Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Friday, March 20; Shabbat Across America to Carol & Harold Schlacter on the birth
Friday, April 17 @6:30pm of a grandson - Jace Andrew
Schlacter. Proud parents are Jodi & Ean
Friday, May 22 @6:30pm Schlacter of Rhode Island.
For more information, please call
Frances Weiner @914-734-9602, or
Sharon Memis @914-302-7767 Get Well
First Hebrew wishes a speedy recovery to:
Morton Bensky Selda Bloome Luz Corona
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 3
President’s Message FHC’S MISSION
With a new President, administration with new Therefore, in an effort to: a) advance positive
ideas, coupled with spring approaching, I am hopeful and forward thinking, and b) fight the doomsayers
that the current economic and world conditions will of the world, I believe the time has come for FHC to
somehow start to correct themselves. Maybe it is a advance and promote, in words, our mission.
desire to be optimistic at a time when, for a lot of
I am hopeful that we can truly embrace our
people, optimism is in short supply. On the other
mission which is, in my opinion, to “Embrace,
hand, maybe it is a confirmation that after every
Support and Strengthen Judaism in Northern
storm, the sun must shine again, bringing light and
Westchester”.
hope to those who weathered the storm. And once
the storm has passed, we, as a people, take stock of As a Jewish people we have always used words
the damage and rebuild. to advance our prayers, study, and beliefs. In my
humble opinion, what could be better than
It has always been my hope that we also take
embracing Judaism as our religion, supporting
stock of what we have going for us, and from that
Judaism and its tenets and finally, strengthening
starting point the future can hold great promise for a
Judaism’s presence in our community.
better tomorrow.
Let us all think of how we, as individuals and
While I am aware that positive rhetoric can only
FHC as an organization can EMBRACE, SUPPORT
go so far, and actions speak louder than words, I am
AND STRENGTHEN JUDAISM IN NORTHERN
also aware that feelings of pessimism and negativity
WESTCHESTER.
also are, in a way, rhetoric. When we give our
negative feelings too much weight, they tend to Shalom,
become a self-serving prophecy that must be Jeremy Krantz, President
overcome.
First Hebrew Congregation will call the following to the Torah as B’Nei Mitzvah at
our regular Saturday morning-uptown services, 9:30 a.m. We welcome all
members of our community to join in these simchas. The families welcome all
those attending to join with them at the Kiddush following services in honor of the
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
Shabbat, March 14th – Kayla Smith – daughter of Holly & Douglas Smith
According to the Jewish Community Study of New York In a unique collaboration, First Hebrew is working with
undertaken by UJA-Federation of New York, the number of three other Conservative synagogues to launch a youth
Jewish households in Northern Westchester grew from group next fall under the auspices of United Synagogue
9.200 in 1991 to 17,400 in 2002. People in Jewish Youth, a national organization associated with METNY,
households grew from 11% of the area’s population to providing extensive programming and leadership
22%. The study showed an increase in Jewish development. Croton Jewish Center, Temple Beth Shalom
households for all of Westchester County, rising to 54,600 of Mahopac, Yorktown Jewish Center and First Hebrew
from 39,000. Jewish agencies in the area agree that the are hammering out the details that would create a
trend is continuing. professionally run youth group for Middle School and High
Since the study revealed that one-third of Northern School teens.
Westchester’s 56,300 residents in Jewish households “While the area’s Jewish population is growing, our
were under the age of 17, family outreach has become the Jewish families are spread out over different
focus of many new programs offered by Jewish groups, neighborhoods, towns and schools,” Rabbi Paskind
including First Hebrew Congregation. They range from explained. “The youth group will provide a fun way for
early childhood Jewish parenting to events that bring Jewish teens to meet, mingle and perform community
Jewish teens together in community service. service which is in keeping with the Jewish concept of
Building Our Jewish Home is a new initiative by the ‘mitzvot,’ or doing good deeds. We want to keep our teens
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s New York involved in Jewish life and encourage them to do so in the
Metropolitan Region (METNY) to welcome young families future. The youth group will help strengthen their Jewish
into the Jewish community. Funded by a UJA grant, identity,” he added.
