Temple Sinai's
Bi-Monthly Tablet
Jan. - Feb. 2022 / Vol. XXII No. 1 / 28 Tevet - 27 Adar I 5782
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Sabbatical Reflections – December 2021
Greetings from (at the moment) the sunny southwest! The way we are spending time this winter during the second half of our six-month sabbatical is very different from what we did last winter. Rather than a road trip with lots of hiking and sightseeing, during the last several weeks of 2021 our focus has been on family: a week in Los Angeles and a week in the Bay Area of California to spend time with Linda’s family for Chanukah, birthdays, and Thanksgiving and a few weeks in Eugene with our Oregon family. As on all our visits to Eugene, we enjoyed attending services at Ruhi’s congregation, and picked up some new music to share when we return.
We were also engaged in an important task during our time in Eugene – helping Ruhi and Jacob, our daughter and son-in-law, get ready for their big adventure: Ruhi’s first sabbatical. In mid-December, they left with our granddaughters on a cross-county road trip to spend four months among the Jewish community of New York City. We spent lots of time with the girls – going on walks with them to playgrounds, playing and reading books with them, tucking them in at night – as Ruhi and Jacob wrapped up their work, and we helped them prepare their home for rental. Although there wasn’t a lot of down time, we were glad to be able to be of use. And once they left, we spent some quiet time before continuing our own travels. Linda has been working on the Torah scroll and artwork, Jonathan has been baking, reading, and learning Arabic using Duolingo.
As we write this at the end of December, we are taking a road trip with Ari and Shira from Eugene, OR, to Phoenix, AZ, for another Motzkin family event. We had hoped that this year we would be able to travel with fewer Covid precautions than last year; alas, each week seems to bring a return to the restrictions of a year ago. Our plans for January include three weeks in Paducah, Kentucky, where Linda was accepted for an artist’s residency. After a little more travel in February – our itinerary is yet uncertain, but we hope to be someplace warm – we will return at the end of the month to our home and the community that we feel so blessed to be a part of.
While we wouldn’t say that we have been enjoying a relaxed pace, we very much appreciate this hiatus from our professional responsibilities that this sabbatical has afforded us. We look forward to our return and wish everyone a healthy, productive, and blessed 2022.
The Rabbis
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Island Park, Springfield, OR |
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Cave Rock State Park,
Lake Tahoe, NV
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Death Valley National Park, CA |
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TZEDEK
Getting Outdoors to Celebrate and Contemplate
In the new year, we will continue with getting outdoors to celebrate and contemplate. We hope that you were able to get out in the previous months to Reflect, Release, and Rest. Now we are ready to Care and Connect.
We encourage our congregation of all ages and abilities to continue to carry out this introspection throughout the coming year. This is a way that we, as a congregation during the Shmita year, can commit ourselves to reconnect to the land and to nature.
Each month we have selected a place in our community, a place where you can go and connect with nature and think about each one of the themes. This could be a wonderful family activity on Shabbat, allowing everyone to unplug and spend time together. Maybe invite another family from the Temple to join you on the walk! This is a great way to work towards several of the goals raised at the High Holidays.
January: Care
In January, we encourage our congregation to go for a walk, carefully, at the Saratoga Spa State Park. While the ice and snow can make it hard to walk, they also create a new beauty in familiar surroundings.
February and March: Connect
In February and March, we encourage our congregation to go for a walk on the winter-groomed trails at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, the Spa State Park, or another local park. Keeping our bodies active and connecting with others on the trails helps us to make it through the dark days of winter.”
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Tzedek Shabbat 2022
This is from the Union of Reform Judaism:
“In addition to our year-round commitment to racial equality, diversity, and inclusion, each year the Reform Jewish Movement honors the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, by commemorating the Shabbat nearest to MLK Day as Shabbat Tzedek. On this Shabbat, we remember the life and work of Dr. King and celebrate the hard-fought victories of the civil rights movement. It is also a time of reflection and recommitment as our movement renews its efforts in the struggle for racial justice in North America.
In Parashat Va-eira, which sometimes coincides with Shabbat Tzedek, God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. The brothers approach Pharaoh to demand their freedom, but Pharaoh refuses. In response to this cruelty, God unleashes the first of seven plagues upon the Egyptians. In Va-eira, we read about the unrelenting pursuit of justice of our early leaders. Rather than passively accept the unfair treatment of the Israelites, Moses and Aaron directly protest their condition in the halls of power. When their demands are rebuffed, they remain steadfast, and they continue to lobby Pharaoh on behalf of the Jewish people.
While we celebrate the great achievements of the civil rights era, we have no illusions about the progress yet to be achieved. More than 55 years ago, Dr. King dreamed of an America that treated all of her citizens equally. Black people today still face substantial barriers to achieving full equality and justice.
