Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island
315 Forest Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10301
tmplisrael@aol.com
‌
Rabbi Michael D. Howald                     Student Cantor Shirel Richman
Co-Presidents Jerry Gross and Alan Siegel
E-Shalom - JULY 2020
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.
Many of our usual Temple activities have now become virtual. Please join us for any or all of the following Shabbat services and Torah Study sessions or Sisterhood Gatherings by simply clicking on the links in the purple boxes at the posted times. All sessions will take place using Zoom. Links are also posted on the Temple Website and in weekly News and Notes. If you wish to call into these meetings, the phone numbers for audio access are also listed. *Please note that some of the meetings may require that you inlcude the listed password.
Friday, July 3rd at 7 p.m.
All other weeks on Friday at 8 p.m.
Dial by your location
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 301 715 8592 US
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
    +1 253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 947 946 323
Password: 947053
Every week on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Dial by your location
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 253 215 8782 US
    +1 301 715 8592 US
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 614 246 852
Password: 549042
MONDAYS AT 10:00 a.m.
JULY 6, 13, 20, 27
Dial by your location
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
    +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
    +1 253 215 8782 US
    +1 301 715 8592 US
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 956 716 667
THURSDAY AT 7:30 p.m.
JULY 9, 16, 23, 30
(There will be no Happy Hour on July 2)
Dial by your location
    +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
    +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
    +1 253 215 8782 US
    +1 301 715 8592 US
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 255 299 887
ONLINE ACCESS TO
MISHKAN TEFILAH

Through the generosity of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, there is a free online version of our prayer book, Mishkan Tefilah for Shabbat, available 
A Message from
Rabbi Michael D. Howald

Our name says a lot about us.  Many of us call ourselves “Temple Israel” but our official name is “Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island.”  This extended name, accordingly, declares some important things about us:  1.) We built and own a synagogue, named after the ancient-modern state and people of Israel, which we hold in trust for future generations, 2.) We are proud members of the Union for Reform Judaism, 3.) We are a congregation, a gathering of people with a shared past and a common future, and 4.) We are part of the Staten Island community.  These 4 things, however, are not listed in descending order of importance.  What truly matters about Temple Israel is not our building, our affiliation or our location.  What really matters, when we think about “Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island,” are the people who make us a congregation and who sustain and support this community through times of both joy and sorrow.

As we enter the 4 th  month of the pandemic in New York, its helpful to reflect on the preeminence of the word “congregation” in our multifaceted name.  The word for “congregation” in Hebrew is קהל ( kahal ), a word that refers to all those who answer the call to join together for a sacred purpose.  Rav Soloveitchik, the beloved head of the Rabbinical school at Yeshiva University for almost 50 years, affirmed that the “congregation has a special place in the kingdom of [humanity]” and destiny, rather than fear,  “is the foundation of the congregation.”  The congregation of Israel, moreover, existed long before the first temple or synagogue and its holiness never depended on walls or pews or a  bima .  We are truly blessed to have a building in which we have assembled and will assemble yet again, but our blessing derives from the dedication and generosity that built and sustains our synagogue, not from the bricks and the concrete that enclose our sanctuary.

The restrictions of COVID-19 may have closed or restricted the use of our building, but our congregation continues to assemble online.  This summer, more than in any past year, we have a host of events planned to foster learning, companionship, and delight.  You will find them listed elsewhere in this Bulletin.  I hope to see many of you “there.”  These upcoming events, as well as the success of our online services, classes and other meetings during this time of pandemic, confirm the priority of “congregation” in the extended name of our community of faith.  Our Temple is our pride and joy, and we keenly miss the hugs and the kisses we took for granted in its lobby just 5 months ago, but our shared past and our common purpose calls us together today even more strongly than they did before COVID-19 rearranged our world.  By remembering that, we honor the most important aspect of the name in which we all take such pride.  

Kol Tuv .   All the best!  

