march 2017 april 2017 - constant contact

MeMber Union for reforM JUdaisM

Temple Isaiah Bulletin A Volume 52, Issue 4 A March / April 2017

March 2017Shir Joy Musical ShabbatFriday, March 3rd

Triad ConcertsSunday, March 5thSunday, March 19th

Purim Megillah Reading& PurimspielSaturday, March 11thPurim CarnivalSunday, March 12th

Tot ShabbatFriday, March 17th

Brotherhood Shabbat Dinner & ServiceFriday, March 24th

Sisterhood Progressive DinnerSaturday, March 25th

April 2017Miriam’s SederSunday, April 2nd

Shir Joy Musical ShabbatFriday, April 7th

Passover 1st Day ServiceTuesday, April 11thPassover / Yizkor ServiceMonday, April 17th

Tot ShabbatFriday, April 21st

Erev Yom HashoahSunday, April 23rd

Yom Ha’atzmautSunday, April 30th

Triad ConcertSunday, April 30th

sUnday Monday TUesday Wednesday ThUrsday friday

Saturday Ushers18 Kamen25 Kitt/Rosenzweig

Candles: 5:32

Shabbat Morning Torah Study8:30-9:30 am

ShabbatMorning Service10 am

Shir Joy MusicalErev ShabbatService6 pm

Religious School Committee MtgTemple Library8 pm

Adult Ed.Resurrection &ImmortalityRabbi Karol7 pm


Board of Trustees Mtg7:30 pm

Candles: 5:39

Erev ShabbatService7:30 pm

Candles: 6:47

Tot Shabbat5:30 pm


Candles: 6:54


ShabbatMorning Service10 am Erev Purim Service & Sphiel6:15 pm


ShabbatMorning Service10 am Ethan Hecht Bar Mitzvah


ShabbatMorning Service10 am

Gerstein/Salmonson B’nai MitzvahSisterhood Progressive Dinner

Early Morning Study6:30 - 7:30 am

Religious School4:30 - 6:30 pm

5K PlanningCommittee Mtg6:30 pm

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class7 - 9 pm


Early Morning Study 6:30 - 7:30 am


Religious School9 am - 12 pm

Brotherhood Mtg9:09 am

Tanakh Study10:30 am - 11:30 am

Triad Concert 3 - 5 pm


Triad Concert 3 - 5 pm

March 2017 / adar - nisan / 5777shabbaT





Brotherhood Shabbat Service & Dinner6 pm




Tanakh Study10:30 am - 11:45 pm

Rennaisance Mtg1:30 pm

Ritual Committee Mtg7:30 pm

Religious School Purim Carnival 10:30-12 am


MRJ Mtg-Social Hall7 pm


Religious School4:30-6:30 pm

Friday Ushers3 Weiser10 Rosofsky17 Steinweis24 Stopsky31 Goldstein

1 2 3 4

6 7 8 9 10 115

13 14 15 16 17 1812

20 21 22 23 24 2519

27 28 29 30 31 26 Candles: 7:02

2

Rabbi Sobel ‘s ReflectionsRabbi Sobel ‘s Reflections

3

During the months of March and April, we will celebrate

Purim and Pesach.

Purim celebrates the Jews’ release from the evils of

Haman. During that time, we were the “other” in the

land of Persia and were singled out and persecuted for

our “otherness.”

Pesach celebrates our liberation from bondage in Egypt.

In Egypt we were also “other.” We remind ourselves of

our path to freedom each and every day – not only during

Pesach, but when we sing the Mi Chamocha prayer at our

daily worship services.

As a people, we Jews have long experience with being

“other.” We know what it means to need safe haven, to

need refuge, to seek sanctuary, a place where we can be

free to live our lives in freedom.

During these past weeks, no matter what your political

affiliation, many people do not feel safe. To date in 2017,

we’ve seen five waves of bomb threats on Jewish Com-

munity Centers, affecting over 90 JCC’s across North

America, and vandalism at three Jewish cemetaries. A

white supremacist opened fire on a mosque in Quebec

City during evening prayers, killing 6 people and injuring

many others, and many other people around the world are

feeling vulnerable and afraid.

How do we embody the lessons of Purim and Passover

with what is taking place in our world? How can we make

our religious homes a place of welcoming and safe haven

for all who choose to walk in our doors?

