November 2020 • Vol. 103, No 4 HESHVAN ~ KISLEV 5781 WWW.BETHELNR.ORG
The Biennial
Night of Music & Joy Virtual Celebration Saturday, November 21st 7:30 pm Presented by Kol Hazzanim and The Westchester Jewish Council. Details, page 16.
ביחד
B’YACHAD CAMPAIGN
ASSURING BETH EL’S FUTURE TOGETHER
BETH EL'S ENHANCED KOL NIDRE APPEAL Go to www.bethelnr.org/DonateNow to make your donation. Beth El is more than just a synagogue. For many of us, it is our second home and a vibrant center for Jewish life, culture and spirituality. For others, it is a place to turn to during times of joy and difficulty. The Beth El community expands beyond the four walls of our building. Over the past six months, we have seen this play out in immeasurable ways. The clergy, educators, staff and volunteers have been essential in nurturing and sustaining our community. Overnight, the Beth El staff created a virtual space for us to continue to learn, pray, sing, cry and laugh together.
JusttoasVolunteer? the global health has impacted in big and small ways, so too has it Looking We likely havecrisis something to match yourus interest! Contact Abby Wise at awise@bethelnr.org. affected the financial state of our synagogue. The inability to run our much beloved
New Limmud Class............................ page 2 Our Nativ Participants Report........... page 5 Annual Turkey Drive ...........................page 8 and highly Beth Day Camp at full capacity-$600,000 9 Mainstream: The Ageacclaimed of Jazz............. page 3 El Nurserycontributes School in Action.....................page Keruv Let's Talk About It................... page 6 which
profit to the overall budget-- has put a considerable financial strain on the synagogue. The pandemic has also adversely affected other essential revenue streams that are of
RABBI’S MESSAGE Dear friends, As Jews, we often live in two different emotional time zones. Right now, we have one foot in the middle of the month of Cheshvan, a month known for its lack of holidays, for the space it gives us to pause, breathe, and settle in and prepare for winter. It’s an introspective time, calling on us to identify how we will implement the promises we made during the High Rabbi Jessica Fisher Holidays. Our other foot is just entering November, embracing the end of the brilliantly colored leaves and gearing up for Thanksgiving. It’s a month that calls for looking inward and outward, as we contemplate the present moment and consider the gifts in our lives. Some days it’s very hard to express gratitude. Sometimes, even when we know, objectively, that we have much to be grateful for, the words can sit heavily on our hearts and in our mouths. And yet, there is value in the ritual, in pushing ourselves to articulate even the smallest points of gratitude—the smell of fall, the phone call with a loved one, the bite of a perfectly crisp apple. There is a book by Barry Lopez called Crow and Weasel about two kids who go on a journey through the wilderness. At one point, as they head home, they are hosted by Badger, who, when they
are leaving, reminds them that “the stories people tell have a way of taking care of them…Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.” Many Jewish communities pride themselves on their culinary traditions—we have a lot to be proud of in that arena. But while our foods are delicious, we are a people nourished by stories. In one midrash handed down to us in Vayikra Rabbah, we learn, “In the Messianic future, all sacrifices will be discontinued, but the offering of thanksgiving will never cease. All prayers will be discontinued, but the prayer for thanksgiving (Psalm 100) will never cease.” In the story these rabbis chose to tell about a future when we have no other religious obligations, they painted a picture of one lingering ritual: expressing gratitude. This year, our Thanksgivings might not look as they have in years past, much like the Jewish holiday cycle we just completed. We may not be able to share our meals or our gratitude in person with loved ones. But we can keep exercising the muscle. We can make phone calls and write letters to say thank you to those we can’t physically be with. Most importantly, we can keep choosing to be nurtured by stories of thanks and appreciation. Wishing you meaningful connections, nourishing stories, and good health. L’Shalom, Rabbi Jessica Fisher
Reminder . . .
Wiping Away the Tears: Rethinking the Jewish Middle Ages with Rabbi Barry Kenter
Maximize your charitable donation to Beth El Synagogue Center by giving your appreciated stock or your IRA mandatory minimum distribution. Speak with your tax advisor for details.
Wednesdays, November 4, 11, 18, 25 12:00 noon Zoom information is available at www.bethelnr.org/livestream. For the past century and half, the “lachrymose” [i.e. tearful] view of Jewish history, one of nonstop suffering and expulsion prevailed. Modern scholarship has cast a new lens on this era and has come up with a more nuanced understanding of this complex and fascinating period.
TORAH & HAFTARAH READING As Beth El begins its reopening process, we are reenergizing our initiative to broaden congregational participation in reading Torah as well as chanting the Haftarah on Shabbat morning. Those interested are invited to sign up at https://www. signupgenius.com/tabs/63277df02a5c3ebc24-torahhaftarah. Please reach out to Alan Kellman (alan@twoals.com) for Torah reading questions or to Steven Cohen (SCohen@ kanekessler.com) for Haftarah questions. Cantor Schvartz (gschvartz@bethelnr.org) can help with preparing or learning how to read. 2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE STILL MORE IMPORTANTLY, and in the spirit of co-creation and co-ownership (one of the pillars of our vision for the future), I want to invite you to propose your ideas to keep our programming fresh in the months ahead. And I want to invite you to help us implement these programs. You can email your ideas, or your readiness to help, to the shul at info@bethelnr.org. As always, if you either are in need or wish to volunteer to help those in need, please email bethelcares@bethelnr.org. Mark Silver As promised over the last few months, our shul’s leadership is simultaneously tackling our current and ongoing congregational needs while planning strategically for the future. In fact, we have three foci: (a) operating the shul under the current conditions as long as they persist, (b) planning for the various contingencies that are likely to arise in the months ahead, and (c) looking beyond to the period following the pandemic. The latter cannot arrive soon enough for us all.
Dear Beth El Family. We are now in the month of Cheshvan, referred to as “Mar Cheshvan”—bitter Cheshvan—because it is devoid of any Jewish Holidays. My experience over the years has been that our shul calendar often reflects two conflicting realities in this second month of the Jewish Year: a sense of enthusiasm as the usual programming of the year kicks off as well as a feeling of exhaustion following the very full and busy month of Tishrei that included Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah. But I am not sure that either of these factors is in play this year—at least, not as in the past. I think many of us would like to retain the good feelings, connection with the Beth El community, and elation that accompanied the chaggim (holidays) rather than letting up. Yet, at the same time, some of us may be uncertain what the new program year will look like. So I want to assure the congregation that we are still here for you and that your leadership did not wait so much as a day after the chaggim to begin addressing the year ahead…and beyond. More importantly, I want to remind those of you who have participated in our virtual programs in the past that they are available to you at this time, and to encourage everyone to experience these programs that have afforded educational, religious, and social fulfilment to so many.
Mark
S.M.A.R.T. (Senior Mature Adult Retired Together) Discussions On Monday and Friday mornings, join us for a conversation with our social worker Shari Baum, M.S.W., 11:00 am - 12:00 noon
The Golden Age of Jazz, on ZOOM Course Instructor: Sam Raderman, Westchester Community College This course will explore the music and musicians of one of the most popular periods of jazz: “The Swing Era”! We will listen to many of the classics and explore the events leading up to this movement and its impact on the future of Jazz in America. Get ready to “Jump, Jive and Wail”! Dates: 4 Mondays, November 2, 9, 16, 23 Time: 11:00 am —1:00 pm Zoom Sponsor: Beth El Synagogue of New Rochelle Registration:
Sign up with Julie Rockowitz at JRockowitz@bethel.org Westchester Community College
Funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services- administration on Aging (AoA) New York State Office for the Aging, Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. 3
HAPPENING "AT" BETH EL ONLINE Misheberach List
Beth El Memorial Page
Our Beth El website has a space to honor members and loved ones lost during these unprecedented times. Some who have experienced a recent loss have posted written reflections and photos of their loved ones for our Beth El community to honor and share in their memory. This website is password protected. Login to your ShulCloud account and visit bethelnr.org/virtualmemorial. If you need help, email Abby at awise@bethelnr.org.
At many of our services, and now at our evening Mishnah study, we say a prayer for healing for those who are ill. Any name added to the Misheberach list will be automatically removed after one month. If a name needs to remain on the list for another month, please reach out again to a member of the clergy.
