Rabbi Michael D. Howald

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein

Bryn Biren, Linda Brill, Sandy Mazzucco, Felicia Otto

Co-Presidents

December 2022

Kislev-Tevet 5783

December 18-26

Hanukkah (or Chanukah), one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year. Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light, joy, and warmth to our homes and communities as we celebrate with candles, food, family, and friends. Light comes literally, with the lighting of an additional candle each day, and metaphorically, through a newer emphasis on charitable donations and a commitment to tikkun olam during the holiday. Hanukkah (alternately spelled Chanukah), meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, commemorates the victory of a small group of Jewish rebels (led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, collectively known as “the Maccabees”) over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "rededication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. Modern celebrations of Hanukkah focus on family and friends and include the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah (also called a hanukkiyah); singing and playing special songs and games (dreidel); and eating foods prepared in oil including latkes, sufganiyot, bimuelos (fried dough puffs) and keftes de prasas (leek patties).



©2022 Union for Reform Judaism

CLICK ON FLYER ABOVE TO PRINT OR DOWNLOAD.

Shabbat Morning**

Torah Study at 10:00 a.m. followed by Services at 11:00 a.m.

Meeting ID: 842 7725 0914

Passcode: 345339

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,84277250914#,,,,*345339# US (New York)

+16469313860,,84277250914#,,,,*345339# US

Dial by your location

    +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

  1 646 931 3860 US

      This week I attended the Poor Peoples’ Dinner sponsored by Project Hospitality to raise funds to address the problems of hunger and homelessness on Staten Island. Whenever this dinner approaches on the calendar, which takes place before Thanksgiving, I often reflect on the meaning of a difficult verse from the Psalms that has become part of the Birchat HaMazon, the Grace After Meals, recited, often with great joy, after enjoying a meal in the Jewish community. This challenging verse from Psalm 37 says: Na’ar hayiti v’gam zakanti velo ra’iti tzadik ne’ezav, vzar’o mevakesh lachem (“I have been young, and now I am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.”). I find this verse hard because, in the world in which we live, we HAVE seen the righteous abandoned and children suffering from hunger. Indeed, the existence of human abandonment and privation is the reason many of us go to fundraisers like the Poor People’s Dinner, particularly at this time of the year.

How then are we to interpret this phrase from the Psalms? How can we reconcile this verse with what our eyes tell us to be true: That we live in a country capable of feeding and housing every person, yet the neglected and the hungry are all around us? Some of my teachers at rabbinical school counseled me to interpret this verse as an aspiration, as a hope for a world that would take the shape that our loving arms would give it. Others advised me to refrain from singing this line in the Birchat HaMazon as a silent protest against the cruelty of want in society of plenty.

I have tried both these strategies over the years, but I found my greatest comfort in the audacious words of Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, an 18^th century Hasidic rebbe. He taught his followers that there are times when one is obligated, not just encouraged, but obligated, to behave as if God does not exist! When someone asks you for bread, he explained, you may not send them away by saying that ‘God will provide,' or that God does not abandon the righteous. Instead, at that moment, he taught, you must act as if God does not exist, and that the fulfillment of the words of Scripture depend solely on you. Then, and only then, will the vision of a world in which no one is abandoned and no one’s children beg for bread be realized here on earth.

When we give time and money to efforts to reduce the suffering in this world, accordingly, our actions testify to a desire to not only pray for a world which fulfills the words of the 37^th Psalm, but to act as if its fulfillment solely rested on our shoulders. When that day will come is beyond our ken, but Rabbi Leib reminds us of our responsibility to help bring it through our own efforts. During winter, the need for shelter and food in our city is particularly acute.  If you believe in a Staten Island without hunger and neglect, this is an especially important time to give to the charity of your choice. For, without our efforts, the words of the 37^th Psalm will forever remain only an aspiration.

