Temple Beth El Bulletin An Egalitarian Conservative Synagogue

www.tbe.org

July/August 2015 Tammuz/Av/Elul 5775 Volume 41 Issue 4 (bi-monthly)

A YEAR AT TBE 2014-2015

JULY Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Morning Minyan, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Honoring Our 12th Grade Graduates, BBQ and Barachu, Empty Nesters Mixology, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, High Holy Days Committee, Ritual Committee

AUGUST Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Morning Minyan, Tisha B’Av Service, TBE hosts JCC Retired Men’s Club weekly meetings, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Brainstorming Session for TBE Families, Watermelon Wednesday, High Holy Days Committee, High Holiday Choir Rehearsal

SEPTEMBER Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Jr. Congregation, Morning Minyan, Selichot Service, High Holiday Bimah Construction, Sukkah Assembly, Rosh Hashanah Services, Tashlich Service, Annual Beth El Cemetery Memorial Service, B’nai Mitzvah: Ethan Moskowitz, Emma Rose Strom, Matthew Goodman, Zachary Groz, B’nai Mitzvah Trope Class, Reyut Steering Committee Meeting, Religious School resumes, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, Tot Shabbat, Annual Hyacinthe and Harold E.

Hoffman Memorial Lecture featuring Ari Shavit, Temple Rock Planning Meeting, Shal-Om Yoga, TBE Discussion Group, K’tanim, Beth El Teens go to My Three Sons, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Sisterhood Board Meeting, Annual Sisterhood High Holiday Food Sale, Annual Beth El Cares High Holiday Food Drive, High Holiday Choir Rehearsal

OCTOBER Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Morning Minyan, K’tanim, Tot Shabbat, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, B’Nai Mitzvah: Ethan Essenfeld, Sam Essenfeld, Andrew Goldberg, Hannah Nekritz, Micayla Roth, 2015 B’nai Mitzvah Program, Jr. Congregation, Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur Services, Break-the-Fast, Religious School decorates the sukkah, Sukkot Services, Sukkah Hop, Mitzvah Garden Committee Luncheon in the Sukkah, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah Services, Empty Nesters Hike, Reyut Session,

Adult Education Classes, Pre-Planning Your Funeral Seminar, Shal-Om Yoga, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Sisterhood Board Meeting, Board of Education Meeting

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WHERE TO FIND IT

Joshua Hammerman, Rabbi........................................................Page 3

Magda Fishman, Cantor .............................................................Page 3

Mia Weinstein, President ...........................................................Page 4

July/August Service Schedule .....................................................Page 4

Beth El Cares ..............................................................................Page 6

Men’s Club .................................................................................Page 6

Sisterhood ..................................................................................Page 7

Sylvan D. Pomerantz, Immediate Past President .......................Page 8

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Beth El Cares Ken Temple 203-968-9550

B’nai Mitzvah Chairperson Suzanne Olin 203-761-9213

Board of Education Naomi Marks 203-323-8512

Facilities James Benjamin 203-329-0369

Finance Robert Cohen 203-329-9622 Susan Frieden 203-869-4282

Fund Raising Scott Krowitz 203-348-8680 David Wolff 203-968-6361

High Holy Days Seymour Weinstein 203-353-8873

Human Resources Scott Krowitz 203-348-8680 Carl Weinberg 203-322-8675 Nicole Zussman 203-324-5383

Marketing and Communications Stan Friedman 203-322-0416

Membership Committee Elissa Hyman 203-316-8228 Mia Weinstein 203-595-0528

Mitzvah Garden Harriet Weinstein 203-353-8873

Project Ezra Joy Katz 203-329-3359

Ritual Committee Denise Greenman 203-329-8594 Eileen H. Rosner 203-324-4096

2020 Planning Committee Eric Kaplan 203-323-2383

TEMPLE BETH EL - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mia Weinstein, President 203-595-0528 Sylvan D. Pomerantz, Immediate Past President 203-968-0605 Carl Weinberg, First Vice President 203-322-8675 Stan Friedman, Vice President 203-322-0416 Steven Sosnick, Vice President 203-972-6993 Daniel Young, Vice President 203-975-1990 Robert Cohen, Treasurer 203-329-9622 Susan Frieden, Assistant Treasurer 203-869-4282 Lisa Manheim, Secretary 917-690-2712

ADVISORS Gary P. Lessen 203-322-7616 Peter K. Kempner 203-968-8079 Eileen H. Rosner 203-461-0506

TRUSTEES Edward M. Berman 203-329-7750 Kenneth Broder 203-968-8080 Aron Davidson 203-274-6363 Stacey Essenfeld 203-595-0368 Richard Heimler 203-998-7118 Dana Horowitz 203-321-0018 Devra Jaffe-Berkowitz 203-978-1113 Carol Krim 203-968-1075 Arthur Laichtman 203-461-8223 Joshua Levine 203-276-1395 Judy Schneiderman 203-569-4969 Lael Shapiro 203-517-4835 Barry Strom 203-329-2580 Ken Temple 203-968-9550 Adam Tronick 203-569-9570 Beth Weinberg 203-329-7573 Michael Wiederlight 203-322-4256

SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT Beth Silver 203-249-7046

MEN’S CLUB Matthew Miller, President 203-504-8664

PAST PRESIDENTS Gordon Brown 203-276-8688 Rosalea Fisher 203-323-1449 Fred S. Golove 203-322-0295 Ronald Gross 203-325-3114 Herbert Kahan 203-322-3249 Alan Kalter 203-322-8220 Peter K. Kempner 203-968-8079 Mark Lapine 203-329-9879 Gary P. Lessen 203-322-7616 Brian Rogol 212-531-8203 Eileen H. Rosner 203-461-0506

OUR STAFF IS MOST EAGER TO ASSIST YOU

Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Phone: (203) 322-6901 Fax: (203) 322-0532

Joshua Hammerman, Rabbi (rabbi@tbe.org) ext. 307 Magda Fishman, Cantor (cantorfishman@tbe.org) ext. 315 Sidney G. Rabinowitz, Hazzan Emeritus (hazzan@tbe.org) ext. 309 Steven Lander, Executive Director (execdir@tbe.org) ext. 304 Lisa Gittelman Udi, Education and Youth Director ext. 305 (eddir@tbe.org) Lana Rappaport, Education Office (education@tbe.org) ext. 306 Linda Rezak, Bookkeeper (bookkeeper@tbe.org) ext. 302 Mindy Rogoff, Temple Secretary (office@tbe.org) ext. 301 Ellen Gottfried, Secretary (adminassist@tbe.org) ext. 308 Alberto Eyzaguirre, Facilities Manager (maint@tbe.org) ext. 314 Sisterhood Gift Shop (giftshop@tbe.org) ext. 310

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ON ONE FOOT

From Strength to Strength

The summer months bring us a moment to pause and reflect on how grateful we are for the blessings our lives. For me, those blessings include my family, to be sure, especially as we recently celebrated Dan’s graduation from college. I’ve also been blessed to grow with this congregation now for many years. As of July 1, I arrived here 28 years ago. In Hebrew, that number happens to correspond to the letters Kaf and Het, which together spells “Ko-ach,” or “strength.” It’s a blessing also to have the strength to get through the many trials that we face every day. The expression “May you go from strength to strength” comes up often in invocations and other presentations. It comes from Psalms 84:8 -

, אלהים בציון-יראה אל; חיל-מחיל אל, ילכו

“They go from strength to strength, every one of them

appears before God in Zion.”

