ut bulletin december 2011

8/3/2019 UT Bulletin December 2011

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The BulletinUnion Temple of Brooklyn

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism DECEMBER, 2011 KISLEV - TEVET 5772 Vol. 163, No 4

SHABBAT SERVICES FOR DECEMBER

SHABBAT VAYEITZEI2 Friday Evening

4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for TotsFirst Friday Family Shabbat6:00 PM - Snacks6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat:Pot Luck Dinner

3 Saturday Morning 10:30 AMShabbat Morning Service

Torah: Genesis 28:10-32:3 Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:10

SHABBAT VAYISHLACH

9 Friday Evening4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for Tots6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat


Torah: Genesis 32:4-36:43 Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12

SHABBAT VAYEISHEV16 Friday Evening4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for Tots6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat


Torah: Genesis 37:1-40:53 Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

SHABBAT CHANUKAH / MIKEITZ

23 Friday Evening 6:30 PMKabbalat Shabbat


Torah: Genesis 41:1-44:17 Haftarah: Zekhariah 4:1-7

SHABBAT VAYIGASH

30 Friday Evening 6:30 PMKabbalat Shabbat


Torah: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

CELEBRATE

CHANUKAH

AT UNION TEMPLE

See page 4

for details!

Sisterhood andBrotherhood ofUnion TempleInvite You to aHavdalah ServiceSaturday,December 3rdSee page 7For details


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Rabbis MessageAbuse and ReportageEvents at Penn State. . . . The recent events at Penn State University have

shocked and saddened all of us. We all agree that the crime of sexual moles-

tation is heinous, and, of course, the victims are our primary concern. But

this scandal also has focused our attention on the responsibilities of those

who witness it, and those who are aware of it.

Mandated Reporters. . . . In New York State, those considered to be

mandated reporters, legally obligated to report abuse of any kind, include

licensed teachers, day care workers, medical and mental health care profes-

sionals, firefighters, police, and similar professionals. Though clergy are not

legally mandated reporters in NYS, of course it is our moral obligation to re-

port as well. (In neighboring Connecticut, clergy are mandated.)

Brooklyn DA. . . . In light of the Penn State scandal, the New York Board of Rabbis requested a conference

with Kings Country District Attorney Charles Joe Hynes, and Rhonnie Jaus, Chief of the Sex Crimes and

Crimes Against Children Division in the DAs office. Joe Hynes, a victim of childhood abuse himself, has

been proactive in this area for a long time, and has worked closely with the NYBRs Dayeinu project

(Enough) on domestic abuse, particularly as it occurs within the Jewish community, but not exclusively.

There are a number of measures that have recently been put into place. For instance, this year the DA has im-

plemented Safe Stop, a coalition of Brooklyn businesses that are committed to increasing public safety for

children and the elderly. Businesses have Safe Stop decals in their windows, and anyone in danger can go in

and request either 911 or 311 assistance under complete safety and anonymity. As of now there are some 200stores participating. It is hoped that there will be over 1,000 by the spring. In addition, particularly for the Ul-

tra-Orthodox community, organizations like Kol Tzedek, Ohel, and the Metropolitan Council, have set up a

hot line through which people can report such violations under the protection of anonymity. Mr. Hynes also

has instituted a review process with the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn for its own internal policing and report-

ing procedures.

Ultimate responsibility. . . . Ultimately the responsibility lies with all of us. Those who work closely with the

DA advocate the same general admonition as we have heard from the Mayors office: If you see something,

say something. In addition, our children need to be alerted and emboldened to report inappropriate behavior

toward them by adults. The programs set up by the DA are there to protect our anonymity, if this concerns us,

while giving us mechanisms for protecting our children, and them, the ability to protect themselves. Hope-

fully these and other measures will help to combat the scourge of domestic abuse and child molestation. To

make a report in New York State, call 311, 911, or: New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register

1-800-342-3720 (Public Hotline); 1-800-635-1522 (Mandated Hotline).

-Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman


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ENGAGING ISRAEL

Each of these eight sessions will combine video presentations by scholars atthe Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, and text study based on the

videos, conducted by our Rabbi. This series boldly confronts many of the

challenges facing Israel at this time, with the academic rigor and moral cour-

age emblematic of the Hartman Institute.

From Crisis to Covenant Power and Powerlessness War and Occupation

Religious Pluralism and Human Rights Religion and Peoplehood Morality on the Battlefield

and more.

Wednesday Evenings, 7:30-9:30 PMNext Session: December 7

Next 2 segments: April 4, 11, 25 / May 23, 30

Because there are materials that will be distributed, please let us know if youd like to attend.

