Union Temple of Brooklyn

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism

The Bulletin

DECEMBER, 2012

KISLEVTEVET 5773

Vol. 164, No 4

SHABBAT SERVICES FOR NOVEMBER

SHABBAT VAYISHLACH 30
Friday Evening
4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat

CELEBRATE CHANUKAH AT UNION TEMPLE

See page 5 for details!

Dec. 1

Saturday Morning

10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Genesis 32:4-36:43 Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12

SHABBAT VAYESHEV

Friday Evening
First Friday Family Shabbat 4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:00 PM - Snacks 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat with Josh Adland 7:30 PM - Pot Luck Dinner

Saturday Morning

10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Genesis 37:1-40:53 Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

SHABBAT MIKETZ 14 15
Friday Evening
4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday Morning

10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Genesis 41:1-44:17 Haftarah: Zekhariah 4:1-7

SHABBAT VAYIGASH 21
Friday Evening
4:00 PM - Friday at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat Pizza to follow

22

Saturday Morning

10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

SHABBAT VAYECHI 28
Friday Evening
6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat

The Temple Youth Group Makes the Midnight Run!

See Page 6

29

Saturday Morning

10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service Torah: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12

Rabbis Message

Let Us Proclaim the Awesome Power of this Day

On Yom Kippur we recite a chilling litany, known by its opening words: Un'taneh Tokef. In translation it begins: Let us proclaim the awesome power of this day. It goes on to enumerate the forces of nature and the results of human violence that plague our world, and our ultimate powerlessness in the face of random tragedy. . . On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed, who shall live and who shall die. . . who shall perish by fire and who by water; who by hunger and who by thirst; who by drowning and who by stoning; who by sword and plague; who shall be tranquil and who shall suffer. . . . But according to our tradition, the last line of this litany is supposed to be shouted loudly by the congregation: BUT REPENTANCE, PRAYER AND CHARITY TEMPER JUDGMENT'S SEVERE DECREE! If any of us had forgotten the reality of the randomness of the universe, Superstorm Sandy shocked us into remembering. One tree killed two young people out walking the dog, another tree struck a car whose owner had gotten out of it moments before, narrowly escaping death. One neighborhood lost its power, another neighborhood did not. The tunnels leading to Manhattan now have been drained of their floods, but entire stretches of our coastline have been changed forever. Without a doubt it was certainly the most intense and expansive weather event that I have seen here in New York in my lifetime. The issues of global warming and climate change can no longer be pushed under the rug by those in our country who would deny scientific reality. But there are also more personal and immediate ways of coping for us. Perhaps the most obvious is taught to us by that final line of the Un'taneh Tokef. While ultimately we cannot control our mortal vulnerability, we can maximize the actions we take and that which we CAN control. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, many of us at Union Temple cooked, baked, bought, and contributed, in order to provide some measure of holiday cheer to some of our fellow New Yorkers who have been displaced. We brought these offerings to Old First Reformed Church in Park Slope, which has been working with the Two Boots restaurant to provide food for people in the storm ravaged areas of Brooklyn. We will continue our connection with these efforts, and will keep you informed. If you would like to make a financial contribution, you may access the Union for Reform Judaism's Hurricane Relief Fund at http://urj.org/socialaction/issues/relief/hurricanes/ . You may also access numerous volunteer opportunities through UJA-Federation NY, or contribute to UJA-Federation's massive emergency fund, at http://www.ujafedny.org/hurricane-sandy-volunteer-opportunities/ . Nature unleashed its fury. But the Jewish community of New York, like our counterparts in other sectors of the religious community, has stepped up to the plate to help those who were victimized to cope. This is what our tradition teaches us to do. -Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman

Officers Column

Hoping All are Well

we must all have friends and relatives who were badly affected. Sandy was certainly a strong reminder of how many things we cant control. Hopefully, by the time you read this column the city and the area will be in much better condition than it is right now. The First Fridays Family Shabbat service and pot luck dinner was a big hit. As usual at the family service, our Religious School song leader, Josh Adland, was scheduled to sing and play the guitar. However, without subway service he couldnt get to temple from Manhattan. Our new member, Rich Goodstein, a former NFTY and Camp Eisner song leader pitched right in and did a fine job in Joshs absence. Thank you, Rich. This was a reminder of how many talented members we have. Perhaps you have a talent that could enrich our temple community.

