etz chaim dinner journal 2009

———Congregation Etz Chaim———

12th Annual Dinner Celebration

Presidents’ Message Dear Members and Friends, We wish to welcome all of our members, their families, and guests to the 12th Annual Etz Chaim Dinner. It is always exciting to celebrate together the continued growth of our Congregation. Our shul is unique in its ability to act together and to provide a warm atmosphere for everyone - young or old. Together, we celebrate simchas, but more importantly we support each other in times of adversity and need. Our shul family truly exemplifies the meaning of Achdut and Unity. As Presidents of Congregation Etz Chaim, we have tried in our first year to build on the wonderful work of our predecessors. We hope that some of the new activities that we introduced have met with your approval. As we revel in the past year’s achievements, we are looking forward together, with all of you, to growing our shul community in the coming year. We would like to thank all of our members for their support for our shul and for the many hours that they have dedicated to volunteering in the past year. Without your involvement, we would not have been able to "run" so many meaningful and successful programs. It is also with great appreciation that we acknowledge Rabbi and Rebbetzin Krupka for leading our community. We also thank our assistant rabbi, Rabbi Natan Kapustin, and our youth directors, Rabbi Yaakov and Orly Nadler, for their tireless efforts on behalf of Etz Chaim. This Dinner marks the mid-point of our presidency. We have been privileged to work on your behalf during the last year. We would like to thank our officers, the board and the past presidents for giving of their time, in serving the Congregation and for making our jobs so meaningful. We wish you all a wonderful summer.

Wayne Zuckerman Dr. Daniel Pascheles Co-President Co-President



Rabbi Shlomo Krupka’s Message

In this week’s parsha, Naso, Hashem tells the sons of Aaron, appointed as the Kohanim, to bless the Jewish people. It is this Blessing of the Kohanim, a three part blessing, that is incor-porated in our present day siddur and sung on high holidays. It is followed by a very interesting verse in which Hashem says “Let them place My Name upon the children of Israel and I shall bless them.” The commentators argue to whom Hashem refers when He says “… and I shall bless them.” Rashi brings forth two explanations. His first interpretation, “…and I shall bless them” refers to Hashem’s agreement with the Kohanim that it is their blessing of the people that He will reinforce. The second interpretation of Rashi is that Hashem is telling the Kohanim that by their blessing his people, He will in turn bless them and their families. Both messages speak to us as we celebrate another milestone at Etz Chaim. So many people give of their time for the shul on an ongoing basis, whether attending minyan, creating and at-tending programs, or dedicating long hours to raising funds in order to meet our budget. All of these actions enhance our shul. Every action by each individual requires the blessing of Hashem to make it successful. It is truly with the blessing of Hashem that we have grown from ten families to nearly one hundred fifty in twelve years. It is with Hashem’s constant blessing that we meet the challenges of our time. But how does one repay those who bless us with their efforts and hard work? The answer lies in Rashi’s second interpretation that those who bless us are in turn blessed by Hashem. Within our lives it is this chain of blessings from those who share of their time to Hashem who gives us the blessing of time and health. I would like to especially thank Daniel Pascheles and Wayne Zuckerman, who dedicate so much time, and the many others, unseen and unknown to most (except their Rabbi) who devote themselves to the growth of Etz Chaim. May Hashem in turn bless them for all the blessings they give us, and may His abundance overflow to all of theirs. It is the miracle of the generations that so many millennia later, the children of Aaron, the Ko-hanim, are still blessing our people and continue to be blessed by Hashem. May Etz Chaim be so blessed as well. May all of the talent that we harness continue to grow in purpose and in numbers this Bat Mitzvah year. Amen.