Union Temple of Brooklyn 17 Eastern Parkway at Grand Army Plaza 718-638-7600

[email protected]

Officers Column We Are GrowingWe are growing! From September 1st through October 15th of this year Union Temple has gained eight new

membership units, which in Temple language means families or singles. We cannot remember experiencingsuch a large increase in so short a period of time. What a great way to start off the New Year! Howard Simka

(Membership Co-chair), Rabbi Goodman, the committee and many other Temple members worked hard to

make this happen. But we can do even better.

So for the purpose of this column I am putting on my Membership Committee Co-Chair hat and I am appoint-ing everyone in the Union Temple community who is reading this to the Membership Committee. Congratula-

tions! No, you dont have to show up at committee meetings. But it would be great if everyone would get in-

volved by just speaking to your friends and neighbors. We are all at Union Temple because it provides us withsomething we value; our beautiful services, opportunities for social action, a feeling of community, learning, a

Jewish foundation for our children. New members often tell me they experience Union Temple to be warm

and welcoming and that was a major factor in their decision to join. Lets spread that word. Invite yourfriends to attend programs and services with you. By growing our membership we have the potential for

even more programs that serve our Temple community and we will still be the warm and friendly place that we

value so much.If you really want to be on the Membership Committee we would welcome your participation and input. Justcall or e-mail the temple office or leave a note with your contact information in the Membership mailbox and

we will get back to you; or you can speak with me or Howard Simka at services. I hope to hear from you.

-Abe Barnett, Vice-President, Co-chair Membership Committee


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O CHANUKAH O CHANUKAHCOME LIGHT THE MENORAH

LET'S HAVE A PARTY

WE'LL ALL DANCE THE HORA

Join us for the Union Temple FamilyCHANUKAH CELEBRATIONTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 6:00 PMLighting of the Menorah, music, dreydls,and a wonderful dinner.

You bring dinner, well provide latkes, jelly doughnuts,and beverages.Please bring a main dish, salad, or side dish to share.Union Temple of Brooklyn

17 Eastern ParkwayBrooklyn, NY 11238

[email protected] / www.uniontemple.org


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Winter started early this year, with a brutal snowstorm

in October, and it shows no sign of letting up soon.Sisterhood, however, has exciting plans to take the

chill out of the long, cold days of December. We be-

gin our winter warm-up on Saturday, December 3rd,when we join with Brotherhood for our annual jointHavdalah. Meet with us at the temple at 5 PM for a

cozy wine-and-cheese reception. Then Rabbi Linda

Henry Goodman will lead us in a beautiful Havdalahservice. After that, we'll all go down the street to enjoy

and participate in the Brooklyn Museum's festive First

Saturday activities. You'll have blues, swing, and klez-mer music; dance lessons; hands-on-art; a fitness per-

formance; and great exhibits to choose among. What a

delightful way to chase away the cold winds of winter!

Next, join us on Sunday, December 18th, at 10 AM,for our pre-Chanukah party. There will be latkes and

other delicious Chanukah treats, and we'll be discuss-

ing Anna Solomon's best-selling new novel, The Little

Bride. Explore with us the life, longings, struggles,

and triumphs of Minna Losk, a sixteen-year-old mail-

order bride in the 1880s whose search for love and a

better life took her from poverty in Odessa to a hard-scrapple existence in a sod hut in South Dakota. Her

story will open your eyes and your heart to a hidden

part of Jewish history on the American frontier. Lat-kes, literatureand laughter too. No one will want to

miss this warm welcome to the holiday season.

Sisterhood wishes everyone a happy Chanukah. May

the candles in our menorahs bring the glow of joy into

our lives and the light of peace into our world.

-Barbara Brett, Secretary

Sisterhood Let the Festivities Begin


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Saturday, December 3rd

Join us for a

HavdalahServiceat Union Temple

followed byFirst Saturday at the

Brooklyn Museum of Art

Havdalah 5 PM in the Temple Lobby

Refreshments will be served

Sisterhood and Brotherhood of Union Temple

Union Temple of Brooklyn17 Eastern ParkwayBrooklyn, N Y 11238

718-638-7600 uniontemple.org

Religious SchoolAn ExperienceOur children are our guarantors. For their sake Igive the Torah to you. (Shir Hashirim Rabbah1:24)

At Union Temple Religious School, we strive to

cultivate a love of Torah as a central component ofJewish life. Roughly every other week, the entire

school learns together the weekly Torah portion.

We read stories and sing songs together, and each

class studies the parasha on its own. The blessingsand curses of Deuteronomy, the rains of Noah, and

the covenant of Abraham are all topics weve ex-

plored at the Religious School, and Torah will con-

tinue to be a foundation of our learning together.

