“Community ConCert of thanksgiving” Will Celebrate unity through musiC

Our post-election “Community Concert of Thanksgiving” will be an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together for a celebration of unity.  

Be at The Forum on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 3:00 PM for an afternoon to remember.   The program will feature performances by popular Jewish artists Neshama Carlebach and Josh Nelson, and New York-based gospel choir, The Glory to God Singers. Joining them will be members of local church and community choirs, including Kol HaNeshama and over eighty children from the Harrisburg City Schools and the Silver Academy as well as the John Harris Drumline.

Please join our Honorary Chairs, Nancy and Jay Krevsky, and the many volunteers from Chisuk Emuna and beyond who have planned this uplifting and unifying event. Invite your friends to join us too.

The proceeds from the event will benefit Chisuk Emuna Congregation, the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation and Downtown Daily Bread.

For tickets, more about the performers, and event information, visit www.communityconcerthbg.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-866-967-8167. Questions? Suggestions? Please contact Linda Laff, steering committee chair, at 717-385-0077 or Chisuk Emuna Congregation at (717) 232-4851.

Tishrei ✡ Cheshvan 5777 – November 2016

Please join us on Shabbat morning November 5th for a Shabbaton (including a light lunch) featuring Dr. Shalom Staub, Professor at Dickinson College. Dr. Staub will present “Have we lost the ability to talk to each other in these polarized times?” Our polarized political climate is evident almost everywhere we turn. Certainly cable television and radio talk shows amplify the divide, and the national polarization has the ability to affect relationships even in the communities within which we live and work. Shalom will draw from his experience in conflict mediation/resolution to offer some thoughts about how we, as individuals, can approach bridging the divide at the interpersonal level.

november shabbaton

2 | Chisuk Emuna Bulletin | TISHREI ✡ CHESHVAN 5777 | NOVEMBER 2016

rabbi’s messageWhy Am I Going?

Why am I going to the Community Concert of Thanksgiving at The Forum on Sunday, November 20th at 3 pm?

1. More than ever, our community and country need to come together.

2. I am so proud that Chisuk Emuna is convening hundreds of people from so many different backgrounds.

3. This concert is an inspiring way to channel positive energy and raise much needed funds for our congregation and two groups that serve and strengthen the people of Harrisburg – Downtown Daily Bread and the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation.

4. I love gospel music:) It’s true!5. Josh Nelson has never

performed in Harrisburg and I am really excited to hear this outstanding musician. (N.B. A different artist with the same name has been here previously.)

6. Neshama Carlebach is returning after five years. It will be good to welcome a dear friend of our congregation back to town.

7. I am excited to hear Kol HaNeshama – our Jewish community’s a cappella group, Silver Academy students and other adult and children’s choirs singing with our guests.

8. Since our Honorary Chairs, Jay and Nancy Krevsky, Linda Laff and her committees are working so hard to plan this event and since so many individuals and companies are so generously sponsoring our concert, the least I can do is to go and encourage everyone I know within and beyond the Jewish community to join me.

9. I look forward to sharing a high-energy and uplifting program of music with my family, friends and community.

10. I can’t wait to see Mr. Watson dancing! How awesome to attend a Chisuk Emuna event where Will doesn’t have to do anything but sing and dance and enjoy. I want to be with Will and with all of you.

These are just a few of the reasons why I am proudly, joyfully attending and supporting our Concert of Thanksgiving.

I really, really want you to be a part of the largest event Chisuk Emuna has ever hosted. Your presence will really make a difference to me, to all of our volunteer organizers and to the hundreds and hundreds of members of our community who will be attending. It is really important that our congregation be well-represented. And I am certain that you will really enjoy yourself:)

Buy your tickets today (unless you’re reading this on Shabbat:) - www.communityconcerthbg.com, 1-866-967-8167. And please invite your friends and neighbors to join you.

Let’s fill the Forum with a large and diverse gathering of people, united in song!

