June - Temple Israel

TEMPLE ISRAELCHRONICLE“Dor L’Dor — Generation to Generation”Volume 1, Issue 6 June 2012 ✡ Sivan/Tammuz 5772Temple Israel, anegalitarian Conservativesynagogue rooted in a richheritage of traditionalJewish values, is committedto enhancing the religious,spiritual, educational andcultural life of its membersand the larger Jewishcommunity through acommitment to Torah, ourcommunity, and continuityand growth amid change.It’s Not Too Late toMake Your Reservation!The Board of Trustees of Temple Israelcordially invites you to join us in honoringStaff:Larry G. Kaplan, RabbiAhron Abraham, CantorGerri Kaplan, PrincipalDebra Schonfeld, AdministratorMarie Blizzard, Chronicle EditorOfficers:Frederick R. Levy, PresidentAnn D. Smith, LCSW,Chairman of the BoardAbbe Kruger,School Board ChairSchedule of ServicesMinyan:Monday & Thursday Mornings,7:15 AM(Other days by arrangement withCantor Abraham)Sunday Mornings, 8 AMSunday through SaturdayAfternoons, 5:15 PMShabbat Services:Saturday Morning, 9:30 AMSee Detailed Shabbat ScheduleInsideFred LevyOutgoing PresidentandRosemary ChromeyIncoming Presidentat Our 90th AnnualDinner and MeetingSunday, June 10, 20125:00 p.m. at The Woodlands Inn and ResortPhone: (570) 824-8927Fax: (570) 824-0904Layout Design courtesy ofBedwick & Jones Printing.$36 per personRSVP by June 4, 20125:00 p.m. Cash Bar5:45 p.m. Dinnervisit our website at: http://www.templewb.orge-mail us at: office@templewb.org

Rabbi KaplanDear Friends,You may haveheard this storybefore. A rabbi goesto an interview fora position. Theycommittee askswhat he talks aboutin his sermons. Hesays he speaks about Kashrut. They tellhim nobody keeps kosher in thatcongregation, so talk about somethingelse. He says he speaks about Shabbatobservance and they tell him nobodyobserves Shabbat in that community sospeak about something else. He tellsthem he speaks about giving Tzedakah,and they say that nobody gives, so speakabout something else. Exasperated, heasks them what he should talk about inhis sermons, and they say, “Rabbi, justtalk about Judaism!”I gave a sermon a few weeks agoand spoke about how Vice PresidentBiden and President Obama expressedpublic support for same sex marriagejust as we were reading in the Torahportion the section that commands thatgay sex is forbidden. I wondered if itwas just a coincidence or perhaps if thePresident or Vice President had been inshul that week and were responding tothe Biblical exhortation.It was pointed out to me afterwardthat people who hear such a sermonthat promotes the Biblical standard onthis issue will get the impression thatthe rabbi may be anti-gay. So I supposeit might be wise if instead, I only “talkabout Judaism” in my sermons. Whichof course, I thought I was doing tobegin with!When I came into Gerri’s family, Imet her favorite uncle, Terry. He was awonderful human being- kind,compassionate, educated, and funny.He spent years as a monk in amonastery and occasionally visited therefor a few weeks at a time to regain asense of spirituality and solace. He wasalso gay. His lifelong partner of thirtyyears is Al. If you had never met eitherof them, and you were in the next roomand unable to see them, you wouldnever guess that Al was male. Theysounded like a married Jewish couplePage 2Writes...from Brooklyn, which, essentially, iswhat they were (except that they wereCatholic). “Terry, you didn’t take yourpills!” Al would say. “You know whatwill happen if you don’t take them!”When you walk into the room you seethey are both men, as natural a coupleas any couple you’ve ever met.Some years ago, Terry suffered afatal heart attack at their home inBrooklyn. Al came in after work andfound his life partner dead on the floor.He called the police. But the coronerwould not release the body to thefuneral home until it was officiallyidentified- by an “actual” relative. Al’slifelong bond with his beloved Terry,even at this moment of