In addition to Torah study, were also mindful of

active Jewish life. Our school blew the shofar forRosh Hashannah and decorated Union Templessukkah for Sukkot. We pray together every morn-

ing, and we have our snack as one full community.

Individual classes have had opportunities to get outof the classroom: Kitah Bet (3rd-4th grade) went on

a scavenger hunt around the Temple, and Kitah

Dalet (7th-8th grade) is planning a field trip series to

study the history of Jews in Brooklyn. Truly, ex-

periential learning is vital to our school.

In these ways, we keep the values of Torah alive in

our hearts, our minds, and our hands. Union Tem-ple Religious School hopes to nurture vibrant Jew-ish life among students and their families, and we

celebrate the learning opportunities we have to-

gether. I encourage the entire community to join uson a monthly basis to see the fulfillment of these

goals at our monthly First Fridays Shabbat service

(6:30 pm), where the Religious School is able toconnect with the broader Union Temple commu-

nity. This years dates are December 2nd, Janu-ary 6th, February 3rd, March 2nd and May 4th.

I hope youll join us as our entire Temple familyhelps develop the love of Torah in our children so

that we may all share together our love of Judaism

and Jewish life.

Shalom!

-Daniel Kirzane, Educator

As always, please send any questions, comments, or

feedback to me at [email protected].


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Last month Steven Segall once again led a masterful book discussion aboutthe novel 36 Arguments for the Existence of God, by Rebecca Goldstein. It

sparked a number of interesting discussions around the table. Brotherhood

book discussions are always interesting and illuminating so start reading for

the next one on Sunday morning, January 22nd. Andy Mirer will be lead-ing the discussion about The Blood of Lorraine by Barbara Corrado Pope.

And dont forget on Saturday evening, December 3rd, Brotherhood and Sis-terhood will have a Havdalah service at the Temple, followed by a visit to the

Brooklyn museum for its First Saturday event of art and music.

We wish everyone a joyous Chanukah and a happy New Year!

-David Rapheal, Secretary

BrotherhoodBrotherhood and Books A Perfect Match

National Council of Jewish Women

presents

The Changing Face of the American Jewish Community:

Opportunities and ChallengesFeaturing: Ruth Messinger, President and CEO

of American Jewish World Service

Our Rabbi,Dr. Linda Henry Goodmanand

Five other leaders of Jewish organizations in New York

Join the Union Temple contingent at this provocative discussion of

our diversity and how it can enrich our community

Sunday, December 11, 2011 10:00 am -3:30 pm

820 Second Avenue, 10th floor

New York, NY 10017

$45 for NCJW members and Union Temple members , $50 for non-membersRegister by phone 212-687-5030

Gathering around to share book

insights and of course bagels and

coffee.


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UT Food Drive AnotherGreat Success

Continuing a great tradition, members of the Union

Temple and Religious School students set up in front ofthe Seventh Avenue

Key Food to collect

food for the food pantryand soup kitchen run by

Christian Help in Park

Slope (CHIPS).

Shoppers were verygenerous as they do-nated a tremendous

amount of groceries

with our volunteers.

It certainly made the

Thanksgiving holiday a

little bit better for someour needier neighbors.

8

Preschool A Full and Happy PlaceOne of my favorite projects of the school year is the very popular chick hatching project. This year farmer

Clarissa visited us on October 17th. She brought along Sarah the hen and Abraham the rooster. The kids wereable to pet the hen and rooster who were very comfortable around young children. They basically sat there qui-

etly, as the kids took turns petting them. For the next two weeks the preschool office was a real hub of activity

with visits by both students and their parents. Everyone was monitoring the progress of the eggs as we allawaited the big hatch. On Monday of the second week, when I came in in the morning I was greeted by ninelittle chirping chicks. The three remaining chicks hatched later that morning. The chicks got lots of love

showered on them for the next few days, as we all marveled at their incredibly quick growth. The chicks re-

turned to their farm in Pennsylvania at the end of the week. During their two week stay all of the class curric-ula centered on farms and the chicks and their life cycle. We read chick books, did many art projects that in-

corporated feathers and ate scrambled eggs.

The other big event of the fall season was celebrating Sukkot. This year we built a child sized sukkah in the

big room. The children decorated it with water color fruit, painted leaves, and paper chains. In addition to be-ing the center of the school celebration of Sukkot, the sukkah became a real focal point of free play in the big

room. Rabbi Goodman joined us to celebrate Sukkot. She shook the lulav and showed the children the etrog

which they explored through touch and smell.

