newsletterSPRING 2016

TEMPLE BETH AM GIVES TO THE COMMUNITY

Rabbi Robert Weiner | Cantor and Education Director: Jamie Tortorello-Allen | President: Jay Gussak

203 Church Place, Yorktown Hts., NY 10598 | www.templebetham-ny.org | 914.962.7500

TEMPLE BETH AM MEMBERS GIVE BACK TO THE TEMPLE

Please check our website at www.templebetham-ny.org for updates.

Join us for Shabbat Services Fridays at 8 PM. Family Services are on thefirst Friday of every month at 7:30 PM. Welcoming Shabbat, our programfor young children, is on the second Friday of every month from 5:30-6:30 PM and includes a kid-friendly dinner.

Torah Study is on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month at 9 AM.

Wine with Weiner is on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7:45 PM.Sisterhood meets once a month. Upcoming dates are: Tuesday,March 29 –Women’s Seder; Monday, April 11–Cookie Swap; Sunday,May 1 –Mother’s Day Tea. See our website for date changes andmore information.Men’s Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm.

Coming Up at Temple Beth Am

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MARCH

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Temple Beth Am Gives Back continued...

WOMEN’S SEDER-7:30 PM

PIZZA & BINGO EVENT-4:00-6:00 PM

MEN’S CLUB BURGERS & BOWLING7:00 PM WEST. BURGER CO.- 8:30 PM GRAND PRIX NY RACING

PASSOVER STORY TIME & CRAFT-1:30-2:30PMJOHN C. HART MEMORIAL LIBRARY (AGES 4-6)

PASSOVER SEDER-6:00 PMAT COLONIAL TERRACE

YOM HASHOAH SERVICE-6:30 PM

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL:K-6 CLOSING CEREMONY-9:00 AMK-6 PANCAKE BREAKFAST-10:15 AM

DINNER & COMEDY NIGHT WITH BROADWAY COMEDIANS 7:00 PM AT ROMA'S ITALIAN GRILL

What's Your Passion?

Adult EventsBook ClubBuildings and GroundsCAREingChesedChoirCommunicationsJewish CommunityJudaica ShopLandscapingLibraryLong Range Planning

MembershipMen's ClubOnegsPublicityRitualSchool CommitteeSecuritySisterhoodSocial ActionSpecial EventsWays and MeansYouth Group

To place an advertisement in our next newsletter please contact us

at BethAmCommunications@gmail.com.

A Special Message...Oma’s Kitchencc

Chai School Teaches Torah

Thanksgiving Interfaith Service – StandingTogether in Peace & Friendship

Passover Lasagna

Step Up and Pave the Way for a Legacy

Stacy G. and Maci at their Friday night presentation.

4'-0"

P

8" x 16" pavers

4" x 8" pavers

16" x 16" pavers

Temple Beth Am Drawing

Church StreetEntrance

Parking Lot

This will be my final columnin the quarterly newsletter before my term as presidentconcludes at the end of June.As I pen this article, we, andmany congregations acrossAmerica, face similar chal-lenges since affiliation withJewish religious institutions has declined in recentyears. With operating budgets and dues dependent on membership, we must thereforelook to new and innovative ways to attract and retain members. So what can we do to help?We are our own best advertisement! If each of usdoes our own small part, every member we bringin will help strengthen our programming as wellas the infrastructure of the Temple.Another way to help the Temple is through yourdonations -- of time, or money, or simply your enthusiasm! Everything you do can only helpTemple Beth Am grow and prosper, both withinour doors and within our community.Temple Beth Am is your home, your family, andwe all need to support it in whatever way possible.Our doors are always open to discuss specific projects or endowments that a family may be interested in funding. If so, you can speak to RabbiRobbie, me or my successor, and we will do whatwe can to help facilitate the project.One such project that deserves special mention isour Legacy Walkway, where members can sponsorone or more paving stones to improve the walkingpath which leads from the parking lot to the frontdoors of the sanctuary. On these stones you will beable to have a tribute engraved that will be seenfor generations to come.It has been both an honor and a privilege to be your president for the past four years. As I move on, there are too many people to thank individually. However, I'd be remiss without mentioning the tireless work of our clergy and ourboard, including all the trustees, executive boardmembers, and committee chairs. You are the engine that helps make Temple Beth Am runsmoothly. I also wish to acknowledge my family,Sue, Stacey and Robert, for their many sacrificesalong the way. Most of all, I thank all of our congregants for allowing me to work on your behalf.

