september 2015 - elul 5775/tishri 5776
DESCRIPTION
Jewish Family Congregation Newsletter - The monthly bulletin of a vibrant Reform congregation in South Salem, NYTRANSCRIPT
Shofar Elul / Tishri 5775-5776 Jewish Family Congregation September 2015
www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
From the Rabbi’s Desk page 2 Presidents’ Message page 3 Religious School page 4 Early Childhood Center page 5 Ritual Committee page 6 Ask the Rabbi page 7
Cantor Debbie’s Corner page 8 Social Action page 9 Yahrzeit/Birthday/Anniversary page 10 HHD schedule page 16 Donations page 23
September Shabbat and Holiday Services
Shabbat Ki Tavo and Selichot, Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8
September 4 6:00 pm Shabbat service in Ridgefield, CT
September 5 7:30 pm Dessert Reception in South Salem, NY
8:00 pm Sin and Forgiveness Program in South Salem, NY
9:00 pm Selichot service in South Salem, NY
Shabbat Nitzavim, Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20
September 11 7:30 pm Shabbat service in Ridgefield, CT
September 12 10:30 am Shabbat service including Bar Mitzvah of
Spencer Hellinger in Ridgefield, CT
Rosh Hashanah
September 13 7:30 pm Erev Rosh Hashanah in Ridgefield, CT
September 14 8:30 am Young family Rosh Hashanah service in Ridgefield, CT
11:00 am Rosh Hashanah service in Ridgefield, CT
2:30 pm Tot service in Ridgefield, CT
3:30 pm Tashlich at the Lewisboro Town Park, NY
September 15 10:00 am Second Day Rosh Hashanah service in Ridgefield, CT
Shabbat Vayelech, Deuteronomy 31:1 – 31:30
September 18 7:30 pm Shabbat service in Ridgefield, CT
Yom Kippur
September 22 7:30 pm Kol Nidre in Ridgefield, CT
September 23 8:30 am Young Family Yom Kippur service in Ridgefield, CT
11:00 am Yom Kippur service in Ridgefield, CT
2:30 pm Tot service in Ridgefield, CT
3:15 pm Music and Meditation service in Ridgefield, CT
4:00 pm Afternoon, Yizkor, and Neilah services in Ridgefield, CT
Shabbat Ha’Azinu, Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52
September 25 7:30 pm Shabbat service in Ridgefield, CT
September 26 5:00 pm Shabbat service including Bar mitzvah of Jared
Rowland in Ridgefield, CT
Lazy summer days...
Page 2 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
From the Rabbi’s Desk
So Much Newness In a few weeks, we will welcome the New Jewish Year 5776 as a congregation, just as we have done each and eve-ry year. Unlike in past years, however, much newness awaits. Some of the changes will challenge us, and some of the changes will comfort us. Our congregation will face many changes this year, some joyfully, others mournful-ly. Although we cannot always know how we will feel or react until that moment, we can prepare ourselves a little
bit for the changes we will experience this year.
While I wish that all of us could grow with these changes, I know that there will be sadness and sorrow, loss and
pain. I do hope that you will allow yourself to feel these difficult emotions if they arise, but I also hope that you will allow yourself to be open to possibility and opportunity, freshness and creative interpretations, growth and evolu-tion. Here are a few things to think about in the weeks ahead…
Who -- Probably the biggest change of all this year will the be absence of our beloved Cantor Kerry Ben-David. Not a single Shabbat or holiday service passes without me missing him, and I will especially miss his incredible vocal talents this High Holy Day season, as I imagine all of you will as well. I know that Cantor Kerry’s presence will con-tinue to be with us, even though we won’t be able to benefit from his voice, energy and love.
There are many new people who will be a part of our High Holy Day season. I look forward to leading services with Rabbi David Reiner and Cantor Deborah Katchko Gray, hearing new voices, learning new teachings and melodies. I also look forward to sharing our holiday celebrations with many new potential friends. It will be exciting to meet so
many new people and to experience the energy that comes with hundreds of Jews praying together.
What -- Our High Holy Day machzor is just off the press, and I am very much looking forward to using Mishkan HaNefesh rather than the most recent machzor our congregation used. My guess is that you will find it refreshing, accessible, modern, and meaningful.
Where -- Of course, leaving the sacred space we create in our High Holy Day tent will be different this year. That being said, I eagerly await leading a service in a beautiful sanctuary where all can hear the prayers and the sermon -- without worrying about thunderstorms, flooding, bugs, the weather, or other outside distractions! Our Ridgefield facility is beautiful and comfortable -- just make sure to leave extra time for parking and arriving to a new place!
When -- As always, the holidays are either early or late, but never on time. Just kidding. This year, you will have the choice to attend two different morning services, depending on your comfort and preference. Several additional prayer opportunities await, so make sure to take advantage of all of them.