METNY is working with First Hebrew as well as with Jewish teens can now also email JTeenNY@aol.com
Congregation Sons of Israel in Briarcliff Manor and to join other teens as these young people organize and run
Yorktown Jewish Center to offer unique programs that will community service projects. J-Teen, a UJA program, was
help Jewish and interfaith families feel more connected to launched by two Northern Westchester High School teens
Jewish life and Conservative shuls. as a response to Hurricane Katrina.
“We want to help parents feel more comfortable playing Among J-Teens recent projects, they sorted food for
an active role in their children’s Jewish education,” said the Westchester Food Bank in Millwood, and they hosted a
METNY’s Rabbi Cara Weinstein Rosenthal who, together party for children living at the Pleasantville Cottage School.
with Rabbi Paskind, hosted “Good Morning, Good Night.” Over the February school break, J-Teen organized a
“We held the workshop at Barnes & Noble,” said Rabbi Westchester delegation to join teens from around the
Paskind, “because we wanted to encourage families to country in Washington, D.C. for a leadership and advocacy
attend who might not currently be ready to come to seminar. These teens also went to Capitol Hill to lobby for
synagogue. As they grow comfortable with Jewish issues such as human rights, Israel and the environment.
traditions, it is our hope, of course, that they would come th
April 26 is National Day of Jewish Youth Service and
to synagogue.” J-Teen is looking for volunteers for their Teen Planning
Building Our Jewish Home will pilot programs that differ Committee to organize a project for Westchester. Any
in scope with each collaborating group. For example, teen wishing to participate in a J-Teen activity can do so
Congregation Sons of Israel hosted an event entitled on a project basis. Teens do not have to join a group or
“December Dilemmas” that dealt with the commit to every activity.
Chanukah/Christmas issue as well as the role of For thousands of families Shabbat Across America,
materialism in celebrating Chanukah. Ultimately, METNY organized by the National Jewish Outreach Program,
hopes to involve more synagogues in their family outreach provides a festive opportunity to join Jewish families all
programming. across the country as they celebrate Shabbat in their
At the Yorktown branch of the Rosenthal Jewish communities. At First Hebrew, for example, a special
Community Center, programs for young families continue service will be followed by dinner and dancing in the
to increase. In addition to classes for youngsters, they aisles. This year’s national annual event takes place
th.
also offer parenting workshops and Family Shabbat March 20 Call the FHC office to RSVP at 739-0500.
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 6
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 7
An Evening of
Jazz
with the
Andy Polay Trio
Playing the cool sounds of Duke Ellington,
Miles Davis, John Coltrane and other jazz greats
At First Hebrew
Saturday, March 28, 9pm
Enjoy free hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a cash bar
$18/person by 3/16 $22 at the door
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 8
Sisterhood Book Club
Thursday, March 5, at 7:30 pm
Barnes and Noble in the Cortlandt Town Center
We will be Reading "Broken for you" by Stephanie Kallos---A blurb about it from Amazon is below:
"The dead, Margaret thought. They can be so loud." So muses the protagonist of this dreamy, powerful
tale of familial warring, secrets and redemption. When elderly Margaret Hughes discovers that she has a
malignant brain tumor, she refuses treatment and decides to take a nice young tenant into her huge,
lonely Seattle mansion for company. What she gets is Wanda Schultz, a tough-as-nails stage manager
who is secretly seeking the man who left her and prone to inexplicable weeping breakdowns. Wanda,
ignorant of Margaret's illness, is intrigued by the museum-like house and its eccentric owner—so when
Margaret unexpectedly invites her to a drink-champagne-and-break-the-priceless-antique-china party for
two, she's delighted. But a dark history lurks; the houseful of gorgeous antique porcelain comes from
Margaret's father's WWII pilfering of European Jewish homes. Meanwhile, Wanda's father, who deserted
her years ago, is on the road trying to heal, and Margaret's mother's ghost is haunting the Seattle
mansion, lounging about in expensive peignoirs and criticizing her only daughter. Wrestling to keep the
dead and the ghosts of their pasts at bay, the two women slowly build an extraordinary friendship, and
when Wanda discovers a talent for mosaics, the past begins to quiet. Though it takes a while to get
started, this haunting and memorable debut is reminiscent of early Atwood, peopled by lovably imperfect
and eccentric characters.