Jay Gussak,President

A Special Message...OOmmaa’’ss KKiittcchheennccWeather and time have taken their toll on even the strongest

structures. The Temple steps, which lead to the Sanctuary, are noexception.While replacing the worn steps has become a matter of safetyabove all else, it has also presented the Temple with a unique,three-pronged opportunity:

1. To raise much-needed funds2. To improve and beautify our landscape; and3. To create lasting legacies for our loyal members

and supportersFor these reasons, the Board ofDirectors has sanctioned an ambitious project, enablingmembers and other well-wishers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase one ormore paver stones with a

customized message. The stones will be placed within the newwalkway, showing the donor’s support for years to come.“Temple Beth Am's steps need to be replaced, and we need everyone's help to complete the project,” said President, Jay Gussak. “Now, families don'thave to put in a new wing toleave a legacy. All they needto do is purchase one or morebricks for our walkway,which will be engraved withtheir personal message, andthey can create a lastinglegacy at the Temple, while helping to secure our future.”The pavers are available inthree sizes. Each can be inscribed with a message –“In Memory of,” “In Honorof,” your family or companyname, or just about any otherappropriate verbiage.To leave your legacy, go towww.TempleBethAm-ny.organd click on the Legacy

Walkway flyer, or mail yourcheck to Temple Beth Amwith your name, contact information and paver stonesize with engraving message.

Chai School Teaches Torah

Thanksgiving Interfaith Service – StandingTogether in Peace & Friendship

In the fall, Cantor Jamie taught a Chai School class called Torah Corps. The idea was to enable our teens to deliver divrei Torah – teachings about theTorah – to the congregation onFriday nights. We have had three groups give

their presentations so far. Maciand Stacey G. explored the testing of Abraham through an interactive exploration of the tensions between our faith andour love of family. Maia and Jacob Z. gave a traditional d'var Torah where they explored Jacob's inner struggle and related it to the strugglesthat modern day teens face in the development of their identities and their interaction with high school society. Rachel E. and Josh Z. did a creative social-media-themed presentation of Joseph's inner thoughts as he traveled on his journey from slave to great leader of Egypt. Our final presentation was given by Julia who spoke about environmental justice and the connection between freedom and the safety and security of our physical environment.The congregation has been very receptive to these presentationsand has seemed genuinely happy to hear from our teens. They have been incredibly thoughtful teachings with a freshperspective.

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, some of our diverse Yorktown faith communities--Christian, Muslim, Jewish andBuddhist-- came together in prayer and celebration of our common values. Standing in front of this beautiful congrega-tion, members of the clergy put their arms around one anotherand prayed for peace and blessings for all. In this moment, theyembraced not only one another, but also the ideals upon whichour nation was built. These ideals include our diversity, our religious freedom and the idea that we are all bound togetheras one American people. But more importantly, they representwhat Temple Beth Am stands for – acceptance of all people.Everyone is welcome regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.

Passover LasagnaContributed by the Mantell Family

Sauce¼ cup olive oil1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup)1 clove garlic, pressed2 16-ounce cans, crushed tomatoes2 tablespoons chopped parsley (or dried parsley flakes)2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves (or dried basil flakes)½ teaspoon salt

Lasagna12 pieces of regular matzoh (about 1 box)1 16-ounce container ricotta cheese (about 2 cups)¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes1½ teaspoons salt1½ teaspoons dried oregano leaves4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 16 ounces)¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the sauce: cook and stir onion and olive oil insaucepan, until onions are slightly translucent.Add garlic, and cook and stir for another minuteor so. Add tomatoes, 2 tablespoons parsley, basiland ½ teaspoon salt. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, and simmer uncoveredabout 1 hour, until mixture thickens somewhat.Reserve ½ cup of the sauce mixture.In a separate bowl, thoroughly mix ricotta cheese,¼ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1½ teaspoon salt and the oregano.Layer one-third each of the matzoh, ricotta cheesemixture, mozzarella cheese, and sauce in ungreased oblong pan, as follows: Place a thinlayer of sauce in pan. Place a layer of matzohabove the sauce, and carefully spread a thin layerof ricotta cheese mixture atop the matzoh. Cover with a thin layer of mozzarella cheese, andthen sauce. Repeat 2 times. Cover with one finallayer of matzoh, and then spoon reserved saucemixture onto top. Sprinkle with ¼ cup Parmesanand remaining mozzarella cheese. Cook coveredin 350º oven for 45 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting. Makes about 10 servings.

Step Up and Pave the Way for a Legacy

Stacy G. and Maci at their Friday night presentation.

