222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601 KISLEV - TEVET 5776 DECEMBER 2015 724-834-0560 [email protected] www.ceigreensburg.org The Mission of Congregation Emanu-El Israel is: To support Judaism and the welfare of our community.

There is a joke circulating on the internet about Jewish holidays. “They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.” There is a lot of truth to that statement. We also have a Talmudic statement that says “If there is no flour, there is no Torah; if there is no Torah, there is no flour.” This Talmudic statement seems to suggest that one needs food to be able to gain knowledge and one needs knowledge to acquire food. It is certainly true that as Jews we seem to always be eating. Of course for Hanukkah, we will have our annual Hanukkah dinner. The latkes have been made and I can vouch that they taste yummy. By the way, did you know that latkes came originally from Italy and were made with cheese? It was to remind us of one of the stories connected to Hanukkah where Judith (a Jewish heroine) plies the Hellenistic/Assyrian General Holofones with salty cheese and wine and when he falls asleep, she cuts off his head. In Askenazic Europe, where there was no access to vegetable (olive) oil, the oil used for frying foods came from animals and thus a substitute for the cheese had to be found. Besides potatoes, some people initially used buckwheat (kasha). Today there are a huge variety of the kinds of latkes one can make; green ones- made with zucchini, and sweet potato ones just to name a few. The ones for our Hanukkah dinner will be traditional ones made from grated potatoes. Hopefully you have made your reservations for the dinner. In Israel, while latkes can be found at Hanukkah, one is more likely to find sufganiyot, jelly donuts, since they are also fried in oil. When we come together to eat as a Congregation, people seem to enjoy it. Our reception with Tashlich was highly successful and enjoyable and will be repeated again next fall. We regularly have a Rabbi’s Tish, before Shabbat services, which are potluck suppers and alternate between dairy and meat. The last one was held on Friday November 13th for which I made a Tomato Spinach Rice Soup. So many requested the recipe, that you will find it elsewhere in this Bulletin. It comes from Susie Fishbein’s Kosher by Design: Short for Time. The next dinner will be January 22, 2016, which will be a meat meal. We announce it as being limited to 30 people, but we have yet to reach that number. In addition to the Rabbi’s Tish, during the winter months, we have Recapturing Shabbat which was designed to allow people to attend Shabbat Services beginning at 5:30 PM and then have a leisurely Shabbat dinner with other members of the Congregation in their home. Some Congregants have used Recapturing Shabbat to eat dinner together with Congregants at a local restaurant which is still fine. It means though, we might change the name to Davening and Dinner. We will have two Recapturing Shabbats (or Davening and Dinner) this year on February 5th and February 12th. However, at the last board meeting there was a request for more chances to eat together. On January 8th, we will try something a little different. We will have a Chinese Dinner (catered) beginning 6:30 PM followed by Shabbat services at 8 PM. You must make your reservation by January 4th (with payment) to be able to participate. NO EXCEPTIONS. The cost will be $15 per adult, $8 for children 13 and under which includes soup, veggie roll, main courses, and rice. (If you went out for dinner it probably would cost you at least that much and you would still have to pay tax and tip.) Of course, we will have dessert with the Oneg. We also eat out monthly for lunch when we have, Lunch with the Rabbi, which is totally social. Our next Lunch with the Rabbi is Tuesday, December 8th at J. Corks. It is Dutch treat. We often eat at places that support the Taste of Westmoreland, but we also like to try new places. Also discussed at the Board Meeting was the idea of having a Congregational Seder this year. It would be on the second night of Passover, which would be Saturday, April 23rd. If you think you might be interested in attending and/or helping, please let me know. Again, we would probably have the main part of the meal

catered and ask people to help with the preliminary parts of the Seder and desserts. As we know more, we will keep you posted. The Torah teaches us in Deuteronomy that “a person does not live by bread alone.” One needs to nourish the soul and mind, as well as, feed the body. Therefore, we have two new learning opportunities. We are restarting the book club. Our first book will be The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks which is about King David. We will meet Wednesday, January 20th at CEI at 7 PM. You might also consider reading Gangsterland by Ted Goldberg, a novel in which a hitman for the Mafia goes into the witness protection program as a rabbi. That will hopefully be the book club selection for March 9th. The High Holiday surveys showed there was a desire for Congregants to give a D’var Torah on the Torah portion occasionally. On Sunday, December 20th we will have a workshop to give you the tools to create a D’var Torah. It will meet at 11:00 AM in the board room and will include my Religious school students who already have some experience from their B’nai Mitzvah and hopefully will step forward to do another one. RSVP by Wednesday, December 16th, if you intend to attend this workshop. Lastly to nourish your soul and your mind, you might consider coming to the Saturday morning minyan on December 19th which starts at 10 AM. We use Mishkan T’fillah for that service and while most of it is in Hebrew, those who attend have commented on how they like the service and how fast it seems to go. Following the service there is a Kiddush with food (of course, we have to eat) and then a Torah study, although not everyone stays for Torah Study. Please let us know by Wednesday, December 16th if you will join us that Saturday morning. We want to make sure not only that we have enough people for worship, but also that there is enough food. After all, we Jews need both flour and Torah. Happy Hanukkah and a Happy Secular New Year.