The clocks have been turned back and the darkness of winter is upon us, but have no fear, the lights and events are still very much “ON” at Temple Israel.  This month we look forward to our Sisterhood Holiday Fair on Dec 4th.  There will be a fun time for all on Dec 16^th at our Hanukkah Pajamakah New Member Shabbat dinner followed by a Hanukkah Pajamakah Shabbat Service.  These are just a few of the many events that will take place this month. 



On Sunday night Dec 18^th we will be lighting the first Hanukkah candle.  Although Hanukkah is considered a “minor” Jewish festival, today it ranks, along with Passover and Purim, as one of the most beloved Jewish family holidays.  Hanukkah marks the miraculous event that took place over 2000 years ago in what is now known as modern day Israel.  The Holy Temple was desecrated, and a small group of warriors called the Maccabees stood up and fought for their right to worship freely defeating the dominant Syrian-Greek army and retaking and rededicating the Temple.  In fact, the Hebrew word Hanukkah translates as rededication. Today the holiday reminds Jews to rededicate themselves to stand against forces that could destroy Judaism and to keep alive the flame of Jewish religion and culture so that it may be passed on to the next generation.

The victory of the “few over the many” is one of the great miracles that Hanukkah retells, but it is not the most well-known.  Two hundred years after the Maccabean revolt, the Jewish people would be exiled out of the land of Israel. What was not short lived however, was the symbolism of a second miracle, the well-known miracle of the oil.  The Maccabees found the flames of the Menorah, which illuminated the Temple, was extinguished and the flasks containing its special oil was desecrated and destroyed.  One flask was found and there was only enough oil to burn for one full night but after it was lit, a great miracle occurred that extended the life of the oil and it illuminated for 8 nights.  It is the symbolism of the light of the menorah which has stuck in the Jewish memory for thousands of years.  It has been a sustaining symbol of hope and joy for all our communities throughout the diaspora.

In my readings about Hanukkah, I noted a spiritual Jewish teaching that compared the flame of a candle to the human soul.  The flame, when lit, seems to be in a constant struggle to reach higher, and to elevate.  We as human beings struggle to do good, to perform acts of kindness and humility when in the face of negative external pressure.  The candles of Hanukkah shine their lights every year around the time of the winter solstice, when the nights are at their longest and darkest.  The image of the lit candles are a reminder to ourselves to find the unique spark inside each of us, and to let it shine out to the world.  Within each of us, and joined together with our Temple Israel family, we can turn a single flame into eight.  



This year may the light of the Menorah in our windows unite us into a collective burst that illuminates the world in comfort and peace. During this time may our light shine that much brighter.  

Happy Hanukkah to all.

Co-President

Sandy Mazzucco

on behalf of Co-Presidents Bryn Biren, Linda Brill, and Felicia Otto

Dear Fellow Congregants,

Thanks to all of you who have already completed your annual commitments to Temple Israel.  Please watch your mail for a reminder regarding completion of outstanding balances on your account.  Please be reminded that notifications for completion of your building fund will be sent as a separate document.

A reminder that your Membership Form provides us with the most current information about you and your family.  If your form was not fully completed, one of our Membership Committee members may be contacting you to secure any information that was omitted.  Please be sure to update changes in email contacts and new phone numbers for all included family members.

Please feel free to contact me directly at 917-873-4739 should you wish to discuss any matter regarding your annual commitment.  Be sure to leave your name and phone number if you are leaving a message.

Again, thank you for your on-going support of Temple Israel.

Alan Siegel

Financial Secretary

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.

In every morning service, both on weekdays and Shabbat, we read a passage from the Mishnah, Peah 1:1, which offers a blueprint for a fulfilling life. The passage begins, "These are things that are limitless, of which a person enjoys the fruit of the world, while the principal remains in the world to come." It goes on to list honoring one's father and mother, engaging in deeds of compassion, studying, welcoming guests, visiting the sick, providing for the wedding couple, accompanying the dead for burial, praying and making peace, concluding with "but the study of Torah encompasses them all." If you generally only attend Friday evening services, you are missing out on this checklist of life lessons (pages 44 and 206 in Mishkan Tefilah.) Friday evening services are all about the joy of welcoming Shabbat while the morning services, especially when we read and study Torah, instruct us in what each of us can do to share and increase the joy and blessings.  

