Union Temple of Brooklyn

Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism

The Bulletin
SHABBAT VAYIGASH 6
Friday Evening
First Friday Family Shabbat 4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:00 PM - Snacks 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 PM - Pot Luck Dinner

DECEMBER, 2013

KISLEVTEVET 5774

Vol. 165, No. 4

SHABBAT SERVICES FOR DECEMBER

December at Union Temple

Please join the Sisterhood and Brotherhood for Havdalah and First Saturday December 7th at 5 PM
See page 3 for details

Saturday Morning
9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 9:30 AM - Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

Torah: Genesis 44:1847:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-37:28

SHABBAT VAYECHI 13 14
Friday Evening
4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat ShabbatPizza to follow service

Saturday Morning
9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 9:30 AM - Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

Torah: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12

SHABBAT SHEMOT 20 21
Friday Evening
4:00 PM - Fridays at Four: Shabbat for Tots 6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday Morning
9:00 AM - Shabbat Study Hevre 9:30 AM - Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service

Torah: Exodus 1:1-6:1

Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-29:23

SHABBAT VA'EIRA

Program for Kids!

See page 6 for details

27 28

Friday Evening
6:30 PM - Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday Morning
10:30 AM - Shabbat Morning Service, Naming Ceremony: Ella Jean Ehrlich

Torah: Exodus 6:2-9:35

Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

Rabbis Message

WEA Defeated

As I look back on the year that is coming to a close, there is one area in particular in which I feel an ongoing sense of frustration. That is ensuring the rights of women in the workplace and at home. We began the year last January with a 10-point agenda put forth by Governor Cuomo to improve the lives of women all over New York State. The Women's Equality Agenda called for equal pay for equal work; zero tolerance for sexual harassment; protection against pregnancy discrimination; strengthening of human trafficking laws; an end to housing discrimination for victims of domestic violence; strengthening order-of-protection laws for victims of domestic violence; and protection of reproductive choice. But at the eleventh hour last June, as the State Legislature was closing out its business before the summer recess, the WEA was defeated. The NY State Senate refused to pass the WEA because of the 10th point, which sought to move the laws regulating abortion out of the criminal code to the health code. The Senate offered the "compromise" of passing the other nine provisions of the WEA without including this one. The State Assembly rejected that offer on the grounds that without guarantees to reproductive freedom, the rest of the agenda was seriously flawed. In my view, the "compromise" of the State Senate was a cynical and demeaning negation of women's rights and dignity. If women are not accorded the respect of making their own decisions regarding their reproductive lives, the consequences will be felt in all the other areas of the WEA. In speaking with some of the conservative members of the State Legislature last spring, I found not only ideological rigidity, but also patronizing and negatively skewed views of women in general, particularly in their motivations for seeking out birth control, pregnancy termination, and protection from STD's. We heard articulations of some of those views during the 2012 election cycle, horrifying as they were. One of the senators with whom I spoke, a Catholic, even presumed to articulate his understanding that Judaism doesn't permit abortion. At this, I told him that I was President of the New York Board of Rabbis, the largest interdenominational rabbinic body in the world, representing rabbis from all over the New York Metropolitan Area. And in fact, I told him, the NYBR is on record, and has been for many years, as supporting reproductive choice. This is not only in recognition of the wide diversity of rabbinic opinion, which it is. But there is also no question that the overwhelming weight of Jewish tradition, and that includes Orthodoxy, acknowledges and accepts situations in which the termination of a particular pregnancy is not only permitted, but indeed, necessary. While I had no intention of debating Jewish law with a Catholic State Senator, I believe it was essential to assert this reality to him, just to let him know, most respectfully, that he was mistaken. It is critical for liberal religionists to keep our opinions (and our faces) in front of the legislators who are making decisions that will have a profound impact on our lives, and the lives of future generations. Last January we marked the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. But clearly, the matter is far from settled. And so as we anticipate a new calendar year, we rev up for a renewed battle to protect and promote women's rights - in matters of reproductive choice, and in all matters affecting women's lives. In so doing, we recall the proclamation with which we will conclude the Book of Genesis this month, and with which we conclude the reading of every book of our Torah: Be strong; be very strong; and we shall be strengthened. -Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman

Officers Column

Getting Better All the Time

This is so true for Union Temple. Our future is looking very good and the evidence is real. Here are examples of our growth:

Significant increases in High Holy Day service attendance and contributions. We have had an increase of young families who have joined. We have seen increased attendance at Shabbat Services. Our fall Open House was the best attended in recent memory. Enrollments in our Religious School and Preschool have increased. Our members have worked hard to put together events and programs that will appeal to our current members and attract new ones. The hard work is paying off.

