1 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Vol. 68 January 2015 (5775) No. 5

By now I trust that most of our bulletin readers have already received the news that I will be retiring some time this coming summer. It was a difficult decision for me, and I am so grateful to all those who have already expressed similar mixed emotions to me since learning that this will be my last year with Riverdale Temple. Thank you for understanding that at this point I must put my family’s needs first, as sad as I am about leaving this congregation.

I do not, however, wish to dwell on the sadness. I would really prefer to look toward your future and imagine all the wonderful opportunities for growth and outreach that lie ahead.

Over the past two or three years, Riverdale Temple has been fortunate to experience a new generation of leadership stepping forward to help move us into our next stage of evolution (remember, Judaism is a living organism that must constantly change—reform—itself). This new generation is not defined by age, by any means. It encompasses all ages, from parents of our youngest children, to my contemporaries, and to those who have stepped up to take on roles and responsibilities vacated by those who formerly fulfilled them. Elaine Katz’s death is perhaps the most dramatic and painful example of a sudden vacuum in so many of our congregation’s leadership roles, but sadly many others have left us in recent years as well.

There is a passage in our prayer book that I have quoted several times recently. It says, “We do best homage to our dead when we live our lives most fully, even in the shadow of our loss.”

It seems to me that many members of this congregation are taking that observation to heart by serving Riverdale Temple with a new enthusiasm, renewed energy, and excitement about the possibilities the future holds.

Over the past nine years we have faced many challenges together. Most of you are familiar with the circumstances that caused Riverdale Temple to be in need of a new rabbi. Then, just two years after I arrived, as luck would have it, the whole country went through a recession second only to the Great Depression. My family went through its own tragedy right about then, and the congregation sustained and supported us with kindness that we will never forget.

The congregation’s resources continued to contract, and so the same amount of activity was spread among a smaller and smaller group of people. We went from a full-time cantor to a student intern. I took over direction of

Worship Services (also see p. 6)

FridaysJan. 2 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceJan. 9 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceJan. 16 5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceJan. 23 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service,

Professional ChoirJan. 30 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

SaturdaysJan. 3 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceJan. 10 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceJan. 17 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Chavurah following serviceJan. 24 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceJan. 31 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Lucy Mandel Bat Mitzvah celebration

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

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3 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The PResidenT’s Column

the religious school. Volunteers took on the responsibilities of an executive director and a bookkeeper. We kept going.

There is a well-known rabbinic saying, “im ayn kemach, ayn Torah”—or, you can’t sustain the study of Torah without “dough” (literally, “flour” but nevertheless a euphemism for funds). It’s found in Mishnah Pirkei Avot—“The Sayings of the Ancestors.” Take a look at the entire Mishnah from which those five words are frequently extracted. The whole passage in Mishnah Pirkei Avot 3:17 says:

According to Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah, where there is no Torah there is no “derech eretz” [literally “the path of the land” but often taken to mean good manners, courtesy]. Where there is no courtesy, there is no Torah. Where there is no wisdom, there is no awe. Where there is no awe, there is no wisdom. Where there is no understanding, there is no knowledge. Where there is no knowledge, there is no understanding. Where there is no flour, there is no Torah. Where there is no Torah, there is no flour. He used to say, those whose wisdom exceeds their deeds are like trees with many branches but few roots. When the wind comes, it is uprooted and overturned … [illustrated by a text from Jeremiah]. Those whose deeds exceed their wisdom can be compared to a tree with few branches and many roots.

Even if all the winds in the world come and blow upon it, it will not be moved, as it is written (also Jeremiah), “It shall be as a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river. It will not notice the heat but will have abundant foliage. It will not fear drought, neither will it cease bearing fruit.”

