ut bulletin february 2011

8/7/2019 Ut Bulletin February 2011

1/12

Join Us in FebruaryBrotherhood and

Sisterhood

invites you

to a book

discussion ofGERTRUDAS

OATH

By Ram Oren on

Sunday, February 6th at 10 AMSee page 6 for details.

Join the Union Temple Tribute to the Jewish National Fund

and help rebuild the Carmel Forest destroyed by

devastating fires in December See page 9 for details

SCHEDULE OF SERVICESFOR FEBRUARYSHABBAT TERUMAH

4 Friday EveningFirst Friday Family Shabbat6:00 PM: Snacks6:30 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat, with Josh Adland7:20 PM: Pot Luck Dinner

5 Saturday Morning 10:30 AMShabbat Morning Service

Torah: Exodus 25:1-27:19 Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-13,23

SHABBAT TETZAVEH11 Friday Evening 6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat

12 Saturday Morning 10:30 AMTorah: Exodus 27:20-30:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10-27

SHABBAT KI TISSA18 Friday Evening 6:30 PM

5:00 PM: Tot Shabbat

6:30 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat

19 Saturday Morning 10:30 AMTorah: Exodus 30:11-34:35 Haftarah: I Kings 18:1-39

SHABBAT VAYAKHEL25 Friday Evening

Fourth Friday Late Shabbat7:00 PM: Dinner8:00 PM: Shabbat Evening ServiceOneg & Discussion to follow with Dr. Peter Gomori:"What's Happening with The European Union, andHow Does it Affect Us?"

26 Saturday Morning 10:30 AMShabbat Morning Service

Torah: Exodus 35:1-38:20 Haftarah: I Kings 7:40-50

The BulletinUnion Temple of Brooklyn

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism FEBRUARY, 2011 SHEVAT - ADAR I 5771 Vol. 162, No 6


2/12

2

Rabbis Message Presidents and JewsWhence Presidents Day?. . . . During February we celebrate Presidents

Day, which contemporary America has designated as a two-for-one com-

memoration of the birthdays of two of our greatest presidents, George

Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12). In the con-

venience of a 3-day weekend and a flurry of holiday sales, we can only hope

that future generations will not forget the extraordinary personalities and

accomplishments of these two men.

Washington, Lincoln, and the Jews. . . . While much has been written

about the relationship of each of these men to the Jewish community of his

day, there are a few incidents that are particularly illustrative of these rela-

tionships, and had a powerful impact on the Jewish communitys sense of

comfort and belonging in this country.

To bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance . . . . The distinction of being the longest operatingsynagogue building in America belongs to Kahal Kadosh Jeshuat Israel, known to most as the Touro Syna-

gogue, in Newport, RI. George Washington attended a service there in 1790 while on a good will tour after

his election. The pew in which he sat remains a place of honor to this day. One of the leaders of the congrega-

tion, Moses Seixas, composed a letter of congratulations to the newly elected president, expressing the hope

that, after enduring centuries of European oppression, the Jews would finally breathe the air of freedom and

equality here in America. Washington was deeply moved by Seixas letter, and in his response, borrowed a

paragraph from Seixas letter itself, assuring protection to all American Jews. The famous phrase, To bigotry

no sanction, to persecution no assistance, originated with Seixas in his letter. Washington concludes his re-

sponse with the following statement.

The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given

to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess

alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spo-

ken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of

their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to big-

otry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection

should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It

would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your

favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of

the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the

other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall

be none to make him afraid. May the Father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our

paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way ever-

lastingly happy.

Jewish Chaplains in Americas Army. . . . During the Civil War, thousands of American Jews enlisted in the

armed forces of both the Union and Confederacy. But in July of 1861, Congress passed a law that required

military chaplains to be duly ordained within a Christian denomination. Nevertheless, a regiment in Pennsyl-

vania, known as the Cameron Dragoons, appointed one Rabbi Arnold Fischel as a Chaplain. Ironically, Simon


3/12

3

Cameron, for whom the regiment was named, denied the appointment of Rabbi Fischel. Rabbi Fischel went to

speak personally with President Lincoln, who investigated the matter more fully. In July of 1862, Lincoln sent

a special request to Congress to amend the Chaplain Law to include ordained clergy from Protestant, Catholic,

and Jewish dominations. Since that time, rabbis have played a profoundly important role as chaplains in our

Armed Services.

