November 2015 • Chesvan/Kislev 5776

From Rabbi Eugene A. Wernick --Dear Friends,

I wish to share with you some of the ideas that were put forth in our Focus Group meeting on the night of October 27, 2015.

It was suggested that we have once a month on a Sunday morning, at about10:30 a.m., to have a Bagel Brunch with either speakers, or a musical program, ordiscussion of current topics. I would urge all who are interested in this to let us know sothat we can ascertain the feasibility of such a program. If you are interested in being partof a planning committee, please inform me or our Program Chairperson Audrey Cohen.

Our Social Action Committee needs volunteers to continue and broaden itsactivities. It was suggested that we could participate in providing meals for the homelessat different venues in our community.

As far as study opportunities at our shul, I will be starting a class on theKabbalah and Jewish Spirituality in November.I would appreciate knowing how many would be interested and what days and times areconvenient.

It would be helpful if you could communicate to me your interests in any Jewishsubject, and I would be most happy to find time to study with you. There are manyinternet study opportunities. I am working with our B’nai Mitzvah, who are consulting“My Jewish Learning” on the web. They are reading articles and communicating withme by e-mail. This could also be an effective study method for members who are awayor do not find it possible to meet with me in person.

Hazak is an organization of United Synagogue that functions as a mature USY(Youth Group). It arranges tours, programs and study opportunities. If there issufficient interest we can start a chapter here.

Would any of our congregants be interested in a group tour,such as to Israel in depth, Jewish Italy, Germany revisited or any other group tour?

Your ideas are important to us. We want to make this synagogue a vital andgrowing institution. We offer traditional and new avenues of Jewish Spirituality in anenvironment that is welcoming to all Jews.

We can be proud of the past accomplishments of this synagogue, its leadershipand its congregants. We can add to our strong foundation, by furthering our mission ofoutreach to all sectors of the community, engaging everyone in prayer, study, and tikkunolam, making the Jewish Experience meaningful to our and future generations.

Affectionately,Gene

END-OF-LIFE ISSUESA THREE-PART PROGRAM

Will you be ready when the time comes?Tuesday, November 3rd 

Caring for a Terminally Ill Family Member: Hospital, Home and Hospice.Claudia Justy.

Tuesday, November 10th Wills and Estate Planning. Arlene Flohr, Esq.

Tuesday, November 17th  A Rabbi's Intervention Regarding Medical Decisions for the

Terminally Ill. Rabbi Eugene A. Wernick and

Organ and Tissue Donation: Procedures and Problems, BarbaraGerber-Krasner.

All sessions at 8:00 pm. Open to the public. Free admission. Dessert, coffee and tea.

2015 Capital CampaignDear Friends and Fellow Congregants: I am happy to report that our total revenue, as of October 26th, is $277,000 dollars. We have receivedadditional pledges of $210,000. We are waiting to learn the full cost of the additional items required in themain sanctuary before posting the sponsorship amounts for items not yet sponsored. A few of our members are prepared to underwrite some of the items, and we are eager to align our costswith their pledges. As the chair of the Capital Campaign, I wish to thank all of you who have madecontributions, as well as those who have made pledges of additional amounts, for your generosity. I hope thatthose who have not yet made a commitment will do so very soon. In addition to the bima and front wall, as well as some of the pieces of furniture, not yet sponsored, wewill have the Social Hall/Bet Midrash, and the Restroom for Women, as other projects for renovation over thenext two years. I’m certain that we will all be very pleased with the fresh look of our synagogue, and its updatedappearance is likely to attract new members and new income opportunities from those seeking an appropriatespace for ritual events.

With much appreciation,Marcia Kerr-Cherbini, Chairperson

Capital Campaign ContributorsKenneth Adelsberg & Laurie NewitzMordecai & Shiela BraunsteinRichard & Eleanor BrilliantMichael & Marcia CherbiniEdith ClamanAudrey CohenRobert & Bonnie CoopermanRosalind DevonFlorence Diller & William PollackMr. & Mrs. Sandford EdelmanIra & Myrna EpsteinBarbara FeingoldMyrna FelderBurton & Brenda FineArlene FlohrSheldon FriedDavid & Karin GossHarold GriffelHeiman & Marilyn GrossArnold & Harriet GussinAnita GuttmanMr. & Mrs. Alan HonigNatalie KatzFlorence KavalerMartin P. & Barbara KleinLeo & Sandy KoppellBarbara Gerber-KrasnerBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor ofJerry Politzer’s BirthdayBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, for the June &July Members BirthdaysBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in memory ofSandy & Leo Koppell’s son-in-law, David RubensteinBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor ofthe wedding of Alexandra Berke & Spencer Soloway