Ron Muroff717-329-9597

rabbi@chisukemuna.org

Laughter Dr. Lawrence Kass

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Dr. Lawrence Kass spoke about the birth of Isaac to Sarah and the subsequent conflicts between them and Abraham’s slave Hagar and son Ishmael. Below is an excerpt, followed by a prayer introduction shared on the second day of Rosh Hashanah by Mike Greenwald:

... when Sarah gives birth, we hear “Va-tomer Sara, tsehok asa li Elohim”. “Sarah said, ‘G-d has brought me laughter; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” That translation sounds like joyous laughter. But the root, tzadi-chet-kuf, laughter, can be interpreted two ways and the Torah’s intent is not immediately clear. In fact, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch translates that verse as “And Sarah said: G-d hath made me into a laughing-stock, all that hear will laugh at me.” Why the ambiguity?

Just three verses later, we hear that “Sarah saw the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing.” This sentence immediately precedes her subsequent demand to Abraham to cast them out. The Torah uses the word me-tza-chaak for playing. Same root. And again, this can be read two ways. It can be read as meaning that Ishmael was having fun with Isaac, or that he was making fun of Isaac. How we read that certainly colors our reaction to Sarah’s demand.

Personally, I think the ambiguity is useful to our understanding. It’s important, particularly in this season of self-reflection, to remember that laughter is a two-edged sword. We love to laugh. It’s an important part of how we socialize. Jokes and humorous stories help us establish relationships with new acquaintances and cement the bonds with established ones. Most of us probably believe that it’s even

continued on page 4

rosh hashanah refleCtions

Chisuk Emuna Bulletin | TISHREI ✡ CHESHVAN 5777 | NOVEMBER 2016 | 3

gesher spotlight“Barukh Atah Adonai…v’tzevanu lishmoah kol shofar…”

Throughout the months of Elul and Tishrei, you would

have been sure to hear the variety of sounds of the shofar being blasted in our hallway and classrooms, calling us to “wake up…and take stock of our lives!” Whether these sounds came from our plastic and colorful shofrot-sounding students, or, from a few of our 2/3 blossoming real-shofar playing students announcing the end of school sessions, or, outside in the parking lot before pick up, the messages of the shofar were certainly heard and received loud and clear at Gesher!

Thanks to Rabbi Muroff and Rabbi Cytryn, our students were able to take away from our opening/welcoming (15-minute) weekly Wednesday sessions, core spiritual messages of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur: Story-telling, Psalm 27 singing, discussions about the variety of messages of reciting the Al Het prayer, and the multiple meanings of the ritual of placing one’s fist (spectrum ranged from gentle taps, to audible bangs, to tarzan-like thumps) on your chest above the heart…all in service of trying to understand what it means to “open one’s heart” and to find the time (and a desire to) for making changes in our lives…to acknowledge mistakes that were made…to recognize what we are really sorry for doing or saying…to begin again…

These themes (of teshuva and forgiveness) of the High Holy Days also were discussed in many of our classes through the lens of the special texts and readings on these Days of Awe. Our 2/3 graders focused on the importance of giving tzedakah. Our 4/5 graders took a look at the Story of Jonah and discussed the connections to their own lives. Our 6/7 graders have begun pouring their attention to Hebrew reading and prayers—as well as—noting all the variety of ways that different Jewish communities in the world celebrate the Hagim. Our Pre-K/K students have begun learning their Hebrew letters. Minyan takes place on Sundays, where, talking about the many blessings that infuse our lives help us to better understand how our morning prayers are a type of “thank you moment,” intentionally placed in our daily routine each day to remind us to remember and to take note of so many of the good things we enjoy and experience each day in our lives.

Additionally, we held our first Family Education Day with parents and students, who took part in our “Prophets for President” program. Thanks to our theatrical faculty, we were able “to meet” and learn much from the wisdom and teaching of the Prophets: Jeremiah (Rabbi Muroff), Miriam (Yasminah Respes), Elijah (Geoffrey Cole, newest faculty member from Dickinson), and Deborah (Nomi Small). Following the learning together, each “team” was challenged to pick their Vice President and running mate, and then create a song, a poster, an item that exemplified the prophet or their work, and offer a speech—to deliver the special prophetic message—and convince the rest of us as to why their character would make the most compelling leader in our day. The rap and song selections were clever and fun, and offered much for us to continue to think about as we decided whose message won the day…and our votes… You can see pictures from

our time together here and on our website: www.gesherhbg.org

As you read this message, the ringing sounds of the shofar will have passed…but the message of the blasts remain, reminding us all that there is much to do and accomplish this year together.

