stories in the hopes that, one day, they can do the same for their siblings or cousins.  I like spending time at the synagogue not only learning but also helping and enjoying Jewish holidays and traditions.  I enjoy coming to the synagogue and helping out on Purim because I remember having fun when I was a little kid.          My Jewish education has given me a lot of background on Jewish culture, traditions and rituals.  Even though Staten Island doesn’t have as large a Jewish community as other parts of the City, I treasure being a part of the Jewish community here and connecting with other Jews, particularly those around my age.  Being Jewish is simply a cool thing to have in common, even if you won’t necessarily be the closest of friends.  Being here at Temple Israel has given me Jewish literacy and I am extremely anticipating learning more in the years ahead.          I feel that everything that I have done here at Temple Israel has turned out for the best.  Even when I was young and didn’t want to come, I still came and I feel I learned something. What I have learned here is something special and unforgettable. Temple Israel has implanted itself as a major part of my life, and looking back, I’m glad I experienced it. Thank you.

NOAH MILLER Chag Samach!  Like Phineas, I have been at Temple Israel since I was 5 years old.  In the 10 years since I first started in religious school, I have learned so many things.  For example, how to read and chant Torah, the meaning of Jewish holidays, the history of the Jewish people and the Jewish lifecycle to just name a few.  Its hard to believe that my formal Jewish education at Temple Israel comes to an end with this Confirmation service.              That doesn’t mean that my Jewish education is at an end.  Far from it!  I take great pride in being Jewish.  When I meet people, I often tell them that I am Jewish.  As a sign of my connection to Judaism, I wear a Star of David around my neck.  I also take comfort in the traditions we follow and I want to learn even more about the rituals and history of the Jewish people.   Even though Confirmation has come to an end, I will continue to read and listen and expand my Jewish knowledge and library.               I am particularly looking forward to going to Israel one day on a birthright trip. I have always wanted to go to Israel and see the land of the Bible and the modern home of the Jewish people.  I have heard that a birthright trip really opens up your eyes about the birthplace of the Jewish people and expands your vistas of what’s possible for the Jewish people to accomplish in their own land.  I know if I go to Israel my pride in being Jewish will be even stronger than it is today. I know the pride I have in being Jewish comes from my family and the time I spent here at Temple Israel. I thank all my teachers that I have had here at Hebrew school.  I feel that my Jewish life began here at Temple Israel and I am grateful for all I have learned.  I want to especially thank the Rabbi who took time to study with all of us over the years. I also want to thank my mother for providing me and fostering in me my  love and pride in being a Jew.  Thank you all and Chag Samach!

LANDON LEVINE Chag Samach!  Thank you for coming to this Erev Shavuot Confirmation service.  Like Phin and Noah, I have been at Temple Israel since kitonim when I started with Ms. Kaitlyn.  I had a really good group of teachers and they taught me well.  Not only that, they were respectful to me and to the other students.  I’ve learned prayers, how to read from the Torah, and about Jewish holidays and history. I have also learned about how to be part of the Jewish community, and how to be kind and helpful to others.  I can take what I have learned to other Jewish communities and hopefully, one day, even to Israel.  One day, God willing, I hope to pass this education down to others, maybe even my own children.             In order to be part of this confirmation class, I had to juggle my busy sports’ schedule, homework and life with confirmation class-time.  It hasn’t always been easy.  With the help of my dad and mother, and with my own determination to see it through, I am standing here today.  I wasn’t always sure I would make it.  Today, however, I am very pleased that I saw confirmation through even though I had many opportunities to quit along the way.  I am proud to stand up here as part of the confirmation class of 5779, along with Phin and Noah.             From this experience, I have learned to never give up.  No matter how things are, I have learned to keep pushing and never give up.  This lesson has served me well.  In my old school, I was part of the passages program. In order to graduate, you had to pass a difficult test.  I was very worried about this test.   I knew from my bar mitzvah that I could succeed even when the task seemed overwhelming. Thinking back on that experience helped give me confidence and I passed the test and graduated.  Hebrew and religious school, accordingly, isn’t just about what we learn from Jewish texts, as important as that is, but also what we learn about ourselves.             Thank you to all my teachers over the years at Temple Israel.  I am also grateful to the congregation that supported this religious school and made it possible for all of us to learn about our heritage and Reform Judaism. Thank you to Rabbi Howald and Student Cantor Benrey for all their wisdom and their time.  Thanks, particularly to my family that made my time at Temple Israel possible!

