1 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Vol. 71 October 2017 (5778) No. 2

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, the founding rabbi of Lincoln Square Synagogue, made aliyah to Israel in 1983. He has said that the founding of Israel is the most amazing thing to happen to the Jewish people in more than a thousand years, and if you do not come to Israel, you are missing out. You are letting yourself be written out of the most exciting new chapter in Judaism. Rabbi Riskin put his money where his mouth was by rejecting the offer of the presidency of Yeshiva University when it was offered to him, as it would force him to leave Israel.

Many people who go to Israel talk about what a great country it is. It is certainly set up for tourism, and there are many reasons to go just because it is a great place to visit. Israel has great food, wonderful beaches, interesting cafes, and fabulous shopping. After all, there must be some reason Conde Nast Traveller picked Tel Aviv as its City of the Year this year. If those were the only reasons to go to Israel, one should still go to Israel. But there are more reasons to go.

First, it is the homeland of our people. I enjoyed seeing the Acropolis in Greece and the Coliseum in Rome, but they did not give me the same feeling I got from visiting the Kotel, the Western Wall, or the City of David in Jerusalem. Many of the stories we read in the Bible took place there. Our ancestors lived and loved, fought, and died there. This was the place they dreamed of through long years of exile and oppression.

Second, it is the only place you can go and be in the majority, as a Jew. I know people will suggest Zabar’s the day before a Jewish holiday, but even someone who grew up on the Upper West Side, as I did, doesn’t realize how much of a minority they are until they get to a place where they are in the majority. Like a fish that doesn’t know anything about water because it has nothing to which to compare it, we are used to living as a minority. When Shabbat is the day off, when everyone knows what Jewish year it is, when the bus driver wears a kippah, you suddenly realize that you have been living in a Christian country.

Third, you get to see what the Jews can do when free from living in a non-Jewish culture. True, you get a nation of people poking their nose into your business, but you also get the “Start-up Nation,” you get Jewish art, dance, theater... It may be that Israel is, as Rabbi Kook said, the beginning of the redemption of the Jewish people. But even from a purely secular perspective, Israel has accomplished miracles.

Worship Services (also see calendar on p. 2)Fridays

Oct. 6 10:00 a.m. Sukkot Festival Service 5:00 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceOct. 13 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceOct. 20 5:00 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service 7:00 p.m. Ruach Shabbat ServiceOct. 27 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

SaturdaysOct. 7 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service Morgan Greene Bat Mitzvah

CelebrationOct. 14 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceOct. 21 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceOct. 28 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

The Rabbi’s Column

continued on p. 3

The BulletinRiverdale Temple

From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, the name of the Eternal One is to be praised.

y:y} μve lL;hum] /abom] d[' vm,v, jræz]Mimi

Save  the  Date!  For a glittering Gala & Auction

to honor Dr. Rachel Radna Our beloved Riverdale Temple President of 10 years

Saturday Evening November 4, 2017 @ 7:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for a sparkling night of love, fun, good food, and good friends.

Open Congregational Meeting Oct. 28 (see p. 8)

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3 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

On February 14, 2018, I hope to lead a group of people from Riverdale Temple on a trip to Israel. We have almost enough people to make the trip possible, but we need a few more. I hope this bulletin article encourages more people to contact me for additional information about going.

Some people might ask about the political situation. Does going to Israel constitute approval of the Palestinian situation? The political situation is extremely complicated, and here in the United States we mostly hear a vastly simplified version. All the more reason to go and learn for yourself.

What about the Israeli attitude toward Reform Judaism? Those who came to our Selichot service know that I deliberately chose the topic “Progressive Judaism in Israel” to discuss in our study session. Because of a combination of factors, the cards have been

stacked against Reform Judaism in Israel. However, as Rabbi Riskin said, if you don’t go to Israel, you are writing yourself out of the story. Israel should become more open to non-Orthodox Judaism because Reform and Conservative and Reconstructionist Jews love Israel and visit Israel. Israel claims to be a homeland for all Jews. We should go so they can’t dismiss us as marginal.

A further reason to go to Israel is the spiritual feeling many people get there. Israel is called the Holy Land, and for a reason. It seems that the curtain between this world and the other world is thinner in Israel, thinner in Jerusalem, and thinnest of all at the Temple Mount. Come to Israel and see if you agree!

I love Israel, and I love being there. I invite everyone to join me on the February trip!

—Rabbi Tom Gardner

October 2017 is a month filled with exciting events at Riverdale Temple. With the High Holiday sermons and music still ringing in our ears, we turn to thoughts of the wonderful holidays fast approaching. By the time you read this article, the communal building of our Sukkah will have taken place (on the 1st of October). I wish to thank Scott Sirkin and all those who volunteered to assist him in this laborious task. The Sukkot festival begins on Wednesday evening, October 4, with a service at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday and Friday morning, Sukkot services will take place at

10:00 a.m. Sukkot Shabbat services will follow, first for our tots at 5:00, with a free pizza dinner, and then for all of us and featuring our Junior Choir at 6:30, with a tapas potluck dinner in the Sukkah (sign up to bring a dish to share at cristin.timoney@gmail.com). This year the temple’s annual meal in the Sukkah, organized by the Women of Reform Judaism, will be a brunch on Sunday, October 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is a charge of $20 per adult and $10 per child (ages 5-13) for this meal. Further information can be requested from jheyman@weichert.com, but you need to

