ut bulletin october 2014

8/11/2019 UT Bulletin October 2014

1/12


2/12

2

Rabbis Message

iEngageThe pain and destructiveness of the war between Israel and Hamas this past summer had two

polar effects: it united and it divided. The Israeli population, and those of us who are notIsraelis but found ourselves there in the midst of the situation this summer, were, by andlarge, united in the understanding that this war, though unwanted by Israel, was necessaryand unavoidable. According to most polls, upwards of 90% of the Israeli people stoodshoulder to shoulder in support of the Prime Ministers leadership at the time even thosewho are not particularly "fans" of his during more ordinary times.

That being said, the war also stirred up an enormous backlash against Israel, from Jews andnon-Jews alike, not only regarding its policies, but in many cases, regarding its very exis-tence. That backlash unfortunately also stirred up the undercurrents of global anti-Semitism

that burst into the open this summer with ugly and frightening invective.

But now the war is over, thank God, and Israel itself must return to addressing its most vexing internal social is-sues, which have become even more pressing in recent years. After 66 years of statehood, it seems quite appro-

priate that we remind ourselves of the Zionist aspiration as it began in principle, and as it has evolved in reality;that we reset our focus upon the values of Judaism, humanitarian ethics, and the spirit of democracy and fairness,that optimally should be guiding principles of the State of Israel.

During this coming year our Adult Education program will offer a 10-part series from the Shalom Hartman Insti-tute as part of the Engaging Israel endeavor, known as "iEngage." We offered the first series in this endeavortwo years ago. The ten segments of this series will offer video lectures by Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, Presidentof the Hartman Institute, along with supporting text study that I will conduct (since text study is at the core of theHartman Institute). Many of the segments also will feature conversations by some of the extraordinary scholarsof the Hartman faculty, in addition to some formidable public figures. The title of this second series in the iEn-gage project is The Tribes of Israel: A Shared Homeland for a Divided People. See page 7 in this Bulletin forthe schedule of topics in this iEngage series.

As American Jews, our relationship with Israel is a complicated one that warrants great thoughtfulness on our part. This series will offer thought-provoking and sophisticated content, so emblematic of the Hartman Institute.I hope that you will attend as many of these programs as possible. They will be on Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:30 PM. We are participating in this series through the generosity of a grant from UJA-Federation of NewYork, so the only cost to each of you is a one-time $20 fee for the sourcebooks that contain the texts we will bestudying together. We also promise mouthwatering desserts, and you know we'll make good on that. The threefall sessions will be on October 22, 29, and November 12. Please join us. We need to talk about these thingstogether.

-Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman

SHABBAT MORNING STUDY HEVRESaturday Mornings 9:00-10:20

Bagels and Coffee are servedThis year we will devote our study to

THE PSALMS:Songs of Comfort and Praise ~ history literary structureRabbinic commentaries and occasional musical settings~


3/12

3

Officers Column

Welcome to Our New TenantsIn September, we welcomed a new tenant to the fifth floor, the German School Brooklyn, a private bilingualelementary school. The school opened September 15 with 20 children in grades K through 2. Over the nextfive years, the school will grow to include grades K through 6.

We first heard about the German School through our member Christine Krabs, who for many years has run aGerman immersion Montessori- type preschool. Christines husband, Rich Goodstein, a former NFTY songleader, has played guitar at many of our worship services, and their children attend our Religious School.

Over the summer, members of Union Temple met with Christine and another founder, Kathrin Nagle, fromthe German mission to the UN, as well as the principal of the school, Muriel Plag, who has headed Germanschools in Cairo and Luxor. In July, parents of students and prospective students visited the fifth floor space coincidentally, on the same day the German team won the World Cup soccer finals! An auspicious start.

Many thanks are due to Temple members Jonathan Holman and, especially, Mike Wolfson, who crafted thelease on the Temples behalf.

On a more sober note, our longtime Temple Administrator, John Golomb, has tendered his resignation. Johnwill stay on past the High Holy Days to provide a smooth transition to the new administrator. We thank Johnfor his eight years of good-natured service to the Temple and wish him all the best in the future.