Why -- The leadership of JFC and TSI are certain that combining our resources and energies will allow our congre-
gation to thrive in the years ahead. We will all miss the intimacy and hominess of the South Salem facility, yet we
have a much better chance of succeeding in the future by joining together. We have so much potential, and there is a great amount of excitement and energy for the future.
How -- Your attitude will dictate how you will experience the New Year. I hope that you will be open to the chang-es, open to the newness, forgiving of any challenges, and forthcoming with ways to improve for future years. Your presence and feedback will allow us to make your Jewish life more meaningful.
Although the number of changes and intensity of change is great this year, we also have to remember not to exag-gerate the change. So much will remain the same -- many people, many prayers and melodies, many blessings to be thankful for as we begin another year together. And just to remind ourselves that there truly is not that much change, we look to the words of our tradition in Ecclesiastes 1:4-11, written a few thousand years ago…
A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the
sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. All things are full of weariness; a person cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
So much change, and at the same time, “nothing new under the sun.” I think that sums up what to expect for this year.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy, Healthy, and Sweet New Year! Rabbi Marcus Burstein
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 3
Jewish Family
Congregation 111 Smith Ridge Road
P.O. Box 249 South Salem, NY 10590 Phone: (914) 763-3028 Fax: (914) 763-3069
www.jewishfamilycongregation.org —————
Rabbi
Marcus L. Burstein, D. Min. [email protected]
—————
Director of Education Leslie Gottlieb
Early Childhood Center Director Jane Weil Emmer
Administrator Kathleen Sakowicz
Bookkeeper
Carol Wakeman [email protected]
—————
Glenn Kurlander, Co-President
Hal Wolkin, Co-President [email protected]
Josh Blum, First Vice-President
Suzanne Sunday, Second Vice-President
Robyn Cohen, Treasurer
Richard Mishkin, Secretary [email protected]
Karen Conti, Trustee Jon Glass, Trustee
Mindy Hoffman, Trustee Robi Margolis, Trustee Paul Storfer, Trustee
Bonnie Wattles, Trustee [email protected]
Shofar Editor
Kathleen Sakowicz
Shofar Printer
Copy Stop Royal Press
Change. The word reverberated bravely through Rabbi Burstein’s ser-
mon on his first Rosh Hashanah with us and we haven’t stopped talk-
ing about change ever since. We can’t remember when this column
wasn’t focused at least implicitly on the change we’re living in the life
of our temple, and of course over the last year or so we’ve reported
and opined on that change, through the periods of exploration, analy-
sis and consideration, committee work, town halls and debates, con-
gregational votes and then the actual business of creating a new syna-
gogue.
But because we want to look through a different lens this month, one
with a considerably wider angle that attempts to see the world around
us and not just what’s happening in our synagogue, in this column
we’ll simply say that implementation of the Union continues to move
ahead. Our new synagogue is taking shape and considerable progress
is being made every day. We’re on track for a meaningful and memo-
rable High Holy Days observance led by Rabbi Burstein, Rabbi Reiner
and Cantor Katchko-Gray in our new home, with family and friends old
and new.
As significant as all this change must feel at times, our micro view of
the world has the potential to obscure all the truly breathtaking change
that is happening in the larger world around us.
Think about it. Technology is driving change at an almost unfathoma-
ble pace. The world’s largest taxi company, Uber, doesn’t own any tax-
is. The most popular source of content, Facebook, doesn’t produce any
content. And the world’s most valuable retailer, Alibaba, has no inven-
tory. Something really interesting is happening, to such an extent that
“disruptive” has become almost cliché.
And we are living in exponential times. The first commercial text mes-
sage was sent in 1992. Today, the number of text messages sent eve-
ry single day is double the population of the planet. And that’s just
from the five kids in the Wolkin and Kurlander households.
It took 38 years for the radio to reach a market audience of 50 million
users. TV got there in 13 years; the Internet in 4. The iPhone reached
50 million users in 3 years, while Instagram hit that mark in only 2.
And Angry Birds Space recorded 50 million users in just 35 days.
Sixty-five percent of grade schoolers will hold jobs that today don’t
even exist. The Department of Labor estimates that today’s students
will have held 10-14 jobs by the age of 38.
There are five times as many words in the English language as there
were in Shakespeare’s time. A week’s worth of the New York Times
contains more information than a person was likely to encounter in an
entire lifetime in the 18th century. Ninety percent of the world’s data
Continued on page 24
From The Co-Presidents By Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin
Page 4 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
From the Religious School By Leslie Gottlieb
A New Beginning
For the past fifteen years I have written a newsletter article each month for Jewish Family Congregation’s
Shofar and this is the first time—as Director of Education of the collaborative program— that I am writing
for a broader audience. I am so excited to begin this journey and I feel so welcomed by our friends in
Ridgefield. Both legacy synagogues, in the move to form a union, have such great possibilities ahead.
With this new beginning, I am filled with so much enthusiasm and look forward to working with all of you.
Together we will make our school successful on many levels.
