November/December 2020

14 Cheshvan - 16 Tevet

From the Rabbi’s Study Until further notice, all services, including
Tot Shabbat and Torah Study will be available
Chanukah-Celebrating Light in the Midst of Darkness on-line through links provided in E-vents each
week. Services and Tot Shabbat will also be
On December 10th we will celebrate the first night of Chanukah streamed on Facebook.
while still dealing with the challenges of the Covid pandemic.
During this time of pandemic, the story of Chanukah and the way Services are available in person
beginning October 16th.
we celebrate the holiday provides us with an example of how to
celebrate light in the midst of darkness, to remain joyful while still
Friday Evening Services
struggling with untold challenges, to adapt to our circumstances,
and to continue to hope. November
According to the books of the Maccabees, the war against 6 - Service 7:00 p.m.
Antiochus Epiphanes and the Seleucid Empire began when the 13 - Tot Shabbat 5:30 p.m.
Temple was defiled and many Jewish practices were outlawed. Service 7:00 p.m.
The Maccabees escaped to the mountains and proceeded to fight Shabbat with guest author, Richard Michelson
a guerilla war against the Seleucids, the only way that they could 20 - Service 7:00 p.m.
27 - Thanksgiving Service 7:00 p.m.
win against a bigger army. They fought with great resiliency for
three years until finally they won back control of Jerusalem and the December
Temple. They cleansed the Temple and prepared to celebrate their 4 - Service 7:00 p.m.
victory, a victory of light over darkness, of freedom over oppression. 11 - Chanukah Tot Shabbat 5:30 p.m.
We are told in II Maccabees that just a couple of months before Service 7:00 p.m.
during Sukkot they were in the midst of fighting so when they 18 - Service 7:00 p.m.
celebrated their victory, they decided to adapt their celebration to 25 - Service 7:00 p.m.
be like Sukkot, an eight day holiday of thanksgiving. Despite winning
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
this battle and gaining control over Jerusalem and the Temple, the
None in November and December
Maccabees continued to fight the Seleucid Empire for over 35 more
years until they finally gained independence. The Maccabees knew
that the war would continue, but they celebrated the first Chanukah
We will be holding a virtual Chanukah service
on December 11 at 7 p.m. and Cantor Ruben
in the midst of this war in order to rejoice over the cleansing of
will be joining us to musically lead services.
the Temple. Let’s light up our zoom page with everyone
Over time, the ritual of lighting the menorah arose as the way for lighting a menorah!
us to celebrate Chanukah. We are told to light the menorah for eight
nights, adding a new candle each night in order to add light and Check E-vents for a Chanukah concert with
holiness in the midst of the darkness. We are also told to publicize the Deborah Sacks Mintz on December 12 at 7 p.m.
miracle by placing our menorah in our window so everyone can see it.
This year, let us celebrate the lighting of the menorah in a time
of darkness to bring light to our lives and our world. While we may
not be able to celebrate the way we normally do, let us adapt our
celebration so we can rejoice in freedom. We may not be able to
celebrate in person, but we can share our lights virtually and publicize
the miracle of freedom virtually. We know that the fight against this A virtual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on
pandemic is still ongoing, but we can be inspired by the Maccabees
desire to celebrate in the midst of a lengthy war of freedom to November 15 at 2 p.m. sponsored by the
celebrate in whatever way we can. Despite incredible obstacles Interfaith Council of Greater Springfield.
the Maccabees emerged victorious. We too can hope that we will Check E-vents for details.
eventually emerge victorious in the battle we are fighting.
Rabbi Jeremy Master
President’s Message - Rich Alpert
Dear congregants,
Whew! We made a successful transition from in-person to help you feel a part of Sinai Temple. Let me know if you
services for the High Holidays to pre-recorded ones have suggestions.
broadcast through YouTube. Reactions have been very The winter certainly will provide many challenges both
positive. The services were very well “attended” with over personally and as a Temple. We remain confident that with
850 views during the actual time of the broadcasts and your help and involvement we can continue to be a vital
a total of 2,500 views at any time of members and part of your Jewish life.
non-members. Many thanks again to Brian Nick’s production
company, to Matt Bertuzzi, and to the Rabbi for all the
creative hard work that went into making the services such Rich Alpert, President
a success. However, I very much hope that this was a
one-time experience and that we can all return to the
Temple next year.
As a result of a grant from the Springfield Jewish
Federation, we were able to send out Rosh Hashanah gift SINAI GIFT SHOP CORNER
boxes to each of our congregants. This was just a small way
to stay engaged and to wish you shana tova at a time when Chanukah is coming and we are planning to have
we could not do so personally. a front hall display with menorahs, candles, gifts,
With the increased recognition of the harmful effects of games and toys.
racism in our society and the widespread expressions for We will have this available for a few specific days
more just treatment of Blacks and others facing bigotry,
(dates and hours to be determined.) Masks and
Sinai Temple Board of Directors voted on August 27th not
distancing will be used, of course.
to remain silent at this pivotal moment in the country’s
history. Although a small gesture, the Board voted to As we get this going, please watch our E-vents for
identify the Temple with non-violent efforts by placing a more information.
sign on the Temple’s front lawn saying: WE STAND
AGAINST INJUSTICE, RACISM, AND BIGOTRY. Thais Fischel - 413-786-9577
While adhering to the Covid-19 safety protocols, several
congregants led by Michael Gordon constructed the
Temple’s Sukkah. Solving this jigsaw of a construction
project is a yearly challenge, but the Sukkah, which is
probably one of the largest in Western Massachusetts, went The Sinai Temple Bulletin is published six times a year
up without a hitch. Thanks to Michael, Elliott Greenberg, by Sinai Temple, Springfield, Massachusetts. This is
Adam Metsch, Michael Solon, David Tivoli, and the Rabbi for Issue Number 2 for 2020-2021.
making this possible.
Hanukkah is fast approaching. The first night is Jeremy Master .................................................................Rabbi
December 10. The holiday again presents new challenges, Mark Dov Shapiro z”l ........................................Rabbi Emeritus
but we hope to join together in a virtual first night candle Kate Monge and
lighting. Rabbi Alana Wasserman ....................Religious School Directors
Thanks to all the congregants who have made their dues Rich Alpert ................................................................. President
payments. Dues receipts are keeping pace with previous
Robin Fein-Krevolin ............................................. Vice President
years, and we are very grateful for your show of support
and dedication to the continuing strength of the Temple. Sarah Shtrax ....................................................... Vice President