-Bea Hanks, President

Brotherhood

Get Out Your DrillsOn Sunday morning, October 5th the day after Yom Kippur Brotherhood will assemble our sukkah , just intime for the Religious School kids to decorate it. This always tops the list of fun Brotherhood activities. And

well have coffee and bagels, too. In the mystery novel Invisible City by Julia Dahl, the main character, Rebekah Roberts, is a tabloid reporter

just starting out after college. She gets an assignment to go to a scrap metal yard by the Gowanus canal wherea dead woman is dangling from a crane. She learns that the victim is a Hasidic mother of four from BoroughPark. Next she is sent to the victims home to try to talk to the family, after the police notify them, and see ifany neighbors or police officers might have something to say. Rebekah is a recent transplant to Brooklyn. Shewas raised in Florida by her Christian father, who met her mother, a young Hasidic woman, at the Strand

bookstore during a year or two of rebellion against her upbringing. But her mother left them to return to herHasidic community when Rebekah was less than a year old, and they havent heard from her since. Outsidethe victims home, Saul Katz introduces himself to Rebekah as a police detective who is not assigned to the

case, but is there as a liaison because he is familiar with the community and can translate between Yiddish andEnglish. He urges her to stick with the story, because too many incidents in the Borough Park community get buried and forgotten without resolution. And he tells her one more thing: You look just like your mother.She is hooked on the story, and determined to get answers. I will be leading a book discussion about InvisibleCity on Sunday morning, November 16th. Read the book and join the discussion. Or just come and listen.

As always, our Brotherhood is happy to welcome new members. Annual Brotherhood dues are just $36.Come to our meetings, and join us!

-Steve Segall, Brotherhood President


4/12

4

Union Temple Breadth of Israel TourJoin The Rabbis Goodman for a profoundly memorable experience

May 2-15, 2015

Highlights Jerusalem - eternal capital Tel Aviv/Yafo - yesterday, today and

tomorrow

Makhtesh Ramon - a geological wonder Sdeh Boker - making the desert bloom Masada - desert fortress, heroic last stand The Sea of Galilee - in the footsteps of Jesus Nazareth - city of multiple identities Giv'at Haviva - building Arab-Jewish

partnerships

Wadi Ara - conflict of interests

The Jordan River - waters of peace Tzefat - hills of inspiration for the mystics

Dan - ancient city, modern borders The Golan Heights - the mountains, the

water, and the land Yad Vashem - Israel's Memorial to the Shoah Abu Ghosh - Arab Israelis, staunch friends The Shalom Hartman Institute - a centerof transformative thinking and teaching in Israel

And personal conversations withPalestinians and Israelis;

Muslims, Christians and Jews;scholars and students.

Please note that safety and security are of utmost

importance at all times. The Keshet staff is in con-stant touch with Israeli authorities throughout thetrip, and changes will be made if necessary.

$4,718 per person $500 Deposits due October 7

Fee includes Round-trip airfare, nonstop from Newark

(includes airline taxes and fuel surcharge)

12 days, 11 nights 4-star deluxe hotels in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem,

Mitzpeh Ramon, and The Galilee All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners An outstanding licensed tour guideGratuities for guide, driver, hotel bell staffs and

wait staffs for included meals Land package without airfare is available Prices based on double accommodations;

single supplement is an additional $990.

You may register online at:www.keshetisrael.co.il/ forms/keshet-billing

Keshet: The Center forEducational Tourism in Israel

Daniel EhrlichEducational DirectorTel: 972 2 671-3518 Fax: 972 2 671-3624

www.keshetisrael.co.il

For further information, please contactRabbi Linda Goodman:[email protected](718-638-7600 Ext. 2)
http://www.keshetisrael.co.il/forms/keshet-billinghttp://www.keshetisrael.co.il/forms/keshet-billinghttp://www.keshetisrael.co.il/forms/keshet-billing


5/12

5

We had a great start to the year! We have a lothappening this year; make sure to check outthe Religious School Calendar!

Religious SchoolUpcoming Events

October 5 th- Sukkot Yom Mishpacha(Family Day) from 10:00am-12:00pmOctober 12 th - No School for Columbus Day!