Parent Support Group Wednesday, November 18th • 7:30 pm
“Who is honored? One who honors others.” Pirkei Avot 4:1 This teaching reminds us that our tradition has an ethic of honoring our loved ones. One way we do this is through teaching and studying Torah in their honor or in their memory. To celebrate someone marking a simcha or elevate the name and memory of a loved one, consider honoring them with your Beth El community by dedicating the weekly sermon in their name (sent out by email in the weekly Shabbat Announcements). The cost is $180. For information, visit.bethelnr.org/sponsor.
Sermon Sponsorship
The immediate focus of the group will be on supporting our children through the current crisis; moving forward, we will focus more specifically on parenting children with different needs in the context of the Jewish Community. The group will be led by WJCS social worker, Brenda Haas. This group will be limited to ten participants/ parent groups and will be added to the group in order of response. For the time being, we will meet via zoom. When it is permissible to meet in person again, we will arrange to do that. If you have questions, please reach out to Shayna Klopott (shayna.klopott@ gmail.com) or Brenda Haas (bhaas@wjcs.com).
Mishnah Class
Join us for a 10-minute Mishnah study with our rabbis following morning and evening minyan (*Friday evening's study will begin 15 minutes before Kabbalat Shabbat—timing varies due to Shabbat*). We will recite the names of our loved ones aloud before and after we learn, and then end each mishnah study with the recitation of a communal prayer together in their memory.
Visit bethelnr.org/livestream to see all of our upcoming events and to watch some of our past programs.
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LEARN ABOUT NATIV 2020 We are very excited that three members of Beth El Synagogue Center—Jesse Bartell, Ilana Shechter and Shira Rosencrantz— have made the decision to spend their first year after high school on Nativ College Leadership Program in Israel. Nativ consists of one academic semester in Jerusalem and one semester volunteering in communities throughout Israel. It is not always an easy decision for teenagers to go on a gap year as it is not the standard “next step” post-high
school in most communities and there is a lot of pressure to go straight to college. Yet, there are very few opportunities in our lives to take a year for personal growth and development, and this is exactly what Nativ offers. We are confident that the Nativ program will strengthen relationships with Judaism, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel. The Nativ community creates a safe space for participants to ask questions, explore, challenge ideas, and gain leadership skills!
If you are a high school senior interested in learning more about the Nativ program, please feel free to contact us at 646-5199246 or Nativ@uscj.org. Please also consider following the Nativ group throughout the year by liking the Nativ Facebook page. There you will receive updates and pictures throughout the year! Below is an article writen by Shira Rosencrantz. Enjoy!
So, let’s talk about the Nativ Gap-Year program so far, shall we? Written and edited by Shira Rosencrantz
From the city’s scenic and ancient streets, to its spicy aromas and freshly squeezed juice, Jerusalem is both the holiest of cities yet also hosts an atmosphere of acceptance of all kinds of people. Jerusalem (and Israel) provides an intricate and powerful feeling whereby you immediately become attached to the vivid landscape and history as well as its engaging people. Despite the lock-down and quarantine, Nativ has done an excellent job in imparting its knowledge of and passion for Israel to us, of which I am forever grateful for this opportunity. This is only the beginning of our journey, so why not tag along with us. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
My roommates and me (Here, there is no need to socially distance or wear masks, as we live within the same building, on the same floor, and are in the same second semester track, which is Yemin Orde).
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur September 18. 2020 to September 20, 2020 Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the most holy days of the Jewish year, really did awaken our senses. To prepare for both holidays, we rejoiced with one another in celebration for our bright futures lying ahead. During the morning preceding Rosh Hashanah, my friends and I closed our eyes while we listened to the ‘wake- up call’ of the blowing of the shofar. The whining sounds and staccato blasts allowed for introspection and acknowledgment of our mistakes, as well as the creation of a new year for ourselves. One did not need to be a deeply spiritual person to have felt the universal connection to this unforgettable experience. Whereas, back in the states, our friends and families would perform Tashlich at a local pond, where we would throw away our sins using bread and afterward would indulge in large quantities of sweet honey. This year, we Nativers walked in three separate groups to the drained Mamilla pond, near Beit Nativ, where we read a meaningful poem
in both Hebrew and English regarding the celebration of a new year and the forgiveness and redemption associated with it. The poem reads: “As I cast this bread upon the waters, lift my troubles off my shoulders. Help me to know that last year is over, washed away like crumbs in the current. Open my heart to blessing and gratitude. Renew my soul as the dew renews that grasses…” (Rabbi Rachel Barenblat). This poem resonated with us because it served as a reminder that we all make mistakes, we are all human, but from those mistakes, we learn more deeply about who we are as a developing generation and how we can evolve in the future. Then came Yom Kippur, which allowed us to acknowledge our faults, and at the same time, promoted hope for our future aspirations. On Erev Yom Kippur, after Kol Nidre, we partook in an activity which allowed us to reflect inwardly about who we are as people and how we can create change in our and other people’s lives. Even though the Nativers could not congregate in a large group in the streets and sing ‘Slow-ach’, or 5
‘Slow Ruach’ songs, we were still able to gather with masks and social distancing rules and sing together joyfully. We cherished the peace we felt. The energy invoked by our unifying group activity was amazing and we tried to keep it going for as long as possible. Most significantly, we observed how the strength of our vibrant community attracted many other people to join our group, both by simply observing or collectively singing along, and this made our night even more exceptional. One of the people recognized me from home and after a few seconds, I realized that I had met her at a bat mitzvah in New York five years ago. These types of coincidences happen all the time when visiting Israel. The next morning, despite the absence of food, we felt energized by each other. We prayed in shul for the majority of the day, and inevitably, the moon shone and the fast ended. This Yom Kippur was truly amazing and unique and the experience will remain in our memories for a long time. Sukkot October 2, 2020 to October 9, 2020 Sukkot, one of the Nativers’ favorite holidays, was celebrated with all the enthusiasm it deserved. We helped build the sukkah a day before the holiday, first assembling the metal bars, then the wooden rods that lay across the top, then the schach, and lastly, the decorations. The final product was absolutely beautiful, where colorful decorations hung from the sukkah’s roof, and the tables were dressed in a royal red with sparkling silverware atop. There were lights that hung throughout as well, illuminating it even more. The first meal within the sukkah was very spiritual, continued, page 15
KERUV*: KICKING IT UP A NOTCH
*“Keruv” = to bring close, to draw near
With the fall holiday season a memory and 5781 well underway, the Keruv Inclusion Committee is continuing to adapt to the shifting constraints placed by the pandemic, as is all of the Beth El Community. However, the need to be inclusive is greater than ever. In pre-pandemic times (seems long ago now), Beth El won a grant to expand and improve inclusiveness in our community. UJA conducted an assessment and, impressed with how far along we were in the process, offered to provide a small grant of money to further our efforts. It was insufficient to take on a major item on our wish list—a handicapped-accessible, easy-to-use but secure, automatic entry system for our front doors. So, after taking inventory of our strengths and weakness, we requested input from our Religious School, Youth, and Nursery departments on their perceived needs. In response, UJA has now approved a $1,750 grant for us to purchase a portable audio speaker system that is compatible with personal assistive listening systems that operate on FM radio waves. It comes “with wind-resistant boom microphones and speech-clarifying technology.” This will allow students with hearing-impairment in our Religious and Nursery Schools to hear and share whatever is being presented, even outdoors, which is increasingly important with our “new normal.” It will also allow adult programming to be more inclusive of adults with hearing impairments when we again can once again gather in person. We have other items on our wish list, but more on that later. Diversity in the Jewish community is growing, and while the numbers are controversial, “Jews of Color” have been estimated to make up anywhere from 6% to at least 15% of the American Jewish community. The task of Keruv is to help all Jewish individuals feel welcome and included in our warm, supportive congregation. Yet to do that, we need to raise our conscious awareness of this diversity. The seemingly innocent comment of one individual can act to
effectively exclude any Jew who doesn’t “look” like our pre-conceived stereotypes. Angela Warnick Buchdahl, a prominent Korean-American rabbi, now senior rabbi at Central Synagogue in Manhattan, has spoken about how invalidating it felt as a child, and even now, to be repeatedly asked if she is Jewish in Jewish contexts like synagogue services and programs. Kicking Keruv’s work up a notch for 5781— How can we prevent our implicit biases from distancing other Jews? There are many contributing factors to Jewish diversity in America, and intermarriage is undoubtedly one of them. Increasingly, Jewish households raising Jewish children have one parent who is not themselves Jewish. This has always been true of course or the stereotype of Jews looking like white Europeans would not exist. However, after hundreds of years of being snubbed and excluded ourselves, we grapple with having children-in-law who are not Jewish and how to transmit our Jewish values, culture and traditions to them and their children. These emotionally charged issues are explored in the supportive context of our ongoing discussion group, “Let’s Talk About It.” It will resume meeting virtually with social worker Shari Baum facilitating. Stay tuned for dates and times. Returning to the Keruv wish list—There is always more to be done. Sometimes the most pressing need is one we are not yet aware of. We rely on you: the “hidden members” of Beth El who would like to engage but are being hampered in some way and members who have ideas to offer and energy to spare. Please contact us, join us, help us do better! How do you think we should prioritize our resources? What issues most concern you? We will be having our first remote Keruv Committee meeting later this month. Please reach out to us at our emails below and/or come to our committee meeting! Let’s keep Keruv kicking! Elise Richman, co-chair, elisekrichman@ gmail.com Nina Luban, co-chair, nina.luban@gmail.com
“LET’S TALK ABOUT IT”
KERUV COMMITTEE MEETING Sunday, November 15th • 10:30 am
Thursday, December 3rd • 7:30 pm via zoom
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TIME OF COVID: How have families engaged their interfaith family members and children in religious events—e.g. home rituals, holiday services, etc.—during these unique times!