Being a naturally curious bloke, and given that my Lunch and Learn class on Wednesdays this fall will be an extended conversation on the book of Psalms, I looked into how this Biblical expression became part of modern English usage. Evidently, we have the Brits to thank, in particular Myles Coverdale’s 1535 translation of the Bible, which then was picked up by the King James edition and subsequent sermons, including Julian Hare, who said in an 1849 sermon: “Mounting from strength to strength, from highth, to a higher highth!” The website “Britishisms” tracked usage using a Google Ngram chart. It peaked in the US in the mid-19th century, but Britain’s usage now has far surpassed the number of times the expression is used here. And I’ll bet you thought it was invented at a Hadassah meeting. I’ve heard it used most often at Jewish events, but I suppose that’s because that’s where I find myself most of the time. It’s nice to see the universal appeal of this expression. One of the people who used this expression often was Norma Mann. I can imagine her saying it as I write this. Sadly, Norma’s passing a couple of years ago has been followed most recently by the passing of her beloved husband Milton, a past president of TBE. At our recent Cantor’s Concert, I had the privilege of announcing that the Mann family will be endowing this annual concert, which will be named in memory of Norma and Milton. This gift breaks new ground in its extent and duration and will help to guarantee the excellence of our music program, as well as our entire range of our programming, well into the future. It is also an indication of the dramatic impact TBE has made over the past several years, as we have placed our strategic focus on creating powerful and meaningful prayer experiences for all generations, emphasizing music. In particular, it highlights the impact Cantor Fishman has made in less than a year. As the Manns’ children, Madeline and Pamela wrote in announcing their donation: “As we reflect on the passing of our parents and sister, music has been a significant source of

Continued on page 16...

CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN

Dear TBE Family,

Where do I start? I can’t believe that I just arrived here with my family in September. It was an incredible year of transition - a new life, many new people, great staff/team, lots of music and prayers, events and learning. I am grateful to all of you for the warm welcome and support. Transitions are not easy, and I thank you for making my family and me feel at home. I am looking forward to spending more time getting to know you. The Annual Cantor’s Concert was a memorable evening and my first concert at TBE. The joy and warmth in the room were heartwarming. To everyone who attended, thank you! Friday nights are a spiritual celebration at TBE. I am proud and so happy for getting to know all the wonderful B’nai/B’not Mitzvah this year! Each one was special and unique, worked hard, and did such a beautiful job. After I return from Israel, preparations for the High Holidays will begin and I am encouraging everyone who loves singing to join me in song and donate their talent and spirit to our High Holidays choir. It’s not only a singing experience, it’s building community. Looking ahead to next year...I would love to find more kids and teens who love to sing. If you know of any, please contact me at cantorfishman@tbe.org. Exciting news: Next summer, the Cantors’ Convention will take place in Spain from July 3-14, 2016. Many cantors will lead their congregations in what is expected to be an unforgettable trip. I invite you to join my family, myself and hundreds of cantors and congregants in this special mission that will include trips, concerts and much more. You will have the opportunity to spend time with people from all over the United States, travel in Spain and spend time with my family and me. For information go to:

http://www.ayelet.com/CA_2016/ AT_CAflyer_SPAIN_2016_CANTORS_For%20ST.pdf

Please contact me if you are interested. I am very excited about the possibility of all of us going together. Have a wonderful summer!

Many blessings. Cantor Magda Fishman

TISHA B’AV

SATURDAY, JULY 25 at 9:15 pm

Congregation Beth El, 109 East Ave., Norwalk, CT We will, once again, join with Congregation Beth El, Norwalk, and the Conservative Synagogue of Westport for Tisha B’Av services. After a brief Ma’ariv (evening service), candles and flashlights are traditionally lit as we begin the reading of Eikhah (Lamentations) with meaningful readings and discussions interspersed. We hope you will join us for this powerful community experience.

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SHABBAT AND FESTIVAL SERVICES

JULY

Friday, July 3 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m. (outside, weather permitting)

Shabbat, July 4 Services 9:30 a.m.

Friday, July 10 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat, July 11 Services 9:30 a.m.

Friday, July 17 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

Led by Judy Aronin

Shabbat, July 18 Services 9:30 a.m.

Led by Susan Schneiderman Meryl Silverstein - D’var Torah

Friday, July 24 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat, July 25 Services 9:30 a.m.

Gerry Ginsburg - D’var Torah Tisha B’Av Services 9:15 p.m.

at Congregation Beth El, Norwalk

Friday, July 31 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

AUGUST

Shabbat, August 1 Services 9:30 a.m.

Rabbi Nicole Wilson-Spiro - D’var Torah

Friday, August 7 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat, August 8 Services 9:30 a.m.

Hank Silverstein - D’var Torah

Friday, August 14 BBQ and Barachu 5:30 p.m.

Installation of TBE Board of Trustees Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 p.m.

Shabbat, August 15 Services 9:30 a.m.

Friday, August 21 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat, August 22 Services 9:30 a.m.

Friday, August 28 Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat, August 29 Services 9:30 a.m.

MIA WEINSTEIN, PRESIDENT

Hillel says, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?”

Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14

My name is Mia Weinstein, and I am honored to be the next president of Temple Beth El. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you, even though there are many of you who know me already. I’m well aware that I have some very big shoes to fill. Sylvan Pomerantz has worked tirelessly as president over these past two years, and we are a stronger, more vibrant congregation as a result of his efforts. Please join me in thanking him for his dedication and commitment. My husband Lonny and I moved to Stamford nearly 18 years ago, and TBE has been our shul for the past 12 years. We have two wonderful children, Eddie and Emily, both of whom attended Bi-Cultural Day School (BCDS). Eddie will be a sophomore at Westhill High School and Emily will begin her freshman year at Syracuse University. I love our Jewish community here in Stamford. Where else can you find a synagogue for every observance level, an excellent Jewish day school and high school, an active JCC, a committed Federation and so much more? At Temple Beth El, I managed the Sisterhood gift shop, worked on numerous committees, and have been a member of the Board of Trustees for eight years. I’ve also been active with the Women’s Philanthropy division of UJF, Tzahal Shalom, the Behrend Institute for Leadership and the board of BCDS. I am truly thankful for all of the opportunities I’ve had to contribute and enrich my life as a Jew. Finally, I’m a frequent attendee at Saturday morning services and, believe it or not, enjoy reading Torah — both a result of my graduating from Solomon Schechter Day School in New Jersey as a young girl. So there you have it, a capsule overview of my life and who I am. Over the next two years as president, I hope to build on Sylvan’s legacy, making TBE an even greater part of your life and a place where you can join with friends and family to celebrate holidays, learn about your faith, socialize and have fun. I also hope to build a more engaged congregation by creating a volunteer culture within TBE. Volunteering provides the opportunity to offer your skills, energy and enthusiasm in a way that benefits our Temple, builds community and is also self-fulfilling. Whether it’s realizing a fundraising goal, greeting congregants and guests on Friday night, learning to participate in services or helping out at the Purim carnival, I promise you that the spirituality of our services and the many volunteer opportunities at TBE will engage you and help you fulfill the meaning of Hillel’s challenge: look after yourself, take care of others and do it now! I look forward to getting to know all of you better in the months ahead and joining together toward achieving our 2020 Vision.

Mia Weinstein, President

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DEVRA JAFFE-BERKOWITZ SARI BERKOWITZ

STEVE DANZER ELANA EVERETT

CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN KAREN HAYWORTH HAINBACH RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN

JEWELS HARRISON JUSTIN KAPLAN

JOY KATZ RACHEL KATZ

MORGANA KNOPOFF CAROL KRIM

BERT MADWED CATHY SATZ

SUSAN SCHNEIDERMAN GARY SCHULMAN MARGE SHAMEER

MERYL SILVERSTEIN CHARLIE WALLACE

MIA WEINSTEIN GAIL WEIS

MAZAL TOV TO…

Carol and Will Brewer on the birth of a granddaughter, Victoria Mary Celia, born to Laura and Keith Brewer.

Judith Dalgin-Suchin and Norman Suchin on the birth of a grandson, Phineas Asher, born to Danielle and Jason Cohen.

Linda and Larry Rezak on the birth of a granddaughter, Abigail Zoe, born to Emily and Jared Mudge.

Brian Kriftcher on receiving the Hyacinthe and Harold Hoffman Humanitarian Award from the JCC.

Marni Amsellem on receiving the Center Woman of the Year Award from the JCC.

Beth Baer, Marlene Gatz and Jacob Herz on receiving the JCC Volunteer of the Year 2015 Award.

Judy Schneiderman on receiving the Rose Rosner Award from TBE Sisterhood.

Elayne Jassey on the birth of a granddaughter, Hazel Rose, born to Hillary Jassey and Adam Eidelberg.

Claire and Donald Brenner on the birth of a granddaughter, Samantha Jay, born to Jill and Alex Sax.