utter shock andsadness, was not sufficient. And so theyneeded to wait over an hour until oneof Gerri’s cousins came in from LongIsland to identify Terry.While I didn’t agree with much thatPresident Obama said during hiscampaign four years ago, what I didagree with was his call for same sexcivil unions to provide identical rightsand privileges to marriage. There is noreason any loving couple should haveto experience the horror that Al wentthrough.But there is also no reason thatanyone who holds the Biblical idealthat marriage is between a man and awoman should be labeled a hate-filledhomophobe. Those who advocate forsame sex marriage have no right todeny those who retain Biblicalstandards the same respect and honorthey demand. There really are twosides, if not more, to this issue.My concern is not about gaymarriage. Marriage has ceased to be thereligious union it was for most ofhuman history. None of this currentdebate would be happening if marriagedid not exist outside of religious sectorsin America. But since people can bemarried by the state in America, itsmeaning has been changed. It is nolonger “Holy Matrimony” which reflectsone of the seven Catholic sacraments orKiddushin in Judaism, which literallymeans “Holiness.” Because the holinesscode which we read the week that ourVice President and our President bothdeclared same sex marriage kosherstates unequivocally that same sexmarriage is prohibited by Biblical law.Undoubtedly there are religiouspeople who believe that Biblicalholiness is flexible and canaccommodate things that the Torahexpressly forbids, and that’s their rightto do so. But it doesn’t really changethe holiness standards in the Bible. Itjust means that people may choose toignore them.There are two conflicting valuestoday in America: One is the currentAmerican liberal ideal that we shouldgive in to our nature since that is theonly way to be honest with ourselves.The other is the traditional religiousvalue system which says we mustunderstand our nature, and usually wemust act AGAINST our nature and learnto overcome it. Most of the laws in theHoliness Code in Leviticus are aboutovercoming our natural inclinations inorder to become closer to God.This should help to explain why theBible is at odds with same sexmarriage. It’s easy to call these ancientwords hate filled- but it’s wrong to doso. It’s simply a different approach tocoming to terms with our nature. TheBible’s ideal is that a man and a womanmarry and bring new life into theworld. The ideal is that a father and amother raise a child. The Torah speaksin ideals. It does not say that if onedoesn’t meet the ideal one is a sinnerwho will rot in hell. It says that if onedoesn’t meet the ideal it’s betweenhim/her and God. It also doesn’t saythat if some people don’t meet theideal, it’s time to jettison the ideal.I can’t become a gym teacher.There’s a good reason I can’t. BecauseI’d never be able to demonstrate any ofthe physical activity I’d need thestudents to perform. I used to dreadgoing to gym class when I was a kid. Itwas humiliating standing in front of thatrope that reached upwards toward anunreachable ceiling. And to havedozens of classmates staring at me as Istood in front of it, knowing that Icouldn’t even hold myself on thedarned thing let alone climb upwardsone inch was embarrassing.And when it came to that dastardlycontinued on page 3

