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The Beth El Buzz Spring 2020

I Could Use Some Chicken Soup - Rabbi Jeff Clopper

Recently, I’ve been picking up more chicken soup. Thankfully, as I write this, my health has been good, so I haven’t needed a dose of the famous “Jewish penicillin”. I do enjoy a steaming bowl, though typically when it’s chilly or I feel a cold coming on.

However, in these days of quarantine and unceasing focus on the coronavirus, there’s a different serving that hits the spot. Rather than soup, I am reaching for the collection of books that have sat on my shelf since I first moved into my office at temple. Over the years, I have collected many volumes of the series called “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” Among them, I have titles including Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Grandparent’s Soul, and of course, Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul.

Since the first edition was released in 1993, the collection has blossomed internationally into numerous books (I have 20, a mere fraction of the hundreds that exist), podcasts, web materials and even pet products. The printed version, which can boast many best-seller editions, was the brainchild of motivational speakers Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Understanding the power of stories to inspire and bring hope in difficult times, these two set out nearly 30 years ago to compile stories, as they put it, “to open the heart and rekindle the spirit”.

As someone who appreciates a good story, these collections have been uplifting. Some are draped in sadness and heartache. Most, however, illustrate amazing human resiliency or recount acts of incredible compassion. I have wiped away tears and been overtaken by full-lipped smiles reading through the many pages. I’m not a physician, but I would encourage a heaping dose of this kind of Chicken Soup! When everything around us is focused on quarantines and grim statistics, the stories are like a warm breeze cutting through the chill.

I know a story is not going to be life-saving in the same way a mask, gloves, or even much needed ventilators will be. It won’t bring back jobs or ensure a loved one remains safe. But it will help bring back a sense of hope and trust. As we try to endure the uncertainty, the loneliness and the fear of these days, it is good to remind ourselves that there is reason to hold on.

Right now, there are good people doing many good things - neighbors helping neighbors; medical personnel placing themselves on the front lines (even coming out of retirement to do so); and small acts of kindness happening all around us. However, if we do not hear of them or witness them ourselves, it is much easier to think that no one cares. Then our isolation can grow even deeper and heavier.

Being part of this community especially, as I know here we have many good things happening, there are many good people who care. And that can and should make us feel better - like a little bit of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”. Perhaps one day, when we are back together in person, we will share our own stories and create our own volume for the series. In the meantime, let’s grab a bowl and a spoon, and then pop open to any page (in the book or on the website). And hopefully, in a short time, we all will feel that soothing taste of hope in our hearts. Be safe and be well.

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From the President... - Linda Braun As I sit here at my dining room table, staring out the window at the (believe it or not) spring snow shower we are having, I am reminded of the fact that we have all been having forced “snow days” for the past few weeks or so. As a teacher, no matter how much we love our jobs and our students, we pray for that occasional snow day to get a day to just relax in our pj’s and drink coffee and not have any responsibilities. The perfect snow day comes in the middle of a busy week, or month, when there are no pressing issues at school to worry about. As we talked about the lack of bad weather in the faculty room this year, we joked about the fact that one freak snowstorm in mid-March would fit the bill! Who knew that a global pandemic would force the schools to close and send us all into our homes indefinitely? This is not what we were hoping for and certainly not a relaxing day to sit in our pj’s! All that being said, I ask that you consider this a time to reacquaint yourselves with your families, with your homes, with yourselves. I know it is a difficult task, when we are faced with all the challenges of home schooling for our children or working from home for the many busy professionals we have in our community. I know this is a time where some members of our temple family are feeling isolated and anxious. Please know that your temple family has many ways for you to reach out. As you have seen in the past few weeks, we are streaming our Shabbat services and Rabbi Jeff and Cantor Alison are doing an amazing job of coming into our homes each Shabbat. In the coming days, you should be receiving video messages from your clergy and perhaps from some of your lay leadership as well. We are also trying to reach out to every member of our temple family, to make sure you are doing okay and that you are not in need of anything. If there is anything essential that we can help you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (tbepres@tbeli.org), or Rabbi, Cantor, the Brotherhood or Sisterhood, or Lisa Tricomi, our Partnership Liaison. We are a family, and no matter how separated and disconnected we feel from each other right now, there are ways for us to try and stay connected. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions about other ways to do this, or you just want to talk, send us an email or give us a call. Please stay safe, warm and healthy.

Condolences...

• To Karen Fazekas and family, on the death of her husband, Joel Fazekas, on December 26, 2019.

