temple sinai - shulcloud · dina & jordan savitt in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, max...

Temple SinaiBulletinServing the Stamford, New Canaan, Darien and Pound Ridge Communities

www.templesinaistamford.org Volume 56, Issue 7 April 2017 • Nissan/Iyar 5777

See page 10 for more information.

april ServiceSFriday, April 75:30pm: Pre-Neg

6:00pm: Shabbat Service

Friday, April 147:30pm: Shabbat Service

Friday, April 217:30pm: Shabbat RUACH Service

Friday, April 28 7:30pm: Shabbat Service with Torah Reading

Get ready! Get Set!MITZVAH DAY IS COMING

SUNDAY, MAY 7

See detailS on page 4

In this issue:Rabbi’s Responsa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

President’s Perspective . . . . . . . . . 5

Note’s from the Cantor . . . . . . . . . 6

Educator & SoSTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Sisterhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Brotherhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Our Yahrzeits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2∫ Temple Sinai April Bulletin

Temple Sinai BulletinPublished monthly by:

Temple Sinai 458 Lakeside Drive Stamford, CT 06903 Phone: (203) 322-1649 Fax: (203) 329-7741 www.templesinaistamford.org

General Informationinfo@templesinaistamford .org

Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay TelRav

Cantor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Micah Morgovsky

Educator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Ritell

Youth Director . . . . . . . . . . . . Erica Santiago

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gloria Skigen

First Vice President . . . . . . . Marc Friedman

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Cohen

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . Wendy Lewis

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Madison

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula Simon

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Zales

Immediate Past President . . Arlene Rosen

Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David M . Cohen

Brotherhood President . . . Stuart Madison

Sisterhood Presidents . . . . Michele Haiken Fink

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wynd Harris

Rabbi Emeritus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samuel M . Silver, D .D . z”l (1912 - 2008)

Rabbi Jay TelRav . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext . 12 ravtelrav@templesinaistamford .org

Cantor Micah Morgovsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext . 13 cantor@templesinaistamford .org

Amy Ritell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext . 14 educator@templesinaistamford .org

Jayne Vasco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext . 10 [email protected]

Shelly Welfeld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ext . 11 assistant@templesinaistamford .org

Erica Santiago [email protected]

Design by Lynda Falcone at Falcone Creative Design, www .falconecreativedesign .com

mAy/june BuLLeTIn DeADLIneFriday, March 31

MeMbeR SINCe 1954

Happy Anniversary 25+barbara & Gary bloom

Rosalind & Gabriel Carlin

Sharyn & Richard Sarner

Judith & Grant Kallen

Moira Morrissey & Mark Slivka

Oneg Sponsorsmarch 31: Sisterhood

Dina & Jordan Savitt in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Max Savitt

April 7: Pre-Neg – Need a Sponsor

April 14: Need a Sponsor

April 21: Rachel & Armel Leslie in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Miles Leslie

April 28: Need a Sponsor

*Please volunteer to

sPonsor a Pre-neg or oneg

Recognize an anniversary, yahrzeit, or

important milestone – or just give back to

our community at a date that is convenient

for you. Your sponsorship (and the

person or event you wish to honor) will be

recognized in both the temple bulletin and

in the announcements on Friday night.

We would welcome a sponsor for

April 7, 14, 28; May 12; June 9, 23. Please

contact Jayne Vasco in the temple office at

(203) 322-1649 for more information.

Can’t get to temple sinai because of transportation issues? or are you willing

to drive a fellow congregant to temple sinai?

Some of our members wish they could join us more at Temple Sinai, but for various reasons, cannot get here. We want to do our best to ensure that no one is excluded from an event, program or service because of transportation barriers.

Just let the temple office know if you have difficulty with transportation and would like a fellow congregant to pick you up and take you home.

Please let the temple office know if you are willing to occasionally drive a fellow congregant to/from Temple Sinai.

We want to hear from you!

LIke “THe TeMPLe SINAI STAMfOrD” ON fACebOOk to keep up-to-date on the latest temple news.

Interested in Advertising?please call the temple office at

(203) 322-1649 or email [email protected]

torah portionS for april

Saturday, April 1: Vayikra

Saturday, April 8: Tzav

Saturday, April 15: Chol ha Moed Passover

Saturday, April 22: Shemini

Saturday, April 29: Tazria-Metzora

nominations requestedThe Nominating Committee is preparing its recommendations for new

officers and trustees for 2017. Please send your suggestions to Cami Murace at [email protected]

Are you receiving the weekly Temple Sinai emails?

If not … please call the temple office at (203) 322-1649 with your current email address or email assistant@

templesinaistamford.org

Visit www.templesinaistamford.org for more information. ∫ 3

Shalom, All,In a recent article titled, “The Political Rabbi’s Survival Guide,” Rabbi Jeff Salkin shares his personal advice to those of us who have the difficult task of addressing the world’s challenges from the pulpit. He acknowledges what many individuals have said to me, “What a difficult job you have, to stand up there in the Sanctuary and say something of enduring, universal value, without alienating your congregants.”

OK, perhaps that’s what I would have said to me but many others have expressed similar versions with the same sentiment. It has become one of the most challenging issues many of us (clergy or otherwise) are facing today: knowing who is a kindred political-spirit and with whom else we should simply discuss the weather.

