2013 August TempleNewsletter8

7/30/2019 2013 August TempleNewsletter8

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understanding spoken Hebrew and con-versing was still very hard for me. I wasin a class of 7 students, with an excellentteacher, who heads a similar program in

Be'er Sheva, Israel during the regularschool year.

Yet, I had much more practice this year.Beth and I shared a dorm suite, and could

only talk to each other in Hebrew. It wasnot as difficult as we anticipated, but did

get frustrating at times. And, there was agroup of fellow students about our age,who were also at our level of proficiency.

We spent a lot of meals together, practic-ing our Hebrew skills together in "real

time". Last summer, I found mealtimesvery stressful, since I felt so inadequate inmy Hebrew skills. This summer, I lookedforward to spending time with others,

practicing my Hebrew amongst a support-

ive group of peers.

No matter how many Hebrew words Ilearned, it made me more aware of howmany I didn't know. The head of the pro-

gram, Dr. Vardit Ringvald, put all this inperspective for me, at her presenting re-

marks this summer (that are also includedin her new book).

"Learning a language at the intermediate

level is a challenge. After the first stage of

language acquisition, learners experience a

gap between the knowledge they accumu-

lated and their abilities to function in that

language. Learners in this level are char-

acterized by having a relatively large vo-

cabulary on the one hand, and a tendency

Can you "read Hebrew"? If you an-

swered yes, can you understand whatyou read? If the answer is no, then youunderstand where I was at 4 years ago.

I could decode Hebrew, but did nothave a clue what it meant. I was readyto take the "plunge", ready to spend the

time and energy to learn somethingexciting for me.

After 3 years of weekly, 3 hour ses-sions at Hebrew College, I spent 3weeks last summer in Vermont, at theBrandeis University-Middlebury

School of Hebrew, participating in anintense, Hebrew immersion program.

The word intense doesn't capture thetrue nature of the program for me (andthe other 54 students). I would refer

you to my article in our synagoguenewsletter (from September, 2012) if

you are interested in what that summerwas like for me.

This summer, I went back for another 2weeks of "intense" Modern Hebrew

immersion, with a new group of 45students at Middlebury College. But,

this year, I did this program with Beth(my wife-a Cantorial student at He-

brew College). Instead of drowning, I

felt like I was treading water.

Last year, I struggled at Hebrew level2. Over this past year, I continued mystudies individually, tutoring with my

previous summer teacher (utilizingSkype for 1.5 hours per week). Thisyear, I tested to level 3.5 (out of 5). Iguess I am making progress, but again,I struggled. Being a visual learner,

Swimming with Hebrew, Part II

By David Strassler

York County Jewish Community News

No matter how

many Hebrewwords I learned, it

made me moreaware of how manyI didn't know. The

head of the pro-gram, Dr. VarditRingvald, put all

this in perspectivefor me, at her pre-

senting remarks thissummer

Congregation Etz Chaimugust 2013/5773

WWW.ETZCHAIMME.ORG

Inside this issue:

.Swimming with He-

brew, Part II, cont..Chanting by the Sea

2

.Pot Luck Schedule

.Rabbi Bayar TrainingRetrospective

3

High Holidays! 4

Yom Kippur Yizkor

Booklet

5

.Sunday School

.Mikvat Shalom

6

Americas First Female

Rabbi

7-9

Florence Melton School 10-

11

CELEBRATING MAINES

JEWISH HISTORY 12

.Board of Directors

.Hebrew School

New York Trip 201313

.Shabbat Services

.York County Community

Services14

.Our Synagogue

.Synagogue Contacts 15


2/16

Page 2ugust 2013/5773 York County Jewish Community News

to forget how to use it correctly in real time on the other. This phenomena is defined as the 'drop phenomena',

describing the sense of sliding back learners experience in their linguistic development. This is a critical time

for learners, since many of them are disappointed with themselves and abandon the language altogether."