As we approach the secular New Year, Sinai remains Robin Dunn-McDonagh............................................. Treasurer
dedicated to strong engagement with congregants. Using Beth Chafetz ..............................................Recording Secretary
available technologies as creatively as we can, we hope
Mandy Greene.............................................Financial Secretary

www.sinai-temple.org
2
Religious School Update
Rabbi Alana Wasserman and Kate Monge - Religious School co-directors
Happy Thanksgiving and Chanukah Sameach! By the
time you read this article, virtual Religious School will be
in full-swing. However, in the time that we are writing this
article, we are one week away from beginning our online
learning.
We were fortunate enough to have lovely weather
around the High Holy Days, so that we could have two
outdoor, socially-distant, religious school events to kick-off
the school year. On September 20th, we gathered together
to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, and participated in a unique
Tashlich experience. Each student had to write a sin or
mistake they made this past year in sidewalk chalk on the
In keeping with the values-based learning theme of our
new curriculum, and as we prepare for Chanukah, we invite
all of you to dedicate each night of Chanukah to an act of
heroism. After all, the story of Chanukah is about the heroic
act of standing up for what is right. During this time, it is
important for us to remember and honor the heroes in our
lives. We wish all of you a Chanukah Sameach!
See the blessings for the Chanukah candles below.
Hanukkah Blessings
Candles are added to the hanukkiyah (menorah) from right to left but are kindled from left to right.

Sinai parking lot. Then, they were each given a wet sponge,
in which they could either wipe it away, or smear it into a Light the shamash

beautiful piece of art. This activity was meant to reinforce

the theme of teshuvah (repentance) and the importance of
learning from our mistakes.
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner
On October 4, we learned about the holiday of Sukkot, shel Hanukkah.

and the importance of Ushpizin, inviting guests into our Suk-

kah. Each student drew a picture of someone they would
like to invite into their Sukkah. The older students were
given an opportunity to give some information about their
guest of choice. Some students invited family and friends,
while others invited historical figures and actors. Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim
hahaeim baz’man hazeh.
With the weather turning colder, we have returned to
online learning for the foreseeable future. While we hope to
ancestors in days of old at this season.

return to in-person, we have a wonderful, brand-new virtual

curriculum, called La Bri’ut, which means, “to your health,”
in Hebrew. This curriculum was created by the
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland. It is a, “new
values-based curriculum... Via five values-focused modules, Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

learners gain a variety of tools that build resiliency and us to this season.
supportive strategies for better managing the challenges
that life can throw their way… The learning approach is a
hybrid of synchronous learning in a weekly cohort-based
mifgash (“gathering”). At home, children delve into module-
related content and concepts with a fair amount of

From
independence from the adults in their lives. Lower
elementary age children explore them through a curated
box of hands-on activities, while upper elementary learners Please be in touch,
receive engaging weekly challenges.” For more information
on this curriculum, please visit https://jec-tohealthcurric.
so we can be in touch….
weebly.com/ Please let us know of any illnesses, births, deaths,
We would like to take a moment to thank all of our news that notes celebrating, anything you would
teachers: Norma Garde (Second and Third Grade), like us to share or assist/support you with.
Samantha Garde (Sixth Grade), Phyllis Katz (Seventh
The Temple office is open from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Grade), Helene Shapiro (Kindergarten and First Grade),
Monday-Friday.
and our newest teacher, Sonia Wilk (Fourth and Fifth
Grade). They have been working tirelessly to make this Please call us or email:
a great year. rblanchettegage@sinai-temple.org
413-736-3619