Youth Directors’ Message The holiday of Shavuot has just passed, but the message of Shavuot is eternal. The Hebrews had to prove that they could be entrusted with the Torah. As the Midrash re-veals, G-d demanded a guaranty that his precious gift would be cherished for eternity. All of the proposals brought forward by the Hebrews were rejected until their children were offered as guarantors. This reflects what we all know deep in our hearts; our sur-vival and our legacy is solely dependent on our children. How will the Jewish people continue to illuminate the world with the light of the Torah? The Midrash teaches us that our children are the reason that we were entrusted to receive the Torah and that they will be the ones with the awesome responsibility to continue to pass on the torch. By providing our children with warmth and excitement about being Jewish, we are en-suring that this precious gift is passed on to future generations. As the Youth Directors at Etz Chaim, we are proud to serve as your partners in instilling a love for Judaism in your children. As adults, we have to juggle numerous responsibilities but nevertheless the parents at Etz Chaim are enthusiastic about Shabbat and make a strong effort to include their children in the synagogue. Together, we try to instill in our children excitement about coming to shul on Shabbat. In this vain, Shabbat groups are filled with fun filled activi-ties: we play games, sing songs and create a congregation for the children who are preparing to become active adult members of the Shul. What we create here at the Youth Department of Congregation Etz Chaim, is a home, a warm, loving and safe environment for our youth to come together to celebrate their lives. From social programming to Chessed, we run the gamut in order to help our youth develop into creative, socially active, thinking Jewish adults. We have a wonder-ful sense of family in our youth department and we are always looking for ways to wel-come your children. May we continue to see an abundance of nachas from all our children! Orly and Yaakov Nadler



Congregation Etz Chaim 2009

Crown of Torah Jane & Mark Wilf

Etz Chaim Batsheva & Murray Halpern

Marci & Jeffrey Lefkovits

Pillar of Torah Lynn & Erwin Fisch

Hon. Rachel Davidson & Mark Fisch Sharon & David Halpern Shelly & Josef Paradis

Supporters of Torah Suzanne & Miles Berger Michelle & Bruce Berger

Lucy Pantirer Nancy & Larry Pantirer

Elisa & Alan Pines Betty & Howard Schwartz

Sponsors of Torah Margie & Michael Bachner Avivah & Michael Gottlieb

Barbara & Dr. Andrew Hutter Sherry Izak

Rebecca & Douglas Kuber Lee & Murray Kushner Michal & Igal Lichtman Maggie & Cliff Newman

Mairav & Daniel Pascheles Sarah & Dr. Michael Rieber Frances & Dr. Arie Schwartz

Dr. Rimma Sherman Nancy & David Waldenberg

Deborah & Wayne Zuckerman



OFFICERS AND BOARD

Presidents Daniel Pascheles and Wayne Zuckerman Vice Presidents Michael Gottlieb and Raquel Dardik Secretary Debra Wenig Treasurer Michael Grad Building/Planning Committee Mark Fisch David Halpern Alan Pines Brian Stolar Randee Stolar Mark Wilf Fund Raising Chairman Fran Schwartz Sisterhood Michelle Flaks and Mairav Pascheles Men’s Club Mark Miller House Murray Halpern and Paul Glick Ritual Oliver Shapiro Chesed Alan Rubin Legal David Lentz

Past Presidents

Michael Bachner, Miles Berger, Dr. Josh Brickman, Paul Celler, Mark Fisch, Michael Grad, David Halpern, Dr. Andrew Hutter,

Cliff Newman, Alan Pines, Larry Rothenberg, Brian Stolar



To our dear

RABBI AND REBBETZIN

a grateful congregation thanks you for everything that you do

to make our lives more special and spiritual.

We look forward to sharing many more simchas with you and your family.

Congregation Etz Chaim



חזק חזק ונתחזק

To

MEL AND RABBI NATAN KAPUSTIN

We thank you for adding to the spirit of our shul

in every way.




...המלאך הגואל אותי יברך את הנערים

To

Orly and Rabbi Yaakov Nadler

Mazel Tov on the birth of Moshe Chaim.

Thank you for your dedication to all our children at Etz Chaim.