When I think about where we have been, and how far we have come—even though we may not be enjoying abundant foliage right now (or “flour”)—it is clear to me that our roots are deep. Winds have not uprooted Riverdale Temple. If anything, our roots have grown deeper and stronger. It is not only to relieve my sense of sadness and guilt—but because I truly believe it—that I say with a full and confident heart that the best is yet to come for Riverdale Temple. You have a wonderful search committee. Riverdale is a highly desirable location for many, many reasons, and there are many talented and charismatic rabbis out there who would be delighted to serve this congregation. Torah will continue to flourish in your midst as long as you continue to sustain this congregation with your spiritual and material commitment. Please join me in optimistic anticipation of a future that will indeed bear the fruit that all of us have been cultivating over the past nine years. Ken Yehi Ratzon—may this prayer be fulfilled.

—Rabbi Judith Lewis

Guest Columnist Helen Krim, Trustee, Riverdale TempleThe secular new year is a time for new beginnings. With the winter solstice, days will bring more sunshine and more time to enjoy life. Our temple is buzzing with the energy of new leaders. Joanne Heyman and Dorothy Feldman are co-presidents of the Women of Reform Judaism. Parent Association leaders from the nursery school, Rebecca Sherman, and the religious school, Joanne Heyman, are planning temple events that span the generations and strengthen our synagogue family. Our Latke Fry-Off celebrating Chanukah this year was an all-temple event with offerings of arts and crafts, mah-jongg lessons, shopping opportunities, and, of course, good food! I hope you attended these December 14 events at the temple. The lessons are in preparation for a Riverdale Temple mah-jongg tournament in the New Year! The sponsors are the Women of Reform Judaism, and the Parents Associations of Riverdale Temple Nursery School and Religious School.

In the category of boring but important, our temple By-laws Committee has been updating our by-laws so that we can move forward more efficiently. A new committee structure will go a long way toward distributing the work more evenly and lightening everyone’s load. The committee hopes to publish the new by-laws soon for review by the Board and then the entire congregation. Be sure to read them carefully and speak up boldly. Your comments are truly welcome.

Looking forward to January, a new Purimspiel is almost complete, and rehearsals will start at noon the first Sunday in the New Year, January 4. The Religious School students helped write the script this year, so they are fired up and ready to go. They also chose the theme, which features the music from Frozen, the award-winning Disney movie. We’ll be trying something new, using a presentation style of dramatics. The actors will all be seated on

the stage and will be able to keep their scripts. When their scene comes, they need only stand up. We expect the pace to pick up and the audience to experience less wait time between scenes. All are welcome to participate, and, as always, if we need another part for a willing actor, I’ll write one. So join the Riverdale Temple Players!

Thoughts of spring bring to my mind thoughts of the Women’s Seder. Admittedly, this is not an all-temple event, but it is one of my favorites. Sorry, gentlemen, this is an all-female Seder celebrating the role women played in the exodus from Egypt and slavery. Our Seder honors the women who were midwives to our nation. Women of all ages from the whole Riverdale community bring their daughters to attend the Seder, and we are very proud to have initiated the event and to host it each year.

The strength of our synagogue family is important for every member and for the larger community. The past months have been difficult for us. Among the cherished people we have lost were David Fried, Jeanne Snyder, and Elaine Katz, three dear friends and dedicated members—indeed pillars—of our community. But it has also been a great comfort to be able to share our mourning, and draw support from each other. Our community is even more precious to me now than it was in September. Riverdale Temple is fully engaged in the Riverdale community through our Social Action and Tikkun Olam committees. Our pajama drive in October and coat drive in December benefit those who aren’t members of our temple. Our Fair Trade Fair benefits many people who don’t live in the United States. Our temple calls us to engage in the world, and to view it through a Jewish lens. So when our president asks for 100 percent participation in the Kol Nidre pledge, she knows that a pledge of even $10 says that you care about our temple community, and with your commitment we will go from strength to strength.

4 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Virtual Water Cooler

Do you have something you’d like to discuss with Rabbi Lewis but do not have the time to come in and meet with her personally? Send her a message through our website at http://riverdaletemple.org/community-rd/conversation-with-rabbi-lewis. While you are there, also stop by our “virtual water cooler” or take a look at some great pictures!

An Opportunity to Share!

Perhaps you want to honor a birthday, an anniversary, commemorate a Yahrzeit, or share

Shabbat with our congregation! Call the office at 718-548-3800, ext. 0, and leave a message for Irene Brenner.

