Chanukah Dinner & Celebration Friday, December 30, 2016

TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN Volume LI, No. 5 December 2016 Chanukah Dinner & Celebration Friday, December 30, 2016 Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Followed by a Tabl...
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TEMPLE SINAI BULLETIN Volume LI, No. 5

December 2016

Chanukah Dinner & Celebration Friday, December 30, 2016

Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Followed by a Tableside Shabbat Service & Chanukah Celebration Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Join others from Temple Sinai to light the Chanukah candles (bring your own menorah), play Spin the Dreidel, sing songs, and enjoy chicken, latkes, pasta, applesauce, salad, and dessert. Sit and schmooze! Family and friends are welcome. Save money by turning in your reservation by Friday, December 23. *******************Clip and return this to the Temple office********************

Chanukah Dinner



# of Adults age 13 and up @ $15 by 12/23 ($17 after 12/23*)

________

# of children age 4 – 12 @ $10 by 12/23 ($12 after 12/23*)

________

# of children under age 4 @ no charge Totals





Family Name Can you help set up at 3 p.m.?

________ _________

Phone # ______________________

Yes _______ No__________

*Event may sell out prior to December 23. Reserve early to guarantee your spot!

Hearing Loop

The Temple Sinai Bulletin is published monthly by Temple Sinai, 363 Penfield Road, Rochester, NY 14625. Phone (585)381-6890 Fax (585)381-4921

Handicap Accessible

Rabbi’s Message

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Chanukah Means Rededication Chanukah comes during the darkest moments of the year just after the winter solstice with its shortest day and longest night. Chanukah means rededication. Twenty-two hundred years ago our ancestors understood this in the context of rededicating the Temple which had been destroyed, and as a time to preserve their faith in the face of persecution. We are taught to remember how a small band of the faithful, the Maccabees, succeeded against enormous odds to reclaim the Temple in Jerusalem from the Syrian-Greeks. Today we spin dreidels, eat fried foods and light candles in order to commemorate and celebrate. The beautiful candles draw light into our homes creating warmth and brightness. Each year as Chanukah approaches, many of us look for new and innovative ways to connect to Chanukah, to this Festival of Lights. Often no matter our age, we aspire to “bring the story home” but also to have our homes reflect the essence of the story. Many years ago, the Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL) encouraged us to rededicate our own homes at this season, the very places where we mark the seasons, celebrate life, welcome guests, light candles, remember the past, dream about the future and open our hearts. They offered three distinctive ideas pairing Chanukah (rededication) with the rooms of our houses. The first is Shalom Bayit, peace in the home. We can use Chanukah as an opportunity to rededicate the rooms of our home to fulfill their purpose: the dining room for seating guests,

the kitchen for sustaining life, the living room for family interaction and the bedroom for rest and intimacy. This Chanukah season consider inviting guests over, cooking a special meal, planning a family event and making time for those we love. The second is to rededicate ourselves through Talmud Torah or learning. During this season we can (re)commit to making our home a place of learning and a place to initiate change. We might designate a specific space for Jewish learning, whether that means reading a Jewish book, studying a Jewish text or exploring a Jewish topic about which we have long been curious – but commit to reading something that has us live our lives differently. Finally, this Chanukah let us mark the continuation of tzedakah, of living a life of righteousness and giving and as the Chanukah candles burn and we enjoy their light and warmth, let us remember those in need. Go room to room and gather any coats, gloves, blankets, food, toys and books to donate to those who don’t have enough but could. This year as your chanukiah fills with light, as you remember, celebrate and love, may your home be rededicated to serve its fullest and finest purpose. Wishing you a Chanukah Samaech, a happy Chanukah. Shalom,

Rabbi Debbi Till

Contacting The Rabbis Please let the Temple Office know of any illnesses, deaths or joyous occasions so that the Rabbis and the congregation can respond appropriately. Also, remember not to schedule any life cycle events at which Rabbi Katz or Rabbi Till will be present without speaking to them first. To reach Rabbi Katz in an emergency, please call both his home phone (872-6722) and his cell phone (233-8028). To reach Rabbi Till in an emergency, please call her cell phone (355-0192). It is a mitzvah to visit those who are ill. We ask Temple members who are aware that one of our members is in a hospital to please call the Temple Sinai office so that one of our Rabbis may visit them.

See what's on the menu at our website: www.tsinai.org

I am writing this as I listen to the election results, and though it doesn’t look as though we will be inaugurating our first female president, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate some of the advances women have made in the last 86 years.

I chose a time frame of 86 years, since that is how long women have had the right to vote in the United States. It was the election of 1920, which also happened to be a presidential election; the first election after the ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 18, 1920. We recognize Susan B. Anthony as having been instrumental to the suffrage movement, though unfortunately, she did not live to see it become reality.



Our young women today lead the entire service, chant from the actual Torah scroll and share their learning with their D’var Torah. Just like the young men, and no one would expect it to be otherwise.

In 1972 Sally Priesand became the first female rabbi in Reform Judaism. Deeply spiritual and affected by the vision of Reform Judaism epitomized in its camps and youth groups in the early 1960s, she set her sights on becoming a rabbi long before an emerging women’s liberation movement raised anew the call for women’s access to traditionally male professions.

