Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Temple Emanu-El
News Bulletin
Ira L. Korinow, D.D., Rabbi Nancy J. LaFleur, Temple Administrator
Mindy Harris, Cantorial Soloist Debra Levasseur, Religious School Director
Af liated with the Union for Reform
Judaism & the Synagogue Council of
Massachusetts. A benefciary of the
Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation.
-
God's word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105
Vol. LXXI No. 11 Cheshvan - Kislev 5774 vu :: - )un November 2013
Rabbi's Message
Friday, november 1
Candle Lighting 5:19 PM
Shabbat Evening Service 6:00 PM
Shabbat in less Than 60 Minutes
Followed by an All-chocolate Oneg Shabbat
Saturday, november 2 parashat Toldot
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM
Israel Chavurah 12 NOON
Friday, november 8
Candle Lighting 4:10 PM
Saturday, november 9 parashat vayetzei
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM
Shabbat Shiur 12 NOON
Friday, november 15
Candle Lighting 4:04 PM
Peace Shabbat 7:00 PM
Grades 5 & 6 participate
(November birthday blessings will be given)
Saturday, november 16 parashat vayishlach
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM
Shabbat Shiur 12 NOON
Friday, november 22
Candle Lighting 3:58 PM
Saturday, november 23 parashat vayeshev
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM
Shabbat Shiur 12 NOON
Friday, november 29
Candle Lighting 3:55 PM
Saturday, november 30 parashat Miketz
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 AM
Shabbat Shiur 12 NOON
Dear Chaverim,
A lot has been said in the media
about the convergence of Thanks-
giving and Chanukah this year.
Thanksgiving is November 28th
the latest it can ever come. The frst
day of Chanukah always falls on the
25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev
and this year it falls on the earliest
possible date on the civil calendar
which is November 28th (Thanksgiving). On Thanksgiv-
ing itself, we will already be lighting the second Chanukah
candle. It will take many more centuries for the Jewish and
the civil or Gregorian calendar to converge again in this way!
As we are all aware, the Jewish holidays fall on diferent
dates of the civil calendar from year to year. Here is why. The
months of the Hebrew calendar are based upon the cycle
of the moon. Every month begins on the new moon and is
celebrated as Rosh Chodesh (lit. the Head of the Month).
In fact, the Hebrew word for month chodesh comes from
the same root as the word chadash which means new.
It takes the moon approximately 29 1/2 days to orbit the
Earth. Therefore, each Hebrew month has either 29 or 30
days. There are 12 Hebrew months in a year. It takes 354
days for the moon to orbit the Earth 12 times, making 12
lunar months or 11 days shy of our civil or Gregorian calen-
dar.
If we did not compensate for those 11 lost days, then every
Jewish holiday would be celebrated 11 days earlier than
the year before. This cannot be because several Jewish
holidays are seasonal holidays and we all know that the
seasons are determined by the relationship of the Earth to
the Sun. We compensate for the lost 11 days by adding 7
leap years in a 19 year cycle. A leap year in the Hebrew
calendar means adding a full month of 29 or 30 days. By
adding the 7 months every 19 years, the Hebrew calendar
catches up to the civil Gregorian calendar. While our civil
calendar is a solar calendar for it is based solely on the sun,
the Hebrew calendar can be described as a fxed lunar
calendar or a luni-solar calendar. (The months are based
upon the moon but many holidays are based upon the sun.)
Incidentally, the Muslim calendar is purely a lunar calendar
Rabbis Message continued on page 2
Speedy RecoveRy
Norma Halpern
Mel Ash
Marilyn Berlin
Mazal Tov
Barbara Berg on her special birthday
Ronnie Cohen on her special birthday
Thelma Grant Caparell, on the marriage of her
grandson, Dr. Daniel Barker to Dr. Jhilam Biswass
Sue Hayden, on her brother, Dr. Jefrey S. Yarvis being
promoted to a Colonel in the US Army. Dr. Jefrey a
published social work and military scholar in the feld of
psychological trauma for over 20 years, has practiced
internationally with disaster, domestic violence, child
abuse, sexual abuse, accident, and war-induced trauma
across many diferent cultures and populations. He has
received numerous honors for his humanitarian eforts
to include 2008 Uniformed Services Social Worker
of the Year. U.S. Army Social Worker Yarvis, is Chief,
Social Work Department at Carl R. Darnall Army
Medical Center in Austin, TX
Bill & Patricia Herman on the birth of their
granddaughter, Ismae Herman
Wilson & Naomi Kapanga-Ndjibu & family on being
granted political asylum
Aida Katz, on the marriage of her granddaughter,
Dr. Jessica Solomon to Andrew Stevenson
Janet Kopel on her special birthday
Rabbi Korinow on receiving the Unsung Hero Award
from the Merrimack Valley Branch NAACP
Julie & Mark Messinger on the birth of their son, Declan
Asher. Declan entered the world at 7.6 pounds
and 20.5 inches tall.