I had such an experience. My teacher was explaining an exercise, and I kept hearing the word "ha-yee-nu". I

was sure I knew the word, but couldn't "see it in my brain", and therefore could not understand what he was

trying to say. I raised my hand and asked him to write the word on the board. Once I saw it, I realized that itwas a common word a used all the time (it means: "we were"). But this prevented me from understanding all

the words surrounding this lesson. Beth reminded me later, that this was the "drop phenomena", or better

known on campus as "the hole in our ability that is temporary".

Now that my summer program is over, I am not sure what to do next. I don't anticipate going back to Ver-

mont again. Will I continue my tutoring? Will I work with someone else to do more work on my Biblical

Hebrew skills (to eventually read from the Torah and understand what it means)? Will I continue my Modern

Hebrew conversation skills to use when I visit family in Israel? Stay tuned.......

Swimming with Hebrew, Part 2, cont.

If you chant Torah or Haftarah & want toimprove your skills

OR

If you have never chanted but want to learn how

Come to my house in Arundel for individual lessons

this Fall

(probably on Sundays)

Beth Strassler 967-5833

[email protected]

No prior experience required

with chanting or Hebrew.

Fees negotiable.

Chanting by the SeaBy Beth Strassler


3/16

Page 3York County Jewish Community Newsugust 2013/5773

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Friday Dates:October 18

November 15January 17March 16

May 2

Potluck Dinner Schedule

2013-14

Rabbi Steven Bayar came to our synagogue and inspired our teachers and taught Torah to our community. He serves asRabbi of Congregation Bnai Israel in Millburn, N.J., and is the author of many educational texts, including: And YouShall Teach Them Diligently to Your Children: Transmitting Jewish Values from Generation to Generation, and

Teens & Trust (Torah Aura), Ziv/Giraffe Curriculum (Righteous Persons), which we have used as a curriculum forour Gimmel class.

Temple Etz Chaim attended two trainings by Rabbi Bayar; the first by staff of the Etz Chaim Hebrew SchoolTeachers, Assistant Teachers and members of the Education Committee. Rabbi Bayar provided motivational instruction

on how to connect children to Jewish learning. His years of experience, and creative use of modern culture and film, aswell as his ideas of teaching lessons of Tikkun Olam by doing Mitzvahs, were among the many ideas discussed during

our training.

Rabbi Bayar then led the community in a Torah Lesson, where he taught important lessons of the Torah through the use

of Modern Film. We tackled lessons of Jewish morality and ethics by dissecting films. There was lively discussionamong the participants, as we determined whether the Bruce Willis characters actions in Armageddon would be Bibli-

cally sanctioned, when he forced the other characters off the asteroid, which resulted in only himself being blown up.

Rabbi Bayar is an internationally respected Rabbi, teacher and author, and our community and Hebrew school has been

enriched and inspired by his trainings. This program was made possiblefrom grant monies we received from the SamL. Cohen Foundation.

Rabbi Bayar Training Retrospective

By Jeff Levy


4/16

Rosh HashanahEve of Wednesday, Sept 4: 7:15 pmThursday, September 5: 9:30 am

Preliminary Prayers: 9 amTashlich to follow service @ approx. 12:30

Evening Service: 7:15 pmTuesday, September 6: 9:30 am

No evening service

Yom KippurEvening of Friday, September 13Kol Nidre: 7:00 pm

Saturday, September 14: 9:30 amYizkor (Memorial Svc): 11 amAfternoon Service: 4:30 pm

Community Break Fast following Service

at approx. 7:00 pm

As in the past, service leadership will beprovided by Scott Rapaport. After 20+ yearswith us, he is an extended member of ourcongregational family. Beth Strassler, cantorial ordination student, will share the bimah tprovide variety in melodies. Many of our tal-ented Hebrew School alumni will chant Haftorah.

In lieu of the Family Services, there will ba High Holiday Sunday School on Sunday,September 8th, from 10 am12 noon. Famlies are asked to stay and participate withtheir children. There will be coffee andsnacks, including apples & honey!

We initiated our new High Holiday prayerbooks last year, and they were very well re-ceived. When you open the book, there arefour columns across the two pages: HebrewHebrew transliteration, English translation

and educational background about the pray-ers. Many commented on how much usingthe book enhanced their high holiday experi-ence.