General Grant and Jewish Merchants in Tennessee. . . . The black market cotton trade had blossomed by the

beginning of the Civil War. Some of those involved were Jewish merchants, and many were Christians, in-

cluding a number of Army officers. Soon the speculation and competition for trading licenses became unman-

ageable, so Lincoln decentralized the licensing procedures to all Army commanders in their respective areas.

General Ulysses S. Grant commanded the Treasury Department of The Tennessee, an administrative desig-

nation for an area that included Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. Thus Grant acquired responsibility for

the licenses in that area. But the need for cotton for uniforms, especially in the North, mushroomed out of con-

trol. Some traders took to bribing officials to allow the trading without permits. Even Grants father Jesse be-

came involved in the wheeling and dealing. General Grant became enraged, and took aim squarely at the Jews

of The Tennessee, accusing them as a class of speculation, profiteering, trading, and constituting a

general nuisance. In short, Grant leveled all the money-related anti-Semitic accusations of Europe against

the Jews, which most of them had come to this country to escape. Grant issued what was designated as

General Order No. 11, through which he effectively expelled all Jewish merchants and traders from the en-

tire area of Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, stating that "no Jews are to be permitted to travel on the rail-

road southward [into the Department of the Tennessee] from any point." In November of 1862, Grant sent his

commanders to enforce this order, which became official the following month. A Jewish merchant from Ken-

tucky named Cesar Kaskel led a delegation of Jews from the areas of expulsion to appeal to President Lincoln.

The delegation brought documentation showing that Jews, whether they were involved in the trading practices

or not, were being chased from their homes and expelled from throughout the area. When Lincoln became

aware of the matter, he ordered General Halleck, General in Chief of the Army, to revoke the order immedi-

ately. Halleck wrote to Grant in January of 1863: "A paper purporting to be General Order No. 11, issued by

you December 17, has been presented here. By its terms, it expels all Jews from your department. If such an

order has been issued, it will be immediately revoked." The Jewish community was grateful to President

Lincoln for his swift action to have this vicious order revoked. Several days after the revocation, Rabbis Isaac

Mayer Wise and Max Lilienthal of Cincinnati, Martin Bijur of Louisville, and Moses Strauss of Baltimore, led

delegations to Washington to express their gratitude to the president. Lincoln tried to make amends to the Jew-

ish community on behalf of the government. He said he had been surprised by Grant's order and assured them

that he did not discriminate between Jews or Gentiles and would not allow any American to be discriminated

against based on their religion.

An extraordinary connection. . . . Rabbi Dr. Gary Zola, Director of the Jacob Rader Marcus American Jewish

Archives in Cincinnati, observes: The Lincoln connection to the Jews in his own time was extraordinary and

remarkable. . . In certain respects, Lincoln might be said to have had the first modern relationship with the

American Jewish community of any American president. . . That means he actually associated personally with

Jews, meaning he fraternized with them. He was extremely cognizant of their political prospects.

This month we will celebrate Presidents Day along with the rest of our compatriots. As Jews, perhaps we

might take an extra moment to contemplate the level of freedom, prosperity and accomplishment that we Jews

have attained here in America, previously unprecedented in our history. This was, in no small measure, due to

the principles and commitments of men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

-Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman


4/12

SISTERHOOD & BROTHERHOOD OF UNION TEMPLE

invite you to an extraordinary event

Sunday, February 6th at 10 AMMeet and hear our distinguished guest

Michael StolowitzkyAs a child, he was saved from theimminent threat of Nazi extermination byhis nanny, the Righteous ChristianGertruda Babilinska, who dedicated herlife to protecting him and bringing himsafely through the horrors ofWorld War IIto the promise of a newlife in Israel.

