1 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Vol. 70 September 2016 (5776) No. 1

Are Jews White?The Black Lives Matter movement caused a fuss on August 1 when it released a manifesto that decried American support for Israel. Israel was described as “an apartheid state,” and the manifesto described Israel’s actions toward Palestinians as “genocide.”

Many Jewish organizations, including those that have been working with the Black Lives Matter movement, have condemned the language of the manifesto, including the Union for Reform Judaism. The Forward of August 19 includes an opinion piece by Ally Little and Michelle Weiser, members of IfNotNow, supporting the manifesto, and one by Riverdale’s own Rabbi Ari Hart, decrying it.

Rabbi Hart correctly, if predictably, questions why the manifesto singles out Israel, while atrocities in the rest of the world are ignored. Little and Weiser claim that American aid to Israel gives us a voice in that part of the world. Interestingly, the authors of both articles remark that they are speaking as white people. Are Jews white?

When referring to human beings, the word “white,” like the word “black,” is a social construct. It is less about genetics than one’s place in society. In that sense, many light-skinned Jews of Ashkenazic background may be considered white today. As Rabbi Avi Killip mentions in the same issue of The Forward, she does not get pulled over when driving her car or treated suspiciously in a store as a black person might.

On the other hand, it was not long ago that Jews were restricted from colleges, certain neighborhoods, certain jobs, hotels, and clubs. America’s elite did not marry Jews and rarely had Jewish friends. Times are changing, and both presidential candidates have Jewish grandchildren. Discrimination against Jews is found more among the lower strata of society, but we should not fool ourselves into thinking it is gone.

Hila Hershkoviz wrote a letter in The Times of Israel (12/5/14) entitled “Ashkenazi Jews Are Not White,” in which she points out that the Supreme Court as late as 1987 did not define Jews as Caucasians. Karen Brodkin is the author of a book called How Jews Became White Folks & What That Says about Race in America, which delves deeply into the definition of “white” as it has been used in this country.

If we define black and white as a matter of skin color, hair, and eyes, certainly we could call some Jews white. Just as certainly, not all. Not

Worship Services (also see calendar on p. 2) Fridays

Sept. 2 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceSept. 9 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceSept. 16 5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceSept. 23 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceSept. 30 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

SaturdaysSept. 3 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceSept. 10 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Al Furman Bar Mitzvah CelebrationSept. 17 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Chavurah study following serviceSept. 24 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

The Rabbi’s Column

continued on p. 3

The BulletinRiverdale Temple

From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, the name of the Eternal One is to be praised.

y:y} μve lL;hum] /abom] d[' vm,v, jræz]Mimi

High Holy Days Services (see p. 11 for details)Sat., Sept. 24 SelichotSun., Oct. 2 Erev Rosh HashanahMon., Oct. 3 Rosh Hashanah Morning 1

Family ServiceTues., Oct. 4 Rosh Hashanah Morning 2Tues., Oct. 11 Kol Nidre ServiceWed., Oct. 12 Yom Kippur Morning, Family,

Afternoon Service (with Yizkor) Break the Fast

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3 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

only do we have Jews of African ancestry, but how should we define Sephardic or Mizrahi or Maghrebi Jews? Is a Jew whose ancestors fled Spain in 1492 and have been living in Turkey ever since white? What if those same ancestors fled to the New World and have been living in Central America ever since?

My point is that there are terms we use without considering their full meaning. Are Jews white? It’s complicated. There are matters of nuance. Our world is not black and white, although there are sometimes reasons to utilize the simplistic view of the world that those terms describe.

Similarly, there are vast complexities in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that we ignore at our peril, and to our shame. How do we define “genocide”? Raphael Lemkin, who invented the term, included in his definition attempts to destroy a group of people culturally and economically. Many people in the Black Lives Matter movement use the term to describe the treatment of African Americans in this country. It is not that big a jump to use the term to describe the situation of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Yet, for many Jews, the term “genocide” means the rounding up and literal slaughter of as many of a group of people as one can lay hands on. Of course, we think this way after the genocide that Lemkin himself barely survived in Europe. Of course, we are shocked by the use of this term to describe the actions of the only Jewish state in the world.

Movements chant slogans. People do not read a sign held by a protestor if there are too many words on it. There is a place for messages that are clear and simple. However, to solve the problems of this world, we will have to understand them, which means looking at nuances and complications. We cannot have a discussion if we do not understand words the same way.

The High Holidays are approaching, and a certain amount of soul searching is to be expected of all of us. This is a good time to consider our role in the treatment of oppressed people in this country and other countries. Just don’t think it is as simple as black and white.

—Rabbi Tom Gardner

The PResidenT’s Column

The CanToR’s Column

The year 5777 is fast approaching, and Riverdale Temple looks forward to providing its congregants with uplifting spiritual services, many good times, and a warm and welcoming home away from home. I am proud and happy to be co-president of the temple, along with Rachel Radna, who has so nobly served as president for the past eight years. There may be fewer member units at Riverdale Temple today than there were when my wife and I joined in 1971, but the level of excitement, joy, and devotion to the place and to the “family” that its members have become during the past few years is as high as ever.

