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Idea Transcript


Congregation

Rodeph Sholom Bridgeport, Connecticut WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

NO. 24

Please join us for a sure-to-be wonderful afternoon

Congregation Rodeph Sholom presents

“Broadway, Family and Me” Sunday, December 7th, 2014 @ 3:00 P.M.

featuring

Cantor Michelle Teplitz and other guests: Liz Ashkins, Melanie Cooperman, Liz McConnon, Melissa Pavloff, Michelle Pavloff and Faith Vogel

Stay tuned on www.rodephsholom.com/concert for more information.

Cantors concert bulletin.indd 1

10/27/14 1:55 PM

Rodeph Sholom

Congregation Rodeph Sholom 2385 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604-1499 203-334-0159 • Fax 203-334‑1411 www.rodephsholom.com Published four times per year, seasonally. Affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Rabbi Emeritus Cantor Executive Director Ritual Director Education Directors President Gabbai Men’s Club President Hazzan Cantor Emeritus Executive Director Emerita

Daniel D. Victor Israel C. Stein, D.D. Michelle Teplitz Mark Block Irwin Schildkraut Beth Gold Limor Shefer Jeffrey Klein Sy Wiesenfeld Harold Goodman Y’shaya Grama, z”l David Leon z”l Esther Kelman z”l

In Memoriam

“The Memory of the Righteous is a Blessing”

Members:

Shirley Prussin Wife of Sam Prussin – July 19, 2014 Jeanette Bloom Friedman – August 12, 2014 Michael Kreiger Husband of Shelley Kreiger – October 2, 2014 Selma Levitt – October 17, 2014 Mike Gelber Husband of Nettie Gelber – November 1, 2014

Relatives of Members:

Sylvia Cotzin Mother of Norma Passo – July 19, 2014 Melvyn Sloves – September 17, 2014 Brother of Wallace Sloves and uncle of Risa Sloves Glenn Liebensohn Brother of Joan Frankel – October 3, 2014 Philip Kuznitz Father of Matthew Kuznitz – October 21, 2014 Sarah Popkin Mother of Judy Brand – November 2, 2014

Daily Services Sundays......................................9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Bufferd/Vogel Chapel Weekdays...................................7:10 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Bufferd/Vogel Chapel Friday Evening............................................ See Calendar Bufferd/Vogel Chapel Sabbath Morning............................................... 9:00 a.m. Rabbi Harry Nelson Sanctuary Sabbath Mincha................................................Sundown Bufferd/Vogel Chapel For any changes and up-to-date service times, visit www.rodephsholom.com

Mission Statement Congregation Rodeph Sholom is dedicated to two guiding principles:

• To serve as a vibrant center for the practice and teaching of Conservative Judaism. • To create a spiritual and social atmosphere in which congregants feel part of a larger synagogue family. 2

Simchas Mazal Tov to: George and Donna Rubin on the birth of their grandson, Eli Daniel Glass, son of Lisa Rubin and Eric Glass. Marsha and Steve Brody on the birth of a granddaughter, Sophia Talia Copperthite, daughter of Sherry and Jeff Copperthite, who was born on October 24th. Laura and Cary Friedman on the marriage of their daughter, Alexandra, to Paul Wager. The happy grandparents are Richard and Dorothy Blank. Joseph Benjamin Edelstein, the son of Dr. Andrew and Julia Edelstein, born on July 25, 2014. Proud grandparents are Gayle and Sy Israel of Fairfield. Charlotte Isabel Sinrod, the daughter of Laura Israel Sinrod and Daniel Sinrod, born on November 4, 2014. Proud grandparents are Gayle and Sy Israel of Fairfield.

Rodeph Sholom

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

From the Rabbi Now that the high holidays are over, and the year is in full swing, adult education classes have recommenced at Rodeph Sholom. I encourage you to check out our catalogue of classes for 20142015 “A Window into Torah,” but I want to tell you a little bit about one that I, myself, am particularly excited about. Many months back, a good family friend who lives in California sent me a book called Unscrolled. I am embarrassed to admit, but I put the book aside and did not give it much thought. A month or so before Rosh Hashana, battling a particularly tough couple of days of writer’s block, I was reading anything and everything I could get my hands on and I came across Unscrolled again. Now, Unscrolled is a thick book, from the looks of it, not a quick read. But as I turned the pages, I realized the book was made up of short vignettes, each about a different Torah portion. In fact, the book is self-described as a “creative celebration” put together by 54 leading Jewish writers, artists, photographers, and screenwriters, plus actors, an architect, a musician, and more, as they grapple with the first five books of the bible, giving new meaning to 54 Torah portions. Unscrolled opened my eyes to two things: First, I gained a profound appreciation for how modern day professionals from all walks of life, when they sit to grapple with our sacred texts, can see Torah in such fascinating and inspiring, albeit intrinsically different, ways. It is truly astonishing how much of one’s self gets projected into the traditional text, when one spends time struggling with it. Second, the book introduced me to a movement called Reboot. From their website, Reboot is a national network of young, creative Jews founded on the belief that every generation must grapple with the questions of identity, community, and meaning on its own terms. Reboot created over 100 projects, including the National Day of Unplugging, the international architecture contest Sukkah City; and the Idelsohn Society for Musical Preservation, a record label and archive dedicated to tracking down lost Jewish music and the musicians who created it. As a rabbi, I am always talking about religion. More and more, I hear (especially from young folks) that people are looking for Judaism that fits who they are and speaks to them. On that vein, I invite you to join me for a series of discussions on the book Unscrolled and to look at Torah from this creative kaleidoscope of perspectives as we compare that to how the sages have interpreted it over the centuries. Our religion is vastly rich and our tradition is profoundly relevant to our lives today. Sometimes it takes a deeper look at the source for us to fully grasp the wealth before us. This parsha based class is part one of two monthly classes on torah commentaries. We will be discussing the chapters of this book the second Wednesday of each month beginning November 12th, 7:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Each class is its own independent unit, so please feel free to come for one or come for all. Wishing you an inspired and meaningful year. B’Shalom,