October 19th

- Religious SchoolOctober 26 th- Religious School

Save the Date March 20-22Camp Family Weekend at

Camp Eisner!More information to follow.

Education Corner

Updates

Today is the first day of school. The fourth floor is abuzz. As children enter the big room they slide down the big slide, make a phone call on our very antique phone booths and then drive to far-away lands at the wheel ofour three person driving bench. Then theyre off to their classrooms. The beginning of school year is knownas the phase -in period. Classes are divided in half with each half group attending for an abbreviated day.Parents join us for phase- in to help ease their childs transition to preschool. Over the next few weeks our pre-schoolers will gradually get to know their classmates and teachers and get used to their daily routines.

The teaching staff returned to school after Labor Day renewed and ready to start a wonderful new year. Wegreeted three new staff members. Claudia Taylor will be teaching two classes of two year olds; our three day aweek Chickadees and two day a week Starlings. Claudia recently moved back to Brooklyn from San Franciscowhere she was a literacy specialist/reading coach at a middle school. Claudia has over ten years of teachingexperience ranging from preschool through middle school.

Sarah Gomori will also be joining our professional staff as a floater. Sarah has worked here as part of our sum-mer program since 2010, first as a CIT and most recently as an assistant teacher. Sarah spent the last year in

Spain working at a preschool.We are also happy to have Amy Shubert-Corrao join us as a part time floater. Amy has worked here as a regu-lar substitute teacher the last two years. She is a gifted artist and brings her artistic talents into all of the class-rooms.

We are all looking forward to a new year full of growth, friendship and discovery.

-Susan Sporer, Preschool Director

Preschool

All is Abuzz

Third Friday "Music" Shabbat, October 17th

Service at 6:30, program to follow JOSHUA SIMKA , tenor, graduated fromThe Juilliard School, where he studied withMarlena Malas, in May. Joshua is a cantorat the Church of Our Saviour on Park Ave.and is also the editorial assistant of TheJuilliard Journal . Joshua's proud grandparents are Howardand Linda Simka. MARTHA MINGLE , pianist, is in her second year of TheJuilliard School's graduate collaborative piano program.

Works by Respighi, Schubert, Britten, and others

Fourth Friday Shabbat - Friday October 24thOur member, Mark Peters, New York Citys Commissionerof Investigation, who oversees the Citys anti -corruptionefforts as well as the creation of the new independentNYPD inspector general, will talk to us about his work.


6/12

6


7/12

7

Wednesday Evenings at Union Temple: 7:30 - 9:30 PMOctober 22: THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS A TRIBAL FAMILY explores how the Jewish tradition conceptualizes theJewish people as a tribal family. It recognizes that Jewish collective identity has always been a divided and tribalone, requiring the balancing of collective consciousness with individual and tribal sensibilities. [Dr. Hartman]October 29: THE "ORTHODOX" JEWISH TRIBES explores two Jewish tribes within Israel that conceive of Or-thodoxy as the only authentic form of Judaism: the Ultra-Orthodox and Religious Zionists. It presents a nu-anced understanding of the defining characteristics of each tribe the challenges they face, and their placewithin the broader mosaic of Israeli society. [Dr. Hartman, and interviews with Yechezkel Fogel, YaelChechik, Dov Elbaum, and Yedidia Stern]

November 12: THE "LIBERAL" JEWISH TRIBES examines the four Jewish tribes within Israel that reject themonopoly of Orthodoxy: Masorti (traditional), Jewish secular, Israeli secular and Jewish Non -Jewish. [Dr.Hartman, and interviews with Ruth Calderon, Rani Jaeger, Melila Hellner-Eshed, and Dani Elazar]

January 7: THE NORTH AMERICAN JEWISH TRIBES explores current trends within North American Jewry,new modes of affiliation that are emerging beyond traditional denominational divisions, and the impact ofthese changes on the relationship with Israel. [Dr. Hartman, and an interview with Rabbi Rick Jacobs]