The PResidenT’s Column

Shalom Chaverim,I hope you all enjoyed our meaningful High Holy Day services. I wanted to take this opportunity to showcase our wonderful

house musician, Ofer Assaf. Ofer has been our pianist since the fall of 2016, and since then he has beautified our Friday Eve services tremendously with his colorful and spirited piano playing. One of the things that I truly value in Ofer is that he really prays with us through his playing. He feels the liturgy and expresses it organically. Moreover, on Ruach Shabbat, he brings his main instrument, the tenor saxophone, and thrills us with his energetic playing.

Since moving to New York in 1997, Israel-born Ofer Assaf has performed with a veritable who’s who of the jazz world and beyond, including keyboardist Adam Holzman (Miles Davis), bassist John Lee (music director for the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars), George Clinton, and several of Clinton’s P-Funk and Funkadelic alumni bands.

While in Israel, Ofer attended the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts, dividing his time between his two passions: music and dance. As a member of the Air Force and IDF Orchestras of the Israeli Army, he had the privilege to perform for such world leaders as former president Bill Clinton and former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. He also played for Jerusalem’s 3,000th anniversary celebration with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, on national TV and radio shows, and as a prominent instrumentalist and

member of the Tel Aviv Big Band in the mid-1990s.After his move to New York City, he entered The New School

University’s jazz program. While pursuing his degree, he studied with two of his idols--tenor saxophonist Billy Harper (Randy Weston, Art Blakey, etc.), whom Ofer credits as being “very inspiring … helping me capture the significance of sound as the ultimate reflection of my inner voice,” and bassist Reggie Workman (John Coltrane, Art Blakey, etc.), whom he studied and played with and from whom Ofer gained “the importance of daring and exploring in new directions, and the concept of fearless statements.”

Ofer lives in Washington Heights with his wife, Mikol, and their daughters, Natalie and Maia. He has been a music teacher at Kinneret in Riverdale since 2012. His work consists of recorder classes for elementary school, song-leading classes for preschool, and piano accompaniment for Kinneret’s shows throughout the year.

If you have not had the opportunity yet, I urge you to come and introduce yourself to Ofer, who really enjoys being a part of our community. Our upcoming Ruach Shabbat takes place on October 20 at 7:00 p.m. Please join us for this very special energetic musical service followed by a festive oneg!

L’hitraot,—Cantor Inbal Sharett-Singer

The CanToR’s Column

4 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

contact her immediately if you are interested in attending this most enjoyable event (see p. 11 for more details).

Our Shemini Atzeret service on October 12, including Yizkor, will take place at 10:00 a.m. Later that day, we will celebrate the joyous Simchat Torah holiday with a free pizza dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed immediately by a joyful and musical service with consecration and dancing with the Torahs. Remembering this celebration from last year, I can promise you an exuberantly wonderful time with children, parents, grandparents, and the Riverdale Temple family swirling in the ballroom with Torahs in hand.

What goes up must come down! The festive communal disassembling of the Sukkah will take place on Sunday, October 15, at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are greatly needed to help with this activity.

At this time, I would like to remind one and all about the November 4th Gala Dinner and Auction in honor of the one

and only Dr. Rachel L. Radna, who served as the one and only president of Riverdale Temple for eight years (2008-2016) and has continued since then as co-president along with me. The event will include an “auction for action,” a cocktail reception, and a sumptuous buffet dinner. If anyone has ever deserved an honor of this kind, it is Rachel Radna, who has known no bounds to her service to Riverdale Temple for so many years. Rachel has worn so many hats that one loses count: substitute cantor, substitute rabbi, cook, baker, decorator, gardener, teacher, helper, friend. She always tells us that “we wouldn’t be here without you” when she appeals for donations at the High Holidays season. Well, the truth is that we wouldn’t be where we are at Riverdale Temple without her service of the last decade. Her love for and devotion to the temple are truly unmatched. So, please demonstrate your gratitude by spending the evening of November 4 with your temple family to honor this remarkable president and human being. Many thanks.

—L. Michael Griffel, Co-President

Bat Mitzvah Celebration

Morgan GreeneMorgan, daughter of Joanne Heyman and Joe Greene, is very excited to be called to the Torah on October 7. An eighth grader at RKA, Morgan has been a regular at Riverdale Temple. She first stepped through the doors as a three-year-old in the Nursery School, and the congregation may remember her from Junior Choir, which she was a part of for six years. Morgan loves to dance and is a member of the Master Class at the Steffi Nossen School of Dance. She can sing the entire score of the musical Hamilton. She is a loving and supportive friend, sister, and daughter and is always there for everyone. She loves science, dinosaurs, and cats (not necessarily in that order). And in her spare time, she likes to cook, garden, and watch football with her mother.

For more information, please contact Judy Weinberg

at Judyw.rt@gmail.com.