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

And now the Summer is upon us.  The question is, “How different will it be from the several months that preceded it?” We have experienced so many situations that were so very far removed from what we had anticipated.  Many group activities had to be re-scheduled or cancelled because of concerns for health-related matters, because of the need to engage in social distancing or simply to conform to guidelines and restrictions imposed on us by National, State-wide and Local governmental agencies.  And we restructured our lives to meet these requirements.  

We are very fortunate to have been able to maintain our relationship with Temple Israel by means of ‘virtual’ activities.  Friday night Erev Shabbat Services continued by means of our Zoom platform that enabled our congregants, both local and out-of-state, to ‘gather’ to share prayer and song with one another.  Torah Study and Morning Shabbat Services also continue with encouraging participation each week.  Both Sisterhood and Brotherhood held their meetings on this new format and other weekly activities provided opportunities for additional interactions.  Temple-wide activities were also continued:  weekly yoga classes; Adult Learning activities such as the study of Mysticism and Poetry Writing took place.  In addition, board and brush crafts, cookie decorating, an on-line scavenger hunt and Bingo were sponsored by Sisterhood.

Most recently, the Installation services for our Board of Trustees and for Brotherhood and Sisterhood took place with a rather large group of congregant participants.  And of course, there is more to come.  We ask that you keep up with the monthly and weekly activities that are brought to your attention by means of this E-Bulletin and also our weekly News and Notes.  Be sure to pay attention to your emails for special announcements as they arise.

We know that you are looking forward to the time when we can once again gather in person in the Sanctuary and Social Hall of our Temple.  Please be assured that we are working diligently to see to it that we can accomplish that goal as soon as possible, as we ensure that safety and health related protocols are observed according to City and State guidelines.  Many of you have already shared your thoughts about High Holiday services by completing the Ritual Committee’s on-line survey.  We welcome your comments and appreciate your on-going support as we move forward into the next phases of what will prove to be the ‘new normal’ of our everyday lives.

You have our continued good wishes for health and safety as we begin to enjoy the Summer.

 Jerry & Alan
 Jerrold Gross and Alan Siegel
Co-Presidents   
Dear Temple Israel,

I hope this note finds you safe and in high spirits! 

I am so excited to get to know you all better and share meaningful moments of joy and community together. This new reality we are facing is challenging in our  kehilla  (community) life. There are uncertainties and many questions ahead. I am positive that together we will be able to think and make decisions that will give us a meaningful way to celebrate and support each other in these unprecedented times. My husband Lincoln and I would like to thank you for the beautiful tribute at the Kabbalat Shabbat service on June 12, 2020. Even though we could not hear your voices we felt your warm welcoming and your heartfelt wishes for our recent wedding. It meant a lot to us!

I am sure that if we were in the Temple Israel building, we would spend time having casual conversations about our families, our personal backgrounds, favorite music and everything in between. Since we are unable to do it face to face, here is a little bit about me:

I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel. My parents made Aliyah from Argentina to make their dream come true and build a home in Jerusalem. They got married at the Kotel and soon had my two older sisters and me. My childhood home was always filled with music: my mom’s piano students (she was a professional piano player in Argentina and became a piano teacher in The Jerusalem Rubin Academy for 35 years), my sisters on violin, viola and piano, and me on the clarinet, recorders, piano and of course singing in the local children’s choir. My dad was our best fan and supportive audience.

I graduated high school majoring in music, Hebrew literature and English, and was honored to join the Israeli Defense Forces as a “Musician of Excellence” and commander. I spent two years singing for soldiers around the country, performing for government officials and representing the IDF in England performing Israeli music. I graduated with my Bachelors of Music from Tel Aviv University majoring in classical voice performance and then spent two years working as a soloist for the Israeli Opera. I found my voice mentor in Tel Aviv, and followed her to New York in 2011 where I pursued my Masters degree in Voice Performance at Brooklyn College. Three years later I earned an Advanced Certificate in Music Education. In my years in college, I performed classical music, baroque music and jazz. 

