Monthly Messages
Message from the Rabbi (September 2010)
I recently lost my passport, and with our upcoming congregational trip to Israel looming this November, I was absolutely frantic to find it. For months, I searched my entire house and tried to think where it could possibly be. Last November, I attended the URJ Biennial Convention in Canada, so I knew I had it then. I searched my suitcases and computer bag several times. I called the rental car agency, the hotel where we stayed, and even the casino and Niagara Falls Visitor Center where we stopped after
crossing back into the United States. Finally, I was resigned to the fact that it was indeed lost. Aside from the fact that I was mad at myself for losing such an important document, the $135.00 fee for applying for a new passport enraged me even more. But what was done was done and I had to have a new passport for our upcoming trip.
The other day, I decided to give it one more try. For two hours, I searched the entire house. I looked under the bed and behind the dressers. I took everything out of every kitchen drawer and even searched my children’s bedrooms. I had my wife looking everywhere too, but nothing turned up. In order to apply for a new passport, you have to show your original birth certificate, so I went in search for that. I looked in the two places I thought it might be, but no luck there. Finally, I remembered that I had to submit a copy of my birth certificate for my recent application to be a police chaplain for the City of Placentia. I remembered that there was a large envelope from the police department on the kitchen counter that I took to make copies of my vital document. Sure enough, in that envelope was my birth certificate, and guess what else was there? Right – the very passport for which I had been searching for months. Yes, it was right there all along, right under my nose, on the kitchen counter, mere inches from where I place my wallet, keys, and sunglasses every single day.
Of course, I was relieved to have found my passport and to have saved a little money as well, but my aggravation and frustration level at myself literally hit the roof. Here, I had lost something very important to me, something vital to my life and well-being, something essential for my future. And if that weren’t bad enough, it was right under my nose all along. So, naturally I had to turn this negative into a positive, and relate this experience to the upcoming High Holy Days!
At this time of introspection, many Jews feel guilty for their lack of observance or attendance at synagogue. Far too many Jews separate themselves from the community: some desire to return to the fold, while others simply don’t know the way back home or cannot find the proper path. Still others have no desire to return. Many feel a sense of loss, that part of their heritage, tradition, and culture have been lost and they don’t even know where to search. Many have lost their connection to family and friends, or even to God, and they don’t know where to look to retrieve that sense of community and belonging.
The little episode with my passport is an important lesson, especially at this time of year. Sometimes, what we think is really lost is simply misplaced. Sometimes, the most important and vital things in our lives are right there under our noses, but we just cannot see them because they are concealed behind or in something else. Sometimes, we learn and grow and mature through the process of searching, but ultimately find what we are looking for, and sometimes we may not find what we are looking for, but we should never stop searching.
Naturally, I hope that you will find whatever you happen to be searching for this High Holy Day season. But remember: The High Holy Days are all about the process and the journey, not about any one magical moment of transcendence or revelation.
My entire family joins me in wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. May we indeed be written and sealed in the Book of Life, Happiness, Peace, and Joy. May we also see to it that through our actions of mitzvot, tzedakah, and tikkun olam, we write and seal ourselves and others in that same Book.
Kenneth Milhander
Message from the President (September 2010)
This past July, I attended my 40th high school reunion. And for five amazing hours, the Long Beach, New York High School Class of 1970 succeeded in turning back the hands of time. In reflection, my reunion was everything I expected it to be; the obnoxious kids were still obnoxious, it was still funny to talk about the pranks we played 40 summers ago, and the captain of the cheerleaders was still beautiful though she was no longer a size two!
Time is often marked by milestones; a child’s first birthday, your son’s Bar Mitzvah, your daughter’s sweet 16, your 25th wedding anniversary, attending your 40th high school reunion. Likewise, the time that one holds an elected position is tracked by the passage of time. This is ever so evident when the political pundits on both sides of the aisle evaluated our nation’s president on his first 100 days.
Fortunately for me, I am not subject to such a microscopic review. However, though such a short period of time has passed, my experiences have already been most rewarding and here in my report.