Now more than ever, we all need to be connected virtually— especially seniors who are isolated at home or children who are unable to afford a device and need to connect to their classrooms. Without a device, these connections are impossible. So UJA is stepping in to help. Our goal is to provide devices that will be a lifeline for seniors and children in this unprecedented moment. Seniors will be able to connect to family members, friends, cultural and social programs, and telehealth. Children will be able to fully connect to their classrooms for optimal learning. If you have an extra device or would even like to purchase a new one, please do a mitzvah and donate it to someone in need. Just visit UJAFEDNY.org/volunteer-opportunity/ donate-a-device-do-a-mitzvah-155 to find out how. Questions? Contact Tali Strom at stromt@ujafedny.org or 914.385.2118.
Facilitated by Shari Baum, L.M.S.W. WJCS Coordinator of Partners in Caring hosted by Elise and Bob Schepp Zoom information will be provided when you RSVP to Elise Schepp at LCmoocow@@aol.com. Questions? Contact Nina Luban at nina.luban@gmail.com or Elise K. Richman at elisekrichman@gmail.com • Generously funded by UJA-Federation of NY • Sponsored by the Keruv Committee 6
Sisterhood Scene This Hebrew month is Heshvan but some call it Mar Heshvan since mar means bitter and this month has no holidays or even fast days to claim as its own. Thus, it must be bitter. Bitterness, I always feel is of our own making. We can choose to be bitter over a slight or some other form of disappointment or we can choose to let it go and try and look on the more positive side of things. That’s what Sisterhood has been doing at our meetings planned for this year. We are making lemonade out of lemons (or COVID). We started our year in September with a fun upbeat meeting all about Mah Jongg and its history as a game and as a Jewish game.
In October, we commemorated Breast Cancer Awareness month with a program called “Time Out for Laughter,” which was led by two well-known doctors who showed us ways to better cope with misfortune through laughter. We also collected gently used bras for Free the Girls, a program to support survivors of sex trafficking. Our November program, held early this month was in place of our Paid-Up Membership Dinner which was CC ,”Covid canceled.” It was an in-person tour of modern Jewish Spain with a live tour guide direct from Barcelona. In lieu of our eating the usual dinner, we donated $1,000 to HOPE Soup Kitchen and Food pantries here in New Rochelle. We took the bitterness out of this month and we hope you will find ways to do the same in your own lives. After all, the bitterness of Heshvan is followed by the joy of Kislev and the coming of Hanukkah. May you find much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Sandy Gruenberg, Sisterhood President
Sisterhood’s Ongoing Programs WALKING CLUB: every Monday at 9:30 am for a nice easy walk—not a jog. All are welcome! MITZVAH KNITTING: Free lessons and supplies. Knit at home and donate your work. E-mail Phyllis at pjf920@ verizon.net. QUESTIONS? Contact Arlene: aesalman@aol.com, or 914235-2485.
Keep an eye out for information about our special Hanukkah program, coming in December!
Sisterhood Evening Book Club
SISTERHOOD BAGELS & BOOKS
Wednesday, November 18th • 7:30 pm
Monday, November 30th • 9:30 am
We will discuss Apeirogon, by Colum McCann
We will discuss Gateway to the Moon, by Mary Morris
The Zoom link can be found at www.bethelnr.org/livestream. Questions? Email Erica Epstein at mmleepstein@gmail.com; or Cynthia Glickman at cynglickman@gmail.com.
Questions? Contact Arlene Salman, 914-235-2485, aesalman@aol.com.
It's Time to Order 2021 MAH JONGG CARDS! delivery from the
TORAH FUND
print clearly
Our B’Yachad (Together) campaign is in full gear as we continue to await delivery of this year’s Torah Fund pins. Please join with us, B’Yachad, in supporting the education of our treasured Conservative professionals—the rabbis, cantors, and educators who are essential to ensure future generations of Conservative Jewry. Costs have remained the same, so won’t you please join us once again in supporting the Jewish Theological Seminary, along with four other Conservative seminaries around the world? $180 Benefactor $600 Associate Patron
National Mah Jongg League
to the address below by mid-march
Name_______________________________________ Address_____________________________________ ____________________________________________ Email_ ______________________________________ Phone_______________________________________ ___ # Standard Cards @ $9.00 each ___ # Large Print Cards @ $10.00 each
$300 Guardian $1200 Patron
Total Order Enclosed $______________ Checks payable to Beth El Sisterhood
Donations can be made easily online, by phone, or you can mail a check. Please contact Janis DeMartini, 917-836-6892, jdemartini37@gmail.com, or Sheila Cohen, 914-576-1078, chilly321@aol.com.
Questions? Contact Arlene Salman at 914- 235-2485 or aesalman@aol.com. Mail to Arlene Salman, 55 Disbrow Ln, New Rochelle, NY 10804. Deadline: January 1, 2021 7
ISRAELI CULTURAL CONNECTIONS Presented by Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee
Beth El’s Israel Affairs Committee (IAC) is pleased to share cultural items of interest concerning Israel each month. IAC always welcomes new members. For more information about meetings and events, please contact either Tamar Tait at TamarTait@optonline.net, or Bruce Gold at Bruces.gold@gmail.com. This month’s Israeli Cultural Connections column is presented by IAC member Richard Aronow.
Israel in the World of Sports Picture this! A young woman is running in an Olympic marathon wearing a full-length skirt and head scarf. Impossible? No. Bracha Deutsch is an ultra-Orthodox Israeli Haredi woman who has won international competition running marathons in full-length skirts and head scarves. She is the mother of five and once ran a marathon while seven months pregnant. Bracha is scheduled to run in the 2021 Summer Olympics, but may not participate because the race is currently scheduled for Shabbat. Israel has had to contend with many difficulties in its efforts to be accepted in the community of nations so far as sports is concerned. The roadblocks have been wide-ranging: from event schedules to situations where Israel’s opponents have either refused to shake hands; refused to compete with Israelis; refused to allow Israelis entry into a country to compete; or refused to play Hatikvah and fly the Israel flag following an Israeli victory in competition. But this is changing and the 20/21 Israeli Olympic delegation will be the largest delegation ever. Israel’s greatest success thus far has been in baseball. After winning gold in the Europe-Africa competition in 2019, the Israelis became one of six teams worldwide to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Team Israel is comprised of some Sabras and a number of Jewish Americans who have obtained Israeli citizenship. This method of team formation is acceptable and practiced by many nations. One of the members of Team Israel in 2016 was Dean Kremer. Kremer pitched for Team USA in 2013 at the age of 17 in the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where he won a gold medal. Kremer now plays for MLB’s Baltimore Orioles, and in his first outing in 2020 he pitched a 1-hitter over six innings against the New York Yankees. Netanya-born Judoka Sagi Muki won the gold medal at the judo world championships in Tokyo in August 2019—an Israeli “First.” In the competition, Muki, 27, bested the Egyptian competitor who subsequently refused to shake his hand. The Israeli proudly sang Hatikva from the podium as the Israeli flag waved. Muki also won the European gold medal in 2015 and 2018 and he is currently rated #1 in the world.
