News Community

200 Forest Avenue, Rye, NY 10580 • 914-967-6262 • www.comsynrye.org • info@comsynrye.org

November 2017 Cheshvan/Kislev 5778 Volume 69, Number 3

/comsynrye

Rabbi Mary L. Zamore serves as the Executive Director of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, the international organization of Reform women rabbis.

6:30 pm Friday night, November 17 The Sacred Table: Creating a Jewish Food Ethic

8:45 am Saturday Torah Study, November 18 “Creation As an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet”

10:30 am Saturday Brunch & Learn, November 18 “What Judaism has to Say about Your Breakfast”

For more information on the events please turn to page 7.

What: An opportunity to light Chanukah candles with a member of your clergy team.

When: Any evening of Chanukah ( December 12—20 except Friday, December 15).

Where: Your home.

How: Invite four other Community Synagogue households to join you for lighting the Chanukiyah in your home. You need to have a menorah, candles and whatever refreshments you choose to offer. A member of the clergy will join you to help lead in the candle-lighting and Chanukah songs.

Why: What a better way to create community than to celebrate Chanukah with other congregants.

To arrange one of the clergy to join your Chanukah gathering, email clergyassistant@comsynrye.org

CLERGY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF Rabbi ..................................... Daniel B. Gropper Rabbi ..................................... Leora Frankel Cantor .................................... Melanie Cooperman Rabbi Emeritus ...................... Robert A. Rothman Executive Director (Interim) .. Yoel Magid CJL Director .......................... Amy Rosenbaum Director of Youth Engagement And Informal Learning……...Yael Farber ECC Director ......................... Dale Oberlander SAJE Coordinator .................. Sarah Poland

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Officers President ................................ Laurie Frolich Executive Vice President. ...... Michael Foreman Vice President ........................ Jackie Kabot Vice President ........................ Susan Zeitlin Vice President ........................ Seth Rosenfield Treasurer ................................ Shara Kimmel Financial Secretary………….Irene Metz Recording Secretary .............. Michele Fredman Immediate Past President ....... Gerald Cohen

Community Synagogue of Rye is a caring Jewish community that seeks to add meaning and purpose to your life.

Inspired by Jewish teachings and traditions, we seek to be a center for spiritual transformation; to foster the creation of sacred relationships; and to give people the tools and resources to be God’s partner in healing the world.

This vision is guided by our commitment to the Jewish values of Worship (T’filah), Lifelong Learning (Talmud Torah), Community (Kehilah), Loving Kindness (Hesed), Repairing the World (Tikkun Olam) and Love of Israel (Ahavat Yisrael).

WRJ/Sisterhood Leadership Brianne Goldstein, Carol Meyers and Janet Meyers

Trustees Michael Bertisch, Jeff Cammisa, Donna DeLynn, Felicia DePaola, Stephen Fisch, Abby Katz, Pam Kerlan, Lloyd Mallah, Mickey Marks, Julie Schuster, Jamie Schutzer, Jill Serin, Mark Singer, Ben Slavin, Danielle Tagger-Epstein, Jacey Taub, Lauren Wolman-Mioli and Dana Zimmerman

COMMUNITY NEWS STAFF Co-Editors ............................. Jackie Christal ............................................... Joanne Steinhart ............................................... Ruth Harmon Layout and Design………….Jeff Frumess

CONTACT US

Main 914-967-6262 ECC 914-967-7698 CJL 914-967-7598 Fax 914-967-0065 www.comsynrye.org info@comsynrye.org

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Ken Abel & Sandra Finkelstein Mali

Rye, NY

Mark & Sarah Dlugokencky Andrew Rye, NY

Susan & Eugene Singer

Purchase, NY

Lee & Katelin Berkowitz Andrew Rye, NY

Brad & Sharon Mantel Jackson & Kyle

Rye, NY

Bill Walsh & Phillis Leftin Sarah, Hannah, Rebecca

Rye, NY

Andy & Lainie Lichtenstein Wes

Rye Brook, NY

Welcome New Members

COSY President Rachel Rubin

First Friday Torah Study at 7 am

Next session: November 3 at Le Pain Quotidien 30 Purchase St, Rye

The monthly Torah study sessions are designed to allow working members of the synagogue to squeeze in some Torah study before the start of the workday. They are held on the first Friday morning of the month and last roughly an hour. Torah texts are also available for use.

We hope you can join us (no RSVP required, just come).

Mazal Tov מזל טוב

To Stephen and Janet Meyers for being chosen by The Rye Lions Club to be the 2017 Recipients of the James A. and

Marian M. Shea Community Service Award.

To Wendy Hufford for being chosen as one of the “Working Mothers of the Year” by Working Mother Magazine.

Condolences

When Cherished ties are broken, our burden of sadness is made lighter by the sympathy and comfort of friends.