As a faith leader in the public realm, I walk a fine

balance: I minister to those whose thoughts and feelings

fall on all sides of the political and social spectrums. At

times, I must keep my personal feelings and ideas to

myself in order to respond pastorally to the entire con-

gregation.

Yet, at times, there is a moral imperative to speak out, to

share the prophetic voices from our religious teachings,

to heed the call of our faith tradition.

Now is the time to speak out, because our notions of

“freedom” and “sanctuary” are at risk. Now is the

time to act. Now is the time for our community to come

together and unite across every political, religious, or

social divide. We must remember that in our American

“Pledge of Allegiance,” we make an oath that our demo-

cratic republic promises to be a place of “liberty and

justice for all.”

For centuries people have come to the United States

seeking a life of freedom, opportunity, and peace. Our

Jewish tradition believes in the full humanity of every

person. When we fail to see the divine in one another,

we diminish our own humanity. The biblical imperative

to “love your neighbor” knows no religious, political or

national boundaries, and our common interest in security

is only undermined when we allow fear to dismantle the

very principles of our democracy.

Continued on page 4

“V’Karatem D’ror Ba’aretz – And You Shall Have Liberty Throughout the Land”

4

A Note From The Cantor

“Esther - You can change the world! You can make the

world complete. Take the pride you feel inside and never

accept defeat!”

Jeff Klepper

One of the distinctive and enduring elements in the

Purim story is the role of Esther as heroine and redeemer

of the Jewish people in Persia. She was reluctant to

leave her family and enter the court of Ahasuerus, keep-

ing her identity as a Jew a secret. Mordechai convinced

her that she could possibly be a crucial player in saving

the Jewish people from the evil Haman by being near the

king, and even more importantly, by being an object of

the king’s affection. It was not an easy choice for Esther,

but she rose to the occasion, and in the end, put her own

life on the line for the sake of the Jewish people. When

Mordechai admonished her that she must go before the

king - though the king had not invited her - she feared for

her life. Today, we take for granted what a risk she took

in making this bold move.

As many times as I have read the Purim story, I have

never really thought much about Esther’s heroism, and

what it takes to stand up for your beliefs in the face of

tremendous adversity. She set the bar very high for us,

living in America in 2017. Many of us are standing up

now, today, for our beliefs, in the face of great adversity.

The story of Purim, of the courageous acts of Esther, is

an example to all of us of what we can achieve when we

stand up and speak out. It’s easy to be complacent, to

not heed the call to act. Remember: “You can change

the world.” Have a joyous & redemptive Purim.

Cantor Carol Chesler

Esther’s Heroism

Continued from page 3

The great humanitarian, social activist, and Holocaust

survivor Elie Wiesel said, “There may be times when we

are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never

be a time when we fail to protest.” People of faith have

a particular responsibility to speak out. In the words of

our prayer book Mishkan T’filah, “There is no way to get

from here to there except by joining hands and marching

together.”

So as we gather together to celebrate Purim and Pesach

this year, let us take the lessons embodied within and

make them a reality by making our communities safe

havens and sanctuaries of peace and freedom for all:

men, women and children.

Rabbi Sobel’s Reflections

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

5

President’s Report

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Not just for the end

of winter, but also because it gives us an opportunity for

new beginnings.

As I mentioned in my last letter to the congregation,

several congregants came to the February 13th Board of

Trustees meeting, and we had a healthy dialogue about

their concerns and the future of Temple Isaiah. The

Board and I greatly appreciated the feedback received,

and thank those who took the time to come and share

their thoughts.

Based on the feedback received, we will be arranging

similar opportunities for small discussions going for-

ward, to keep you informed and give you the chance to

be heard. We’re still working out the details in order for

these meetings to be the most useful and productive.

It is gratifying to know that so many of us have strong

attachment to and feelings for Temple Isaiah. That is a

source of strength for out Temple and will be helpful as

we move forward.

Thanks again to those of you who participated in the

Thriving Synagogue Learning Tool survey sponsored

by the UJA Synergy Progam and the Coeh Center for

Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. We just

received revised results and are working with the Synergy

Team to understand the highlights, the opportunities for

action, and the best way to share the results. Look for

more in the coming weeks.