The Rabbi Stephen and Karen Franklin Religious School

SIMCHA LEARNING CENTER AT RIVERDALE TEMPLEWelcomes Families with Children

Kindergarten through Bar/Bat Mitzvah Nurturing a Jewish Heart and a Kind Soul

Are you looking for an engaging community for your family? A place that focuses on embracing diversity? A place where your children are enriched by meaningful, fun-filled Jewish learning experiences? Our

program emphasizes the importance of students loving the activities, finding meaning in our traditions, making friends, and fostering their

Jewish identity.

Riverdale Temple is a progressive, welcoming, multigenerational Reform congregation. Building a personal connection to our Jewish heritage, the

Simcha Learning Center offers:

• a warm, engaging, and welcoming environment• nurturing teachers• meaningful hands-on holiday events• individualized Hebrew education• creative music and art programs• exciting family celebrations

We believe each person’s journey is unique and look

forward to accompanying your family on your Jewish journey.

5 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The Bulletin: Vol. 71, No. 2, October 2017. The Bulletin is published monthly by Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, 10 times a year, September through June. The Riverdale Temple logo on p. 1 was designed by Alix Brandwein.This publication is intended for members of Riverdale Temple. Any other use or publication in whole or in part without Riverdale Temple’s prior consent is prohibited.

Riverdale Temple Telephone Extensions (718-548-3800)Temple Office 0 or 1Bookkeeper 2Nursery School 3Rabbi 4

Cantor 5Simcha Learning Center 6Emergencies 7General Information 8Other 9

Visit our new and improved website at www.riverdaletemple.org. Join Us on Facebook!Did you know that Riverdale Temple has a Facebook page? Find us by searching for “Riverdale Temple Bronx, NY” on Facebook and join this page by clicking on “like.” This is a space where we can exchange ideas, blog, discuss events, share photos, etc., and strengthen our bonds as a community. Join and make our numbers grow.To Send a Contribution to Riverdale TempleSend your donation to Riverdale Temple, 4545 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471. Please make your check payable to Riverdale Temple. Give the name/category/event to which your donation applies. We now accept payment by credit card; call the office (718-548-3800, ext. 0) or go to www.riverdaletemple.org. You can support Riverdale Temple by buying a mug for just $10.

If you need transportation to and/or from services at the temple, please call the office at 718-548-3800, ext. 0 or 1, to make arrangements.

Registry of Holocaust SurvivorsIf you are a Holocaust survivor or a family member of a survivor, you can register to be included in the Benjamin and Vladka Meed Registry of Holocaust Survivors, at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. For more information and to download the Survivors’ Registry Form, go to ushmm.org/resourcecenter, click on Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center to complete the form. Contact information: Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024–2126; tel: 202-488-6112; fax: 202-314-7820; email: resource-center@ushmm.org.

October EventsHelp Build the Sukkah Oct. 1Social Action Committee Food Donations Oct. 1

Delivery to KRMH PantryHow to Create an Ethical Will Class begins Oct. 3WRJ Brunch in the Sukkah Oct. 8Help Take Down the Sukkah Oct. 15Liturgical Hebrew Class begins Oct. 17

Haftarah Chanting Class begins Oct. 18Showing of The Women’s Balcony Oct. 22Open Meeting of Pulpit and Ritual, Music Committees Oct. 28

Upcoming in NovemberAuction for Action/Dr. Rachel Radna Gala Nov. 4Annual Trade and Artisan Crafts Fair Nov. 19Dates subject to change. Go to www.riverdaletemple.org for updates.

Riverdale Temple House CommitteeOur mission is to ensure that the building and grounds of our synagogue best respond to the spiritual, educational, cultural, and social needs and activities of our congregation. We are concerned about safety, cleanliness, comfort, and appearance and maximizing the functionality of our facilities. The committee works closely with the maintenance staff to ensure that the facilities are well managed and meet the needs of our community efficiently and economically. The committee benefits from members with varied experience in facilities management, engineering, construction, and related fields. Please volunteer to serve on this committee by writing to rivtemple@aol.com or president@riverdaletemple.org.

Bulletin Board

Copy for the next issue of the Bulletin is due by October 15 You can e-mail it directly to rivtemple@aol.com (put “Bulletin” in

subject line).

Riverdale Temple is now part of the organics/compost pilot program in the Bronx. We can now recycle our food scraps. Please observe the different signs on the garbage receptacles and put throwaways in the proper container. We are pioneers in a wonderful program—please join the effort in caring for our environment. Thank you!

Thank you, Prestige Cleaners, for cleaning, gratis, our Torah mantels and clergy and choir robes.

6 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Nursery school News

It has been a magical beginning of the year here at Riverdale Temple Nursery School!

The school looks beautiful, thanks to the wonderful work of our maintenance men over the summer and the vision of our teachers. There is an incredible feeling of love and warmth and care when you walk into our school. We are

truly raising children to make a positive difference in the world!

On our school door, there is a beautiful new tree. It is an invitation to all our friends to come into our school and read a story, sing a song, play a game, or share a snack.

We just had our first Ice Cream Social. The playground was filled with families eating ice cream, “schmoozing,” and playing on the playground. It was a wonderful way to begin the school year and celebrate our amazing community.