Rabbi Daniel Victor Milestone Anniversaries We congratulate the following couples who will be celebrating anniversaries of 25 years or more in December. December

Barbara & Len Srebnick Joy & Charles Whitman Monica & Jonathan Kantrowitz Jacqueline & Melvin Garelick Adele & Robert Josovitz Vivian & Plinio Perez

60 years 54 years 44 years 44 years 43 years 32 years

MAZAL TOV TO ALL THESE COUPLES FROM ALL OF US AT RODEPH SHOLOM.

3

Rodeph Sholom

President’s Message As announced on Kol Nidre, Rodeph Sholom is now engaged in merger discussions with Beth El of Fairfield. This is an important step toward determining the future of the Conservative movement in the greater Bridgeport/ Fairfield area. We entered these discussions after careful consideration by the Executive Committee, Past Presidents of the synagogue and the Board of Trustees. After thoughtful review of a number of different options for moving ahead, all three groups agreed that beginning a merger process was the best path forward. Key reasons included:

• The opportunity to create a synagogue of 550 or more family members, providing scale to do things neither synagogue is able to do on its own in spiritual life, programming and education. • The ability to have a full team of professional staff, something we enjoyed for years but can no longer afford on our own. • Improve our financial situation by reducing annual operating expenses through the move to one combined synagogue from two separate entities. The sale of our land and building will create significant resources to establish a large capital account for future financial viability of the Conservative community.

Putting this all together, we can take a significant step forward toward creating a vibrant and sustainable synagogue, critically important at a time when the local and national Jewish community are having difficulties with increasingly lower affiliation rates. We have the opportunity to create a terrific situation for both ourselves and future generations with a successful merger effort. We know that all of this involves major change for all of us. Our goal is to work to provide transparency in this effort. And, at the end of the process, if there is a decision to move forward by the respective Boards of each synagogue, all congregants will have the opportunity to have the final say before there is an agreement to create one combined synagogue. We appreciate your support and input along the way as we embark on this exciting process to determine the future for our community. B’shalom,

Jeff Klein

Social Action Connecticut Food Bank Back Pack – The first Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 74 Linwood Avenue, Fairfield. Fill backpacks with foods that are sent home to kids in 18 school districts.

box in Friend Hall.

St. John’s Soup Kitchen – We each bring one fresh veggie to add to our big fresh salad.

1. Call a congregant once a day to check on them since they live alone.

United Congregation Church (UCC) – 2nd Wednesday of each month – State Street and Park Avenue, Bridgeport from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. prior to the time they open to the needy. Work in the food pantry stacking can goods. Plastic Bags – For the United Congregation Church (UCC) – people use them after coming to the food pantry. Put the bags in the lady’s skirt in Friend Hall. Shiva Baskets – When a Rodeph Sholom member is sitting shiva locally for a spouse, parent, sibling or child, they receive a tray of goodies as our way of expressing sympathy from the congregation. If you receive a basket, your donation to the shiva fund will be used for future trays. Eye glasses and hearing aids – Place in the Lions Club 4

Neighbor to Neighbor – Help our own Rodeph Sholom members in need.

2. Drive a congregant to an appointment because they are no longer driving. 3. Sign up to help deliver a challah once a month to a member who doesn’t get out. 4. Thanks to those who drove our five Embassy Tower ladies all summer. Ellen Bedford @ [email protected] Adrienne Fishman @ [email protected] Shelly Lawrence @ [email protected] Marion Richer @ [email protected] Barbara Srebnick @ [email protected] David Stone @ [email protected] Helen Wasserman @ [email protected]

Rodeph Sholom

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

From the Executive Director Be Obliged For us, “obligation” can be a funny thing. We are defenders of personal autonomy which encourages us to seek out meaning in individual mitzvoth and everyday life, by its very nature leaving much to choice and often little to obligation. So what, if anything, are we obligated to do? Are we obligated to give tzedakah and observe Shabbat? Must we keep to some form of kashrut? Are we required to make Jewish education available to our children? As we continue the process of synagogue merger discussions with Beth El is our obligation to those who came to Rodeph Sholom before us more important than those whose future we are seeking to make more secure?

and influence our destiny. Destiny in the life of a congregation, as in the life of an individual, signifies a deliberate and conscious existence—one where people have chosen out of their own free will. It is our common destiny and we must join together and work hard to transform.