A week after my installation as President, on June 12th, I made my temple presentation to our Rabbi’s daughter Leah on her Bat Mitzvah. And what a memorable occasion that was seeing her father all teary eyed. What a proud Dad he is!
Shortly thereafter, I presided over my first temple board meeting. And, as if by impulse, I rattled the gavel three times.
I was also a guest at the ECLC breakfast honoring volunteers. And the kids presented me with a key to the school! I also volunteered to perform a Brit but was politely told that it was not in my job description. In response, I was a little surprised as I had read the book, “Performing Circumcisions for Dummies!”
Unfortunately, I also attended my first Shiva as President for which there are never the right words to express your feelings. And by the time most of you have read this message, I will have delivered my first State of the Temple address on Yom Kippur.
During my first 100 days, I have also sent out dozens of letters to our members for the many simchas celebrated as well as unfortunate tsureres. And though my daily responsibilities as your president are not as demanding as trying to plug a gushing oil well in the gulf or trying to jump start a sputtering economy , my job is not limited to attending Bar Mitzvahs and making speeches. I have also had to manage member comp laints, make committee appointments, filter Project Legacy issues, write the President’s message in a timely manner, answer and respond to countless e-mails and phone calls. In general, my job is to keep everyone happy.
So, after my first 100 days, is being temple President everything I thought it would be? My answer is a resounding yes and this is why. Being your President has also instilled in me the value of giving of my time for which the rewards cannot be measured in time. To illustrate, to be able to help a member who is having a difficult time financially but is too embarrassed to ask for help is priceless. And to comfort someone in their time of grief makes you feel thankful for what you have.
So as we celebrate a New Year, I encourage each and every one of you to give of your time. Volunteer. Be a mentor. Help teach, give and give with your time. And remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson once so elegantly penned, “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
Ben Berkley
ECLC News (August 2010)
Bonjour, G’day, Ni hao from E.C.L.C. Who says it’s expensive to travel? We have taken the entire preschool to New York, Australia, China, and India with three more stops to go – France, Greece & Russia. Our amazing teachers are exposing the children to the music, food and wonders of these countries as we travel the world together. Morah Marder even found a real Wallaby and Sugar Glider to visit us during our week in Australia. How many of you have ever seen one before and before the age of 6! Thanks to the mild weather and our new canopy (thank you parents!) this summer has been a breeze!
Karin Cook
Religious School News (September 2010)
Just in time for the new school year, our temperatures are cranked up. Those temperatures align with the level of excitement for the year ahead as we look forwa rd to moving into our new school buidling in the next couple of months. While we were hoping for things to be ready by September, we are also used to the flexibility that was required last year, and are now experienced at bending with the changes that occur on a regular basis with schedules and facility availability.
By the time you read this message, I will have met with our education vice-presidents to set forth some goals for the year, and we will have had our first faculty meeting to meet one another, do a little learning with Rabbi Milhander, and to take care of the nuts and bolts of beginning a new school year. We have an incredible team of adults whose dedication to Jewish education is priceless, and I can’t wait for you to see us in action.
At the end of the last school year, we held a parent meeting to evaluate how the year had gone. Great feedback was received by those in attendance, and based on your comments, we are adding a new position to the staff – Hebrew coach. Sammi Jass will work on Saturdays in Grades 3-7 to reinforce the learning that was done on Wednesdays in our Hebrew classes. Wednesday teachers will communicate with Sammi so that she knows what to work on with each class during their 20-minute coaching time. Then Sammi will report back to the Hebrew teachers to let them know what progress was made. With the added exposure to the language, we hope to boost retention of Hebrew education in a fun, non-academic way.
As was reported earlier in the summer, we are adopting a new curriculum for two classes in our Hebrew School. Mitkadem is an individualized approach to Hebrew education. Our Bet and Gimel classes (4th & 5th graders) will be using the program, and the role of the teacher will be to guide the students as they work alone or in pairs to accomplish each level during the year. During each class session, there will also be a whole-group activity, focusing on a concept, a project, or another aspect of the curriculum. I look forward to seeing our students’ Hebrew knowledge unfold as they approach Mitkadem.