Barbara Gerber-Krasner & SeymourKrasner, in honor of the birth of Eva Young’sgreat granddaughter Barbara Gerber-Krasner& Seymour Krasner, a refuah shlema for MerylLevyBernadette KriftcherBarbara LevinePeter & Leslie LevineJeffrey LowittStephen MeringoffLois MossMelvin & Elaine NadellRuth OppenheimerGlenn & Stacey OstragerStanley & Charlotte PlotnickGladys PruzanskyMurray RehnerDavid ReitnerJuliana & Rusty RenoAlan ResnickLori RichterFaanya Rose David Rosenberg & Eleanor BuckoEric & Sophie RossArthur SellnerDavid SokolStuart StahlHeris StenzelMr. & Mrs. Steven StraussJacob SuttonEugene & Irene WernickAnna WolinskyWomen’s LeagueEva YoungMr. & Mrs. Sid Zukerman

Co Presidents’ Messagefrom

Barbara Gerber-Krasner & David Reitner

November will be a very busy month for us at the synagogue, as we engage in a full study program, provided by Rabbi Wernick; additional programming on threesuccessive Tuesday evenings, End-of-Life Issues, followed by Q&A; making improvements in themain sanctuary, with respect to light and sound; addressing a punch list of items that would improveour comfort; and interviewing various synagogue design companies, to arrive at an attractiveappearance on our bima and the front wall of the sanctuary, the latter to be completed before ournext High Holy Days. Rabbi Wernick conducts a class Mondays, after the Shacharit service, on Mishnah (Jewish Law);a class on Wednesdays, at lunch either on the Talmud or the Torah reading of the forthcomingShabbat ; a class on Thursdays, after Shacharit services, on the daily and Shabbat prayer book weread, explaining the significance of certain prayers and differences between the Ashkenaz andSephardi versions. Rabbi Wernick makes it possible for people at any level of knowledge of Jewishtexts to participate. Our End-of-Life Issues, on Nov. 3, 7, and 10, are meant to dispel certain misconceptions aboutmedical care, medical decisions, and legal planning, to enable those who may become terminally illand their care-givers to have a better grasp of options. The expression “The devil is in the details”couldn’t be more relevant than to end-of-life decision-making. While we have invited specificpeople to address some of the pertinent matters, many of you have your own experience that canshed light on the difficulties that you’ve encountered in dealing with the terminally ill. The Q&Asegment will afford you the opportunity not only to ask questions of the speakers, but also to addyour own encounters that might shed light on areas not always addressed clearly when the crisis firstarises. It is always better to be informed before one has to make decisions that are difficult than tofirst deal with them at the moment of our greatest emotional vulnerability. We hope that you willattend and participate in this series. A positive outcome of our renovation, even though incomplete, was highlighted by the visit toour synagogue by a violinist, on October 28. She found it beautiful and a good venue for a concert.She spoke about having a quartet or a duet of cello and guitar. Our cantor, Shiree Kidron, whoalready gave us one concert in the main sanctuary, is also planning concerts for the remainder of theyear. We are interviewing designers who specialize in synagogue restorations and renovations onNovember 12 and 18, to explore designs for the ark, front wall, and bimah furniture. We anticipatebeginning that part of our renovation in early April. We are very excited by the innovation in programming and by the progress of our renovation ofthe main sanctuary. We look forward to seeing many more of you in our welcoming synagogue. At the end of November, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, and we all can be grateful that welive in a democratic country, with a diversified population, and religious tolerance. As we watchevents unfold in the Middle East, and, in particular, in Israel, we should include in our prayers aspecial plea for peace. We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Barbara Gerber-KrasnerDavid Reitner

Inaugural 20/30s Shabbat a Hit

Nearly 30 young professionals gatheredlast Shabbat afternoon for a participant-ledMincha service in the sanctuary, then wentdownstairs to the social hall for a delicious buffetof sushi and Israel food, song, drink,conversation and an inspiring talk by RabbiWernick. We ended with a short Ma'ariv serviceand then turned down the lights and drew into acircle for an emotional farewell to Shabbat withthe Havdalah services. We’ll have our Shabbatafternoon gathering the third Saturday of everymonth. Mark your calendar for Saturday,November 21st at 5 pm.