Salkin suggests all the prudent approaches obvious to those of us with some experience: Carefully examine our sacred texts and not last night’s tweets. Speak about principles and not of partisan politics. As you deliver Torah, there is no advantage to referencing the names of specific politicians. He says, “Don’t Preach – Teach.” And, he suggests we should pursue great humility in our roles as spiritual leaders. You will find, in the rest of the articles this month by the Temple senior staff and president, we’ve all chosen to reflect on how we believe it is our duty to use Temple Sinai most appropriately in today’s radically new political reality.

On one hand, each of us struggles to understand the temple’s role in guiding members to make meaning with their lives. Today, our lives are being overwhelmed by the questions of politics. Would Sinai be fulfilling its greatest potential if it became a place where we couldn’t discuss the most influential matters?

On the other hand, we strive toward the prescriptive vision of the Bible: “My house shall be called, A house of prayer for all peoples,” (Isaiah). In other words, we value the openness and acceptance of others who wish to be with us, and therefore should choose a de-politicized approach to religion.

Yet on the other hand, I have never been afraid of the particularization of the Jewish community. I agree with Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks when he encourages us to value differences of opinion and variant religious interpretations. He reminds us of The Dignity of Difference (the title of his book) and why a city as small as Stamford should have so many different synagogues. He would encourage us to remain unapologetic in our specific views because one uniform position could never serve the needs of every Jew, and that’s just the way God wanted it. There is something lost, but also something gained, when we are able to choose between Orthodox and Reform temples, Liberal and Tea Party congregations, Democratic and Republican synagogues.

On the other hand, everyone agrees that the more we isolate ourselves from opinions that diverge from our own, the more we listen to news sources that reinforce what we already believe, and the more we diminish the other side, the poorer we are intellectually, politically and spiritually. One of my favorite messages from our tradition is that the experience of the Other has a great deal to teach us about our relationship with God and with fellow humans.

As Gloria writes, we strive to hold our congregation (in all its

political diversity) together as a – kehillah kedoshah – a Sacred Community. But, do we deny the sacred when we strive to avoid the battlefields of today’s most important social and fiscal policy

debates?

Please know that I am struggling, like all of you, to make sense of the new rules for today’s interactions. I will endeavor to walk that fuzzy line between Sinai-as-sanctuary-from-the-outside and religion-as-an-agent-for-change. I will hit the target perfectly for some of you, some of the time. And I will also miss the target, either saying too much or too little about something important out there, and you will tell me about it. But, let’s not forget that this is all – l’Shem shamayim – For the Sake of Heaven. It is how we participate in trying to bring about God’s model of the perfected world.

L’shalom, In Peace

Jay TelRav

rabbi’S reSponSa

“One of my favorite messages from our tradition is that the experience of the Other has a great deal to teach us about our relationship with God and with fellow humans .”


Get ready! Get Set!MITZVAH DAY IS COMING

SUNDAY, MAY 7 Temple Sinai’s 21st Annual Mitzvah Day will take place on Sunday, May 7. Come at 8:30am to get your name tags, then nosh on some tasty bagels at 9:30am when rabbi Telrav will officially launch the day and send us off to our activities.

We will have our traditional projects, like beautifying the temple, sorting clothes for Person to Person, making sandwiches for shelters, and serenading the seniors at Sunrise Assisted Living. This year there will be some new projects that families (no matter how big or small, with or without children) can do together. for the environmentalists, you can help clean up at a local beach or plant flowers in the garden at Temple Sinai. for the arts and crafts types, you can stuff challah bags for seniors or make blankets for hospital patients. New this year will be helping out the homeless and refugee communities. Check out the information in the atrium about “things we need” for these projects.

Please respond to the Mitzvah Day brochure that will soon arrive in your mailbox. remember to sign up online or by mailing in your registration. by participating in Temple Sinai’s 21st Annual Mitzvah Day, you really can bring about a change for the better in our community. And at the end of your tiring, but rewarding, day of labor, you will be treated to some tasty home cooking á la the chefs from our very own brotherhood! bring a dish to share and impress your fellow congregants! for questions about Mitzvah Day, contact Monica Schlessinger ([email protected]).

four course Passover meal

rSVP on or before April 1 $36 per adult / $18 per child

After April 1 $54 per adult / $18 per child

Please call the temple office (203) 322-1649 with any questions.

NOTe: We CANNOT TAke ANY OrDerS AfTer APrIL 4

Passover 2nd nIght seder

tuesday, aPrIl 11 at 5:00Pm

WHAT Are YOU DOING fOr THe SeCOND NIGHT Of PASSOVer?

No plans? Well then, come join us! Temple Sinai will host a Second Night Seder and we’d love for you to be there. We’ll revisit the story of our people’s formation with songs, activities and traditions for kids of all ages. rabbi Telrav and Cantor Morgovsky will lead the Seder but with a lot of help. It’s going to be a participatory evening with support from the ruJu singers. but it will only work if you come. Please call the temple office now and reserve a space for yourself and your loved ones. The price is $36/adult and $18/child. Temple Sinai is subsidizing a large portion of the cost of the meal but if this is still too expensive, call rabbi Telrav and we’ll figure something out.


preSident’S perSpective

Gloria Skigen [email protected]

Wrestling with an Angel of GodWe are all familiar with the story from Genesis in which Jacob wrestles with a man (later revealed to be an angel) and receives the name Israel. Of lately, I feel I’ve been wrestling with an angel, and wanted to share my inner conflict with you.