Happy Summer to all! The Ritual Committee thanks Jim Rohan who will be providing musical leadership for Erev Shabbat Services during the months of July and August when the Services will be held in the Social Hall. Thank you, Jim!   We also thank all the lay leaders who will be covering Saturday Morning Torah Study and Shabbat Services over the summer. Scheduled as of the writing of this article are Linda Brill, Pam Carlton, Barbara Fried, Judy Lee, Rochelle Maltz, JR Rich and Muriel Schlefstein. As the summer continues the Ritual Committee along with Rabbi Howald will continue to plan for the High Holidays.  Please watch your E-mail and snail mail for information about High Holy Days and the subsequent Festival Days as well as information about the annual Memory Book. Finally, please note that Tish B’ Av will be observed the evening of August 10 th and the preparatory Service for High Holy Days, Selichot, will be observed on Saturday evening September 21 st . 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 June: Bryn Biren, Linda Brill, Phyllis Elrich, Deanna Feder, Barbara Fried, Barbara Feigelman, Jeffrey Ganz, Libby Gershansky, Larry Hanibal, Ethan Kaminsky, Beverly Mazer, Sandy Mazzucco and Richard Marlieb, Judy Pessah, Blanche Ricci, Susan Sappin, Jodi Siegel, Fred Simon and Rhonda Trontz-Allen. Nina Rohan  Ushering Chair

July 5, 2019 Howard Levine Jean Pollack * Herbert Flaum Adele Mushnick * George Curatola Louis Katzman * Samuel Greene * Bernard Jablon * Peter Prosaw * Samuel Rubenstein * And we remember from the Holocaust: PAUL SCHILLER WALTER LEHMANN RACHEL BERL REGINA DROTSCA YAKOV WEINER JULY 12, 2019 Herman Brouse * Julius Holtz * Gary Fried * Charles Weissglass * Leon Berkowicz Morris Gross Sylvia Schwartz * Max Davidson * Sonia Dumont Jerome Krant * And we remember from the Holocaust: ETA ZYLBERSZTAJN DOVID-LEIB OFMAN SOFIE BLUM MARTEN GEERTSEMA BERNAT PENNER

JULY 19, 2019 Leroy Tepper * Jerome Berg * Lillian Feldman Miriam Blackman Bill Greenfield Hyman Snyder Carl Orland * Louis Blumenthal * And we remember from the Holocaust: BRONISLAW STANIALEFCKI DOVID ZARSKI MOR KOVACS BRUNO BOLDEBUCK FRANCISZEK KUPIEC JULY 26, 2019 Alice Rosen * Steven Martin Cohen Shirley Haber * Michael Selig John Vogelman Harry Selznick * William Silverberg * Estelle Ballow Bernard Freedman Marion Brook Simons * Bessie Topel And we remember from the Holocaust: EMANUEL HIRSCH MOISHE ZYLBERSZTAJN FLORA WINER ISRAEL FLANTER YOLEN RUT

* 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.

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, July 5 FAMILY SERVICE AT 7:00 P.M. CELEBRATION OF JULY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES Friday, July 12 KABBALAT SHABBAT 8:00 p.m. Home Baked Oneg by SANDY FEUERSTEIN and BRYN BIREN Friday, July 19 KABBALAT SHABBAT 8:00 p.m. Home Baked Oneg by LINDA HANIBAL and NINA ROHAN Friday, July 26 KABBALAT SHABBAT 8:00 p.m. Sponsored by KAREN FREY-GAMORAN in honor of JOE GAMORAN’S BIRTHDAY! 

Services on the 1st Friday of each month now begin at 7:00 p.m.

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 for HIGH HOLIDAYS Thursday, July 25 6:45 p.m.