Sabrina and Dan Benjamin on the birth of a grandson, Jack Benjamin, born to Lindsay and Peter Rosen, and to the proud great-grandmother, Vicky Benjamin.

Sue Frieden on the marriage of Eric and Rachel Frieden.

Leah and Eliot Bassin on the birth of a son, Bryce Jacob.

Sharon and Jeff Turshen on the birth of a granddaughter, Olivia Jane, born to Elyse Turshen Panlilio and Alex Panlilio.

TODAH RABAH FOR SPONSORING KIDDUSH Mary and David Harrison

Beth and Seth Kaplan Jill and Alejandro Knopoff

Angelique and Adam Wallace

TODAH RABAH FOR SPONSORING THE SHABBAT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mary and David Harrison Beth and Seth Kaplan

Jill and Alejandro Knopoff Lieba and Steven Lander

HONORABLE MENSCHEN Todah Rabah to our Torah readers!

STAMFORD CHEVRA KADISHA A Tremendous Mitzvah

The Stamford Hevra Kadisha is one of the most important and least noticed Jewish organizations in town. This group of volunteers helps to prepare Jews for burial in the traditional manner, performing the ritual of “Tahara,” or purification by washing the body. It is considered one of the most meritorious of all mitzvot, as it can never be thanked or repaid. It is a loving, beautiful ritual. I always recommend this ritual to families at the time a loved one has passed – and it is typically arranged through participating local funeral homes. Tahara is not just for Orthodox Jews – it is a mitzvah for all Jews.

We at TBE are full participants in the Hevra Kadisha (Burial Society). We support it financially and through volunteers. At all times we have had TBE members in the Hevra, but typically the numbers have been low. I would love to enhance that participation, as the Hevra is now in need of fresh volunteers. If you would like to learn more about this beautiful volunteering opportunity from one of our participants, please contact Jim Benjamin at 4bnjmn@optonline.net.

This opportunity is open to men and women.

FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES RETURN

to 7:30 pm

In June, we sent a quick survey regarding Friday night service times. Nearly 100 responded, an indicator of great interest in our Friday night services. One clear signal sent was that there is a far greater likelihood of getting more people to a 7:30 pm service, while inconveniencing fewer. Since the service has been building attendance even at our experimental time of 7:00 pm, we see real possibilities for a significant attendance bump with a switch. So, we’ve decided to shift back to a 7:30 pm start time beginning on July 3. (Weather permitting, that service will be held outside.)

One byproduct of the later start time is that it will enable us to have more Shabbat dinners here before the service, some of them potluck, to make it more convenient for different demographic groups, including families with younger children. Incidentally, some have asked about our potluck policy, which is based on the successful “Two Tables” model used in other Conservative shuls. Our current policy was introduced in 2009 and may be found at: http://joshuahammerman.blogspot.com/2015/06/tbe-potluck-policies.html.

But for now the bottom line: IN JULY, SERVICES RETURN TO 7:30 PM.

WE THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS THIS MONTH

Beth Finchler, Roz Finchler, Sam Kravitz, Jerry Rose, Carol Sander, Millie Sobel, Barbara Taksel

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The Temple Beth El Men’s Club is newly reinvigorated and excited to become a part of activity at TBE. Our new board has already started planning programs to engage, socialize, and serve our synagogue. We are beginning with a focus on gardening on Sunday, June 28 at 9:30 a.m. Join us for breakfast and hear our guest speaker, Kyle Wells, founder of Exquisite Environments, who will answer all of your questions. Later in the summer, we will roll up our sleeves to liven and spruce up the courtyard next to the sanctuary.

We will continue to build onto the ways the Men’s Club serves TBE including building the High Holidays bimah, constructing the sukkah and granting the annual scholarship awards. The board welcomes your ideas for programs, speakers, fundraising opportunities, and other ways in which you would like to be involved. Feel free to reach out to any one of us. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Matthew Miller, President - mattmiller585@gmail.com Matthew Klein, Vice President - frogman75@aol.com Eliot Essenfeld, Treasurer - eessenfeld@aol.com Stuart Nekritz, Secretary - ssnekritz@optonline.net

Matt Miller

ATTENTION PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Rabbi Hammerman would like to stay in touch with your child while he/she is away at college. Please send his/her e-mail address to Ellen in the Temple office at adminassist@tbe.org. Thank you!

BETH EL CARES

This organization focuses on Tikkun Olam (“Repair of the World”) through mitzvot, both in the synagogue and in the community. We welcome volunteers! The following is a list of the work we are engaged in:

Reyut (Friendship): Committed to serving the needs of those in our TBE community, including friendly visits, assistance with errands, and transportation. Contact Melanie Massell at reyut@tbe.org or 203-324-7190.

Project Ezra: Providing pre-shiva meals to the bereaved in the congregation. Call Joy Katz at 203-329-3359 or joyakatz@yahoo.com.

Manna Meals: Providing meals to families in our community with a new baby. Call Deidre Goldberg at DeidreGoldberg@gmail.com.

Helping to serve lunches once-a-month at a local soup kitchen. Call Norman Stone at 203-866-2273 or stonenorman15@yahoo.com.

High Holiday and Passover food drives: Call Ken Temple at 203-962-1491 or kbtemple@optonline.net.

Preparing and serving Christmas dinners at local homeless shelters. Contacts: Amy Temple at 203-496-1309 or kbtemple@optonline.net.

If you have your own idea for a project or a group contact Ken Temple at kbtemple@optonline.net or 203-962-1491.

PAY YOUR TEMPLE DUES ONLINE

Temple Beth El is now accepting ACH

payments ONLINE at http://www.tbe.org/donate/

HOPE IN MOTION

We wish to thank our 28 walkers and other friends

who so generously contributed to the Bennett Cancer

Center on behalf of Team Temple Beth El. We happily

report that we exceeded our goal in raising money for

this important cause, and were proud to be among the

over 5,000 people in our community sharing the same

concern.

MEN’S CLUB

Registration for the 2015-2016 school year is now live online. To register your child(ren) for Religious School, please go to the following link and fill out an online form:

tinyurl.com/tbeschoolreg2015

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL REGISTRATION

K’tanim (3-4 year-olds) through Grade 7!

JORDANA RAICH

Daughter of Risa and Steven Sister of Talia, Leah and Daniella Attends Bi-Cultural Day School Mitzvah Project: Read to Grow Book Drive

BAT MITZVAH

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SISTERHOOD

Please contact us at sisterhood@tbe.org or feel free to call/email a Sisterhood board member:

Beth Silver, President, 203-249-7046, beth@silverconsulting.net

Judy Schneiderman, Treasurer, 203-569-4969, jrs2125@optonline.net

Cathy Satz, Recording Secretary, 203-968-9191, satzcs@yahoo.com

Ronnie Boriskin, Corresponding Secretary, 203-276-1576, ronnie-boriskin2@juno.com

Barbara Berman, Gift Shop, 203-329-7750, bfberman@optonline.net

Stacey Essenfeld, Advisor and Immediate Past President, 203-595-0368, saminskoff@aol.com

TBE Judaica Gift Shop

Beautiful Shabbat, Holiday & B’nai Mitzvah Items Wedding and B’nai Mitzvah invitations

Gifts for all occasions | Torah Fund Cards

Open Sundays 9 am - 12 noon (when Religious School is in session)

Shop by Appointment at Your Convenience

●Barbara Berman: 203.329.7750, bfberman@optonline.net

●Judy Schneiderman: (h) 203.569.4969 or (c) 917.414.0621, bjrs2125@optonline.net

●Steve Lander (in TBE office): 203.322.6901, x 304

●Bar/Bat Mitzvah needs, Nancy Mayer: 203.561.6157, bnmayer@snet.net ●Torah Fund Cards, Suzanne Stone: 203.866.2273, bsuzanneshorn@yahoo.com

Gift Shop managed by Sisterhood Proceeds Support Religious School, Teen, and Adult Programs; Annual Gift to TBE

All items in the Gift Shop are discounted at least 15%.