We are blessed to have kind and caring clergy in Rabbi Thomas Gardner and Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer. Rabbi Gardner is in his second year here, and Cantor Sharett-Singer is in her fifth, if we count the three years she served while still a student. Our clergy are warm, creative, intelligent leaders, comfortable with people of all ages and tireless in their desire to fulfil the motto of our congregation: Open Hearts, Open Minds.

The Board of Trustees will have some new members this year, bringing fresh ideas and renewed energy to the temple. These people are Phil Clarke, Lisa Fischel Wolovick, Esq., Dr. Craig

Shalom ChaveirimAs we enter the month of Elul, we begin to prepare for the High Holy Days. Traditionally, one of the most important areas of preparation is the consideration of who we are, where we are in life, what mistakes we have made, what changes we are going to make, and what promises we are making to ourselves, our families, our friends, and our God. Since the days of our forefathers and foremothers, Jews have been saying special prayers of repentance and self-reflection during this month.

How appropriate it is for us, in our own way and in a modern sense, to continue this tradition. We live in an evolving world that is full of trouble, of pain, and of hurt. And everything that goes on in the world, however far away from us, has an impact on all of us. That makes it all the more important for us to consider the meaning of life and our place in the world, and what we have done as individuals, as a group, as a people, and as a nation during the past year for which we seek reconciliation, and also change so that our world can get better.

We see this even in our beloved land of Israel, which is beset by its enemies and is in constant danger but where, internally, as well, it has created problems that we must consider and address. For example, the women of our faith have been fighting for equal access to pray at the Holy Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem. Not long ago they were given certain rights and were made certain promises, and now there is every effort to take them away. The Women of the Wall were promised by the government of Israel to have a large, state-recognized prayer area at the Wall site for

pluralist prayer. Now, members of the Women of the Wall prayer group have been routinely arrested for wearing prayer shawls and tefilin, and holding a Torah at the Western Wall.

We, especially on the liberal side of Judaism, Conservative Jews, Reconstructionist Jews, and Reform Jews who make up the vast majority of American Jewry and are doing so much for the State of Israel, find that we are not granted equal rights and equal privileges, especially the women among us. It is therefore most important for all of us to consider how sad this is and what we can do in the year ahead to create full equality for all Jews in the state of Israel.

Here too, in the month of Elul, it is important for us to correct our thoughts and find ways of ameliorating this situation. We can, through our synagogue, especially through the Reform Movement, raise our voices, exert our influence to bring about the changes we need. But above all, and perhaps the easiest thing to do, we have to model the ideals of our faith as human beings and as Jews so that anyone who challenges these ideals both in Israel and elsewhere will recognize us.

The past year has been full of problems, but the year that is ahead, like all years ahead, is full of promise. The month of Elul is intended to have us focus on the past and to reconsider what we can do, so that as we enter the new year, at the High Holy Days season, we can pray with greater strength for the blessings of our faith, especially the blessing of equality for all people, and peace for ourselves and all humankind.

With blessings, Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer

4 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Katz, Sandra Lerner, and Scott Sirkin. Moving from her former office of recording secretary is Dr. Ronna Weber, now the vice president for study and worship. The new recording secretary is Sherry Kassel.

Selichot will usher in the High Holy Days season on Saturday evening, September 24, with Rosh Hashanah beginning on Sunday evening, October 2. Our cantor is bringing in eight singers for the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services this year, and their resounding voices should add splendor to these services. Look for more details about the string of glorious holidays during October in the temple bulletin and e-blasts and on the temple’s website: www.riverdaletemple.org.

Festivities of the new school year will kick off with a barbecue homecoming event on Sunday, September 18, following the first session of our religious school. This will be the first of many

joyous occasions, such as our Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, and Purim festivities. There will again be enlightening lectures presented in our YIVO Jewish Culture Series (in our partnership with the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research), inspiring adult education classes led by our rabbi, stimulating book club meetings run by the Women of Reform Judaism, a crafts and arts fair, and many more wonderful ways to enjoy time in the temple with friends, family, and fellow congregants.

So, plan to make Riverdale Temple an ever more important part of your life—not just for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, not just in a time of need, not just for a family celebration, but year round. You will find yourself more intellectually and emotionally satisfied than you might imagine!

—L. Michael Griffel, Co-President

Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat—An Opportunity to Share!

Perhaps you want to honor a birthday, an anniversary, commemorate a yahrzeit, or share Shabbat with our congregation! Call the office at 718-548-3800, ext. 0,

and leave a message for Irene Brenner.

We are happy to announce that, as of July 1, we have a new roster of Riverdale Temple’s Lay Leaders voted in at the annual congregational meeting on June 5, 2016.