Rabbi Krupka and the Board of Congregation Etz Chaim



In Memory

Of

Ronen Segal z”l

His warm smile, kind heart, and deep dedication to our Shul will always be

remembered.




Special Recognition

Congregation Etz Chaim gratefully acknowledges

Ingrid Zaig – Shul Secretary

for facilitating the production of this Journal.

Yasher Koach

Michael Grad, David Halpern, Daniel Rudy, Fran Schwartz and Debra Wenig,

Journal Chairs

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— PILLAR


———Congregation Etz Chaim——— PILLAR


Mazel Tov

to

Etz Chaim Congregation

and much gratitude to

our presidents and Rabbi.

BatSheva and Murray Halpern Sean, Nathaniel and Gabriel

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— BENEFACTOR


Best wishes

To

Congregation Etz Chaim,

its distinguished Rabbi,

and dedicated balei batim.

Marty Knecht

Professional Abstract and Title Agency Inc.

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— FOUNDER


In Honor of

our three beautiful children,

Emily, Sophia, and Brandon

We love you and are so proud of you.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Mindy and Alan Schall



Yasher Koach

And

many thanks to

Rabbi Krupka and your great family!

Thank you Yaakov and Orly!

Much Gratitude to Danny and Wayne

for all your work on behalf of our Shul (4 more years)!

Marci and Jeff Lefkovits

Michael, Jonathan and Olivia

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— DIAMOND


Best Wishes!

Sharon and David Halpern

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— DIAMOND


In Honor of the Rabbi

and the Presidents

who work tirelessly for our wonderful Shul.

Jeremy and Abbi Halpern

Brianna, Jasmine, and Ashton

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— SAPPHIRE


We are proud to support the outstanding work of

Rabbi & Rebbetzin Krupka

and Congregation Etz Chaim

Jane and Mark Wilf

Steven, Daniel, Rachel & Andrew

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— CHAI


In honor of our graduates,

LAUREN ELIZABETH EPSTEIN Solomon Schechter Day School

Of Essex and Union High School Class of 2009

and

CRAIG ELLIOT EPSTEIN Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy

8th Grade Class of 2009

With much love & pride, Sarah & Steven Epstein



In honor of

Jordan’s

Bar Mitzvah

Mazel Tov!

Arthur, Sylvia, Michelle, Adam & Danielle Stark



In loving memory

of

Benyamin & Frania Paradis

Yitzchak Paradis

Arie & Frieda Halpern לברכה זכרונם

We miss you all.

Shelley and Josef Paradis Gonen and Jaci

Dalit, Kalya, & Matan



“Shoot for THe moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars” - Les Brown

David Zuckerman

Mazel Tov on your upcoming 8th grade graduation. We are so proud of you. We

wish you the very best in high school.

We love you,

Mom and Dad, Andrew, Michael and Jacob



“Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence” - Plato

To Andrew, David, Michael & Jacob

We love you so very much and hope our actions and words continue to teach you what is important in life: Hashem, family, community, education and Tzedakah.

Mom and Dad Deborah and Wayne Zuckerman

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— GOLD


The Miller Family wishes the

Etz Chaim Softball Team

Good Luck!



In Honor of our two Presidents,

Daniel Pascheles

&

Wayne Zuckerman

for all their hard work

Bruce, Michelle and Emily Berger



Our Shtetl, Frystak was

located in Galicia, Poland.

Our Father, Nathan Berger, left Frystak in 1927 to come to America.

During World War II, the entire

Jewish population of Frystak was wiped out by the Nazis.

With our Love,

Suzanne and Miles Berger Brendan & Mara

Arielle, Josh, Eliyahu & Tehila Kirk



Best Wishes!

Harley, David

& Yaffa

Goodfriend



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In Honor

of our Wonderful Community!