Between 2013 and 2018, I worked as a full time Hebrew and Judaic studies teacher and music teacher in Jewish day schools in Brooklyn, New York. For the last two years, I worked as the Music Director and Song Leader at The Rashi School in Dedham, Massachusetts, where I taught Kindergarten through 8 th  grade. I conducted children and adult choirs, children’s percussion ensembles and I started a middle school Shabbat band.

I am excited to be starting cantorial school at Hebrew Union College!  

I cannot wait to bring my love and passion for Jewish music, Hebrew language, and making music together as a  kehillah  (community) to Temple Israel. I am looking forward to sharing prayerful moments in new and creative ways and building beautiful and strong relationships. 

I am here for you at my new email address:

L’shalom

Student Cantor Shirel Richman
Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz
Co-Presidents
It feels like it has been years since Purim…one of the last times we were all together in person.  Sisterhood had just completed another incredible Purim Shalach Manot Fundraiser when our calendar of events, our plans, our structured, orderly, well-organized world changed.

Throughout these past four months, even without being able to gather in person at regular meetings and Sisterhood events, we have managed to maintain, if not strengthen our bond of Sisterhood.  

What a strange, strange time it’s been and continues to be. So many questions are still unanswered about what the future will bring for us. One thing that has remained constant, however, is the unity of our Sisterhood. We have seen each other twice a week at our virtual Coffee and Conversation mornings and Happy Hour evenings. We have held on-line executive board and general membership meetings to further the business of Sisterhood. We have continued our outreach to the community by contributing to COVID-19 charities and by supporting our medical professionals and first responders with meals and monetary donations. We have crafted together during our Board at Home and Cookie decorating events and laughed and played together at our Zoomed Scavenger Hunt and Bingo nights.  We have managed to continue to support Sisterhood and Temple Israel by participating in our Spring Raffle and we are looking forward to decorating cookies next week. We have created new initiatives by partnering with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism on The Reform Movement's 2020 Civic Engagement Campaign to encourage all U.S. citizens to exercise their right to vote and to break down obstacles that shut some out of the voting booth. We have even been able to gather in the park by physically distancing in order to see each other outside of our little Zoom boxes.

These strange times have compelled us to become more creative about how we work together, meet, play and pray.  My technological learning curve has been steep and continues to climb.  The phrase “but this is the way we’ve always done it” has, thankfully, gone out the window (hopefully never to return) and been replaced by imagination and ingenuity.  Sisterhood is not only still making things work, but we are expanding our resources and opportunities which will now become a part of what we used to consider “business as usual”.

In short, we are still going strong…thanks to the leadership, participation and support of all our officers, directors, members and friends.

While we are unsure about what even the immediate future will hold for us in terms of in-person events, Sisterhood is still moving ahead with planning “as usual”.  We are calendaring all the traditional meetings, events and gatherings we would traditionally host.  As guidelines and phases become more evident, we will adjust as necessary. 

With so many uncertainties, we want you to know that Sisterhood is still a SURE THING.  We are counting on you to keep us going with your participation, your responsiveness and your support.  Our dues structure is remaining the same ($45 for the women of our Congregation and $36 for all men who wish to become “Friends of Sisterhood”). Please be sure to include your Sisterhood dues for the 2020-2021 year when you re-new your Annual Commitment to Temple Israel, or send it directly to Sisterhood.  With your help, we will be able to remain a strong, healthy, active and integral part of Temple Israel.

We look forward to seeing you, hopefully, in person very soon.

Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz
Co-Presidents
THE BROTHERHOOD
Temple Israel – Reform Congregation of Staten Island
Hello Everyone. I hope that this finds all of you and your families well and staying healthy. The Brotherhood held its most recent meeting on ZOOM when we ratified the nominations for Officers and Directors for the coming year. We then spent a little time schmoozing and catching up.