Over the course of these past nine months as possible mergers have been explored at great length I have seen the fatigue of our volunteers and sometimes staff, and have heard the deep sighs of those who know the results will be Do we have an obligation to create a Conservative months in the making—but ones that will last for years to synagogue that strives to service through its programs, come. The message is clear—we are working tirelessly to activities and religious services the broadest Conservative create a synagogue that meets our current needs, reflects Jewish population in the area? If we are part of the Jewish our passion for the future and allows us the opportunity people, greater as a group than the individual self, then to preserve our heritage. While at times these may be we unequivocally have an obligation to the Conservative competing forces we have an obligation, Jewish community to create an entity that both morally and spiritually to do the best respects our congregational heritage, as “Being a we can. well as Beth El’s, but that also is visionary. congregational This should be a synagogue teeming with How do we translate our obligation to our the sounds of children, the study of text family means current spiritual home here on the corner of and torah, and a social hub for religious Park and Capitol Avenues: that we actively activity and fellowship servicing both our congregational communities to create one • Give money. It should come as no participate in the new thriving Jewish community. surprise that this is the first thing I ask fate and the destiny of you. In fact, many of you know I have As the merger process unfolds, being a of our synagogue.” been doing it for years weekly, sometimes part of our Rodeph Sholom family does daily. Your financial support is crucial not mean blind support or holding back to the operations of our synagogue. We criticism or congratulations. On the contrary, it requires have a storied legacy of funds contributed by your engagement in the process. It means your voice members whose binding love for Rodeph Sholom should be heard—and we have heard from many of has been unwavering. We are all partners in this you, not just at the congregational meeting in October, great venture we know of as Rodeph Sholom. but by email and phone as well. It means up-to-date We continue to operate as a stand-alone fully and accurate information should and will be provided functioning synagogue—and with that come bills to to you. It also means each of us has an obligation to pay. We have a moral obligation to make good on look beyond ourselves and family. It requires that we be our pledges of support, and most do, and I thank active participants in our collective future. Being a caring you. Can we do better? I believe we can. Whether congregational family has meant that rides are given to through your L’Dor V’Dor pledge, an increase in Shabbat services for those unable to drive. Shiva baskets your High Holiday appeal pledge, the establishment are brought to the house of mourning when one of our of a legacy gift, or any of the various scholarship congregants or their family member passes away. It means or endowed funds in the synagogues portfolio. We workers at the soup kitchen serve hot meals. It means are partners and have raised significant sums in blood is given when the Red Cross calls out for us to hold past years, dollars that help ease the burden on our a drive as they will on Christmas Eve day. And, yes, it already tight budget. We must continue to do so for even means dropping some of our preconceived notions our own well being. about our sister congregation in order to build a stronger more vibrant and vital community through a merger of • Share knowledge. When you call or write, tweet equals, one where everyone is valued in the same way. or text you are connecting. And when you connect It also means that we may have to alter some of our own we can work together on common goals. It can be expectations and wants to create something better than a social action project or a synagogue-wide event, what we have today. Being a congregational family means like the upcoming Cantor’s Concert. The passion that we actively participate in the fate and the destiny of appeal cards Rabbi Victor made available over the our synagogue. course of the High Holidays gives us a good idea of While it may be beyond us as individuals to change or what your interests are, which allows us to focus our control our collective fate, we can and are obligated to alter time and energy on doing that which benefits the 5

Rodeph Sholom

greatest number of congregants. • Create a warm environment. All who come through our doors are welcome. When you see someone you don’t know introduce yourself and ask them how they are doing. We maintain a safe and caring community because we embrace each other. We sit shiva together and break bread together. We pray together and play together. Our surroundings don’t dictate who we are, rather they provide us with an address, but we are defined by our actions and care for one another. While our lives outside of the synagogue may be incredibly hectic and our schedules full I encourage you to make

some time to daven at daily minyan or on Shabbat, enjoy the variety of programs offered through the synagogue’s affiliated organizations, and reaffirm your commitment to the success of Rodeph Sholom. Our obligation to ourselves is self limiting; our obligation to our children and their children should be greater. We must ensure our destiny remains in focus and our plans for the future do not cloud the present. If we do that then I have no reason to doubt the beacon for Conservative Judaism in Eastern Fairfield County will continue to be bright. B’shalom,

Mark Block

Torah Fund WOMENS LEAGUE: WOMEN ENSURING CONSERVATIVE/MASORTI JEWISH EDUCATION Although the theme of this year’s Torah Fund Campaign is again Mishpachah-Family, the pin which depicts a Tree of Life is different. Conservative/ Masorti Judaism recognizes the diverse character of our families and encourages our communities to be pluralistic, welcoming and open hearted. The Jewish family, in all its configurations, is a solid system of roots that supports our Tree of Life. The community lends its strength to each family and in turn, draws renewed energy, wisdom, and direction from its cherished members. These Jewish family bonds have an immeasurable impact when cultivated in each new generation. By supporting the Torah Fund Campaign, you are helping to strengthen Conservative/Masorti Judaism throughout the world and enhancing the Jewish community by recognizing and appreciating our diverse families. The following women have become Benefactors this year:

Deborah Baer Marilyn Banach Carol Battin Gertrude Broder Tamara Bush Andrea Feinberg Toby Folman Doris Glunts Susan Kaplan