Wishing you and your families many joyous celebrations at this season! Be well, Rabbi Ilyse

UPCOMING NOVEMBER DATES:

Saturday, November 5: 10am; Gesher Junior Congregation meets at Chisuk Emuna Congregation (with Jodie Raffensberger: Grades K-7).

Sunday, November 6: Daylight Savings Time Ends…Turn clocks back one hour! Gesher School Sessions: 9am-12pm

Sunday, November 13: No Gesher School (Veterans’ Day): Gesher Parents and Students (Grades 6/7) and Faculty are invited to join the Prayer Workshop, led by Beth El Temple’s Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Naomi Levy, 10-11:30 am. Rabbi Levy will be teaching throughout all of Shabbat. All are welcome!

Sunday, November 20: Community Concert of Thanksgiving, 3pm at the Forum

Wednesday, November 23 and Sunday, November 27: No Gesher Classes; Thanksgiving Break

Sunday, December 5: Introduction to Talit Making & Tzizit Tying Workshop for Grade 6/7 Students & Parents, 11:15 am - noon

Rabbi Ilyse S. Kramer, Gesher Director of Lifelong Learning

ilyse@gesherhbg.org cell: 410-660-9910

4 | Chisuk Emuna Bulletin | TISHREI ✡ CHESHVAN 5777 | NOVEMBER 2016

brotherhood

Brotherhood will hold its next meeting on Thursday, November 10th following minyan (which starts at 7:15 pm). For more information, please call Brotherhood President, Jay Krevsky, at 329-3720.

OK, if done right, to makes jokes at the expense of someone we love. We have a term for that…”poking gentle fun.” I know my sons believe that. Though sometimes they push the bounds of the term “gentle” in the things they do to each other. And that’s the point. Fun at someone else’s expense can be painful. And that pain is often more in the perception of the recipient than in the intent of the person making the joke.

We dedicate this holiday, and the days that follow up to Yom Kippur, to reflect on our own transgressions. We will say al chet, “we have sinned” on Yom Kippur as we ask for forgiveness. It’s relatively simple to say we shouldn’t steal, cheat, or commit violence. I don’t imagine we need to think much about why those are wrong. But those barbs, zingers, or quips we so glibly toss off are worthy of consideration. When we laugh at someone’s predicament, are we laughing with them or at them? Or in terms of today’s parashah, does Sarah think we are laughing with her or at her? When we kid around, does our brother Isaac think we are making fun with him, or making fun of him?

The message we can take home from this reading is that it is not only what we say, or how we say it, but also how it’s heard. The Torah doesn’t tell us how to make sure our gentle laughter is received in the same manner it was intended. And I certainly don’t know the secret of how to poke fun without hurting someone. But I’m convinced part of the answer is to recall this dual nature of laughter, be sensitive to how people might interpret our comments, and not cause pain when we are simply trying to be humorous. And that’s a good message for Rosh Hashanah.

Shana Tovah.

HininiMike GreenwaldI’ve always been fascinated by ritual

and liturgy – of all kinds. Not only, or even necessarily, by the substance, but especially by the form – how it can center us, and move us, and

evoke our innermost thoughts and feelings. That fixed set of ceremonies. That customary repertoire of ideas, phrases, and observances. They ground us and comfort us. The simple practice of “a moment of silence,” for example. The practice is more than a cursory, literal “moment in time.” It is ritual, a designed concept, that calls us – even forces us – to actually stop our lives for a moment, to dig deeply into our souls.

I’m not sure how I came to be so interested in liturgy and ritual. Perhaps it’s because of my love of theater. Ritual and liturgy are very much a kind of theater. Indeed, it is commonly thought that ancient Greek theater developed from religious ritual-drama.

I do know my fascination began at a very early age. As a child, growing up in a small town in New Jersey, I was exposed to a diversity of people and faiths. My own, of course, but also others.