Their suspenseful, unforgettable story is

revealed in the riveting book

Gertrudas OathA Child, a Promise, and a Heroic Escape During World War II

By Ram Oren

All are welcome. Bring your friends and neighbors!No one will want to miss this momentous occasion!

Refreshments will be served.

Sisterhood and Brotherhood of Union Temple17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238

718-638-7600uniontemple.org [email protected]

4


5/12

5

Tired of this wicked winter with its snow and ice and plummeting temperatures? Sisterhood and Brotherhood inviteyou to come in from the cold for a warm and stimulating program you'll be talking about long after the snows melt.Join us Sunday, February 6th, at 10 AM, to meet and hear our distinguished guest Michael Stolowitzky. As achild, he was saved from the imminent threat of Nazi extermination by his nanny, the Righteous Christian GertrudaBabilinska. True to her promise to his dying mother, Gertruda protected Michael through the horrors of World WarII and brought him to the promise of a new life in Israel. Their chilling, unforgettable story is revealed in the rivet-ing book by Ram OrenGERTRUDA'S OATH:A Child, a Promise, and a Heroic Escape During World War II.You won't want to miss this unique opportunity to meet and hear this extraordinary man.

It's not necessary to have read the book to enjoy the program and join in the conversation. Nevertheless, if youdo have a copy of the book, Mr. Stolowitzky will be delighted to sign it! Bring your friends and your

neighborsand your appetite too, for delicious refreshments will be served.Sisterhood has additional inspiring programs in store for you this spring. On April 3rd at 10 AM, Rabbi MaryL. Zamore will be our special guest. She will talk to us about her new book, THE SACRED TABLE: Creatinga Jewish Food Ethic. Then, on May 22nd at 10 AM, back by popular demand, Drs. Gail Levine and RobertFried will teach us the Jewish way to FIND THE PEACE WITHIN and help us to discover the tools to deepenspiritual practice and reduce stress. Watch this space for more information on these exciting programs.

We thank Sheila Soloff for leading us through a lively, thought-provoking discussion of the heart-stirring novel ofthe Holocaust SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay in January. It was a terrific way to start off the new year.

-Barbara Brett, Recording Secretary

Sisterhood

More Great Books and Programs

Our preschoolers returned to school in January after the holiday break a little taller, with their usual zeal andhappy to get back to their classes. I am always struck by the amount of growth that seems to occur over thebreak. The level engagement and the ability to work on concrete tasks are particularly noticeable in the foursclass. Several new classroom routines were introduced in the fours class in January. Earlier in the school year,when the Hummingbirds entered the classroom in the morning, they would have to locate their photos and put

them up on an attendance chart. This photo attendance chart has been replaced with sign-in cards. Each morningwhen children arrive, they pull out a laminated card with their name and practice writing their name on the card.

They also introduced "Letter of the Week." Each week they focus on a different consonant. All week theypractice the sound of the letter and discuss different words that begin with that letter. Every Friday, each childbrings in an item from home that begins with the letter that they focused on during the week. With the help oftheir parents, they will also bring in a picture from a magazine, newspaper, or internet that begins with that let-ter. The pictures will be used to make a collage of images that begin with a specific letter.

In addition to working with consonant sounds and writing their names, the Hummingbirds also worked on afeelings unit. To help explore their own emotions they each wrote a book about what makes them happyand angry. The books have been placed in the classroom library. Reading about the things that make theirfriends happy and angry is a good way to start to understand other peoples feelings and to start to develop asense of empathy. They also read a variety of books on emotions such as When Sophie Gets Angry, Walter isWorried, and SadMonster, Glad Monster. They followed up with a discussion of strategies for dealing withfrustration. During the month of January the children also drew self-portraits. This is an activity that they dothree times during the year. They drew their first self-portrait in September, and will draw their final portraitin May. This is a wonderful way to see how the children grow as artists throughout the year.

Our Hummingbirds are very busy and seem more and more like kindergarteners every day.

-Susan Sporer, Preschool Director

Preschool Growing and More


6/12

6


7/12

7

Religious School SiyyumThe Union Temple Religious School finished its half-year of learning with a siyyum (Hebrew: to conclude), atraditional way to mark the completion of a period of study. Parents joined their kids for a full day of learningtogether on our last day of school before the winter break.