Separation of Church and State

A “separation of church and state” is a phrase used by Thomas Jefferson and others expressing an understanding of the

intent and function of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... .”

The phrase “separation of church and state” is generally traced to a January 1, 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, addressed to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut, and published in a Massachusetts newspaper. Jefferson was echoing the language of the founder of the first Baptist church in America, Roger Williams, who had written in 1644 of “[A] hedge or wall of separation between the garden of the church and the wilderness of the world.”

I love that imagery. My temple is a garden, and the rest of my world a wild, dangerous and tumultuous place from which I can seek refuge in my garden. On Shabbat, I want to forget work, forget politics and join with those who share my values and are family to me. I want to spend a moment believing that we all have a common purpose and affection, that we have more in common than

we have differences and that, to the extent there are differences, we are accepting and tolerant of them. We are a diverse, but inclusive, congregation.

As a result, I am always uncomfortable when politics come to the bimah. It doesn’t matter whether I share the views expressed – the expression of political views tread on my sense of Shabbat peace. They also concern me as undermining the First Amendment. If it is acceptable for religious institutions to speak of politics, will that undermine the boundaries such that the state will seek to legislate limits to religious freedom? And what of inclusiveness? By “picking sides,” are we ostracizing those who do not see the issues in the same way?

Standing for Our Values

I recently attended an ethics seminar led by faculty members from the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). FASPE focuses on the perpetrators of the Holocaust (many of whom were lawyers, doctors and clergy), asking how this could have happened (so that we may assure it never happens again). I was disheartened to learn that, of the 15 men who participated in the Wannsee Conference in January 1942 (where the “Final Solution” was formulated), eight were lawyers. Lawyers were also key in writing the Nuremberg Laws. As a lawyer, I believe there is something about our training that encourages us to be analytical and dispassionate, and potentially in that analysis lose sight of what is right.

We are on the eve of Passover. We read about our people’s flight from Egypt, our fear that we would be killed or captured, our despair, our hope, and our cry for freedom. If I were an Egyptian, would I have supported and stood with the Jews? I’ve always been profoundly moved by the actions of the rabbis and other clergy who marched in Selma and otherwise participated in the Freedom Marches of the 1960s. They believed that their faith demanded that they stand in the path of injustice, alongside their African American brothers and sisters, against segregation. If I were in that moment, would I have acted, or would I have stood back and watched? I aspire to be like Purim’s Esther – to have the courage, chutzpah, integrity and goodness to stand up for what is just and right, and hope that I will stand up and not stand by. If I don’t speak up (and do not act ), am I failing to live up to the values of our faith (and causing my children to doubt the sincerity of my beliefs)? If my rabbi does not speak of injustice from the bimah, what does that say about the importance of our professed beliefs?

Shabbat is the weekly opportunity for us to join together as a community. If we fail to affirm our values when we gather, what do we truly stand for? Can we maintain our identity and integrity if we fail to speak and act forcefully when our values are under attack?

Although I lean towards preserving my temple as a garden of peace and respite, there are times when the need is so great that we have to affirm who we are and what we stand for – learning, repairing the world, and inclusivity. This issue really is wrestling with an angel – striving to strike the right balance.

“Shabbat is the weekly opportunity for us to join together as a community. If we fail to affirm our values when we gather, what do we truly stand for?”


noteS from the cantor

Dear Temple Sinai Family,

Imagine a world where the ability to listen was valued as highly as the necessity to make one’s own voice heard? What would it be like if the ultimate goal of both our listening and our vocalizing was to bring people together, unified towards a shared goal? Could you imagine a world where the diversity of those voices was honored, elevated, and celebrated? And what if the magnitude and efficacy of those unified voices

were greater than the sum of its parts? What a magnificent world.

This, my friends, is the world of music. In music, the rests, the moments of silence contained within a piece of music, are as important as the notes. The contrast of sound and silence is what gives music interest and energy. The rests are what make the sounds more distinct, allowing us to better understand the musical phrases and nuances of the composition. In music, the rests also acknowledge our need to occasionally stop and breathe. A pause to catch our breath makes the next note clearer, the sound better supported, the intonation purer. When singing, we use our breath, our spirit, our ruach, to lift up our voices, while simultaneously elevating the voices of those singing with us.

When singing in an ensemble, it is imperative that each musician listen and blend with the surrounding voices in order to bring forth the most melodic and harmonious sound. And, though each voice is as unique as the person from which it emanates – in tone, timbre, vibrato and pitch – when singing with sensitivity and awareness of others those disparate voices meld into a rich, velvety sound which can melt the heart with its beauty. Crystal clear tones illuminate the emotion, meaning and intention of the piece and allow it to penetrate the soul. In these moments, sound vibrations filling the space, both the singers and the listeners resonate, quite literally, with the message of the song.

And, though dissonance is often an integral part of a musical composition, most pieces resolve with a satisfying musical cadence, chords that soothe and calm our ears and make us feel at peace. Though music can rile us up, energize us, or disturb us, for the most part, the ultimate goal of music is harmony and unity, the blending of many disparate notes, unique vocal qualities, and varied rhythms into one beautiful, eloquent whole. Music brings us together, connecting us on a deep spiritual and emotional level, allowing us to experience true emotion, to really feel something when we all too often move through life numb and unmoved because reality is too painful to bear.