• To Alina Ricci and family, on the death of her father, James Barber, on January 5, 2020.

• To Michael Greenhut and family, on the death of his mother, Rosalind Rivka Greenhut, on January 16, 2020.

• To Linda Braun and family, on the death of her mother, Bonnie Braun, on January 21, 2020.

• To Jane Weinkrantz and family, on the death of her father, Franklin Greenhalgh, on February 7, 2020.

• To Lilyan Yokelson and family, on the death of her husband, Larry Yokelson, on February 17, 2020.

• To Ann Pinals and family, on the death of her mother, Evelyn Penny, on March 3, 2020.

• To Lainie Seelig and family, on the death of her mother, Doris Fader, on March 6, 2020.

• To Joe Perlman and family, on the death of his mother, Sandra Perlman, on April 5, 2020.

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Saturday, February 29th was a spectacular event celebrating five amazing honorees who have inspired and shown by example how to heal the world and create community. Our temple was buzzing with over 190 guests along with delicious artisan samples of cheese, chocolate and wine. The Great Room was transformed into a food extravaganza by Greta, The Travelin Gourmet. Delightful tastings along with an abundance of shot glasses of soup, even chicken soup with mini matzoh ball skewers!

We enjoyed the amazing music of Rhonda Kay and the Backstage Trio, along with songs from our (now postponed) production of Bye Bye Birdie. We listened to heartfelt words of gratitude and what our temple means to Sue and Mark Goldman, Janet and Mike Widawsky and Diane Berg. We presented them with beautiful candlesticks and a framed Scroll of Honor. It was overwhelming to see the amazing number of guests who came to celebrate along with us the accomplishments of each honoree. Most noted is Diane’s 50th year as a Temple Educator. Finally, our night was complete with delicious desserts, including cookies - lots of cookies - provided by our very own bakers from Temple Beth El.

We hope everyone has our first ever Business Directory, with many thanks to Lisa Bennett for creating it. It is filled with vendors that have supported our temple and we are sure they would appreciate your patronage. The directories are available in the temple office, if you don’t already have one. Also, please look at our beautiful Temple Community Celebration program, it is filled with warm words and opportunities you might consider getting involved in.

We are so thankful to the many willing hands that worked so hard to make this event a success. To those who donated their time, their financial support or their guidance and advice we thank you! We had our first ever sold out event, raising the most money of any special event that enabled us to give back substantially to our temple family. Continue to make a difference, today and every day! What we all created mattered!

Wow, Wow, Wow! What A Night!

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Adult Education Fund Diane Berg Ellen Gray & Paul Siudzinski Beth and Stu Kay Marcia and Barry Schwalb Janet and Mike Widawsky

Alma & Daniel Kommit Choir Fund Joan and Peter Feilbogen Barbara and Richard Golden Susan and Jerry Wolff

Cantor’s Discretionary Fund Linda Braun & Ilene Davis Karen Fazekas Margaret Mills Margaret Roche Phyllis and Bill Toran

Capital Improvement Fund Richard and Rosalie Kammerling Robin and Bob Zucker

Carole Volkman Kitchen Fund Sherry and Howard Eckstein David and Janice Groden

Chai Tribute Fund Marcia and Barry Schwalb

General Fund Susan and Richard Aaronson Heidi and Mark Aronson Len and Ann Axinn Mark and Carol Baskir Lottie Bennett Mike and Elyse Besso Lawrence and Suzanne Blum Andrew and Carol Calev Judith Cole Sandy and Rebecca Crain Steve and Janis Dombrower Elaine and Barry Eig Randee Epstein Karen Fazekas Joan and Peter Feilbogen Rob and Lisa Fishman Evan and Janet Glass Audrey Gold Floyd and Sherri Goldman Mark and Susan Goldman David and Janice Groden Gail and Andrew Helfand Michael Hutt & Amy Korobow Rhona Jones Richard and Rosalie Kammerling Marlene and Richard Kasman Stephanie and Jenny Kellerman Burt and Laura Klayman Gloria and Robert Klein Herb and Barbara Kreindler Brycie Kristel