January 14: UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE JEWISH TRADITION explores how Jewish sources have grappledwith the issue of balancing the competing values of unity and diversity and provides key insights that canhelp shape the conceptual landscape of a Jewish democratic public sphere. [Dr. Hartman, and interviewswith Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer and Rabbi Sharon Brous]

January 21: THE POROUS "WALL OF SEPARATION" BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE: LESSONS FROM THE USAND CANADA examines the complex interaction between collective, tribal, and individual claims in Ameri-can and Canadian jurisprudence through a study of American and Canadian legal traditions on questions ofState and religion. What emerges is a nuanced picture with important lessons for advancing a shared publicspace in Israel consistent with its aspirations as a Jewish democracy. [Dr. Hartman]

March 11: SYNAGOGUE AND STATE: THE ISRAELI EXPERIENCE examines the current core principles thatshape Israeli jurisprudence on issues of religion and State in order to discern an emerging Israeli model forrebalancing the relationship between synagogue and State and creating a public space in which both tribaland national concerns can be met. [Dr. Hartman, and interviews with Ruth Gavison and Danny Statman]

March 25: SHARING THE PUBLIC SPHERE: NEW FOUNDATIONS FOR A JEWISH DEMOCRACY looks at casestaken from headlines to examine the way in which the challenge of sharing the public sphere is being ad-dressed in the current reality of modern Israel. [Dr. Hartman]

April 22: THE ARAB PALESTINIAN ISRAELI TRIBES explores the complex identity of Arab Palestinian Israelisand opportunities for redefining the relationship of these tribes with the modern State of Israel. [Dr. Hart-man and Interviews with Amal Jabareen and Mohammad Darawshe]

April 29: TRIBES AND PEOPLEHOOD: REFLECTIONS ON LIVING IN A TRIBAL FAMILY concludes the series witha set of conversations that explore the lived experience of the Jewish people as a tribal family. [Interviews withYossi Klein Halevi, Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Dr.Yehuda Kurtzer, Melila Hellner-Eshed, Gil Troy]


8/12

8

October is here, and with it comes our holiest day, Yom Kippur, followed by the joyful holidays of Sukkot andSimchat Torah. Then its time for a pause in celebrations as the holiday -filled month of Tishrei gives way tothe month of Cheshvan, a month without holidays. A month of quiet introspection, Cheshvan is treasured bywomen, for it marks the death of our Matriarch Rachel and of several remarkable women who continue to in-spire us through their works and, in some cases, martyrdom.Its a month that gives us time to explore how we can bringrenewal, inner tranquility, spiritual growth, balance, and

peace into our lives and our world.

On Sunday, October 26th, at 10 AM, Sisterhood will becelebrating the beginning of Cheshvan with our first RoshChodesh Seder of 5775. We hope youll be with us for this

beautiful ritual that honors Rachel and other Jewish women

who have inspired us through the millennia. Well also bediscussing Naomi Ragens fascinating book The SistersWeiss . Called a riveting novel by the Jewish Book Coun-cil, The Sisters Weiss is the story of two sisters who grow upin a rigid Hasidic family in Brooklyn in the 1950s, and itfollows the intriguing paths of their lives as one flees and theother remains. As Booklist so aptly observes, ...its secretshold you to the very end.

Havent read the book? Not to worry. Youre sure to havemuch to add to the discussion once it gets going. So join usfor a morning of lively talk, warm friendship, and mouth-watering treats as we celebrate our cherished month ofCheshvan, share ideas for future programs, and discuss the

book that the Historical Novel Society says should be oneveryones to read list....

Its never too late to become a meaningful part of Sister-hood . If you have not yet renewed your membership, pleasedo so, and if you are not yet a Sisterhood member, we hopeyou will join us now. It's as simple as writing a check for

$40 to Sisterhood of Union Temple. It takes just a moment,and its a beautiful and easy way to perform the mitzvah of bringing hope and help where they are needed by addingyour voice, your heart, and your hands to ours, as togetherwe reach out to perform tikkun olam .