The 1970’s were a very active time for women. I remember when I graduated from college in 1973, job opportunities in the want ads (many years before Craigslist or Indeed) were separated by gender – some jobs for men, other jobs for women. It was also an accepted explanation that men were paid more than

Sue Bondy

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President’s Message

Two years later, Judith Kaplan, the daughter of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, became the first Bat Mitzvah. Her service was much different than we are accustomed to seeing at Temple Sinai. She stood one step below the bimah and though the Torah was in sight, it was covered. Judith recited the preliminary blessing, read a portion of the Torah in Hebrew and English from her personal Chumash and then recited the closing blessing. Her father intended the Bat Mitzvah to give females equal standing with males and to stimulate Jewish education for women so they would be better able to transmit Jewish knowledge to their children.

women “because they have a family to support.” While women have still not gained wage equity with men, no employer would ever offer that sort of statement as an explanation. While I never doubted that I would attend and graduate from college (a life time regret of my mother was that she never went to college), I can remember choosing the State University of Buffalo because I felt my younger brother’s education was more important than mine and I wanted to be sure he would be able to attend a private college if that was what he wanted. Please understand that I did not think this because of anything my parents ever said to me; it was just an unspoken part of the culture I grew up in. Fortunately, I’m sure you would not be able to find a female high school student feeling this way today. Not that long ago, women would become teachers or nurses. Just like Sally Priesand, women have now moved into all of the traditional male occupations. In January 2016, Lila Kagedan, a graduate of Yeshivat Maharat, a NY seminary to train Orthodox Jewish female clergy, became the first Orthodox woman to take the title of rabbi and announced that she had accepted a position at a North American synagogue. Though the Rabbinical Council of America, the main modern Orthodox rabbinic group has prohibited the ordination and hiring of female rabbis, I’m sure it is only a matter of time before that policy changes. Many other countries, such as Israel, India, Great Britain and Germany, have had female leaders and this year, for the first time, one of the two major political parties in the United States nominated a woman for president. While Hillary was not successful, I hope and believe that we will have the first woman president during my lifetime. Do you have any stories about gender inequality, or even better, equality, that you would share with me? I would love to hear them. Happy Chanukah!!

School of Jewish Life and Learning Pinat Ha-Talmid

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(The Student Corner) By Ilan D. Adar, Education Director

Thank you:

To our 6th grade students who helped lead the Erev Shabbat service; and to members of Sason for singing a few songs during the service. To Bobbi Sarnov, assisted by Laura Walitsky, Phil Gilbert, and Ellen Ingram, for their help during our 10th grade Shabbaton.

Youth & Education

Candles for All Occasions

Our school will provide our Temple members (and other interested people) with the opportunity to purchase beautiful candles made in the city of Tzfat (Safed), Israel. We will begin to sell Chanukah, Shabbat, and pillar candles on Sunday, Dec. 11, during our annual Chanukah Bazaar and till Wednesday, Dec. 21.

It happened in November

On Saturday, Nov. 5, Our tenth grade students gathered at Temple for a day-long Shabbaton. The program began with Alli O'Malley, Executive Director of RESOLVE (a group focused on breaking the cycle of domestic violence) who discussed the issues of: “Relationships from healthy to unhealthy…. and sometimes to violent/abusive. How to spot things and what to do.” The Shabbaton continued with the students leading the Shabbat morning service; having lunch together; having two more study sessions; and making food for a women’s shelter. The program ended with the students delivering the food they made to the shelter. On Sunday, Nov. 13: Our fourth grade and their parents/grandparents attended the annual Naming program. The program included the learning of: When was the first “naming ceremony” mentioned in the Torah; when do we name a boy or a girl; when do Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews provide names of relatives; and the origination of last names. The program concluded with a special art project related to their names.

On Sunday, Nov. 20: Our fifth grade students and their parents gathered in the Social Hall to participate in a special program titled: “Exploring Our Roots.” During the program students interviewed members of their family, focusing on the Jewish experiences of one of their family members growing up.

December Schedule

Friday, Dec. 2: Family Service (6:00 p.m.) followed by a catered dinner; our fifth grade students will lead parts of the service. Sunday, Dec. 4: Sprouts Friday, Dec. 9: Young Family Service (6:00 p.m.) Sunday, Dec. 11: Chanukah Bazaar; our classes will visit the Bazaar during school hours Friday, Dec. 16: Rockin' Shabbat (using our new and improved sound system) Sunday, Dec. 18: Sprouts; Coffee for a Cause Sunday, Dec. 25 – Monday, Jan. 2: No School (winter recess) Friday, Dec. 30: Temple’s Chanukah Celebration

Happy Chanukah

On Simchat Torah, our kindergarten class was photographed with teacher Marilyn Fenster along with Rabbi Till, Rabbi Katz, and Mr. Adar and their madrichot.

YOUTH CORNER

RATSY

Outside of RATSY, I am a founder of a boutique Real Estate firm ROC Real Capital, a coach for the University of Rochester Quidditch team, and an avid writer of music. I'm looking forward to returning to the Temple Sinai community after my time in college and am always willing to answer any questions regarding the benefits of being a part of RATSY.