I do not like dill, so I do not use it. I have used chives, but generally omit them. I use regular rice. Sometimes I put in the spinach; sometimes I leave it out. In addition to the tomato juice, I have started adding a six ounce can of spicy V8, for a bit more flavor.

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President: As the end of 2015 nears, there are a few ‘housekeeping’ items that I would like to bring to your attention. 1. As you may know, The Taste of Westmoreland will be held on March 12, 2016 and the Committee has already held its first meeting. Terri Katzman has been chairing this most important event for the past seven years and is not going to continue after 2016, so we need someone or two people or three people who will step up and take on the chairmanship for 2017, which means that this very special person or these very special people need to shadow Terri as she prepares for the event. If no one steps forward, the 2016 TOW will most likely be the last one and that would be very sad indeed. Given that this event is C.E.I.’s largest fundraiser, it would be a shame not to have it continue! There is a fabulous and experienced committee in place…someone to chair the committee is what is needed. If you are that special, wonderful, fabulous, sensational, fabulous person, please contact Terri to make arrangements to meet with her. Thank you! 2. You should have received your Go for the Gelt tickets by now and I hope that you will purchase all five of the tickets or even more…they make great gifts. This is a Congregation fundraiser, so we hope for 100% participation and good luck…I hope that you are a winner. 3. We very much appreciate that you are recycling bottles and cans, but please wash out the containers before putting them into the recycling bin. Also, please check the bottom of each plastic container to see if there is a 1 or 2 within a triangle, which means that the plastic is recyclable. Thank you! 4. You will soon be receiving your Fair Share Commitment letter from Julie Goldstein, our treasurer. Please fill out your Commitment form and return it as soon as you receive it and please try to increase you commitment from last year’s. Our membership is decreasing, because unfortunately, people are passing away or relocating to another state, so it is vital that your financial support continues and increases, if it is at all possible. 5. Lastly, if you were kind enough to make a generous pledge to the Capital/Endowment Campaign and have not yet submitted your pledged amount for 2015, The Capital/Endowment Campaign Committee would like to remind you that the end of the year is approaching and it would be greatly appreciated if you would remit your check before the end of this month. With the funds raised for the Capital Fund, five new exterior doors were purchased, installed and painted. So the building is more secure, more energy efficient and more handicapped accessible. We are so very appreciative of your generous support! 6. I wish all of you a very Happy Chanukah and many joyous times with your family and friends through the upcoming holiday season! Irene

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CHATTER

Happy Birthday wishes to: Grant Eisenstatt, James Ratner, Yolanda Pavloff, Michael Liptak, Bob Gelman, Sinde Snitger, Paul Cornez, Natalie Cornez, Karen Chobirko, Jack Moldovan, Judith Goldstein, Jerold Shpargel and Julie Goldstein. Happy Anniversary wishes to: Shirley & Herb Ratner, Norma & Larry Brodell celebrating 60 years of marriage and Lois & Jerry Browdie celebrating 55 years of marriage. We offer condolences to members Marsha & Richard Wong & Family on the death of their daughter Lara Wong. And to, Marion & Bob Slone & Family on the death of Marion’s father, Abe Berman. You can teach us Torah. Join us Sunday December 20th at 11 AM for a workshop on how to prepare a D'var Torah. As a result of the High Holiday Survey, there was a request from Congregants to be able to give an occasional D'var Torah. This workshop will show you many of the tools available to create a D'var Torah. You will also be able to choose a Torah portion to comment upon.RSVP by December 16th, if you plan to attend. We will have a Chinese Dinner (catered) Friday, January 8 th beginning 6:30 PM followed by Shabbat services at 8 PM. You must make your reservation by January 4 th (with payment) to be able to participate. NO EXEPTIONS. The cost will be $15 per adult, $8 for children 13 and under which includes soup, veggie roll, main courses, and rice. (If you went out for dinner, it probably would cost you at least that much and you would still have to pay tax and tip.) Of course, we will have dessert with the Oneg. THE RABBI’S TISH (The Rabbi’s Table) – Reservations are required! The Rabbi’s Tish (The Rabbi’s Table) is a pot luck meal at CEI with a limit of 30 people. You will need to RSVP by the Tuesday before the dinner and will know, in advance, if it is dairy or meat and be asked what you are bringing to share. It is the Rabbi’s hope that by welcoming Shabbat together and eating together; we will have an enhanced Shabbat experience. Reservations are now being taken for the next Rabbi’s Tish on Friday, January 22, 2016 @ 6:30 PM. It will be a meat meal followed by an 8:00 PM Shabbat Service. You must RSVP by January 19. Please come share our meal. “GO FOR THE GELT RAFFLE” – A great gift to donate on behalf of anyone: your children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews, neighbors … For each of the 8 nights of Chanukah, we will draw a winner who will win $36.00 of “Gelt”. The cost is $2.50 per ticket or 10 for $20. A winner will be picked from the stubs returned, no need to watch the lottery for winning numbers! Please purchase those tickets sent to you in mid-November and/or call the office should you need more. All proceeds benefit CEI and your generosity is greatly appreciated. 4

CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTERS NEEDED! Volunteers are needed to be responsible for lighting the giant Chanukah Menorah on the front lawn from 12/6-12/13, especially Dec. 6 and Dec. 12. A sign up flyer is in the office, if you and/or your family would like to help us celebrate this holiday with the community. Also, any evenings you would be available and would like to join with the “lighting family”, feel free to attend. Times are on the December calendar elsewhere in this Bulletin. The WHY Youth Group will host a Chanukah Party on Sunday, December 6 at CEI at 1:00 PM. This party is open to students grades 7 through 12. We will be making latkes (starting around noon), eating goodies, enjoying karaoke and more. Bring two gifts, one unwrapped for Toys for Tots and one wrapped for a gift exchange (with a value of no more than $15). RSVP to Dan Reiter at 724-325-7004 or [email protected] by Wednesday December 2nd.

CHANUKAH GIFT SHOP OPENS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015 Get ready for Chanukah. Candles, Chanukah gelt, dreidels, paper goods, and cards will be available in the Board Room at CEI on November 20. Purchases can be made at any time CEI is open. Fill out the sales form and leave it with your money and/or check in the designated box. This is a Sisterhood fundraiser, please support our Sisterhood. Tot Shabbat Do you have a youngster from age 1-7? Tot Shabbat is an opportunity to introduce your youngster to a Shabbat service on a level that is appropriate for them and involves him or her. Following the brief service, we have a light snack and an activity. The program starts at 11 AM. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, but other relatives including older siblings are invited to join us. Just make sure you RSVP the Wednesday before the Shabbat, so we have enough materials and snacks for all. Also, if there are any food allergies, please let us know. There is no charge for this program. The next Tot Shabbats will be Dec. 5 with a Chanukah theme. Mark your calendars for Tot Shabbat on Jan. 23, March 19 (Purim) and May 14.

The Festival of the Jewish Arts Schedule for 2016 Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 7:00 PM, Chamber Music Concert @ UPG Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 7:00 PM, Stand-Up Comic Rabbi Bob Alper Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 7:00 PM, Klezmer Music Concert USED INK CARTRIDGES! We continue to collect used printer ink cartridges (any brand) to help defray the cost of office supplies.. A box is on the desk in the office for the collection of ink cartridges. Thank you for your help.

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OFFICE HOURS: Rabbi Perman, generally, has office hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 A.M. to 1:30 PM. Please call 724-834-0560, should you need or wish to schedule an appointment. The Rabbi would like to “Recapture Shabbat”. Unless it is an absolute emergency, please do not call the Rabbi on Saturdays until after sunset. The Rabbi would like to have a sense of Shabbat. Your understanding is appreciated. We are collecting Coins for Torah (to help with the Torah Repair Fund). Our goal is to collect 79,847 coins, for each word in Torah. We now have over 12,000 coins collected. There is a box in the social hall to drop your coins in, so please bring your spare change and help us make the goal. Once again thanks for all your support, Sinde Snitger.

ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS Books recently purchased with donations made to the Library Fund and the CEI Sisterhood: The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks (Fiction). A Remarkable Kindness by Diana Bletter (Fiction). A Devil in Jerusalem by Naomi Ragen (Fiction) Harvest of Light by Allison Ofanansky (Youth Holiday-Hanukkah). Book recently donated: The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff (Easy Reader). Geraldine Brook’s new novel, The Secret Chord, reimagines King David's life. The story is told by Natan, a prophet, who is both seer and adviser to David. Natan's relationship to David begins in horrifying violence when his father is murdered by a band of David's men. Natan, only 10, has a vision of David becoming king, and it is the same vision David has, one that binds them for life. David is a complicated character, one we may not like because of his brutality in battle, and because of his flaws and enormous ego. Natan allows the reader to enter David's mind and heart. He promises David an empire and a line that would never fail throughout generations. The prophet interviews David's mother and surviving brother who describe David as a young outcast who needed to fend for himself. Natan also interviews David's wives who must deal with David's manipulations and learn to survive. Avigail, David's third wife truly loved him, while Mikhal, Shaul's daughter, and Bathsheba, mother of Shlomo, despise him. Brooks describes the love between David and Shaul's son Yonatan as a true love, which is often debated by scholars. David plays his harp and composes songs usually during grief from a battle or loss of a friend. Shlomo, son of David and Bathsheva is prophesied to become king after David. Natan spends his later years tutoring Shlomo to prepare him for his leadership as a future king. In The Secret Chord, Brooks describes David the harpist and poet, a complex and fascinating man, caught up in sin as he is in faith and song. Brooks builds the story from Scriptural sources, and her descriptions take the reader to imagine life in the Second Iron Age Israel. Shirley Shpargel

