Shavuot is a Hebrew word meaning "weeks" and refers to the Jewish festival marking thegiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot, like so many other Jewish holidays began as anancient agricultural festival, marking the end of the spring barley harvest and thebeginning of the summer wheat harvest. Shavuot was distinguished in ancient times bybringing crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Shavuot, celebrated this year on Wednesday, June 8, also known as the Festival of theGiving of the Torah, dates from biblical times, and helps to explain the holiday's name,"Weeks." The Torah tells us it took precisely forty-nine days for our ancestors to travel from

Egypt to the foot of Mount Sinai (the same number of days as the Counting of the Omer ) where they were to receivethe Torah. Thus, Leviticus 23:21 commands: "And you shall proclaim that day (the fiftieth day) to be a holyconvocation!" The name Shavuot, "Weeks," then symbolizes the completion of a seven-week journey.

Special customs on Shavuot are the reading of the Book of Ruth, which reminds us that we too can find a continualsource of blessing in our tradition. Another tradition includes staying up all night to study Torah and Mishnah, acustom called Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which symbolizes our commitment to the Torah, and that we are always ready andawake to receive the Torah. Traditionally, dairy dishes are served on this holiday to symbolize the sweetness of theTorah, as well as the "land of milk and honey".

The Confirmation Class of 5771-201The Confirmation Class of 5771-201The Confirmation Class of 5771-201The Confirmation Class of 5771-201The Confirmation Class of 5771-20111111invites you to celebrate this milestone with theminvites you to celebrate this milestone with theminvites you to celebrate this milestone with theminvites you to celebrate this milestone with theminvites you to celebrate this milestone with them

FridayFridayFridayFridayFriday, June 10 7:30 P, June 10 7:30 P, June 10 7:30 P, June 10 7:30 P, June 10 7:30 P.M..M..M..M..M.Bass Family Sanctuary BuildingBass Family Sanctuary BuildingBass Family Sanctuary BuildingBass Family Sanctuary BuildingBass Family Sanctuary Building

Please enjoy a very special oneg following services.Please enjoy a very special oneg following services.Please enjoy a very special oneg following services.Please enjoy a very special oneg following services.Please enjoy a very special oneg following services.

TTTTTemple Sharey Temple Sharey Temple Sharey Temple Sharey Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel’s Confirmands:efilo-Israel’s Confirmands:efilo-Israel’s Confirmands:efilo-Israel’s Confirmands:efilo-Israel’s Confirmands:

Joshua BainJoshua BainJoshua BainJoshua BainJoshua BainRebecca BergmanRebecca BergmanRebecca BergmanRebecca BergmanRebecca BergmanJaney BernsteinJaney BernsteinJaney BernsteinJaney BernsteinJaney Bernstein

Ethan BlakeEthan BlakeEthan BlakeEthan BlakeEthan BlakeSarah BurnSarah BurnSarah BurnSarah BurnSarah Burn

Emma FreedmanEmma FreedmanEmma FreedmanEmma FreedmanEmma FreedmanHannah GardnerHannah GardnerHannah GardnerHannah GardnerHannah Gardner

Ashley Rose LynnAshley Rose LynnAshley Rose LynnAshley Rose LynnAshley Rose LynnAllie Allie Allie Allie Allie MazzellaMazzellaMazzellaMazzellaMazzella

Matthew MichaelsMatthew MichaelsMatthew MichaelsMatthew MichaelsMatthew Michaels

Joshua NackensonJoshua NackensonJoshua NackensonJoshua NackensonJoshua NackensonJessica NathanJessica NathanJessica NathanJessica NathanJessica NathanJessica PodellJessica PodellJessica PodellJessica PodellJessica Podell

Arielle SchillingArielle SchillingArielle SchillingArielle SchillingArielle SchillingAlly WAlly WAlly WAlly WAlly Weissenbergeissenbergeissenbergeissenbergeissenberg

ShavuotShavuotShavuotShavuotShavuot

ClergyRabbi Daniel M. Cohen, D.Min.Rabbi Ellie Lynn Miller, M.A.R.E.Rabbi Harvey S. Goldman, EmeritusRabbi Herbert Weiner, EmeritusCantor Theodore AronsonCantor Joan Finn

Lay LeadershipHope Pomerantz, PresidentGail Barry, VPMax Weisenfeld, VPJay Rice, VPWendy Ferber, VPRobert Ozer, VPDavid Leit, VPNancy Fogel, VPJesse Bayer, TreasurerLynne Crawford, Secretary

Executive DirectorLeslie Y. SpornSchool DirectorsCarol Paster, PreschoolPia Kutten, Religious SchoolProgram DirectorTracy Horwitz, LSWJFS Social Worker at TSTIBeth Sandweiss, MA, MSWBulletinSunny Seglin

Phone: 973-763-4116

MEMBER CONGREGATIONUNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM

Schedule of ServicesSchedule of ServicesSchedule of ServicesSchedule of ServicesSchedule of Services

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Contact us at info@tstinj.orgVisit our website at www.tsti.orgPh: 973-763-4116 Fax: 973-763-3941

Friday, June 3NasoShabbat Service, 7:30 P.M.Bass Sanctuary Building

Saturday, June 4Minyan Service, 9:15 A.M.Gross Bet MidrashBar Mitzvah of Jacob Paul, 10:15 A.M.Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Okinow,10:30 A.M.