4'-0"

P

8" x 16" pavers

4" x 8" pavers

16" x 16" pavers

Temple Beth Am Drawing

Church StreetEntrance

Parking Lot

TBA newsletter Spring March 2016_Layout 1 3/24/16 4:09 PM Page 2

newsletterSPRING 2016

TEMPLE BETH AM GIVES TO THE COMMUNITY

Rabbi Robert Weiner | Cantor and Education Director: Jamie Tortorello-Allen | President: Jay Gussak

203 Church Place, Yorktown Hts., NY 10598 | www.templebetham-ny.org | 914.962.7500

TEMPLE BETH AM MEMBERS GIVE BACK TO THE TEMPLE

Please check our website at www.templebetham-ny.org for updates.

Join us for Shabbat Services Fridays at 8 PM. Family Services are on thefirst Friday of every month at 7:30 PM. Welcoming Shabbat, our programfor young children, is on the second Friday of every month from 5:30-6:30 PM and includes a kid-friendly dinner.

Torah Study is on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month at 9 AM.

Wine with Weiner is on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7:45 PM.Sisterhood meets once a month. Upcoming dates are: Tuesday,March 29 –Women’s Seder; Monday, April 11–Cookie Swap; Sunday,May 1 –Mother’s Day Tea. See our website for date changes andmore information.Men’s Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm.

Coming Up at Temple Beth Am

29

3

MARCH

61023

APRIL

5MAY

5JUNE

18

Temple Beth Am Gives Back continued...

WOMEN’S SEDER-7:30 PM

PIZZA & BINGO EVENT-4:00-6:00 PM

MEN’S CLUB BURGERS & BOWLING7:00 PM WEST. BURGER CO.- 8:30 PM GRAND PRIX NY RACING

PASSOVER STORY TIME & CRAFT-1:30-2:30PMJOHN C. HART MEMORIAL LIBRARY (AGES 4-6)

PASSOVER SEDER-6:00 PMAT COLONIAL TERRACE

YOM HASHOAH SERVICE-6:30 PM

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL:K-6 CLOSING CEREMONY-9:00 AMK-6 PANCAKE BREAKFAST-10:15 AM

DINNER & COMEDY NIGHT WITH BROADWAY COMEDIANS 7:00 PM AT ROMA'S ITALIAN GRILL

What's Your Passion?

Adult EventsBook ClubBuildings and GroundsCAREingChesedChoirCommunicationsJewish CommunityJudaica ShopLandscapingLibraryLong Range Planning

MembershipMen's ClubOnegsPublicityRitualSchool CommitteeSecuritySisterhoodSocial ActionSpecial EventsWays and MeansYouth Group

To place an advertisement in our next newsletter please contact us

at BethAmCommunications@gmail.com.

Harvey Margolin Memorial Fund:Daelah & Eric AaronsonCarl & Isobel MarcusHoward & Adrienne ForbesJeff & Rosalie BelskyBruce & Zoe Gevanthor

Break Fast:Arnold Liebson

Yahrzeit Candles:Julie Lusthaus in memory of her sister Joanna RoccoCheryl Hochenberg in memory of her father Herman LangerPaul Hochenberg in memory of his father Marvin HochenbergDon Silver in memory of his father Harry Silver

& his brother Eugene SilverSandy & Irv Breitbart in memory of Jerry KahnMark Milyavsky in memory of his mother Dvoira MilyavskyJane Milyavsky in memory of her uncle Solomon SklyarksyArnold Liebson in memory of his brother Charles LiebsonArnold Liebson in memory of his cousin Jeffrey SpeigelMark Milyavsky in memory of his father Zyama MilyavskyDiane Weidenbaum in memory of her father Burton ZweimanDawn Goldberg in memory of her mother Barbara EisenbergAlan Sanders in memory of his mother Dorothy SandersJulie Lusthaus in memory of her father Phil CowanAbi Hodes in memory of her mother Halina HodesAndrew Weinstein remembering his mother Barbara WeinsteinSandy & Irv Breitbart in memory of Sandy’s mother, Rose SiegelJane Milyavsky in memory of her father Iona TsiskisDon Silver in memory of his mother Molly SilverDiane Silver in memory of her mother Helen Link

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund:Marilyn & Stuart Faust in honor of the marriage

of Kenneth and Marlaina FaustLinda & Damien CohenRita MargolinHoward & Adrienne ForbesSteve & Melissa Gross in honor of Robert’s Bar MitzvahMarguerite & David BrownDavid & Jennie SunshineLinda & Fred WeisholzKen & Diane UsenJay & Jill Simon Shapiro in loving memory of

Henry and Selma SimonEric & Caryn Silverman in memory of

Irving Kaplan, Allison Bari Cohen & Diana SamittBruce & Zoe GevanthorJay Miller in memory of his parents Morris & Rose Miller

Religious School Fund:Bruce & Zoe Gevanthor

Paver Stones:Myrna TortorelloStuart FriedmanJoel & Ino IskowitzRoberta & Jay MillerDoree Green & Phil BannerTricy & Michael CushnerDiane & Ken UsenDavid KamenyRonald & Jane QualiaAllen Hirsch & Randy LederDavid & Maureen BirnbaumKaren & Larry Uffer