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SISTERHOOD HANUKKAH PARTY Thursday, December 10 7 PM CEI Social Hall Games and Refreshments Bring a small wrapped gift to exchange (this maybe a re-gift) Also bring a snack to share RSVP to Shirley Shpargel at 724-836-5073 or [email protected] Temple David’s Holiday Bazaar! Temple David located at 4415 Northern Pike in Monroeville is holding a Holiday Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 9am to 2pm. This Bazaar is the East Suburbs premiere handmade craft show in Allegheny County, bringing to the community the finest artisans and crafters from all over the surrounding area. From the finest crystal jewelry and finely made toys for your favorite kiddo to the best tasting ethnic foods and baked goods that will leave you wanting more, there is something for everyone at the Holiday Bazaar at Temple David. For more information, please contact Melissa Cooper at [email protected].

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CONGREGATION EMANU-EL ISRAEL BOARD MEETING MINUTES - Wednesday, November 11, 2015 ATTENDING: Shayla Anthony, Julie Goldstein, Bob Halden, Mary Ellen Kane, Terri Katzman, Virginia Lieberman, Gary Moidel, Rabbi Perman, Daniel Reiter, Irene Rothschild, Richard Virshup. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: The minutes of the October meeting were approved as published in the Bulletin. RABBI REPORT: The Festival of the Jewish Arts held a successful event with the showing of A Serious Man and some discussion about possibly offering a class to further discuss the film. Rabbi’s Tish and Lunch with Rabbi – J Corks in December - continue. Veterans were honored at Shabbat services. Tot Shabbat is scheduled. Rabbi took her students to hear Father Patrick Desbois as part of the Holocaust conference. Rabbi is planning an unveiling for Gloria Glasser and has provided support to the Wongs as they dealt with Lara’s funeral. Israel Bonds program will be at Robin and Paul Mickey’s home. Rabbi is trying to develop a class on the Szyk Haggadah with Rabbi Tuchman for spring and is hoping to restart the book club in January. She is also starting to make preparations for Purim. She is hoping to have the student rabbi from Monessen, who is of Persian descent, come and speak. Rabbi represented the Congregation at the Unity Coalition Rally and is grateful to Virginia Lieberman for helping to staff the table. This was a great opportunity to network with some people, including Phil Koch, director of the Westmoreland Community Foundation and Al Thiel, director of student affairs at UPG about working with Jewish students at Pitt. Rabbi attended a meeting of GPRA, attended the annual dinner meeting of MHA and had breakfast with the speaker about women returning from war. Rabbi also had lunch with Bishop Malesic. Rabbi attended the opening of the Szyk art exhibit at SHU and took the Ministerium and Reform Rabbis to see the exhibit. She attended the Holocaust conference at SHU and the Board meeting. Rabbi heard Israel’s Counsel General speak at the JCC, attended Kristallnacht at SHU, and attended the program at Temple David on Rabin and how groups are trying to deal with hatred since his death. CEI was responsible for providing beverages. She went to visit a Jewish resident at Oak Hill and will be helping at Otterbein with Thanksgiving Dinner. Rabbi has been invited to participate in the annual program dedicating the memory tree for Excela Hospice and will be speaking at Anathen House regarding her dreidels and at First Presbyterian Church to talk to young people about Hanukkah. Rabbi appreciated Joel Last stepping in at the last moment to do the music parts of the service when she was fighting an infection. She is planning to be away at the end of December and is seriously considering attending the CCAR conference in Israel in February. TREASURER REPORT: Contributions are up compared to this time last year. Yearly commitment forms will be going out soon. Those who made a pledge to the Capital Campaign are reminded that their pledges are due before the end of the year. PRESIDENT REPORT: The Glasser Family sent a thank you letter for the Board’s donation to the Social Action Fund in memory of Gloria Glasser. Given that the Caring Committee is a function of the Congregation, all donations towards meals for grieving families or families suffering an illness should be made directly to the Caring Fund. Reimbursements for expenses will be paid from the fund. Anyone wishing to donate toward meals or the Meal of Comfort for the Wong Family should send checks to the Caring Fund. Bea will then acknowledge those donations. Jewish Family Services is asking for a swap of ads for our calendar and their brochure. They have traditionally placed a $35.00 8