Michael Pascutoi , RATSY Advisor

SAWCY Hi, I am Diana Seroski and I’m very excited to be the new SAWCY advisor! Growing up I was a member of Temple B’rith Kodesh and attended Brighton Schools. I am a middle school special education teacher in the Webster Schools. I live in the city of Rochester with my husband Joe, our son Ezra and our pug Gus. I’m excited to work with your children both in our temple and in the community. We will be doing many fun events to learn more about Jewish holidays and culture. We will also have opportunities to give back and perform tzedakah, cook traditional Jewish goodies as well as learn about each other. Please be in touch:  [email protected]

Diana Seroski, SAWCY Advisor

Thanks to the following Temple members who have so generously donated to the Temple Sinai High Holy Days Appeal (between October 12 and November 10 2016)… A donation has been made by Robert & Merilyn Israel Norman & Donna Lederman David & Susan Spector Rabbi Alan & Jan Katz Pamela Leve Howard & Karen Kessler Joel & Ann Shamaskin Alan & Judy Wertheimer Seth Madway & Wendy Howard & Sue Weiner Beller Madway Ken & Suzanne Tunnell Tom & Janet Fink Allen & Barbara Mendler Eric & Elizabeth Brewer Bob & Paula Zeman Victor & Joyce Poleshuck Ed & Yuk Seidman Judy & Allan Schwartz Bob Grossman Pauline Rosenberg Mark Winsberg & Diane Adam & Jennifer Anolik Morse Ward Ghory & Ann Ghory Bill Waddell & Linda Rubel Goodman Joe & Elise Wojciechowski Gary Dudek & Leslie Hank & Gail Ferraioli Algase Eli Tuber & Sheryl Eric & Marcia Birken Silberman In memory of Sally Berman by Mona Miller Ann &Sam Ryback & Albert Brownstein by Jim & Renee Brownstein Maggie Herman by Eva Regan Edward & Janice Richmond by James & Michele Austin Diane Silver-Hassell by Seth & Suzanne Silver Isabelle Rosenbloom by Joseph & Jeni Behrman Henry Stein & Stanley Schachter by Charlie & Joyce Schachter Elle & Irv Goldman & Sam Itkin by Howard & Susan Itkin Robert Graff, by Sally Graff Belle & Earl Lovenheim by Janet Irwin Julia & Harry Rosenfeld by Arlene & Howard Schenker In honor of The marriage of Ian & Serena Leonard by Bruce & Ann Leonard Ethan Dadush by Ron & Karen Newman Amy Tackaberry by Mark Anderson & Randi Forman Our six beautiful grandchildren by Edward Muszynski & Bonnie Hughes Gregg Herman, Roy Berns & Scott McNitt by Eva Regan My children & grandchildren by Bonnie Guon Carol Goldsmith, Liz Ornstein & Bernice Fraum by Ellen Goldenberg Rabbi Till by Marsha Rifkin & Abigail Urban Rifkin Rabbi Alan & Jan Katz by Irving & Gloria Rosenstein Rabbi Till by Reba Silterra Rabbi Katz by John Page & Sandra Mitzner Aleksander Shadunsky by Gregory Shadunsky Rabbi Katz & Rabbi Till by Barry Goldfarb & Judy Abelman In appreciation of Temple Sinai’s Entrance Gardens, by Jerry and Arlene Wiesenberg All of life’s blessings and in appreciation of Temple Sinai, by Judy Holmes

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Youth & Contributions

So I guess I've come full circle. Nine years ago I attended my first RATSY event as a freshman in high school. Over the next four years I developed a lasting group of friends both through the RATSY youth group and the greater North American Federation of Temple Youth. Since then I have worked as a camp counselor and volunteered at innercity schools as a teacher's assistant and tutor, always looking to give my time and energy to others the way my youth group advisors did for us. I am honored to be following in the footsteps of those advisors in helping the next generation of temple youth both grow as individuals and enjoy the camaraderie of the Jewish community. 

HIGH HOLY DAYS APPEAL

Within Our Family & Temple Life

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Within Our Family

Be part of the Sinai Community! Join our service as our Bat Mitzvah leads us in worship.

In Memoriam… Temple Sinai notes with sorrow the passing of: Leslie Marcus, cousin of David Rutberg Marilyn Berman, wife of Howard Berman Viktor Nazimov, father of Maryana Falkovich Tony Kantor, nephew of Charles and Nancy Kantor Carol Robinson, aunt of Blanche Fenster and Jeffrey Voldman, great-aunt of Mandy Warner Ralph Katz, father of Rabbi Alan Katz James Eichner, father of Jeffrey Eichner The Temple family extends its heartfelt sympathy to the families. Mazal Tov to… Larry and Amy Jacobson on the birth of granddaughter Lily Marie Donnelly Steve Rosen, son of Jerry and Maxine Rosen on his starring role in Geva’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Sidney and Debbie Farber on the marriage of son Jonathan to Amy Goldstein Leslie Jacobs on the birth of granddaughter Malina Billie Jacobs, daughter of Jason Jacobs and Ekaterine Giorgadze Amy LaGambino, who took first place in a NY State Fair culinary competition for her zucchini relish. This was Amy’s first time entering this competition. Todah Rabah to… Gary Levy of Gary Levy Photography, for taking the kindergarten class photo and our new board pictures Welcome to new members… Gena Bell and daughters Raye and Sage Howard and Marilyn (z"l) Berman Ed and Carissa Schlesinger and daughters Natalie and Jillian If you or someone you know is ill or going through difficult times, please call the Temple Office at 381-6890. It is a mitzvah to visit those who are ill. Our Rabbis want to be there for those in need.