Esther Rosen, on her special birthday
oneg/KidduSh SponSoRS
October 4 Members who came to the
Share-a-Shabbat
October 19 Stacy Karlin & Michael Smith in honor of
their daughter, Rachel becoming a
Bat Mitzvah
If you would like to sponsor an Oneg or Kiddush,
please call or email the ofce
Community News
and Muslim holidays fall 11 days earlier than the previous
year all the time.
The convergence of Chanukah and Thanksgiving may not
be so odd after all. In fact, Chanukah has its roots in the
Jewish holiday of giving thanks, namely the Festival of
Sukkot. In the year 165 B.C.E., the Maccabees had just
fnished a war against the ancient Greek-Syrians. The war
had been waged because the ancient Greeks were spread-
ing Hellenism, that is Greek culture and ideals throughout
the land and had defled the sacred Temple in Jerusalem by
bringing in Greek idols in their attempt to make the Temple
a place for Greek worship.
When the war fnally ended in the Fall of 165 B.C.E., the
men in the Maccabean army were anxious to resume their
normal lives. They wanted to return to their families and
home life, they wanted to return to work and they wanted
to return to their religious life as well. One of the frst tasks
they needed to do was to cleanse the Temple in Jerusalem
and to rededicate it as a Jewish place of worship. Feeling
the need to resume their religious lives and since they were
going to Jerusalem to rededicate the Temple, the Macca-
bean army decided to celebrate Sukkot, the last holiday that
they missed and which is one the three Pilgrimage Festi-
vals (Passover and Shavuot being the other two) on which
it was customary to make pilgrimage to Jerusalem for its
observance. Hence, they celebrated the rededication of
the Temple for eight days (Sukkot concludes with Shemini
Atzeret on the 8th day).
As you can see, the very frst Chanukah was combined with
the late observance of Sukkot, the festival during which we
express our thanks for the blessings that are ours.
This is also the actual, historical reason why Chanukah is
celebrated for eight days. The story about the oil miracu-
lously lasting eight days is a midrash or story written several
hundred years after the Maccabees had defeated the Greek-
Syrians as a way to bring God into the story of Chanukah.
After all, only God can perform miracles! It was the Talmudic
writers way of saying that the victory of the small Jewish
army over the much bigger and more powerful army of the
Greek-Syrians was so miraculous, it was as though the
Maccabees had found only enough oil to last one day in the
Temple but it lasted for eight days. Sometimes the creative
minds of the rabbis may contrive a midrash which, given
time, is believed to be historically true!
This Thanksgiving we can forgo the stufng. Our Thanksgiv-
ing meal will be Turkey and potato latkes!
I wish everyone in our community a happy, healthy and
bright Chanukah!
Lshalom,
Rabbi Ira Korinow
Rabbis Message continued from page 1
For the Temple calendar and much more,
please go to the Temple emanu-el
website: www.templeemanu-el.org
Welcome New Members
Bradford Doherty
Irene & Howard Rosenberg & family
Hello Everyone,
November is a busy month for
Temple Emanu-El starting with
our Shabbat in less than an hour
with an All Chocolate Oneg, Blood
Drive, Book Club, Book Fair, latke-
making, Pre-Chanukah Party and
Global Day of Jewish Learn-
ing. Please make sure to check
the calendar on our website:
www.templeemanu-el.org.
When you get involved, you discover people who share in
the same interests and values, and there is a great feeling
of satisfaction in being part of the Temples community.
Please join us at any time and share your ideas. Whether
youre new to the congregation or a long standing mem-
ber, I hope you will all share that same sense of belong-
ing that comes every time you enter the doors of Temple
Emanu-El.
As always, please feel free to contact me directly or
Nancy LaFleur in the Temple Of ce.
Wishing you a Happy Chanukah and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lynn Dreyfuss Martin, President
President's Message
The Rabbis Famous Class
Learn Hebrew
in Less Than a Week
is again teaming up with
Read Hebrew America
Monday Thursday
november 18-21 7:30 9:00pm
haSifriyah: The Jewish community library
Tuition is free. Success is guaranteed
or double your money back!
Participants are required only to
purchase the textbook which is $6
Please email Rabbi Korinow
to sign up:
rabbik@templeemanu-el.org
or call (978) 373-3861
Everyone is invited to Temple Emanu-Els
Pre-Chanukah Party
Sunday, November 24
Party to begin at 11:00am during school time in the sanctuary with
songs and will continue in the Winer Auditorium afterwards.
Parents please join their children in the sanctuary at 11:00am.
There will be entertainment for the whole family and of course, plenty
of delicious home made potato latkes for everyone!
Y Latkes Y Dreidels Y Chocolate Gelt Y Games Y
Y Singing Y Arts & Crafts Y Donut-eating Contest Y
Fun f or al l Ages!
To help us plan, please RSVP to the Temple Of ce, 978-373-3861, or email Nancy@Templeemanu-el.org.
Last minute walk-ins are welcome too!
Need a ride?
Call the Temple office
Calling all Latke Makers!
Come help us have fun making
latkes at the Temple on Wednes-
day, Nov. 20, 5:00pm for the Pre-
Chanukah Party on November 24.
Please sign up on Lotsa Helping Hands website.
Save the Date !!!
First Light 5774
Sunday, December 15
Winter coat drive
Temple Emanu-El is having a Winter
Coat (and more!) Drive. Please drop
of any slightly used or new coats,
jackets, snowsuits, scarves, hats,
mittens and gloves at the Temple.
There are baskets in the hallway by the Brindis 10th
Avenue entrance. All sizes are accepted from infant
to adult. All clothing received will be donated to Em-
maus House, Haverhills shelter for the homeless.
HEFTY News
HEFTY is already one month into the year and weve
already got a few events under our belt! On October 5th,
we gathered at Laser Quest in Danvers for an evening of
laser tag, snacks, and fun! We had an excellent turnout
and a great deal of fun! Also, we volunteered at a Temple
familys Bar Mitzvah helping to greet people, serve food
and clean up.
Were awaiting our next HEFTY event on November 2nd
Shear Madness, a whodunit comedy that leaves every-
one in stitches. Cost for this event for members is $25.00
plus $10.00 for dinner. Well be leaving from the temple
at 6:00 pm, and expect to be back at 11:45 pm. Clocks
are turned back that evening, so we will gain an hour of
sleep.
In NFTY, were greatly awaiting Levi Leap, a yearly dance
for Jewish teens from all over the New England area. On
average, 300 or so teens come to this event. Its an excel-
lent place to meet new friends and old ones, too!
For ongoing projects, we have started Snack Shack on
Wednesdays. Students are able to purchase snacks
prior to the start of Religious School. Also, recycling is
removed before the end of each month from the Temple.
If you want to come join us for Jewish fun and social time
and are in the 8th-12th grade, send Ben Shalek an email
at bsgross12@gmail.com, who can get you all the need-
ed information. Also feel free to contact Advisor Jesse
Kamien at jesse.kamien@gmail.com or Youth Chair Trudy
Zakin at tzakin@comcast.net with any questions.
Were excited for this year and if this frst month of HEFTY
activities is any indicator, its looking to be a fantastic
year!
Becca Flieder
Head of Membership and Communications
Welcoming our newest Members
at the Share-a-Shabbat Dinner
Friday, October 4, 2013
Todah Rabah! Thank You to:
C
We regret our error in omitting our wonderful choir
in our High Holy Day Todah Rabah:
Claire Breger-Belsky Doreen Robotnick
Sheldon Cohen Rachel Smith
Sandra Kassin-Deardorf Stacy Karlin-Smith
Alex Hogan Sue Shwom
Larry Cann for loaning his beautiful framed photo-
graphs hanging in the Starensier Assembly
Stuart Mandell and Judd & Martina Nathan
for their donation towards the High Holy Day
accompanist
Kitah Alef, our 1st grade class, had
the honor of being the frst class
this year to have Breakfast with the
Rabbi. Along with bagels and fruit,
the students in Kitah Alef learned
about Kippot, Talit and Tllin. When
I walked into the room all eyes were
on the rabbi as he showed them
how to put on the Tllin and asked
questions of the students. Most
had never seen a Tllin before so this was a great learn-
ing experience for them.
Our 7th graders took 5 boxes and a number of bags
of food to Emmaus House. Thank you to those in the
religious school and temple community who donated.
The food was greatly appreciated. We have also had a
number of our Bar Mitzvah students make donations to
various places in the Haverhill area including books to
dentists of ces to hand out to children and sports equip-
ment to the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs. This newer
trend of using items to be donated in lieu of owers on
the bimah, for centerpieces on the tables, raising money
and donating time for many diferent charities shows how
our students and their families have really adopted the
concept of Tzedakah.
The frst of four Chugim (enrichment activities) to be held
this year featured Judaic themed games in the Winer
Auditorium and edible painted Chanukah cookies. These
activities are ones the students look forward to and ask
me almost every Wednesday when they arrive if they are
having Chugim that day.
The annual Religious School Book Fair will take place
on two Sundays, November 3rd and 17th during Jewish
Book Month. We will have a great selection of Jewish
themed books for children, teens and adults. We will also
have Franny Eisenman return with her fabulous jewelry
and Kevin Miller with his delicious chocolates. If you
are interested in renting a table and selling your special
items, please contact me. Books will be ready for pick-up
beginning on Wednesday, November 20th. Chanukah is
early this year. Why schlep into Boston when you can get
great gifts right here!
Please join us for Peace Shabbat on November 15th, led
by the students of Kitot Hay and Vav (Grades 5 and 6).
This is always a special service and I know you will enjoy
hearing the words of our students as they talk about
peace as they know it.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Book Fair
and at Peace Shabbat.
Morah Devorah
Religious School
Temple Members Need a Ride?
If you are a Temple member and
need a ride to a Temple event, call
the Temple Of ce at 978-373-3861.
November 3, 2013 9 AM 2 PM
Three ways to register:
S Call the temple 978-373-3861
S Call 1-800-REDCROSS
(1-800-733-2767)
S Visit www.redcrossblood.org
and register to give!
Bring a friend and help someone else! Youll
be glad you did. If youre unable to give
blood, call Jackie at 978-521-0903 to see
how you can still be able to help!
Thanks so much!
Temple emanu-el
Blood drive
We want you!
Kitah aleph learning about Kippot, Talit and T'llin
during Breakfast with the Rabbi
How to Receive Help in
Your Time of Need
If you are in need of help, please call the following
Lotsa Helping Hands Coordinators:
Rabbi Ira Korinow 978-373-3861
Sharyn Russell 978-372-5777
Fred Feldman 603-580-5779
Rhoda Feldman 603-580-5779
Nancy LaFleur 978-373-3861
How to Join Lotsa Helping Hands
Go to the Temple Website: www.templeemanu-el.org
1. Open the pull-down Community window and move
the cursor over Chesed and then slide the cursor to
How to Log into Lotsa Helping Hands Website and
click.
2. On the new page scroll down and click on the two
hands:
3. You will enter the Temple Emanu-El Lotsa Helping
Hands secure website.
4. Click on Join This Community and fll out the short,
simple form (name; phone number; select & confrm
a password; and click on Send Email.
Israel Chavurah
The Discussion Continues
Saturday, November 2
at 12 noon
The Israel Chavurah meets once a month on Satur-
day as that weeks Shabbat Shiur (Bible Study Class).
Each session begins with a kiddush/luncheon fol-
lowing the Shabbat morning service. Join with
other members of the community to help develop
a better understanding of the issues concerning
Israel and the Middle East.
Save the following dates, too on Saturdays:
December 7, 2013 & January 11 & February 8, 2014
5. Once one of the Administrators (Nancy LaFleur,
Rabbi, Sharyn Russell, or Fred Feldman) validates
your membership, you will then be sent an email
asking you to log in and confrm your own password.
6. The frst time that you log in with your password, you
will be asked to take the Initial Registration Survey.
7. Please note: You are not obligating yourself to do
anything. The survey is meant only to help identify
needs and potential helpers. It will take only a minute
to complete.
8. Please use the Temple Website (as in numbers 1-3
above) and check back frequently for Calendar
events and messages for Community sharing oppor-
tunities.
Sign up for an Activity
If you have joined Lotsa Helping Hands, please
check back often for Activity updates
From the Temple website: www.templeemanu-el.org:
Click on hands
Go to calendar