If you have any questions, call Beth or David at 967-5833.

High Holiday Services at Congregation Etz ChaimFall 2013/Hebrew Year 5774

68 Bacon Street, Biddeford, ME www.etzchaim me.orgEveryone is welcomeNo tickets required. Donations are always appreciated .

Page 4August 2013/5773 York County Jewish Community News

In lieu of theFamily Services,

there will be aHigh Holiday

Sunday Schoolon Sunday,

September 8th,from 10 am12

noon

We initiatedour new

HighHolidayprayer

books lastyear, and

they werevery well

received. .


5/16


Samuel OsherMemorial Library

at Congregation Etz Chaim

Jewish Books, Music & Movies

for the

York County Community

To donate books call: 967-5833

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

You could save trees & money by receiv-ing your newsletter & all Jewish

community

announcements electronically.

Just write to our mail address & ask to

Go Green.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

What is Yizkor? And why is it so special on Yom Kippur?

I remember as a child, attending High Holiday services with my family at the East Meadow Jew-ish Center on Long Island. It was a large conservative shul made up of suburbanites who hadmigrated from New York City and before that, Eastern Europe. Most had firsthand experiencewith the Holocaust. In the middle of the Yom Kippur service, my friends and I were asked toleave the sanctuary. What a relief. We got to play outside for 30 minutes.

For many years, I didn't understand this "ritual" of sending the children out. Until one year, I de-cided to wait outside the door and listen. And I heard "wailing". Not just crying. I asked my old-er brother what was happening. He tried to explain it to me: "The parents are crying about their

parents and brothers/sisters who died". Later on, I understood that for many, their remem-brance was for those they lost in the Holocaust.

What draws us to the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur? It is our turn. It is an expression of tradi-tion: We remember our parents and grandparents. It is an expression of respect for loved onesnow gone: Parents, children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, partners and friends.We remember them and are enriched by their memories.

This year, we will publish the names of your loved one(s) in our Yom Kippur Yizkor booklet.With a donation of any amount, we will include their names. If you donate $50 or more, a book-plate will be added to one of our new High Holiday Prayer books (one name per bookplate).

Please send your donation, with your name and the name of those you would like to remember,before September 8th to: Congregation Etz Chaim, PO Box 905, Kennebunk, ME 04043.

If you donate $50 or more, be sure to specify how you would like the bookplate to read.

If you have any questions, please contact David Strassler@ 967-5833.

. Yom Kippur Yizkor Booklet

By David Strassler


6/16

SundaySchool at Congregation Etz Chaim has been a family tradition for many generations,

and we are always looking for new families to come join us! Sundayschool happensoneSundaya month and is geared toward families with children interested in learning aboutour Jewish customs, traditions and holidays. In the past, we have used crafts, stories, games,songs and of course, food! to gain more insight into our Jewish history and traditions.

Different families lead each month to get a variety of style and to allow the children to help takeleadership over the different holidays.

Our firstSunday School of this school year will beSeptember 8thfrom 10-12:00 noon, and wewill celebrate the High Holidays. Come join us at the Temple, and meet this welcoming groupof families, as we learn and experience the High Holidays in a very family friendly environment!

Keep an eye out for dates of the rest of theSundaySchool classes, as we start to look at differ-ent ways to connect with our community. We are re-organizing to best meet the needs of ourever changing community and families.

More to come on this exciting new adventure! If you have any questions or ideas,feel free to contact Denise Hammond:Phone: 207. 251.1282oremail: [email protected].

Sunday School at Etz ChaimBy Denise Hammond

York County Jewish Community News Page 6ugust 2013/5773
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


7/16


On June 3, 1972, Sally Jane Priesand became the first female ordained rabbi in America.