An intriguing part of Muki’s Judo competition was that the previous world champion was an Iranian who reportedly threw his semi-final match so that he wouldn’t have to compete against an Israeli who was favored to win in his semi-final. For his own safety the Iranian moved to Germany after the competition and subsequently testified with two other former Iranian athletes at an Appeals Board hearing against Iran to overturn a ban imposed by the International Judo Federation for the order to throw the semi-final match. There is insufficient space here to do justice to the successes of the many excellent athletes Israel has produced, but it would be negligent to not mention a few special names: • Yulia Sachkov won a gold medal for kick-boxing at the world championship in Bosnia at the end of 2019, is rated #1 in the world and at 21 is still serving in the IDF; • Sue Bird has dual citizenship and plays basketball for American teams. She has been voted one of the Top 15 Players of All Time in the Woman’s National Basketball Association; • Guy Niv and his Team Israel Start-Up Nation participated this summer in the Tour de France cycling competition for Israel’s first time ever; • Ron Atias has won silver in the 2016 European Taekwondo Championships and participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics. He is to participate in the next Summer Olympics scheduled for 2021. Israel’s athletes are performing at exceptional levels in other sports too—Windsurfing, Tennis, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Finally, no discussion of Israeli sports can ever be complete without mention of the 1972 Olympics. Since this event occurred almost 50 years ago, many today are unfamiliar with the history. In summary, terrorists attacked the Israeli team in Munich and the world held its breath while the team was held captive; all eleven were subsequently murdered during an attempted but botched rescue. Perhaps this mention will be a catalyst to look into this in greater detail.
ANNUAL TURKEY DRIVE: NO ORDINARY THANKSGIVING How can we compare this Thanksgiving with past ones? In the United States, more than 220,000 have died from the pandemic. Members of our congregation have lost loved ones and not had the solace of a “normal, traditional” funeral/shiva. Throughout our New Rochelle community, we are isolated by the pandemic and cannot gather for learning or celebrations. And if this is not difficult enough, our community has experienced job loss and economic uncertainty. Yet, every year for the past 25 years, Beth El has stood out for its compassion in supporting those in need by donating money for buying Turkeys for the less fortunate. Your donations have purchased more than 225 Turkeys for families who could not otherwise celebrate Thanksgiving. This year is even more critical. The line for HOPE's food panty, which opens at 9:00 am, starts at 7:00 am and extends around the building and into the parking lot. Due to the pandemic, now food
is given outdoors with social distancing and precautions for COVID. Yet there are fresh vegetables and fruits offered to our neighbors. We distribute bread and other staples as well. Who knows better than the Jewish people that the numbers of those without food do not touch us as much as the faces of individuals who are privileged to give food and those who gratefully receive it? Our own Thanksgiving will be transformed and narrowed by the pandemic. We have the blessing of being able to help those who are hungry. Give $25 or more to enable Beth El to buy even more Turkeys this year than any year before. Bring or mail your check, payable to Beth El Synagogue Center, to the office. Please write “Turkey Drive” on the memo line. As we never imagined a Thanksgiving like this one, let’s show others that we see their need and help them. I know that all who give to our Turkey Drive will have another reason for Thanksgiving. Frankie Shahar, frankieshahar@gmail.com 8
NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS Can you imagine? The world is a very challenging place, many schools are either closed or only offering remote learning, and yet our Beth El Nursery School is truly thriving! As per the instructions given to us by our Medical Task Force, we try to spend as much time as possible in our beautiful outdoor spaces. Except for a few difficult days of rain and wind, the climate has cooperated with us, although we anxiously await our tents and heating lamps so that we can extend the number of outdoor days. But the fact is, we can do almost everything outside: paint, build, climb trace shadows, eat snack and lunch, play math games, read books and develop wonderful friendships as we learn and explore together. Enjoy the photos below to get a sense of how we spend our fall days in the Nursery School.
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YOUTH & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Hybrid Religious School is off to an awesome start! Between Ohel Limmud (The Learning Tent), in-person opportunities, and virtual class, we are having a blast!
Sushi in the Sukkah Zoom: If I do then this: The teens enjoyed their favorite event of the year in a different way this year—Sushi in the (Virtual) Sukkah! They made sushi together in their own sukkot with Andrew and Rabbi Sitkin. Watch your email for details of additional programs and opportunities for youth, families, and teens. Questions? Email Stephanie in the Department of Youth & Family Engagement, slederman@bethelnr.org.
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In honor of Veterans' Day, below is a 1/1/2020 email from Joe Tait to Flint Whitlock, author of “Desperate Valour, Triumph at Anzio” published in 2018 Mr. Whitlock, I just finished reading your book “Desperate Valour” and wanted to reach out and tell you how much I appreciated your book about the allied triumph at Anzio. My father-in-law served in the 3rd Infantry Division in Italy at Anzio and beyond and, in-fact, became a United States Citizen on the beach there. As you describe in the Epilogue, many veterans refused to share their experiences. My father-in-law was one of those. When I first met my wife she told me her father had been in the war and landed on a beach somewhere, but didn’t know much more. His reasons for not speaking of what he endured were, perhaps, even more complex than most. My in-laws are Jews and were best friends with Jews who had somehow lived through the horrors of the concentration camps and since Dov’s passing I have remained friends with some of them. Like him, they did not speak of the horrors and in some ways, I think Dov believed that what he endured was nothing in comparison to their experiences and he knew that it easily could have been him in the camps. My father-in-law became a U.S. citizen on the beach at Anzio. This is one thing about the war we all knew, because in an anecdote he would joke that “... the Army brought in some Counsel General from North Africa to make me and 7 or 8 other guys U.S citizens…”. And then he would chuckle and say “What did they have to lose, they thought we were all going to die! “You see, my father-in-law, Dov Kon, was born Horsht Kon, a German Jew, in Breslau. His parents were prosperous and owned a department store but his mother saw the writing on the wall early on and they sold their store in 1934 and moved to British Mandated Palestine where my father-in-law became a young teenage courier for the Irgun and hid a pistol in his parent’s house. When Rommel rolled into Egypt in 1942, Dov’s parents found
a way to get to the United States and, because the Atlantic was so heavily mined, went overland through the mid-east, took a boat to China, and then on to the west coast of the U.S. The family started a successful men’s wear store on 57th street in New York City. Dov enlisted in the Army on 27 Feb 1943. He was fluent in German with no accent and the one-page enlistment/separation record I could obtain shows his occupation as a radio operator. We know that he served in the 3rd Infantry Division because he served with Audie Murphy who gave signed copies of his book to many veterans who served with him. While Dov did say he didn’t serve in Murphy’s unit, I was never able to determine whether that meant he was never in Murphy’s Company or Regiment. Dov’s war started in North Africa. He once told me that he had participated in 3 beach landings but he really didn’t count his North Africa ribbon because the fighting was over and he just walked off the landing craft onto the beach. And while the 3rd Infantry was in Sicily, my mother-in-law tells me that he did not serve in Sicily. Having had many uncles who served in WW II from an airman at Pearl Harbor to a soldier at the Battle of the Bulge, to a naval enlistee on carriers in the Pacific, as a teenager I avidly read about WWII, including the long protracted battle at Anzio. So Dov formed an instant liking of me upon my shocked/revered reaction when I first learned of him serving at Anzio. But I never felt like I had the right to ask him about the details of his war experience. What I learned first-hand were things that trickled out. At Anzio, “... if we had been on the other side of the railroad station we would have all been dead ...”, “... I lived in a foxhole that filled with water and I put wooden crate boards on the bottom...would have to shoot rats that moved in ...”, and, “... the men in my Army unit were replaced [X] continued, page 15 Veteran times ...”. I know that in addition
Beth El Celebrates November Birthdays Beth El would like to extend a “Happy Birthday!” to its members with a birthday in the month of November. If you have a November Logan Abramowitz Gabriela Altman Jonah Atlas Roslyn Barnett Mark Berman Lola Bernstein Victoria Bloom Fredric Bomback Zachary Burton Rochelle Chaiken Barry Charles Sheila Cohen Paul Diament Jill Efron Rebecca Elkus-Ferst Lawrence Epstein
Marc Esrig Jacob Esses Davina Fisher Victoria Fisher Sheryl Fleishaker Abbe Fleishaker Moshe Gelboim Debra Goldfarb S. Elizabeth Goldman I. David Goldman Robert Goldstein Helene Goldstein Aidan Golub Daryn Golub Jonathan Gotian Susan Hollander
birthday, but your name does not appear on the list, we are sorry for the omission and ask that you e-mail the synagogue at info@bethelnr.org so that we can update our Ida Hyman Bonnie Jonas Arlene Kamer Sarah Katz Vanessa Kerchner Celia Kessel Michelle Kolodny Barbara Kotler Barbara Lazarus Elizabeth Legatt Nancy Levin Laurie Levine Matthew Lewis Sima Littman Wyatt Maidenberg Liam Maliniak
Talia Mamaysky Susan Mandelbaum Zachary Marcus Jeremy Marcus Mark Meckler Emma Medina Meryl Mendelson Tanya Meyers Marla Mishler Goldie Newman Zipporah Oksman Darren Peister Hyman Pryluck Marcia Pryluck Lindsay Reis Arnold Reisfeld 11
records. Contact us if you do not wish to have your name appear on our birthday list. (The list reflects our adult members and post-bar/ bat mitzvah children up to the age of 21.) Debbie Rieber Kayla Roth Laurie Roth Stephanie Roth Sidney Rothstein Evelyn Salter Jodi Scheinfeld Michael Schiffres Edward Schwartz Alan Segal Thalia Segal Samuel Shteingart Douglas Simon Steven Stein Jared Sullivan Robin Sundick
Jeffrey Swarz Judith Szabo Alicia Talmadge George Tecklin Jacob Tolle Richard Watt Michael Wechsler Paula Weckstein Brighita Weinberg Neil Weiss Dani Yairi Teddy Zabb Jonathan Zung Happy
Birthday!
