a message from rabbi david · 2018. 4. 24. · a message from rabbi david i can’t believe it. i...

A MESSAGE FROM RABBI DAVID

I can’t believe it. I really can’t believe it.

Ten years. A decade has passed since Ariel and I stepped in, committing ourselves fully to being here in New York City.

It feels like just yesterday that we gathered around a drum, a melody, and a dream to build a community dedicated to waking up to life, waking up to our Jewish wisdom and spirituality, waking up to our shared human longing for a more compassionate and more just world.

It feels like just yesterday that we began to imagine a new kind of Jewish center - one fully devoted to renewing the spiritual lineage of the Hasidic masters, in the manner of my teacher Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, continuing his legacy of visionary innovation and spiritual entrepreneurship woven deeply into the tapestry of our texts, tools, and traditions.

It feels like just yesterday that we invited one another to step into the charge to shape the Judaism of Tomorrow, for today’s seekers. We, you, did.

Over the past ten years, so many have been touched by our dream: to elevate Jewish life, infusing it with meaning, music, and meditation.

This evening, we pause to thank Judi and John for everything they’ve done to elevate this community and this dream. Dreamers like you - seekers like you - inspire all of us to dedicate ourselves to love, generosity, family, and a spirit of curiosity and learning.

As we look towards the next ten years, our vision and our purpose have never been clearer. Romemu will continue to be a bridge between the past and the future, between Judaism and other spiritual practices, between tradition and innovation, and between the world we see and the world we yearn to see.

I pray that ten years from now, we’ll look back and say, “We can’t believe what we’ve accomplished in 2o years!”

May we be blessed to elevate and bridge for many years to come.

In gratitude, David

A MESSAGE FROM ALYSE STREICHER, CEO

Ten years! What a milestone.

I want to express my thanks to those who have been with Romemu since day one, and to those who have joined us along the way. It’s because of all of you, in addition to our staff, board, and of course Rabbi David, that Romemu has had such an intellectually enlightening, spiritually uplifting, and wholly nourishing first ten years. It excites me to think about what our future holds and to be a part of it.

Judi and John — you have been instrumental in Romemu’s growth. Your leadership, support, compassion, wisdom, and dedication are exceptional. We are blessed by your presence. Thank you for continuing to be an inspiration to me, our board, and our community.

It’s truly an honor to be the CEO of Romemu during this pivotal moment in our history. Together, we are not only building an incredible shul and community on the Upper West Side, but we are also creating a loving, inclusive, intellectual, and spiritual Jewish lens through which to experience life. We see the benefits and impact that we’re having on our New York City community, and we want to continually strengthen what we do at home, and also share it beyond our walls.

As we enter into our next ten years, we are poised to elevate and bridge to the next level. As Rabbi Hillel said:

ואם לא עכשיו, אימתי?Ve’im lo achshav, ei’matay? If not now, when?

With enthusiasm for the next ten years! Alyse

At Romemu ...

We are welcome We introduce ourselves We sing, clap, dance We listen to stories We gain new perspectives We acquire greater compassion We look up We breathe We seek We ask our words to lead us to action

We are at home, as if we have always been here

-Judith & John Hannan, 2018 Romemu

Benefit Honorees

TEN THINGS WE HEAR AT ROMEMU THAT TELL US IT IS

THE COMMUNITY FOR US: by Judith & John Hannan

2018 Romemu Benefit Honorees

#1: Welcome.

Whether or not you’re Jewish, observant, or believe in God; whether you’re straight, gay,

bi, trans, queer; whatever your race, your status, or level

of commitment—you are welcome at Romemu. For our

family, which falls within so many of these categories,

there was no more important message for us to receive.




#2: Introduce yourself.

Romemu was already a thriving community when we

arrived, but it didn’t take many hellos before we could no

longer recall our first one. We are an introvert and an independent, but the

community of Romemu has insisted that we use our

voices.