The daughter of Irving Theodore and Rose Elizabeth (Welch) Priesand, she was born on June 27, 1946,in Cleveland, Ohio. As a teenager at Beth Israel-West Temple, a Reform congregation on Clevelands

West Side, she began to display an intense commitment to Judaism and Jewish life. Deeply spiritual and

affected by the vision of Reform Judaism epitomized in its camps and youth groups in the early 1960s,

she set her sights on becoming a rabbi long before an emerging womens liberation movement raisedanew the call for womens access to traditionally male professions.

In 1964, Priesand entered the University of Cincinnati. She knew that its joint undergraduate program

with neighboring Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion (HUCJIR) would allow her tocomplete the first year of rabbinic school as an undergraduate. Accordingly, upon graduation from the

University of Cincinnati in 1968, she was admitted to HUCJIRs rabbinic school.

As a rabbinic student, Priesand began to enjoy the rewards and experience the frustrations that wouldmark her career as the first female rabbi. Media attention swelled to a crescendo as she approached ordi-

nation, with headlines such as one reported in 1964, Girl Sets Her Goal to be First Woman Rabbi.

Quickly, Priesand found herself standing before a wide spectrum of Jewish women as a symbol of theemerging feminism they were just then confronting. Her rabbinic thesis, published as Judaism and the

New Woman (1975), highlighted the changing role of women in Jewish history and was meant to ad-

vance their emancipation in Jewish religious life.

As Priesand sought student pulpits and performed fieldwork in congregations unable to hire full-time rab-

bis, she discovered that synagogues refused to interview heror interviewed her only for the novelty

claiming they could not possibly have a woman rabbi. Experiences in student pulpits in Milwaukee, Wis-consin; Champaign, Illinois; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and at Cincinnatis Isaac Mayer Wise Temple con-

veyed what Priesand would soon describe as the unbelievable and almost unbearable pressures of being

the first woman rabbi.

In the next years, Priesand again found temple boards using her gender as an excuse not to hire her. Una-

ble to secure a new position commensurate with her experience in the rabbinate, she took a part-time pul-

pit at Temple Beth El in Elizabeth, New Jersey (19791981) and worked as a chaplain at ManhattansLenox Hill Hospital. In 1981, she began working at Monmouth Reform Temple, in Tinton Falls, New

Jersey. There Priesand forged a creative partnership with the 285 families in her congregation, acting up-

on her belief that a rabbis primary task is to help Jews take responsibility for their Judaism.

Americas First Female Rabbi

By Jack Schraeter


8/16


In 1987, Priesand was diagnosed with breast cancer, which struck again eight years later, and in 2003,

she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She was able to continue working during her treatments forbreast cancer, but the thyroid cancer treatments forced her to take a three-month leave of absence. Her

illness affected her rabbinate, making her more sensitive and aware of the needs of others who were

dealing with health crises, she said.

In the larger Reform Movement, she worked with the Central Conference of American Rabbis Task

Force on Women in the Rabbinate to try to smooth the way for the women who followed her. Celebrat-ing the twentieth anniversary of her rabbinate in 1993, Priesand again voiced her long-standing critique

that the institutions of Reform Judaism have still not fulfilled Reforms historic commitment to equalityof the sexes. In honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary, she received an honorary doctorate from the HUC-

JIR, and her congregants contributed toward the establishment of the Rabbi Sally J. Priesand Visiting

Professorship in Jewish Womens Studies at the College-Institute. The position in her name will help

enable the Reform movement to fulfill Preisands mandate of religious egalitarianism. As the first femalerabbi, Priesand has always stood in the forefront of those who have struggled to carve a place for women

and their perspectives in contemporary Judaism.

Priesand retired from Monmouth Reform Temple in June 2006, after 25 years of service to that congre-

gation. She explained her retirement, saying: Im retiring by choice, because I believe that rabbis shouldknow when to leave and when its time to inject newness into synagogue life. She intends to remain

a part of the temple family as rabbi emerita, adding being here has been the fulfillment of my dreamto be a congregational rabbi, which is why I went to rabbinic school in the first place. Upon her retire-

ment, Monmouth Reform Temple set up the "Sally Priesand Endowment Fund for the Future" in her

honor to preserve and protect the temples legacy.

Priesand currently lives in Ocean Township, New Jersey.