Edith Katzen Nina Pearlin Lisa Rappoport Marilyn Rappoport Nina Ravden Marion Richer Diane Safran Karen Sanger Donna Smith

Susan Spivack Barbara Srebnick Lisa Stein Roslyn Stein Svetlana Weisman Judy Weiss Joy Whitman Judy Zeisler

By the time you read this bulletin, we will be entering the dark days of winter with Thanksgiving followed by Chanukah, both holidays when families come together to celebrate. As you count your blessings and glow with the lights of Chanukah, consider giving your support to Torah Fund. You can become a Benefactor and receive this beautiful Tree of Life pin by contacting Lisa Rappoport at 203-372-8203 or [email protected] or Roz Stein at 203-336-1360 or [email protected]. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Chanukah!

Lisa Rappoport & Roz Stein Debbie Baer & Selda Dworkin Torah Fund Chairpersons

Special Gifts Chairpersons

Torah Fund Cards are available for those special occasions for $4.00 each. Contact Sue Forman at 203-371-7535, Selda Dworkin at 203-374-6847 or [email protected] or Debbie Baer at 203-371-4915 or [email protected]. 6

Rodeph Sholom

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

GESHER: A Bridge to Tomorrow Gesher L’Talmud Torah opened its doors on Sunday, September 7, 2014 with much joy and celebration! Our main theme this year is “Amcha,” or Jewish Peoplehood. We are exploring this concept through a wide variety of lenses, such as history, bible, customs and traditions. We are excited about teaching our students through experiential and project-based learning. Just last week, during our Rosh Hashanah lesson, the students were involved in baking honey cakes, drawing New Years cards and creating honey barrel pots. Our young scholars are also studying the Jewish community through the lens of immigration. They are learning about their cultural roots by symbolically taking the journeys their ancestors did to get to America. They are also discovering the important symbols of Judaism by discussing what their ancestors brought with them and how this all relates to who we are today. (Lisa Nuland, who has brought the latest technology to our school, is also bringing the gift of Jewish history to Gesher L’Talmud Torah.) Our Hebrew curriculum is twofold. First, our students are learning to recognize Hebrew letters, learning Hebrew decoding techniques and learning the meaning of prayers. Our goal is to have students reading Hebrew fluently and proficiently. Secondly, we are integrating “Hebrew Through Movement,” which is a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by listening and responding to Hebrew instructions. Our goal is to introduce Hebrew as a modern, spoken language. Another integral part of our curriculum is music and art. Rabbi Victor uses drums to teach students spirituality in prayer. The Rabbi provided the materials to construct the drums and the students decorated them. We would like to thank Rabbi Victor, Willie Cuevas and Ellen Bedford for all their hard work in helping us with the drum construction.

Each student had the opportunity to blow the shofar. As a result of this handson experience, several students are now interested in blowing the shofar for the high holidays. Robin Shannon Berenson uses the medium of art to engage our children. The first project was to create paper mache fruit to decorate the sukkah. Using balloons, boys and girls created pumpkins, gourds and melons. They made leaves and used pipe cleaners wrapped around paint dowels to create coils which resemble vines. The students participated in the mitzvah of hiddur (beautification) of the sukkah. Assisting our staff this year is Israeli emissary Lidor Osmo. Lidor is teaching our yeladim (children) about Israeli culture. Ellen Bedford is introducing our 7th and 8th graders to social action (tikuum olam) In addition, we are delighted to have many Madrichim (teens) return to aid in the classroom and have fun with the Gesher learners. As you can see, we are fully engaged, thriving and growing by leaps and bounds at Gesher L’Talmud Torah. We are committed to sharing our passion for Judaism and our love of learning with our students. B’shalom,

Beth Gold

Limor Shefer

Co-Director

Co-Director

Irwin Schildkraut teaches the children about different types of Jewish music. In a recent lesson, Irwin brought a shofar to teach about the history, sounds and techniques of blowing the shofar. 7

Rodeph Sholom

How to Light the Chanukah Menorah: These instructions are intended for when you are facing the front of the Chanukiah. The candles must burn for 30 minutes after nightfall. On the first night, Tuesday, December 16th, place the Shamash in its holder and then place the first candle in the right-most position. Light the Shamash, recite all three blessings (below), then use the Shamash to light the first candle.

1.

Light this way

1st Night

2nd Night

'o¨kIg¨v Q¤kn «¤ Ubh«ek¡ ¥ t wv v¨Tt© QUr¨C /v¨Fbªj£ k¤J r¥b eh¦ks© §vk§ Ub«¨Um¦ u§ 'uh¨,um§ n¦ C§ Ub«J ¨ S¦ §e r¤Jt£

Baruch ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu l’hadlik neir shel Chanukah.

'o¨kkIg¨ Ig¨v v Q¤ Q¤kkn n Ubh«ek¡ ek¡ wv v¨ v¨T Ttt©© QUr¨ QUr¨CC 'o¨ ««¤¤ Ubh« ¥¥ tt wv /v¨Fbªj£/v¤Zk¤ kvs© §v¨vk§oh¦ Ub«n¨U¨Hm¦C©u§ Ubh« 'uh¨,, um§ tn¦©kC§ oh¦ Ub«J ¨X¦bS¦ §ev¨Gr¤¨J v©Ji©nr¥§ZbC©eh¦ o¥ ¥ Ic£ gJ ¤t£

Blessed are you, Hashem our God, Ruler of the universe, Who makes us holy by God’s commandments, and has commanded us to light Chanukah candles.