#3: Sing, clap, dance.

Now sing louder, clap harder, dance faster. And laugh. Even Yom Kippur can be a time of joy, the rabbi says. Has this

ever been said before?




#4: Let me tell you a story.

It could be one of the rabbi’s own, one from the Torah, a

Chasidic tale, or a myth from another culture. Story is what moves us beyond the walls of the sanctuary or classroom. It

is where we find ourselves.




#5: Change your seat.

If you are always viewing the world from only one

perspective, you will never know what other people see

or what else there is to be seen. Changing your

perspective is how we move from judgement to

compassion.




#6: Compassion is holding as many sides of the truth

as you can hold.

Perhaps this should be a bumper sticker. It should be

remembered every day.




#7: Look up.

There are times when we get to know our feet too well and

our world gets very small. Looking down equates with fear. Looking up, we see it all—the beauty, the ugliness,

the way we are going, the way we’d rather go, the way we didn’t even know existed.




#8: Breathe.

Feet on floor. Hands in lap. Eyes closed or softened.

These are familiar instructions outside of shul and so welcome inside. To

pause, without words. To let the echo of the music and

the prayer settle within us. To be enriched by the traditions

of others.




#9: I have searched like you; I am searching still.

These words, perhaps not spoken, are part of the rabbi’s

story. A guide who has discovered it all, who can no longer find mystery, cannot

lead others on their own search. That guide is limited by what they can see. Everyone at

Romemu is seeking, sharing their “aha” moments before

starting out again.




#10: Religion can’t be just prayers and thoughts.

We are writing this the day after yet another slaughter

which resulted in the murder of seventeen people in

Florida. Prayers are once again being offered. At

Romemu, though, prayer is not a passive act, it is a

searching of the heart to discover what to do, not just

say.

2018 HOST & BENEFIT

COMMITTEES

Caroline Ellen & Susie Schein, Benefit Co-Chairs

Patty & Doug Sacks, Host Committee Chairs

Marcella Kanfer Rolnick & Josh Rolnick, Brooklyn Host Committee Chairs

Marla Alt Nora Anderson

Susan Binder Tal Breville Jeff Cahn

Caroline Ellen Sean Allen Fenn Caren Ellis Fried

Marcie & Fred Imberman Ariel Rosen Ingber Allegra Kochman Irena Krakhman

Elizabeth Langer Susan Magazine

Alexandra Paddock Lisa Phillips

Dara Schaefer Marc Schiller

Elana Schneyer Graeme Schranz

Nina Sciarrotta Harriet Kaplan Suvall

Pam Takiff Janice Tannin

Natalie Fabe Ubias Jade Netanya Ullmann

Paula Yormak

THANK YOU TO OUR 2018 BENEFIT SPONSORS

Visionary

Judith & John Hannan

Beacon Heidi & Richard Rieger

Sage Laurie Blitzer & Sam Levine

Caroline Ellen & Rick Temerian

Annette Rotter Laitman & Joel Laitman

Patty & Doug Sacks

Mystic

Rebekah & Adam Ingber

Marcia Meislin & Steven Weinstein

Marcella Kanfer Rolnick & Josh Rolnick (Meyer, Heshel, Lev & Pella)

Contemplative Nora & Jordan Anderson

Caren & Arthur Fried

Marina & Andrew Lewin

Karyn & Marc Schiller

Pamela & Peter Takiff

Jade Netanya Ullmann, MAPS

Spiritual

Anonymous

The Aligned Center

Karen Beckman & Peter Coleman

Aimee Beyda & Daniel Miller

Susan, Bryan, Zachary & Reese Binder

Carol Bowen & Alan Bernstein

Shelley & Jeff Cahn

Julie & Joel Greenblatt

Marcie & Fred Imberman

Allegra Kochman

Valerie Kanofsky

Elizabeth Langer & Richard Chused

Shelley Levine & Larry Schwartz

Phyllis & Elliott Rosen

Harriet & Marc Suvall

Paula & Jeffrey Yormak

Seeker

Marla Alt & Jeff Wallace

Elizabeth & Nigel Savage

Community Davie Floyd

Susan Schor

Hali Weiss & Jay Rosen

John and Judi-

Modim Anahnu. We are so thankful...