As a cantor, it has been a particular joy for me to bring the songs of our rich Jewish heritage to those who can't physically come to the temple. I see doing this as "bikkur cholim," visiting the sick, one of the mitzvot in the morning prayer.  With this in mind, I invite you to join me and members of our choirs on Friday, December 16 to help residents at the Brielle welcome Shabbat. We will gather in the lobby entrance at 3:30 p.m. and then at 3:45 we will light LED Shabbat candles and sing some Shabbat and Chanukah songs. Our visit will last just a half hour, giving everyone plenty of time to get ready to come to the temple for the Chanukah dinner and Pajamakah! I want to thank Jodi Siegel for making the arrangements with The Brielle. Jodi also wrangled many of the choir members to join her on the bima to lead the singing for an erev Shabbat service in November when Jim Rohan was down with the virus. Kol hakavod to Jodi and to all the choir members! Your enthusiasm and singing brings joy and blessings to our temple family. Let's share the joy and blessings with folks at the Brielle!  

Happy Chanukah! 

Cantor Suzanne Bernstein 

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US

AS WE WELCOME SHABBAT and CHANUKAH

WITH RESIDENTS OF

THE BRIELLE

(Assisted Living)

ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

3:30 P.M.

All ages welcome.

140 FRIENDSHIP LANE (off Bradley Avenue).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DECEMBER 2022

KISLEV-TEVET 5783

For calendar updates click here..

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

MAZEL TOV TO:

ALYXANDRA MAGNUS  (daughter of

STACIE & STEVEN MAGNUS, granddaughter of JUDITH MAGNUS and MEL & JOYCE KAPLAN) on her marriage to ETHAN TERWILLIGER;  

ELLEN BIRCH on her retirement;  

AMANDA & MICHAEL DONOVAN & family as their daughter, CAMILA IVY DONOVAN, is welcomed into the House of Israel.

GET WELL WISHES TO:

NINA & JIM ROHAN, BARBARA FEIGELMAN, ANNA WU recovering from COVID; 

BRYN & RICHARD BIREN recovering from a lingering virus; NATHANIEL CORTIJO (son of BRIAN & JENNIFER CORTIJO) recovering from an emergency appendectomy; 

DR. LARRY FLAUM recovering from  hospitalization for a skin infection; 

DR. ALICIA BASKIN recovering from heart and lung problems.

CONDOLENCES TO:

Religious school teacher JENNIFER TAUB and family on the loss of her grandmother and former temple member, ENID TAUB;

the family of former member, RALPH DICKAR;

THE MELTZER FAMILY on the loss of CLAIRE MELTZER, beloved grandmother and mother-in-law.

THINKING OF YOU: 

ALICIA BASKIN, CLAIRE GUTTSMAN, SILVIA GORNSTEIN, JOE GAMORAN

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:

 THE SILVERMAN FAMILY

THE BROOKS FAMILY

THE BROWN FAMILY



WELCOME RETURNING MEMBERS:

 JANE ADLER

ANNE YOUNG

BARBARA TRILLING

DECEMBER 2, 2022

Ann Docteroff *

Lewis A Selmon

Hyman Ruskin *

Tobie Schaeffer

Arthur M. Selznick

Faye Radin-Ferretti

Michael Rosch

Abraham Friend *

Pearl Brill *

Diane Terris Eisenkraft

David Meltzer

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Beida Fekala

Laszlone Vago

Dovid Zaydman

Otto Elias

Folcia Berliner

DECEMBER 9, 2022

Herbert Gross *

Joanne Hanibal

Helene Lipton

Joseph Reznikoff

Lillian Rebecca Scher *

Eileen Tepper

Fanny Goldberg *

Evelyn Wildrick

Dorothy Peretz *

Nettie Mazer *

Pearl Smith

Isaak Fuks

Theodora Teddy" Goldstone"

Rose Kurlander *

Richard Lasher *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Bluma Wajnman