The Pascheles Family Mairav, Daniel, Céline & Jonathan



BEST WISHES

FROM

HARRY STADLER



Best wishes

Chester, Plousass, Lisowaky Partnership, LLC



Mazal Tov

to our children,

Racheli, Sofia and Isabella

on all of their accomplishments.

We love you very much.

Mommy & Daddy

Rebecca and Doug Kuber



In Honor of

Rabbi and Sherry Krupka and

Daniel and Wayne, our esteemed co-presidents,

for all their efforts on behalf of our congregation.

Fran and Arie Schwartz Ayelet and Ellie Mermelstein Neely and Elon Elisha & Leya

Mika & Etan

In Honor of

Rabbi and Sherry Krupka and

Daniel and Wayne, our esteemed co-presidents,

for all their efforts on behalf of our congregation.

Fran and Arie Schwartz Ayelet and Ellie Mermelstein Neely and Elon Elisha & Leya

Mika & Etan



Mazal Tov Rabbi and Rebbetzin Krupka on the engagement of your daughter!

The Weiss Family Kenneth, Yana, Giselle and Ashton

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In honor of

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Krupka

May G-d bless you with

health, happiness and mazal.

Paul and Tita Celler

& Family



In Honor of Daniel and Wayne

for their great leadership

Maggie, Cliff, Sabrina, Neil & Jonathan Newman



In Honor of the

Halpern families

Billy, Meghan,

Riley & William Hayes



In Honor of our Wonderful Presidents,

Daniel Pascheles

and

Wayne Zuckerman

Special thanks to Michael Grad

Margie & Michael Bachner



In Honor of the co-presidents and our dear friends

Daniel Pascheles Wayne Zuckerman

for their great leadership of our congregation and board

Michael and Aviva Gottlieb



Congratulations to Congregation Etz Chaim

On their 12th Annual Dinner &

Especially to our Dear Friends The Halpern, Schall &

Paradis families

Sincerely, Galaxy Tile &Fabrication, LLC

Showroom &Warehouse 40 Brunswick Ave. Office: 732-248-7787 Edison, NJ 08817 Cell: 732- 809-1825

Rhea &Murray Feldman Silvia &Stan Fedorcik



Mazel Tov

to

Rabbi & Sherry Krupka

on the engagement of Rivky

Sherry Izak

———Congregation Etz Chaim——— SILVER


Congratulations on Etz Chaim’s 12th

Anniversary Dinner

Ann and Bernie Sklar

Debbie and Neil Kaplan



LIVINGSTON SHOPRITE



Best wishes to


for its continued success and growth

Special Mazal Tov to our dear Rabbi Krupka

Jaci and Henry Mandil and Family



Dairy, Parve and Vegetarian



“The Crown of Elders is Grandchildren and the glory of children is their parents”

Mishlei 17:6

In Honor of our children

and grandchildren

Love, Sima and Benjamin Schall



לעילוי נשמת

Sydell

יחזקאל' שרה בשה בת ר וחוה דוואשה

ה"תנצב

ר מאיר"ד –מהבעל אריאלה ודניאל –הילדים

איתן וגיל, נועם, אביב, בן –והנכדים



Mazal Tov to our graduates

Tzvi Gerstle NYU 2009 Gedalya Gerstle JKHA 2009

Lenny and Adena Gerstle & Family



Congratulations

to


and its spiritual mentors,

Rabbi Shlomo Krupka and

Rabbi Natan Kapustin

Leah and Justin Bergman



Mazal Tov

to all our dear friends at Congregation Etz Chaim.

May we always share simchas.

Josh and Sharon Brickman

Nicole, Talia and Adi



In honor

of our children

Jared, Melissa and Jessica

Barbara and Andrew Hutter



Best wishes to


The Gindi Family



Mazal Tov to Rivky Krupka and the entire family on her engagement

You broke a lot of hearts!

Rosalyn and Michael Grad and Family



Mazel Tov

to

Marc Pantirer

on your graduation from Fordham Law School

We are so proud of you and wish you great success in the future

Yasher Koach!