As I write this column on November 5th, we still havent reached all of our temple members, particularly those who live in the south of the borough, and dont know how everyone fared in Hurricane Sandy. We know of at least one member who had a flooded basement and no heat and electricity and others who went without heat and electricity. We suspect that more were affected.

Hopefully none of us were injured -Henry Singer, Vice President but Im sure that, unfortunately,

Sisterhood

Praying for Sandy Victims

be a memorable morning that you wont want to miss. You also wont want to miss being with us on the very first day of this month, Saturday, December 1st at 5 PM, when Sisterhood and Brotherhood will join together for our annual Havdalah service. With thoughts of all the sadness that the storm has brought into so many lives, this should be a particularly moving event, and we hope you will join us for it and for our visit to the Brooklyn Museum to participate in its festive First Night activities, which will follow the service. Sisterhood wishes everyone a happy Chanukah. May the candles in our menorahs bring the glow of joy into our lives and the light of peace into our world, and into the hearts of all who are suffering. -Barbara Brett, Secretary

After the devastation of Hurricane Sandy last month, we welcome December, which brightens our lives with the warmth and joy of Chanukah. But as we light our candles, well be thinking and praying for the many victims of the storm who suffered such overwhelming losses. The wreckage that Sandy left behind reminds us anew of how precious our homes are, and how blessed we are to have them. On Sunday, January 13, 2013, at 10 AM, Sisterhood will be exploring the meaning of home and belonging with Joyce Zonana, the acclaimed author of DREAM HOMES: From Cairo to Katrina, an Exiles Journey. Ms. Zonana was born in Cairo, but her family, Egyptian Jews, fled the country after the 1948 ArabIsraeli war. She will tell us of her journeys, searching the world for a place where she could truly feel accepted and at home. She will also share with us her video of Cairos beautiful but now deserted synagogues. It promises to

Brotherhood

Hurricane Sandy and Tikkun Olam

As we move into the holiday season let us not forget our friends and neighbors who have suffered the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. We should keep them in our prayers and be generous, sharing some of our gifts of the season with those who are still hurting very much. The concept of tikkun olam, repairing the world, should be foremost in mind as our area tries to repair the damage. Please be sure to join the Brotherhood and Sisterhood on December 1st in the Temple lobby at 5 PM for havdalah and an evening at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. After the havdalah Temple members will walk across the street to enjoy the free First Saturday program of music and art. There will be a few dance performances during the evening, and music by singer/songwriter Maya Azucena, Avan Lava, and Underground System Afrobeat. The Brooklyn Museum will also be showing the film "United In Anger: A History of ACT UP." And the new Museum Cafe will be open. A happy Chanukah to all! -David Rapheal, Secretary 4

O CHANUKAH O CHANUKAH
COME LIGHT THE MENORAH LET'S HAVE A PARTY WE'LL ALL DANCE THE HORA

Join us for our UNION TEMPLE FAMILY

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 6:30 PM
Edible and Wacky Chanukah Menorah competition .
Be creative and bring your Handmade Chanukah Menorah
Dedication of our new lectern In honor of Doris Klueger our immediate Past-President. Havdalah, Lighting of the Menorah, music, dreydls, Chanukah Menorah Competition and a wonderful dinner.
Union Temple will be hosting dinner including latkes, jelly doughnuts, and beverages and If you would like bring a dessert to share (fruit and Chanukah cookies )and/or you can bring a cash donation for MAZON which means food or sustenance in Hebrew, practices and promotes a multi-faceted approach to hunger relief . Please call or E-mail to let us know youre coming!
Union Temple of Brooklyn 17 Eastern Parkway , Brooklyn NY 11238 718-638-7600 Uniontemple@uniontemple.org / www.uniontemple.org 5