Officers of the CongregationDr. Rachel Radna Co-PresidentDr. L. Michael Griffel Co-President Dr. Ronna Weber Vice President for Study and WorshipOlivia Koppell-Levy Vice President for Community Cordell Schachter Vice President for Management Stuart Goldshein TreasurerCarole Feinberg Financial SecretarySusan Mills Birnbaum Co-Associate Financial SecretaryDorothy Kay Co-Associate Financial SecretarySherry Kassel Recording Secretary

Members of the Board of Trustees

Dr. Shelley Ast Phil ClarkeDorothy Feldman Lisa Fischel WolovickDavid Greenfield Joanne HeymanDr. Craig Katz Sandra LernerSteve Rosenfeld Scott SirkinEugenia Zakharov Judith Zucker

Membership Committee

Meetings are normally scheduled for the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The first meeting of the year is planned for September 8 because of the Labor Day weekend.

Extended KiddushWe have an extended Kiddush each week, following Shabbat morning services. The temple provides bagels and cream cheese. People are encouraged to bring side dishes to the table to enhance the Kiddush. You might want to honor a birthday, an anniversary, commemorate a yahrzeit, or just show off your culinary talent (or shopping ability). You could also make a donation to the Extended Kiddush Fund. Call the office to let us know if you will be contributing to the Kiddush so we can plan properly.

5 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The Bulletin: Vol. 70, No. 1, September 2016. The Bulletin is published monthly by Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, 10 times a year, September through June. The Riverdale Temple logo on p. 1 was designed by Alix Brandwein.This publication is intended for members of Riverdale Temple. Any other use or publication in whole or in part without Riverdale Temple’s prior consent is prohibited.

Riverdale Temple Telephone Extensions (718-548-3800)Temple Office 0 or 1Bookkeeper 2Nursery School 3Rabbi 4Cantor 5

Emergencies 7General Information 8Other 9

Visit our new and improved website at www.riverdaletemple.org. Join Us on Facebook!Did you know that Riverdale Temple has a Facebook page? Find us by searching for “Riverdale Temple Bronx, NY” on Facebook and join this page by clicking on “like.” This is a space where we can exchange ideas, blog, discuss events, share photos, etc., and strengthen our bonds as a community. Join and make our numbers grow.To Send a Contribution to Riverdale TempleSend your donation to Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471. Please make your check payable to Riverdale Temple. Give the name/category/event to which your donation applies. We now accept payment by credit card; call the office (718-548-3800, ext. 0) or go to www.riverdaletemple.org. You can support Riverdale Temple by buying a mug for just $10.

If you need transportation to and/or from services at the temple, please call the office at 718-548-3800, ext. 0 or 1, to make arrangements.

Registry of Holocaust SurvivorsIf you are a Holocaust survivor or the family member of a survivor, you can register to be included in the Benjamin and Vladka Meed Registry of Holocaust Survivors, at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. For more information and to download the Survivors’ Registry Form, go to www.ushmm.org, click on Resources for Information about Survivors, and follow the links. Send the completed form to Registry of Holocaust Survivors, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126; tel: 202-2488-6130; fax: 202-488-314-7820; e-mail: resource-center@ushmm.org.

September EventsLunch and Learn with Rabbi Sept. 20, 27Wine, Cheese & Karaoke Sept. 10Religious School Barbecue Sept. 18Social Action Committee Meeting Sept. 18Selichot Program and Service Sept. 24WRJ Book Club Meeting: The Prime Sept. 27

Ministers

Upcoming in OctoberErev Rosh Hashanah Oct. 2Rosh Hashanah Day 1, Family Service Oct. 3Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Oct. 4Kol Nidre Service Oct. 11Yom Kippur Morning, Family, Afternoon Oct. 12

services (with Yizkor); Break the FastBuilding the Sukkah Oct. 16Lunch in the Sukkah Oct. 22Social Action Grocery Delivery Oct. 23Dates subject to change. Go to www.riverdaletemple.org for updates.

Riverdale Temple House CommitteeOur mission is to ensure that the building and grounds of our synagogue best respond to the spiritual, educational, cultural, and social needs and activities of our congregation. We are concerned about safety, cleanliness, comfort, and appearance and maximizing the functionality of our facilities. The committee works closely with the maintenance staff to ensure that the facilities are well managed and meet the needs of our community efficiently and economically. The committee benefits from members with varied experience in facilities management, engineering, construction, and related fields. Please volunteer to serve on this committee by writing to rivtemple@aol.com.

Bulletin Board

Copy for the next issue of the Bulletin is due by September 12. You can e-mail it directly to

rivtemple@aol.com (put “Bulletin” in subject line).

6 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Nursery school News

Bari Mitzvah celeBratioN

September 10Al Furman, son of Inna and Hanan Furman, is in the eighth grade at Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy.Al loves sports such as basketball, football, and BMX and also enjoys playing instruments such as the trumpet and violin. He loves spending time with his friends.