On Friday evening June 19 th,  during Shabbat services, the Installation of Officers and Directors for the coming year took place. Thank you to Rabbi Howald for being our Installing Officer this year. During these trying and unprecedented times we know we can always count on Rabbi for his spirituality, guidance and knowledge to lift up our feelings.

At this time all events and meetings for the Brotherhood are being cancelled. Hopefully, we will all be able to come together soon and experience the friendship and camaraderie that we so much look forward to.

Hopefully, sometime during the next few months, we will be able to partake in some of our regularly scheduled activities, such as Men’s Night out and a rescheduled Paid up Breakfast. We are even hoping to hold the Barbecue. We will take every caution necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all.

During these changing times always know that we are there to assist in any way. If you need something done, someone to talk to or whatever it might be, please reach out and we will make sure your needs are addressed. Until we can enjoy our personal interaction, I leave you with, this:  stay strong, stay safe,  be positive and do your best. Together we will come through this stronger.

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
President

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JULY 2020
NEW DATE! NEW VIRTUAL VENUE! NEW TIME!
Sunday, August 30, 2020 - 4:00 P.M
Look for your invitations and journal ad information in the mail soon!
WELCOME :
SHIREL RICHMAN who officially joins Temple Israel as our new Student Cantor.
 
MAZEL TOV TO:
Our incoming STUDENT CANTOR SHIREL (GIDEKEL) RICHMAN on her marriage to Lincoln Richman .  
BRYN BIREN and R. RANDY LEE on their installation to the JCC Board.
PAMELA ROGOZIN & family on the marriage of her daughter Shannen to Jordan Kolesar.
SUSAN SAPPIN on her election as President of the Staten Island JCC.
JACK FREEDMAN on the publication of his new book of poetry.
 
CONDOLENCES TO:  
LARA CALDERON & family   on the loss of her grandmother, Eleanor Shields;
Former member  DR. STANLEY SOREN & family   on the loss of his wife,  RUTH SOREN

BEST WISHES TO:  
Student Cantor JENNIFER BENREY as she moves on to the next phase of her journey to becoming a Cantor. We are grateful for the two years she shared her musical talents and knowledge with us.

GET WELL WISHES TO:  
SANDY FEUERSTEIN recuperating from hip replacement surgery.
ROBIN HERTZBERG recovering from sinus surgery.
BEVERLY MAZER recovering from back surgery.
SKYLAR HAND, daughter of REBBECA HAND, recuperating from back surgery.
JUDITH PESSSAH recovering from cataract surgery.

THINKING OF YOU:
SUE WEINMAN, DAVID MELTZER, DR. ALICIA BASKIN, DR. KEN PICKOVER, CLAIRE BLEIMAN and to all our members impacted by the coronavirus.
It is hard to believe we are starting a new year. This has been a very different spring and we are moving into a time of unknown.

The 2020-2021 membership packets have been mailed out and it is time to renew your commitment to Temple Israel.

Once you receive your packet please take a moment to go over everything. We have made some changes in the forms, with the hope that the process will be easier. Please review all the information in your packet and make sure that all your information is complete. You may need to fill in some areas.

If you have any questions about your commitment please email me at  tmplisrfinsec@aol.com  and we can go over everything. I am here to help you resolve any issues.  

Don't forget to complete all the school forms for your children who attend Religious/Hebrew school and to include any upcoming life-cycle information (i.e. Confirmation, Bar/Bat Mitzvah).

Sisterhood and Brotherhood dues require separate checks payable to those organizations.

If you are sending in post dated checks please make sure all the checks are dated the 15th of the month and that the last check is dated no later than June 15, 2021. June is the end of our fiscal year and all commitments must be complete before the end of the month.

We urge you to think about upgrading your membership by becoming a member of the Kavod Society. If you are already a member please consider moving up a category.

I am looking forward to a new year and a return to our new normal.