NOVEMBER 2020 SUNDAY
1
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Minyan 4:40 pm
Turn clocks back 1 hour
Rise & Sing 9:00 am Religious School 10:00 am Virtual Spain Tour 1:30 pm Minyan 4:30 pm
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RS Cooking Chug 4:00 pm
Minyan 4:40 pm
Minyan 4:40 pm
Sisterhood Board Meeting & Barcelona Program 7:30 pm
SMART 11:00 am
Minyan 4:30 pm
SMART 11:00 am
Keruv Committee Meeting 10:30am Minyan 4:20 pm
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Minyan 4:20 pm
6 KISLEV 23
Minyan 4:30 pm Audit & Finan. 7:00 pm OBM ScholarStream 7:00 pm
SMART 11:00 am
Minyan 4:20 pm
Minyan 4:20 pm
Shacharit 7:00 am
Wiping Away the Tears, with Rabbi Kenter 12:00 pm Minyan 4:40 pm CSA 5:00 pm
Minyan 4:40 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Teen Learning 6:30 pm 3:15 pm RS Educ. Train. 6:30 pm Adar Program: Talmudic Paradigms.7:30 pm
RS Cooking Chug 4:00 pm Minyan 4:20 pm OBM ScholarStream 7:00 pm Rosh Hodesh Group with Rabbi Fisher 8:00 pm ROSH HODESH
24 HESHVAN 12
Shacharit 7:00 am Nursery School Closed Wiping Tears, with Rabbi Kenter 12:00 pm Minyan 4:30 pm CSA 5:00 pm Exeutive Council Meeting 6:30 pm Bd of Trustees Mtg 7:30 pm VETERANS' DAY
Wiping Away the Tears, with Rabbi Kenter 12:00 pm Minyan 4:20 pm Parent Support Group 7:30 pm Sis. Evening Book Club 7:30 pm
8 KISLEV 25
Shacharit 7:00 am RS Cooking Chug 4:00 pm Minyan 4:20 pm
Wiping Away the Tears, with Rabbi Kenter 12:00 pm Minyan 4:20 pm
20 HESHVAN VAYERA
4:27 pm Bat Mitzvah Eva
SMART 11:00 am
25 HESHVAN 13
Shabbat Ends 5:25pm
Spiegeland Shabbat Services 9:30 am TOT Shabbat 9:45 am Kehillah Svc. 10:45 am Havdalah 5:25 pm Virtual Bingo Night 8:00 pm
26 HESHVAN 14
27 HESHVAN
Havdalah 5:19 pm SHABBAT MEVARCHIM
3 KISLEV 20
Shacharit 7:00 am
4 KISLEV 21
Shacharit 7:00 am
5 KISLEV
Shabbat
TOLDOT ends Parasha HaShavua SMART 5:14 pm 1:30 pm 11:00 am 4:14 pm Bar Mitzvah Sebastian Religious School Stock 4:00 pm Shabbat Serv. 9:30 am Kabbalat Shabbat Minyan 4:20 pm TOT Shabbat 9:45 am Teen Learning 6:30 pm 3:15 pm Kehillah Svc. 10:45 am Havdalah 5:14 pm WJC Night of Music and Joy (Virtual) 7:30 pm
9 KISLEV 26
Shacharit 7:00 am Nursery School Half Day
Shacharit 7:00 am
Shabbat Shacharit 7:00 am Shacharit 7:00 am CHAYEI Ends Parasha HaShavua SARA 5:19 pm SMART 1:30 pm 4:20 pm Bar Mitzvah Aidan Religious Sch. 4:00 pm 11:00 am Forman Shabbat Serv. 9:30 am Minyan 4:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat TOT Shabbat 9:45 am Teen Learning 6:30 pm 3:15 pm Kehillah Svc. 10:45 am
2 KISLEV 19
Shacharit 7:00 am
SHABBAT
19 HESHVAN 7
Parasha HaShavua 1:30 pm Religious School 4:00 pm
1 KISLEV 18
Shacharit 7:00 am
18 HESHVAN 6
Shacharit 7:00 am
23 HESHVAN 11
Shacharit 7:00 am Nurs. Sch. Half Day-Parent/Teacher Dialog RS Cooking Chug 4:00 pm
7 KISLEV 24
Shacharit 8:15 am Rise & Sing 9:00 am Religious School 10:00 am
17 HESHVAN 5
FRIDAY
Shacharit 7:00 am
ELECTION DAY
29 HESHVAN 17
Shacharit 8:15 amm
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
Officers Mtg.7:30 pm
22 HESHVAN 10
Shacharit 7:00 am
HESHVAN ~ KISLEV 5781
16 HESHVAN 4
Shacharit 7:00 am
SMART 11:00 am
28 HESHVAN 16
Shacharit 8:15 amm Rise & Sing 9:00 am Religious School 10:00 am
15 HESHVAN 3
Shacharit 7:00 am
21 HESHVAN 9
Shacharit 8:15 am
TUESDAY
MONDAYDa
14 HESHVAN 2
Shacharit 8:15 amm Rise & Sing 9:00 am Religious School 10:00 am
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24 TAMMUZ
10 KISLEV 27
Shacharit 8:15 am
Synagogue Offices Closed Nursery & Religious Schools Closed Minyan 4:20 pm
11 KISLEV 28
Shacharit 7:00 am Nursery School Closed
VAYETZEI
12 KISLEV
Shabbat ends 5:10 pm
4:11 pm Shabbat Serv. 9:30 am
Kabbalat Shabbat 3:15 pm
TOT Shabbat 9:45 am Kehillah Svc. 10:45 am Havdalah 5:10 pm
THANKSGIVING DAY
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13 KISLEV 30
Shacharit 8:15 am
14 KISLEV
N OT E : A n y c h a n g e s t o t h e KABBALAT SHABBAT schedule will be listed in weekly announcements.
Shacharit 7:00 am
Sis. Bagels & Bks 9:30 am
For all of our online and virtual learnings, teachings, and activities, visit www. bethelnr.org/livestream.