Dara Rozen December 17, 5:30 p.m. service Daughter of Eric and Tarryn Rozen

Oneg Shabbat Hosts December 9, 8:00 p.m. Willem Faber and Rena Pine Eric and Robin Fox John and Linda Frank Neil and Sandra Frankel Zachary and Irene Freedman

December 23, 8:00 p.m. David and Yosepha Freeman Adam and Janine Fried Ian and Elise Friedlander Steve and Nadine Friedlander

REMINDER

Letters have been mailed to parents whose children were born in 2006 and will celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in the year 2019. If you did not receive a letter regarding this important life cycle event, please call Jerry Elman in the Temple office at 381-6890.

Sukkah Contest Winner MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Hilary Bluestein-Lyons for being the winner in the Sukkah Raffle. The sukkah was put in place in time for Sukkot, and Hilary will be keeping the sukkah for future year’s use. Thank you to Laura Walitsky for coordinating this event.

December 2016 Calendar

Sunday

Monday

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Jan. 13: Young Family Service @ 6:00 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service @ 8:00 p.m. Jan. 20: Erev Shabbat Service @ 6:00 p.m. Jan. 27: Erev Shabbat Service @ 8:00 p.m.

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6

12

13

19

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7th Grade School College Connection Meeting 6:30 p.m.

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School in Session Coffee for a Cause Sprouts 9:30 a.m. Adult Ed 9:30 a.m. Chanukah Program 11:15 a.m. Kesher 12:00 p.m. Afternoon School 12:00 p.m. SAWCY Chanukah Program 3:00 p.m.

7 Grade School

NO SCHOOL RAIHN

NO SCHOOL NO KESHER RAIHN

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Thursday

Jan. 6: Erev Shabbat Family Service @ 6:00 p.m.

7th Grade School School in Session Chanukah Happening Men's Club 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Meeting 7:30 p.m. Adult Ed 9:30 a.m. Kesher 12:00 p.m. Afternoon School 12:00 p.m.

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Wednesday

January Erev Shabbat Services

thday Bir B l e s si n g s on 12/2

School in Session Sprouts 9:30 a.m. Adult Ed 9:30 a.m. SJLL Parent Committee Meeting 9:30 a.m. Kesher 12:00 p.m. Afternoon School 12:00 p.m. SAWCY at Jewish Home 2:00 p.m. Hineini Leadership Program 4:00 p.m. RATSY Movie Night 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday

th

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RAIHN

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School in Session Rochester Klezmer Band Regional Coalition Practice 7:00 p.m. Against Human Trafficking 5:00 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 p.m.

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School in Session Women’s Chavurah Event 7:00 p.m.

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Membership Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. Religious Practices Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.

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School in Session Board of Trustees Bogrim 6:00 p.m. Meeting 7:30 p.m. Klezmer Band Practice 7:00 p.m.

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NO SCHOOL RAIHN

RAIHN

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Friday

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Saturday

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Erev Shabbat Torah Study 9:15 a.m. Family Service with Shabbat Morning Birthday Blessings Service 10:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Dinner with Friends Torah Portion: Toledot Genesis 25.19 – 28.9

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Young Family Service 6:00 p.m. Schmoozin' Shabbat 6:45 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service 8:00 p.m. Torah Portion: Vayetze Genesis 28.10 – 32.3

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Erev Shabbat Service – Rockin' Shabbat 6:00 p.m. Torah Portion: Vayishlach Genesis 32.4 – 36.43

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Schmoozin' Shabbat 6:45 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service 8:00 p.m. Torah Portion: Vayeshev Genesis 37.1 – 40.23

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Chanukah Dinner 5:30 p.m. Erev Shabbat Service & Chanukah Celebration 6:30 p.m. Torah Portion: Miketz Genesis 41.1 – 44.17 RAIHN

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Torah Study 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service 10:30 a.m.

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Torah Study 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Afternoon Service 5:00 p.m.