'o¨ ««¤¤ Ubh« ¥¥ tt wv 'o¨kkIg¨ Ig¨v v Q¤ Q¤kkn n Ubh«ek¡ ek¡ wv v¨ v¨T Ttt©© QUr¨ QUr¨CC 'o¨kZIg¨ vi©nQ¤ kn «¤ Ubh« ek¡ ¥v¦ ut§ Ub«wvn¨ §Hv¨ Tt© ¨hjQUr¨ ¡v¨g¤ J ¤¤C /v¤Zv© i©n§ZC© o¥v/v¤ v¨ v©oh¦ n§¨ZH©kC© Ub« Ubh«¨g,¥h¦DIc£ t©k oh¦e¦Xu§¦b Ub«v¨ G J /v¨Fbªj£ k¤J r¥b eh¦ks© §vk§ Ub«¨Um¦ u§ 'uh¨,um§ n¦ C§ Ub«J ¨ S¦ §e r¤Jt£ Baruch ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, 'o¨kIg¨v haheim Q¤kn «¤ Ubh« ek¡ ¥ t wvha-zeh. v¨Tt© QUr¨C She-asa nissim la’avoteinu, bayamim baz’man Blessed are you, Hashem our God, of§Zk 'o¨ kIg¨ n «¤Ub«universe, Ubh« t© ¨hQUr¨ /v¤ ZRuler v© vi©nQ¤ ©the ¨gh¦ek¡ D¥v¦ tu§ Ub«wvn¨ §Hv¨ e¦ T u§ Ub« j¡v¤ J ¤C Who did miracles for our ancestors in olden days at this season. /v¤Zv© i©n§ZC© o¥vv¨ oh¦n¨HC© Ubh«,¥ Ic£t©k oh¦X¦b v¨G¨gJ ¤ 2.

3.

Fill this way

'o¨kIg¨v Q¤kn «¤ Ubh«ek¡ ¥ t wv v¨Tt© QUr¨C /v¤Zv© i©n§Z©k Ub«¨gh¦Dv¦ u§ Ub«n¨ §He¦ u§ Ub«¨hj¡v¤ J ¤

Baruch ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha-olam, Shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu laz’man ha-zeh.

3rd Night

4th Night

5th Night

6th Night

Blessed are you, Hashem our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this joyous season. On the second night, place the Shamash in its holder. Place a candle in the right-most position, and then add the candle for the second night in the secondto-right-most position. Light the Shamash. Recite the first two blessings only (no shehecheyanu). Use the Shamash to light the NEWEST (ie., left-most) candle first, and work your way right. Each successive night, continue in this way, adding candles in from right to left, reciting the first two blessings, and lighting them from left to right. Many people sing Chanukah songs at this point, such as Haneirot Hallalu (We Light These Lights) and Ma’oz Tzur (Rock of Ages).

8

7th Night

8th Night

Rodeph Sholom

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Men’s Club On Sunday, November 9th, the Men’s Club will be honoring this year’s Keeper of the Flame recipient, Mark Yerushalmi. The event will be held in Manchester and we all wish Mark a Yasher koach for his service to the Men’s Club and to Rodeph Sholom. The event is sponsored by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and will be attended by member shuls from the Connecticut Valley Region all honoring one of their own. I want to congratulate team Smoke on the Weber who came in second in scoring for their chili at the Southern New England Kosher BBQ Competition in September. Looking forward to the next cook off where we can display our culinary talents by placing in the chicken, rib and brisket categories. The Men’s Club paid up dinner which we had hoped to have before the holidays will be rescheduled to sometime in the spring. We are planning to host a program on Men’s Health Issues in January. Information on the program will be forthcoming later in the year. Next year we are planning to hold our annual Passover wine tasting in early March on a Saturday night. It will be a great social event and we will send out the details as the date approaches. B’Shalom,

Harold Goodman President

The Men’s Club 2014 Political Forum brought Congressman Jim Himes (top left) and State Representative Tony Hwang (top right) to Rodeph Sholom, before the November election.

Knitting Class Come to learn to knit a headband for a student in a Bridgeport elementary school on Sunday, January 11th (snow date is Sunday, January 18th) at 10:00 a.m. We have the yarn, needles and an easy pattern (just knitting stitches.)