See Referencns on next page.

Americas first female Rabbi, cont.

By Jack Schraeter


9/16


References:Karesh, Sara E.; Hurvitz, Mitchell M. (2005). "Priesand, Sally". Encyclopedia of Judaism. Infobase Publishing.

Nadell, Pamela S. (March 1, 2009). "Sally Jane Priesand". Jewish Women's Archive: Jewish Women: A Comprehensive

Historical Encyclopedia.

Zola, Gary Phillip, ed. (1996). Women Rabbis: Exploration & Celebration: Papers Delivered at an Academic Conference

Honoring Twenty Years of Women in the Rabbinate, 1972-1992. Hebrew Union College Press.

Huber, Jill (2006). "Americas first female rabbi prepares for retirement". New Jersey Jewish News.

Zakrzewski, Paul (May 20, 2006). "Pioneering Rabbi Who Softly Made Her Way". The New York Times.

Chottiner, Lee (July 1, 2011). "Pioneering clergy

Americas first female Rabbi, cont.

By Jack Schraeter
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=Sally+Jane+Priesand&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=kHYsNA1_0vpixM&tbnid=09imMwbX-j2IAM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcircle.org%2Fjsource%2Fsally-priesand%2F&ei=8l4IUsHFItbF4APRnYCoDA&bvm=bv.50500085,d.aWc&psig=AF


10/16

Page 10York County Jewish Community NewsAugust 2013/5773


11/16


In addition to the core curriculum course, there are several other Melton courses being added this year on a variety of

days and at a variety of times:

1. LABOR DAY WEEKEND SEMINAR in BrunswickSunday, September 1 4 - 8 pm (including dairy potluck dinner)

Monday, September 2 8:30 am - 12:30 pm (including contin. breakfast)

Modern Living: Maintaining Balance by Discovering AgelessAnswers in Timeless Jewish Texts. Faculty: Steve Steinbock

2. SCHOLARS SEMINAR I:Tuesdays, 12:15 - 1:45 pm in Portland

Semester I: Jews in America: This course asks the question, Is the cup half-empty or half full? as optimists and

pessimists debate the future of Jewish identity in America. 10 weeks beginning Oct 1. Faculty: Ellie Miller

Semester II: Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah: Secret Knowledge in Judaism: This course presents the rich

history of Jewish mysticism by examining many of the texts that have been central to the tradition over hundreds

of years.10 weeks beginning January 7. Faculty: Steve Steinbock

3. SCHOLARS SEMINAR II:Tuesdays, 10:45 -11:45 am in Portland

Semesters I & II: Bereshit II: The Story of the First Jewish Family:

This course follows the development of the first Jewish family, from The Birth of Two Nations & Stolen Bless-

ings to Reunion in Egypt & Blessing the Grandchildren.20 weeks beginning Oct 1. Faculty: Ellie Miller

4. SCHOLARS SEMINAR III:Wednesdays, 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm

Semester I: Israeli Literature As a Window to Israeli Society: This course offers a fr esh and fascinating exami-

nation of Israeli society since the birth of the State in 1948 through reading many of its leading writers.

10 weeks beginning October 2. Faculty: Ellie Miller

Semester II: Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah (See descript ion above)10 weeks beginning January 7. Faculty: Steve Steinbock

5. SCHOLARS TRIMESTERThursdays, 4 - 5:30 PM in Brunswick

Trimesters I & II: Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab-IsraeliConflict: This course provides students with new tools for understanding and critiquing the conflict as events unfold.

Course material is designed to encourage discussion and debate, and to challenge students to appreciate the basis of

the conflicting historical claims made by all sides. 20 weeks beginning October 3. Faculty: Jonathan Reitman, Esq

Trimester III: Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah (See descript ion above)10 weeks beginning March 27. Faculty: Steve Steinbock

6. FOR PARENTS FOR CHILDREN 0-

13 years

Wednesdays, 8:15 am - 9:00 am in Portland

Foundations of Jewish Family Living: This cour se for par ents provides a thought-provoking encounter with the

core values of Judaism by discussing master stories from our tradition and the profound messages they convey. 20 weeks beginning October 2. Faculty: Ellie Miller

The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learnings, cont.By Beth Strassler


12/16


For the past several years, I have worked as the Maine Jewish History community curator for Maine HistoricalSociety (MHS). In 2007, the Nelson Family funded a project with the goal to preserve Maine Jewish historical

materials.