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Torah Study 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service 10:30 a.m. RAIHN

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Torah Study 9:15 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service 10:30 a.m. RAIHN

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Yahrzeits

The departed live on in the hearts of those who cherish their memory

Within Our Family

December 2 & 3

Leah Albaum Leon Alent Matilde Aroesty Murray Berlowitz Ernest Brownell Jacob Gerber Paula Ginsburg Polina Ginzburg Samuel Guest Bernard Heumann Donald F. Hogan Mary Kruskall Evan Leit Gladys Less Linda Lieberman Willard R. Lisson Tobie Loeb Sukesh Polly Miglani Sima Novozhenets Dorothy Paganelli Samuel N. Paulin Sydney Phillips Sidney Rayburn Sam Rockford Barbara Rubin Robert R. Smith Philip Stark Seyna Tseytlina James Yerger

December 9 & 10 Jenny Berman William W. Cohn Mindy Dennis Lillian Dollinger Lorrayne Dorfman Sylvia Feingold Eileen Gerber Leonard Getler Evelyn Greenfield Lee Halperin Maureen Highfield Alice Jaffe

Phyllis Kaplan Miriam Kassick Leonard Maas Ansel Marblestone Fannie Mazur Irma Pekurovsky Rhea Poserow Sam Poserow Herbert Rabinowitz Mildred Schiller Josephine Schwartz Herman Supnick Paul Weisbond

December 16 & 17 Stanley Abrams David Ball Calvin Berger Sally Berman Alberto Biton Harriet Braverman Marian Eckstein Philip Fain Ronia Feiner Erwin Fenster Ray Frankel Renee Gimple Millie Goldensher Ronald Green Alice Hart Walter Hart, Jr. Adam Hendelson Sam Kaufman Esther H. Levy Helene Lipton Anthony Marciano Alex Novozhenets Sara Orbach Tillie Oster Alexander Reiss Robert Roodman Martin Rosenberg Goldie Rosenstein Bernard Rudnick

Temple Contacts

Rabbis Alan J. Katz [email protected] Debbi Till [email protected] Education Director Ilan Adar [email protected] Cantorial Soloist Elise Wojciechowski Executive Director Jerry Elman [email protected]

Susan Schrader David Silver Leonard Stoler Leonard Tebor

December 23 & 24 Josephine Auerbach Mildred Beckwith Stanley Bershod Frederic Brewer Toby Cherry Sid Dorfman Abram Dorren Sarah Etlinger Marc Feldman Edith Folkman Nathan Fox Irving Fraum Louise Goldberg Charles Gordon Harvey Gottlieb Vivian Green Ruth Greenhouse Myer Grisbord Bernard Gross Frank Hennig Molly Hewitt Ian Ingram Sofia Katz Dorothy Katz Phyllis Kieva Florence Kirschen Sidney Kraus Milton Kunken Estelle Lazeroff Jarrett Lobb Arthur Louis Israel Parnes Edward Perlstein Ruth Schneeberg Marcia Shaffer Avrom Shamaskin Janet Simpkins Elizaveta Yermis

December 30 & 31

Lewis Bernbaum Hilda Biernbaum Irving Birken Evelyn Seidman Cohen David Conway Ethel Cooper Bernice Cornell Eva Cresov Sylvan Druce Anna Fain Ida Feldman Eleanor Freedman Jacob Friedland Byrna Lewis Gens Max Goldman Frank Goldman Rae Goldstein Julius Greenfield William Heller Belle Hitchcock Mildred Horowitz Loretta Howell Sylvia Hymes Dorothy Jacobs Michael Kevin Thomas Kulick Morris Levenberg Bernard Lilien Julia Meyerowitz Lillian Meyers Marvin Mindell Harry Nemetz Harry Olsen Sigmund Piekunka Anna Price Pearl Rubin Millard Schaffer Hillard Schlesinger Mannie Siegle Lillian Zeman

Officers

President Susan Bondy



Secretary Keith Greer



Vice Presidents: Administration Suzanne Tunnell Congregant Connections Carol Yunker Finance Victor Poleshuck Education Seth Silver & Barb Snyderman Religious Practices Rebecca Drayer Youth Initiatives Eric Rozen

C e l e b r at i n g C h a n u k a h

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Chanukah begins at sundown on Saturday, December 24 BACKGROUND:

Chanukah is a holiday commemorating the Jewish victory for religious freedom fought in 167 B.C.E by the Maccabees in response to the Greek rule of the Jews, which had outlawed Jewish worship and rituals. On the 25th of Kislev, the Temple was taken back by the Maccabbees and rededicated. The word Chanukah means dedication. The holiday also celebrates the miracle described in the Gemara, which describes the story of a small cruse of oil found by the Maccabbees miraculously lasting 8 days when there was only enough for one day. This reminds us of God’s role in the miracles within our lives.

TRADITIONS (MINHAG):

COMMANDMENTS (MITZVOT):

We light candles each night to celebrate the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days. We begin with one candle on the first night, and add one candle

We place the candles in the Menorah from the right to the left, and light them from left to right, lighting the new candle first. The following blessings are said each night with the lit shamash in hand, and the candles are lit immediately after reciting the blessings. The first two are recited every night during the candle lighting ceremony. The third is traditionally recited at the beginning of all festivals. The third blessing is only recited on the first night. 1. Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tsivanu, l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah. Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who has sanctified our lives through Your commandments, commanding us to kindle the Chanukah lights. 2. Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam she'asa nisim la'avoteinu ba'yamim ha'heym bazman hazeh. Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, in this season. 3. Baruch Ata Adonai,Eloheinu melech ha'olam shehecheeyanoo, v'keey'manoo v'heegeeyanoo lazman hazeh Praised are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for helping us to reach this moment.