ad, but are now asking for this swap. Shayla will work with Karen to develop this. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Administration: December 1, 2015 is Bea’s anniversary date and Irene will conduct an evaluation with her. She is recommending an increase in her wage, effective December 1, 2015. The goal is to provide a living wage for her. Richard moved that she receive the recommended increase. Gary seconded the motion. Passed. Scott prefers to keep his wage and vacation package as is. Irene will ask our ‘Secret Santa’ to help cover the cost of a holiday bonus which will be the same as last year. Approved. Technology Report: Shayla reported that we may have to update our Comcast service to a newer version soon and the price will increase. She will look into a change in phone service which would reduce the cost. The CEI website cost has dropped. The TOW website has been renewed. Fundraising/Special Events: The evening with the violinist sponsored by Sisterhood and the Men’s Club was excellent and very well attended by Congregants and community. The TOW contract has not come yet. Just a reminder that someone must step up to chair the TOW or it will not happen in the future. This is Terri’s last year as chair. Go for the Gelt tickets have gone out. Everyone is encouraged to support this fundraiser. Membership: There are no new or potential members at this time. Physical Properties: The new doors have been installed and painted and new locks installed. The contractor will come back to retouch the back door. Irene contacted the concrete contractor about the damage to the front sidewalk and that will be revisited in the spring when the weather is better. Richard will take pictures of the damage to document it. Richard will get doorstops for some of the new outside doors. The tree in front of the porch needs to be removed. The roots are damaging the porch. Richard will follow up on that. Religious Practices: Ronda reported that the Ritual Practices Committee met on October 28, 2015. They discussed the High Holidays including the role of the ushers during services. Irene will look into hiring security, if necessary. The committee is also looking into pairing a young person with a former President to hold the Torahs. Committee members were pleased with both the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services and they are looking at several new ideas for next year, such as a new blessing for the children. There was a wonderful turn out for Tashlich. The committee is considering including dessert at Twin Lakes next time. The idea of Cello Music was explored. Rabbi will check with Seton Hill. Sukkot dinner was very nice. Some new decorations are needed, but it was an enjoyable "family" setting. Everyone liked the new prayer book for Simchat Torah. The committee would like a Saturday Night Film for Selichot. While the Rabbi is away at the end of the year, Shoshana Halden will lead services on 12/25. Joel Last will lead services on 1/1/16. Purim is 3/23/16. Mostly Music Services will be 12/11, 1/15/16, 2/19/16 and 3/18/16. Social Action: The Urania Avenue Clean-up and Meals on Wheels projects went well on Mitzvah day. High Holiday donations to the Westmoreland County Food Bank totaled 194 pounds of food and several monetary donations. Sisterhood: The Rummage Sale went very well! There seemed to be more merchandise and more foot traffic than usual. Leftover clothing was donated to a church in Penn Township that gives clothing to the needy. Sisterhood members enjoyed a very nice dinner at the Rialto and tour of the Szyk exhibit at SHU. The 12/10 meeting will be a Hanukah party. The Hanukkah dinner will be on 12/13 at 5:00. Men’s Club: November Mitzvah Day is dedicated to putting up the menorah and watching the Steeler game. The men also hope to be able to move the electrical connection for the TV and replace the bulb on the porch. Weather permitting they will repair the cement in the wall on the street behind the building and above the boardroom, collect the leaves on the roof and lawn and trim the trees and 9

bushes. Youth: Some members will be going to the Pittsburgh Regional Youth group trampoline event in November. The Hanukkah party will be 12/6 at CEI. Old Business: Rabbi had requested that the board review CEI’s vision statement in relation to the survey she distributed at the High Holiday services. The board discussed the first statement Congregation Emanu-El Israel responds to the religious, cultural and spiritual needs of the Jewish community of Westmoreland County and the surrounding area by providing a Bet Tefilah, House of Worship, as a place to celebrate and observe Jewish spiritual traditions. Rabbi could teach a class on how to develop and write a D’var Torah. A discussion about Saturday morning minyan focused on the difficulty of consistently getting enough people. Attendance is better at the once a month 10:00 minyan. The board felt that there should be more publicity about when minyans are – times and siddurs being used. Minyan could be a good option for people who do not want to drive at night if everyone knew the schedule. It was suggested that a neighborhood based carpool might be an option for evening services. The question of use of instruments at services was discussed. Would having dinner after 5:30 services – going out as a group, not at the Temple - draw people? Should the dinner be catered in the social hall? Is there more interest in an ethnic dinner? Should the Congregation host a second night Seder for those who have no place to go for Seder or would it be better to connect people with hosts for first night? The vision discussion will continue at the next meeting. Adjourn: Bob moved the meeting be adjourned. Mary Ellen seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm. Deadlines for the Bulletin are ALWAYS the SECOND FRIDAY of the month. The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 9, 2015. Minutes respectfully recorded by Virginia Lieberman, Recording Secretary, and submitted by Irene Rothschild

HOLIDAY MITZVAH DAY We will not be volunteering as a community this year on Christmas Day at Westmoreland Excela, but if you wish the Jewish Federation is offering many opportunities to volunteer December 24 and December 25. Check out their website http://jfedvolunteer.org/mitzvah-day-2015.