SMART 11:00 am Minyan 4:20 pm
Minyan 4:20 pm
Visit us on facebook at facebook.com/BethElSynagogueCenter 12
NEWSMAKERS
NOVEMBER YAHRZEIT OBSERVANCES
The yahrzeit of the following deceased persons permanently inscribed on our Memorial Walls are observed on these dates: Leah Belsky 1 Charles Parker 16 Sylvia Klee 1 Morton Bellin 17 Samuel Lang 1 Sarah Diamond 18 Rabbi Israel H. Levinthal 1 Harold Drimmer 18 Frieda Wolfsie 1 Edna Schulman 18 Hyman Frost 2 Menucha Bryna Benzel 19 Edward Julius Glick 2 Samuel Fuchs 19 Harold Grad 2 Milton H. Farber 21 Ruth Roberta Wachtel 2 Arnold Feingold 21 Pauline Karp 3 Morris Geller 22 Geula Kessel 3 David Sirner 22 Max Bialo 4 Benjamin Solov 22 Annie Friedman 4 Harriet Engelson 23 Barbara Levinson 4 Sadye Lesser 23 Sarah Baum 5 Marjorie Silberman 23 Ralph Esses 5 Nathan Cooper 24 Morris Meyers 5 Avraham Gelboim 24 Irving Strum 5 Rose Levin 24 Max Cooper 6 Beate Grunauer 25 Philip Fried 6 Anne Polow 25 Estelle Worton 6 Adele Scheffler 25 Morris Imber 8 Lena Weinrib 25 Alexander Finn 9 Florence Zarovsky 25 Stanley Fuchs 9 Dorothea Bernstein 26 Irving May 9 Alexander Brenner 26 Harry Desnick 10 Sydell Heimowitz 26 Donald Eisenberg 10 Marjorie Price 26 Morris Rubenfeld 10 Andrew Kaplan 27 Jeanette Friedman 11 John Linden 27 Kitty S. Winter 11 Rhea Newman 27 Irene Tanenbaum 12 Samuel Nathan Rubin 27 Sarah Faye Weintraub 12 Anna Stein 27 Rivka Gelboim 13 Fanny Muller 28 Elenor Klein 13 Ida Pearlman 28 Mabel Posner 14 William Root 28 Hyman Shanok 14 Dr. Louis Scheinberg 28 Martin Goldstein 15 Bella Sheffer 28 Charles Kahn 15 Jennie Imber 29 Philip Koslow 15 Kenneth Paul Kaplan 30 Charles David Greene 16 Samuel Mintz 30 Herbert Kander 16
Mazal tov to:
Judy and Michael Spiegeland on the bat mitzvah of their daughter Eva Spiegeland, granddaughter of Dalia Fenster; Louise and Jason Silverman on their sixtieth wedding anniversary; Dana and Jeffrey Schwarcz on the bar mitzvah of their son Ben; Samantha and Jordan Katzenberg on the bar mitzvah of their son Andrew, and to grandparents Susan and Howard Mandelbaum; Leni and Fred Wiener on the birth of their grandson Henry David Wiener, and to parents Jordan and Amanda Wiener; Debbie and Art Kaplan on the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter Lalya Grace Tietjen, daughter of Danielle and Sean Tietjen and to younger sister Sydney.
A Warm Beth El Mazal Tov to One and All!!
Share your milestone events with us!
If you experience a milestone or a loss in your family, contact Linda at LNewman@bethelnr.org, or 914-235-2700, ext. 246.
Alan S. Greenberg, Sukkah builder extraordinaire, and his crew including Adam Kerchner (and his truck!), Elliot Hollander, and Julie Rockowitz, delivered and built the Sukkahs that Beth El rents out as part of our program that encourages families to observe the Sukkot holiday in a sukkah. After Simchat Torah (and after the rain stopped), the crew swung back into action to disassemble the sukkahs and return them to Beth El for storage until Sukkot 2021. Thank you to Alan for spearheading this mitzvah project and organizing all the moving parts to make this happen. Thank you also to our clergy team for all of their help and support.
CONDOLENCES
We record with sorrow the losses suffered by our members and friends and extend to them our deepest sympathies. Condolences to: Millie Gordon on the loss of her husband, Norman Gordon; Alan Mazursky on the loss of his mother, Shirley Mazursky; Heather Mazursky on the loss of her grandmother Shirley Mazursky; Larry Epstein on the loss of his mother, Irma Epstein.
Sukkah rentals are $180 and include a lulav and etrog as well as having the sukkah delivered, built, dismantled, and removed for you. Join the fun next year!
If you are not receiving Beth El emails, please check your ShulCloud settings or email us at info@bethelnr. org to make sure that your email is on file correctly.
To make a donation in honor or in memory of someone, email Zoe Raynes at zraynes@bethelnr.org. 13
GENERAL FUND A generous donation was made with love in honor of Dr. Jason and Louise Silverman on sixty extraordinary years together by their children and grandchildren—Steve, Emily, Sam, and Danielle; Debbie, Alan, Hannah, and Adam; Judith, Roberto, and Yael. Donations were received from Aron Davidowitz and Talya Cohen; Richard and Charlotte Watt; Michelle Goldstein; Brenda Lavi. IN HONOR OF: Rochelle Chaiken on the marriage of her daughter Emily Scharfman to John Schochet, from Bob and Barbara Cohen. Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Lisa Mendler, from Anne Eidelman. Brian Bosworth and Lauren Freeman-Bosworth for keeping religion alive and family together during challenging times, from Mirell Walden.
JEREMY SCHEINFELD MEMORIAL FUND IN HONOR OF: Elise and Bob Schepp on the birth of their grandson Jay Micah Miller, and mazal tov to parents Brooke and Christian Miller and Aunt Meri Schepp, from Robin Kaphan and family.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
Faye and Jack Gingold on the marriage of their Ron Shamah, Adam and Rose Shamah, Jay son Julian to Danielle, from Bob and Renana Shamah, Brandon Shamah and Annie Bindler in Rosenbloom. loving memory of Beth Shamah; Marlene Weiss in memory of Gabriel Feuerstein, beloved father Dianne Newman, from Barrie Huberman. of Susanne Simchowitz; The Goldmeier Family Jayne and Darren Peister, 2020 Gala Honorees, in honor of Rabbi Sitkin; Larry Mandelker in from Isaiah and Janet Seligman. memory of his mother, Thelma Yust Mandelker; Elise and Bob Schepp on the birth of their Liz Alperin Solms; Stephan Loewentheil; Janet grandson Jay Micah Miller, from Barbara and and Isaiah Seligman in memory of Janet’s beloved brother Robert Kenler and father, Joe Kenler; Bob Cohen. Avi Einzig in memory of his beloved parents, IN MEMORY OF: Miriam and Ernest Einzig; David and Frances Berta Graf, from Jeffrey and Roberta Graf. Blumenfeld in memory of Esther Goldberg, Joseph Buchsbaum and Elsie Hulnick, from Irving beloved mother of Frances Blumenfeld; Marian Berkowitz in memory of James Berkowitz; Betty Buschbaum. Barnett and family in memory of Charles Fred Joan Lynton, beloved mother of Judy Schwartz, Barnett; Zvi Ben Zvi in memory of Nurit Ben Zvi; from Robert and Susan Goldstein. Naomi and Zvi Ben Zvi in memory of Avraham Lev Katz, from Sarah Katz. Bar Hirsch; Sheila Tanenbaum in memory of The first yahrzeit of my father, Allen Beckman, Rabbi Sidney Goldstein, beloved brother of Carol Diament; Jessica Cohen Gilligan in honor of from Marci Marcus. her mother, Barbara Cohen; R. Rosenberg with thanks to Rabbi Schuck for remembering me in YAHRZEIT DONATIONS your Introduction to the High Holidays; Phyllis Irving Buschbaum, Dr. Kenneth Eisenberg, Cole in memory of Rabbi Sidney Goldstein, Arthur Elkind, Helen Geffner, Robert Greenberg, beloved brother of Carol Diament. Barbara and Sheldon Haber, Aaron Hodes, Phyllis and Harvey Jay, Leonora Loewentheil, Lois BATKIN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Morgenstern, Elissa Peer, Dana Rottman, Marjorie Schlosberg, Rosalie and Steven Tenenbaum. SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN HONOR OF: Judy and Mel Gabriel on the engagement of their SERMON SPONSORSHIPS Rochelle Chaiken on the marriage of her daughter daughter Jenna Gabriel to Robert Mandelbaum; IN HONOR OF: Emily Scharfman to John Schochet, from Laura and also on the birth of their granddaughter Emma Brooke and mazal tov to parents Lyuda and Ron Helen Leora Goldstein on her first birthday, from Lewis. Michael and Linda Goldstein. Gabriel, from Robin Kaphan and family. IN MEMORY OF: Our grandson Jay Micah Miller, and to parents Rabbi Sidney Goldstein, beloved brother of Carol IN MEMORY OF: Brooke and Christian Miller, from Elise and Bob Diament, from Geralynn and David Reifer. Jerome Cohen, and in appreciation to Rabbi Schepp. Schuck, Rabbi Sitkin, and the entire Beth El THE ELEANOR G. BAUMWALD community, from Lynne and Yehuda Cohen. IN MEMORY OF: Jerome Cohen, beloved father of Lynne Cohen, My parents, Ruth and Max Stern, from Rachel Charles. from Marla and Mark Severance.