The Two-Year-Olds are separating from their families and learning the routines of their class. They are doing projects under the loving Mrs. Cutler, Mrs. Turner, and Ms. Lorena. Their colorful shofars are decorating the walls. They are learning about the holidays through play and songs and stories. You can hear their sweet voices as soon as you walk through our front door! Our Three-Year-Olds are also learning about the holidays. They are making apple prints, eating apples and honey, and making honey jars and cards for the holidays.

We have three Pre-K classes this year. They are all working on celebrating the fall. The Pre-K has a new math program this year, called “Building Blocks.” Children are learning math through games, songs, and stories. They are studying fall, learning routines, meeting new friends, and practicing kindness.

In our Nursery School, we have three specials, Music with Shara Yolkut, Movement with Kara Tatelbaum, and Storytime with

Linda Herman. Shara, Kara, and Linda work with the teachers on supporting their curriculum, so that the music, movement, and stories will connect to the studies children are doing in the classroom.

We have a new Mommy and Me Program for Crawlers and Walkers. Cristin Messinger, our Parents’ Association President, is teaching these groups. Crawlers and Walkers with their mommies or caretakers are playing with toys together, singing, eating snacks, collaging, and playing with playdough. It takes place every Friday. If you are around, peep into Room 201. It is so lovely!

This year we have a new October Fair on Sunday, October 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each class will set up a table with a craft. There will be food and face-painting. It should be great fun.

Please know that my door is always open, if you have any suggestions about making our school even better. I truly believe that we can do together what we cannot do alone. In October the school will be closed on:

Oct. 5 (Thurs.) Sukkot Oct. 6 (Fri.) Sukkot Oct. 9 (Mon.) Columbus Day Observed Oct. 12 (Thurs.) Shemini Atzeret Oct. 13 (Fri.) Simchat Torah

My favorite children’s book quote:

“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” —Margery Williams, The Velveteen RabbitHappy fall to everyone! Much warmth always,

—Linda Herman, Director

Tot Shabbat Services During the school year,

Tot Shabbat services usually take place twice a month on Friday (see the calendar on p. 2, as times and frequencies vary). These special services are led by Rabbi Gardner and

Cantor Sharett-Singer and include singing

and guitar playing. For potluck dinners, we try to make every possible

accommodation for food allergies and kashrut

observance (all dishes will be labeled).

OPEN HEARTS OPEN MNDSWWW.RIERDALETEMPLE.OR

RIVEDALE T

SUKKOT and SIMCHAT TORAHThe holiday of our rejoicing!

SIMCHAT TORAH:OCTOBER 126:00 p.m. Pizza Dinner. Free!6:30 p.m. Joyful and musical service

with consecration and dancing with the Torahs!

SUKKOT:Join us for a week of fun-filled Sukkot celebrations!

October 1

October 4 October 5 October 6

October 8

October 12

9:00 a.m. Communal Sukkah building10:30 –11:30 a.m. Simcha Learning Center: School-wide family workshop, including decorating the Sukkah7:00 p.m. Sukkot Evening Service10:00 a.m . Sukkot I Morning Service10:00 a.m. Sukkot II Morning Service5:00 p.m. Sukkot Tot Shabbat with pizza dinner 6:30 p.m. Jr. Choir Sukkot Shabbat Service with a Tapas potluck dinner in the Sukkah! Sign up with your dish to share at cristin.timoney@gmail.com

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. WRJ brunch in the Sukkah!

10:00 a.m. Sh’mini Atzeret Service with Yizkor

WHY NOT SPONSOR AN ONEG/EXTENDED KIDDUSH

ON SHABBAT?

Do you like to eat? Do you like schmoozing with your friends at RT?

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and yahrzeits

are great times to sponsor a kiddush for our community.

Contact Joanne Heyman at jheyman@weichert.com or

914-715-3234 for moreinformation

7 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

MeN’s club

L’Shana Tovah Tikatevu. I wish all of you a New Year filled with happiness, health, and a commitment to making 5778 a year of positive change. I know for me personally the coming year will bring many changes in my life.

This is easy to say since changes occur all the time. Riverdale Temple has changed quite a bit in the 20-plus years that I have been a member. Membership has changed; clergy have changed; even the building is different today from what it was in 1997 when I first joined.

Well, it is now time for some change within the Men’s Club. Why change, you may ask? Because we have to. The world changes, society changes, and we must respond to a changing environment if we are to survive and thrive. Some of you may have heard that the club is in a hiatus of sorts. Others may think the club is ceasing to exist. Let me clarify that this information is incorrect. The Men’s Club is here to stay. However, we are reevaluating our statement of purpose and we plan to make some important changes to our charter that will help strengthen our ability to remain viable in a changing Riverdale Temple community.

I have been speaking with some of our club members and other RT community parties who support the reorganization effort and who want to see a more viable and sustainable “Club” emerge. I invite anyone reading this who has something to say to contact me and share your thoughts as soon as you can.

It is my desire to be able to introduce the new charter and bring the proposed changes to a vote by January 1, 2018. In any event, we will be operating throughout this process with minimal interruption in our functions. However, I may delay sending the annual dues letter until we are closer to announcing the official changes to the organization.