Temple Youth Group

The teens in the Temple youth group wanted to do more than raise tzedakah. They wanted to be more hands-on in repairing the world. So, guided by their l eader, Davi d Marx, Un i T Y spent a month planning and organizing and soliciting and collecting. streets and offered suggestions as to what the UniTY members should expect from that night's sojourn. Then came the real work: that afternoon and into the night the ballroom was a beehive of seemingly (and often truly) chaotic activity. Head-spinning heaps of clothes awaited sorting for gender and size on the round tables. At the rectangular tables, loaves of sandwich bread, condiments and fillings, bananas and oranges, 150 assorted cookies baked by UniTY member Amanda Grad, dozens and dozens of eggs boiled in the Temples kitchen, percolators of coffee and huge pots of pasta fagioli all managed to be assembled with good cheer and loud music from the boom box. For their 6:30 break, the teens each grabbed a sandwich or two and headed to the 4th floor for supper with Rabbi Goodman, who led a discussion on the Jewish response to homelessness. Then it was back to the ballroom with them, to finish packing everything up so they could hit the road before 10 PM.

Then, late on Saturday, November 10th, UniTY took to the streets on a Midnight Run* visiting the homeless at 8 Manhattan corners to share clothes, blankets, toiletries, hot food, Thanks go to Joshua Singer, who was on hand to photograph the session with Dale and hot coffee and some of the ballroom busyness. warm conversation. A shout out to the Earlier that day, Bar/Bat Mitzvah the youth group, class, who pitched along with Union in for some of the Temple's Bar/Bat clothes organizing Mitzvah class, had after their own listened to and pizza and learning asked questions of lunch with the Dale Williams, the Rabbi. They will formerly homeless be conducting their man who directs own Midnight Run Midnight Run's in January. (The NYC area chapyouth group will ter. Dale spoke of carry out one more his life on the 6

Makes The Midnight Run

run in March.) As Temple members, your generosity made this mission possible. UniTY members, along with David and several steadfast parent members (Kimberly and Doug Grad, Al Miller, Beatrice Segal, Rachel Wooley and Eric Siegel, Susan Buchsbaum), sifted through bags and bags of clothing donated by you everything from warm hats down to warm boots. Thanks also to Suzanne Singer, who gave of her Costco membership by gamely escorting Beatrice and Susan in our rickety 15-person rental van for a wild and woolly Saturday-afternoon-at-Costco grocery expedition, as well as fronting half of our expenses. A great thank you to all for helping to make someones cold night a little warmer. Your contributions of clothing and money made an immediate difference to a fellow New Yorker. Please buy at these neighborhood businesses and thank them for their support of our youth groups Midnight Run. Kings Pharmacy (357 Flatbush between Sterling Place and Park Place) donated toiletries. Hygiene supplies are coveted on the streets. Angelique Deli Grocery (119 Underhill Avenue at Prospect Place) - more toiletries. Prospect Perk (183 Sterling Place, off Flatbush) gave us 3 pounds of Fair Trade coffee. We were able to pour over 100 cups of steaming coffee for our neighbors on the street. *Midnight Run (http://www.midnightrun.org) is an organization of churches, synagogues, schools and other civic groups searching common ground between the housed and the homeless. In over 1,000 late-night relief missions per year, Midnight Run volunteers distribute food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless poor of New York City, in an effort to create a forum for trust, sharing and understanding - a human exchange, not just a material one. 7