SCHOOL NOTESHappy JuneBirthdayto OurStudentsJune 12June 12June 29Lily DrakKylie KransonDiane FriedmanMazel Tov to:• Phyllis & Harold Landau on the Bat Mitzvah of theirgranddaughter, Jennifer Ryan• Bedonna & Joe Mitchneck on the birth of theirgrandson, Derek Michael• Anne & Harvey Rappaport on the Bar Mitzvah of theirgrandson, Alex• Barbara & Marvin Rappaport on the birth of theirgranddaughter, Alexa NicoleCondolences to:• Donna Kornfeld on the passing of her father,Peter Mahalick• Tamar Solomon on the passing of her mother,Barbara McCoyWomen’s League of Temple IsraelWRAPPING IT UPWOMEN’S LEAGUE’S CLOSING MEETING:A good time was had by all….The evening kicked off with a welcome to those attending by Marsha Lebenson.Rabbi Kaplan led the group in a gratitude blessing, and a memorial to Women’s League members who passedaway during the last year. Ann Smith and Fred Levy offered words of praise for our Women’s League organization.The Steering Committee provided an overview of the past year’s accomplishments which included manysuccessful activities that will result in a Women’s League donation of $5000 to Temple Israel ($3500 for thesynagogue, $1500 for the religious school).A new Steering Committee was elected and installed by Rabbi Kaplan and Cantor Abraham.CONGRATULATIONS to Hannah Gallagher, Barbara Levy, Bedonna Mitchneck and Helene Rosenzweig, as theyassume the leadership role for 2012-2013.Debbie Schonfeld was given the Above and Beyond Award for her administrative support and treasurer roleserving the Women’s League this past year.The evening concluded on a much welcome tranquil note with a Chair Yoga session conducted by JenniferCiarimboli of Balance Yoga, and a light dinner.COOKIE BAKING: 10 Volunteers Needed!As Women’s League concludes its very successful Cookies for Kids project for the 2011-2012 Women’s Leagueyear, a final cookie baking is scheduled at the Commission for Economic Opportunity kitchen in Wilkes-Barre onMonday, June 25 th at 2 p.m. We only have slots for 10 bakers so if you would like to participate, please reserve yourspot by calling Anne Rappaport, Bedonna Mitchneck or the Temple Office. We baked 400 cookies in just two hoursat our previous baking session, and hope to accomplish this again. The children that received these ‘home’ bakedcookies were very appreciative!LIKE TO DRIVEVolunteers needed for Dinners 4 Kids to deliver meals to families. You can choose one to three days per week orbi-weekly from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Call David Tevet at Ollie’s Restaurant (288-6609) if you are interested.Page 4

Sponsor a Kiddushon ShabbatDo you have an upcoming Simcha that you would liketo share with the congregation? Why not sponsor a Kiddushin honor of that special occasion. Come celebrate the birthof a child or grandchild, a special birthday, a marriage or amilestone anniversary by sponsoring a Kiddush followingShabbat services.For information on sponsoring a weekly Kiddush, callthe Temple office, at 824-8927 or e-mailoffice@templewb.org.Adult Bat Mitzvah &Basic Hebrew ReadingClasses to be offeredat Temple IsraelRabbi Kaplan will be offering Adult Bat Mitzvah classesagain this year. Our former students, who were called to theTorah in May, 2010, became leaders in the congregation invarious capacities and we look forward to a new class tofollow in their capable footsteps! In anticipation of the BatMitzvah class, Rabbi Kaplan will be offering a class in BasicHebrew Reading, which will teach the Hebrew alphabet andvowels. Classes will be held on Monday evenings in theSchool Building with dates TBA. The Basic Hebrew classeswill be open to everyone, both women and men. Ifinterested, please call the Temple office at 824-8927 ore-mail rabbi@templewb.org.Book ClubThe Book Club will meet on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 7p.m. The selection is A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer.SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author of City ofLight comes a compelling, richly detailed tale of passion andintrigue set in New York City during the tumultuous earlydays of World War II. Claire Shipley is a single motherhaunted by the death of her young daughter and by herdivorce years ago. She is also an ambitious photojournalist,and in the anxious days after Pearl Harbor, the talented Lifemagazine reporter finds herself on top of one of the nation’smost important stories. In the bustling labs of New York City’srenowned Rockefeller Institute, some of the country’sbrightest doctors and researchers are racing to find a curethat will save the lives of thousands of wounded Americansoldiers and countless others—a miraculous new drug theycall penicillin. Little does Claire suspect how much the storywill change her own life when the work leads to an intriguingromance.SHABBATSCHEDULENASOFriday, June 1Candlelighting time....................................8:12 p.m.Saturday, June 2 ................................