Daily Minyan goers celebrate the Sukkot Holiday in the chapel with lulav and prayer in October following the High Holidays. 9

Rodeph Sholom

We viewed the film The Counterfeiters, winner of an Academy Award for best foreign language film recently. It is based on the true story of Salomon Sorowitsch, the “King of the Counterfeiters.” This was a joint program with Fairfield Hadassah. Stop by the Rodeph Sholom kitchen and see the new paint job, courtesy of The Women of Rodeph Sholom. The peeling paint is gone, more outlets have been added, and the kitchen has the nice glow of a newly painted space. If you were a Torah Fund benefactor last season, check your latest pin for any discoloration. We have been advised that there was a manufacturing defect and pins may be darkening. Please contact Lisa Rappoport at rappo@optonline. net or Roz Stein at [email protected] regarding returning the pins for a replacement. The Entertainment Books are now available in the office at $25.00 each. They make great holiday gifts, offering discounts for hotels, restaurants, movies, air fares, rental cars, etc. If you need any books outside Fairfield County, contact Ellen Bedford about a special-order, 203-374-7330, or [email protected] (put “RS Entertainment Book” in the subject line). A new craft project is sweeping the Jewish world: Torah Stitch by Stitch. This is a kit containing fabric to cross stitch four verses of the Torah. The fabrics are ultimately returned to the not-for-profit provider, where they will be connected, so that the entire Torah will be done in cross stitch. The finished product will then travel around the world. Each kit costs $18.00, and you can learn more about this at torahstitchbystitch.com. Some of our women are doing this already. If you are interested, call or email Adrienne, and we can get a group going where we can embroider together ([email protected]; 203-367-9746). This is my last season as the head of The Women of Rodeph Sholom. My husband and I are moving to Massachusetts so we can watch our grand-children grow up and be more a part of their lives. If anyone wants to step up into a leadership role, please let me know (see contact info above). The future of women’s programming at Rodeph Sholom depends on it. B’shalom,

Adrienne Fishman

Rodeph Sholom led a four-synagogue “Tie & Shake” your lulav experience at Silverman’s Farm for the holiday of Sukkot with a grant provided by the Federation of Eastern Fairfield County. 10

Rodeph Sholom

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

CONTRIBUTIONS, REMEMBRANCES & CONGRATULATIONS RABBI VICTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Donation from: Anita Vogel Sklarsky Fund Pearl Levy Speedy Recovery to: Beth Pinkussohn Sam Prussin & Family Michael Kreiger Marlene & Mark Polansky In Honor of: Susan Spivack Carol & Michael Weinshel Dennis Feinberg’s 50th Bar Mitzvah Anniversary Andrea Feinberg Adrienne Fishman Merrill & Andy Silver In Memory of: Alice Amron Beth Gold Sandra Small Jeanette Bloom Friedman Alice Fitelson Sylvia Cotzin Shirley Prussin Fitelson Family Susan Spivack Leonard & Barbara Srebnick Marilyn & Ron Olmsted Andrew & Mary Claflin Sam Prussin & Family Herman Rubin Eidie Applebaum RABBI STEIN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Donation from: Anita Vogel Sklarsky Fund George & Donna Rubin In Honor of: Phyllis Feinberg’s 90th Birthday Andrea & Dennis Feinberg In Memory of: Harry Bernstein Anna Bernstein Lou Marcus Rose Marcus Art & Adrienne Bernstein Ethel Rubin Eidie Applebaum Sandy Arthur Irving Fleischer Melissa Rainville Janis Bufferd Irving Fleischer

Lorriane Waynik Lisa Weiss & Family MORT BERNSTEIN SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Pauline Brown Shirley Prussin Sheila Lieff MILTON H. BRAUNER/MINNIE SHIRWINDT FUND In Memory of: Floyd Goulooze Louis Lipack Adele Brauner Speedy Recovery to: Joyce Galinsky Adele Brauner BUFFERD FAMILY FUND In Memory of: Harold Bufferd Janis Bufferd & Family GRAMA RESOURCE CENTER In Honor of: Mark Yerushalmi Receiving Keeper of the Flame Samuel & Susan Cohn PRAYER BOOK FUND In Honor of: Robert H. & Carol Gardner Epstein’s 40th Wedding Anniversary Sandy & Dana Epstein In Memory of: Annette P. Gerb James Gerb & Donna Smith Irving Kronisch Debbie & Bernie Baer Sondra Berkman SOCIAL ACTION FUND In Honor of: Debbie & Bernie Baer’s Anniversary Richard & Dorothy Blank In Memory of: Gerald Krawitz Shirley Prussin Eva Schaal Ruth Cohen

SYNAGOGUE FUND Donation from: Rabbi Robin Damsky Jay Chadwick Andrew Schopick In Honor of: Leslie Byelas Dennis B. Poster Lisa Rappoport Stanley Richer Ray & Helen Lobovits’ Granddaughter’s Engagement Dorothy Hurwitz Joan & Stanley Carp’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Debbie & Michael Weisman Irving Lieff’s Birthday Carol & Robert Blackman Ben Weisman’s 65th Birthday Marsha & Joseph Goldman Shelley Kreiger Jacqui & Mel Garelick Joshua Goldman’s Marriage Jamie & Karen Sanger Lisa Rappoport Paula & Israel Hersh Marge Rubenstein’s 90th Birthday Rosalind Golden Sally Burstein Natalie Schwartz Mila Nishball Fran Walowitz Cynthia Goldstein Nora Mayerson In Memory of: Elizabeth Garelick Hank & Marilyn Banach Ellen & Larry Dinkes Joan Frankel Elliot Glunts Green & Gross Whelan, Roller & DePietro Lawrence Sax Barbara & Leonard Srebnick Irving Kornisch Gail & Jack Weintraub Mila Nishball Lawrence Sax Deborah Weiss Mila Nishball Miriam Madwed Joy & Charles Whitman Miriam Kunofsky Barbara & Bernie Berkowitz