Miksane Krausz

Igor Iwanow

Sientje Polak

Alter Blausztajn

DECEMBER 16, 2022

Peggy Bachman Boyer

Phillip S. Menna *

Morris Martin Blumin *

Savin Cohen *

Douglas Howald

Anna Berg

Dr. Charles Biren

Harry Goldberg *

Charlotte Selma Kitoff

Jacob Mydlarz

Selma Nison

Frieda Zuckerberg

Philip Hirsch

Rita Weinman

Charlotte Manger *

Morris Soller *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Mose Duxler

Miksane Szunyog

Henry Foy

Blanka Krausova

Georges Girod

DECEMBER 23, 2022

Meyer Meltzer

Shirley Schneider

Alan Guttsman

Julius Kerstein

Saul Polonsky

Fannie Reznikoff

Nicholas Straniere *

Roselyn G. Gross *

Joan Richter *

Beatrice Cohen *

Yetta Soller *

Sophie Elman *

Julie Ellyn Kanter *

Florence Ruskin *

Alexander Weiss *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Esther Ofman

Walter Breuer

Gutsia Ofman

Jean Compagnan

Meir Ebenstein

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Mary Berlin *

Sidney Tanzer

Harriet Ganz

Sigmund Haber *

Jacob Kitoff *

Charles Kurlander *

Yetta Pisetzner

Morris Jaeger *

Mary Howald

Joseph Lipsitz *

Robert May

Linda Schulman

Samuel Sheirr *

And we remember from the Holocaust:

Laszlone Kelemen

Jehuda Blumberg

Jakob Musko

Yakov Wolkowicz

Szlama Rotbard

The Advance Payment Program allows members to pay in advance for Friday night program ads. Members usually deposit $100 (or less in some cases) and when an ad is placed, $5 is deducted. When the balance gets low (usually to about $10) an e-mail is sent reminding the member that they should consider adding money to their account. 

You may, if you wish, pay in advance for Friday night program announcements. For more details contact the Temple office or contact Deanna Feder dfeder19@aol.com to set up an account. 

November was a busy month as we finished the holidays.  Sisterhood sponsored a musical cabaret on Saturday, November 5th.  Rochelle Maltz recommended Kama Linden, a professional singer and songwriter, who with her guitar and lovely voice performed a variety of songs for the guests. Bob Zuckerberg held a 50/50.  Joyce Miller sold raffles for the 21 wonderful prizes that were all donated. Michelle Lee baked three dozen delicious brownies that everyone quickly gobbled up with their coffee.  Silvia Gornstein collected all the checks before the event and from those at the door.  In addition, all guests went home with a yoga CD that the singer had donated to the event.   It was a profitable fundraiser that helps Sisterhood pay for Onegs and many other Temple events.

Sisterhood is looking forward to our annual Holiday Fair on December 4th from 10:00 to 12:30. This is always a fun event.  There will be tables of Judaica, Chanukah items, toys, jewelry, and crafts.  The setup for the December 4th holiday fair will be on December 3rd at 6 pm, and the breakdown will take place on December 4th at 12:30. We can use some helpers before and after the holiday fair.  Come and enjoy!

Our Sisterhood General Meeting on December 11th will be on Zoom, when we will view an exciting and educational program from Paris. Thank you to Judy Pessah of Adult Learning and the Programing Committee for setting up this wonderful event.  There will be a meeting beginning at 1:30 pm prior to this program which will begin at 2:00 pm.  (BYOB (Bring your own Brunch - or booze).

Sisterhood is preparing for the Annual Chanukah and New Member Shabbat Dinner on Friday, December 16th. This is a wonderful dinner where new and old members enjoy a special time together. There will be a discount for early reservations (by December 2nd), and all reservations must be received by December 9th.  New members who have become part of the Temple Israel Family in 2022 and their families, are invited as guests of Sisterhood, but must let us know by December 2nd that they will be attending.  Jodi Siegel will be coordinating Chanukah Pajamakah.  Come dressed in your Chanukah-themed pajamas and enjoy the evening. There will be activities for the children, an opportunity to take photo with Chanukah props, and lots of fun.   There will be a delicious dinner with traditional Chanukah fare.  You don’t want to miss this warm and joyous event.