Our congregation mourns the passing of Jack Kabcenell, father of Brian Kabcenell, and Past President of CSR

Our congregation mourns the passing of Irene Berns, mother

of Mitchell Berns

Wednesday, November 1 4:00 pm CJL, Grades K-7 6:00 pm CJL In-Service Meeting Thursday, November 2 10:00 am Talmud with Training Wheels 11:15 am SAJE—Offsite, Atria 7:30 pm iEngage session 3—Offsite Friday, November 3 7:00 am First Friday Torah Study—Offsite, La Pain Quotidien 9:20 am ECC Shabbat 5:15 pm Sharing Shabbat Hosted by the Awesome Apples 6:30 pm Shabbat Services—Offsite Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 4 8:45 am Torah Study Service—Offsite Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church CJL Grades 3-6 CJL Youth Services J-Life 6th Grade, Artifacts for Living Museum 11:15 am AJ Wilk, Bar Mitzvah—Offsite Congregation KTI 5:00 pm Lior Gurion, Bar Mitzvah—Offsite Congregation KTI Monday, November 6 9:30 am The Nature of Things 11:15 am SAJE 1:45 pm Havdalah Service for ECC families 6:15 pm 7th Grade and CSR Teens 8:15 pm Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, November 7 All Day Election Day Wednesday, November 8 4:00 pm CJL, Grades K-7 8:00 pm Band Rehearsal Thursday, November 9 11:15 am SAJE—Offsite, Atria 7:30 pm iEngage session 4—Offsite Friday, November 10 All Day ECC Closed 6:30 pm Shabbat Services with T’fillah Band—Offsite Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 11 All Day Veteran’s Day 8:45 am Torah Study Service—Offsite Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church CJL Grades 3-6 CJL Youth Services 5:00 pm Siena Piacente, Bat Mitzvah—Offsite Congregation Emanu-El Monday, November 13 11:15 am SAJE 1:45 pm Havdalah Service for ECC families 6:15 pm 11th Graders—Jews in the News 7th Grade and CSR Teens with Betty Knoop Wednesday, November 15 4:00 pm CJL, Grades K-7 Thursday, November 16 10:00 am Talmud with Training Wheels 11:15 am SAJE—Offsite, Atria 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal iEngage session 5—Offsite Friday, November 17

9:20 am ECC Shabbat 6:00 pm Re-Soul for Shabbat 6:30 pm Shabbat Services with Rabbi Mary Zamore and Choir Offsite—Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church

Saturday, November 18

8:30 am 6th Grade Tenement Museum Trip—Offsite 8:45 am Torah Study Service with Rabbi Mary Zamore Offsite—Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church CJL Grades 3-6 CJL Youth Services J-Life 3rd Grade 10:30 am Brunch and Learn with Rabbi Mary Zamore Offsite—Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church 5:00 pm Siena Piacente, Bat Mitzvah—Offsite Congregation KTI 7:30 pm Annual Westchester Night of Jewish Learning Offsite— Beth El Synagogue Center

November 2017 Calendar

Sunday, November 19

11:00 am COSY Social Action Sunday 4:00 pm Interfaith Thanksgiving Event

Monday, November 20

11:15 am SAJE 1:45 pm Havdalah Service for ECC families 6:15 pm 7th Grade and CSR Teens 8:00 pm Ritual Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 22

All Day CJL Closed for Thanksgiving 11:45 am ECC Dismissal

Thursday, November 23

All Day Thanksgiving All Day Office and ECC Closed

Friday, November 24

All Day Day after Thanksgiving All Day Office and ECC Closed 6:30 pm Shabbat Services—Offsite Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church

Saturday, November 25

All Day CJL Closed for Thanksgiving 8:45 am Torah Study Service—Offsite Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church

Monday, November 27

11:15 am SAJE 1:45 pm Havdalah Service for ECC families 6:15 pm 12th Graders packing for college 7th Grade and CSR Teens 8:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 29

4:00 pm CJL, Grades K-7

Thursday, November 30

10:00 am Talmud with Training Wheels 11:15 am SAJE 7:30 pm iEngage session 5—Offsite

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We now find ourselves in the longest stretch of the year without a Jewish holiday, which led me recently to ask the four year olds in our ECC: “What’s the next Jewish holiday?” Given that it was mid-October, I should have seen what was coming. “Halloween!!” a number of them yelled. Finally, one little boy said, “Chanukah.” All was not lost. Unlike Halloween, which, let’s face it, is about taking—think “trick or treat, give me something good to eat”—Chanukah involves the value of giving. The root of the Hebrew word for present, נָּה Matanah, has ַמתָּthe letters נ ת נ nun-taf-nun, meaning “to give.” And as Chanukah arrives in six weeks, I want to challenge us to begin thinking of ways we can give. The most obvious is tzedakah. If you don’t do so already, select one night of Chanukah—ideally Erev Shabbat—as a night of giving tzedakah. Gather all of your end-of-year solicitation letters and, with your

family, determine which organizations you want to support and how much you want to contribute. And consider giving in other ways: Give the gift of education—to someone else or to yourself. The Hebrew root of חנוכה Chanukah is ך—נ—ח chet-nun-kaf which spells Chinuch, meaning education. Chanukah does not mean, “Festival of Lights.” Instead, it means dedication. This is חינוךprecisely what education is all about. This Chanukah, to which aspect of Jewish learning can you dedicate yourself? Is it weekly Torah study? A daily dose of Torah? What about a podcast or a video? Check out ReformJudaism.org, BimBam.com, ProjectZug.org or elmad.pardes.org. Consider helping other Jewish children: Why not sponsor a child’s Jewish education? Even at Community Synagogue there are families for whom a year of religious school is a financial hardship. For $1800 you can underwrite a year of learning here within our congregation. You can grant a scholarship for a session at a Jewish summer camp or a teen trip to Israel. What greater gift could there be than to directly impact the future of Judaism and the Jewish people? If this is of interest to you, please contact me directly. Hospitality is a gift: Like Abraham and Sara whose tent was open on all sides to welcome newcomers, we can open our homes to others during Chanukah to let them share in the joy of the festival, to be enveloped by the warmth of the candles, and to be inspired by their lights. To this end, we, your clergy, are challenging you: This Chanukah, invite other CSR congregants to an evening at your home. If you bring a minyan together (you, plus four other families), Rabbi Frankel, Cantor Cooperman or I will come to your home to help light the Chanukah Menorahs, sing songs, and tell the story of Chanukah. We promise to bring some gifts as well. This Chanukah, challenge yourself to give differently. Give from the heart, give yourself a gift and give the gift of generosity of spirit that will in turn, come to enrich your life as well. And if you want to consider making a gift to the synagogue this Chanukah, this not-for-profit, charitable organization would surely appreciate it. It may be a long way off (we light the first candle on December 12), but allow me to be among the first to wish you a Happy and Joyous Chanukah. I look forward to hearing from you. L’Shalom, Rabbi Daniel B. Gropper dgropper@comsynrye.org