Jennifer Straniere
Financial Secretary














As we write this article for the July Bulletin New York City is about to enter Phase 2 of the reopening.  However, we are still experiencing a challenging time.  Temple Leaders and our Clergy continue to investigate possible scenarios that will enable us to return to our sanctuary.   One step in determining where we will be able to pray during the summer and fall months is to reach out to you for information on what measures we should take to make you comfortable enough to return to the sanctuary.  Therefore, a survey has been created with specific questions. Once you receive this survey (you may already have), please be sure to follow the directions and complete the questionnaire as completely and as quickly as possible.    

In the meantime, we truly are grateful for the ways Temple Israel has been able to keep us spiritually, emotionally and prayerfully connected using the Zoom platform.  During the month of June, we were particularly grateful for Rabbi Howald, Student Cantor Benrey and the Temple leadership for continuing to provide “virtual” Erev Shabbat Services, Torah Study and Shabbat Morning Services.

As we continue to encourage parents with their children to join our “virtual” Family Service on the first Friday of the month, that Service remains at the 7:00 PM start time.  The “virtual” Family Service for July is on Friday July 3 rd .  The remainder of the” “virtual” Erev Shabbat Services are at 8:00 PM.  “Virtual” Torah Study begins at 10:00 AM on Saturday mornings and “virtual” Shabbat Services follow at 11:00 AM. 
   
We thank Jaimie Blackman for his musical leadership at our Saturday morning virtual Services. And although we sadly had to say farewell to Student Cantor Jennifer Benrey, we look forward to having congregant Jim Rohan or guest Cantor Lauren Bandman provide musical accompaniment for Erev Shabbat Services during the summer months.  In September we will be officially welcoming our new Student Cantor Shirel Richman at our services.  

Please look to your e-mails, messages, Temple Israel News & Notes, Temple Israel’s Facebook page, and this E-Shalom Bulletin for additional information about the Services and study opportunities in the month of July until we are able to return to our Temple home.

Please stay safe and healthy.  

Linda Brill and Jeffrey Ganz
Co-Chairpersons
July 3, 2020
Max Feuerstein
Joseph Heiferman
Morris Gross
Howard Levine
Jean Pollack *
Herbert Flaum
Adele Mushnick *
George Curatola
Louis Katzman *
Samuel Greene *

And we remember from the Holocaust:
Gittel  Warter 
Ettel  Lustig 
Ernst  Levy 
Luba  Epsztejn 
Max  Sass


July 10, 2020
Bernard Jablon *
Peter Prosaw *
Samuel Rubenstein *
Herman Brouse *
Julius Holtz *
Gary Fried *
Charles Weissglass *
Leon Berkowicz
Sylvia Schwartz *

And we remember from the Holocaust:
Robert  Gerard 
Adolf  Kuchta 
Alois  Timmer 
Genendel  Lustig
Paul  Mornay

July 17, 2020
Max Davidson *
Sonia Dumont
Jerome Krant *
Leroy Tepper *
Jerome Berg *
Harry Selznick *
Lillian Feldman
Miriam Blackman
Bill Greenfield
Hyman Snyder

And we remember from the Holocaust:
Paul  Rippa 
Golda  Wilhelm 
Marcel  Sigaud 
Josef  Loffler 
Roszi  Harstein





July 24, 2020
Carl Orland *
Louis Blumenthal *
Alice Rosen *
Jacob Drescher
Steven Martin Cohen
Shirley Haber *
Michael Selig
John Vogelman

And we remember from the Holocaust:
Hana  Zaydman 
Israel  Pollak 
Karoly  Levai 
Devorah  Judkewicz 
Mindel  Liberman




July 31, 2020
Joseph Schulter
William Silverberg *
Estelle Ballow
Bernard Freedman
Bessie Topel
Isidore Drucker
Joseph Markowitz
Sidney Morse *
Roslyn Mendelsohn
Victor G. Bloom
John Garand Rowan *
Shirley Ann Hirsh *
Sylvia Marcus
Alter Pisetzner
Jacob Price *
Betty S. Rothaus *

And we remember from the Holocaust:
Maria  Haller 
Madeleine  Savary 
Baruch  Regenborgen 
Lenke  Schwarcz 
Anton  Russer
* 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.
As soon as we are able to celebrate Shabbat together
in person at Temple Israel,
we will celebrate all the Birthdays and Anniversaries that we missed at a very special Oneg!