On November 20^th, we held a General Sisterhood Meeting.  After conducting Sisterhood business, some members showed off their creative talents by doing adult coloring with sheets and colored pencils supplied by Rochelle Maltz.  Other sisters worked together or alone to create their own Chanukah centerpieces, using assorted materials provided to them and items from home, that will be used at the Chanukah dinner. The sisters demonstrated their first-class imaginative artistic skills AND it was fun too!  Prizes were awarded for the two best creations.

Our Paid-up Membership Breakfast has been postponed. Presently, there are 67 paid members of sisterhood along with 7 paid friends of sisterhood. Sisterhood continues to welcome new members.  We hope you will join us if you have not already done so.  We also welcome “Friends of Sisterhood” (the men).

As tzedakah for the month of November, Sisterhood donated to MAZON, a national organization fighting to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. 

Sisterhood is encouraging members to sponsor onegs.  We are hoping that you will consider sponsoring an oneg as it is enjoyable to help temple members celebrate their anniversaries, birthdays, baby naming, bar and bat mitzvahs, promotions, and many, many other happy life events.  Sisterhood will take care of all the arrangements.  For information, please contact:  Jodi Siegel at jsiegel23@aol.com, or Nina Rohan at rohan.shire@verizon.net.  



We hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving and wish you and your family a very healthy and happy Chanukah!

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Zuckerberg, Pam Rogozin, Judy Lee

Sisterhood Co-Presidents 

Brotherhood at Temple Israel continues….

Believe it or not, we are now rapidly approaching one of the highlights of the Holiday Season. Chanukah, the Festival of Lights will soon be upon us.  Our annual Temple-wide Chanukah Greeting Card is now being prepared with special, original artwork created by JD Lee. 

Please look for the flyer (earlier in this bulletin or click here) which will allow you to participate by including your family name to share with our entire Temple family. Please follow the instructions on the flyer to ensure that your participation is appropriately noted.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share your good wishes for a happy Chanukah season with all your fellow congregants.

Thank you in advance for your participation and support of this annual Brotherhood effort.  

And while you're at it, if you have not yet submitted your Brotherhood dues, you may send in your check for $45 at your earliest convenience.

Please accept our best wishes for a bright and shining holiday. Alan Siegel and Bob Zuckerberg



What is a Membership Committee?

Research suggests that the role of a membership committee is to keep everyone connected; whether you are thinking of joining or you are already a member. The committee supports the Temple in recruitment, retention and satisfaction of members.

Keeping this definition in mind, one must agree that we are all members of the membership committee in some way. We must each re-examine our role and develop ways to recruit and retain members.

We should think of ourselves as ambassadors for Temple Israel. As we engage in the community we often meet people we would like to invite to our Temple. We meet young families, singles, empty- nester and seniors who need to connect or re-connect to a spiritual home.



Our Temple Israel is a thriving synagogue that most people describe as their home. We need to spread the message. Our goal is to integrate all new members into our synagogue life. We have a wonderful clergy that brings spirituality to every member. We have excellent programming to involve all age groups.

We are not a static committee. We try to understand the needs of our members. We welcome change, but we realize that change does not come easily. 

We are here to to listen to what you hope Temple can bring to you. We are here and so are you!!!

We are here to make each member whether new or old feel that their spiritual home is meeting their needs.  We want to help build a warm, caring and inclusive relationship with all of our Temple Israel Family.

Please contact us at any time. Every question, comment, suggestion, etc. is worthwhile!

Sandy Mazzucco

Claire Guttsman

The mission of the Dr. Ronald Avis Foundation for Temple Israel Reform Congregation is:

…. to provide financial support for young families seeking membership in Temple Israel, and to attract new young families by providing learning opportunities, family programming, and social justice initiatives.