Tot Shabbat ServicesTot Shabbat services usually take place every first and third Friday of the month, from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. These special services are led by Rabbi Gardner and Cantor Sharett-Singer and include singing and guitar playing. They are family friendly and appropriate for all ages, especially children five years old and under.For potluck dinners, we try to make every possible accommodation for food allergies and kashrut observance (all dishes will be labeled), but if you have specific concerns for your family, please contact Michelle at michelleroos@gmail.com.

It has been an incredibly busy summer. Teachers have been in school all summer working on their classrooms, making them beautiful and welcoming for the new school year. The teachers at Riverdale Temple Nursery School are truly amazing!! We are all so excited for the school year to begin and to see

our delightful children and families!

We have done a lot of “spiffing” up this summer. New bulletin boards are outside each classroom, the classrooms and playroom have been painted, and all the classes have beautiful new carpets.

We have a new Nursery School brochure, which will be at the front reception desk of the temple. Please give them to friends or family who have Preschoolers.

Please check out our new website: www.riverdaletemplens.org.

I think both the brochure and website truly reflect our amazing school!

This year, we will have a new library on the second floor. So if you have early childhood books that you are not using, we would love donations. We are delighted to have a new music teacher, Shara Yolkut. Shara will be singing Jewish songs and traditional children’s songs with our children. We also have

a new movement teacher, Kara Tatelbaum. We expect to see children singing and dancing in our halls!!

We scheduled a “Before School Picnic” at Seton Park for August 28. Families were encouraged to bring a blanket and pack a picnic brunch.

We had muffins and fruit, bubbles for children, and a project for them to work on. Shara Yolkut also planned to sing. We wanted the school year to start off with a special celebration and have families meet each other and begin to feel a part of this wonderful community!

On September 7, at 7:00 p.m., the Nursery School will have Parent Orientation. Parents will meet the teachers, meet other parents, and learn what their child’s curriculum will be and about all the wonderful events Riverdale Temple Nursery School is planning for the school year.

September Calendar

Sept. 5 Labor Day

Sept. 7 Parent Orientation 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 8 First Day for Tuesday/Thursday 2s, 3s, and UPK; Phase-in for 2s and 3s and Half Day for UPK

—Linda Herman, Director

religious aNd heBrew school

First day of Religious School: Sunday, Sept. 18, followed by barbecue

First day of Hebrew School: Tuesday, September 20

7 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

woMeN of reforM JudaisM (sisterhood)The activities for the Women of Reform Judaism in the month of September include two meetings, on Tuesday, September 6, at 7:30 p.m., and September 27, at 6:00 p.m.

The Book Club will meet on Tuesday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m., to discuss

The Prime Ministers by Yehuda Avner.

See you there!

SAVE THE DATE:

Sat., Oct. 22, noon: Lunch in the Sukkah

—Dorothy Feldman and Joanne Heyman-Greene WRJ Co-Presidents

MeN’s cluB

A Primer on Jewish Survival in an Ever-changing WorldWe are living in a world of extremes; unimaginable wealth for a few and enormous debt and poverty for the masses. Extended life expectancies for many, yet infant mortality rising around the world.

Greater understanding and respect for individual freedom by many, yet a rise in popularity by others who would try to stifle any and all individual rights and freedoms.

Even within the Jewish community, we see extremes in viewpoints and beliefs on what is seemingly right and what isn’t.

Is any of this important to us? Does it really matter to you and me whether or not we show concern for what is taking place around us? You betcha it does.

A few months ago we celebrated the holiday of Shavuot. While this festival holiday celebrates the most unifying theme in Jewish life, it is the least celebrated of our major festival holidays. Many of us learn about the holiday only by hearing or reading notices of alternate side of the street parking in observance of the holiday! To others, it is a time when we are supposed to eat cheese blintzes.

Folks, this is a time when we need to better understand what it means to be Jewish in today’s world. We need to participate more frequently in all aspects of Jewish life. If we fail to do so, we may find ourselves on the way to extinction. As the brilliant writer Cynthia Ozick stated in her 1974 essay “All the World Wants the Jews Dead,” the Jewish people have not survived this far by taking continuity for granted.

I am not suggesting that we immediately change our lifestyle to accommodate time for regular attendance at religious services,

daily Bible study, signing up to provide community service, and volunteering at hospitals, shelters, and food kitchens. However, I am suggesting that we think about all of the injustice and hypocrisy in the world around us both secularly and religiously and about ways in which we can collectively and individually make a difference.

In a time when many religious and political leaders have failed to provide the necessary leadership and thereby serve those who prefer exclusivity over inclusion, it becomes our obligation to make a difference. When there is a breakdown of respect for the individual and for authority within our society, we need to become engaged. We are witnessing events all around the world as well as right here, actions that have had and will continue to have profound effects on the lives of millions of people. Alienation, disgust, mistrust, and fear are given as reasons for most of the astounding developments taking place across the globe at the present time.