Research published in The Leadership Quarterly, a Dutch social science periodical, concluded that a leader
spearheading an effort could be 132 percent more effective by merely having a positive attitude. With
this in mind, I would like to share my excitement and confidence in our new teaching team at The Reli-
gious School. All of us are in a unique position to help create a school that has the highest-reaching
standards in every way. With a sense of optimism-- mixed with the hard work necessary to blend both
school cultures to result in the best possible outcome—we all look forward to the new school year at our
Peaceable Street location.
Many things about both programs will seem familiar to both cohorts of school families. At the instruction-
al level, so many issues have had to be considered. We have been working together for months to make
sure the program excels. We have a strong educational plan for this transitional year and the Education
Committee, Rabbis and I will work toward refining the curriculum as the year unfurls. We will look to our
school and congregation families for input on many occasions. Still, we have established clear bench-
marks for all grade levels and will continue to examine ways in which we can enrich the experience for
our students going forward.
In August, a school family mailing was issued to registered families to describe many of the school pro-
grams that will be in place when classes begin in mid-September. Be assured that most communications
will be digital in the future for everyone’s convenience and all important forms and calendars will be
made accessible this way, as well.
One important change for some families will be that parents or guardians picking up students in Grades K
-7 will be asked to come into the building for school dismissal. We realize that for those used to a differ-
ent dismissal policy this will be a change; it is critical, especially for this school year, that parents, stu-
dents, teachers and the clergy all become known to one another. It is also a safety issue. Additionally,
we hope that as parents and siblings enter the library for student dismissal, a new sense of community
will be created. Teachers and parents will have a chance to get to know one another and this will impact
all of us in a positive way. New relationships will build upon this new tradition.
Some other programs you will be reading about in the coming months include: Kids Knesset (student
government), The Shekel Shop (student incentive program), S.T.A.R.S. (Shabbat Together and Religious
School to encourage Friday evening service participation), Challah “Shabbat-in-a-Bag” (challah delivery
option for Thursday pick up to encourage Shabbat observance at home), Student of the Week (a program
to honor outstanding deeds of loving kindness by students at school), The Student Mentor and Leader
Programs (to engage older students in school life) and others. I encourage parents to reach out to both
me and to your children’s teachers to learn more about ways in which our school’s rich programming will
help to brighten and enhance the entire Religious School experience, K-12.
Continued on page 12
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 5
From the Early Childhood Center By Jane Emmer
This month I have two greetings for each member of our Early Childhood Center…. Welcome or Welcome
Back! We are welcoming. This is feedback that I hear often. It is certainly not a coincidence. We pride
ourselves in being welcoming, and it is an important goal in creating an environment where our students
can grow and learn.
Making our school welcoming is much more than a list of things we can do. Creating a welcoming atmos-
phere is more an attitude than anything else. I start every morning with a greeting at the front door for
each child and adult that enters our special place. We hope that we have developed a special place for visi-
tors to gather and talk. Our staff are the ones that create the true feeling of being welcomed. A smile, a
“Thank you” or a “May I help you?” reflects the true core values of our school much more than a sign or a
slogan.
Welcome to The Early Childhood Center! Whether you are a returning family or you are new to our nurse-
ry school community we want to greet you with a warm welcome. Our first week of school will offer every
parent and child a way to get familiar with our school in their own “just right” way. We invite new and old
friends to join us for our Back to School Picnic on September 11. Each student will have the chance to vis-
it their classroom, visit with their teachers, and meet friends.
The Early Childhood Center is dedicated to a philosophy that play is the work of childhood. This year we
are going to highlight our belief that young children are eager to learn and grow in ways that are meaning-
ful to them at The Early Childhood Center that means:
● Providing a play-based curriculum appropriate for the 2-5 year old learner
● Cultivating a sense of wonder and sharing the delight of discovery
● Enhancing intellectual resilience and promoting curiosity through thoughtful dialogue
We invite each of you (young or old) to join us, read to us, celebrate learning with us, or share a special
talent or hobby. If you would like to volunteer please give me a call at 203-438-6589.
Page 6 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
From the Ritual Committee By Michael Salpeter and Lou Haber
Rosh Hashanah is generally recognized to be a time of renewal for the Jewish people. One may look
back on the previous year to see if his or her wishes have come to fruition; however, on Rosh Hasha-
nah it is our tradition to look forward to create a new vision for the year to come.
We Are Looking Forward to the High Holy Days
Eight months ago the Ritual Committee members from JFC and TSI came together and decided to
form a single committee to chart the future of our new synagogue. In July we began planning in ear-
nest for the High Holy Days to create a renewed vision for our observances. We have had a great deal
of camaraderie among the committee members, including a productive partnership between us co-
chairs. Both Rabbi Burstein and Rabbi Reiner have guided us through the pastoral nuances of prepar-
ing for these important days. Cantor Katchko Gray has been working with the choir to ready them for
leading us in some beautiful music.