Black men and boys are 2.5 times more likely to die during a police encounter than their white counterpoints. Black and brown people are also more likely to be stopped by police, and those stops are more likely to result in frisks, searches, and arrests than those involving white individuals. Hate crimes have increased in recent years, with crimes motivated by race, ethnicity, or ancestry constituting the majority of hate crimes committed in the U.S. with anti-Black hate crimes accounting for nearly half of racially motivated hate crimes and a plurality of hate crimes across all categories.
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CARING COMMUNITY COORDINATORS |
SARATOGA JEWISH
COMMUNITY ARTS
Saratoga Jewish Community Arts and Temple Sinai present two upcoming film Zoom discussions. Support for marketing and promotion provided by a grant from Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY.
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January 30 at 7pm
JoJo Rabbit
Jojo is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend -- Adolf Hitler -- Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II continues to rage on.
Registration is required
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February 13 at 7pm
One Night in Miami
On the night of Feb. 25, 1964, in Miami, Cassius Clay joins Jim Brown, Sam Cooke and Malcom X, and they discuss the responsibility of being successful black men during the civil rights movement.
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Even a small donation can result in a big payoff!
When we approach congregants about joining Temple Sinai’s Life and Legacy Society, they often ask, “What is the benefit of giving a Legacy gift to the endowment rather than a monetary gift to the Temple Sinai general operating fund?” I am not a financial professional, but when I recently watched a presentation by Kathryn Miree, president of Kathryn W. Miree & Associates Philanthropic Advisory Services, I was surprised to learn that a legacy gift of $10,000 provides income while increasing in value over time. If the same $10,000 were simply added to the annual budget, it would be used up in a short time. By investing that same amount in the Temple Sinai Endowment, donors could expect a growth of 7.5% annually. If Temple Sinai took a portion of that interest in a distribution at the end of the year, the amount of the original gift increases, plus there is some money to spend as needed. Of course, the greater the initial amount, the faster the money accumulates and the larger the distribution each year. To sustain Temple Sinai for one year at current operating costs using only interest from the Endowment, we would need an Endowment of nearly a million dollars.
Becoming a member in the Life and Legacy Society moves us ever closer to our Endowment goal. Life and Legacy members pledge afterlife gifts to ensure Temple Sinai will be remembered when they are gone. We have already received 70 Letters of Intent and Letters of Confirmation from 40members of the Temple Sinai community. The goal of a million-dollar endowment is attainable if everyone donates what they can. Many small gifts add up to a large gift, and a large gift helps the endowment to grow even faster! If you would like to learn more about participating in the Temple Sinai Life and Legacy Society, please contact Monna Israel, chair, or a member of the Life and Legacy committee (Ben Gordon, Michael Marx, Jerry Silverman, and Sandy Welter) or click here for more information about Life and Legacy.
To watch Kathryn Miree’s presentation “Everything You Need to Know About Endowment Policies” CLICK HERE.
The Life and Legacy Society sends condolences to family and friends of Jack Zuckerman, a Life and Legacy Society member who passed away in November 2021. Jack was a generous supporter of endowment giving and Life & Legacy Society for both Temple Sinai and the Jewish Federation of NENY. Having lost his father in the Holocaust, Jack wanted to ensure that there would be a Jewish presence for future generations both here and in Israel. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
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D'VAR FROM DEC. 10, 2021 by SUSAN KIPP
This week’s parsha is full of little tidbits. Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. Although there is still famine, Pharoah invites Joseph’s family to “live off the fat of the land.” Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God’s blessing, goes to Egypt. Pharoah permits Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen and then meets with Jacob. As the famine increases, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food, and the Israelites thrive in Egypt.
Whew. Quite a bit in this parsha, but I knew exactly where I wanted to go – family. While reading various comments on the parsha, I was taken with when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and says, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold me here, for it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (Gen. 45:4-4)
Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, in his D’var, comments that “This is a Jewish response to suffering. It’s the biblical version of ‘everything happens for a reason.’” Rabbi Moskovitz continues with “But it is more complex than that. The Jewish response is that something good can come from, or be made from, every challenge or disappointment or heartache life throws at us. It’s making lemonade out of lemons.”...
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Havurah Vatik Plows through the Winter
For our January Zoom event (on January 18), Havurah Vatik welcomes back an old friend -- in fact, the oldest, not by age, but by association. The group's Founder, Naomi Tannen, will join us from her home in Northampton, MA, to present "Establishing Community -- the History of Havurah Vatik." She will share her lifelong efforts to establish and further the growth and health of community, focusing on the creation of our Havurah Vatik. Just in time for us to prepare to celebrate our 18th anniversary in May!