Rabbi Daniel Gropper • Dgropper@comsynrye.org

Inside Community Synagogue of Rye

The Chanukah 5778 Giving Challenge

Our theme for this month’s newsletter is a deceptively simple sounding statement: Finding Holiness in the Everyday. But how does one go about finding holiness in the everyday or any day for that matter? If we were like Moses, as described in the Book of Exodus, we might have a clear answer. As Moses was pasturing the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro he found himself upon Horeb, the mountain of God. There he came upon what appeared to be a burning bush. And yet the bush was not consumed. Drawing closer to inspect, Moses heard a voice emanating from the flames which called out his name, and instructed him to remove his shoes and not come any closer, as he was standing on holy ground. He was then given very specific instructions as to his next assignment, which was in short order, to approach Pharaoh, the great ruler of Egypt, and insist that he let the children of Israel go.

Well, that would undoubtedly qualify in my mind as finding holiness in the everyday, and certainly if you were a poor shepherd, that would stand out on your calendar as a BIG EVENT. But what about the rest of us? Are there “burning bushes” all around that we fail to notice because they are too quiet, too obscure, or too inconvenient for us to see? Not long ago I was hurrying through Grand Central as part of my regular morning commute when I heard a soft voice asking, “Can someone please help me?” It came from an older woman who was standing in line trying to buy a Metro Card to enter the subway. Everyone was rushing past her on their way to the turnstile. Those who were in line to refill their own cards, as was I, basically just pushed ahead of her when it was their turn at the machine. I could clearly see that she needed some assistance, and I heard her voice as well, so I asked her how I could help. She showed me a $10.00 bill and asked if I could buy her a metro card. Well, first I had to inform her that she was standing in the credit card only line and this machine would not accept her bill. I directed her to the correct machine and then refilled my card. As I headed to the turnstile, I now saw her standing in line at the cash machine asking yet again for help. Well, there was no longer any point in continuing on my way. I came back to her and asked if I could assist her. She said again that she needed to buy a metro card. Together we approached the machine, and I set about to purchase her card. Of course, after depositing her $10.00 the machine requested another $1.50 for a new card. Arghh! Rather than cancel the transaction and start all over, I opened my wallet and came up with the missing change. Finally, she had her metro card! She thanked me very politely and then said, “I think I owe you a dollar fifty.” I waved it away and told her to enjoy her day. And then I proceeded on my way. What was the impact of this small interaction on me? Well, I had to find more pocket money for my morning coffee when I arrived at work, for which I was also ten minutes late. But really the experience has stayed with me for other reasons as well. First of all, why did so many people pass her by? She wasn’t homeless or indigent, but she did seem a little frayed around the edges. She wasn’t begging or asking for money, but it may have sounded as if she was, and she was a person of color. Did all of these things combine in the eyes and ears of most New Yorkers to make her appear invisible? We all go through life with blinders on, intentionally or otherwise, and unless the bush is burning right in front of us (and perhaps even if it is), we choose to ignore it in fear or reluctance to get involved. But what if Moses had decided to turn away and not answer God’s call? Would we all still be slaves in Egypt? Would God have found another person to step up? Or perhaps the bush had been burning for many days and weeks, passed over by any number of shepherds, just waiting for the one who was attuned to see and hear and answer the call with, Hineni, here I am. We all have choices in life, to see the holiness that is around us each and every day, and to either embrace it and own it, or turn and go on our way. Would we be a better and happier community if each person consciously tried to find the holiness, or just a deeper meaning, in the everyday? I can’t help but think that in each of our daily interactions there is someone, a family member, a friend, or even a stranger, who is asking in a small voice, “Can someone please help me?” And wouldn’t it be great if each of us said, “Yes, I can.”

With warm wishes,

Laurie Frolich

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Inside Community Synagogue of Rye

Would You Heed the Call?

Laurie Frolich, President • president@comsynrye.org

The Importance of Gratitude during Difficult Times

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Inside Community Synagogue of Rye

Rabbi Akiva always traveled with a lantern, a rooster and a donkey. One day, he came upon a village looking for a place to spend the night but none of the lodgers would take him in. His trademark reaction: “Whatever God does is for the good.” Rabbi Akiva was forced to spend the night camping outdoors. During the night, a wind blew out his light, a fox ate his rooster, and a lion killed his donkey.

And another thing happened during the night. A group of soldiers had entered the village and taken all the residents hostage. Had Rabbi Akiva been granted lodging, he would have been counted among the hostages. Had his lantern still been lit, he would have been captured. If his animals had made any noise, he would have been discovered. “Whatever God does is for the good.”