We are so grateful for your presence in our family's life and blessed by your devotion to the Romemu vision and mission. We would

not have become the community we are without your love, your generosity, your

care and your unwavering faith in us. The Ingber family loves you and honors you.

Thank you and looking forward to many more celebrations we elevate together...

Ariel, David, Baer, Tal, and Or

To Judi and John:

Thank you for your leadership, inspirational presence, and dedication to Romemu.

You elevate our community in so many ways.

To the clergy, staff, board, and community:

Your commitment and devotion make Romemu shine brighter everyday.

Thank you.

L’chaim!

Alyse, David, Lilly, Maya, and Lev Streicher

MAZEL TOV TO OUR 2018 HONOREES!

The 2018 Benefit Committee, the Board of

Directors, the Romemu staff, and the entire community

wish most heartfelt congratulations and

enormous thanks to this evening’s honorees, Judith

and John Hannan.

Their involvement, generosity, and wisdom have

been instrumental and invaluable in creating the

community that we are today. They exemplify Romemu

values every day.

We are thrilled to honor Judi and John Hannan

and celebrate Rabbi David Ingber and

Romemu.

Loved the first decade, looking forward to what

lies ahead in the second.

Heidi and Richard Rieger

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY TO

OUR BELOVED ROMEMU!

And our heartfelt thanks to Judith and

John Hannan for their visionary support and

loving contributions to our community.

With much love and gratitude,

Caroline, Rick, Max and Lucy Temerian

“In Jewish history, there are no coincidences.”

– Elie Wiesel

Judi and John,

We honor you!! Your generosity and leadership has rooted Romemu.

We look forward to sharing many more holidays and blessings together with our

families.

To our blessed Rabbi David, thank you for your vision and for creating Romemu, Jewish Life Elevated.

Rabbi Jessica and Hazzan Basya - your voices elevate our prayer experience.

You have given the Sacks family a beautiful way to participate in Jewish life.

We are incredibly grateful.

Warmly- Patty and Douglas Sacks

Mazel Tov to the honorees, Judith and John, on this

most deserving honor in recognition of your

heartfelt commitment to the Romemu community

and its mission.

And Mazel Tov to our brother/uncle, Rabbi David,

on reaching this ten year milestone: shehecheyanu,

vekiyemanu, vehigiyanu l’Zeman hazeh!!!

Adam, Rebekah, Eva, Bella and Israel

Yasher koach v’mazal tov on ten years of growth and

beauty. As Herzl expressed, “If you will it, it is no dream.”

We are honored, delighted and uplifted by being part of

the Romemu community.

Thank you for your sense of possibility and spirit of

adventure with your growing Brooklyn family!

Marcella Kanfer Rolnick & Josh Rolnick

Meyer, Heshel, Lev & Pella

"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single

moment to start to improve the world.”

—Anne Frank

Thank you to our beloved Romemu community for

every single moment that we spend building sacred

community and working together to improve the

world.

With love and gratitude, Marcia Meislin and

Steve Weinstein

Dear Judi and John,

Twenty years ago, you were among the

first to believe in Zadeh NY. I wouldn't

be here without your continued support

and generosity.

I am so proud to stand behind you as

you receive this well deserved honor.

With love,

Catherine

Judith and John,

Your leadership, commitment and dedication to the Romemu community inspire us all.

Mazel tov on this well deserved honor.

Congratulations to Romemu on your 10 year anniversary. May you go from strength to strength!