In the meantime,
we appreciate you sending in your contributions toward these wonderful Onegs!
balloons_happy_bday.jpg
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. 
Erev Shabbat Services

Friday, July 3
7:00 p.m.
All other Fridays
8:00 p.m.

Via ZOOM
Torah Study and Shabbat Services
Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.
Via ZOOM
Every Voice, Every Vote.
  The Reform Movement's
2020 Civic Engagement Campaign

Justice and righteousness are central tenets of Reform Judaism. Max Rose, U.S. Representative for New York’s 11 th  Congressional District, spoke to our congregation on Friday, June 12 th , on the occasion of the installation of the Temple Israel Board of Trustees for 2020-2021. He spoke about justice, about Temple Israel’s long history in support of social action causes that are important to our community and about the importance of justice as we continue to work together to make our society a better and a more civil place for us and for future generations.

To that end, Temple Israel, in coordination with the Religious Action Center (RAC) of Reform Judaism, has pledged to work to encourage voter turnout in this most important election in November. We are NOT supporting or advocating for any particular candidates. The umbrella of Reform Judaism supports all parties and all points of view. Our mission is to support all those eligible to vote to:
·         Register
·        Apply for an absentee ballot 
(Here is the link to apply for Absentee Ballots in New York. Everyone is
eligible. Just click on the COVID related box.
Note – the application you may have received in the mail is ONLY for
the June primary. https://nycabsentee.com )
·        VOTE!!
A committee has been formed and members will be reaching out to our congregants. Please respond to their calls, emails or texts. 
LET’S PLEDGE TO MAKE TEMPLE ISRAEL A
100% VOTING CONGREGATION

Become part of our community   by participating in our community. Temple Israel is   where community happens.

** TI-   WIIFM (Temple Israel-What’s In It For Me?) 
          In this space we have consistently asked the above question. What’s in it for all of us, in addition to life-long friendships, is the fact that our Temple continues to offer us, even in the middle of a pandemic, many opportunities to grow- both spiritually and intellectually. 
            We have made suggestions each month to encourage our members to try new things. This month, several of our congregants have tried to write poetry, with the support of the Avis Foundation and the poet laureate of Staten Island, Marguerite Rivas. Below are some samples of what our fellow congregants have created. Enjoy!!

Stay strong, stay well, and stay in touch. Zoom with us until we can meet face to face again.
Hazak Hazak V’Nit Hazek- Be strong, be strong and let us be strengthened  (together).
My life has passed quickly, a slideshow of memories, mostly good.
My family life filled with comical movies, scenic car rides, food, glorious food
My friendships strong, lifelong connections I have made.
If it all ended tomorrow, there is nothing more to say,
I have no regrets.

By Bryn Biren
As we move into summer,
and leave our melancholy days behind,
Let's enjoy a better time,
Like attending a wedding with friends and wine.
Don't reflect on troubled waters,
As our sunshine begins to appear.
Let our children run and cheer,
To our new joy we should adhere!

By Sandy Feuerstein
A Year of Perfect Vision, Not.
By Ken Pickover

Toilet paper. Self reliance. Nobody there. Somebody there.
Helpful neighbors. Corona virus. Wuhan virus, Covid virus.
Garbage gowns. Evening shoutouts. Clorox wipes.
Learning to sew. Six feet away. Circles in parks.
Kids home to stay. Cutting the beard. Baking the bread.
Cooking the meals. Cleaning the house. Looking for spouse.
Floating down the Amazon. Wiping down the Amazon
Wiping down doors and floors and pores and s’mores?
The dreamy smile of a sleepy cat now serviced seven and twenty four
And then there was...the video.  