I want to thank all current and past members for their support and cooperation, and for their input then and now. I want to especially give thanks to Jack Fisher, who has made such a large impact on this organization for so many years. Jack, you are an inspiration, and I look to you for continued strength as we explore these new opportunities.

B’Shalom.—Steve Rosenfeld, President

woMeN of reforM JudaisM (sisterhood)

L’Shanah Tova from the WRJ

The year has started with a “BANG”! We passed out apples and honey after the Family Service of Rosh Hashanah and we had a very successful Honey Jar campaign that delivered honey to our families and friends. Our next event, “Brunch in the Sukkah” (see p. 11), will be on Sunday, October 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you haven’t made your reservations yet, please do! It promises to be a great afternoon.

We are also finalizing our plans for our Annual Fair Trade and Local Artisan Crafts Fair on Sunday, November 19, in the Ballroom. We are still actively looking for vendors. Please reach out to Susan Birnbaum or Ronni Stolzenberg with any questions.

WRJ is turning its attention to some social action initiatives.

On September 17, with the help of our very own Helen Krim, WRJ hosted an event discussing the New York Health Act. Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez and Len Rodberg spoke about the importance of universal health care for all New Yorkers. This informative session was very well attended, and WRJ looks forward to many more such events.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 18.

Please Mark Your Calendar: Sunday, October 8: “Brunch In the Sukkah”; Sunday, Oct. 22: screening of The Women’s Balcony

Again, we wish you a very happy and sweet New Year!—Eugenia Zakharov and Joanne Heyman, Co-Presidents

OCTOBER 1: We need several volunteers to help take the Rosh Hashanah–Yom Kippur temple donations to the KRMH Pantry. Please contact Frances Segan (718-796-7166) if you can help for the short time from 11:30 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m.

OCTOBER 22: In the morning, Social Action will be working with the Religious School to sponsor a speaker and a hands-on composting activity. This effort ties in with tikkun olam and the temple’s recycling efforts. Phil Clarke has organized this joint activity with the rabbi, cantor, and Judy Weinberg. Also, there will be a Green Fair and recycling event at the Church of the Mediator late morning-afternoon. Dr. Helen Krim is representing Riverdale Temple. More information to follow on e-blasts.

HURRICANES HARVEY AND IRMA: We are dedicating our annual NEW pajama collection from October 12 to November 14

for the Pajama Program’s sites in Texas and Florida. Donors can also contribute NEW, warm/footed pajamas, which will go to local shelters, group homes, hospitals, etc. Please purchase at least one pair of NEW pajamas for a boy or girl (all sizes) and place it in the collection boxes outside the sanctuary. Here are some groups that are working to provide help after the monster hurricanes. We have listed a few that serve people and animals. With so much need and many involved, it is good to check the “Charity Navigator,” which will give more information on a specific charity. If you mail a check or donation, be sure to mark it for the Hurricane Relief efforts for the areas affected. Some will help not only Texas and Florida, but also the Caribbean: UNICEF, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038, unicefusa.org/Hurricane/Donations; Jewish Federation of North America (JFA) Hurricanes Harvey & Irma Relief Funds, 25 Broadway, New York, NY 10004; American Jewish World Service,

social actioN

8 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

adult educatioN

2017–2018 Learning Year:

Rabbi Gardner’s courses: Lunch and Learn began on September 5. This class meets every Tuesday at noon in the conference room all year. The subject of the course is “The Prophets” or Nevi’im (in Hebrew). In this class on Bible study, we will be learning about Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and some of the 12 minor prophets. Rabbi Gardner

is a wonderful storyteller and will help explain the era when the prophets were among the Jewish people; they will become alive for you. Discussions are always lively and thought-provoking. How to Create an Ethical Will: Starting October 3 at 6:00 p.m. and continuing through December. This class will meet every Tuesday evening.

Cantor Sharett-Singer’s courses: Liturgical Hebrew: Is designed to enable our congregants to read the prayers and blessings of our services and rituals. The course is very individualized so that Cantor Sharett-Singer is even able to teach students who are reading at a beginner’s level. Each class will also provide opportunities to practice speaking modern Hebrew. Tuition is $125.00 for each six-week cycle, concluding in May. The first cycle begins on Tuesday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Haftarah Chanting: Have you wanted to learn how to chant Haftarah? Cantor Sharett-Singer will teach this free class to those of you who take on the challenge of picking a Haftarah of your choice, first to study and then to read, at services on that Shabbat when it is due to be read. What a great culmination to your study! I have never learned to chant Haftarah, and this is a challenge too good to pass up. I will take the course. Come take it, too. This class will start on Wednesday, October 18, and meet weekly for 12 weeks at 7:30 p.m. Please let Cantor Sharett-Singer know of your interest to register for either of her classes. If you are interested, please email the cantor at cantorsharrettsinger@riverdaletemple.org

YIVO CULTURE SERIES 2017-2018 Program Year Dec. 10, 2017; March 18, June 3, 2018: Sunday afternoons, 2:00 p.m., Riverdale Temple sanctuary. Entry is FREE to all. (Donations are welcome.)