Torah Fund

Sisterhood is committed to supporting Torah Fund sponsored by Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. Proceeds are raised by selling lovely cards and pins to support the Jewish Theological Seminary and other seminaries in LA, Jerusalem and Buenos Aires. The Torah Fund Campaign has raised more than $90 million since its inception.

Card messages include Mazel Tov, New Baby, Get Well, Sympathy, Friendship and Thank you. Cost is $3 per card or $20 for seven cards. A new pin is created each year for a donation of $180. Purchase from the TBE gift shop or directly from Suzanne Stone, suzanneshorn@yahoo.com, 203-866-2273.

Our 2014-2015 “year in motion” has come to a close and what a year it was! Temple Beth El Sisterhood, in its 93rd year, carried on its tradition of vibrancy and activity. This year, we had record participation at events and strong volunteerism. Many new friendships were made and others rekindled. How lucky we are to have nearly 200 wonderful Sisterhood members!! Sisterhood’s mission is to bring financial resources and enrichment to the Temple. We were very successful in our programming and fundraising efforts this year. As a result, Sisterhood is pleased to donate $10,000 for Cantor Magda’s Friday night Shabbat music programs for 2015-2016. The gift will be presented to the TBE Board of Trustees at the July 2015 meeting. Yasher Koach and thank you to our wonderful Sisterhood members who gave so much love and energy to our success this year. Thank you to our wonderful Sisterhood Board for making it all possible and a truly memorable year: Barbara Berman, Stacey Essenfeld, Cathy Satz and Judy Schneiderman. And huge thanks to our Gift Shop Mavens: Maureen Leffand, Nancy Mayer, Fran Ginsburg, Barbara Berman and Judy Schneiderman - ladies you rock!!! Yasher Koach and our deepest thanks to all of our supporters who helped make this a great year: Rabbi Hammerman, Cantor Magda, Hazzan Rabinowitz, Steve Lander, Lisa Gittelman-Udi, Mindy Rogoff, Linda Rezak, Ellen Gottfried, Lana Rappaport, Alberto Eyzaguirre, Antonio Avalos, the TBE Board of Trustees, the Men’s Club, Temple members and friends. A few more wonderful people deserve our thanks and Yasher Koachs: Barbara Berman, the committee, volunteers, Sisterhood models, and Chicos for the incredibly fun Spring Fashion Show fundraiser with 100 (count em!) attending! Carol Krim, participants, and volunteers for creating the most beautiful Sisterhood Shabbat! Yasher Koach to Stuart Nekritz and his team of volunteers for serving the luncheon! Melanie Massell for chairing/organizing TBE’s Walk Team for the Bennett Cancer Walk! We had a large team of walkers and exceeded the team’s fundraising goals! Yay! Betty Baer for organizing the annual Mah Jongg Tournament. Over 55 participants really enjoyed themselves. The sound of tiles shuffling and clacking were heard throughout the synagogue! Suzanne Horn Stone for her love and organization of our monthly Rosh Chodesh meetings that are always inspiring, warm and inviting! Over the summer, please join our beautiful monthly Rosh Chodesh meetings when we welcome the new Jewish month together through discussion and learning. All women are welcome to share this special experience. Rosh Chodesh Av is on Thursday, July 16th at 7:30 pm and Rosh Chodesh Elul is on Sunday, August 16th at 7:30 pm. Please check the weekly Shabbat Announcements for more information about where we will meet. Looking forward to seeing you in 2015-2016 for Sisterhood’s 94th year of success! Please consider joining, volunteering and/or attending a program! Have a wonderful summer!

With love, friendship and appreciation on behalf of Sisterhood, Beth Silver

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SYLVAN D. POMERANTZ, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT TBE Annual Meeting - May 27, 2015

Rabbi Hammerman, Cantor Fishman, professional staff, fellow members of the Board of Trustees, members of this remarkable Jewish institution and invited guests, I would like to first thank you all for attending this Annual Meeting and for the confidence and support you have all given me. For the last 23 months, there has been no greater honor than to serve this dynamic congregation as your President. Thank you also to Dana Horowitz for chairing this event and as always, thank you, Steve, for everything you do to make sure this and all of our events happen successfully and easily. In the past year, we have had many successes, but our challenges continue. Our clergy, staff and lay leaders meet continuously on the many varied issues inherent in the task of creating and maintaining an atmosphere here at TBE where our congregation can find comfort, camaraderie and companionship within our congregation, where both the novice and the learned can come together to understand their Jewishness. What I truly value about TBE is the potential for all of us to be different from one another, yet, for each to be able to learn something new about ourselves and our Conservative Jewish practices, to form new relationships, to reach out to others, especially those in our greater Stamford Jewish communities, to become involved in Tikkun Olam and, above all, to sustain Judaism in this Temple and beyond these walls. We seek many different things from our Temple. Some of us are here three to five times-a-week seeking to understand our Jewish heritage and increase our knowledge of Judaism and practice our religious observances. Others are here three times-a-year. Our clergy and leadership have put out an all inclusive welcome mat; our arms are wide open to greet you to accommodate all who wish to join us and to be here. To quote Rabbi Hammerman, “The beauty of the culture of TBE is that we never stop growing, we never stop trying new things - we never stop moving forward. We have cultivated a culture of adaptation and innovation, which immunizes us against institutional paralysis and fear. Adaptability isn’t merely the story of TBE - it’s the story of the Jewish people. It is the secret to our survival.” This, my friends, is our biggest challenge, to keep Conservative Judaism alive and maintain our place in the Greater Stamford Jewish community as a vibrant, relative and inclusive house of worship. As you have heard me say dozens of times in the past two years, this task requires the ongoing commitment of our members to financially support TBE through various levels of giving and to participate in our religious services, programs educational classes and fund raising events. I am so very happy to report that this past year, we were successful in meeting these challenges. Starting with the High Holiday Appeal, then Temple Rock and the comedy nights, our members responded positively with their many kind acts of giving. Additionally, while the levels of individual giving were slightly higher, the number of congregants making first time donations increased significantly. It is gratifying to see our message is being heard that our annual dues covers only 60% of our annual operating budget and our membership is now responding accordingly. Equally as wonderful, is our increase in membership at all levels. But what is most rewarding and exciting is the

dramatic increase in congregant attendance and participation in all of our services, particularly on Friday night. Kabbalat Shabbat services are being attended by our members as well as individuals and families looking for their new house of worship. The partnership of Rabbi Hammerman and Cantor Fishman is a dynamic one as our services come alive with the interlacing of music, ritual, dialogue and personal reflection. We continue to place Tikkun Olam at the center of our daily lives. We welcome all to join in our inclusive community as we aspire to fill the world with spirituality, learning, and acts of kindness, social justice and repairing the world. Speaking of which, Temple Beth El was recently awarded the Congregational Earth Steward Award for our outstanding leadership and commitment to the stewardship of the Earth for the installation of our solar panel system by The Interreligious Eco-Justice Network. All of this would not have been possible without the commitment and efforts of so many of you here tonight, our staff, and deep core of volunteers at so many levels and, of course, Milton and Norman Mann, z’l. And so, I say thank you…to our extremely committed Executive Committee and Board of Trustees who, in addition to meeting once and sometimes twice-a-month, are always available to meet or consult with me and our staff on Temple matters...to our 26 active and vibrant Temple Beth El committees, we thank you for your ongoing work and commitment to Temple Beth El...to the Sisterhood, Men’s Club, Beth El Cares and Reyut Committee as well as all of our committee chairs, committee members, special task force chairs and members, your service to our congregation is greatly appreciated. I want to thank past Presidents Peter Kempner, Eileen H. Rosner and Gary Lessen for their tireless commitment to this synagogue and their unending support as my trusted advisors. Lisa Gittelman Udi, our Education and Youth Director, continues to do a tremendous job with our Religious School students, youth programming and advising the Board of Education. Thank you to our Religious School teachers and madrichim for your tireless dedication to our students and their families. A special thank you to Steve Lander, our Executive Director, who every day oversees everything that happens in this place. Thank you to our office and custodial staff for providing all the support services that keep Temple Beth El running on a daily basis. One year ago, in my remarks, I announced that Cantor Magda Fishman would be joining us as our Cantor in September, 2014. If I had to choose the single most significant event during my presidency, it would have to be the arrival of Cantor Fishman. Cantor, we thank you not only for the wonderful music you bring to us from around the world, but also for inspiring in us a new understanding of music and prayer. We are so happy that