New! New! New! Combined Activity of Knitting for Charity, Fun and Games

In addition to knitting for Warm Up America, we are also knitting caps for Israeli soldiers.

Bring board games, mah-jongg, Scrabble, etc. Bring your knitting or any handiwork. Bring friends for an evening of fun and games.

January 13, 2015 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the West Lounge

Another way to raise money for the temple painlessly—instead of googling, you good search at www.goodsearch.com/

5 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

The Bulletin: Vol. 68, No. 5, January 2015. 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 3

Rabbi 4Cantorial Intern 5Emergencies 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 the 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 www.ushmm.org/remembrance/registry. Send the completed form to Registry of Holocaust Survivors, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126; tel: 202-488-6130; fax: 202-314-7820; e-mail: registry@ushmm.org.

Caring CommitteeWhen you become aware of a member’s illness or accident, or a fellow congregant’s passing, PLEASE call the office or e-mail rivtemple@aol.com promptly with details, including the person’s relationship to you or others. This will enable the Caring Committee to take action accordingly.

January EventsPurimspiel Rehearsals Jan. 4, 7, 11, 13, 22, 25, 29Adult Hebrew Classes Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29Knitting for Charity, Fun and Games Jan. 13

Why Be Jewish? Jan. 25KRHM Food Delivery Jan. 25

Dates subject to change. Go to www.riverdaletemple.org for updates.

Riverdale Temple House Committee

Our 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. If you are willing to join the committee, please contact Helen Krim at helen.krim@gmail.com.

Rabbi Lewis would greatly appreciate hearing from members of the congregation who may be facing health issues or other emotional stresses and might welcome a pastoral visit or phone conversation. Please call her at 718-548-3800, ext. 4, if there is any way in which she can provide assistance.

Bulletin Board

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

6 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Friday Evening and Saturday Morning ServicesThe first Friday night service of each month, which begins at 6:15 p.m. and is called Family Shabbat, aims to be a lively service filled with songs and stories and is directed primarily at families with young children. As in the past, it features our Junior Choir and is followed by a potluck dinner. Our other Friday night services also begin at 6:15 p.m., with the singing of a special series of Psalms that usher in Shabbat, followed at 6:30 p.m. by the formal evening service. There is no Family Shabbat in January, but it will resume next month.

Nursery school News

As you read the news from the Nursery School, we will just be coming back from winter break. We anticipate that a few of the younger children will need extra lap time after being home for two weeks but will quickly remember how much fun they have in school. I love to watch the children engage in fantasy play. Just a few weeks ago, two little girls in a threes class pretended to be at the hair

salon. Since the toys in the room do not include any beauty salon—themed toys, they needed to be inventive. The toolbox did double duty; the saw became a comb and the drill became electric rollers as they took turns styling each other’s hair and commenting on the results. Fantasy play is so important in a preschooler’s development since language skills, turn-taking, the ability to see abstractions in objects, and creating rules are all embedded in this variety of play. Our holiday parties were wonderful. The threes and fours joined together for their party on December 19. With their families

watching, the children marched in to Marching Maccabees and then each class took turns singing holiday songs. Everyone dined on latkes, applesauce, and jelly donuts. On December 22 and 23, the twos had their Chanukah party with their parents and caregivers. They also dined on latkes, jelly donuts, and applesauce, eating all three at the same time, as only two-year-olds are willing to do!It’s hard to believe that we are already in January. Even the days are just a bit longer. We have so much planned in the upcoming months. We have started to enroll children for our 2015–2016 school year. If you know families with two-, three-, or four-year-olds, we would be grateful to you for sending these families our way.We return to school on Monday, January 5, and will be here all month with the exception of closing for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 19. We hope the weather cooperates with this plan! I wish you and yours a Happy New Year.

