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MeMber Union for reforM JUdaisM
Temple Isaiah Bulletin A Volume 52, Issue 4 A March / April 2017
March 2017Shir Joy Musical ShabbatFriday, March 3rd
Triad ConcertsSunday, March 5thSunday, March 19th
Purim Megillah Reading& PurimspielSaturday, March 11thPurim CarnivalSunday, March 12th
Tot ShabbatFriday, March 17th
Brotherhood Shabbat Dinner & ServiceFriday, March 24th
Sisterhood Progressive DinnerSaturday, March 25th
April 2017Miriam’s SederSunday, April 2nd
Shir Joy Musical ShabbatFriday, April 7th
Passover 1st Day ServiceTuesday, April 11thPassover / Yizkor ServiceMonday, April 17th
Tot ShabbatFriday, April 21st
Erev Yom HashoahSunday, April 23rd
Yom Ha’atzmautSunday, April 30th
Triad ConcertSunday, April 30th
sUnday Monday TUesday Wednesday ThUrsday friday
Saturday Ushers18 Kamen25 Kitt/Rosenzweig
Candles: 5:32
Shabbat Morning Torah Study8:30-9:30 am
ShabbatMorning Service10 am
Shir Joy MusicalErev ShabbatService6 pm
Religious School Committee MtgTemple Library8 pm
Adult Ed.Resurrection &ImmortalityRabbi Karol7 pm
Adult Ed.Resurrection &ImmortalityRabbi Karol7 pm
Board of Trustees Mtg7:30 pm
Candles: 5:39
Erev ShabbatService7:30 pm
Candles: 6:47
Tot Shabbat5:30 pm
Erev ShabbatService7:30 pm
Candles: 6:54
Shabbat Morning Torah Study8:30-9:30 am
ShabbatMorning Service10 am Erev Purim Service & Sphiel6:15 pm
Shabbat Morning Torah Study8:30-9:30 am
ShabbatMorning Service10 am Ethan Hecht Bar Mitzvah
Shabbat Morning Torah Study8:30-9:30 am
ShabbatMorning Service10 am
Gerstein/Salmonson B’nai MitzvahSisterhood Progressive Dinner
Early Morning Study6:30 - 7:30 am
Religious School4:30 - 6:30 pm
5K PlanningCommittee Mtg6:30 pm
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class7 - 9 pm
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class7 - 9 pm
Early Morning Study 6:30 - 7:30 am
Religious School4:30 - 6:30 pm
Religious School9 am - 12 pm
Brotherhood Mtg9:09 am
Tanakh Study10:30 am - 11:30 am
Triad Concert 3 - 5 pm
Religious School9 am - 12 pm
Triad Concert 3 - 5 pm
March 2017 / adar - nisan / 5777shabbaT
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class7 - 9 pm
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class7 - 9 pm
Early Morning Study 6:30 - 7:30 am
Religious School4:30 - 6:30 pm
Brotherhood Shabbat Service & Dinner6 pm
Adult Ed.Resurrection &ImmortalityRabbi Karol7 pm
Erev ShabbatService7:30 pm
Religious School9 am - 12 pm
Tanakh Study10:30 am - 11:45 pm
Rennaisance Mtg1:30 pm
Ritual Committee Mtg7:30 pm
Religious School Purim Carnival 10:30-12 am
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah class7 - 9 pm
MRJ Mtg-Social Hall7 pm
Early Morning Study 6:30 - 7:30 am
Religious School4:30-6:30 pm
Friday Ushers3 Weiser10 Rosofsky17 Steinweis24 Stopsky31 Goldstein
1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 115
13 14 15 16 17 1812
20 21 22 23 24 2519
27 28 29 30 31 26 Candles: 7:02
2
Rabbi Sobel ‘s ReflectionsRabbi Sobel ‘s Reflections
3
During the months of March and April, we will celebrate
Purim and Pesach.
Purim celebrates the Jews’ release from the evils of
Haman. During that time, we were the “other” in the
land of Persia and were singled out and persecuted for
our “otherness.”
Pesach celebrates our liberation from bondage in Egypt.
In Egypt we were also “other.” We remind ourselves of
our path to freedom each and every day – not only during
Pesach, but when we sing the Mi Chamocha prayer at our
daily worship services.
As a people, we Jews have long experience with being
“other.” We know what it means to need safe haven, to
need refuge, to seek sanctuary, a place where we can be
free to live our lives in freedom.