In shul on Friday nights, I loved the moment when the choir walked down the aisle singing an opening prayer to welcome Shabbos. There was magic in that small bit of ritual. The “staging,” if you will. For me, at that young age, the medium was the message!

At the Catholic Church up the street each the summer, my brother Mark and I were enrolled in a recreation program that was open to all. At the start of each day, the Catholic kids were required to practice the Hail Mary and the Rosary. Mark and I watched with fascination. Just for fun – and because we didn’t have to – we both memorized what we heard and we could recite it out loud. We didn’t make a lot of friends when the priest chided the other kids, “If the Greenwald boys can do it, why can’t you?!”

That interfaith experience was a glimpse into another form of ritual. I began to appreciate even more the role that ritual and liturgy play in our lives. Over the years, as I’ve attended life-cycle events of friends of many faiths, I’ve made it something of a hobby to observe and compare the structure and impact of different

liturgies. I’ve observed that, no matter what we believe, both the substance and the form of ritual are like a moral compass. There are moments that point us – not only our thoughts, but also, and perhaps especially, our hearts – in the right direction.

Today, as on every Rosh Hashanah, I’m reminded of that more than ever. There are specific moments that I await more eagerly, feel more deeply, and consider more seriously than others. Each of you can point to those moments that are most moving and meaningful for you – the ones that help you re-set your moral compass.

For me, one of them is Hinini. As the Chazzan assumes the enormous weight of his once-a-year responsibility to pray, on behalf of each of us, that we be inspired and that G-d be moved by our pleas, he chants, “Hinini – Here I am.” At that moment the Chazzan is I. And you.

I’ve often thought to myself, “I’m here, but “why?” “Lamah ani kahn. Why am I here?” Why, at least on this day each year, do I set all else aside – make no exceptions?

Is it guilt? Tradition? The right thing to do? What’s expected of me?

The answer is right here, inside of each of us. Moments matter. Liturgy and ritual create those moments. Being present in the moment matters even more. In fact, we need these moments. Moments like “Hinini” help us to pause, to listen, to reaffirm our humanity, our decency, our morality, our devotion to mankind and to something greater than ourselves.

Hinini. Here I am. And I know why.May we be inscribed in the book of

life. Shanah Tova.

rosh hashanah refleCtions Continued from page 2

Chisuk Emuna Bulletin | TISHREI ✡ CHESHVAN 5777 | NOVEMBER 2016 | 5

WEEKLYTorah Trope Class with Gerry Gorelick, 9:00 am - 10:00 amExplore the musical system of trope for reading Torah. Learn-ers of all abilities welcome.

NOVEMBER 5Jr. Congregation led by Jodie Raffensperger, 10 amShabbaton featuring Dr. Shalom Staub, Professor at Dickinson College.

NOVEMBER 12Jr. Congregation led by Jodie Raffensperger and Hallel Ches-kis, 10 amTot Shabbat for babies thru kindergartners led by Jodie Raffensperger, 11 am

NOVEMBER 19Women’s Torah Study led by Barbara Bazelon, 10:30 am

speCial shabbat programs

Tuesday, November 8th

12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

2017 mah Jongg CardsIt’s that time of year to purchase your 2017

mah jongg cards. Sisterhood received $155.00 as a rebate from The National Mah Jongg League for the number of cards we ordered for 2016. The prices for 2017 remain the same..$8.00 for regular cards... $9.00 for large cards. It is my hope every year to sell more cards resulting in more money for Sisterhood. Please mail your check made payable to: CHISUK EMUNA SISTERHOOD c/o ELLEN MUSSAF 4609 N. Progress Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110.

DEADLINE: January 13, 2017 P.S. We did sell more cards last year so let’s continue to sell even more this year.

mollie b offers synagogue donation for purChase of JudaiCa

Mollie Bronstein is offering new and exciting lines of jewelry, as well as Judaica and giftware for all occasions, at Mollie B’s Fine Jewelry, 2017 Linglestown Road. With any purchase of Judaica, Mollie will make a donation to Chisuk Emuna or any local synagogue of your choice. She encourages all members to come and check out their recent renovations as well!