Last year the JFC Board of Trustees accepted our proposal to order the new High Holy
Day machzor (prayer book) Mishkan HaNefesh, which the Central Committee of American Rabbis has
just published. Earlier this year the board of TSI responded in the same manner and ordered more
copies of the machzor. This book is similar in style to our Shabbat and festival prayer book Mishkan
T’filah in that it contains translations, transliterations, and interpretive readings. If you have been to
our Second Day Rosh Hashanah service for either of the past two years, you will remember that we
were able to use a draft version of this machzor, and it was well received by our congregants.
Needless to say, the purchase of enough copies for all attendees (including a large print version for
those who may need it) has been a tremendous expenditure of capital for our congregation. In the
High Holy Day packet you received, we included a donation form to help recoup some of these funds,
with an opportunity for you to dedicate copies to loved ones. Please consider contributing to
this machzor fund.
We know you have already received a schedule of services; however, we would like to highlight for
you some of the special events we have planned:
● Selichot on Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 pm in South Salem
● Tashlich on Monday, September 14 at 3:30 pm at the Lewisboro Town Park
● Second morning Rosh Hashanah luncheon on Tuesday, September 15 in the pavilion
following services (RSVP required) ● Music and Meditation service on Yom Kippur in the sanctuary, reading of Yizkor
names and lay- led discussion group in classrooms, all at 3:15 pm on Wednesday,
September 23 ● Congregational break fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur services, approximate-
ly 6:45 pm in the pavilion, on Wednesday, September 23.
We Value Your Feedback
In our newly-blended congregation you will note that we share most of the minhagim (customs), and
many parts of our services feel familiar. You also may notice differences in melodies or customs. For
example, at a recent service, you might have heard slight differences in the trope of the v’aha-
vta prayer, or different melodies that Cantor Katchko Gray uses for certain prayers. We value your
feedback and would like to learn which prayers and customs resonate with you, as well as how we can
evolve our service to further engage you.
Shana Tova
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 7
Ask the Rabbi
What are the names of different Jewish prayer compilations? Because prayer is so important in Judaism, you may not be surprised to learn that there are several different types of prayer books and compilations in Hebrew. Below you can find the different types of prayer compilations in our
tradition. Siddur -- Plural: Siddurim A siddur is the generic name for a Hebrew prayer book. The word’s root means “order,” because our prayer ser-vices always occur in a set order. (This is the same Hebrew root for the Passover Seder -- the order of the 14
parts of a traditional Passover observance.) The first siddur was compiled by Rav Amron Gaon in the 9th century in Babylon. Up until then, although there
were certain laws governing which prayers needed to be said at which times, there was great fluidity in prayers, usually led by the Shaliach Tzibbur -- the “Emissary of the Congregation,” or, more colloquially -- the prayer ser-vice leader. A siddur is not simply a compilation of prayers, but tells the history and even the future of a community. Different communities change, adapt, add, and subtract prayers that fit their outlook on Jewish life. Some congregations may use the same exact siddur their great-great-grandparents used, while other communities change
their siddur on a regular basis. As you already know, our congregation -- like most Reform, North American congregations -- uses Mishkan T’filah (A Tabernacle/Sanctuary of Prayer). A congregation may choose a siddur based on language (Hebrew and English, Hebrew and Spanish, etc.), theology (how God’s name is translated, if ever), or any number of other rea-sons. There are hundreds of siddurim published today. (One of my favorite activities as a rabbi is to compare and
contrast different siddurim. I have a few dozen in my library and am always interested when a new one is pub-lished. Feel free to ask me to see a few different types the next time you are visiting me in my office.)
Machzor -- Plural: Machzorim A machzor is the special name used for the High Holy Days of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. Sometimes it can also be used for the Three Pilgrimage Festivals of Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. The word machzor means “cycle” and comes from the Hebrew root meaning “to return.” Because we celebrate these holidays every year, we call these special prayer books machzorim. Many additional and changed prayers for the holidays necessitate the use of a different type of prayer book than
the daily or Shabbat prayer book. As with a siddur, each community publishes a machzor to reflect that communi-ty’s understanding of Jewish history and law. This year, our congregation will be using the brand new Reform machzor Mishkan HaNefesh (A Tabernacle/Sanctuary of the Soul). You will note that it differs significantly from the machzor we have been using for the last several years, but you will find it somewhat familiar nonetheless, as it is a companion High Holy Day version of our
Shabbat siddur Mishkan T’filah.
Selichot Selichot is the plural of selicha, a “prayer of repentance.” The Reform Movement’s most recent prayer book for the service of Selichot is called Shaarei Selicha, “Gates of Repentance,” based on the Reform Movement’s Gates of Prayer series. The service of Selichot takes place on the Saturday evening preceding Rosh HaShana, provided that there are at least three days before Rosh HaShana. This year Selichot falls on Saturday, September 5. Please join us at the South Salem location at 9 pm for this special service preparing ourselves to welcome the New Year. We
will begin the evening with a dessert reception at7:30 pm, followed at 8 pm by the program Sin and Forgiveness in the 21st Century. Please join us! Kinnot Kinnot is the plural of kinah, a “sad poem” or elegy traditionally recited on the night of Tisha B’Av. This collection of dirges commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in ancient Jerusalem.