—Suzanne Boydstun

religious school/hebrew school

The Kabbalat Shabbat Family Service will not be held this month because of regular school breaks and the fact that we will not have a chance to rehearse with our Junior Choir, but please remember that EVERY SERVICE IS A FAMILY SERVICE. Our Junior Choir knows how to sing the complete Kabbalat Shabbat medley beautifully. Please consider attending a regular Friday evening service. It is not much longer. I do deliver a more formal sermon, but it is usually the same length as our Kabbalat Shabbat discussion, and I’ve found that the students who do attend “get” the message I am trying to share. And the more you attend services as a family, the more your children will understand that this is a pleasant and meaningful way to celebrate Shabbat. By attending services, you are enabling our students to experience first hand the practical relevance of their religious school studies. That is the most significant reward you can offer them for their participation in our program—really!!! (They may not put it into so many words, but they will feel it.)I look forward to celebrating and studying with all of you. Parents: Our “Why Be Jewish” discussion series, which was “bumped” last month by Chanukah festivities, resumes on Sunday

morning, January 25.Please check out the photo (right) by Michal Birnbaum of our seventh and eighth graders reenacting the Chanukah story (in five fun-filled minutes) at our pre-Chanukah celebration.

—Rabbi Judith Lewis

Religious School

Jan. 4 no school (winter break)

Jan. 11

Jan. 18 no school (MLK weekend)

Jan. 25

Hebrew School

Jan. 1 no school (New Year’s Day)

Jan. 8

Jan. 15

Jan. 22

Jan. 29

FridaysJan. 2 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceJan. 9 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceJan. 16 5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat Service

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve ServiceJan. 23 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service,

Professional ChoirJan. 30 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

SaturdaysJan. 3 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceJan. 10 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceJan. 17 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Chavurah following serviceJan. 24 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning ServiceJan. 31 10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Lucy Mandel Bat Mitzvah celebration

7 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

It is my pleasure to introduce Joanne Heyman-Greene as co-president of Women of Reform Judaism. Joanne brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this new position. While the co-president of WRJ is “new,” Joanne’s presence at Riverdale Temple is felt in her roles serving on the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, as liaison with the Nursery and Religious School parents, and as Sydney’s and Morgan’s mom! Here is Joanne in her own words.

Recently, Dorothy Feldman asked me to work alongside her, as she did with Elaine Katz as co-president of WRJ. I think that somehow Elaine was involved in this! You may not recall, but at the end of our fiscal year, Elaine nominated me to serve on our Board of Trustees. Subsequently, at the Board of Trustees meeting, Elaine nominated me for the Executive Committee. Both of these nominations were a happy surprise. WRJ is a different matter entirely. WRJ was Elaine’s garden for many years. It brought great joy and delight to Elaine to nourish the group and help it grow. I am honored to be asked to help tend to this garden.

WRJ thanks everyone involved with the Artisan Craft Fair/Family Carnival held on November 16. The atmosphere was exhilarating! With the help from the Nursery School Parents Association, we created an excitement and buzz that is still being heard throughout the community. With a strong turnout, amazing vendors, great food, and fantastic volunteers, Ronni Stolzenberg and Susan Birnbaum

threw one great party! A special shout out also goes to Eileen Bowden, Rebecca Sherman, Heather Bloomfield, and Blythe Kaufman for making the Family Carnival a truly memorable event.

In December, WRJ continued its collaboration with the Nursery School and Religious School families as we celebrated Chanukah. On December 14, WRJ participated in the Kids Holiday Crafting Day. The festivities started with the Religious School Holiday Party and latke fry-off and culminated with a Holiday Crafting Day. Vicky Auerbach, Helen Krim, Rabbi Lewis, Rita Lowe, and Susan Brown-Mandel prepared latkes. And the winner of the latke fry-off?? Helen Krim! WRJ offered menorahs, jewelry, and other holiday items for sale. The WRJ Riverdale Temple bakers, Irene Brenner, Dorothy Kay, Helen Silber, and Ronna Weber contributed delicious goodies. Mah-jongg lessons were given in preparation for a spring Mah-jongg Tournament. Chanukah celebrations continued on December 19, as families participated in a communal lighting of their menorahs—Menorah-thon 2014! As the candles from the menorahs burned low, we were ready for more latkes!