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Michael Kreiger Mark & Ann Block Joan Frankel Eric Gross Diane & Irv Hornstein Lisa & Scott Waller Debbie & Michael Weisman Judy & Bob Zeisler Morris Lebowitz Joy & Charles Whitman Glenn Liebensohn Mark & Ann Block Claire & Stan Block Bill & Lisa Rappoport Annette Markowitz Mark & Ann Block Hank & Marilyn Banach Amy Birnbach Janice Katz Karen & Jamie Sanger Bradd & Syrene Robbins Martin Marks Betty & Alan Feldman Bennie Zelkind Estelle Glass Hank Mayer Judy Sonick Shirley Prussin Sondra Berkman Janis Bufferd & Family Irving Fleischer Mae & Allan Margolis Joanie & Stanley Carp Phyllis Esner Schwartz Carole & Don Sherman Eva Schaal Mila, Debbie & Vikki Milton & Betty Rosenbloom Selma Sheketoff Joan & Stanley Carp Dorothy Hurwitz Debbie & Michael Weisman WEINSHEL FAMILY FUND In Honor of: Lisa Rappoport’s Shem Tov Award Carol & Michael Weinshel In Memory of: Sylvia Cotzin Michael Kreiger Irving Kronisch Glenn Liebensohn Annette Markowitz Shirley Prussin Carol & Michael Weinshel YAHRZEITS In Memory of: Suzy Abboudi Gracey Oksenberg

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Sandy Adler Joan Carp Rebecca August Stephen August Oded Aloni Gabriella Dober Lena Cohen Betty Rosenbloom Emanuel Dober Phyllis Dober Nellie Alpert Faith Heimer Sally Winnick Altman Lois Schoenhorn Ed Averbach Renee Beitman Isidor Bauchner Lillian Bauchner Eugene Bauchner Caroline Bauman Janet Levi Bernard Bauman Ruth Mayer Joan Beitman Belinda Kaufman P. Marion Beitman Fredric Beitman Hanchen Bergheimer Ellie & Fred Rosen Sumner Bernstein Helen Wasserman Sara Molly Berry Roberta Berry Lena Elkin Bloomberg Nancy Wettenstein Estelle Brown Carole Sherman Max Bufferd Ilene Locker & Family Reuben Burstein Sally Burstein Sylvia Carp Esther Carp Sarah Carp Sidney Carp Stanley Carp Carl Cohn Cilla Cohn Rosa Fischer Evelyn Wiesner Mark Howard Comen David & Roslyn Comen Sophia Dankevich Ketrina Liderman David David Ariel David Carol Davis Selma Cohen Frances Dober Phyllis Dober Emanuel Dober

Frances Dober Marcy Gollinger Louis Fagan Lois Fagan George E. Farrell Susan Farrell Ronald Farrell Eleanor Feinberg Leonard & Phllis Feinberg Rita Sheiman Ronald Sheiman Rose Feinberg Jack Feinberg Ronald Sheiman Israel Feldman Albert Goodman Marcia Roberts Fields Larry Roberts Celia Fleischer Irving Fleischer Charles Freedman Jean Freedman Florence Freedman Roslyn Comen Samuel Gallup Sheila Sloves Anna Mazor Gelb Eidie Applebaum Harriett Gellis Dr. Leonard Rome Rita Gershman Stanley Gershman David Glantz Marie Glantz Sylvia Nahoum Hyman Glazer Irving Glazer Anna Gold Jacob Gold Blanche Koppelman Brana Goldman Isaak Goldman Mandel Gollinger Neil Gollinger Isadore Greenstein Karen Greenstein Irving Julian Herman Annette Whitman-Herman Barney Hillman Belle Hillman Ralph Hillman Herman Hillman Evelyn Shapiro Gloria Hochberg Marion Richer Israel Isanberg Dolores Ward Selma Jonas Samuel Stern Lillian Katz Gary Katz

Rodeph Sholom

Bella Katzen Edith Katzen Paul Kaufman David Kaufman Harold Kay Andrea Feinberg Max Kiner William Kiner Anne Roberts Kish Larry Roberts Hyman Krasnow Faith Heimer Esther Kraut Minnie Jacobson Adam Marc Kreiger Shelley & Michael Kreiger Louis Ladinsky Selma Ballon Ladinsky Gertrude Broder Ida Lebowitz Joy Whitman Edward Liebensohn Joan Frankel Ikhil Liderman Mikhail Liderman Emil Erwin Lion Ellie & Fred Rosen Herbert Lobe Irene Lobe Betty Fox Solomon Lobe Shari Lobe Sadie B. London Frances Spivack Sidney Madwed Miriam Madwed Anna Mandel Gabriella Dober Anna Mandel Henry Mandel Catherine Mandel Edith Winick Charles Margolin Lisa Rappoport Henry Mendelson Marcia Handelman Felix Mininberg Frieda Mininberg Nathan Murzin Mark Murzin Maurice Nevins Leonard Nevins Max Newman Charles Newman Victor Nishball Mila Nishball Berl Oksenberg Charles Plotkin Ann Miller Norma Pinto Gracey Oksenberg