Love, Baba Lucy and the Pines and Schwartz Families



In everlasting Memory of our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great‐Grandfather

Murray Pantirer z”l

His Gemilus Chesed, unyielding commitment, unselfish dedication and tireless service to the Jewish community and the rebuilding of Torah Judaism created a standard for the way in which all parents

should teach their children.

Lucy Pantirer Nancy and Larry Pantirer David, Mark and Elizabeth Betty and Howard Schwartz

Julie and Reuben Kopel, Hallie and Romi Julie and Jonathan Schwartz, Mia and Mason

Danielle Schwartz



Mazel Tov

to

Nicole Pines

on receiving your Master's Degree from New York University,

and to

Justin Pines

on your graduation from Harvard Law School.

We are so proud of both of you and wish you great

success in the future.

Yasher Kochachem.

Love, Baba Lucy and the Pantirer and Schwartz Families



Mazel Tov

to the entire Schwartz Family

on the birth of

Mason Philip

May he always bring you great joy and much nachas!

Love,

Baba Lucy, and the Pantirer and Pines Families



In honor of our dedicated

Rabbi and

Co-Presidents

To “ Tradition” and to our ancestors

who will never be forgotten

The Scherl Family



Congratulations to

Daniel and Wayne

on a great job.

Yasher Koach to Moshe Chaim!

Tzipi, Lazer, Sarah, Gitel & Miriam Rothenberg



In loving memory of

Ronen Segal, z”l

Greg, Rona, Martha, Sam and Abe Wall



Mazel Tov to

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Krupka

on the engagement of Rivky

and the Bat Mitzvah of Elke.

Sam & Gladys Halpern



To our dear Rabbi and Rebbetzin Krupka,

Mazel Tov on the upcoming wedding of

Rivky to Nachum.

May they bring much nachas to you and the entire community.

Deborah & Wayne Zuckerman



Best wishes to


and

Rabbi Krupka

Yitzhak & Barbara Berger and family



Best wishes to

Congregation Etz Chaim and

Rabbi Krupka

Ron Israeli Joseph & Elana



In Honor of

Etz Chaim

Julie, Jonathan, Mia & Mason Schwartz



To

Etz Chaim

May you continue to grow stronger and higher in Torah,

values and spirituality

Rabbi and Sherry Krupka



IN MEMORY OF OUR PARENTS

& GRANDPARENTS,

NAT, ROCHELLE & DICK

ELLA, NATE, PEGGY AND LESTER



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In Honor of Congregation Etz Chaim

Noreen, Jeffrey, Adam and Alison Punia



Yasher Koach

to

Rabbi, Rebbetzin and Congregation Etz Chaim

on another great year!

Marian & Robert Stern



It is always a pleasure to come home to Etz Chaim!

Ayelet ( Schwartz) and Mark Mermelstein



In honor

Of the continued

outstanding work of

Etz Chaim

Nancy, David, Todd, Samantha & Emily

Waldenberg



Congratulations


Debbie and Alan Janoff



In Honor of

Rabbi Shlomo Krupka and

Rabbi Natan Kapustin

Debra, Alan, Alex and Arielle Wenig

To Charlie & Joseph Goldman

Thanks for making everyday

the greatest!

Mom and Dad



To

Matthew and Ilana

Mazal Tov on your graduations!

Mom

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May we go from strength to strength.

Shoshanna & Scott Newman

Josh, Danielle and David

With our best wishes

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Yacher Koach to Rabbi Greg Wall

Thanks for your time on Shabbos mornings

Cara and Arthur

Altman

Best Wishes

to Rabbi Krupka

and Etz Chaim

Sima & Rabin Rozehzadeh



The Right Team The Right Time

Your Real Estate Connection

Yasher Koach to all who worked so hard to make this a

successful year

The Handler Family

We wish all the members of the

Congregation good health & happiness

Levy Family

etz chaim dinner journal 2009

Spiritual