With the departure of the chicks and the dismantling of the sukkah the twos and threes classes are all focusingon the autumn season. Our four year olds had their first visit of the school year to the Brooklyn Museum,

where they visited the Egyptian Gallery and observed the golden ibis. They are now studying the golden

ibis through art and literature.

-Susan Sporer, Director


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Tzedakah

UNION TEMPLE MEMORIAL FUNDDonated by ....................................................................................... in memory ofDoris Klueger ............................................................................................. Arnold Schukin

Arlene Greendlinger ................................................................................... Harry Ebner

Sherry Rosenberg ....................................................................................... Karen Pollack

Pamela F.Meersand .................................................................................... Edith Meersand

Hortense Hurwitz ....................................................................................... Beatrice GoldfarbRosemarie C. Hope and Tracy Sanicola ..................................................... Beatrice Goldfarb

Doris Klueger ............................................................................................. Beatrice Goldfarb

Joyce M. Charles ........................................................................................ Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

RABBIS DISCRETIONARY FUNDDonated byPaula Miller ................................................................................................ in appreciationJames D. Kendis ......................................................................................... with best wishes

Stephanie and Paul Morris ......................................................................... in appreciation

Mike and Ilene Baron ................................................................................. in honor of Ilene's recovery

DR. A. STANLEY DREYFUS LECTURE FUNDDonated byHenry and Susanne Singer ......................................................................... in honor of flowers for Rabbi Cohens Lecture

Hortense Hurwitz ....................................................................................... honor of Rabbi Dr. Martin A. Cohen

Hortense Hurwitz ....................................................................................... in honor of Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman

Hortense Hurwitz ....................................................................................... in honor of Marianne Dreyfus

Hortense Hurwitz ....................................................................................... in honor of John Golomb

Hyman and Barbara Brett ........................................................................... in memory of Bernard Barnett

Marianne Dreyfus ....................................................................................... in memory of Beatrice Goldfarb

HAPPY DAY FUNDDonated by ....................................................................................... in honor ofJeffrey Levy and Anne Steiner Levy .......................................................... Annes Conversion

SISTERHOOD ROSE KEIT FLOWER FUNDDonated by ....................................................................................... in honor ofHenry and Susanne Singer .......................................................................... Dennies Gajadhar

Linda and Howard Simka ............................................................................ Bea Hanks

Linda and Howard Simka ............................................................................ Susanne and Henry Singer

Linda and Howard Simka ............................................................................ Dr. Gail Levine-Fried's retirement

We express our deepest condolences to

HOWARD AND LINDA SIMKA

on the death of Linda's mother

BEATRICE GOLDFARB

on November 8th.

We express our sympathy as well to

Howard and Linda's children

and their spouses,

Scott Simka and Lorraine, and Mi-

chelle Simka and Jay Mannlein,

and to Beatrice's great-grandchildren,

Joshua, Jaccob and Lilly Simka.

and to:

NANCY and JOHN BERANBAUM

on the death Nancys Mother

MARY LEE FULLER

On October 30th.

We extend our sympathy to Nancy's

sister Jamie Fuller

and her brother Rockwell Fuller and

their families,

including Mary Lee's

seven grandchildren

and two great-grandchildren.

and to:

STUART and JUDY PARKERon the death of Stuart's mother

PAULINE PARKER

on October 30th.We extend our sympathy to

Stuart's brother andsister-in-law

Steven and Ellen Parker.

May their memories be for a blessing


10/12

Union Temple suggests that its memberscontact our Funeral Director

Martin D. Kasdan ofBoulevard-Riverside Chapels

1895 Flatbush Avenue

Brooklyn, NY

1-800-522-0588

Proudly maintaining morethan 50 years of Temple involvement

10

The BulletinUnion Temple of Brooklyn

17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11238

(718) 638-7600

Fax (718) 783-9151E-mail [email protected]

Website Uniontemple.orgDr. Linda Henry Goodman

Rabbi

Lauren PhillipsStudent Cantor

Shinae KimTemple Musician

Daniel KirzaneEducator/Rabbinic Intern

Susan SporerPreschool Director

Beatrice HanksPresident

Abe BarnettEllen KolikoffHenry Singer

Vice Presidents

Steven SegallSecretary

Jeffrey SteinTreasurer

Mike Baron

Hortense R. HurwitzDoris Klueger

Honorary Presidents

David RaphealBulletin Editor

John GolombTemple Administrator

Martin KasdanFuneral Director(800) 522-0588

A memorial plaque is a lasting

tribute to a loved one.

If you wish more information regarding

obtaining a plaque in memory of a

loved one please e-mail the temple at

[email protected]

or leave a message with the temple office.