In his book “Everyday Holiness,” Alan Morinis uses that Talmudic story to illustrate the importance of expressing gratitude even in the most difficult of circumstances. He writes: “We cheer for the good that happens to us and mourn for the bad, but are we really in a position to pass such clear judgement as to which is which? How certain can we be that something that happens to us is really for our good, and something else bad?”

I take some comfort in that idea, especially given our current political climate in this country. Maybe a better tomorrow will be born out of the difficulties of today. But politics aside, I think as Americans and as progressive Jews, we can all agree that racism, anti--Semitism and sexism is wrong, plain and simple. And perhaps this current wave of startlingly hateful rhetoric will be drowned out by the voices of the majority of Americans who are not racist or sexist. After all, it was Louis Brandeis–the first Jewish Supreme Court justice—who famously argued that the remedy to harmful speech was more speech. This moment in history is our opportunity to do just that.

Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for our friends, families and our community. Thanksgiving also provides the chance to be thankful for the difficulties in our lives because they provide the potential for change and for growth. And, right now, it seems as though we have plenty of potential for growth. As Morinis writes: “It’s only against the contours of that bigger picture that we can grasp the meaning and direction of our present circumstances. Only then can we possibly know what is good and what is bad and even then we can’t really be sure because events continue to unfold.”

Whatever God does is for the good, yes. But we can do good, too. We, as Jews are obligated to do so—even in difficult times. In fact, that obligation might be most important in difficult times.

Cantor Melanie Cooperman • mcooperman@comsynrye.org

Sisterhood/WRJ Membership Renewal Notice

As we start the Jewish New Year, we ask your support of Sisterhood and its projects. Please send your dues payable to Sisterhood/WRJ

Financial Secretary - Sisterhood/WRJ Community Synagogue of Rye

200 Forest Avenue Rye, NY 10580

Annual Dues to June 2018 - $55 Additional Contribution to Projects - $15

For further information, please contact Brianne Goldstein (914-939-3213) or Janet Meyers

(914-967-0447).

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Inside Community Synagogue of Rye

Goodkind Scholar-in-Residence

Rabbi Mary L. Zamore serves as the Executive Director of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, the international organization of Reform women rabbis. As part of her work providing support of and advocacy for women rabbis, she is co-leading the Reform Pay Equity Initiative, to narrow the wage gap for all female employees of the Reform Movement. She is also the editor of and a contributing author to The Sacred Table: Creating a Jewish Food Ethic (CCAR Press, 2011), which was designated a finalist by the National Jewish Book Awards. Ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 1997, she graduated from Columbia College and also studied at Yad Vashem and Machon Pardes. She served congregations in Central New Jersey for 18 years, including Temple Emanu-El, Westfield, and Temple B’nai Or, Morristown.

6:30 pm Friday night, November 17 The Sacred Table: Creating a Jewish Food Ethic Rabbi Zamore will navigate through the choices of eating, while creating a rich dialogue about the

intersection of Judaism, food and food production. The definition of kosher, the historic Jewish approach to eating, will be explored, questioned, and broadened. For Reform Jews, kosher is a ritual practice, but also a multifaceted relationship with food and its production, integrating Jewish values such as ethics, community, and spirituality. In the end, the discussion about food will teach us about the essence of Reform Judaism.

8:45 am Saturday Torah Study, November 18 “Creation As an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet” Join Rabbi Zamore for a close textual reading of the Creation Narrative, as well as Rabbinic texts, to help understand our relationship with the food chain. We will explore texts that support vegetarianism and those that allow meat. In the end, there is a deeper understanding than just what should be on the menu.

10:30 am Saturday Brunch & Learn , November 18 “What Judaism has to Say about Your Breakfast” The food market is an increasingly confusing place to navigate. Come learn what Judaism has to teach us about food and its production, as we consider ritual, ethical, and spiritual choices for our food and its production. Through individual, educated choice, learn to shape your personal power of the fork.

Inside Community Synagogue of Rye

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Help our CSR Refugee’s Job Search

A group from Community Synagogue of Rye and Rye Presbyterian Church are working with HIAS, a refugee resettlement agency, to help a refugee family from a war-torn third-world country resettle in Westchester County. The father of the family is looking for work. He is university educated (Bachelor’s degree) with a professional background in working with international governments and NGOs overseeing initiatives to build infrastructure in impoverished rural communities. His skills include procurement, contract administration and budget management. He is fluent in English, Farsi and Urdu and is suited to work in nonprofit or business settings. He is a US “permanent resident” (he has a Green Card), so does not need employer sponsorship for a visa. If anyone has any contacts in organizations looking to hire someone with this background or skills, please contact Karen Wallace Lipson at wallaceshaine55@aol.com.

Making Strides Raises $4,265!

On October 15 the CSR Team walked with Making Strides at Manhattanville College. We want to thank our friends, family and the CSR Community who helped us raise $4,265. This money will go towards research, support and services for those diagnosed with breast cancer.

CSR Participants in Making Strides Walk

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Early Childhood Learning

Dale Oberlander, ECC Director • doberlander@comsynrye.org

The Practice of Mindfulness

The ECC is in a wonderful place. At this point in the school year, the children have bonded with their teachers and their classmates. They are more independent and feel comfortable exploring, asking questions and sharing thoughts and ideas. November is when we take joy in seeing the falling leaves and having the opportunity to learn about the change of season. The Thanksgiving holiday encourages all of us to come together, as Americans, to acknowledge and be thankful for what we have. The holiday allows us to pause and be mindful. Expressing our gratitude is part of mindfulness. By pausing and paying attention, we can appreciate things we might otherwise take for granted such as the warmth of the sun or the happiness on a child’s face.