Dec. 10: Strange But True Stories from the Yiddish Press An underground history of downwardly mobile Jews, this talk by Jewish scholar Eddy Portnoy exposes the seamy underbelly of pre-World War II New York and Warsaw, the two major centers of Yiddish culture in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. With true stories plucked from the pages of the Yiddish newspapers, Eddy Portnoy introduces us to the drunks, thieves, wrestlers, poets, and beauty queens whose misadventures were immortalized in print. One part Isaac Bashevis Singer and one part Jerry Springer, this irreverent, unvarnished, and frequently hilarious compendium of stories provides a window into an unknown Yiddish world that was. You will find no better chronicle of the daily ignominies

of urban Jewish life than in the pages of the Yiddish press. Dr. Portnoy is the senior researcher and exhibition curator at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, as well as YIVO’s academic adviser for the Max Weinreich Center. He received his Ph.D. from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

March 18: Brigid Coleridge and Lee Dionne concert of Jewish violin music With the encouragement of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, a group of young Jewish musicians at the St. Petersburg Conservatory were inspired to organize the Society for Jewish Folk Music in 1908. Its main purpose was to create a modern national style of Jewish concert music. This growing interest in Jewish nationalism and Yiddish folk culture resulted in the study of Jewish folk music through fieldwork, public lectures, publications, and concerts.

Violinist Brigid Coleridge and pianist Lee Dionne perform Jewish violin music from this tradition. Brigid Coleridge is a frequent recitalist and performs regularly with duo-partner pianist Lee Dionne, who is a soloist and chamber musician, performing frequently as a core member of Cantata Profana and with Ensemble Connect. Lee has performed in venues throughout the United States and around the world.

June 3: Stefanie Halpern Discusses the Yiddish Theater with a Multimedia Presentation This talk by Yiddish theater scholar Stefanie Halpern will situate the Yiddish theater as essential to a more complete understanding of the American theatrical institution, looking at the ways in which Yiddish drama, performance, artists, and audiences transitioned from the American Yiddish theater to the mainstream American English-language stage. By exploring the Yiddish stage in America as a crossover site, this multimedia lecture will demonstrate that it was not merely an ethnic theater that existed on the margins, but rather an important cultural phenomenon that was part and parcel of the American theatrical institution. Stefanie Halpern received her Ph.D. from the Jewish Theological Seminary. A project archivist at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, she is also the content specialist for YIVO’s Shine Online educational series, whose newest class on Yiddish theater will launch in May 2018.

—Yvette Marrin. Ph.D., Chair, Adult Education Committee

The Chavurah will not be meeting in October.

45 W. 36th St., 11th floor, New York, NY 10018-7904; Best Friends Society, www.bestfriends.org/Emergency/Assistance; ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd. St., New York, NY 10128; Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund, a program of Comic Relief Inc.: https://

handinhand2017.com/donate.html. Wishing everyone health and peace across the holidays/festivals and all of 5778!

—Frances Segan, Ph.D., Chair, Social Action Committee

On October 28, the annual open meeting of the Pulpit and Ritual Committee and the Music Committee will take place in the Ballroom, following the communal kiddush. Please take advantage of this opportunity to voice your opinions on the High Holiday services and the other services that the temple holds. This includes the Friday and Saturday services, the Festival services, and the many other services (e.g., Purim, Chanukah, Yom HaShoah, and more). The temple is here for you to address your spiritual, social, and intellectual needs, so please come and speak up. —Dr. Ronna Weber

9 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Donor In Honor Susan and Howard Marge and Michael Griffel on the Birnbaum birth of their granddaughter

Helen and Tom Krim on the birth of their granddaughter

Christine Caccavale Rabbi Gardner, for baby namingLinda Chokroverty and Extended Kiddush Fund Craig Katz Merryl and Bernard Riverdale Temple GreenwaldOscar and Cristin Rabbi Gardner and the Riverdale Hernandez Temple Congregation

Audrey Ott Rabbi Gardner, for my summer aliyah

Cantor Sharett-Singer, for my summer aliyah

Gloria and Mac Psachie Rabbi Gardner, for baby namingKathleen and Daniel Rabbi Gardner, for Camilla’s Roger unveiling

Phyllis R. Sambuco Riverdale Temple, for a healthy and happy New Year

Jill and Jack Shaifer Kay Prayer Book fundRenee Spath Rabbi Gardner

Donor In MeMory Shirley Auerbach Harold Auerbach, beloved husband Hermina and Daniel Joseph Ackner, beloved brother of Birnbaum Hermina Birnbaum

Jean Bloch, cherished neighbor of Hermina Birnbaum

Marvin Gelman, beloved husband of former RT Cantor Rebecca Garfein

Susan Lowenthal, beloved family friend of Hermina Birnbaum

Andrea Blattberg Margaret Mimi Elkus, beloved mother

Irene Brenner Julius Richman, beloved fatherJean Daniels Isidore Licker, beloved father

Donor In MeMory Claire and Herbert Melissa Mann, beloved family Diamond friendJeffrey Dinowitz and Riva Goldstein, cherished longtime Sylvia Gottlieb Riverdale Temple congregant and family friend

