the newsletter of woodlands community temple

April 2016

Adar II - Nisan 5776

Continued on page 3

A 50th Scavenger Hunt?by Miriam Emery

We hope you can find the time (and a few items that we’re not at liberty to disclose!) to participate in the Woodlands 50th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt on Sat, Apr 30 (4:00-6:30 pm). It goes against ancient Levitical codes and several other covenantal decrees of the highest order for us to say too much.

We really can’t explain anything but the barest of essentials. But what we can do is tell you what the Scavenger Hunt is not. You will not be asked to find anything outside of the United States, nor will you have to swim in the Hudson River. On top of that, no one is going to ask you to smash a coconut with your bare hands, to make a human pyramid with your Scavenger Hunt teammates, or to swallow a live, kosher-for-Passover goldfish while taking a selfie. You won’t have to take a plane, nor a train, but you might have to drive around a bit with a few other madcap Woodlands friends. Temple members of any age can

participate, and we hope you do invite the youngest and oldest member you know –

because when it comes to a scavenger hunt in honor of our 50th anniversary year that will be focused on Woodlands lore and

geography, those Woodlands members of all ages can come in pretty handy (especially if

Why We Should Care about the Budgetby Bob Apter, Board of Trustees

WCT Coffeehouse:

“50 for 50” Open Mic!by Dan Emery

On Saturday evening, April 9 at 8:00 pm, come celebrate our 50-year tradition of creativity with 50 talented and/or enthusiastic cast members, from rock bands and family ensembles to the teenage musicians Ruakh Neshama combining forces with The BetterTogether singers and more.

Please take part in this remarkable evening! Have a jazz or rock ensemble? We have a complete back line including drums and amplifiers! Have a favorite tragic or comedic scene? Act it out! Are you a juggler, singer, poet, gymnast or sword swallower? All are welcome! Want to take part, but aren’t sure how or with whom? We offer performer matchmaking, and accompanists are available!

All present are invited to take part in a Grand Finale that you won’t want to miss.

To sign up your band, act, family, or to volunteer, or to be matched with other performers, email dan@nycguitarschool.com or don.levan@gmail.com. Admission is $10 (students $5). In consideration of the large number of entries, acts will be limited to six minutes or six songs (whichever is less) unless you have been nominated for a Grammy.

That’s the budget of Woodlands Community Temple. Unlike most budgets – Federal, State, etc. – at WCT

you can actually have your voice heard and have an impact on its finalization. Every year a dedicated group of fellow members spends valuable time analyzing our costs and our revenues and then develops the next year’s budget based on presentations by involved individuals in our congregation. The Finance Committee reviews every budget line and justifies every expense, and every increase, for the following year. They don’t simply add a percentage increase to the previous year’s costs or revenues. The Finance Committee meets throughout the year and welcomes the input of members who might like to attend their meetings to discuss the various lines of the budget. The Board of Trustees also welcomes

members to their monthly Board Meeting who want to express their opinions regarding any aspect of temple life.

At this particular time of the year, the Finance Committee is in the final stages of preparing its proposed fiscal year 2017 budget. On Mon, Apr 4 at 8:15 pm, the proposed budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees. This, like all Board Meetings, is an open meeting, meaning that all Woodlands members are welcome to attend – to listen, to speak about something on your mind, and to learn. At this particular meeting, anyone present is welcome to ask

questions, suggest changes and, most importantly, engage in conversation about items relating to the budget. At the end of

1st Seder is Friday evening, April 22

A ziesen Pesakh ... a sweet and meaningful

Passover to you all!

Continued on page 3

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Worship ScheduleOur Woodlands Community

Rabbi Billy Dreskin rabbi@wct.org

Rabbi Mara Young rabbimara@wct.org

Cantor Jonathan Ben Gordon cantor@wct.orgTara Levine, Director of Youth Engagement youth@wct.org

Corey Friedlander, Sh’liakh K’hilah corey@wct.org

Jason Fenster, Rabbinic Intern intern@wct.org

Executive CommitteeDayle Fligel, President president@wct.orgRachel Wineberg, VPEducation education@wct.orgBob Apter, VPFacilities facilities@wct.orgAndy Farber, VPFinance finance@wct.orgNancy Fishman, VPProgramming/Ritual programming@wct.orgHerb Friedman, FinancialSecretary financialsecretary@wct.orgAndrea Einhorn, Secretary secretary@wct.orgMark Selig, Treasurer treasurer@wct.org

Board of TrusteesAliza Burton Dan EmeryGloria FalkYvette GrallaElka KlarsfeldJenna Lebowich

Barry LeibowitzLisa LinnLisa SacksSteve SagnerMike ScafidiMichele Wise

Office Staff Liz Rauchwerger, Office Coordinator liz@wct.org

Marjorie Mattel, Office Assistant marjorie@wct.org

Michele Montague, Education Administrative Assistant michele@wct.org

Bookkeeper bookkeeper@wct.org

Woodlands Community Temple50 Worthington RoadWhite Plains, NY 10607914.592.7070 main office914.592.1790 religious school direct line914.592.7376 faxwct@wct.orgwww.wct.orgReligious School: school@wct.org

Woodlands Community Temple is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism

Art Director: Melanie RoherAdvertising Director: Bob Apter

Stu Berlowitz (ex-officio)

Shabbat Sh’miniLev 9:1 - 11:47 ... II Sam 6:1 - 7:17

Fri, Apr 1Hope for the Formerly Incarcerated at 8:00 pm

Members of P2A (Pathways to Apprenticeship) will share experiences and reflect on the impact of access to meaningful fairly-compensated employment and inclusion in a union community.

Sat, Apr 2Shabbat Morning Worship at 10:30 am

Celebrate with us as Jessica Katz, daughter of Amy and David Katz, becomes a Bat Mitzvah.