We have improved our outreach by using social media. Union Temples activities are now on several neighborhood blogs and list serves thanks to efforts by office administrator Effi BalerMoses and our Temple member Beth Shair. We must continue our focus on increasing membership. In last months Temple Bulletin, Len Shiller discussed our I Got a Member program. We will recognize and reward members who bring in a new member with a pin that says I Got a Member. So here is my suggestion for moving forward. You find our services inspiring, your kids are learning in our schools, you enjoy schmoozing over pizza or pot luck dinners, the social action programs, the adult education, the music, the celebrations, the speakers...tell your friends. It will be a win-win for everybody. -Abe Barnett, Vice-President 3

Sisterhood

Latkes and Turkey

Out of happy endings come good beginnings, and that is how it is going to be for Sisterhood and Brotherhood as 2013 winds down and 2014 comes over the horizon: Well be ending the old year and starting the new year together, and we hope you will be. First, join us on Saturday evening, December 7th, at 5 PM, for our annual Havdalah service and reception. As in the past, this moving event will be followed by a visit to the Brooklyn Museum to participate in its festive First Night activities. There will be music, hands-on art, and great exhibits to choose among. Its an exhilarating evening that you wont want to miss, and a great way to begin the wind down of 2013. Next, be with us on Sunday morning, January 5th, at 10 AM, as Sisterhood and Brotherhood start 2014 off with a beautiful presentation by Union Temples own Moe Kornbluth. Moe will be reading from and discussing with us FRAN, his unforgettable memoir about his remarkable wife, Francine Justa. Fran was a respected and charismatic leader of New York Citys affordablehousing movement until Parkinsons Disease put an end to her remarkable career and life as she and Moe had known and enjoyed it. Moes book, which is available from on-line booksellers, is his beautiful tribute to Fran and his guide to help others in similar situations find hope and help. It will be an inspiring way to start the new year with good friends, good food, and good talk. Dont miss it! Sisterhood wishes everyone a happy, healthy, successful New Year. May 2014 be a year of joy in our lives and peace in our world. -Barbara Brett, Secretary 4

Preschool

Plans Hatched to Perfection

tended our eggs and were rewarded with 11 adorable chicks who spent a week with us, visiting our classrooms and receiving a lot of love. Following the chick hatching project we embarked on a unit about autumn. There were lots of art projects involving collages of leaves and acorns, painting in fall colors and art with pumpkins. The Hummingbirds and Puffins, our fours classes, created beautiful "leaf man" collages based on the book by the same name. The culminating event was a big celebration in the big room with Ira Levin, our music teacher. We all enjoyed singing and dancing to songs celebrating both Shabbat and autumn.

We've had a wonderful fall at the Preschool with some major school-wide projects and celebrations. Our first fall project was our ever popular chick hatching project. Farmer Larry visited us along with Henry the rooster and Shirley the hen. We carefully

Shabbat Morning Hevre Torah Study for Adults

Saturday Mornings, 9:00-10:20 This years focus: SEFER DEVARIM The Book of Deuteronomy
Because of the calendar cycle, the reading of the Book of Deuteronomy generally occurs during the summer when, quite honestly, many of us are away. This is our opportunity to look at Deuteronomy in depth. In certain ways, it is a revolutionary book in relation to the four other books of the Torah. Come study with us on Saturday mornings and together well discover why.

We also had our first adult event of the school year, our parent pot luck dinner. The food and company were both divine. Parents enjoyed a much needed evening out with the opportunity to connect with other families in their children's classes. Happy Holiday wishes! -Susan Sporer, Preschool Director We are currently offering tours and accepting applications for the 2014-2015 school year. Please contact the preschool office at 718-623-1322 to sign up for a tour.