College Students

WHO: Chisuk Emuna College/Graduate School Kids who are away at school

WHAT: Holiday greetings/ treats from the shul 3 times a year

WHEN: Rosh Hoshana…Chanukah…Passover

WHERE: To their college addresses. This past Rosh Hashana, we sent 23 packages!

WHY: To stay connected and let them know they are part of our Shul family while they are away at school

If you have not sent your child’s updated college address to Ricci Doctrow (riccirub@comcast.net), please do so your college aged child can be included in the next holiday mailing.

6 | Chisuk Emuna Bulletin | TISHREI ✡ CHESHVAN 5777 | NOVEMBER 2016

Mazel Tov

Mazel tov to Dganit and Avi Shefet on the birth of their granddaughter, Shai Carmelle to Keren and Greg Dubin. The baby was born on October 2nd in Philadelphia.

Within the family

Condolences

The Chisuk Emuna family is saddened by the death of David Halpern, brother of member Ellen Mussaf. We extend condolences to Ellen and her family and pray that they will be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. May the memory of David Halpern be for a blessing.

Community neWs

The Parent Café is a free, three-session series of educational classes for the parent body designed to learn with and from the Silver Academy’s finest teachers.

This first session is taught by Rabbi Gewirtz on the topic of Morals and Ethics-Mensch Periodic Table, Building a Community of Menschen. For more information please contact the Silver Academy at 238-8775.

Chisuk Emuna Bulletin | TISHREI ✡ CHESHVAN 5777 | NOVEMBER 2016 | 7

Contributions

The following people have made contributions to Chisuk Emuna Congregation in observance of the Yahrzeits of their loved ones: Marilyn Klein, David Epstein, Ira Rappaport, Richard Bronstein, Bess Gorelick, Sylvia Bodenstein, Charlotte Siegel, Ilene Becker-Cohen, Alvin & Iris Goodman, Shirley KlawanskyContributions have been made

In memory of Julian Schoicket by Ellen & Wayne Sanderson and Janna & Craig Match & family

In honor of the birth of Rabbi Ron & Leah Muroff’s grandson, Nachum Simcha, by Chuck & Ruth Kline

In memory of Barbara Putterman and in honor of the birth of Abigail Barbara Putterman by Steven & Linda Putterman

In memory of David Halpern by Bruce & Barbara Bazelon, Malcolm & Ilene Becker-Cohen, Carol Soller, Lois Brenner, Holly Engelman & Moshe Bell, Leah Blumenfeld and Janna & Craig Match & family

In honor of the wedding of Joshua Glick & Kristina Helmers by Debbie & Menashe Reuvenny and Janna & Craig Match & family

In honor of Andrew Barron’s wedding from Debbie & Menashe Reuvenny

In memory of Elaine Braveman by Joy and Michael Crimmel

In honor of the birth of Tali & Jonathan Seligsohn’s baby, Nachum Simcha, in honor of Sid & Hanna Pollack’s granddaughter, and in honor of Ilene Becker-Cohen’s birthday by Janna & Craig Match & familyJosh Klein Bikkur Cholim Fund

By Pinny & Jill Henig, Rovena Marcus, Erik & Robyn Chotiner, Josef Oliker, Charles & Honi Kibler, Bennett & Inez Chotiner, Ohev Sholom Temple Religious School, Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg

Haskell, Kobrin, Marcus FundBy Dan & Gloria Grabenstein in

memory of David HalpernMarty Doctrow Kiddush Fund

In honor of Rabbi Ron & Leah Muroff’s new grandson, Nachum Simcha, by Bruce & Barbara Bazelon

In memory of David Halpern by Joyce Green and Faye Doctrow

In memory of Rebecca Isenberg and in honor of: Jenny Rubin’s special birthday, Sammy Michlovitz’s engagement, and get well wishes to Will Watson by Faye Doctrow

In honor of Andrew Barron’s marriage by Bruce & Barbara BazelonRabbi’s Discretionary Fund

In honor of the marriage of Joshua Glick & Kristina Helmers by Mike Brenner & Varsha Lift