Coming attractions—our next Book Club Meeting, annual Women’s Seder and spring Mah-jongg Tournament.

We look forward to your continued participation and support of WRJ and Riverdale Temple.

—Dorothy Feldman and Joanne Heyman-Greene, WRJ Co-Presidents

Women of RefoRm Judaism (sisteRhood)

WRJ Book ClubOur next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m.Susan Birnbaum has recommended a memoir we

will discuss called KOSHER CHINESE: Living, Teaching and Eating with China’s Other Billion by Michael Levy. The publisher says, “in September of 2005, the Peace Corps sent Michael Levy to teach English in the heart of China’s heartland.

His hosts in the city of Guiyang found additional uses for him: resident expert on Judaism, romantic adviser, and provincial basketball star, to name a few. His account of overcoming vast cultural differences to befriend his students and fellow teachers is by turns poignant and laugh-out-loud funny.”I look forward to seeing you all in January.

—Ronni Stolzenberg

Bat Mitzvah CelebrationLucy Mandel is an honors student in the 7th grade at RKA; her favorite subjects are English and creative writing. Since she was three years old, Lucy has been attending Riverdale Temple Hebrew school. In her spare time, Lucy plays mid-field for The Riverdale Riots, a competitive travel soccer team, and enjoys hanging out and texting nonstop with her close friends. She counts her big brother Henry as one of her closest friends. She loves reading young adult dramas and listening to music.She is excited about her Bat Mitzvah celebration and is grateful for the time she has spent with Rabbi Lewis and Cantor Sharett-Singer. Her parents, Susan and Andy, are super proud of her.

Mitzvah Day April 19, 2015

Please plan to participate and help!

8 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

We are currently working on planning the spring topics for the YIVO Jewish Culture Series, dates to be determined. This 2014–2015 program year is following the theme of Jewish identity and modernity. The lecture last month that took place at the Museum of the City of New York gave us a glimpse of life in Eastern Europe between the two World Wars

in the shtetls, towns, and a large city, Warsaw, and set the baseline for the two lectures that will follow. Jeffrey Shandler in his talk, “Coming of Age in Poland: Jewish Life Stories from the 1930s,” offered wonderful insights into the nature of ordinary Jewish life. These were the people who came to the United States before the Holocaust. Many Jews, of course, did not survive because they did not leave when the relatives who were our family members did. Our families encountered in America the challenges of maintaining their Jewish identities as well.

We, their children and grandchildren, continue to be challenged about what it means to practice Judaism in these contemporary times, During the first lecture, we looked back at life stories and saw people who lived rich and often complex lives. How did Jews who arrived as immigrants to the United States struggle against the stereotypes of Jews in a new land, and how did that encounter have an impact on their identities? Looking forward might point us to the ongoing transmission of Jewish knowledge and sense of who we are as Jews in 2015. As beliefs and values are challenged, how do we carry on our Jewishness? I look forward to finalizing which scholars will help us look further at this challenge and the format that such discussions will take. We will keep you informed when we define this further with our colleagues at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

Reminder: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Lewis continues every Thursday (except for holidays) from noon to 1:00 p.m. in her study. Her class on Reform Judaism will meet this month on January 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the social hall, and the rabbi’s Sunday discussion of “Why Be Jewish” will meet on Sunday morning, January 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the ballroom.

The Adult Hebrew Language Class taught by Elaine Atzmon starts its second cycle in January. It meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Details are found on our website “Study, Hebrew Language class.” There is a tuition charge, and at this point in the semester you would have to tell us what your knowledge base in Hebrew is to see whether you can fit into a class that continues going forward in its study of Hebrew, which began in November.

—Dr. Yvette Marrin, Chair, Adult Education CommitteeThe Chavurah will meet on January 17 following the Shabbat service. The Torah portion for that week is Vaera, which you know, even if you think you don’t. Through Moses and Aaron, God brings plagues on the Egyptians as Moses repeatedly implores Pharaoh to let his people go. Although God and Pharaoh never interact directly, they are the major players in the story and Moses finds himself running back and forth between them, relaying messages. No matter how many times you have read and studied a portion, there is always something new that reveals itself when you return to it; so join us for a dairy potluck lunch and stimulating conversation. Our meetings last about two hours and usually end by 2:30 p.m.