Shabbat TazriaLev 12:1 - 13:59 ... II Kngs 4:42 - 5:19

Fri, Apr 8Jammin’ Shabbat at 7:00 pm

Put on your jammies, bring a bedtime friend, and c’mon over for 30 minutes of Shabbat song, stories and blessings to get you ready for bed. Bring a buck for tzedakah!

Throwback Shabbat at 8:00 pm

The last in our services that take a look back at a half-century of WCT accomplishments. Tonight, we celebrate the worship of Woodlands, debuting a new (old!) prayer book. Also, babynamings for Isabel Hannah Freya, daughter of Jacob and Meredith Lewis-Onnerfors, and Penelope Beatrice Joy Lumi, daughter of David and Paivi Lewis, grandchildren of Meryl Lewis.

Sat, Apr 9Shabbat Morning Worship at 10:30 am

Celebrate with us as Max Weinhouse, son of Deena and Brett Weinhouse, becomes a Bar Mitzvah.

Shabbat MetzoraLev 14:1 - 15:33 ... II Kngs 7:3-20

Fri, Apr 15Mishpakha Shabbat at 7:00 pm (note earlier start-time)

For the entire congregation, just earlier – meaningful for adults, engaging for kids! If you like, join us for a quick dinner at 6:00 pm – make your reservation at wct.org/mishpakha.

Sat, Apr 16Shabbat Morning Worship at 10:30 am

Celebrate with us as Sara Fischer, daughter of Julie and David Fischer, and Courtney Lesser, daughter of Ilyse and Paul Lesser, become B’not Mitzvah.

Shabbat PesakhExo 12:21-51, Josh 3:5-7, 5:2 - 6:1, 6:27

Fri, Apr 22It’s Passover! No service this evening.

Sat, Apr 23Pesakh Morning Family Service at 10:45 am

As part of this year’s Passover morning congregational program (including adult, teen and family tracks, as well as a matzo brei brunch) we’ll be holding a half-hour ritual moment during which Kaddish will be recited.

Shabbat Akhrei MotLev 16:1 - 18:30 ... Ezek 22:1-19

Fri, Apr 29A Jewish Response to Hunger at 8:00 pm

Rabbi Jonathan Stein, member of the Board of Directors of Mazon and lifelong friend of Rabbi Billy, will address the congregation on the state of world hunger and steps we can take to help. We’ll also dedicate our new Jubilee Tablecloth tonight.

Sat, Apr 30No service this morning. Kaddish can be recited by request at Hevra Torah.

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Hevra Torah LearningSaturdays, 9:15-10:15 amThere’s abundant room around our table. Drop by once or often. We’d love to have you join our lively conversation. In the Meeting Room or Library.

Apr 2: Parashat Sh’miniFacilitated by Jason Fenster

Apr 9: Parashat TazriaFacilitated by Rabbi Billy

Apr 16: Parashat MetzoraFacilitated by Cantor Jonathan

Apr 23: Parashat PesakhNo Hevra Torah today – please attend the adult learning component of our Pesakh Morning program, “Don’t Be a Stranger.”

Apr 30: Parashat Akhrei MotFacilitated by Cantor Jonathan

If you or someone you know is a victim of Domestic Abuse, please share this confidential hotline:

Woodlands Community?

We’re all proud of the warmth and friendliness in our synagogue. It’s

our community. But not everyone feels that way. Some have come to a Friday night service and no one said hello. Others have attended a temple event or were just waiting for someone in the hallway, and no one acknowledged them. If each of us considers ourselves ambassadors of The Woodlands Way, if we’re the ones to say hello, it’s a pretty sure bet folks will feel welcome. Woodlands is a warm, welcoming, open and embracing community ... when we’re the ones to make it that way.

the evening, the fiscal year 2017 financial plan for WCT will be finalized, and the members of the Board will vote to send to the congregation the “final draft of the budget.” This meeting is your opportunity to be heard and to hopefully be stimulated to want to become involved in future budgeting processes by perhaps joining the Finance Committee, serving on the Board of Trustees, expressing interest in holding one of the three financial positions on the Executive Committee or maybe just be interested enough to attend another meeting.

Once the final draft is approved and posted on the website, you will

receive an email. We encourage you to print out the proposed budget, read it,

understand it. If you have questions, ask a member of the Finance Committee or the Board of Trustees to explain it to you.

Please mark on your calendars two more very important dates – Wed, May 11 at 8:00 pm, the Congregational Budget Meeting where questions on the proposed budget will be answered to all in attendance, and Wed, May 18 at 8:00 pm, the Annual Meeting of Woodlands Community Temple where clergy and lay leaders will give reports on their areas of responsibility, and the congregation will vote to approve the budget and the slate of Trustees and Officers.

I look forward to seeing many of you at these meetings.

you are hoping your group will win a first, second, or third place extravagant prize).

Yes, you’re right about that. We can’t really tell you what the prize is going to be. But we can tell you what it’s not. The prize is not expensive, although it might be priceless. The prize is not chocolate, although it will be sweet. The prize awarded to the first team that returns to the temple after finding all the items on its Woodlands Scavenger Hunt list will really be out there (hint, hint, nudge, nudge) just like all of the items you’ll need to find.

The Woodlands 50th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt, to take place on Sat, Apr 30, 4:00-6:00 pm, is open to members of all ages (yes, we did already say that but it’s

worth repeating). We can tell you not to meet at Midnight on the full moon during Sukkot. Don’t meet on or during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Don’t meet on the 34th day of the Counting of the Omer while you’re getting a shave and a haircut (womp womp). But do meet at the temple, and do come either alone or with a group of friends or with your family. You can even bring your dog if he/she likes to drive around sniffing for clues (more sniffing than driving, please).

We’ll all meet at the temple and take off from there for adventure and fun. Come incognito or come as you are. Please RSVP by Mon, Apr 25, using this link to sign up: wct.org/scavengerhunt. We’ll end the day back at WCT with a sweet ceremony of Havdalah.