Today, more than ever, as our world is being torn apart by politics, racism, and myopic hate and fear, we need music, and the lessons it offers, to connect us to our friends and neighbors as well as those in our community who are different from us and who share different views and beliefs. We need music to elevate our voices, our intentions and our spirits. We need music to remind us to stop and listen to those around us, even if their voices might be different from our own. And, as with music, we need to stop and take a deep breath before we open our mouths to speak. Then, together, we might create a world of music, a world of harmony.

B’Shira, in song,

Cantor Micah Morgovsky

remember to visit the sisterhood gift shop for your Judaica needs.

all proceeds help support religious School and other temple programs.

max savItt StatS:Parents: Dina & JordanSiblings: emily & Page 17Bar mitzvah: April 1, 2017School: 8th @ Turn of River Middle School Favorite subject: Gym Interests: Baseball, basketball, band, hanging out with friends Torah Portion: Vayikra“The Jews were told to make animal sacrifices to God. Today people still make sacrifices like their own lives or their own freedom to help others.”Becoming a Bar mitzvah: “Looking forward to being seen as an adult in the Jewish community.”About me: “I’m fun, I like sports, love food and so much more!”

mIles leslIe StatS:Parents: Rachel & ArmelSibling: Marley 9Bar mitzvah: April 22, 2017School: 7th @ Scofield Middle School Favorite subject: Art Interests: Dance, soccer, basketball Torah Portion: Shemini“Listen and follow directions to demonstrate respect for the one who asks.”Becoming a Bar mitzvah: “I can’t wait to become a Jewish man!”

Upcoming b’nai mitzvah

“We need music to elevate our voices, our intentions and our spirits . We need music to remind us to stop and listen to those around us, even if their voices might be different from our own .”


We send our children to religious school with the hope that they learn the Jewish values taught by our ancestors and grow to become caring, involved and proud Jewish adults. People have studied Torah since biblical times as it is basically the “how to” handbook for Jewish living. Torah teaches us how to pray and how to behave ethically and charitably. The Talmud teaches that “the study of Torah is greater than all other deeds because it leads to them all,” and that the

only reason we see farther than our ancestors did is because we are standing on their shoulders. Yes, over 3000 years of history certainly give us a lot to work with.

I recently pulled out an old textbook titled Jewish Heroes Jewish Values by Barry Schwartz. It has 12 chapters and each chapter represents a different value illustrated by the actions of a famous person or persons. I mention this book because as I look through it, many of the mitzvot listed are ideas that we should keep in mind and reinforce with our children during this uneasy time in our nation. These are the chapters that stood out to me: Tikkun Olam, the mitzvah of healing the world Ometz Lev, the mitzvah of courage Herut, the mitzvah of freedom Tikvah, the mitzvah of hope Tzedek, the mitzvah of justice Pikuah Nefesh, the mitzvah of saving a life Shalom, the mitzvah of peace

We spend much of our time in the religious school talking about Tikkun Olam in the religious school and I suppose it could be argued that all the other mitzvot listed could be considered as being part of healing the world. If we were to practice them all, the world would definitely be a better place.

When my children were younger and they had a problem or issue that made them upset, angry or scared, I would tell them, “It is all right to feel what you’re feeling; get it out of your system. You have 10 minutes and then we are going to sit and come up with a plan of action.” I have always believed that doing something constructive empowers you and is better than giving into anger and fear. We may not always be able to fix a problem through the use of values like courage, hope, justice and peace, but we can often lessen its impact. I realize that the issues of a twelve year old pale in comparison to those that we are facing now, but trust me when I say that in the eyes of that twelve year old, something that we might consider small and unimportant is just as devastating as our big issues are to us. Regardless, these mitzvot have value at any age and when applied can guide us in a positive direction.

L’shalom,

Amy Ritell

edUcation

eDucATIOn DATeS TO RememBeRApril 1: 4th/5th & 6th/7th Grade Family Shabbat ProgramApril 2: Religious School and Passover Celebration 4th Grade to assist at JFS for Passover Collection Tichon SinaiApril 9: NO Religious SchoolApril 10: Erev Passover – NO Monday Hebrew SchoolApril 11: NO Wednesday Hebrew SchoolApril 16: NO Religious SchoolApril 23: 3rd Grade Chavurah – Planting at Scofield Manor

SoStyHow many hamantashen did you eat last month? I certainly had my fill and packed even more into the mishloach manot packages that were sold to benefit SoSTY. Thank you to all of the families who purchased baskets. We appreciate your support and generosity.

Temple Sinai’s Mitzvah Day is Sunday, May 7 and we need YOUR help. SoSTY will host a Plarning – the making of yarn from

plastic grocery bags. This yarn will then be used to create sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness. These mats create a great waterproof barrier between the ground and the body., Each mat requires a few hundred bags. Do you have a bag of bags hanging around your house? Don’t throw them out; donate them to our Mitzvah Day project. Even better, bring them with you and come work with us for a few hours. Bring along a pair of scissors and be ready to work! We could particularly use your help if you know how to crochet which is the final step in constructing the plastic mats.

Erica B. Santiago, MSW Youth Director

save the dates: rsvP for all the Fun sisterhood events happening in april

Our Sisterhood Shabbat Service will be on Friday, March 31 at 7:30pm. There will be a dinner before at 6:30pm and Oneg following. Join us for this very special service as we bring in Shabbat and honor our Temple women. RSVP for dinner to Shelly in the office.