Naomi worked in the mental health field for 45 years, creating innovative programs to meet the needs of multi-stressed families and troubled children. After her retirement, she continued to develop programs with a focus on collaborating with recipients. We were so fortunate that Havurah Vatik was among her projects.
For years, Havurah Vatik suspended programming during the deadest and snowiest winter months, January and February, safer for all. Ironically, in the pandemic, we can be safer by far presenting programs -- via Zoom. Stay warm, stay invigorated, and stimulated. This winter we have two programs, each with a presenter named "Tannen." The first, Naomi, many of you will know well. The second, Professor Deborah Tannen, has, in fact, presented to Havurah Vatik before, back in 2004. Some of you will remember, but all of us will be interested and edified as she talks about her new book, Finding My Father. Deborah Tannen is a best-selling author of You Just Don't Understand" and Georgetown University professor. She, too, joins us via Zoom, on Feb.15.
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DONATIONS
(November - December)
Thank you for your contributions. We are grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity.
GENERAL FUND:
In memory of Frederick Fein
Caroline Seligman & George Jolly
In memory of Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Rochelle & Bill Gorgos
Cynthia Guile
Ilene & Steven Kandler
Lea Karnath
Sally Lebowich
Murray & Tina Levith
Greg Pace
Ian & Laurette Podell
Carol Schupp-Star
Caroline Seligman & George Jolly
Ralph & Evelyn Ruebner
The Smassanow Family
Norman & Natalie Smith
Brenda & Larry Sugarman
Barry & Phyllis Wang
In Honor of Douglas Gerhardt on behalf of his work with Social Action
Lori Zwicker
In honor of Art Ruben as Gabbai
Barry & Phyllis Wang
In memory of Jack Schoen
Donna Elia
In memory of Jack Zuckerman
Steven & Cheryl Hoffmann
Barry & Phyllis Wang
In memory of your mother
Mary Finkelberg's yahrzeit
Susan Kipp
Lollie Abramson - in memory and appreciation for Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Lollie Abramson - in memory of her mother Marie Abramson
In honor of the Temple Sinai Congregation for making them feel so welcome
Rochelle Mitlak
Monthly Temple Pillar Donors
Maritza Barreto
Cheryl & Steven Hoffmann
Carrie Kaufman
Michael Marx &
Catherine Golden
Ari Rubenstein
Sandra Welter
RABBIS' DISCRETIONARY FUND:
Mark Small (2)
In memory of Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Rhoda & Frank Pickus
In honor of the wedding of
Emily Rosoff & Tom Kika
Amy Rosoff
In honor of Meredith & Pablo's Wedding
Stephanie Venerus
BREAD & TORAH FUND:
To honor & thank Rabbi Jonathan for Thursday Torah
Barry & Shelley Bader
In honor of Tom & Nancy Federlin's
36th Anniversary
Ron Renoni & Naomi Meyer
In memory of Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Barry & Phyllis Wang
BUILDING RENOVATION FUND:
In memory of Jack Zuckerman
Barry & Shelley Bader
In honor of Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Greentree Fiber Arts, LLC
HIGH HOLY DAY FUND:
In gratitude of the Rabbis
during the High Holy Days
Andrew Spano & Brenda Resnick
SCHOLARSHIP FUND:
In honor of Rabbi Monte Sugarman, who was crucial in launching their son Adam on his bnai mitzvah journey
Jessica Strolin & the Goltzman Family
ANNUAL APPEAL FUND:
Ursula Abrams
Peri & Kevin Allen
Erica Altman & Rodney Stewart
Adrian Applebaum
Barry & Shelley Bader
Arnie & Dawn Barsky
Rachel Baum
Ruth Bigman
Eliot & Renee Birnbaum
Rabbi Bert & Bailey Bloom
Andy Brachfeld & Judy Beck
Bread & Torah
Marla & Jay Carruthers
Daniel Chernoff & Lorraine Skibo
Rhonda Cooper
Pattie Cornute
Art & Mary Creager
Amos & Carol Cutler - in memory of
Rabbi Monte Sugarman
David & Eleanor deVries
Helen Edelman
Michael Getz & Alison Eidelhoch-Getz
Philip Gilten & Melody Mackenzie
Roy Ginsberg & Kirsten MIshkin
Bob Gluck & Pamela Lerman
Richard & Kelly Goldenberg
Jesse Golden-Marx
Emmet Gabriel Golden-Marx
Ben Gordon & Mary Taber
Rochelle & Bill Gorgos
Cynthia Guile
Selma Harwood