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Isidore B. Plotkin Benjamin Plotkin Fred Pollak Liba Pollak Eva Goldman Norman Rappoport Marilyn Rappoport William Rappoport William Rappoport Marilyn Rappoport Morris Richer Stanley Richer Mary Roberts Lawrence Roberts Marion Robinson Jeffrey Robinson Bernhard Rock Beatrice Rock Judith Kiselstein Bertha Heller Rome Dr. Leonard Rome Charles Rosenberg Ruth Rosenberg Marsha Brody Bernard Rosenbloom Sylvia Rosenbloom Milton Rosenbloom Randolph Elias Rothstein Norman Rothstein Phyllis & Leonard Feinberg Bradford Rubenstein Joel Rubenstein Shirley Rubenstein Goldie Rubin Elliott Rubin Gertrude Rubin Alvin Ruben Frank Michael Sales Ann Block Allegra Sasson Gracey Oksenberg Edward Sax Lawrence Sax Sidney Schloss Visselle Glazer Samuel C. Sheiman M.D. Phyllis & Leonard Feinberg Rita Sheiman Ronald Sheiman Rose Sher Nina Ravden Geraldine Sherman Donald Sherman Holly Shiffman Ellen Wolf Harold Sigel Lois Fagan Irving J. Singer Sheila Lieff Charlotte Ruben

Lotte Skydel Jack Skydel Ezra Smirnoff Joan Carp Sylvia W. Spivack Dr. Susan Spivack Leon Spivack Carol Weinshel Lili Trakhtenbroit Mikhail Liderman Samuel Waldman Claire & Stanley Block Mark & Ann Block David Waldman Ida Weiner Morris Weiner Lois Fagan Sadie (Bobby) Weinshel Herman L. Weinberger Carol S. Weinshel Sharon Weisman Benjamin & Svetlana Weisman Fruma Weisman Benjamin Moshe Weisman Hayyim Weisman Hassia Weisman Chava Volstein Leib Volstein Eva Goldman Aaron Whitman Annette Whitman-Herman Arthur Winick Edith Winick Marion Wishnoff Ellen Goldman Daisy Wolf Martin Wolf Gustave A. Wolf Martin Wolf Austin Wolf Marshall Wolfe Sally Wolfe Morris Youshah Roberta Berry Max Zigun Sally Wolfe Sarah Zimmerman Henry Zimmerman Ernestine Zimmerman Benedict S. Zwecker Charles Zwecker

Donations received after October 15, 2014 will appear in the next bulletin.

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Sunday

15 Kislev

Gesher

Gesher

Cantor’s Concert 3:00 p.m.

22 Kislev

29 Kislev

6 Tevet

No School

Monday 9 Kislev

7 16 Kislev

14 23 Kislev

21 30 Kislev

28 7 Tevet

Tuesday 1 10 Kislev

8 17 Kislev

Gesher

Gesher

No School

15 24 Kislev

22 1 Tevet

29 8 Tevet

No School

Thursday 3 12 Kislev

December 2014 Wednesday 2 11 Kislev

10 19 Kislev

Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.

9 18 Kislev

31

Friday 4 13 Kislev

Saturday 5 14 Kislev

4:00 p.m. Services 5:08 p.m. Havdalah

12 21 Kislev

4:00 p.m. Services 4:06 p.m. Candlelighting

11 20 Kislev

4:00 p.m. Services 5:09 p.m. Havdalah

19 28 Kislev

4:00 p.m. Services 4:06 p.m. Candlelighting

18 27 Kislev

4:15 p.m. Services 5:11 p.m. Havdalah

4:15 p.m. Services 5:15 p.m. Havdalah

26 5 Tevet

4:15 p.m. Services 4:08 p.m. Candlelighting

4:15 p.m. Services 4:12 p.m. Candlelighting

25 4 Tevet Christmas Day Synagogue Office Closed

24 3 Tevet

17 26 Kislev

Board of Trustees Mtg. 7:00 p.m.

16 25 Kislev

23 2 Tevet

30 9 Tevet New Year’s Eve

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20

27

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Rodeph Sholom

WINTER 2014 - CHESHVAN/KISLEV/TEVET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Your Source for Senior Services THE ROY AND ALINE FRIEDMAN HOME CARE AGENCY Medical Home Care, Licensed Nurses & Therapists Medicare Accepted

203.396.1136 COMPASSIONATE CARE COMPANIONS Non-Medical Home Care, Hourly & Live-In Available Companionship & Help at Home

203.374.2273 OUTPATIENT REHAB THERAPY Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy Wellness & Exercise Programs

203.365.8454 THE INSTITUTE ON AGING Geriatric Assessments & Case Management The Center for Elder Abuse Prevention

203.396.1240 GRASMERE BY THE SEA ADULT DAY SERVICES Comprehensive Nursing, Social & Recreational Program Transportation Available

203.365.6470 SKILLED NURSING CARE Long-Term Care & Dementia Care Goldstein Rehabilitation Center

203.365.6483 175 Jefferson Street, Fairfield, CT 06825

| 203.365.6400 | www.jhe.org

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Meredith L. Abel President [email protected] 15

congregation rodeph sholom 2385 park avenue bridgeport, ct 06604-1499 address service requested dated material no value if delayed

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