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Liron KerenMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡BEHA’ALOTECHAFriday, June 8Candlelighting time....................................8:17 p.m.Saturday, June 9...............................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Barbara LevyMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡SHELACHFriday, June 15Candlelighting time....................................8:20 p.m.Saturday, June 16.............................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Atty. Richard GoldbergMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡KORACHFriday, June 22Candlelighting time....................................8:22 p.m.Saturday, June 23 ..............................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Sara WilliamsMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.✡ ✡ ✡ ✡CHUKATFriday, June 29Candlelighting time....................................8:22 p.m.Saturday, June 30 ..............................................9:30 a.m.Haftarah will be chanted by Deborah TroyMinchah ....................................................5:15 p.m.We CareWant to attend services orTemple events, but have notransportation? Just call the Temple office a few days inadvance and we will try to arrange a ride for you.Page 5

From Our President. . .These past few weeks have beenvery busy at Temple Israel. HebrewSchool Shabbat, held on April 21st,was heartwarming, and a testimony tothe students’ accomplishments andproficiencies. Our Hebrew Schoolyear has concluded with anothergreat year under the leadership ofFred LevyPrincipal Gerri Kaplan. Our schoolcurrently has 62 students in grades Pre-K through 7, with 4students continuing their religious education. Weappreciate Gerri’s hard work and the dedication of thefaculty to our students.Law Day Shabbat, held on May 5th, was anoverwhelming success. Judge Lesa Gelb, our principalspeaker, gave us insight into her new position as Judge ofCommon Pleas, Luzerne County. Attorney Larry Keiser,program chairman, for the 10th year, marshaled over 30people from the legal community to participate in a verymeaningful and informative service.Saturday, May 19th was our first Fifty Year MemberShabbat in which we honored those congregants that havebeen dues paying members for at least 50 years. We haveover 90 congregants on the list, and over 50 individualscame to services and were honored. I want to thank cochairsCharlotte Cutler and Eileen Trompetter fororganizing this special Shabbat service.May 8th was the concluding program of the year forWomen’s League. The League’s first Presidium—-Ina Lubin,Marsha Lebenson, Tammie Harris, Lynnette Kislin, andHerta Ghingold passed the leadership responsibilities on tothe next Presidium—-Hannah Gallagher, BedonnaMitchneck, Helene Rosensweig, and my wife BarbaraLevy. I look forward to the new leadership’s energy,creativity, and dedication.Our programs at Temple Israel are varied, butengaging, religious yet social, and educational as well asfulfilling. Although we are smaller in numbers than in pastyears, we have a vibrant congregation that is verydedicated to our mission. We are the largest Jewishcongregation in northeastern Pennsylvania and we take thatleadership role very seriously.Sunday, June 10th is our Annual Dinner andMeeting at the Woodlands. The incoming officers bring awealth of experience to