No animals were harmed in the making of the Woodlands 50th Anniversary Scavenger Hunt!

Babysitting at 8:00 pm Shabbat services is provided by teens from our religious school. This month, babysitting will be available on Apr 1, Apr 8 and Apr 25. There is no charge and no advance notice is required. For further information, contact babysitting@wct.org.

A 50th Scavenger Hunt?, continued from page 1

The Budget, continued from page 1

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From Desert to DesertJeanne Bodin

Israelis provide clean water for two communities in Africa, one in northern Nigeria and the other in Mesk’ele

Kristos, Ethiopia. Over the next five years 100 people per year from Kano, Nigeria will be trained at the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel in methods of drip irrigation for growing crops in a desert climate and then return home to train farmers in their home countries. Israeli experts will go to Kano to further train graduates in water management and desert agriculture as well. Amnesty International provides some of the funding. In Ethiopia, 15 Technion students from Israel, in cooperation with the local community, designed a system that collects rainwater from the rooftops during the rainy season and stores it in a newly constructed stone reservoir where the water is treated before going into the school’s holding tank. EwB-Technion is researching additional environmental projects needed by this community.

Pesakh Yizkor Memorial HourFri, Apr 29, 9:00-10:00 amWhether someone you love died recently or many years ago, Jewish tradition provides an opportunity through Yizkor to reconnect memory and heart for a few moments out of our busy lives. While we can certainly each stop anytime to do this ourselves, to come together with our synagogue community is a beautiful and meaningful way to honor those we love.

Please join us for our 7th Day of Pesakh Yizkor Hour. We’ll sing, read, and share a few words and thoughts of remembrance. Then we’ll return to our regular day. Not sure you want to set this time aside? We do this four times each year, so why not try it once and then make your decision?

Passover Information CenterFor your celebration of Pesakh, we’ve got lots of information and creative ideas at wct.org/pesakh. Stop by and pick up a few helpful tips.

A ziesen Pesakh!

• Why Hold A Passover Seder?

• Pesakh Tzedakah Opportunities

• You Can Definitely Conduct Your Own Seder

• Adding Creative Readings To Your Seder

• Let’s All Eat Matzah Together

• To Eat or Not to Eat ... What to Eat Is the Question

• Who Left Moses Out of the Haggadah?

• How Many Days Do We Celebrate Pesakh?Hope for the Formerly IncarceratedFri, Apr 1 at 8:00 pm

About two-and-a half years ago, Project Isaiah—the WCT Social Action program to help formerly

incarcerated people—began working with a New York City union to help people coming home from prison enter a union apprenticeship program. Since then, approximately thirty people have changed their lives through the initiative. Recently, this program took the step of incorporating as a non-profit organization called P2A (Pathways to Apprenticeship). P2A is now assisting a wider array of City residents, as well as expanding its work-placement opportunities through relationships with other unions.

With some anticipation of Passover in mind, coordinators and participants in the program will share some of their experiences and reflect on the liberating impact of access to meaningful fairly-compensated employment and inclusion in a union community.

Just Israel

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How’s That Again?Rabbi Billy Dreskin

I was listening to Planet Money and heard an episode entitled, “The Experiment Experiment.” Apparently, social scientists set about recreating one hundred projects whose results had been published in prominent, peer-reviewed journals to see if they could reproduce those same outcomes. Evidently, the answer was no. Of the hundred do-overs, fewer than a third matched their original findings.

A discussion ensued as to why previously celebrated conclusions easily failed at repeating themselves. One thought was that published results often represent only one of a great many attempts to produce positive data. Those experiments that fail, or that produce less than stellar results, they simply don’t get published. And it turns out that in 97% of all peer-reviewed published papers, it is only the positive findings that get written up. Everything else disappears into the black hole of laboratory filing cabinets.

Which got me thinking about Pesakh, and about the Exodus. While the Torah wasn’t exactly a peer-reviewed journal (okay, it was nothing even close to that), the story of the Exodus does seem to celebrate the “positive findings.” In other words, if we hadn’t gotten out of slavery, or it hadn’t been as dramatic an exodus as the published results convey, would the story have made it to our Passover dinner tables?

What would Judaism look like today if our ancestors had never gone down to Egypt, if they’d remained in Canaan and played out the Israelite story from there? Would we be as passionate about social justice? Would we be as determined to “let all who are hungry come and eat”?

I’m the last person to say I’m thankful that we were slaves in Egypt. And yet, without that experience, would we be the Jews that we are today? Would tikkun olam (fixing the world) still be a defining objective of our spiritual lives?

For every Exodus (for every rescue from mortal danger), there must be a thousand (ten thousand?) unhappy endings. The point of Pesakh isn’t (as the song goes), “Once we were slaves and now we are free.” The point is that, being free, there are obligations incumbent upon us. In fact, even if we weren’t free, we would still be obliged to look at the world as if we ourselves had come out of Egypt, to insist upon recognizing the Divine inside of every human being, to advocate endlessly for those unable to advocate for themselves, and to pursue justice (and to do so justly).

I love our Jewish stories, especially the one we tell at the seder. But the only truly important story is the one we write tomorrow. What will yours be?

From Ellen and myself, a ziesen Pesakh ... may your seder move you and your loved ones to bring ever-increasing sweetness into our world.

f r o m t h e r a b b i

Don’t be a Stranger!Passover 5776On Sat, April 23 from 10:00 am until Noon, come celebrate a morning of eating, learning, singing, and shmoozing. Put off cooking second seder for a couple of hours and come join the fun!

Don’t be a Stranger is a three-part morning for members of all ages.

During part one (10:00-10:45) there will be parallel learning experiences for adults and young families. Jason Fenster and Rabbi Billy will discuss, “The Syrian Refugees: Are We Obliged to Help?” Simultaneously, kids and parents will have a special Passover story time and interactive programming.