To the readers of this column, I suggest it is a time when we need to think about the future of our world, our role in that future as a Jewish people, and what will happen if we do not. We are faced with challenges in our own community as well as throughout the world.

We must meet these challenges with inspiration from the glorious and holy words of the Torah, Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof. Justice, justice shall we (justly) pursue.

Shabbat services are held Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The Men’s Club meets on the second Saturday each month in the ballroom after Shabbat services.

—Steve Rosenfeld, President

Wine, Cheese & Karaoke Saturday, September 10, 7:30–10:30 p.m.

BYOB. The temple will provide snacks: still only $10 per person.

A way to raise money for the temple painlessly is, instead of googling, you good search by going to http://www.goodsearch and putting in “Riverdale Temple.com.” Thank you in advance for your participation.

Adult Hebrew Classes with CantorCantor Inbal Sharett-Singer will be resuming her Herew class on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Dates to be announced. E-mail the cantor at cantorsharettsinger@riverdaletemple.org if you are interested.

8 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

adult educatioN

Hope all of you have had an enjoyable summer despite the fact that it was so very hot for many days. This year the High Holidays will be celebrated early in October. We will be using the month of September to finalize the adult education schedule for the 2016–2017 program year.

Rabbi Gardner will be teaching two classes, Lunch and Learn as previously,

from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, and a second class, most likely in an early evening to be determined. Cantor Sharett-Singer will be continuing the Hebrew class (most likely on Tuesday evening), which can accommodate new students as well as those who are continuing. We are very fortunate to have clergy who are very talented teachers. As you know, our partnership with the YIVO, with the creation of the YIVO Jewish Culture Series, continues to provide us with access to its network of exemplary subject-matter specialists.

With reference to the YIVO lecture series, we have confirmed the following dates for you to set aside on your calendars. We look forward to dynamic subjects by interesting scholars. As usual, all lectures will be in the sanctuary on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. All are free and open to the larger community. The four Sundays that have been reserved on the temple calendar are as follows: November 13 and December 11, 2016; April 2 and May 7, 2017.

The YIVO has announced a new online course that you might want to register for: Folk Song, Demons, and the Evil Eye: Folklore of Ashkenaz (Jews from Eastern Europe). It is taught by Professor Itzik Gottesman, an expert on Jewish folklore. This online course starts on November 1 and runs for four weeks. Have you ever heard a Yiddish folktale, and wished you could learn more about it? Or learned a Yiddish song, or danced to a klezmer tune? Have you wondered how these songs, tunes, and tales were collected and shared? Professor Gottesman will delve into the richness of Jewish folklore from Eastern

Europe. His course will explore music, folktales, rituals, and superstitions. You’ll meet golems, hear bobe-mayses, and listen to folk songs. The course includes lectures, interviews, and discussions, as well as activities for students. The fee for YIVO members is $45 and for nonmembers it is $60. You can register on the YIVO’s website: www.yivo.org.

If there is subject matter that you are particularly interested in and feel should be included as part of the YIVO Jewish Culture Series, please let me know. I remind you as well to be sure to check the bibliography on the Adult Education section of the temple’s website (click on the main menu item study). The reference material is divided into subject areas and was assembled to meet areas of interest expressed by congregants: articles of interest; books covering Yiddish literature, culture, history, and identity; the Jewish experience (political and sociological experiences); and Torah study. We continue to add references to this area with scholarly guidance as well as congregational input.

The RSS feeds accessible on the left side of the home page take you to bimonthly and monthly magazines covering Jewish subject matter as well as giving you daily access to Israeli newspapers and also to Ten Minutes of Torah from the URJ website.

—Yvette Marrin Ph.D. Chair, Adult Education Committee; ymarrin@gmail.com

The Chavurah will meet on September 17, following the Shabbat service and communal kiddush. The Torah portion for that week is Ki Teitzei in the book of Deuteronomy. This section continues Moses’ instructions to the assembled Israelites regarding rules for daily life, justice, family responsibilities, and sexuality. We will also discuss the upcoming High Holidays and their meaning in our lives. All are welcome to join the discussion.

—Dr. Ronna Weber

We are preparing this article in the middle of the third summer heat wave, but at same time, we look forward to new beginnings in the fall at Riverdale Temple.

*The first Social Action meeting for 2016–2017 will take place on Sunday, September 18, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Conference Room. All are invited to attend. We welcome and need new members to join to help with the temple’s social action initiatives. Bring your energy and new ideas to the meeting.

*KRMH Food & Hunger Project, Inc.: Each year we ask you to purchase additional canned/boxed groceries for those in need to fill special bags for our Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur collection. Please purchase healthful soups, protein-rich foods, fruits, cereal, evaporated milk, etc., as you do your holiday shopping. Be sure all food is fresh.

Some upcoming dates: Sept. 18: grocery collection taken to the KRMH Pantry at the Church of the Mediator at 11:45 a.m.

Please plan to help deliver the many bags of groceries we collect on October 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (we need helpers with vans/multiple cars).