their new positions. RosemaryChromey, Ina Lubin, Abbe Kruger, Deborah Troy, MichaelRittenberg, Rob Friedman, and Lester Smulowitz willprovide the vision and leadership needed in the nextseveral years. Temple Israel is in good hands.I look forward to greeting you at the AnnualDinner. My tenure as President has been most enjoyable.These past two years have been a time of personal growthand the experience has been both enriching and fulfilling.I hope to see you on Shabbat!Fred LevySlate of Officers2012-2013The Nominating Committee, chaired by DavidSchwager, is pleased to present the following slate ofofficers and board members to be elected at theAnnual Dinner on June 10, 2012:Officers for Election to One Year TermPresident.........................................Rosemary ChromeyFirst Vice President .........................................Ina LubinSecond Vice President................................Abbe KrugerSecretary ..................................................Deborah TroyTreasurer..........................................Michael RittenbergFinancial Secretary ..................................Rob FriedmanAssistant Financial Secretary ...............Lester SmulowitzBoard Members for Re-Electionto Second TermEmily IsaacsSteven DavidowitzJuidge CoplanDavid HarrisNew Board MembersBuddy HammermanBarbara LevyStanley PearlmanSheri RobzenMissy SaidmanNominating Committee:David Schwager ...........ChairAnn Smith .............Ex OfficioFred Levy ..............Ex OfficioRosemary ChromeyJuidge CoplanAbbey GreenEmily IsaacsLarry KeiserSandie LefkowitzIna LubinDan MessingerLester SmulowitzGladys WeisbergerPage 7

Temple Israel236 S. River St.Wilkes-Barre PA 18702Change Service RequestedNon-ProfitOrganizationU.S. PostagePAIDWilkes-Barre, PAPermit No. 105June 2012Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayShabbat services,1 9:30 a.m. 2Board of TrusteesShabbat services,3 4 5 6 7 8 9meeting, 7:30 p.m.9:30 a.m.Annual Dinner &Meeting, 5:00 p.m.,Woodlands Inn &ResortShabbat services,10 11 12 13 14 15 169:30 a.m.Friday Night Live Shabbat services,17 18 19 20 21 22 23at JCC Camp,9:30 a.m.5:30 p.m.Shabbat services,24 25 26 27 28 29 309:30 a.m.Temple Israel FundsThe following is a listing of Temple Israel funds to which donors may contribute for memorials, simchas, recoveries, etc.Minimum contribution is $5.00 unless otherwise noted.DR. AND MRS. HAROLD BERSON FUNDTHE MURIEL BRAVMAN MEMORIAL FUNDBUILDING FUNDBIBLE FUND ($10)CHAI CONTRIBUTIONS ($18)SALLY & RALPH CONNORHIDDUR MITZVAH FUNDJOSEPH N. COPLAN PRAYER BOOK FUNDCHARLOTTE & JOE CUTLER FUNDETZ CHAIM BIBLE ($118)FEED THE HOMELESS FUNDFRIEDMAN INTERFAITH ENDOWMENTROBERT FRIEDMAN LITURGICAL MUSIC FUNDIRWIN H. GELB EDUCATIONAL FUNDHAPPY DAY FUNDENID HERSHEY KIDDUSH CUP FUNDHIGH HOLIDAY PRAYER BOOK FUND ($7.50)LAWRENCE HOLLANDER B'NAI MITZVAHPRAYER BOOK FUNDMARION & JACOB ISAACS ENDOWMENTDORIS & SIDNEY KEISER KERUV FUNDEMIL & NATALIE KELLNER HEBREW SCHOOL FUNDESTHER & NATHAN KLEINPASSOVER ENDOWMENTRALPH & MURIEL KLEIN MEMORIAL FUNDHANNAH & WILLIAM S. KLINE LIBRARY FUNDLANDAU PAVILION FUNDLEVY CHAPEL FUNDBEN LIBENSON MEMORIAL ART FUNDFRANK & HILDA LUBINFEED THE HOMELESS FUNDLYONS EDUCATION FUNDMINNIE MORRELL MUSIC FUNDMINYAN FUNDBARBARA NEWSBAUM MILLERPRAYER BOOK FUNDSAM NELSON CARE PACKAGE FUNDDORIS & JEROME NEWMANEDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT FUNDPASCALE/KAPLAN EDUCATIONAL FUNDPRAYER BOOK FUNDRABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDRABINOWITZ TALLIT FUNDJOAN F. & HERBERT L. RITTENBERG FAMILYENDOWMENTSALLYANNE, HAROLD & FRANK SCOTT ROSENNCOMMUNITY SERVICE ENDOWMENTSAIDMAN-GREENWALD TORAH FUND($18 MINIMUM)SANCTUARY FUND ($25)SHAFFER SHABBAT KIDDUSH FUNDSHAFFER SUKKAH ENDOWMENTSILBERMAN MEZUZZAH FUNDSIMS ENDOWMENTMARK SLOMOWITZ MEMORIAL ENDOWMENTHAROLD R. SMITH HEBREW SCHOOL FUNDMAX & TILLIE UNGAR FAMILYMEMORIAL ENDOWMENT.USY/KADIMA FUNDMORRIS VILENSKY MEMORIAL FUND