One of the goals for the ECC this year is to explore ways to incorporate the practice of mindfulness into our curriculum. Understanding mindfulness is important because it can provide ways to support children during their developmental years and sow

seeds of kindness, tolerance and peace in our fast-paced, technology-driven culture. In addition, in times of stress, mindfulness techniques offer teachers and parents ways to calm themselves and the children close to them. The value of using mindfulness techniques with children has been well documented and has already been incorporated into many of our local elementary schools.

We look forward to sharing more with you as we learn more.

Let us HELP you grow your business!

Come and advertise with us in our monthly bulletin!

Send inquiries to Communtions@comsynrye.org

ECC Important Dates

November 3 Sharing Shabbat Hosted by Awesome Apples November 6 Parent Teacher Conferences November 8 Parent Teacher Conferences MOM’S NIGHT OUT November 9 Parent Teacher Conferences November 10 ECC Closed Veterans Day November 14 Parent Teacher Conferences November 15 Parent Teacher Conferences November 16 Parent Teacher Conferences November 22 ECC Early Dismissal 11:45 am November 23 ECC Closed for Thanksgiving November 24 ECC Closed for Thanksgiving

One of our little yogis

Rabbi Robert A. Rothman Center for Jewish Learning

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Hakarat Hatov: Practicing Gratitude Amy Rosenbaum PH.D, CJL Director • Arosenbaum@comsynrye.org

CJL and J-Life Important Dates

November 4 J-Life: 6th grade November 13 7th Grade J-Life, with guest speaker Betty Knoop November 18 J-Life: 3rd grade and 6th grade Tenement Museum Trip November 22 CJL closed for Thanksgiving November 25 CJL closed for Thanksgiving

The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat hatov, which means, literally, “recognizing the good.” Practicing gratitude means recognizing the good that is already yours. Jewish tradition teaches us that we should try to say one hundred blessings a day to express our thankfulness. Hakarat hatov is the belief that lies behind the great Talmudic proverb which asks, “Who is rich?” and then answers, “Those who rejoice in their own lot.” (Avot 4:1). In my first months as the Director of the CJL, I have had many reasons for hakarat hatov. Chief among them are the wonderful members of the CJL community—the educators, the clergy, the parents, and the learners. I am grateful

for the commitment of the entire CJL community to supporting creative and engaging learning experiences. Last month’s CJL Sukkah—Fest was a great example of this. Our education team created hands-on experiential learning activities in and around the CJL building: children learned the rules for building a Sukkah while creating edible Sukkot out of graham crackers and frosting; they experienced hiddur mitzvah—the “beautification” or enhancement of a mitzvah—by making and hanging up beautiful decorations in CSR’s Sukkah; they learned the special blessings we say on Sukkot and had a chance to shake a lulav and etrog; they sang Sukkot songs; and they experienced one of the mitzvot of Sukkot–to be joyous–by playing games and posing for pictures in our special Sukkot photo booth. I am thankful for the collaborative spirit of the clergy and educators in developing this program, for the exceptional team of CJL parent volunteers who supervised the stations, for our 7th grade Chavurah group who built a second Sukkah for our Sukkah-Fest, and for our educators and learners who embraced this opportunity to teach and learn differently. For me, this Sukkah—Fest experience evokes the words of Rabbi Lachman of Breslov, who said: “Gratitude rejoices with her sister joy, and is always ready to light a candle and have a party.” As American Jews, we are fortunate to have two harvest celebrations: Sukkot and Thanksgiving. I wish all the members of the CJL community a joyous Thanksgiving, filled with hakarat hatov.

Yael Farber, Director of Youth Engagement & Informal earning • Yfarber@comsynrye.org

Counting Blessings

At our October Social Action Sunday, a group of our COSY teens gathered together to sort clothing that had been donated for The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester. The Sharing Shelf gives clothing to children who are unable to afford new clothing. Before we began our sort, we talked about what it felt like to go shopping for new clothing. The teens talked about finding clothes in the right size and making sure that they had something to match with their new item. They also talked about how the way they dress makes them feel every day when they go to school. The group had the opportunity to pause and be thankful for being able to go shopping for new clothes as well as wear clothing that makes them feel comfortable. This opportunity to pause gave our group a chance to see and be thankful for the many blessings in our lives.

As we head into Thanksgiving, I encourage everyone to take a moment to pause and be thankful for the many blessing that surround

us every day. Whether it is clothing to put on each morning, food to enjoy for dinner at night, or company to share a meal with, we are surrounded by countless blessings every day. This Thanksgiving season, I am thankful for the new community that I have found

here in Rye and am excited to continue counting blessing with all of you!

COSY & CSR Teens Upcoming Events

November 19 Social Action Sunday 11 am—1:00 pm (Including lunch) RSVP to Yael at COSY@comsynrye.org.

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Rabbi Robert A. Rothman Center for Jewish Learning

Our B’nei Mitzvah

To see our b’nei mitzvah every Friday.

AJ Wilk

My name is AJ Wilk and I will be called to the

Torah as a bar mitzvah on November 4. I am the son of Rob and Haley Wilk and I have two

younger brothers, Danny and Oliver. I am an eighth grader at Blind Brook Middle School. I enjoy football and lacrosse and listening to music.