*Social Action initiatives this year will include, but not be limited to, ongoing KRMH Pantry grocery collection, new pajamas for the Pajama Program, collection of gently used coats/jackets for NYCares, and the temple’s Mitzvah Day 2017, on April 23.

*One new initiative will be participating in the temple’s expanded efforts for increased recycling and working with students and others on the project.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 5777!—Frances Segan, Ph.D., Chair, Social Action Committee

social actioN

9 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

ConTRibuTions The following funds are represented in the entries below: Bible and Prayerbook Fund, Jean P. and Francis J. Bloustein Camp Scholarship Fund, Cantor’s Special Fund, Decorating Fund, Jacob-Fogel Program Fund, Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin Music Fund, General Fund, Leon and Beatrice Bereano Pulpit Flowers Fund, Rabbi’s Special Fund, Soviet Émigré Fund, Charles Tenenbaum Fund, Torah Repair Fund, Youth Activities Fund, Religious School and Nursery School Parents Associations.

Donor In Honor

Shelley Ast In appreciation of Rabbi Gardner for my hagbahah on July 16 and my aliyah on July 23

Nancy and John Barricklo In appreciation of Stu Goldshein

Sanford M. Benardo Riverdale Temple, for my father, Leo Benardo’s, funeral services

Ephraim Bosgang Riverdale Temple’s ongoing support of the Riverdale Jewish community

Arline Davis Riverdale Temple’s ongoing support of the Riverdale Jewish community

Carole Feinberg Riverdale Temple’s new pulpit edition prayer books

Bernard Greenwald Rabbi G. and Cantor for Dahlia and Caleb’s b’nei mitzvah

Bernard Greenwald, Riverdale Temple Morgan Stanley/BNY Mellon

Carol and Sherry Kassel Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer’s adult Hebrew language class Riverdale Temple Hebrew school staff

Dorothy Kay Rabbi Tom Gardner Riverdale Temple’s new prayer books

Ruth A. Loebmann Rabbi Tom Gardner, for my Chukat aliyah on July 16 In gratitude to Yvette Marrin for arranging the YIVO visit Riverdale Temple’s Extended Kiddush

Yvette Marrin Riverdale Temple’s new prayer books

Merck Foundation Rabbi Gardner and Cantor Inbal (B. Greenwald) Sharett-Singer for Dahlia and Caleb’s b’nei mitzvah

Audrey Ott Kate and Matthew Schiller with congratulations and much love!

Kathy and Daniel Roger Rabbi Tom Gardner for Camilla Roger’s funeral services Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer for Camilla Roger’s funeral services

Ellen and Jerry Rosenberg Riverdale Temple’s WRJ Sisterhood

Renee Spath My aliyah on July 2

Rhea and Mark Vogelhut Rabbi Tom Gardner for our Aunt Irene’s unveiling on May 29

Riverdale Temple’s WRJ Riverdale Temple

Donor In MeMory

Thea and Robert Alfano Rita Resnick, beloved mother of Thea Alfano

Donor In MeMory

Jeanine and Leonard Frieda Blaustein, beloved mother of Aptman Jeanine Aptman

Shelley Ast Ilse Spatz, beloved mother and mother-in-law of Sherrill Spatz and Rob Katz

Shirley and Eric Auerbach Joseph Silverstein, beloved father of Shirley Auerbach

Netta and Steven Avedon Albert B. Avedon, beloved father of Steven Avedon Pauline Avedon, beloved mother of Steven Avedon

Susan and Howard Susan Fisher, beloved cousin of Birnbaum Susan and Howard Birnbaum Ilse Spatz, Renee Heyman, and Fred Haber, cherished friends

Andrea and Martin Margaret Elkus, beloved mother of Blattberg Andrea Blattberg

Bernice Brier Irving Margulies, beloved father

Marcia H. Federman Elizabeth Herrup, beloved mother

Carole Feinberg Marge Teperman, beloved mother-in-law of Carole Feinberg’s daughter Helaine

Dorothy Feldman Ilse Spatz, beloved mother and mother-in-law of Sherrill Spatz and Rob Katz

Karen S. and Rabbi Julia Sundheim and Walter F. D. Stephen Franklin Spiegel, beloved grandmother and father of Karen S. Franklin

Margaret and Michael Anny Ross, beloved mother of Griffel Margaret Griffel

Stella and Jerry Heisner Jean and Harry Deutsch, beloved parents of Stella Heisner Erna and Abraham Heisner, beloved parents of Jerry Heisner

Dorothy Kay Ilse Spatz, beloved mother and mother-in-law of Sherrill Spatz and Rob Katz

Linda K. Kleinman Eleanor R. Kern, beloved mother Frederick Kleinman, beloved brother-in-law

Henry I. Kurtz Benjamin M. Kurtz, beloved father

Leah and Henry Kurtz Rose Kurtz, beloved mother of Henry Kurtz

Ken Lederer Pearl Lederer, beloved mother

Jill and Dr. James Lipton Ann and Ben Lipton, beloved parents of Dr. James Lipton

