TEMPLE SINAI ADULT ENGAGEMENT
LATE 2020 - EARLY 2021/5781
Similar to so much else in our current world, Adult Engagement programs will continue to look a little different this year. Our late fall and winter calendar of events will take place virtually, on Zoom. The overarching theme of this year’s programs is overcoming intolerance, which includes antisemitism and the fight for racial justice. November will bring us Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger, who will address the congregation during Kristallnacht Shabbat services. He will share his experiences growing up – unbeknownst to him – as the son of a Nazi officer. We will host a program on the lasting legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as well as a two-part art history lecture series on the role of art and the artist in fighting antisemitism, racism, and social inequality. We will hear from Temple Sinai’s own Sandy Tankoos, who joins Sinai Reads to discuss her book Two Jews = Three Shuls. Adult Engagement is very happy to be partnering with Friend of a Friend/Chaverot on a program with the Jewish Food Society about preserving your family’s culinary heritage. We also look forward to hearing from our friends at LICADD once again, this time to learn about coping with seasonal affective disorder and depression as we head into the winter months mid-pandemic. Later this month, we will learn about BDS on college campuses and how best to respond to it. I am delighted that we are co-sponsoring this program with Temple Sinai’s Youth Department, and we can look forward to many more such collaborations throughout the year on topics ranging from racism to antisemitism to Israel. Other upcoming programs include our second author’s talk of the year in conjunction with the Jewish Book Council and the Sid Jacobson JCC, this one featuring Anna Solomon speaking about The Book of V. We will also hear from a panel of speakers from the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies on their “Dialogue Project,” which brings Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians together to work on issues affecting the environment. As ever, outstanding clergy-led classes and musical programs also abound. While the format of our programs has changed for now, what remain constant are the quality and diversity of our offerings, and our ability to stay connected to our Temple Sinai family. Whether on Zoom or in person, I can’t wait to learn and grow together with you!
Adrianne Rubin, Ph.D. Director of Adult Engagement
Judaism's Holy Moments
Adult Education with Rabbi Michael White
During this monthly Zoom class, you will study the holy days and life cycle ceremonies that anchor Jewish life. Rabbi White will begin with the "how to" and the "why" and go deeply into how such moments lift us up spiritually and connect us to our faith and tradition. Please purchase these two books prior to the first class: "A Guide to the Jewish Seasons" and "Navigating the Journey: The Essential Guide to the Jewish Life Cycle." Both books are available at Amazon.com. Mondays at 7:00pm October 12 • November 9 December 14 • January 11 February 8 • March 8 April 5 • April 26 • June 14
OR
Tuesdays at 9:30am October 13 • November 10* December 15 • January 12 February 9 • March 9 April 6 • April 27 • June 15 *special time - starts at 10:30am
From the comfort of your home, go on a Jewish journey that is sure to inspire! Each week, Rabbi White will discuss a different topic from a Jewish perspective. Pour your favorite cocktail, iced tea, coffee, or other drink of choice and join the conversation.
THURSDAYS AT 5:30PM NOVEMBER 5 • DECEMBER 3 • JANUARY 7 • FEBRUARY 4 • MARCH 4 • APRIL TBA • MAY 6
The Sacred Book of Psalms
Adult Education with Rabbi Ilana Schachter
The biblical book of Psalms reflects the range of the human experience, encompassing gratitude, fear, longing, regret, and praise. Join Rabbi Schachter in learning about these sacred poems, their meanings and their ritual purpose, as we consider how we might still incorporate the words of the psalmist in our lives today.
Every other Wednesday at 7:00pm Resumes November 18
Monday M or n i n g Meditation
w i t h R a bb i I l a n a S c h a c h t e r Mondays at 9:00am
PRAY. EAT. LOVE. Saturday Mornings at 9:00 via Zoom led by Rabbi Ilana Schachter and special guests Shabbat is a time for reflection, gratitude, and enrichment. All are welcome on Saturday mornings as we blend ancient practice and modern interpretation and immerse ourselves in meaningful opportunities for reflection, worship, and engaging learning. No previous knowledge of Hebrew, liturgy, or text required – join us as we learn from our tradition and from one another!
wine, women&wisdom
led by Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz
Now in its sixth year, this popular series, presented by Friend of a Friend/Chaverot, features Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz leading interactive discussions on the wisdom of Jewish teachings. The sessions, now held on Zoom, give women the opportunity to learn, laugh, and connect over a glass of wine while gaining insights into sacred texts.
Wednesdays at 7:00pm November 4 January 27 April 21
Scotch and Sacred Text Tuesdays at 7:30pm December 15 February 9 April 13
Be enlightened by the Torah when Brotherhood hosts this award-winning program, now on Zoom.
with Rabbi White
Let’s Talk About It:
Important Conversations Between Adults and Teens in the Temple Sinai Community Co-sponsored by Adult Engagement and Youth Engagement
Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm December 1: Privilege February 2: Racism April 20: Antisemitism
KRISTALLNACHT
the night of broken glass
Friday, November 6 6:45pm Virtual Shabbat Service A German Life: Against All Odds Change is Possible Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger is the author of A German Life: Against All Odds Change is Possible, which describes his struggle growing up in Germany in the shadow of his father, a highly-decorated WWII tank commander and Nazi officer. He eventually converted to Judaism, emigrated to Israel and served in the Israel Defense Forces as a Medical Office. He will share his incredible story with us during our Kristallnacht Shabbat Service.