Part two (10:45-11:15), we’ll all join together for a special “Hallel” service where we’ll sing and celebrate in honor of Pesakh. Kaddish will be recited for those who are observing Sheloshim or Yahrzeit.

And to top it all off, part three (11:15 am – Noon) is our acclaimed matzah brei breakfast! We need volunteer “brei-ers and fryers,” so please email Nancy Fishman (oncodock@aol.com) to help make breakfast happen!

Sign up for the whole experience at wct.org/passoverbrunch.

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)Wed evening, May 4

Woodlands is mailing Yellow Candles to all our members. Please light yours to remember The Six Million.

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Rabbi Billy’s Mentor to Speak @ WCTFri, Apr 29 at 8:00 pm

Once upon a time, Rabbi Jonathan Stein was a humble rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. Along the way, he served as Director of Youth Engagement at Cincy’s Isaac M. Wise Temple where young William Dreskin was a high school student and active participant in NFTY. Says Billy, “Rabbi Stein (we knew him as Jon back then) was my youth group advisor. He taught me how to work with leadership, design events and build community. Pretty much everything I know today started with him.”

Today, Rabbi Stein, recently retired from serving Congregation Shaaray Tefila of New York City (and a Past President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis), serves on the board of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. For three decades Mazon has been working to alleviate hunger across the globe, through the funding of food programs and legislative advocacy to achieve systemic change.

Jon is married to Susan Pollock Stein who, as Rabbi Billy’s director of Machon at the URJ summer camp in Indiana, taught him most everything else he knows in life.

Needless to say, Billy’s pretty excited about welcoming Jon and Susan to Woodlands. He hopes you will join him in rolling out a big, red, warm and fuzzy carpet for two of his favorite people in the whole wide world!

Shop Amazon, Raise Bucks for WCT!Do you shop online at amazon.com?

Did you know that if you get there by using our wct.org/amazon link, Woodlands will receive 5% of your payment. Doesn’t get much easier. So please shop amazon and help raise bucks for your temple. Thanks!

50th Anniversary GalaSat, Jun 4, 6:00-11:00 pm

Jubilations! Invitations are out and we are all abuzz with excitement. Don't miss our once-in-a-lifetime WCT 50th Anniversary Gala to be held at Stone Manor 101 in Hawthorne.

Look forward to a fun, social night out, complete with cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and great dancing (with just a dash of testimonials to spice things up). Sign up at wct.org/gala or mail in your RSVP card – the deadline is Fri, May 13 so don’t be left out! Put together a table with your friends – you can specify who when you RSVP.

Along with the Gala, there will also be a WCT 50th Anniversary Commemorative Journal. Include your family's or your business’ best wishes for Woodlands in the Journal. Drop off or mail in your form (and any accompanying graphics) or simply visit wct.org/journal to place your ad. Whichever way you choose, be sure we have your submission by Fri, May 6. The 50th Journal will most certainly be a WCT collector's item in years to come!

One more invitation for you: Please share photographs from special moments you have been part of at any time during the five decades of Woodlands’ life. Bring them in, with your name on the pictures so we can return them to you, or submit them digitally to journal@wct.org.

See you on Sat, June 4, for Woodlands’ greatest anniversary celebration ever!

Notice of Annual MeetingThe 50th Annual Meeting of the members of Woodlands Community Temple will be held on Wed, May 18, 2016, at 8:00 pm at the temple.

Agenda:

Welcome

President’s Report

Business

Election of Officers and Trustees for 2016-17 / 5777

Adoption of the Budget for 2016-17 / 5777

Professional Reports

Director of Youth Engagement

Director of Congregational Learning

Cantor

Rabbi

Committee and Officer Reports

Treasurer

Financial Secretary

Ritual

Education

Facilities

Membership

Marketing

Social Action

A quorum of 5% of the membership units must be present for business to be transacted. Please make every effort to attend.

Proposed Budget for FY 2016-17 / 5777The budget may be viewed by going to wct.org/wctbudget on or after Mon, April 18, 2016. You may also obtain a copy of the budget package from the temple office.

Four Real Questions for Your Sederby Rabbi Billy Dreskin

If you’re up for a new idea at your seder table, consider this one. Amichai Lau-Lavie, a great Jewish educator and the founder of sTORAHtelling, jettisoned part of his

Haggadah customs in order to make room for a new set of “Four Questions” that he opened up for real discussion. Amichai teaches: “Interrupt the tradition, to do what the tradition asks us really to do: educate, talk, learn from each other.” So here are Amichai’s “Four Questions.” You can ask each one as you arrive to that part of the Haggadah, or anywhere else that seems to work for you.

1 Mah nishtana? “Why (how) is this night different?” What’s new about your life tonight that’s different from last year?

2 Avadim Hayinu. “We were slaves.” What’s Egypt to you? What’s your slavery? What’s keeping you back from being more free this year? As an individual. Or in the world. Or if you prefer, what liberation have you experienced this year?

3 Dayenu. “Enough.” What are the riches, the blessings in your life? Where do you have what’s sufficient? And where in the world, or in your own life, are we not even close to saying Dayenu? What can you do to stop this slavery, this oppression, whatever that means to you?

4 L’shana haba’ah. “Next year.” What dreams will you be reaching for in the year ahead? Where do you see yourself? What’s the vision? For yourself, for your world?

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Putting Elijah on the Seder Guest Listby Rabbi Billy Dreskin

When we sit down with family and friends to our Passover seders and, once again, move through

the amazing tale of our people’s liberation from Egyptian slavery, seated around our tables will be some of the people we care most deeply about in our lives. The evening will be defined by our love at having them with us; the success of our seder will be in the smiles and laughter we share.