10 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

CondolencesTo On the loss of

Miriam Bender and family Alvin Bender, beloved husband

Sanford and Katherine, Leonard and Jennifer Benardo; Leo Benardo, beloved father and father-in-law, Allegra, Daisy, Felix, and Anya grandfather; past president of Riverdale Temple

Gary and Ginny, Jeff and Anne Marie Haber, Fred Haber, beloved father, father-in-law, Tracy, Jason, and Danny grandfather; long-time member of Riverdale Temple

Joanne Heyman and Joe Greene, Renee Heyman, beloved mother and mother-in-law, Sydney and Morgan Greene grandmother

Tom and Helen Krim; Harry Krim; Alice Krim, beloved mother and mother-in-law; wife; Alice and Julia Krim (Jonathan Newman); grandmother; Henry Thomas Newman great-grandmother

Ken Lederer, Phyllis Dichek, and families Pearl Lederer, beloved mother and grandmother

Shelly Rosen, Hon. Irving Rosen, Richard Rosen Matthew Rosen, beloved son, brother

Sherrill Spatz and Rob Katz, David and Linda Spatz, Ilse Spatz, beloved mother, mother-in-law, Emma and Zoe, Hana and Alex grandmother

Donor In MeMory

Carla and Steven Liskin Elliot Liskin, beloved father of Steven Liskin

Joyce Liskin Elliot Liskin, beloved husband

Gail and Harriet Martin George Samalin, beloved brother Louis Schwartz, beloved father-in-law of Harriet Martin Rose Schwartz, beloved mother-in-law of Harriet Martin

Richard Meisler Larry Meisler, beloved brother

Audrey Ott Gloria Bloom, devoted and special friend Steven Jay Ott, beloved son Wallace Ott, beloved husband

Marilyn and Emil Propper Clara Propper, beloved mother of Emil Propper

Paul Rosenberg Betty Rosenberg, beloved mother

Susan and Marc Sawyer Sara Sawyer, beloved mother of Marc Sawyer

Nili and James A. Hedy Schnitzer, beloved mother of Schnitzer James A. Schnitzer

Dr. Frederick Schweitzer Jacqueline Schweitzer, beloved wife

Lynne and Peter Zona Silverstein, beloved mother of Silverstein Peter Silverstein

Deborah Simmons Celia Cantor, Esther Siminowitz, beloved grandmothers

Renee Spath Dr. Jack Hauser, beloved family friend Edna Turtletaub, beloved mother Nathan Turtletaub, beloved father

Sherrill Spatz and Renee Heyman, beloved mother of Rob Katz Joanne Heyman-Greene Ilse Spatz, beloved mother, mother- in-law

Donor In MeMory

Phyllis Steele and Frank Olive Rosenfield, beloved mother of Levy Phyllis Steele Darrell Ray Steele, beloved family member of Phyllis Steele

Sandra and Eli Stern Dorothy Giserman, beloved mother of Sandra Stern

Ronni P. Stolzenberg Dr. David Stolzenberg, beloved brother

Judy and Samuel Dorothy Giserman, beloved mother Tenenbaum of Judith Tenenbaum

Maxine Toal-Goldberg Carrie Blumenthal, beloved mother Murray Goldberg, beloved husband

Dr. Ronna H. Weber Betty Tager, beloved mother

Marianne Weissman Gene Weissman, beloved son

Laurie and Dr. Richard Melville C. Levene, beloved father Whitehill of Laurie Levene-Whitehill Philip Hoffman-Levene, beloved brother of Laurie Levene-Whitehill

Karina and Robert Zolt Abraham Zolt, beloved father of Robert Zolt Ilene Zolt, beloved sister of Robert Zolt Pearl Zolt, beloved mother of Robert Zolt

Judy Zucker Fred Haber, beloved father of Gary and Jeff Haber Renee Heyman, beloved mother of Joanne Heyman-Greene Mildred Jaffe, beloved mother Walter Jaffe, beloved father

Mae H. Zuckerman and Harriet Landau, beloved sister of Hope Solomon Mae H. Zuckerman

11 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Riverdale TempleSchedule of Services 2016/5777

Selichot Program and Service Sat., Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service* Sun., Oct. 2, 8:00 p.m.Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Service* Mon., Oct. 3, 10:00 a.m. Family and Children’s Service (public) Mon., Oct. 3, 1:30 p.m.Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Service (public) Tues., Oct. 4, 10:00 a.m.

Kol Nidre* Tues., Oct. 11, 8:00 p.m.Yom Kippur Morning* Wed., Oct. 12, 10:00 a.m. Family and Children’s Service (public) Wed., Oct. 12, 1:30 p.m. Afternoon Service with Yizkor (public) Wed., Oct. 12, 3:00 p.m.

*Tickets required for services in bold. Please bring tickets to all services. They are nontransferable.