—Ronna Weber, Ph.D.

adult educatioN

Welcome, New and Returning Members of Riverdale TempleMelissa and Jorge Adriazola

Lindsay and Martin Bennett

Rebecca Charnow

Morgan and Andrew Evers

Jaime and Scott Feinstein

Iris Fuchs and Robin Goren

Sarah and Jeffrey Gerecke

Carol C. Goldberger

Stephanie Goldsmith

Amanda and Ari Gottlieb

Jennifer and Michael Gross

Jessica and Chad Haller

Heather Schultz and Steve Horowitz

Fredrica Levinson

Jennifer and Richard Petras

Julia Potter and Vincenzo Bertoli

Jennifer and Seth Shaifer

Fay Statsky and Scott Sirkin

Danielle Sussan and Edwin Gulko

Eva Winkler and Joseph Tardibuono

New Member blessings will be scheduled for an upcoming Shabbat service—please look for the date to be announced in a weekly e-blast.

Riverdale Temple apologizes for any omissions of new member names. If your name is not listed, please contact the temple office at rivtemple@aol.com.

Please send in your Kol Nidre donations if you have not already done so. All donors will be listed in a future issue of the bulletin.

9 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Start 2015 off right by helping to plan timeline and work for Mitzvah Day 2015!

We shall meet on Sunday, January 25, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Social Hall to begin planning and outreach process. Everyone is welcome!

Many thanks to all who donated warm coats for NYCares, pajamas and books for the Pajama Program, and canned and boxed food for the ongoing KRMH Food & Hunger Project.

KRMH Food & Hunger Delivery Date for January is Sunday, January 25, at 11:45 a.m. At that time all donations, will be taken to the KRMH Food Pantry, located at the Church of the Mediator. We need your help in continuing to donate healthful soups, cereals, fish, rice, canned fruit, etc., to help those in our community who are hungry.

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

meN’s club

social actioN

Erev Purim is Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

Purimspiel Rehearsal Schedule

January

Jan. 4, Sunday, noon

Jan. 7, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11, Sunday, noon

Jan. 13, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18, Sunday—Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, no rehearsal

Jan. 22, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25, Sunday, noon

Jan. 29, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

It has been suggested that we publish in the bulletin the recipe for my prize-winning latkes. The recipe comes from a cookbook, Elegant Essen, authored by the Sisterhood of the East Northport Jewish Center, and published in 1973.

Potato Latkes

6 medium potatoes

2 eggs

2 medium onions

vegetable oil

1/2 cup breadcrumbs or matzoh meal

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Peel and grate the potatoes. I use a Cuisinart grater, then the puree attachment for a few pulses. But leave enough grated to give texture. Grate the onion. Add eggs, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Mix well.

Heat the oil 1/4 inch deep in a large frying pan. Brown until crisp on both sides. Turn only once. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sour cream and applesauce.

They are delicious.—Helen Krim

The next Men’s Club meeting is Sunday, January 11, 2015, after the Congregational Meeting, which begins at 10:00 a.m.—Steve Rosenfeld, President

10 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

Donor in honor

Shelley Ast, Ph.D. Amit’s first birthdaySusan and Howard Rabbi Judith Lewis for Marisa and Birnbaum Lisa’s marriageEphraim Bosgang Riverdale TempleCarole and Bert Feinberg Birnbaum family for Marisa and

Lisa’s marriageRuth Fried Rabbi Judith Lewis for David’s

funeral servicesReggi and Bruce Gerber Riverdale Temple Dorothy and Joseph Kay Birnbaum family for Marisa and

Lisa’s marriageKathy and Dan Roger Rabbi Judith Lewis, in grateful

appreciation for your unending hard work and dedication, and for comforting the bereaved

Rachel Radna, in grateful appreciation for your unending hard work and dedication, for our 2014 High Holy Day aliyahs, and for comforting the bereaved