-Barbara Brett, Secretary

Sisterhood

Rosh to the Next ook Discussion

We express ourheartfelt sympathy to:

DAVID LANSNER andCAROLYN KUBITSCHEK

on the death of David's uncleLARRY LANSNERon August 28th.

and toLAURIE SHAHONon the death of her fatherDR. DONALD SHAHON

on August 30th.We send our condolences to Laurie, her

husband Kenneth Meister, their son DavidMeister, and to Laurie's father, siblings

and entire extended family

and to

BETSY AND RABBI JOSHUA MINKINon the death of Betsy's cousin

KEN BRENNEMANon September 1st

and to

GORDON ROSCHKOon the death of his aunt

FLORENCE KOBRITZon September 4th.

and toELLEN VANACOREon the death of her aunt

MARY BURSTEIN MALTZon September 6th.

May their memories be for a blessing


9/12


10/12

Union Temple suggests that its memberscontact our Funeral Director

Martin D. Kasdan ofBoulevard-Riverside Chapels

1895 Flatbush AvenueBrooklyn, NY

1-800-522-0588Proudly maintaining more

than 50 years of Temple involvement

The Bulletin Union Temple of Brooklyn

17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11238( 718) 638-7600

Fax (718) 783-9151E-mail: [email protected]

Website: Uniontemple.orgDr. Linda Henry Goodman

Rabbi

Emma GoldinStudent Cantor

Shinae KimTemple Musician

Susan Sporer Preschool Director

Mindy Sherry

Director of Youth and Family EngagementBeatrice Hanks

President

Abe BarnettEllen KolikoffJeffrey Stein

Vice Presidents

Steven SegallSecretary

Leonard ShillerTreasurer

Mike BaronHortense R. HurwitzDoris Klueger

Honorary Presidents

David Rapheal Bulletin Editor

John GolombTemple Administrator

Martin Kasdan Funeral Director

(800) 522-0588

Memorial Plaques

10

A memorial plaque is a lasting tribute to a loved one.If you wish more information regarding obtaining aplaque in memory of a loved one please e-mail the

temple at [email protected] or leave a message with the temple office.

Morris Friedman ........................................................... October 1, 1954Albert Loeb .................................................................. October 2, 1937Joseph Roschko ............................................................ October 2, 2003Dorothy Hamburger ..................................................... October 4, 2004Minnie Lewis................................................................ October 3, 1937Hannah Bermas ............................................................ October 3, 1962Edythe Sasuly ............................................................... October 3, 1992

Rose Underberg ............................................................ October 4, 1998Harriett David ............................................................... October 5, 1922Dr. Jerome Hurwitz ...................................................... October 7, 1998Sarah Kolikoff .............................................................. October 7, 2001Reta B. Boley ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... October 8, 1969Cantor Paul Kwartin ..................................................... October 8, 1978Rebecca Frank .............................................................. October 9, 1918Bessie Sterzelbach ........................................................ October 9, 1927Chauncey H. Levy ........................................................ October 9, 1992Jack Epstein ................................................................ October 10, 1999George Hamburger ..................................................... October 11, 1926Toby Shirk .................................................................. October 11, 1929Sgt. Sidney Schnell ................... ........... .......... .......... .. October 11, 1944Donald M. Newman .......... .......... ........... .......... .......... October 11, 1979Leopold Rice .......... ........... .......... .......... ........... .......... October 13, 1896Helen Rosenberg ........... ........... .......... .......... ........... ... October 14, 1947Anna Rose Levine ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... .. October 14, 1977Charles Jaffa ............................................................... October 16, 1972Arnold L. Schukin .......... ........... .......... .......... ......... October 16, 2001Sidney Wasch ............................................................. October 17, 1939Maimie Goodman ....................................................... October 17, 1953Adele Kleiman............... ........... .......... .......... ........... ... October 17, 1997Lina Leviton ............................................................... October 19, 1964

Norman Minkin ......... ........... ........... .......... .......... ....... October 19, 1992Max Barkan ................................................................ October 20, 1928

Nathanial Bloom ......... ........... .......... .......... ........... ..... October 20, 1973Saul Gross .......... ........... .......... ........... ........... .......... ... October 21, 1930