Wednesday, June 8ShavuotYizkor Service andLunch of Remembrance, 10:30 A.M.

Friday, June 10Beha’alotechaShabbat Service andConfirmation Service, 7:30 P.M.Bass Sanctuary Building

Saturday, June 11Minyan Service, 9:15 A.M.Gross Bet MidrashBat Mitzvah of Alexa Jentis, 10:15 A.M.

Friday, June 17ShelachShabbat Service, 6:00 P.M.Gellis Green Chapel

Saturday, June 18Minyan Service, 9:15 A.M.Gross Bet Midrash

Friday, June 24KorachShabbat Service, 6:00 P.M.Gellis Green Chapel

Saturday, June 25Minyan Service, 9:15 A.M.Gross Bet Midrash

Confirmation ServiceThe Slucker Religious School’s 10th graders will be confirmed at ShabbatServices on Friday, June 10 at 7:30 P.M. Please join us for this joyous andmeaningful service.

Summer ServicesSummer services, which begin on Friday, June 24, will be at 6:00 PM each week(with a return to the every other week schedule in the fall). Whenever possible, wehope to hold services outside as the summer progresses. This will allow us toenjoy the outdoors and worship in the fresh air.

In Honor of our GranddaughterMackenzie Gray Fiore

July 11, 2010Hanie and Jerry Warshaw

Allen & Dianne Chirls50th Anniversary

Lorraine Blum, Linda Kirsch,Sandra & Robert Nash,

Sandra & Barry Wasserman

Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel & Barnert TempleInterFaith Environmental Event

Please join us for a free screening of the Academy Award nominated filmJune 22 at 7:00 P.M.

FOOD, Inc.

What do you really know about the food you’re eating and its impact on theenvironment? Learn more about the U.S. food industry and what it takes to put

food on your table. Educating yourself on food choices may be the best thing youcan do for yourself, your family and the environment.

RSVP or questions, contact Karen Dougherty:karenkdougherty@aol.com,(201) 818-1714

Barnert Temple 747 Rt. 208 South, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417

Tree ofLife

Leaves on the Tree of Life mark joyousoccasions and milestones. They are$180. To order a leaf please contactMimi Braun, mimibraun@verizon.net

3

The President’sPoint of View

(cont. on page 8)

From theRabbi’s Study

(cont. on page 5)

Looking back, the life of our congregation this year has beenfilled with excitement and triumph, controversy and debate,challenges and solutions, sensitivity and sorrow. Similar to othersynagogues and akin to many years in our own history, it was atest of our character, fortitude and vision. And we have fairedquite well.

We have ably weathered a changing economy, instituting bothsavings and revenue raising ideas that will hold us in goodstead in the coming years. We successfully launched newinitiatives in the areas of education, membership, retention andsocial action. Amidst a sea of activity, we learned from anincredible array of scholars, balanced our budget and lent ourcongregational and individual voices to important issues in ourcommunity, our region and in support of Israel.

This year, we educated more than 450 of our kids. We joyfullywelcomed 55 B’nai Mitzvah into our congregation as youngadults, celebrated the graduation of 12 wonderful seniors fromour Hebrew High School and in just a few weeks, we willproudly confirm 15 fabulous tenth graders.In addition, we will be feting several dozen preschoolers as they“move on” to kindergarten. As a community, we have also beentouched by great sadness – bonding together as we tragicallylost three young members of our congregation – whose liveswere far too short, but whose spirit and imprint remain amongus.

Our year was filled with amazing services, programs andevents. Among them, we completed and began to use our ownbeautiful new Torah, gathered our snowbirds in Florida, invitedour youth group leaders to the Board of Trustees table,transitioned to making tributes (and soon to paying our bills) online, sold the Montrose House (hopefully by the time you readthis), established a new prayer garden, successfully completedthe first year of our GreenFaith Certification Program, stockedand staffed the interfaith food pantry, paid our construction loanin full, became the first ABLE awarded congregation inMetrowest and ran our first congregational 5K.

The growth and sustainability of our congregation is integrallylinked to its ability to change—to consistently examine wherewe are, who we are, who we want to continue to be and how westay or get there. These are indicia of our strength,organizational health and long-term success, of which we can

Rabbi Cohen delivered these remarks at the May 18thCongregational Meeting.

In Pirke Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers we find the followingstatement: You are not required to complete the work, but neitherare you at liberty to abstain from it.