My Torah portion is Vayera from the Book of Genesis. My portion is about God telling Abraham that he is

angry at the people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and is planning to destroy them because they are behaving poorly and

are not treating each other well. Abraham challenges God, asking him to reconsider if there are even a few good people in

the towns. For my mitzvah project, I will be hosting a flag football tournament to raise money and awareness for pediatric

cancer. I was happy to be able to find a way to give back by doing something that I’m so passionate about.

Lior Gurion

My name is Lior Gurion and I will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah on November 4. I am an eighth grader at Rye Country Day School. My parents are Tal Gurion and Sharon Gillon, and I have three younger brothers, Jonah, Alex and Noah. I enjoy playing soccer, basketball, and tennis. My Torah portion is Chayei Sarah from the Book of Genesis. It is the story of how

Abraham negotiated with the Hittites to buy a burial place for his wife Sarah. This Torah portion demonstrates the importance of having a physical and spiritual connection to Israel. This connection to Israel was particularly significant to me this past summer when I visited Israel and had a bar mitzvah service at the Western Wall. For my mitzvah project, I volunteered at UCan Sports to help kids with developmental disabilities play sports and have fun. This was a meaningful activity because I developed a connection with many of the kids, and I look forward to continuing in the winter.

Lulu Tagger-Epstein

My name is Lulu Tagger-Epstein and I will be

called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on November18. My Torah portion is Vayetze from

the Book of Genesis. I am the daughter of Dan Epstein and Danielle Tagger-Epstein. I am a

seventh grader at Rye Neck Middle School. I have a sister, Nina, and a younger brother, Jesse. In my free time I love to sing, dance and do theater at the Westchester Sandbox

Theatre. My love of music and singing has given me the opportunity to help Cantor Cooperman this year with Koleinu

as part of my mitzvah project. I will also be collecting mittens, gloves and winter hats in an effort to help keep “Westchester

Warm this Winter.” I have asked all the guests at my bat mitzvah to help contribute to this effort by bringing a pair of

mittens to the event.

Siena Piacente My name is Siena Piacente, and I will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on November 11. My parents are Jackie and Victor Piacente. I have a younger sister, Ella. I am in the eighth grade at Blind Brook Middle School. I enjoy playing volleyball and basketball. My Torah portion is Chayei Sarah from the Book of Genesis. My portion is about Abraham finding a

wife for his son Isaac. The portion teaches us about inner beauty, and what it means to be a good person. For my mitzvah project, I worked with a nonprofit organization called Family to Family. I made birthday boxes for girls my age, to be given to families who can’t afford to buy their child a birthday present. I also collected many children’s books, which will be distributed by the organization to some of the communities in need that they service.

Adult Learning

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Talmud with Training Wheels

The Talmud is one of the foundational texts of Judaism. However, many of us may not feel like experts when it comes to this vital canon. In fact, it can be said that more than we are biblical Jews, we are rabbinic Jews following the laws and guidelines set out in the Talmud. Together we will explore the history and structure of the Talmud and rabbinic thought as well as the rabbis’ profound insights into human nature. No prior experience required!

Talmud with Training Wheels Dates 10—11:30 am at CSR:

Nov 2, 2017 Nov 16, 2017 Nov 30, 2017 Dec 14, 2017 Jan 4, 2018 Jan 25, 2018 Feb 8, 2018 Mar 1, 2018 Mar 15, 2018

Interested in attending? Please email clergy assistant Jon Rekedal at clergyassistant@comsynrye.org. Jon will let you know where the class is being held. During our construction

project, at times when the ECC is in session, the state licensing authority asks staff members to escort all adults through the

school building. Thank you for your understanding.”

The Jewish Museum Private Tour Thursday, Nov 30 at 6 pm

Empty-Nest Full Life Team Please join us on Thursday, November 30 at 6 pm at The Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave at 92nd St, New York, NY, for a guided tour of the exhibit “Veiled Meanings: Fashioning Jewish Dress,” from the collection of The Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

http://thejewishmuseum.org/exhibitions/veiled-meanings-fashioning-jewish-dress

We will also be able to view the exhibit “Modigliani Unmasked.” The cost is $20 per person. Make your check payable to Community Synagogue of Rye (on memo line indicate Jewish Museum tour). Bring or mail your check to the synagogue and include your contact information (email and phone number). Space is limited to 20 people, so your check will hold your reservation.

Single Shot Judaism

Providing a Quick Jewish (Soulful) Boost!

Single Shot Judaism is an informal and casual forum to ask, challenge, and engage in unedited conversation over a shot or two of espresso or whatever drink you enjoy (Chai tea too!) All it takes is bringing together 10 friends (a minyan, of course) who are open to passionate conversation about an array of issues. Once you have a group together, then Rabbi Gropper, Cantor Cooperman or Rabbi Frankel will set a date to meet at your home, local coffee house, local dive, or diner. To set up a single shot of Judaism, contact us at Singleshot@comsynrye.org

Using meditation practices, mindfulness skills and some simple Mussar texts, we will sit, mostly in silence and contemplation to wind down from the week and lift us into Shabbat. Please join Rabbi Gropper from 6 to 6:20 p.m. on Nov 17, Dec 8, Jan 12, Feb 9, Mar 9, Apr 13 and May 18 to welcome in the spirit of Shabbat. You are then invited to remain for regular Shabbat worship at 6:30 pm.

Re-soul for Shabbat will take place at the Chapel at Rye Presbyterian Church, the same location for Friday night services. 882 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580.

If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, please email clergyassistant@comsynrye.org.