For My Great Grandmother
By Libby Gershansky

Because, like Odysseus denying defeat, she summoned her strength 
as a young, Jewish, widowed woman
Because, against all odds, she plunged herself into the briny banking 
         depths of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Because she persisted and persevered, clinging to the mast amidst the 
         stormy sea
The Siren Song of Freedom and Lady Liberty ushered her and her 
         three young daughters to America’s shores
Her family flourished with the freedom to be American Jews
 My Grandmother met my Grandfather
And everything else, that could have been only a dream, 
became possible.
Spring, 2020
             Sue Freedman

Everything reminds me of you.
Spring of 2020 is no exception

There is a duality that this spring encompasses.
You would have been fascinated
And horrified.

Racism you rejected,
Once again confronts us.
For both of us,
This is not unique.

You spoke with derision about Apartheid.
Separate buses
Separate restaurants
Separate bathrooms.
I never experienced it
As you did.
But I remember
The signs
That read
“Coloured only”.

In Israel we witnessed the hatred.
And now, in America,
Nothing changed.

Nothing improved.
Absolutely nothing.

You would have confronted the virus
With fascination.
Oh, the science – you would have embraced it.
Studied it.
Researched it.
Watched every news report,
Every expert,
Every delusional politician.

You were as smart and intuitive as the best of them.
As always, my pride in you overflows,
Like the gorges surrounding Ithaca.

You would have taught me a lot.
And I would have loved learning.
Goodby Spring 2020
Judith Pessah

With no regrets I say goodbye,
Not to the glorious birds who fly on high 
Not to swaying branches, 
Whose plump buds to burst will try. 

Not to the blossoms , 
Now all about, 
Whose gentle scent, 
Might make you sigh. 

With no regrets, I say farewell, 
To a world about which, 
No one thought, 
They would have to tell. 

A world of suffering, grief and despair.
The work of an evil magician,
His putrid spell, 
Destroying our air 

A world where, 
We stayed inside 
Who ever thought, 
We’d have to hide. 

A world whose people, 
Could not touch. 
Gone their jobs and dreams. 
To bear, it was too much. 

May we never again see such a day,
 A world torn apart,
 The beauty of Spring 
Gone astray. 

With a mind in turmoil, 
And an aching heart, 
So glad Spring 2020, 
We have to part.
Celestial Mirror
by Jack M. Freedman

Moonshine
Sipped in secret
Potency bountiful
Within the wood of the willows
Burning
Sunshine
Walking on water and on snow
Glimmering compassion
Blessings of love
In stars
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Please join us on July 8th at 7:30 for Trivia Night via Zoom. $15 per person to participate in Game and Raffles. Please add an additional $10 if you want a second chance to win raffles. Please include email address of each person when sending in your payment. That is what we will use to enter you into the raffles. Please make your checks payable to Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island. Please mail your check to c/o Rhonda Trontz-Allen, 660 Bard Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310. Please RSVP by July 1, 2020. Please see attached flyer.

Unfortunately, the Cabaret hosted by the Avis Foundation that we would be assisting with has been postponed from June 20. Watch for it to be rescheduled.
 
We hope everyone will join us in the fall (date to be determined) as we set sail for adventure and mystery at Temple Israel.   

We will also be planning to dine at Jimmy Maxx again. 

Respectfully submitted,
Rhonda Trontz-Allen, Karen Frey-Gamoran, Lissa Winchel
Co-Chairs
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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.
Contact branchtr@aol.com or call the Temple Office at 718-727-2231.
Some featured items this month:
Contact Blanche Ricci at branchtr@aol.com if you are interested in any Judaica Shop items.









We’re hoping to be back soon and looking forward to working with our new Student Cantor.

If you would like to join the Choir, just come to any rehearsal...
and all the rehearsals that follow!