A huge THANK YOU to SISTERHOOD for their donation of funds to the CEI Religious School. These funds were raised during High Holidays at Break-theFast. I, and the school, greatly appreciate your support. Shoshana Halden BEGINNER’S HEBREW CLASS (Adult) will begin on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 @ 5:00 PM. For further information or to sign-up, please contact Shoshana Halden. 10

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PULPIT FLOWERS. Oct. 16: In Memory of: Harry Ziff by Phyllis Davis, Marilyn & Jim Davis. Alexander F. Kaufman by Doris & Huddie Kaufman. Oct. 30: Michelle Wendy Haupt by Linda & Richard Liebman. Eva Levin by Doris & Huddie Kaufman. Reuben Slone by Marion & Robert Slone. Nov. 6: Samuel Benowitz by Marion & Robert Slone. Nov. 13: Libby Gordon by Doris & Huddie Kaufman. Ruth S. Roth by Shirley Ratner & Family. Nov. 20: Stevan Gold by Marilyn & Jim Davis.

ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY FUND: Capital Improvements. ARCHIVE FUND: Helps to defray the cost of archiving the history of CEI. BOB & PHYLLIS DAVIS FAMILY FUND: Youth scholarships & enrichment. CAPITAL FUND: Building structure repairs & replacements. Marilyn & Jim Davis, Phylis & Wally Caplan. CARING FUND: Supports congregants who are experiencing sickness, bereavement & other personal difficulties. In Memory of: Lara Wong by Mary Ellen Kane, Shoshana & Bob Halden, Shirley & Jerold Shpargel, Sheila & Barry Kassel, Lois & Jerry Browdie, Doris & Huddie Kaufman, Cori & Michael Liptak, Shirley Ratner & Family, Ann & Bob Gelman, The Chobirko Family, Anita Weisel, Denise Gold, Marilyn, Jim, Kate, Josh & Sue Davis, The Pavloff Family, The Moidel Family, Phylis & Wally Caplan, Linda & Richard Liebman, Ronda Goetz, Carol & Jim Ratner, Irene C. Rothschild and Phyllis Davis. CEI ENDOWMENT FUND: Provides for the continuity of the congregation. Susan & Jeffrey Firestone and Esther & Stuart Glasser. TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND: For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery. COMPUTER FUND: Provides a means to continually upgrade & maintain CEI’s computer system/software. COPIER FUND: Provides a means to maintain a copier for the CEI office. This is a major need and is used by various staff and committees. CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. In Honor of: The High Holidays by Paula Yablonsky & Mark Gibbons. CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Henry Feuerstein, Louis Lader, Rose Shpargel & Nathan Metz by Shirley & Jerold Shpargel. Mike Leifer by Joyce Leifer Schenck. Michelle Wendy Haupt by Linda & Richard Liebman. Miriam Glantz by Norman Glantz. Selma Reiss by David B. Reiss. Abraham Glasser by Susan & Jeffrey Firestone, Esther & Stuart Glasser. Jessie E. Cohen & Alexander H. Cohen by his grandsons, Joe Cohen, Stanley Cohen, & Harry Cohen. Harvey Weiner by Terri & Stanley Katzman. Charlotte Bloom by Joel Bloom. Billy Jean Ayers by Joel Last. Sarah Pavloff by Phyllis & Sidney Ackerman and Yolanda & Jerry Pavloff. Ruth S. Roth by Shirley Ratner & Family. Stevan Gold & Gladys Gold by Denise Gold. Lara Wong by Denise Gold & Nancy Gold. Judith Strauss by Rachel & Bert Minushkin.

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FANNY MILLSTEIN MEMORIAL FUND: For approved major maintenance or beautification. IVAN B. YOUNG EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT FUND: Supports the advancement of Jewish education. JOANNE BRODELL ALPERN MEMORIAL FUND: For youth activities. LIBRARY BOOK FUND: Provides for the purchase of books and other resource material for the library. NEW SHABBAT PRAYER BOOKS: Provides for the purchase of new Mishkan T’filah. RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Helps individuals and/or org. in need. REMEMBRANCE FUND: A special donation to Sisterhood to honor or celebrate an event or person. Phylis Caplan (834-3494). In Honor of: The retirement of Mary Ellen Kane by Irene Rothschild. The Special Birthday of Jerry Gross by Phylis & Wally Caplan, Esther & Stuart Glasser. The engagement of Matthew Harrison & Elizabeth Meyer by Irene Rothschild. The 25th wedding anniversary of Julie & Mitch Goldstein by Irene Rothschild. The Speedy Recovery of: Eric Karelitz by Doris & Huddie Kaufman. Shirley Shpargel by Irene Rothschild & Jack Wilder. Mickey Radman by Irene Rothschild. Jim Davis by Irene Rothschild. Kathleen Frye-Nofores by Irene Rothschild. In Memory of: Lara Wong by Irene Rothschild, Doris & Huddie Kaufman. SIDEWALK FUND: To repair or lay down new sidewalks in the front of the synagogue. SOCIAL ACTION FUND: Supports projects that benefit our community. STAIRGLIDE FUND: Funds to provide for the up-keep of a stair glide allowing those in a need a way to participate in functions both upstairs & down. THE FESTIVAL OF THE JEWISH ARTS FUND: In Memory of: Bette Buchman by Ronda Goetz. TORAH REPAIR FUND: To provide funds to repair the Torah. In Memory of: Israel Shpargel & Sukie Lefkowitz by Shirley & Jerold Shpargel. R.L. WOLINSKY MEMORIAL FUND: For membership recruitment, new member social activities & Board Development activities. Tree of Life Share your joy! Inscribe a leaf or stone on our Tree of Life. Leaf -- $180 each Stone -- $1000 each (All prices includes engraving) The golden leaves may be inscribed to commemorate joyous events such as births, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, or other special occasions. Share your joy by inscribing simchas on our Tree of Life…… an everlasting remembrance of the meaningful happy events that touch life.