Birkon -- Plural: Birkonim A birkon is based on the Hebrew word “beracha” (blessing), and as such is a collection of blessings. The most pop-ular birkon is the Birkat HaMazon, the “Grace after Meals.” In addition to the traditional many paragraphs of bless-ing after the meal, a birkon often contains other prayers and songs designed to be recited or sung at Shabbat and other holiday meals.
Continued on page 12
Page 8 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Cantor Debbie’s Corner By Cantor Debbie Katchko Gray
Summertime and the planning, learning, singing, and creating is intense!
This summer has been incredibly busy with professional development, creative ideas coming to fruition, and plans
for our merging congregations including musical programs for the coming year.
I attended two conferences- First- The Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework in Phoenix, AZ, and taught a huck embroidery class. I would like to offer an HEIRLOOM TALLIT CLASS after the High Holy Days, if there is interest. I have plenty of Huck Toweling fabric and will include it in the reasonable fee for three classes including materials. Please email me if you’re interested. No previous embroidery or sewing skill is necessary.
Second- The Women Cantors’ Network (WCN) conference in Austin, TX. I always enjoy seeing old friends and
meeting new ones at our conferences. The music, prayer, spirit and workshops are always inspiring and give me more music and ideas than I can handle! Next year’s conference will be HERE IN RIDGEFIELD! June 20-23, 2016. I am hosting it and have already planned the workshops, speakers, entertainment, hotel and more. The community and congregation will be invited to morning creative services as well as to a fabulous Tuesday evening June 21 with world famous Cantor Jack Mendelson, star of the film, A Cantor’s Tale. The film will be shown after Cantor Mendel-son leads a traditional maariv service in our sanctuary. There will be a question and answer session with Cantor Mendelson after the movie and count on extra singing and wonderful humor! Wednesday June 22, the community
will be invited to sit in on a Kosher Spirituals workshop with our beloved Gigi Van Dyke. 100 women are expected to attend- I’ve hosted twice here at TSI and I know it will be another memorable conference. If anyone has 120 of anything interesting to donate for the conference “swag” bag please thank you in advance for your donations! They love the generosity of our members! A Judaica Craft Fair will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of the confer-ence in our library. Vendors from the tri-state area will show Judaica in its creative glory. Come and buy gifts! WCN
members will have many cds and music books for sale as well.
This coming High Holy Day Season will be very special as our two congregations come together in prayer and in song. We are so fortunate to have Barbara Orwick as our new accompanist, as our beloved Marcia Klebanow has retired. Barbara has played at JFC for many years, and is in a rock band, as well as experienced in classical music, choral arranging, and singing. She is a wonderful musical addition to our musical family. Please think of hiring her for your B’nei Mitzvah services as it adds so much.
Mark Fineberg, gifted reed artist of Broadway, rock and blues fame, is going to be playing at all our major services for the High Holy Days. I’m very excited to have him add his musical voice as well during the holy days.
Choir rehearsals began in late August, but newbies are welcome to join us Sept. 3 and 10, 7:30-9pm in our sanc-tuary to review the music of the holydays and coming year.
A musical gift is being created for our new congregation forming- Barbara Orwick and I just recorded several newer
songs used on Friday evenings, and both our rabbis will be adding their voices as well. A few selections from the Talented Teen’s Shabbat Jam and our Sacred Spirit cd will be included. I hope you enjoy it when it available in the fall.
PLEASE SAVE THE MUSICAL DATES:
Thank you as always for your loving support and enthusiasm for these efforts to bring beautiful and meaningful Jewish art and music into our lives. Shalom, Cantor Deborah Katchko Gray
Choir Rehearsals
Fridays, September 3 and 10, 7:30-9 pm
Sunday, September 20, 7:30-9 pm
Music Shabbat 5776
January 15 Serendipity Chorale- MLK Black/Jewish Spirituals
with Gigi Van Dyke and our choir
March 25 A Suite Shabbat – Classical Strings
May 13 Music of Israel with Avram Pengas!
Ruach Shabbat Services— Musical Artists , Talented Teens
and Adult Choir
November 13 Adrianne Greenbaum, flute
December 11 Adrianne Greenbaum, flute
February 19 Mark Fineberg, flute, clarinet, sax
April 8 Avram Pengas, oud, bouzouki
June 3 Adrianne Greenbaum, flute
June 21 7 pm A Cantors Tale w/ Cantor Jack Mendelson
Traditional Maariv service, film and Q and A.