Wine Sale
Sisterhood's Annual Passover Wine Sale!
@ the Purim carnival and at the Megillah reading
On Friday night, March 20, 2009 hundreds of synagogues across the continent will take part in an historic
national Jewish event to celebrate what unifies
all Jews -- Shabbat! Everyone is invited... singles, couples, families --
all ages.
1-888-SHABBAT
******************************************************************************************************
What is Shabbat Across America
Shabbat Across America/Canada is an unparalleled display of unity and Ahavat Yisrael, created in the
hope of making certain that every North American Jew will have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat!
Imagine an entire Friday evening dinner devoted to people who want to know more about Judaism! Its
an interactive prayer service, joyous Shabbat dinner complete with song, ritual and lively discussion. It
is fun-filled evening of camaraderie that unifies Jews everywhere as one people. Tens of thousands of
Jews at hundreds of locations across North America will celebrate Shabbat together on March 20, 2009
many for the first time!
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 11
"Sisterhood...Women Enjoying Jewish Life" Message from Men’s Club
"Ma nishtanah...Why is this night different On Sunday March 8th we will be having our annual
from all other nights?" We all know these blood drive between 9AM-1:30PM. Please give the
words. We repeat (or hear them repeated) every gift of life and fulfill the mitzvah of Tikkun Olam by
year. The Seder contains the answer to this donating a pint of blood. They currently have a
question. Some of us will conduct our Seders shortage of blood in our area, so if you're healthy
using old Haggadahs and some with very and up to it; please give. We will also be helping
contemporary ones. Some will conduct their out with the Purim Carnival. Thank you
Seders using a great deal of Hebrew and some will
use almost all English. Some will celebrate in Yours Truly,
large groups and some in smaller gatherings. Still, Paul Schaffer
this is our story and the time to tell it is nearly here.
In fact, as I write this, the weekly Torah
portions are being read from Exodus so we are
Sisterhood Needs Your Help!
telling this story right now. By the time you read
this, you will be planning to read and tell this story Sisterhood's January Meeting was cancelled
again on Pesach. This is the time to clean and due to inclement weather. Please join us for
shop for the holiday. This is the time to plan the our May Meeting; we will be putting together
menu and invite your guests. As the holiday our donations for Victims of Domestic
approaches, Sisterhood will be doing its annual Violence.
wine sale. We will be available to assist you with
Please bring your donations of new,
this part of your Passover planning and preparation
unopened toiletries, lotions, soaps, etc. to
at the Purim carnival and the Megillah reading.
the collection box at the entrance to the
Please contact Alice Yasuna if you have any
Hebrew School in preparation for our May,
questions.
2009 meeting.
Please join us on March 2, 2009 for our next
monthly meeting. We will be having a chocolate Thank you for your continuing generosity!
Seder, conducted by Alice Krochmal. This
promises to be fun, informative, and delicious! We
look forward to seeing you there. "Next year in
Jerusalem.“
Shalom, FHC Babysitting Clearing House
Mindy Steinholz Spock
Who of us with young children isn’t looking for
Sisterhood Executive Board
a few good babysitters? FHC will continue to
list the names of our teenagers (and others)
Sisterhood e-mail List
who would like to baby-sit for other families in
If you would like to be included on Sisterhood’s e- the congregation. Of course, you will need to
mail list, please send your e-mail address to Fran pay these sitters! FHC will provide this service
Olmsted at sisterhood@firsthebrew.org purely as a convenience to its members and
will take no responsibility for the individuals
Remember Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop who offer their services here for pay.
Email your names and telephone numbers to:
for gifts, talitot, teffilin, yarmulkes, books, videos,
and song cassettes Bulletin@FirstHebrew.org
Babysitters now available:
Call to make an appointment—
Join Sisterhood on
Sunday, March 1st @9:15am
For a
Passover chocolate Seder
Babysitting
Thank you FREE Babysitting will be available
once a month during the Saturday
Shabbat service.