Looking forward to seeing you for SiSterhood’S AnnuAl GAme niGht on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:00pm; $15.00 per person; Raffles throughout the night. Babysitting provided.

mArk Your CAlendArS for Sunday, April 23 for Sisterhood Sponsored mother and Child Zentangle Class. Learn a few tangles with the Cantor. 11:30am - 1:00pm. Lunch provided. $18.00 per pair (mother/grandmother & child/grandchild) for Sisterhood members; $20.00 per pair for non-Sisterhood members.

CoCktAil PArtY sponsored by Sisterhood. All welcome to join. Saturday, April 1 at 7:00pm at Jeri Appel’s home. Contact Shelly in the office to RSVP and to get address.

rememBer to viSit the SiSterhood Gift ShoP. New items are being added each month. Beautiful hostess gifts and ritual items are available. Don’t see what you are looking for? Please let us know.

Cami Murace

SiSterhood


HAPPY PASSOVer eVerYONe! Shortly, this festive holiday will be upon us and we’ll be celebrating this ancient tradition with our family and loved ones.

Speaking of loved ones, I want to make you aware of a special educational program (which I alluded to last month) sponsored

by the Brotherhood on April 23. Parents and grandparents will want to come and hear Dr. Alan Fleischman, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, and a nationally acclaimed expert in bioethics, discuss his new book, Pediatric Ethics: Protecting the Interests of Children.

The goal of this presentation and his book is to explore many complex medical issues that generate hard questions about health care decision making for children, and to assist clinicians and families to make wise choices consistent with the best interests of each individual child.

New medical and surgical interventions for infants, children and adolescents bring the promise of longer and better lives, but these treatments may also create extraordinary burdens and a diminished future quality of life. As parents, grandparents, and clinicians caring for critically and chronically ill children we are faced with many hard choices that will dramatically affect these children, their families, and the broader society. How should we best use modern

treatments and technologies in a thoughtful and appropriate manner that assures the interests of children?

Please join us for this outstanding and enlightening session that will be of interest to many of us. There will be a bagels and lox breakfast to start at 9:30am, and book signing to follow the presentation and discussion.

Our next regular bagels and lox breakfast meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 26 at 9:30am in the Youth Lounge. All guys are invited to attend. Bring a friend.

Mitzvah Day will be held on May 7 and it will be a busy day for Brotherhood members. We’ll need all kind of volunteers as we’ll be heavily involved in the BBQ (we’ll need prep-ers, chefs, and servers) and painting a few areas in need around the building (we’ll need painters).

Finally three things before I go: 1) dues are due so please do send in your dues, 2) please support the Brotherhood by purchasing gift cards, and 3) don’t forget to attend and support our special educational program on pediatric ethics on April 23.

Thank you!

Stu Madison, President [email protected]

brotherhood

SAVE THE DATE:Sunday, April 239:30am - 12:00noonSee ad on page 9 for more details.


Photo credit Beth Shepherd Peters

honor and legacy of rabbi eUgene b. borowitzA gathering of Sinai members and friends met on the morning of February 25 to remember their dear teacher, Rabbi Eugene B. Borowitz. He would have been 93 years old and it was just over a year after his death. That same morning, the Bible studiers completed their reading of the Tanakh, the Jewish Bible, 14 years after beginning. Rabbi TelRav said, “This morning was a wonderful chance to laugh, cry, tell stories and, most importantly, to learn – just the way Gene would have wanted. And now, just as the Jewish community has done for so many of its teachers throughout history, we will continue learning in his absence, while keenly feeling his presence.” Together, they dedicated a memorial on Temple Sinai’s campus which can be visited near the front corner of the religious school wing.


ADULT LeArNING OfferINGS

dInner and a movIeSaturday evenings; June 17; Times: TbAThis year at Temple Sinai we will go to movies together at local theatres! We will see first-run movies as a community with Rabbi TelRav, Cantor Morgovsky and Amy Ritell and will go for dinner afterwards to talk about themes and thoughts. Keep a lookout for updates in the weekly e-mails and bulletins.

raBBI eugene B. BoroWItZ memorIal BIBle study every Saturday Morning at 9:00amCome join a very special group of people who meet to share in Shabbat and study Torah.NO FEE

BegInners’ torah study

Taught by rabbi Jay Telrav, Cantor Micah Morgovsky and Amy ritellevery friday from 12:00noon – 1:00pm, bring your lunchHave you always wanted to learn about Torah but haven’t had the time? Or maybe you thought it might be too difficult? Every Friday at noon a Beginners’ Torah study group meets to discuss the Torah, its laws, its stories, and the ancient people described in it. No previous education or experience necessary. Bring your lunch, make some new friends, and learn a little Torah!