Next Session: November 21st

Events

A Brilliant Lecture

Nearly 40 of us, members and visitorsalike, gathered in the sanctuary on Mondayevening for a fascinating lecture by Or Olammember Professor Richard Brilliant aboutfigurative art in Jewish contexts. ProfessorBrilliant discussed in detail the wall paintingsfound at the Dura-Europos synagogue in Syriaand how they may inform the discussion abouta supposed Biblical prohibition on “gravenimages.” Many attendees continued thediscussion of the program, while enjoyingcoffee and dessert in our Social Hall.

~~~ Special Kiddushim ~~~November 7th

Flowers & Kiddush will be sponsored by Jacob Sutton in loving memory of his father, Isaac Sutton

November 14thFlowers & Kiddush will be sponsored by Natalie Katz in loving memory of

her mother, Claire Lipshitz & her uncle, Hyman WachtelNovember 21st

Flowers & Kiddush will be sponsored by Chester & Beth Demel in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jonah

OUR MEMBERS

Happy Birthday to all of our November Birthdays!

Shiela Braunstein, Audrey Cohen, Anne Glauber, Karen Gross, Florence Kavaler,David Rosenberg, Carla Silber,

O. Bernard Starkman

Mazel Tov

to

David Rosenberg

on his 85th Birthday

Morning Minyan

One of the rabbi’s goals for the new year is to assure a full minyan every morning so we cansupport those among us who are saying Kaddish and conduct a full service. Morning Minyan is 8:00 am on most weekdays, 9:00 am on national holidays. The serviceruns approximately 30 minutes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 40 minutes on Mondaysand Thursdays when we read Torah. Can you try to attend one morning a week? One morning a month? Can we contact you whenwe have a special need for a Minyan? Please contact the rabbi at 212.752.1200 or rabbi@east.55.org to discuss.

Mazel Tov

to

Florence Kavaler

on her 80th Birthday

TODAH RABBAH We thank the following individuals for supporting our community:GENERAL FUNDArnold BialowMarcia Kerr-Cherbini & Michael Cherbini, in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of of Lois Miskin’s grandsonMarcia Kerr-Cherbini & Michael Cherbini, in honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Carole & Paul SressorArnold & Harriet Gussin, in honor of Mort & Shiela Braunstein’s granddaughterArnold & Harriet Gussin, in honor of the 80th Birthday of Florence KavalerArnold & Harriet Gussin, in honor of the birth of Leo & Sandy Koppell’s granddaughterHoward Handler, in honor of the Aliyah given to his friend, David BrodyMurray Rehner, in loving memory of Gloria FishmanEva Young, in honor of the birth of Leo & Sandy Koppell’s granddaughter

YAHRZEIT CONTRIBUTIONSKenneth Adelsberg, in loving memory of Joseph AdelsbergEllen Albin, in loving memory of Hyman LoebelJudith Bach, in loving memory of Jack DenkerMarcia Kerr-Cherbini, in loving memory of Bradley S. ParloMarcia Kerr-Cherbini, in loving memory of Abraham Weiner Bernard Drucker, in loving memory of Evelyn BaronSusan Fuldauer, in loving memory of Martha FuldauerKarin Goss, in loving memory of Mina KatzRita Greenstein, in loving memory of Willie GreenRita Greenstein, in loving memory of Clara RappoportMarilyn Gross, in loving memory of Helen WishnikCyla Klein, in loving memory of Oscar HaubenJoseph Kornreich, in loving memory of Larry KornreichStephen Meringoff, in loving memory of Evelyn MeringoffFlorence Mink, in loving memory of her sister-in-law, Sally LugofCharlotte Plotnick, in loving memory of Abraham WeinerPeggi Gross-Saez, in loving memory of Edythe GrossEdward Sandler, in loving memory of Marilyne SandlerHarriet Solo, in loving memory of Audrey Kroll TostoJacob Sutton, in loving memory of Sara SuttonEva Young, in loving memory of Julius YoungBarbara J. Wolfe, in loving memory of Chester A. WolfeFLOWER FUNDNatalie Katz, in loving memory of her husband, Murray S. KatzMarcia Kerr-Cherbini & Michael Cherbini, in loving memory of Bradley Spencer ParloKIDDUSH FUNDNatalie Katz, in loving memory of her