While no rabbinic pronouncement can trump the simple power and beauty of sharing this meal, there is also an opportunity to reconnect with our ancient heritage and renew its themes in our own

age. The delight our children and grandchildren will feel when they run to see if Elijah will really enter and drink from

his 5th cup is a prayer that, throughout their lives, these

young people (and we too) will always run to open the door for those who seek understanding and

compassion in our difficult world.

Ours is a tradition of goodness unselfishly shared. Opening the door

for Elijah is a powerful, symbolic analogue of Judaism’s passion for building a world of hope, love and peace.

To Live in the Pesakh Paradox

A ll of Passover is concealed within one phrase: B’tokh hayam bi-yabasha ... [and the children of Israel went] into

the midst of the sea on dry ground. The whole thing is crammed into one literally impossible, delicious self-contradiction. You can either be “in the midst of the sea” or you can be “on dry ground.” But you cannot be both. At the core of

this great feast of redemption is the preposterous assertion that the redemption of the children of Israel did not occur until they entered a mode of being in which they were simultaneously and impossibly both slave and free, wet and dry, dead and alive. Perhaps this is why, as the haggadah reminds us, every Jew must regard him or herself as if he or she were personally a slave in Egypt. But how could that be? Here we are sitting around a banquet table as free men and women! To live in the paradox.

— Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

Stacy Beyer sang her way into our hearts in February!

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April Happenings & BeyondL e a r n i n g

Six Weeks of TalmudRabbi Billy Dreskin

Begins Thu, Mar 31 (11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

Ever been curious about what’s in those really big books known as “The Talmud”? You are warmly invited to join our intrepid team of adventurers and learners. Get yourself a copy of Koren Talmud Bavli, Vol. 1: Tractate Berakhot (English and Hebrew Edition) and jump right in with us (or just visit our first class to try us out). Our conversations are entertaining, frequently enlightening often irreverent, and sometimes life-changing. Contact the office (wct@wct.org) to register. Hope to see you there! Scheduled classes: Mar 31, Apr 7, 14 and 21, May 5 and 12.

WCT University: The “Genesis” of Jewish Art and CultureSun, Apr 3, 2:00-5:00 pm

In the beginning … what did the Bible say about art and culture? Theologian

Rabbi Michael Pitkowsky will provide a keynote address on “Bruce Springsteen and the Bible: Rock and Roll Meets the Torah.” Participants then will choose from four workshops in which they can interpret biblical themes through Music, Comedy, Art and Creative Writing. Register online at wct.org/genesis.

Shylock is My Name Havdalah Book Group

Sat, Apr 16, 4:30-6:00 pmS’forim Forum will discuss the new

book, Shylock is My Name, by British author and commentator Howard Jacobsen. Here is a provocative and profound improvisation on The Merchant of Venice. Old Shylock

is juxtaposed against his present-day counterpart found in the character of art dealer and father, Simon Strulovitch. Jacobson’s insightful retelling examines acutely relevant contemporary questions of Jewish identity and empowerment in the modern age. Come for discussion, snacks and Havdalah. All are welcome!

Daytime DiversionsCurrent EventsWed, Apr 20 at 10:00 am

Join this popular and robust group as Fran Rosenfeld leads the discussion on the hot topics of the day.

Watch your email for more April events!

S o c i a L a c t i o n

Dinner for Teen ShelterSun, Apr 3

Share your favorite meal with the teens at The Sanctuary shelter. You cook part of a dinner at your home – a main course, side dish, fruit, salad or dessert – and we’ll bring it to the shelter to provide a home-cooked Sunday dinner for a great group of kids. Email socialaction@wct.org if you can provide part of the meal for 15 teens.

Benefit Concert for Midnight RunSun, Apr 3 at 3:00 pm

Enjoy the sound of Steel Passion, global music with an island beat, at the annual fundraising concert for Midnight Run sponsored by Interfaith Caring Community. Contributions are $20 for adults, $7.50 for students. If you’re unable to attend, you may donate to Midnight Run (midnightrun.org). The concert will be held at South Presbyterian Church (343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry). Please bring a donation of non-perishable food or cleaning supplies for the South Church Food Pantry.

Festival 4th Annual Jewish Cultural

Throwback Shabbat #3: A New (Old!) SiddurFri, Apr 8 at 8:00 pm

by Rabbi Billy Dreskin

So far, we’ve held two of these “Throwback Shabbat”

services, each giving us an opportunity to look back at some of the achievements our congregation has produced during the past 50 years. First, in the area of Jewish acts of social justice, we revisited the Huynh family, Vietnamese refugees whom the congregation adopted in 1979. Then, in the realm of Jewish learning, we celebrated our nationally-acclaimed high school Academy program. And finally, we’ll take up the theme of Jewish religious life by exploring the history of our home-cooked prayer books. We’ll not only hear from members who helped across the decades to create those services but we’ll also dedicate our newest publication, an updated compendium of the WCT prayer books from the 80s and 90s that were known as “Trees,” “Faces” and “Flowers.” Come celebrate!

Sunday, Apr 10- Monday, Apr 17

Featuring award-winning cookbook author Joan Nathan (Sun, Apr 10), Broadway concert tour by Neil Berg Productions (Sun, Apr 17), plus films, music, a preschool Shabbat extravaganza, and much more! For more info: JCContheHudson.orgRegister online at JFestival.Eventbrite.com

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Passover Food Collection for Project EzraThru Fri, Apr 8

We continue a 40-year relationship with the seniors from Project Ezra as we pack boxes of Passover food for folks who would not otherwise be able to purchase Passover food. You can help fill the fifty boxes by donating kosher-for-Passover food items (list at wct.org/passoverfood) or sponsoring a whole box. Volunteers are needed to shop and/or deliver the boxes in NYC on Sun, Apr 17. Email Harriet Kohn (hrsw82@hotmail.com) for details. Donations to WCT’s Project Ezra Fund are welcome anytime!