HOW TO CELEBRATE AT TEMPLE SINAI:

• Come to the Chanukah dinner and celebration on Friday, December 30 starting at 5:30 p.m. (Pre-registration needed) followed by Erev Shabbat service and Chanukah celebration at 6:30 p.m. • Religious school children will celebrate on Sunday, December 18th with an assembly and latkes during class time • Visit the Chanukah Bazaar on December 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Chanukah

Play the dreidel game: the dreidel has four sides, each bearing a Hebrew letter - nun, gimel, hey, and shin - the initials of “Ness Gadol Haya Sham” meaning “a great miracle took place there.” Everyone in the game starts with 10-15 tokens (m&m’s, pennies, etc). Each player puts one token in the middle. One player spins the dreidel at a time. The player does the following, depending on which letter lands face up: Nun: (nothing) player does nothing Gimel: (all) player takes everything in the middle Heh: (half) player takes half of what is in the middle Shin: (put in) player adds two tokens to the middle Eat latkes or soufganiyot (fried donuts)—each is made with oil to remind us of the miracle of the oil. Exchange gelt (money or chocolate coins) or gifts (this is a relatively new tradition). Sing songs: Maoz Tzur, Mi Yimalel, I Have a Little Dreidel, Oh Chanukah, or other songs. Discuss a Jewish theme of value each night as you light the candles. (Such as Heroism, Religious Freedom, Miracles, Dedication, Light, Family, Tzedakah, Tradition.)

each night for eight nights. In addition, we light an extra candle each night, the shamash, which we use to light the other candles.

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Bigger Than Ever Temple Sinai's

Chanukah Happening

Sunday, December 11, 2016 Temple Social Hall 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. GIFTS GALORE FOR ALL AGES Featuring artists, craftsmen, vendors, jewelry, skin care products, photography, handcrafted glass, knitwear, pottery, giftware, Judaica & Israel Items, Social Action, RAIHN, Religious School & Youth Group Fundraisers Tsotschkies and More

SHOPPING FOR STUDENTS

Stuffed Animals, Trinkets, Novelties Little gift items for the family Big Selection/Small Prices Sunday School classes will visit Stop by with your student or send them with gelt Interested in participating as a vendor? Contact Monika Katzel through Temple or [email protected]

SAVE DECEMBER 11 FOR THIS BIG ONE STOP HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Temple Life

T. Sinai Outdoor Explorers We are a group of outdoor enthusiasts who meet monthly to explore local parks. This past October, Sinai Adventure Seekers hiked Letchworth State Park. Pictured left to right - Hank and Marlene Etlinger, Jill Orbach, Fran Feinstein, Karen Newman, Herb Feinstein, Marcia and Paul Rothberg On Dec. 25, we will hike Washington Grove next to Cobb’s Hill Reservoir, and on Sunday January 29, 2017, we will feed the chickadees along the Bird Song Trail in Mendon Ponds Park. If you're interested in joining one or more of our monthly hikes/outings, contact Jill Orbach at JWOrbach@ gmail.com.

Women's

Chavurah

"DE-CLUTTER AND DOWNSIZE YOUR WAY TO A NEW CHAPTER... ONE STEP AT A TIME!" PRESENTED BY DONNA RAWADY, EXECUTIVE COACH

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 7:00 p.m. at Temple Sinai Donna Rawady has had a thriving leadership consulting and coaching business since 1989. She also hosts a blog entitled "GET REAL" on leadership, coaching and life. Over the years she has written about, and helped others with setting and reaching goals and getting organized, back to the basics. Donna and her husband rented the same apartment in the city for 29 years with 3 floors, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3 porches, and a basement, and they raised their children there. Two years ago, after being empty-nesters for close to 20 years, they moved into a loft apartment in the city that is basically one large room, one bedroom, and one bathroom, with only one clothes closet! They completed this move within 6 weeks, and she says having less "stuff" has given her a newfound freedom. Whether you just want to declutter over time, or you're seriously considering downsizing, you will enjoy her story and learn about her process and experience. Donna will share a few specific strategies that worked well for her, and could work for you too…just by taking one step at a time. THIS PROGRAM IS FREE OF CHARGE, AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED. PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 10th TO CAROL YUNKER AT [email protected] OR 385-3910 GUESTS AND FRIENDS ARE WELCOME, AND, AS ALWAYS, NOT FOR WOMEN ONLY!!!

Visit Our Website:

www.tsinai.org

MEN’S CLUB Come Join & Build the Temple Sinai Men’s Club Have you always wished that Temple Sinai had a Men’s Club? Me too. Well your dream is about to come true. On Monday December 12 at 7:30 p.m. we will meet at Temple Sinai to create a new Men’s Club. We are interested in your presence and your ideas and look forward to meeting with all of you. If you are interested but are not available that night, please let me know via e-mail at [email protected].