General Fund (cont’d) Andy and Andrea Levenbaum Marjorie and Stephen Levy Bonnie and Joel Liederman Joan and Bob Lifson Ruth Lilker Burt and Sandy Masnick Barry Mildener & Richard Pitch Brian and Joy Moss Kenny and Susan Ng Martin Podgainy Rosemarie Ruk Trudy Sarns Linda and Alan Schatten Barbara Schenk Howard Schneider & Mimi Rosen Marcia and Barry Schwalb Maddy and Steve Schwartz Sue and Rob Seiler Arnie and Eileen Shindler Cliff and Lorie Siegel Judith Siger Jan Singer & Ed Brozinsky Louise Spangle Laurie and Jerry Strickland Helene Tiger Phyllis and Bill Toran Barbara Vogel Janet Walerstein Nanci Weber & Bernie Schaeffer Mel and Dolly Weinzimer Marilyn Wetzler

Jordan Yurkew Special Education Fund Adrianne and Sheldon Dietz

Marj Blauman Sanctuary Fund Barbara Schenk

Milton Gershon Camp Fund Debbie Kamins Richard and Rosalie Kammerling

Mina and Irving Klein Fund Emily Newfield Marcy Rhodes

Music and Cultural Arts Fund Albert and Diane Anderson Diane Berg Mike and Elyse Besso Cora Brettler & Jeff Rubin Emily Caroddo Elizabeth Collins Harriet and Norman Copel Kara Cosolito Maryanne DeLeo Alexandria deVries Elaine and Barry Eig Joan and Peter Feilbogen Jeff and Elyse Feldman Roz Finkel

Tributes... Music and Cultural Arts Fund (cont’d) John and Anna Gallagher Maria Giordano Mark and Susan Goldman Robin Grass and Una Warde Mike and Surelle Heiberger Valerie Kasper Paula Klein & David Lieberman Marjorie and Stephen Levy Douglas March Burt and Sandy Masnick Meadowbrook Elementary Teachers Assoc. Joanne O’Kane Martin Podgainy Sara Pokross Cheryl Rice Debbie and Charley Rich Florence and Steve Roffman Marcia and Barry Schwalb Louise Spangle Melissa Stanford Temple Beth Torah Teachers Helene Tiger Phyllis and Bill Toran Peter and Beverly Wayne Partnership Engagement Fund Patti Kresner Marcia and Barry Schwalb Beverly and Peter Wayne Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Gloria Barton Linda Braun & Ilene Davis Jeri Cohen Jane Goldblatt Elissa and David Gordon Plosky Dental Carol Rosen Matt Seiler Sue and Rob Seiler Phyllis and Bill Toran Lilyan Yokelson Religious School Enrichment Fund Carol and Marty Cohen Richard and Rosalie Kammerling Helen Udell Rhea Liebman Memorial Library Fund Joan and Peter Feilbogen Mike and Surelle Heiberger Liz Holbreich Monday Evening Book Club Tuesday Morning Book Club Social Action Fund Jane Goldblatt Fran Hyde

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Yahrzeits: March and April March 1-7 Eleanor Baron - mother of Marvin Baron Helen Cohn - mother of Jan Singer Rita Kammerling - mother of Richard Kammerling Robert Pakula - brother of Janet Walerstein Adele Harris Eysler - aunt of David Eysler Albert Fried - father of Mitchel Fried Joseph Sitler - father of Joe Sitler (z”l) Carrie Weil - grandmother-in-law of Irving Klein (z”l) Michael Cohn - father of Tom Cohn Marvin Frankel - father of Eleanor Perlman Evelyn Penny - mother of Ann Pinals Harry Prince - father of Joan Feilbogen Rique Karmazin - sister of Mark Goldman Maurice Levinson - father of Carol Baskir Sheila Mildener - sister of Barry Mildener Eva Widawsky - mother of Mike Widawsky Stan Feinblatt - father of David Feinblatt Betty Friedman - sister of Laura Klayman Andrew Siegel - brother of Rachel Bouvin Abe Levine - uncle of Steve Roffman Doris Fader - mother of Lainie Seelig Bernard Strauss - father of Dolly Weinzimer Harry Summer - grandfather of Tracy Summer Roy Gordon - father of David Gordon Bernard Heller - father of Rita Anilionis Madeline Selix - mother of Stephanie Kellerman March 8-14 Betty Forman - mother of David Forman