During these past weeks, no matter what your political
affiliation, many people do not feel safe. To date in 2017,
we’ve seen five waves of bomb threats on Jewish Com-
munity Centers, affecting over 90 JCC’s across North
America, and vandalism at three Jewish cemetaries. A
white supremacist opened fire on a mosque in Quebec
City during evening prayers, killing 6 people and injuring
many others, and many other people around the world are
feeling vulnerable and afraid.
How do we embody the lessons of Purim and Passover
with what is taking place in our world? How can we make
our religious homes a place of welcoming and safe haven
for all who choose to walk in our doors?
As a faith leader in the public realm, I walk a fine
balance: I minister to those whose thoughts and feelings
fall on all sides of the political and social spectrums. At
times, I must keep my personal feelings and ideas to
myself in order to respond pastorally to the entire con-
gregation.
Yet, at times, there is a moral imperative to speak out, to
share the prophetic voices from our religious teachings,
to heed the call of our faith tradition.
Now is the time to speak out, because our notions of
“freedom” and “sanctuary” are at risk. Now is the
time to act. Now is the time for our community to come
together and unite across every political, religious, or
social divide. We must remember that in our American
“Pledge of Allegiance,” we make an oath that our demo-
cratic republic promises to be a place of “liberty and
justice for all.”
For centuries people have come to the United States
seeking a life of freedom, opportunity, and peace. Our
Jewish tradition believes in the full humanity of every
person. When we fail to see the divine in one another,
we diminish our own humanity. The biblical imperative
to “love your neighbor” knows no religious, political or
national boundaries, and our common interest in security
is only undermined when we allow fear to dismantle the
very principles of our democracy.
Continued on page 4
“V’Karatem D’ror Ba’aretz – And You Shall Have Liberty Throughout the Land”
4
A Note From The Cantor
“Esther - You can change the world! You can make the
world complete. Take the pride you feel inside and never
accept defeat!”
Jeff Klepper
One of the distinctive and enduring elements in the
Purim story is the role of Esther as heroine and redeemer
of the Jewish people in Persia. She was reluctant to
leave her family and enter the court of Ahasuerus, keep-
ing her identity as a Jew a secret. Mordechai convinced
her that she could possibly be a crucial player in saving
the Jewish people from the evil Haman by being near the
king, and even more importantly, by being an object of
the king’s affection. It was not an easy choice for Esther,
but she rose to the occasion, and in the end, put her own
life on the line for the sake of the Jewish people. When
Mordechai admonished her that she must go before the
king - though the king had not invited her - she feared for
her life. Today, we take for granted what a risk she took
in making this bold move.
As many times as I have read the Purim story, I have
never really thought much about Esther’s heroism, and
what it takes to stand up for your beliefs in the face of
tremendous adversity. She set the bar very high for us,
living in America in 2017. Many of us are standing up
now, today, for our beliefs, in the face of great adversity.
The story of Purim, of the courageous acts of Esther, is
an example to all of us of what we can achieve when we
stand up and speak out. It’s easy to be complacent, to
not heed the call to act. Remember: “You can change
the world.” Have a joyous & redemptive Purim.
Cantor Carol Chesler
Esther’s Heroism
Continued from page 3
The great humanitarian, social activist, and Holocaust
survivor Elie Wiesel said, “There may be times when we
are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never
be a time when we fail to protest.” People of faith have
a particular responsibility to speak out. In the words of
our prayer book Mishkan T’filah, “There is no way to get
from here to there except by joining hands and marching
together.”
So as we gather together to celebrate Purim and Pesach
this year, let us take the lessons embodied within and
make them a reality by making our communities safe
havens and sanctuaries of peace and freedom for all:
men, women and children.
Rabbi Sobel’s Reflections
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
5
President’s Report
Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Not just for the end
of winter, but also because it gives us an opportunity for
new beginnings.
As I mentioned in my last letter to the congregation,
several congregants came to the February 13th Board of
Trustees meeting, and we had a healthy dialogue about
their concerns and the future of Temple Isaiah. The
Board and I greatly appreciated the feedback received,
and thank those who took the time to come and share
their thoughts.
Based on the feedback received, we will be arranging
similar opportunities for small discussions going for-
ward, to keep you informed and give you the chance to
be heard. We’re still working out the details in order for
these meetings to be the most useful and productive.
It is gratifying to know that so many of us have strong
attachment to and feelings for Temple Isaiah. That is a
source of strength for out Temple and will be helpful as
we move forward.