TBAY:Bruce & Zoe Gevanthor

Adult Education:Bruce & Zoe Gevanthor

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund:Lisa Levinger & Nelson LouieSteve & Melissa Gross in honor of Robert’s Bar MitzvahPaul & Cheryl Hochenberg in honor of Lucy’s Bat MitzvahKen & Diane UsenBruce & Zoe GevanthorJay Miller in memory of his parents Morris & Rose Miller

Tree of Life Leaves:David & Deborah Feldman in honor of Eric’s Bar MitzvahSteve & Melissa Gross in honor of Robert’s Bar Mitzvah

Beautification:Bruce & Zoe Gevanthor (multiple donations)

CAREing:Sandy & Irv Breitbart in memory of Max Siegel,

father of SandySandy & Irv Breitbart in memory of Pauline Breitbart,

mother of Irv & Dina Levinson, grandmother of IrvSandy & Irv Breitbart in memory of Irv’s grandparents

Harry & Bessie Breitbart & Irving FederJay & Susan GussakSylvia EpsteinBruce & Zoe GevanthorSylvia Epstein “In loving memory of my beloved husband,

Arthur E. Epstein”Sylvia Epstein “In loving memory of my beloved father,

Milton Stein”

Nepal Fundraiser:Stanley & Beverly ManningJohn Moore & Stephanie SternJacquie GreenfieldJeffrey Held

Jerry Kahn Fund:Bruce & Zoe Gevanthor

Chai5 Appeal:Jeffrey Besselman & David GoldesBari & Ricardo CarielloTricy & Michael CushnerAdam & Lara DavidsonDorrie DeMarteMichael & Pamela FischerStuart FriedmanBruce & Zoe GevanthorMelody & Glen HockleyLisa Levinger & Nelson Louie Mark & Jane MilyavskyJohn Mucciolo & Linda WildmanAva & Barry SanelJay & Jill ShapiroLauren & Daniel SmithEllen & Chuck Wallace

Yahrzeit Plaques:Joan Poulin in memory of her mother Getrud SatzJoan Poulin in memory of her father Werner SatzJay Miller in memory of his parents Morris & Rose Miller

Thank you for your generous donations.Received June 1, 2015 through March 1, 2016

Make a donation to Temple Beth Am today!Temple Beth Am truly appreciates your donations and will put them to good use. If you would like to make adonation to any of our funds listed below please mail in this form with your check to Temple Beth Am or make a donation online at https://www.templebetham-ny.org/support-us.html.

This Donation is:

q In memory of:___________________________________

q In honor of: _____________________________________

q In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of:___________________

q In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of:___________________

Name(s) of person(s) making the donation:___________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Phone:______________________________________________

To learn more about these funds or to purchase a Pew Plaque, Prayer Book plate orTree of Life leaf or Yahrzeit Plaque name strip go to https://www.templebetham-ny.org/support-us.html. Your donations are tax deductible.

q Beautification Fundq Cantor's Discretionary Fundq CAREing Fundq Chesed Fundq Dr. Arthur Epstein Memorial Fundq General Fundq Harvey Margolin Fundq Jerry Kahn Memorial Fundq Library Fundq Naomi Gerstein Memorial Fund

q Norman Wiener Scholarship Fundq Qualia Award Fundq Rabbi's Discretionary Fund q Religious Schoolq Roselyn Levine Book Award q Tree of Life ($108)q Tzedakahq Yahrzeit Plaques ($180)q Yom Kippur Appealq Other__________________________

Beautification Fund: Aesthetic improvements to the TempleCantor's Discretionary Fund: Donations and items selected by the CantorCAREing Fund: Passover and Chanukah packages for college students and young singles living away from homeChesed Fund: Shivah meals and get well giftsDr. Arthur Epstein Memorial Fund: Items for the SanctuaryGeneral Fund: Donations will be directed to the neediest fundJerry Kahn Memorial Fund: Kitchen suppliesLibrary Fund: New books (purchased by the committee)Naomi Gerstein Memorial Fund: Awards for excellence in educationNorman Wiener Scholarship Fund: Awards for outstanding achievement in Confirmation classQualia Award Fund: Award for outstanding seventh grade studentRabbi's Discretionary Fund: Donations and items selected by the RabbiReligious School: Enhancements to Religious SchoolRoselyn Levine Book Award: Award for outstanding achievement in seventh grade Religious SchoolTree of Life: Leaves in honor of loved onesTzedakah: Donations or other community needsYahrzeit Plaques: Name strips in memory of loved onesYom Kippur Appeal

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