Amy and Adam Temple Riverdale Temple

Donor in MeMory Benjamin-Javitch family Elaine KatzPeter E. Bloustein Ariadne (Ari) Bloustein, beloved

wifeIrene Brenner Milton Richman, beloved brotherCarolyn Eisen Miriam R. Eisen, beloved motherCarole and Bert Feinberg Elaine Katz Joseph Rappaport, beloved brother

of Yvette Marrin Molly Sumner, beloved mother of

Carole FeinbergDorothy Feldman Elaine KatzRuth Fried Elaine KatzMichael Gefter David Gefter, beloved father

Donor in MeMory Margaret and Michael Giza Hirsch, beloved grandmother Griffel of Margaret Ross GriffelSarah Harrison Elaine KatzDorothy and Joseph Kay Ruth Kay, beloved mother of Joseph

KayOlivia Koppell Elaine Katz, a great person!Debra Kronberg and family Esther Schlesinger, beloved mother

of Debra KronbergHarriet Martin Dick Martin, beloved husbandRichard Meisler Rosalyn Meisler, beloved motherWendy J. Parker, M.D. Sol Dubrov, beloved grandfatherLise Rapaport Rose Kantor, beloved grandmotherKathy and Dan Roger Elaine Katz David Fried Jeanne SnyderSusan G. Sawyer Stella and Bill Greenblatt, beloved

parents Phyllis and David Saxe Ruth and Emanuel Saxe, beloved

parents of David SaxeHarriette L. Schmertz Eric J. Schmertz, beloved husband Martin Schneider Irving SchneiderRenee Spath Elaine KatzRita Spiro Elaine Katz Jeanne SnyderEleanor Squadron Elaine KatzHilda J. Stewart Elaine KatzSandra Weitz Rebecca Evelyn Schenker

and Leon Schenker, beloved parentsJudith Buder Zucker Gary Zucker, beloved husband

ConTRibuTions The following funds are represented in the entries below: Bible and Prayerbook 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, Leon and Beatrice Bereano Pulpit Flowers Fund, Rabbi’s Special Fund, Soviet Émigré Fund, Charles Tenenbaum Fund, Torah Repair Fund, Youth Activities Fund, Religious School and Nursery School Parents Associations

11 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

1 Sylvia E. Appel 1 Sylvia Brown 1 Mary Franklin 1 Fannie Fein Lakritz 1 Rosanne Martin 1 Rosalind A. Rappaport 1 Benjamin Silverman 1 Pearl Togut 1 Laura Glickstein Willing 2 Henry Abrahamson 2 Sadie Brill 2 Sylvia Mills 2 Alfred E. Simmons 2 Simon Steinglass 3 Sol Biegen 3 Lila Chessler 4 Sylvia Alwaise 4 Frances Braunstein 4 Lillian Diamond 4 Bernard H. Gordon 4 Ira Handwerger 4 Liza Lakritz Perelmutter 4 David Spivack 4 Shirley Waldstein 5 Blanche Breindel 5 Samuel Haupt 5 Isidore Leibowitz 5 Samuel Jay Resnick 6 Sophie Ginsberg 6 Samuel Isaacson 7 Eleanor Gerber 7 Steven Paul Weintraub 8 Albert Block 8 Ernst Fraenkel 8 Diane Geller 8 Mollie Liebowitz 8 Ed Lowe

8 Shirley Mandel 8 Ernest Small 8 Jeanne Sundheim Spiegel 9 Yetta Kovitz 9 Regina Rothman10 Nathan Amols10 Henny Barrow10 Jenny Dilloff10 Fanny Levy10 May Manheimer10 Sydel Rosenberg11 Irving Arrow11 Lillian Burgeman11 Harry Davidoff11 Milton Seelig12 Samuel D. Dorfman12 Sally Entin12 Peter Howard Manheimer12 Maurice Sigel12 Louis Weiner12 Estelle Weiss12 Walter Yohalem13 Erna Abrahamson13 Melvin I. Cannold13 Emma Shapiro Friedman13 Ida Klugman13 Jennie Rabinowitz13 David Rapaport13 Joseph Rapaport13 Mollie C. Rothberg14 Julia Steiner Halprin14 Stanley Sundheim14 Sally Tessler15 Ethel Fondiller15 Hertha Gottschalk15 Pearl Hoffman15 Cynthia Mason