Preschool

Meet Tonomi, Preschool Teacher

pare her. In addition, Tomomi wanted to have a job that made a difference and influenced lives. She started to think that a career in education might be fulfilling. Tomomi entered the graduate education program at Tufts University where she received her masters degree. After finishing graduate school she had an internship at the Childrens Museum, worked at a Montessori school in Manhattan, and then worked as an assistant teacher at the International Preschool. Most recently Tomomi worked at Brooklyn Friends School. Her career move to Brooklyn was followed by her moving to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In her spare time Tomomi enjoys art related projects like collage, and home crafts projects, as well as cooking and baking. She also loves nature and tries to get out of the city to go hiking. Tomomi shared that she loves the environment at Union Temple Preschool. The people are warm and friendly and I feel like I am part of a community. In addition to all of her experience and innate intelligence Tomomi is a warm and loving person and a gentle soul. We are so happy to welcome her into our Union Temple Preschool family. The Preschool is currently offering tours and accepting applications for the 2013-2014 school year. To set up an appointment email Krista Bogetich, the preschool administrator krista@utpreschool.org or call us at 718-623-1322. -Susan Sporer, Preschool Director

Autumn has been an exciting time at the Preschool. Among the highlights were our annual parent pot luck dinner and the ever popular chick hatching project. With the addition of full day classes on Mondays and Wednesdays there is lots of activity in the afternoon, with more than half of the students staying for the full day program. Our new staff is fully integrated and has infused us with a dose of youthful energy. Tomomi Iwamoto is one of our new teachers. She was hired to replace Christine Bardach as the head teacher of Robins, one of our three year old classes. Christine, who started working here in 1992, retired in June. Tomomis family was originally from Tokyo. Her father immigrated to the United States in 1974. He moved here to go to college, where he studied architecture. One year later Tomomis mother and six year old brother followed. The family settled in Queens where Tomomi was born and raised. Her brother eventually returned to Tokyo for college and subsequently law school. He remained in Tokyo where he currently resides with his wife and son. Tomomi attended Vassar College where she majored in sociology. She also loves art and took art classes at Vassar every semester. After graduating from Vassar she considered going into media and working for a childrens magazine. She felt that she did not know enough about children and thought that studying education at the graduate level would better pre-

The SHALOM Meditation Circle

A one hour session will be held on Wednesday, December 12th There is no cost for the program No previous experience required.

Find the PEACE WITHIN

Sessions start at 5:30 P.M and end at 6:30 P.M. The group meets on the 4th floor of the Temple. Sessions are open to non-members as well as Temple members.

Please arrive on time and wear comfortable clothing.

UNION TEMPLE MEMORIAL FUND Tzedakah

Donated by ............................................................................... in memory of

Arlene Greendlinger ................................................................................... Harry and Sylvia Ebner Steven Rifkind ............................................................................................ Ira Rifkind Pamela F. Meersand ................................................................................... Edith Meersand Howard and Linda Simka ........................................................................... Beatrice Goldfarb Dr. Robert Fried and Dr. Gail Levine-Fried ............................................... Morris Fried Dr. Dorothy Silverman ............................................................................... Max Silverman Helen Caplin Heller .................................................................................... May Caplin Nancy M. Greenberg .................................................................................. May Caplin and Benjamin S. Greenberg Iris Rosen.................................................................................................... Sandra Rosen Mark G. Spiro ............................................................................................. Raymond L. Spiro, Mike Weigand and Rosa Weigand Joyce M. Charles ........................................................................................ Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson

RABBIS DISCRETIONARY FUND

Donated by
George Hausman and Anna Budd

HAPPY DAY FUND

Donated by ............................................................................... in honor of
Jennifer Jacobson ........................................................................................Union Temple

DR. A. STANLEY DREYFUS LECTURE FUND

Donated by ............................................................................... in memory of
Marianne Dreyfus ....................................................................................... Rabbi Leo Baeck, Ruth Berlak and Alan J. Dreyfus

SHABBAT ONEG
Donated by ............................................................................... in honor of
Howard and Linda Simka ........................................................................... Beatrice Goldfarb

BROTHERHOOD
Donated by ............................................................................... in honor of
Phil Rubinstein ........................................................................................... Steven Segall

PRAYER BOOK DONATIONS

(MISHKAN T'FILAH SHABBAT EDITION)
6 copies, donated by Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman: 2 in memory of Philip and Jeanette Henry 2 in memory of Rabbi A. Stanley Dreyfus 2 in honor of Rabbi Alan J. Henkin

JUST A REMINDER

Anyone coming to the Temple for a Temple sponsored event and parks in the garage is reminded to have your parking ticket validated so that your parking fee can be waived.
9

Memorial Plaques
Max Goldberg ........................................................... December 1, 1947 Elizabeth Perlo .......................................................... December 2, 1948 Jacob Fogel ............................................................... December 3, 1917 Meyer Kasdan ........................................................... December 3, 1940 Bernard Van Raalte ................................................... December 5, 1908 Herman L. Sherrer ..................................................... December 5, 1969 Jacob M. Shaffer ....................................................... December 5, 1972 Max Baar ................................................................... December 6, 1936 Abraham L. Lippin .................................................... December 6, 1970 Sol A. Liebman ......................................................... December 6, 1978 H. Broadman Epstein ................................................ December 6, 1997 Minnie Reiss ............................................................. December 7, 1921 Solomon Hamburger ................................................. December 7, 1923 Harry C. Levinson ..................................................... December 7, 1987 Michael Dumey ......................................................... December 8, 1939 Margaret Bo1ey......................................................... December 9, 1973 Jacob Block ..................................................December 10, 1931 Max Hess ................................................................ December 10, 1941 Rachel Heimberger .................................................. December 11, 1947 Bertram Heimberger ................................................ December 10, 1985 Lena H. B. Lax ........................................................ December 10, 1990 Anita M. Mandelbaum ............................................ December 11, 1947 Sarah Marienhoff .................................................... December 11, 1958 Myrtle David ........................................................... December 11, 1977 Michael Kraus ......................................................... December 13. 1930 Fanny Petechsky...................................................... December 13, 1931 Sylvia Hamburger ................................................... December 13, 1996 Solomon Igelheimer ................................................ December 14, 1907 Fannie Igelheimer.................................................... December 14, 1930 Abraham H. Frankel ................................................ December 14, 1943 Alexander Davidson ................................................ December 14, 1978 Bernard Bender ....................................................... December 15, 1926 William Meruk ........................................................ December 15, 1928 Mary Eilperin .......................................................... December 15, 1994 Harry N. Needle ...................................................... December 17, 1972 Alfred Newman ....................................................... December 18, 1932 Byrdie Hymes ......................................................... December 18, 1961 Gussie Epstein ......................................................... December 18, 1969 Kate Heller .............................................................. December 18, 1980 Helen H. Bernstein .................................................. December 19, 1924 Lee Ornitz ............................................................... December 19, 1996 Aaron Polisar........................................................... December 20, 1969 Jacob Iason .............................................................. December 21, 1946 Edward Drexler ....................................................... December 22, 1928 Louis Schnell........................................................... December 22, 1946 Esther Davidson ...................................................... December 23, 1928 Eva Jacobs ............................................................... December 23, 1942 Rubin Rodecker ....................................................... December 23, 1969 Eve Freiman ............................................................ December 23, 1978 George Kershner ..................................................... December 23. 1982 Alexander Spitzer .................................................... December 24, 1941

The Bulletin
Union Temple of Brooklyn
17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11238 (718) 638-7600 Fax (718) 783-9151 E-mail uniontemple@uniontemple.org

Website Uniontemple.org
Dr. Linda Henry Goodman Rabbi Lauren Phillips Student Cantor Shinae Kim Temple Musician Dr. Andy Dubin Educator/Rabbinic Intern Susan Sporer Preschool Director Beatrice Hanks President Abe Barnett Ellen Kolikoff Henry Singer Vice Presidents Steven Segall Secretary Jeffrey Stein Treasurer Mike Baron Hortense R. Hurwitz Doris Klueger Honorary Presidents David Rapheal Bulletin Editor John Golomb Temple Administrator Martin Kasdan Funeral Director (800) 522-0588

A memorial plaque is a lasting tribute to a loved one. If you wish more information regarding obtaining a plaque in memory of a loved one please e-mail the temple at uniontemple@uniontemple.org or leave a message with the temple office. 10

Union Temple suggests that its members contact our Funeral Director Martin D. Kasdan of Boulevard-Riverside Chapels 1895 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 1-800-522-0588 Proudly maintaining more than 50 years of Temple involvement

December 2012Kislev-Tevet 5773

Sun Sun Mon Mon Tue Tue Wed Wed Thu Thu Fri Fri Sat Sat 1 9:00 AM 1Shabbat AM 9:00 Hevre

Shabbat Hevre 10:30 AM 10:30 AM Shabbat Morning Shabbat Morning Service Service 5:00 PM Brotherhood
Sisterhood Reception & Havdalah at Temple, Then Bklyn Museum

2 2

9:30 AM 9:30 School Religious AM Religious School Parent Seminar Parent Seminar with Rabbiwith Goodman Rabbi Goodman

3 3

4 4

5 5
7:00 PM 7:00 PM UT Singers UT Singers Rehearsal Rehearsal 8:00 PM 8:00 PM Anshei Mitzvah Anshei Mitzvah

6 6

7 4:00 PM 7Friday atPM 4:00 Four

8 8

6:15 PM 6:15 PM Officers Officers

Friday Friday First at Four First Friday Family Shabbat Family Shabbat 6:00 PM Snacks 6:00 PM PM 6:30 Snacks 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat Pot Luck Dinner
Rosh Chodesh

9:00 AM 9:00 Hevre Shabbat AM Shabbat Hevre 10:30 AM 10:30 AM Shabbat Morning Shabbat Morning Service Service

9 9

9:30 AM 9:30 School Religious AM Religious Party) (ChanukahSchool (Chanukah Party)

10 10
6:00 PM 6:00 PM Board of Board of Trustees Trustees

11 11

12 Meditation Circle 13 12 6:30 PM 13

6:30 PM UT Singers UT Singers 7:15 PM Preschool 7:15 PM Preschool Committee Committee 8:00 PM 8:00 PM Anshei mitzvah Anshei mitzvah

5:30 PM: Shalom

14 Tevet 14 4:00 PM

4:00 PM Friday at Four Friday at Four 6:30 PM 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat

15 9:00 AM 15 9:00 Hevre AM Shabbat

Shabbat Hevre 10:30 AM 10:30 AM Shabbat Service Shabbat Service 6:30 PM 6:30 Dinner Chanukah PM Chanukah Dinner

16 16 9:30 AM

17 17
6:30 PM 6:30 PM Religious School Religious School Committee Committee

18 18

19 19
7:00 PM 7:00 PM UT Singers UT Singers Rehearsal Rehearsal 8:00 PM 8:00 PM Anshei Mitzvah Anshei Mitzvah

20 20

9:30 School Religious AM Religious School

21 21 4:00 PM

4:00 PM Friday at Four Friday at Four 6:30 PM 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat KabbalatDinner Pizza Shabbat Pizza Dinner to follow to follow

22 22 9:00 AM

9:00 Hevre Shabbat AM Shabbat Hevre 10:30 AM 10:30 AM Shabbat Morning Shabbat Morning Service Service

23 23 Religious School
Religious School Vacation Vacation

24 24

25 25

26 26

27 27

28 28

29 29 10:30 AM

10:30 AM Shabbat Morning Shabbat Morning Service Service

6:30 PM 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat

30 30 Religious School
Religious School Vacation Vacation

31 31

11

Prospect Park Health and Racquet Association

In Union Temple Building at 17 Eastern Parkway 718-789-4600 Ask about Special discounts for Union Temple Members

Union Temple of Brooklyn 17 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 638-7600 Uniontemple@uniontemple.org

DECEMBER 2012 UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN BULLETIN

Happy Chanukah!