Ron Newman Temple Sinai gratefully acknowledges our FRIENDS OF SINAI. For over 30 years, funds from the Friends were used for numerous building and grounds improvements and much needed purchases that enhanced congregational life. Recently, Friends of Sinai approved funding the future renovation of Conference Room A and our kitchen, seed money for Family Shabbat Dinners for one year and a program that will in the future involve our members and engage them in exciting and meaningful ways. We applaud the Friends for their lasting contributions that benefit the entire congregation and acknowledge the following members who recently rejoined the Friends of Sinai. Liz Ornstein Gary Dudek and Leslie Algase As a family or as an individual, you can become a Friend of Sinai for a minimum annual contribution of $360 above regular dues. Call the Temple Office for more information.

Monika Katzel, Friends of Sinai Chair    

COLLEGE CONNECTION Temple Sinai College Connection will be meeting on 12/5/17 at 6:30 p.m. at Temple to assemble a Chanukah holiday box to mail to undergraduate college students. If you have a college student you would like to add to our list to receive a holiday box, call the office at 381-6890 and speak to Joyce Schachter. Any members interested in helping assemble the boxes, please join us then!

Please join us on Friday, December 23, 2016 for a special oneg as we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Louis and Bernice Fraum

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Sponsored by the 2013 B’nai Mitzvah Class

SOCIAL ACTION

Fair Trade Coffee and ChocolateMindful Ethical Eating and Drinking Are you one of those people who could not possibly imagine starting your day without a cup of coffee? Most people love chocolate If you were stranded on a desert island, would you wish for coffee and chocolate? Most people consume coffee and chocolate without giving much thought to where it came from and how it came to our tables. At a recent Temple Sinai Social Action Committee meeting we discussed buying Fair Trade coffee and chocolate. (By the way, we would love to have you join us at future meetings to help you learn more and get involved in wonderful activities of Tikkun Olam). How would your chocolate taste if you found out that it came from plantations that used child slave labor, where children were kidnapped, almost worked to death and locked into bunkhouses nightly where they were frequently beaten? Fortunately we have a choice. We can choose to purchase and consume Fair Trade coffee and chocolate. Fair Trade means that there is no slave labor or forced child labor. Fair trade means fair pay and safe working conditions. Fair Trade means that environmentally sustainable practices are used. Fair Trade means better quality, better tasting, ethically produced products. Fair Trade supports communities and connects us to other cultures in a positive way that we can feel good about. While we suggest that you make the choice to buy Fair Traded products, the Social Action Committee will be introducing Fair Trade coffee at selected Temple events for you to try out. If you would like to buy “Guilt Free Chocolate Gelt for Hanukkah , you can find it at info@ fairtradejudaica.org What you buy matters. You can make a difference in the lives of the people who grow our coffee and chocolate.

Social Action & Temple Life

Let’s make the Men’s Club a fun place to connect and build community. See you Monday December 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple.

ONEG CELEBRATION

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RABBI KATZ’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In memory of Eric Silbermann, by Steve & Susie Silberman Bennett Applebaum, by Sandra Frankel Ralph Katz, by Jerry & Janet Elman, James & Renee Brownstein, Rebecca Drayer, The Chekow-Lusignan Family, Ron and Nancy Kraus, Allan and Judy Schwartz, Robert Hyman & Susan Braverman, Mark Anderson & Randi Forman Deborah Wittenberg, by Warren & Pam Rosenbaum Mary Israel, by Robert and Merilyn Israel Harry Berman, by Mona Miller Saul Skerker, by Allan Skerker In appreciation of Rabbi Katz, by David & Rachel Kirschen, Gary Dudek & Leslie Algase Rabbi Katz for Jim Oates unveiling, by Diane Oates

Contributions

RABBI TILL’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In memory of Mayer Jacob BarEl (Pincus) by the Shafrir Family Freda Pincus, by the Shafrir Family Arik Shafrir, by the Shafrir Family Anna Goldman, by Michael & Donna Goldberg Mary Israel, by Robert and Merilyn Israel Dorothy Pies & Jennie Francis, by John & Ellen Erne Bertha Skerker-Stone, by Allan Skerker In honor of Rabbi Till, by Michael & Susan Rosenbloom In appreciation of The entire Temple Sinai Family, by Rebecca Drayer Rabbi Till, by Gary Dudek & Leslie Algase ADULT EDUCATION FUND In memory of Louis Feldsott, by Arthur & Jill Feldsott A donation has been by Lisa Fogel BUILDING FUND In memory of Wolf Feygin, by Moisey Feygin JOEL BLOOM MEMORIAL GARDEN FUND In memory of Alan Bernstein, by Rochelle Cresov