SPECIAL THANKS TO HOWELL
SCHECHTER FOR SPENDING We need babysitters!
THE DAY AT FHC CLEANING We are offering ten dollars an hour
OUR UPSTAIRS CARPETS. from 9:30am-12:00ish.
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 13
B i n g o
FHC WEDNESDAY NIGHT BINGO SCHEDULE
APRIL 2009-JUNE 2009
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COOPERATION!
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 14
The Red Cross’s Jewish Star
The American Red Cross is indelibly In 1884, President Arthur named Barton and
associated with its founder and first president, Solomons to be the first American delegates to the
Clara Barton. Not as well known, but vital, was International Congress of the Red Cross in Geneva.
the role of Adolphus Simeon Solomons, an Delegates there, representing 37 nations, elected
American Jew whom Barton called her “good vice Solomons a vice president.
president and kind counselor.” With Barton,
Through the 1880s, Barton and others worked in
Solomons laid the foundation of America’s leading
the field to help people whose homes and lives were
humanitarian relief agency.
endangered by a series of epidemics and natural
A member of a long-established Sephardic- disaster, such as the Johnstown Flood. Solomons
American Jewish family, Adolphus Solomons was labored diligently behind the scenes in Washington
a prominent businessman in Washington, DC. In and New York, using his business, political and
the 1870s, his firm, Philip and Solomons, held the journalistic contacts to generate funds and publicity to
contract for federal printing. In 1892, Solomons heighten public awareness of the good works being
was one of the original founders of the American done by the Red Cross. The extensive
Jewish Historical Society. He was best known, correspondence between Barton and Solomons in
however, for helping to establish hospitals, public the archives of the American Jewish Historical
health programs and poor relief agencies. His Society documents their close work together.
concern for the relief of suffering drew Solomons
As famine swept the Russian empire in 1892, a
to work toward the creation of an American Red
rift developed between Solomons and Barton. By
Cross.
1891, Solomons had become the American agent of
The International Red Cross had been formed the Baron de Hirsch Fund in charge of aid programs
in Europe in the early 1860s. Inspired by the for Jewish immigrants. The Baron de Hirsch Fund
ministrations of English nurse Florence Nightingale was an international philanthropy whose mission was,
during the Crimean War, a group of Europe’s and remains, to assist Jews in need. Having
leading humanitarians created a quasi-official experience with Russia’s treatment of its
agency whose activities were sanctioned by the impoverished Jews, Solomons was reluctant to
Geneva Conventions. Most of the nations of undertake American Red Cross efforts toward
Europe had signed the conventions, but an Russian relief because funds would be distributed by
isolatonist United States Senate refused to ratify the Russian Red Cross, a creature of the imperial
them. government. Solomons feared that the czarist
regime would divert humanitarian aid from those who
Through the 1870s and early 1880s, a small
needed it, especially impoverished Jews. Barton
group of Americans inspired by Clara Barton
insisted that aid pass through official channels, and
lobbied for Congressional approval of the Geneva
Saloons questioned her judgment.
Conventions. Their meetings were often held in
Solomons’ home, where he helped draft a Senate The disagreement soured their relationship, and
resolution endorsing the conventions. Eager to at the subsequent election of American Red Cross
be ready when and if their efforts were successful, officers, Barton and her supporters did not
Barton and Solomons drew up the constitution of renominate Saloons for vice president. Thus ended
the American Association of the Red Cross. At Adolphus Solomons’ official ties with the institution he
the first meetings of the organization in 1881, had done so much to establish.
Barton was elected president and Solomons a vice
president, a post he held for 11 years. I hope these wonderful articles from the American
In March 1882, the Senate finally ratified the Jewish Historical Society continue to give pride and
Geneva Conventions and President Chester A. pleasure in the accomplishments of our people.
Arthur signed them. Within days, Solomons and They are designed to inform and build pride in our
eight others issued the first American Red Cross children and in ourselves.
appeal for funds, clothing and supplies to relieve Edith Nissenblatt
the suffering caused by disastrous floods along the
lower Mississippi River. Sisterhood VP/Education
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 15
http://www.melitz.org.il/
==================
*****************************************************************************************************************
Bring a Melitz Israel Educator to your Community!