Bagels, Coffee, and Torah Study with fellow congregants Led by Rabbi Goodman
5

Brotherhood

Warming Up to Winter
As usual there will be a lot to keep On January 5th at 10 AM, Brotherhood and Sisterbusy with to get us through this this hood will team up again to host a very special prolong, cold stretch of winter. gram featuring Union Temple member Moe Kornbluth. Moe will be speaking about his book FRAN, We invite you to join with Sisterhood a memoir about his wife, Fran Justa, a respected and Brotherhood on Saturday evening, leader in the affordable housing movement, their life December 7th for our annual Havdalah together and her struggle after being diagnosed with service and reception. Meet in the temParkinsons Disease. It will certainly be a warm and ple for the service at 5 PM and then walk across the wonderful event, and a great start to the new year. street to the Brooklyn Museum of Art to join in the festivities of their First Night activities for December. -David Rapheal, Secretary Its free and a good time is guaranteed.

Education Corner

Come Hang Out with Us

While the Religious School is engaging students in Jewish learning and living, we also offer opportunities for parent engagement. We recently created a Parent Hang out area on Sundays. Please join us on the 3 rd floor in the social hall for some lively discussion, coffee (we just bought a brand new Keurig), magazines or just a quiet place to relax. In addition to this hangout area, we have parent programming scheduled throughout the year. Please join us on December 8th from 9:30-11:00 for our second parent program. In this program we are going to explore the challenges and opportunities of the December holidays. I look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Events for December:

Parent Program December 8th 9:30-11:00 No Religious School December 22nd and December 29th.

First Friday Family Shabbat on Friday December 6th Join us for First Friday Family Shabbat when the 4th grade religious school class will lead us in the candle and wine blessings. Our schedule for the evening: 6:00 Snacks 6:30 Shabbat Service 7:30 Potluck Dinner and Music Here are the food requests for this month's potluck dinner (Please bring serving for 8-12 people and remember take out is just fine): A F- Salad G - P Side Dish Q - S Dessert Side T - Z Main Course We are looking forward to celebrating Shabbat with you! Please RSVP to Mindy Sherry at educator@uniontemple.org -Mindy Sherry, Director of Youth and Family Engagement 7

Thank You to Yom Kippur Appeal Donors

Union Temple extends its deepest gratitude to the members who contributed to our 2013 Yom Kippur Appeal. Your contributions help fund the work of the Temple and are most welcome.
Herbert H. and Rochelle Adasko Abraham Barnett and Anna Schiavone Hyman and Barbara Brett Jerome S. Bunke and Jane Bassewitz Emily Campbell Adam Dubin and Rachele Benloulou-Dubin Leslie Farrar Tan Robert Frey and Judy Stossel Dennies Emelda Gajadhar Michael Glikin Susan L. Goldbetter Rabbis Stephen W. and Linda Henry Goodman Nancy M. Greenberg Arlene Greendlinger Karen and Tom Guccione Lorri Gumanow and Les Levinowitz Lawrence B. and Judy Gutman Stephen and Beatrice J. Hanks Hortense Hurwitz Ralph Julius and Ken Nelson Doris Klueger Arnold D. and Ellen D. Kolikoff Morris E. Kornbluth and Francine C. Justa Jonathan Kurfirst and Beth Lawrence Daniella Lednicer and Darryl Chu Howard Leopold Daniel Levitan and Anne Schwartz Marvin and Purlaine Lieberman Anne Maltz Kenneth E. Meister and Laurie M. Shahon Jason S. Meyer Alfred Miller and Alyssa Weinstein Miller Maggie Green Mortali 8 Andrew C. Myers and Jill W. Penman Myers Robert Newhouser Cheryl M. Paradis and Gene P. McCollough Salvatore Pardo and Anna Van Tuyl Dorothy Z. Peters Marvin and Diane Polonsky David Rapheal and Susan Sukenik Rebecca Reich Harriet Roberts Rebecca Rogers Demetria Royals Adam Sarkozy Lewis and Sheila Soloff Irvin and Pearl Schonfield Leslie Farrar Tan Michael Schwartz and Sheila Solow Steven Segall and Mark Silverstein Beth Shair and Thierry Goyer Eric Siegel and Rachel Woolley Howard and Linda Simka Henry and Susanne B. Singer Emerson (Roger) Spry and Erica J. Shatz-Spry Jeffrey Stein and Denise Waxman David and Louise Trubek William Leonard and Stephanie Vogel David A. Zupnick REMEMBER MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Donate 3% of your food expenditures to MAZON. Give to our MAZON tzedakah can at temple dinners.
Find out more at: www.mazon.org