FLORAL FUND In memory of Molly Horowitz, by Sara Lewis Ida Altman, by Lillain Courtheoux Ethel Rosen, by Phillis Rosen GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of Bernard Resch, by Keith & Carol Greer Maggie Herman, by David & Carole Teegarden Joseph Lipton, by David & Carole Teegarden, Charlie & Joyce Schachter Mildred Demchick, by David & Carole Teegerden, Tom & Vicki Finnefrock, Charlie & Joyce Schachter, Les & Monika Katzel Alan Bernstein, by Tom & Vicki Finnefrock, Les & Monika Katzel Robert Algase, by Gary Dudek & Leslie Algase Joseph Algase, by Gary Dudek & Leslie Algase Marilyn Berman, by Charlie & Joyce Schachter Mary Ghory, by Ward Ghory & Anne GhoryGoodman In honor of The marriage of Ian & Serena Leonard, by Gary Dudek & Leslie Algase The marriage of Jenny Lewis & Matthew Holmes, by Les & Monika Katzel In appreciation of Rabbi Katz, by Ed & Bess Lewis Amy Tackaberry’s many years of devoted service, by Les and Monika Katzel, Carol Yunker Healing wishes to Mimi Greenfield, by Les & Monika Katzel GENERAL OPERATING FUND In memory of Polina Ginzburg, by Isaak & Nina Rivshin Sima Novozhenets, by Isaak & Nina Rivshin Belle Shamaskin, by Joel & Ann Shamaskin Naum Lyubchanskiy, by Zina Lyubchanskaya Alex Novozhenets, by Isaak & Nina Rivshin Joseph Ghory, by Ward Ghory & Anne GhoryGoodman Yuda Gurevich, by Zina Lyubchanskaya, Grigoriy and Brokha Novozhenets SHABBAT FAMILY PROGRAM ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of Ruth Rose, by Sylvia Rose

DICK SCHONFELD SOCIAL ACTION FUND In appreciation of Alan Frishman & The Morning Crew, by Howard & Arlene Schenker ISRAEL YOUTH FUND In memory of Lloyd Paperno, by Jill Paperno Ruth Brooks Helfand, by Mark & Lois Utell LAMPERT MUSIC FUND In memory of Maggie Herman, by Lillian Courtheoux In honor of Elise Wojciechowski, by Gary Dudek & Leslie Algase In appreciation of Elise Wojciechowski, by Noreen Salerno Elise, Irina and Vera, by the Temple Sinai Choir Members Rabbi Katz, Rabbi Till and Elise Wojciechowski, by Howard & Arlene Schenker LIBRARY FUND In memory of Alan Lewis, by Sara Lewis Fanni Yalowich, by Lillian Courtheoux

In honor of The Bat Mitzvah of granddaughter Amanda Farkas, by Marv & Irene Barkin RAIHN FUND In memory of Brian Salerno, by Noreen Salerno Alan Lewis, by Ed & Bess Lewis Mildred Demchick, by Seymour & Myrna Weinstein In honor of Sue Stanger, by David & Carole Teegarden In appreciation of Susan Stanger, for her RAIHN program leadership, by Ed & Blanche Fenster RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND In memory of Richard Friedlander, by Steve & Nadine Friedlander Marilyn Berman, by Ted Raichel TED ROTHSCHILD ART AND CULTURAL FUND In memory of Melvin Neisner, Andrew Neisner, Irene Neisner, Charles & Molly Garson, by Ellen Neisner

LIHEYOT (SPECIAL NEEDS) FUND In memory of Arlene Beth Pollan, by Jill Orbach Joseph Lipton, by Jill Orbach Healing wishes to John Sweet, by Jill Orbach MITZVAH CONNECTION FUND In memory of Mildred Demchick, by Michael & Carol Yunker Arline Forman, by Mark Anderson & Randi Forman Louis & Rachel Elman, by Jerry & Janet Elman

WINDOWS OF LIGHT FUND In memory of Robert Major, by Jo-Ann Hussion Tributes received after November 10th will be recognized in the January bulletin For information about these funds, go to our website: www.tsinai.org / About Us / Contributions

Highlighted Fund

PRAYERBOOK FUND In memory of George Adler & Elaine Adler, by Marv & Irene Barkin

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FLORAL FUND

This fund supports the purchase and maintenance of flowers, plants, and shrubs to beautify the Temple building and grounds.

Contributions

In appreciation of Monika Katzel, by Lillian Courtheoux

Ida Bresler, by Leonid & Marina Shpiller Ben Seidman, by Lou & Harriet Slawetsky Mildred Demchick, by Karen Quinn Philip Stark, by Karen Quinn

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ROCKIN' SHABBAT Friday evening December 16th, 2016 6: 00 p.m. Musicians Eva Regan, Scott McNitt, Gregg Herman and Roy Berns will be joining Cantorial Soloist Elise Wojciechowski to rock the sanctuary during the Erev Shabbat service. Please join us!

GOING AWAY FOR THE WINTER? Last winter we had many bulletins returned to us because of temporary changes of address. The post office does not forward third class mail and we have to pay full postage when the bulletins are returned to us. This adds up during the course of the winter. If you know you are going away, please contact [email protected] or call the office at 381-6890. Let us know the dates you will be away. If you would like us to send the bulletin, give us your winter address and we will make sure to send it. If you would like to access the bulletin online instead, please do so by visiting www. tsinai.org. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR BULLETIN IS RETURNED TO US, WE WILL NOT SEND ONE AGAIN UNTIL YOU INFORM US THAT YOU ARE BACK IN TOWN. PLEASE HELP US SAVE MONEY BY CONTACTING US TODAY!