Knitting and Crocheting GroupSun, Apr 10, 3:00-5:00 pm

Last month we started a new project of making baby blankets for local and Israeli children. Contact Angela Adler (angeadler@aol.com) to let her know you’re coming and/or for instructions if you want to begin your blanket before the meeting. And be sure to join us on Sun, May 22, 12:00-4:00 pm when we’ll be knitting and crocheting side-by-side with members of other temples.

Just Justice? Why We Do Tikkun OlamSun, Apr 17, 9:30 am - Noon

What matters most to you? Why does it matter so much? And what are we going to do about it?

Come enjoy a morning of learning, brunching, and sharing with members of the community as we explore our personal commitments to social justice and tikkun olam, repair of the world. Join Rabbinic Intern Jason Fenster for learning and conversations about the Jewish roots of social justice. Whether you are an experienced activist, a lover of text study, or someone looking to explore your personal commitments, it promises to be an exciting and engaging

day. If you’ve spent time learning with Jason, you know you’ll want to sign up (wct.org/justjustice) for this interactive and thoughtful exploration of Reform Jewish values. Babysitting is available with advance request.

WCT Book ClubWed, Apr 20 at 7:30 pm

Dotty Miller will facilitate a discussion on “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry. A story that captures all the cruelty, dignity, and heroism of

India. In 1975, four strangers flee the caste violence of their small seaside village and are forced to share one cramped apartment. They move from distrust to love as they experience the human spirit in an inhuman state.

Fair Trade PassoverMake sure that you’re truly celebrating

Passover as the festival of freedom. Take a look at the resources at fairtradejudaica.org.

Jubilee Tablecloth DedicationFri, Apr 29 at 8:00 pm

With more than 125 Woodlands families participating and over $2,500 raised to fight hunger, our Jubilee Tablecloth is a real Woodlands success. A jubilee is a time to “proclaim liberty throughout the land,” but liberty is not very meaningful to a child who always goes to bed hungry. Join us as we celebrate our congregation’s having chosen to mark the Jubilee Year with a tablecloth whose creation has resulted in a generous donation to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger (which we will present that evening to our guest speaker from Mazon) to remind us of our noblest selves.

Mensch of the Month For April, it’s the 1st grade! Please help

them fill the food cart with canned fruits and vegetables.

c o m i n g i n m ay . . .

Reform Jewish Voice of NYS Advocacy DayMon, May 9

It’s a day trip to Albany to learn about current legislative bills and the social justice values behind Reform Judaism’s views on the issues. Then we’ll have a chance to meet with and lobby our legislators. For more information and to register, visit rjvnys.org. Email socialaction@wct to arrange carpools.

Breakfast RunSun, May 15 at 6:45 am

Mark your calendar to join us to serve breakfast to working poor and homeless men and women in NYC. For info, email MidnightRunBreakfasts@wct.org.

y o u t h e n g a g e m e n t

Families and teens (7th grade and up) please join WoodSY for the MS Walk in New Rochelle on Sun, Apr 10. Join our team and help fight Multiple Sclerosis by going to the “Walk MS: Westchester 2016” website and joining the “Woodlands Community Temple” team. We’d love for you to join us!

Call for Photos!Still have those 1969 Bar Mitzvah pix with you wearing tie-dyed bell-bottoms? Photos from WCT from yesteryear? We’re seeking photos from the 1960s through the 2000s featuring congregants and events taking place at Woodlands for use in our Jubilee year celebrations. Please send them to Liz in the office (liz@wct.org).

10 www.wct.org

Todah Rabbah (thank you) to...Leora Cohen, Laurie Leibowitz, Karen

Berlowitz, Lisa Izes, Liz Mueller, and David Katz for making our Kindling program so fun and educational!

Miriam Emery and David Gaffen for chairing the Wine at Woodlands event, and to all who helped them: Dan Emery, Dana Gandsman, Phyllis Hirth, Marge Thrope, Barry Kessler, Judy Kessler, David Gralnick, and everyone who contributed food. Thank you as well to our babysitters Elijah Emery, Neoma Emery and Zachary Montague.

The Stacy Beyer concert crew: Joan Farber (chief bottle washer), Mickey Milbauer, Janice Rosenfeld, Julie Stein, Dan Emery, Andrea Einhorn, Andy Farber, Fran Weingast, Nancy and Chuck Fishman, Michele Montague, Roberta Roos, Faye Friedman, Amy Mendelson, Jonathan Montague, Doug Pell, Ellen Dreskin, and a very special note of thanks to David and Dayle Fligel for making it all possible.

The Purim Goody Bag Committee: Amy Green and Bonni Arbore, Rabbi Mara, Michele Montague, Liz Rauchwerger, Jamie Fox, Elka Klarsfeld, Michael Arbore, Danielle Arbore, Ann Zarider, Jen Kline-Galkin, Max Galkin, Deb Shapiro, Frannie Shapiro and Michele Wise.

Each and every family that participated in the Purim Goody Bag mitzvah. Your generosity directly supports our religious school and our temple.

Chuck Bauer, for his dedication to the Woodlands Blood Drive.

Those who wrote and presented iyyunim at the Feb 12 “Wisdom from Our Own” Shabbat service: Rebecca Stevens, Fern Richter, Chuck and Nancy Fishman, Jon Kleinman and Jen Tower.

Steve’s H.O.P.E. and the Mitelman family for helping make this year’s Civil Rights Journey such a powerful experience for our 10th-12th grade students.

t h e S i m k h a P a g e

Mazal Tov to...

B’nai MitzvahJessica KatzTzviya Rivka

April 2

Torah Portion Sh’mini

Sara FischerZe’ey-vah Yardeyna

April 16

Torah Portion M’tzora

Max WeinhouseMoshe

April 9

Torah Portion Tazria

Courtney LesserAdira Yehudit

April 16

Torah Portion M’tzora

David and Amy Katz, as their daughter, Jessica, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Brett and Deena Weinhouse, as their son, Max, is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.