When I began, I had no idea how much fun I would have or how much I would learn about the fascinating and

diverse history of Jews in Maine. I have travelled the state in person and electronically meeting people with

stories about their families and what it was like to grow up, say, in Brownville Junction or on Munjoy Hill. Ive

heard stories about Portlands first Jewish policeman, turn of the century peddlers in Livermore Falls, a house in

Eastport with a giant Star of David on its side and chance meetings in Calais of people originally from Eastern Europe. And I know there are many more tales where these came from.

My work in preservation has ranged from rescuing boxes of memorabilia from dumpsters to being given

synagogue documents and Judaica over one hundred years old. Those who entrust their precious memorabilia to

a professional collecting institution, such as ours, are making them available to both scholars and the general

public. The items may be exhibited in museum galleries or digitally on websites. Curators, historians and

research librarians can put the items in historical context and determine their value.

Sadly, most of Maines Jewish historical materials have been lost or destroyed. My work is to bolster the efforts

of community historians, such as you, to delay or prevent the loss of what remains. Sometimes people toss out

that old stuff without appreciating its historical value. OR people wont let go of things and entrust them to an

institution, but wont take care of them (preserve) either. Or people want to keep and take care of their things, but

dont know how to take care of them (preserve) properly.

A large portion of my work with synagogues and Jewish institutions around the state is to teach how to take care of (preserve) records and other belongings. Digitization is a good first step in taking care of institutional or

individual belongings. However, the gold standard in preservation is housing the materials in a collecting

institution with a climate and light controlled environment. Websites provide access to interesting photos,

cemetery listings and other helpful data, but they are no substitute for preservation and historical interpretation.

One of my favorite projects has been supporting the Maine Jewish War Veterans, Jacob Cousins Post #99, with their Fallen Heroes project. Other activities have included:

working with Greater Portland Landmarks to perform preservation assessments of local Jewish cemeteries;

collaborating with the Maine Jewish Museum (MJM) to organize two statewide Maine Jewish history

conferences at Bates and Colby Colleges;

co-curating two exhibits at Colby College and MJM;

building the Jewish collection at Maine Historical Society;

developing a consortium of four institutions that hold Yiddish documents to digitize and translate;

sponsoring four workshops on preserving photographs and documents, including one which was attended by

representatives of Congregation Etz Chaim.

encouraging people to write short memoirs to save a childhood memory, such as walking to Hebrew School in

the 30s or traveling from New York to summer camp in Maine;

facilitating the creation of a digital exhibit by Shaarey Tphiloh Synagogue in Portland on the Maine Memory

Network;

editing a history column for the Jewish Community Alliances newspaper, VOICE.

If you are interested in creating a Maine Memory Network exhibit, becoming a community historian yourself, or,

if supporting this work in other ways, please contact me at 799-9257 or [email protected].

Meanwhile, have some fun and take a look at: www.mainememory.net and www.mainehistory.org

Also check out Vintage Maine Images and the Past Perfect Catalogue on the MHS website.

CELEBRATING MAINES JEWISH HISTORYby Susan Cummings-Lawrence


13/16


Board of Directors at

Congregation Etz Chaim

Jennie Aranovitch

Jill and Edward BilskyLinda and Frank Federman

Alan FinkStanley KarlinMaureen King

Cynthia KurtzJeff Levy

Jon Nathanson

Pamela Small Oliver

Sue & Michael Rubin

Arnold & Barbara ShapiroJack Schraeter

Beth & David Strassler

Hebrew School 5774

(2013-2014)

This year, Hebrew School will be start-

ing Thursday, September 19th. The first

session will be from 3:45-5:15. This will

be a time to reconnect with old friends,

and meet some new ones. We will deco-

rate our Succah; so bring branches, vege-

tables, fruits or your homemade decora-

tions. This will be the earliest we have

ever started Hebrew School, since the

High Holidays are so early.