Ruth Feliciano Fried David Mark Fried, beloved husband

Michael Gefter Munia Gefter, beloved mother Rita Gefter, beloved daughter-in-law

Naomi Glauberman Melvin L. Glauberman, beloved husband

Marge and Michael Griffel Klara Griffel, beloved mother of Michael Griffel

Dorothy Kay Fred Distenfeld, beloved family friend

Linda K. Kleinman Frederick Kleinman, beloved brother-in-law

Sandra Kolodny Riva Goldstein, cherished longtime Riverdale Temple congregant and family friend

Ida Krausz Alex Krausz, beloved husband

Helen and Tom Krim Julius Meltzer, beloved father of Helen Meltzer Krim

Leah and Henry Kurtz David Fisher, beloved father of Leah Helene G. Lewis Isaac Lewis, beloved family memberJoyce Liskin Charles Lasky, beloved father

Ruth A. Loebmann Michael H. Abrahamson, cherished nephew

Marilyn and Emil Propper Meyer Cohen, beloved father of Marilyn Propper

Denise and Paul Resnik Esther Resnik, beloved mother of Paul Resnik

Dr. Daniel Roger Stanley Roger, beloved father

Renee Spath Constance Spath Osach, beloved sister-in-law

Evelyn and Irving Weiler Alma and Eugene Weiler, beloved parents of Irving Weiler

ConTRibuTions The following funds are represented in the entries below: Bible and Prayer Book Fund, Jean P. and Francis J. Bloustein Camp Scholarship Fund, Cantor’s Special Fund, Decorating Fund, Jacob-Fogel Program Fund, Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin Music Fund, General Fund, Dorothy and Joseph Kay Prayer Book Fund, Leon and Beatrice Bereano Pulpit Flowers Fund, Rabbi’s Special Fund, Religious School and Nursery School Parents Associations, Soviet Émigré Fund, Charles Tenenbaum Fund, Torah Repair Fund, Youth Activities Fund.

To My Fellow CongregantsNow that we have a sufficient supply of our new prayer books for our Shabbat and Festival services, I am eager to activate the Dorothy and Joseph Kay Prayer Book Fund to purchase new books for the High Holy Days services. I’m sure you will agree that the books presently being used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are becoming outdated and difficult to follow. I will donate seed money, but your contributions are needed so that we can reach our new goal of purchasing enough new books in time for the 2018 High Holy

Days season. We also desperately need more copies of the new Plaut Commentary books, and the Book Fund will aim to cover this cost as well. Contributions to the Book Fund can be made if you are sending in a donation to the temple for any reason. I ask that you please think of the Book Fund and help us reach our goal to afford new High Holy Days prayer books and new Plaut Commentaries for our Torah discussions. We are planning to have an indicator in the lobby showing our progress. Please be a part of this fundraising effort. I thank you in advance, and I look forward to a successful outcome. —Dorothy Kay

10 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

1 Saul Jelin 1 Samuel Turoff 2 Bridie Aguayo 2 Helen Block Gotwald 2 Claire Lersy 2 Werner Oppenheimer 2 Dr. Louis S. Werner 3 David Buhler 3 Rose Halper 3 Leonard D. Pearlman 3 Rachel Salti 3 Bernhard David Saxe 4 Harry Deutsch 4 Ida Gordon 4 Dr. Phil Liebling 4 Charles Tauber 4 Walter Tausk 5 Gerald Gellady 5 Arthur Karger 5 Harry Rosenfeld 5 Sarah Strisik 6 Helene Benardo 6 Edyce Elliss 6 Louis Halpern 6 Gloria Katz 6 Henrietta Krauss 6 Leonard Y. Rosenberg 7 Robert C. Baker 7 Michael C. Goldberg 7 Erna Heisner 7 Marion “Minnie” Weiss Pochter

8 Doris Adelman 8 Bessie Cohen 8 Constance (Connie) Jacob 9 Michael H. Abrahamson 9 Alexander Alperovich 9 Yetta Lester 9 Mollie Weiner 9 Pearl A. Weintraub10 David Avrach10 Lena Gleichman10 Daisy Goldberg10 Klara Griffel10 Samuel Levi10 Harry L. Samalin10 Helen Sherit11 Dr. Jacob Altman11 Herman Deutsch11 Myrna Faigman11 Samuel Hellman11 Frances Licker11 Fannie H. Naftal12 Joseph Feder12 Andria T. Schweitzer13 Frank Glickenstein13 Augusta Levy13 Helen Martin13 Helen Moskowitz13 James (Jim) Pinsley13 Jack Weiner14 Henry N. Merson15 Lilly Lea Hirschl

15 Sarah Lowenthal15 Rae Manheimer15 Hedy Schnitzer16 Cybele Fisher-Koppel16 Isidore Greenberg16 Louis Shapiro16 Benjamin Sperling16 Isabel Virshup Werner17 Morris Friedenberg17 Morris T. Roth17 Martin Sternstein18 Rosa Lessin19 Rose Bloch19 Albert Djivre19 Samuel Gilman19 Isidor Kaminer19 Isaac Kaplan19 Max Rosenbaum20 Rose Gordon20 Ruth Hochroth20 Albert Horn20 Ansa Schlesinger20 Martin Stern21 Norman Mazin22 Ida Bennett22 Fanny Cohen22 Samuel Fain22 Leopold Goldstein22 Carol Lipskar22 Sholom Rozenfeld22 Harry Samalin