Memorial PlaquesMax Goldberg ............................................................ December 1, 1947

Elizabeth Perlo ........................................................... December 2, 1948Jacob Fogel ................................................................ December 3, 1917Meyer Kasdan ............................................................ December 3, 1940Bernard Van Raalte.................................................... December 5, 1908

Herman L. Sherrer ..................................................... December 5, 1969Jacob M. Shaffer ........................................................ December 5, 1972Max Baar ................................................................... December 6, 1936

Abraham L. Lippin .................................................... December 6, 1970Sol A. Liebman .......................................................... December 6, 1978H. Broadman Epstein ................................................. December 6, 1997Minnie Reiss .............................................................. December 7, 1921Solomon Hamburger .................................................. December 7, 1923

Harry C. Levinson ..................................................... December 7, 1987Michael Dumey ......................................................... December 8, 1939Margaret Bo1ey ......................................................... December 9, 1973Jacob Block ............................................... ..December 10, 1931

Max Hess ................................................................. December 10, 1941Rachel Heimberger .................................................. December 11, 1947Bertram Heimberger ................................................ December 10, 1985Lena H. B. Lax ........................................................ December 10, 1990

Anita M. Mandelbaum ............................................. December 11, 1947Sarah Marienhoff ..................................................... December 11, 1958

Myrtle David............................................................ December 11, 1977Michael Kraus .......................................................... December 13. 1930Fanny Petechsky ...................................................... December 13, 1931Sylvia Hamburger .................................................... December 13, 1996

Solomon Igelheimer ................................................. December 14, 1907Fannie Igelheimer .................................................... December 14, 1930Abraham H. Frankel ................................................ December 14, 1943Alexander Davidson ................................................ December 14, 1978

Bernard Bender ........................................................ December 15, 1926William Meruk ........................................................ December 15, 1928Mary Eilperin ........................................................... December 15, 1994Harry N. Needle ....................................................... December 17, 1972Alfred Newman ....................................................... December 18, 1932

Byrdie Hymes .......................................................... December 18, 1961Gussie Epstein ......................................................... December 18, 1969

Kate Heller ............................................................... December 18, 1980Helen H. Bernstein................................................... December 19, 1924

Lee Ornitz ................................................................ December 19, 1996Aaron Polisar ........................................................... December 20, 1969Jacob Iason .............................................................. December 21, 1946

Edward Drexler........................................................ December 22, 1928Louis Schnell ........................................................... December 22, 1946Esther Davidson ....................................................... December 23, 1928

Eva Jacobs ............................................................... December 23, 1942Rubin Rodecker ....................................................... December 23, 1969Eve Freiman ............................................................. December 23, 1978George Kershner ...................................................... December 23. 1982

Alexander Spitzer .................................................... December 24, 1941


11/12

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 24:00 PM

Friday at Four

First Friday

Family Shabbat

6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat(Schedule on p. 1)

3 9:00 AMShabbat Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

49:30 AM

Religious School

Rabbis Parent

Breakfast

Discussion

5

6:15 PM

Officers

6 7

6:30 PM

Union Temple

Singers

7:30 PM

Engaging Israel

8 9

4:00 PM

Friday at Four

6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat

109:00 AM

Shabbat Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

119:30 AM

Religious School

12

6:00 PM

Board of

Trustees

13 14

7:00 PM

Union Temple

Singers

15 16

4:00 PM

Friday at Four

6:30 PMKabbalat Shabbat

179:00 AM

Shabbat Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

189:30 AM

Religious School

Chanukah Party

10:00 AM

Sisterhood

Breakfast

19 20 21

7:00 PM

Union Temple

Singers

22

6:00 PM

Menorah Lighting

and Chanukah

Celebration

Dinner

23

6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat

2410:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

25Religious School

Vacation

26 27Rosh Chodesh

Tevet

28 29 30

6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat

3110:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

December 2011

Kislev-Tevet 5772

-URJ/WRJ Biennial Convention, Washington, DC-

URJ/WRJ

5:00 PM: Brother

hood/ Sisterhood

Havdalah at Temple

First Saturday

Bklyn Museum


12/12

Union Temple of Brooklyn

17 Eastern ParkwayBrooklyn, NY 11238(718) [email protected]

DECEMBER 2011

UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN BULLETIN

Prospect Park

Health and Racquet Association

In Union Temple Building at

17 Eastern Parkway718-789-4600

Ask about Special discounts for

Union Temple Members

Happy Chanukah!

iPad 2 Wi-Fi16G

ONLY $399

Brand new. Unwrapped.

Call Ellen 718-638-3649

ut bulletin december 2011

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