NO FEE

SPeCIAL SHAbbAT SerVICe PrOGrAMS

FIrst FrIdays at temPle sInaIapril 7; May 5; June 2 at 6:00pmWorship for those who are young-at-heart. A family-friendly service (45-60 min.) with good music and familiar faces. A little snack before-hand at 5:30pm – fruit, crudités, wine, cheese and crackers. And perhaps an impromptu dinner afterward with friends at a restaurant of your choosing?

tot shaBBatfriday evenings, 5:00pm: april 7; May 5; June 16*Saturday mornings, 9:00am: May 20Please join us for dancing, singing, praying and playing at our Tot Shabbat celebrations. Age appropriate (birth to 7) worship services are led by Rabbi TelRav and Cantor Morgovsky. Come, taste the challah and sip sweet grape juice as we learn about Shabbat! Together we will enjoy the Festivals and Holy Days through music, crafts and movement. Open to the community. *JuNE 16 SErvicES tO bE hEld at thE bartlEtt arbOrEtum.

ruaCh servICesfriday evenings: april 21; May 19; June 23 The word “ruach” means “spirit,” and this musical ensemble of singers and instrumentalists is just that, the spirit of our worship offerings. Coordinated by Paul Storfer and Barbara Orwick, these all-musical services are energetic and informal, offering beautiful musical harmonies, familiar melodies and new arrangements. For more information about auditioning to join this group, please contact Cantor Morgovsky.

sosty (sInaI oF stamFord temPle youth) shaBBat/ruaCh servICefriday, May 12 at 7:30pmOur SoSTY teen group will lead us in prayer as part of their ritual and Jewish experiences. SoSTY, is part of the Union for Reform Judaism’s NFTY, or National Federation of Temple Youth. There will be new melodies as well as more familiar ones.

FrOm Our ScrOll OF liviNg

Amy Ritell, Shelly Welfeld, Rabbi Jay and Cantor Micah at Shabbat Across Stamford .

Photo credit Stu Madison

CONTACT THe TeMPLe OffICe fOr TICkeTS AND TO PLACe A JOUrNAL AD,

Or VISIT OUr WebSITe AT WWW.TeMPLeSINAISTAMfOrD.OrG

12∫ Temple Sinai April BulletinPhoto credit: Crane Song Photography, LLC


Sophie Aflalobenjamin AlperJerome AlperZachary AlperDorothy bannereileen besserDylan blockGary bolognaStuart DanoffNicholas Schiff Denotarichard fiersteinNicole frederick

Ari GendasonPeyton GendasonSkyler GendasonScott Grabinerichard GreenburgAmy Lilien-HarperLee Ann HellerJoshua kahnGail karlitzrandie katzSallie kuhelias kupersmithShelley LeibowitzMiles Leslierachel Lesliebrad LevinSharon Libmankeira Lublinerrebecca MarkJeremy MatloubMichael Meister

Andrew MorrisCami MuraceNicole Muraceryan MuraceAllan PaullZachary rendekayla richmanbetty robertsCarl rosenJonathan rosenbergMartin rothAmitan rubinJonathan rubinMitchell rubinrosalind rubinAlexander russellPaul SachsSharyn SarnerAnna SchlessingerMegan SchoenholtzH. Andrew Schwedel

Steven Shabybrett Shaulsoneliana ShaulsonLucas ShawNatalie SkigenNancy SpauldingAndrew SpezzanoJena SpezzanoAlec StarkMichael Stoneroberta SultzerHildi TodrinJarrod TriefJacob VellozziJoseph Wallenbarbara WhiteIsaac Windfieldbernard Yamronemily YamronJennifer Yamron

HAPPY APrilBirTHDAYS

PremIum advertIsIng sPot avaIlaBle

YOUr AD COULD be Here

Call the temple office to find out more, (203) 322-1649

Let’s Shop!Temple Sinai is participating in amazonsmile. You can elect to have 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchases donated to Temple Sinai (at no additional cost to you). Just make all your Amazon purchases through http://smile.amazon.com and select temple sinai of stamford as your designated charity.

Thank you in advance.


SALLY KELMAN SOCIAL ACTION FUNDMeryl & Hank Silverstein in memory of Steven SilversteinJoan & Stuart Danoff in memory of Maurice Bruder & Sam AnfangPat & Martin Schulman in honor of all the good work Sally Kelman doesJoahn & Stuart Danoff in memory of Murray Koven, Donald Blasnik & Alan Paul Rolle

LARRY COHEN FUNDShelley Taylor & David Swerdloff in memory of Louis CohenNan & Paul Gordon in memory of Louis CohenMyrna & George Sessa in memory of Louis CohenBrenda Friedler in memory of Louis CohenHillary & Robert Zitter in memory of Louis Cohen

CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDMichelle & Peter Ebstein in memory of Sam Anfang

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUNDAndrea & David M. Cohen in memory of Sam Anfang

SCHIFF CREATIVE EDUCATION FUNDJayne & Bud Schiff in memory of Sam Anfang

LEGACY ENDOWMENT FUNDLesley & Dennis Gehr in memory of Sam AnfangBeth & Ken Peters in memory of Sam AnfangMaggie & Bernie Levy in memory of Enid Randall & Sam Anfang

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDCarol & Ronald CowenClaire Friedlander in memory of Sam Anfang & Alan Paul RolleKeeva Crelan in memory of Alan Paul RolleJennifer & Patrick Kramer in memory of Ruth Van BeekPaula Simon in memory of Sam Anfang

Elizabeth & David Falkoff in celebration of the birth of Ryan Michael FalkoffMichelle & Peter Ebstein in memory of Sam AnfangSusan Rosen in memory of Murray RosenSallie Kuh in memory of Sam AnfangJudith & Sheldon Katz in memory of Rabbi BorowitzSally Kelman in memory of Rabbi BorowitzFrieda Knopf in memory of Rabbi BorowitzBeth & Ken Peters in memory of Rabbi BorowitzPhilip Deluty in memory of Rabbi BorowitzCarole Gladstone in memory of Rabbi BorowitzElissa & David Kaplan in memory of Rabbi BorowitzCarol & Ronald Cowen in memory of Rabbi Borowitz