June 22 4 pm Kosher Spirituals w/ Gigi Van Dyke and WCN
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 9
Social Action By Debbie Landzberg and Debbie Lavin
Page 10 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Susan Andrade
Alissa Auerbach
Michelle Auerbach-Sherr
Sophia Barson
Heath Bender
Jeffrey Berg
Ella Blum
Zachary Brand
Sarah Dash
Noah Falconer
Sophia Firestein
Bryon Friedman
Abigail Gabor
Michael Gottlieb
Mindy Hoffman
Meryl Honig
Allison Junquera
Lucas Kane
Elana Kaplan
Gregory Kaplan
Zachary Kaplan
Rachel Kurlander
Henriette Kutscher
Tyler Leitner
Roy Lerner
Sherry Levin Wallach
Eric Levine
Ruth Ossher
Julie Portnoy
Samantha Rai
Ginger Schwartz
Kody Shafer
Pat Shafer
Jessica Sheptin
Marcia Sher-Kalter
Andrea Shulman
Jonathan Storfer
Bonnie Wattles
Gabriel Zuckerberg
Please call the JFC Office when any relevant information arises or changes so all Birthday, Anniversary and
Yahrzeit listings are accurate and up to date.
BIRTHDAYS
Please Support Our Advertisers
Edith Blumenthal Donna Ellen Brown Murray Emmer Gertrude Fischberg Dr. Joseph Fried Stanley Gottlieb Dorothy Himoff Max Kalb Seymour Kalter Sidney Kirstein Rose Margolis
Sol Pottish Cathie Jo Raynor Cathy Jo Raynor Harold Redman Seymour “Sy" Schreckinger Stanley Slone Anita Stein Herbert Storfer Leopold Weisberg Dudley Emerson Westlake
YAHRZEITS
Brian Besterman & Alison Ganis
Michael Gitlitz & Dr. Rita Landman
Jeffrey & Elizabeth Klotz
Joel & Laura Kaplan
Peter & Jamie Kaplan
Drew & Mindy Hoffman
Matthew Meister & Dafne Sanchez-Aldama
Andrew & Nicole Rose
Fulvio Segalla & Wendy Lipp
Steven & Judy Vandervelden
ANNIVERSARIES
Have you considered celebrating
significant birthdays and anniversaries with a leaf on our
Simcha Tree of Life?
Call the JFC Office for details
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 11
Page 12 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Scheduling Weddings or Funerals with Rabbi Burstein
Continued from page 4—Religious School
Parents of students in Grades K-6 are encouraged to have their children participate in the weekly Enrich-
ment Day program from 4:15-6:00 pm on Wednesdays. Students will be grouped in Grades K-2, 3-4 and
5-6. Wednesday is also a day in which our 7th graders will be at school. There will be many opportunities
for students to work in new learning circles with a different group of learners on programming that seeks
to enrich lessons taught on regular school days. Classes will be smaller despite the combined grouping
and Hebrew and Judaic culture lessons will build on the goals set for these students with new ways of ap-
proaching the material. Please contact me to learn more about this unique opportunity for your children.
Sometimes change is difficult and as Jews we have known our share of challenges over the millennia. This
year will require great patience for all of us as things settle in-- whether it is a school or synagogue issue.
I am confident from my past experience as a school director that the students and parents participating in
the program have so much power to shape the nature of this new school. With the power of nearly twen-
ty teachers on our team, some from each legacy synagogue school and some new to this role, we can
make a big difference in the lives of our children and hope to create kids who look to a lifetime of strong
Jewish identity and participation.
In closing, I recall a conversation I had a few weeks ago with someone doing landscape work at our home
in Pound Ridge. He looked over our sorry backyard lawn and paused. After a moment of silence, he be-
gan to speak in a very serious way about the crabgrass that had taken root all over. I felt as a great life
lesson was going to be imparted by his measured manner and tone of voice. He said, “The way to avoid
crabgrass is to have a healthy lawn.” This struck me as rather profound after an initial chuckle nearly
slipped out. Immediately I thought in teaching terms and the idea that disciplinary problems in a school
setting can be avoided almost entirely by creating strong lesson plans. No weeds can grow if the environ-
ment is healthy. Now I think that this lesson is much larger in scope. If we are all positive and work to-
gether to make our school a magical place, no small disturbance can upset its vigorous balance. There is
so much possibility here and I am lucky to be in the position of welcoming one and all to our new school.
Rabbi Burstein wants very much to be with you during significant life-cycle moments.
Please speak with him before setting any dates or times for weddings or funerals.
Don’t be disappointed to learn he is not available at the time you’ve already arranged,
bring him “into the loop” at the very beginning of your planning.
Continued from page 7—Ask the Rabbi
Haggadah -- Plural: Haggadot
A haggadah is the special set of prayers used at a Passover seder. The word haggadah means “The Tell-
ing,” as we are taught to tell our children the history of our freedom from Egyptian slavery each and every
year. As with a siddur and machzor, haggadot can contain a significant amount of creativity, and literally
thousands of haggadot have been published over the years.
So you see, prayer is so important in our tradition that you need to make sure you have the right prayer
book to use at the right time. I hope that -- at the very least -- you have a copy of one prayer book in
your home to refer to and to learn from. Please be in touch if you would like suggestions on which type of
prayer book to purchase.