In so many ways, this wise statement from almost 2000 years agoembodies the nature of synagogue life. Synagogues, if they arealive and thriving, are always works in progress. They are alwayschanging, always evolving, always facing new challenges and, iflucky, rising to the challenge. Yes, if a synagogue is healthy thereis never a time that is boring in the synagogue life. I am here to letyou know that if this is the measure we use, TSTI is quite healthy.There is nothing boring here at 432 Scotland Road. The challengeswe face are real but we are addressing them. Personally, I wouldappreciate a little boredom every now and then.

You are not required to complete the work but neither are you atliberty to abstain from it.

Day after day the work of temple is done with the greatest of care,concern, and selflessness we could ever hope for. From ouramazing Executive Director, Leslie Sporn, to our incredibleprogram director Tracy Horowitz, a woman who puts so much ofherself into everything she does, from working with our teens, toguiding our temple’s programming, Tracy does more than you canpossibly imagine and she deserves our thanks. Carol Paster is...Well she’s Carol Paster and we are so very fortunate to have herhere. This place works because of people like Tracy, Carol andLeslie.

Pia Kutten, our Educator is leaving next month and I want to thankher for her dedication and commitment to our temple’s kids andwish her luck with everything in the future.

A year ago we celebrated as Joan Finn became Cantor Joan Finn.Joan had studied and worked for so many years and finally shewas given the title that she so deserved. And we are so blessedthat she is part of our community. As we look to next year, we haveto make some staffing changes and, in part, they impacted the roleCantor Finn pays here. To our good fortune she has agreed to stayon in a modified capacity which means that our kids, and all of us,will have the blessing of her incredible spirit.

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The Iris FamilyThe Iris FamilyThe Iris FamilyThe Iris FamilyThe Iris Family

(cont. on page 7)

Linda and Rudy SluckerReligious School

Pia KuttenReligious School Director

Ida and Lou were typical 1950’s parents raising my best friendLori in the small, quiet town of Bayonne. They had good timesand bad, they cared lovingly for each other, they had argumentson occasion I’m sure, although I’d never witnessed one. Theyhosted play dates and sleepovers. They shared some commoninterests; they had interests separate from each other. They had atemple community; they had decent jobs and retired with goodhealth. Ida had a tight knit group of friends, played mah jonggweekly and baked the best rugelach ever made. Quieter, Louliked to putter around the house inventing and fixing things.

Looking on as an outsider they seemed content with their livesbut I really only knew them from a child’s view point. They werenice to me; they invited me to stay for a meal when they realizedI had no intention of ending my play date anytime soon andhosted many a sleepover for the same reason. Who knew that I’dremain friends to this day with someone I met in first grade? Notjust acquaintances, but friends who tell each other secrets thatno one else knows about, friends who can show up at their homewith a day’s notice and stay for a mini vacation, friends who canforget to call each other for 6 months and pick right up wherethey left off. I’ve never had an argument with Lori that is worthremembering and never a harsh word, although Lori claims Iwas mean to her when we were 10 years old.

It’s uncanny the way children can choose their lifelong friendsat such an early age, but I’ve seen it year after year in my roles asparent and preschool director. As a high school senior, mydaughter went to her prom with 3 friends from her 2’s class.She and her best friend of 27 years were in each other’s bridalparties, and they are only 29 now. Parents of preschoolgraduates see me years later and comment with surprise thattheir child is still best friends with a playmate from ourprogram. While many parents want early childhood programs tooffer more academics and may not see the value of play anddevelopment of social skills, from my view, being able to havethe ability to maintain a long-term relationship is a veryvaluable skill to hone. And it’s not just the children whoconnect; the parents connect to the child’s friend as well. Idahad created a warm spot in my heart. She was not just themother of my friend, but for all my formative years she was myother mother in my eyes and she probably never knew theimpact she had upon me.

Remarkably, Ida and Lou lived as husband and wife for morethan 60 years and I’ve been a part of their family for 50 of thoseyears. Ida and Lou died last month at 99 and 101 years of age

There is a passage in Deuteronomy that asks, “What does Godwant from us?” and the answer, according to the rabbis of theTalmud, can be found in a clue in this same sentence. “What” inHebrew, is closely related to the word “hundred” in Hebrew. Theanswer, according to the rabbis, is that God wants one hundredblessings from each of us every day. Not too long ago, one of our gifted teachers, Karen Lilienfeldreminded me of this important lesson. Our lives are filled withblessings, but we must be open to seeing and acknowledgingthem. Finding one hundred ways to praise God each day can bechallenging. On the other hand, if your eyes and heart are open,seeing blessings is rather easy. My boys, Avi and Eli are not quite two and a half years old. Imake it a point to acknowledge small wonders when I am withthem each day. For instance, now that it is spring, the vibrantcolored flowers are in bloom everywhere. As we drive throughour neighborhood on our way to and from daycare, they alwaysrespond, “thank you God” when we see a beautiful garden. Atsleepy time each night, we end our day with the bedtime Shemaand together we say “thank you God” for all the blessings in ourlives. I have so much to be thankful for in my life, as I am sure you dotoo. As I conclude my time here at Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, Iwant to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of ourdedicated teachers, our supportive parents, volunteers, clergyand board members. I have learned so much from all of you. To our students, I want to thank you especially. You have broughtthe greatest blessings to me. As the Director of the Linda andRudy Slucker Religious School, I most enjoy standing at the dooreach Tuesday afternoon and Sunday morning welcoming you toschool. It thrills me to see your smiling faces, to observe you inyour classes immersed in Jewish learning, and to hear yourjubilant voices during our song sessions. Judaism is an ancient treasure, passed from generation togeneration. We are so fortunate to be a part of this rich tradition.I sincerely hope that you will continue to explore our heritagethroughout your lifetime. Thank you for allowing me theopportunity to be a part of your Jewish experience.