CAPITAL FUNDArlene & Carl Rosen in memory of Morris KarlinJudy & David S. Cohen in memory of Sam AnfangJewish Sportsmen League

SUSTAINING MEMBERS OF THE LEGACY SOCIETY:We gratefully recognize the following, who have made sustaining gifts to our temple (to endowment, through estate planning, or otherwise): Anonymous (2), Suellyn Bache, Amy & Henry Bubel, Andrea & David M. Cohen, Judy & David S. Cohen, Fran & Bob Dorf, Marc Friedman, Lesley & Dennis Gehr, Carole Gladstone, Sylvia & Herb Gladstone z”l, Nan & Paul Gordon, Meryl & Ron Japha, Judith & Sheldon Katz, Helen & Ed Kweskin, Enid Randall z”l, Betty & Dan Roberts, Arlene & Carl Rosen, Sharyn & Richard Sarner, Jayne & Bud Schiff, Carol Ruth z”l & Herman Shepherd z”l, Paula Simon, Betsy & Michael Stone, Leon Weisburgh. If you have made provisions for Temple Sinai in your long-term gift planning, please let us know so we may recognize you as well!

cOnTRIBuTIOnS We gratefully acknowledge these thoughtful gifts:

OPERATING FUNDNan & Paul Gordon in memory of Donald BlasnikLila Lubov in memory of Morris Steinberg & Harvey SabolBeth & Michael Dorfsman in memory of David DorfsmanEleanor & Mort Lowenthal in memory of Martin LowenthalAmy Lilien and Glenn Harper in memory of Alice ShapiroJudy Heft in honor of Leo Wolfe GoldfederBarbara & Ken White in memory of Sadie White & Sylvia SackmanHarriet & Victor Liss in memory of Bernard LissRosalind & Gabriel Carlin in memory of Elias SilkesCathy & Steve Zales in memory of Phyllis GinsbergShelley Taylor & David Swerdloff in memory of Donald Blasnik

Michelle & Peter EbsteinDebbie Hirsch in memory of Evan Hyman and in honor of Max SavittRosalind & Gabriel Carlin in memory of Sam AnfangSadae & Michael Kadish in memory of Mosato KogaJudith & Sheldon Katz in memory of Minnie KatzEstelle Fruchtman in memory of Benny FruchtmanDebbie & Lou Ferri in memory of Sam AnfangLiz & Bill Gilbert in memory of Donald BlasnikBetsy Blumberg & Doug Watson in memory of Louis Cohen & Phyllis GinsbergJoyce & Barry Chavkin in memory of Louis CohenLorraine Cohen in memory of Ronald Cohen & Milton LewisBeth & Ken Peters in memory of Helen Shapiro, Laura Surks & Herman Shepherd

Scout Shabbat – Temple Sinai, StamfordScout Shabbat was observed on Friday night February 3 at Temple Sinai in Stamford and Congregation B’nai Torah in Trumbull. There were approximately 30 scouts and families attending the service at Temple Sinai. Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts from Stamford Pack 11, Pack 15, Troop 15, Troop 9, and one scout from Wilton Pack 17 were present along with Father Andy Vill, the Chartered Organization Rep from Pack 1227 in Stamford. Two Cub Scouts, Nadav Coll from Pack 15 and Brenden Avizov from Pack 17 in Wilton received their Maccabee Religious Emblem awards from Rabbi Jay TelRav. All of the scouts and leaders participating in Scout Shabbat service received a 2017/5777 Scout Shabbat patch. The scouts joined the Rabbi Jay and Cantor Micah in a responsive reading of the Twelve Points of the Scout Law with quotations from the Torah.

Above: Scouts reading the Twelve Points of the Scout Law at the bema with Rabbi Tel Rav and Cantor Micah Morgovsky. To the right is an image of the Scout Shabbat 2017/5777 patch.


condolences • may their memory Be a Blessing

Donald Blasnik Father of Bruce Blasnik

William Lurie Father of Jay Lurie

Donald J. Greene Cousin of Sheldon Green

Alan Paul Rolle Father of Rabbi Liz Rolle

Yahrzeits Recalled for April

April 7, 2017Leonard Gordon, Father of Paul GordonJoseph Greenberg, Father of Edward GreenbergJoseph Danoff, Father of Stuart DanoffHelen Boyarsky, Sister of Genevieve WeingradRegina Fierstein, Aunt of Richard Fierstein

April 14, 2017Arlene Morris, Mother of Keith MorrisHarry Thomson, Father of Francine SchechterRobert Kirsch, Husband of Abigail KirschNathan Negrin, Grandfather of Nancy SchiffmanMinnette Deutsch, Mother of Claire FriedlanderMorris Lilien, Grandfather of Amy Lilien-HarperMorris Pardo, Father of Jeffrey PardoBobbi Lewis, Mother of Marne SpingolaStanley Bloomfield, Father of Joan KlanferLuisa Goldstein, Mother of Bruce GoldsteinJoseph Gladstone, Father-in-Law of Sylvia GladstoneMarvin Antonowsky, Uncle of Gary GepnerBerman Weintraub, Grandfather of Philip Bauer