MEMORIAL PLAQUES: Remember a loved one by purchasing a plaque for the sanctuary Memorial Boards. For more details, please contact the CEI office at 724-834-0560. HOSPITAL VISITS – The Rabbi will gladly make visits to local area hospitals to visit sick congregants. Since hospitals no longer release patient information, your help is needed for these visits to take place. Please notify CEI with patient name and hospital.

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CENTRAL SCHOLARSHIP & LOAN REFERRAL SERVICE (CSLRS) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Applications for need-based college scholarships for the 2016-2017 school year are available from the Central Scholarship & Loan Referral Service (CSLRS) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. This program is administered by Jewish Family & Children's Service. The funds are made available through the generosity of families who have established endowments through the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, Jewish Community Center, National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Women International of Pittsburgh (formerly B'nai B'rith Women), The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Rodef Shalom Congregation. All scholarships are distributed on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Depending on the scholarship fund, other factors such as academic achievement, field of study, school attending, and community involvement may also be considered. In addition, the applicant must be Jewish, reside in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler or Washington County for at least two years, and need financial assistance to attend an accredited institution of higher education as either an undergraduate or graduate student. The CSLRS on-line application is available now at http://www.centralscholarship.org. All applications are due February 11, 2016. First-time applicants must be interviewed. All applications should be submitted as early as possible to ensure processing.

BOOK CLUB: We are restarting the book club. Our first book will be The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks which is about King David. We will meet Wednesday, January 20 th at CEI at 7 PM. You might also consider reading Gangsterland by Ted Goldberg, a novel in which a hitman for the Mafia goes into the witness protection program as a rabbi. That will hopefully be the book club selection for March 9th. Mark your calendars and look for more info in the January 2016 Bulletin. Recapturing Shabbat, which was designed to allow people to attend Shabbat Services beginning at 5:30 PM and then have a leisurely Shabbat dinner with other members of the Congregation in their home. Some Congregants have used Recapturing Shabbat to eat dinner together with Congregants at a local restaurant, which is still fine. It means though, we might change the name to Davening and Dinner. We will have two Recapturing Shabbats (or Davening and Dinner) this year on February 5th and February 12th. Look for more details in the January 2016 Bulletin. The Jewish violinist and featured soloist for Opening Night of the Westmoreland Symphony, Yevgevy Kutik, performed at CEI on October 22. The “Meet & Greet” for Yevgevy Kutik was sponsored by the CEI Sisterhood & Men’s Club.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND SERVICES 2015 KISLEV - TEVET 5776 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY 1

WEDNESDAY 2

THURSDAY 3

FRIDAY 4

8:00pmShabbat Service followed by First Friday Study Session.

6 Erev Chanukah 10:00am Religious School 12noon WHY Latke Making 1:00pm WHY Chanukah Party @ CEI

7 Chanukah

5:00pm6:30pm Hebrew School 2nd Light

6:00pm 1st Light

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14 Chanukah

8 Chanukah

9 Chanukah

12:30pm Lunch w/Rabbi @ JCorks rd

7:00pm 3 Light The Festival of the Jewish Arts Committee Mtg

7:00pm 4th Light 7:00pm CEI Board Meeting

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16

10 Chanukah

11

12 Miketz

Chanukah

Rosh Chodesh Chanukah 8:30am Minyan (Greensburg)

7:00pm 5th Light Sisterhood Chanukah Party @ CEI

7:30 PM Family Shabbat Chanukah Mostly Music Service 6th Light

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18

Rosh Chodesh 10:00am Religious School 5:00pm 8th Light & Chanukah Dinner

20

6:00pm 7th Light

19 Vayigash 10:00am Minyan & Torah Study (Greensburg)

5:00pm6:30pm Hebrew School

21

10:00am Religious School 11:00am D’var Torah Workshop

5:00pm6:30pm Hebrew School

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28

NO Religious School. (Winter Break)

SATURDAY 5 Vayeshev 8:30am Minyan (Greensburg) 11:00am Tot Shabbat (Chanukah)

NO Hebrew School

Sun., Jan 3 Wed., Jan. 6 Fri., Jan. 8 Fri., Jan. 15 Sat., Jan. 16 Wed., Jan. 20 Fri., Jan. 22 Sat., Jan. 23 Fri., Feb 5 & 12

8:00pm Shabbat Service

22

23

24

25

26 Vayechi

OFFICE CLOSED

8:30am Minyan (Greensburg)

8:00pm Shabbat Service.