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 13
Page 14 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Dearest Wonderful Friends,
Adam, Sheera, Steven and I wanted so much to answer individually all your touching
and thoughtful notes and generous contributions. Alas, doing so would have been quite a difficult
a task, as we received over 260 notes.
Please forgive our doing so publicly in this Synagogue letter. With every fiber in his
being, Cantor Kerry loved his "calling"......singing for Services, Holidays, Weddings, Bar and Bat
Mitzvah ceremonies, Baby Namings, cheering up those in the hospital, and helping those who
needed a bit of his enormous wisdom and personal TLC. He loved it all; and felt so blessed to be
a part of so many lives. We were all blessed as well to have had such a man in our lives...always
so cheerful and upbeat. As his wife and friend for over 47 years, I can attest to the fact that it
was GENUINE.
I remember his being a clown in our annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Connecticut. He
even helped me in my rounds as a hospital clown at Stamford Hospital, singing during all our
holidays. It would not surprise you to know that St. Paddy's Day was his favorite!
What a remarkable legacy he left all those whose lives he touched. Cantor Kerry was the
wealthiest man I knew...not in dollars and cents, but in "ruach" and love for all people and life!!
He passed away exactly as he wanted....after doing a service in a beloved congregant's
home...happy, and with no pain.
Thank you dear ones for being such a great part of that life, and for your enormous support
and love.
With Much Love, and Friendship Forever!
Batyah, (Bonnie), Adam, Sheera and Steven
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 15
Page 16 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Schedule of High Holy Day Services 2015 / 5776
and Shuttle Bus Schedule
All Services will Be Held in Our Ridgefield Building
Except Selichot (South Salem Building) and Tashlich (Lewisboro Town Park)
Date Service Time Shuttle Bus Schedule
Saturday, September 5
Selichot
(Selichot will be held in our South
Salem building)
7:30 pm Dessert Reception
8:00 pm Program: Sin and
Forgiveness in the 21st Century
9:00 pm Selichot Service
7:30 pm No shuttle bus service
Sunday, September 13 Erev Rosh Hashanah Services,
followed by a festive Oneg Rosh
Hashanah
7:30 pm 6:45 pm to 10:00 pm
from Jesse Lee Memorial
Church (207 Main St,
Ridgefield; enter parking
lot on King Lane)
Monday, September 14
Rosh Hashanah, First Day
8:30 am Service (geared to
families with children in elemen-
tary school, but open to all
members/ticketholders)
11:00 am Service (more tradi-
tional in format and content)
2:30 pm Tot Service (free, but
reservations are required)
3:30 pm Tashlich
Tashlich will be held at
Lewisboro Town Park, located
on the south side of Route 35
between Mead Street and Bou-
ton Road in South Salem.
8:30 am
11:00 am
2:30 pm
3:30 pm
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
from Jesse Lee Memorial
Church
Tuesday, September 15 Rosh Hashanah, Second Day Service
Congregational Lunch
(reservation required)
10:00 am
1:00 pm
No shuttle bus service
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 17
Date Service Time Shuttle Bus Schedule
Tuesday, September 22 Kol Nidre Service 7:30 pm 6:45 pm to 10:15 pm
from Jesse Lee Memorial
Church (207 Main St,
Ridgefield; enter parking
lot on King Lane)
Wednesday, September 23 Yom Kippur
8:30 am Service (geared to
families with children in ele-
mentary School, but open to
all members/ticketholders)
11:00 am Service (more tra-
ditional in format and content)
2:30 pm Tot Service (free,
but reservations are required)
3:15 pm Music and Medita-
tion Service (in the sanctu-
ary); reading of names from
the Yizkor memorial book (in a
classroom or outside); lay-led
discussion (in a classroom)
4:00 pm Afternoon, Yizkor,
and Neilah Services
6:50 pm (approx.) Congre-
gational Break Fast following
the conclusion of services
(reservations required)
8:30 am
11:00 am
2:30 pm
3:15 pm
4:00 pm
6:50 pm
approx.
8:00 am to 8:30 pm from
Jesse Lee Memorial
Church (with a break from
1:45 pm to 2:45 pm)
Tot Rosh Hashanah and Tot Yom Kippur Services for children age six and younger
46 Peaceable Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut
This children’s program is an additional option for families with children in this age group.
Join Rabbi Burstein and Rabbi Reiner in the sanctuary to
sing special High Holy Day songs, hear a story, listen to the Shofar,
enjoy apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah
Tot Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 14, 2:30 pm
Tot Yom Kippur Wednesday, September 23, 2:30 pm
These tot services are open to non-members at no cost, but an RSVP is required by Friday, September 4. 914-763-3028 [email protected]
Page 18 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 19
Page 20 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 21
Page 22 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 23
Donations
Donations made after the tenth of the month will appear in next month’s Shofar.