We'll be back next month with information about activities and initiatives for the beginning of our school programs in September!
Have your trips down the Amalfi coast, or through Portugal on a riverboat been cancelled? Trips that you've been planning for over a year? Don't despair! Adult Learning goes on! We can't offer physical trips right now, but we do offer educational, spiritual and culinary journeys. So please join us! 
On July 1st, we will be continuing our learning about Jewish Mysticism, with another class presented by Rabbi Howald in the series. Kabbalah and Reform Judaism is open to participants of the first three sessions, and to all new comers. But everyone should rsvp.

On July 15th, 22nd and August 5th, you are invited to attend lectures presented by top scholars from the Hartman Israel Program, "Together and Apart, The Future of the Jewish Peoplehood From No Home to Two Homes." These sessions will be followed by questions and discussions led by Rabbi Howald.

And on August 12th do not miss "Israeli Cooking With Rabbi Howald." Recipes will be provided in advance, so you can cook along!
Thank you Rabbi Howald!

These wonderful programs are all co-sponsored by the Avis Foundation. Much thanks! The classes will take place on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. To rsvp for one, or all of them, please contact Cheryl at  cherylmlevine@gmail.com .

And we thank the Avis Foundation and Terry Baver, our contact person, for co-sponsoring our seriously successful series of poetry workshops, presented by Marguerite Rivas, the Poet Laureate of Staten Island. You can see a few of our poems following the Membership article in this bulletin.


Cheryl Levine
Judy Pessah
Co-chairs
At this point in our COVID-19 pandemic experience I am certain that some of you would be happy if we would just pick up your children and take them out for a few hours - even if we had no activity planned.
It is a very strange time in our world and specific planning for children’s activities is in hold. Once we determine what will be safe, and in the best interests of our girls and boys, we will let you know. Zooming activities had been considered, but we have felt that the children have had enough Zoom activities during the school year.
Coming in the Fall we are still hoping to work with Deric Borrero at The Resource Room, to introduce a leadership group for our pre-teens and teens, to visit a few museums, to welcome back Brian the Animal Guy, and to do food preparation with Alina Shteynberg and her Cultureats programs. When it feels right we will move ahead.
Each month we say that we are ready and willing to reach out to any prospective families that you think might want to affiliate with Temple Israel. Just call Terry Baver at 1(718)490-4428 or Bryn Biren at 1(718)447-6225.
Hopefully you are staying well and you will enjoy a lovely summer!
We are SOOOOO looking forward to seeing each of you in person at Temple Israel very soon.

Sincerely,
Terry Baver & Bryn Biren

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ALL YOGA CLASSES ARE TAKING PLACE VIA ZOOM.

Sunday night class begins at 6:00 PM.
Thursday’s class begins at 6:30 PM.
THE MEETING ID:
964 585 2910
PASSWORD:
332084

PLEASE CONTACT BRYN BIREN FOR INFORMATION.


Free for Temple Israel Members & Their Friends during the month of June!

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
Terry Baver at 718-490-4428 or
Bryn Biren at 718-447-6225

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.
If you have any questions about your membership or if you know a potential new member please contact our Financial Secretary Jennifer Straniere at  tmplisrfinsec@aol.com .
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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Pamela Rogozin
Caring Community Chair
917-607-0782
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All Social Action functions have been postponed.  Please take care of yourselves and your families so that we can all get together again to help those in need in the future.
CLICK ON THE ICON TO TAKE YOU THERE!
If you are not receiving this Bulletin via a direct e-mail and would like to, please contact us at TICOMMUNICATION@aol.com to be added to our mailing list.
CONTACT INFORMATION
718-727-2231
   tmplisrael@aol.com
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Our E-Bulletin is shared with the entire Temple Israel Family and the Staten Island Community. If you are a local business or community organization and you would like to advertise in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Temple Office at 718-727-2231 or e-mail TICommunication@aol.com.