Love, Susan, Bryan, Zachary and Reese Binder and Julie and Joel Greenblatt

To Rabbi David, Ariel and honorees

Judi and John Hannan,

For creating 10 amazing years of devotion,

dedication and support to create a wonderful spiritual haven called

Romemu.

In admiration,

Sidney, Wendy & Amara Ingber

Dear Judi and John,

We are so grateful to have you both in our lives. Your kindness and spirit of generosity never cease to amaze. I couldn’t imagine two people more deserving of this honor.

May you continue to learn, inspire and spread love!

Lots of love, Catherine and David Moussazadeh

From a KLI Lover,

Congratulations! Looking forward

to many more years.

Anonymous

Mazel tov to Rabbi David, Rabbi Jessica

and all the professionals and congregants who work so hard to make

Romemu such a special community.

Looking forward to the next ten (and next ten...)

Laurie Blitzer and Sam Levine and Family

Warmest wishes to Judith and John Hannan on this well

deserved honor. Your dedication to the Romemu

community has helped make this special milestone possible.

Mazal tov and kol hakavod to our dear brother and uncle,

Rabbi David. You dared to dream big and your vision and passion continue to inspire us

and your entire Romemu family. May you go from

strength to strength. We are very proud!

With much love and admiration,

Bettina, Spencer, Sara, Alec and Nat

Yasher Koach Judith and John Hannan.

Thanks for all you do for Romemu.

Marina and Andy Lewin

With so much appreciation for all you bring to Romemu, congratulations on

this well deserved honor!

Looking forward to the next 10 years of spreading Romemu love into the world.

Karen Beckman and Peter Coleman

In honor of our wonderful family RABBI DAVID, ARIEL,

BAER, TAL and OR on this remarkable occasion.

From your adoring Mom, Ab, Savta and Saba

(aka Phyllis and Elliott Rosen)

“To Be Is To Stand For.” —Abraham Joshua Heschel

Thank you Judi and John for being exemplars of action, leadership, and being.

As we count the Omer - Yesod sheba Tiferet - we appreciate the foundation you

provide in the heart and balance of Romemu.

With abundant love, Caren and Arthur Fried

PARTICIPATE & ELEVATE AT ROMEMU

ALLEGRA

We are proud to support the:R O M E M U 2 0 1 8 B E N E F I T

1903 Palmer Avenue. Larchmont, NY 10538www.peridotfinejewelry.com | 914-833-7333

זכור תמיד: השמחה איננה עניין שולי במסעך הרוחני

Z'khor tamid: ha'simha einena 'inyan shuli b'masa'akh ha’ruhani

Always remember: happiness is not a side matter in your spiritual journey - it is

essential. —Rabbi Nachman of Bretslav, 1772-1820

Anonymous

Rav Kook writes that our souls are always speaking to us. In his language, the soul is

always "whispering, singing, or praying." Romemu has opened up so many new

possibilities to hearing that voice.

With gratitude to Rav David for his vision and leadership.

Shari, Yoni, Gavi, Nadav, Noam, Lia

Judi and John,

Thank you for your vision, generosity and commitment to Romemu.

You set the standard.

With love, Pam and Peter Takiff

To Judi, With Gratitude for your Grace and Generosity.

The Prescription Writers

Mazal tov Romemu!

You are a blessing. Happy ten years and many many more. Thank you for being our spiritual home.

Aimee Beyda & Daniel Miller

Mazel Tov, Romemu, on your 10th Anniversary, and mazel tov to the Hannans!

And a huge THANK YOU to Caroline Ellen and Susie Schein for their hard work in

chairing this spectacular benefit!

Love, Rev. Eleanor Harrison Bregman, Peter

Bregman, and the Multi-Faith Initiatives Program

Thank you Judi & John Hannan for

leading the way!

Jade

Judi & John,

Thanks for bringing your most authentic and gorgeous selves to our community: a stunning

overflowing of generosity, warmth, wisdom & empathy.