David and Julie Fischer, as their daughter, Sara, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Paul and Ilyse Lesser, as their daughter, Courtney, is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.

Upcoming Meetings

Marketing CommitteeSun, Apr 3

9:30-11:00 am

WoodSY Board Mon, Apr 48:00-9:00 pm

Executive CommitteeMon, Mar 288:15-10:15 pm

Board Budget MeetingMon, Apr 48:15-10:15 pm

Youth and Family Engagement Thu, Apr 77:00-8:00 pm

Finance CommitteeMon, Apr 118:15-10:15 pm

School Board Mon, Apr 118:15-10:15 pm

Board of TrusteesMon, Apr 188:15-10:15 pm

We Want to Hear from You!It is always a pleasure to hear good news from members of our WCT family. It often helps to share the not-so-good too. Please let us know if you or someone else is in need of a visit or phone call from our clergy. Many assume that “everyone knows,” but this is not always true. A note or call to our temple office or clergy will ensure that we are able to extend support to Woodlands’ members in a moment of need.

11www.wct.org

Every year, the Judaica Shop at Woodlands takes pride in helping congregant friends and families create beautiful holiday memories. Come see our magnificent selection of Passover items: seder plates, matzah trays and covers, Elijah and Miriam cups.

This year, to engage the entire family in participating, we

have ten-plague masks, jumping frogs, holiday

temporary tattoos and beautiful Passover

cookbooks to help you find tempting new recipes.

We are excited to feature two new artists whose one-of-a-kind hand-crafted pieces are guaranteed to become family heirlooms. Amalia Flaisher’s colorful designs are inspired by nature, and hand-painted with a special glaze—Beautiful on your seder table! Kathy Hudson, from Me 2 U, says she’s a late bloomer and started her second career a few years ago, following her heart as a kiln-fired glass artist. She uses eye-catching color

combinations and her seder plate and matzah tray will enhance every Passover for years to come.

This year, instead of rewarding the Afikoman finders with a few dollars, consider a longer lasting, more spiritual gift: Metal worker Marvin Shafer’s colorful, anodized aluminum Star of David jewelry is priced perfectly for gift-giving.

The Judaica Shop at Woodlands is open, by request, every day the temple office is staffed. Evening and weekend hours are noted in the weekly temple email blast. Have a question? Shopping for something special? Email us at JudaicaShop@wct.org.

Donations We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support Woodlands Community Temple by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions.

Rabbi Billy’s Mitzvah FundIn memory of George Stern, father of Judy

Rosen, from Dick and Sheila Sweet.In memory of Beatrice Blank, mother, from

Meryl Blank Lewis.In gratitude for Rabbi Billy’s guidance and

in honor of Sam Scafidi becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Mike and Liz Scafidi.

Rabbi Mara’s Mitzvah FundIn honor of Rabbi Mara, from Rich and

Nancy Oren.In gratitude for Rabbi Mara’s guidance and

in honor of Sam Scafidi becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Mike and Liz Scafidi.

Cantor’s Discretionary FundIn memory of Marsh Block, mother of Margot

Serwer, from Todd Gordon and Susan Feder, Richard and Jill Iturbe, Andy Loose and Jill Garland, Fran Rosenfeld, Scott and Julie Stein, Stuart and Teresa Stein, Dick and Sheila Sweet.

In gratitude for Cantor Jonathan’s guidance and in honor of Sam Scafidi becoming a Bar Mitzvah, from Mike and Liz Scafidi.

Chai FundIn Yahrzeit memory of Adela Froimowitz,

from Sandra Erbst-Froimowitz.In memory of Marsha Block, from Stu and

Karen Berlowitz.In memory of Bill Falk, from Steve and

Gail Zizmor.In memory of Mark Solomon, husband of

Linda Solomon, from Michael and Arlene Jacobson and family.

In memory of Mark Solomon, from Stu and Karen Berlowitz.

In memory of Karen Katz, mother of David Katz, from Ruth Rugoff.

In memory of Robert Brown, brother of Larry Brown, from Stu and Karen Berlowitz.

In memory of George Stern, from Stu and Karen Berlowitz.

In memory of Lawrence Berglas, father of Larry Berglas from Michael and Wendy DeLucia.

Social Action FundIn memory of Anne George, mother

of Marianne Ripin, from Scott and Julie Stein.

Library FundIn memory of Anne George, from

Jeffrey and Stacey Kach.

Domestic Abuse Task Force FundIn memory of Rebecca Furie, mother of Nicole

Lesser, from Linda Davidson, Jason Fein and Jennifer Altman, David Gaffen and Dana Gandsman, Scott and Julie Stein, Judy, Lew and Amy Stiefel.

The Bernard and Frances Shapiro Chesed Caring FundIn memory of Gillian Zackman’s father, from

Marty and Rhoda Payson.

Jonah Maccabee FundIn honor of the Dreskin family, from Kurt and

Gloria Nash.

HaMakom y’nakhem otam… may God bring comfort to all who are in mourning.

Zekher tzadik livrakha... may their memory be for a blessing.

The Woodlands Community Mourns the Loss of

Bea Blank mother of Meryl Lewis

Lawrence L. Berglas father of Larry Berglas

Rebecca Furie mother of Nicole Lesser

Helen Harper mother of Emily Harper

Karen Katz mother of David Katz

Michael, Alessandra and Thomas Buarque de Macedo relatives of Charley Macedo

Angela DeCicco mother of Angela Stern

We thank o ur A d ve r t i s e r s f o r th e ir Sup p o r t12

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We thank o ur A d ve r t i s e r s f o r th e ir Sup p o r t 13

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MakomAds Deliver

the newsletter of woodlands community temple

January 2016

Tevet-Sh’vat 5776

Continued on page 4

Family Learningby Rabbi Mara Young

It’s easy to access Jewish information today. For

example, you want to know more about Shabbat?