22 Dorothy Simmons23 Edna Bender23 Gertrude Kleinman23 Adelaide Schulman24 Sandra Abramoff24 Bertha Cohn24 Joseph Fertig24 Sigmund Prince24 Abe Shaifer25 Minnie Eva Harris26 Edith Licker26 Celia Maskit27 Manasseh Brandt27 Sarah M. Fondiller27 Irwin Goldstein27 Oscar Kalinowsky28 Sarah Jacobson28 Lillian B. Kurtin28 Annette Parker28 Jeanne Snyder29 Shirley Matison30 Geraldine Breindel Shlamm30 Victor Lieberman30 Jennie Schoenberg30 Linda Stein31 Pauline Baer31 William Hutter31 Hilda Levy31 Carole Unger

The Departed Whom We Now Remember: October Yahrzeit Observances

CondolencesTo On the loss of Cantor Rebecca Garfein, Marvin Gellman, beloved husband of our former

Andrew, Steven, Max, and Jake cantor, and cherished father

We Lovingly Remember Riva Goldstein

Beloved mother of Steven and Eric; beloved grandmother of Brian and Rebecca;

beloved great-grandmother of Lewis, Nathan, Audrey, and Nina;

beloved aunt of SharonLong-time Riverdale Temple member

Beloved Riverdale Temple Religious School teacher for forty years

11 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The Women’s Balcony, Sunday, Oct. 22, 3:00 p.m., Riverdale Temple BallroomAn accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem, in this

rousing, good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power.When the women’s balcony in an Orthodox synagogue collapses, leaving the rabbi’s wife in a coma and the rabbi in shock, the

congregation falls into crisis. Charismatic young Rabbi David appears to be a savior after the accident but slowly starts pushing his fundamentalist ways and tries to take control. This tests the women’s friendships and creates an almost Lysistrata-type rift

between the community’s women and men.

This warm-hearted comedy is a life-affirming celebration of a synagogue community in the face of crisis. It speaks a universal language of joy.

There is no admission fee, but donations will be appreciated.

It’s a party! It’s an auction! It’s a fundraiser!We are planning our Auction for Action, to be held on Saturday evening, November 4, 2017. Please save that date to attend this exciting event at which we will celebrate Dr. Rachel Radna, our extraordinary president (2008–2016) and co-president (2016–, with Dr. L. Michael Griffel), with good food and drink—plus an auction!Do you have a service or suitable item you can donate? Do you know a vendor or manufacturer who can make a donation to this event? Or, would you like to make a cash donation? If so, please contact Susan Birnbaum or Rochelle Greenfield at rivtempleauction@gmail.com.

Recapture the joy of reading through the JBI Library for visually impaired, blind, and reading-disabled individuals, all provided free of charge and delivered to your doorstep. Call 1-800-433-1531 or visit JBI’s website at www.jbilibrary.org.

Brunch in the Sukkah!  WRJ invites you to have Brunch with us in the Sukkah!  

Sunday,  October  8                11:00  a.m.–2:00  p.m.  

$20/adult,      $10/ages  5–13,      $Free/ages  4  and  under

RESERVATIONS  MUST  BE  MADE ONLINE BY WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  4.

Make  online  payments  through  www.riverdaletemple.org,  and please  include  “WRJ  Sukkah  Brunch”  in  the  notes  section.  

12 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

RiveRdale Temple

4545 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

BRONX, NY 10471

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

RiveRdale Temple 4545 Independence Avenue

Bronx, NY 10471 affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism,

patron of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion

Telephone: 718-548-3800 Fax: 718-543-1492 Email: rivtemple@aol.com

Web Page Address: www.riverdaletemple.org

Rabbi of the Congregation Thomas A. Gardner, B.A., M.A., M.A.H.L.

Cantor of the Congregation Inbal Sharett-Singer

Rabbis Emeriti of the Congregation Stephen D. Franklin, D.D., D.H.L.

Judith S. Lewis

Co-Presidents of the Congregation Dr. Rachel Radna

Dr. L. Michael Griffel

Nursery School Executive Director Linda Herman

Religious School Education and Engagement Specialist Judy Weinberg

Bulletin Editor Margaret Ross Griffel, Ph.D.

Bulletin Proofreaders Shelley Ast, Susan Birnbaum,

Sylvia Gottlieb, L. Michael Griffel, Olivia Koppell, Ruth Loebmann

1 Worship Schedule 1 The Rabbi’s Column 2 Monthly Calendar 3 The Cantor’s Column 3 The President’s Column 4 Simcha Learning Center 4 Bat Mitzvah Celebration 5 Bulletin Board

6 Nursery School News 6 Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat/ Extended Kiddush 6 Tot Shabbat Services 6 Sukkot/Simchat Torah 7 Women of Reform Judaism 7 Men’s Club 7 Social Action

8 Adult Education 9 Contributions 9 Kay Prayer Book Fund10 Condolences 10 Yahrzeit Observances11 Brunch in the Sukkah11 Auction for Action11 Showing of The Women’s Balcony

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