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And to my dear colleague Rabbi Ellie Miller whose wisdom,insight and commitment to every aspect of our synagogue isboundless. So many of the things that Rabbi Miller does takeplace behind the scenes and, as a result, I do not believe she getsnearly the recognition she deserves. She embodies the very bestof this congregation and her leadership and commitment makethis work in progress what it is.

Our support staff, our teachers, our custodial staff and everyonewho is part of our staffing structure is here because of theircommitment to this community and the people who are part of it.This congregation is a work in progress and they are the oneswho roll up their sleeves and do that work day in and day out. Inthe current climate they have to work harder than ever and theydeserve all of the gratitude we can muster.

But our staff is only half of the equation. The other half of theequation is, of course, our volunteer leaders. Often these are theindividuals who are already overcommitted in other aspects oftheir lives, yet they find the time to give their energy, wisdomand guidance to their community. Often the task is thankless.And it certainly is endless. And yet they do so year after year. Forthat I am so very grateful.

This year marks the second and final year of Hope Pomerantz’spresidency. Hope is a dear friend, and has been a wonderfulpartner to Leslie and me as she has guided us during a time thathas been far more challenging than any of us predicted. Hope hashad to make some exceptionally tough decisions. It has notalways been easy.

Let’s be honest about congregational life: if you make a great easydecision there will be at least 10% of the people who hear aboutit who are thrilled. There will be at least 10% of people who hearabout it who are outraged. And there will be the other 80%. It’sjust the nature of community. But when you have to makedifficult decisions under difficult circumstances those numberschange radically, and that is the kind of presidency Hope hashad. As I have said time and again over the past two years, it is alot more fun to be the rabbi, the president, the executive directoror a member of the board during times of plenty. It is duringtimes of challenge that we truly show what we are made of andHope is made of the right stuff! She has served this congregationwith heart, soul and integrity and I cannot thank her enough.

In prior years I have used this time to review some of the majormilestones that were reached over the prior year. I will not dothat this evening because we have a long agenda and there are anumber of things this coming year that I want to focus on.

Which brings me to next year.

I’m excited to announce that we will be the pilot congregationfor some new educational innovations coming from Behrmanhouse publishers. If you do not know Behrman just look at yourchildren or grandchildren’s Jewish textbooks. The odds are theyare from this publishing house. I have had the privilege of sittingwith their editor-in-chief David Behrman and their entire

creative staff a number of times. They are making a rapid movetoward electronic learning and web based learning and theyneed a place to try it out. We are going to be that place.

While it is still a work in progress and the specifics of what thatwill entail it are not yet finalized, I can share that we will haveaccess to new resources before anyone else and we will have theopportunity to expose our kids and our adults to new ways oflearning that augment our current model. We will have theopportunity to encounter innovations that will make learningmore fun for kids and more engaging for kids and adults alike.As plans become clearer and we begin to implement them, wewill share them in detail on our Temple’s website.

Along similar lines, just as our synagogue is a work in progressso is our synagogue’s website. It has recently been revamped sothat on the front page of the site we can all see what ishappening in every corner of our congregation’s life. You maynot have a child in preschool but you should still know what’shappening in the preschool because the programs and thelearning that are taking place are inspiring. You may not be inthe Renaissance group but you should know what they are up tobecause they do programming which is so very exciting andthey, who had encountered far too many losses this year, are amodel for what a community can be. The care, commitment,selflessness and concern that the members of Renaissance showfor everyone who is part of it is the very best of who we are.

But there is more.

You may not read an Israeli newspaper daily but you shouldknow what’s happening in Israel. And so our Temple’s website isnow going to ensure that we all know what’s happeningthroughout our congregation’s life and it is going to be a sourcefor news on Israel, an educational source for learning, and muchmore. Our website will evolve into a centerpiece for learning inthe months to come.Ours is not to finish the task but we need tobe engaged. In this coming year are going to be engaged in newforms of learning that will make acquiring knowledge easierand more convenient.