April 21, 2017Lucia Besser, Mother of Gary BesserAlex Madison, Father of Stuart MadisonHelen Blumberg Holland, Grandmother of Betsy BlumbergDavid Sackman, Father of Barbara WhiteCathy Jan Cowen, Niece of Ronald CowenBarnett Goldberg, Father of Amiel GoldbergDavid Sackman, Father of Phyllis FreemanBarbara Forman, Mother of Deena EbrightRita Katchko, Mother of Robert KatchkoDr. Ruth Aplin Harte, Mother of Heath Harte

Maxwell Raddock, Father of Franklin RaddockGary Pardo, Brother of Jeffrey PardoLillian Berni, Mother of Stephen BerniAaron Marvin Gillman, Brother of Gloria MehlmanHoward Nussbaum, Father of Ilyse LymanDorothy Sarner, Mother of George SarnerDorothy Wallach, Mother of Paula EppingerNorman Sapiro, Uncle of Susan KostinMartin Goldstein, Father of Bruce GoldsteinMax Welfeld, Father of Shelly WelfeldBetty Korn

April 28, 2017Zelma Mintz, Mother of Caroline SummitHelen Marcus, Grandmother of Allan PaullVivienne Silver, Wife of Richard Silver and Mother of Grant SilverDonald Rieck, Brother-in-Law of David M. CohenKarl Schultz, Grandfather of Eric MorsonLouis Sabin, Brother of Conrad SabinRobert Hurwitz, Cousin of Linda HurwitzKatherine Farmer Hawker, Mother of Carolyn GinsbergMolly Cohn, Grandmother of Cynthia MorrisIrwin Weiner, Father of Sharon OkunLewis Engel, Uncle of Carole GladstoneDr. Laura Mirkinson, Friend of Richard FineDorothy Cohen Fleischer, Wife of Barry Fleischer and mother of Elissa Cohen

Remember Temple Sinai in Your Will!for more information, please call the temple office at

(203) 322-1649 or email [email protected]

Temple SinaiApril 2017

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WeDNeSDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY1

Vayikra n 9:00a Rabbi Eugene

B . Borowitz Memorial bible Study

• 9:30a 4th/5th & 6th/7th Grade Family Shabbat Program 10:30a Bar Mitzvah of

Max Savitt• 7:00p Sisterhood

Cocktail Party

28:45a Teacher’s Meeting9:30a Religious School

and Passover Celebration

9:30a 4th Grade to assist at JFS for Passover Collection

9:30a Sisterhood Mtg .10:00a Mussar11:30a Tichon Sinai11:30a RuJu Rehearsal

3

4-6p Hebrew School4:00p Sandwich Making6:45p Mah Jongg

4 5

12:30p Canasta4-6p Hebrew School 7:00p Adult Ed: Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class7:00p Sisterhood Game Night7:30p Adult Ed: Beginner’s Adult Hebrew

6 7

men’s Retreat, April 7-9

n 12:00p Torah Study✡ 5:00p Tot Shabbat✡ 5:30p Pre-Neg✡ 6:00p Shabbat

Service

8

Tzav n 9:00a Rabbi Eugene


9

Temple closed – nO Religious School

10

erev Passover – Temple Office closes at 1:00pm

nO Hebrew School

11

Passover – Temple closed

congregational 2nd night Seder

12

nO Hebrew School

13 14

n 12:00p Torah Study✡ 7:30p Shabbat

Service

15

Chol ha Moed Passover

n 9:00a Rabbi Eugene B . Borowitz Memorial bible Study

16

nO Religious School10:00a Mussar

17

4-6p Hebrew School6:45p Mah Jongg

18

7:15p Religious School Committee Meeting

19

12:30p Canasta4-6p Hebrew School 7:00p Adult Ed: Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class7:30p Adult Ed: Beginner’s Adult Hebrew

20 21


RUACH Services

22

Shemini n 9:00a Rabbi Eugene


10:30a Bar Mitzvah of Miles Leslie

239:30a Religious School 9:30a Brotherhood Guest Speaker: Dr . Alan Fleishman9:30a 3rd Grade Chavurah – Planting at Scofield Manor5:30p Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration at Temple Beth El

24

4-6p Hebrew School6:00p Amidah Leadership Initiative6:45p Mah Jongg 7:30p Board Meeting

25 26

12:30p Canasta4-6p Hebrew School 7:00p Adult Ed: Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class7:30p Adult Ed: Beginner’s Adult Hebrew

27 28


Service with Torah Reading

29

Tazria-Metzora n 9:00a Rabbi Eugene


6:30p Temple Sinai Gala Celebrating Unity

Nissan/Iyar 5777

30 9:30a Religious School10:00a Mussar11:30a Tichon Sinai


Did you know the Sisterhood Gift Shop has... Bar and Bat Mitzvah cards Shabbat candles New items arriving weekly Many unique gift items

Sisterhood can also supply bima baskets and kippot for your upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah.Don't forget to stop in before services or during Religious School. If you need something when the shop is not open, please see Shelly or Jayne in the office.

Interested in Advertising?please call the temple office at (203) 322-1649 or email

[email protected]

Temple Sinai458 Lakeside Drive Stamford, CT 06903-5098

To Advertise in the Temple Sinai Bulletin:Call (203) 322-1649 for details!

NON-PROFIT ORGU .S . POSTAGE

PAIDPeRMIT NO. 290STAMFORD, CT

temple sinai - shulcloud · dina & jordan savitt in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, max...

Documents