Tzedakah
UNION TEMPLE MEMORIAL FUND
Donated by .................................................................................... in memory of
Sherry Rosenberg .................................................................................... Karen Pollack Steven Rifkind ......................................................................................... Ira Rifkind Roger Spry .............................................................................................. Ethel Spry and Benjamin S. Greenberg Nancy M. Greenberg ................................................................................ May Caplin and Benjamin S. Greenberg Dr. Dorothy Silverman ............................................................................. Max Silverman Joyce M. Charles ..................................................................................... Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson

HAPPY DAY FUND

Donated by
Moe Kornbluth and Francine Justa

SISTERHOOD MEMORIAL FUND

Donated by
Moe Kornbluth and Francine Justa

BROTHERHOOD MEMORIAL FUND

Donated by
Moe Kornbluth and Francine Justa

SHABBAT ONEG
Donated by
Howard and Linda Simka Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman Henry and Susanne Singer

Passover Care Packages

Send a package of Passover goodies from Union Temple to your kids off at college. Just submit name, address and phone number for each young person to the office by March 28th. Make it a Chag Sameach indeed!

Donate to Union Temple! Its easier than ever. Go to www.uniontemple-donate.org Designate your gift to one of these funds:
Memorial Fund Rabbi A. Stanley Dreyfus Memorial Fund Gratitude Fund Happy Day Fund High Holy Day Donations Music Fund Yahrzeit Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Passover Haggaddah Appeal

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 Emma Goldin Student Cantor Shinae Kim Temple Musician Susan Sporer Preschool Director Mindy Sherry Director of Youth and Family Engagement Beatrice Hanks President Abe Barnett Ellen Kolikoff Jeffrey Stein Vice Presidents Steven Segall Secretary Leonard Shiller 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 2013 ~ Kislev-Tevet 5774

Sun 1 Mon 2
Preschool Chanukah 11:30 AM Robbins 6:15 PM Officers

Tue 3
Rosh Chodesh Tevet

Wed 4
Preschool Chanukah 11:15 AM Chickadees 11:30 AM Sparrows

Thu 5
Preschool Chanukah 11:30 AM Hummingbirds; Puffins

Fri 6

Sat 7
9:00 AM

8
9:30 AM Religious School Parent Breakfast Seminar

10

11
6:30 PM Union Temple Singers 7:15 PM Preschool Committee

12

13

Shabbat Hevre 9:30 AM Out of First Friday the Shabbox Family Shabbat 10:30 AM 6:00 PM Snacks Shabbat Service 6:30 PM 5:00 PM BrotherKabbalat Shabbat hood/Sisterhood 7:30 PM Pot Luck Havdalah at Temple Dinner then First Saturday at Bklyn Museum

14

6:00 PM Board of Trustees

6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Pizza

9:00 AM Shabbat Hevre 9:30 AM Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM Shabbat Service

URJ Biennial Convention

15
9:30 AM Religious School 10:00 AM Membership Committee

16

17

18
5:30 PM Shalom Meditation Circle 6:30 PM Union Temple Singers 7:30 PM Anshei Mitzvah

19

20

21
9:00 AM Shabbat Hevre 9:30 AM Out of the Shabbox 10:30 AM Shabbat Service

URJ Biennial

6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

22
Religious School Vacation

23
6:00 PM Religious School Committee 7:00 PM Religious Practices Committee

24

25

26

27

28
10:30 AM Shabbat Service Baby Naming: Ella Jean Ehrlich Daughter of Mickey and Jackie Ehrlich

6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

29
Religious School Vacation

30

31

11

SAVE THE DATE

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 2013 UNION TEMPLE OF BROOKLYN BULLETIN

Happy New Year!