A quick trip to MyJewishLearning.com will

give you more information than you need to know.

An easy-to-find tutor can deliver B’nai Mitzvah

instruction on a weekly basis. But in the case of both

of these, we have to ask: What is the context? How

do we optimize these Jewish experiences?

The synagogue is uniquely equipped to make

Jewish learning real and relevant in a person’s life.

We do this through transformative experiences

(communal holidays, rituals, and immersive learning)

and we do this by being in conversation with one

another.Over the past five years, Woodlands has made a

conscious shift toward engaging the entire family

in Jewish life and learning at the same time. We

always encouraged intergenerational programming

and were even pioneers in the world of “family

education” with our PACT (Parents and Children

Empathy, Altruism, or Something in Between?

Social Action: Why We Care

by Rabbinic Intern Jason Fenster

Project Ezra:

40 Years Strong

by Harriet Kohn

When Woodlands

Community Temple first

opened its doors to the folks

from Project Ezra (a non-profit

agency assisting indigent seniors

on the Lower East Side), little did

we know that forty years later

this program would still be going

strong and considered to be one

of the most successful social

action programs at our temple.

Each year, WCT has hosted Ezra

seniors by providing them with

a lavish dairy meal lovingly

prepared by temple volunteers

(adults and kids!) who give of

their time and culinary skills to

create a wonderful experience of

breaking bread with our Lower

East Side neighbors.

We have gone through many

changes since Ezra began, but

what has not changed is our

interest in and commitment

to the program, as well as the

unflagging devotion of our

volunteers. Thank you – for forty

loving years!

Please contact Project Ezra

coordinator Harriet Kohn

(hrsw82@hotmail.com) if you'd

like to volunteer at our 40th

anniversary luncheon, Sun, Jan 10

in our Sanctuary at 12:00 noon.

Bring your kids and grandkids!

Help usher in the next generation

of Project Ezra at Woodlands!

Repairing the world, loving my

neighbor, welcoming the stranger ...

these are the seminal Jewish values I

learned growing up. We teach these values

to our third graders; we ask our B’nai

Mitzvah students to make commitments to

giving tzedakah; we bring Academy to the

Coachman Family Center to put those values

into action. These values sit at the core of

our identity at Woodlands and are

part of the stories that we tell

about our 50-year history.

Just look back at Rabbi

Billy’s Kol Nidre sermon!

But why? What

inspires this desire

and this need to

support and strengthen the world around

us? Surely, we have a long history of social

justice and social action. The foundational

documents of Reform Judaism describe it;

traditional texts explicate our responsibilities

and commitments. But why is it there in the

first place? Why does our faith insist on the

centrality of social justice?

A few weeks ago, my classmates and

I were talking about the Syrian

refugee crisis and the scores

of posts from various news

outlets that we were

seeing on Facebook and

Twitter. In particular,

we spoke about the

many articles from

Sukkot family experiences.

Continued on page 3

Reach out and touch a Woodlands member with your ad. One, five, ten times a year!

To reserve space, call the temple office at 914.592.7070, or email makom@wct.org.

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current resident or:

Jubilant Reflections

It’s 1968. Time to find a temple. Where to go? Where to go? What to do? What to do? Beth is ten and Evan is seven. Elaine comes

from a Yiddishkeit background – no synagogue in her childhood. I come from an Orthodox background – love going to services with brother Norm and grandfather Jacob. He models for us the importance of supporting the Jewish community. We memorize all the prayers and songs.

Early in my adult life, I became very involved in the Jewish community by working and living at the Jewish Child Care Association’s Pleasantville Cottage School. I taught Hebrew school and Sunday school at Beth El Temple in Chappaqua and the Yorktown Heights Jewish Center. I also gave private B’nai Mitzvah lessons.

Living in Greenburgh, we learned about Woodlands in the making. We were invited by Alan Horowitz to attend services. The Reform services worked for Elaine and, although very different for me, we decided to give it a try. The excitement soon began. “Trying” for me meant, throughout the 1970s, co-chairing the Ritual Committee with Don Moskovitz, joining the Education Committee with Lois Bronsther, and the Facilities Committee with Al Opengart and Sy Donner. Meeting after meeting

included brother Norm, Rabbi Sandy Ragins, Ron and Meg Tvert, Jack and Sue Safirstein, Nelson and Jackie Leicht, Bob and Nancy Stone, Carol Panzer, Bob and Jane Steinhardt and many others, to decide who we were and what we would be and more importantly who and what we would not be.

Services were created and re-created as Sandy Ragins assisted us with their meaning and importance.

Friendly debates, and sometimes not so friendly debates, took place as we

determined which prayers would be included in our services. A major battle ensued over “Kee Mitziyon” in the Torah service. Hours of discussion unfolded about women on the bimah. Woodlands meant what it meant to all who joined. It was there for all of us, unconditionally.

Some years it felt like we were living there, and other years like we were drifting away. But we never lost sight of our need to support the Jewish community. Woodlands was our Jewish community and one of our family’s priorities was to find our way to give the support it needed as it had always given us. As the years flew by, Woodlands was there for our life-cycle events. Beth and Evan’s becoming B’nai Mitzvah, completing Confirmation, their weddings, baby-namings, parental losses and, more recently, Elaine’s passing.

We were honored over the years as one of Woodlands’ first three-generation families.

Granddaughter Rachel grew up at Woodlands and daughter-in-law Faye becomes more and more active all the time. Decades pass and our support and involvement and need continue.

Grandpa Jacob would be so proud.

••••••••••••••

Herb Friedman and his wife Elaine (z”l) joined WCT in 1968.

WCT Members Gaze Across 50 Years

Herb Friedman: The 70s

Woodlands was our Jewish community and one of our family’s priorities was to find our way to give the

support it needed as it had always given us.

Herb and his granddaughter Rachel.