29

30

31

Jan 1, 2016

2 Shemot

OFFICE CLOSED

8:30am Minyan (Greensburg)

8:00pm Shabbat Services All times & events subject to change.

Please Note: No Religious School. Beginner’s Hebrew Class begins @ 5:00 PM. Taste of Westmoreland meeting. 7:00 PM. Catered Chinese Dinner @ 6:30 PM. Shabbat Services @ 8:00 PM. Family Mostly Music Shabbat Service. 7:30 PM. The Festival of the Jewish Arts Chamber Music Concert @ UPG Campana Chapel @ 7:00 PM. Book Club @ CEI. 7:00 PM. Rabbi’s Tish (Meat) 6:30 PM. Shabbat Services. 8:00 PM. Tot Shabbat @ 11:00 AM @ CEI. Davening & Dinner. 5:30 PM.

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Rabbi Sara Rae Perman. CEI Officers: President: Irene Rothschild. 1st Vice President: Richard Virshup. 2nd Vice President: Gary Moidel. Treasurer: Julie Goldstein. Recording Secretary: Virginia Lieberman. Sisterhood President: Terri Katzman. Men’s Club President: Gary Moidel. Bulletin Editors: Irene Rothschild, Bea Harrison. Webmaster: Shayla Anthony.

December 4: Bessie Abrams, *Phillip Abramson, *Rose Glasser, *Harry Baron Gold, *Sadie R. Gold, *Sarah Grossman, Cantor Saul Z. Hammerman, *Max Kay, *Louis H. Levine, *Samuel Levine, *Rachel Marcus, *Samuel Margaretten, Julius Marks, Robert Mender, *Pinkus Middleman, *Fanny Kogut Millstein and Rose Vitale. December 11: Aaron Abrams, *Joseph Berezofsky, *Morris Caplan, *Maness Charapp, *Harry M. Dates, *Rabbi David Davis, *Joseph Finkelhor, *Albert E. Gold, *John Halden, *Robert Kessler, *Dorothy D. Kramer, *Alexander L. Levin, *Betty Rae Lewis, Robert Lisker, *Max Litchfield, *Philip Mervis, *Celia Levin Ratner, *Samuel Shapiro, Freda Virshup, Lillian Weiner, and *Mary Young. December 18: Louis Arbetter, *Anne Berkowitz, *Robert Davis, Harry Goldman, *Clara Hochberg, *Ethel Farber Hoyt, Sandy Kalick, *William Jay Karelitz, Ethel W. Kaufmann, *Anna Kay, *Rae M. Levine, *Eva Markowitz, *Sam Miller, *Rella W. Ratner, *Simon Sucatzky, and Mildred V. Wilson. December 25: Aaron J. Abrams, Bertha Ainbender, *Benjamin S. Browdie, *R. Herbert Buchman, John C. Byrne, Jr., Florence Clovsky, *Gittl R. Cohen, *Alfred Engel, Dorothy Farber, Hilda Freeman, Ruth Fribourg, *Harry M. Friedlander, *Aaron Friedman, *Morris Gold, Charles Horne, *Sarah E. Kramer, *Rosalind Levin, *Ida Margaret Levin, *Joseph H. Levin, Abe Liebman, *Thelma Loundy, Jacob Meyers, *Louis I. Paull, *Louis Rubin, *Ellen Rochelle Rudt, *Mary Schwartz, Louis Segal, *Alex Shofnosky, *Sylvia Becker Victor, *Fannie Weber, *Edith Wolinsky, and *William Wolinsky. January 1, 2016: Mildred Angerman, *Joseph Edward Barend, *Samuel Brill, *Julius Caplan, *Maurice J. K. Davis, *Simon Davis, Mildred Davison, Florence Brill Dobkin, *David Flamm, *Lena F. Friedlander, Richard Gerecter, *Miriam Gillis, *Eva Glicenstein, *Samuel Glicenstein, *Celia R. Goldberg, *Rachel Gordon, Edythe Kane Hoffman, *Gizella Holtzer, Samuel M. Hyman, Ruthe Kassel, Gilbert Katz, Frank Keating, Jenny Lalli, *Anna Lewis, *Rebecca Mistroff, *Mayme Moidel, *Morris M. Naumoff, Alex Pavloff, Leonard Pittler, *Lena Pomerantz, *Charles Shendowich, *Morris Shendowich, *Moses M. Shoag, *Paul Shoff, Goldie Slone, Dr. Arnold Stern, Louis Strauss, David L. Trout, Isadore J. Weinstein, Mary C. Weinstein, *William Wolfe, *Morris M. Young, and *Morris Ziff.

* A light will be lit on the Memorial Board

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