husband, Murray S. KatzMarcia Kerr-Cherbini & Michael Cherbini, in loving memory of Bradley Spencer ParloEva YoungRABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDRabbi Eugene A. Wernick, in honor of the engagement of the grandson of Barbara Gerber-Krasner & SeymourKrasnerPROGRAM FUNDBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, for the Sukkot Program Barbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in memory of Isaac Cavaliero TREE OF LIFEBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of the birth of the granddaughter of Mordecai & ShielaBraunsteinBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of the 80th Birthday of Florence KavalerBarbara Gerber-Krasner & Seymour Krasner, in honor of the 85th Birthday of David Rosenberg

Kol NidreKenneth Adelsberg & LaurieNewitzLloyd Altman &. Sara MarkelAltmanDr. Michael BerelowitzBrian Berke & Laurie Berke-WeissHarold & Sandra BlockMordecai & Shiela BraunsteinProf. Richard & Prof. EleanorBrilliantMurray CharashEdith ClamanDr. Joel CohenRobert & Bonnie CoopermanDavid Cummins & Anne GlauberErwin DanknerKaren DineBernard & Honey DruckerIra & Myrna EpsteinMyrna FelderBurton & Brenda FineAllen & Shelley FinkelsteinArlene FlohrSheldon FriedSherry Fyman & Rossella MocerinoBarbara Gerber-Krasner &Seymour KrasnerOliver & Barbara GoldsteinDavid & Karin GossStanley & Barbara GreensteinHarold GriffelHeiman & Marilyn GrossAlfred GrossmanMarc GussAlan & Marcy HonigJudith KatzNatalie KatzDr. Florence Kavaler Michael & Marcia CherbiniRobert & Sheila KreschJeffrey & Lynn LeffBarbara Levine

YizkorANONYMOUSMr. & Mrs. Stephen AdlerEllen AlbinEthel BendoveMr. & Mrs. Michael BlauBunny BleiMr. & Mrs. Herbert ChavesMr. & Mrs. David DruckerLloyd FeinbergSteven FleischerRosalind GortzKenneth GreenvaldAnita GuttmanMr. & Mrs. James HeftRoselyne InsdorfMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey JacobsonStephen KleinMr. & Mrs. Joseph KornreichCarol LernerPeter LichtenthalGeorge LipkinRhena LippsMr. & Mrs. Richard MackFlora MarchScott MartelMartha OrensteinSusan PikeMyrna PostMark RamlerMr. & Mrs. Ronald RischMr. & Mrs. Mario RottenbergMr. Cyril Saez & Mrs. PeggiGross-SaezMr. & Mrs. Henry SalmMr. & Mrs. Jack SchreibmanMarion ShapiroGeorge & Ms. Julia ShildkretMr. Fred Wertheimer & Dr. SherillSigalowBernie SlobotkinMr. & Mrs. Michael SoberMarcia Felner SpearMartin SteinMichael StolerPaul TasslerMr. & Mrs. Larry TeichJeffrey ThalerPeggy WeckerThelma WeinbaumFred WertheimerBarry Zalaznick

Kol NidrePeter & Leslie LevineJeffrey LowittMelvin MaimanMr. & Mrs. B. Fred MankoSol MatsilEric MerenStephen MeringoffMadeline MohrLois MossHarvey & Linda NewmanGlenn & Staceu OstragerStanley & Charlotte PlotnickJerald Politzer & Jamie BarryGladys PruzanskyDavid ReitnerDr. Libby RheeLori RichterMr. & Mrs. Ronald RischFaanya RoseDavid RosenbergEric & Sophie RossMarshal Salant & Janet GreshesMarvin SchwartzVivian SchwimmerMark Shapiro & Judy LewentRichard Judith SharkenDan & Carla SilberEric Simon & Lisa BaumwellDavid SokolCharlene Soltz-EtkesStuart StahlO. Bernard & Florence StarkmanJanice StenzelDr. Marc StoneJoseph & Arlene StuhlJacob SuttonPhillip WallDr. Alan M. WeinsteinHenny WeissEva Young

Synagogue Book ClubBoth Men & Women Invited

10/22/15 Audrey Cohen hosted the book group meeting and Harriet Gussinled the discussion in her usual insightful way. We discussed “The Marriage ofOpposites” by Alice Hoffman. There was agreement that this was aninteresting book. A lively discussion ensued.

12/7/15 we will be reading “The Mapmaker's daughter” by Laura Corona

2/8/16 we will be reading “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

3/31/16 we will be reading “Biblical Seductions” by Sandra Rappaport

Please note that any and all reservations for Kiddushim,Flowers, Haftorah Readings, Auf Rufs, Bar/Bat

Mitzvahs, Brises, Baby Namings etc. must be madethrough the Office.

Please email - office@east55.org or phone the office(212)752-1200

All requests must be received and confirmed by theoffice.