I wish everyone a joyous Purim and a Happy Passover.

As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas, questions, or

concerns about Temple Isaiah and its future, feel free to

contact me at [email protected] or at 631-981-5128

evenings.

Jay Schoenfeld

President

Keeping Informed and Being Heard

The rabbi adaM d. fisher Library

Please note: Our Temple library is open one half-hour before each

Erev Shabbat Service.


Please help us to maintain Temple Isaiah as a house of worship, a house of learning, and a house of assembly by becoming a Sustaining Member in 2017. It is here where you celebrate life-cycle events, and it is here where you will find support when you need it. It is with your strong financial support that Temple Isaiah will continue to provide education, worship services, and support for people who are experiencing loss, crisis, or illness.

Won’t you perform the mitzvah of tzedakah at Temple Isaiah? If you are able to make a contribution as a Sustaining Member, you will be providing revenue for regular as well as unforeseen expenses, and you will be helping us plan for future generations. Please join our growing list of Sustaining Members!

sUsTaining MeMbers & friends of TeMpLe isaiah 2017

A Platinum Chai ($5,400 or above)

A Golden Chai ($3,600-$5,399)

A Silver Chai ($1,800-$3,599)

A Circle of Enrichment

($1,018- $1,799)

A Circle of Growth ($540-$1,017)

A Circle of Hope ($360-$539)

A Chaverim ($180-$359)

A Mitzvah Partner ($118-$179)

A Chai or Multiple ($36-$117)

6

Circle of Enrichment

Linda Barancik

Barbara & Jerry Fine

Gloria & Mark Snyder

Circle of Growth

Paula & Steve Bennett

Suzan & Alfred Goldhaber

Honey & Arnie Katz

Circle of Hope

Jamie & Hilton Adler

Essie & Mark Freilach

Dan Stenzler

Phyllis & Dan Turner

Chaverim

Rose French

Suzanne Gabrielsen

Anita & Stewart Gaffan

Irene & Bernie Gische

Woody Goldstein

Myra & Alan Rosofsky

Diane & Steve Weitzman

Perri Fitterman & Larry Lieblich

Mitzvah Partner

Judy Albano

Sharon & Larry Epstein

Bartbara & Gary Kamen

Carl Kravitz

Margaret & Jay Schoenfeld

Pam Shulder

Chai or Multiple

Marian Guarlnick

Barbara Wright


7

MeMbership MUsings

Here’s a positive suggestion to have fun and learn while beating the winter blues! I have been a member of

Temple Isaiah for a long time and my kids attended Religious school here. They participated in many holiday

celebrations and services, and were very active in youth group. Now that my kids are grown and out of the

house, I attend many services and programs “kidless”!

When my kids were growing up, Tu Bishvat services were always well attended and lots of fun, just like it was

this year. Last week, although a day after a large snowstorm, the social hall was filled with lots of enthusias-

tic children, parents, and seniors. Rabbi Sobel beautifully led the inter-generational Seder while everyone

tasted delicious wine, grape juice and fruits. The cantor played interactive songs suitable for everyone,

regardless of age. This service with phenomenal attendance of people of all ages was highly creative and

a night to remember! Following the service and singing we all shared in the most delicious potluck dishes

and chicken supplied by the synagogue. Everyone had a meaningful experience and a most delicious dinner.

There are so many fabulous activities for all ages at Temple Isaiah, and I hope all the members will check

the Temple Isaiah Bulletin for an activity that interests each person in the congregation. It’s fun to see old

friends and make new friends with our Temple Isaiah family community!

With warmth,

Marylin Neuhaus Baracks

speaking of sociaL acTionIf you are interested in working with the Social Action Committee, we would love to have you join us as we

continue working towards Tikkun Olam, repairing our world through social activism, the pursuit of justice,

acts of kindness, and the performance of mitzvot. Please contact the Temple office for more information.

broTherhood shabbaT dinner & service Celebrate Shabbat with friends and family at the annual Brotherhood Dinner and Service on Friday evening,

March 24th. Dinner at 6 pm and Service at 7:30 pm. See the weekly Temple E-blasts for more information.

save The daTe: broTherhood’s Las vegas nighT is coMing JUne 3, 2017!

march 2017 april 2017 - constant contact

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