Second, ours is a rather unusual congregation. As I am fond ofsaying, this synagogue is the result of a divorce and remarriage.The unusual thing about it is that this is a remarriage thatworked. Trust me, I know from synagogues that marry and don’twork. The small synagogue I served in Steubenville, Ohio theyear prior to my coming here was a merged synagogue that neveractually merged. Friday evenings Reform services were held andon Saturday mornings the service was Conservative. Onebuilding, two communities.

That’s not this congregation. No, the merger did not happenovernight. But we survived our initial merger and in 2012 wewill mark the 30th anniversary of it.

Yes, beginning on January 1 we will celebrate the birth of TSTI.It is deserving of celebration. It is an opportunity for us to

(cont. on page 8)

(cont. from page 3)

STISY wants you to share in our final event for the year…

June 5 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM$45 for STISY members $50 for non- STISY members.

Cost includes transportation, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdomadmission, and meal voucher for lunch.

Please bring money for souvenirs and snacks.

FOR REGISTRATION FORM OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAILTHORWITZ@TSTINJ.ORG

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Our B’nai Mitzvah

STISY○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

ADULADULADULADULADULT EDUCAT EDUCAT EDUCAT EDUCAT EDUCATIOTIOTIOTIOTIONNNNNWITH RABBI COHENWITH RABBI COHENWITH RABBI COHENWITH RABBI COHENWITH RABBI COHEN

Environmentalismas a Jewish Value

Monday, June 14 7:00pm

Join Rabbi Cohen for an evening of exploring theBiblical and rabbinic roots of the JewishEnvironmental Movement. Yes, environmentalismIS a Jewish value and we will examine why. Thisprogram is part of our congregation’sparticipation in the joint Greenfaith/URJSynagogue Greening Certification program

RSVPs are requested. Email thorwitz@tstinj.org.

Making a Difference

Our members have enriched the lives of thosearound us in so many ways this past year. Weare inspired by the efforts of Janet Janet Janet Janet JanetSchwammSchwammSchwammSchwammSchwamm and all who have volunteered atthe InterFaith Food Pantry; by your donationsof turkeys and trimmings to the ThanksgivingTurkey and Food Drive, organized for 15years by Lisa OzerLisa OzerLisa OzerLisa OzerLisa Ozer; by Hilda SilvermanHilda SilvermanHilda SilvermanHilda SilvermanHilda Silvermanwho made her 60th donation to the NewJersey Blood Bank; by Susan SiegeltuchSusan SiegeltuchSusan SiegeltuchSusan SiegeltuchSusan Siegeltuch andthose who donated suits and accessories toDress for Success; by Margie HarwoodMargie HarwoodMargie HarwoodMargie HarwoodMargie Harwood andthose who donated prom dresses toCatherine’s Closet; by those who help Newarkchildren by giving of their time through theNewark Connection, including ArleneArleneArleneArleneArleneGordon Gordon Gordon Gordon Gordon and Roger Landau Roger Landau Roger Landau Roger Landau Roger Landau at St. Anne’sand Rachel RothmanRachel RothmanRachel RothmanRachel RothmanRachel Rothman as a Big Sister; and bySue Sue Sue Sue Sue and Phil HochPhil HochPhil HochPhil HochPhil Hoch who work tirelessly for agreener, healthier environment.

Jacob Charles Blumenstein PaulJune 4, 2011Jacob is the son of Rebecca Blumenstein and Alan Paul,brother of Anna and Eli, and grandson of Harold and RuthBlumenstein and Suzanne and Richard Paul.Mitzvah Project: Jacob tutored kids at a Newark church.

Samantha Ann OkinowJune 4, 2011Sam is the daughter of Alison Klein and Steve Okinow,sister of Max and Jake, and granddaughter of SandraOkinow, Marilyn Klein, Martin and Susan Klein.Mitzvah Project: Sam volunteered at the Jersey AnimalCoalition, cleaning the cat room and getting cats ready fornew homes.

Alexa Hallie JentisJune 11, 2011Alexa is the daughter of Stuart Jentis and the late FeliceJentis, sister of Matthew, and granddaughter of Murieland Michael Lipit and Barbara Bromberg.Mitzvah Project: Alexa will organize a team to raise fundsfor the Felice L. Jentis BAC Foundation, founded inmemory of her mother, to support finding a treatment forthe type of lung cancer that claimed her mother’s life.

GREEN TIP

Used ClothinUsed ClothinUsed ClothinUsed ClothinUsed Clothinggggg Plenty of organizationswill accept your tired attire, but VietnamVeterans of America resells it to fundprograms for veterans, and will pick up yourdonations. Schedule online atclothingdonations.org

7

The Women’s Connection

2nd Annual Summer Soiree!

SANGRIA AND SWEETS Wednesday, July 13, 7:00-9:00 P.M.Temple Mansion & Terrace

Thank you — Thank you!As our programing year draws to a close, I would like to thankeveryone who has worked on a Women’s Connection committee tomake our events such a success. Most recently, thanks to the manywomen who worked together for months so that mothers anddaughters, friends and neighbors could enjoy our annual seder.