Melitz educators are teaching in the United States this February and March. Contact Helen London
(helen@melitzamerica.org) now to guarantee availability for:
• Feb 22-March 8 or • March 15 - March 29
Contact Helen London if you are interested in Spring or Summer bookings. Melitz scholars are
experienced and charismatic educators who can bring dynamic interactive Israel and Jewish
peoplehood programming to participants aged 8-80.
Don't forget, if you don't see what you are looking for, Melitz will specially design and develop
programs for your specific needs.
The group will be facilitated by PIC social worker Jill Schreibman. Jill, an LCSW, is an experienced
social worker who comes to us through Westchester Jewish Community Services. Jill and WJCS
can provide referral resources for programs available in Westchester County to help individuals
with needs such as credit counseling, housing, job search, bankruptcy, legal assistance, and
marital and family concerns.
You may RSVP for the group by responding directly to Jill at
jillschreibman@wjcs.com.
===========================================================================
Happy
Purim
All Nations Gate at Persepolis Xerxes
These are some of the Xerxes statues at Persepolis Palace, which was built by Xerxes‘ father,
and was expanded by Xerxes.
=========================================================================================
Share your memories
Everyone has a story to tell. Most of us Edith Nissenblatt
would love to tell about our mom and dad,
One Lakeview Drive, Penthouse Six
our bubie and zadie, a loved tante and fetta,
Peekskill, New York 10566
people who fill our memory no matter how
or if you are on the Internet, send email to:
far back.
ediebaby@verizon.net
Won’t you let us in on your past? Send your
precious memories to:
=========================================================================================
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 22
Don’t Use Cash!
Shop With SCRIP
and stores will donate to FHC!
At the supermarket … at the movies …
when eating out … buying clothes and gifts…
===========================================================================
Condolences…
“Hamakom Ienahem, May God comfort the mourners among all the mourners for Zion and
Jerusalem”
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 25
Belated Onegs:
ONEGS
• Susan & Philip Yoskowitz in honor of Eric Yoskowitz's birthday on February 11
• Susan Weiler in honor of her granddaughter Laini Sohn's birthday on February 17 and son-in-law Eric
Sohn's birthday on March 2
Friday, March 6
• Carol & Harold Schlacter in honor of their son Guy Robert’s birthday on March 9
• Carol & Chuck Newman in honor of their father Ben’s birthday on March 9
• Sue Weiler in honor of her sister Irene Reiss’ birthday on March 10
• The Bleiweis family in honor of Jonathan’s birthday on March 11
Friday March 13
• Fran & Larry Miller in honor of their wedding anniversary on March 15
• Sue Weiler in honor of Fran & Larry Miller’s wedding anniversary on March 15
• Fran & Larry Miller in honor of Eric’s birthday on March 15
• Deborah Post & Jeff Stern in honor of Rita Gordon’s birthday on March 15
• Carol & Chuck Newman in honor of their mother Roshi’s birthday on March 15
• Marsha Landsberg in honor of her grandson Shai Moshe Sokolow-Silverman’s birthday on March 16
• The Feuerman-Balow family in honor of Andrew’s 18th birthday on March 18
Friday, March 20
• Marilyn & Freemont Reif in honor of Steven’s birthday on March 22
Friday, March 27
• Selda Bloome in honor of Leslie & Andrea Bloome’s wedding anniversary on March 27
• The Krantz family in honor of Amanda’s birthday on March 30
• Chaim Bender in honor of Ella’s birthday on April 2
********************************* Donations:
Yahrzeit: Judge Leonard Rubenfeld, Rachel Schild, Carol Gold & Wayne Schechter
In Honor of: Fran Feldman– from Jeffrey & Sharon Feldman & family
In memory of:
Adolph Herbst– Michael & Karen Fishelson
Fran Kaplan Bensky– George & Marilyn Berger
Visit us on the Web:
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 26
First Hebrew Congregation
“O p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r G i v i n g”
Yahrzeit Plaques Chapel Seats
(memorial) (engraved brass plate on seat backs)
In memory of a member……….............................$200 First three rows...........................$1,500/plate
In memory of a non-member………………………$300 Second three rows……………....$1,000/plate
In memory of and purchased by a non-member...$500 Last row…………………………..$750/plate
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 27
Kehilataynu Editorial Policy Email List
and Publishing Information If you’re interested in getting