In memory of Elaine Braveman by Lisa Pickler

In memory of David Halpern by Mort & Myrna Rubenstein

In honor of the birth of Rabbi Ron and Leah Muroff’s grandson, Nachum Simcha, by Mort & Myrna Rubenstein, Judith Silverman and Roberta Hodara

In appreciation of Rabbi Muroff and the rest of the Chisuk Emuna community by Jennifer & Andrew RheubanSchneider L’dor V’dor Fund

In honor of the marriage of Joshua Glick & Kristina Helmers by Jay & Linda LaffUrie Philanthropic Fund

In memory of: David Halpern, Blossom Carlo, Jerry Spitnulnik, Frances Goldberg, Pninah Lipsky, Ida Resnick by Libby, Brenda, Daniel & Brian Urie

In honor of: the birthday of Rabbi Ron Muroff, the anniversaries of Dan & Gloria Grabenstein, Herman & Lois Gordon by Libby, Brenda, Daniel & Brian Urie

Name Chesvan Nov. Andrew David Weinberg 1 2Dwight Smith 2 3 Patricia Freeburn 2 3Florence Surventnick 2 3Regina Loris 3 4William Gervan 3 4Lewis Rubin 3 4Lillian Glass 4 5Sara Marcus Kobrin 4 5Muriel Fielo 4 5Rose Lippman 5 6Dr. R. Stanley Bank 7 8Samuel Wolkoff 7 8 Caroline Goldberg 8 9 Doris Lock 9 10Abraham Kaplan 9 10Aaron Abeloff 10 11Eliyahu Weinstock 10 11Peter Chiplowitz 11 12David Oken 11 12Dorothy Horwitz 13 14Joseph E. Solomon 13 14Meyer L. Kaplan 15 16Elaine Williams 16 17 Ella Sternberg 16 17 David Nicoll 17 18Howard Rich 17 18Matilda Lerner 18 19 Henry Becker 21 22Isabel Tuck Etter 21 22David Baker 22 23David Etter 22 23Bessie Klitzner 22 23Max Greenberg 23 24 Eva Siegel 24 25Rosa Kline 25 26Labe Schenkman 25 26Lillian Chernicoff 26 27Marila Erlich 26 27Lewis Cohen 27 28Abraham Schultz 27 28Max Kaplan 27 28Anna Baum 27 28Samuel Cook 28 29Simon Danowitz 29 30Rose Grossman 29 30Fannie Schreiber 29 30

yahrzeits

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Chisuk Emuna Bulletin a monthly publication of Chisuk Emuna Congregation3219 Green Street | Harrisburg, PA 17110 | (717) 232-4851 | www.chisukemuna.orgSend your Simcha and/or Shul related information to Susan Sussman at info@chisukemuna.orgRabbi Ron Muroff, Editor | Leslie B. Ocko – Graphic Designer | Marty Lamonoff, Printer

Chisuk emunaCongregation3219 Green StreetHarrisburg, PA 17110-5507

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

November2 Gesher5 Jr. Congregation led by

Jodie Raffensperger, 10:00 am. Shabbaton featuring Dr. Shalom Staub: “Have we lost the ability to talk to each other in these polarized times?”

6 Gesher8 Election Day Blood Drive,

12:00 - 7:00 pm10 Brotherhood meeting fol-

lowing minyan, 7:30 pm

12 Jr. Congregation led by Jodie Raffensperger & Hallel Cheskis, 10:00 am. Tot Shabbat for children up to age 5 led by Jodie, 11:00 am.

13 NO Gesher16 Gesher 19 Women’s Torah Study

led by Barbara Bazelon, 10:30 am

20 Community Concert of Thanksgiving, 3 pm at the Forum

23 NO Gesher27 NO Gesher30 Gesher

Candle Lighting and Service Times

Date Candle Fri. Eve. Sat. Eve Lighting Service Service

11/4- 5 5:40 pm 5:40 pm 5:45 pm

11/11- 12 4:33 pm 4:30 pm 4:35 pm

11/18- 19 4:27 pm 4:25 pm 4:30 pm

11/25- 26 4:23 pm 4:20 pm 4:25 pm

P l e a s e r e m e m b e r C h i s u k Emuna and the Jewish community

in your will or by beneficiary designation.