If you have any questions, contact David

Strassler @ 967-5833. See you soon.

What a blast! A trip to New York, a beautiful weekend, walking

the streets of the city. Who wouldnt enjoy it?! Every year, the teen classis very lucky to be able to take a trip to New York, via the Sam Cohen

Foundation, and discover some of our wonderful Jewish culture there,and we sure did! With huge sandwiches to museums to Broadway plays,we all had so much fun.

We started out very early in the morning, which was a bit chal-lenging for us teens, but we made it into the mini -van and were on ourway. We ate delicious Challah french toast (which I still dream about),

then we headed to the city, even had an educational tour of JTS (JewishTheological Seminary). We visited the first synagogue in the US; had

fun hanging out in the hotel. The Kosher Deli with the enormous sand-wiches was one of the funniest events; we laughed so much! After a fan-

tastic meal at the deli, we all headed out to see the Broadway play Once,and concluded our fantastic, historic weekend in New York.

Check out our website to view a presentation of our trip at:www.etzchaimme.org/nycteentrip2013 , and for those members of the

Levy Shutterfly site, you may have also seen some New York photos.

Teen Class New York Trip 2013By Ethan Levy
http://www.etzchaimme.org/nycteentrip2013http://www.etzchaimme.org/nycteentrip2013http://www.etzchaimme.org/nycteentrip2013


14/16

York County (YC) Jewish Community

This newsletter is published four or five times each year. It is intended to announce andreport on Jewish community events in York County, and especially at Congregation Etz

Chaim in Biddeford. It offers local perspectives on historical and contemporary aspects ofJewish life.

Adrianne Levy, Editor & Layout Design Consultant:

Levy family & Board [email protected]

If we have your email address, you have been removed from the snail mailing list.

If you wish to continue to receive a paper newsletter, just write/email us.

Page 14ork County Jewish Community Newsugust 2013/5773

Join us for Shabbat Servicesevery 1st and 3rd Saturday of

the month,

beginning at 9:30 am

Shabbat Services

Visit our website:

http://etzchaimme.org

President Emeritus Arnold

Shapiro and the Board of Direc-

tors of Congregation Etz Chaim

wish you and your family a

healthy, happy and peaceful New

Year.

A Note from the Board
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://etzchaimme.org/index.htmlhttp://etzchaimme.org/index.htmlhttp://etzchaimme.org/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]


15/16

Our community programs are available to all members of the York County Jewish Community

and are driven by the following mission statement:

We promote Jewish cultural, social, educational and religious activities in southern Maine.

Our primary goal is to make available a range of activities that facilitate the expression of what

each individual finds valuable in the Jewish experience.

We attempt to accommodate individuals along the entire spectrum of Jewish practice and theol-ogy. We value and support the existence of a local formal congregation, but view our commu-

nity programs as open to all interested people, regardless of whether or to what congregation

they may be formally affiliated.

Our Synagogue

We attempt to

accommodate

individuals along

the entire spectrum

of Jewish practice

and theology.

Page 15York County Jewish Community News

Please mail Membership dues to:

PO Box 905,

Kennebunk, ME 04043

Memorial Plaques, Prayer books, Etz Chaim books of Torah:

David Strassler: 967-5833

Hebrew School/Services: Beth & David Strassler: 967-5833Sunday School: Denise Hammond: [email protected]

Shabbat Potlucks: Linda: 967-4047

Synagogue Contacts

August 2013/5773
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


16/16

Congregation Etz ChaimPO Box 905Kennebunk, ME 04043

Address Label

York County Jewish Community News
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=temple%20etz%20chaim%20biddeford%20me&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FTGcuVunX-6MwM&tbnid=ZNmcSY_7cAgGYM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fpluralismproject%2F3788718628%2F&ei=FLgSUqH8JIe24APL

2013 August TempleNewsletter8

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