This year, we chose a “Green” theme to highlight TSTI’sparticipation in Greenfaith Certification program. I am especiallyappreciative to Heidi Cohen, Anne Sussman, Heidi Cohen, Anne Sussman, Heidi Cohen, Anne Sussman, Heidi Cohen, Anne Sussman, Heidi Cohen, Anne Sussman, and LoriLoriLoriLoriLoriBarnettBarnettBarnettBarnettBarnett for co-chairing this event; to Lynn RainenLynn RainenLynn RainenLynn RainenLynn Rainen for craftingingenious centerpieces of bamboo from her own yard; to SherrieSherrieSherrieSherrieSherrieKatzKatzKatzKatzKatz for catering the event; to the many women who came to helpset-up the tables; to Joanna Perlman Joanna Perlman Joanna Perlman Joanna Perlman Joanna Perlman and Shelli BroshShelli BroshShelli BroshShelli BroshShelli Brosh forwriting original readings; and to Lana Schob RosenbergLana Schob RosenbergLana Schob RosenbergLana Schob RosenbergLana Schob Rosenberg fordesigning the beautiful new haggadah cover.

Extra thanks to a group of women who have worked behind thescenes all year to make Women’s Connection a strong and vibrantorganization: Shari Stein,Shari Stein,Shari Stein,Shari Stein,Shari Stein, Robbie W Robbie W Robbie W Robbie W Robbie Weissenbergeissenbergeissenbergeissenbergeissenberg,,,,, Shelle Shelle Shelle Shelle ShelleyyyyyFrankFrankFrankFrankFrankel,el,el,el,el, Tsipi K Tsipi K Tsipi K Tsipi K Tsipi Kaplan,aplan,aplan,aplan,aplan, Mar Mar Mar Mar Marcia Wcia Wcia Wcia Wcia Weinstein,einstein,einstein,einstein,einstein, W W W W Wendendendendendy Ferbery Ferbery Ferbery Ferbery Ferberand Sunny Seglin.Sunny Seglin.Sunny Seglin.Sunny Seglin.Sunny Seglin.

The Women’s Connection invites all the ladies of the temple, orprospective members of the temple, to a relaxing and funevening. There is no program; just a chance to have some lightsnacks, delicious desserts, and refreshing sangria with templefriends. Prospective members are welcome — if you knowsomeone who is interested in joining the temple, please bringher along.

There is no charge for this event, but it is a great time to renewyour Women’s Connection Membership for 2011-2012! RSVP RSVP RSVP RSVP RSVPto Lisa Levine at to Lisa Levine at to Lisa Levine at to Lisa Levine at to Lisa Levine at lisatiltonlevine@comcast.netlisatiltonlevine@comcast.netlisatiltonlevine@comcast.netlisatiltonlevine@comcast.netlisatiltonlevine@comcast.net or Pam Paro at or Pam Paro at or Pam Paro at or Pam Paro at or Pam Paro at prodmanparo@aol.comprodmanparo@aol.comprodmanparo@aol.comprodmanparo@aol.comprodmanparo@aol.com.....

Mimi Braun

RenaissanceGroup

Thanks to Linda Kirsch Linda Kirsch Linda Kirsch Linda Kirsch Linda Kirsch and Harriet FelperHarriet FelperHarriet FelperHarriet FelperHarriet Felper for a terrificSunday in DUMBO — good music, good food, good friendsall added up to a great finale to a wonderful Renaissanceyear. Hope you all have a most healthy, happy safe summer.See you all on Sunday, October 16 for our paid upmembership meeting as we head into another banner yearof our Renaissance Group.

Leadership UpdateAndrea BergmanAndrea BergmanAndrea BergmanAndrea BergmanAndrea Bergman is concluding her 2-year term as Co-President. I cannot say enough how much Andrea has done over the years,constantly keeping on top of deadlines, making sure that events run smoothly, checking and double-checking the details, and doingall of it with a smile. She is a huge part of Women’s Connection’s continued success, and we all owe her a huge thanks. Joining menext year as Co-President is Pam Paro. Pam is a veteran of the Women’s Connection Advisory Council, but her most recentcontribution to temple was co-chairing the wonderful closing celebration of the Torah Project. I am looking forward to workingwith Pam and all the other members of the Advisory Council on another great year for 2011-2012. Our Shabbat Service and Sederwill continue, but we will also have some brand new events. We hope that you will get involved with Women’s Connection bycoming to our events or helping out on a committee. Please get in touch with me at lisatiltonlevine@comcast.net if you would likemore information.

Lisa Tilton-Levine and Pam ParoThe Women’s Connection Co-Chairs

Hiking thetrail s at SouthMountainReservation,Women’sConnectionmembersenjoyed abeautiful daytogether.

8

(Cohen, cont.from page 3)

and should be very proud. At the core ofthis congregation is a foundation ofwarmth, inclusion, faith, spirituality andeducation; a wide base of kindness, socialconsciousness and volunteerism; and arecognition that we are not just here forourselves. We are also here for others,some whom we know and many whom wehave yet to meet.