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NOVEMBER Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Tot Shabbat, Morning Minyan, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Shabbat School, Or Berger, Guest Speaker, 7th Grade Shabbat Sleepover, B’nai Mitzvah: Tyler Pomerance, Ashley Shapiro, Molly Herckis, Charlotte Freund, Joshua Pickel, Sara Gatz, Men’s Club Poker Tournament, Wine & Cheese for Young Couples &

Singles, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, TBE Discussion Group, K’tanim, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, 7th Grade Mock Brit Milah, Board of Rabbis Meeting, Learning & Latte, Sisterhood Paid-Up Membership Brunch, Shal-Om Yoga, Adult Education, Confirmation Class from First Congregational Church of Darien visits TBE, Reyut Steering Committee Meeting, 2020 Vision Committee Meeting, Board of Education Meeting, Adult Education Committee Meeting, Beth El Cemetery Association Meeting, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting

DECEMBER

Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Morning Minyan, This American Jewish Life, Jr. Congregation, Family Shabbat Hanukkah Dinner, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, K’tanim, B’nai Mitzvah: Max Trell, Jessica Olin, Sydney Eben, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, Beth El Cares Serves Christmas Dinner at Local Shelters, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, Board of Rabbis Meeting, Adult Education, Learning & Latte, Tradition in the Kitchen, Shal-Om Yoga,

Comedy Night, Religious School performs Hanukkah Songs at Government Center, BethElders Hanukkah Lunch, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Board of Education Meeting JANUARY

Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Morning Minyan, Grades 5-6 Shabbat Dinner and Service, Oneg Shabbat at the Hammerman’s, K’tanim, Shabbat School, Tot Shabbat, Shabbat School, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, B’nai Mitzvah Trope Class, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, Hot Topics for Cold Months, LGBTQ Meeting, Men’s Club Poker and Football,

Temple Rock, Ritual Committee Meeting, Youth Group Meeting, Adult Education, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Board of Education Meeting, TBE Discussion Group

FEBRUARY Kabbalat Shabbat Services with Avram Pengas and Eitan Zehav, Shabbat Services, Jr. Congregation, Morning Minyan, Tot Shabbat, Shul-In Grades 4-6, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, Scholar-in-Residence, B’nai Mitzvah: Emily Marrinan, Emma Ostrovsky, Benjamin Goodman, K’tanim, Grades 7 Shabbat Dinner and Service, Tu B’Shevat Celebration, Tu B’Shevat Top Chef Competition, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman,

World-Wide Wrap, Reyut - Palliative Care, Learning & Latte, Hot Topics for Cold Months, B’nai Mitzvah Trope Class, Israel Task Force Meeting, Reyut Steering Committee Meeting, TBE Discussion Group, Tradition in the Kitchen, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Board of Education Meeting, Sisterhood Board Meeting

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MARCH Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Morning Minyan, B’nai Mitzvah: Samuel Teich, Sarah Broder, Hannah Bushell, K’tanim, Empty Nesters Havdalah, LGBTQIA Havdalah, Shabbat Across Stamford, Purim for Adults, Purim Family Service, Purim Carnival, PJ Library, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, Social Security Seminar, Hot Topics for Cold Months, Shabbat School,

Folksbeine Concert, Comedy Night, Reyut: Emotional Illness, Interfaith Seder, Chocolate Seder, B’nai Mitzvah Trope Class, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Tradition in the Kitchen, Board of Education Meeting, Ritual Committee Meeting, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, TBE Board of Trustees Retreat, Israel Awareness/Action Committee Meeting APRIL

Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Tot Shabbat, Passover Services, Teen-led Passover Service, Morning Minyan, B’nai Mitzvah: Noah Weinberg, Rebecca Friedlander, Shayna Finkel, Men’s Club Dinner Meeting, TBE Discussion Group, Sisterhood’s Passover Food Sale, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, Learning & Latte, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, 7th Grade Mock Wedding, 8th Grade Sleepover, Yom HaShoah Community Memorial, Sisterhood

Fashion Show, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting, Nominating Committee Meeting, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Tradition in the Kitchen, Board of Education Meeting, Mitzvah Garden Committee Meeting MAY

Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, Sisterhood Shabbat, Tot Shabbat, Morning Minyan, Family Shabbat Dinner and Service Led by Grades K-2, K’tanim, Tikkun Leil Shavuot, Shavuot Services, A Taste of Rosh Chodesh, Shevet Achim, 7th Grade Aliyah Service, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, B’nai Mitzvah Trope Class, B’Nai Mitzvah: Morgana Knopoff, Justin Kaplan, Charlie Wallace, Board of Rabbis Meeting, TBE Annual Membership Meeting, Religious

School Teachers’ Breakfast, TBE Past-Presidents’ Breakfast, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Ritual Committee Meeting, TBE Discussion Group, Board of Education Meeting, Finance Committee Meeting, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting JUNE

Kabbalat Shabbat Services, Shabbat Services, This American Jewish Life featuring Cantor Marcia Lane, Kabbalat Shabbat Service Celebrating Gay Pride Month, Kabbalat Shabbat Service Honoring Our High School Graduates, Morning Minyan, B’nai Mitzvah Trope Class, Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Hammerman, Learning & Latte, Men’s Club Breakfast and Gardening Program, Sisterhood Mah Jongg Tournament, Annual Cantor’s Concert welcoming Cantor Magda Fishman and her Family, Bar Mitzvah: Jewels Harrison, Men’s Club Scholarship Awards, Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group, Sisterhood Meeting, Board of Trustees Meeting, Executive Committee Meeting

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PRESENTATION OF THE FIRST ANNUAL FRED WEISMAN MEMORIAL TIKKUN OLAM AWARD

TBE Annual Membership Meeting - May 27, 2015

I am overwhelmingly honored that an annual award recognizing outstanding volunteerism has been established in memory of my beloved Fred. He would be so happy to know that others will pick up the ball and run with it now that he can no longer do it himself. He would also want you to know that he totally enjoyed the game, the good people he worked with and the goals he attained. Needless to say, the past couple of months since Fred passed away have been a sad and reflective time for me. Learning that others recognize the mark he left in the world is helping me in the healing process, and I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak about him. Shortly after Fred’s passing there was an article in The New York Times that called out to me. It was entitled: The Moral Bucket List. David Brooks wrote about two sets of virtues, the résumé virtues and the eulogy virtues. The résumé virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral — whether you were kind, brave, honest, and really cared about making the world a better place. At about that time, a dear friend referred to Fred as having possessed “a moral compass.” It got me to thinking about how much one man, my Fred, tried to make a difference in this crazy world without an iota of cynicism. He truly believed the Star Fish Story…You may not be able to save the world but you can save one person at a time. Similar words I believe that Hillel spoke: “If you save one person, it is as if you saved the world.” His moral compass drove him in so many different directions: Humanitarian services, health care, the arts, community service, philanthropy, youth activities, education and, of course, family love and responsibility were never sacrificed. I was asked to share Fred’s most notable accomplishments with you to enable you to understand the spirit of the award and the man for which it is named. So here goes. He served on the AmeriCares Board for 13 years to relieve suffering throughout the world, served on Temple Boards, presided over the Science Education Center and The Pacific House Men’s Homeless Shelter, made homes safe, warm and dry with HomeFront, helped feed and house the poor, read to young children every week for years in the Reading Partners’ Program, mentored kids on science and ecology, lead Odyssey of the Mind youngsters to winning State Championships, lead a Scout Troop for 13 years, coached Little League and Junior Achievement, traveled with Healing the Children and AmeriCares on missions throughout the world, spent a week with AmeriCares in Freshkill after 9/11, bought a mobile medical clinic for AmeriCares’ Free Clinic and provided funds for the Weisman Free Clinic in Bridgeport. He established a college scholarship for minority students studying to be teachers of science, technology, engineering or math, sponsored annual symphony concerts and built sets in a local theater. In addition, he served as an elected official on the land use commission in Brookfield, CT for many years.