emails with the weekly
announcements, please visit
The synagogue bulletin is a place not Please keep the following in mind: the website at
only for news and information about • Articles and announcements must be www.firsthebrew.org. If you
FHC and its members, but also a received in the FHC office by the last wish to contact the
forum for members to place week of each month, five weeks before synagogue for any other
information that may be of interest to publication. business, please note that
their fellow congregants. We are • Please submit your article or the e-mail address to use is
happy to consider all articles submitted announcement via e-mail to fhc@firsthebrew.org. To
to Kehilataynu; however, we reserve bulletin@firsthebrew.org. If you do not email Rabbi Paskind directly,
the right to edit for style, and length. In have a computer, and/or your use rabbi@firsthebrew.org
addition, all articles submitted by FHC submission is not available in digital
members are labeled as such and do format, you may fax, mail, or deliver
not reflect the opinion of FHC or the your (typed) submission(s) to the
Did you know that
Board of Trustees. temple office. First Hebrew has a
Please keep the following in mind: • Please provide original copies of flyers website?
Articles and announcements must be and photos (faxed copies are not
received in the FHC office by the last suitable for reproduction)— they will be Visit www.firsthebrew.org for
week of each month, five weeks returned. synagogue information,
before publication. --------------------------------------------- articles, plus current and
archived issues of the
bulletin. The following
Let Everyone Know How Proud month’s bulletin is posted
shortly after it goes to the
We are of Our Children! printer, so you can read it
The Board of Education would like to honor our wonderful Bar/Bat Mitzvah without having to wait for the
students in a special way! post office to deliver it! You
can even view a printable
We would like each student to submit a brief biography (5-7 sentences) to be version of the current
placed in the synagogue bulletin. The biography could include information such as month’s calendar. Come
their Bar/BatMitzvah date, grade, school, outside interests, and should include a check it out! If you have any
short description about his/her service project; you may also include a photograph questions or comments, feel
if you like. The responsibility to write and submit this information belongs to the free to send email to
family of the child. Please do not cause unnecessary disappointment for your bill@firsthebrew.org.
children when they don’t see their names in the bulletin with their classmates. The
biography must be submitted to the editor FIVE WEEKS prior to the first day of
the Bar/Bat Mitzvah month to ensure placement in a timely fashion. Any articles
sent after that time will be placed in the next bulletin, which may be after the
Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. Please submit the biography to the bulletin at bulletin@
FirstHebrew.org or you can mail or fax to the FHC office.
If you are interested in assisting with publishing the Kehilataynu as editor, designer, writer, or any
other capacity, please contact Lisa at the office or Masoud Radparvar at mradparvar@hotmail.com.
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 29
Bon Venture ads
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 30
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 31
FIRST HEBREW CONGREGATION OF PEKKSKILL Non-Profit Organization
UPTOWN * 1821 East Main Street * Peekskill, NY 10566 U.S. Postage
DOWNTOWN * 813 Main Street * Peekskill, NY 10566
Paid
DATED MATERIAL -- TIME VALUE
White Plains, NY
Permit No. 6677
In order to update our files, we are asking you to fill out this form. If you have never sponsored an Oneg,
now is the time to add your name and your loved ones’ names to the pages that you see in the Bulletin, as
well as having your SIMCHA announced from the Bima.
The cost is minimal — $6.00 for one Oneg, $30.00 for five Onegs, and $36.00 for seven Onegs (one is
free)!
Remember to fill out this form and mail it with a check made out to Sisterhood FHC to:
Beth Becker, 6 Maple Court, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
==================================================================================
I would like to sponsor _______Onegs.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________________________________
5.____________________________________________________________________________________
6.____________________________________________________________________________________
March 09 www.FirstHebrew.Org 32