SISTERHOOD MITZVAH FUND IN HONOR OF: Faye and Jack Gingold on the marriage of their son Carole and Jeffrey Graham on their fiftieth Julian to Danielle, from Erica and Larry Epstein. anniversary—Shanah Tovah and mazal tov, from Linda and Michael Goldstein on the marriage of Sharon and Peter Spenser. their daughter Melissa to Tuvia Chaim Peretz, All Beth El clergy and staff with thanks for all from Erica and Larry Epstein. their continued uplifting work during this time— Elise and Bob Schepp, wishing you mazal tov on Shanah Tovah, from Sharon and Peter Spenser. the birth of their grandson Jay Miller, from George Bob Schepp (a.k.a. Bobby Crocker) on his and Gaby Newfield. Challah Baking Project, from Barbara and David All 2020 Gala honorees—Shanah Tovah and Horowitz. congratulations, from Sharon and Peter Spenser. Louise and Jason Silverman on their sixtieth IN MEMORY OF: wedding anniversary, from Joyce and Michael Marilyn Platzner, beloved mother of Merrick Wechsler. Platzner from Pearl Sullivan. Dr. Rochelle Chaiken on the marriage of her daughter, Emily Scharfman to John Schochet, Rabbi Sidney Goldstein, beloved brother of Carol Diament, from Margie and Arnie Reisfeld. from Erica and Larry Epstein. 14
PRAYERBOOK FUND IN MEMORY OF:
Eva Teitelbaum, from Jack R. Schwartz.
The SISTERHOOD MITZVAH FUND is now being handled by Gaby Newfield. Please send all correspondence for Sisterhood donations to her at the following address (or place in the Sisterhood box in the office when the synagogue reopens). Sisterhood Mitzvah Fund c/o Gaby Newfield 87 Runyon Place Scarsdale, NY 10583 P: 914-235-4030 E: gabyn77@yahoo.com
DOROTHY FLEISHAKER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND IN HONOR OF: The clergy for the beautiful High Holiday services AND to those in our community that gave their time and energy selflessly (you know who you are!) to make this happen for the rest of us—Much gratitude and thanks, yishar koach, from Grace Kalfus and Bruce Gold. IN MEMORY OF: Carol Freedman, our wonderful mentor, from the Summer Reading Seminar—Ellen Falk, Esther Glassman, Yvette Gordon, Eunice Kaplan, Elaine Katz, Ruth King, Mindy Patchen, Miriam Rabin, Harriet Rudnick, Marjorie Schlosberg, and Rena Strauch.
SPECIAL NEEDS FUND A donation was received from Tara Fishler. IN MEMORY OF: Robert Klein, beloved son of Shelley and Fred Klein, from Lydia Read, and Barbara Cohen. Gerald (Roddy) Goldman, beloved brother of David Goldman, from Dick and Leslie Ruttenberg.
DAY CAMP FUND IN MEMORY OF Betty Hirsch, beloved mother of Sandy Stolzberg, from Dick and Leslie Ruttenberg.
VETERAN, continued from page 11 to being a Radio Operator, he was a sharpshooter (“SS”) and by the end of the war was trained on the 155mm Howitzer which he said they would roll up to a building and fire practically point-blank to blast down a door. Dov said that after they got to Rome a general told his unit “... for you boys the war is over ...”, but then a few months later he found himself landing on another beach in southern France. I appreciate the details of your Epilogue because in my limited research in the past I couldn’t figure out how the 3rd Infantry Division ended up with General Patch’s 7th Army in France. Indeed, the detailed information your book presents about the both the British and U.S. Army’s frequent peeling off of units, sub-Infantry level, from elsewhere in Italy, to strengthen the line at Anzio is extremely valuable in tracking the many units that took part in the battle. Dov’s unit, the 3rd Infantry, went through France and into Germany and Dov described how in the middle of nowhere they would come upon concentration/work camps with living skeletons. After nearly 2.5 years of active combat duty,
NATIV PROGRAM, continued from page 5 as we spoke about and remembered our Jewish history where our ancestors, the Israelites, sat within similar sukkot, or booths in which they dwelled for 40 years while traversing the desert. Later that night, we sang together at a ‘tisch’, where we initially led songs individually and eventually joined together as one. This was a fantastic night, a celebration of each other and filled with much laughter, as we embarked upon the beginning of yet another holiday. Over the next few days, we volunteered with Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service, to prepare Corona kits for medics. From ten in the morning to four thirty in the afternoon, we arranged bags of full-body suits, gloves, face shields, and masks. Although this task was very tiring, we managed to persist through to the end of the day, mainly because of the value of benefit to others in doing so. Helping others handle the pandemic in turn gave us strength and made us feel intrinsically fulfilled. The next day was exhilarating in a different sense but was still fun. We were trained in some new defense moves of Israeli martial arts, Krav Maga, which we had not experienced before.
Our group learned to punch, deflect, and hook. The best piece of advice our leader shared was to never initiate a fight with these moves, but to use them to protect ourselves in case we found ourselves in such a situation. The lively activities did not end there. As we approached the end of the holiday, we were given the opportunity to explore Jerusalem with a guided tour by our madrichim, all the while obeying the one-kilometer restriction. There, we finally immersed ourselves into Israeli culture and history. We not only learned about the blessings which parents give to their children at the beginning of Shabbat on Friday nights, but also the ancient pulley-systemused by the Ottomans to smuggle goods into Israel. Additionally,welearned about Sir Montifiore, the windmill and carriages in the park of Yemin Moshe, and much more. It was, and continues to be, an invigorating experience like no other. We are all undoubtedly creating the best environment possible for ourselves and continuing to make this program memorable because we are in Israel, the land that welcomes the Jewish people. We have classes toattend.WehaveIsraelifoodandcooking.And most importantly, we have each other. 15
Dov arrived back in the US on 9 Oct 1945 and separated from service at Ft. Dix on 15 Oct. He went back to work at the men’s wear store with his parents. His biggest regret in life was that he did not go to British Mandated Palestine to help the new nation of Israel defend against invaders in 1948. He was his parent’s only child and he honored his mother’s wishes to stay home. He earned a degree in Geography from Columbia University and had greater knowledge about the peoples of the world than anyone I knew. The war stayed bottled up and even later in life after he had retired and when I knew him, he was a dignified man who would dress in a suit or sport coat and tie practically every day. Towards the end of his life when he knew he was dying, he spoke to me a bit of things he did, of a German airman who met his death at breakfast one morning with the spoon Dov kept as a souvenir that was in his mouth when Dov’s bullet found him. In some ways the horrors of a soldier are not what a soldier sees as what the solder does. Indeed, they are the things we ask of them. On the solemn Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur there is a part in the service when members of the congregation who are of the priestly class of “Kohen” Jews are called to the front of the synagogue to bless the congregation. I still remember Dov “Kon” (Cohn, Kohen, Kon ... all derivations of the priestly class passed down through the generations), sitting in his seat next to me looking at his shaking hands and quietly whispering to me “How can I bless anyone, I have blood on my hands”. My wife tells me a story that happened in the early 1970s that perhaps captures the hardships of Anzio better than any story of the battle itself. Her family was in the car stopped at a traffic light. A car slowly turning into the road from the opposite direction came to a complete stop and the man driving the car got out. Dov saw the man, someone he had served with, put his car in park and got out of the car. The two men embraced and, still holding each other, stood there for what my wife said felt like minutes, speaking not a word, cars around them honking. Without saying a word, they each got in their cars and drove away. They were alive. Best regards, Joseph Tait