We are here for you!

www.sinai-temple.org
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 Adult Opportunities
Sinai Readers, Books to Consider We will be holding a Sinai Connects on Jewish Humor on
November 10 at 7 p.m.
November 18: Rise and Kill First, The Secret
History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations
by Ronen Bergman, Israeli historian and On November 21 at 7 p.m., we will be holding a virtual
journalist. This is a multi-faceted look at how Havdalah service followed by a virtual cooking demon-
Israel decides whom to pursue and how to do stration where Rabbi Master will demonstrate how he
it, and whom not to pursue; think James Bond makes latkes. Come and discuss the favorite ways you
meets rabbinic-like decisions. like to make and eat latkes and other Chanukah foods!
December 23: House on Endless Waters, by Israeli novelist
Emuna Elon. An unfolding mystery around
In January, the Adult Education committee would like to
the shadow of the Holocaust in Holland on
start a monthly study group called “Ben Franklin meets
a very contemporary Israeli family; a novel
Pirkei Avot” where the group will compare Ben Franklin’s
about the child of Holocaust survivors who
13 virtues with Jewish virtues found in Pirkei Avot, the
returns to Amsterdam as an adult and sees
Ethics of our Sages. Please contact the Temple for
pictures of his family with a child he never
more information and look for further details in the
knew about.
January bulletin.
We meet on a Wednesday evening at 7 to discuss, our
library will have a copy of each book. It will be on hold at
the Storrs Public Library in Longmeadow.

Film Festival Morphs to Havurah

On November 11 at 8 p.m. we will be joining
with the Green Team to discuss The Biggest
Little Farm about two dreamers who
leave the city behind to try and create
a sustainable farm. This movie can be
rented on Amazon Prime.

On December 9 at 8 p.m., we will be discussing

the new movie An American Pickle starring
Seth Rogen as an immigrant who fell into a
vat of pickle juice 100 years ago and woke
up today. This movie is on HBO Max.

Watch a film on your own and join with us

for a Zoom discussion. Watch E-vents for
dates and times as our schedule and choices evolve.
Questions, movie suggestions? For more information contact:
Jodi Maniscalco: Jodiman36@gmail.com
Zoom Shabbat With Richard Michelson
November 13 7:00 p.m.
Love Yiddishkeit? Want to be Part of Yiddish Culture
Havura? Richard Michelson’s books for children, teens, and adults
A Havura is a fellowship circle which meets roughly monthly have been listed among the Ten Best Books of the Year
to share a common interest, the direction determined by the by The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and The New
group. If you think you might be interested, there are lots Yorker; and among Best Dozen Books of the Decade by
of resources to check out for ideas of what we might share: Amazon.com.
Professor Google will take you to websites for Workers’
His talk is titled: The Language of Angels: How language
Circle, aka Workmen’s Circle; YIVO; our local treasure,
helped the Jews find their way back to their homeland,
the Yiddish Book Center; Boston Workers’ Circle; CIYCL
and helped me find my way back to Judaism: A talk about
(California Institute for Yiddish Culture and Language).
Yiddish, Hebrew, Israel, Brooklyn, baseball, Abraham
Think post-pandemic when we can meet and share in person.
Joshua Heschel, Leonard Nimoy and me.,
Interested? E-mail Laurie Weinberg, sagecitrus@aol.com.

www.sinai-temple.org
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Green Team
SINAI'S GREEN TEAM ANNOUNCES THIS PRESENTATION ON HOME COMPOSTING.
Learn about the benefits of Home Composting on November 4 at 6:30.

The Storrs Library will be hosting a presentation given by Master Gardeners George Kingston and Dave Marinelli. This pre-
sentation is sponsored by the Longmeadow Energy and Sustainability Committee.

To participate, please go to the Storrs Library website https://www.longmeadowlibrary.org/ to register and you will receive
the necessary link to participate. The description of the presentation is: “Benefits of Home Composting"

Storrs Library and Longmeadow's Energy and Sustainability Committee are excited to offer this presentation with Master
Gardeners George Kingston and Dave Marinelli. They will be discussing how you can reduce your carbon footprint and save
money by composting at home. Indoor and outdoor composting without or with worms will be covered. Bring your questions!

Participants will also learn where they can get a discounted composting bin.

www.sinai-temple.org
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 Happy Birthday to our congregants including
children born in November
Elliet Aronson Samuel Freedman Adam Krevolin Marla Shelasky
Judith August Eric Gibson Jared Leaderman Jacob Shore-Suslowitz
Andrew Bernstein David Goldberg Estelle Leavitt Michelle Shrair
Betsy Bertuzzi Mark Goldman Rebecca Lesser Robert Simon
Rebecca Blake Alan Goldsmith Erin Mernoff Howard Smith
Henry Blake Lawrence Goodman Daniel Mikesh Peter Smith
Paula Braverman Sydney Greenberg Bonnie Mikesh Aidric Snow
Laura Broad Matthew Grodd Susan Mirkin Rebecca Soodak
Madeline Brunette Leslie Hager David Morse Emily Steingart
Emma Brunette Amy Halpern Ronald Nadel Murray Steingart
Megan Burns Beatrice Hano Belle Rita Novak Mark Stone
Avery Cartun Karen Haskin Julie Ochs Bonnie Thomas
Jessie Chafetz Beth Herman-Davis Rebecca Ochs Carol Tivoli
Rebecca Cohen- Roberta Hillenberg- Adria Patterson Aidan Tucker
Lindfors Gang Sarah Paysnick Ian Tucker
Claire Cohen-Stelzer Joshua Hurwitz Irwin Pers Alana Tucker
Mark Cutler Benjamin Jacobs Lucas Pers Melanie Vogel
Cary Dash Miranda Jennings Audrey Rome Shari Vogel
Sheri DelGallo Andrew Johnson David Rosenthal Hannah Wald
Elizabeth Dolman Lisa Katz Heather Rowles Wendy Webber
Nicole Dunn- Ruth Katz Pamela Rubin Allison Webber
McDonagh Linda Kay Ross Sadowsky Emma Weber
Daniel Engelman Rebecca Kimmel Harriet Samol Jacob Weiswasser
Bonnie Engelman Margie Klein Richard Segool Joseph Whalen
Donna Fisher

www.sinai-temple.org
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 Happy Birthday to our congregants including
children born in December
Richard Alpert Arielle Goldman Richard Merrill Rebecca Shore-
Joseph Amster Heather Goldstein Jennifer Metsch Suslowitz
Jon Aronson Arlene Goodman Robert Mikesh Zachary Shukan
Sharon Band Taylor Gordenstein Ben Mikesh Scott Shukan
Randy Barr Lee Grayboff Nadine Minor Penny Shukan
Jared Bertuzzi Kevin Greenberg Sarah Monge Stewart Simon
Daniel Blanchard Allen Grosnick Stephen Monge Sara Skolnick
Joseph Bouchard Owen Halpern Aaron Neiman Alisha Snow
Jennifer Bouchard Ethan Halpern Bredine Pennington Deborah Solah
Maureen Burns Sherry Himmelstein Jerry Plumb Jeffrey Solomon
Jeffrey Cartun Michael Hirshberg Linda Radding Lisa Starr
David Cohen Miguel Hollander Amy Rediker Amy Lynn Stelzer
Eileen Cooley David Katz David Reiner Melissa Stern
Benjamin Cooper Stephanie Kessler Bryan Richton Marlene Stone
Sherry Dickerman Ethan Klotz Daniel Richton Laura Wallace
Jennifer Ehrlich Elisa Landers A. Seth Roberts Tracy Weagle
Thais Fischel Richard Leaderman Kathleen Roberts Jamie Webber
Rachel Freedman Sherry Leaderman Marsha Rothschild Jacob Webber
Tricia Freedman Lucille Leavitt George Sachs Lauren Webber
Michael Freedman Gary Levine Jeffrey Schneider David Weinberg
Marla Geha Amy Lotterman Judith Seldow Leslie Weisenberg
Candy Glazer Buff Maniscalco Simon Sherman Mitchell Weisenberg
Dana Goldman Shayla McDonagh

7
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11
Safe sukkah assembly by seven intrepid, mask wearing volunteers and rabbinical supervision Sunday
morning (September 27, 2020). From left: Rabbi Jeremy Master, David Tivoli, Richard Alpert, Mike Solon,
Adam Metsch, Elliot Greenberg and Michael Gordon. Group photo by Angel Graulau. Special appearance
and encouragement by the Greenberg’s dog, Addy.

Social Action Committee Thanks

Thank you to the 30 Sinai families for purchasing sneakers and socks for the children at Gray House. I delivered them to the
director; Kristen McClintock, on Wednesday, September 30th. She was thrilled and plans to hand them out to the children
over the next week. We will be hearing back from them.
Thanks, too, to the many members who have offered to cook for Loaves and Fishes! We have filled all of the slots - so let
the cooking begin. If you signed up to cook, I will mail a copy of the recipe as a reminder about 2-3 weeks before the date.
Thank you all for helping to make our world a kinder place.
Shalom, Bobi Steingart

www.sinai-temple.org • 413-736-3619