1 Norman Baron 1 Millard Joseph Bleier 1 Rita Fauer Franklin 1 Louis Froehlich 1 Milton Gordon 1 Julius Richman 1 Harry Schliftman 2 Freda Block 2 Seymour Hirsch 2 Harry Kaplan 2 Alexander Lessin 2 Samuel Schneeweiss 2 Seymour Schneider 3 Robert Benenson 3 Jack Grushoff 4 Gregory Grinn 4 Diane Stern 4 Morris Wachtel 5 Jean Deutsch 5 Max Fondiller 5 Max Grossman 5 Nathan Horn 5 Mary Kenig 5 Mildred Martin 6 Judith Saxe Kuvin 6 Karl F. Ross 7 Constance Spath Osach 8 Irving I. Appel 8 Helen C. Barkin 8 Bertha Wormser Crager 8 Ruth Fertig

8 Alexander Haines 8 Hyman Jaffe 8 Johanna Jelin 8 Jacob Strisik 9 Ethel Parker Dubrov 9 Seymour Greisman 9 Charles Lasky 9 Anita Rosenblatt 9 Elias Rushfield 9 Richard Simmons 9 Meta Strauss 9 Ida Wilensky10 Dora Baron10 Gerard M. Bloomfield10 Harry Hartman11 Helen Arzt11 Ethel Epstein11 Anna Guenzig11 Alan Richman11 Minnie G. Traugott12 Sidney Leichter12 Mae Mendlinger12 Jack Wiener13 Simon Giserman13 Conrad I. Haber13 Pauline Kalinowsky13 Ethel Wolf Miller13 Frances Perchick13 Benjamin Silverman14 Jack Bross14 Vivian Lea Gorlin

14 Samuel Z. Kleiman14 Marcel Kwal14 Isidore Licker14 Nat Seefer14 Anna Tauber15 Melvin L. Morris15 Irving Oberstein15 Warren Raynes15 Sol Stafford15 Ray Weinberg16 Joseph Eisen16 Munia Gefter16 Leo Herrup17 Pauline Fox17 Solomon Haas17 Helen B. Karger17 David Morris17 Howard Pobliner17 Esther G. Rosenberg17 Morris Sandler18 Judith Gorlin Deutsch19 Clara Bereano19 Jack Locke19 Israel Silberkleit20 Samuel Breindel20 Dorothy Kleiman22 Yetta Bennett22 Ruth Fox Blumenthal22 Helen Cytryn22 Joan D. Leslese Halpern22 Richard Kasner

22 Benjamin Rettich23 Meyer Cohen23 Adele Greenglass23 Olle Schliftman24 Beatrice R. Bennett24 Yakov Dechter24 Adrienne Semmel25 Daniel Chazen25 Rita Gefter25 David Lerman25 Alma Weiler25 Samuel Young26 Anne G. Aronson26 Alexander Krausz26 Elizabeth N. London27 Dr. David Borak27 Irmgard Hermann27 Albert Lett28 Morris Caplan28 Martin Cohen28 Julius Meltzer29 Max Friedman29 Henry L. Grunbaum29 Max Halper29 Arthur Herbstman29 Valentina Krasnopolsky29 Kate Lubell29 Dr. Rudolf Radna30 Joseph Ackner30 Arthur Karger30 Julius L. Lubell

The Departed Whom We Now Remember September Yahrzeit Observances

12 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

RiveRdale Temple

4545 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

BRONX, NY 10471

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

RiveRdale Temple 4545 Independence Avenue

Bronx, NY 10471 affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism,

patron of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion

Telephone: 718-548-3800 Fax: 718-543-1492 E-mail: rivtemple@aol.com

Web Page Address: www.riverdaletemple.org

Rabbi of the Congregation Thomas A. Gardner, B.A., M.A., M.A.H.L.

Rabbis Emeriti of the Congregation Stephen D. Franklin, D.D., D.H.L.

Judith S. Lewis

Cantor of the Congregation Inbal Sharett-Singer

Co-Presidents of the Congregation Dr. Rachel Radna

Dr. L. Michael Griffel

Nursery School Executive Director Linda Herman

Bulletin Editor Margaret Ross Griffel, Ph.D.

Bulletin Proofreaders Shelley Ast, Susan Birnbaum,

Sylvia Gottlieb, L. Michael Griffel, Olivia Koppell, Ruth Loebmann

1 Worship Schedule 1 The Rabbi’s Column 2 Monthly Calendar 3 The Cantor’s Column 3 The President’s Column 4 Membership Committee 4 Extended Kiddush

5 Bulletin Board 6 Nursery School News 6 Tot Shabbat Services 6 Bar Mitzvah Celebration 6 Religious and Hebrew School 7 Women of Reform Judaism 7 Men’s Club

8 Adult Education 8 Social Action 9 Contributions 10 Condolences 11 Yahrzeit Observances 11 High Holy Days Schedule of ServicesIn

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