Angie and Norman Atkins

Dear Judi and John,

You bring wisdom, tireless devotion, and unending commitment to our sacred

community.

We are ever grateful for your presence.

With respect and love,

The Romemu Staff & Clergy

CONGRATULATIONS ROMEMU!!! We are so proud and grateful to be

part of this inspiring journey…

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HANNAN FAMILY!!!

Our heartfelt thanks to John and Judi Hannan for helping

to make dreams come true!

With love and gratitude, Paula and Jeff Yormak

MAZAL TOV ROMEMU!!

Wendy Goldberg Miles

Thank you, Judith and John, for all your loving commitment and support to our

Romemu community.

Susan Schor

Mazel Tov to the amazing Hannans and

warm best wishes to everyone at Romemu.

With love from everyone at Hazon & Isabella

Freedman

Creating a home where all are welcome, while making a tangible impression on the Jewish

community by bringing love, hope and inspiration to the mix…and all in only 10 short years!

Mazel tov!

Elana Shneyer, Adam, Jaron and Layla Kaufman Danya Shneyer, Paul Shneyer and Laura Friedman

Adam Kaufman, MD - Psychiatrist 110 W. 96th Street, Suite 1D4, NYC

646-535-4590 [email protected]

Happy 10th anniversary!

Davie Floyd and Danny Kerry, Co-chairs of the Multi-Faith

Initiatives Committee and Strangers No More

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Mazel Tov Romemu on our 10th Anniversary

Ariela Heilman Providing a haimische housing experience

since 1992

In loving memory of our DEAR BRIAN THOMPSON

fellow B'nai Mitzvah, husband, and friend

Anonymous

Thank you to the Hannans.

Best, Rebecca Sharzer

ROMEMU’S FOUNDING VISIONARIES Thank you to our Founding Visionaries, who with their time, treasure, and talent, stepped up ten years ago to create the Romemu we know today. We celebrate and salute you!

Marla Alt & Jeff Wallace, Beatrice Aranow, Jamie Askin, Nigel Austin, Tammy Anagnostis & Rob Klein, Carol Anshien, Keith Bellamy, Jonathan Bickoff, Lydia Burdick, Jeff Cahn, Wendy Chaiten, Rhonda Cohen, Eric Davis, Getzel Davis, Melanie Einzig, Andrea Fooner, Caren Ellis Fried & Arthur Fried, Chani Getter, Jennifer Goldstein, Steven Gradman, Jane Graver, Elise Gura, Alex Holt & Felice Winograd Holt, Shoshana Jedwab & Rabbi Jill Hammer, Janet & Howard Kagan, Susan Kaplan & David Friedson, z”l, Peggy Kay, Stacey Klein, Rob Lederer Vivian Lehrer, Gila Lyons, Nancy McGaw, Abraham Menashe, Sue Ostfield, Josh Rechnitz, Sadie Rosenthal, Lisa & Konstantin Rubchinsky, Jonathan Rubinstein, Elysa Safran, Nigel Savage, Lilli Schad, z"l , Jorian Schutz, Anna Sobel, Sue Sonkin, Yoni Stadlin, Leona Strassberg & Charlie Steiner, Emily Stern, Howard & Jayne Tear, Jen Tobenstein, Jade Netanya Ullman, Oren Weinrib, Yaakov Weintraub, Nili Weisman, Zak Zaidman, Max Zimmerman

SAVE THE DATE: Romemu's Annual Community Retreat

June 15-17, 2018 Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

Registration information coming soon!

The Way of Kabbalah: A Kripalu Retreat with Rabbi David Ingber

June 10-15, 2018 Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

Register at kripalu.org

Join us every Friday night and Saturday morning for Shabbat services.

All are welcome.

Friday: 6:30 PM Saturdays: 10 AM

WEP Church - 165 W 105th St

http://kripalu.org

http://kripalu.org

a message from rabbi david · 2018. 4. 24. · a message from rabbi david i can’t believe it. i...

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