About now, you must be wondering whether he had 48 hours in each day, required no sleep or had super human powers. We won’t ever know, but maybe wearing his Superman or Mickey Mouse shirts really did work. In spite of being a cancer survivor for 20 years and told he had only six months to live on at least two occasions, he was always happy. He would often exclaim that the reason he did for others was because he was the luckiest man alive and, because of his good fortune, wanted to share with others. He truly felt that he was given extra years because he hadn’t yet done enough to save the world. I recently found the words Fred spoke just last year as he was honored by the Pacific House Homeless Shelter in Stamford with the Rays of Hope Award. “It has been extremely gratifying to return to Stamford after a 20 year absence to find Beth El continuing what Joan and I had started at Beth El Cares. We thank you all for giving meaning to the old adage that “Those who can, must do. There are many needy throughout the world but we must not forget the needs of those in our own backyard.” I think the most important question that we can ask ourselves, as we think about The Fred Weisman Memorial Tikkun Olam Award, is what each of us can do to repair the world, how we can pay it forward in even a very small way. How each of us can find and follow our own moral compass as Fred followed his. How we can pass on the value of tzedakah to our children and grandchildren. I hope that all I have shared with you about my dear Fred will not be perceived as bragging, but as an opportunity to see how possible it is for anyone to make the world a better place. We will all miss Fred’s energy, his love of life and his good deeds but, hopefully, his spirit will inspire all of us to perform deeds of kindness and there will always be worthy recipients of this award. Fred would say about now, “It’s time for less talking and more doing.” So it is my pleasure to invite Amy and Ken Temple to come up so that I may present them with the first Annual Fred Weisman Tikkun Olam Memorial Award. Amy and Ken, you have lead Beth El Cares far beyond what we could have hoped for when we founded it over 30 years ago. For the past four years, you have been the stewards behind the Homeless Shelter Dinners, High Holiday and Passover Food Drives and many other caring activities. Ken, you also serve on the Board of Directors of the Temple and Amy you have chaired the Temple Annual Purim Carnivals. You are a couple that embodies the spirit of Tikkun Olam and Fred would be proud to know that you are being honored. I wish you many more years of joy in serving the community and carrying out the values that this award conveys.

Joan Weisman

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INFORMATION FOR YOU…

When making a donation in honor of or in memory of someone, an acknowledgement will be mailed to the designee for donations of $10 or more. Donations of less than $10 will be acknowledged only in the Bulletin.

All donations will be published in the Bulletin unless you state that you wish to be anonymous.

TREE OF LIFE

A beautiful way to commemorate a special occasion is to purchase a “leaf” on our beautiful “Tree of Life” sculpture adorning our Temple lobby. There are many more leaves available for your own personal inscriptions.

The following categories are still available:

Triple Chai $5,400

Guardians of the Temple $1,000

Silver Leaves - Gold Border $750

Silver Leaves $250

MEMORIAL PLAQUES

Inscribe the names of your loved ones on a plaque for our Chapel wall along with a light to commemorate their yahrtzeit and yizkor observances throughout the year.

CELEBRATING A SPECIAL EVENT? COMMEMORATING A YAHRTZEIT?

Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush, following Shabbat Services, or an Oneg Shabbat, following our Friday evening services.

Contact Steven Lander for all of the new, reasonably priced Kiddush options at 322-6901, ext. 304 or execdir@tbe.org.

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE!

www.tbe.org

Read Rabbi Hammerman’s Shabbat-O-Grams… View our photo albums…Learn about our upcoming events…

Find contact information...And much, much more!

NEW!!! NEW!!! NEW!!! MAKE RESERVATIONS AND DONATIONS ONLINE!

Go to www.tbe.org/donate/

Check out the new website for our event space at Temple Beth El

www.thebigeventspace.com

Please pass this exciting new website on to your friends and

business associates!

CONTRIBUTING SHARES OF STOCK TO TEMPLE BETH EL

One way to boost your charitable contributions to Temple Beth El is to give shares of appreciated stock instead of cash. You do not pay any tax on your capital gain, and your charitable deduction is the shares’ entire fair market value. Several Beth El members contribute shares of stock to satisfy their dues pledge, their annual fund pledge, and other contributions to the Temple. After consulting your tax advisor, please contact the TBE office at 203-322-6901.

SEEKING SHABBAT GREETERS

Do you like getting a warm “Shabbat Shalom” as you enter shul on Saturday morning?

Our greeting program has been extremely well received. To keep this program going, we need volunteer greeters like you.

Interested? Contact Steven Lander at execdir@tbe.org.

Thanks for helping make Temple Beth El a warm and welcoming place to be.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A GABBAI?

Training available!

Please contact Rabbi Hammerman at rabbi@tbe.org.

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RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN MITZVAH FUND In honor of… Daniel Hammerman’s graduation from college by Carol & Wil Brewer

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman in appreciation of his leadership, teaching and guidance by Ellie Mirne

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman in appreciation for his participation in our grandson’s brit milah by Judy Dalgin Suchin & Norman Suchin

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman by Susan Frieden, Michael Horowitz, Betsy & Peter Kempner

In memory of… Nancy Stone, z’l by Judy Dalgin Suchin & Norman Suchin

CANTOR MAGDA FISHMAN MITZVAH FUND In honor of… Cantor Magda Fishman by Michael Horowitz, Joan Weisman

KIDDUSH FUND In honor of… In appreciation by Fran & Gerry Ginsburg

In memory of… Gerald Rich, z’l, by Sonya & Alan Rich

BETH EL CARES In honor of… Amy & Ken Temple for receiving the Fred Weisman Tikkun Olam Award by Beth, Pete & Jake Silver

In memory of… Fred Weisman, z’l, by Ann & Julius Lasnick

YOUTH PROGRAMS In honor of… Barbara & Stan Friedman’s grandson, Evan, becoming a Bar Mitzvah by Carol & Wil Brewer

Jenna Plotzky for receiving the TBE Teen Leadership Award by Beth, Pete & Jake Silver

In memory of… Samuel Kweskin, z’l, by Ilene & Jim Locker & Family

ADULT EDUCATION In honor of… Isabella’s and Bailee Esposito’s graduations by Hedda & Calvin Batwin

SISTERHOOD In recognition of the work performed by Sisterhood… Fran Ginsburg by Irene Savransky

FRANK AND ROSE ROSNER MEMORIAL FUND In honor of… Steven Lander for all his help in making our grandson’s brit milah special by Judy Dalgin Suchin & Norman Suchin

In appreciation by Phyllis & Harvey Walzer

In memory of… Rose & Frank Rosner, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Irene Locker, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner

IN HONOR OF:

THE BIRTH OF VICTORIA MARY CELIA BREWER Barbara & Stan Friedman, Marsha Colten & Robert Cohen IN APPRECIATION Stacye & Stuart Nekritz DAN YOUNG FOR HIS KINDNESS Janice Steinberg & Stephen Davidson THE BIRTH OF ABIGAIL ZOE MUDGE Marsha Colten & Robert Cohen, Judy Schneiderman THE BIRTH OF PHINEAS ASHER COHEN Marsha Colten & Robert Cohen THE BIRTH OF SIDNEY LEWIS BROMLEY Marsha Colten & Robert Cohen SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR LINDA BATWIN O’DONOVAN Hedda & Calvin Batwin DANIEL HAMMERMAN ON HIS GRADUATION FROM COLLEGE Richard Heimler & Chris Maroc, Judy Schneiderman, Marsha Colten & Rob Cohen, Sheila Romanowitz AMY & KEN TEMPLE RECEIVING THE FRED WEISMAN TIKKUN OLAM AWARD Miriam & Michael Schechter GERRY GINSBURG FOR OFFICIATING AT THE UNVEILING OF MY FATHER, SIDNEY EPSTEIN, z’l Ellen Bromley THE MARRIAGE OF ERIC AND RACHEL FRIEDEN Marsha Colten & Rob Cohen, Sheila Romanowitz OLGA GOLDSTEIN AND STEVEN LANDER FOR THEIR KINDNESS TOWARDS MY MOTHER, MARY WEBER Roberta Greene JEWELS HARRISON BECOMING A BAR MITZVAH Cathleen McClure, Alyson Schroeder, Linda Wolfgruber, Meghan Habansky, Bettye & Allen Glen RABBI JOSHUA HAMMERMAN FOR HIS PIRKE AVOT LUNCH AND LEARN CLASS Susan Krieger, Audrey Schechter GARY FREILICH ON HIS GRADUATION FROM WHARTON BUSINESS SCHOOL Loralee & Phil Granowitz CAROL KRIM FOR ORGANIZING SISTERHOOD SHABBAT Sue Frieden