The Lasting Legacy of
Ruth Bader Ginsburg with
Nadine Strossen
Former President of the ACLU and
Rabbi David Saperstein
Director Emeritus of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 AT 7:30pm Via Zoom
The Role of Art and the Artist: Fighting Antisemitism, Racism, and Social Inequality with Nancy Traeger (a two-part series)
Part 1: Sunday, November 15 at 4:00pm
In times of crisis, artists become activists and art becomes a vehicle for promoting change. Art and the artist take on the struggle for tolerance and equality for all people. Nancy Traeger returns for this two-part presentation that underscores art’s relevance in addressing today’s challenging issues. Sarah Bernhardt from Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century Andy Warhol 1980
Two Jews = Three Shuls by Temple Sinai’s Own, Sandra Tankoos Sandy Tankoos, a past president of Temple Sinai, will join us to discuss her book, a murder mystery set in a synagogue on Long Island. The book takes place in 1992 when the rabbi of a synagogue located in a wealthy suburb on Long Island, N.Y., is found murdered there. A main character is Deborah Katzman, a child survivor of the Holocaust and the first woman to become president of the synagogue. Congregational lay leaders had hoped that a woman with her background would be able to reduce a growing friction taking place there as the rabbi was becoming more and more traditional at the same time his congregants were becoming more liberal. Sandy’s hope is that by reading her book, “people can understand the sincerity of people who get involved in religious life and why it’s important to them.”
Monday, November 16 7:30pm
SINAIREADS
WELLNESS WEBINAR Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder Thursday, November 19 at 7:30pm Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. For most people with SAD, symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Don’t brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the “winter blues” or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own. Steve Chassman and the team from LICADD will join us and share their expertise and tips to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year. Steve Chassman, LCSW CASAC Executive Director, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
Registration is required.
A very important program for both parents and teens
A Look at BDS on College Campuses with guest speaker Zev Hurwitz, Director of Campus Affairs at the American Jewish Community (AJC) Sunday, NOVEMBER 22 at 5:00pm
NEW DATE!
co-sponosred by Temple Sinai Adult Engagement and Youth Engagement
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement rejects Israel’s right to exist. The most prominent effort to undermine Israel’s existence, the BDS campaign is rampant with misinformation and distortion and college and university campuses have become battlegrounds. Zev Hurwitz will explore contemporary BDS manifestations and provide best practices for handling this current issue on college campuses. Prior to joining AJC, Zev worked at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, tracking hate groups and antisemitic activity. In 2018, Zev earned his master's in public policy with a concentration in nonprofit policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs as a Wexner Graduate Fellow and Davidson Scholar.
Join the conversation via ZOOM
The Role of Art and the Artist: Fighting Antisemitism, Racism, and Social Inequality with Nancy Traeger (a two-part series)
Part 2: Sunday, December 6 at 4:00pm
In times of crisis, artists become activists and art becomes a vehicle for promoting change. Art and the artist take on the struggle for tolerance and equality for all people. Nancy Traeger returns for this two-part presentation that underscores art’s relevance in addressing today’s challenging issues. If you surrendered to the air you could ride it Amy Sherald 2019
Author’s Talk: Anna Solomon
THE
BOOK OF
V. Thursday, January 7
11:00am
The Book of V. is a bold, kaleidoscopic novel intertwining the lives of three women across three centuries as their stories of sex, power, and desire finally converge in the present day. These three characters’ riveting stories overlap and ultimately collide, illuminating how women’s lives have and have not changed over thousands of years.
Co-sponsored by Adult Engagement and Friend of a Friend/Chaverot
THE DIALOGUE PROJECT
presented by The Friends of the Arava Institute co-sponsored by Temple Sinai Adult Engagement and Temple Sinai Youth Engagement
Come hear Israeli and Palestinian-Jordanian alumni of Arava Institute for Environmental Studies share stories of how dialogue: • reduces hostility among groups in conflict • deepens collaboration across differences • fosters environmental peacebuilding in the Middle East and beyond The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a leading environmental studies and research institute in the Middle East. With a student body comprised of Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis, and participants from around the world, the Arava Institute offers students an exceptional opportunity to learn from leading professionals while forming friendships and developing skills that enable them to lead the region and the world in solving today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 1:30PM
Feminine Power in the History of American Jewish Museums with Ariel Cohen Thursday, February 11
7:30pm
Co-sponsored by Temple Sinai Adult Engagement and Friend of a Friend/Chaverot Women have been creating Jewish institutions in America since the early 20th century. While men were walking the halls of academies and rabbinical schools, writing commentaries, and governing Reform, Conservative and Orthodox practices, women were learning how to communicate scholarship, values, and ritual to their families as well as to mass audiences of varied ages. Pushed out of traditional structures of power in the Jewish community, women used “soft power� means - the creation and curation of American Jewish museum spaces - to effect change and have public voices, shaping American democracy and the Jewish place within it. Ariel Cohen will discuss the lives of two American Jewish women who built their own art museums - Frieda Schiff Warburg of the Jewish Museum in New York (est. 1947), and Rebbetzin Mignon Rubenovitz of the Jewish Museum of Boston (est. 1940). Both museums reflect the ways in which American Jewish women sought out alternative leadership models by organizing women together and building new institutions.
Adult Engagement Committee Barbara Klein and Lynn Fishkind Co-Chairs Amy Braunstein Temple Sinai Executive Vice President Adrianne Rubin, Ph.D. Director of Adult Engagement Barbara Blatte Charlotte Hollander Andy Karmin Ann Karmin Karen Lowenthal Ronna Niederman Barbara Wallach Leslie Wollin
Temple Sinai of Roslyn 425 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 516.621.6800 mysinai.org Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism