Or Chadash Newsletter
 March 2013 
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In This Issue
Service Schedule
No Religious School For Spring Break
Temple Tots March 10
Donations
Yahrzeits
25th Anniversary Donations
Rabbi's Message
President's Message
Student Cantor's Message
Shabbat Across America
2nd Night Passover Seder
Important Upcoming Dates
Feed the Need
OC Reads Book Discussion
In Our Community
OC In the News
Jewish Life Series
Registration Quick Links

Shabbat and Holiday 

Service Schedule

Shabbat Window 
March 1: 6:30 PM Shabbat Experience - Falafel and Films
March 8: 6:00 PM Shabbat Across America Spaghetti Dinner and Service
March 15: 7:00 PM Shabbat Family Service with 2nd and 3rd Grade Participation
March 16: 10:00 AM Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Beckman
March 22: 7:30 PM Bar Mitzvah of Andrew Berger Shabbat Service
March 29: Shabbat Service with Book Discussion - Road to Valor: A True Story of WWII Italy, the Nazis, and the Cyclist Who Inspired a Nation By Aili McConnon and Andres McConnon
REMINDER: No Religious School for Spring Break

There will be no Religious School on:
Sunday, March 24
Thursday, March 28
Sunday, March 31
Thursday, April 4
Sunday, April 7
Next Temple Tots Class is March 10 at 11:00 AM

Our next Temple Tots Program is Sunday, March 10. Rabbi Forman, Betsy Zalaznick, student cantor Kathy Gohr, and our dynamic Teaching Assistants, will be offering programming, story time, music and craft projects for the youngest members of OC from 11:00 AM until 12 Noon(ish).  This program is geared toward children ages 2-5 and their parents, or grandparents, or aunts and uncles.... This program is FREE and open to the community.  You can also come early and join in the singing during Sunday Religious School Assembly at 10:15 AM.

Click here to RSVP.
Donations

25th Anniversary Fund  

Rick & Jill Rosenthal

 

Chesed/Caring Fund

James & Arlene Berg, in memory of Gigi Lynch
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick, in memory of Gisela Lynch  

 

Educational Enrichment Fund

Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick, in memory of Gisela Lynch & Gwen Bonatti 

 

General Contribution

Darren & Elizabeth Loew, in memory of Raoul Rabiner  

   

Mishloach Manot

Larry & Beatrice Abrams

Myles & Caryn Albert
Steve & Susan Albert
Steven & Susan Albrecht
Robert & Galia Barlow
Ken Becker & Sharon Bobnar-Becker
Alan & Sheila Beckman
Paul & Diane Beers

Adam & Audrey Belkin
Paul & Elyse Belkin

Jeff & Christine Berg
Kurt & Susan Blaicher

Tim & Miriam Blanke
Ray Blumenfeld & Audrey Hackel
Jon & Lori Blutfield
Ira & Estelle Breines
Maryann & Scott Breslow

Gary & Jodi Brodsky
Carol & Brian Coriell

Ruth Crawford
Barry & Karen Drill
George Eckelmann & Jane Engel
Craig Erkkila & Ruby Halper-Erkkila
Rabbi Joseph M Forman
Phillip & Carrie Freed
Faith Fuhrman
John & Maria Gendelman
Rabbi Jonathan Gerard

Harvey Gold
John Graybeal & Laura Senator
Steve & Sage Grumbach
Phillip & Andrea Harvey
Alan Hecht & Maria Jose De La Hoz
Evelyne Hersch
Mark & Jessica Hodkinson
Susan Ingram
Rusty Johnson & Beth Borowsky
Gerald Jones & Karen Tovi-Jones
Robert & Annette Kahle 

James & Stephanie Kassanoff
Estelle Katcher
Andy & Michele Korfin
Jack Kurlansik
Robert & Susan Lazar
Perry & Cindy Lehrer
Robert & Shirl Levy
Jim & Mary Clare Lewy

Edward & Cheryl Lifshitz
Darren & Elizabeth Loew
David & Isabel Mahalick
Alan Marrus
Sherrie Mazzocchi
Ron & Joan Melanson
David Moscowitz & Courtney Boyd-Moscowitz
David & Katherine Moutner
David & Rita Orlans
Stuart Oxenhorn & Robin Schutz
Nisim & Alexa Parliyan

Ed & Carolyn Podgorski
Stephen & Diana Propper
Ellen Pytlar
David & Randi Roberts
Rick & Jill Rosenthal
Joseph & Carolyn Sansevere
John & Toby Sarinick
Don & Sara Schenker
James & Barbara Schlessinger
Robert & Alice Schwade
Stephen Sinoway & Beth Golden
Victor Sloan & Sandra Gong
Louis & Caryn Speizer

Andrew & Jane Stein
Ken & Cindy Stoter
Lisa Tauscher

Marc & Caryn Tomljanovich
Gerard & Liz Tracey
David & Kimberly Turner
Edward Tyler & Renee Trambert
Glenn & Eve Wasserman
Paul & Meredith Weil
Paul & Andrea Weinberg
Paul & Maureen Weiner

Ross & Susan Weinick
Gary & Debbie Weiss
Richard Willey & Meridith Sigel-Willey
Mark & Kristina Witzling
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick
Eric & Naomi Zwerling 

 

Yahrzeit
Jeffrey & Ellen Rosen, in memory of Morris Newberg

yahrzeit photo

Upcoming Yahrzeits

May the memories of the following individuals be for a blessing:

March 1
Rabbi Judah Fish
uncle of Rabbi Forman 
Arnold Kassanoff
father of Jim Kassanoff 
Peppy Kluft
aunt of Betsy Zalaznick 
Fay Sacks
grandmother of Jodi Brodsky

March 8
Dale Moutner:
sister-in-law of David Moutner 
Ralph Moutner
father of David Moutner
Louis Eli Werstein
grandfather of Leslie Hann

March 15
Murray Bacal
father of Jane Stein 
Anna Gelb
mother of Shirl Levy 
Lee J. Kenyon
grandfather of Susan Albert  
Rochelle Ringel
mother of Robin Lewy 
Seymour Zwerling
father of Eric Zwerling

March 22

Irving Falk 

stepfather of Ross Weinick 

Stanley Gold 

father of Harvey Gold 

Dora Meltzer 

aunt of Evelyne Hersch 

Elsie Strauss 
mother of Joe Strauss


March 29

Betty Roberts 
mother of David Roberts
Bernard Woir 
father of Caryn Speizer

 

April 5
Joseph Ettinger 
father of Shelly Weller
Marc Leon 
uncle of Betsy Zalaznick
Robert John Schwade 
father of Robert Schwade

 

April 12
Maude Albert 
grandmother of Steve Albert
Norman Halper 
father of Ruby Halper-Erkkila
Richard Landman 
father of Michele Korfin
Bernice Sherman 
mother of Louis Speizer
Stanford Bernard Speizer 
father of Louis Speizer
Albert Sperber 
father of Eileen Berkelhammer 
25th Anniversary Donations
Or Chadash gratefully acknowledges the generous donations to the 25th Anniversary Fund received to date from:

Larry & Beatrice Abrams
Ira & Estelle Breines
Jeff & Christine Berg  
Jeffrey D. Charney  
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman
Harvey Gold
Robert & Shirl Levy
Darren & Elizabeth Loew
Stephen & Diana Propper
Rick & Jill Rosenthal
Stephen Sinoway & Beth Golden
Louis & Caryn Speizer
Paul & Meredith Weil
Ross & Susan Weinick 
Gary & Deb Weiss
Mark & Kristina Witzling
Bruce & Betsy Zalaznick
Rabbi's Message

JMF

Relational Judaism

It is hard to believe, but Passover will be here in no time.  Passover celebrates the story of the Exodus from Egyptian bondage; it is a holiday of freedom.  But more than that, it is a holiday of connection and commitment.  The Hebrew word Brit (covenant) is invoked at the ceremony of circumcision when a Jewish boy is eight days old and enters into the commitments and promises of Jewish life.  That same Brit/covenant is, our tradition teaches, why God redeemed us from Egypt.  It's a two-sided commitment: we do our part to maintain our community, and God sustains us. 

This notion of being part of a life-long Brit/covenant challenges most of us today, especially as we daily assert our personal and ideological freedom and independence from any idea that fails to instantly resonate with us.  Many of us do not wish to be tethered to something we only marginally understand.  Consequently our sense of obligation to that Brit - that eternal covenant with Jewish life, is weakened.  

Author and educator Ron Wolfson, a scholar currently speaking at the national convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, speaks of this challenge. "American individualism," Wolfson says, "is a terrific thing, it really is; I wouldn't trade it for a socialist system. But there's a downside to it, and the downside is I could be holed up in my house with my guns in my closet, ready to protect myself from the terrible things out there, or I can embrace the idea that we're not alone. And if we seek out relationships with community, with family, with friends, with God, something beyond ourselves, my belief is it can lead you to a life that's filled with meaning.

"And meaning is what it's all about at the end of the day. A sense of purpose: 'What did God put me on this earth to do?' And if you don't believe in God, fine, then, 'What am I supposed to do with my talents and gifts?' "

"Relational Judaism" is not a new idea, but it is, perhaps, one that needs refreshing.  Ron Wolfson reminds us that we should spend time with people, not just our Facebook friends - to have social lives, not just "social networks," to engage with our neighbors and fellow Jews as an investment in the survival of Judaism. 

This Passover, as you sit with family and friends and enjoy the brisket and the mazah ball soup, you are already participating in one of the foundational principles of Judaism: relationships.  We do not live our lives in isolation; we share our lives with one another, with family friends, the Jewish world, the larger world, and ultimately, with our idea of God.  I encourage you to expand that sense of relation and see how connecting with our wider Or Chadash community can be a significant part of discovering a greater sense of meaning. 

We have recently celebrated Purim with our younger families, this Shabbat is our 3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner, our Book Club, OC Reads, is meeting at the end of the month to discuss a remarkable story, Adult Education opportunities exist for learning with others, and our Chesed/Caring Committee is always looking for assistance.  There are so many ways to connect here -  I look forward to seeing you at Or Chadash.

Shalom,

Rabbi Joseph M. Forman

President's Message
Jeff BergDear members of Or Chadash,

I just recently finished February's OC Reads selection, When General Grant Expelled the Jews, by Jonathan Sarna (alas, always after the book discussion date...) and found one point repeated several times in the book worth sharing with everyone.  In the book, the author highlighted how very proud the Jews were of their Jewish identity and Jewish community.  Even those Jews not directly impacted by the General Grant's General Order No. 11 felt it a personal affront and decided to do something about it.  Many traveled to Washington to get the Order overturned or wrote articles in the press renouncing the Order.  This passion from those individuals 150 years ago reinforced for me the importance of our Jewish community.

During the next few weeks, we have several opportunities to come together.  This Friday night we have Shabbat Across America.  And Friday the 15th, we have make up Family Shabbat Service with 2nd and 3rd Grade Participation.  Importantly, you don't need to be in 2nd and 3rd Grade to participate.  Lastly, Passover is coming up the end of the month and on Tuesday, March 26, we will hold our traditional 2nd Night Passover Seder.
 
Please watch your emails for further details and come out to any or all of these wonderful events to share in your Jewish community.

Jeff Berg
President
Student Cantor's Message
Kathy Gohr I would like to express a heartfelt "Todah Rabah" (thank you) for all who were a part of this past week's Purim spiel (play). The writing was superb and the acting was in my opinion worthy of an academy award.  After the festivities I was thinking about how appropriate a theme Star Wars is to teach the lessons of Purim.  We all are fighting the power of the dark side, sometimes even within ourselves. There are times when we feel as if it is too much for us, that we are not strong enough or significant enough to make a difference. But as we realize we are a part of something larger than ourselves we can take heart, take risks and stand up for who we are and what we believe in. Our courage is an inspiration to others, and as we come together as a community there is no limit to the difference we can make. Hats off to Andy Stein and Victor Sloan for all of the effort they extended to write one of the most memorable Purim Spiels ever.

In religious school I am once again teaching an introductory course in Torah trope to the sixth grade as they prepare for their B'nei Mitzvah.  Chanting Torah, or "cantillation," uses melodies that have been passed on for generations. As our students learn their portion they are connected to those who have chanted their portion to the same melody. This is yet another way to experience the concept of "L'dor vador," or "from generation to generation" as we transmit our heritage to our children who will, in turn, transmit it to theirs. I thoroughly enjoy teaching the sacred art of Torah cantillation, and I hope that the students enjoy it as well.

Bles-sings,
Kathy
Shabbat Across America
Spaghetti Dinner and Shabbat Service

Friday, March 8 at 6:00 PM
ShabbatAcrossAmericaOr Chadash is Celebrating Shabbat

Across America on Friday, March 8 at 6:00 PM with a

Spaghetti  Shabbat

~ $6/person!* ~

~ All You Can Eat ~

~ Rose Morlando's Famous Delicious Meatballs ~ 

~ Spaghetti (with Meatballs or Plain/Veggie [with Butter]) ~

~Tableside Service from our Teens ~

~ BYOB ~

~ Religious School Kids Eat Free ~

  

Following dinner we will have a festive Shabbat Service featuring Shir Chadash (OC Choir) with Student Cantor Kathy Gohr and guitar accompaniment!  

Come have fun with us at this special Shabbat!
  

Shabbat Across America is for everyone: singles, couples, families - all ages! Bring your friends!

  
We will be serving up a dinner of spaghetti with tomato sauce or butter and salad. Since it's Shabbat, you can also feel free to BYOB! We also ask that each family bring a drink (apple juice or white grape juice) or dessert to share. Cost is $6 per person.

*Children enrolled in Religious school are FREE! 

Click here to RSVP by Wednesday, March 6!
2nd Night Passover Seder at Or Chadash
Tuesday, March 26 at 5:00 PM
"In every generation let each one feel as if he or she came forth out of Egypt." (from the Haggadah of Pesach)

Each year the Jewish People throughout the world gather around the Seder table, united in our collective memory of the passage from slavery to freedom.  

It is my pleasure to invite you and your family to join me for our Or Chadash Congregational Seder on Tuesday March 26, 2013,
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. We will join together in story (Haggadah means "the telling") and song as together we create a meaningful holiday worship experience.  
The menu includes tossed salad, gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzah balls, brisket, chicken, potato kugel, fresh fruit, dessert, and coffee, tea, juice and wine (BYO).

It should be a delicious meal, great discussion, good music and fantastic company (which we hope will include you!). You won't want to miss it!

I am looking forward to sharing this experience with you, your friends, family and neighbors.
 
Click here to RSVP to attend. 
Please RSVP by SUNDAY, MARCH 24!
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, March 8 - 6:00 PM: Shabbat Across America Spaghetti Dinner and Service

Sunday, March 10 - 11:00 AM: Temple Tots Class

Friday, March 15 - 7:00 PM: Family Shabbat Service with 2nd and 3rd Grade Participation

Saturday, March 16 - 4:30 PM: Feed the Need in Clinton.  See below for more information and how to register to attend.

Tuesday, March 26 - 5:00 PM: Second Night Passover Seder

Friday, March 29 - 7:30 PM: Shabbat Service and Book Discussion on
Road to Valor: A True Story of WWII Italy, the Nazis, and the Cyclist Who Inspired a Nation
By Aili McConnon and Andres McConnon
Feed the Need - Saturday, March 16 at 4:30 PM
Feed the Need
For the past two years Or Chadash has participated in Feed the Need.  It is one of those unique opportunities to spend two hours and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people.  You want to feel good?  Make a difference?  Work as a team?  Be part of the greater community?  And have fun?  This is that opportunity.

To read more about Feed the Need click here.

Please consider joining the Or Chadash team.  Rachel Albrecht, a leader of Or Chadash Temple Youth (OCTY) has worked very hard to establish this important program at OC this year.  I hope you will consider joining the OC Team.

Please do the following:
1. Click here to go to the registration page.
2. Select "Join a Team" under "Group Registration Options"
3. The team name is OCTY Octopi.  Select it from the drop down menu of team names, and sign up to go with us on March 16, from 4:30-6:30.

Thanks so much.

Friday, March 29 at 7:30 PM
Shabbat and Book Discussion

Road to Valor: A True Story of WWII Italy, the Nazis, and the Cyclist Who Inspired a Nation
By Aili McConnon and Andres McConnon

Road to Valor is the inspiring, against-the-odds story of Gino Bartali, the cyclist who made the greatest comeback in Tour de France history and secretly aided the Italian resistance during World War II.

 
Gino Bartali is best known as an Italian cycling legend: the man who not only won the Tour de France twice, but also holds the record for the longest time span between victories.  During the ten years that separated his hard-won triumphs, his actions, both on and off the racecourse, ensured him a permanent place in Italian hearts and minds.

In Road to Valor, Aili and Andres McConnon chronicle Bartali's journey, starting in impoverished rural Tuscany where a scrawny, mischievous boy painstakingly saves his money to buy a bicycle and before long, is racking up wins throughout the country.  At the age of 24, he stuns the world by winning the Tour de France and becomes an international sports icon.

But Mussolini's Fascists try to hijack his victory for propaganda purposes, derailing Bartali's career, and as the Nazis occupy Italy, Bartali undertakes secret and dangerous activities to help those being targeted.  He shelters a family of Jews in an apartment he financed with his cycling winnings and is able to smuggle counterfeit identity documents hidden in his bicycle past Fascist and Nazi checkpoints because the soldiers recognize him as a national hero in training.

After the grueling wartime years, Bartali fights to rebuild his career as Italy emerges from the rubble.  In 1948, the stakes are raised when midway through the Tour de France, an assassination attempt in Rome sparks nationwide political protests and riots.  Despite numerous setbacks and a legendary snowstorm in the Alps, the chain-smoking, Chianti-loving, 34-year-old underdog comes back and wins the most difficult endurance competition on earth.  Bartali's inspiring performance helps unite his fractured homeland and restore pride and spirit to a country still reeling from war and despair.

Set in Italy and France against the turbulent backdrop of an unforgiving sport and threatening politics, Road to Valor is the breathtaking account of one man's unsung heroism and his resilience in the face of adversity.  Based on nearly ten years of research in Italy, France, and Israel, including interviews with Bartali's family, former teammates, a Holocaust survivor Bartali saved, and many others, Road to Valor is the first book ever written about Bartali in English and the only book written in any language to fully explore the scope of Bartali's wartime work.  An epic tale of courage, comeback, and redemption, it is the untold story of one of the greatest athletes of the twentieth century.

In Our Community


Refuah Sh'leima (Get well) to... 
Eileen Berkelhammer

Condolences to...
Carrie, Phillip, Sam and Maxwell Freed on the death of their mother and grandmother, Anne Siegelaub.
  
David, Cindy, Dan and Jordan Cohn on the death of David's mother, Natalie Erait Cohn.
  
Ross Weinick on the death of his aunt, Sondra Arlene Conner.

David, Kathy, Sarah and Amanda Moutner on the death of their mother and grandmother, Anita Moutner.
 
Todah Rabbah...
To the following OC members and friends who volunteered for Family Promise (formerly IHN) in March: David Lewy, Leslie Hann, Gina Sampaio, Elizabeth Loew, Nora Pugliese, Joy Defabrizio

Mazel Tov...
Faith Fuhrman and Ben Atkinson on their February 22, 2013 wedding.

Sydney Stoter on placing third in a local essay contest sponsored by The National Society for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her essay was entered in a statewide contest and she was also honored at a special luncheon on March 2.
  
In order to help us be a more caring community, please share your lifecycle events with Rabbi Forman

  

Feel free to click on a hyperlink to send a note and let someone know you are thinking about them.

 

OC In the News

       

Bat Mitzvah - Rachel Beckman

Rachel Beckman will become a Bat Mitzvah on March 16. She is the daughter of Alan and Sheila Beckman. Rachel is a seventh grader at the JP Case Middle School. She enjoys lacrosse, cheering and spending time with friends. Rachel's Torah portion, Tzav, focuses on rituals and offerings.  Rachel enjoyed her Mitzvah project, collecting needed items for an orphanage in Haiti.  Rachel is looking forward to celebrating her Bat Mitzvah with her friends, family and community.        

Bar Mitzvah - Andrew Berger

Andrew Berger will become a Bar Mitzvah on March 22.  He is the son of Jill and Scott Berger, and younger brother of Steven Berger.  Andrew is a seventh grader at the East Amwell School.  Andrew enjoys soccer and skiing, as well as building computers and playing video games.  Andrew's Torah portion, Tzav, tells us that just following the Torah will not make you a good Jew, because God wants you to go above and beyond what is in the Torah.  It is important to be good, honest and caring to everyone around you. Andrew's Mitzvah project has involved weekly volunteering at Tabby's Place - a no-kill cat sanctuary in East Amwell.  Andrew has worked very hard in helping out at Tabby's place, including cleaning, laundry, taking out trash, and helping out with some special needs felines.    

Lifelong Learning
Jewish Life
JCC Place to Be

 

 

 

 

 
 

A complete listing of Jewish LIFE special events and synagogue course offering for the 2012-2013 calendar year is posted on the JCC website:  www.ssbjcc.org   

Jewish Family Services

Jewish Family ServicesJFS is a non-profit, non-sectarian social service agency whose mission is to preserve and strengthen the quality of individual, family and community life based on Jewish values. We provide our services to a diverse socio-economic client population that includes individuals, children, young adults, families and the elderly.


 Click here for information on additional services.