Our task at UT is to teach Torah to our children and families. We can understand Torah in its narrow meaning

of law or doctrine. Torah can refer to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which recount our story fromthe creation of the world to the death of Moses. Torah is also understood as the whole of the Hebrew Bible.

At the UT school, we understand Torah in its widest and most embracing sense. Torah means instruction orteaching. A Hebrew proverb teaches learning is light, or study illuminates. We draw fromour Jewish tradition to learn how to live moral and ethical lives, to treat ourselves, our families and communityand the wider world with kavod/respect. Learning helps us actualize the idea that we are all created in the im-age of God, however one understands the divine.

For individual Jews and the Jewish people, the fundamental act characterizing human existence is Torah study.Nachmanides, a 13th century rabbi, taught, "If the Torah is to remain a permanent possession of Israel, the onlyway to ensure this is for one generation to teach it to the succeeding generation exactly as it was received."

As modern Jews, we understand the phrase "exactly as it was received" different from the way Nachmanidesdid in medieval times. Yet the underlying truth remains. Jewish tradition commands parents to teach their chil-dren to live full, productive lives. At our school, we strive to inculcate the values that help that happen.

During the siyyum, our parents celebrated havdallah with their kids, learned together in their classrooms,prayed in tefillah. We concluded the day by studying parashat hashavua/the weekly Bible portion. ParashatVayechi, the last in the Book of Genesis, includes Jacob's blessings of his son Joseph's two sons. May all ourchildren be blessed.

I welcome all your questions and concerns. Feel free to contact me at [email protected].

-Carole Gould,Educator/Rabbinic Intern

BrotherhoodMark Your Calendars

We at Brotherhood are looking forward the book dis-cussion ofGertrudas Oath that is being co-sponsoredwith the Sisterhood on Sunday, February 6th. Whatshould make it even more interesting and exciting is theparticipation in the discussion of Michael Stolowitzky,

the subject of the book. Mr. Stolowitzky survived theHolocaust because he was protected by his Christiannanny.

Brotherhood is also looking ahead to March 12th (andmuch warmer weather) when we host our annual Broth-erhood Shabbat and luncheon. As always we hope thatto see all of you at there.

-David Rapheal, Secretary


8/12

8

Union Temple Establishes aTribute Page with the Jewish National Fund

This past December, the worst fire in Israels history rampaged through the Carmel Forest, resultingin a devastating ecological and humanitarian crisis. 43 people were killed, many homes and schoolswere lost, over 12,500 acres were destroyed, and some 5 million trees burned. The total cost of thedamage to the Carmel region, which is home to Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze, will most likelyreach $100 million. Among the first on the ground was the Jewish National Fund - Keren KayemetLYisrael - not only to help fight the fire, but to initiate an immediate plan of recovery. A project wascreated: Project Carmel Renewal: From Black to Green. Since the founding of the JNF 110 yearsago, it has been our tradition to donate trees to Israel through the JNF to mark both our simchas andsorrows. This is the time for us to remember that tradition.

By unanimous vote of our Board of Trustees, Union Temple will participate in Project Carmel Re-newal by establishing the Union Temple of Brooklyn Tribute Page on the JNF website. We invite youto visit our page and contribute to this campaign. Your name will appear on the List of Donors on thewebpage. The cost of each tree is $18. Our goal is $1,000. To emphasize and enhance our commit-ment, Union Temple will match every tree that is contributed. Our Religious School and Preschoolchildren will be engaging in various projects to join us in this endeavor.

To make a contribution: :

Go to the JNF website and access the Tribute Page at http://www.jnf.org/tributes.Click on Find A Tribute. The tributes are alphabetical so we are toward the end of the entire list.

If you should prefer to pay by check, please make it out to

Union Temple of Brooklyn, and send it to the

temple office. We in turn will send your contribution to the JNF,

and enter your name onto the List of Donors.