March 8-14 (cont’d) Pearl Gottlieb - grandmother of David Susswein Berta Feilbogen - mother of Peter Feilbogen David Karin - father of Marjorie Levy Sidnay Vogel - father of Barbara Vogel Joseph Darwin - father of Manny Darwin (z”l) Irving Freed - grandfather of Jen Freed Golda Thaw - mother of Lenny Thaw Betty Wasserman - mother of Selma Cohen Swaim Joan Blog - mother of Melissa Radgowski Grace Koutrouby - mother-in-law of Dianne Slavin Barry Kravchick - cousin of Janice Groden Syril Seiden - mother of Peter Seiden Beatrice Weinstein - mother of Amy Kaplan Sophie Cherner - aunt of Alan Schatten Daniel Ebert - uncle of Carol Clopper Marion Eckstein Genelle - sister of Howard Eckstein Ann Millstone - mother of Burt Klayman Samuel Susswein - grandfather of David Susswein Andree Blaudeau - aunt of Norman Copel Joel Goldman - father of Carol Slippen Mollie Robinson - aunt of Selma Cohen Swaim Richard Slippen - brother of Michael Slippen Irving Waldgeir - father of Linda Winter Louis Baker - father of Barbara Kreindler

March 15-21 Barbara Schapero - mother of Peter Schapero Blanche Honickman - mother of Steven Honickman Morton Kirschner - birth father of Jay Elzweig

March 15-21 (cont’d) Russell Chernick - brother of Cindy Halpern Josephine Goodman - grandmother of Ellen Richer Harvey Kudler - father of Harley Kudler Dorothy Simmons - mother of Michael Simmons Wallace Bywater - father of Jean Feinstein Sylvia Walfield - mother of Alan Walfield (z”l) Jackie Byrnes - mother of Lorie Siegel Roberta Fremed - mother of Gregg Fremed Regina Gindin - sister of Judith Cole Stanley Nathanson - father of Steven Nathanson Robert Simowitz - husband of Fran Simowitz Alexander Coleman - father of Surelle Heiberger Gail Iris Klayminc - sister of Sherry Eckstein Sam Shindler - father of Arnie Shindler Shirley Lillian Street - mother of Lori Street-Ames

March 22-31 Roberta Damast - mother of Eric Damast Monte Graber - brother of Edie Litt Alicia Kammerling - daughter of Richard & Rosalie Kammerling Martin Kaplan - brother-in-law of Mike & Surelle Heiberger Sarah Cohn-Richman - mother of Clare Cohn-Brown Harriet Fallon - mother of Mike Fallon Norma Goldstein - mother of Helene Tiger Matthew Kammerling - father of Richard Kammerling Rae Phillips - mother of Howard Phillips Seth Nathan Blumberg - brother of Rhona Jones Robert Freehling - husband of Lucille Zinman Charles Schwalb - father of Barry Schwalb - father of Elyse Besso

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Yahrzeits: March and April March 22-31 (cont’d) Leo Seiler - father of Rob Seiler Max Lipeles - father of Robin Zucker Jack Schatten - father of Alan Schatten Beatrice Schwalb - mother of Barry Schwalb - mother of Elyse Besso Benjamin Swartz - father of Marcia Ingram Rosa Kupferberg - grandmother of Joan Feilbogen Wilbur Morton Shurr - father of Fran Hyde Flora Dombrower - mother of Steve Dombrower Doris Kaplan - grandmother of Stefani Kavner Murray Nussbaum - father of Terrie Rosen Douglas Gray - father of Diane Kleet Myrna Vertal - aunt of Janice Groden Nathan H. Freeman - father of Alan Freeman Benjamin Pofcher - uncle of Surelle Heiberger April 1-7 Martin Kaplan - father of Randy Kaplan Henry Werblin - father of Carol Werblin Harold Blog - father of Melissa Radgowski Louise Yeazell - aunt of Louise Spangle Arnold Naiman - husband of Inez Wachtel Carl Bagnall - father of Marcia Schwalb Jeanette Groden - mother of David Groden Yetta Gross - mother of Carol Hittleman Reba Levenberg - mother of Andy Levenberg Stan Millstone - stepfather of Burt Klayman Florence Matthews - mother of Roberta Monat

April 1-7 (cont’d) Rose Podgainy - mother of Marty Podgainy James Warde - brother of Una Warde Neil Barton - husband of Gloria Barton Emanuel Jarmon - father of Steve Jarmon Emil Josenhans - father of Erich Josenhans Neil Thomas - cousin of Cecile Fallon Max Kaufman - father of Brian Kaufman