Gillian Hirsch & Christian Dietrich - in loving memory
of Craig Lewis
Steven & Cheryl Hoffmann
Jay & Georgia Horner
Robert & Monna Israel
John Kaczanowicz & Amy Thomas
Judy Kahn & Brian Andrews
Howard & Jaquelyn Kaplan
Bahram Keramati & Ruth Andrea Levinson
Susan Kipp
Matthew Kopans & Dana Gliserman Kopans
Carl & Cara Korn
Sandy & Edna Lake
Faye Landsman
Sally Lebowich
Murray & Tina Levith
In honor of Gilbert & Selma Harwood
Alison Harwood, Richard Harwood, and
Steven Harwood
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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER DONATIONS
ANNUAL APPEAL FUND (continued):
Ron & Karyl Maenza
Judy Marks
Alan & Caryn Marlin
Michael Marx & Catherine Golden Marx
Janice McGinley
Roy Meyers & Deborah Goldin Meyers (2)
Jeff Michalofsky & Amy Kantor
Garry Moeller & Bernice Moeller-Bloom
Allan Mossman
Ken Mossman & Danielle Grassi
Rabbi Linda Motzkin & Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein
Danial Nathan & Susan Taylor
Charles & Andrea Newman
Larry & Beth Novik
Jeff & Margo Olson
Melvyn & Helenmarie Patashnick
Jeff & Patti Paul - in memory of
Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Richard Pine & Cheryl Agris
Larry Pittinger
Barry Pritzker
Shelley Riley
Art Ruben
Donald Rubin & Joyce Horodner Rubin
Rosaline & Mitchell Rubin
Laura Rappaport
Seth & Rachel Rosan
Amy Rosoff
Jena Rotheim & Paul Cabral
Roy & Gayle Rotheim - in memory of
Rabbi Monte Sugarman
Rosaline & Mitchell Rubin
Susan Salzman
Fred Scheigert
Caroline Seligman & George Jolly
Beth Shropshire
Ronnie Silver
Gerald & Robyn Silverman
Bernard & Janet Singer
Marc & Jill Smith
Steven & Briana Soss
Janine Stuchin
Melinda Taormina
Amy Tinkle
Ron Tremper
Penny Trieb
Aldo Vacs & Trudi Renwick
Barry & Phyllis Wang
Sandy Welter
Heather Williams
Gary & Emily Wine
Marcia Witt
David & Deborah Wortheim
Lori Zwicker
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YAHRZEIT LIST
January 1 - 8
28 Tevet - 6 Shevat
Esther Toppal Weltman
Helen Greenman
Sonia Suarez Schwartz
Stuart Ward
January 9 - 15
7 - 13 Shevat
Sheila Dixon
Gertrude Gruben
Irving Joseph Mock
Sid Stuchin
Benjamin Forman
Faith Renoni
Sarah Satinberg
Ruth Feldman
Fred Gass
Alfred Gunther
January 16 - 22
14 - 20 Shevat
Rita Rothenberg Agris
Dr. Lawrence H Golden
Sarah Feynman
Frances Gass
Mavis Welter
January 23 - 29
21 - 27 Shevat
Carol Erenstein
Laura Rose Glassman
Louis Glassman
Shirley Capon
Matthew Abraham Markowitz
Harry Wagner
Jack Hellman
Louis Beck
Charles Toppal
January 30 - February 5
28 Shevat - 4 Adar-I
Phyllis Corwin
Adele Zlasner Auster Polak
Stanley Corwin
Molle Pallas Gordon
Sylvia Zaidman
Robin Cohen
Anna Toppal
February 6 - 12
5 - 11 Adar-I
Nathan Nonkin
George Pine
February 13 - 19
12 - 18 Adar-I
Herman C Amster
Lillian Schneider
Max Gottesman
Henry Lucas
February 20 - 26
19 - 25 Adar-I
Gil Harwood
Rita Weinstein Lerman
Solomon Levine
Noel Gruben
If we are missing a yahrzeit of your loved one, please email the temple (click here) with their name, date of passing, before or after sunset, and relationship to you. Also include if you want to remember them on the Gregorian date or the Hebrew date. We will get it added to the database. Thank you.
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WHO'S WHO?
RABBIS:
Linda Motzkin
Jonathan Rubenstein
OFFICERS:
Jerry Silverman, President
Michael Marx, Immediate Past President
Ben Gordon, Vice President
David Watsky, Treasurer
Caroline Seligman, Secretary
BOARD:
Alison Getz
Cheryl Hoffmann
Jerome Mopsik
Beth Savo Novik
Robyn Silverman
Alex Silverstein
Lori Zwicker
Educational Director:
Sylvia Bloom
Temple Administrator:
Pattie Cornute
Editor:
Susan Kipp
Layout Designer:
Pattie Cornute
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Please remember Temple Sinai and the Jewish community with a gift in your will, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or trust. |
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TEMPLE SINAI | 509 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
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