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

Ruth Kapchan, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Leonard Estrin, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Nancy Stone, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Israel Rubinovitz, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Milton Mann, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner Hersh Libo, z’l, by Eileen H. Rosner

MITZVAH GARDEN In memory of… Jeanette Fishkow, z’l, by Amy Fishkow & Jim Benjamin

HOSPITAL PACKAGE FUND In memory of… Nancy Stone, z’l, by Beth, Pete & Jake Silver Harvey Novick, z’l, by Meryl & Hank Silverstein

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Sandy & David Moreinis ................................. FORTUNA ABADI Robin & Joel Evans & Family ................... BEATRICE ABRAHAM Stuart Abrams & Family..................................... ROSE ABRAMS Mindy & Jeff Hausman & Family .............................. JEAN ANIS Binnie & Gerard Ditesheim ..................................... SOL ATKINS Seymour Baum ................................................... ISIDOR BAUM Sari & Alan Jaffe ........................................ EDWARD BLONDER Susan & Edward Bralower ............................ LOUIS BRALOWER Susan & Mark Plotzky ...................................... IRVING COOPER Stacy & Don Cooper ........................................ JUDITH COOPER Francine & Robert Plansky .......................... MILDRED COOPER Rhoda Dember ................................................ DAVID DEMBER Barbara Shapiro & Bruce Dennis ....................... JONAS DENNIS Barbara & Edward Drotman ............................. LEO DROTMAN Samuil Fayman ...................................... JHUDA LAYB FAYMAN Andrea & Jack Scherban .................................. PHILIP FIGHTLIN Nancy & Brad Benjamin ...................................... HAROLD FINK Barbara & Philip Finn & Rachael Levitt .................. SYLVIA FINN Maxine & Jay Freilich & Family .......................... RUTH FREILICH Sally & Jim Rothkopf ............................... EMANUEL FRIEDMAN Barbara & Stan Friedman ............................... JACK FRIEDMAN Bella Galynskaya ........................................... PAVEL GALYNSKIY Barbara & Marvin Gold .......................................... TILLIE GOLD David Goldrich ........................... HELEN & NATHAN GOLDRICH Loralee & Phil Granowitz .......................... IRVING GRANOWITZ Myra & John Graubard ................................DAVID GRAUBARD Susan & Edward Bralower ..................... STEPHEN GREENBERG Denise & David Greenman ...................... MARTIN GREENMAN Josephine Grushkin ................................... MERVIN GRUSHKIN Steven Grushkin & Family ......................... MERVIN GRUSHKIN Joan & Lawrence Wexler .........................................LIL HAUSER Karen, Rich & Geoff Hainbach .................... GERTY HAYWORTH Harriet & Fred Dulaney .......................................... LEWIS HELD Rose Hendizadeh & Family ...................... RAHIM HENDIZADEH Lori & Bruce Tobin ....................................SAUL HERSHKOWITZ Susan & Larry Holzman .................................. JOHN HOLZMAN Darlene & Larry Hornstein ............................. JACK HORNSTEIN Dana Horowitz & Peter Wolly ..................... BRUCE HOROWITZ Michael Jablon .................................................. BARRY JABLON Gerald Jacobs .................................................. MINNIE JACOBS Rita & Mort Johnson...................................... JENNIE JOHNSON Evelyn & Bruce Kahn ......................................... GEORGE KAHN Susan & Richard Blomberg ................................ SELMA KALISKI Vivien White ................................................... MORRIS KARATZ Linda Hempel Braun .............................................. BLIMA KATZ Kobliner Family ............................................ ALBERT KOBLINER Suzanne & Robert Kahn ......................................... TILLIE KOHN Susan & Richard Blomberg ................... LOUIS KONIGSBACHER Seymour Baum ............................................... ESTHER KURZON Myra & John Graubard .....................................REUBEN LUBITZ Magida Family ................................................... ALAN MAGIDA Stephanie & Larrry Sherman ...............................JACOB MALIN Laura Markowitz .................................... ROSALIE MARKOWITZ Patricia & Simon Epstein ................................ LEON MARLOWE Lois & Dick Martin ........................................... SIDNEY MARTIN Melanie Massell ......................................... MICHAEL MASSELL

REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS IN MEMORY OF:

NANCY STONE, z’l Marsha Colten & Robert Cohen, Sharon & Jeff Turshen, Carol & Allen Krim, Roni & Allan Lang, Judy Schneiderman, Nancy & Brad Benjamin, Sheila Romanowitz, Sue Frieden PENNY HOROWITZ, z’l Shelley & Michael Barker, Kathy & Howard Kraus MILTON MANN, z’l Marsha Colten & Rob Cohen, Sheila Romanowitz, Grecia & Ron Gross, Paula Epstein, Joan Bryson, Barbara Cohen Aronica-Buck, Gail & Jack Abrams, Rona & Burt Peck, Fran & Gerry Ginsburg HERSH LIBO, z’l Lawrence Barron, Fran & Gerry Ginsburg STEFFI MAURER, z’l Kathy & Howard Kraus

Herb Kahan ............................................. GERTRUDE MATZNER Evelyn & Bruce Kahn ............................ MARGOT NEU-EPSTEIN Francine & Robert Plansky ................................ PAUL PLANSKY Rhonna & Brian Rogol .......................................... ALICE ROGOL Lisa & Michael Rome ...................................... HOWARD ROME Jerry Rose ........................................................ BARBARA ROSE Judy Schneiderman ................ RUTH & EMANUEL ROSENBERG Joyce & Lewis Slayton ......................................... ROSE ROSNER Andrea & Jack Scherban .................................. ANN SCHERBAN Barbara & Ed Drotman .............. MOLLY & MICHAEL SCHMALL Jeffrey, Joanna & Lee Shapes .......................... FANNIE SHAPES Sheila & Gordon Brown ................................. FANNIE SHEVRIN Beth & Peter Silver ...................................... ELIZABETH SILVER Cindy & Steven Warren .................................. MURIEL SISKIND Susan & Larry Holzman ......................................... RAY SNIPPER Gail Solomon Hecht & Harvey Hecht . ESTELLE & SAMUEL SOLOMON Magida Family .................................................... CELIA SOLOVE Cindy & Steven Warren ................................... MOLLY TENNEN Bruce Dennis & Shirley Dennis ........................... SADIE TEPPER Debra & John Tomsky &Family ................... BARBARA TOMSKY Ronnie & Edward Fein ................................................ LILY VAIL Phyllis & Harvey Walzer ............. SOPHIE & RUDOLPH WALZER Roselyn Finchler ........................................ MORRIS ZAGELMAN

THANK YOU FOR DEDICATING ETZ HAYIM CHUMASH

In memory of… Daniel Cassel, z’l, by Bobbe & Ben Evans

MAHZOR LEV SHALEM

In memory of… Nancy Stone, z’l, by Peggy & Alan Kalter

WE MOURN THE PASSING OF…

NANCY STONE, mother of Peter Kempner MILTON MANN

HERSH LIBO, husband of Libby Libo BERNARD TAUB

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DEDICATE A PRAYER BOOKDEDICATE A PRAYER BOOK

CHUMASH (BIBLE)CHUMASH (BIBLE)

The Etz Hayim Chumashim (Bibles) are available for dedication. Having a simcha or observing a yahrtzeit? Why not dedicate a Chumash to honor the occasion? This dedication costs $72.

SIM SHALOM SIDDUR for SHABBATSIM SHALOM SIDDUR for SHABBAT

Our Sim Shalom siddurim for Shabbat are available for dedication for $36.

OR HADASHOR HADASH

This very special book was intended to educate and enlighten; indeed, Or Hadash translates as A New Light. This dedication costs $54.