April 8-14 Regina Rosenberg - mother of Shawne Rosenblum Ruth Shwam - mother of Marcy Traub Tina Chernick - mother of Cindy Halpern Benjamin Elzweig - adoptive father of Jay Elzweig Blanche Lipsius - mother of Barbara Schenk Morris Mildener - father of Barry Mildener Bertha Molny - mother of Marvin Molny Ida Stockman - mother of Linda Mont Abraham Korner - uncle of Cindy Halpern Donald Pitch - father of Richard Pitch Ruth Strod - mother of Rosalie Goldstein Doris Kaplan - stepmother of Ely Kaplan (z”l) Jacob A. Blaustein - father of Rhoma Phillips Steven Davis - brother of Eileen Baumann Pearl Goldman - mother of Mark Goldman Florence Levenbaum - mother of Andy Levenbaum Edward Rosen - uncle of Miriam Rosen Mary Blond - grandmother of Irving Klein (z”l) Arthur Blumberg - father of Rhona Jones Eleanor Benson - mother of Kathi Berson

April 15-21 Robert Strauss - brother of Marc Strauss Arthur Berger - husband of Brigette Berger Gloria Brotman - mother of Andrea Marino Arlene Brown - mother of Dan Goldstein Miriam Diner - mother of Dan Diner Ira Finkel - brother of Wil Finkel (z”l) Howard Iserson - father of Dick Iserson Louis M. Licht - father of Phoebe Krane Mayer Walfield - father of Alan Walfield (z”l) Sylvia Wolman - mother of Melanie Herzfeld Bess Belkin - grandmother of Perry Wiseblatt Irwin Margulis - father of Joy Moss Betty Edelstein - mother of Andy Edelstein Roy Rosenblum - father of Tammy Rosenblum Gilbert Spritzer - husband of Lois Spritzer Seymour Feldman - father of Denise Tieman Paula Fields - grandmother of Beth Sherman Elsie Goldberg - grandmother of Debbie Kaplan Joseph Kalish - father of Elaine Kaplan Ruth Rosenbaum - aunt of Joan Feilbogen Fred Solomon - uncle of Sherry Eckstein Jerry Agran - father of Jody Sokol Morton Baine - father of Sherri Goldman Frank Gary - father of Howard Gary (z”l) Daniel Pober - father of Sue Seiler Peter Gray - father of Ellen Gray

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Yahrzeits: March and April April 22-30 Martin Besso - brother of Michael Besso Oscar Bonner - father of Sandy Crain Libby Fleischer - mother of Michael Fleischer Abraham Goldberg - father of Isabel Winokur Helen Selmer - mother of Al Selmer Milton Widerman - father of Susan Blog - father of Steve Widerman Anne Marie Kammerling - daughter of Richard and Rosalie Kammerling Grace Miriam Burnett - mother of Margaret Mills Myron Klein - grandfather of Mary Klein Louis Lilker - father of Seymour Lilker (z”l) Toby Faber - mother of Stephen Faber Florence Saunders - mother of Paul Saunders Betty Seigel - mother of Carol Calev Joseph Chiet - uncle of Jackie Selmer Sylvia Gelbman - mother of Phyllis Toran Lola Goldman - mother of Floyd Goldman Beatrice Feinstein - mother of Jackie Selmer Rose Klein - grandmother of Mary Klein Sylvia Lipeles - mother of Robin Zucker Peter F. Chiacchiaro, Sr. - father of Peter Chiacchiaro Jon Levy - father of Amanda Laserson Sadie Klein Lichtenstein - grandmother of Sarah Lichtenstein Howard Lipsius - father of Barbara Schenk George Stampfl - father of Linda Schatten Margot Dombrower - grandmother of Steve Dombrower Marilyn Feinman - mother of Beth Feinman Seymour Hirschfeld - husband of Jeanne Hirschfeld Ruthellen Holtz - sister of Andy Levenbaum

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74 Hauppauge Road, Commack Complete Early Childhood Center

Before and After School Care Programs for Children and Adults with Special Needs

Summer Day and Travel Camp Jewish Programming for all ages Indoor Pool and Swim Lessons

Fitness Center with Personal Trainers Call Nancy at (631) 462-9800 or nbriel@syjcc.org

www.bagelworkshuntington.com

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Cora Brettler Licensed Associate Broker

Proudly Serving the Real Estate

Needs of Temple Beth El Members for almost two decades

SIGNATURE PREMIER PROPERTIES

Office: 631-692-4800 Mobile: 631-793-1283

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Huntington, NY Permit No. 158

660 Park Avenue Huntington, N.Y. 11743

Address Service Requested

Rabbi Jeffrey Clopper Cantor Alison Levine Linda Braun, President Diane Berg, R.J.E. Lisa Tricomi, Partnership Liaison Rabbi Emeritus Barton A. Shallat, D.D. Cantor Emerita Sandra Sherry Phone: (631) 421-5835 Fax: (631) 421-1224 www.tbeli.org