Nathan Glassheim ........... .......... ........... .......... .......... .. October 22, 1945David Rosen ............................................................... October 22, 1957Dr. Henry P. Boley .......... .......... ........... .......... .......... .. October 22, 1967Jack Cooper ................................................................ October 22, 1985Sylvia Hahn ................................................................ October 22, 1989Minnie Bergman ......................................................... October 23, 1911Elizabeth Kovrick ....................................................... October 23, 1939Gussie Smallberg ........... ........... .......... .......... ........... ... October 23, 1968Anna Rosoff ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... October 24, 1944Dora Kamen ........... .......... ........... .......... ........... .......... October 25, 1962Frank Brown ............................................................... October 25, 1979Louis Pokodner ......... ........... ........... .......... .......... ....... October 25, 1992Emanuel Rodecker .......... .......... ........... .......... .......... .. October 27, 1903

Simon Steinhardt ........................................................ October 27, 1918Rose Salzman ............................................................. October 27, 1922Louis Hamberger ........................................................ October 27, 1957
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.uniontemple.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.uniontemple.org/mailto:[email protected]


11/12

11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

5:30 PM:Shalom MeditationCircle6:30 PM :UT Singers

2 3

Erev Yom Kippur8:00 PM: Kol Nidre

4

9:00 AM:Childrens Services

10:00 AM 7:15PM:

Services throughoutthe day. Please con-sult the schedule.

59:00 AM:BrotherhoodSukkah Building10:00 AM:Religious School Yom

Mishpachah ~Family Sukkah BuildingDay with Brotherhood

6

6:15 PM:Officers Meeting

7 8

6:30 PM :UT Singers

Erev Sukkot7:00 PM:Sukkah Reception7:30 PM:Evening Service

9Sukkot10:30 AM:Festival MorningService

10

4:00 PM:Preschool SukkahParty: Singing,Dancing, and Food6:30 PM:Kabbalat ShabbatPizza in the Sukkah

119:00 AM:Shabbat Hevre9:30 AM:Out of theShabbox

10:30 AM:Shabbat MorningService

12No Religious School

13 14

6:00 PM:Board of Trustees

15

Shemini Atzeret -Simchat Torah6:00 PM:Family Dinner andConsecrationService withHakafot

1610:30 AM: FestivalMorning Service;Yizkor

7:00 11:00 PM:CommunitySimchat TorahCelebration atGrand Army Plaza

17

4:00 PM:Fridays at Four6:30 PM:Kabbalat ShabbatOneg & Concert:

Joshua Simka,Tenor and MarthaMingle, Pianist

189:00 AM: ShabbatHevre9:30 AM: Out of theShabbox10:30 AM:Shabbat MorningService

199:30 AM:Religious School10:00 AM:Membership and SocialActionCommittees

20

7:30 PM:Back to SchoolNight for ReligiousSchool Parents:Wine & Cheese

21 22

7:30 PM:Adult EducationSeries Begins:iEngageTribes of Israel

23 24 Rosh ChodeshCheshvan Fourth FridayShabbat4:00 PM:Fridays at Four7:00 PM: Dinner8:00 PM: Service9:00 PM: Oneg &Discussion withMark Peters

25 9:00 AM:Shabbat Hevre9:30 AM: Out of theShabbox10:30 AM:Shabbat MorningService

269:30 AM:Religious School10:00 AM:SisterhoodRosh Chodesh Seder

27

7:00 PM:Religious PracticesCommittee

28 29

7:30 PM:iEngageTribes of Israel

30 31

6:30 PM:Kabbalat Shabbat

October 2014 ~ Tishrei-Cheshvan 5775

Yom Kippur

Bar Mitzvah:Ben Shpetner

Rosh ChodeshCheshvan


12/12

Union Temple of Brooklyn

17 Eastern ParkwayBrooklyn, NY 11238(718) [email protected]

OCTOBER 2014UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN BULLETIN

Prospect ParkHealth and Racquet Association

In Union Temple Building at17 Eastern Parkway

718-789-4600Ask about Special discounts for

Union Temple Members

Union Temple Breadth of Israel Tour - May 2-15, 2015 - See page 4 for de
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

ut bulletin october 2014

Documents