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS FREE VIRTUAL EVENT
A NIGHT OF MUSIC & JOY
Together at Home • sjhc Presented by Kol Hazzanim and The Westchester Jewish Council
,hcc
GABY SCHVARTZ
Beth El Synagogue Center
LILAH SUGARMAN
CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL OF ARMONK
ROBIN JOSEPH
HAYLEY KOBILINSKY
MELANIE COOPERMAN COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE OF RYE
CONGREGATION B’NAI YISRAEL
ELLEN DRESKIN
FREDDA MENDELSON
MARGOT GOLDBERG
CHAVURAT TIKVAH
HEBREW UNION COLLEGE
SHOSHI LEVIN GOLDBERG
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF HASTINGS
TEMPLE ISRAEL CENTER OF WHITE PLAINS
SANDY BERNSTEIN
SARAH ZEMEL
TEMPLE SHOLOM OF GREENWICH
TEMPLE SHALOM
LARCHMONT TEMPLE
JACK MENDELSON
TEMPLE ISRAEL CENTER OF WHITE PLAINS
ETHAN GOLDBERG
WESTCHESTER JEWISH CENTER
STACY SOKOL
TEMPLE BETH ABRAHAM
LAUREN PHILLIPS FOGELMAN
TEMPLE ISRAEL OF NORTHERN WESTCHESTER
DANIELLE RODNIZKI
WESTCHESTER REFORM TEMPLE
Saturday, November 21, 2020 @ 7:30-9:00pm ENJOY THE MUSIC OF THE TALENTED WESTCHESTER CANTORS OF KOL HAZZANIM
ISAAC SONETT-ASSOR WESTCHESTER REFORM TEMPLE
MIRANDA BECKENSTEIN
To register for this free event or make a donation toward the event please go to our website at www.wjcouncil.org
925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, New York 10604 For more information contact: Donna Bartell at donna@wjcouncil.org • www.wjcouncil.org • 914-328-7001
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Stunning Waterviews NEW ROCHELLE • $1,995,000 Watch the boats float by from this sun-drenched waterfront home in the Isle of San Souci. This home has been completely transformed from head to toe and nothing has been spared. Entryway opens to a spacious living room with a wall of windows overlooking the Long Island Sound. Private dock. WEB# 2785252
Real Estate Salesperson - NY & CT Residential & Commercial Real Estate M 914.424.4651 VM 914.749.2582 MaryAnnGiacobbeHL@gmail.com MaryAnnGiacobbe.houlihanlawrence.com
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A TO P PRODUCE R FOR OVER A DECADE AT HOULIHAN LAWRENC E N E W R O C H E L L E B R O K E R A G E • 1 5 Q U A K E R R I D G E R O A D, N E W R O C H E L L E , N Y 1 0 8 0 4 Source: OKMLS, 2009 - 2019 each individual year, single family homes sold in New Rochelle School District, by agent by dollar volume.
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H O U L I H A N L A W R E N C E C .O M
FREEDOM
to live carefree
Imagine having the luxury lifestyle you deserve without the concerns of living alone or maintaining a home. At The Bristal, we are committed to helping seniors stay independent while knowing that expert care is there if needed – delivered by a team who treat you like family. Every day you’ll enjoy a vibrant community, countless social events with new friends, and the unmatched services and amenities you’ve come to expect from The Bristal.
SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY!
ARMONK
WHITE PLAINS
90 Business Park Drive 914-432-8200
305 North Street 914-681-1800
For a list of all locations in the tri-state area, visit: THEBRISTAL.COM
Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Quality Communities by The Engel Burman Group.
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THE BETH EL SISTERHOOD’S
Ray Catena Lexus of Larchmont and NOEL GREENSTEIN invite you to see our
BAUM JUDAICA GIFT SHOP IS READY FOR BUSINESS!
NOW YOU CAN PURCHASE ITEMS USING OUR VERSION OF "VIRTUAL SHOPPING!"
Luxury Sedans & SUVs
1. If you are in the synagogue stop by and check out the display cases and take a picture if it is NOT Shabbat; OR 2. Choose a category of Giftware, let us know, and we will send photos of our stock; OR 3. Find something online and we can order it for you. Call Carole or Ellen for further information. Carole Graham, 914-576-6617, or Ellen Hollander, 914-632-4658 OR E-MAIL GIFTSHOP@BETHELNR.ORG
(914) 833-5000 1435 Boston Post Road ngreenstein@raycatenalexusny.com Larchmont, N.Y.
David Lacher
RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL CHAPEL WESTCHESTER: 21 West Broad Street Mount Vernon, NY 10552
Providing creative solutions to individuals and the business community
914-664-6800
• Real Estate: Commercial and Residential
Just off Exit 7 of the Cross County Parkway East
• Wills, Trusts, and Estate Administration
The Source of Support for the Jewish Community since 1897
• Business Services, including Contracts, New Business Formations, and Sales/Purchases
www.riversidememorialmountvernon.com
• Land Use: Zoning Board, Planning Board
Charles S. Salomon • Joel E. Simon
270 North Avenue, 8th Floor New Rochelle, New York 10801 914 355 5900 www.lacherlaw.com
Continuing to maintain the high service standards of the Rosenthal, Grossberg, and Alpert families 21
Now More Than Ever Your Home Is Your Sanctuary.
Beautiful Wykagyl Estates Residence | New Rochelle | $1,075,000 | 4-5 BR, 3.5 BA | Approx. 3,2784sf Located on a prime street in Wykagyl Park Estates, this generous brick and stucco Tudor has everything you need for living, working and playing at home. The expansive living room with oversized windows allow natural light to fill the room. A gracious dining room, cozy den and bright eat-in-kitchen complete the first floor. Upstairs, master bedroom with marble master bath, two additional bedrooms and marble hall bath. Third level features an optional master bedroom suite including office and marble bath. Walk-out lower level offers laundry room, utility and storage room. This wonderful home features modern baths, hardwood floors and central air conditioning. Web# H6071990
Ranked #1 in New Rochelle 4 Years and Running! No One Knows New Rochelle Real Estate Better.
Glorianne Mattesi Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker
O 914.723.6800 M 914.393.6990 glorianne.mattesi@elliman.com 22
elliman.com
Find Your New Home In New Rochelle. Under Contract!
Wykagyl Crossings Tudor | New Rochelle $899,000 | 4 BR, 3.5 BA | Approx. 3,982sf | Web# H6064993
Beautiful Wykagyl Estates Residence | New Rochelle $999,000 | 4 BR, 3 BA | Approx. 3,279sf | Web# H6053772
1270 North Condo with Terrace | New Rochelle $695,000 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Garage Parking | Web# H6046688
Sun-Filled Ranch Style Home | New Rochelle $635,000 | 3 BR, 3 BA | Approx. 1,572sf | Web# H6063361
2 Months Free Common Charges!
Super Spacious 1270 North Condo | New Rochelle $595,000 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Garage Parking | Web# H6058637
Roosevelt Terrace Duplex | New Rochelle $399,900 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Rooftop Terrace | Web# H6058350
26 POPHAM ROAD, SCARSDALE, NY 10583. 914.723.6800 © 2020 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. *HGAR MLS, 2016-2019 FOR TOTAL DOLLAR VOLUME AND NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS.
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BETH EL SYNAGOGUE CENTER 1324 NORTH AVENUE NEW ROCHELLE, NY 10804-2190
Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID White Plains, N.Y. Permit No. 925
FREE ADDRESS CORRECTION
SHERY ROSENSTEIN Licensed Real Estate Sales Person
Helping the Beth El community with their home buying and selling needs for over 10 years.
914.420.8556 s.rosenstein@yahoo.com
Wishing that your home is filled with blessings, light, happiness and joy.
מאחלת לכם שביתכם יהיה מל , באור,בברכה ובשמחה,באושר JOCELYN BURTON
Real Estate Salesperson
M 917.693.3557 JBurton@houlihanlawrence.com Proud Beth El member
Ranked in the Top 1% of All Agents in Westchester MLS # #
1 Agent in the 1 Brokerage in New Rochelle
NEW ROCHELLE BROKERAGE | 15 QUAKER RIDGE ROAD Source: OKMLS, 2019, total dollar volume of single family homes sold by Houlihan Lawrence agent, New Rochelle school district; 2019, total dollar volume of single family homes sold by company, New Rochelle school district. Top 1%: According to the OKMLS, there are approximately 6500 members located in Westchester County on an annual basis. Jocelyn ranks #53 and in the Top 1% in Westchester County by all properties sold, total dollar volume, 2019.