In an effort to fulfill our responsibility, wehad to make some difficult choices – butwe were up to the task. Our leadership(both lay and professional) wasthoughtful, provocative and creative.Together with our Clergy and ExecutiveDirector, our lay leaders challengedthemselves and one another to move thecongregation forward with diligence,resourcefulness and great energy. We areindebted to these folks – to our seniorstaff, our committees, our Board ofTrustees and most particularly to ourExecutive Committee. We are lucky tohave people with such dedication andintegrity – who choose Temple as therecipient of their time, talent andgenerosity.

We all come to this job with differentbackgrounds, ideas and expectations. Butwe each come to our terms as presidentwith at least one premise in common—wehope to leave the Temple a little betterthan we found it – offering something ofourselves that we hope will benefit thecongregation –– no matter how large orsmall the impact. And, I would imaginethat like me, each president finds anunexpected gift—that we have receivedfrom this experience and thecongregation so much more than we couldever have hoped to give back.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead thisawesome congregation. It has been anexperience I will never forget.

Have a wonderful summer.

This is a summary of my annual meetingaddress, the full text of which can befound on the temple website.

celebrate the history of two amazingcongregations: Temple Sharey Tefilo andTemple Israel. It is an opportunity for usto celebrate the wisdom, tenacity andcommitment of those individuals whoshepherded us through a difficult period.It is an opportunity for us to recommitourselves to the vision of thiscongregation, a congregation that looksfor every opportunity to say yes, acongregation that is committed toprogressive Reform Judaism, acongregation that celebrates our Jewishhistory but is not bound by it, acongregation that embraces creativityand innovation but also values everythingwe have inherited.

We will embark upon a year of collectingour history in pictures and words andmemories. In fact, I already have begun.The first pictures will be going up on ourwebsite tomorrow morning. We will beadding to them throughout the year somake sure you visit often. We willembark upon a year of collecting arthistory in pictures and words andmemories so that we can celebrateeveryone who came before us, theindividuals who made the mergerpossible and are still part of ourcommunity, and our community as itstands today. In fact, I have already beguncollecting such pictures and videos and Iwant to show you one brief clip of NormaBenisch describing Cantor’s role in themerger.

What Norma shared with me that day issomething that I have not stoppedthinking about. She came from theTemple Israel side of things and yet shecredits the cantor who came from EastOrange as playing one of, if not the mostsignificant role in our succeeding in themerger. Cantor Ted Aronson came to thiscongregation in the mid-1960s. He wasyounger, single, and hungry to do for hiscommunity. He has now been here forover 45 years. During that time he hasmarried and he and Sonia have raised tworemarkable adult children. He hascelebrated the bar or bat mitzvah ofhundreds of young people, marriedhundreds of couples, officiated at thefunerals of hundreds of individuals,unfortunately, far too many of them dearfriends. He has served this congregation

with distinction. He is my partner, he ismy friend, he is my clergy person andnext year will be his last year in theactive cantorate. Yes, after over 45 yearsCantor Ted Aronson has given me theprivilege of announcing to ourcommunity that he has decided to retire.But this is great news and I want to tellyou why.

Cantor Aronson is not leaving. He’s notgoing anywhere. He is going to stay as theCantor Emeritus and remain an active partof this congregation’s life. He went intodiscussions with his negotiating teamknowing that this next contract would behis final contract. He and the committeewere discussing how many years it wouldbe before he formally retired and thecongregation’s desire to have him stay inthis community in an Emeritus status.Cantor Aronson came to me a few weeksago and told me that he and Sonia hadbeen talking about this and he realizedthat what he wanted was just one moreyear as a full time Cantor, and that hewanted a formal ongoing relationshipwith the congregation because it is hishome, it is his community, it is hissynagogue. I personally cannot tell youthe relief I felt when he shared his lastpart with me because I can’t imagine thiscongregation without him here as part ofit.

So Cantor Aronson, who I’m going toinvite forward in a moment, is thrilledwith the current plan. (A plan that stillneeds to be formalized by the Board ofTrustees, but is so very much the best ofall worlds that I cannot imagine it will notbe embraced.) And this means that as westart the celebration of our 30th year as amerged synagogue, we can do socelebrating a man who has dedicated hisentire professional life and so much moreto this community. I cannot imagine abetter way to mark this milestone, Icannot imagine a man more deserving ofsuch a celebration. And while it isbittersweet sharing this news with all ofyou, I am excited for what the futureholds for my friend, and I’m excited thatour congregation will continue to havehim here as our cantor even after hisformal retirement on June 30, 2012.

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TRIBUTES

In Memoriam

Contributions in memory of loved ones and in honor of the simchas in our lives are acts of loving kindness.We are grateful for your generous support of Temple through various Temple Funds.