Thanks again to those of you who participated in the
Thriving Synagogue Learning Tool survey sponsored
by the UJA Synergy Progam and the Coeh Center for
Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. We just
received revised results and are working with the Synergy
Team to understand the highlights, the opportunities for
action, and the best way to share the results. Look for
more in the coming weeks.
I wish everyone a joyous Purim and a Happy Passover.
As always, if you have any thoughts, ideas, questions, or
concerns about Temple Isaiah and its future, feel free to
contact me at [email protected] or at 631-981-5128
evenings.
Jay Schoenfeld
President
Keeping Informed and Being Heard
The rabbi adaM d. fisher Library
Please note: Our Temple library is open one half-hour before each
Erev Shabbat Service.
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Please help us to maintain Temple Isaiah as a house of worship, a house of learning, and a house of assembly by becoming a Sustaining Member in 2017. It is here where you celebrate life-cycle events, and it is here where you will find support when you need it. It is with your strong financial support that Temple Isaiah will continue to provide education, worship services, and support for people who are experiencing loss, crisis, or illness.
Won’t you perform the mitzvah of tzedakah at Temple Isaiah? If you are able to make a contribution as a Sustaining Member, you will be providing revenue for regular as well as unforeseen expenses, and you will be helping us plan for future generations. Please join our growing list of Sustaining Members!
sUsTaining MeMbers & friends of TeMpLe isaiah 2017
A Platinum Chai ($5,400 or above)
A Golden Chai ($3,600-$5,399)
A Silver Chai ($1,800-$3,599)
A Circle of Enrichment
($1,018- $1,799)
A Circle of Growth ($540-$1,017)
A Circle of Hope ($360-$539)
A Chaverim ($180-$359)
A Mitzvah Partner ($118-$179)
A Chai or Multiple ($36-$117)
6
Circle of Enrichment
Linda Barancik
Barbara & Jerry Fine
Gloria & Mark Snyder
Circle of Growth
Paula & Steve Bennett
Suzan & Alfred Goldhaber
Honey & Arnie Katz
Circle of Hope
Jamie & Hilton Adler
Essie & Mark Freilach
Dan Stenzler
Phyllis & Dan Turner
Chaverim
Rose French
Suzanne Gabrielsen
Anita & Stewart Gaffan
Irene & Bernie Gische
Woody Goldstein
Myra & Alan Rosofsky
Diane & Steve Weitzman
Perri Fitterman & Larry Lieblich
Mitzvah Partner
Judy Albano
Sharon & Larry Epstein
Bartbara & Gary Kamen
Carl Kravitz
Margaret & Jay Schoenfeld
Pam Shulder
Chai or Multiple
Marian Guarlnick
Barbara Wright
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
7
MeMbership MUsings
Here’s a positive suggestion to have fun and learn while beating the winter blues! I have been a member of
Temple Isaiah for a long time and my kids attended Religious school here. They participated in many holiday
celebrations and services, and were very active in youth group. Now that my kids are grown and out of the
house, I attend many services and programs “kidless”!
When my kids were growing up, Tu Bishvat services were always well attended and lots of fun, just like it was
this year. Last week, although a day after a large snowstorm, the social hall was filled with lots of enthusias-
tic children, parents, and seniors. Rabbi Sobel beautifully led the inter-generational Seder while everyone
tasted delicious wine, grape juice and fruits. The cantor played interactive songs suitable for everyone,
regardless of age. This service with phenomenal attendance of people of all ages was highly creative and
a night to remember! Following the service and singing we all shared in the most delicious potluck dishes
and chicken supplied by the synagogue. Everyone had a meaningful experience and a most delicious dinner.
There are so many fabulous activities for all ages at Temple Isaiah, and I hope all the members will check
the Temple Isaiah Bulletin for an activity that interests each person in the congregation. It’s fun to see old
friends and make new friends with our Temple Isaiah family community!
With warmth,
Marylin Neuhaus Baracks
speaking of sociaL acTionIf you are interested in working with the Social Action Committee, we would love to have you join us as we
continue working towards Tikkun Olam, repairing our world through social activism, the pursuit of justice,
acts of kindness, and the performance of mitzvot. Please contact the Temple office for more information.
broTherhood shabbaT dinner & service Celebrate Shabbat with friends and family at the annual Brotherhood Dinner and Service on Friday evening,
March 24th. Dinner at 6 pm and Service at 7:30 pm. See the weekly Temple E-blasts for more information.
save The daTe: broTherhood’s Las vegas nighT is coMing JUne 3, 2017!