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SAJE

SAJE (Senior Activities in a Jewish Environment)

Sarah Weiss-Poland• SAJE@comsynrye.org

Thursday, November 23 NO SAJE: Happy Thanksgiving! Monday November 27 Rabbi Michael Goldman and Gillian Rittmaster from Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) will present to SAJE about Alzheimer’s disease. WJCS’s leading Alzheimer's and Dementia Care initiative features an array of services and support for individuals and families caring for loved ones affected by those diseases. From specially trained home health aides to care consultation, support groups and seminars, many needs are being addressed. Thursday, November 30 @ 12 pm The Bruce Museum 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, Ct Led by Docent Arthur Stampleman, view an exhibit of work by Toulouse-Lautrec. The cost is $12 per person. In the Limelight: Toulouse-Lautrec Portraits from the Herakleidon Museum Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec enjoyed the spectacle, the night life, and the tawdry side of Belle Époque Paris. Best known for his art portraying the café-concert and the entertainers who performed there, this exhibition explores how Toulouse-Lautrec used portraiture to comment on the absurdity and excess of Bohemian life in Paris at the turn of the century. Featuring 100 drawings, prints, and posters, the exhibition showcases the artist’s satirical portraits of stage personalities like Sarah Bernhardt, Jane Avril, and Arstide Bruant alongside those of his friends and family.

**Directions to Atria Rye Brook: 1200 King Street, Rye Brook NY

VIA 287 West: Take 287 West to Exit 9N-S (Hutchinson River Pkwy) Take Hutchinson River Pkwy North to exit 30S (120A) Turn left onto 120A/N. King Street

VIA 120A: Head north on Forest Ave toward Boulder Rd Turn right onto Grace Church St Continue onto S Main St Use the middle lane to turn slightly left onto King St Turn left onto Willett Ave Continue straight onto NY-120A N/King St

SAJE is designed to provide social and educational opportunities to active seniors in our community. The group meets every Monday and Thursday between 11:15 am and 1:15 pm and includes lunch after the program. You are always welcome to bring a friend.

Thursday, November 2 @ 12 Noon Dine Around-X20 Xaviers on The Hudson 71 Water Grant St, Yonkers, NY 10701 Classy glass-enclosed restaurant on the pier with globally influenced American fare and Hudson River views. The cost is $27 per person. Please RSVP to Iris Sampliner at ikstravel@aol.com. Monday, November 6 Join Andi Hessekiel for our first session of personal essay writing for this year. If you’ve ever thought about putting in writing the stories of your life, this session will help you get started. By using simple prompts, Andi encourages us to write and “publish” our work by sharing it with one another. Andi’s warm feedback will help you get reacquainted with the writer that lives inside you—and the stories shared by others become a great way to stimulate conversation among all of us. No previous experience is necessary—and you can be a writer or a listener in the session. But writers are welcome!!! The prompt for the session is: It was my first brush with Anti-Semitism… Thursday, November 9 @ The Atria SAJE welcomes back Cantor Melanie Cooperman from Community Synagogue of Rye. She will be exploring different musical settings of Jewish liturgical texts—such as Mi Chamocha, V’shamru, and Oseh Shalom. In this class learners will gain a greater understanding of music, the relationship between music and text, and greater insight into specific compositions and composers. Monday, November 13 Do you want to express your opinion about current events? Do you want to hear other peoples’ opinions about world and national news? Come to SAJE’s current events discussion led by Herb Blecker. Thursday, November 16 @ The Atria Elissa Diamond-Fields is Director of outreach and education for Health Freedom Action Connecticut, a group that advocates for the rights to decide whether or not to be vaccinated. With mounting vaccinations offered to seniors, children and adults, her discussion will be centered around the political and economic landscape of our US vaccination program over the past 30 years. What has changed, and how is it affecting our society today? Elissa, Doctor of Chiropractic, is the founder of Heal Space, an integrative therapeutic center focused on providing short term relief care and supporting long term whole body health for the whole family. Monday, November 20 SAJE is proud to welcome Susan Carroll, Esq., Director of Training, Outreach and Education at Pace University’s WOMEN’S JUSTICE CENTER. She will be presenting alongside Roberta Goodman.

* The SAJE program at Community Synagogue of Rye is self-sustaining and relies on generous donations. Thank you to all of those who support SAJE through monetary donations, time and energy, creativity and love!*

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Contributions

Phyllis & Harry Mix SOCIAL ACTION FUND In memory of Dr. Jack Kabcenell

Susan & Gary Taplin James Marino

Elizabeth Schubiner Susan & Norman Cicelsky

Freida & Bob Wallstein Beverly & Jerry Wachtel Steven Bernstein Karen & Steven Brody Judith & Gerald Wyckoff Barbara Lieberman Mortimer & Maxine Patchen and Robin & Peter Klein

STEVEN HARRY KLEIN MEMBERSHIP FUND Robin & Peter Klein in memory of Steven Klein YAHRZEIT FUND Cindy Valk-Danish & Leslie Danish in memory of Helen Stockfield