The great 1st- century sage Yohanan ben Zakkai, who lived in Jerusalem when it was being sacked by the Ro-

mans, taught us the priority of planting: If you should be holding a sapling in your hand when they tell you

the Messiah has arrived, first plant the sapling, then go out to greet him....


9/12

9

Tzedakah

REMEMBERMAZON:

A Jewish Response

to HungerDonate 3% of your food

expenditures to MAZON.

Give to our MAZONtzedakah can attemple dinners.Find out more at:www.mazon.org

UNION TEMPLE MEMORIAL FUND

Donated by ........................................................................ in memory ofMarilyn Goodman ............................................................................. Sara Schein LittoJoyce M. Charles ............................................................................... Rabbi Menachem Mendel ShneersonLouise Gruber .................................................................................... Frederick D. MayMark Silverstein ................................................................................ Lila SilversteinDrs. Robert and Gail Levine Fried .................................................... Bonnie Sue LevineDrs. Robert and Gail Levine Fried .................................................... Sylvia Wolfson Fried

HAPPY DAY FUNDDonated by ........................................................................ in honor ofJudith Karpatkin and Lawrence Katzman ......................................... Union TempleJonathan Silverberg and Leonore Max ............................................. Nathan and Eddys Bar Mitzvahs

RABBIS DISCRETIONARY FUND

Donated by

Leona Spector .................................................................................... with best wishes

SISTERHOOD MEMORIAL FUND

Donated by ........................................................................ in memory ofHenry and Susanne Singer ................................................................ Bea Hanks's father, Tiffany JonesHy and Barbara Brett ........................................................................ Tiffany Jones, Beatrice Hanks's fatherHy and Barbara Brett ........................................................................ Esther Reich, Rebecca Reich's motherLinda and Howard Simka .................................................................. Aunt Hermia Gould

Third Friday TOT SHABBAT

AT UNION TEMPLE

Join Song LeaderDEBBIE BRUKMAN

for singing,dancing, art,

stories, challah,and more ....

Every Third

Friday Eveningat 5 PM,

Join us at thenext one on

FEBRUARY 18thLook at our calendar for future dates.

For all tots and their parents.SHABBAT SHALOM!


10/12


11/12

11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

7:00 PM

Union Temple

Singers Rehearsal

3 4

First Friday

Family Shabbat

6:00 PM Snacks

6:30 PM Service

Pot Luck Dinner

5 Rosh ChodeshAdar 1

9:00 AM

Shabbat Morning

Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

6 9:30 AMReligious School

10:00 AM

Brotherhood/

Sisterhood

Book Breakfast

Guest Speaker:

Michael

Stolowitzky

7

6:15 PM

Officers

8 9

7:00 PM

Union Temple

Singers Rehearsal

10 11

6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat

129:00 AM

Shabbat Morning

Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

139:30 AM

Religious School

14

6:00 PM

Board of

Trustees

15 16

7:00 PM

Union TempleSingers Rehearsal

17 18

5:00 PM

Tot Shabbat

6:30 PM

Kabbalat Shabbat

199:00 AM

Shabbat Morning

Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

20Religious School

Vacation

21Presidents Day

22 23 24 25

Fourth Friday

Shabbat

7:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Service

Oneg & Discussion

to follow with

Dr. Peter Gomori

269:00 AM

Shabbat Morning

Hevre

10:30 AM

Shabbat Morning

Service

27Religious School

Vacation

28

6:30 PM

Religious School

Committee

February 2011 / Shevat-Adar 1 5771


12/12

Union Temple of Brooklyn

17 Eastern ParkwayBrooklyn, NY 11238

(718) 638-7600

[email protected]

FEBRUARY 2011

UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN BULLETIN

Prospect ParkHealth and Racquet Association

In Union Temple Building at17 Eastern Parkway

718-789-4600

Ask about Special discounts forUnion Temple Members

Book Discussion February 6th!

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

Copy & Design forDirect Mail EmailsBrochures

Web & Print Advertising

Ellen D. Kolikof [email protected]

917-817-629210% Off for Union Temple members

& Brooklyn business owners

ut bulletin february 2011

Documents