All in the FamilyAll in the FamilyAll in the FamilyAll in the FamilyAll in the FamilyMazel tov to:

May their memoriesbe for a blessing

TEMPLE TRIBUTES

IN MEMORY OFLester Lieberman

Helen & Frank DavisManny Yeskel

Susan & Terry Shapin

IN HONOR OFAndrew & Arlene Brafman on themarriage of their daughter

Helene & Jack FerskoAnn Merin

Mimi Braun, Gala honoreeLinda & Joel Scharf

Breena Fishback, Gala honoreeLinda & Joel Scharf

Barbara & David Stoller, Galahonorees

Linda & Joel ScharfAlison Klein & Steve Okinow

Elizabeth Mintz WalpertAnnice Silberberg

Helen & Frank DavisLinda Slucker

Cheryl & Lee WeinbergEric & Leslie Sporn on Jeremy’smarriage

Debbie BernsteinLinda & Joel Scharf

Celine Sinaw

RABBI COHEN’SDISCRETIONARY FUND

IN APPRECIATION OFRabbi Cohen

Estelle & Jay FineSandy & Estelle Harwood

Estelle & Jay Fine

FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERYLarry Green

Susan & Bob Felsenheld

RABBI MILLER’SDISCRETIONARY FUND

IN MEMORY OFIrving Zapson, father of Lisa Zapson

Janet Schwamm

RABBI GOLDMAN’SDISCRETIONARY FUND

IN MEMORY OFJulius Kaplan

Joel & Helene Hemmendinger

CANTOR ARONSON’SDISCRETIONARY FUND

IN HONOR OFDoris & Jeff Spector on Breena’shonor and Josh’s marriage

Harriet & Sandy LainerIN APPRECIATION

Joan Turk

ROSE & MELVILLEBERLOW FUND

IN MEMORY OFBernard Fink

Harriet & Everett Felper

IN HONOR OFMimi Braun, Gala honoree

Chickie & Paul RosenbergLinda Slucker

Chickie & Paul Rosenberg

HELEN A. BRODER MUSEUMFUND

IN HONOR OFMimi Bruan, Gala honoree

Matty & Dan GoldbergBettye & Ramon Green

GELLIS FAMILY FUND FORSENIOR PROGRAMMING

IN HONOR OFMimi Braun, Gala honoree

Lisa & Richard Cohen

GREEN FAMILY PULPIT FUND

IN MEMORY OFLud Stern

Barbara & Jon Green

JOSH LITTMAN AUDIO-VIDEOFUND

IN HONOR OFBreena Fishback, Gala honoree

Jesse, Leslie & Ariel BayerFlorence Seglin’s 90th birthday

Annette & Harold Littman

LINDA & RUDY SLUCKERRELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND

IN HONOR OFGraduates of Hebrew High School

Bernstein-Donald Family

PRAYER BOOK FUND

IN MEMORY OFJules Kaplan

Harriet & Everett FelperJoe Rothman

Rita & Robert Boyle

IN HONOR OFDr. & Mrs. Mervyn Binder

Rita & Robert Boyle

WOMEN’S CONNECTION FUNDFOR REFORM JEWISHSUMMERS

IN HONOR OFLeslie & Eric Sporn on Jeremy’smarriage

Sunny & Mark SeglinMarcia Weinstein

Matty & Dan Goldberg

POMERANTZ FUND FORADULT JEWISH ENRICHMENT

IN MEMORY OFRaymond Fersko, brother of JackFersko

Steven PomerantzEsther Kaplan, grandmother of RussellKaplan

Steven Pomerantz

IN HONOR OFDoris & Jeff Spector

Jesse, Leslie & Ariel BayerAndrew & Arlene Brafman on Allie’smarriage

Steven PomerantzHope Pomerantz

Dolly SolowayLeslie & Eric Sporn on Jeremy’swedding

Steven Pomerantz

FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERYLarry Green

Table TalkJesse, Leslie & Ariel BayerHannah Bayer & Stuart Slavin

SUSAN ACKERMAN SOMMERFUND FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

IN MEMORY OFHarvey Lustig

Robin Kahn & Scott Miller

Karen and Robert Burrickon the engagement of theirson, David, to DanielleRabin. Danielle is thegranddaughter of BerniceKamens and niece of LizTaylor Kamens.

Deborah and DanielDuane on the marriage oftheir son, Michael, to MollyRapoport.

Emily and David Otner onthe birth of agranddaughter, NaomiYael Otner DaCruz, born toJennifer Otner and EliasDaCruz.

MARILYN GRAPEK

CAROL LEWIS

MILTON MEYERSONFather of Cathi Weinstein

FRED RICHMANGrandfather of

Daniel Rothman

ELI UTTERBACKSon of Laura Levy

IRVING ZAPSONFather of Lisa Zapson

CHAI RAFFLEWINNERS

Stacy and Adam Bainwere chosen in thedrawing at theCongregational Meeting inMay to receive a year’s freetemple membership. Arecord number of raffleswere bought, making thisa very successfulfundraiser. Thank you to allwho participated.

 

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