CANTOR COOPERMAN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Sandra & Eric Berger in memory of Stephen Berger Leslie & Mitchell Levy in memory of Kip Konigsberg Dorothy & Gerry Swimmer with thanks for the beautiful High Holy Days services Alyssa and Marc Adelson EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER ENRICHMENT FUND Emily & Jonathan Borell Jeanette & Richard Negri HESED Laurie & John Frolich in memory of Harry H. Frolich ISRAEL TRIP FUND FOR TEENS Frances Gilberg in memory of Gussie Feit Susan and Jim Winter in memory of Eleanor Winter KADIMA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN David Lawrence in honor of Margy’s 70th birthday and my grandson, Jackson Smith, becoming a bar mitzvah Susan, Paul, and Gloria Levinson in memory of Saul Levinson Jeffrey Richman Jill & Jimmy Feldesman in memory of Henry Doneger Linda & Lewis in memory of Frank Kassed Andrea & Mark Kramer in honor of Rabbi Gropper Barbara Goodstein Marjorie Bomson in honor of her “special” cousin, Irene Metz, for her role as Financial Secretary to CSR Marnie & Lloyd Mallah in honor of Rabbi Gropper Binh-Minh & Edward Sebol Carol & Morton Corwin Jane & Stephen Lewis Rosey & Stuart Rudnick PJ LIBRARY FUND Stephanie & Don Fehr in memory of Louis Fehr and Sylvia Eveloff Feldman RABBI GROPPER’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Sandra & Eric Berger in memory of Stephen Berger Leslie & Mitchell Levy in memory of Kip Konigsberg Caren Manne & Richard Meilman in memory of Jack Meilman Susan Sayle in memory of Kenneth Sayle Alyssa and Marc Adelson Sharon and Joseph Berkowitz with thanks for the beautiful High Holy Days services REFORM JEWISH COMMITMENT (RJC) FUND Joan & Ron Cohen in memory of Jack Kabcenell, father of Brian Kabcenell RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ENRICHMENT FUND Rachel & Eric Lerner RELIGIOUS SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND Stephanie & Don Fehr in memory of Louis Fehr and Sylvia Eveloff Feldman SENIOR ACTIVITIES IN A JEWISH ENVIRONMENT (SAJE) FUND Yvonne Tropp Helene & Martin Krauss Elaine Lerner in memory of Dr. Jack Kabcenell Elaine Frey & Amy Kashchy in memory of Mathilda Tepper, Leo Rosenbluth and Pauline Frey

SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR TEMPLE YOUTH

Once again this year the Sampliner Youth Leadership Development Fund is making camp scholarships available to young people who are planning to attend either the Eisner Camp or the Crane Lake Camp in Massachusetts, Kutz Camp in Warwick, NY., or the NFTY Summer Program in Israel. These programs are run by the Union for Reform Judaism, the umbrella organization of all reform congregations in the United States and Canada. These scholarships are not based on need.

Since the scholarship funds are limited, and were originally intended to support attendance at URJ Camps, priority will be given for attendance at those Camps. All applications are due by February 10; if there are funds still available for other Jewish Camps, they will be honored.

The Eisner Camp and the Crane Lake Camp offer programs for children seven to seventeen years of age. Each day includes sports, recreation, swimming, theater, crafts, and programs designed to foster a solid Jewish living experience.

Every summer, teens from all over North America become leaders at the NFTY Leadership Academy at Kutz Camp in Warwick, NY. Teens come to join this college campus style community, selecting experiences in theater, song leading, visual arts, Jewish studies, social action, youth group leadership programming, and more.

Thousands of Reform high school and college youth have enjoyed summers in Israel. NFTY combines travel, learning, and Jewish identity building in Israel while ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and security.

The Scholarships come in denominations of $250.00 or $500.00. Application should be made to the Fund c/o Iris & David Sampliner.

For further information call the Sampliners at 914-939-0349.

The experience of a summer immersed in Judaism cannot be too highly praised. Youngsters who have been to any of the three programs have come back enthusiastic, involved, and furnish us with an outstanding corps of young leaders for our synagogue.

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A Note of Gratitude from our Houston Colleague

Community Synagogue of Rye has a variety of funds which are used to enrich our congregation. You may wish to make a contribution in honor or in memory of someone or to celebrate a joyous occasion (birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, wedding, anniversary). The funds are listed on the right.

I (We) wish to make a special contribution of $ to the Fund.

In Honor of Occasion

In Memory of Relationship Donor’s Name (s) Donor’s Address Donor’s Phone Donor’s Email Please send an acknowledgement note to: Name Address

Your gift is tax deductible to the extent of the law. Please mail and make checks payable to Community Synagogue of Rye.

Endowment Funds David & Iris Sampliner Youth Leadership Development Fund Etz Ha Dorot Endowment Fund Goodkind Scholar-in-Residence Fund The Obrasky Fund Pond & Beyond Fund Reform Jewish Commitment (RJC) Fund Victor & Marjorie Wolder Fund in memory of Herbert Millman Victor & Marjorie Wolder Joy of Living Fund

Restricted Funds Adult Education (Cecele Fraenkel Memorial) Fund Beautification Fund Cantor Cooperman’s Discretionary Fund Early Childhood Center Enrichment Fund Grayer Teen Initiative Fund Hesed Fund Israel Action Fund Israel Trip Fund for Teens Kol Nashim (Women’s Programming) Fund Marilyn Zelman Early Childhood Center Scholarship Fund Michael Ginsberg Memorial Library Fund PJ Library® Fund Prayer Book Fund Rabbi Frankel’s Discretionary Fund Rabbi Gropper’s Discretionary Fund Religious School Enrichment Fund Religious School Special Education Fund SAJE (Senior Activities in a Jewish Environment) Fund Social Action Fund Steven Harry Klein Membership Fund Synagogue Fund Yahrzeit Fund Learn more about these funds at comsynrye.org/csr-funds

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLAINS, NY

PERMIT NO. 1062

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