15 Julian Spiegel16 Beatrice R. Bereano16 Irving Goldshein16 Hyman W. Rosenblum16 Lou Wiggs16 Mark Zelkowitz17 Rose Berman17 Lawrence Goldberger17 Alfred Silverman18 Ralph Batt18 Selma Friedman18 Rose C. Harren18 Betty Kahn18 Mary Parker19 Frieda Margulies20 Julius H. Ginewsky20 Siegfried Hermann20 Betty Ranfeld20 Samuel Wechsler21 Mitchell LoPato21 Phyllis Platzner22 Louise Amram22 Milton Eisen22 Florence Kern22 Judith R. Klein22 Estelle Lasky23 Ida Feinman23 Lottie Golubock23 Theodore Klebanoff23 Dorothy Reingold24 Samuel Bialek24 Kathryn Bloomfield24 Beulah M. Cohn24 Diane Wild25 Elias Blaustein25 Rose Saraga25 Lillian Steren

26 David Bauer26 Sol Brill26 Sheryl Gilman26 Benjamin Krisiloff26 Dr. Siegfried Loewentritt27 Frances E. Friedman27 Aaron M. Steren28 Fanny B. Appel28 Helene-Ronnie Bloch28 Fannie Grossman28 Elaine Heller28 Betty Levene28 Sara B. Merson28 Jean Monat28 Frieda Steinhauser29 Lore Kornberg29 Mildred Levitt29 Abe Molsky29 Henrietta Felicity Radna29 Diane Wild29 Abraham Yarlow30 Rose M. Evans30 Ralph Hochroth30 Grace Kahn30 Muriel Kaufman30 Dr. Sidney Sommers30 Jacob Weinberg31 Ida Baron31 Eppie Begleiter31 Irving Fritz31 Lena Jacobson31 Max Kaplan31 Dr. Gabrielle Koppell31 Miriam Leff31 Martin Marsh31 Lillian Salb31 Harry Wagonfeld

CondolencesTo On the loss of

Riverdale Temple, friends, and colleagues Dr. Ellen Rae Batt, long-time, devoted member of Riverdale Temple

Otto Kucera is pleased to inform the congregation that he is now affiliated with Plaza Jewish Community Chapel630 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10024 212-769-4400 PlazaJewishCommunityChapel.org

The Departed Whom We Now Remember—January Yahrzeit Observances

12 Riverdale Temple Bulletin

RiveRdale Temple

4545 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

BRONx, NY 10471

ADDRESS CORRECTION REqUESTED

RiveRdale Temple 4545 Independence Avenue

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

patron of the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion

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

Web Page Address: www.riverdaletemple.org

Rabbi of the Congregation Rabbi Judith S. Lewis

Rabbi Emeritus of the Congregation Rabbi Stephen D. Franklin, D.D., D.H.L.

President of the Congregation Dr. Rachel Radna

Organist/Director of Music Arnold Ostlund Jr., B.Mus.

Nursery School Executive Director Suzanne R. Boydstun

Bulletin Editor Margaret Ross Griffel, Ph.D.

Bulletin Proofreaders Susan Birnbaum, Sylvia Gottlieb, L. Michael Griffel,

Olivia Koppell, Ruth Loebmann

1 Worship Schedule 1 The Rabbi’s Column 2 Monthly Calendar 3 The President’s Column 4 Knitting for Charity, Fun and Games 4 An Opportunity to Share! 5 Bulletin Board

5 Caring Committee 5 House Committee 6 Friday Evening/Saturday Morning Services 6 Nursery School News 6 Religious School/Hebrew School 7 Bat Mitzvah Celebration 7 Women of Reform Judaism

8 Adult Education 8 New Members 9 Purimspiel Rehearsals 9 Men’s Club 9 Social Action 10 Contributions 11 Condolences 11 Yahrzeit Observances

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