************************************************************

Join us as we celebrate Chanukah. 

As you can read on the URJ websites, “Chanukah,  one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a festive eight-day celebration that for many people falls during the darkest, coldest season of the year. Also called the Festival of Lights, the holiday brings light and joy, and warmth to our homes and communities as we celebrate with candles, food, family, and friends”.

Our moms and young children will be creating beautiful Chanukah cookies on December 3rd at 2 at Cutest Cookies.

We will be having a wonderful Chanukah Pajamakah Shabbat/New Member dinner at temple on December 16th. We hope all the families with young children will come. The children (and you all!) are invited to stay for the evening’s Chanukah Shabbat service. All can wear PJ’s decorated for Chanukah! They are easy to find online! Reach out to Sisterhood to sign up for the dinner. 

Then, Join us for an afternoon of painting, pizza and swimming fun at the JCC on December 18th at 1PM. If you are interested, reach out to Felicia and sign up!

You might all also want to join your children on Sunday December 4th at the Sisterhood Holiday Fair. It is a very nice place to help your children purchase Chanukah gifts for family members. And there will be lovely items there for you all to purchase.

We hope you enjoy the holiday and for all those children in interfaith families, we hope you enjoy Christmas too!

Please remember to consider volunteering for committees in our congregation.  We are a community of volunteers and need everyone’s help and support! 

Sincerely,

Bryn Biren and Terry Baver

Judy Scher led a fascinating discussion on Thursday evening, November 10th, via Zoom. The topic was “After the Pandemic”. The attendees discussed their experiences and how their world, and the world around us, has changed. Thank you, Judy Scher!

The next part of the series was planned to be held via Zoom, on Thursday, December 1st at 7:30 PM. This evening Judy discusses “Generational Differences” clarifying our knowledge of the observed differences. Do you know how Generation Xers behave?

RSVP—judithpessah@gmail.com, to confirm attendance.

On Wednesday evening, November 16th, the Adult Learning Book 

Discussion Club met to discuss “The People’s Book”, a novel by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Geraldine Brooks. Anita Zuckerberg deftly led this discussion of the finding of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah. Thank you, Anita!

Watch upcoming announcements for the title of the next book and the date and time of the next discussion. 

For more information about the Book Club, please contact Cherylmlevine@gmail.com.

Looking Ahead

On Sunday, December 11, at 2 PM, on Zoom, (after a 1:30 meeting) the Adult Learning Committee is co-sponsoring, with Sisterhood, a virtual visit, once again to Gay Paree, led by our delightful Parisian guide Karen Reb Rudman. If you wish to come along, and receive the Zoom link, please email judithpessah@gmail.com, ASAP! 

Bonjour, mon amis!

We are excited to present, on Wednesday evenings, February 8 and 15th, at 7:30 PM, a two part presentation on the “Jewish Catskills”; by premier tour guide, Justin Ferate. 

Please join us! To reserve a spot, please contact Cheryl, at cherylmlevine@gmail.com.

What would you like to learn about Judaism and its’ liturgy? 

We have been brainstorming some ways to answer your, so let us know what you are curious about!

The FUNdraising committee has a New Date for our Games Extravaganza January 21, 2022.

Join us for a fun filled night, laughter guaranteed! Bring a team or join a team. Challenge your Temple Israel family. Enjoy some tasty snacks. Bring your own bottle (BYOB).

$20 per person pre-paid (preferred).

See our new flyer below

Make your check payable to Temple Israel (Write fundraising at the foot of the check) and please mail to:

  Rhonda Trontz- Allen, 660 Bard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310

Questions? contact

Lissa        917-846-5454

Rhonda    Rhondata61@yahoo.com

Karen       kefreygamoran@aol.com

Thank you for your support!

Respectfully submitted,

Rhonda Trontz-Allen, Karen Frey-Gamoran, Lissa Winchel

Co-Chairs

We have added new books to the library, especially in the children's area.

Please continue to drop off Jewish Related books in the office. No prayerbooks, please.