Our Saturday classes will again use the URJ’s Chai curriculum. Last year was our first year using this program, and it was well received. The three strands of the curriculum, Torah, Avodah (prayer), and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness) form the framework, with lessons giving students a 21st century educational experience.
I hope you will plan to spend our first day of school, September 11, with us as we offer a full morning of family activities, culminating with a BBQ lunch sponsored by our Men’s Club. See elsewhere on this page for details. You will have a chance to meet our staff and volunteers, and our Shabbat morning service will be one of our upbeat, unplugged Inter-Generational Shabbat services. Songleader Mikey Pauker, Cantor Avdee, and Rabbi Milhander will lead us through the prayers, and you will leave with a smile on your face!
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and Healthy New Year! L’shana Tova u’Metuka,
Miriam Van Raalte
Men's Club (September 2010)
MONTHLY MEETING CHANGE. Because of Labor Day, we will meet at TBT at 6:30 on Monday, Sept 13th. The second Monday. Dinner is on us.
S’LICHOT ICE CREAM SOCIAL. Your men’s club will be providing and serving the ice cream.
ANNUAL JOKE BREAKFAST. Sept. 19th. The day after Yom Kippur. Breakfast is free for paid up members. 11:00 AM. At TBT. You do not have to bring or tell a joke. Just come and have a good laugh. If you feel like telling a joke, then you can have your chance at your 15 min. of fame. Please wear your MC shirts.
MEMBERSHIP. We do a lot for the Temple. If you are not a member, please come join us for some Mitzvah doings, and some fun. We are 60 members strong.
NEW PROGRAMS. We are working on some exciting ideas. We welcome your input. For example we will be sponsoring a Tot Shabbat meal and helping out with the first day of religious school. We are also working on a community service project. And, we are currently working with other Men’s Clubs in putting together programs and activities that we can do together.
YOUNG ADULT MEMBERSHIP. We are working on this concept. . Our new membership fee schedule is as follows:
College Student * ................................................. FREE
Under 30 * ............................................................. FREE
for the First Year
$18 per year until age 30
Over 30 *................................................................ $54 per year
* You or a family member must be a member of TBT.
NEW VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS. Your Men's Club is also seeking new volleyball players for their Sunday morning get together at Mitch Shapiro's home. If any one is interested, contact Michael Flashner, Neil Rosen, or Mitch Shapiro.
IN THE WORKS … Our next meeting will be Monday night, 9/13/2010 at 6:30pm at TBT (the SECOND MONDAY). Please come join us for a little “bonding”. Please RSVP to Tom Green, membership, at puttering@dslextreme.com. If you have any questions or comments, please talk with your Men’s Club Officers: Michael Flashner, Greg Spalter or ask the Rabbi .
Mitchell Shapiro
Sisterhood (September 2010)
As a teacher, September was always an exciting month for me. It was the beginning of a new school year and I would start fresh with a new class and new materials. The children came to school on the first day in their new outfits and shoes all excited to embark on a new journey. Although I don’t work in education anymore (other than my fantastic job at TBT Religious School), I still find myself looking forward to September, a new school year and of course, the High Holidays which kick off our new Jewish year.
It is at this time that I feel we are looking forward to a new year for Neshot Tikvah. The board has been working hard for the past few months gearing up for a new year with some new and exciting ideas. I sincerely hope that all ladies at TBT are planning to join this year. New years, new ideas, and new members are what make an organization continue moving forward.
If you did not attend our Girls ’ Night Out, you missed a fantastic event. There was a great turn out and lots a fun for everyone. In fact, the event did not end until midnight! I think this is a first for Neshot Tikvah! Thank you so much to Kathy Shefts and Audrey Prezgay who planned and hosted the event. Our next event will our paid up membership event in October. Stay tuned for more details. This is a free event for everyone who is a paid up member. We will happily take your dues at the door if you forget to send it in before then.
On behalf of the Neshot Tikvah board and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Shana Tova. May you a have sweet year filled with blessings.
Diana Reinstein