General Fund
David & Rosalyn Manowitz in memory of Carole Alexander
Scott Kleiner
Rabbi Discretionary Fund
Hal & Laurie Wolkin with gratitude to Rabbi Burstein and in memory of Allen Alexander
Michael & Rona Salpeter in memory of Joseph Salpeter
Page 24 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Continued from page 3
has been generated in the last two years. In 1900, human knowledge doubled every 100 years. By 1945, the
pace had accelerated to every 25 years. Today, the mass of human knowledge doubles every 13 months. By
2020, it’s predicted that will happen every 12 hours.
And it’s not just technology. Cultural and demographic changes are driving huge transformations in our society.
As just one example of how quickly our thinking can change, witness the remarkable shift in societal attitudes
about same sex marriage. After all, it was only in 1996 when a Democratic president signed the federal Defense
of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) into law, and only 2003 when Massachusetts became the first state to recognize same
sex marriage. Last year, the United States Supreme Court invalidated much of DOMA not even 20 years after it
had been enacted, and of course in late June, the Court ruled that the 14th Amendment requires a State to li-
cense a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between people of the same
sex when their marriage was duly licensed and performed out of State. While those seeking the exercise of a
fundamental human right justifiably may feel that change was agonizingly slow, from a societal perspective it
occurred with breathless speed. Winston Churchill said “You can always count on Americans to do the right
thing—after trying everything else.” Perhaps more optimistically, one of the powerful things about humans in
general is that we have the capacity to change our minds.
And demographics, which necessarily shape attitudes, are changing fundamentally as well. The power of women
has increased dramatically and will continue to grow significantly over the next few decades. Women already
control more than 60% of private wealth in this country, and female educational attainment has exceeded male
educational attainment at all levels since 2000. It’s estimated that by 2028, the average American woman will
earn more than the average American male.
Ten thousand Americans turn 65 years old every day, and will continue to do so for the next 14 years. By 2050,
there will be roughly twice the number of Americans who are 65 or older than there were in 2012. Yet, while for
decades the concerns and desires of the Baby Boomer generation—the largest generational cohort in our histo-
ry—have been center stage, this year Millennials, those between the ages of 18 and 34, will outnumber Boom-
ers. Gen Xers—those 35 to 50—will overtake the Baby Boomers by 2028.
We’re changing racially and spiritually. By 2044, the United States will be a “minority majority” country—that is,
the non-Hispanic white population will constitute less than 50% of the US population. And while we’re still pre-
dominantly a Christian nation, the Christian population is shrinking: over the last 8 years, there has been a
roughly 8 percentage point drop in the number of Americans who describe themselves as Christians, and an al-
most equal increase in those who describe themselves as unaffiliated with any organized religion. By 2050,
there will be more Muslims in the US than Jews.
Viewed from any perspective—technological, cultural, demographic or spiritual—the world around us is changing
at an almost inconceivable pace. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why the change we’re experiencing in our
own community is hard for some to deal with. While the world swirls around us, some of us may have thought
of our synagogue and all it represents as a rock, as being somewhat immune from the dislocations that come
with change. But if our synagogue is changing too, it’s only natural that we might feel the additional weight of
that change.
Yet we predict that after we have all come together for the High Holy Days, most of us will look back and con-
clude that there is more about our Union that feels the same than it does different. Yes, we will be in a new
building. We won’t have our tent. There will be more services, to accommodate a larger congregational popula-
tion. We’ll use a new prayer book, but it will be the same prayer book we would have used, even if there were
not to be a Union—the same prayer book being introduced by Reform congregations across North America.
There will be more faces we don’t recognize. But that means more opportunities to build relationships. We will
miss our beloved Cantor Kerry—a loss we would have felt even were we not to pursue a Union—but the sadness
we feel will be tempered somewhat by the reverence and joy we’ll experience listening to Cantor Katchko-Gray,
and our augmented choir. And of course Rabbi Burstein and Rabbi Reiner will lead and guide us, help shape and
drive our reflection and renewal, will enlighten, provoke and challenge us in our worship. We’ll recite words
that many of us have said for decades and our ancestors for centuries before us, with the same aims and to the
same ends that have inspired our people for millennia. And that, with the Union, have the potential to do so in
our own community for many years to come. Yes, there will be differences, but much will feel the same.
Glenn Kurlander and Hal Wolkin
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 25
Page 26 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar September 2015
Elul/Tishri 5775– 5776 Jewish Family Congregation Shofar Page 27
Non Profit Organization
Postage PAID
White Plains, NY Permit No. 9022
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Rabbi Reiner, Rabbi Burstein and Cantor Katchko Gray
Pizza in the Hut Sunday, September 27, 6 pm followed by Erev Sukkot Services, 7 pm.
Join us for pizza, salad and munchies, decorate our sukkah and spend time with
friends. Bring a few gourds or other natural seasonal items.
Make sure to check out our calendar for up to date events
at www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
$5/person or $15/family
RSVP by Wednesday, September 23 to