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 by appointment only during the months of July and August. Contact Steve Scher at 347-683-0606 or stevescher12@gmail.com  Steve Scher Chair

Thanks to all of our congregants and friends who came out to Jimmy Max restaurant, for a great time, great food, and of course, a great cause. Your support helped us raise almost $500 for Temple Israel. Thanks again to all. We are looking forward to more new and exciting ways to raise money to support our synagogue. Please stay tuned for upcoming events. Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Trontz-Allen, Karen Frey-Gamoran, Lissa Winchel Co-Chairs

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.   BACKPACKS The Silver Lake Head Start Program had its annual graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 20 th .  The children performed some beautiful songs and happily received their “Step Up” graduation certificates.  Through the generous donations of our members each graduate was given a backpack filled with school supplies to start them off in Kindergarten.  A number of our congregants joined the excited parents at this ceremony and shared in their proud moment.  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 FOOD PREPARATIONS  The calendar meeting is coming up and I will let everyone know when we schedule a date in July for our food preparation.  Thank you again to all those who help 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 (917)607-0782 Chairperson

Thanks to all the wonderful members of our committee for their ideas and hard work which contributed to a year full of varied, fascinating experiences.We read and discussed several books. We saw theater productions such as "Fiddler on the Roof" in Yiddish, "The Immigrant" and "After Anatevka." We learned about The Lost Tribes of Israel and Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean. We visited the Noble Maritime Collection at Snug Harbor, The Jewish Heritage Museum and Urban Glass in Brooklyn. We took a backstage tour of the St. George Theatre. And of course we ate! It is after all educational to try different types of food. We're now working on several new programs for next year. So if you have any ideas for programs, or would like to be sure to get notifications about upcoming events please contact Judy at  judithpessah@gmail.com  or Cheryl at  cherylmlevine@gmail.com . Thank you. Cheryl Levine Judy Pessah Co-Chairs

The summer is upon us and hopefully will bring sunshine and health to our Temple Israel Community. Of course, even though we have a short break in some of our usual temple events our Caring Community is always there for those in need. If you need assistance, please let us know.  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.  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. Thank you all for your generous donations. To those who are recovering from illness or surgery we wish you all the best of health.   Wishing everyone a happy and healthy month!! Pamela Rogozin (917)607-0782 Chairperson

CLICK ON THE FLYER BELOW FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION! REGISTRATION OPENS ON JULY 1st.

To say that this has been a terrific year for families with children is an understatement. Sitting at the Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Kaminsky on June 15th was the resounding affirmation of the positive effect of the Avis Foundation on our congregation.  Having joined Temple Israel less than two years ago, Ethan stepped up to read the Torah fully prepared, enthusiastic and committing to continue his studies past his Bar Mitzvah to become a Confirmand. This Fall we look forward to Samantha Galitsky coming to the Bimah to become a Bat Mitzvah. Temple Israel has been able to offer STEAM, Art, Theatre classes at Wagner College and various Museum programs during the past year. The parents have been offered free Sunday evening Yoga classes.  Leadership positions are being filled at Temple Israel by many of our newer members. Brian Cortijo will be serving on our Executive Board, Alina Shteynberg, Felicia Otto and Jennifer Cortijo are joining our Board of Trustees, Jeffrey Chason will be a Brotherhood officer, Samantha Sherer & Felicia Otto headed the successful Sisterhood Bowling Event this Spring. We are growing and there is a renewal here at Temple Israel. Our programs for all of our youngsters and their parents will be expanding in the coming year. We will be expanding our partnership with Wagner College. We will continue to improve the Jewish education we are providing to your children. We will celebrate the religious festivals with them. We continue to work with The Resource Room and we will continue to offer the fabulous Cultureats programs created by Alina Shteynberg. We will be bringing animals back to our Social Hall and there will be new surprises for ALL! Terry Baver (718)490-4428 and I are ready to contact any family with young children who may be interested in joining our Temple family. Just give us the lead and we will follow through. If you have any positive suggestions concerning what we might offer through the Avis Foundation for our, members contact us. You are our best source of referrrals. Reach out to the community and tell them what we are offering here. Looking forward to an even MORE exciting 2019-2020! Sincerely, Bryn Biren  (718)447-6225

Are you stressed? Do you want to build your core strength? Join Us. Wednesdays* 8:00-9:00 p.m. $15 per person Sundays* 6:00 -7:00 p.m. Free for Temple Israel Members Non-members - $15 Bring your own Yoga Mat Both sets of classes are for ADULT ONLY. Both chair and mat students are accommodated at each class. For more information, contact Bryn Biren 718-727-2231 *Please check Temple Calendar to confirm dates.

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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