Women’s League Corner

It has been a busy time for me, personally. I begin by apologizing that my column never made it to the last bulletin. It is the first time I have missed, and that’s because I was in Arizona, celebrating with my family the wedding of my granddaughter. What a wonderful event. As my good friend Edith Claman says, “Grandchildren trump everything.”

Another personal highlight for me was representing Women’s League at the UnitedNations when the Pope visited. I was fortunate enough to snag a ticket to hear him address theGeneral Assembly. A man man with a well-defined social vision, he supported the UN’sSustainable Development Goals. Some of the issues he covered were climate change, preventingarmed conflicts, poverty, and the right to education. He also noted that certain countries havebeen able to manipulate the UN to block urgent action. A charismatic speaker, he greatlyimpressed the attendees both through his message and delivery.

In my absence, Edith Claman ran the Supper in the Sukkah. She put her personal stampon it and saw to it that everything was done beautifully. With Audrey Citak and Terri Gelbartassisting, all the food preparation went smoothly. Rabbi Wernick said a few words and broughttwo young men to entertain our group during the dinner through singing with the accompanimentof a guitar. They continued to play music even after dinner, providing sheets of lyrics, so thateveryone could participate.

Eva Young made her famous kugel, Eva Shamah her challah, and Audrey Citak herquiche. Others brought tuna, egg salad, fruit and desserts. In addition, many made financialcontributions so all expenses were covered by the generosity of the attendees.

We had six people who walked with Team Sharsheret at the American Cancer Society's MakingStrides Against Breast Cancer Central Park 5-Mile Walk. Marcia Kerr-Cherbini, accompanied by a friend, my granddaughter, two of our Women’s League members, Terri Gelbart and Lisa Siegel, and Iparticipated. It was a beautiful event.

Edith Claman and Harriet & Arnold Gussin went to the JTS Sukkah for a lunch andlearn. The Sukkah is very impressive, and, of course, just being at the Seminary is exciting.

We will now catch our breath and assist the Synagogue as it begins preparation forHanukkah. Before you know it, it will be time to think about Purim and our Shalach Manotproject.

The Synagogue has a wonderful series of lectures, described elsewhere in the bulletin, inNovember. I look forward to seeing you there.

Remember; if you have not joined Women’s League please do. We would like to haveall the ladies of Or Olam as members. Just drop off a check at the Synagogue office for $25.00,payable to Or Olam Women’s League.

Best wishes for a joyful Thanksgiving shared with family and friends.

Sandy Koppell

SHABBATOT - November

November 6-7 Hayyei sarahCandlelighting: 4:29pm Torah: Genesis 23:1-25:18Haftarah: I kings 1:1-31

November 13-14 ToledotCandlelighting: 4:22pm Torah: Genesis 25:19-28:9Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

November 20-21 VayetseCandlelighting: 4:16pm Torah: Genesis 28:10-32:3Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:10

November 27-28 VayishlahCandlelighting: 4:12pm Torah: Genesis 35:16-36:43Haftarah: Obediah 1:1-21

SHABBAT AND DAILY SERVICE TIMES

SHABBAT SERVICE TIMESKabbalat Shabbat 6:00pmMorning Service 9:30amWEEKDAY SERVICESMorning Service (Monday-Friday) 8:00am

Or Olam - The East 55th Street SynagogueFounded October 30, 1906

as Chevra B’nai Leive

Clergy and OfficersEugene A. Wernick RabbiSherry Fyman Torah ReaderMarshal Salant ChairmanBarbara Gerber-Krasner Co-PresidentDavid Reitner Co-PresidentArlene Flohr Vice-PresidentDavid Sokol TreasurerRichard Kaufman Secretary

OR OLAM THE EAST 55TH STREET SYNAGOGUE

308 East 55th Street • New York, NY 10022 •212-752-1200

office@east55.org www.east55.org

Daylight Savings time ends

Sunday November 1, 2015 at 2:00am

Remember to turn your clocks back