SHIVA MINYAN BOOKS AVAILABLESHIVA MINYAN BOOKS AVAILABLE

FOR DEDICATIONFOR DEDICATION

Prayer Books for Shiva Minyans are available for dedication for $36.

A lovely, personalized book plate will be placed inside the front cover.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING

Adult Education Fund

Beth El Cares

Beth Elders

Debra Wald Goldberg Kindergarten Scholarship Fund

Frank & Rose Rosner Memorial Fund (maintenance)

General Fund

Kiddush Fund

Mitzvah Garden Fund

Music Fund

Prayer Book Fund

Religious School Fund

Solar Fund in memory of Norma Mann, z’l

Youth Fund

DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman’s Mitzvah Fund

Cantor Magda Fishman’s Mitzvah Fund

Hazzan Sidney Rabinowitz’ Mitzvah Fund

DONATE ONLINE or DEDICATE A PRAYER BOOK ON-LINE Go to: www.tbe.org/donate/

HIGH HOLIDAY mahzor

People love our Mahzors, but many of them remain undedicated. Why not consider dedicating one or more of these beautiful prayer books? What better way to memorialize or honor loved ones than through this very intimate act of having a personal tribute inscribed right into our prayer books in their name.

See below for details…

“May you be inscribed in the Book of Life…”

Temple Beth El proudly introduced the newly published High Holiday Prayer Book, “Mahzor Lev Shalem,” that we now use on the High Holidays.

Dedications in honor of a special simcha or in memory of a loved one or a special friend are available! Each book will be inscribed with your dedication on a colorful bookplate on the inside front cover.

For $50: One prayer book for your personal use or donate one to the Temple

For $250: Six prayer books will be donated to the Temple

For $500: Twelve prayer books will be donated to the Temple

For $1,000: Twenty-one prayer books will be donated to the Temple. Four books will be given to your family

For $2,500: Sixty prayer books will be donated to the Temple Four prayer books will be given to your family

For $5,000: One hundred twenty-five prayers books will be donated to the Temple Six prayer books will be given to your family

For amounts over $5,000, please contact Steven Lander at 203-322-6901, ext. 304 or by e-mail execdir@tbe.org for details.

All prayer books donated to the Temple will be inscribed with “In Memory of” or “In Honor Of” (at the donor’s selection) inside the front cover. Donors will also be gratefully acknowledged by the Temple.

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On One Foot continued from page 3...

strength and comfort. Most recently, we were able to witness the power of Cantor Magda’s music. It is our hope to create a legacy where music continues to inspire both the congregation and the community. We celebrate the joy found through music in honor of our parents, Norma and Milton Mann.” I can almost hear Norma now, saying, “May we go from strength to strength.” Best wishes for a relaxing summer!

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

SAVE THE DATE

BBQ and Barachu

Friday, August 14 at 5:30 pm

Watch for further details...

Sylvan D. Pomerantz continued from page 8…

you, Zarin and Yair have become an integral part of our Temple family. From our youngest children, to our Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids to our elders, your energetic and spiritual soul has touched each of us in a unique and profound way. I pray your home will always be full of life and blessed with love, and may all the wonderful joys of Jewish music dance forever in your heart. Rabbi Hammerman, you have been our guide and leader in so many ways over the years, and you have brought us to where we are today; where our synagogue is a highly respected home of Conservative Judaism while also being forward thinking, dynamic and relevant. Our success as a synagogue in so many ways reflects your vision and we thank you for leading us towards 2020. We truly have been blessed to have your spiritual leadership and dedication for all these years, and I want to personally thank you for your friendship and support. And of course, I want to publicly thank my best friend, partner and wife Honni, for your unending support through my term as president. I love you dearly. My term as President expires at the Board of Directors meeting on July 1, 2015. At that time, and with the unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees, I will transfer my presidential responsibilities to Mia Weinstein, our First Vice President. I am absolutely confident Mia will be a great President and I know that we will all give her our complete support, as we all move together into a very bright future as a Temple community. Thank you.

Sylvan D. Pomerantz

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Special Occasion?

Sponsor The Shabbat E-nnouncements (sent every week via e-mail)

The Shabbat Announcements (distributed each Shabbat at the Temple)

and the Shabbat-O-Gram (e-mailed every Thursday night)

All three publications for $72

All sponsors will be acknowledged at the beginning of each of these announcements

and also listed in our bi-monthly Bulletin.

Call Mindy in the office at 322-6901 ext. 301.

ATTENTION TEMPLE BETH EL CONGREGANT and CL&P CUSTOMER:

How would you like to donate $75.00 to TBE and be part of Connecticut’s best value: The Home Energy Solutions (HES) Program?

Did you know that through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, because you are a CL&P customer, you can receive all the following services?

A HES assessment is a complete energy service performed by HE-Energy Solutions LLC, certified professionals. It includes the following:

·The installation of up to 25 compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs - specialty and standard. ·Sealing of wasteful drafts and air leaks. ·Windows and Doors will be assessed - v-seal and weather stripping provided where necessary. ·Water saving strategies - replacement to low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. ·Pipe Insulation - provided if necessary. ·Inspection of attic, floor and wall insulation. ·Hundreds of dollars of additional rebates that you may qualify for.

This service is valued at over $700 and is available to you as a CL&P customer for the low cost of $75, which we will donate, in your name, to Temple Beth El.

The Home Energy Solutions is one of the innovative programs supported by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and administered by CL&P and UI.

Please call Renee at 203.307.5395 and use reference code Tzedakah to start saving today.

HE-Energy Solutions LLC 144 Barnum Avenue, Stratford, CT 06614

203.307.5395

NOW YOU MAY PURCHASE SCRIP ONLINE!

Go to www.tbe.org and click on “donations”

in the upper right-hand corner.

PLACE YOUR AD HERE

CALL MINDY at 203-322-6901, ext. 301 or office@tbe.org

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We Capture Your Precious Memories

on Video… Weddings Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Proud to be the official TBE videographer

Tom was able to capture the spirit and joy of our B’nai Mitzvah service and party in a video we will always treasure. He was also a pleasure to work with from start to finish.

Jared Finkelstein

If you are looking for a videographer, look no further! Tom was a delight to work with and the finished product was incredible. He created separate videos of my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah service and celebration and captured all aspects of the joy of the day.

Jill Teich

Thomas Pace, Jr. 203.335.0168 T & J Video Service

We also transfer home movies/video to DVD.

The deadline for the September/October 2015

issue of the Temple Bulletin will be

Monday, August 3, 2015

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STUDIO A PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

203-661-3393 cell: 914-629-2204

fethic@me.com wwwstudioadigital.com

Experience working with TBE for over 20 years. Ask your friends!

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BETH TORAH KOSHER CATERERS

Glatt Kosher Custom Catering

Catering for all occasions, on-premises

or off-premises at location of your choice.

American, Middle Eastern & International foods.

China, Silver, Linens, Waiters & Bartenders

106-06 Queens Blvd. Forest Hills, NY 11375 Phone: (718) 261-4775

Fax: (718) 261-4607

(FORMERLY SUPERSOL)

FRESH GLATT KOSHER MEAT & POULTRY DELICIOUS PREPARED FOODS,

KOSHER GROCERIES, DAIRY & FROZEN AND OF COURSE OUR EXQUISITE CATERING

SEASONS MARKET 1066 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583

TEL: 914-472-2240 FAX: 914-472-2215

UNDER THE KASHRUTH SUPERVISION OF THE VAAD HARABONIM OF QUEENS

ART GREENWALD President

INTEGRATED PROTECTION SERVICES, LLC 76 PROGRESS DRIVE STAMFORD, CT 06902

Tel: 203.322.0772 WWW.INTEGRATEDPROTECTIONSERVICES.COM

SYSTEMS AND SERVICES FOR SECURITY AND FIRE PROTECTION

SERVING CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

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Non-Profit

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

STAMFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 42

TEMPLE BETH EL 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, CT 06902

July-August 2015

CHECK US OUT ON

ANNUAL CANTOR’S CONCERT

Welcoming Cantor Magda Fishman and her Family

June 14, 2015